block
block
Pronunciation
block: /blɒk/
/b/ (voiced bilabial plosive)
/l/ (voiced alveolar lateral approximant)
/ɒ/ (open-mid back rounded vowel)
/k/ (voiceless velar plosive)
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: block
Plural Noun: blocks
Present Simple Verb (third person singular): blocks
Present Participle/Gerund: blocking
Past Simple Verb: blocked
Past Participle Verb: blocked
Adjective: block (less common, usually part of a compound noun like "block party")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A solid piece of hard material, typically with flat sides, used for building or other purposes.
Synonyms: brick, slab, chunk, cube
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "void" or "absence" are too broad)
A large, solid piece of something, often with a somewhat irregular shape.
Synonyms: mass, lump, hunk, piece
Antonyms: crumb, particle, speck
A section of a city or town enclosed by streets, or the distance along one side of such a section.
Synonyms: square, district, area, neighborhood
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; concepts like "open space" or "rural area" are too broad)
An obstruction or barrier that prevents movement or progress.
Synonyms: hindrance, impediment, obstacle, barricade
Antonyms: opening, passage, pathway, clearway
Verb
To obstruct or impede the passage, movement, or view of something.
Synonyms: obstruct, impede, hinder, barricade, stop, jam
Antonyms: clear, open, unblock, facilitate, permit
To prevent something from happening or succeeding.
Synonyms: thwart, frustrate, prevent, stop, deter
Antonyms: allow, enable, facilitate, promote
In sports, to intercept or deflect a shot, pass, or opponent.
Synonyms: deflect, intercept, parry, stop
Antonyms: allow, miss (in this specific context)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He tripped on a loose paving block and nearly fell, catching himself just in time." (From a fictional novel, general usage)
"The old house stood on the corner of the block, its windows dark and empty." (From a descriptive passage in a novel, referring to a city section)
"Every attempt to understand the complex algorithm met with a mental block, leaving her frustrated." (From a non-fiction book on cognitive science, referring to an obstruction in thought)
Newspapers:
"Construction on the new office building is expected to block traffic on Main Street for the next two months." (From a local newspaper article, verb meaning to obstruct)
"Police have set up a blockade around the crime scene, restricting public access." (From a national newspaper report, noun meaning an obstruction/barrier)
"The city council voted to approve the redevelopment of the entire downtown block." (From a regional newspaper, noun referring to a city section)
Online Publications:
"How to Block Annoying Pop-Ups on Your Web Browser." (From a tech news website, verb meaning to prevent)
"Researchers discover a new molecular block that could revolutionize drug delivery." (From a scientific journal online, noun referring to a fundamental piece)
"The CEO issued a statement to block out the noise of recent accusations, focusing on the company's future." (From a business news website, verb meaning to ignore/exclude)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Show (Dialogue): "Don't block my shot, I've been waiting for this all game!" (Heard in a sports drama, verb meaning to obstruct a view/action)
Video Game (On-screen text/instruction): "Press X to block incoming attacks." (Instruction in a fighting game, verb meaning to defend)
Movie (Dialogue): "They tried to block our communications, but we found a way through." (Heard in a spy thriller, verb meaning to prevent)
Music (Song Lyrics): "You can't block out the sun, no matter how hard you try." (From a pop song, metaphorical verb meaning to prevent from seeing/experiencing)
Social Media (User post): "Just finished a killer workout, hit a personal best on my deadlift block!" (From an Instagram post, noun referring to a set or period of exercise)
Podcast (Discussion): "Our guest today will discuss how to overcome writer's block and unleash creativity." (Heard on a creative writing podcast, noun referring to a mental obstruction)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you help me move this concrete block? It's too heavy for one person." (Casual conversation, referring to a solid piece of material)
"I live three blocks down from the school." (Giving directions, referring to a city section/distance)
"The company decided to block access to certain websites during work hours." (Workplace discussion, verb meaning to restrict)
"My computer just froze; I think it's got a memory block." (Informal technical discussion, noun referring to a section of memory)
"He put a block on all outgoing calls." (Referring to a restriction on a phone line)
10 Famous Quotes Using Block
"The only way around is through. What you are running from is not a monster. It is a block in the road. You can step over it, but you're still going to be afraid of it. You can try to avoid it, but it will still be there. Just go through it." (Unknown, widely attributed to various self-help contexts)
"Every writer has to find their own way of overcoming writer's block, but for me, it's about not being afraid to write badly." (Neil Gaiman)
"Sculpture is the art of the intelligence. It is a logical, coherent, and pure effort of the will to overcome the inertia of the block." (Constantin Brâncuși)
"If a man dedicates his life to love, he can tear down any block that stands in his way." (Confucius)
"A man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her. But a man who loves is always afraid of the woman he loves, and that fear becomes a block." (Leo Tolstoy)
"We all have a 'creativity block' every now and then, but the important thing is not to let it stop you." (Maya Angelou)
"Don't block the blessings." (Popular saying, often in religious or spiritual contexts)
"Life is like a game of Jenga. One wrong move, and the whole block comes tumbling down." (Unknown, often used metaphorically)
"You can't block out the truth forever." (Common idiom)
"The greatest block to success is the fear of failure." (Unknown, frequently cited in motivational speaking)
Etymology
The word "block" has a pretty solid and old history! It basically comes from the idea of a "thick piece" or "log."
Here's a breakdown:
Ancient Roots: The journey of "block" starts way back in a very old language called Proto-Indo-European. In that language, there was a root word like "bʰelǵ-", which meant something like "thick plank, beam, pile, prop." This gives us the core idea of something substantial and solid.
Germanic Influence: This root then evolved into Proto-Germanic as "blukką", meaning "beam, log." From there, it moved into older Germanic languages like Old Dutch and Old High German, appearing as "blok" or "bloh", still referring to a log or tree trunk.
French Connection: English didn't get "block" directly from those older Germanic languages. Instead, it borrowed the word from Old French, where it was "bloc" (around the 13th century). The French had, in turn, borrowed it from those Germanic sources (like Middle Dutch).
First Known Use and Meaning: The earliest known use of "block" in English is around the early 14th century (specifically, around 1323-1324). At that time, its primary meaning was a "large solid piece of wood," particularly a log or tree stump.
Over time, the meaning expanded from just a piece of wood to any "solid piece" of material (like a block of stone or ice). From there, it branched out to many other uses we know today, like a city block (a compact mass of buildings) or to "block" something (to obstruct it), carrying that original sense of a solid, unmoving object.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Block
Block out: To exclude or ignore something, often light or noise.
Writer's block: A temporary inability to produce written work.
Mental block: A psychological barrier that prevents one from remembering something or understanding something.
Chip off the old block: A son or daughter who is very similar to their father or mother in character or appearance.
Block and tackle: A system of pulleys and ropes used for lifting heavy objects.
On the block: Up for sale or auction.
To block someone's path: To obstruct someone's progress or movement.
To put a block on something: To prevent or stop something from happening or being done.
To knock one's block off: To hit someone very hard, especially on the head (informal, aggressive).
To take a block: To absorb a hit or impact (often in sports).
Block party: A party for all the residents of a single city block, typically held in the street.
The new kid on the block: A newcomer to a particular place or group.
To block a kick/shot: To intercept a ball or object in sports.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of block from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
