thermal
gb/θˈɚməl/ us/θˈɚməl/
B1
English
~ 4800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Related to heat or temperature
About heat or temperature, or made to keep heat in.
Usage pattern:
[thermal] [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'thermal' with 'thermometer', but 'thermal' describes something related to heat, not a measuring device.
Synonyms
heat-related (A more informal and less technical way of saying something is connected to heat.)
Antonyms
cooling (Refers to reducing heat rather than relating to or keeping it.)
Collocations
thermal energy
|thermal insulation
|thermal clothing
|thermal camera
|thermal conductivity
Themes
science
|technology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The engineer measured the thermal properties of the new material.
- I bought a thermal jacket for my trip to the mountains.
- Thermal imaging can detect people in complete darkness.
- The building uses thermal insulation to save energy.
- Thermal energy from the sun powers the system.
Learner examples
- This blanket gives good thermal protection.
- I wear thermal socks in winter.
- The thermal camera can see heat.
- The house has thermal windows.
- We studied thermal energy in science class.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
Rising column of warm air
A movement of warm air going up into the sky, used by birds or people flying without engines.
Usage pattern:
[a] thermal
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'thermal' meaning heat-related clothing; context usually clarifies.
Synonyms
updraft (More general term for rising air, not necessarily warm.)
Antonyms
downdraft (A downward current of air, opposite of a rising warm current.)
Collocations
ride a thermal
|catch a thermal
|thermal lift
Themes
science
|nature
|aviation
|travel
Examples
- The eagle circled in a thermal for several minutes.
- Gliders often use thermals to stay in the air longer.
- Thermals form over sun-heated ground on clear days.
Learner examples
- The bird flew up on a thermal.
- Gliders can go higher when they find a thermal.
- A thermal is warm air going up.
Grammar
Dictionary form
thermal
IPA
GB/θˈɚməl/
US/θˈɚməl/
Syllables & stress
thermal (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (thermal)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: thermal
Noun
- Base: thermal
- Plural: thermals
Word family
Forms
thermals
noun
Core family
thermally
adverb
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
nonthermal
adjective
Advanced or less common
thermodynamics
noun
thermodynamic
adjective
Expressions
thermal conductivity
1/θˈɚməl kˌɑndˌʌktˈɪvəti/
fixed phrase
technical
Ability of material to pass heat through it
How easily heat moves through a material.
Examples
- Copper has high thermal conductivity, so it heats quickly.
- Thermal conductivity is important in cooking pans.
thermal energy
1/θˈɚməl ˈɛnɚd͡ʒi/
fixed phrase
technical
Energy from heat in matter
Energy that comes from heat inside something.
Examples
- Solar panels can convert sunlight into thermal energy.
- Boiling water contains a lot of thermal energy.
thermal imaging
1/θˈɚməl ˈɪmɪd͡ʒɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Seeing heat with special cameras
Using a special camera to see where heat is.
Examples
- Thermal imaging can find people in dark places.
- Firefighters use thermal imaging to see through smoke.
thermal shock
1/θˈɚməl ʃˈɑk/
fixed phrase
technical
Damage from quick temperature change
When something breaks because it gets hot or cold too fast.
Examples
- Pouring cold water on hot glass can cause thermal shock.
- Thermal shock damaged the machine's parts.
thermal insulation
1/θˈɚməl ˌɪnsəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
insulation that controls heat flow
Insulation that is used to stop heat moving from one place to another.
Examples
- Good thermal insulation in the walls keeps the house warm in winter and cool in summer.
- The sleeping bag offers excellent thermal insulation even in freezing temperatures.
- Builders now focus on improving thermal insulation to cut energy costs.
thermal insulation
2/θˈɚməl ˌɪnsəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Material that stops heat loss or gain
A material that keeps heat from moving in or out.
Examples
- The walls are filled with thermal insulation to keep the house warm.
- Good thermal insulation can lower heating costs.