Reading Theme:
Magnet: Meaning, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：object that attracts iron (magnet)
magnet
/ˈmæɡnət/
n.
A piece of metal that can pull iron or steel things towards it without touching them.
object that attracts iron
➕
/ˈɒbdʒɛkt ðæt əˈtrækts ˈaɪərn/
n.
A magnet is a piece of material, such as iron or steel, that produces a magnetic field and can pull ferromagnetic objects like iron, steel, nickel, or cobalt toward it without direct contact.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Greek 'magnēs' (Magnesian stone), referring to the region Magnesia in Thessaly where magnetic stones were found.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a 'mag' (like magic) net that catches metal objects.
📖 Example
My little brother was amazed when the magnet picked up all the paperclips from the table.
My younger brother felt astonished when the magnet lifted all the paper clips from the table.
🔗 Collocations
magnetic field – region around a magnet where magnetic force acts
magnetic attraction – the force that draws objects toward a magnet
magnet fishing – the hobby of using a magnet to retrieve metal objects from water
🔄 Synonyms
lodestone (n.) – a naturally occurring piece of magnetite that acts as a magnet
electromagnet (n.) – a magnet made by passing an electric current through a coil of wire
bar magnet (n.) – a rectangular-shaped magnet with poles at each end
🚫 Antonyms
non-magnetic material (n.) – material that is not attracted by a magnet
insulator (n.) – material that does not conduct magnetic fields
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'magnet' comes from the Greek region Magnesia in Thessaly, where natural magnetic stones (lodestone) were first discovered. The term 'magnes lithos' (stone of Magnesia) was later shortened to 'magnet'.
Meaning 2：person or thing that attracts attention (magnet)
magnet
/ˈmæɡnət/
n.
A person or thing that naturally draws a lot of attention or interest.
person or thing that attracts attention
➕
/ˈpɜːrsən ɔːr θɪŋ ðæt əˈtrækts əˈtɛnʃən/
n.
Figuratively, a magnet is a person, place, or thing that naturally draws a lot of interest, attention, or people toward itself.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
With her friendly smile and great stories, our tour guide became a magnet for questions from the whole group.
Due to her welcoming smile and fascinating tales, our guide turned into a magnet drawing inquiries from everyone in the group.
🔗 Collocations
tourist magnet – a destination or attraction that draws many visitors
celebrity magnet – a person who attracts other famous people
attention magnet – something that captures public notice
🔄 Synonyms
attraction (n.) – a thing that draws interest or visitors
draw (n.) – something that attracts attention or people
center of attention (n.) – the person or thing receiving the most focus
🚫 Antonyms
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