pottery
PO-tuh-ree
Pottery (noun) means Objects made from fired clay, such as bowls, vases, and dishes. Example: “The museum displayed ancient pottery found at the dig site.”
noun
1
Objects made from fired clay, such as bowls, vases, and dishes.
"The museum displayed ancient pottery found at the dig site."
"She sells handmade pottery at the local market."
"Her kitchen shelves were full of colourful pottery she had collected on her travels."
2
The craft of making clay vessels.
"He took up pottery as a relaxing hobby after retiring."
"I'm taking a pottery class on Tuesday evenings at the community centre."
"Pottery requires patience, because the clay must dry slowly before firing."
How to use pottery
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClay objects like bowls and vases, or the craft of making them.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
pottery class
pottery wheel
ancient pottery
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like pottery.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- potteries
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The museum displayed ancient _____ found at the dig site.
Etymology
From Old French poterie, from potier ('potter'), ultimately from pot.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for pottery
See all rhymes for pottery →Frequently asked questions
What does “pottery” mean?
The word “pottery” means objects made from fired clay, such as bowls, vases, and dishes. In plain terms, clay objects like bowls and vases, or the craft of making them.
How do you pronounce “pottery”?
“Pottery” is pronounced PO-tuh-ree (/ˈpɑtəɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “pottery” in a sentence?
Here is “pottery” used in a sentence: “The museum displayed ancient pottery found at the dig site.”
What is another word for “pottery”?
Words with a similar meaning to “pottery” include ceramic, ceramics and earthenware.
What part of speech is “pottery”?
“Pottery” is a noun.
Where does the word “pottery” come from?
The word “pottery” comes from Old French. From Old French poterie, from potier ('potter'), ultimately from pot.
Is “pottery” a common word?
“Pottery” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “pottery” have?
“Pottery” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: objects made from fired clay, such as bowls, vases, and dishes.
What is the difference between pottery and ceramics?
Pottery specifically refers to objects made from fired clay, such as bowls, vases, and dishes, or the craft of making them, while ceramics is a broader term covering all fired clay and mineral-based materials, including tiles, bricks, and industrial products. All pottery is ceramic, but not all ceramics are pottery.
What is the difference between pottery and pot?
Pottery is a general or collective term for clay objects or the craft itself, while a pot is a single container, often used for cooking, storage, or plants. You would say 'she makes pottery' but 'she made a pot.'
Can pottery refer to a skill as well as objects?
Yes, pottery can mean both the finished clay objects themselves and the craft or skill of making clay vessels, as in 'she took a pottery class.'
