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wall

wall

∞ 1.0
A vertical structure that divides or surrounds an area, like part of a building
  • noun
  • /wɔl/
: pared
  • The artwork hung proudly on the wall of the gallery for everyone to see.
  • stone wall
  • hung on walls
  • city walls

It's an actual painted mural wall by Mikra Folks.

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Examples

  • There is the wall, and then there is the psychological wall being erected between the two countries.

    Academic text (2011)
  • I turned towards the wall...

  • I made this short section of wall to go right here.

  • Oh yeah, that could go against the wall also.

  • - Yes, the church wall is almost finished.

  • Somebody cover the west wall.

  • What do the doors, windows, and walls say about the structure and when it was built?

    Academic text (2008)
  • There were holes in the wall and tunnels that led to the other side.

    Academic text (2011)
  • We've got some prints on the wall just here as well.

  • He tunneled a hole in the wall in his cell.

Synonyms

barrier
vswall
172 2.8

A thing that blocks movement or keeps places apart

is the specific vertical structural surface used to divide, enclose, or support areas
stone wall
vswall
28 2.7

A low fence made by stacking rough stones to mark boundaries or keep animals out

is any vertical structure that can be built from many different materials
partition
vswall
15 4.2

A wall or screen that divides one area of a room from another

is broader, applying to any structural surface dividing or enclosing areas
divider
vswall
14 3.0

A wall or screen that separates one area from another

is the fixed built surface used to divide or support areas
bulwark
vswall
11 8.6

A strong wall built to protect a place like a city or ship

is the ordinary structural surface, not mainly a heavy defensive barrier
seawall
vswall
  • Specialized
11 3.9

A strong wall built along the shore to protect land from the sea

is the general vertical structure, not specifically for coastal protection
rampart
vswall
10 8.8

A wide wall of earth or stone that protects a castle

is a normal vertical dividing surface, not a large military earthwork
prison wall
vswall
8 3.6

A high wall around a prison that keeps people inside

is the general enclosing or dividing surface, not only for detention sites
parapet
vswall
7 7.2

A low wall at the edge of a roof, bridge, or balcony to stop people from falling

is the general vertical surface, not limited to low protective edges
retaining wall
vswall
  • Specialized
6 4.4

A wall built to hold back soil or water on one side

is the general vertical structure, not specialized for holding back soil or water
dry wall
vswall
  • Specialized
5 5.6

A low stone wall made by fitting stones together without cement

is the general structural surface, regardless of fitting or mortar use
sidewall
vswall
4 3.4

A wall that forms the side of a building or vehicle

is the general vertical surface, not limited to one lateral position
floodwall
vswall
1 4.4

A high wall that stops flood water from entering an area

is the general dividing or enclosing surface, not specialized for water surges
mure
vswall
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A wall that surrounds an area

is the common modern term used in neutral speech
1 4.9

A wall made of stones fitted together without mortar

is the general vertical structure, not named for its construction method
party wall
vswall
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A wall between two houses that both owners share

is the general structure dividing or enclosing, not specifically shared between owners
headwall
vswall
  • Specialized
1 8.2

A wall at the end of a drain or pipe that holds soil and guides water

is the general supporting surface, not only at culvert or pipe ends
gable wall
vswall
1 6.9

The triangular top part of a wall under a sloping roof

is any vertical surface used for dividing or supporting, not only triangular parts
cavity wall
vswall
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A wall with two layers and a space between them to keep heat in and water out

is the simple vertical surface definition, not a layered construction type
ring wall
vswall
4.6

A low circular wall that keeps soil in place around plants

is any vertical dividing or enclosing surface, not only small circular forms

Antonyms

101 1.0

A space that lets people move through, for example a door

Idioms

24 5.5

A clear sign that something bad will happen

A person who watches a situation without being noticed

balls to the wall
  • Offensive
4 9.4

Do something with as much speed and effort as possible, without holding back

4 8.1

To speak to someone who does not respond or listen

back to the wall
  • Informal
3 7.6

In a situation with very few choices where you must try hard to survive or win

2 7.0

To try to speak to someone who will not listen or answer

1 6.6

To stand up for someone when they are in trouble

Try many different ideas to see which one works

To try many different ideas to find one that works

To try many times to do something without success and feel frustrated

To spend money carelessly and waste it

To decide to start something difficult and not change your mind

Try many different ideas to find one that works

Compounds

Wall Street
  • Literature
569 2.7

The US financial industry, especially banks and investment firms in New York

276 3.4

A street in lower Manhattan where the New York Stock Exchange is

brick wall
  • Informal
46 4.1

A problem you cannot get past

28 2.7

A low fence made by stacking rough stones to mark boundaries or keep animals out

28 4.2

Completely full of people or things with no space to move

22 3.5

A very long ancient wall across northern China built to stop invaders

off-the-wall
  • Informal
14 8.0

Strange and often funny in a surprising way

A very long old wall in northern China built to stop attacks

8 3.6

A high wall around a prison that keeps people inside

A small hidden restaurant or cafe that looks simple but serves very good food

cell wall
  • Specialized
7 3.6

A hard layer around the cells of plants, fungi, and some bacteria that gives support and protection

wall of silence
  • Literature
6 7.2

A group's choice to stay silent to protect members from blame

retaining wall
  • Specialized
6 4.4

A wall built to hold back soil or water on one side

5 6.7

A remaining wall of the ancient Jewish temple in Jerusalem where people pray

dry wall
  • Specialized
5 5.6

A low stone wall made by fitting stones together without cement

A floor covering that reaches all walls and covers the whole room

4 1.0

A clock that hangs on a wall to show the time

blue wall
  • Jargon
3 9.0

A secret rule among police not to report a colleague's wrongdoing

3 2.9

A place in a wall where you plug in an electrical device to get power

3 2.7

A flat rectangular piece fixed to a wall to cover or decorate it

Wailing Wall
  • Archaic
3 6.7

A holy stone wall in Jerusalem where Jewish people pray and put written prayers

2 9.5

An unwritten rule among police officers not to report a colleague's illegal actions to protect them from punishment

abdominal wall
  • Specialized
2 4.1

The muscles and tissue at the front and sides of the belly that protect internal organs

bearing wall
  • Specialized
2 5.1

A wall that holds up the floor or roof above it

2 3.2

A large picture painted or printed directly on a wall to decorate it

2 3.4

A very long stone wall built across northern China to keep out attackers

load-bearing wall
  • Specialized
1 3.6

A wall that supports the floors and roof above it

blue wall
  • Literature
1 5.6

A group of states or voters that often support the same political party

A picture made directly on a wall as decoration

1 2.4

An electrical socket in a wall where you connect a device to get power

1 7.5

A line of soldiers holding shields close together to form a strong defence

1 2.8

A large piece of furniture put against a wall to store or show things

A long stone wall built by the Romans in northern England to mark their northern border

Chinese Wall
  • Jargon
1 8.9

A rule to keep people in different teams from sharing secret information to avoid conflicts of interest

1 3.2

A decorative piece like a tapestry placed on a wall

wall panel
  • Specialized
1 3.4

An electronic device fixed to a wall that controls lights, heating, or security

A wall made of stones fitted together without mortar

1 3.8

A strong piece fixed to a wall that sticks out and holds a shelf

party wall
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A wall between two houses that both owners share

1 4.5

A large camping shelter with four straight cloth walls that gives more room inside than a normal tent

1 7.3

A long horizontal piece of wood on top of a wall supporting beams

Great Wall
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A huge group of galaxies that looks like a long wall in space

1 8.2

Solid ground next to a line of minerals or a crack underground

A Roman wall across central Scotland that marks the northern border of Roman Britain

1 6.9

The triangular top part of a wall under a sloping roof

ring wall
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A circular strong wall built under a heavy structure to support its weight

ring wall
  • Specialized
1 7.5

A circular wall around a village or town that protects people from attack

wall fern
  • Specialized
1 7.6

A low fern that grows on rocks or walls in shaded moist places

1 4.4

A person who puts wallpaper on walls to decorate rooms

cavity wall
  • Specialized
1 4.6

A wall with two layers and a space between them to keep heat in and water out

A fern that grows on rocks or walls in shady places in North America and East Asia

hanging wall
  • Specialized
9.5

The block of rock above a sloping break in the ground

proscenium wall
  • Specialized
9.4

A part of a theatre that separates the stage from the audience and holds the stage opening

4.6

A low circular wall that keeps soil in place around plants

A small plant with narrow leaves and tiny pink flowers that grows in cracks in walls

A plant that lives for two years or less and has groups of bright orange-yellow flowers at stem ends

9.9

A small red and grey bird that lives on walls and cliffs

wall germander
  • Specialized
9.9

A low bush with bright pink or purple flowers grown in gardens

9.9

A small wild grass that grows like a weed along roads and walls, with bristly seed heads

wall pellitory
  • Specialized
9.9

A small plant with long leaves and tiny pink flowers that grows in cracks on old walls and rocks

9.9

A small plant that grows along the ground or walls with thick leaves and bright yellow flowers

9.9

A small fern with delicate leaves that grows on old walls and rocks

9.9

A plant with yellow flowers that grows on old walls and in empty places

A small delicate fern that grows on walls and cliffs

How Protective

seawall
  • Specialized
11 3.9
retaining wall
  • Specialized
6 4.4
wall
∞ 1.0
fence
641 1.0
ring wall
4.6

Surface Forms

wall singular
walls plural

Etymology

Wall comes from an old English word weall and is related to the Latin vallum, which meant 'rampart' or earth defence. So a wall is a line of stone or other material that divides, supports, or closes off a space.