Definition

A hole or pit in the surface of a road, often caused by wear or damage, which can be a hazard for vehicles.

Example

Be careful while driving; there are many potholes on this road.

Conversation

Did you see that huge pothole on Main Street?

Yeah, I almost hit it while driving yesterday!

They really need to fix that pothole before someone gets hurt.

I agree! It's gotten worse since last week.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Pothole → The word is formed from "pot" (from Middle English *potte*, meaning a container or hollow) and "hole" (from Old English *hol*, meaning a hollow place). A pothole refers to a hollow or depression in a road, typically caused by wear or damage.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'pot' as a container that is 'hollow' — a pothole is like a hollow space in the road.

Visually Confused Words