What is hammer? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of hammer

hammernoun/verb

/ˈhamə/
Definition & pronunciation of hammer

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "hammer" in English. Here's a breakdown:

The most common and correct pronunciation is:

  • ˈhæm.ər

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  • ˈhæm – This part sounds like "ham" as in the sandwich. The 'æ' sound is a short, open "a" sound, similar to the "a" in "cat." It's a bit of an open, relaxed sound.
  • ər – This is the schwa vowel sound, often represented as /ə/. It’s a very short, neutral vowel sound. Think of how you say "about" – the "a" is very quick and unstressed.

Putting it together:

You want to say "ham" quickly, followed by a very quick, almost swallowed, “uh” sound.

Tips for getting it right:

  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn pronunciation is to hear it. You can type "hammer pronunciation" into YouTube and find a ton of audio examples.
  • Focus on the schwa: The “ər” sound is key. Don’t try to force a different vowel sound.
  • Don't overemphasize: "Hammer" is a fairly neutral word, so avoid making it sound overly dramatic.

Resources for Hearing it:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples of words with similar sounds?
  • Explain the schwa sound in more detail?

Usage and examples with the word hammer in English

Let's break down how to use the word "hammer" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. The Physical Tool (Most Common)

  • Definition: A tool with a heavy head, usually made of steel and used for driving nails, breaking things, or shaping metal.
  • Usage:
    • "I need to hammer this nail into the wall." (Action: driving a nail)
    • "He used a hammer to break up the concrete." (Action: demolishing)
    • "A claw hammer is the most common type of hammer." (Referring to the tool itself)
    • "Make sure to wear safety glasses when you're hammering." (Safety precaution)
  • Synonyms: mallet, wrench (sometimes, depending on the context)

2. "To Hammer" as a Verb (Action)

  • Definition: To strike repeatedly with a hammer; to press or drive persistently. It can also mean to intensely criticize or argue.
  • Usage:
    • "He hammered the message home with repeated examples." (Emphasizing a point)
    • "The rain was hammering against the windows." (Striking repeatedly)
    • “She hammered him about his poor performance.” (Criticizing harshly)
    • "The negotiator hammered out a deal." (Worked out a deal through persistent effort)
  • Synonyms: beat, pound, force, press, assault (in a more aggressive sense)

3. "Hammer" as an Idiom/Expression

  • “Hammer out a deal”: To negotiate and reach an agreement. (Similar to "hammer home," emphasizing the effort)
  • “Hammer the point home”: To emphasize a point strongly.
  • “Hammer away”: To repeatedly try something, often with a frustrating lack of success. (e.g., "He's hammering away at that code, but he hasn't found the bug yet.")

4. "Hammer" as a Noun (Less Common)

  • Definition: (Rare, but found in some poetic or specialized contexts) A repeated or insistent sound.
    • "The music was punctuated by a dull hammer." (Referring to a rhythmic thud)

Tips for Using "Hammer" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: Pay attention to how the word is used around it in a sentence to understand its meaning.
  • Verb vs. Noun: Be aware that "hammer" can be both a noun (the tool) and a verb (the action).
  • Figurative Language: Recognize that "hammer" is often used metaphorically to describe persistent effort or criticism.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., carpentry, writing, a specific conversation?)

Synonyms for the word hammer

Idioms of the word hammer

hammer and tongs
(informal)if two people are at it hammer and tongs or go at it hammer and tongs, they argue or fight with a lot of energy and noise
  • We could hear the neighbours going at it hammer and tongs.

Practice with vocabulary hammer

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To ensure the sturdy construction of the shed, the carpenter used a heavy-duty ____ to secure the roof trusses.
  2. The legal team worked tirelessly to ____ out the final details of the contract before the looming deadline.
  3. For delicate woodworking that requires a softer impact, a rubber ____ is often preferred over a traditional metal one.
  4. To assemble the flat-pack furniture, you'll typically need a ____ and an Allen wrench.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following is primarily used for driving nails or for light demolition work? A) Pliers B) Level C) Hammer D) Tape Measure E) Screwdriver

  2. Select the verb(s) that accurately describe a forceful, repetitive striking action. A) Tap B) Pound C) Stroke D) Hammer E) Gently push

  3. The project manager had to ____ out a solution quickly when an unexpected issue arose, ensuring the project stayed on track. A) smooth B) hammer C) gloss D) disregard E) obfuscate

  4. For precision work in sculpting wood or stone, a sharp ____ is indispensable. A) wrench B) chisel C) clamp D) file E) rivet

  5. The technician needed to ____ the loose wires before activating the circuit to prevent any electrical hazards. A) detach B) tighten C) secure D) unravel E) neglect

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The construction worker forcefully drove the large nail into the thick timber beam. (Rewrite using a form of "hammer".)

  2. During the intense negotiation, the team worked tirelessly to finalize the intricate details of the new contract. (Rewrite using a form of "hammer".)

  3. To secure the shelves to the wall, he made pilot holes before inserting the screws. (Rewrite, without using "hammer", using a suitable replacement word.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. hammer
  2. hammer
  3. mallet
  4. screwdriver

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) Hammer
  2. B) Pound, D) Hammer
  3. B) hammer
  4. B) chisel
  5. B) tighten, C) secure

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The construction worker hammered the large nail into the thick timber beam.
  2. During the intense negotiation, the team worked tirelessly to hammer out the intricate details of the new contract.
  3. To secure the shelves to the wall, he drilled pilot holes before inserting the screws.

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