cartons

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   Light containers made of cardboard or plastic, used for holding food or drinks.

   Grammar: Countable noun; the singular is carton. Use it with numbers or a/an: two cartons, a carton of milk.

   Patterns

   • a carton of something
   • cartons of milk/juice/eggs

   She bought two cartons of orange juice at the supermarket.

   The eggs are packed in cartons of twelve.

   Please recycle the empty cartons instead of throwing them away.

2. 2nouncountable

   Light cardboard boxes used for packing and sending goods.

   Grammar: Countable noun; often used in the plural when talking about shipping or storage.

   Patterns

   • pack something in cartons
   • ship cartons

   The books were packed in large cartons for the move.

   The warehouse stacked cartons of cereal on the shelves.

Word forms

Common combinations

a carton of milk

He put a carton of milk in the fridge.

a carton of eggs

She dropped a carton of eggs on the floor.

empty cartons

The children used empty cartons to build a toy house.

cardboard cartons

The delivery arrived in large cardboard cartons.

Synonyms and how they differ

box

Box is a general word for any container with stiff sides; carton is more specific to light cardboard or plastic containers for food and drinks.

packet

Packet is a small paper or plastic container, often for single items; carton is larger and usually holds liquid or several items.

container

Container is a very general word for anything that holds something; carton is a particular type of light container.

Word family

carton noun

The singular form, meaning one such container.

Commonly confused: cartons or cartoon?

Practice

Make it your own

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