carbon
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a chemical element found in diamonds, coal, and all living things.
the chemical element with atomic number 6, occurring in all organic compounds and in various allotropes such as graphite and diamond.
Simple“All life on Earth is based on the element carbon.”
In context“The unique ability of carbon to form stable bonds with many elements allows it to serve as the fundamental building block of complex organic molecules.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
gases like carbon dioxide that are released into the air and cause global warming.
used as a shorthand for carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental policy.
Simple“The government is trying to reduce the country's carbon footprint.”
In context“International treaties aim to limit carbon output by incentivizing industries to transition toward renewable energy sources and more efficient manufacturing processes.”
Synonymsemissionscarbon dioxide - 03 C1 Advanced
a very strong, light material used to make things like bikes or car parts.
a lightweight, high-strength material made of thin filaments of carbon, often used in aerospace and high-performance sporting goods.
Simple“His new racing bike is made entirely of carbon.”
In context“The aerospace engineer specified a carbon composite for the fuselage to maximize the aircraft's fuel efficiency without sacrificing structural integrity.”
Synonymscarbon fiber - 04 C1 Advanced
a special paper used to make a copy of something you write or type.
a sheet of paper coated with a dark waxy pigment, used for making one or more copies of a document simultaneously with the original.
Simple“He put a piece of carbon between the pages to make a duplicate.”
In context“Before the advent of digital word processing and photocopiers, clerks relied on carbon paper to produce multiple copies of legal contracts.”
Usage carbon dioxide · carbon emissions · carbon footprint
“Some studies suggest that carbon may crystallize into diamonds deep inside these planets.”
“They may also play a major role in storing carbon and supporting the health of the planet.”
Borrowed from French carbone, coined by Antoine Lavoisier, from Latin carbō, carbōnem (“charcoal, coal”), possibly from Proto-Indo-European *kerh₃- (“to burn”). By surface analysis, carbo- + -on.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.