Words / A2

JAYL/dʒeɪl/

Jail is a place where people are locked up as a punishment: in jail, spend a night in jail, go to jail. Prison is a close cousin, often for a longer sentence. Gaol is an old British spelling you may still see on signs. Do not mix with gale (a strong wind). At A2 you mainly need the noun, not legal detail.

Meaning

A place where people are locked up as a punishment.

Examples

• “He spent one night in jail after the fight.”
• “He was afraid of going to jail after the fight.”
• “The film begins with a man leaving jail.”

Good to know

in jail / go to jail. Cousin: prison. Old spelling: gaol. Mix-up: gale (wind).

Near in meaning

prison

New