pistol
B1The word is neutral but context-dependent. It is standard in general, police, military, and historical contexts. Slang/extended uses are informal.
Definition
Meaning
A small, handheld firearm designed to be operated with one hand.
A tool or device resembling the shape or function of a handgun (e.g., a glue gun). In sports, a very fast, forceful shot or throw. Slang for someone who is energetic, dynamic, or aggressive.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a tool/weapon. When used metaphorically ('a pistol of a player'), it conveys force, speed, and compact power. The verb form ('to pistol-whip') is specific and graphic.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. 'Pistol' is the standard term in both varieties. The specific term 'handgun' is slightly more formal/common in AmE legal contexts.
Connotations
Carries similar connotations of personal defence, law enforcement, crime, and sport (e.g., pistol shooting).
Frequency
Comparably frequent. Both use 'pistol' as the default term for a one-handed firearm, though AmE might use 'gun' more generically in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
VERB + pistol: draw, fire, holster, load, aimADJECTIVE + pistol: loaded, unloaded, automatic, replica, duellingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hold a pistol to someone's head (to force someone)”
- “smoking gun/pistol (conclusive evidence)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in 'starting pistol' metaphor for beginning a race/project.
Academic
Used in historical, military, legal, or forensic studies contexts.
Everyday
Common in news (crime), films, sports commentary, and DIY (tools).
Technical
Specific in firearms engineering, ballistics, and competitive shooting sports.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The guard was threatened and pistol-whipped during the robbery.
American English
- In the old western, the villain tried to pistol-whip the sheriff.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The police officer has a pistol.
- He kept an unloaded pistol in a locked safe for protection.
- The detective quickly drew her pistol when she heard the window break.
- The new regulations concerning concealed pistols sparked a fierce debate about civil liberties.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PISTOL: A Powerful Instrument Small To Operate with one hand.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PISTOL IS A SOURCE OF AGGRESSIVE FORCE / A COMPACT POWER SOURCE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'пистолет' (pistolet) which is a direct cognate and accurate. The trap is overextending the word to mean any 'gun'; in English, 'rifle' or 'shotgun' are not 'pistols'. The slang 'пулемёт' (machine gun) is a different category.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'pistol' to refer to all types of guns (incorrect: *He hunted deer with a pistol).
- Misspelling as 'pistole'.
- Incorrect preposition: *shoot by a pistol (correct: shoot with a pistol).
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is NOT typically a type of pistol?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A revolver is a type of pistol with a rotating cylinder holding the rounds. 'Pistol' is a broader category that includes revolvers and semi-automatic pistols.
Yes, but only in the specific phrasal verb 'to pistol-whip', meaning to hit someone with the butt of a pistol.
Yes, in modern usage they are largely synonymous, though 'handgun' is sometimes considered a slightly more formal or legal term.
It's a pistol that fires blanks to signal the start of a race in athletics.