coil
B1Neutral, with technical/specialist uses.
Definition
Meaning
A length of something wound in a joined sequence of loops; a spiral or ring.
To wind or be wound into loops; a contraceptive intrauterine device; an electrical component made of wound wire; a single loop in such a winding.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies a series of connected loops or a single turn within such a series. As a verb, it often implies a deliberate, tidy, or compact winding.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary meanings are identical. Minor differences exist in collocational frequency in certain technical fields (e.g., automotive, electrical engineering).
Connotations
Identical. In both, it can connote potential energy or tension (a coiled spring, a coiled snake).
Frequency
Equally common in general use. Slightly more frequent in American technical/manufacturing contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
coil sth (around/round sth)coil (around/round sth)coil upcoil itselfVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “shuffle off this mortal coil (literary, from Hamlet)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in manufacturing/engineering contexts (e.g., 'coils of steel').
Academic
Common in physics, engineering, and biology (e.g., 'DNA coil', 'magnetic coil').
Everyday
Common for describing ropes, wires, hoses, hair (e.g., 'She wore her hair in a coil').
Technical
Core term in electrical engineering (inductor, transformer), mechanics (springs), and medicine (IUD).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He carefully coiled the garden hose round the bracket.
- The vine began to coil round the trellis.
- The queue coiled all the way round the block.
American English
- She coiled the rope neatly on the deck.
- The snake coiled itself around a low branch.
- You need to coil up those cables safely.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The snake made a coil in the sun.
- Please coil the rope after use.
- A loose coil of wire lay on the workbench.
- The climber carried a coil of strong nylon rope.
- The engine's ignition coil needed replacing.
- Fog began to coil through the valley in the early morning.
- The DNA molecule forms a characteristic double helix coil.
- The protest march coiled through the city's financial district like a serpent.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a snake (which COILs) wrapped around a pot of OIL. COIL rhymes with OIL.
Conceptual Metaphor
PREPAREDNESS/ENERGY IS A COILED SPRING ("She was coiled and ready to strike").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating "coil" as "катушка" for a wound object—"катушка" is typically a spool/reel for thread. "Coil" is better as "виток", "спираль", or "моток". The contraceptive IUD is "спираль" in Russian.
Common Mistakes
- Using "coil" for a single, disconnected circle (use 'loop' or 'ring'). Confusing "coil" (series of loops) with "roll" (cylindrical shape).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'coil' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, but it can be used metaphorically (e.g., 'coils of bureaucracy', 'fog coiling through the streets').
A coil is a series of loops, often stacked or wound concentrically. A spiral is a continuous curve winding outward from a centre. A coil is often 3D (a spring), a spiral is often 2D (a drawing).
Yes, it is commonly used as both (to coil a rope / a coil of rope).
It's a poetic metaphor for the troubles and turmoil of earthly life. 'Shuffle off this mortal coil' means to die, to leave this life behind.