streets - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
streets Word Meanings
- paved ways in a city or town
- roads for vehicles and pedestrians
- places of activity or commerce
streets Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
streets Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/striːt/
US
/strit/
streets Word Etymology
street = stre(a)t + -et; Latin (strata via) → Old French (estreit) → English. Imagine a busy street with tall buildings and people bustling about, representing vibrant life and commerce.
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 step onto the street, the pavement cool under my shoes, and I move with the city’s quiet rhythm. Shop fronts glow, tires hum, and I shift my pace to catch a red light without rushing. I turn at a corner, adjust my steps, and push through a crowd toward a cafe. The street feels alive with work and chatter, and I keep moving, letting the scene set the meaning in my body.
Real Context
Street is a paved public road in a city or town, used by vehicles and pedestrians. It is a place where people live, work, shop, and socialize. You say 'on the street' when you are outside there, or 'down the street' to mean along it. A 'main street' usually refers to the town’s central, often commercial, road, while a 'side street' is smaller or quieter. Do not confuse street with road: a road can run between places even outside towns, but a street is an urban route with buildings and traffic. Common collocations include street name, street market, street vendor, cross street, and street view. The word also appears in idioms like 'hit the street' and 'the street is buzzing.'
Usage Reminders
- Use street for urban roads and public spaces.
- Say 'on the street' when outside, 'down the street' to move along it.
- Differentiate street from road and lane.
- Refer to a specific street with a street name.
- Use 'main street' for central commercial avenues; 'side street' for quieter paths.
Common Misconceptions
- Confusing street with road in urban and rural contexts
- Thinking street always has shops or buildings
- Using street when talking about highways
- Mixing up 'on the street' vs 'in the street'
- Assuming all streets are named after people
Thinking Differences
Street is a public urban space; learners often assume every street has shops or is a main road, and mix up with road or lane. Emphasize its social/commerce dimensions and common collocations.
Learning Tips
- Notice the preposition: you are 'on the street', not 'in the street'.
- Use 'main street' for a town's central commercial road.
- Differentiate 'street' from 'road' and 'avenue' by setting (city vs. countryside).
- Pair with street-related collocations: street name, street market, street vendor.
- Practice idioms: 'hit the street', 'street traffic'.
- Watch for plural 'streets' in addresses and maps.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'streets'?
A.A type of plant
B.Pathways in a city
C.An electronic device
D.A kind of food
Step 2: Usage
Choose the correct usage of the word 'streets' in a sentence.
A.She loves to read books about streets.
B.The streets were filled with cars.
C.He cooked delicious streets for dinner.
D.The streets danced under the stars.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'streets'?
A.mountains
B.trees
C.highways
D.houses
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'streets'?
A.fields
B.alleys
C.sidewalks
D.off-ramps
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context involving 'streets'?
A.People gathered to discuss urban planning in their community.
B.We raced along the broad avenues of the city.
C.The forest was full of tall trees and wildlife.
D.The children built a castle out of sand.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App