joint
B1Neutral. Common in both formal and informal contexts (though some specific senses are informal/slang).
Definition
Meaning
A point where two or more things are joined or connected; a shared location or venture.
A place where two bones are fitted together; a cheap bar or club; a prepared cut of meat; a cigarette containing cannabis. Can describe something owned, used, or done by two or more people together.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The meaning shifts dramatically based on context (anatomy, food, business, drugs, place). The adjective meaning 'shared' is formal, while 'joint' as a place is informal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight spelling in compound adjectives (BrE 'joint-owner', AmE 'joint owner'). The anatomical and business senses are identical. As a slang term for a place, AmE usage is slightly more common.
Connotations
In both, 'joint' as a place (e.g., 'burger joint') is informal/colloquial. The cannabis sense is slang universally.
Frequency
All core meanings are frequent in both varieties. The 'shared/combined' adjective is slightly more frequent in formal AmE business contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
joint [Noun] (e.g., joint account)[Verb] + a joint (e.g., roll a joint)Adj. + joint (e.g., dodgy joint)[Noun] + joint (e.g., burger joint)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “out of joint (dislocated/upset)”
- “put someone's nose out of joint (offend/upset someone)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A joint venture or joint investment describes a shared commercial project.
Academic
In biology/medicine, refers to anatomical articulations (e.g., synovial joint).
Everyday
Refers to a shared bank account, a cut of meat for roasting, or an informal place ('pizza joint').
Technical
In engineering/construction, a point where parts are joined (e.g., expansion joint).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A. 'Joint' is not a standard verb. The verb is 'to join'.
American English
- N/A. 'Joint' is not a standard verb. The verb is 'to join'.
adverb
British English
- N/A. 'Jointly' is the adverb, not 'joint'. They owned the car jointly.
American English
- N/A. 'Jointly' is the adverb, not 'joint'. The project was funded jointly.
adjective
British English
- They are joint-owners of the property.
- It was a joint decision by the committee.
American English
- They filed a joint tax return.
- The two companies issued a joint statement.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He has pain in his knee joint.
- Let's go to that new pizza joint.
- We opened a joint account when we got married.
- The shoulder is a ball and socket joint.
- The two governments issued a joint communiqué condemning the act.
- They entered into a lucrative joint venture.
- The investigative report was a joint endeavour by journalists from five countries.
- His sudden promotion put the nose of several senior colleagues out of joint.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of JOIN + T. The 'T' could be a table where two people JOIN for a shared meal or business.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONNECTION IS A JOINT (e.g., 'the joint of the argument'), SHARED OWNERSHIP IS PHYSICAL CONNECTION.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a 'сустав' in business contexts. 'Joint venture' is 'совместное предприятие'.
- A 'burger joint' is not a 'соединение', it's a 'забегаловка' or 'кафе'.
- Avoid using 'joint' for every type of 'соединение' (e.g., chemical bond is not a joint).
- The adjective 'joint' (shared) is often best translated as 'совместный', not 'общий' (which can mean 'common' or 'general').
Common Mistakes
- Using 'joint' as a verb (it's a noun/adj.; the verb is 'to join').
- Confusing 'joint' (shared) with 'joined' (connected). E.g., 'We have a joined account' (incorrect) vs. 'joint account' (correct).
- Overusing the slang 'joint' (place) in formal writing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'joint' specifically refer to an informal establishment?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the sense. 'Joint account' or 'joint venture' are formal business terms. 'Burger joint' or 'roll a joint' (cannabis) are very informal slang.
No. The standard verb is 'to join'. 'Joint' is primarily a noun and an adjective.
A 'joint' emphasizes the point of connection itself, often allowing movement (bone joint, pipe joint). A 'junction' is where things meet, often roads or railways, focusing on the crossing point.
Literally, it means dislocated. Idiomatically, it means out of order, unsatisfactory, or upset. E.g., 'The traffic was terrible; my whole day felt out of joint.'
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