Tile: meaning, definitions and examples

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tile

[taɪl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

building material

A thin rectangular slab of baked clay, concrete, or other material, used in overlapping rows for covering roofs or walls.

Synonyms

brick, shingle, slab.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tile	Tile is commonly used for covering floors, walls, and roofs. It is usually made of ceramic, stone, or other hard materials. Often used in bathrooms and kitchens. They decided to tile the kitchen floor with white tiles. The bathroom walls were beautifully tiled.
slab	Slab is a large, thick, flat piece of stone, concrete, or wood. It is often used in construction for floors, ceilings, or countertops. The kitchen had a beautiful marble slab countertop. Workers poured a concrete slab for the new building’s foundation.
shingle	Shingle is a thin piece of building material used for roof covering. It can be made of wood, asphalt, or other materials, and is ideal for sloped roofs. The cabin roof was covered in wooden shingles. They chose asphalt shingles for their new roof.
brick	Brick is a type of block used in building walls, pavements, and other elements in masonry construction. It's often used for constructing houses and buildings. They built the house using red bricks. The garden path is lined with bricks.

Examples of usage

The roof was covered in red clay tiles.
She chose white tiles for the bathroom walls.
The old house had a slate tile roof.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

board game piece

A flat, thin piece used in board games, usually marked with a number or a picture.

Synonyms

counter, domino, piece.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tile	Used when referring to flat, thin, usually square or rectangular objects often used for covering floors, walls, or roofs. The kitchen floor was covered with colorful ceramic tiles. We need to replace the broken tiles in the bathroom.
piece	A general term used to refer to a part or portion of something larger, can be used in various contexts. She gave him a piece of her mind. I need a piece of paper to write this down.
counter	Often used to refer to a flat surface in a kitchen or store where goods are prepared or displayed. She placed the groceries on the kitchen counter. The shopkeeper arranged the candies on the counter.
domino	Refers specifically to a rectangular game piece used in the game of dominoes, often marked with dots on one side. We spent the evening playing dominoes. He lined up the dominoes in a row and then knocked them over.

Examples of usage

He drew a tile from the bag to see his next move.
The Scrabble player carefully arranged the tiles on the board.
In Mahjong, players take turns drawing and discarding tiles.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

cover with tiles

To cover (a roof, wall, etc.) with tiles.

Synonyms

cover, decorate, pave.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
tile	Refers to covering a surface with tiles, similar to the first 'tile' entry, specifically in construction or renovation settings. We are tiling the roof with new slate tiles. The patio needs to be retiled before summer.
cover	Used when referring to putting something over a surface to protect, hide, or enhance it. It is a more general term and can be used in various contexts. Let's cover the table with a tablecloth for the party. The floor is covered with a thick layer of dust.
pave	Primarily used for laying down stone, concrete, or bricks to create a hard surface like a road, path, or sidewalk. They decided to pave the driveway with asphalt. The city plans to pave the new bike path next month.
decorate	Used when adding or enhancing the appearance of something, typically for aesthetic purposes. This term often relates to festive occasions or interior design. We will decorate the house for Christmas tomorrow. She loves to decorate her room with colorful posters.

Examples of usage

They decided to tile the kitchen floor with ceramic tiles.
The bathroom will be tiled with mosaic designs.
The contractor will tile the entire patio area next week.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old French 'tile', which originates from the Latin word 'tegula', meaning a roof or roof covering.
Historically, the term referred to any small piece used to cover a surface, evolving over time to refer mostly to ceramic and stone pieces.
In various languages, the word for tile often relates to words for 'cover' or 'shield,' highlighting their protective function against elements.

Cultural Significance

In Islamic art and architecture, intricate tilework is a significant tradition, often featuring geometric and floral patterns that convey beauty and spirituality.
Mexican Talavera tiles are brightly colored and hand-painted, showcasing local folklore and culture in their designs.
In ancient Rome, tiles were used extensively in bathhouses and villas, reflecting the importance of public and private hygiene in Roman society.

Architectural Use

Tiles have been used in construction for thousands of years, with evidence of tiled roofs found in ancient Chinese architecture dating back to the Shang dynasty.
Unglazed tiles are frequently used in outdoor settings due to their strength and slip resistance, making them ideal for patios and walkways.
Decorative tiles can significantly enhance the aesthetic of homes, often seen in kitchens and bathrooms, reflecting trends in modern interior design.

Art and Design

The art of mosaics relies heavily on small tiles, which can be arranged to create stunning images or patterns seen in historical landmarks.
Vibrant tile designs can influence contemporary design, blending traditional techniques with modern aesthetics in various art forms.
Tile painting has become a revival in modern craft, with artists creating unique, custom works for both functional and decorative purposes.

Science and Technology

In technology, tiles in software interfaces (like on smartphones or apps) are used for easy navigation and organization of information.
Modern tiles can incorporate radiant heating technology, warming up floors efficiently and providing comfort during colder months.
Research in materials science has led to the development of eco-friendly tiles made from recycled materials, highlighting advances in sustainable building practices.

Translations

Translations of the word "tile" in other languages:

🇵🇹 azulejo

🇮🇳 टाइल (ṭāil)

🇩🇪 Fliese

🇮🇩 ubin

🇺🇦 плитка

🇵🇱 płytka

🇯🇵 タイル (tairu)

🇫🇷 carreau

🇪🇸 azulejo

🇹🇷 karo

🇰🇷 타일 (tail)

🇸🇦 بلاط (bilāṭ)

🇨🇿 dlaždice

🇸🇰 dlaždica

🇨🇳 瓷砖 (cízhuān)

🇸🇮 ploščica

🇮🇸 flísar

🇰🇿 плитка

🇬🇪 ფილა (p'ila)

🇦🇿 plitə

🇲🇽 azulejo

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,321 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
7318 periodically
7319 connexion
7320 selfish
7321 tile
7322 chip
7323 swift
7324 sore
...