cobweb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral; slightly literary in metaphorical use.
Quick answer
What does “cobweb” mean?
a fine, dusty spider's web, especially one that is old and abandoned.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a fine, dusty spider's web, especially one that is old and abandoned.
Something perceived as insubstantial, tangled, confusing, or outdated, like old ideas or a fuzzy mental state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is identical in form and core meaning. The phrase 'cobweb' (singular) is more common than 'cobwebs' for the metaphorical 'confused mind' in UK usage ('clear the cobwebs').
Connotations
Same core connotations of neglect, age, and delicacy.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English in idiomatic phrases (e.g., 'blow the cobwebs away').
Grammar
How to Use “cobweb” in a Sentence
[Verb] + the cobwebs + [Prepositional Phrase] (e.g., clear the cobwebs from)[Adjective] + cobweb + [Noun] (e.g., a cobweb-filled attic)cobweb + [Verb] (e.g., cobwebs hung)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cobweb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The abandoned greenhouse was completely cobwebbed.
American English
- The old toolshed hadn't been opened in years and was thoroughly cobwebbed.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- They explored the cobweb cellar with a torch.
American English
- He had a cobweb idea about how the economy works.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically, to discuss outdated processes: 'We need to clear the cobwebs from our old marketing strategy.'
Academic
Rare in technical texts. May appear in literary analysis: 'The poem explores the cobwebbed corners of memory.'
Everyday
Common for describing dusty, neglected corners of a house or a fuzzy mental state upon waking.
Technical
Not used in scientific entomology; 'spider web' or 'orb web' are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cobweb”
- Using 'cobweb' to refer to a new, active spider web.
- Incorrect pluralisation in compounds: 'cobwebs-filled' instead of 'cobweb-filled'.
- Using 'cobweb' as a verb without the proper -ed/-ing form (e.g., 'The room was cobweb' vs. 'The room was cobwebbed').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'spiderweb' is any web made by a spider. A 'cobweb' is specifically an old, dusty, and often abandoned spiderweb. All cobwebs are spiderwebs, but not all spiderwebs are cobwebs.
Yes, but it's less common. The past participle 'cobwebbed' is used as an adjective meaning 'covered with cobwebs' (e.g., a cobwebbed window).
It means to refresh yourself, usually by going outside for fresh air and activity, especially after being indoors or mentally sluggish.
It is a standard, neutral word. Its metaphorical use is slightly informal or literary, but acceptable in most contexts except highly technical writing.
a fine, dusty spider's web, especially one that is old and abandoned.
Cobweb: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒb.web/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːb.web/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “clear the cobwebs (from your mind)”
- “blow the cobwebs away (to refresh oneself)”
- “a mind full of cobwebs”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
COB (like corncob) + WEB. Imagine an old corncob tangled in a dusty spider WEB in a forgotten barn.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONFUSION/OBSCURITY IS A COBWEB; OUTDATED IDEAS ARE COBWEBS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'cobweb' used metaphorically?