particle

particle — noun

1. a small word, or a short ending added to a word, used mainly to show grammar rat

1.nounC1
Definition

a small word, or a short ending added to a word, used mainly to show grammar rather than to carry a full meaning by itself.

Example

In Ms Lee's class, 'up' is the particle in 'pick up'.

pattern: verb + particle

Ms Lee underlined the particle in each phrasal verb on the worksheet.

collocation: phrasal verb particle

Common collocations
  • verb + particle
  • negative particle
  • sentence-final particle
  • phrasal verb particle
Synonyms
  • function word

    a broader label that covers more grammar words than particle

  • marker

    a general linguistic term, often used for a word that signals a function

  • grammatical element

    a broad descriptive phrase rather than a precise grammar term

Grammar Patterns

verb + particle

negative particle

separable phrasal verb with a particle

Usage Note

Often used when explaining phrasal verbs or short grammar markers. In English lessons, the particle usually combines with a verb or marks a grammatical relationship.

Common Mistakes

Up' is a preposition in 'Please pick up the box.
Up' is a particle in 'Please pick up the box.
In a phrasal verb, the small word is often analyzed as a particle, not as an ordinary preposition.
Running' is a particle in 'She is running fast.
Running' is a participle, not a particle.
A particle is a small function word or ending, not a verb form.

2. a piece so small that it is hard to see, such as a bit of dust, sand, smoke, or

2.nounC2
Definition

a piece so small that it is hard to see, such as a bit of dust, sand, smoke, or paint.

Example

A bright particle of dust floated through a band of sunlight.

pattern: particle of + dust

The lab coat was covered with black paint particles after class.

collocation: paint particles

Common collocations
  • particle of dust
  • fine particle
  • paint particles
  • airborne particles
  • dust particles
Synonyms
  • speck

    usually stresses how tiny and visible the spot is

  • grain

    often used for small hard pieces such as sand, rice, or salt

  • fragment

    usually suggests a broken piece and is often larger than a particle

  • bit

    a very general everyday word, less precise than particle

Antonyms
  • chunk

    suggests a much larger piece

  • lump

    used for a larger solid mass rather than a tiny speck

Grammar Patterns

particle of + dust/sand/smoke

tiny/fine particle

particles in the air

Usage Note

Often followed by of when you name the material. Common nouns after it include dust, sand, smoke, ash, and paint.

Common Mistakes

There were many particle on the shelf.
There were many particles on the shelf.
Use the plural when you mean several tiny pieces.
A dust was on the desk.
A particle of dust was on the desk.
Dust is usually uncountable, so English often uses 'a particle of dust' for one tiny bit.

3. one of the extremely small units that matter is made of, such as an electron, pr

3.nounC2
Definition

one of the extremely small units that matter is made of, such as an electron, proton, or atom.

Example

The teacher drew a particle moving between the two metal plates.

pattern: particle moving between plates

The lab screen tracks each particle as the beam crosses the tube.

collocation: particle beam

Common collocations
  • subatomic particle
  • charged particle
  • particle beam
  • particle accelerator
Synonyms
  • subatomic particle

    more specific, only for units smaller than an atom

  • atom

    one particular type of particle, not a full synonym for all scientific uses

  • unit

    very broad and much less precise than particle

Grammar Patterns

subatomic particle

charged particle

particle beam

Usage Note

Common in physics and related science writing. Distinguish this sense from sense 2: sense 2 is about tiny visible bits like dust or sand, while this sense is about the units that make up matter.

4. only a very slight amount of something, especially in formal statements.

4.nounC2
Definition

only a very slight amount of something, especially in formal statements.

Example

There wasn't a particle of truth in the rumor about missing money.

pattern: a particle of truth

Theo's note contained not a particle of regret.

Common collocations
  • a particle of truth
  • a particle of evidence
  • not a particle of pity
  • not a particle of doubt
Synonyms
  • trace

    common in formal or scientific contexts for a very small amount

  • bit

    much more everyday and less formal

  • hint

    works mainly for signs or suggestions, not for all nouns

  • touch

    often used for a small amount of a quality, especially in informal speech

Antonyms
  • plenty

    an everyday word for a large amount

  • abundance

    a formal noun for more than enough

Grammar Patterns

a particle of + truth/evidence

not a particle of + noun

Usage Note

Most common in the pattern 'not a particle of + noun', especially with truth, evidence, pity, doubt, or interest. It is much more formal than everyday words like bit or trace.

Common Mistakes

There was not particle of hope left.
There was not a particle of hope left.
This expression normally needs the article 'a'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

For a tiny visible piece, particle is a neutral word that works in everyday language and in science. Speck usually suggests a very small spot that you can just notice, such as dust on glasses or dirt on a shirt. Grain is more specific: it often refers to one small hard piece, especially of sand, rice, salt, or wood. Fragment usually means a broken piece from something larger, so it is often bigger and less fine than a particle. Use particle when size is the main idea and the exact material matters less. Compare: A particle of dust floated in the light. A grain of sand stuck to Emma's wet foot.

particle ↗speckgrain ↗fragment ↗

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Particle came into English through French from Latin particula, meaning 'small part'. That basic idea of a very little part helps explain both the everyday sense of a tiny bit and the scientific sense of a unit of matter. The grammar use developed for small words or endings that mainly show relationships instead of carrying full meaning on their own.