Words / A2

TIN/tɪn/

A tin is a metal food container, or the metal: a tin of beans, biscuit tin, tin opener (British). Can is a close cousin (a can of cola). Thin describes width. Tiny means very small. Do not write tin when you mean thin, or ten.

Meaning

A metal container for food, or the metal itself.

Examples

• “We packed a tin of soup for the hostel kitchen.”
• “Pack a tin of tuna if the hostel kitchen is basic.”
• “The biscuits are in a round tin on the shelf.”

Good to know

a tin of beans / biscuit tin (British). Cousin: can. Mix-up: thin, ten.

Near in meaning

can

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