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belt buckle

belt buckle

16 1.6
A piece of metal that fastens a belt around the waist
  • noun
  • /bɛlt ˈbʌkəl/
translation icon : hebilla
  • The designer created a unique belt buckle that features an intricate engraving.

Would a belt buckle really break a knife like Ben Carson says it did?

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Examples

  • He was wearing tight pants with a big, silver belt buckle.

  • It's time to get a new belt buckle!

  • Let's not forget the old big belt buckle.

  • A strip of his white belly was visible over his belt buckle.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Leone, how do you like my belt buckle, boy?

  • Amber asks why do they give out belt buckles at ultra marathons?

  • Hurriedly, he got to his feet, shucking out of the shirt and reaching for his belt buckle.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Max's belt buckle gleamed in the sunlight, his signature "M" monogram blazing like Superman's crest.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • I bought a new belt buckle that matches my favorite leather belt.

  • He proudly showed off his shiny belt buckle at the rodeo.

Synonyms

buckle
vsbelt buckle
54 3.3

A metal or plastic fastener that holds the ends of a belt together

is attached to one end to fasten around the waist

How Secure

lock
523 1.0
belt buckle
16 1.6
snap
11 3.2
button
203 1.0

Surface Forms

belt buckle singular
belt buckles plural

Morphology

belt + buckle

The meaning 'a piece used to fasten a belt around the waist' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'belt' (waist strap) with 'buckle' (clasp). This is a straightforward compositional noun phrase following common cross-linguistic part+object naming patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

The noun belt buckle names the metal or other piece on a belt where you push the end of the belt into the buckle to 'fasten' it around your waist. That's why it means the part that holds the belt in place.