cotton

/'kɔtn/

Thân thiện

A farmer harvests fluffy white cotton from the bolls in the field.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A soft, white fibrous substance: This refers to the soft, fluffy fibers that surround the seeds of plants of the genus Gossypium. It is the raw material used to make textiles.
   • The plant producing this fiber: A plant, typically a shrub, cultivated in warm climates for its soft, protective fibers.
   • Thread or fabric made from this fiber: The yarn spun from cotton fibers or the cloth woven from this yarn.

2. Verb (informal):

   • To take a liking to someone or something; to understand: To begin to like, agree with, or comprehend something.

Examples

• Noun:

  • The shirt is made of 100% cotton.
  • They grow cotton in this region.
  • She bought a spool of white cotton for sewing.

• Verb:

  • I didn't cotton to the new manager at first.
  • He finally cottoned on to how the machine works.

Advanced Usage

• "to cotton to": To begin to like or approve of someone or something.

  • I think the audience is starting to cotton to the comedian's unique style.

• "to cotton on": To begin to understand or realize something (often followed by 'to').

  • It took her a while to cotton on to the fact that it was a surprise party.

Variants and Related Words

• Cottony (adj): Resembling cotton in texture; soft and fluffy.

  • The seeds are covered in a cottony substance.

• Cotton gin (n): A machine for separating cotton fibers from the seeds. (Listed as a related compound term).

Synonyms

• Fabric/Fiber: For the noun: , , .
• Like/Understand: For the verb: , , , .

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Cotton on to: To understand or realize something.

  • He finally cottoned on to the joke.

• Cotton up to (someone): To attempt to become friendly with someone, often for personal gain.

  • He's always trying to cotton up to the boss.

Related Idioms

• In tall cotton (US, informal): To be in a very successful or prosperous situation.

  • After the deal, the company was in tall cotton.

• Cotton-picking (adj, informal, often humorous or euphemistic): Used for emphasis, especially when expressing annoyance (e.g., "Wait a cotton-picking minute!").

Học thuật

Noun

1. thread made of cotton fibers
2. erect bushy mallow plant or small tree bearing bolls containing seeds with many long hairy fibers
3. fabric woven from cotton fibers
4. soft silky fibers from cotton plants in their raw state

Verb

1. take a liking to
   • cotton to something

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cotton plant
• cotton fiber
• cotton wool