Meaning & use
an ebook
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Meanings
nouncountable
A book that you read on a computer, tablet, phone, or special reading device, rather than on paper.
Grammar: Countable; use 'an ebook' for one, 'ebooks' for more than one.
Patterns
- read an ebook
- download an ebook
- an ebook reader
I downloaded an ebook to read on the plane.
She prefers an ebook because she can carry hundreds at once.
The library lets you borrow an ebook for two weeks.
nouncountable
A digital file that contains the text of a book, often sold or shared online.
Grammar: Often used with 'publish' or 'sell': publish an ebook.
Patterns
- publish an ebook
- sell an ebook
- an ebook version
The author published an ebook before the printed edition.
You can buy an ebook and start reading it immediately.
This ebook includes links to videos.
Word forms
| plural | ebooks |
|---|
Common combinations
- download an ebook
- You can download an ebook from the website for free.
- read an ebook
- He likes to read an ebook on his phone during his commute.
- an ebook reader
- An ebook reader is lighter than a stack of novels.
- publish an ebook
- They decided to publish an ebook first to save money.
Synonyms and how they differ
- digital book
- Digital book is a broader term that can include any electronic format, while ebook usually means a full book.
- e-book
- E-book is the same word with a hyphen; both spellings are common.
Opposites
Word family
- ebook reader noun
- A device made mainly for reading ebooks.
Commonly confused: an ebook or email?
an ebook vs email
Email is an electronic message; ebook is an electronic book. They share the 'e-' prefix but are different things.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'an ebook' correctly?
Choose one answer.
An ebook is read on a digital device like a tablet. Paper, shelf, and printer are not devices for reading ebooks, so they do not fit the meaning.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “an ebook”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.