bottle
Bottle (noun) means a container, usually glass or plastic, with a narrow neck, used for holding liquids. Example: “He filled his water bottle before the hike.”
How to Use Bottle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA container for liquids with a narrow neck; also used to mean nerve or courage, and — as "bottle up" — to hold in one's feelings.
"Lose your bottle" (meaning lose your nerve) is a British expression, not commonly used in American English.
Word Forms
bottled past tense, bottles plural, bottles plural, bottles plural, bottles singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He filled his water _____ before the hike.
Etymology
From Old French boteille, from Late Latin butticula, a diminutive of buttis ("cask") — the same root that gives us "butt" as in a cask of wine.
Synonyms
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Related Words
Rhymes for bottle
See all rhymes for bottle →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “bottle” mean?
The word “bottle” means a container, usually glass or plastic, with a narrow neck, used for holding liquids. In plain terms, a container for liquids with a narrow neck; also used to mean nerve or courage, and — as "bottle up" — to hold in one's feelings.
How do you pronounce “bottle”?
“Bottle” is pronounced BOT-l (/ˈbɑ.tl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “bottle” in a sentence?
Here is “bottle” used in a sentence: “He filled his water bottle before the hike.”
What is another word for “bottle”?
Words with a similar meaning to “bottle” include baby's bottle, feeding bottle and nursing bottle.
What is the opposite of “bottle”?
The opposite of “bottle” — its antonyms — is cowardice.
What part of speech is “bottle”?
Depending on how it is used, “bottle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “bottle” come from?
The word “bottle” comes from Late Latin. From Old French boteille, from Late Latin butticula, a diminutive of buttis ("cask") — the same root that gives us "butt" as in a cask of wine.
Is “bottle” a common word?
“Bottle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between a bottle and a jar?
A bottle has a narrow neck and small opening, designed for pouring liquids cleanly. A jar has a wide mouth and short or no neck, suited to solids, spreads, or thicker contents you scoop out. The narrow neck is the defining feature that sets a bottle apart from a jar.
What are the common types of bottles?
Bottles are usually named by material or use: glass and plastic bottles for drinks, reusable water bottles and baby bottles, and specialised forms like wine bottles, spray bottles, and hot-water bottles. They vary widely in size, closure, and shape, but all share the characteristic narrow neck for controlled pouring.
What is an example of a bottle?
Everyday examples include a plastic water bottle, a glass milk or wine bottle, a ketchup bottle, and a baby's feeding bottle. Each holds liquid and pours it through a narrow neck, usually sealed with a cap, cork, or screw top to keep the contents fresh and secure.