A1 noun Neutral

comet

/ˈkɒm.ɪt/

A comet is a small object in space made of ice and dust that travels around the sun. When it gets close to the sun, it develops a bright, long tail of gas and dust that can often be seen from Earth.

Examples

3 of 5
1

Look at the sky; you can see the bright comet tonight.

Look at the sky; you can see the bright comet tonight.

2

The astronomical society is monitoring the trajectory of the newly discovered comet.

The astronomical society is monitoring the trajectory of the newly discovered comet.

3

Did you see that comet? It was so cool!

Did you see that comet? It was so cool!

Word Family

Noun
comet
Adjective
cometary
Related
coma
💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Comb' with long hair. The word comet comes from the Greek word for 'long-haired', referring to its long tail.

Quick Quiz

Scientists used a telescope to watch the ___ fly past the sun.

Correct!

The correct answer is: comet

Examples

1

Look at the sky; you can see the bright comet tonight.

everyday

Look at the sky; you can see the bright comet tonight.

2

The astronomical society is monitoring the trajectory of the newly discovered comet.

formal

The astronomical society is monitoring the trajectory of the newly discovered comet.

3

Did you see that comet? It was so cool!

informal

Did you see that comet? It was so cool!

4

Comets are often described as 'dirty snowballs' because they are composed of frozen gases and rock.

academic

Comets are often described as 'dirty snowballs' because they are composed of frozen gases and rock.

5

We have named our latest high-speed delivery service 'The Comet' to represent speed.

business

We have named our latest high-speed delivery service 'The Comet' to represent speed.

Word Family

Noun
comet
Adjective
cometary
Related
coma

Common Collocations

bright comet bright comet
Halley's comet Halley's comet
comet tail comet tail
orbiting comet orbiting comet
spotted a comet spotted a comet

Common Phrases

Halley's Comet

Halley's Comet

comet-like speed

comet-like speed

a passing comet

a passing comet

Often Confused With

comet vs meteor

A meteor is a small piece of rock that burns up in Earth's atmosphere, while a comet is a large icy body orbiting the sun.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is primarily used in scientific and general contexts to describe the specific space object. Figuratively, it can describe something that appears suddenly, shines brightly, and disappears quickly.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often call any bright light in the sky a comet, but a comet stays visible for days or weeks, unlike a meteor which lasts only seconds.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'Comb' with long hair. The word comet comes from the Greek word for 'long-haired', referring to its long tail.

📖

Word Origin

From the Greek word 'kometes', which means 'long-haired star'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural: comets Takes the definite article 'the' when referring to a specific one
🌍

Cultural Context

In many ancient cultures, comets were feared as omens or signs of important changes or disasters.

Quick Quiz

Scientists used a telescope to watch the ___ fly past the sun.

Correct!

The correct answer is: comet

More nature words

magma

A1

Magma is extremely hot, liquid rock found deep under the Earth's surface. It is the material that forms volcanoes and turns into lava when it comes out of the ground.

fungi

A1

Fungi are a large group of living things, such as mushrooms, molds, and yeast, that grow on soil or old plants. They are different from plants because they do not use the sun to make food, but instead break down dead material.

galaxy

A1

A galaxy is a very large group of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. There are billions of galaxies in the universe, and our home is called the Milky Way.

fossil

A1

A fossil is the remains or trace of a plant or animal that lived a very long time ago, preserved in rock. It helps scientists understand how life on Earth has changed over millions of years.

pollen

A1

Pollen is a fine powder, usually yellow, produced by flowers and trees. It is carried by wind or insects to other plants so they can produce seeds and fruit.

stream

A1

A stream is a small, narrow flow of water that moves naturally along a fixed path. It is smaller than a river and can usually be found in forests or parks.

swamp

A1

A swamp is a low area of land that is always very wet or covered with water. It usually has many trees and plants growing in it and is often home to animals like frogs and alligators.

tundra

A1

A large, flat area of land in very cold parts of the world, such as the Arctic. In this area, the ground is frozen and there are no trees, only small plants like moss.

high

A1

tall

rainforest

A1

A thick forest in a tropical area that receives a large amount of rain throughout the year. It is a dense habitat known for having many different types of plants and animals.

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