noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

pebble

PEHB-uhl

Pebble (noun) means a small stone, especially one smoothed and rounded by water. Example: “The kids skipped pebbles across the pond.”

noun

A small stone, especially one smoothed and rounded by water.

"The kids skipped pebbles across the pond."

verb

To give leather or another surface a bumpy, textured finish.

"The bag was made from pebbled leather."

How to use pebble

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small smooth stone, often found on beaches or riverbeds.

Common pairings

pebble beach skip a pebble pebbled leather

Word forms

pebbled past tense, pebbles plural, pebbles singular

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The kids skipped _____ across the pond.

Etymology

From Old English papolstān ("pebble-stone"), of uncertain deeper origin.

Origin: Old English

Frequently asked questions

What does “pebble” mean?

The word “pebble” means a small stone, especially one smoothed and rounded by water. In plain terms, a small smooth stone, often found on beaches or riverbeds.

How do you pronounce “pebble”?

“Pebble” is pronounced PEHB-uhl (/ˈpɛb.əl/ in IPA).

How do you use “pebble” in a sentence?

Here is “pebble” used in a sentence: “The kids skipped pebbles across the pond.”

What part of speech is “pebble”?

Depending on how it is used, “pebble” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “pebble” come from?

The word “pebble” comes from Old English. From Old English papolstān ("pebble-stone"), of uncertain deeper origin.

Is “pebble” a common word?

“Pebble” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

How many meanings does “pebble” have?

“Pebble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a small stone, especially one smoothed and rounded by water.