Words / B2

AMP/æmp/

An amp is short for ampere, the SI unit of electric current: a 13-amp fuse; current in amps. It is also informal for an amplifier: a guitar amp. Current is the quantity; volt is potential difference; watt is power. Give the current in amps, showing the working. Mix-up: amp vs ampm (time); lamp; do not write amp for voltage unless the source converts with V = IR.

Meaning

Short for ampere, the SI unit of electric current; also informal for an amplifier.

Examples

• “Give the current in amps, showing the working, the physics paper said.”
• “A guitar amp featured in the DT inventory, which is the amplifier sense — still name the wattage if given.”

Good to know

current in amps; a 13-amp fuse; an amp (amplifier, informal). Full form: ampere. Related: volt / watt. Trap: voltage quoted as amps. Physics and DT. An ampere, or an amplifier — quote A or W.

Near in meaning

ampere, ampère, amplifier

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