B1noun1K

Tongue

UK /["/tʌŋ/"]/US /["/tʌŋ/"]/

Definition

the soft part in the mouth that moves around, used for tasting, swallowing, speaking, etc.

In simple words: The muscle in your mouth used for tasting and speaking.

Examples

  • He accidentally bit his tongue while eating dinner.
  • The artist's tongue was bright blue after tasting the new candy.
  • She spoke confidently, never letting her tongue falter during the presentation.
  • In some cultures, speaking too much is considered bad manners, as if the tongue should be controlled.
  • He always wondered how to say 'hello' in every tongue he encountered during his travels.
  • The dog happily licked the owner's hand with its warm tongue.
  • She was quick with her tongue, often coming up with witty remarks.
  • The professor taught a class on understanding the nuances of different tongues around the world.

Usage notes

Used in both casual and formal contexts. When discussing anatomy, it's appropriate to use 'tongue.' Informally, it can refer to languages (e.g., 'mother tongue'). Avoid using in overly technical or medical contexts without clarification.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Think of a 'tongue twister' – your tongue is always twisting around words!

Collocations

  • long
  • forked
  • loose
  • poke out
  • put out
  • stick out
  • hang out
  • flick
  • flicker
  • piercing
  • a slip of the tongue
  • be on the tip of your tongue
  • get your tongue around something
  • long
  • forked
  • loose
  • poke out
  • put out
  • stick out
  • hang out
  • flick
  • flicker
  • piercing
  • a slip of the tongue
  • be on the tip of your tongue
  • get your tongue around something
  • mother
  • native
  • common
  • speak
  • in a/​the tongue
  • speak in tongues
  • long
  • forked
  • loose
  • poke out
  • put out
  • stick out
  • hang out
  • flick
  • flicker
  • piercing
  • a slip of the tongue
  • be on the tip of your tongue
  • get your tongue around something

Synonyms

  • lingua
  • speech organ
  • taste organ

Antonyms

  • silence
  • muteness

Common mistakes

  • Confused with 'taste buds' which are not the same thing.
  • Incorrectly used as a verb, as in 'to tongue' something, which is less common.
  • Mixing with 'tonge' which is a misspelling.