tin
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a soft, silver-colored metal that does not rust easily.
n.a malleable, ductile, metallic element (atomic number 50) used primarily to coat other metals to prevent corrosion.
Simple“The roof was made of corrugated tin that rattled when it rained.”
In context“The alloy consists primarily of copper, with a small percentage of tin added to increase the hardness of the final product.”
Synonymsstannum - 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a metal container used for keeping food fresh for a long time.
n.an airtight metal container, typically made of tin-plated steel, used for the preservation of food or liquids.
Simple“He opened a tin of soup for a quick lunch.”
In context“The pantry was stocked with various tins of preserved vegetables and fruit in case of an emergency.”
PitfallI bought a tin of beans. I bought a can of beans.In American English, 'can' is the standard word; 'tin' is primarily used in British English for food containers.
- 03 B1 Intermediate
n.a metal pan used for baking cakes or bread.
n.a metal container or tray used in the preparation and baking of food.
Simple“Grease the cake tin thoroughly before pouring in the batter.”
In context“She placed the loaf tin in the center of the oven to ensure the bread baked evenly on all sides.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
adj.made from the metal tin or a similar cheap metal.
adj.composed of or plated with tin; often used to describe items made of thin, inexpensive sheet metal.
Simple“The child played with a small tin soldier on the rug.”
In context“The old shed was covered in tin sheets that had begun to rust at the edges after years of exposure.”
Synonyms - 05 C1 Advanced
v.to cover a surface with a thin layer of tin or solder.
v.to coat or plate a surface with tin or a tin alloy, often as a preparation for soldering.
Simple“You should tin the tip of the soldering iron before you start working.”
In context“The technician carefully tinned the copper wires to ensure a reliable electrical connection during the assembly process.”
From Middle English tin, from Old English tin, from Proto-West Germanic tin, from Proto-Germanic tiną.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.