laptop
C2 (Very High)Neutral to Informal
Definition
Meaning
A portable computer small and light enough to be used on one's lap.
A self-contained, battery-powered personal computer designed for mobile use, typically featuring a hinged screen and integrated keyboard.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is often used interchangeably with 'notebook' computer, though originally 'laptop' implied a slightly larger size. It is a compound noun ('lap' + 'top').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. 'Laptop' is standard in both. 'Lappy' is a rare, informal variant occasionally heard in both regions.
Connotations
Identical in both variants. The word is completely neutral.
Frequency
Extremely high and identical in both UK and US English. 'Laptop' is the dominant term over 'notebook' in common parlance.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
use [a laptop]work on [a laptop]carry [a laptop]connect [a laptop] to [a projector]charge [a laptop]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “laptop warrior”
- “to be chained to one's laptop”
- “a laptop lifestyle”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Essential tool for remote work, presentations, and business travel.
Academic
Commonly used by students and researchers for note-taking, writing, and accessing digital resources.
Everyday
Used for personal communication, entertainment, shopping, and general web browsing.
Technical
Refers to the hardware class; specifications like CPU, RAM, and SSD are discussed.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Rare/Non-standard) I'll just laptop this essay in the library.
- (Informal, jocular) He spent the afternoon laptopping in the garden.
American English
- (Rare/Non-standard) She decided to laptop her presentation at the cafe.
- (Informal, jocular) They were laptopping by the pool.
adverb
British English
- (Nonexistent standard form) The meeting was conducted laptoply.
American English
- (Nonexistent standard form) He worked laptoply from the train.
adjective
British English
- (Attributive) A laptop user.
- (Attributive) The laptop industry is competitive.
American English
- (Attributive) She has a laptop stand.
- (Attributive) We offer laptop repair services.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a new laptop.
- My laptop is black.
- I use my laptop for games.
- I need to charge my laptop before the meeting.
- Her laptop has a very large screen.
- He closed his laptop and went to bed.
- The company issued all employees with high-specification laptops for remote work.
- After spilling coffee on her laptop, she had to get the keyboard replaced.
- My laptop's battery life is terrible; it barely lasts two hours.
- The sleek, ultralight laptop he purchased was ideal for his nomadic lifestyle as a freelance journalist.
- She seamlessly mirrored her laptop's display to the conference room projector for the presentation.
- One must consider the trade-off between a laptop's portability and its processing power for intensive tasks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of where you place it: on the TOP of your LAP.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PORTABLE OFFICE / A WINDOW TO THE DIGITAL WORLD.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calques like 'коленный компьютер'. The standard translation is 'ноутбук' (notebook).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I'll laptop the report' – incorrect).
- Confusing 'laptop' with 'tablet' (which typically lacks a physical keyboard).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common semantic relationship implied by the word 'laptop'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, 'laptop' suggested a slightly larger, more powerful machine, while 'notebook' implied a thinner, lighter model. In modern usage, the terms are virtually interchangeable, with 'laptop' being more common in everyday speech.
No, 'laptop' is a noun. Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to laptop') is non-standard and considered incorrect in formal English. Use phrases like 'work on a laptop' or 'use a laptop' instead.
It is a standard, neutral term suitable for both formal and informal contexts. In very formal technical specifications, 'portable computer' or 'notebook computer' might be used, but 'laptop' is widely accepted.
The pronunciation differs slightly between UK and US English. In the UK, it's /ˈlæp.tɒp/ (with a short 'o' as in 'lot'). In the US, it's /ˈlæp.tɑːp/ (with a longer 'ah' sound as in 'father').
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