Words / B1

KOTNB-ud/ˈkɒtn bʌd/

A cotton bud (id: cotton-bud) is a short stick with cotton wool on the ends (UK). US cotton swab / Q-tip (brand). Health advice is not to push one deep into the ear. Collocation: a packet of cotton buds. Countable.

Meaning

A short stick with cotton wool on the ends, used for cleaning (UK; US cotton swab).

Examples

• “Do not push a cotton bud deep into your ear.”
• “Use a cotton bud to clean the tiny gap round the phone camera.”
• “The chemist sells cotton buds next to the plasters.”

Good to know

a cotton bud (UK). US: a cotton swab. Contrast: cotton wool (the soft pad). Do not push into the ear canal.

Near in meaning

cotton swab

New