sellotape: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Common in UK English, less common in US English.Informal, everyday.
Quick answer
What does “sellotape” mean?
A brand of transparent adhesive tape used for sticking materials like paper or plastic.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A brand of transparent adhesive tape used for sticking materials like paper or plastic.
To fasten or repair something using adhesive tape, often used generically for similar tapes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'Sellotape' is a standard term for adhesive tape, while in American English, 'Scotch tape' is more commonly used.
Connotations
In the UK, it conveys familiarity and household use; in the US, it may be perceived as a Britishism or less familiar brand.
Frequency
High frequency in UK everyday speech; low frequency in US, where alternative terms dominate.
Grammar
How to Use “sellotape” in a Sentence
sellotape something to somethingsellotape something togethersellotape something shutVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sellotape” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Could you sellotape this note to the door?
- She sellotaped the broken pieces back together.
American English
- Can you tape this with Scotch tape?
- He used tape to secure the package.
adverb
British English
- He attached it sellotape-style, but adverb usage is rare.
- Not standardly used as an adverb.
American English
- She fixed it tape-quickly, though uncommon.
- Adverb forms are generally avoided.
adjective
British English
- The sellotaped seam held perfectly.
- It was a quick sellotape fix.
American English
- The taped edges were neat.
- She made a taped repair.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referenced in office supply contexts for sealing envelopes or temporary repairs.
Academic
Rarely used; more typical in descriptive or informal writing.
Everyday
Widely used for household tasks like gift-wrapping, fixing torn paper, or crafting.
Technical
Applied in packaging, arts, and crafts for adhesion purposes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sellotape”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sellotape”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sellotape”
- Misspelling as 'cellotape' due to association with 'cellophane'.
- Using it as a verb without an object, e.g., 'I need to sellotape' instead of 'I need to sellotape it'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Sellotape and Scotch tape are different brands of adhesive tape, with Sellotape being more common in the UK and Scotch tape in the US, though both are often used generically.
Yes, it can be countable (e.g., 'a sellotape' for a roll) but is often used uncountably (e.g., 'some sellotape').
Sellotape is derived from 'Cellophane tape', as it was originally made from cellophane; the brand name was trademarked in the 1930s.
In formal settings, use the standard pronunciations: /ˈsɛləʊteɪp/ in British English or /ˈsɛloʊteɪp/ in American English, though the word itself is informal.
A brand of transparent adhesive tape used for sticking materials like paper or plastic.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Sellotape' as 'sell' + 'tape' – it sells tape that sticks things together.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often symbolizes a quick or temporary fix, as in 'sellotape solution' for a makeshift repair.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'Sellotape' most commonly used?