web
9 synonyms for web, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A network of fine threads spun by a spider to catch prey.
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 web
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
spider web
web of lies
surf the web
web browser
Etymology
From Old English webb, from a Germanic root meaning "to weave" — the same root that gives us "weave" and "waspish" cousins in other languages.
Full origin of web →Frequently asked questions
What does “web” mean?
The word “web” means a network of fine threads spun by a spider to catch prey. In plain terms, a spider's silk network, the internet as a system of linked pages, or figuratively a tangled network of connections or deceit.
How do you pronounce “web”?
“Web” is pronounced wehb (/wɛb/ in IPA).
How do you use “web” in a sentence?
Here is “web” used in a sentence: “A web glistened with dew between the fence posts.”
What part of speech is “web”?
“Web” is a noun.
Where does the word “web” come from?
The word “web” comes from Old English. From Old English webb, from a Germanic root meaning "to weave" — the same root that gives us "weave" and "waspish" cousins in other languages.
Is “web” a common word?
“Web” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “web” have?
“Web” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a network of fine threads spun by a spider to catch prey.
What is the difference between a spider's web and the World Wide Web?
A spider's web is the real net of fine silk threads a spider spins to trap prey. The World Wide Web borrows that image as a metaphor: it is the huge network of linked pages on the internet, called a 'web' because the way its pages connect resembles the crisscrossing threads of a spider's web.
What is a spider's web made of?
It is made of silk — a strong, stretchy protein the spider produces inside its body and spins out through nozzles called spinnerets. Some of the threads are coated in glue to trap insects, while others are dry so the spider can walk across its own web without getting stuck.
Why do spiders spin webs?
Mainly to catch food: the sticky threads trap flying and crawling insects, which the spider then wraps and eats. Webs also serve as shelter, protect egg sacs, and act like an early-warning system — vibrations travelling along the silk tell the spider that prey, or danger, has arrived.
