Word
clogged
US/ˈkɫɔɡd/
UK/klˈɒɡd/
Definition
adj. blocked by something so that nothing can move through. You use this to describe pipes, roads, or even your nose when you have a cold.
adj. blocked or obstructed by an accumulation of material, preventing flow or movement. Often used predicatively after 'be', 'become', or 'get'.
Examples
“The kitchen sink is clogged with food waste.”
“The main highway became clogged with traffic after a truck broke down in the middle lane.”
“Old plumbing systems in this district are frequently clogged by mineral deposits that accumulate over decades, necessitating expensive professional intervention to restore proper water pressure.”
Examples
simple
“The kitchen sink is clogged with food waste.”
contextual
“The main highway became clogged with traffic after a truck broke down in the middle lane.”
complex
“Old plumbing systems in this district are frequently clogged by mineral deposits that accumulate over decades, necessitating expensive professional intervention to restore proper water pressure.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'with' to indicate the cause of the blockage.
Pitfall
The pipe is clog
The pipe is clogged
Learners often use the base verb 'clog' instead of the participial adjective 'clogged' to describe the state of being blocked.
Real-World Examples
“Nobody wants to swim in a lake clogged with dead fish.” “The roads and car parks of west and north Cornwall are clogged as people gather to watch the solar eclipse.” - 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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