threshold
9 synonyms and 1 antonym for threshold, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The strip or slab at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter.
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.
Antonyms
How to use threshold
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
on the threshold of
pain threshold
tax threshold
cross the threshold
Etymology
From Old English þresċold, "doorsill" — related to thresh (to beat grain), since a threshold was once literally the beaten, trodden strip of floor at a doorway.
Full origin of threshold →Frequently asked questions
What does “threshold” mean?
The word “threshold” means the strip or slab at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter. In plain terms, either the literal bottom of a doorway, or, more often now, the point at which something starts or a limit gets triggered.
How do you pronounce “threshold”?
“Threshold” is pronounced THREH-shohld (/ˈθɹɛʃ(h)oʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “threshold” in a sentence?
Here is “threshold” used in a sentence: “She wiped her boots on the mat before crossing the threshold.”
What is the opposite of “threshold”?
The opposite of “threshold” — its antonyms — is lintel.
What part of speech is “threshold”?
“Threshold” is a noun.
Where does the word “threshold” come from?
The word “threshold” comes from Old English. From Old English þresċold, "doorsill" — related to thresh (to beat grain), since a threshold was once literally the beaten, trodden strip of floor at a doorway.
Is “threshold” a common word?
“Threshold” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “threshold” have?
“Threshold” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the strip or slab at the bottom of a doorway that you step over to enter.
Is it spelled threshold or threshhold?
The correct spelling is threshold, with a single h in the middle. Because the word looks like "thresh" plus "hold," many people mistakenly double the h, but "threshhold" is always an error.
What is a pain threshold?
A pain threshold is the point at which something begins to be felt as pain — the level at which the effect kicks in. Someone with a high pain threshold needs a stronger stimulus before feeling pain, while someone with a low threshold feels pain sooner.
What is a tax threshold?
A tax threshold is the income level at which you start paying a particular rate of tax. Earnings below the threshold are not taxed at that rate; once income crosses it, the rate applies.
