Word
wattage
US/ˈwɑtədʒ/
UK/wˈɒtɪdʒ/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. how much electrical power something uses or makes, measured in watts. You see it on light bulbs and home machines to show how powerful they are.
n. the amount of electrical power produced or consumed, expressed in watts. Typically used to indicate the power rating of appliances, bulbs, and audio equipment.
Examples
“This light bulb has a wattage of 60 watts.”
“Check the wattage on the heater before you plug it into that old socket.”
“The studio upgraded its amplifiers to higher wattage to fill the larger hall without losing sound clarity.”
Examples
simple
“This light bulb has a wattage of 60 watts.”
contextual
“Check the wattage on the heater before you plug it into that old socket.”
complex
“The studio upgraded its amplifiers to higher wattage to fill the larger hall without losing sound clarity.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “wattage” in context.
Verb
01. check wattage
“Always check wattage on the label before buying a new bulb.”
verb + noun
02. depend on wattage
“The brightness of the bulb will depend on wattage.”
verb + prep + noun
03. increase wattage
“Do not increase wattage beyond what the socket can handle safely.”
verb + noun
04. reduce wattage
“We reduced wattage in the office by switching to LED lights.”
verb + noun
Adjective
05. high wattage
“This heater has high wattage, so it warms the room very quickly.”
adj + noun
06. low wattage
“Choose a low wattage bulb for the bedside lamp to save energy.”
adj + noun
07. maximum wattage
“Never exceed the maximum wattage shown on the lamp shade.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. range of wattage
“These bulbs come in a wide range of wattage.”
noun + prep + noun
09. check the wattage rating
“Before buying bulbs, check the wattage rating on the lamp.”
10. exceed the maximum wattage
“Never exceed the maximum wattage or the fuse may blow.”
11. needs higher wattage to work
“This old heater needs higher wattage to work properly.”
12. switch to lower wattage
“To save electricity, switch to lower wattage in the living room.”
Real-World Examples
“The power of a dryer is mainly dictated by its wattage, typically ranging from 800 to 2,000 watts.” “The chip scales down to “low, low single-digit” wattage and goes as high as 80 watts, he says.” “You can now buy $20 USB-C cables that come complete with their own wattage meter, letting you see just how fast they’re charging your devices.” Etymology
From watt + -age.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- 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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