ground

Pronunciation: /ɡɹaʊnd/

Reading level: easy

Estimated CEFR level: A1 — Beginner

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the solid part of the earth's surface
  2. noun a rational motive for a belief or action
  3. noun the loose soft material that makes up a large part of the land surface

Etymology

From Middle English ground, from Old English grund, from Proto-West Germanic *grundu, from Proto-Germanic *grunduz. Cognate with West Frisian grûn, Dutch grond and German Grund. (to punish): Compare (to bring) down to earth, to come down to earth.

In classic literature

Synonyms

land, dry land, earth, solid ground, terra firma

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
object
Narrower (hyponyms)
archipelago, coastal plain, floor, beachfront, foreland, island

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