bell
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a hollow metal object, usually shaped like a cup, that makes a ringing sound when you hit it.
n.a hollow, typically cup-shaped metal percussion instrument that resonates when struck by a clapper or hammer.
Simple“The church bell rings every Sunday morning to call people to the service.”
In context“The heavy bronze bell was suspended from a massive oak beam in the cathedral tower, requiring three men to swing it.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
n.the sound of a bell used as a signal, like at school or at the end of a boxing round.
n.the sounding of a bell or electronic chime as a signal to indicate a specific time or event.
Simple“The students ran into the classroom as soon as the school bell rang.”
In context“The boxer was saved by the bell just as his opponent was preparing a final knockout blow.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a telephone call.
n.a telephone call; common in idiomatic expressions like 'give someone a bell'.
Simple“I'll give you a bell tomorrow when I get home from work.”
In context“If you find yourself with some spare time this weekend, give me a bell and we can discuss the project details.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the wide, open end of a musical instrument like a trumpet.
n.the flared or expanding end of a hollow object, such as a brass instrument or a pipe.
Simple“The trumpet player polished the bell of his instrument until it shone.”
In context“The acoustic properties of the trombone are heavily influenced by the diameter and curvature of its bell.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
n.a sound made every half hour on a ship to tell the time.
n.a series of strokes on a ship's bell struck every half hour to mark the passage of a four-hour watch.
Simple“The sailor struck eight bells, signaling the end of the midnight watch.”
In context“Life aboard the vessel was strictly regulated by the sounding of the bells, which dictated the rotation of the crew's duties.”
- 06 C2 Proficiency
n.a very rude word for a person you think is stupid.
n.a highly derogatory term for a person perceived as stupid or contemptible; a clipping of a more vulgar anatomical term.
Simple“Don't listen to him; he's being a total bell.”
In context“The argument escalated quickly when one driver called the other a bell after a minor traffic disagreement.”
- 07 B1 Intermediate
- 08 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to put a bell on something, like a cat's collar.
v.to provide or equip an animal or object with a bell.
Simple“We decided to bell the cat so the birds would hear him coming.”
In context“The farmer chose to bell the lead cow to make the herd easier to locate in the thick morning mist.”