button
BUH-tuhn
Button (noun) means a small disc sewn onto clothing and pushed through a hole to fasten it. Example: “One of the buttons popped off his shirt at the gym.”
noun
1
A small disc sewn onto clothing and pushed through a hole to fasten it.
"One of the buttons popped off his shirt at the gym."
"She sewed a spare button onto the jacket before the interview."
"I lost a button from my coat on the bus."
2
A small device pressed with a finger to operate a machine, switch, or on-screen control.
"Press the red button to stop the machine immediately."
"He tapped the "buy now" button without reading the price."
"Hold down the power button for three seconds to restart the phone."
3
A small pin-on badge worn on clothing.
"Her backpack was covered in buttons from old political campaigns."
"He wore a button on his lapel that said 'Ask me about bees'."
"The museum gave every child a button with a cartoon dinosaur on it."
verb
1
To fasten with buttons.
"He buttoned his coat against the wind."
"Button up your jacket, because it's freezing outside."
"She buttoned her cardigan and stepped out into the rain."
How to use button
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small fastener on clothes, or a switch you press — physical or on a screen.
Common mistake
In UK English "button" can also mean a small round sweet or bud; context usually makes the meaning clear.
Common pairings
button up
push the button
a button-down shirt
press a button
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Word forms
- Plural
- buttons
- Third person singular
- buttons
- Past tense
- buttoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
One of the _____ popped off his shirt at the gym.
Etymology
From Old French bouton ("bud, knob"), from bouter ("to push, thrust") — a button is literally something that "pushes" through a hole.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for button
See all rhymes for button →Frequently asked questions
What does “button” mean?
The word “button” means a small disc sewn onto clothing and pushed through a hole to fasten it. In plain terms, a small fastener on clothes, or a switch you press — physical or on a screen.
How do you pronounce “button”?
“Button” is pronounced BUH-tuhn (/ˈbʌtən/ in IPA).
How do you use “button” in a sentence?
Here is “button” used in a sentence: “One of the buttons popped off his shirt at the gym.”
What part of speech is “button”?
Depending on how it is used, “button” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “button” come from?
The word “button” comes from Old French. From Old French bouton ("bud, knob"), from bouter ("to push, thrust") — a button is literally something that "pushes" through a hole.
Is “button” a common word?
“Button” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “button” have?
“Button” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small disc sewn onto clothing and pushed through a hole to fasten it.
What is the difference between a button and a snap?
A button is a small disc that fastens clothing by passing through a slit called a buttonhole. A snap, or press stud, has two interlocking parts that click together under pressure. Buttons are sewn on and threaded through; snaps simply press shut, needing no hole.
What are buttons made of?
Clothing buttons are made from many materials, including plastic, metal, wood, bone, glass, and shell such as mother-of-pearl. Plastic is the most common today because it is cheap and durable. Finer garments may use metal or natural shell buttons for a more premium look.
Does button also mean a control you press?
Yes. By extension from the clothing fastener, a button is also a small part you press to work a device, like a doorbell or a keyboard, and an on-screen button you click on a website or app. This entry covers the original sewn clothing fastener.
What is a buttonhole?
A buttonhole is the small, reinforced slit or loop that a button passes through to fasten a garment. It is usually stitched around the edges to stop fraying. Button and buttonhole work as a pair: without the hole, the button has nothing to fasten to.
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