Word
binoculars
Phoneticsbinoc·u·lars
US/bəˈnɑkjəɫɝz/
UK/bɪnˈɒkjʊləz/
Plural noun
Definition
n. a tool with two lenses that you hold to your eyes to see things far away. It makes distant objects look much larger and clearer.
n. an optical instrument consisting of two small telescopes joined together, used for viewing distant objects with both eyes simultaneously.
Examples
“I used my binoculars to watch the birds in the trees.”
“From the top of the cliff, she used her binoculars to spot the small boat on the horizon.”
“Amateur astronomers often prefer high-quality binoculars for wide-field observations of the night sky, as they provide a more natural depth of field than a single-lens telescope.”
Examples
simple
“I used my binoculars to watch the birds in the trees.”
contextual
“From the top of the cliff, she used her binoculars to spot the small boat on the horizon.”
complex
“Amateur astronomers often prefer high-quality binoculars for wide-field observations of the night sky, as they provide a more natural depth of field than a single-lens telescope.”
Usage
Pluralia tantum — takes a plural verb and is often used with the phrase 'a pair of'.
Pitfall
I bought a binocular.
I bought a pair of binoculars.
Binoculars is a plural-only noun; you must use 'a pair of' to refer to a single unit.
Etymology
Abbreviation of "binocular glass".
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domain
- 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/binoculars