wire
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a thin, flexible thread of metal.
n.a slender, pliable rod or strand of metal, typically formed by drawing the metal through a die.
Simple“He used a small piece of wire to fix the broken fence.”
In context“The sculptor manipulated the copper wire into intricate shapes, creating a delicate skeleton for the clay model.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
n.a metal thread that carries electricity or signals.
n.a metallic conductor used to transmit electrical power or telecommunications signals.
Simple“Be careful not to touch the live wire behind the washing machine.”
In context“The technician identified a frayed wire in the control panel as the primary cause of the intermittent power failure.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
n.a tiny microphone hidden on a person to record a conversation secretly.
n.a concealed electronic eavesdropping device worn by an individual for the purpose of gathering evidence.
Simple“The undercover officer was wearing a wire to record the meeting with the gang.”
In context“Despite the risk of discovery, the informant agreed to wear a wire during the high-stakes negotiation with the cartel leaders.”
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the finish line of a race, especially in horse racing.
n.the finishing line of a racetrack; often used figuratively in the phrase 'down to the wire' to indicate a close competition.
Simple“The two horses were neck and neck as they crossed the wire.”
In context“The election results were so close that the candidates remained tied until the final votes were counted, taking the contest down to the wire.”
- 05 B1 Intermediate
v.to put electrical cables into a building or piece of equipment.
v.to equip a structure or device with a system of electrical conductors.
Simple“It took the electricians three days to wire the new house.”
In context“The contractor insisted on hiring a specialist to wire the server room to ensure the cooling systems and power backups were properly integrated.”
Synonymselectrifyconnect - 06 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to send money or a message using an electronic system.
v.to transmit funds or information via a telecommunications or electronic transfer system.
Simple“My parents had to wire me some money after I lost my wallet on holiday.”
In context“The corporation chose to wire the funds immediately to secure the acquisition before the close of the fiscal quarter.”
- 07 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to tie or fasten something using metal wire.
v.to bind, secure, or fasten an object using metallic strands.
Simple“He wired the gate shut so the dog couldn't get out.”
In context“The gardener carefully wired the climbing roses to the trellis to encourage them to grow upward.”
“Electric current flows through the wire like water through a river.”
From Middle English wir, wyr, from Old English wīr (“wire, metal thread, wire-ornament”), from Proto-Germanic wīraz (“wire”), from Proto-Indo-European weh₁iros (“a twist, thread, cord, wire”), from *weh₁y- (“to turn, twist, weave, plait”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.