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noun A1 Beginner Uncommon

aeroplane

EHR-uh-playn

Also spelled airplane (US spelling)

Aeroplane (noun) means British term for a powered aircraft with fixed wings; an airplane. Example: “They watched the aeroplane climb steadily into the clouds.”

noun
1
British term for a powered aircraft with fixed wings; an airplane.
"They watched the aeroplane climb steadily into the clouds."

How to use aeroplane

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA fixed-wing powered aircraft.

UK vs US

British and Commonwealth English uses "aeroplane"; American English uses "airplane."

Word forms

aeroplaned past tense, aeroplanes plural, aeroplanes singular

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Test yourself on “aeroplane” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They watched the _____ climb steadily into the clouds.

Etymology

Borrowed from French aéroplane, from Greek ἀήρ ("air") plus πλάνος ("wandering"). The term was first used in an 1855 patent.

Origin: French · First attested 1855

Class of 1855 aeroplane joined the language around 1855.
See the full Class of 1855 →

Related words

Rhymes for aeroplane

See all rhymes for aeroplane →

Frequently asked questions

What does “aeroplane” mean?

The word “aeroplane” means british term for a powered aircraft with fixed wings; an airplane. In plain terms, a fixed-wing powered aircraft.

How do you pronounce “aeroplane”?

“Aeroplane” is pronounced EHR-uh-playn (/ˈɛɹ.ə.pleɪ̯n/ in IPA).

How do you use “aeroplane” in a sentence?

Here is “aeroplane” used in a sentence: “They watched the aeroplane climb steadily into the clouds.”

What part of speech is “aeroplane”?

“Aeroplane” is a noun.

Where does the word “aeroplane” come from?

The word “aeroplane” dates back to around 1855 and comes from French. Borrowed from French aéroplane, from Greek ἀήρ ("air") plus πλάνος ("wandering"). The term was first used in an 1855 patent.

Is “aeroplane” a common word?

“Aeroplane” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

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