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Meaning & use

vases

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈvɑːzɪz/
US/ˈveɪsɪz/

“vases” is a form of “vase”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    Open containers, often tall and decorative, used to hold cut flowers or to display as ornaments.

    Grammar: This is the plural of 'vase'; use 'vases' for more than one, and 'a vase' or 'the vase' for one.

    Patterns

    • a vase of flowers
    • put flowers in a vase
    • a glass vase

    She filled three vases with fresh tulips for the party.

    The museum displays ancient Greek vases in a glass case.

    He knocked over one of the vases on the windowsill.

  2. nouncountabletechnical

    Containers of this kind used in science or medicine to hold liquids or specimens.

    Grammar: Also plural here; the singular 'vase' is used when talking about one container.

    Patterns

    • a specimen vase
    • collect a sample in a vase

    The lab assistant labeled the vases before the experiment.

    Samples were stored in sealed vases in the refrigerator.

Word forms

singularvase

Common combinations

a vase of flowers
A vase of flowers stood on the dining table.
a crystal vase
The crystal vase was a wedding gift.
arrange flowers in a vase
She arranged the roses in a tall vase.
a vase collection
His vase collection includes pieces from Japan.
break a vase
Be careful not to break that vase.

Synonyms and how they differ

pot
A pot is usually wider and plainer, often for plants rather than cut flowers.
urn
An urn is larger and often has a lid or handles, and may hold ashes rather than flowers.
container
Container is the general word; a vase is a specific decorative kind for flowers.

Word family

vase noun
The singular form, meaning one such container.

Commonly confused: vases or vase? vases or vase / vaze?

vases vs vase

The singular 'vase' refers to one container; 'vases' means more than one. Check the verb: 'The vase is...' but 'The vases are...'.

vases vs vase / vaze

The spelling is 'vase' in both singular and plural base; only add '-s' for the plural. A common misspelling is 'vaze'.

Practice

Choose the sentence that uses the plural correctly.

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