What is wall? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of wall

wallnoun

/wɔːl/
Definition & pronunciation of wall

The word "wall" in English is pronounced "wåll".

Here's a breakdown:

  • "w" - pronounced like the "w" in "water"
  • "a" - pronounced like the "a" in "father"
  • "ll" - this is a tricky one! It's a diphthong, meaning two vowel sounds blended together. It's pronounced like the "aw" in "saw". Think of it as a short "ah" sound.

Tip: You can listen to it online to get a better feel for it:

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Usage and examples with the word wall in English

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

1. Literal Wall (Physical Structure):

  • Definition: This is the most straightforward meaning – a structure made of bricks, stone, concrete, etc., used to divide space, provide support, or protect.
  • Examples:
    • "The castle had a high stone wall around it."
    • "We need to build a wall to protect the garden from the wind."
    • "He leaned against the wall feeling exhausted."
    • "The wall separating the houses is overgrown with ivy."

2. Figurative Wall (Emotional Barriers):

  • Definition: In this sense, "wall" represents a barrier, whether emotional, psychological, or social, preventing connection or openness. This is a very common usage today.
  • Examples:
    • "She built a wall around her heart after her breakup." (Meaning she became emotionally closed off)
    • "He was so defensive that he created a wall between himself and his colleagues." (Meaning he pushed people away)
    • “Don’t put up a wall between us. Let’s talk about this.” (Encouraging openness)
    • "He needed to tear down the walls he’d built around himself to truly connect with others."

3. Wall (As in a Line or Barrier):

  • Definition: A line marking a boundary, or something that acts as a limiting point.
  • Examples:
    • "There's a wall of smoke in the distance." (a visible line of smoke)
    • “He’s been working towards a wall of achievement.” (a significant goal or milestone)
    • "The company issued a wall of silence regarding the allegations." (A deliberate lack of response)

4. Wall (As in a Sequence or Collection):

  • Definition: A series of things arranged in a line.
  • Examples:
    • “A wall of books lined the shelves.”
    • “He created a wall of cushions to sit on.”
    • "The museum showcased a wall of paintings from the Renaissance.”

5. Wall (As in a Structure in a Building):

  • Definition: A partition within a room or building.
  • Examples:
    • "The wall divides the bedroom into two smaller areas."
    • “The plaster on the wall is cracking.”

6. “Wall off” – A Phrasal Verb:

  • Definition: This means to isolate something, to protect it from outside influence, or to restrict its contact with others. It often implies a deliberate attempt to limit something.
  • Examples:
    • "The government wall off the area after the outbreak." (Isolate it to prevent spread)
    • "They wall off their emotions, making it difficult to get to know them." (Restrict emotional openness)

Here's a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Example
Physical Wall "The castle had a strong wall."
Emotional Wall "She erected a wall around her heart."
Line/Barrier "There was a wall of smoke."
Sequence/Collection "A wall of photographs."
Interior Wall "The wall divides the room."
“Wall off” “The city wall off the infected zone.”

Resources for further learning:

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

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "wall" in? (e.g., describing a building, talking about feelings, etc.)

Synonyms for the word wall

Practice with vocabulary wall

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To ensure privacy, a temporary ______ was installed to separate the consultant's desk from the client waiting area.
  2. The city council faced a significant ______ of public opinion against the proposed development project.
  3. Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, a silent ______ had formed between the two conflicting departments, hindering any progress.
  4. The new regulations inadvertently created a ______ to entry for smaller businesses, making it harder for them to compete.

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

  1. After weeks of intense brainstorming, the project team hit a ______ when they couldn't find a viable solution to the technical challenge. A) barrier B) ceiling C) wall D) obstacle

  2. Effective communication helps to break down the ______ that often arise between different cultural teams in a global organization. A) boundaries B) hurdles C) facades D) walls

  3. The architectural design featured a striking ______ of windows, allowing ample natural light into the main hall. A) pane B) expanse C) screen D) frontage

  4. The company decided to implement a robust ______ to protect its internal network from external cyber threats. A) defense B) fortress C) firewall D) rampart

  5. The CEO's announcement was met with a ______ of questions from the concerned shareholders. A) barrage B) cascade C) flood D) volley

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The security team implemented measures to block unauthorized access to the server.

    • Rewrite the sentence using a form of "wall".

  2. Lack of clear communication often creates significant barriers between management and staff.

    • Rewrite the sentence using "wall".

  3. The architects decided to install large glass panes to divide the open-plan office into smaller collaborative spaces.

    • Rewrite the sentence without using "wall" or "panes".

Answer Key

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. partition
  2. wall
  3. wall
  4. barrier

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) barrier, C) wall, D) obstacle
  2. A) boundaries, B) hurdles, D) walls
  3. B) expanse, D) frontage
  4. A) defense, C) firewall
  5. A) barrage, B) cascade, C) flood, D) volley

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The security team implemented a firewall to block unauthorized access to the server.
  2. Lack of clear communication often creates a wall between management and staff.
  3. The architects decided to install large glass screens to divide the open-plan office into smaller collaborative spaces.

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