Faucet Meaning, Examples, and Common Usage

Meaning 1：water tap (Faucet)

Faucet 🔊

/ˈfɔːsɪt/

The thing you turn on to get water from a pipe, usually over a sink.

Stainless steel faucet over kitchen sink with flowing water

water tap 🔊

➕

/ˈwɔːtər tæp/

A device that controls the flow of water from a pipe, typically found in kitchens and bathrooms.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Elementary

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'fons' (fountain) via Old French 'faucet' (tap).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of 'force' + 'set' - you force the water to set where you want by turning the handle.

📖 Example

Before you start washing the dishes, remember to turn off the faucet tightly to save water. 🔊 Before you start washing the dishes, remember to turn off the faucet tightly to save water.

🔗 Collocations

turn off the faucet – rotate the handle to stop water flow

leaky faucet – a faucet that drips water continuously

faucet handle – the lever or knob used to operate the faucet

🔄 Synonyms

tap (n.) – A device for controlling the flow of liquid from a pipe, common in British English.

spigot (n.) – A small tap or valve, especially one used for drawing water from a cask or pipe.

valve (n.) – A mechanical device that regulates the flow of fluid by opening or closing a passage.

🚫 Antonyms

plug (n.) – An object used to block a hole and prevent water from flowing, opposite in function to a faucet.

📖 Cultural Story

In modern American English, 'faucet' is the standard term for the water spout over a sink, especially in kitchens, often paired with 'sink' and 'plumbing'.