Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Formed into a solid mass; specific and real: Refers to something that exists in a physical form and can be perceived by the senses, as opposed to an abstract idea.
   • Made of or relating to the building material: Pertaining to a hard, strong substance composed of cement, sand, gravel, and water.

2. Noun:

   • A strong, hard building material: A composite material used in construction, made by mixing cement, aggregate (sand and gravel), and water, which hardens over time.
   • A specific, tangible thing: A real object or example, as opposed to a general concept.

3. Verb:

   • To form into a solid mass; to solidify: The process of becoming solid or coalescing.
   • To cover with or construct using concrete: To apply the building material concrete to a surface or structure.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • We need concrete evidence, not just theories. (We need specific, tangible proof.)
  • The plans are still abstract; we must develop more concrete proposals. (The plans are not yet specific or real.)
• Noun:
  • The sidewalk is made of concrete. (The pavement is constructed from the building material.)
  • Let's move from the abstract to the concrete. (Let's discuss specific, real examples instead of general ideas.)
• Verb:
  • The mixture will concrete in a few hours. (The mixture will solidify into a hard mass.)
  • The workers will concrete the foundation tomorrow. (The workers will pour concrete to form the foundation.)

Advanced Usage

• "In the concrete": In a specific, practical, or real form or instance.
  • He understands the theory but struggles to apply it in the concrete.
• "Concrete jungle": A term describing a modern city or urban area dominated by large buildings and pavement, perceived as harsh and impersonal.
  • He moved from the countryside to the concrete jungle of New York.

Variants and Related Words

• Concretely (adverb): In a concrete, specific, or tangible manner.
  • Please explain your idea more concretely.
• Concretion (noun): 1. The process of forming a solid mass. 2. A hard, solid mass formed within a body or by natural processes.
  • The concretion of minerals formed a strange rock.
• Concrete mixer (noun): A machine with a revolving drum for mixing concrete components. (This is a compound noun listed separately as a variant).

Synonyms

• Adjective (meaning specific/tangible): Tangible, physical, real, solid, definite, specific.
• Noun (meaning building material): Cement, pavement (when referring to a surface).
• Verb (meaning to solidify): Solidify, harden, set, coalesce.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• Concrete over (verb phrase): To cover an area with concrete.
  • They decided to concrete over the old garden to make a parking lot.

Related Idioms

• "Set in concrete": Fixed and unchangeable. (Often used in the negative: "not set in concrete").
  • These plans are still flexible; they're not set in concrete.

Adjective

1. formed by the coalescence of particles
2. capable of being perceived by the senses; not abstract or imaginary
   • concrete objects such as trees

Noun

1. a strong hard building material composed of sand and gravel and cement and water

Verb

1. form into a solid mass; coalesce
2. cover with cement
   • concrete the walls