Cool MateStone
UK /["/stəʊn/"]/US /["/stəʊn/"]/
Definition
a hard solid mineral substance that is found in the ground, often used for building
In simple words: A hard, solid piece of rock.
Examples
- I picked up a smooth stone from the riverbank.
- The children threw stones into the pond.
- He felt as if his heart had turned to stone after the news.
- In the mountains, you can find great stone formations.
- She used a stone to crack open the nut.
- The old castle was built with huge stone blocks.
Usage notes
Use 'stone' when referring to physical rocks or materials. It can be used both literally (like a rock) and metaphorically (like 'heart of stone'). It's appropriate in everyday conversations and formal contexts but might be less common in highly technical discussions about geology.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of a 'stone' being tossed into a pond, creating ripples.
Collocations
- heavy
- hard
- rough
- block
- slab
- break
- cut
- hew (something from/out of)
- block
- flag
- slab
- in stone
- be set in
- be written in
- sharp
- smooth
- round
- heap
- pile
- cast
- hurl
- throw
- foundation
- memorial
- paving
- circle
- gem
- precious
- semi-precious
- mine
- cut
- set
- glitter
- shine
Synonyms
- rock
- boulder
- gem
- pebble
- granite
Antonyms
- soft
- fluid
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'rock'; 'rock' is a more general term.
- Using 'stone' when referring to small pebbles, which can cause confusion.
- Mismatch with idiomatic expressions, e.g. 'as cold as stone' without context.