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noun

kaleidoscope

kuh-LEYE-duh-skohp
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Kaleidoscope (noun) means a tube-shaped toy that uses mirrors and loose coloured pieces to create shifting, symmetrical patterns when you look through it and turn it. Example: “The child spent an hour twisting the kaleidoscope, mesmerized by the patterns.”

noun
1
A tube-shaped toy that uses mirrors and loose coloured pieces to create shifting, symmetrical patterns when you look through it and turn it.
"The child spent an hour twisting the kaleidoscope, mesmerized by the patterns."
2
A constantly shifting mix of colours, impressions, or experiences.
"The festival was a kaleidoscope of music, food, and colour from a dozen different cultures."

How to use kaleidoscope

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEither the classic mirror-and-beads toy, or a figurative word for a vivid, ever-changing mix of things.

Common pairings
a kaleidoscope of colours look through a kaleidoscope a kaleidoscope of emotions
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Word forms

Plural
kaleidoscopes
Third person singular
kaleidoscopes
Past tense
kaleidoscoped
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The child spent an hour twisting the _____, mesmerized by the patterns.

Etymology

Coined in 1817 by Scottish scientist David Brewster from Greek kalos ("beautiful") + eidos ("shape") + "-scope" (an instrument for viewing) — literally "an instrument for viewing beautiful shapes."

Origin: Greek · First attested 1817

Class of 1817 kaleidoscope joined the language around 1817.
See the full Class of 1817 →

Rhymes for kaleidoscope

ope pope mope rope dope hope lope nope cope trope slope grope
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Frequently asked questions

What does “kaleidoscope” mean?
The word “kaleidoscope” means a tube-shaped toy that uses mirrors and loose coloured pieces to create shifting, symmetrical patterns when you look through it and turn it. In plain terms, either the classic mirror-and-beads toy, or a figurative word for a vivid, ever-changing mix of things.
How do you pronounce “kaleidoscope”?
“Kaleidoscope” is pronounced kuh-LEYE-duh-skohp (/kəˈlaɪ.dəˌskoʊp/ in IPA).
How do you use “kaleidoscope” in a sentence?
Here is “kaleidoscope” used in a sentence: “The child spent an hour twisting the kaleidoscope, mesmerized by the patterns.”
What part of speech is “kaleidoscope”?
“Kaleidoscope” is a noun.
Where does the word “kaleidoscope” come from?
The word “kaleidoscope” dates back to around 1817 and comes from Greek. Coined in 1817 by Scottish scientist David Brewster from Greek kalos ("beautiful") + eidos ("shape") + "-scope" (an instrument for viewing) — literally "an instrument for viewing beautiful shapes.".
How many meanings does “kaleidoscope” have?
“Kaleidoscope” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tube-shaped toy that uses mirrors and loose coloured pieces to create shifting, symmetrical patterns when you look through it and turn it.

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