ounce
B1Neutral (common in technical, commercial, and everyday figurative contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A unit of weight, equal to 1/16 of a pound avoirdupois (approximately 28.35 grams) or 1/12 of a pound troy (approximately 31.10 grams).
Used figuratively to refer to a very small amount or quantity of something, especially a quality like strength or effort.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term can denote both a precise measurement and a vague, small quantity. When used figuratively, it often appears in idioms like "every last ounce."
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in the unit's definition. The UK more commonly uses metric units in official contexts, but 'ounce' remains in use, especially informally and for specific goods.
Connotations
In both varieties, the figurative use carries the same connotation of a tiny but crucial amount of effort, strength, or character.
Frequency
Slightly more common in US usage for describing weight in everyday contexts (e.g., food packaging, body weight).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
an ounce of [abstract noun: courage, effort, sense]weigh [number] ounce(s)by the ounceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”
- “fight for every last ounce”
- “not have an ounce of sense”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in trading precious metals (e.g., gold per troy ounce).
Academic
Appears in historical texts, scientific contexts when using imperial units, or in literary analysis for figurative language.
Everyday
Common in recipes (fluid ounces), describing baby weight, or figuratively (e.g., 'He didn't have an ounce of fear').
Technical
A defined unit in avoirdupois and troy systems of weights.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The recipe needs four ounces of cheese.
- The baby weighed seven pounds and six ounces.
- I don't think he has an ounce of common sense.
- Gold is sold by the troy ounce.
- She poured two fluid ounces of essential oil into the mixture.
- The boxer summoned every last ounce of energy for the final round.
- The treaty was so watertight that it didn't allow for an ounce of misinterpretation.
- A single ounce of prevention at this stage could save the company millions in future liabilities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
An OUNCE is a tiny amount, like the sound 'OW!' you make when a tiny stone gets in your shoe – just a small nuisance.
Conceptual Metaphor
QUANTITY IS WEIGHT (e.g., 'an ounce of courage,' treating abstract qualities as measurable substances).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'унция' (unitsya), which is a direct translation for the weight unit. The figurative use ('ни капли' - 'not a drop') differs in imagery.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ounce' for liquid without 'fluid' (e.g., 'Add two ounces of milk' is ambiguous).
- Confusing avoirdupois and troy ounces.
- Misspelling as 'ouns'.
Practice
Quiz
In which system is an ounce equal to 1/12 of a pound?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A fluid ounce (fl oz) is a unit of volume, primarily used for liquids. An ounce (oz) is a unit of weight. They are not equivalent and are used in different contexts.
An avoirdupois ounce (≈28.35g) is used for most goods like food and postage. A troy ounce (≈31.10g) is used for precious metals like gold and silver. There are 16 avoirdupois ounces in a pound, but only 12 troy ounces in a troy pound.
No, 'ounce' is not a verb in standard modern English. It functions exclusively as a noun.
While the UK officially uses the metric system, ounces are still commonly used in everyday speech for body weight (especially babies), in some recipes, and in informal market trade. Road signs and packaged goods, however, use grams and kilograms.