drill
drihl
Drill (verb) means to make a hole in something using a rotating cutting tool. Example: “You will need to drill through the tiles slowly so they do not crack.”
verb
1
To make a hole in something using a rotating cutting tool.
"You will need to drill through the tiles slowly so they do not crack."
"The dentist drilled the tooth after numbing it."
"He drilled a hole in the wall to hang the shelf."
2
To practise something repeatedly, often in a military or training context, until it becomes automatic.
"The coach drills the team on set pieces before every match."
"The recruits were drilled every morning before dawn."
"The teacher drilled the students on their times tables."
noun
1
A tool or machine used for boring holes.
"Dad's cordless drill ran out of battery halfway through the job."
"Use a masonry drill bit when working on brick walls."
"She grabbed the drill to put up the new curtain rail."
2
A repeated practice exercise designed to build a skill or prepare for an emergency.
"The pupils practised an evacuation drill in the playground."
"Daily vocabulary drills helped her learn the new language faster."
"The school held a fire drill on Tuesday."
3
A dark, gritty style of trap music known for aggressive, often violent lyrics.
"My cousin says drill started in a particular city before spreading to other countries."
"Do you like drill, or do you prefer a softer kind of rap?"
"The playlist mixed drill tracks with old-school hip-hop."
How to use drill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bore a hole with a spinning tool, or to practise something over and over until it sticks — also a name for a hard-edged rap genre.
Common pairings
power drill
fire drill
drill sergeant
drill music
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Word forms
- Plural
- drills
- Third person singular
- drills
- Past tense
- drilled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You will need to _____ through the tiles slowly so they do not crack.
Etymology
Taken from Middle Dutch drillen ("bore, move in a circle").
Related words
Rhymes for drill
See all rhymes for drill →Frequently asked questions
What does “drill” mean?
The word “drill” means to make a hole in something using a rotating cutting tool. In plain terms, to bore a hole with a spinning tool, or to practise something over and over until it sticks — also a name for a hard-edged rap genre.
How do you pronounce “drill”?
“Drill” is pronounced drihl (/dɹɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “drill” in a sentence?
Here is “drill” used in a sentence: “He drilled a hole in the wall to hang the shelf.”
What part of speech is “drill”?
Depending on how it is used, “drill” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “drill” a common word?
“Drill” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “drill” have?
“Drill” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to make a hole in something using a rotating cutting tool.
What is the difference between a drill and an exercise in training?
A drill is a repeated practice routine that builds one specific skill or procedure until it becomes automatic, such as a fire drill or a passing drill in sport. An exercise is usually broader, simulating a whole task or scenario and testing judgement as well as technique. Drills build reflexes; exercises rehearse the bigger picture.
What is the difference between drilling and boring a hole?
In everyday English the two overlap — a drill is literally a tool used for boring holes. In engineering and machining, though, drilling usually means cutting a new hole with a rotating bit, while boring means enlarging or finishing a hole that already exists. Outside workshops, drill is by far the more common word.
What is a fire drill?
A fire drill is a repeated practice exercise that prepares people for an emergency evacuation. Everyone in the building rehearses leaving by the correct routes and gathering at an assembly point, so the response becomes automatic if a real fire occurs. Schools and workplaces run them at regular intervals, often unannounced.
