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Glite Dictionary
🔘 Operated by button 🤖 Easy and automatic 🔲 A small switch
push-button

push-button

1 4.1
Designers make it very simple so anyone can use it
  • adjective
  • /ˈpʊʃˌbʌtən/
translation icon : fácil
  • You boys like to call this a push-button age.
  • push-button ease
  • push-button starts
  • push-button controls

Examples

  • Fusion's new hybrid powertrain is activated by a push-button start, so the key can stay in a pocket or purse.

    Blog text (2)

  • Cal, when do we get to this "push-button age"?

    Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Movie (1996)

  • Cal, when do we get to this push-button age?

    This Island Earth (1955)

  • Administrator Gallas says Philadelphia judges are happy to be getting push-button telephones.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Using a push-button interface makes the device easy for anyone to operate.

  • The push-button design of the washing machine allows users to select cycles with minimal effort.

  • His new car features a push-button ignition, eliminating the need for a traditional key.

Antonyms

difficult
∞ 1.6

Not easy to do or understand

complex
648 5.6

Not simple because it has many connected parts

How Simple

idiot-proof
  • Informal
2 3.9
plug and play
  • Specialized
2 4.2
user-friendly
21 3.1
push-button
1 4.1
simple
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

push-button positive

Morphology

push-button = push + button (semi-transparent) = push + button

The literal components are clear, but the extended evaluative sense 'simple/automatic' is a metaphorical generalization from the original meaning.

Etymology

Push-button is a helpful image: imagine a machine you can start by simply pressing one button, like a toy that needs no skill. So calling something push-button means it is 'very simple' or 'automatic', often with a negative idea that it takes away effort.