Language Research

stone · noun

/stəʊn/Full view

Word family

Nouns: stone

Adjectives: stoned, stony

Verbs: stone

stone (ROCK)

B1 C or U a hard, natural substance that is found in the ground

Dictionary examples:

a stone wall/floor

a flight of stone steps

They cut enormous blocks of stone out of the hillside.

Some demonstrators were arrested for throwing stones at the police.

Learner example:

There are houses made of stone and wood. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

stone (JEWEL)

B1 a hard, valuable substance that is often used in jewellery

Dictionary example:

precious stones

Learner example:

You know, that gold ring, with a little precious stone in the centre, meant a lot to me, because it belonged to my older sister, Giulia. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

stone (SEED)

C2 C the hard seed that is at the centre of some fruits

Dictionary example:

a cherry stone

a stone's throw

C2 a very short distance

Dictionary example:

The cottage is just a stone's throw from the sea.

Learner example:

I'm now living in Clapham, just a stone's throw away from the common, in an awesome bachelor's pad. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Afrikaans)

leave no stone unturned

C2 to do everything that you can in order to achieve something or to find someone or something

Dictionary example:

Both sides have vowed to leave no stone unturned in the search for peace.

Learner example:

She has left no stone unturned so as to reach her [goal], always asserting her assets and views with conviction. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)