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Ounce (noun) means a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound (about 28.3 grams), used for everyday measurements like food or mail. Example: “The recipe calls for four ounces of grated cheese.”
noun
1
A unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound (about 28.3 grams), used for everyday measurements like food or mail.
"The recipe calls for four ounces of grated cheese."
"The letter was over an ounce, so it needed extra postage."
"Pour an ounce of milk into the jug and stir gently."
2
A tiny amount of something.
"He didn't show an ounce of remorse."
"I haven't got an ounce of energy left today."
"There wasn't an ounce of truth in the rumour."
How to use ounce
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small unit of weight, or figuratively, a very small amount of a quality like patience or honesty.
UK vs US
Still standard for everyday weights in both the US and UK, alongside metric grams.
Common pairings
an ounce of truth
a few ounces
fluid ounce
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Word forms
- Plural
- ounces
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The recipe calls for four _____ of grated cheese.
Etymology
From Latin uncia, meaning "a twelfth part," which also gave English the word "inch."
Synonyms
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oz.
fl. oz.
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ounce
See all rhymes for ounce →Frequently asked questions
What does “ounce” mean?
The word “ounce” means a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound (about 28.3 grams), used for everyday measurements like food or mail. In plain terms, a small unit of weight, or figuratively, a very small amount of a quality like patience or honesty.
How do you pronounce “ounce”?
“Ounce” is pronounced owns (/aʊns/ in IPA).
How do you use “ounce” in a sentence?
Here is “ounce” used in a sentence: “The recipe calls for four ounces of grated cheese.”
What is another word for “ounce”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ounce” include oz. and fl. oz..
What part of speech is “ounce”?
“Ounce” is a noun.
Where does the word “ounce” come from?
The word “ounce” comes from Latin. From Latin uncia, meaning "a twelfth part," which also gave English the word "inch.".
Is “ounce” a common word?
“Ounce” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “ounce” have?
“Ounce” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound (about 28.3 grams), used for everyday measurements like food or mail.
What is the difference between an ounce and a fluid ounce?
A standard ounce is a unit of weight equal to one sixteenth of a pound, about 28.3 grams, used for measuring solid items like food or mail. A fluid ounce measures volume rather than weight and is used for liquids, so the two are not directly interchangeable even though they share the same name.
How many ounces are in a pound?
There are sixteen ounces in a pound, since an ounce is defined as one sixteenth of a pound, roughly 28.3 grams. This makes the ounce a convenient smaller unit for everyday measurements like food portions or postage weight.
What does it mean to say someone has an ounce of something?
When used figuratively, an ounce of something describes a tiny amount of it, as in "an ounce of common sense" or "not an ounce of truth." This usage draws on the ounce's status as a small unit of weight to emphasize scarcity.
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