ground glass: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Medical
Quick answer
What does “ground glass” mean?
Glass with a surface that has been ground and polished to produce a smooth, flat, but translucent or frosted finish, diffusing light.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Glass with a surface that has been ground and polished to produce a smooth, flat, but translucent or frosted finish, diffusing light.
1. (Medical Imaging) A hazy, semi-opaque appearance on a CT scan or X-ray, resembling ground glass, often indicating certain lung diseases. 2. (Chemistry/Photography, historical) A finely powdered form of glass used as an abrasive or in the emulsion of early photographic plates.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation of 'glass' varies (/ɡlɑːs/ vs /ɡlæs/).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations in both medical and material science contexts.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general English but standard within its specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “ground glass” in a Sentence
[ground glass] + [noun] (e.g., ground glass screen)[verb] + [ground glass] (e.g., polish the ground glass)[adjective] + [ground glass] (e.g., fine ground glass)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “ground glass” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb for this compound]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb for this compound]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The lamp had a ground-glass shade that softened the light.
- The CT scan showed concerning ground-glass opacities in both lungs.
American English
- We ordered a ground-glass panel for the bathroom window.
- The radiologist's report highlighted a ground-glass appearance in the upper lobe.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in specific manufacturing or architectural supply contexts.
Academic
Common in medical research papers (radiology, pulmonology) and materials science texts.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in DIY or interior design when discussing window or door finishes.
Technical
The primary register. Used precisely in medical diagnostics, optics, photography, and glassworking.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “ground glass”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “ground glass”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “ground glass”
- Writing it as one word: 'groundglass'.
- Confusing it with 'ground' meaning soil (e.g., 'glass on the ground').
- Using it as a verb (*'They ground-glassed the window').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The finished, washed product is not typically dangerous. However, the fine powdered form used in industry can be a respiratory irritant.
No. It is a descriptive term for an appearance on a scan. While often associated with disease, it can sometimes be a transient finding.
You see light and shapes, but not clear details. It diffuses light, providing privacy while still illuminating a space.
They are often used synonymously. Technically, 'ground glass' is abraded mechanically, while 'frosted glass' is often etched with acid. The visual effect is very similar.
Glass with a surface that has been ground and polished to produce a smooth, flat, but translucent or frosted finish, diffusing light.
Ground glass is usually technical / medical in register.
Ground glass: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡraʊnd ˈɡlɑːs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡraʊnd ˈɡlæs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a glass that has been 'ground' down like coffee beans, making its surface rough and non-see-through.
Conceptual Metaphor
HAZINESS IS AN OPAQUE SURFACE (e.g., 'a ground-glass mind' could metaphorically describe confused thinking).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'ground glass' LEAST likely to be used?