Box

/bɒks/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonObject
2 meanings1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A container, typically made of cardboard, wood, or metal, having a flat base and four sides.

/bɒks/

nounneutralBeginner
Object

A container with a flat base and sides.

He packed his clothes into a sturdy box.

💡 Simply: A container to hold things.

More Examples

2

The box was filled with chocolates.

How It's Used

Shipping

"The package arrived in a cardboard box."

Everyday Life

"I keep my old photos in a wooden box."

2

To put something into a box.

/bɒks/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To enclose or package in a box.

Please box up the old toys.

💡 Simply: To put in a box.

More Examples

2

The company boxes its products before shipping.

How It's Used

Shipping

"They boxed up the fragile items carefully."

Tip:Imagine putting items inside a box.

Idioms & expressions

think outside the box

To think creatively and unconventionally.

"We need to think outside the box to solve this problem."

From Old French *boiste, from Late Latin *buxida, from Latin buxus "boxwood", from Greek πύξος (pýxos).

The word 'box' has been used in English for centuries, its meaning largely unchanged.

Memory tip

Think of a square or rectangular container.

Word Origin

LanguageGreek
Original meaning

"boxwood tree"

cardboard boxgift boxtool box

Common misspellings

boksboxx

Usage

70%Spoken
30%Written