thermometer
gb/θɚmˈɑmətɚ/ us/θɚmˈɑmətɚ/
B1
English
~ 8700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
instrument for measuring temperature
A tool that shows the temperature of your body, the air, or another thing.
Usage pattern:
a thermometer to measure [temperature]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse a 'thermometer' with a 'thermostat'. A thermometer only measures temperature, while a thermostat controls or changes the temperature in a room or device. Another mistake is saying 'I have 38 temperature' instead of 'My temperature is 38 degrees' or 'I have a temperature of 38 degrees'.
Synonyms
temperature gauge (More general and slightly more technical; can refer to any device that shows temperature, often in machines or cars.)
Antonyms
heater (A heater changes temperature by making things warmer, while a thermometer only measures temperature.)
Collocations
digital thermometer
|mercury thermometer
|oral thermometer
|meat thermometer
|room thermometer
|clinical thermometer
Themes
science
|medicine
|cooking
|weather
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The nurse placed a digital thermometer under his tongue to check his temperature.
- Hang a thermometer outside the window so we can see how cold it is.
- The recipe says to use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is fully cooked.
- The classroom thermometer showed 30°C, so the teacher opened all the windows.
- Scientists lowered a special thermometer deep into the ocean to record the water temperature.
Learner examples
- The doctor used a thermometer to see if I had a fever.
- There is a thermometer on the wall that shows the room temperature.
- Please wash the thermometer after you use it.
- My mother put a thermometer in the oven to check the heat.
- The thermometer says it is five degrees below zero.
Noun
C1
entity
2
indicator of a level or mood
A thing that shows the level of a situation, feeling, or opinion, like a sign that you can measure.
Usage pattern:
[something] is a thermometer of [situation]
Common mistake:
Learners may misunderstand this figurative use and think it refers to a physical thermometer. In this sense, 'thermometer' does not mean an actual device; it means an indicator or sign of the level of something like opinion, anger, or economic activity.
Synonyms
barometer (Commonly used metaphorically in the same way to mean an indicator of change or mood, especially in politics or the economy.)
Antonyms
mask (A mask hides the true state of something, while a thermometer in this sense reveals or indicates it.)
Collocations
thermometer of public opinion
|thermometer of the economy
|political thermometer
|social thermometer
|a useful thermometer of change
Themes
society
|politics
|business
|communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Election turnout is often seen as a thermometer of public enthusiasm for the government.
- The housing market can act as a thermometer of the wider economy.
- Social media reactions have become a rough thermometer of public opinion on major events.
- Attendance at the protest was a clear thermometer of how angry people were about the new law.
- Customer reviews now serve as an instant thermometer of how well a product is doing.
Learner examples
- For many people, the stock market is a thermometer of the economy.
- Student protests can be a thermometer of how they feel about new rules.
- Online comments are sometimes a thermometer of what young people think.
- The number of visitors is a thermometer of a museum's success.
Grammar
Dictionary form
thermometer
IPA
GB/θɚmˈɑmətɚ/
US/θɚmˈɑmətɚ/
Syllables & stress
ther - mo - met - er (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ther)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: thermometer
- Plural: thermometers
Word family
Forms
thermometers
noun
Core family
temperature
noun A2
thermal
adjective B1
Related words
thermostat
noun
thermally
adverb
Advanced or less common
thermometry
noun
thermometric
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.