Meaning & use
book
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Meanings
nouncountable
A written or printed work made of pages bound together, meant to be read.
Grammar: Countable: a book, two books. You can say 'read a book' or 'write a book'.
Patterns
- read a book
- write a book
- a book about something
- by the book
She borrowed a book from the library.
He is writing a book about ancient Rome.
This book has over three hundred pages.
verbtransitive
To arrange in advance to have or use something, such as a room, ticket, or service.
Grammar: Takes an object: book a table. Can also be intransitive: We booked early.
Patterns
- book a room
- book a ticket
- book a table
- book someone into something
I booked a hotel room for next weekend.
You should book your flight early to get a lower price.
She booked a table for four at the restaurant.
nouncountable
A set of blank pages or forms bound together for keeping records, such as a checkbook or an address book.
Grammar: Countable: a book of stamps, an address book.
Patterns
- a book of something
- an address book
He wrote the phone number in his address book.
I need to order a new checkbook from the bank.
Word forms
| plural | books |
|---|---|
| third person singular | books |
| past tense | booked |
| past participle | booked |
| -ing form | booking |
Common combinations
- book a room
- We booked a room at a small hotel.
- book a flight
- She booked a flight to Madrid.
- read a book
- He likes to read a book before bed.
- by the book
- The police officer did everything by the book.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
Commonly confused: book or reserve?
book vs reserve
Reserve and book are often interchangeable, but reserve is more formal and used for seats, tables, and rooms; book is used for tickets, rooms, and appointments.
Practice
We need to ______ a table for six at the restaurant tonight.
Choose one answer.
The verb 'book' fits the context of arranging a table in advance. 'Reserve' is also possible but more formal; 'make' would need 'a reservation', and 'take' does not mean to arrange in advance.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “book”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.