Definition

A container with a lid, a handle, and a spout, used for heating water, especially for making tea.

Example

She filled the teakettle with water and placed it on the stove to boil.

Conversation

I just bought a new teakettle for my kitchen.

Oh nice! Is it one of those fancy ones?

Yeah, it has a whistle that goes off when the water boils.

That's awesome! I love when teakettles do that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Teakettle is formed from "tea" (from Chinese *t'e, meaning tea) and "kettle" (from Old Norse *ketill, meaning cauldron or pot). The word refers to a pot specifically designed for boiling water to make tea.

Memory Tip

Think of a pot ('kettle') used for boiling water to make 'tea' — that's what a teakettle is.

Visually Confused Words