English Reference

Word

nut

US/ˈnət/

UK/nˈʌt/

Definitions

01edible seed

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

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

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

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

“The recipe calls for toasted nuts to provide a textural contrast to the soft, creamy filling of the tart.”

Synonyms

02metal fastener

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

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

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

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

“The mechanic discovered that a rusted nut was preventing the entire assembly from being dismantled for repair.”

Synonyms

fastenerbushing

03an enthusiast

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

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

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

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

“As a self-proclaimed history nut, she spent her entire vacation touring the ancient ruins of the Mediterranean.”

04a crazy person

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal

n. a person who behaves in a strange or crazy way.

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

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

“The neighbors thought he was a bit of a nut for building a giant telescope in his backyard.”

Synonyms

05testicles

C1 · Advanced Plural noun Medicine Slang · Vulgar

n. a slang word for testicles.

n. a slang term referring to the testicles.

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

“The comedian's routine relied heavily on crude jokes involving various slang terms for the nuts.”

Synonyms

06part of a guitar

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Music Technical

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

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

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

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

07to headbutt

C1 · Advanced British English · Slang

v. to hit someone using your head.

v. to strike a person intentionally with the head.

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

“The striker was sent off after he attempted to nut the defender during a heated argument on the pitch.”

Synonyms

Word family

ADJECTIVE

Idioms

Domains

AnatomyBotanyNautical

This entry

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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/nut

English Reference