Skip to main content

nettle — a wild plant with leaves that sting and burn the skin when touched

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a wild plant with leaves that sting and burn the skin when touched

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈnetəl/

Example Sentences

  • The politician was clearly nettled by the reporter's persistent questions about his expenses.
  • My grandmother makes surprisingly delicious tea from nettles she picks in her garden.
  • It really nettles me when people chew with their mouth open during important business meetings.

nettle

NOUN

[/ˈnetəl/]

a wild plant with leaves that sting and burn the skin when touched

He brushed against a nettle and instantly regretted his shortcut through the meadow.
💡 Concept

He brushed against a nettle and instantly regretted his shortcut through the meadow.

Touch the nettle, upset the kettle, can't settle!
🎵 Rhyme

Touch the nettle, upset the kettle, can't settle!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈnetəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈnetəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootnettle

Origin

From Old English 'netel,' derived from Proto-Germanic 'netilaz,' likely related to the root meaning 'to twist' or 'to knit,' referring to the plant's fibrous, twisted stems used historically for making textiles.

Breakdown

net- (twist/knit) + -le (diminutive suffix) = nettle (a small twisted/stringy plant)

🎵Rhyme

settle
metal
kettle
petal

🔗Collocations

stinging nettle
nettle rash
be nettled by
grasp the nettle
nettle soup
dead nettle

📝Examples

“The politician was clearly nettled by the reporter's persistent questions about his expenses.”

“My grandmother makes surprisingly delicious tea from nettles she picks in her garden.”

😄 Fun example

“It really nettles me when people chew with their mouth open during important business meetings.”

“The chef's secret ingredient turned out to be young nettle leaves, which explained the unique flavor.”

📚Related Words

Want to master 27,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.