Pronunciation

/tən/

Definitions

Noun

• Mass noun: A unit of weight or volume equal to 2000 pounds (or about 1000 kilograms) in the United States and the UK.
• Slang: A person’s body weight, often used affectionately or colloquially.
• Music: A series of notes forming a chord or scale, typically with a particular pitch or key.

Verb

• Transitive verb: To lift or move something with a considerable weight, often using mechanical assistance.
• Intransitive verb: To be transported or moved in large quantities, as in a shipment of goods.

Adjective

• Describing a large quantity, especially of something heavy or measured in tons.

Adverb

• (rarely used) In a large or significant amount.

Phrases

• “A ton of work” means a large amount of work.
• “It weighs a ton” is a colloquial expression to emphasize something’s heaviness.
• “Ship a ton of goods” refers to a large shipment.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The truck loaded a ton of gravel for the construction site.”
• Verb: “They had to hire a crane to ton the heavy machinery.”
• Adjective: “She felt like she had a ton on her mind lately.”
• Adverb: “The concert tickets sold out in a ton.”

Synonyms

• Tonnes (UK)
• Tons (US)
• Massive
• Huge
• Gigantic
• Immense
• Enormous -海量的 (hǎilǐ de) (Chinese)