asphalt
C1Neutral to Technical
Definition
Meaning
A black or brown sticky, semi-solid form of petroleum used for surfacing roads, roofing, and waterproofing.
By extension, the paved surface of a road, runway, or similar structure; also used metaphorically to describe something firm, dark, or urban.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily an uncountable noun referring to the material. As a verb, it means to cover with asphalt.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, 'tarmac' (tarmacadam) is often used colloquially for road surfaces, though technically different. In the US, 'asphalt' is the almost exclusive term for paved roads. The verb 'to tarmac' exists in British English (e.g., 'the runway was tarmacked'), less common in US English.
Connotations
UK: Can sound slightly more technical; 'tarmac' has stronger everyday connotations for roads. US: The standard, everyday term with strong associations with roads and paving.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English in everyday contexts. In British English, 'tarmac' may be more frequent in casual speech, but 'asphalt' is standard in technical, commercial, and formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[V] asphalt [N] (The crew will asphalt the driveway)[N] made of asphalt (The path is made of asphalt)[V] lay [N] with asphalt (They laid the forecourt with asphalt)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The asphalt jungle (meaning a harsh, competitive city)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Contract for asphalt laying and road maintenance.
Academic
Study on the thermal properties and aging of asphalt concrete.
Everyday
They're redoing the asphalt on our street next week.
Technical
The modified asphalt binder showed increased resistance to rutting.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council plans to asphalt the cycle path by autumn.
- The forecourt was freshly asphalted.
American English
- The company will asphalt the new subdivision's roads next month.
- They asphalted over the old concrete driveway.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form. Use 'with asphalt' or 'asphalted').
American English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form. Use 'with asphalt' or 'asphalted').
adjective
British English
- The asphalt roof was shimmering in the heat.
- We need an asphalt specialist for the repair.
American English
- The asphalt driveway needs sealing every few years.
- They installed an asphalt shingle roof.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The road is made of asphalt.
- The children drew with chalk on the asphalt.
- The hot asphalt made the air smell strange.
- They are repairing the asphalt in the car park.
- The new asphalt surface has significantly reduced traffic noise.
- The contractor quoted a price for asphalting the private road.
- Advances in polymer-modified asphalt have extended the lifespan of highways.
- The urban landscape, an endless expanse of asphalt and glass, felt oppressive.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PHALT in the road covered in ASphalt.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOLIDITY/INFRASTRUCTURE (The asphalt of society = its foundational, connecting layers). URBAN HARSHNESS (The asphalt jungle).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'асфальт' in contexts where 'tarmac' or 'pavement' might be more idiomatic in UK English (e.g., 'he fell on the pavement/tarmac', not 'asphalt').
- In Russian, 'асфальт' can be used more freely for any paved surface; in English, it specifically refers to the black, bitumen-based material.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'asphalt' as a countable noun (e.g., 'an asphalt' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'asphalt' (the mix) with 'concrete' (a cement-based material).
- Misspelling as 'ashphalt'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common British English alternative to 'asphalt' when referring to a road surface?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While both are black, sticky hydrocarbons, tar is derived from coal or wood, while asphalt is a natural component of petroleum or a refined product. In modern road construction, 'asphalt' (or asphalt concrete) is the correct term.
Yes, it means to cover or surface with asphalt (e.g., 'They asphalted the lane'). It is more common in American English but understood in British English.
'Asphalt' is the specific material. 'Pavement' (US) or 'road surface' (UK) is the finished product or the hard surface of a road. In the UK, 'pavement' means sidewalk.
Commonly as /ˈæs.fɔːlt/ (ASS-fawlt). The pronunciation /ˈæʃ.fɔːlt/ (ASH-fawlt) is also heard, particularly in certain regions, though /ˈæs.fɔːlt/ is often considered standard.
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