What is plate? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of plate

platenoun

/pleɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of plate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "plate" in English. There are two common pronunciations, and it depends on where you're from!

1. The Most Common American Pronunciation:

  • ˈpleɪt (rhymes with "say")
    • ˈpleɪ: This part is pronounced like the word "play." The stress is on this syllable.
    • t: A very short, unstressed "t" sound. It's almost silent.

2. The British Pronunciation:

  • pleɪt (rhymes with "flat")
    • pleɪ: Similar to the American pronunciation – like "play."
    • t: A more distinct "t" sound than in the American pronunciation.

Here's a quick guide to help you:

To summarize, for most Americans, "plate" is pronounced like "play-t."

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you more detail about the sounds involved (e.g., how the "t" is pronounced)?

Usage and examples with the word plate in English

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

1. Plates (as in, tableware - the most common usage)

  • Definition: A flat dish, usually made of ceramic, glass, metal, or plastic, used for serving food.
  • Examples:
    • "Let's put the food on the plates."
    • "She used a beautiful porcelain plate to serve the dessert."
    • "I stacked the dirty plates in the sink."
    • "He accidentally chipped the edge of the plate."

2. Plate (as in, a metal sheet - construction/industry)

  • Definition: A flat, usually metal, sheet used for various purposes like roofing, siding, car bodies, etc.
  • Examples:
    • "The construction workers installed new plates on the roof."
    • "The car body is made of steel plates."
    • "He welded the plates together to create a frame."

3. Plate (as in, a geological formation)

  • Definition: A horizontal slab of rock that has broken and shifted from the Earth’s crust.
  • Examples:
    • “The San Andreas Plate is a major fault line."
    • "Seismic activity is caused by the movement of tectonic plates."

4. Plate (as in, a record)

  • Definition: A vinyl record. (Less common these days, but still used)
  • Example: "I'm listening to a classic rock plate."

5. Plate (as in, to be subjected to something – a strong reaction)

  • Definition: To be subjected to something unpleasant, shocking, or hurtful. Often used passively.
  • Examples:
    • “She plated after hearing the news.” (Meaning: She was deeply affected by the news.)
    • “He plated when he saw the accident.” (Meaning: He was shocked by the accident.)
    • "Don't plate over their comments. It was hurtful." (Meaning: Don't try to pretend you're not upset by those comments.)

6. Plate (as in, to cover or adorn with plates - jewelry/decor)

  • Definition: To decorate something with plates or to cover something with plates.
  • Example: “The brooch was plated in gold.” (Meaning: The brooch was covered with gold plating).

7. Plate (as in, a game - Monopoly)

  • Definition: A property on the Monopoly board.
  • Example: "I landed on your plate!" (Meaning: You landed on my property.)

Here's a quick summary table:

Meaning Definition Example
Tableware Dish for food "Put the food on the plates."
Construction Metal sheet "The roof is covered in plates."
Geology Slab of rock "The Pacific Plate is moving."
Record Vinyl record "I'm listening to a plate of music."
Emotional Reaction To be affected by something "She plated after hearing the news."
Decoration To cover with plates “The brooch was plated in gold.”
Monopoly Property on the board "I landed on your plate!"

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

  • In what context are you trying to use the word "plate"? (e.g., “I’m writing a story,” “I’m talking to a friend,” “I’m looking at a menu”)

Synonyms for the word plate

Idioms of the word plate

hand something to somebody on a plate
(informal)to give something to somebody without that person making any effort
  • Nobody's going to hand you success on a plate.
have enough/a lot/too much on your plate
(informal)to have a lot of work or problems, etc. to deal with
    step up to the plate
    (especially North American English)to do what is necessary in order to benefit from an opportunity or deal with a crisis
    • It's important for world leaders to step up to the plate and honor their commitments on global warming.
    • It’s time for businesses to step up to the plate and accept responsibility.

    Practice with vocabulary plate

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The caterers ensured that each guest received a perfectly portioned ____ with the main course.
    2. Geologists have identified several major ____ boundaries where earthquakes frequently occur.
    3. For the buffet, we prepared several large serving ____ filled with various salads and side dishes.
    4. The server presented the delicate canapés on an elegant silver ____ to the VIP guests.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. Which items are typically used for serving an individual portion of a main dish in a restaurant? (Select all that apply) a) plate b) bowl c) platter d) cup

    2. What is a large, flat, rigid section of the Earth's lithosphere that is in constant motion? a) crust b) mantle c) plate d) core

    3. "I've got too much on my ____ this week with the upcoming conference and the project deadline." a) schedule b) mind c) desk d) plate

    4. Which of the following is primarily designed for carrying multiple items, such as drinks or food, from one location to another? a) dish b) platter c) tray d) board

    5. For a large gathering, food is often presented on a decorative ____ for guests to serve themselves, typically featuring a variety of cold cuts or cheeses. a) cup b) bowl c) utensil d) platter

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Each diner received a beautifully arranged salmon and vegetable meal.
      • Rewrite the sentence, using the word "plate".
    2. The geologist studied the movement of the Earth's large, rigid sections of the outer layer.
      • Rewrite the sentence, using a related form of the word "plate".
    3. We need a flat surface to carry the drinks to the conference room.
      • Rewrite the sentence, without using "plate" or its related forms.

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. plate
    2. plate
    3. bowls
    4. platter

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. a) plate, b) bowl
    2. c) plate
    3. d) plate
    4. c) tray
    5. d) platter

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Each diner received a beautifully arranged plate of salmon and vegetables.
    2. The geologist studied the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates.
    3. We need a tray to carry the drinks to the conference room.

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