Explanation at your level:
A ladder is a thing you climb. It has steps. You use it to reach high places. If you want to paint a wall, you use a ladder. It is very useful!
A ladder is a piece of equipment for climbing. It is made of two long sides and many steps. You can lean a ladder against a wall to reach the roof. People also talk about a 'career ladder' to mean getting a better job.
A ladder is a tool consisting of two long lengths of wood or metal joined by rungs. It is essential for tasks like cleaning windows or fixing lights. Metaphorically, we use the word to describe levels of progress or status, such as 'climbing the social ladder'.
Beyond its literal function as a climbing apparatus, 'ladder' is a versatile noun in English. It often appears in business contexts, referring to organizational hierarchies. Understanding the distinction between the physical object and the abstract concept of 'advancement' is key to mastering this word.
The term 'ladder' serves as a potent metaphor in literature and academic discourse. It represents the teleological nature of human ambition—the idea that success is a step-by-step process. Whether discussing the 'ladder of inference' in psychology or the 'corporate ladder' in sociology, the word implies a structured, hierarchical ascent.
Etymologically, 'ladder' connects to the concept of leaning or supporting, reflecting its ancient utility. In high-level discourse, it can represent the structural integrity of social systems or the sequential nature of logical progression. Its usage spans from the mundane reality of manual labor to the complex abstractions of socio-economic mobility, making it a foundational element of the English lexicon.
30초 단어
- A ladder is a tool for climbing.
- It consists of two rails and rungs.
- It is often used as a metaphor for success.
- The word is countable and regular.
Think of a ladder as your personal bridge to the sky! At its most basic level, it is a simple tool made of wood, metal, or fiberglass that helps you get from a low point to a high point. Whether you are painting a ceiling or fixing a roof, you rely on those sturdy rungs to keep you safe.
But wait, there is more! We often use the word in a figurative way. Have you ever heard of a 'career ladder'? This refers to the steps you take to reach the top of your profession. Just like a physical ladder, it represents progress, effort, and moving upward toward a goal.
The word ladder has deep roots in the Germanic language family. It comes from the Old English word hlædder, which is related to the Old High German leitara. Interestingly, these words share a connection with the verb 'to lean' or 'to slope'.
Historically, early ladders were likely just notched logs or simple branches tied together. As civilizations grew, the design became more sophisticated, allowing for portable and foldable versions. It is a classic example of a word that has kept its original meaning for over a thousand years, proving that some inventions are simply perfect the way they are!
In daily life, you will most often hear people talk about climbing a ladder or setting up a ladder. It is a very common object in construction and home repair contexts.
When you move into professional settings, you might hear about the corporate ladder. This is a very common collocation used to describe the path of promotions and success within a company. Whether you are using it literally or metaphorically, the word always implies an upward movement or a series of connected levels.
1. Climb the corporate ladder: To advance in your career. Example: She worked hard to climb the corporate ladder.
2. Kick away the ladder: To remove the means by which you achieved success. Example: After getting the job, he kicked away the ladder for others.
3. Social ladder: The hierarchy of social status. Example: They are trying to climb the social ladder.
4. Get off the ladder: To stop the process of advancement. Example: Sometimes you need to get off the ladder and rest.
5. Ladder of success: The path to achieving one's goals. Example: Education is the first step on the ladder of success.
The word ladder is a regular countable noun, so the plural is simply ladders. You will almost always use it with an article, such as 'a ladder' or 'the ladder'.
Pronunciation-wise, it sounds like LAD-er. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like bladder, adder, and madder. In both British and American English, the 'a' sound is short and crisp.
Fun Fact
The word is related to the verb 'to lean'.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'a' sound, silent 'r' at the end.
Short 'a' sound, rhotic 'r' at the end.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'a' as 'ah'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Pronouncing the 'd' too softly
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Simple to use
Easy to pronounce
Clear sound
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
a ladder, two ladders
Imperative Mood
Climb the ladder!
Transitive Verbs
He climbed the ladder.
Examples by Level
I see a ladder.
I see a tool for climbing.
Use 'a' before singular nouns.
The ladder is tall.
The tool is high.
Adjective follows the verb.
Climb the ladder.
Go up the ladder.
Imperative verb.
He has a ladder.
He owns one.
Subject-verb agreement.
Where is the ladder?
Asking for location.
Question word order.
Get the ladder.
Fetch the ladder.
Direct object.
Put the ladder here.
Place it here.
Imperative.
That is a big ladder.
A large tool.
Demonstrative pronoun.
He leaned the ladder against the tree.
I need a ladder to paint the ceiling.
The ladder is made of aluminum.
She climbed the ladder carefully.
Don't leave the ladder in the rain.
He fell off the ladder.
The ladder has ten rungs.
We bought a folding ladder.
She is trying to climb the corporate ladder.
The ladder slipped on the wet grass.
He is at the bottom of the career ladder.
Always secure the ladder before climbing.
The firefighter climbed the ladder to save the cat.
They used a ladder to reach the high shelf.
The social ladder is hard to climb.
He is a step higher on the ladder of success.
He has been climbing the corporate ladder for years.
The company offers a clear ladder for promotion.
She used a ladder to access the attic.
The ladder of inference helps explain how we make assumptions.
He felt he had reached the top of the ladder.
Safety regulations require a stable ladder.
The ladder of progress is often slow.
She was knocked off the ladder of her ambitions.
The ladder of socioeconomic mobility is becoming harder to access.
He viewed his life as a ladder leading toward enlightenment.
The structural integrity of the ladder was compromised.
She meticulously climbed the ladder of her academic career.
The metaphor of the ladder is central to his theory.
They discussed the ladder of abstraction in linguistics.
His rise up the corporate ladder was swift.
The ladder of success is often slippery.
The ladder of being is a traditional concept in philosophy.
He found himself at the bottom of the ladder, looking up.
The ladder of divine ascent is a classic text.
She rejected the traditional ladder of corporate success.
The ladder, once a symbol of hope, now felt like a trap.
He examined the ladder of values in the organization.
The ladder of opportunity must be open to all.
His career trajectory followed a steep ladder of growth.
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"climb the corporate ladder"
to get promotions
He is climbing the corporate ladder.
neutral"kick away the ladder"
to remove support
Don't kick away the ladder now.
formal"social ladder"
status levels
She is moving up the social ladder.
neutral"bottom of the ladder"
entry-level position
I started at the bottom of the ladder.
neutral"top of the ladder"
highest position
He reached the top of the ladder.
neutral"ladder of success"
the path to achievement
Hard work is the ladder of success.
formalEasily Confused
Both allow climbing.
Stairs are fixed; ladders are portable.
Use stairs for the house; use a ladder for the roof.
Ladders have steps.
Step is a part; ladder is the whole.
Watch your step on the ladder.
Both move you up.
Escalators are moving stairs.
The escalator is in the mall.
Same word, different meaning.
A hole in tights.
I have a ladder in my stockings.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + climbed + the + ladder
He climbed the ladder.
Subject + is + on + the + ladder
She is on the ladder.
Subject + moved + up + the + ladder
He moved up the corporate ladder.
Subject + fell + off + the + ladder
The worker fell off the ladder.
Subject + reached + the + top + of + the + ladder
She reached the top of the ladder.
어휘 가족
Nouns
관련
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
Spelling error, it needs two 'd's.
Climb is transitive here.
Ladder steps are called rungs.
Ladder is not a verb.
Ladders are portable; stairs are fixed.
Tips
The LAD Trick
Remember a LAD climbing.
Business Speak
Use 'corporate ladder' in meetings.
Games
Play Snakes and Ladders.
Countable
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
Rhyme
Rhymes with bladder.
Spelling
Two D's!
History
Means 'to lean'.
Visuals
Draw the object.
Safety
Use 'secure' with ladder.
Stress
Stress the first part.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
LADder: A LAD (boy) climbs the ladder.
Visual Association
A tall metal ladder resting against a blue house.
Word Web
챌린지
Draw a ladder and label the rungs.
어원
Old English
Original meaning: a thing for leaning
문화적 맥락
None
Ladders are common household tools. 'Climbing the ladder' is a very common idiom in American business culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Construction
- secure the ladder
- extend the ladder
- climb safely
Business
- climb the corporate ladder
- entry-level position
- career advancement
Home Repair
- set up the ladder
- reach the ceiling
- paint the walls
Safety
- ladder safety
- don't lean too far
- use a spotter
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever climbed a very tall ladder?"
"Do you think it's hard to climb the corporate ladder?"
"What is the most useful tool in your house?"
"Have you ever played the game Snakes and Ladders?"
"Why is ladder safety important?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you had to climb a ladder.
What does 'climbing the corporate ladder' mean to you?
If you could build a ladder to anywhere, where would it go?
Write about a goal you are working toward, using the ladder metaphor.
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, it is a noun.
L-A-D-D-E-R.
A rung is a step on a ladder.
No, they are different.
It means moving up in a company.
Yes, ladders.
Yes, rope, step, extension.
Old English.
셀프 테스트
I climb the ___ to reach the roof.
A ladder is used for climbing.
What is a 'rung'?
Rungs are the steps of a ladder.
A ladder is a fixed set of stairs.
Ladders are usually portable.
Word
뜻
Matching terms to meanings.
Subject-verb-object order.
점수: /5
Summary
A ladder is a simple tool that helps you reach new heights, both literally and figuratively.
- A ladder is a tool for climbing.
- It consists of two rails and rungs.
- It is often used as a metaphor for success.
- The word is countable and regular.
The LAD Trick
Remember a LAD climbing.
Business Speak
Use 'corporate ladder' in meetings.
Games
Play Snakes and Ladders.
Countable
Always use 'a' or 'the'.
