noun
ell
EHL
Ell (noun) means an old unit of length, roughly the distance from elbow to fingertip, historically around 45 inches in England. Example: “The merchant measured out three ells of cloth for the gown.”
noun
1
An old unit of length, roughly the distance from elbow to fingertip, historically around 45 inches in England.
"The merchant measured out three ells of cloth for the gown."
2
A wing of a building set at a right angle to the main structure, so it forms an L-shape.
"They added an ell to the farmhouse to make room for a new kitchen."
How to use ell
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned unit of length (roughly an arm's length), or an L-shaped wing added to a building.
When to use it
The measurement sense is now historical/archaic; you will mostly meet it in older texts.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ells
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The merchant measured out three _____ of cloth for the gown.
Etymology
From Old English eln, "forearm," from an ancient root meaning "elbow" — the unit was originally just a forearm's length.
Rhymes for ell
See all rhymes for ell →Frequently asked questions
What does “ell” mean?
The word “ell” means an old unit of length, roughly the distance from elbow to fingertip, historically around 45 inches in England. In plain terms, an old-fashioned unit of length (roughly an arm's length), or an L-shaped wing added to a building.
How do you pronounce “ell”?
“Ell” is pronounced EHL (/ˈɛl/ in IPA).
How do you use “ell” in a sentence?
Here is “ell” used in a sentence: “The merchant measured out three ells of cloth for the gown.”
What part of speech is “ell”?
“Ell” is a noun.
Where does the word “ell” come from?
The word “ell” comes from Old English. From Old English eln, "forearm," from an ancient root meaning "elbow" — the unit was originally just a forearm's length.
How many meanings does “ell” have?
“Ell” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old unit of length, roughly the distance from elbow to fingertip, historically around 45 inches in England.
