Pebble Meaning
/ˈpɛb.əl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA small stone, especially one rounded by the action of water.
nounA particle from 4 to 64 mm in diameter, following the Wentworth scale.
Sentence Examples
He is not the only pebble on the beach.
The pebble I threw skipped along the surface of the water.
CEFR Practice Quiz
He picked up a smooth round ____ from the beach and threw it into the sea.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She picked up a smooth ____ from the riverbank and skipped it across the surface of the water.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English pibel (also in pibleston), from Old English papolstān (“pebble-stone”), from Old English *papol, *pyppel, *pæbbel of unknown origin + Old English stān. Compare Albanian popël.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach
Fillip the stars;"
— c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]:
"And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge;
As children gathering pebbles on the shore."
— 1671, John Milton, “The First Book”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 4:
"You ain't got your Glock for the summer / And you ain't gonna pop for your gunner / You ain't in the whip with them pebbles (Nah) / You ain't on the strip with the rebels (Nah)"
— 2019 February 22, Giggs, “You Ain't…” (track 13), in Big Bad…, performed by Giggs:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He picked up a smooth round ____ from the beach and threw it into the sea.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
She picked up a smooth ____ from the riverbank and skipped it across the surface of the water.