weapon
gb/wˈɛpən/ us/wˈɛpən/
A2
English
~ 1700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Object used to injure or destroy
Something that is made to hurt or kill people, animals, or things.
Usage pattern:
[someone] uses [a weapon] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'weapon' with 'gun'. A gun is a type of weapon, but not all weapons are guns.
Synonyms
arm (Often used in plural 'arms' to refer collectively to weapons, especially in military contexts.)
Antonyms
shield (A device used for protection rather than attack.)
Collocations
deadly weapon
|carry a weapon
|concealed weapon
|nuclear weapon
|weapon of choice
Themes
crime
|military
|safety
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police found a weapon hidden under the suspect's bed.
- Nuclear weapons pose a serious threat to global security.
- He was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.
- The sword was his weapon of choice in battle.
- Modern armies use a variety of advanced weapons.
Learner examples
- The man has a weapon in his hand.
- A knife can be a weapon.
- The police took the weapon from the thief.
- Soldiers have many weapons.
- The gun is a dangerous weapon.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Tool or method for advantage
Something you use to win or be better than others, not always for fighting.
Usage pattern:
[something] is [someone's] weapon against [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners may take figurative uses literally and think of physical objects instead of abstract means.
Synonyms
tool (A general word for something used to achieve a purpose; less aggressive connotation.)
Antonyms
weakness (A disadvantage that reduces one's ability to compete or succeed.)
Collocations
weapon against
|use as a weapon
|powerful weapon
Themes
competition
|strategy
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her intelligence was her greatest weapon in negotiations.
- Humor can be an effective weapon against criticism.
- Social media has become a powerful political weapon.
- Knowledge is often described as the most powerful weapon.
- Economic sanctions are being used as a weapon against the regime.
Learner examples
- Her smile is her best weapon.
- Books can be a weapon against ignorance.
- Music was his weapon for change.
- The lawyer used the law as a weapon.
- Kindness is a strong weapon.
Grammar
Dictionary form
weapon
IPA
GB/wˈɛpən/
US/wˈɛpən/
Syllables & stress
weapon (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (weapon)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: weapon
- Plural: weapons
Word family
Forms
weapons
noun
Related words
weaponry
noun
weaponize
verb
Advanced or less common
weaponization
noun
weaponized
adjective
Expressions
turn [something] into a weapon
1/tˈɚn sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɪntu ə wˈɛpən/
fixed phrase
Make something harmful or strategic
To change something so it can hurt people or help win against others.
Examples
- The hackers turned the software into a weapon against the company.
- He turned his words into a weapon during the debate.
weapon of choice
1/wˈɛpən əv t͡ʃˈɔɪs/
fixed phrase
Preferred tool or method
The thing someone likes to use best to do something.
Examples
- For the chef, the sharp knife is his weapon of choice.
- Social media is her weapon of choice for promoting her work.
weapon of mass destruction
1/wˈɛpən əv mˈæs dɪstɹˈʌkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Extremely destructive weapon
A very powerful weapon that can kill many people and destroy large areas at once.
Examples
- The treaty aims to reduce the spread of weapons of mass destruction.
- Nuclear bombs are considered weapons of mass destruction.