button
/ˈbʌtən/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.56 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
6
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A knob or disc that is passed through a loop or (buttonhole), serving as a fastener.
noun
A mechanical device designed to be pressed with a finger in order to open or close an electric circuit or to activate a mechanism.
noun
A bud.
noun
The head of an unexpanded mushroom.
Example Sentences
- "I liked the man for his own sake, and even had he promised to turn out a celebrity it would have had no weight with me. I look upon notoriety with the same indifference as on the buttons on a man's shirt-front, or the crest on his note-paper."
- "Rather should it be said that these ladies wore dress of military style, since there was nothing uniform about their outfits, one being in powder-blue with silver buttons and a forage-cap, the other in tan with gold buttons and the dinkiest of red-peaked kepis."
- "April fastened the buttons of her overcoat to keep out the wind."
- "Pat pushed the button marked "shred" on the blender."
- "Click the button that looks like a house to return to your browser's home page."
- "The politician wore a bright yellow button with the slogan "Vote Smart" emblazoned on it."
Etymology
From Middle English boton, botoun, from Old French boton (Modern French bouton), from Old French bouter, boter (“to push; thrust”), ultimately from a Germanic language. Doublet of bouton, Biden, and beat. More at butt.
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: boton, bouter, -, butonen
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈbʌtən/
- British English: /ˈbʌtən/
Usage
- American usage
- Slang
- Archaic
- British usage
- Dated
- Transitive verb
- Intransitive verb
- Informal