noun
button
BUH-tuhn
noun
1
A small disc sewn onto clothing and pushed through a hole to fasten it.
"One of the buttons popped off his shirt at the gym."
"She sewed a spare button onto the jacket before the interview."
2
A small device pressed with a finger to operate a machine, switch, or on-screen control.
"Press the red button to stop the machine immediately."
"He tapped the "buy now" button without reading the price."
3
A small pin-on badge worn on clothing.
"Her backpack was covered in buttons from old political campaigns."
verb
1
To fasten with buttons.
"He buttoned his coat against the wind."
How to Use Button
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small fastener on clothes, or a switch you press — physical or on a screen.
Common mistake
In UK English "button" can also mean a small round sweet or bud; context usually makes the meaning clear.
Common pairings
button up
push the button
a button-down shirt
press a button
Word Forms
buttoned past tense, buttons plural, Buttons plural, buttons singular
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One of the _____ popped off his shirt at the gym.
Etymology
From Old French bouton ("bud, knob"), from bouter ("to push, thrust") — a button is literally something that "pushes" through a hole.