belts

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Strips of leather, cloth, or similar material worn around the waist to hold clothes up or as decoration.

   Grammar: Countable noun; use 'a belt' for one, 'belts' for two or more.

   Patterns

   • wear a belt
   • a leather belt

   He wears a brown belt with his jeans.

   The store sells belts in many colors.

   She tightened her belt before the race.

2. 2nouncountable

   Straps or bands used to carry tools, weapons, or equipment, or to secure people in vehicles.

   Grammar: Often used in compounds like 'seat belt' or 'tool belt'.

   Patterns

   • seat belt
   • tool belt

   Please fasten your seat belt.

   The mechanic reached for his tool belt.

   The climber checked every belt before starting.

3. 3nouncountable

   A region or zone with a particular characteristic, especially in industry or geography.

   Grammar: Often used in names like 'the Rust Belt' or 'the Bible Belt'.

   Patterns

   • the Rust Belt
   • a commuter belt

   Many factories in the Rust Belt closed down.

   They live in the commuter belt around the city.

4. 4verbtransitiveinformal

   To hit someone or something hard, especially with a flat object or the hand.

   Grammar: Takes an object: belt the ball.

   Patterns

   • belt someone
   • belt something

   He belted the ball over the fence.

   She belted him on the arm in anger.

5. 5verbtransitiveinformal

   To sing or play something very loudly and forcefully.

   Grammar: Takes an object, often a song or tune.

   Patterns

   • belt out a song

   The choir belted out the national anthem.

   She belted the high notes with confidence.

Word forms

Common combinations

seat belt

Always wear your seat belt in the car.

tighten your belt

After losing his job, he had to tighten his belt.

below the belt

That comment was below the belt.

belt out

The band belted out one hit after another.

tool belt

The carpenter loaded his tool belt with hammers.

Synonyms and how they differ

strap

A strap is a narrow strip used to fasten or carry something, while a belt is usually worn around the waist.

sash

A sash is a decorative cloth band worn over the shoulder or waist, often as part of formal dress, not for holding up trousers.

Word family

belted adjective

Wearing or fastened with a belt, as in 'a belted coat'.

belting noun

Material used for belts, or a loud, forceful style of singing.

Commonly confused: belts or belfry?

Practice

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