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electric outlet

electric outlet

1 2.4
A socket in a wall that lets you plug in devices to get power
  • noun
  • /ɪˈlɛktrɪk ˈaʊtˌlɛt/
  • US
translation icon : enchufe
  • Hooked up by a long extension cord to an electric outlet in the toilet.

And while the grounding mat itself is not electrical, it's plugging into an electrical outlet.

Examples

  • To me this means that there's going to be some sort of electrical outlet that doesn't even work and they thought this would take me two hours.

  • She says he can see and hear her through her phone and the electric outlets in her house.

  • There are even electric outlets there for a coffee pot, lamp, or whatever.

    Blog text (5)
  • She says he can see and hear her through her phone and the electric outlets in her house.

  • I don't know what to say to somebody who stuck a fork in an electric outlet.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • Are all electric outlets, switches, thermostats, and other important electrical features in reach of someone in a seated position?

    Blog text (15)
  • One of the things you're going to want in your your new house that is an old house is good Wi-Fi and enough electrical outlets and reliable plumbing.

  • Yet, despite this close-range observation, when a building was finally completed and fully equipped with elevators, flush toilets, electric outlets, and miles of plumbing, it still seemed to me a miracle.

    Academic text (1994)
  • The train cars come equipped with roomy tray tables, and there are electric outlets so business travelers can plug in their laptops.

  • The 900-square-foot cafe will have multiple electric outlets for customers to use their devices.

Synonyms

outlet
vselectric outlet
  • Specialized
53 2.7

A point in a wall where you plug in electrical devices to get power

is the simple speaker's term for that same wiring connection
socket
vselectric outlet
24 2.8

A place in a wall where you plug devices to get power

is the plain, nontechnical way to name that connection device
electrical outlet
vselectric outlet
  • US
7 3.0

A socket in a wall where you plug in a phone charger or lamp to get power

is the broader everyday label rather than a formal technical term
wall socket
vselectric outlet
  • UK
3 2.9

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

is the common general name used for that same connection place
receptacle
vselectric outlet
  • Specialized
2 7.1

A socket where you plug in power cords

is the more general, nontechnical expression for the same device
wall plug
vselectric outlet
  • UK
1 2.4

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

is the standard everyday term for that same kind of opening
electric receptacle
vselectric outlet
  • Specialized
3.7

A socket in a wall that you plug devices into to get power

is the everyday expression rather than the more system focused label
power point
vselectric outlet
  • Australian
2.6

A wall socket where you plug devices to get electricity

is the neutral, general term used in many regions for that place

Surface Forms

Morphology

electric + outlet

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'electric' (relating to electrical power) with 'outlet' (a receptacle/place for plugging in); the adjective-noun composition clearly indicates a socket that provides electricity. This is a common, cross-linguistically regular formation, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should be able to infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Electric outlet mixes electric for electricity and outlet for a place something flows out. Imagine a small opening in the wall where power 'flows out' to your plug, so it means 'a socket that gives electrical power'.