buckle

CEFRC1

/ˈbʌkəl/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A fastening device used to join the ends of a belt or strap.

  2. 02

    verb

    To bend, collapse, or fasten with a buckle.

Examples

  • Buckle up, sit down, shut up and hold on.

  • I've really got to buckle down and study for our final exams.

At a glance

Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • [ˈbʌkɫ̩]

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A metal clasp with a hinged tongue or a spike through which a belt or strap is passed and penetrated by the tongue or spike, in order to fasten the ends of the belt together or to secure the strap to something else.

  2. Some other form of clasp used to fasten two things together.

  3. A great conflict or struggle.

More examples

In context

  • On base and off, buckle your seat-belts.

  • It is amazing that he has never buckled after so many years of doing such urgent work.

  • We can’t use that saw any more. It’s got a buckle in its blade.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

After the crash, the mechanic found the metal safety belt's blank had snapped, causing the strap to flap loose.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

The noun is derived from Middle English bokel (“spiked metal ring for fastening; ornamental clasp; boss of a shield; a shield, buckler; (figurative) means of defence”) [and other forms], from Old French boucle, bocle (“spiked metal ring for fastening; boss of a shield; a shield”) [and other forms], from Latin buccula (“cheek strap of a helmet; boss of a shield”) (from bucca (“soft part of the cheek”)). Noun etymology 1, noun sense 2 (“great conflict or struggle”) is probably derived from verb etymology 1, verb sense 1.2.1 (“to apply (oneself) to, or prepare (oneself) for, a task or work”). The verb is derived from Middle English bokelen, bukelen (“to fasten (something) with a buckle or clas...