computers - Master This Word
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computers Word Meanings
- an electronic device for processing data
- a machine that performs calculations and tasks
- a person who uses or is skilled in computers
computers Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
computers Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/kəmˈpjuːtə/
US
/kəmˈpjutɚ/
computers Word Etymology
com- = together + putare = to reckon; from Latin 'computare' to 'calculating together'; visualize a person with a calculator gathering numbers to find a solution.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I place my hands on the keyboard and push a key, and the screen lights up as the cursor moves. I adjust my chair, lean in a little, and feel the rhythm shift as I open a program and switch tasks. With each click I watch ideas take shape on the screen, the changes letting me shape the work. On a computer, I set things in motion, and the practice becomes a quiet test of focus, control, and choice.
Real Context
English tends to treat computer as a broad, modern device for processing data, with usage spanning desktops, laptops, servers, and embedded systems. In speech, people often compare it with related terms like PC, laptop, and tablet, and in many contexts the word appears in fields like computer science and computing broadly. Learners frequently confuse computer with calculator or expect it to refer only to a desktop machine. The term is common in phrases that describe capabilities (computer hardware, computer skills) and abstract domains (computer architecture, computer programming). Understanding that computer covers hardware and software contexts helps learners choose the right collocations and articles.
Usage Reminders
- Refer to hardware: a computer, desktop or laptop.
- Don't call a calculator a computer.
- Say 'the computer' when pointing to a specific device.
- Use 'computer science' for the field, not the device itself.
- Use computers (plural) when talking about multiple devices.
Common Misconceptions
- Computer always means a desktop, not a laptop
- A calculator is the same as a computer
- You must use 'the computer' only in formal writing
- Computers are not used for everyday tasks
- All computing devices are computers
Thinking Differences
English treats computer as a flexible, modern noun with hardware and software connotations; learners must note the distinction from calculators and the frequent pairing with circuitous phrases like computer science. Typical mistakes include using computer for tablets or phones and confusing PC with desktop.
Learning Tips
- Learn common collocations: computer hardware, computer software, computer science.
- Practice with both desktop and laptop contexts.
- Differentiate desktop computer and laptop computer usage.
- Use plural 'computers' when talking about multiple devices.
- Adopt correct articles: a computer, the computer, your computer.
- Associate 'computer' with field terms like computer programming.
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