Words / B2

POHL/pəʊl/

A poll is an opinion survey, or the vote itself: an opinion poll, a poll of 2,000 adults, go to the polls. Survey is a close twin; election is the real vote; ballot is the paper or the act of voting. Poll is also a verb (a party polled 35%). In speech, survey / the vote is enough. Do not treat a poll as an election result, and do not confuse it with pole (a stick / North Pole) or pool.

Meaning

A survey of people’s opinions; also the process of voting (go to the polls).

Examples

• “A poll of 2,000 adults found support for the ban.”
• “A poll put the two parties within the margin of error.”
• “Voters go to the polls on Thursday, which is the election-day sense.”

Good to know

an opinion poll; go to the polls. Close: survey. Real contest: election. Mix-up: pole / pool. A poll is not a result until people vote.

Near in meaning

survey

New