What is cupboard? Pronunciation and usage in English

cupboard means . Learn how to pronounce and use cupboard through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of cupboard

cupboardnoun

/ˈkʌbəd/
Definition & pronunciation of cupboard

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "cupboard" in English. It can be tricky for non-native speakers! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sounds:

  • "cup": Sounds like "cup" – as in, a drinking cup. /kʌp/
  • "board": Sounds like "board" – as in, a wooden board. /bɔːrd/

2. Combining Them:

The key is to link those two words together smoothly. Here's the typical pronunciation:

  • /kʌbɔːrd/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • "cup" - /kʌp/ (short 'u' sound, followed by a 'p' sound)
  • "board" - /bɔːrd/ (The 'a' here is like the 'a' in "father," and it's a longer sound - a broad 'a').

3. Putting it all together - a slow, clear example:

"Kuh-buh-bord" (emphasize the first syllable, "cup")

4. Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("cup").
  • 'Board' Sound: Really focus on making the 'a' in "board" sound like the broad 'a' – similar to the 'a' in "father" or "car." It’s not like the short 'a' in "cat."
  • Linking: The words flow together. It’s not “cup-board,” it's “cup-board.”

Resources for Hearing It:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some other words to practice?

Usage and examples with the word cupboard in English

Let's break down how to use the word "cupboard" in English. It's a fairly common word with several different uses!

1. The Most Common Meaning: A Cabinet for Storage

  • Definition: A cupboard is a small, usually wooden cabinet with shelves and doors, used for storing food, dishes, or other household items. It's essentially a smaller version of a pantry or sideboard.
  • Examples:
    • "I put the cereal and milk in the kitchen cupboard."
    • "She opened the cupboard to find a stack of plates."
    • "We need to tidy up the cupboards and throw away expired food."
    • "The cupboards are full of spices."

2. Formal/Literary Meaning: A Small Closet or Alcove

  • Definition: Historically, and still sometimes used in more formal or literary writing, "cupboard" can refer to a small, enclosed space – almost like a tiny closet or alcove. This usage is less common in everyday conversation.
  • Examples:
    • "The Queen retreated to her cupboard for a moment of quiet." (Suggests a small, private room)
    • "He disappeared into the cupboard." (Implies a small, tucked-away space)

3. Figurative Usage (Less Common):

  • Sometimes, "cupboard love" is used to describe a shallow, passionless, or unromantic relationship. It implies a lack of deep emotion.
    • "Their marriage was often described as ‘cupboard love’ – polite but utterly devoid of affection."

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Meaning Description Example
Storage Cabinet A small cabinet for items “I grabbed a mug from the cupboard.”
Small Closet/Alcove A small, enclosed space “He hid behind the cupboard.”
Figurative Shallow, passionless relationship “Their love was just ‘cupboard love.’”

Tips for Using "Cupboard" Correctly:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the situation to understand which meaning is intended.
  • Specificity: Consider whether "cabinet," "closet," or "shelf" might be a clearer choice in some cases.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific sentence using "cupboard"?
  • Help you with a different word related to storage (like “pantry,” “shelf,” or “drawer")?

Synonyms for the word cupboard

Idioms of the word cupboard

the cupboard is bare
(British English)used to say that there is no money for something
  • They are seeking more funds but the cupboard is bare.
cupboard love
(British English, old-fashioned)love that somebody, especially a child, shows towards somebody else in order to get something
    a skeleton in the cupboard
    (informal)something shocking, embarrassing, etc. that has happened to you or your family in the past that you want to keep secret

      Practice with vocabulary cupboard

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. She keeps all her spices and canned goods neatly organized in the kitchen ______.
      2. The office supplies, including extra paper and toner cartridges, are stored in the metal ______ next to the printer.
      3. He installed a new floating ______ above the sink to hold his collection of decorative plates.
      4. For bulk dry goods like flour and sugar, many homes have a dedicated walk-in ______ rather than just small storage units.

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

      1. Which furniture piece is commonly used in a kitchen to store non-perishable food, dishes, or cooking utensils? a) Dining table b) Cupboard c) Bookshelf d) Dishwasher

      2. To store sensitive documents securely, you might place them in a locked: a) Drawer b) Filing cabinet c) Cupboard d) Safe

      3. If you need to put away clean glasses and plates, where would be the most appropriate place in a standard kitchen? a) Under the sink b) On the countertop c) In the overhead cupboard d) In the laundry room

      4. Which of these storage units typically features open shelves, making items visible for display or easy access? a) Bookcase b) Wardrobe c) Display cabinet d) Trunk

      5. What kind of furniture would you typically use to hang clothes in a bedroom? a) Dresser b) Wardrobe c) Chest of drawers d) Nightstand

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. The kitchen lacked sufficient space for all the groceries, making it difficult to organize food items. (Rewrite using "cupboard")
      2. We need to find a suitable storage unit to keep the office stationery tidy and out of sight. (Rewrite using "cupboard")
      3. She carefully placed the delicate antique vase inside the large, secure storage unit designed for valuable items. (Rewrite without using "cupboard" or its forms)

      Answer:

      Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

      1. cupboard
      2. cupboard
      3. shelf
      4. pantry

      Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

      1. b) Cupboard
      2. a) Drawer, b) Filing cabinet, c) Cupboard, d) Safe
      3. c) In the overhead cupboard
      4. a) Bookcase, c) Display cabinet
      5. b) Wardrobe

      Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

      1. The kitchen lacked sufficient cupboard space for all the groceries, making it difficult to organize food items.
      2. We need to find a suitable cupboard to keep the office stationery tidy and out of sight.
      3. She carefully placed the delicate antique vase inside the large, secure display cabinet designed for valuable items.

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