Reading Theme:
Expiry Meaning: Expiration Date & Use-By Date Explained (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：expiration date (expiry)
expiry
/ɪkˈspaɪəri/
n.
It means the date when something is no longer valid.
expiration date
➕
/ˌɛkspɪˈreɪʃən deɪt/
n.
The specific date on which a document, license, or agreement ceases to be legally valid or effective.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'ex-' (out) + 'spirare' (to breathe), literally meaning 'to breathe out', hence 'to end'.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of 'expiry' as the moment when something 'expires' or 'breathes its last breath' of validity.
📖 Example
He was stopped at the airport because the expiry date on his passport had passed.
He was stopped at the airport because the expiry date on his passport had passed.
🔗 Collocations
expiry date – The date on which something expires.
passport expiry – The expiration of a passport's validity.
contract expiry – The end of a contract's effective period.
🔄 Synonyms
expiration (n.) – The ending of a fixed period of validity.
termination (n.) – The act of bringing something to an end.
end (n.) – The final point in time of something.
🚫 Antonyms
commencement (n.) – The beginning of something.
start (n.) – The point at which something begins.
validity (n.) – The state of being legally acceptable.
🌱 Derivatives
expire (v.) – To come to an end; to cease to be valid.
expiration (n.) – The process of expiring.
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'expiry' originates from Latin 'expirare', meaning 'to breathe out' or 'to die'. In English, it evolved to mean the end of a fixed period, commonly used in legal and commercial contexts for contracts and documents.
Meaning 2：use-by date (expiry)
expiry
/ɪkˈspaɪəri/
n.
It refers to the date when a product, especially food or medicine, should not be used anymore because it is no longer safe or effective.
use-by date
➕
/ˈjuːzˌbaɪ deɪt/
n.
The date marked on perishable goods, after which the product may no longer be safe to consume or of acceptable quality.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
Always check the expiry date on the milk carton before you pour it into your cereal.
Always check the expiry date on the milk carton before you pour it into your cereal.
🔗 Collocations
expiry date – The date after which a product should not be used.
product expiry – The point at which a product is no longer fresh or safe.
food expiry – The expiration of a food item's safe consumption period.
🔄 Synonyms
expiration (n.) – The end of a product's effective period.
shelf life (n.) – The length of time a product remains fit for use.
best-before date (n.) – A date indicating the period of optimal quality.
🚫 Antonyms
freshness (n.) – The state of being fresh and new.
production date (n.) – The date when a product was made.
validity (n.) – The state of being acceptable or usable.
🌱 Derivatives
expire (v.) – To come to an end; to cease to be valid.
expiration (n.) – The process of expiring.
Wordbook
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