Meaning & use
window sill
Last updated
UK/ˈwɪndəʊ sɪl/
US/ˈwɪndoʊ sɪl/
Meaning
nouncountable
The narrow flat ledge at the bottom of a window, on the inside or outside of the wall.
Grammar: Countable: on the window sill, two window sills.
Patterns
- on the window sill
- sit on the window sill
The cat curled up on the sunny window sill.
She keeps small herbs in pots on the kitchen window sill.
Rain had left a puddle along the outside window sill.
Word forms
| plural | window sills |
|---|
Common combinations
- on the window sill
- Leave the keys on the window sill.
- kitchen window sill
- Tomatoes ripen on the kitchen window sill.
- sit on the window sill
- He likes to sit on the window sill and read.
- wide window sill
- A wide window sill makes a good seat.
- dust the window sill
- Don't forget to dust the window sill.
Synonyms and how they differ
- windowsill
- Windowsill is the one-word spelling and means exactly the same.
- ledge
- Ledge is a general word for any narrow shelf of rock or wall, while window sill is specific to windows.
- windowsill
- Same word written solid; common in American English.
Word family
- window noun
- an opening in a wall with glass
- sill noun
- a ledge at the bottom of a window or door
- windowpane noun
- a sheet of glass in a window
- window box noun
- a planter placed under a window
Commonly confused: window sill or cill?
window sill vs cill
Cill is a British spelling of sill, mostly in building trades. It means the same thing.
Practice
She put the plant on the ___ so it would get plenty of sunlight.
Choose one answer.
A window sill is the ledge at the bottom of a window, where light comes in. A door mat or floorboard would be far from the light.
Make it your own
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