kiln
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /kɪln/
KK: /kɪln/
noun
Definition
A type of oven used to heat materials like clay or ceramics to make them hard or to dry them.
Example
The potter placed the clay pots in the kiln to fire them.
Conversation
Have you ever seen how a kiln works?
No, I haven't! What do they do exactly?
They heat up clay to make pottery; it's really fascinating.
That sounds cool! I'd love to see one in action.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
oven
furnace
stove
Antonyms
cooler
freezer
chiller
transitive verb
Definition
A type of oven used for firing pottery, bricks, or other materials at high temperatures.
Example
The artist placed her clay pots in the kiln to harden them.
Conversation
Did you see how they kiln the pottery at the workshop?
Yeah, it was fascinating to watch them do it.
I never knew the process took so much skill to kiln properly.
Root Explanation
Kiln → The word 'kiln' originates from Old English 'cyln', which means a furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying. It refers specifically to a structure used for firing pottery or bricks.
Memory Tip
Think of an 'oven' or 'furnace' where things are heated — that's what a kiln is used for.
Visually Confused Words
kilan
kin
kil
koilon