Language Research

block · noun C

/blɒk/Full view

Word family

Nouns: block, blockage

Verbs: block, unblock

block (BUILDING)

B1 a large building containing many apartments or offices

Dictionary example:

a block of flats

Learner example:

I drove to a block of flats. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

block (DISTANCE)

B1 the distance along a street from where one road crosses it to the place where the next road crosses it, or one part of a street like this, especially in a town or city

Dictionary examples:

The museum is just six blocks away.

My friend and I live on the same block.

Learner example:

I'd have liked to go to the one which is four blocks away but the other guys didn't want to. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

block (PIECE)

B2 a solid piece of hard material, usually in the shape of a square or rectangle

Dictionary example:

a block of ice/stone/wood

Learner example:

It is like an enormous block of stone! (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

block (STOP PROGRESS)

C2 something that makes it difficult to move or make progress

Dictionary examples:

His personality is a major block to reaching an agreement.

Lack of money has been the main stumbling block.

Learner example:

Very often students are asked to present a certain subject, but the main stumbling block is that they are not given the knowledge of how to do it properly. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Czech)

block · verb T

/blɒk/

Word family

Nouns: block, blockage

Verbs: block, unblock

block (PREVENT MOVEMENT)

B2 to prevent movement through something

Dictionary example:

A fallen tree is blocking the road.

Learner example:

It took over three hours because there was a car accident and the street was blocked for two hours. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

block (CANNOT SEE)

C1 to be between someone and the thing they are looking at, so that they cannot see

Dictionary example:

A pillar was blocking my view.

Learner example:

You cannot have a panoramic view [of] the mountains [any more] because buildings block it and [the] people in the nearby village think only of profit. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

block (STOP PROGRESS)

C2 to stop something from happening or making progress

Dictionary example:

The council has blocked plans for a new supermarket.