Word
nun
Phoneticsnun
/ˈnən/
Definitions
01religious woman
B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Religion
n. a woman who belongs to a religious community and lives by special promises, often wearing a specific uniform called a habit.
n. a female member of a religious order, particularly within Christianity or Buddhism, who lives under solemn vows.
“The nun spent her morning teaching at the local school before returning to the convent.”
“After years of contemplation, she decided to join the order and live as a cloistered nun, dedicated to a life of prayer and service.”
02Semitic letter
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. the fourteenth letter of several alphabets, such as Hebrew and Arabic.
n. the fourteenth letter of many Semitic alphabets or abjads, including Phoenician, Aramaic, Hebrew, and Arabic.
“The teacher showed the students how to write the letter nun in Arabic script.”
“In the study of Semitic linguistics, the letter nun is often associated with the phonetic value of a dental or alveolar nasal.”
03type of pigeon
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technical
n. a type of bird that has feathers on its head that look like a hood.
n. a variety of domestic fancy pigeon characterized by a crest of feathers resembling a nun's cowl.
“The bird watcher pointed out a nun pigeon resting on the garden wall.”
“The nun is one of the oldest breeds of fancy pigeon, prized by collectors for its distinctive contrasting plumage and hood-like crest.”
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
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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