rock

Definition

n. the hard, solid material that makes up the Earth's surface. You can find rocks everywhere, from small pebbles on a beach to huge mountains.

n. The solid mineral material forming part of the surface of the earth and other similar planets, whether exposed or underlying the soil.

simple

“He throws a small rock into the pond.”

contextual

“The children collected smooth, flat rocks from the beach to skip across the water.”

complex

“The ancient monument was carved from a single, massive block of rock, a testament to the builders' incredible skill and determination.”

The noun is uncountable when referring to the substance or mass (e.g., 'a wall of rock') and countable when referring to an individual piece or stone (e.g., 'to throw a rock').

* As an English surname, from the noun rock. Compare Roach. * Also as an English surname, misdivision of Middle English atter oke (“at the oak”). Compare Nock. * As an English occupational surname, from Old Norse rokkr (“distaff”). Compare Rocker. * As an Irish surname, translated from names like Mac Conchairge (“son of the hound of the rock”), from cú + carraig, see also McHarg. * As a German surname Röck, variant of the personal name Rocco, see Roche. * Also as a German surname, from the noun Rock (“skirt gown”). * As a French surname, shortened from Roquebrune, Rocquebrune (see Rocque) or Larock. Compare Roch.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

NOUN

bedrock(C1)

Rock(A2)

Rocker(B2)

ADJECTIVE

Rocky(B1)

crevice overlying sedimentary rock