cotton
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a soft, white material used for making clothes, sheets, and towels.
n.the fibrous substance harvested from the cotton plant, or the textile fabric manufactured from it.
Simple“This shirt is made of 100% cotton so it stays cool in the summer.”
In context“The textile industry relies heavily on high-quality cotton for the production of breathable, durable garments suitable for warm climates.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.the plant that produces the white fibers used for making cloth.
n.a plant of the genus Gossypium, grown in warm climates for its fiber-filled seed pods.
Simple“The farmers spent the morning checking the cotton in the fields.”
In context“Agricultural researchers are developing new varieties of cotton that require significantly less water to thrive in arid regions.”
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a long, thin string of cotton used for sewing.
n.thread spun from cotton fibers, typically wound on a spool for sewing or embroidery.
Simple“I need a reel of blue cotton to fix the hole in my jeans.”
In context“She selected a spool of mercerized cotton that perfectly matched the shade of the vintage silk lining.”
- 04 A2 Elementary
adj.describes something that is made from cotton fibers.
adj.composed of or relating to cotton; non-gradable.
Simple“She prefers wearing cotton socks because they are more comfortable.”
In context“The museum's collection includes several rare cotton tapestries dating back to the early nineteenth century.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
v.to begin to understand something or to start liking someone.
v.to begin to understand or take a liking to something or someone; usually followed by 'to' or 'on to'.
Simple“It took him a while to cotton on to the fact that they were joking.”
In context“The public was slow to cotton on to the implications of the new tax policy until the first bills arrived.”
UsageUsually appears in the phrasal forms 'cotton on' or 'cotton to'.