Reading Theme:
Iron Meaning, Examples, and Common Uses (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：clothes iron (iron)
iron
/ˈaɪərn/
n.
A tool that you heat up and use to make clothes smooth and flat by pressing out the wrinkles.
clothes iron
➕
/ˈkloʊðz ˈaɪərn/
n.
A household appliance with a flat, heated metal base used to remove wrinkles from fabrics by pressing.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Old English īren, from Proto-Germanic *īsarną (cf. Old High German īsarn, Dutch ijzer).
💡 Mnemonic
I run to grab the hot iron for my shirt, but remember it's a strong metal too.
📖 Example
My dad was carefully using the iron on his favorite shirt before his important job interview.
My dad was carefully using the iron on his favorite shirt before his important job interview.
🔗 Collocations
steam iron – An iron that uses steam to remove wrinkles more effectively
ironing board – A board with a padded surface on which clothes are ironed
electric iron – An iron powered by electricity
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
ironing (n.) – the act of using an iron on clothes
📖 Cultural Story
Iron's name comes from Proto-Indo-European *h₁ésh₂r̥ 'blood' (due to its reddish rust). It ushered in the Iron Age (c. 1200 BCE), revolutionizing tools and warfare.
Meaning 2：iron metal (iron)
iron
/ˈaɪərn/
n.
A strong, hard, silver-grey metal that is magnetic and is used to make many things like buildings, cars, and tools.
iron metal
➕
/ˈaɪərn ˈmɛtəl/
n.
A strong, magnetic, silver-gray metallic element (symbol Fe) that is abundant in the Earth's crust and used extensively in construction and manufacturing.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The old garden gate was made of iron and had begun to rust after years of rain and sun.
The old garden gate was made of iron and had begun to rust after years of rain and sun.
🔗 Collocations
wrought iron – A form of iron that is malleable and used for decorative work
cast iron – A hard, brittle iron alloy cast in molds
iron ore – Rock containing iron minerals from which iron is extracted
🔄 Synonyms
cast iron (n.) – A hard, brittle alloy of iron, carbon, and silicon, cast in a mold
wrought iron (n.) – A form of iron that is tough and malleable, often used for decorative purposes
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
ironclad (adj.) – covered with iron armor; rigid or unbreakable
ironwork (n.) – objects made of iron, especially decorative ones
ironmonger (n.) – a person who sells iron goods and hardware
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