What is block? Pronunciation and usage in English

block means . Learn how to pronounce and use block through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of block

blocknoun

/blɒk/
Definition & pronunciation of block

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "block" in English. There are a couple of common ways, and both are generally accepted:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • ˈblɒk (This is the most frequently heard pronunciation in the United States)
    • ˈbl - This part sounds like "bl" as in "blue." It’s a short, quick sound.
    • ɒk - This part is a single syllable. The "o" sound is similar to the "o" in "hot" or "lot". It's a rounded vowel sound. It's NOT like the "o" in "coat."

2. The British English Pronunciation:

  • blɒk (Very similar to the American pronunciation, but slightly different)
    • blɒ - The first part is nearly identical to the American pronunciation.
    • k - The "k" sound is often slightly softer and less emphasized.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds to focus on:

  • "bl": Just like in the word "blue."
  • "o": This is the tricky part. Try to round your lips as if you're saying "oo" as in "moon". But it's a shorter, less rounded sound than "moon." Think "hot" or "lot."

Resources to hear the pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you learning English? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc.) This helps me narrow down the pronunciation that will be most familiar to you.

Usage and examples with the word block in English

Let's break down how to use the word "block" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by usage:

1. Physical Obstruction (Most Common)

  • Definition: To prevent something from passing through; to stand in the way of something.
  • Examples:
    • "The fallen tree blocked the road." (Prevented movement)
    • "There was a block of ice in the river." (A solid mass preventing flow)
    • "He blocked my view of the sunset." (Physical obstruction)
    • "The car blocked the parking space." (Prevented others from using)

2. Software & Technology

  • Definition: To prevent the execution of a program or a particular line of code.
  • Examples:
    • "The firewall blocked the hacker's attempt to access our system." (Prevented access)
    • "The code had a block that caused the program to crash." (A section of code preventing further execution)
    • "I blocked the website with my antivirus software." (Prevented access)

3. Construction & Building Materials

  • Definition: A large, solid piece of construction material, especially stone or concrete.
  • Examples:
    • "The building was constructed with large concrete blocks." (Massive building units)
    • "He stacked the blocks to build a wall." (Individual units used in construction)

4. Time & Sequence (Figurative)

  • Definition: To interrupt a process or flow of time. Often used in writing.
  • Examples:
    • "The meeting was blocked by a sudden power outage." (Interrupted the schedule)
    • "The schedule was blocked with unnecessary meetings.” (Delayed progress)
    • "The project was blocked by a lack of funding." (Delayed progress due to a problem)

5. To Stop/Prevent (Action)

  • Definition: To stop someone or something from happening.
  • Examples:
    • "Don't block the doorway!" (Preventing someone from passing)
    • "I blocked her from entering the room." (Prevented physical entry)
    • "He blocked the shot." (Prevented the ball from going in – in sports)

6. As a Verb (Intransitive – doesn't take a direct object)

  • Example: "The road was blocked." (Simply stating the state of the road). You can’t block something to someone.

7. As a Noun (Transitive – takes a direct object)

  • Example: “I blocked the email.” (You are blocking the email.)

8. (Slang - Primarily US) To Ignore/Dismiss

  • Definition: To completely ignore someone or something, often in a rude or dismissive way.
  • Examples:
    • “She just blocked me on social media.” (Cut off all communication)
    • “He blocked my attempts to talk to him." (Ignoring my attempts)

Here’s a table summarizing the different meanings:

Meaning Part of Speech Example
Physical Obstruction Noun "The tree blocked the path."
Software Blocking Noun/Verb "The code had a blocking error."
Construction Block Noun "The wall was built with concrete blocks.”
Interrupting Time Noun/Verb "The meeting was blocked by a delay."
Stopping/Preventing Verb "I blocked the door."
Slang (Ignore) Verb "She blocked me on Instagram."

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What context are you thinking about using "block" in? (e.g., a school essay, a conversation, a technical document)?

Synonyms for the word block

Idioms of the word block

a chip off the old block
(informal)a person who is very similar to their mother or father in the way that they look or behave
    go on the block
    to be sold, especially at an auction (= a sale in which items are sold to the person who offers the most money)
      have been around the block (a few times)
      (informal)to have a lot of experience
        I’ll knock your block/head off!
        (informal)used to threaten somebody that you will hit them
          a/the new kid on the block
          (informal)a person who is new to a place, an organization, etc.
          • Despite his six years in politics, he was still regarded by many as the new kid on the block.
          put/lay your head/neck on the block
          to risk losing your job, damaging your reputation, etc. by doing or saying something
          • It's not a matter that I'm prepared to put my head on the block for.

          Practice with vocabulary block

          Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

          1. The construction crew had to ________ the road for repairs, causing a traffic jam.
          2. She lived just a ________ away from the supermarket, so shopping was very convenient.
          3. The teacher asked the students to ________ out all distractions and focus on their exams.
          4. The company decided to ________ the project due to budget constraints.

          Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

          1. What is a synonym for "obstruct"?
            a) Block
            b) Ignore
            c) Encourage
            d) Simplify

          2. Which word describes a section of a city surrounded by streets?
            a) Corner
            b) Neighborhood
            c) Block
            d) Zone

          3. What can you use to stop something from moving or functioning?
            a) Block
            b) Release
            c) Accelerate
            d) Expand

          4. What term refers to a mental barrier preventing progress?
            a) Motivation
            b) Block
            c) Inspiration
            d) Clarity

          5. Which word means to temporarily halt a process?
            a) Continue
            b) Pause
            c) Block
            d) Delay

          Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

          1. Original: The barrier prevented the cars from entering the street.
            Rewrite: The block prevented the cars from entering the street.

          2. Original: They had to stop the meeting because of technical issues.
            Rewrite: They had to block the meeting because of technical issues.

          3. Original: The obstacle in the road delayed the delivery.
            Rewrite: The barrier in the road delayed the delivery.

          Answer:

          Exercise 1:

          1. block
          2. block
          3. eliminate
          4. cancel

          Exercise 2:

          1. a) Block
          2. c) Block
          3. a) Block
          4. b) Block
          5. d) Delay

          Exercise 3:

          1. The block prevented the cars from entering the street.
          2. They had to block the meeting because of technical issues.
          3. The barrier in the road delayed the delivery.

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