sieve: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to slightly formal in literal sense; common in metaphorical use.
Quick answer
What does “sieve” mean?
A tool consisting of a meshed or perforated surface, used for separating fine particles from coarse ones or solids from liquids.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A tool consisting of a meshed or perforated surface, used for separating fine particles from coarse ones or solids from liquids.
Metaphorically, a person's mind or memory that retains little; a process of careful examination or filtration; in computing, an algorithm for finding prime numbers.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. The metaphorical use is equally common in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral for the object; slightly negative in the metaphorical sense (e.g., 'he has a memory like a sieve').
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK cooking/baking contexts, but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “sieve” in a Sentence
sieve somethingsieve something from/out of somethingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sieve” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You must sieve the icing sugar to remove any lumps.
- Sieve the compost to get a fine tilth for seeding.
American English
- Sieve the flour before you measure it.
- The archaeologist sieved the soil for small artifacts.
adjective
British English
- The sieve analysis results are crucial for the soil report.
- Use a sieve plate for this part of the assembly.
American English
- The sieve fraction contained mostly sand.
- A sieve element is part of the plant's phloem.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for processes of filtering data or candidates (e.g., 'sieve through applications').
Academic
In mathematics/computer science ('Sieve of Eratosthenes'); in geology/chemistry for particle separation.
Everyday
Predominantly in cooking/baking and gardening contexts.
Technical
Specific types: molecular sieve, sieve analysis (soil mechanics), sieve tube (botany).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sieve”
- Misspelling as 'seive' (very common).
- Using 'filter' interchangeably when a sieve has a rigid mesh.
- Incorrect verb pattern: 'sieve something through' (usually 'sieve something' or 'put something through a sieve').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A colander is typically bowl-shaped with larger holes, used for draining water from pasta or vegetables. A sieve is often cup-shaped with a finer mesh, used for sifting dry ingredients or straining liquids to remove smaller particles.
It is a common word in domestic (kitchen, garden) and specific technical contexts, but less frequent in general daily conversation outside those domains. Its metaphorical use is widely understood.
It is pronounced /sɪv/, rhyming with 'give'. The 'ie' makes a short 'i' sound, unlike 'believe'.
Yes, commonly. It means to put something through a sieve (e.g., 'Sieve the flour'). The past tense is 'sieved'.
A tool consisting of a meshed or perforated surface, used for separating fine particles from coarse ones or solids from liquids.
Sieve is usually neutral to slightly formal in literal sense; common in metaphorical use. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have a memory like a sieve”
- “sieve through information”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Sieve' has 'ie' like 'piece' – you sieve to get small pieces. Or: 'I EVEn need a sieve to separate things evenly.'
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A CONTAINER (with holes) → a leaky container that fails to retain contents.
Practice
Quiz
What does the idiom 'to have a memory like a sieve' mean?