block
HighNeutral/General
Definition
Meaning
A solid piece of hard material, typically with flat surfaces on each side; an obstruction preventing movement or progress.
A large building or complex of buildings forming a unit (e.g., apartment block); a section of a city bounded by four streets; a pulley system; to hinder or stop something from happening; a basic unit of data storage in computing; to shape, outline, or plan something (e.g., in theatre, art).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun but widely used as a verb. The verb sense often retains the noun's obstruction/unit concept (to block a road, to block out a plan).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British urban contexts, 'block' is less commonly used for a city section than in AmE. BrE prefers 'block of flats'; AmE uses 'apartment building' but also 'apartment block'.
Connotations
Largely identical. 'Block' as a verb meaning 'ignore/refuse contact' (e.g., on social media) is universal in modern usage.
Frequency
As a verb meaning 'obstruct', equally frequent. Noun use for a city section is significantly more frequent in AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
block + noun (block the road)block + noun + from + -ing (block him from entering)be/get blocked + by + noun (The drain was blocked by leaves)block + out + noun (block out the light)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a chip off the old block”
- “a stumbling block”
- “on the block”
- “block and tackle”
- “put your head on the block”
- “writer's block”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In finance: 'block trade' (large transaction). In management: 'block time' (schedule).
Academic
In psychology: 'mental block'. In urban studies: 'city block'. In computing: 'block of data'.
Everyday
Obstructing a path, a child's toy block, a large building.
Technical
In engineering: 'pulley block'. In computing: 'blockchain, memory block'. In theatre: 'blocking' (planning movements).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The lorry broke down and blocked the entire motorway.
- She blocked the caller after receiving nuisance calls.
- I'm trying to block out the memory of that meeting.
American English
- The goalie blocked the shot with an incredible save.
- Can you block off some time in your calendar next week?
- The new law could block thousands of immigrants from entering.
adverb
British English
- This option is set block by default in the software.
American English
- The houses were built block after identical block.
adjective
British English
- Please write your name in block letters on the form.
- They paid a block fee for the whole renovation.
American English
- The memo was sent in block capitals for clarity.
- We have a block booking for the conference room every Monday.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children built a tower with wooden blocks.
- A big truck is blocking the street.
- I live in that new apartment block near the station.
- The government blocked the proposed law.
- After the argument, he blocked her on all social media.
- The sculptor started with a solid block of marble.
- Negotiators are trying to remove the final stumbling block to the peace deal.
- The novel's complex structure is composed of discrete narrative blocks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a big, solid BLOCK of wood BLOCKing a doorway. The word itself sounds heavy and obstructive.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBSTACLES ARE SOLID OBJECTS (e.g., 'a block to progress'), UNITS OF INFORMATION ARE PHYSICAL OBJECTS (e.g., 'a block of text'), PREVENTING IS PHYSICALLY BLOCKING (e.g., 'block a proposal').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'block of flats' as 'блок' (which implies a military/political unit). Use 'многоквартирный дом'.
- The Russian 'блокнот' (notepad) is a false friend; it's unrelated to English 'block'.
- 'To block' is not always 'блокировать'; for 'block out noise' use 'не слышать' or 'заглушать'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'block' uncountably (*'There is block in the pipe'). Correct: 'There is *a* block/a blockage'.
- Confusing 'block' (obstruct) with 'bloc' (political alliance).
- Using 'block' as a synonym for 'street' in BrE (AmE: 'walk a block'; BrE: 'walk down the street').
Practice
Quiz
In American English, what does 'walk a few blocks' typically mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Block' is general obstruction. 'Blockade' is a specific, often official or military, sealing off of an area to prevent entry/exit.
Yes, commonly. In basketball/football: 'block a shot/pass'. In volleyball: 'block a spike'. In cricket: 'block a ball' (defensively).
It's the precise staging and movement of actors on a stage, planned by the director.
It's an idiom meaning someone (usually a son) who closely resembles their parent in character or appearance.