glass
A1Neutral/Universal
Definition
Meaning
A hard, transparent, brittle material, typically made by melting sand with soda, lime, and other ingredients, and used for windows, containers, and lenses.
1. A drinking container made of glass. 2. The amount of liquid contained in such a container. 3. A protective barrier or covering made of glass (e.g., eyeglasses, windscreen). 4. A lens or optical instrument (e.g., magnifying glass). 5. (Verb) To fit or cover with glass.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word exists on a continuum from the mass noun material ('a pane of glass') to a highly countable object ('two wine glasses'). The verb sense is less frequent.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English commonly uses 'glass' as a verb for putting glass into a structure ('to glass a balcony'). The material is called 'glass fibre' (UK) vs. 'fiberglass' (US). 'Looking glass' for mirror is slightly more archaic/UK.
Connotations
Similar in both varieties. 'Glass' can connote fragility, transparency, or reflection.
Frequency
Core meanings are identical and extremely frequent in both. The verb 'to glass' (meaning to hit with a glass) is rare but exists in both, though perhaps more reported in UK tabloids.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[N] made of glass[V] a glass (of something)look through [N]fill/pour into [N]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.”
- “glass ceiling”
- “raise a glass to”
- “see the world through rose-coloured/tinted glasses”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorical 'glass ceiling' referring to an unacknowledged barrier to advancement.
Academic
In materials science, discussing properties like 'borosilicate glass' or 'the glass transition temperature'.
Everyday
Referring to windows, drinking vessels, or mirrors.
Technical
In construction: 'glazing units', 'insulated glass'. In optics: 'crown glass', 'optical glass'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to glass in the porch before winter.
- The cabinet doors will be glassed with frosted panels.
American English
- They plan to glass the balcony enclosure.
- The museum case was carefully glassed to protect the artefact.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use. 'Glassily' exists but is unrelated, meaning 'in a glassy manner'.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use.)
adjective
British English
- She collects beautiful glass ornaments.
- The glass doors slid open silently.
American English
- They installed a new glass tabletop.
- He works in a glass and steel skyscraper.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Be careful! There's broken glass on the floor.
- Can I have a glass of orange juice, please?
- I wear glasses to read.
- The architect designed a stunning wall made entirely of glass.
- She looked at her reflection in the glass of the shop window.
- He filled his glass to the brim.
- The company has been criticised for its persistent glass ceiling affecting female employees.
- The greenhouse is glazed with tempered glass for safety.
- Under the microscope's powerful glass, the cells became clearly visible.
- The novel explores the protagonist's feeling of living behind a glass wall, visible yet isolated.
- The volcanic obsidian formed a type of natural glass used by ancient toolmakers.
- The contract included a clause about liability for glass breakage during transport.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Glass is something you can see through, like a 'class' window – both words sound similar.
Conceptual Metaphor
Fragility and transparency as a metaphor for emotional state ('shattered', 'see-through promises'). A barrier that allows viewing ('glass wall' in organizations).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'стекло' is only the material. English 'glass' is also the object (стакан).
- Russian 'очки' are spectacles; English 'glasses' is the common term.
- 'A glass of milk' is 'стакан молока', not '*стекло молока'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'glass' as uncountable for the object: 'I need a new glass for my window' (correct: 'a new pane of glass').
- Confusing 'glass' (material) with 'glasses' (spectacles).
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'glass ceiling' typically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. As a material, it's uncountable (e.g., 'The bottle is made of glass'). As a drinking vessel, it's countable (e.g., 'We need three glasses').
'Glass' refers to the material or a single container. 'Glasses' (almost always plural) refers to spectacles or eyeglasses.
Yes, though less common. It means to fit or cover something with glass panes, e.g., 'to glass a veranda'.
In British English, it's /ɡlɑːs/ (like 'glahs'). In American English, it's /ɡlæs/ (like 'gl-ass' with a short 'a').