Meaning & use
limescale
Last updated
Meaning
noununcountable
A hard, chalky deposit of calcium carbonate that forms inside kettles, pipes, and other containers where hard water is heated or stored.
Grammar: Uncountable; used without 'a' or a plural form. Say 'a lot of limescale', not 'a limescale'.
Patterns
- limescale builds up
- remove limescale
- limescale deposits
The kettle is full of limescale because the water here is very hard.
You can remove limescale from the shower head by soaking it in vinegar.
Limescale builds up quickly in pipes that carry hot water.
Common combinations
- limescale buildup
- Regular cleaning prevents limescale buildup in the bathroom.
- remove limescale
- This product is designed to remove limescale from taps and tiles.
- limescale deposits
- Limescale deposits can block the flow of water through the pipe.
- hard water limescale
- Hard water limescale is a common problem in many households.
Synonyms and how they differ
Commonly confused: limescale or limestone?
limescale vs limestone
Limestone is a type of rock; limescale is the deposit that forms from hard water.
Practice
The kettle is full of ______ because the water is so hard.
Choose one answer.
'Limescale' is the correct term for the chalky deposit in kettles. 'Limestone' is a rock, 'lime' is a different substance, and 'scale' alone is too general.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “limescale”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.