box
boks
Box (noun) means a rigid container, typically rectangular, with a lid or flaps, used to hold or transport things. Example: “The delivery driver left a heavy box on the doorstep.”
noun
1
A rigid container, typically rectangular, with a lid or flaps, used to hold or transport things.
"The delivery driver left a heavy box on the doorstep."
"She packed her books into a cardboard box before the move."
"He kept old letters in a wooden box under his bed."
verb
1
To put something into a box or boxes.
"We spent the weekend boxing up the kitchen things for the move."
"The warehouse staff box each order carefully before it is sent out."
"Please box up the leftover food for the guests to take home."
2
To fight an opponent using the fists, typically wearing padded gloves, as a sport.
"She boxes at the local gym three evenings a week."
"He boxed for his university and won several amateur bouts."
"He's been training to box competitively since he was fifteen."
How to use box
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA container for holding things, or the sport of fighting with the fists.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "box" (the sport) with "boxer" (the fighter, or the dog breed).
Common pairings
box of chocolates
cardboard box
box someone in
box a match
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Word forms
- Plural
- boxes
- Third person singular
- boxes
- Past tense
- boxed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The delivery driver left a heavy _____ on the doorstep.
Etymology
Traces back through Old English "box" and Late Latin "buxis" to Ancient Greek "pyxis," a small container originally made of boxwood.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for box
See all rhymes for box →Frequently asked questions
What does “box” mean?
The word “box” means a rigid container, typically rectangular, with a lid or flaps, used to hold or transport things. In plain terms, a container for holding things, or the sport of fighting with the fists.
How do you pronounce “box”?
“Box” is pronounced boks (/bɑks/ in IPA).
How do you use “box” in a sentence?
Here is “box” used in a sentence: “She packed her books into a cardboard box before the move.”
What is the opposite of “box”?
The opposite of “box” — its antonyms — are unbox, uncase and unpack.
What part of speech is “box”?
Depending on how it is used, “box” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “box” come from?
The word “box” comes from Ancient Greek. Traces back through Old English "box" and Late Latin "buxis" to Ancient Greek "pyxis," a small container originally made of boxwood.
Is “box” a common word?
“Box” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “box” have?
“Box” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a rigid container, typically rectangular, with a lid or flaps, used to hold or transport things.
What is the difference between a box and a carton?
A carton is a box made of cardboard or thin card, usually for packaging goods such as milk, eggs, or juice. Box is the broader word and covers containers made of wood, plastic, metal, or card. So every carton is a box, but a wooden or plastic box is not a carton.
What are the types of boxes?
Boxes are usually described by material or purpose, including cardboard boxes for moving and posting, wooden crates for heavy goods, plastic storage boxes, gift boxes, toolboxes, and shoeboxes. They range from tiny jewellery boxes to large packing cases, but all are rigid containers made to hold or carry things.
What is an example of a box?
A cardboard moving box is a classic example, a rigid, rectangular container with flaps that fold shut on top. Other everyday examples include a shoebox, a gift box, a toolbox, and a cereal box. Each is a stiff-sided container used to hold, store, or transport its contents.
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