split
- 01 B1 Intermediate
v.to tear or break something along a straight line.
v.to divide or cause to break along the grain or a straight line; often used as an ergative verb.
Simple“He used an axe to split the wood for the campfire.”
In context“The intense heat caused the dry timber to split with a loud crack, sending splinters across the workshop floor.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
v.to divide something, like a bill or a task, into equal parts between people.
v.to divide a whole into portions for distribution or sharing; frequently used with 'the bill' or 'the cost'.
Simple“We decided to split the bill at the restaurant since we all ordered similar meals.”
In context“The partners agreed to split the profits equally, ensuring that each contributor was fairly compensated for their initial investment.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to end a romantic relationship or stop working together as a group.
v.to separate or cease a relationship or association; often used with the particle 'up'.
Simple“The band decided to split up after ten years of making music together.”
In context“After months of irreconcilable differences, the two political factions finally split, forming entirely separate parties before the election.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to leave a place quickly.
v.to depart from a location, often used in informal contexts to suggest a sudden or necessary exit.
Simple“This party is getting boring, let's split.”
In context“The group decided to split before the police arrived to investigate the noise complaint.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a long, thin hole or crack in something.
n.a longitudinal fissure or narrow opening resulting from breaking or parting.
Simple“I noticed a small split in the seam of my jacket.”
In context“The geologist pointed out a significant split in the rock face, suggesting recent tectonic activity in the region.”
- 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a move where you sit on the floor with your legs straight out in opposite directions.
n.an athletic position in which the legs are extended 180 degrees apart in opposite directions.
Simple“She practiced every day until she could finally do the splits.”
In context“The gymnast concluded her floor routine with a perfect split, demonstrating remarkable flexibility and control.”
- 07 C1 Advanced
n.the time it takes to complete one part of a longer race.
n.the time recorded at an intermediate point during a race or athletic event.
Simple“His first lap split was very fast, but he slowed down later.”
In context“The coach analyzed the runner's splits to determine where her pace had faltered during the final kilometer of the marathon.”
Synonyms - 08 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.divided into two or more parts.
adj.having been divided or partitioned; often used to describe opinions or decisions.
Simple“The committee was split on whether to approve the new budget.”
In context“The court issued a split decision, reflecting the deep ideological divide among the presiding judges.”
Usage split her time
“When Leanne split up with her partner in her late 20s she thought she'd have to put her dream of a buying a home in the area where she grew up on hold.”
“But without some sort of deal, the hard right vote is split.”
Borrowed from Serbo-Croatian Splȉt, from Italian Spalato, from Latin Spalatum, from Ancient Greek Σπάλαθος (Spálathos) and Ἀσπάλαθος (Aspálathos), from ἀσπάλαθος (aspálathos, “spiny broom”), a common shrub in the area.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.