Glass: meaning, definitions and examples

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glass

 

[ ษกlรฆs ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

drinkware

An object made of glass that is used for drinking liquids. It can come in various shapes and sizes, such as cups, tumblers, and goblets. Glassware is commonly used for serving water, juice, wine, and other beverages.

Synonyms

cup, goblet, tumbler.

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Word Description / Examples
glass

Best used to refer to a general drinking vessel made of glass, often used for water, juice, or other cold beverages.

  • He poured himself a glass of water
  • She offered me a glass of orange juice
tumbler

Often refers to a short, wide glass used for spirits, cocktails, or non-alcoholic drinks served over ice.

  • He enjoyed his whisky in a tumbler
  • She asked for her soda in a tumbler with ice
cup

Commonly used for hot beverages like coffee or tea. It can also refer to a measurement used in cooking.

  • Would you like a cup of coffee? She added a cup of sugar to the recipe
goblet

Typically refers to a large, decorative drinking vessel, often used for wine or ceremonial purposes.

  • The king raised his goblet in a toast
  • She drank wine from a silver goblet at the feast

Examples of usage

  • She poured some water into the glass.
  • He raised his glass to toast the newlyweds.
  • The bartender placed a cocktail glass in front of her.
Context #2 | Noun

material

A hard, brittle substance, typically transparent or translucent, made by fusing sand with soda and lime. Glass is widely used in windows, bottles, mirrors, and other household items.

Synonyms

crystal, mirror, pane.

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Word Description / Examples
glass

General term for any transparent or translucent material made from silica, commonly used for drinking containers, windows, and various other everyday items.

  • She poured water into a glass.
  • The window was made of sturdy glass.
crystal

A type of high-quality, clear, and often cut glass used for making beautiful, decorative items such as jewelry, glasses, or other fine objects.

  • The chandelier was adorned with sparkling crystal pieces.
  • He gave her a crystal vase for their anniversary.
pane

A flat sheet of glass, typically used in windows or doors.

  • The storm shattered the window pane.
  • She cleaned each pane of the French doors meticulously.
mirror

A flat or curved surface, usually coated on the back with a reflective material, used for seeing oneself or reflecting light.

  • She looked at herself in the mirror to check her makeup.
  • The mirror on the wall made the room appear larger.

Examples of usage

  • The window shattered into pieces of glass.
  • She collected colored glass bottles for decoration.
  • The mirror reflected her image.
Context #3 | Verb

make something shine

To cover or enclose with glass, as in a window. It can also refer to the action of fitting glass into a window frame or other structure to allow light to pass through.

Synonyms

encase, glaze, pane.

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Word Description / Examples
glass

Used to refer to a transparent material used in windows, bottles, and other items.

  • She drank water from a glass
  • The glass in the window broke during the storm
glaze

Refers to applying a shiny coating on a surface, often used for pottery, pastries, and windows.

  • He decided to glaze the pottery for a glossy finish
  • The donuts were glazed with sugar
  • They decided to glaze the windows to improve insulation
encase

Implies covering or surrounding something completely, usually for protection or preservation.

  • The ancient artifact was encased in glass to protect it
  • They encased the delicate device in a sturdy cover
pane

Specifically refers to a single sheet of glass in a window or door.

  • He replaced the broken window pane
  • The cold wind seeped through the old panes

Examples of usage

  • The artist glassed the painting to protect it.
  • The builder glassed the windows of the house.
  • She glassed the photograph before framing it.

Translations

Translations of the word "glass" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น vidro

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคพเคเคš

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Glas

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kaca

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ัะบะปะพ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ szkล‚o

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚ฌใƒฉใ‚น (garasu)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท verre

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ vidrio

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท cam

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์œ ๋ฆฌ (yuri)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฒุฌุงุฌ (zujaj)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ sklo

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ sklo

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็Žป็’ƒ (bลlรญ)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ steklo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gler

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัˆั‹ะฝั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒ˜แƒœแƒ (mina)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ลŸรผลŸษ™

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ vidrio

Etymology

The word 'glass' originated from the Old English word 'glรฆs', which is related to the Dutch 'glas' and German 'Glas'. The use of glass dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Romans, and Phoenicians, who developed techniques for making glass objects. The invention of glassblowing in the 1st century BCE revolutionized the production of glass items, leading to the widespread use of glass in architecture, art, and daily life.

See also: eyeglasses, glasses, glasshouse, glasspaper, glassware, glassy.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,150, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.