button

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A small round object sewn onto clothing that you push through a hole to fasten it.

   Grammar: Countable: one button, two buttons.

   Patterns

   • a button on something
   • do up a button
   • undo a button

   One of the buttons on my shirt is missing.

   She sewed a new button onto her coat.

   The buttons on this dress are just for decoration.

2. 2nouncountable

   A small part on a machine or device that you press to make it work.

   Grammar: Countable: press the button, press a button.

   Patterns

   • press a button
   • push a button
   • the button for something

   Press the button to start the machine.

   Which button do I press for the fifth floor?

   He pushed the button and the door opened.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   To fasten something with buttons.

   Grammar: Can be used with an object (button your shirt) or without (this shirt buttons at the back). Often used with up.

   Patterns

   • button something up
   • button up
   • button something

   Button your coat before you go outside.

   She buttoned up her jacket and left.

   This dress buttons at the back, so I need help.

Word forms

Common combinations

press a button

Press the red button to stop the alarm.

button up

Button up your shirt; it's cold.

a button comes off

A button came off my jacket.

push the button

Push the button for the elevator.

Synonyms and how they differ

knob

A knob is usually turned rather than pressed, and is often larger and rounder than a button.

fastener

Fastener is a general word for anything that closes clothing, including zippers and snaps, not just buttons.

Word family

buttonhole noun

The hole that a button goes through.

buttoned adjective

Fastened with buttons; often used in 'buttoned-up'.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “button”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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