pebble

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'pebble' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it either as a noun or a verb. For example, "The beach was covered with pebbles" or "He pebbled the driveway with stones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

The hotel sits in a no-man's land, right next to the train station, but has a unique position – in one direction it looks out over the bustling fishing port of Le Tréport, in the other across the long pebble beach and brightly-painted bathing huts of Mer-les-Bains.

The Guardian - Travel

Harriet suggests to people that they keep a little off-cut of the stone or a beautiful pebble.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Thus "Kimmeridge (n): The light breeze which blows through your armpit hair when you are stretched out sunbathing"; or "Glassel (n): A seaside pebble which was shiny and interesting when wet, and which is now a lump of rock, but which children nevertheless insist on filling their suitcases with after a holiday".

The Guardian - Books

The quiet pebble beach is a 500-metre walk, and you can drive to the nearby coastal town of Limni, or hike in the mountains.

The Guardian - Travel

Much could still go wrong.In this section Yo ho ho, and a bottle of rice wine Against the grain On democracy's front line So that's democracy A pebble comes loose ReprintsThe climate of fear in East Timor itself is worsening.

The Economist

SOMETIMES it takes but a single pebble to start an avalanche.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

I had been called into our pebble-dashed council house for a treat.

The Guardian - Opinion

The British architect's globular ­complex of pebble-shaped towers – an office and retail development called Wangjing Soho – is itself something of a copy of her recently completed Galaxy Soho, also in Beijing, and both projects are in keeping with the city's new vernacular of bulbous UFOs, kicked off in 2007 by Paul Andreu's ­National Grand Theatre.

The Guardian - Arts

Another, with pebble-spectacles, trug and boots, was the ghost of Gertrude Jekyll, whose principles of gardening first informed the place.

The Economist

China is also developing pebble-bed reactors.Further into the future, engineers are developing designs for so-called fourth-generation plants that could be built between 2030 and 2040.

The Economist

Even a 2% fall could be enough to push the level of vaccination below the point where the population as a whole is sufficiently immune to stop measles from spreading.Forgotten dangersIn this section Rash worries In flux Cellular pebble-dash Reprints Related items Going with the herdApr 9th 1998This is, to say the least, unfortunate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a beach, use "pebble" to convey a sense of the material composition of the shore. For example, "The shore was a mix of sand and pebbles".

Common error

Avoid using "pebble" metaphorically if a more universally understood term like "obstacle" or "detail" would be clearer. For example, instead of saying "The negotiation stalled over a minor pebble", say "The negotiation stalled over a minor detail".

Linguistic Context

Noun: "Pebble" primarily functions as a noun, denoting a small, rounded stone. Ludwig examples show it used in literal contexts (beaches, paths) and metaphorical contexts (minor issues), which confirms its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pebble" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to describe a small, rounded stone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. As seen in the examples, it appears frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While often used literally to describe beaches or paths covered in pebbles, it also serves metaphorically to represent minor issues or insignificant items. For alternative phrasing, consider "small stone" or "rock fragment", depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Avoid misusing "pebble" in abstract contexts where clearer terms like "obstacle" or "detail" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small stone

Replaces "pebble" with a more generic term.

rounded stone

Emphasizes the shape of the stone, similar to a typical pebble.

beach stone

Specifies the location where the stone is found.

small rock

Uses a broader term for a piece of stone.

grain of gravel

Refers to a smaller fragment, similar in composition.

rock fragment

A more technical term for a small piece of rock.

water-worn stone

Highlights the effect of water erosion on the stone.

tiny stone

Emphasizes the small size of the pebble.

grit

Implies a rough, small particle similar to a pebble.

fragment of stone

A formal way to describe a small piece of stone.

FAQs

How can I use "pebble" in a sentence?

You can use "pebble" as a noun to describe a small stone, such as "The beach was covered in pebbles", or as a verb meaning to pave with pebbles, like "He decided to pebble the path".

What's the difference between "pebble" and "stone"?

"Pebble" refers specifically to a small, rounded stone, often found on beaches or riverbeds. "Stone" is a more general term for any rock fragment.

What can I say instead of "pebble"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "small stone", "rock fragment", or "beach stone".

Is it correct to use "pebble" to describe a type of finish or texture?

Yes, "pebble" can describe a texture or finish resembling small stones, such as in "pebble-dashed" walls.