WordGarden.iopill
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɪl/
US
- /ˈpɪl/
Meanings
Noun
a small tablet or capsule of medicine swallowed as a dose
the oral contraceptive taken regularly to prevent pregnancy
(informal)a tablet or capsule containing a recreational or controlled drug
Beyond the definition
A pill is usually a small piece of medicine that you swallow. The word can also be used for something unpleasant that is hard to accept, as in "a hard pill to swallow." In casual speech, an annoying person can be called "a pill." It can also mean one of the small fuzzy balls that appear on cloth after use and washing.
The word "pill" most often means a small, solid piece of medicine, a vitamin, or a supplement that is made to be swallowed. You might say, "She takes a vitamin pill every morning," or "The doctor gave him a pill for the pain." Beyond medicine, "pill" is also used in a figurative way for something unpleasant that is hard to accept, especially in the phrase "a hard pill to swallow." For example, losing the job was a hard pill to swallow.
The word also appears in clothing and fabric care. "Pills" are the small fuzzy balls of fiber that can form on sweaters, blankets, and other cloth after rubbing and washing. In older or informal speech, calling someone "a pill" means they are annoying or unpleasant to be around.
So the word can point to something you swallow, something difficult to accept, a small ball of fuzz on fabric, or, informally, a person who is not easy to be around.
Examples
- 1
Taking medicine
She took a pill with a glass of water before breakfast.
- 2
Medical treatment
The doctor gave me some pills for the infection.
- 3
Allergies
I always keep my allergy pills in my bag during spring.
- 4
Sleep aid
He takes a sleeping pill only when he really cannot rest.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Birth control
Many women go on the pill because it is an easy form of birth control.
- Phraseon the pill
using birth control pills
- 6
Difficult truth
Losing the final was a bitter pill to swallow.
- Phrasea bitter pill to swallow
a difficult or unpleasant fact to accept
- 7
Medication misuse
Do not just pop pills every time you get a headache.
- Phrasepop pills
take pills casually or too often
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- pillnounverb
Forms
- pillspluralnounverb
- pilling-ing formverbnoun
- pilledpast tenseverbnoun