sand
Beginner (A1)
IPA: /sænd/
KK: /sænd/
noun
Definition
A small, loose grainy material made from worn or broken rock, often found on beaches or in deserts.
Example
The children played in the sand at the beach.
Conversation
Have you ever tried building a castle out of sand?
Yeah, I used to do that all the time at the beach as a kid!
It's so much fun to mold the sand into different shapes.
Totally! I still enjoy it whenever I get the chance.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
gravel
silt
dust
Antonyms
rock
solid
clay
transitive verb
Definition
To cover or fill something with small grains of material, often used in construction or for polishing surfaces.
Example
The workers will sand the wooden table to make it smooth.
Tense Forms
Past: sanded
Past Participle: sanded
Conversation
Hey, did you see how they sanded the wooden table?
Yeah, it looks so much smoother now!
I wonder if we should sand our old chairs too.
Root Explanation
The word 'sand' originates from Old English 'sand', which means loose granular material found on beaches and in deserts. It is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, such as Old High German 'sant' and Dutch 'zand', all referring to the same material.
Memory Tip
Think of the Old English word 'sand' that directly names the loose granular material we find on beaches and in deserts.
Visually Confused Words
stand
san
sad
and
strand
spandy
skanda
shandy