poll - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
poll Word Meanings
- a survey of people's opinions
- the act of voting in an election
- to collect opinions or votes
poll Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
poll Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/pəʊl/
US
/poʊl/
poll Word Etymology
Poll = head + Old English 'polla' = head. Historical origin: Latin → Old French → English. Imagine counting heads at a crowded event to hear everyone's opinion, forming a complete picture of the room.
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 lean forward, hand steady, and move a mark toward the line. I shift from doubt to decision as the page settles under my gaze. The tiny click or screen glow makes my opinion feel real, like I have set a compass and let it point. In surveys and votes, this small action repeats, and my voice keeps moving into the outcome.
Real Context
Poll is a versatile word in English that can be a noun or a verb. As a noun, it most commonly means a survey of people’s opinions, such as a political poll or a market poll. It can also refer to the result of voting in an election, i. e., the poll numbers. As a verb, to poll means to collect opinions or votes from a group, or to tally attendance or support. The word originates from counting heads: poll originally meant head, and the practice was counting heads at gatherings. In everyday use, you can say, 'The poll shows a shift in public opinion' or 'We polled 500 voters.'
Usage Reminders
- Always distinguish poll from vote tally; use poll for surveys, poll results for data; avoid confuse with crowd counting; use poll together with verbs like conduct, publish, show; prefer 'survey' for broader data collection; keep 'poll' plural with 'polls' when referring to multiple surveys.
Common Misconceptions
- Poll always predicts election outcomes
- Polling is the same as accounting all people
- Poll results are final and unchanging
- A poll must be national or political
- To poll is only about people’s opinions
Thinking Differences
English tends to frame poll as a formal data source and a measure of opinion shifts; some learners overemphasize exact percentages and ignore sampling error.
Learning Tips
- Use conduct a poll and publish poll results together
- Pair poll with verbs like show, indicate, reveal
- Contrast poll with survey for broader data
- Always specify the population surveyed (e. g., 1,000 voters)
- Keep 'poll' plural as polls when talking about multiple surveys
- Learn common collocations: public opinion poll, political poll, exit poll
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'poll'?
A.to swim
B.to count votes
C.to fly
D.to cook
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'poll' correctly?
A.I love to poll in the ocean.
B.Let's have a poll to decide what movie to watch.
C.I will poll to the grocery store.
D.He wants to poll a cake for his birthday.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'poll'?
A.sing
B.vote
C.swim
D.dance
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'poll'?
A.survey
B.boycott
C.ignore
D.approve
Step 5: Mastery
Can you give an example of a real-life scenario of 'poll'?
A.Playing sports with friends.
B.Solving a math problem.
C.Selecting a class president through a poll.
D.Going to the beach
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