bead
B1Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A small, usually round object with a hole through it, used for threading on a string to make jewellery or for decoration.
A small drop of liquid; a small, round object resembling a bead (e.g., a bead of sweat); a small knob on a firearm used for aiming; a small, precise amount of something (e.g., a bead of glue).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a concrete noun referring to small, often decorative objects. Can be used metaphorically for small, round drops or amounts. The verb form 'to bead' is less common and means to form into beads or decorate with beads.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Both use 'bead' for jewellery, drops of liquid, and firearm sights.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. In both, 'bead' can evoke craft, tradition, or precision.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
string + of + beadsbead + of + liquid (sweat, water)draw + a + bead + on + targetVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “draw a bead on (to aim at or focus on)”
- “say one's beads (to pray using rosary beads)”
- “beads of sweat”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of jewellery retail or craft supplies.
Academic
Rare in most fields. Could appear in anthropology (material culture), art history, or chemistry (beads in chromatography).
Everyday
Common in contexts of jewellery, crafts, and describing small drops (e.g., sweat, condensation).
Technical
Used in firearms (front sight bead), welding (bead of weld), and laboratory techniques (bead-based assays).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The craftsman will bead the edge of the leather purse.
- Sweat began to bead on his forehead.
American English
- She learned how to bead a traditional necklace.
- Moisture beaded on the cold glass.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
American English
- No standard adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- She bought a bead curtain for her doorway.
- The bead trim on the dress was intricate.
American English
- He admired the bead design on the moccasins.
- The lamp had a bead fringe.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She has a necklace with blue beads.
- There was a bead of water on the leaf.
- The children threaded beads to make bracelets.
- He wiped a bead of sweat from his brow.
- The artisan carefully selected each glass bead for the mosaic.
- The hunter drew a bead on the target.
- The politician's speech was analysed with the precision of drawing a bead on a distant mark.
- Beads of condensation traced erratic paths down the windowpane.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BEAD as a small BAll that you nEED to thread.
Conceptual Metaphor
SMALL ROUND OBJECT IS A BEAD (e.g., beads of sweat, beads of light).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'бисер' (very small seed beads). 'Bead' is a more general term. The Russian word 'бусина' is a closer match.
- The idiom 'draw a bead on' has no direct equivalent; it means to aim carefully.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'bead' to mean a large gemstone or precious stone (incorrect).
- Confusing 'bead' (noun) with 'beat' (verb) in pronunciation.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'draw a bead on' mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary meaning is a small object for threading, it is also used for small drops of liquid (bead of sweat) and the front sight of a gun.
Yes, though less common. It means to decorate with beads or to form into small, bead-like drops (e.g., 'The rain beaded on the waxed car').
A pearl is a specific, valuable gem produced by molluscs. A bead is a more general term for any small, pierced object, which can be made from glass, wood, plastic, or even be a pearl.
No significant difference. Both pronounce it /biːd/.