pierce

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make a hole in a part of your body, like your ear, so you can wear jewellery.

v. to create a permanent hole in the skin or cartilage for the purpose of inserting decorative jewellery.

“She decided to get her ears pierced for her eighteenth birthday.”

“The studio maintains strict hygiene standards for clients who wish to have their cartilage pierced by professional technicians.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary

v. to break through something, like a loud noise breaking the silence or light through the dark.

v. to pass through or penetrate a medium, often used for light, sound, or cold air.

“A sudden scream pierced the quiet night and woke everyone up.”

“A single beam of sunlight pierced the thick canopy of the forest, illuminating the mossy ground below.”

C1 · Advanced Literary

v. to see or understand the truth of a difficult situation very quickly.

v. to see through a disguise or to grasp the inner truth of a complex matter.

“She had a sharp mind and could pierce through any lie.”

“The investigator's cold gaze seemed to pierce his facade, making it clear that his excuses were not being believed.”