What is tunnel? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of tunnel

tunnelnoun

/ˈtʌnl/
Definition & pronunciation of tunnel

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "tunnel" in English. Here are a few ways to say it, with explanations:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈtʌnəl (rhymes with "funnel")
    • ˈtʌn - This part sounds like "tun" as in "tune." The 't' is clear.
    • əl - This is a short, unstressed vowel sound – similar to the "a" in “about.”

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • ˈtʌnəl (pronounced very similarly to the American one, but with a slightly more drawn-out “a” sound)
    • It’s very close to the American pronunciation. The "u" sound is a bit more open.

Key Points to Remember:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("tun"). That's why it’s represented with a prime symbol (ˈ) – it indicates the stressed syllable.
  • "u" sound: The "u" in "tunnel" is pronounced as a short "u" as in "sun". It’s not like the "oo" sound in "moon."

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

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Usage and examples with the word tunnel in English

Let's break down how to use the word "tunnel" in English. It's a versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized by its different uses:

1. Literal Tunnel (A Physical Passage):

  • Definition: A narrow passage through the ground or a mountain.
  • Examples:
    • "The miners dug a tunnel through the rock to reach the coal seam."
    • “They drove a tunnel under the river.”
    • “The emergency tunnel provided a safe exit during the flood.”
  • Key Words often associated: mine, earth, underground, bore, excavate

2. Figurative Tunnel (A State of Mind/Focus):

  • Definition: A narrow focus or preoccupation that prevents someone from seeing the bigger picture, or from considering other possibilities. It's about being overly fixated on one thing.
  • Examples:
    • “He’s in a tunnel of grief, unable to move on.” (Meaning he's stuck in sadness.)
    • “Don’t fall into a tunnel vision; consider all the angles of the problem.” (Meaning don’t just focus on one solution.)
    • "She’s so focused on her career that she's in a tunnel of ambition.” (She's overly driven.)
  • Synonyms: narrow focus, obsession, fixation, bubble, preoccupation

3. Tunnel (Transportation - Subway/Metro):

  • Definition: A section of a subway or metro system, typically underground.
  • Examples:
    • “We’ll take the tunnel to the city center.”
    • "The train went through a long tunnel."
    • “The tunnel is closed for repairs.”
  • Related words: subway, metro, underground, station

4. Tunnel (As a Verb – To Drive/Dig):

  • Definition: To dig or bore a tunnel.
  • Examples:
    • “The engineers will tunnel through the mountain.”
    • "They tunneled a passageway for the pipeline."

5. Tunnel (Informal - To Hide/Avoid):

  • Definition: (Slang) To avoid or hide from something or someone, often by being secretive or evasive.
  • Examples:
    • “He’s tunneling away in his office – he doesn't want to talk to anyone.” (Meaning he’s hiding.)
    • "Don't tunnel your feelings; be honest with me." (Meaning don't hide your emotions.)

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Meaning Part of Speech Example
Physical Passage Noun "They built a tunnel through the hill."
Mental Narrowness Noun “She’s in a tunnel of sadness.”
Subway/Metro Section Noun “We took the tunnel to the station.”
To Dig/Bore Verb “They tunneled a new road.”
To Hide/Evade Verb (informal) “He’s tunneling from his problems.”

Tips for Using "Tunnel" Correctly:

  • Context is key: The meaning of "tunnel" depends entirely on the context of the sentence.
  • Figurative vs. Literal: Be aware of whether you're talking about a physical passage or a mental state.
  • Slang: The slang usage is less common and generally more informal.

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Synonyms for the word tunnel

Idioms of the word tunnel

light at the end of the tunnel
something that shows you are nearly at the end of a long and difficult time or situation
  • For the first time since the start of his treatment, we can now see light at the end of the tunnel.

Practice with vocabulary tunnel

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The engineers successfully completed the ambitious project to construct a new rail _______ beneath the mountain range.
  2. Traffic was rerouted due to maintenance work on the main ______ connecting the two districts.
  3. Hikers often use the small pedestrian _______ to cross the busy highway safely.
  4. The new urban development includes a pedestrian-friendly ______ that connects the shopping mall to the public park.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of the following structures is typically built underground or through a mountain to allow passage? a) Bridge b) Aqueduct c) Tunnel d) Viaduct
  2. When discussing infrastructure projects involving subterranean routes for transport, which terms are relevant? a) Subway line b) Borehole c) Tunnel d) Canal
  3. A "______ vision" implies a lack of broader perspective, focusing too narrowly on one thing. a) Peripheral b) Limited c) Tunnel d) Myopic
  4. Which terms can refer to an internal passage within a large structure like a building or a mine? a) Corridor b) Gallery c) Shaft d) Pipeline
  5. To describe a confined, usually cylindrical structure for conveying liquids or gases, you would primarily use: a) Channel b) Pipe c) Conduit d) Vent

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The train passes through a long underground passage that cuts through the mountain. (Rewrite using "tunnel")
  2. The workers are drilling a deep opening in the ground to explore for minerals. (Rewrite using a related form of "tunnel")
  3. The main passageway inside the building was brightly lit and led to the conference rooms. (Rewrite without using "tunnel", use a suitable replacement word)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. tunnel
  2. tunnel
  3. underpass
  4. walkway

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) Tunnel
  2. a) Subway line, b) Borehole, c) Tunnel
  3. c) Tunnel, d) Myopic
  4. a) Corridor, b) Gallery, c) Shaft
  5. b) Pipe, c) Conduit

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The train passes through a long tunnel that cuts through the mountain.
  2. The workers are tunneling deep into the ground to explore for minerals. / The workers are engaged in tunneling to explore for minerals.
  3. The main corridor inside the building was brightly lit and led to the conference rooms. / The main hallway inside the building was brightly lit and led to the conference rooms.

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