packet
gb/pˈækɪt/ us/pˈækɪt/
A2
English
~ 4600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Small container or package
A small closed package that holds things inside.
Usage pattern:
a packet of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'packet' with 'envelope' when talking about paper containers for letters.
Synonyms
package (General term for something wrapped or boxed; not always small.)
|
pouch (Usually refers to a soft bag-like container.)
Antonyms
bulk (Refers to goods not divided into small packages.)
Collocations
packet of biscuits
|packet of seeds
|packet of sugar
|packet of crisps
|packet of tissues
Themes
daily life
|food
|shopping
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She bought a packet of biscuits for the trip.
- The seeds came in a small paper packet.
- He slipped a packet of tissues into his pocket.
- I need to open this packet of sugar before baking.
- A packet of crisps costs less than a pound.
Learner examples
- I have a packet of rice.
- Please open the packet of tea.
- He buys a packet of milk every day.
- This packet has ten small cakes.
- We need one packet of salt.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
Unit of digital data transfer
A small piece of information sent over the internet or another network.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'packet' in computing with physical packages; context is important.
Synonyms
datagram (Technical term used in networking, more specific in some contexts.)
Antonyms
stream (Continuous flow of data, not divided into packets.)
Collocations
data packet
|network packet
|send a packet
|packet transmission
Themes
technology
|computing
|communication
Examples
- Each packet contains the sender and receiver's addresses.
- The file is broken into packets before being sent.
- A lost packet can cause delays in video streaming.
- Network engineers monitor packet loss to improve performance.
- This protocol ensures each packet arrives in order.
Learner examples
- The computer sends packets over the internet.
- Each packet has data inside.
- Packets move between computers very fast.
- If a packet is lost, the computer sends it again.
- Packets help send messages online.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
3
Large sum of money
A lot of money.
Common mistake:
Learners may interpret 'packet' literally here; it's figurative for money.
Synonyms
fortune (Large amount of money, often implying wealth.)
Antonyms
pittance (A very small amount of money.)
Collocations
cost a packet
|make a packet
Themes
money
|informal speech
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- That sports car must have cost a packet.
- He made a packet selling his business.
- Tickets for the concert are going for a packet.
- They spent a packet on their wedding.
- You could earn a packet if you invest wisely.
Learner examples
- This phone cost a packet.
- He made a packet last year.
- The trip will cost a packet.
- She spent a packet on clothes.
- They earned a packet from the show.
Grammar
Dictionary form
packet
IPA
GB/pˈækɪt/
US/pˈækɪt/
Syllables & stress
pack - et (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pack)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: packet
- Plural: packets
Word family
Expressions
cost a packet
1/kˈɔst ə pˈækɪt/
idiom
informal
Be very expensive
To cost a lot of money.
Examples
- This designer bag cost a packet, but I love it.
- That holiday must have cost you a packet.
make a packet
1/mˈeɪk ə pˈækɪt/
idiom
informal
Earn a large sum of money
To get a lot of money, often quickly or easily.
Examples
- She made a packet selling her old artwork online.
- They made a packet from their new app.