A1 noun Neutral #217 most common

mile

/maɪl/

A unit of distance used primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom, equal to 1,760 yards or approximately 1.6 kilometers. It is frequently used to describe the distance between locations or the length of a journey.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I walk a mile to the local park every morning for exercise.

I walk a mile to the local park every morning for exercise.

2

The proposed construction site is situated exactly one mile from the city center.

The proposed construction site is situated exactly one mile from the city center.

3

It's just a mile away, so we can probably get there in ten minutes.

It's just a mile away, so we can probably get there in ten minutes.

Word Family

Noun
mile
Related
mileage
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Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word 'mille,' which means one thousand; a Roman mile was originally 1,000 double-paces of a soldier.

Quick Quiz

The grocery store is only one ___ away from my house.

Correct!

The correct answer is: mile

Examples

1

I walk a mile to the local park every morning for exercise.

everyday

I walk a mile to the local park every morning for exercise.

2

The proposed construction site is situated exactly one mile from the city center.

formal

The proposed construction site is situated exactly one mile from the city center.

3

It's just a mile away, so we can probably get there in ten minutes.

informal

It's just a mile away, so we can probably get there in ten minutes.

4

The study measured the average speed of vehicles over a five-mile stretch of highway.

academic

The study measured the average speed of vehicles over a five-mile stretch of highway.

5

The company reimburses employees at a rate of fifty cents per mile traveled for work.

business

The company reimburses employees at a rate of fifty cents per mile traveled for work.

Word Family

Noun
mile
Related
mileage

Common Collocations

square mile square mile
extra mile extra mile
nautical mile nautical mile
per mile per mile
country mile country mile

Common Phrases

go the extra mile

go the extra mile

a mile a minute

a mile a minute

miss by a mile

miss by a mile

Often Confused With

mile vs kilometer

A mile is longer than a kilometer; one mile is about 1.6 kilometers.

mile vs nautical mile

A nautical mile is used for sea and air travel and is slightly longer than a land mile.

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Usage Notes

The word 'mile' is standard in the US and UK for road distances and speed limits. In most other countries, the metric 'kilometer' is used instead.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes use the singular 'mile' when referring to multiple units (e.g., saying 'five mile' instead of 'five miles').

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the Latin word 'mille,' which means one thousand; a Roman mile was originally 1,000 double-paces of a soldier.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'mille passus,' meaning a thousand paces.

Grammar Patterns

Plural: miles Used with numbers: five miles, ten miles Can be used as a compound adjective: a five-mile walk
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Cultural Context

The mile is a deeply rooted cultural unit of measurement in the US and UK, persisting despite the global shift toward the metric system.

Quick Quiz

The grocery store is only one ___ away from my house.

Correct!

The correct answer is: mile

Related Words

arbiter

B2

An arbiter is a person or authority who has the power to settle a dispute or decide what is right, acceptable, or fashionable. It can refer to a formal legal role or a metaphorical judge of cultural and social standards.

arbitrarily

C2

To act in a way that is based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason or system. It often implies a decision-making process that is perceived as unfair or lacking logical justification.

arbitrariness

C1

The quality of being based on random choice or personal whim rather than any reason, system, or logical necessity. It often describes decisions, rules, or actions that appear unfair or unpredictable because they lack a clear underlying principle.

arbitrator

C2

A neutral third party officially appointed to settle a dispute between two conflicting parties outside of a court of law. Their role is to hear evidence from both sides and issue a final, typically legally binding, decision known as an award.

arboreal

B2

Arboreal describes animals that live in trees or things relating to trees. It is most commonly used in biological contexts to distinguish tree-dwelling species from those that live on the ground or in water.

appreciate

B2

To recognize the full worth or quality of something, or to be grateful for a gesture or action. It can also mean to understand a situation fully or to increase in value over time.

approbate

C1

To formally or officially sanction, approve, or authorize an action, document, or status. It is typically used in legal, ecclesiastical, or high-level administrative contexts to indicate authoritative validation.

approve

C1

Officially sanctioned or accepted as being of an adequate standard or satisfying certain requirements. It describes something that has received formal authorization or endorsement from a person or body in authority.

apropos

B2

Something that is apropos is very appropriate or relevant to a particular situation or subject being discussed. It describes a remark, action, or timing that fits perfectly with the current circumstances.

arboretum

C1

A botanical garden specifically devoted to the cultivation and exhibition of a wide variety of trees and shrubs for scientific or educational purposes. It serves as a living collection of woody plants, often featuring rare or non-native species.

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