Meaning & use
mattocks
Last updated
“mattocks” is a form of “mattock”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nouncountable
A heavy tool with a long handle and a metal head that has a flat blade on one side and a pick on the other, used for digging hard ground.
Grammar: Countable; the usual singular is 'mattock' and the plural is 'mattocks'.
Patterns
- use a mattock
- dig with a mattock
The farmer used a mattock to break up the rocky soil.
He swung the mattock into the hard earth, loosening stones and roots.
A mattock is often used for digging in ground that is too tough for a spade.
Word forms
| singular | mattock |
|---|
Common combinations
- swing a mattock
- He swung the mattock to break up the compacted soil.
- use a mattock
- They used a mattock to dig a trench through the rocky ground.
- mattock head
- The mattock head is made of heavy steel.
- a pick mattock
- A pick mattock is useful for breaking up hardpan.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pickaxe
- A pickaxe has a pointed end for breaking rock, while a mattock often has a flat blade for cutting roots and digging.
- hoe
- A hoe is lighter and used for weeding and loosening surface soil, not for heavy digging like a mattock.
Commonly confused: mattocks or mattock?
mattocks vs mattock
This is the singular form; 'mattocks' is the plural. Use 'mattock' for one tool and 'mattocks' for two or more.
Practice
Which sentence uses the plural noun 'mattocks' correctly?
Choose one answer.
The plural noun 'mattocks' refers to more than one mattock. Option 0 correctly uses it as a plural noun with 'his'. The other options use 'mattocks' as a verb, which is not a standard verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mattocks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.