Kettle: meaning, definitions and examples

This is a general word for a container used to boil water, often electric.

• Please fill the kettle with water and turn it on.
• The kettle is boiling; we can make tea now.

While this can be used for boiling water, it’s more commonly associated with cooking and can hold multiple kinds of food or liquid.

• She put the pot on the stove to make soup.
• Boil the water in a pot if you don't have a kettle.

Specifically refers to a kettle designed for boiling water to make tea, often stovetop rather than electric.

• She whistled softly as she waited for the teakettle to boil.
• The old-fashioned teakettle took longer to heat up, but it made the best tea.

This term is used more for equipment that heats water on a larger scale, often for heating systems or industrial purposes, and can occasionally refer to a simple household water heater.

• The boiler in the basement maintains the building's heating system.
• They installed a new boiler to ensure there’s always hot water.

Typically used to refer to an electric kettle used for boiling water quickly in a modern kitchen.

• I'll put the kettle on for some tea.
• Our electric kettle broke, we need to buy a new one.

A broad term referring to any kitchen vessel used for cooking, such as a saucepan or a stockpot.

• Fill the pot with water and put it on the stove.
• We're making soup, so grab the big pot.

Used to describe a stove-top kettle specifically for boiling water for tea, often with a whistle to indicate when the water is ready.

• I bought a new teakettle that whistles when the water is boiling.
• She poured boiling water from the teakettle into the teapot.

Primarily refers to a large appliance used to heat water for the entire house, mainly in the context of heating systems.

• The boiler stopped working, so we have no hot water.
• We need to service the boiler before winter.

Used to describe a container used for boiling water, often in the kitchen.

• I put the kettle on to make some tea.
• The kettle was whistling, signaling that the water was boiling.

Describes a difficult, perplexing, or unpleasant situation. It is less severe than 'plight' and often implies a degree of awkwardness or complexity.

• He found himself in a predicament after losing his wallet.
• We were in a predicament when the car ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere.

Refers to a dangerous, difficult, or otherwise unfortunate situation. This term often has a serious or sympathetic tone.

• The news described the plight of the refugees.
• She wrote a compelling article about the plight of endangered species.

Refers to problems or difficulties. This is a general term that can be used in a wide range of negative situations, from minor issues to major crises.

• She got into trouble for breaking the rules.
• The company is in financial trouble due to poor management.