apron
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈeɪprən/
KK: /ˈeɪprən/
noun
Definition
A piece of clothing worn over the front of your clothes to keep them clean while cooking or working.
Example
She wore an apron while baking cookies to protect her dress from flour and batter.
Conversation
I just bought a new apron for cooking.
Oh nice! Is it one of those fancy ones?
Yeah, it has pockets and everything!
That's awesome! It makes cooking so much easier.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
smock
bib
cover
Antonyms
exposure
nakedness
bare
transitive verb
Definition
A piece of clothing worn over the front of one's clothes to keep them clean while cooking or working.
Example
The workers aproned the machinery to prevent dust from getting inside.
Tense Forms
Past: aproned
Past Participle: aproned
Conversation
Are you going to apron the table before we start cooking?
Yes, I don't want to make a mess on my mom's nice tablecloth.
Good idea! I always forget to apron it first.
Root Explanation
Apron comes from the Middle English 'napron', which is derived from the Old French 'naperon' (meaning a small cloth or cloth covering). The 'n' in 'napron' was reanalyzed as part of the article 'an', leading to the modern form 'apron'.
Memory Tip
Think of a small cloth ('naperon') that covers or protects, which helps you remember that an apron is a protective garment.
Visually Confused Words
napron
caprone
caproin
apeiron
saron
prong
prone
prion