windows

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   more than one window; openings in a wall or vehicle that let in light and air

   Grammar: Plural noun; use it with plural verbs: 'The windows are open.'

   Patterns

   • open the windows
   • clean the windows
   • look out of the windows

   Please open the windows; it's hot in here.

   The windows of the old house were covered with dust.

   She cleaned the windows until they sparkled.

2. 2nounpluralcomputing

   rectangular areas on a computer screen that show programs or documents

   Grammar: In computing, 'windows' is often plural: 'Close all windows before shutting down.'

   Patterns

   • open windows
   • close windows
   • switch between windows

   I have too many windows open on my laptop.

   You can drag the windows to different parts of the screen.

   Close the windows you aren't using to speed up your computer.

Word forms

Common combinations

open the windows

Open the windows to let some fresh air in.

clean the windows

I need to clean the windows before guests arrive.

look out of the windows

The children looked out of the windows at the snow.

close the windows

Close the windows before you leave the house.

Synonyms and how they differ

panes

Panes are the sheets of glass in a window, not the whole openings.

openings

Openings is a general word for any gap; windows are specifically in walls or vehicles and usually have glass.

Word family

window noun

a single opening with glass in a wall or vehicle

windowed adjective

having windows of a specified kind, as in 'a large-windowed room'

Commonly confused: windows or Windows?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “windows”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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