B2 adjective Neutral

thermometer

/θəˈmɒm.ɪ.tə/

A thermometer is an instrument used to measure temperature or a temperature gradient. It is commonly used in medical settings to check for fever or in weather stations to monitor atmospheric conditions.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The mother used a digital thermometer to check if her son had a fever.

The mother used a digital thermometer to check if her son had a fever.

2

Strict protocol requires that the thermometer be sterilized after every clinical use.

Strict protocol requires that the thermometer be sterilized after every clinical use.

3

Stick the thermometer in your mouth and don't talk for a minute.

Stick the thermometer in your mouth and don't talk for a minute.

Word Family

Noun
thermometer
Adverb
thermometrically
Adjective
thermometric
Related
thermometry
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Memory Tip

Remember 'Thermo' means heat (like a thermos flask) and 'Meter' means measure. A thermometer measures the heat.

Quick Quiz

Please look at the ___ and tell me what the outdoor temperature is.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

Examples

1

The mother used a digital thermometer to check if her son had a fever.

everyday

The mother used a digital thermometer to check if her son had a fever.

2

Strict protocol requires that the thermometer be sterilized after every clinical use.

formal

Strict protocol requires that the thermometer be sterilized after every clinical use.

3

Stick the thermometer in your mouth and don't talk for a minute.

informal

Stick the thermometer in your mouth and don't talk for a minute.

4

Data was collected using a high-precision mercury thermometer to ensure experimental validity.

academic

Data was collected using a high-precision mercury thermometer to ensure experimental validity.

5

Our inventory shows a high demand for industrial-grade thermometers in the pharmaceutical sector.

business

Our inventory shows a high demand for industrial-grade thermometers in the pharmaceutical sector.

Word Family

Noun
thermometer
Adverb
thermometrically
Adjective
thermometric
Related
thermometry

Common Collocations

digital thermometer digital thermometer
mercury thermometer mercury thermometer
infrared thermometer infrared thermometer
read the thermometer read the thermometer
clinical thermometer clinical thermometer

Common Phrases

the thermometer is rising

the temperature is increasing

outdoor thermometer

a device to measure outside temperature

meat thermometer

a device to check internal food temperature

Often Confused With

thermometer vs thermostat

A thermometer measures temperature, whereas a thermostat is a device that controls or regulates temperature.

📝

Usage Notes

The word is almost always used as a noun. While mercury thermometers were the standard for decades, digital and infrared versions are now more common due to safety concerns regarding mercury.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse the spelling by using 'meter' separately or misspelling the prefix as 'thermo-'. In British English, it is sometimes incorrectly spelled 'thermometre' following the 'metre' pattern, but 'thermometer' is the standard globally.

💡

Memory Tip

Remember 'Thermo' means heat (like a thermos flask) and 'Meter' means measure. A thermometer measures the heat.

📖

Word Origin

From the Greek 'therme' (heat) and 'metron' (measure).

Grammar Patterns

countable noun plural: thermometers
🌍

Cultural Context

In many Western countries, the use of mercury thermometers is being phased out in favor of safer digital alternatives.

Quick Quiz

Please look at the ___ and tell me what the outdoor temperature is.

Correct!

The correct answer is: a

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