bore

B2 · Upper Intermediate Technical

v. to make a deep, round hole in a hard surface like wood or metal.

v. to pierce or make a hole in a solid object by means of a rotary tool or steady pressure.

“They had to bore a hole through the thick stone wall for the pipe.”

“Engineers used a massive machine to bore a tunnel through the mountain, connecting the two remote valleys for the first time.”

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a person or situation that is very uninteresting.

n. a person or thing that causes weariness or lack of interest.

“He is such a bore; he only ever talks about his car.”

“The party turned out to be a total bore, as there was no music and very little conversation among the guests.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical

n. the hollow inside of a pipe or tube, or how wide it is.

n. the internal diameter or caliber of a cylinder, tube, or gun barrel.

“The mechanic checked the bore of the engine cylinders for any damage.”

“The rifle's bore was meticulously cleaned to ensure that no residue would interfere with the bullet's trajectory.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a large wave that travels up a river from the sea.

n. a high, often abrupt wave caused by the meeting of two tides or by a tide rushing up a narrow river estuary.

“People gathered by the riverbank to watch the tidal bore rush upstream.”

“The Severn Bore is a natural phenomenon that attracts surfers from across the country due to its powerful, consistent wave.”