A staple can be something very important that people use or eat all the time. Think about bread or milk; many families eat these things every day. They are staples.
A staple can also be a small, bent piece of metal. People use it to hold papers together. It looks like a little 'U' shape.
You can also staple papers. This means you use that small metal piece to join them. It's how you keep your papers neat!
A staple can be something very common and important that people use or eat all the time, like bread or milk.
It can also be a small, U-shaped piece of metal that helps you hold papers together.
You can also say you "staple" papers when you use this metal piece to join them.
So, it can be a thing or an action!
As a noun, "staple" refers to a fundamental and indispensable commodity, often a food item, that forms a significant part of a diet or economy. It can also denote a small, bent wire used to bind sheets of paper together, or a similar fastener used in construction or upholstery. As a verb, to "staple" means to fasten something using this type of U-shaped wire. Furthermore, as an adjective, it describes something that is principal, leading, or regularly produced and consumed.
The term "staple" encapsulates a fascinating duality within the English lexicon, functioning substantively as both a fundamental commodity and a mechanical fastener. At its core, it signifies an indispensable item, often a foodstuff like bread or rice, that forms a cornerstone of daily existence and sustenance, reflecting societal reliance on foundational resources. Concurrently, it denotes a ubiquitous stationery item—a U-shaped metal wire—engineered for the pragmatic purpose of binding documents, thereby imposing order on disparate information. This lexical bifurcation extends to its verbal application, wherein "to staple" implies the act of securing with this metallic device. Understanding "staple" thus necessitates an appreciation of its context-dependent semantic range, navigating from existential necessity to mundane organizational tasks, underscoring its versatile utility in both abstract and concrete realms.
- Word
- staple
- Part of Speech
- Noun, Verb, Adjective
- CEFR Level
- B1
- Definition
- A staple is a basic, essential item or food that is consumed or used regularly. It also refers to a small U-shaped metal wire used to fasten papers together or the act of using such a wire.
§ Where you actually hear this word
The word "staple" is quite versatile and you'll encounter it in various contexts, especially in daily conversations, news, and even at work or school. Understanding its different uses will significantly enhance your comprehension.
§ In Daily Life and Food
When referring to food, "staple" describes something that is a fundamental part of a diet. Different cultures have different food staples. For example, rice is a staple food in many Asian countries, while bread or potatoes are staples in many Western diets. You'll hear this on cooking shows, in grocery stores, or when discussing eating habits.
For many families, pasta is a cheap and easy staple food.
Coffee has become a daily staple for many office workers.
§ At Work and School
In an office or school setting, "staple" most commonly refers to the small metal fastener or the act of using it. You'll hear people ask for a "stapler" or tell you to "staple" documents together. It's a very common piece of office stationery.
Please remember to staple all your essays together before handing them in.
Do you have any extra staples for the machine?
Beyond the literal fastener, "staple" can also be used as an adjective to describe something that is a fundamental or main part of a business, industry, or activity. For instance, a particular product might be a "staple" of a company's offerings, meaning it's one of their core and consistently popular items.
Customer service is a staple of their business model.
§ In the News and Media
In news reports, "staple" often refers to a key or essential element of a particular trend, event, or industry. It highlights something that is consistently present and important.
Smartphones have become a staple of modern communication.
The annual music festival is a staple event in the city's calendar.
§ Understanding the Nuances
The key to understanding "staple" is to recognize its core meaning of something essential, fundamental, or regularly used. The context will usually make it clear which specific meaning is intended.
- As a noun (referring to an item): "Bread is a dietary staple." or "I need a new box of staples for my stapler."
- As a verb: "Please staple these papers together."
- As an adjective: "Jeans are a staple clothing item in many wardrobes."
By paying attention to the surrounding words and the overall topic of conversation, you'll easily grasp which meaning of "staple" is being used. It's a common and useful word to have in your vocabulary!
§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives
§ Staple as a Noun
- Essential Item/Food
- When referring to a basic, essential item or food that is consumed or used regularly, 'staple' implies something fundamental and widely relied upon.
Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries.
- Alternatives for Essential Item:
- Basic: This is a very close synonym to 'staple' in this context, often used interchangeably.
Milk and bread are basic necessities.
- Fundamental: Implies something forming a necessary base or core. It can be used for concepts or principles as well as physical items.
Understanding the principles of math is fundamental to advanced studies.
- Mainstay: Suggests something that forms the most important part of something and provides support for it. This often implies a continuous and reliable source.
Agriculture remains the mainstay of the country's economy.
- Linchpin: Refers to a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization. It carries a stronger sense of indispensability, suggesting that without it, the whole system would fail.
The CEO is the linchpin of the entire operation.
- Basic: This is a very close synonym to 'staple' in this context, often used interchangeably.
- Fastening Device
- A small U-shaped metal wire used to fasten papers together.
Could you pass me a staple for these documents?
- Alternatives for Fastening Device:
- Clip: A device used for holding things together. 'Clip' is more general and can refer to various types of fasteners (paper clips, binder clips, hair clips).
I need a clip to hold these papers together temporarily.
- Fastener: A device that closes or secures something. This is a very broad term that includes staples, clips, buttons, zippers, etc.
The luggage uses a strong fastener to keep it secure.
- Clip: A device used for holding things together. 'Clip' is more general and can refer to various types of fasteners (paper clips, binder clips, hair clips).
§ Staple as a Verb
Please staple these reports together.
- Alternatives for Fastening (Verb):
- Fasten: This is a general verb meaning to join or secure something to something else. It can be used for any method of joining.
You should fasten your seatbelt.
- Bind: To tie or fasten tightly. 'Bind' often implies a more secure or permanent joining than 'staple', sometimes using rope, tape, or other materials.
The books are bound with leather.
- Attach: To join or fix one thing to another. 'Attach' is also a general term, similar to 'fasten', but can sometimes imply a less permanent connection.
Please attach the document to the email.
- Fasten: This is a general verb meaning to join or secure something to something else. It can be used for any method of joining.
§ Staple as an Adjective
Wheat is a staple crop in this region.
- Alternatives for Essential/Principal (Adjective):
- Basic: Serving as a starting point or base. Very similar to 'staple' when describing essential items.
These are the basic ingredients for the recipe.
- Key: Extremely important. 'Key' often implies that something unlocks understanding or success.
Communication is a key factor in any relationship.
- Principal: First in order of importance. 'Principal' emphasizes rank or primary significance.
The principal reason for his success is hard work.
- Chief: Most important. Similar to 'principal' but often used for leaders or main components.
The chief goal of the project is to reduce costs.
- Basic: Serving as a starting point or base. Very similar to 'staple' when describing essential items.
수준별 예문
Bread is a staple food for many people.
Many people eat bread often.
Here, 'staple' describes 'food', showing it's very common.
I need a staple for these papers.
I need a small metal thing to hold these papers.
'A staple' here is a noun, meaning the metal fastener.
Please staple these documents together.
Please use the small metal thing to join these papers.
Here, 'staple' is a verb, meaning to fasten with a staple.
Rice is a staple in many Asian countries.
In many Asian countries, people eat rice a lot.
This shows 'rice' as a very important food there.
My office has a lot of staples.
My office has many small metal things for paper.
'Staples' is the plural form of the noun 'staple'.
Milk is a staple in our fridge.
We always have milk in our fridge.
This means milk is a regular and important item for them.
Can you staple these two pages?
Can you put these two pages together with a staple?
Again, 'staple' is used as a verb here.
Water is a staple for all living things.
All living things need water to live.
This emphasizes water's basic and essential role.
Bread is a staple food in many countries.
Brot ist ein Grundnahrungsmittel in vielen Ländern.
Here, 'staple' is used as an adjective modifying 'food'.
Milk is a staple in my refrigerator.
Milch ist ein Grundnahrungsmittel in meinem Kühlschrank.
Here, 'staple' is used as a noun meaning an essential item.
I need to buy some staples for my stapler.
Ich muss ein paar Klammern für meinen Hefter kaufen.
Here, 'staples' is a plural noun referring to the metal fasteners.
Please staple these papers together.
Bitte heften Sie diese Papiere zusammen.
Here, 'staple' is used as a verb meaning to fasten with a staple.
Rice is a staple in Asian cuisine.
Reis ist ein Grundnahrungsmittel in der asiatischen Küche.
Here, 'staple' is used as an adjective modifying 'food' (implied).
Coffee is a morning staple for many people.
Kaffee ist für viele Menschen ein fester Bestandteil des Morgens.
Here, 'staple' is used as a noun referring to a regularly used item.
My mom always keeps a stock of pantry staples.
Meine Mutter hat immer einen Vorrat an Grundnahrungsmitteln im Vorratsschrank.
Here, 'staples' is a plural noun referring to basic food items.
Can you staple this document for me?
Können Sie dieses Dokument für mich heften?
Here, 'staple' is used as a verb meaning to fasten with a staple.
Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries.
Many Asian countries rely on rice as a basic food.
Here, 'staple' acts as an adjective describing the food.
Paper clips and staples are essential office supplies.
You need paper clips and staples for the office.
In this sentence, 'staples' is a plural noun referring to the fasteners.
The store always keeps a good supply of staple groceries like bread and milk.
The store always has basic food items like bread and milk.
Again, 'staple' is an adjective, modifying 'groceries'.
Please staple these documents together before you give them to the manager.
Attach these papers with a staple before giving them to the manager.
Here, 'staple' is a verb, meaning to fasten with a staple.
Coffee has become a staple of my morning routine.
Coffee is a regular and important part of my morning.
'Staple' is a noun, meaning an essential part.
The company's main product is a staple in the construction industry.
The company's main product is a fundamental item in building.
As a noun, 'staple' refers to a fundamental item.
She used a stapler to staple the pages of her report.
She used a tool to attach the pages of her report.
Again, 'staple' is a verb, indicating the action of fastening.
Fresh vegetables are a staple of a healthy diet.
Fresh vegetables are a basic and important part of eating healthily.
In this context, 'staple' is a noun, meaning an essential component.
Rice is a staple food for many cultures around the world.
Rice is a staple food...
Here, 'staple' is used as an adjective modifying 'food'.
She used a staple remover to carefully take apart the stack of documents.
She used a staple remover...
In this sentence, 'staple' functions as a noun, referring to the metal fastener.
The report needs to be stapled together before submission.
The report needs to be stapled...
Here, 'stapled' is the past participle form of the verb 'to staple'.
Coffee has become a staple of my morning routine; I can't start the day without it.
Coffee has become a staple...
This uses 'staple' as a noun, meaning an essential item or component.
Many fashion designers consider the classic white shirt a wardrobe staple.
Many fashion designers consider...a wardrobe staple.
Similar to the previous example, 'staple' is a noun referring to an essential item.
He stapled the flyers to the bulletin board in the community center.
He stapled the flyers...
'Stapled' is the past tense of the verb 'to staple'.
For many years, the factory was the economic staple of the small town.
The factory was the economic staple...
Here, 'staple' is a noun, indicating a primary or essential element of the town's economy.
You should always keep a staple supply of fresh water and non-perishable food items for emergencies.
You should always keep a staple supply...
In this context, 'staple' is an adjective, meaning 'basic' or 'regularly available'.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
a staple of
the staple diet
basic staple
a fashion staple
a household staple
become a staple
remain a staple
an everyday staple
staple product
staple commodities
암기하기
기억법
Imagine a **staple** as something that **STA**ys in one **PLE**ace and is essential, like a foundational item.
시각적 연상
Picture a bright red stapler firmly attaching important documents, or a pantry stocked with staple foods like rice and pasta. You could also visualize a 'staple diet' of your favorite essential foods.
Word Web
챌린지
Try to identify three 'staple' items in your home that you use or consume regularly. Then, try to use the word 'staple' in a sentence referring to a core idea or principle.
셀프 테스트 36 질문
Which of these is a common household staple?
Milk is a basic food item used regularly in many households, making it a staple.
What do you use to fasten papers together?
A staple is a small metal wire used to fasten papers together.
Rice is a ___ food in many countries.
Rice is a basic and essential food item for many people, so it is a staple food.
Bread is a staple food for many people.
Bread is a basic and essential food item that is consumed regularly by many, making it a staple.
You can staple two pieces of paper together with glue.
You use a staple, a small metal wire, to fasten papers together, not glue.
Water is a staple for all living things.
Water is an essential and basic item for all living things to survive, making it a staple.
Write a sentence using 'staple' as a basic food item.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries.
Write a sentence describing using a staple to fasten papers.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Please staple these papers together.
Write a sentence using 'staple' to describe something common in an office.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A stapler is a common staple in an office.
What is a staple food in the passage?
Read this passage:
Bread is a very important food. Many people eat it every day. It is a staple in diets around the world. We can make sandwiches with bread.
What is a staple food in the passage?
The passage states that bread is a staple in diets around the world.
The passage states that bread is a staple in diets around the world.
What will the person use to hold the documents together?
Read this passage:
I have many documents for school. They are all loose. I need to put them together. I will use a small metal thing to hold them. It is called a staple.
What will the person use to hold the documents together?
The passage says, 'I will use a small metal thing to hold them. It is called a staple.'
The passage says, 'I will use a small metal thing to hold them. It is called a staple.'
According to the passage, where is milk a staple?
Read this passage:
Milk is a very common drink. Children often drink it for breakfast. It is a staple in many families' refrigerators. It helps us grow strong.
According to the passage, where is milk a staple?
The passage states, 'It is a staple in many families' refrigerators.'
The passage states, 'It is a staple in many families' refrigerators.'
Write a sentence using 'staple' as a basic food item.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Rice is a staple food in many Asian countries.
Write a sentence describing the action of fastening papers with a staple.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Please staple these documents together before you give them to the teacher.
Imagine you are making a shopping list. Write two items that are considered staples in your home.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
My shopping list includes milk and bread, which are staples in my home.
What does the passage say about bread?
Read this passage:
In many parts of the world, bread is a very important food. People eat it almost every day. It is used in sandwiches and with meals. Because it is eaten so often, bread is a staple food for many families.
What does the passage say about bread?
The passage states, 'Because it is eaten so often, bread is a staple food for many families.'
The passage states, 'Because it is eaten so often, bread is a staple food for many families.'
What did the person use to organize their papers?
Read this passage:
My desk was very messy with many loose papers. I needed to organize them, so I found a small metal tool. I used it to put all the papers together neatly. This small metal tool is called a stapler, and the small U-shaped wire it uses is a staple.
What did the person use to organize their papers?
The passage says, 'I used it to put all the papers together neatly. This small metal tool is called a stapler, and the small U-shaped wire it uses is a staple.'
The passage says, 'I used it to put all the papers together neatly. This small metal tool is called a stapler, and the small U-shaped wire it uses is a staple.'
What does 'staple items' mean in the context of camping?
Read this passage:
When you go camping, it's good to pack some staple items. These are things you will definitely need, like a sleeping bag, a tent, and some simple food like canned beans or rice. Don't forget these essential things!
What does 'staple items' mean in the context of camping?
The passage explains, 'These are things you will definitely need, like a sleeping bag, a tent, and some simple food.'
The passage explains, 'These are things you will definitely need, like a sleeping bag, a tent, and some simple food.'
Think about basic necessities.
Consider the action of joining papers.
What kind of food is consumed regularly?
Read this aloud:
Please describe how a stapler works.
Focus: stapler
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
Name some staple foods in your culture.
Focus: culture
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
How has the cost of staple items affected your daily budget?
Focus: budget
당신의 답변:
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What is considered a fundamental element of the region's economy?
What action did the presenter suggest to connect the concepts?
How is the coffee described in relation to its presence in the household?
Read this aloud:
Despite global variations, rice remains a staple food for a significant portion of the world's population, providing essential sustenance.
Focus: staple
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
The architect's innovative design became a staple feature of the city's modern skyline, recognized universally.
Focus: feature
당신의 답변:
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Read this aloud:
Could you please staple these documents together before I submit them to the department head?
Focus: submit
당신의 답변:
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The newly proposed policy is so fundamental that it will likely become a(n) ______ in the company's operational framework.
In this context, 'staple' refers to a basic or essential element. The other options do not fit the meaning of a fundamental policy.
Despite the advancements in digital communication, a firm handshake remains a ______ of diplomatic encounters, signifying trust and goodwill.
A handshake is a customary and essential part of diplomatic encounters, making 'staple' the correct choice. The other options don't convey this meaning.
The journalist argued that critical independent reporting was once a ______ of a healthy democracy, but is now increasingly under threat.
Independent reporting is a fundamental and essential aspect of a healthy democracy, hence 'staple' is the most appropriate word.
For many years, coffee has been a staple in Colombian agriculture, signifying its significant and fundamental role in the nation's economy.
If coffee is a 'staple' in agriculture, it means it is a principal and essential product, which aligns with its economic importance.
A novelist's unique narrative style is often considered a staple, meaning it's a typical and unremarkable feature.
While a unique narrative style might be characteristic, 'staple' implies a basic or essential element, not something unremarkable. A unique style is usually distinctive.
The use of advanced algorithms has become a staple in modern data analysis, indicating its status as a consistently present and indispensable tool.
If advanced algorithms are a 'staple' in data analysis, it means they are a fundamental and regularly used component, making them indispensable.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
