Contacts

'kɒntækts

nounBeginnerVery CommonLiterature

Definitions

3 meanings
1

People or organizations you are in communication with.

'kɒntækts

nounneutralBeginner
Literature

A person or thing that you know and can communicate with, especially to get information or help.

I've added his number to my contacts.

💡 Simply: Contacts are like your address book in your phone, filled with the names and numbers of people you know and can talk to. They're the people you might call when you need something, like your friend to go to a movie or a colleague for help with a project.

👶 For kids: Contacts are like your friends and the people you know that you can call or talk to.

More Examples

2

I need to update my contacts with my new address.

3

He's a valuable contact in the industry.

How It's Used

Business

"I need to update my list of business contacts."

Social

"She's a good contact to have if you need help in the legal field."

2

Small lenses placed directly on the surface of the eye to improve vision or change eye color.

'kɒntækts

nounneutralBeginner
Medical

A device placed on the eye for vision correction or cosmetic purposes.

She has to remove her contacts before going to bed.

💡 Simply: Contact lenses are like little clear shields you put on your eyes to help you see better. They stick right on your eye, like a little sticker, and help you focus.

👶 For kids: Contacts are like little see-through helpers for your eyes. They help you see better!

More Examples

2

I need to buy a new solution for my contacts.

3

He switched from glasses to contacts for sports.

How It's Used

Medical

"She wears contact lenses to correct her nearsightedness."

Tip:Think of the contact lenses physically touching the eye.
3

To get in touch with someone or something.

'kɒntækts

verbneutralBeginner
General

To get in touch with someone.

I contacted the hotel to confirm our reservation.

💡 Simply: To contact someone is like sending them a message, calling them on the phone, or meeting them in person. It means you're trying to get in touch with them.

👶 For kids: To contact someone means to talk to them, like calling on the phone or sending a message.

More Examples

2

She tried to contact the customer but was unable to.

3

Please contact me if you have any questions.

How It's Used

Business

"I will contact him to schedule the meeting."

Tip:Think of the act of contacting - initiating or establishing connection.

Idioms & expressions

keep in contact

To maintain communication with someone.

"We should keep in contact, even though we are moving away."

lose contact

To stop communicating with someone.

"We lost contact after she moved away."

make contact

To establish communication or connection with someone.

"The explorers made contact with the local tribe."

From the Latin 'contactus,' past participle of 'contingere' meaning 'to touch, to border upon,' influenced by the verb 'contact' and the noun 'contact'.

The noun form, referring to people, gained significant popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The verb form's usage increased with the rise of telecommunications.

Memory tip

Think of a list of people you have the ability to reach out to.

contaktscontact's

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written