curling stone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2 / Low-Frequency Domain-SpecificSpecialised / Technical (Sports)
Quick answer
What does “curling stone” mean?
A heavy, polished granite stone with a handle, used in the sport of curling, slid across an ice sheet towards a target area.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A heavy, polished granite stone with a handle, used in the sport of curling, slid across an ice sheet towards a target area.
Can metonymically refer to the sport of curling itself or the equipment used in it. In very rare extended use, anything heavy and disc-shaped that slides.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The sport and its terminology are identical. Pronunciation differences follow general patterns.
Connotations
Connotes the sport of curling, associated with Scotland, Canada, and cold-climate countries. No regional connotative difference.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, used only within the context of the sport or reporting on it.
Grammar
How to Use “curling stone” in a Sentence
The [player] [verbs] the curling stone [towards/at the target].The curling stone [verbs] [adverbial of path/speed].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “curling stone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He managed to curling-stone his proposal through the committee with surprising ease. (rare, metaphorical)
American English
- They tried to curling-stone the legislation onto the floor for a vote. (rare, metaphorical)
adverb
British English
- The deal went curling-stonely towards completion. (extremely rare, non-standard)
American English
- The plan moved curling-stone-like through the approvals. (rare, simile-based)
adjective
British English
- The debate had a curling-stone inevitability once it was set in motion.
American English
- She made a curling-stone move, gliding smoothly through the negotiations.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually unused, except in the context of sports equipment manufacturing or event sponsorship.
Academic
Used in sports science papers, historical studies of sports, or material science studies of granite.
Everyday
Used only by participants or followers of the sport; otherwise unknown.
Technical
Core term in the sport of curling, with specific technical specifications (weight, size, rock type).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “curling stone”
- Using 'curling rock' and 'curling stone' interchangeably with other audiences who may not know the synonymy.
- Misspelling as 'curling ston'.
- Incorrect plural: 'curling stones' (correct), not 'curling stone' for plural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A standard curling stone weighs between 38 and 44 pounds (approximately 17 to 20 kilograms).
Granite is used because it is extremely hard, durable, and can be polished to a smooth finish that slides consistently on ice while resisting chipping and wear.
Only metonymically in phrases like 'a lifetime devoted to the curling stone,' meaning the sport. Normally, it refers specifically to the equipment.
The majority of high-quality curling stones are made from granite quarried in Scotland (Ailsa Craig) and Wales, with manufacturing primarily in Scotland and Canada.
A heavy, polished granite stone with a handle, used in the sport of curling, slid across an ice sheet towards a target area.
Curling stone is usually specialised / technical (sports) in register.
Curling stone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɜː.lɪŋ ˌstəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɝː.lɪŋ ˌstoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[To be] as cold as a curling stone (informal, rare)”
- “[To go] straight as a curling stone (on a true path)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a stone CURLING (making a curved path) on the ice. The word 'curling' is in the name, describing its action.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE GAME PIECE IS A STONE (domain-specific framing). A PURSUIT IS A SLIDING STONE ('keeping the curling stone on course' for a project).
Practice
Quiz
What is a common synonym for 'curling stone' within the sport?