A1noun 2K

Salt

UK /["/sɔːlt//sɒlt/"]/ US /["/sɔːlt/"]/ Pronunciation

Definition

a white substance that is added to food to make it taste better or to preserve it. Salt is obtained from mines and is also found in seawater. It is sometimes called common salt to show that it is different from other chemical salts. Its chemical name is sodium chloride.

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In simple words: A white substance used to add flavor to food.

Examples

• I like to add salt to my cooking for extra flavor.
• She sprinkled some salt on her fries.
• The ocean is full of salt water.
• In chemistry class, we learned about sodium chloride, which is common table salt.
• He mentioned that the land became dry and salty after the flood, making it hard to grow plants.

Usage notes

Use 'salt' when referring to the mineral used for seasoning. In a formal context, you might refer to it as 'sodium chloride'. Avoid using in slang or very casual contexts.

Grammar pattern

standalone noun

Memory hint

Imagine a beach with white salt-like sand to remember the taste of food seasoning.

Collocations

• mineral
• rock
• sea
• grain
• pinch
• taste
• add
• put in
• crystals
• solution
• content
• high in salt
• low in salt
• salt and pepper
• mineral
• rock
• sea
• grain
• pinch
• taste
• add
• put in
• crystals
• solution
• content
• high in salt
• low in salt
• salt and pepper

Synonyms

• sodium chloride
• seasoning
• brine

Antonyms

• sweet
• bitter

Common mistakes

• Confusing 'salt' with 'sugar' when talking about flavoring.
• Using 'salts' when referring to the substance in general.
• Not knowing to use 'a pinch of salt' as a common phrase.