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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Egg

ɛɡ
Very common
~ 1500
~ 1500, Very common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
An oval or round object laid by a female bird, reptile, fish, or invertebrate, usually containing a developing embryo., A single cell in a female's ovary that can develop into an embryo after fertilization by a sperm cell., A symbol of potential, birth, or new beginnings.

Egg - Meanings

An oval or round object laid by a female bird, reptile, fish, or invertebrate, usually containing a developing embryo.

Example: She collected fresh eggs from the chicken coop every morning.
Usage: informalContext: daily life, cooking
Note: Commonly used in recipes and cooking instructions.

A single cell in a female's ovary that can develop into an embryo after fertilization by a sperm cell.

Example: The doctor explained the process of egg fertilization to the couple.
Usage: formalContext: medical discussions, biology
Note: Used in scientific and medical contexts to describe reproductive processes.

A symbol of potential, birth, or new beginnings.

Example: The egg is often seen as a symbol of new life and renewal.
Usage: formalContext: literature, cultural references
Note: Commonly used in metaphors and symbolism in various forms of art and literature.

Egg's synonyms

Ovum

Ovum refers specifically to the female reproductive cell, which is fertilized by the sperm to form an embryo. It is a more scientific term compared to 'egg'.
Example: The ovum is the female reproductive cell.
Note: Ovum is a more technical and formal term for the female reproductive cell, while 'egg' is the common everyday term.

Egg cell

Egg cell is another term for the female reproductive cell or ovum. It is commonly used in scientific contexts.
Example: The egg cell is released during ovulation.
Note: Similar to 'ovum', 'egg cell' is a more formal and technical term compared to the casual term 'egg'.

Oosphere

Oosphere is a specialized term used in biology to refer to the female gamete in certain organisms like algae and fungi.
Example: The oosphere is the female gamete in algae and fungi.
Note: Oosphere is a more specific term used in the context of certain types of organisms, whereas 'egg' is a general term used across various species.

Egg expressions, common phrases

Nest egg

A nest egg refers to money that is saved or invested for future use, typically for retirement or unexpected expenses.
Example: It's important to save a portion of your income as a nest egg for emergencies.
Note: The phrase 'nest egg' metaphorically uses the egg as a symbol of something valuable that is being safeguarded or nurtured.

Egg on your face

Having egg on your face means to be embarrassed or humiliated by a mistake or failure in front of others.
Example: After boasting about his skills, he ended up with egg on his face when he failed miserably.
Note: This idiom uses 'egg' to symbolize the embarrassment or humiliation that someone might feel.

Walk on eggshells

To walk on eggshells means to be very cautious or delicate in dealing with a situation or person to avoid causing offense or harm.
Example: He's so sensitive about the topic that I feel like I have to walk on eggshells around him.
Note: The fragility of eggshells is used metaphorically to convey the need for extreme care or sensitivity in a situation.

Egg someone on

To egg someone on means to encourage or provoke someone to do something, often something risky or foolish.
Example: She egged him on to try the spicy food even though he knew he couldn't handle it.
Note: This phrase uses 'egg' to imply inciting or pushing someone to take action, akin to how one might prod a chicken to lay eggs.

Bad egg

A bad egg refers to a person who is dishonest, untrustworthy, or morally corrupt.
Example: Watch out for him, he's a bad egg who can't be trusted.
Note: In this idiom, 'egg' is used to denote a person who is spoiled or rotten, much like a bad egg in a carton of eggs.

Like trying to unscramble an egg

To describe a situation as like trying to unscramble an egg means that it is incredibly difficult or impossible to resolve or repair.
Example: Trying to fix their relationship is like trying to unscramble an egg; it's impossible.
Note: This phrase highlights the complexity and near-impossibility of undoing or fixing something once it has been disrupted, much like unscrambling an already scrambled egg.

Egg everyday (slang) expressions

Egghead

Used to refer to someone who is highly intellectual or studious.
Example: Stop being such an egghead and try to have some fun.
Note: The slang term 'egghead' is informal and may carry a slightly negative connotation compared to the neutral term 'intellectual'.

Egg on

To encourage or urge someone to do something, often in a mischievous or teasing way.
Example: He's always egging me on to try new things.
Note: The slang term 'egg on' implies a sense of playful or goading encouragement, differing from just 'encouraging' someone.

Goose egg

To get a score of zero in a game or competition.
Example: The team scored a goose egg in the game last night.
Note: The slang term 'goose egg' is a more informal and lighthearted way of saying 'zero' or 'nothing'.

Eggshell

To be cautious or overly delicate in dealing with a sensitive situation or person.
Example: They were walking on eggshells around the boss to avoid any conflicts.
Note: The slang term 'eggshell' suggests a fragility or delicacy in handling a situation, differing from just being 'cautious' or 'careful'.

Egg timer

Something that helps keep track of time or maintains a precise schedule.
Example: Your speech should be like an egg timer - timed perfectly.
Note: The slang term 'egg timer' is a playful and creative way to refer to a timekeeping device, differing from just saying 'timer' or 'clock'.

Egg - Examples

The recipe calls for two eggs.
I only eat the egg whites.
She collects eggshells for her art project.

Egg grammar

Egg - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)
Lemma: egg
Conjugations
Noun, plural (Noun, plural): eggs, egg
Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): egg
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): egged
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): egging
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): eggs
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): egg
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): egg
Syllabification and Stress
egg Contains 1 syllables: egg
Phonetic transcription: ˈeg
egg , ˈeg (The red syllable is stressed)

Egg - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
egg: ~ 1500 (Very common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.