Word
ashtray
Phoneticsash·tray, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæʃˌtɹeɪ/
UK/ˈæʃtɹeɪ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small dish or container used for cigarette ash and finished cigarettes.
n. a container, typically made of glass, ceramic, or metal, intended for the disposal of tobacco ash and cigarette or cigar ends.
Examples
“He put his cigarette in the ashtray.”
“The waiter placed a fresh ashtray on the table to accommodate the guests who were smoking.”
“While modern public spaces often ban smoking entirely, many private offices still keep an ashtray on the desk for those who prefer to smoke in designated areas.”
Examples
simple
“He put his cigarette in the ashtray.”
contextual
“The waiter placed a fresh ashtray on the table to accommodate the guests who were smoking.”
complex
“While modern public spaces often ban smoking entirely, many private offices still keep an ashtray on the desk for those who prefer to smoke in designated areas.”
Usage
A countable noun; usually used with the definite article when referring to a specific one in a room.
Teaching tip
While common in older literature and films, this word is becoming less frequent in daily life due to public smoking bans.
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eHs-der.? Proto-Germanic *askǭ Proto-West Germanic *askā Old English æsce Middle English asshe English ash Proto-Germanic *trawją Proto-West Germanic *trawi Old English trēġ Middle English trey English tray English ashtray From ash + tray. Compare German Aschenbecher.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/ashtray