stone's throw: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, neutral
Quick answer
What does “stone's throw” mean?
A very short distance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very short distance.
Used to indicate that something is located very close to something else, often within easy walking distance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both varieties. The possessive form 'stone's' is standard, though the less common variant 'stone throw' (without apostrophe) is occasionally seen in informal contexts.
Connotations
Slightly literary or quaint in tone; suggests a charming, old-fashioned, or picturesque proximity.
Frequency
Common in both written and spoken English, particularly in descriptions of locations (real estate, travel guides).
Grammar
How to Use “stone's throw” in a Sentence
a stone's throw from [PLACE]a stone's throw awayjust/only a stone's throwVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stone's throw” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- We live stone's throw from the pub.
- The shop is situated stone's throw away.
American English
- The cafe is located stone's throw from campus.
- Their new house is just stone's throw from the beach.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in property or location-based marketing (e.g., 'The new office is a stone's throw from the train station').
Academic
Rare; considered too informal for most academic writing.
Everyday
Common in conversational descriptions of location.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stone's throw”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stone's throw”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stone's throw”
- Using 'stones throw' without the apostrophe (incorrect).
- Using it for time ('a stone's throw ago').
- Using it without 'a' ('It's stone's throw away').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the standard and correct form is the possessive 'stone's throw'. The apostrophe is essential.
No, it is only used for physical distance. For a short time, use 'in no time', 'in a moment', or 'just a second'.
It is neutral to informal. It is perfectly acceptable in everyday speech and descriptive writing but may be considered too colloquial for formal reports or academic papers.
The most common structure is '[be/lie/situated] a stone's throw from [place]', often preceded by 'just', 'only', or 'a mere'.
A very short distance.
Stone's throw: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstəʊnz ˌθrəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstoʊnz ˌθroʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “within a stone's throw of (something)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine trying to hit a building with a thrown stone. If you can, it's a 'stone's throw' away.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROXIMITY IS WITHIN THE RANGE OF A PROJECTILE.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'stone's throw' correctly?