glass
glahs
Glass (noun) means a hard, usually transparent material made by melting sand with other minerals, used for windows, bottles, and similar items. Example: “The old vase was made of green glass and caught the light.”
noun
1
A hard, usually transparent material made by melting sand with other minerals, used for windows, bottles, and similar items.
"The old vase was made of green glass and caught the light."
"The window was made of thick, reinforced glass."
"He accidentally broke a glass panel in the door."
2
A drinking vessel made of this material, or the amount of liquid it holds.
"He raised his glass and thanked everyone for coming."
"She poured herself a glass of water."
"He had two glasses of wine with dinner."
3
A mirror.
"He straightened his tie in the glass by the front door."
"She looked into the glass and smiled at her new haircut."
"She checked her hair in the glass before leaving."
How to use glass
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe see-through material windows and drinking vessels are made of, or a container/drink made of it.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a glass of water
stained glass
broken glass
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Word forms
- Plural
- glasses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old vase was made of green _____ and caught the light.
Etymology
From Old English glæs, going back to a Germanic root possibly related to "glow" or "shine" — glass was named for the way it reflects and catches light.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for glass
See all rhymes for glass →Frequently asked questions
What does “glass” mean?
The word “glass” means a hard, usually transparent material made by melting sand with other minerals, used for windows, bottles, and similar items. In plain terms, the see-through material windows and drinking vessels are made of, or a container/drink made of it.
How do you pronounce “glass”?
“Glass” is pronounced glahs (/ɡlæs/ in IPA).
How do you use “glass” in a sentence?
Here is “glass” used in a sentence: “The window was made of thick, reinforced glass.”
What part of speech is “glass”?
“Glass” is a noun.
Where does the word “glass” come from?
The word “glass” comes from Old English. From Old English glæs, going back to a Germanic root possibly related to "glow" or "shine" — glass was named for the way it reflects and catches light.
Is “glass” a common word?
“Glass” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “glass” have?
“Glass” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hard, usually transparent material made by melting sand with other minerals, used for windows, bottles, and similar items.
What is glass made of?
Glass is made mainly from silica, the mineral found in sand. This is melted at very high temperatures with soda ash and limestone, which lower the melting point and make the material stable. Once molten, it can be shaped and cooled into panes, bottles, or countless other forms.
Is glass a solid or a liquid?
Glass is a solid — specifically an amorphous solid, meaning its molecules are arranged randomly rather than in a neat crystal pattern. The popular claim that old window glass is slowly flowing like a liquid is a myth; the uneven panes simply reflect old manufacturing methods.
What is the difference between glass and crystal?
Crystal is a type of glass, traditionally made with added lead oxide. The lead gives it more weight, brilliance, and a clearer ring when struck, which is why fine glassware is called crystal. Ordinary glass has no lead and is generally cheaper and more practical for everyday use.
Can glass be recycled?
Yes. Glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled endlessly without losing quality, because it can be melted and reformed again and again. Recycling it also saves energy, since recycled glass melts at a lower temperature than the raw sand and minerals used to make new glass.
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