ENGLISH
REFERENCE

nut

n. · v.
US //ˈnət// UK //nˈʌt// nut
  1. 1 edible seed (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a dry fruit or seed with a hard shell that you can usually eat.

    a hard-shelled seed or fruit containing an edible kernel.

    Example

    She added some chopped nuts to the top of the chocolate cake.

    Example

    The recipe calls for toasted nuts to provide a textural contrast to the soft, creamy filling of the tart.
  2. 2 metal fastener (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small piece of metal with a hole in the middle that screws onto a bolt.

    a small metal block with a threaded hole, designed to be screwed onto a bolt to fasten parts together.

    Example

    He used a wrench to tighten the nut on the bicycle wheel.

    Example

    The mechanic discovered that a rusted nut was preventing the entire assembly from being dismantled for repair.
    • fastener
    • bushing
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  1. 3 an enthusiast (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    someone who is very interested in or excited about a specific subject.

    an individual exhibiting intense enthusiasm or obsession regarding a particular activity or topic.

    Example

    My brother is a total car nut and spends every weekend at the track.

    Example

    As a self-proclaimed history nut, she spent her entire vacation touring the ancient ruins of the Mediterranean.
  2. 4 a crazy person (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    a person who behaves in a strange or crazy way.

    a person perceived as eccentric, irrational, or mentally unstable.

    Example

    Some nut was shouting at the pigeons in the park this morning.

    Example

    The neighbors thought he was a bit of a nut for building a giant telescope in his backyard.
  3. 5 testicles (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang Vulgar Medicine

    a slang word for testicles.

    a slang term referring to the testicles.

    Example

    The player accidentally got hit in the nuts during the game.

    Example

    The comedian's routine relied heavily on crude jokes involving various slang terms for the nuts.
  4. 6 part of a guitar (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    the small piece at the top of a guitar neck that holds the strings.

    the ridge of hard material at the junction of the headstock and fretboard that supports the strings.

    Example

    The guitar strings were buzzing because the nut was worn down.

    Example

    Luthiers often prefer bone over plastic when carving a new nut to improve the instrument's resonance and sustain.

  5. 7 to headbutt (v.)
    C1 Advanced British English Slang

    to hit someone using your head.

    to strike a person intentionally with the head.

    Example

    The two men started fighting and one tried to nut the other.

    Example

    The striker was sent off after he attempted to nut the defender during a heated argument on the pitch.
    • headbutt
Word family
Idioms4 entries

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