A1 noun Neutral

telescope

/ˈtɛlɪskoʊp/

A telescope is a long, tube-shaped tool that helps you see things that are very far away. It is most commonly used by people to look at the moon, stars, and planets in the sky.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I used my telescope to look at the moon last night.

I used my long tube tool to see the moon during the night.

2

The scientist used a powerful telescope to find a new planet.

The science worker used a strong tube tool to find a new world.

3

Hey, come look through my telescope and see the stars!

Look inside my tool and see the bright lights in the sky!

Word Family

Noun
telescope
Verb
telescope
Adverb
telescopically
Adjective
telescopic
Related
telescopy
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Tele' as 'Far' (like telephone) and 'Scope' as 'See'. A telescope lets you 'See Far'.

Quick Quiz

He used a ______ to see the craters on the moon.

Correct!

The correct answer is: telescope

Examples

1

I used my telescope to look at the moon last night.

everyday

I used my long tube tool to see the moon during the night.

2

The scientist used a powerful telescope to find a new planet.

formal

The science worker used a strong tube tool to find a new world.

3

Hey, come look through my telescope and see the stars!

informal

Look inside my tool and see the bright lights in the sky!

4

Astronomical research often requires the use of a space telescope.

academic

Studying stars often needs a tool that stays in space.

5

Our company manufactures high-quality lenses for every telescope.

business

Our business makes good glass parts for every viewing tool.

Word Family

Noun
telescope
Verb
telescope
Adverb
telescopically
Adjective
telescopic
Related
telescopy

Common Collocations

look through a telescope to see something using the tool
powerful telescope a tool that can see very far
space telescope a tool that is located in outer space
optical telescope a tool that uses light to see
point a telescope to aim the tool at something

Common Phrases

radio telescope

a tool that collects radio waves from space

telescope pipe

a tube that slides inside another tube

handheld telescope

a small tool you can hold in your hand

Often Confused With

telescope vs microscope

A telescope is used to see big things that are far away; a microscope is used to see tiny things that are very close.

telescope vs binoculars

Telescopes usually have one tube for one eye, while binoculars have two tubes for both eyes.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'telescope' when talking about space, stars, or viewing distant objects on land. It can also be a verb meaning 'to slide into each other' like parts of a folding tube.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Some learners forget the 'e' at the end of the word. Others may call it a 'microscope' by mistake when looking at the stars.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Tele' as 'Far' (like telephone) and 'Scope' as 'See'. A telescope lets you 'See Far'.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Greek words 'tele' meaning far and 'skopos' meaning seeing.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Plural: telescopes Regular verb (past tense: telescoped)
🌍

Cultural Context

The telescope is famous for helping Galileo prove that the Earth moves around the Sun.

Quick Quiz

He used a ______ to see the craters on the moon.

Correct!

The correct answer is: telescope

More science words

logarithm

A1

A logarithm is a mathematical value that represents the power to which a fixed number, called the base, must be raised to produce a given number. It is essentially the inverse operation of exponentiation, commonly used to simplify complex calculations in science and engineering.

trigonometry

A1

Trigonometry is a branch of mathematics that studies the relationships between the lengths and angles of triangles. It is used to find unknown measurements in shapes and is essential in fields like physics and engineering.

fraction

A1

A fraction is a small part or amount of something larger. In mathematics, it is a way to show a number that is not a whole number, such as 1/2 or 3/4.

integer

A1

An integer is a whole number that does not have a fraction or a decimal part. It can be a positive number, a negative number, or zero.

microscope

A1

A scientific tool used to see very small objects that are not visible to the naked eye. It uses special lenses to make tiny things like cells or bacteria look much larger.

oxygen

A1

A gas with no color, taste, or smell that is necessary for all human and animal life. It makes up about 21 percent of the Earth's atmosphere and is essential for the process of breathing.

hydrogen

A1

Hydrogen is a chemical element that is the lightest and most common gas in the universe. It has no color or smell and combines with oxygen to make water (H2O).

nitrogen

A1

Nitrogen is a colorless and odorless gas that makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere. It is a chemical element that is essential for all living things to grow, especially plants.

polymer

A1

A polymer is a large molecule made of many smaller units that are connected in a long chain. These materials can be natural, like rubber or wood, or synthetic, like plastic and nylon.

prime number

A1

A prime number is a whole number greater than 1 that cannot be made by multiplying other whole numbers. It can only be divided evenly by itself and the number 1.

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