noun

gneiss

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Gneiss (noun) means Gneiss is a common metamorphic rock marked with bands or streaks of different minerals but lacking the flaky, splitting texture of schist. Example: “The cliff face was made of grey gneiss with dark bands running through it.”

noun

technical Gneiss is a common metamorphic rock marked with bands or streaks of different minerals but lacking the flaky, splitting texture of schist.

"The cliff face was made of grey gneiss with dark bands running through it."

"Geologists mapped the outcrop as gneiss rather than schist."

"The quarry produced large blocks of gneiss for the building's facade."

How to use gneiss

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishGneiss is a type of banded rock formed by heat and pressure acting on older rock.

When to use it

Gneiss is a specialist geology term rather than everyday vocabulary.

Memory tip

Remember the silent g by linking the sound to its homophone, nice.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

nice →

Common pairings

banded gneiss gneiss rock gneiss formation layers of gneiss

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The cliff face was made of grey _____ with dark bands running through it.

Etymology

Gneiss came into English from German Gneis. That German word traces back through Middle High German gneist to Old High German gneisto, both meaning spark.

Origin: German

Rhymes for gneiss

Weiss edelweiss

See all rhymes for gneiss →

Frequently asked questions

What is gneiss rock made of?

Gneiss is a metamorphic rock, meaning it formed when existing rock was changed by heat and pressure. It is recognised by the bands or streaks of minerals running through it.

What is the difference between gneiss and schist?

Both are banded metamorphic rocks, but gneiss does not split easily into flakes or sheets the way schist does.

How do you pronounce gneiss?

It is pronounced the same as the word nice, with a silent g.

What is the meaning of gneiss?

"gneiss" (noun) means gneiss is a common metamorphic rock marked with bands or streaks of different minerals but lacking the flaky, splitting texture of schist.