medals - Master This Word
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medals Word Meanings
- a flat piece of metal given as an award
- a marker of achievement or recognition
- a token of honor or distinction
medals Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
medals Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈmɛd.əl/
US
/ˈmɛd.əl/
medals Word Etymology
medal = med- (to measure) + -al (related to); Latin -> Old French -> English. Imagine a medal as a shiny round object given for measuring achievements, like a runner crossing the finish line.
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 lift a medal from the case, feeling its cool weight settle in my palm. I turn it over, let my fingers move along the edge, and adjust my grip as I recall the moment I earned it. The weight pushes a quiet pride through me, making me sit up a little straighter and keep my focus. In everyday talk, a medal becomes a small sign that I did something real, a token I hold onto as I keep aiming higher.
Real Context
A medal is a flat piece of metal shaped like a disk, awarded to recognize achievement or excellence. People say they won a medal after competing or completing a difficult task, and medals come in gold, silver, or bronze. They are often worn on a ribbon during a ceremony and symbolize honor more than money. The phrase medal of honor, and the idea of earning a medal, appear in news and stories about athletes, soldiers, and students. Note that a medal differs from a trophy or prize money; it is a commemorative symbol of effort and success.
Usage Reminders
- Use win/receive a medal for achievements. Be careful with medal vs metal. plural: medals. Common phrases: medal ceremony, to win a medal, gold/silver/bronze medals. A medal is a symbol, not money. Distinguish from trophy when needed.
Common Misconceptions
- Medal = money; it is not a price tag.
- Medal is the same as a trophy; they are different kinds of awards.
- You win a medal only in sports; other achievements use the phrase 'receive a medal'.
- Metal and medal are pronounced similarly but refer to different things.
- A medal can be gold, silver, or bronze; color indicates tier, not material value.
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker that medals are symbolic awards tied to achievement, not money; emphasize the phrases 'win a medal' and 'medal ceremony' to build natural usage.
Learning Tips
- Listen for the word medal in context with 'win' or 'receive'.
- Remember the common colors: gold, silver, bronze.
- Distinguish medal from metal by meaning and usage in sentences.
- Practice phrases: medal ceremony, to win a medal, awarded a medal.
- Notice collocations: 'gold medalist' vs 'gold medal' as an object.
- Read headlines about sports or honors to see natural usage.
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