Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [mawth-bawl, moth-]
- /ˈmɔθˌbɔl, ˈmɒθ-/
- /ˈmɒθ.bɔːl/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [mawth-bawl, moth-]
- /ˈmɔθˌbɔl, ˈmɒθ-/
Definitions of mothballs word
- noun mothballs a small ball of naphthalene or sometimes of camphor for placing in closets or other storage areas to repel moths from clothing, blankets, etc. 1
- verb with object mothballs to put into storage or reserve; inactivate. 1
- adjective mothballs inactive; unused; stored away: a mothball fleet. 1
- idioms mothballs in mothballs, in disuse or in storage, especially with reference to standby equipment. (of ideas) dismissed as unworthy of further deliberation. 1
- noun mothballs Plural form of mothball. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of mothballs
First appearance:
before 1905 One of the 15% newest English words
First recorded in 1905-10; moth + ball1
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Mothballs
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
mothballs popularity
A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 62% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.
mothballs usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for mothballs
verb mothballs
- perpetuate — to make perpetual.
- protect — to defend or guard from attack, invasion, loss, annoyance, insult, etc.; cover or shield from injury or danger.
- save — to rescue from danger or possible harm, injury, or loss: to save someone from drowning.
- secure — free from or not exposed to danger or harm; safe.
- uphold — to support or defend, as against opposition or criticism: He fought the duel to uphold his family's honor.
Antonyms for mothballs
verb mothballs
- harm — a U.S. air-to-surface missile designed to detect and destroy radar sites by homing on their emissions.
- injure — to do or cause harm of any kind to; damage; hurt; impair: to injure one's hand.
- squander — to spend or use (money, time, etc.) extravagantly or wastefully (often followed by away).
- release — to lease again.
- use — to employ for some purpose; put into service; make use of: to use a knife.
Top questions with mothballs
- how long do mothballs last?
- where to buy mothballs?
- how to use mothballs?
- where can i buy mothballs?
- what are mothballs?
- how to get rid of the smell of mothballs?
- what do mothballs repel?
- why does my breath smell like mothballs?
- where can i purchase mothballs?
- how to get rid of squirrels in attic mothballs?
- how long mothballs last?
- what can you use mothballs for?
- where to buy mothballs uk?
- what can you use instead of mothballs?
- what happens when you put mothballs in a gas tank?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with m
- Words starting with mo
- Words starting with mot
- Words starting with moth
- Words starting with mothb
- Words starting with mothba
- Words starting with mothbal
- Words starting with mothball
- Words starting with mothballs