tongue - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
tongue Word Meanings
- The organ in the mouth used for tasting, swallowing, and articulating speech.
- A language or dialect.
- A part of a shoe that covers the top of the foot.
tongue Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
tongue Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/tʌŋ/
US
/tʌŋ/
tongue Word Etymology
Root decomposition: tongue (from Proto-Germanic, related to 'to touch'). Historical origin: Proto-Germanic → Old English 'tunge' → English 'tongue'. Memory image: Imagine a tongue tasting ice cream and helping us speak sweet words.
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
First I move my tongue to the roof of my mouth, tasting the moment as a bright flavor blooms. I adjust the tip, shift the sides, and let a small sound drift out, feeling how air and mouth shape it. The effort tightens my jaw, and I hold the rhythm as I speak, keeping the pace steady. In a real moment, language slips through the mouth, and the tongue becomes a map that carries tone and meaning with every word.
Real Context
Tongue is a flexible muscle inside the mouth that helps us taste, swallow, and shape speech. It can also refer to a language or dialect, as in mother tongue or the tongue of a region. A third meaning is the tongue of a shoe, the strip that sits on top of the foot under the laces. The word derives from Proto-Germanic roots tied to touching or feeling. When people describe someone as having a sharp tongue, they mean they speak frankly or boldly. Learners often mix up senses, saying tongue when they mean language, or confusing the shoe part with the tongue in the mouth. A vivid image is tasting ice cream with the tongue while forming words, which helps remember the different uses.
Usage Reminders
- Tongue refers to the mouth organ, not a product name or verb form.
- Use tongue for taste and speech contexts; use language for linguistic discussions.
- Remember the shoe meaning: tongue is the part under the laces.
- Idioms: 'sharp tongue' means speaking bluntly; 'tongue-tied' means unable to speak.
- Mother tongue means your native language; avoid overgeneralizing to other meanings.
Common Misconceptions
- Tongue only means language in all contexts, which is false.
- Tongue is only the taste organ, neglecting the language and shoe meanings.
- The shoe part is the same as the tongue in the mouth when speaking.
- Mother tongue always means a person’s current language, not their native language.
- Tongue cannot be used in idioms or verbs in everyday English.
Thinking Differences
English speakers often separate physical senses (taste, mouth) from abstract ones (language); learners may over-extend 'tongue' to language contexts too broadly unless reminded of the separate shoe meaning.
Learning Tips
- Create a mental image linking taste and speech.
- Note the shoe meaning and practice with 'shoe tongue' phrases.
- Use the phrase ‘mother tongue’ to remember language sense.
- Learn idioms like 'tongue-tied' and 'sharp tongue' separately.
- Practice with simple sentences that combine senses.
- Review etymology to reinforce the core idea of touch and feel.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'tongue'?
A.A type of fruit
B.A type of dance
C.A type of hat
D.A muscular organ in the mouth
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'tongue' used in a sentence?
A.The dog licked its tongue
B.She wore a fashionable tongue
C.He played the piano with his tongue
D.The book fell off the tongue
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'tongue'?
A.Nose
B.Foot
C.Ear
D.Lip
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'tongue'?
A.Whisper
B.Smile
C.Yawn
D.Silent
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you expect to hear the word 'tongue'?
A.Cooking class
B.Dance competition
C.Art museum
D.Garden center
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