Word
dumbbell
Phoneticsdumb·bell, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdəmˌbɛɫ/
UK/dˈʌmbɛl/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short bar with heavy ends that you lift to make your arms stronger. You hold one in each hand when you exercise.
n. a short bar with a weight at each end, lifted with one hand for exercise or muscle training.
Examples
“She lifts a small dumbbell every morning.”
“He picks up two dumbbells and does ten slow curls before his run.”
“The trainer adjusted the rack of dumbbells, selecting a heavier pair to challenge the athlete's endurance during the final circuit.”
Examples
simple
“She lifts a small dumbbell every morning.”
contextual
“He picks up two dumbbells and does ten slow curls before his run.”
complex
“The trainer adjusted the rack of dumbbells, selecting a heavier pair to challenge the athlete's endurance during the final circuit.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “dumbbell” in context.
Verb
01. exercise with dumbbell
“You can exercise with dumbbells even in a small room.”
verb + prep + noun
02. grab dumbbell
“He grabbed a dumbbell and started his arm workout.”
verb + noun
03. hold dumbbell
“Hold a dumbbell in each hand and bend your knees.”
verb + noun
04. lift dumbbell
“Lift the dumbbell slowly over your head.”
verb + noun
05. lower dumbbell
“Lower the dumbbell slowly to avoid injury.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. adjustable dumbbell
“He bought an adjustable dumbbell to save space at home.”
adj + noun
07. heavy dumbbell
“Don't start with a heavy dumbbell if you are a beginner.”
adj + noun
08. light dumbbell
“She uses a light dumbbell for shoulder exercises.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. dumbbell curl
“Do ten dumbbell curls to strengthen your biceps.”
noun + noun
10. dumbbell press
“The dumbbell press is good for your chest and shoulders.”
noun + noun
11. do curls with dumbbells
“She does curls with dumbbells every morning.”
12. lift a pair of dumbbells
“He can lift a pair of dumbbells with ease.”
Etymology
From dumb (“silent”) + bell (“a resonating instrument”). The term "dumbbell" originated in 16th-century England to describe silent exercise apparatus used in practicing the motions of ringing church bells noiselessly. To aid them in the practice of their physically demanding vocation, bellringers originally used weighted ropes on fixed pulleys to mimic the motion of ringing a church bell; since such apparatus made no noise while imitating the motion of ringing a swinging bell via a fixed pulley, they were called "dumb bells". Later, the rope-and-pulley weights evolved into simple hand-held weights used by ringers for strengthening the shoulder and back muscles heavily used in tower bellringing, and the term "'dumb bell'" evolved into the compound word "'dumbbell'".
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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