What is joint? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of joint

jointnoun

/dʒɔɪnt/
Definition & pronunciation of joint

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "joint" in English. There are actually two common pronunciations, and it depends on what you mean by "joint!"

1. "Joint" as in a gathering or social event (noun - a party):

  • Pronunciation: /ˈdʒɔɪnt/ (stress on the first syllable)
  • Breakdown:
    • "J": Pronounced like the "j" in "jump."
    • "oi": Pronounced like "oy" in "boy."
    • "nt": Pronounced as a single sound, like "nt" in "went."
  • Sound: Think of saying "joy" with an "nt" at the end.

2. "Joint" as in a connected piece of wood or a body part (noun - a physical thing):

  • Pronunciation: /dʒɔɪnt/ (stress on the first syllable) - This is the same as the first pronunciation!
  • Breakdown: Same as above.
  • Sound: Same as above.

Key Difference:

The pronunciation is identical. The meaning of "joint" changes the context.

Resources for Hearing it:

  • Google Search: Search for "how to pronounce joint" on Google and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/joint/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word.

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

  • What kind of "joint" are you referring to? (e.g., a party, a piece of furniture, a body part?)

Usage and examples with the word joint in English

The word "joint" is surprisingly versatile! It has a lot of different meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Physical Joints (Most Literal Meaning):

  • Definition: A place where two bones meet.
  • Examples:
    • "My knee is acting up – I think I pulled a muscle at the joint."
    • "The surgeon smoothed out the joint to improve mobility."
    • "The cartilage protects the joint."

2. Connected Things (Physical):

  • Definition: Something connected or combined, often informally.
  • Examples:
    • "We went to a joint party at Sarah's house and John's apartment." (Referring to two locations combined)
    • "They opened a joint venture with another company." (A business partnership)
    • "He’s always offering to share his joint." (A shared item, like a pizza or a ride)

3. Cannabis (Slang - Be Careful Using This):

  • Definition: A rolled cigarette filled with marijuana. This is a very informal and potentially controversial term.
  • Examples:
    • "He’s smoking a joint." (Use this only if you're around people who use this term and you understand the context.)
    • Important Note: Using this term can be considered offensive or inappropriate in formal settings.

4. Collaborative Spaces (Modern Usage):

  • Definition: A shared workspace, either physical or online.
  • Examples:
    • "We're working on a joint project with the marketing team."
    • "The company is exploring the possibility of a joint workspace."
    • “We use a joint online document for collaboration.”

5. "Joint" as an Adjective (Less Common):

  • Definition: Shared; combined.
  • Examples:
    • “They had a joint responsibility for the event." (Meaning they shared the responsibility)
    • “A joint effort is needed to solve this problem."

6. "Joint" as a Verb (Rare):

  • Definition: To join together.
  • Example: "The two companies decided to joint their forces." (More formal phrasing: "The two companies decided to merge.")

Here's a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Context Example
Bones Anatomy "The shoulder joint is fragile."
Connected things General "They formed a joint venture."
Cannabis (Slang) Informal, Social "He’s sharing a joint." (Use with caution)
Collaborative space Business, Work “A joint workspace”
Shared Descriptive “A joint responsibility”
To join Formal "The companies jointed forces.”

Resources for more information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • In what context are you trying to use "joint"? (e.g., writing a story, talking to friends, a school assignment?)

Synonyms for the word joint

Practice with vocabulary joint

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The advanced robotic arm featured a highly flexible ______ that allowed for precise manipulation of delicate components.
  2. After months of negotiation, the two companies announced a ______ venture to develop sustainable energy solutions.
  3. The project's success depended heavily on the seamless ______ between the software and hardware development teams.
  4. The intricate network of ______ in the ancient water system needed careful inspection for leaks.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following can describe a point where two bones meet? a) ligament b) joint c) muscle d) tendon

  2. The two research institutions agreed to undertake a ______ effort to combat the rare disease. a) solitary b) collective c) joint d) individual

  3. In engineering, what terms might describe a connection point that allows for movement or articulation? a) weld b) pivot c) joint d) fastener

  4. The intricate ______ of the various components allowed the complex machine to function smoothly. a) assembly b) detachment c) separation d) isolation

  5. Which word best describes a shared responsibility or common goal? a) unique b) mutual c) singular d) solitary

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The development of the new software was a collaborative effort between the two departments. Rewrite, using a form of "joint":

  2. Original: The broken connection point in the pipeline caused a significant leak. Rewrite, using a form of "joint":

  3. Original: Their cooperation led to a successful resolution of the complex issue. Rewrite, without using "joint" or any related form:

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. joint
  2. joint
  3. collaboration
  4. junctions

Exercise 2:

  1. b) joint
  2. b) collective, c) joint
  3. b) pivot, c) joint
  4. a) assembly
  5. b) mutual

Exercise 3:

  1. The development of the new software was a joint project between the two departments.
  2. The broken joint in the pipeline caused a significant leak.
  3. Their partnership led to a successful resolution of the complex issue.

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