ceramics
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the activity or skill of making things like pots and bowls out of clay.
the art, science, or process of manufacturing ceramic objects. Often functions as a singular noun in this sense.
Simple“She decided to take a class in ceramics to learn how to use a pottery wheel.”
In context“Contemporary ceramics has evolved from a purely functional craft into a respected medium for fine art and sculptural expression.”
UsageWhen referring to the art or study, the word usually takes a singular verb.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
pots, dishes, or other items that are made of clay and hardened by heat.
objects made from clay or similar materials that have been fired at high temperatures. Functions as a plural noun in this sense.
Simple“The museum has a beautiful collection of ancient Greek ceramics.”
In context“The archaeological site yielded several well-preserved ceramics, providing vital clues about the domestic habits of the settlement's inhabitants.”
UsageWhen referring to the physical objects, the word takes a plural verb.
“Scientists led by the Universitat Politècnica de Barcelona and the ESRF, the European Synchrotron, have revealed the chemical reactions in nanoparticles that created a unique, shimmering effect in the painting on ninth-century Islamic ceramics.”
“A Mesopotamian culture’s decorated ceramics show some early roots of math, researchers argued.”
From ceramic + -ics.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.