beach

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun British English · Dialect

n. the small, smooth stones found on some shores.

n. the loose pebbles or shingle of the seashore, often worn smooth by wave action.

“The beach was so rocky that it was difficult to walk without thick shoes.”

“In certain parts of Kent, the term refers specifically to the deep layers of beach that protect the low-lying marshland from the tide.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Humorous · Informal · Slang

n. a word used instead of a common insult to avoid being rude.

n. a phonetic euphemism for the word 'bitch', used to avoid censorship or social taboo.

“Stop being such a beach and help me with these heavy bags.”

“The comedian frequently substituted 'beach' for more aggressive profanities to maintain a family-friendly rating while still conveying the intended frustration.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to pull a boat out of the water and onto the sand.

v. to pull or drive a vessel onto the shore, either intentionally for maintenance or accidentally.

“We managed to beach the small boat before the storm got too bad.”

“The sailors were forced to beach the leaking catamaran on a sandbar to prevent it from sinking in the deep channel.”

C1 · Advanced Informal · Technical

v. to get a vehicle stuck on the ground so the wheels cannot move.

v. to run a vehicle onto an obstacle or soft ground such that the chassis rests on the surface, depriving the wheels of traction.

“He tried to drive over the dirt pile but beached his car instead.”

“The off-road vehicle was beached on a hidden stump, leaving the driver with all four wheels spinning uselessly in the air.”