Word
splinter
Phoneticssplin·ter, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈspɫɪntɝ/
UK/splˈɪntɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small, sharp piece of wood, glass, or metal that breaks off a larger object. It can get stuck under your skin and feel painful.
n. a small, thin, sharp fragment of a material such as wood, glass, or metal, typically detached from a larger mass by force.
Examples
“I got a splinter in my finger while fixing the wooden fence.”
“The old wooden floor was so worn that walking barefoot often resulted in a painful splinter.”
“The impact of the projectile caused the timber to shatter, sending splinters flying across the room and posing a significant hazard to anyone nearby.”
Examples
simple
“I got a splinter in my finger while fixing the wooden fence.”
contextual
“The old wooden floor was so worn that walking barefoot often resulted in a painful splinter.”
complex
“The impact of the projectile caused the timber to shatter, sending splinters flying across the room and posing a significant hazard to anyone nearby.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'get' or 'remove'.
Etymology
From Middle English splinter, from Middle Dutch splinter, equivalent to splint + -er.
From the noun splinter.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/splinter