stones
A2Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The plural form of 'stone', referring to solid, non-metallic mineral matter that forms rock; small pieces of such rock, typically hard and found on the ground.
Can refer to gemstones or jewels; hard seeds in fruits (e.g., peaches); a unit of weight (especially British, 14 pounds); a calculus in the body (e.g., kidney stones); and figuratively to qualities of hardness, coldness, or permanence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a concrete noun (pluralia tantum for the material sense). Figurative uses (e.g., 'heart of stone') are common. The singular 'stone' can also be a mass noun for the material.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English commonly uses 'stone' (singular) as a unit of weight for people (e.g., 'He weighs 11 stone'). American English uses pounds or kilograms. The term 'stone' for a fruit seed/pit is more common in British English ('plum stone'); American English often uses 'pit'.
Connotations
Similar core connotations (hardness, durability, antiquity). In British contexts, 'stones' can more readily evoke historical or archaeological sites (e.g., Stonehenge).
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English due to the weight unit usage. The material sense is equally frequent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
V + stones (e.g., throw, carry, skip)ADJ + stones (e.g., precious, sharp, loose)N + of + stones (e.g., a heap of stones, a collection of stones)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.”
- “A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
- “Kill two birds with one stone.”
- “Set in stone (unchangeable).”
- “Leave no stone unturned.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in specific industries (e.g., jewellery: 'precious stones'; construction: 'crushed stones').
Academic
Common in geology, archaeology, history, and medical contexts (e.g., 'lithic analysis', 'renal stones').
Everyday
Very common for describing paths, gardens, beaches, and in figurative expressions.
Technical
Used in geology (igneous stones), medicine (calculi), and gemmology.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The mob threatened to stone the building.
- She was stoned to death for adultery.
American English
- Protesters might stone the police vehicles.
- The sentence was to be stoned by the crowd.
adverb
British English
- This ale is stone cold.
- She was stone sober when she made the decision.
American English
- He sat there stone still, not making a sound.
- After the news, she went stone silent.
adjective
British English
- He built a stone wall around the garden.
- They live in a stone cottage in the Cotswolds.
American English
- They have a stone fireplace in the living room.
- The house features beautiful stone countertops.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children collected small, smooth stones from the beach.
- Don't throw stones! It's dangerous.
- My ring has three blue stones in it.
- The old path was made of uneven stones.
- He had surgery to remove painful kidney stones.
- The castle walls were built from huge, grey stones.
- The agreement is preliminary and not yet set in stone.
- Archaeologists carbon-dated the stones found at the burial site.
- She felt a sharp pain, which turned out to be gallstones.
- The polemicist cast the first stone without considering his own vulnerabilities.
- They used stepping stones of short-term projects to build a lasting career.
- The lithic analysis revealed the stones were quarried from over 50 miles away.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a pile of STONES that you STEP ON. The words share the 'ST..ON' sound pattern.
Conceptual Metaphor
HARDNESS IS UNFEELING (heart of stone); PERMANENCE IS SOLIDITY (written in stone); DIFFICULTIES ARE OBSTACLES (stumbling stone).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating 'stones' for 'bones' (кости). The Russian word 'камень' (kamen') covers both 'stone' and 'rock'. 'Gemstones' are драгоценные камни, not just 'stones'. The weight unit 'stone' has no direct Russian equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'stones' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a stones' is wrong). Confusing 'stones' with 'bones' in pronunciation/spelling. Overusing the literal meaning and missing figurative idioms.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stones' LEAST likely to be used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'stones' is the third person singular present tense of the verb 'to stone' (e.g., He stones the fruit to remove the seeds). As a noun, it is always plural.
'Stones' often implies smaller, individual pieces, potentially shaped or used by humans (e.g., building stone, gemstone). 'Rocks' is a more general term for the solid mineral material and can refer to larger formations. There is significant overlap.
It's a historical unit that survived into the modern era, traditionally used for body weight and agricultural products. One stone equals 14 pounds (approximately 6.35 kg).
Yes, very commonly. Examples include 'heart of stone' (unfeeling), 'stones of guilt' (burdens), and idioms like 'leave no stone unturned' (search thoroughly).