Cool MateThreshold
UK /["/ˈθreʃhəʊld/"]/US /["/ˈθreʃhəʊld/"]/
Definition
the floor or ground at the bottom of a doorway, considered as the entrance to a building or room
In simple words: The point where something starts to happen or change.
Examples
- He stepped across the threshold.
- She stood hesitating on the threshold.
- He has a low **boredom threshold** *(= he gets bored easily)*.
- I have a high **pain threshold** *(= I can suffer a lot of pain before I start to react)*.
- My earnings are just above the **tax threshold** *(= more than the amount at which you start paying tax)*.
- The number of people with the disease is reaching a critical threshold.
- They earn wages below the decency threshold set by the EU.
- She felt as though she was on the threshold of a new life.
Usage notes
Use 'threshold' to describe the beginning of a condition or an important limit. It's neutral and fits in both formal and casual settings, but might be less common in everyday conversation.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of a doorframe as a 'threshold' — it's where you enter something new.
Collocations
- cross
- across the threshold
- over the threshold
- on the threshold
- high
- low
- maximum
- have
- reach
- meet
- level
- value
- above a/the threshold
- below a/the threshold
Synonyms
- boundary
- limit
- entrance
- crossing
- brink
Antonyms
- ceiling
- limit
Common mistakes
- Confusing 'threshold' with 'treshold' (misspelling).
- Using 'thresholds' when referring to one point instead of the singular form.