net
gb/nˈɛt/ us/nˈɛt/
A2
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Mesh for catching things
A piece of material with holes, used to catch or stop something.
Usage pattern:
a net for [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'net' with 'web', which is made by spiders.
Synonyms
mesh (Refers broadly to material with an open-weave structure, not always used for catching.)
Antonyms
solid barrier (Blocks without holes and does not allow passage through.)
Collocations
fishing net
|safety net
|tennis net
|net trap
Themes
sports
|fishing
|daily life
|daily_life
Examples
- The fisherman pulled a large tuna from his net.
- She hit the tennis ball into the net.
- A safety net was placed under the tightrope walker.
Learner examples
- The fish is in the net.
- The ball hit the net.
- The man uses a net to catch birds.
Noun
B1
quantity
2
Amount after deductions
The money you get after paying taxes or costs.
Usage pattern:
net [amount]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'net' with 'gross', which means before deductions.
Synonyms
take-home pay (Refers specifically to salary after taxes and deductions.)
Antonyms
gross (Refers to the total amount before deductions.)
Collocations
net income
|net profit
|net earnings
|net worth
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- Her net income is much lower than her gross salary.
- The company's net profit rose by 10%.
- After expenses, his net earnings were modest.
Learner examples
- My net pay is $500 a week.
- The store made a net profit of $200.
- Net income is after costs.
Verb
A2
action
3
Catch using a net
To catch something with a net.
Usage pattern:
to net [something]
Synonyms
ensnare (More formal; can be literal or metaphorical.)
Antonyms
release (To set free after being caught.)
Collocations
net a fish
|net the ball
|net the butterfly
Themes
sports
|fishing
|daily_life
Examples
- He netted three trout during the fishing trip.
- The goalie easily netted the ball.
- They netted several butterflies for the study.
Learner examples
- He netted a big fish.
- The player netted the ball.
- She netted a bird in the garden.
Verb
B1
action
4
Earn after deductions
To get an amount after costs or taxes are taken away.
Usage pattern:
to net [amount]
Synonyms
clear (Informal; means to earn after expenses.)
Antonyms
lose money (To have less money than before after expenses.)
Collocations
net $1 million
|net a profit
|net a gain
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- The film netted over $2 million in its first week.
- She netted a tidy profit from the sale of her house.
- After fees, he netted only $50.
Learner examples
- He netted $100 from the sale.
- She netted a good profit.
- They netted $500 after costs.
Noun
B1
event
5
Goal or score in sports
A point in sports when the ball goes into the goal or basket.
Synonyms
goal (More specific to sports like soccer and hockey; 'net' can be more informal or poetic.)
Antonyms
miss (Failing to score.)
Collocations
score a net
|into the net
Themes
sports
Examples
- He put the ball in the back of the net.
- The shot found the net in the final minute.
- She drove the puck into the net for the win.
Learner examples
- He kicked the ball into the net.
- The puck went into the net.
- She scored by hitting the ball into the net.
Grammar
Dictionary form
net
IPA
GB/nˈɛt/
US/nˈɛt/
Syllables & stress
net (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (net)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: net
- Plural: net, nets
Verb
- Base: net
- 3rd Person Singular: nets
- Present Participle: netting
- Past: netted
Word family
Forms
nets
noun
netting
verb
netted
verb
Related words
network
noun B1
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: netting Verb
- Irregular past: netted Verb
Expressions
cast a wide net
1/kˈæst ə wˈaɪd nˈɛt/
idiom
Try many options or targets
To try to include many different people or things when looking for something.
Examples
- When hiring new staff, they cast a wide net to find talent.
- We need to cast a wide net in our search for investors.
internet (the Net)
1/ˈɪntɚnˌɛt ðə nˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Global computer network (Internet)
A system that connects computers worldwide so people can share information and communicate.
Examples
- I found this recipe on the Net.
- The Net has changed how we shop and work.
net worth
1/nˈɛt wˈɚθ/
fixed phrase
Value of assets minus debts
The total value of what someone owns after taking away what they owe.
Examples
- Her net worth is estimated at $5 million.
- He increased his net worth by investing wisely.
safety net
1/sˈeɪfti nˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Protection from harm or failure
Something that helps you if you have problems or fail.
Examples
- Unemployment benefits act as a safety net for workers.
- Having savings provides a safety net in tough times.