ozone
Ozone is a colorless gas found in the upper atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It is also produced at ground level as a pollutant when sunlight reacts with industrial emissions.
Examples
3 of 5The smell of ozone is often noticeable in the air after a powerful lightning storm.
The smell of ozone is often noticeable in the air after a powerful lightning storm.
International cooperation was essential in implementing policies to protect the ozone layer.
International cooperation was essential in implementing policies to protect the ozone layer.
The air feels so much cleaner here, like there's more ozone or something.
The air feels so much cleaner here, like there's more ozone or something.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the 'O' in Ozone as a 'Zone' of protection that keeps the 'O' (oxygen) we need safe from the sun.
Quick Quiz
The ____ layer is slowly recovering thanks to the global ban on certain industrial chemicals.
Correct!
The correct answer is: ozone
Examples
The smell of ozone is often noticeable in the air after a powerful lightning storm.
everydayThe smell of ozone is often noticeable in the air after a powerful lightning storm.
International cooperation was essential in implementing policies to protect the ozone layer.
formalInternational cooperation was essential in implementing policies to protect the ozone layer.
The air feels so much cleaner here, like there's more ozone or something.
informalThe air feels so much cleaner here, like there's more ozone or something.
Ground-level ozone is a primary component of photochemical smog and can cause respiratory issues.
academicGround-level ozone is a primary component of photochemical smog and can cause respiratory issues.
Our company has switched to ozone-friendly refrigerants to comply with new environmental standards.
businessOur company has switched to ozone-friendly refrigerants to comply with new environmental standards.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
hole in the ozone layer
hole in the ozone layer
ozone-depleting substances
ozone-depleting substances
ozone alert
ozone alert
Often Confused With
Oxygen (O2) is the gas we breathe for life, while ozone (O3) is a triatomic form that is toxic to breathe but helpful in the upper atmosphere.
Usage Notes
Use 'the ozone layer' when talking about the protective shield in the sky. When discussing pollution, specify 'ground-level ozone' to clarify it is harmful smog.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget the definite article 'the' before 'ozone layer' or confuse its role, thinking it causes global warming rather than blocking UV rays.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'O' in Ozone as a 'Zone' of protection that keeps the 'O' (oxygen) we need safe from the sun.
Word Origin
From the Greek word 'ozein', which means 'to smell', referring to the gas's distinct, pungent odor.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The 'ozone hole' was the primary global environmental concern of the 1980s, leading to the first major successful international environmental treaty, the Montreal Protocol.
Quick Quiz
The ____ layer is slowly recovering thanks to the global ban on certain industrial chemicals.
Correct!
The correct answer is: ozone
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
unknown
A1A person or thing that is not known, recognized, or familiar. It often refers to a mysterious situation or a person who has not yet achieved fame or success.
of
A1A preposition used to show a relationship between a part and a whole, or to indicate belonging and origin. It connects a noun or pronoun to another part of the sentence to specify which one or what kind.
in
A1A preposition used to indicate position within a container, a space, an area, or a period of time. It describes being surrounded by something or being inside the boundaries of a location.
it
A1A third-person singular pronoun used to refer to an object, animal, or situation that has already been mentioned or is clear from context. It is also frequently used as a dummy subject to talk about time, weather, or distance.
on
A1A preposition used to indicate that something is in a position above and supported by a surface. It is also used to indicate a specific day or date, or to show that a device is functioning.
as
A1A conjunction used to compare two things that are equal in some way. It is most commonly used in the pattern 'as + adjective/adverb + as' to show similarity.
this
A1Used to identify a specific person, thing, or idea that is physically close to the speaker or has just been mentioned. It can also refer to the present time or a situation that is currently happening.
by
A1A preposition used to show the method or means of doing something, or to identify the person or thing that performs an action. It frequently appears in passive sentences to indicate the agent or before modes of transport.
we
A1The word 'we' is a first-person plural pronoun used to refer to the speaker and one or more other people collectively. It is used as the subject of a sentence or clause.
or
A1A coordinating conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives. it indicates that only one of the options is likely, required, or true.
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