B2 adjective Neutral

button

/ˈbʌt.ən/

Used as an attributive adjective to describe objects that are small, round, and compact, similar in shape to a garment fastener. In professional or academic contexts, it often refers to specific technical components or a conservative, traditional style.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The chef preferred using button mushrooms for the garnish because of their uniform size.

The cook liked using small, round mushrooms for the decoration due to their consistent shape.

2

The patient was fitted with button electrodes to monitor heart activity during the sleep study.

The patient received small, circular sensors to track heart patterns during the medical observation.

3

She has a cute button nose that she inherited from her grandmother.

She has a small, rounded nose that runs in her family.

Word Family

Noun
button
Verb
button
Adjective
buttoned
Related
buttonhole
💡

Memory Tip

Visualize a small, round shirt button; any object described as 'button' (like a mushroom or battery) will share that small, circular, and functional shape.

Quick Quiz

The remote control requires a single ____ cell battery to operate.

Correct!

The correct answer is: button

Examples

1

The chef preferred using button mushrooms for the garnish because of their uniform size.

everyday

The cook liked using small, round mushrooms for the decoration due to their consistent shape.

2

The patient was fitted with button electrodes to monitor heart activity during the sleep study.

formal

The patient received small, circular sensors to track heart patterns during the medical observation.

3

She has a cute button nose that she inherited from her grandmother.

informal

She has a small, rounded nose that runs in her family.

4

The experiment required a button cell battery to power the miniature tracking device.

academic

The scientific test needed a small, disk-shaped battery to provide energy for the tiny locator.

5

The firm is known for its button-down management style, emphasizing hierarchy and tradition.

business

The company is recognized for its conservative and structured leadership approach.

Word Family

Noun
button
Verb
button
Adjective
buttoned
Related
buttonhole

Common Collocations

button cell a small, round battery
button mushroom a small, immature white mushroom
button-down collar a shirt collar fastened by buttons
button nose a small, dainty, rounded nose
button electrode a small, disk-shaped medical sensor

Common Phrases

on the button

exactly correct or at the precise time

button-down

conservative, traditional, or formal in style

bright as a button

very intelligent and full of energy

Often Confused With

button vs bottom

Bottom refers to the lowest part of something, whereas button refers to a small round object.

button vs baton

A baton is a thin stick used by a conductor or runner, not a small fastener or compact object.

📝

Usage Notes

When used as an adjective, 'button' is strictly attributive, meaning it must appear before the noun it modifies. It is most commonly found in technical terms like 'button battery' or compound descriptors like 'button-down'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use 'button' as a standalone adjective (e.g., 'the battery is button'), but it must be part of a noun phrase ('it is a button battery').

💡

Memory Tip

Visualize a small, round shirt button; any object described as 'button' (like a mushroom or battery) will share that small, circular, and functional shape.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Old French 'boton', which originally meant a bud, knob, or protrusion.

Grammar Patterns

Always functions as an attributive adjective Does not have comparative (buttoner) or superlative (buttonest) forms Frequently hyphenated when used in compound adjectives like button-down
🌍

Cultural Context

In American business culture, 'button-down' specifically refers to a traditional, conservative aesthetic associated with Ivy League style and corporate reliability.

Quick Quiz

The remote control requires a single ____ cell battery to operate.

Correct!

The correct answer is: button

Related Words

enurber

C1

A person who has recently moved to a city or who is in the process of adapting to an urban lifestyle and environment. It is primarily used in sociological or test-specific contexts to describe the demographic shift of individuals from rural to metropolitan areas.

peritactist

C1

A specialist or researcher who focuses on the sense of touch and tactile communication systems. This person typically studies how humans perceive information through physical contact, often in the context of assistive technology or haptic feedback.

homocadile

C1

A homocadile is a specialized taxonomic classification used in evolutionary biology to describe organisms that exhibit both hominid-like developmental patterns and reptilian skeletal structures. It is frequently cited in theoretical models to analyze potential pathways of convergent evolution between distant biological lineages.

homopotence

C1

To equalize or standardize the power, potency, or effective influence of different elements within a system. It is primarily used in technical or theoretical contexts to describe the process of making disparate components operate with uniform strength.

contrastrictity

C1

Describing a state or quality characterized by contrasting and restrictive forces or boundaries. It refers to the tension produced when a system or situation is simultaneously pulled by opposing limitations.

interfactity

C1

To systematically link and verify various factual data points to create a unified and cohesive information network. It involves the process of cross-referencing disparate facts to ensure they function together logically within a specific framework.

unisolious

C1

Refers to a structure or arrangement consisting of a single layer, row, or series. It is used in technical or formal contexts to describe something that is not stratified or multifaceted.

autofundcide

C1

To deliberately terminate or exhaust one's own funding sources or budget, typically through internal mismanagement or a strategic decision to withdraw support. It describes an entity that effectively 'kills' its own financial lifeblood through internal actions rather than external market pressures.

synmissfy

C1

A synmissfy is a systematic and synchronized omission of data or errors across multiple channels, often used in stress-testing environments. It refers to a state where gaps in information occur simultaneously to reveal underlying structural vulnerabilities.

macrotentship

C1

Describing a large-scale, all-encompassing framework or organizational structure that provides a broad sense of protection, inclusion, or governance for diverse sub-entities. It refers to systems that function like an expansive 'big tent,' prioritizing holistic coverage over individual detail.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free