Word
pothole
Phoneticspot·hole, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpɑtˌhoʊɫ/
UK/pˈɒthəʊl/
Definitions
01hole in a road
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. a hole in the surface of a road caused by bad weather or heavy traffic.
n. a depression or cavity in a road surface, typically resulting from the freezing and thawing of water or the mechanical wear of heavy traffic.
“The car hit a deep pothole and damaged one of the front tires.”
“Local residents have repeatedly petitioned the council to repair the dangerous potholes that have appeared following the unusually harsh winter.”
02a vertical cave
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Science Technical
n. a deep, vertical hole or cave system, usually found in limestone rock.
n. a deep, vertical shaft or cave system, characteristic of karst topography and often formed by the action of water on limestone.
“The group of explorers prepared their ropes to descend into the limestone pothole.”
“The region is famous among cavers for its extensive network of potholes, some of which drop hundreds of feet into subterranean chambers.”
03riverbed depression
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical
n. a smooth, round hole in the bottom of a river made by stones spinning in the water.
n. a circular hole formed in a rocky riverbed by the abrasive action of stones whirled around by the force of the current.
“When the river level dropped, we could see deep potholes in the smooth rock.”
“Geologists studied the potholes in the ancient riverbed to determine the historical velocity and direction of the water flow.”
04illegal excavation
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Formal
n. a hole dug by people looking for treasure or old objects without permission.
n. a pit resulting from unauthorized or amateur excavation by treasure-hunters, often damaging archaeological sites.
“The archaeologist was upset to find several potholes left by looters at the site.”
“The integrity of the burial mound was compromised by numerous potholes dug by vandals searching for valuable artifacts.”
Real-World Examples
“Emergency services were called to Trawalla, west of Ballarat, shortly before 1pm on Sunday after reports a motorcycle had struck a pothole.” “In July, the ABC reported that seven cars were forced off the Calder Freeway near Gisborne due to tyre damage from potholes.” “Potholes had already emerged as a key political issue ahead of the November election, but this death has only heaped further pressure on Carroll.” Etymology
From dialectal pot (“pit, hollow, cavity”) + hole. The "cave" senses, attested since at least 1809 (as pot-hole), may be from Middle English pot, potte (“a deep hole for a mine, or from peat-digging”), of uncertain origin; perhaps related to English pit, pote, or pot. Compare Scots pott, patt (“a pit dug in the ground; coalpit”).
From pot + hole. Attested since at least 1811 (also as pot-hole), possibly continuing Middle English *pothol (attested in the plural, potholys).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domains
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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