firearm
C1Formal, legal, military, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A portable gun designed to be held and fired by a single person.
Any weapon capable of discharging a projectile via the explosive force of gunpowder or a similar propellant.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is collective and formal, often used in legal, regulatory, or technical contexts. It contrasts with more specific terms like 'rifle' or 'pistol'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical in both varieties. 'Gun' is a more common, informal synonym in both, but 'firearm' is the standard formal/legal term.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries strong legal and regulatory connotations. It is neutral but precise.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to prominence of gun-related legal and political discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessor] + has/owns + a firearm[agent] + discharged/fired + a firearm[authority] + regulates/licences + firearmsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “['to go out with all guns blazing' (idiom, not specific to firearm)]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the firearms industry, manufacturing, and retail sales.
Academic
Used in legal, criminological, historical, and political science research.
Everyday
Used in news reports and formal discussions about gun control; less common in casual chat.
Technical
Used in ballistics, forensic science, and military manuals with precise classifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The suspect was charged with firearm offences.
- The new policy will firearm the entire security detail.
American English
- He was convicted on a firearms charge.
- The law prohibits felons from firearm possession.
adjective
British English
- The firearm legislation was debated in Parliament.
- He holds a firearm certificate.
American English
- She is a firearms expert for the ATF.
- They attended a firearm safety course.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The police found a firearm.
- He has a licence for his firearm.
- The new law makes it harder to buy a firearm.
- Not all firearms are dangerous in the wrong hands.
- The proposed bill seeks to tighten regulations on semi-automatic firearms.
- Forensic analysis matched the bullet to the suspect's firearm.
- The international treaty aimed to curb the illicit trafficking of small arms and light firearms.
- Jurisprudence regarding the Second Amendment and firearm ownership is complex and evolving.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FIRE-ARM: An ARM that shoots FIRE (from the explosion).
Conceptual Metaphor
A FIREARM IS A TOOL/INSTRUMENT (of defense, crime, sport, or law enforcement).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'огнестрельное оружие' in casual English; 'gun' is often more natural. 'Firearm' is the precise equivalent for formal/legal contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'firearm' in overly casual contexts where 'gun' is more appropriate. Pluralizing incorrectly (firearms, not fire-arms).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'firearm' MOST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In formal and legal contexts, yes. In everyday speech, 'gun' is more common and covers a wider range of meanings (including toy guns, glue guns). 'Firearm' is more specific and formal.
Typically no. 'Firearm' usually implies a portable, person-held weapon. Larger mounted guns like cannons are generally not classified as firearms in modern usage.
The plural is 'firearms'. It is often used in the plural form in legal and general texts (e.g., 'laws concerning firearms').
It is a countable noun. You can have one firearm or several firearms.