glass

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'glass' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a noun to refer to an object made from thin, transparent, and brittle material. For example: "I dropped the glass, and it shattered on the floor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Lifestyle

Arts

Sport

Tech

Opinion

Money

Education

Culture

Books

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The projecting glassy liner, which drives a wedge between the Southbank and the National Theatre, is echoed 40 metres up in the air, by what the architects describe as a floating pavilion – a 60-metre-long glass box that will loom over the Hayward gallery.

The Guardian - Arts

She couldn't quite shatter the glass ceiling in 2008, but she vowed that the "18 million cracks" she had etched in it would help ensure it would yield in the end.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gwyneth Paltrow's coming … she's going to see my bits!!! Michelle Olley's performance diary The late British fashion designer Alexander McQueen induced writer Michelle Olley to lie naked in a glass box in 2001 as the coup de theatre of a fashion show.

The Guardian - Arts

I basically ended up looking at life through plate glass window.

The Guardian - Sport

Inside the church, there is a memorial on stained glass to a relative of mine.

The Guardian

In South Africa the BBC came under fire from the usual quarters for taking 295 staff and building that £1m glass studio with views of Table Mountain.

The Guardian - Sport

By Christmas morning there is a full stocking, an empty glass, a few crumbs and most of a carrot (for some reason Rudolph never seems to be very hungry).

The Guardian - Opinion

The chef sets up a stall in the middle of the Campo and the genial Carlo and Davide serve up heaped plates of the dish of the day, which could be a delicious fritto misto, wild mushroom risotto or tasty goulash, priced at €7-10 with a glass of wine included.

The Guardian - Travel

The liquid and canister are chilled, shaken vigorously and the foam is poured into a glass.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Seven had to evacuate its Martin Place glass studios and relocate and build a temporary Sydney newsroom and TV studio in its corporate Pyrmont offices, all while staying on air and providing rolling coverage.

The Guardian

Prime minister Tony Abbott says women have smashed just about every glass ceiling in Australia referencing female premiers and former prime minister Julia Gillard as examples.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "glass" metaphorically, ensure the context is clear. For example, "glass ceiling" refers to an invisible barrier to advancement.

Common error

Be mindful when using "glass" in idioms or metaphors. Do not confuse a literal reference to "glass" with its symbolic meaning. Always ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

"Glass" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a substance, a container, or a metaphorical barrier. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its various uses, confirming its status as a versatile noun. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with the positive aiResponseStatus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Lifestyle

15%

Arts

13%

Less common in

Sport

7%

Travel

7%

Tech

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "glass" is a very common and versatile noun, widely used across numerous contexts, from describing physical materials and containers to representing abstract concepts like the "glass ceiling". According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and its meaning is readily understood. Predominantly found in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Arts sources, "glass" functions primarily as a noun and its communicative purpose varies depending on the situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term is well-established and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drinking glass

Specifies the type of "glass" intended for beverages.

sheet of glass

Refers to a flat piece of "glass", emphasizing its form.

pane of glass

Similar to sheet of "glass", but often used in the context of windows.

glassware

A collective term for objects made of "glass".

looking glass

An archaic term for a mirror, a reflective "glass" surface.

magnifying glass

A lens made of "glass" used to magnify objects.

glass ceiling

A metaphor for an invisible barrier, often used in a professional context.

field glass

Another term for binoculars, an optical instrument using "glass" lenses.

broken glass

Refers to "glass" that has been shattered.

stained glass

Colored "glass" used for decorative windows or other applications.

FAQs

How can I use the word "glass" in a sentence?

You can use "glass" as a noun, referring to a drinking vessel (e.g., "I'd like a glass of water."), a material (e.g., "The table is made of glass."), or a metaphor (e.g., "She broke the glass ceiling.").

What are some synonyms for "glass" when referring to a drinking vessel?

Depending on the type of vessel, you could use synonyms like "tumbler", "goblet", "cup", or "beaker".

What is the meaning of "glass ceiling"?

The term "glass ceiling" refers to an invisible barrier that prevents certain groups, such as women or minorities, from rising to senior positions in a profession or organization.

What's the difference between "glass" and "crystal"?

"Glass" is a general term for a transparent substance, while "crystal" often refers to a high-quality, clear "glass", typically containing lead, which gives it a higher refractive index and a ringing sound when struck.