pierce

CEFRB2

/pɪɹs/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To make a hole through something with a sharp object.

  2. 02

    verb

    To pass through or strongly affect something.

Examples

  • Pierce whatever ear you want. It doesn't mean you're gay.

  • Pierce wanted to run for re-election.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /piɹs/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. to break or interrupt abruptly

  2. To create a hole in the skin for the purpose of inserting jewelry.

  3. To puncture; to break through.

More examples

In context

  • Pierce was elected in 1852.

  • Can you believe he pierced his tongue?

  • The diver pierced the surface of the water with scarcely a splash.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The sharp needle will blank the thin fabric, making a tiny hole.

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

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English perce, from conjugated forms of Old French percier such as (jeo) pierce (“I pierce”), probably from Vulgar Latin *pertūsiō, from Latin pertūsus, past participle of pertundō (“thrust or bore through”), from per- (“through”) + tundō (“beat, pound”). Displaced native Old English þȳrlian (literally “to hole”).