Words / B2

KOM-it/ˈkɒmɪt/

A comet is a body of ice and dust that orbits the sun and may show a tail: a comet’s orbit; comet tail. Asteroid is rockier; meteor is the streak in the sky. Plot the comet’s orbit in the space topic. Mix-up: comment (already in the dictionary); calmest. Do not write comet for a man-made satellite.

Meaning

A body of ice and dust that orbits the sun and may show a tail.

Examples

• “Plot the comet’s orbit in the space topic, not a brand of cleaner.”
• “A meteor is the streak; the comet is the icy body, which is the astronomy distinction.”

Good to know

a comet; comet tail / orbit. Rockier: asteroid. Streak: meteor. Trap: comment. Physics and geography. An icy sun-orbiting body, not a shooting-star name for the whole class.

New