Word
Definitions
01road surface material
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a hard, black mixture used to cover roads and pavements.
n. a composite material, properly termed asphalt concrete, consisting of mineral aggregate bound together with bitumen and used for road surfaces.
“The heat from the summer sun made the fresh asphalt on the road smell very strong.”
“The city council approved a budget to repair the crumbling asphalt on the main highway before the winter freeze caused further damage.”
Usage
Often used uncountably when referring to the material in general.
02raw bitumen
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. a thick, black, sticky substance found in nature or made from oil.
n. a highly viscous or semi-solid form of petroleum, primarily composed of bitumen, occurring in natural deposits or as a residue from petroleum distillation.
“Scientists studied the ancient bones found preserved in the natural asphalt pits.”
“The chemical composition of the asphalt varies depending on the crude oil source and the specific refining process employed.”
Usage
Commonly used in geological or industrial contexts.
Real-World Examples
“On highways, where the roar comes from tire noise, city officials are adopting quieter technologies for asphalt, Aletta says.” “The consequence is as asphalt gets older it gets more jaggedy.” Etymology
From Late Latin asphaltum, from Ancient Greek ἄσφαλτος (ásphaltos, “asphalt, bitumen”). Displaced native Old English eorþteoru.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
01. asphalt jungle
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/asphalt
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
‘외래어’ data: 한국어기초사전 (국립국어원), CC BY-SA 2.0 KR