meter
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for meter, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A device that measures the amount of something, such as electricity, gas, or water used.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use meter
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Middle English metere ("one who measures"), related to the verb mete ("to measure"); later applied to measuring devices, likely influenced by words like barometer and thermometer.
Full origin of meter →Frequently asked questions
What does “meter” mean?
The word “meter” means a device that measures the amount of something, such as electricity, gas, or water used. In plain terms, a gadget that measures how much of something (gas, electricity, water, parking time) is being used.
How do you pronounce “meter”?
“Meter” is pronounced MEE-tuh ([ˈmiɾɚ] in IPA).
How do you use “meter” in a sentence?
Here is “meter” used in a sentence: “The engineer came to read the electricity meter.”
What part of speech is “meter”?
Depending on how it is used, “meter” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “meter” come from?
The word “meter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English metere ("one who measures"), related to the verb mete ("to measure"); later applied to measuring devices, likely influenced by words like barometer and thermometer.
Is “meter” a common word?
“Meter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “meter” have?
“Meter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device that measures the amount of something, such as electricity, gas, or water used.
What is the difference between meter and metre?
In British English, a meter is a measuring device — such as a gas meter or parking meter — while metre is the spelling for the unit of length. In American English, meter is the standard spelling for both the device and the unit. The verb, as in "to meter electricity", is spelled meter in both varieties.
What is the difference between a meter and a gauge?
A meter usually records how much of something has been used or has passed through, such as electricity, gas, or water. A gauge usually displays a current level or reading, such as tyre pressure or fuel. The two overlap in everyday use, and both are types of measuring instrument.