Word
inlet
Phoneticsin·let, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnˌɫɛt/
UK/ˈɪnlət/
Definitions
01body of water
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a narrow area of water that reaches into the land from the sea, a lake, or a river.
n. a narrow strip of water extending into a body of land from a larger body of water, such as a sea or lake.
“The small boat found safety from the storm in a quiet rocky inlet.”
“The rugged coastline is defined by numerous deep inlets that provide natural harbours for the local fishing fleet.”
02mechanical opening
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technology Technical
n. an opening through which air, gas, or liquid is allowed to enter a machine or container.
n. a passage or orifice through which a fluid or gas is drawn into a cavity or mechanical system.
“Check the air inlet for dust to make sure the engine runs smoothly.”
“The engineer redesigned the fuel inlet to increase the flow rate and improve the overall efficiency of the combustion chamber.”
03to insert or inlay
C2 · Proficiency Technical · Formal
v. to set one piece of material into another so that the surfaces are flat.
v. to insert or inlay a piece of material into a surface, often for decorative or functional fitting.
“The craftsman had to inlet the metal lock into the wooden door frame.”
“The gunsmith carefully inletted the barrel into the walnut stock to ensure a perfectly flush fit and stable alignment.”
Etymology
From Middle English inlāte (“inlet, entrance”), from inleten (“to let in”), equivalent to in- + let. Compare Low German inlat (“inlet”), German Einlass (“inlet, entrance”).
From Middle English inleten, equivalent to in- + let. Cognate with Dutch inlaten (“to let in, admit”), Low German inlaten (“to let in”), German einlassen (“to admit, let in”), Swedish inlåta (“to enter, engage”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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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