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A2 noun #4,500 most common 16 min read

metre

Q: Is it 'metre' or 'meter'?

Both are correct. 'Metre' is used in British English and most other countries. 'Meter' is the standard spelling in the United States. For example, in London, you write '10 metres,' but in New York, you write '10 meters.'

Q: How long is a metre exactly?

A metre is exactly 100 centimetres. For a quick visual, it is about the distance from the floor to the waist of an average adult, or roughly the length of one very large step.

Q: When do I use 'metres' instead of 'metre'?

Use 'metres' for any number that is not exactly one (e.g., 0.5 metres, 2 metres, 10 metres). Use 'metre' when the number is exactly one (1 metre) or when it's part of an adjective (a 5-metre pole).

Q: What is a square metre?

A square metre (m²) is a unit of area. It is the amount of space inside a square that is one metre long on each side. It is commonly used to measure the size of rooms or gardens.

Q: Is a yard the same as a metre?

No, they are different. A metre is slightly longer than a yard. 1 metre is about 1.09 yards. If you have a yardstick, a metre stick will be about 9 centimetres longer.

Q: What does the 'm' stand for in '100m'?

The 'm' is the official symbol for 'metre' or 'metres.' In the context of a race, '100m' means a race that is 100 metres long.

Q: Can 'metre' mean something other than length?

Yes, in poetry and music, 'metre' refers to the rhythmic pattern of beats or syllables. However, this is a more advanced meaning; in daily life, it almost always refers to length.

Q: How do you pronounce 'metre'?

It is pronounced 'MEE-ter.' The first part sounds like the word 'me,' and the second part sounds like 'ter' in 'water.' The stress is on the first part.

Q: Is 'metre' a countable noun?

Yes, it is countable. You can have one metre, two metres, or many metres. This is why we add an 's' for plural amounts.

Q: Why is the metre important?

It is important because it is part of the International System of Units (SI). This means scientists and businesses all over the world can use the same measurement and understand each other perfectly.

Top 4,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips metre in 30 Seconds

Explanation metre in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'metre' is introduced as a basic unit for measuring how long something is. You learn that it is a common standard used around the world. At this stage, you should know that a 'metre' is about the length of a big step or the height of a kitchen counter. You will use it in very simple sentences like 'The table is one metre' or 'I have a two-metre rope.' You might see it abbreviated as 'm' on signs or in books. The focus is on recognizing the word and understanding that it relates to size and distance. You should also be aware that it is different from 'centimetre,' which is much smaller. A1 learners usually focus on whole numbers of metres and basic objects in their immediate environment, such as furniture or room sizes. It is one of the first technical words you learn because it is so practical for daily life.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'metre' more frequently and with more variety. You learn to describe people's height (e.g., 'He is 1.8 metres tall') and more specific distances (e.g., 'The shop is 500 metres away'). You also start to understand the difference between the British spelling 'metre' and the American spelling 'meter.' A2 learners should be comfortable using 'metres' in the plural and should begin to notice how it is used as an adjective, as in 'a five-metre pool.' You might also encounter 'square metres' when talking about the size of a house or an apartment. At this level, you are expected to use the word in common social situations, like giving directions or shopping for household items. You will also see it used in sports contexts, such as the 100-metre race. The goal is to move beyond simple identification to practical application in everyday conversations and tasks.

At the B1 level, your understanding of 'metre' expands into more technical and professional areas. You use it in contexts like travel, where you might discuss altitudes or depths (e.g., 'The mountain is 3,000 metres high'). You also begin to use it in more complex grammatical structures, such as 'He missed the record by less than a metre.' B1 learners are expected to understand the prefixes better, such as 'millimetre' and 'kilometre,' and how they relate back to the base unit of the metre. You might also encounter the word in news reports about the environment, such as 'sea levels rising by half a metre.' At this stage, you should be able to follow instructions that involve precise measurements in metres and be able to explain measurements to others. You are also more aware of the formal versus informal use of measurements in different English-speaking cultures.

At the B2 level, 'metre' is used with high precision and in diverse academic or vocational contexts. You might use it in a science lab to describe wavelengths or in an engineering firm to discuss blueprints. You are comfortable with the abstract applications of the word, such as 'poetic metre,' and can distinguish between the different meanings based on context. B2 learners can engage in detailed discussions about the metric system versus the imperial system, explaining the advantages of using metres for international standardization. You also handle complex measurements like 'cubic metres per second' when discussing flow rates or other scientific data. Your spelling and grammar regarding the word are consistently correct, including the nuances of compound adjectives and regional variations. You can read and write technical reports where the metre is the primary unit of analysis.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native command of the word 'metre' and all its derivatives. You understand the historical and scientific evolution of the unit, from its origins in the French Revolution to its modern definition based on the speed of light. You use the word fluently in sophisticated contexts, including literature, where you can analyze the 'metre' of a poem with nuance. In professional settings, you might lead projects where measurements in metres are critical, such as in architecture, international shipping, or environmental policy. You are also aware of the cultural and political implications of the 'metrication' process in different countries. Your use of the word is precise, and you can easily switch between different units of measurement depending on your audience, while always maintaining the 'metre' as your logical base.

At the C2 level, 'metre' is a word you use with total mastery, often in highly specialized or creative ways. You might use it in philosophical discussions about the nature of measurement and the human attempt to quantify the universe. You are fully comfortable with extremely large or small scales, such as 'megametres' or 'picometres,' and understand their relationship to the base metre. In literature, you can write or critique complex verse forms, demonstrating a deep understanding of rhythmic 'metre.' You can also navigate the most technical scientific papers where the metre is used in multi-variable equations. For a C2 speaker, the word 'metre' is not just a unit of length; it is a fundamental concept that integrates mathematics, science, history, and art. You use it with a level of precision and cultural awareness that mirrors that of a highly educated native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

metre in 30 Seconds

The metre is the global standard unit for measuring length and distance in the metric system, essential for science, trade, and daily life.
Commonly abbreviated as 'm', one metre is equal to 100 centimetres and is slightly longer than a yard (about 39 inches).
In British English, 'metre' refers to the unit of length, while 'meter' often refers to a measuring device like a gas meter.
Used in various contexts from sports (100m sprint) to construction, it provides a logical and consistent way to describe the physical world.

The term metre (spelled 'meter' in American English) represents the fundamental unit of length in the International System of Units (SI). At its core, a metre is roughly equivalent to 3.28 feet or 39.37 inches. In everyday life, people use this word when they need to describe the size of an object, the height of a person, or the distance between two points that are relatively close together. For instance, if you are buying fabric to make curtains, you will measure the material in metres. If you are describing the height of a doorway, you might say it is two metres tall. The metre is a universal language of measurement used in almost every country in the world, making it an essential vocabulary word for international communication, science, and trade.

Physical Scale: A metre is approximately the distance from the floor to the waist of an average adult, or the width of a large doorway. It provides a human-scale reference point for the physical world.

In technical terms, the definition of a metre has evolved over centuries. Originally, it was intended to be one ten-millionth of the distance from the Earth's equator to the North Pole. However, in modern physics, it is defined with extreme precision as the distance traveled by light in a vacuum during a specific fraction of a second (1/299,792,458). This ensures that a metre is the same everywhere in the universe, which is vital for scientific research and high-tech manufacturing. When you use the word 'metre,' you are participating in a global standard that allows an engineer in Tokyo to design a part that fits perfectly into a machine built in Berlin.

The fabric store clerk measured out exactly one metre of silk for the scarf.

Beyond simple length, the metre serves as the 'parent' unit for many other measurements. By adding prefixes, we create units for different scales. A 'centimetre' is one-hundredth of a metre, used for small things like a pencil. A 'kilometre' is one thousand metres, used for long distances between cities. Even 'square metres' and 'cubic metres' are derived from this single unit to measure area and volume. Therefore, understanding the 'metre' is the key to unlocking the entire metric system. It is used by architects to draw blueprints, by athletes to run races (like the 100-metre dash), and by children in school learning about the world around them.

Scientific Precision: Scientists use the metre to calculate everything from the wavelength of light to the dimensions of subatomic particles using decimal subdivisions.

The depth of the swimming pool is three metres at the deepest end.

The cultural significance of the metre cannot be overstated. It represents the Enlightenment-era goal of creating 'measures for all people, for all time.' Before the metre, every region had its own 'foot' or 'ell,' which made trade confusing and unfair. The adoption of the metre was a move toward global unity and logical consistency. Today, when you see a sign that says 'Exit 500m,' you are seeing the result of centuries of cooperation. Whether you are measuring the height of a mountain or the width of a room, the metre is the reliable, unchanging tool that helps us navigate our environment with confidence and clarity.

You need to stand at least one metre away from the yellow line for safety.

Athletic Context: The 100-metre sprint is often considered the ultimate test of human speed in the Olympic Games.

The world record for the 100 metre sprint is incredibly fast.

The bookshelf is exactly one metre wide, so it should fit in this corner.

Using the word metre correctly involves understanding its role as a countable noun and its relationship with numbers. In most sentences, 'metre' follows a specific number to indicate length or distance. For example, 'The table is two metres long.' Note that when the number is greater than one, we add an 's' to make it plural: 'metres.' However, there is a special grammatical rule when the measurement acts as an adjective before another noun. In the phrase 'a ten-metre pool,' we do not use the plural 's' because 'ten-metre' is acting as a compound adjective describing the pool. This is a common point of confusion for learners, so paying attention to the position of the word in the sentence is vital for accuracy.

Pluralization: Use 'metres' for quantities: 'It is five metres.' Use 'metre' for adjectives: 'A five-metre rope.'

Another important aspect of using 'metre' is knowing which verbs and adjectives commonly accompany it. We often use verbs like 'measure,' 'span,' 'extend,' and 'reach' in conjunction with metres. For instance, 'The bridge spans fifty metres across the river.' Adjectives that describe dimensions, such as 'long,' 'wide,' 'high,' 'tall,' 'deep,' and 'thick,' usually follow the unit. You would say, 'The wall is three metres high,' rather than just 'The wall is three metres.' This clarifies which dimension you are referring to. In scientific or technical writing, you might see 'metre' used with more precise verbs like 'calibrate' or 'quantify,' emphasizing the accuracy of the measurement being discussed.

The divers descended to a depth of thirty metres below the surface.

In conversational English, we often abbreviate 'metre' to 'm' in writing, but we always say the full word when speaking. If you see '10m' on a sign, you should read it aloud as 'ten metres.' Additionally, when talking about speed, we use 'metres per second' (m/s). For example, 'The wind was blowing at ten metres per second.' This is a standard way to express velocity in physics and meteorology. When describing area, we use 'square metres' (m²), as in 'The apartment is sixty square metres.' For volume, we use 'cubic metres' (m³). These variations allow the word 'metre' to be adapted for different mathematical and physical contexts, making it a highly versatile tool in your vocabulary.

Prepositional Use: We often use 'by' to show dimensions: 'The room is four metres by five metres.'

The athlete missed the world record by only a few millimetres.

Finally, 'metre' can also be used in more abstract or figurative ways, though this is less common at the A2 level. In poetry and music, 'metre' refers to the rhythmic structure of a verse or a piece of music (the beat). While the spelling is the same, the meaning is quite different. For a basic learner, it is best to focus on the physical measurement first. However, being aware that the word can appear in a literature class as well as a math class will help you understand the word's full range. Whether you are following a recipe that asks for a 'square metre' of parchment paper or following directions to walk 'one hundred metres' down the road, the word functions as a precise anchor for distance and size.

Please ensure the fence is at least two metres away from the property line.

Comparison: 'A metre' is slightly longer than 'a yard'. This is a helpful comparison for those familiar with imperial units.

He won the race by a full metre, leaving the others far behind.

The snake was nearly two metres long, which was quite terrifying.

You will encounter the word metre in a vast array of real-world scenarios, particularly in countries that use the metric system (which is almost every country except the United States, Liberia, and Myanmar). One of the most common places is in sports. If you watch the Olympics or any international track and field event, the commentators will constantly talk about 'metres.' They discuss the '100-metre dash,' the '400-metre hurdles,' and the 'long jump' measured in metres and centimetres. In the swimming pool, races are held in 50-metre or 25-metre lanes. In these contexts, the 'metre' is the ultimate decider of victory, where a fraction of a metre can mean the difference between a gold medal and no medal at all.

Travel and Navigation: Road signs often indicate distances in metres when an exit or a hazard is close by, such as 'Roadworks in 200m'.

Another frequent setting is in construction and DIY. If you visit a hardware store in Europe, Australia, or Canada, you will hear customers asking for 'three metres of timber' or 'ten metres of electrical cable.' Architects and builders use metres as their primary unit for blueprints. When you are renting or buying a home, the size of the rooms and the total property area will be listed in 'square metres.' Hearing someone say, 'The living room is twenty square metres,' helps you visualize the space. In these practical situations, the 'metre' is a tool for planning and physical creation, ensuring that furniture fits and buildings are structurally sound.

The GPS announced, 'In two hundred metres, turn left onto Main Street.'

In the world of science and education, the 'metre' is the language of instruction. From primary school through university, students use 'metre sticks' (long wooden or plastic rulers) to measure objects in the classroom. In science documentaries or news reports about space, you might hear about 'metres' when discussing the size of a meteorite or the height of a telescope. Even in healthcare, while height is sometimes still discussed in feet and inches informally, medical records and scientific studies almost exclusively use metres and centimetres for height measurements to maintain international standards. This prevalence makes 'metre' one of the most 'heard' units of measurement globally.

Retail and Fashion: Fabric stores sell cloth by the metre, and tailors use centimetre tapes based on the metre standard.

The news reported that the floodwaters rose by one metre in just two hours.

Finally, you will hear 'metre' in the context of safety and regulations. Social distancing guidelines often specify a distance, such as 'stay two metres apart.' Swimming pools have 'depth markers' in metres to warn swimmers of deep water. Industrial safety rules might state that a worker must be 'ten metres away' from heavy machinery while it is in operation. In these cases, understanding the word 'metre' is not just about vocabulary; it is about safety and following rules. Because it is a standardized unit, it provides a clear, unambiguous instruction that everyone can follow, regardless of their background. Whether on a sign, in a broadcast, or in a casual conversation about the size of a new TV, the 'metre' is everywhere.

The park regulations require all dogs to be on a lead no longer than two metres.

Aviation and Marine: While altitude is often in feet, many international maritime charts and some aviation systems use metres for depth and height.

The cargo container was exactly twelve metres long, fitting perfectly on the truck.

The mountain peak is 4,000 metres above sea level, making the air very thin.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with the word metre is related to its spelling. There are two correct spellings, but they are used in different regions. 'Metre' is the British, Australian, Canadian, and international standard spelling for the unit of length. 'Meter' is the American English spelling for the same unit. However, in British English, 'meter' also exists but has a different meaning: it refers to a measuring instrument, like a gas meter, a water meter, or a thermometer. To avoid confusion, remember: if you are measuring length in London, use 'metre.' If you are measuring length in New York, use 'meter.' If you are checking how much electricity you used in London, use 'meter' for the device and 'kilowatt-hours' for the unit!

Spelling Confusion: Metre = Length (UK). Meter = Length (US). Meter = Device (UK/US).

Another common error involves the pluralization of the word in compound adjectives. As mentioned before, many learners say 'a five-metres rope' because they think the 's' is always required for numbers greater than one. This is incorrect. When the measurement is used as an adjective before a noun, it should be singular: 'a five-metre rope.' Think of it as a single descriptive unit. If you say 'the rope is five metres long,' then the plural 'metres' is correct because it is the object of the sentence. Mastering this distinction will make your English sound much more natural and professional, especially in technical or business contexts.

Incorrect: We bought a ten-metres ladder. Correct: We bought a ten-metre ladder.

Learners also sometimes confuse 'metre' with other metric units like 'centimetre' or 'kilometre.' While they are related, they represent vastly different scales. A common mistake is to say something is 'one metre' when it is actually 'one centimetre,' which is 100 times smaller. It is helpful to visualize a 'metre stick' to keep the scale in mind. Furthermore, some people confuse 'metre' with the imperial 'yard.' While they are close in length (1 metre is about 1.09 yards), they are not identical. In high-precision tasks like construction or science, using one when you mean the other can lead to significant errors. Always double-check which system you are using.

Pronunciation Pitfall: The 're' in 'metre' is pronounced like 'er'. It does not rhyme with 'tree'.

The distance is exactly one metre, not one 'meter' (if writing in the UK).

A final mistake to watch out for is the use of 'metre' when you should use 'square metre' or 'cubic metre.' If you are talking about the area of a floor, saying 'the room is twenty metres' is confusing because it sounds like you are talking about the length of one side. You must say 'twenty square metres.' Similarly, for the volume of a tank, use 'cubic metres.' This precision is vital in real estate, engineering, and shipping. By being careful with these distinctions, you ensure that your measurements are accurate and that your communication is clear to everyone involved.

The carpet was sold by the square metre, not by the linear metre.

Abbreviation Error: The abbreviation 'm' does not take an 's'. Write '50 m', not '50 ms' (which means milliseconds).

The pool is fifty metres long, which is the Olympic standard.

He stands 1.8 metres tall, making him the tallest in the class.

When discussing length, several words are closely related to metre, and understanding their relationships is key to building a strong vocabulary. Within the metric system itself, the most common alternatives are centimetre (cm), millimetre (mm), and kilometre (km). A centimetre is exactly 1/100th of a metre, used for everyday objects like books or mobile phones. A millimetre is 1/1000th of a metre, used for very small items like the thickness of a credit card. A kilometre is 1000 metres, used for distances between towns or for measuring the length of a long hike. Choosing the right unit makes your description more precise and easier for others to understand.

Metric Scale: Millimetre (tiny) < Centimetre (small) < Metre (standard) < Kilometre (large).

Outside of the metric system, the most direct equivalent to the metre is the yard. Used primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom (for certain contexts), a yard is slightly shorter than a metre (0.9144 metres). If you are in the US, you might hear people use feet and inches instead of metres. There are 12 inches in a foot, and 3 feet in a yard. While metres are standard in science and international contexts, these imperial units are still common in American daily life. If you are translating from an American context, remember that a metre is just a little bit longer than a yard, which can help you estimate sizes quickly.

While the US uses yards, the rest of the world measures track events in metres.

Another set of related words involves the concept of measurement itself. Words like length, distance, dimension, and extent are nouns that describe what the metre is measuring. For example, 'The length of the table is two metres.' Here, 'length' is the quality being measured, and 'metre' is the unit used to quantify it. You might also hear the word span, which refers to the distance from one side to the other, such as the 'span of a bridge' or the 'wingspan of a bird.' These words provide context for why you are using the unit 'metre' in the first place, helping you build more complex and descriptive sentences.

Poetic Metre: In literature, 'metre' refers to the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry.

Shakespeare often wrote in iambic pentametre, a specific rhythmic structure.

In more specialized fields, you might encounter words like gauge or caliber. A 'gauge' is a standard measure of thickness (often for wire or metal), while 'caliber' refers to the internal diameter of a tube or gun barrel. While these are not synonyms for 'metre,' they are units of measurement that often use the metric system (e.g., a 9mm caliber). Finally, don't forget the word unit itself. The 'metre' is a 'unit of measurement.' By knowing these related terms, you can better categorize 'metre' in your mind and use it more effectively in various discussions, whether you're talking about the size of a room, the distance of a race, or the rhythm of a poem.

The metre is the base unit from which the litre and kilogram were originally derived.

Precision Alternatives: Micrometre (μm) and Nanometre (nm) are used in biology and technology for microscopic scales.

The virus is only a few nanometres in size, invisible to the naked eye.

Whether you use metres or yards, the goal is always to achieve an accurate measurement.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The original 'standard metre' was a physical bar made of platinum and iridium, kept in a vault in France. It was the official definition of a metre for many years until scientists switched to using the speed of light for better accuracy.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈmiː.tər/

US /ˈmiː.t̬ɚ/

The stress is on the first syllable: MEE-tre.

Rhymes With

heater beater seater skeeter peter teeter cheater greeter

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'me-tree'. It should end with an 'er' sound.
Confusing it with 'matter'.
Making the 't' sound too much like an 's'.
Shortening the 'ee' sound to a short 'i'.
Over-emphasizing the second syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The word is short and common in most languages, making it easy to recognize.

Writing 3/5

The 're' ending in British English can be tricky for those used to American English.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once the 'er' sound at the end is mastered.

Listening 2/5

Easily understood in context, especially when following a number.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

long big number measure unit

Learn Next

centimetre kilometre area volume distance

Advanced

wavelength geodesy pentametre standardization calibration

Grammar to Know

Pluralization of units

One metre, two metres.

Compound adjectives with measurements

A ten-metre rope (no 's').

Decimals with units

1.5 metres (usually plural).

Using 'by' for dimensions

A room 4m by 5m.

Hyphenation in compound modifiers

A 50-metre swimming pool.

Examples by Level

The table is one metre long.

La table mesure un mètre de long.

Use 'one' with the singular 'metre'.

I have a two-metre rope.

J'ai une corde de deux mètres.

Note the hyphen in 'two-metre' when used as an adjective.

He is one metre tall.

Il mesure un mètre.

Used to describe height.

The box is one metre wide.

La boîte fait un mètre de large.

Adjective 'wide' follows the measurement.

Walk one metre forward.

Avancez d'un mètre.

Imperative sentence using distance.

The window is one metre high.

La fenêtre mesure un mètre de haut.

Describing vertical dimension.

Is it one metre?

Est-ce que ça fait un mètre ?

Simple question structure.

This is a one-metre stick.

C'est une règle d'un mètre.

Compound adjective usage.

The swimming pool is 25 metres long.

La piscine mesure 25 mètres de long.

Plural 'metres' for numbers over one.

She is 1.7 metres tall.

Elle mesure 1,70 m.

Decimal numbers use the plural 'metres'.

The car is four metres long.

La voiture mesure quatre mètres de long.

Standard length description.

The shop is 200 metres from here.

Le magasin est à 200 mètres d'ici.

Describing distance from a point.

We need five metres of fabric.

Nous avons besoin de cinq mètres de tissu.

Using 'of' to specify the material.

The wall is three metres high.

Le mur mesure trois mètres de haut.

Describing height of an object.

The room is four metres by five metres.

La pièce fait quatre mètres sur cinq.

Using 'by' for two dimensions.

Please stay one metre apart.

S'il vous plaît, restez à un mètre de distance.

Instruction for social distancing.

The bridge spans over fifty metres.

Le pont s'étend sur plus de cinquante mètres.

Verb 'span' used with measurement.

The water is ten metres deep here.

L'eau a dix mètres de profondeur ici.

Describing depth.

The athlete ran the 100-metre race in ten seconds.

L'athlète a couru le 100 mètres en dix secondes.

Compound adjective '100-metre'.

The apartment is 60 square metres.

L'appartement fait 60 mètres carrés.

'Square metres' for area.

The tree grew by one metre this year.

L'arbre a poussé d'un mètre cette année.

Using 'by' to show change.

He missed the target by only a few centimetres, not even a metre.

Il a raté la cible de quelques centimètres seulement, même pas un mètre.

Comparison between units.

The fence must be at least two metres high.

La clôture doit mesurer au moins deux mètres de haut.

Using 'at least' for requirements.

The cable extends for several metres underground.

Le câble s'étend sur plusieurs mètres sous terre.

Describing hidden length.

The precision of the instrument is within a millimetre of a metre.

La précision de l'instrument est à un millimètre près d'un mètre.

Technical comparison of units.

The project requires 500 cubic metres of concrete.

Le projet nécessite 500 mètres cubes de béton.

'Cubic metres' for volume.

The sea level is predicted to rise by half a metre by 2050.

Le niveau de la mer devrait monter d'un demi-mètre d'ici 2050.

Using 'half a metre' for fractions.

The runway is three thousand metres long to accommodate large jets.

La piste mesure trois mille mètres de long pour accueillir de gros jets.

Large numbers with 'metres'.

The poet used a very strict iambic metre in this sonnet.

Le poète a utilisé un mètre iambique très strict dans ce sonnet.

Referencing rhythmic metre.

The fabric is sold by the linear metre.

Le tissu est vendu au mètre linéaire.

Using 'linear' to specify measurement type.

The satellite orbits at an altitude of several hundred thousand metres.

Le satellite orbite à une altitude de plusieurs centaines de milliers de mètres.

Using metres for scientific altitude.

The error was significant, amounting to nearly a full metre.

L'erreur était importante, s'élevant à près d'un mètre complet.

Describing the scale of an error.

The architectural plans specify the height of the atrium to the nearest centimetre of the fourth metre.

Les plans architecturaux précisent la hauteur de l'atrium au centimètre près du quatrième mètre.

High precision measurement description.

The sheer scale of the dam, standing at 200 metres, is breathtaking.

L'échelle pure du barrage, s'élevant à 200 mètres, est époustouflante.

Using 'standing at' for height.

One must adhere to the metre of the original text to maintain its lyrical quality.

Il faut respecter le mètre du texte original pour conserver sa qualité lyrique.

Abstract literary use.

The geological survey mapped the fault line for several thousand metres.

L'étude géologique a cartographié la ligne de faille sur plusieurs milliers de mètres.

Professional scientific context.

The cost is calculated per square metre of the usable floor area.

Le coût est calculé par mètre carré de la surface de plancher utilisable.

Real estate and financial context.

The device measures the wavelength of light in billionths of a metre.

L'appareil mesure la longueur d'onde de la lumière en milliardièmes de mètre.

Extreme scientific precision.

The boundary was shifted by a mere half-metre, causing a legal dispute.

La limite a été déplacée d'un demi-mètre à peine, provoquant un litige juridique.

Using 'a mere' to emphasize smallness.

The tunnel stretches for ten thousand metres through the heart of the mountain.

Le tunnel s'étend sur dix mille mètres au cœur de la montagne.

Describing immense infrastructure.

The metre, as a construct, revolutionized the way humanity interacts with the physical world.

Le mètre, en tant que construction, a révolutionné la façon dont l'humanité interagit avec le monde physique.

Philosophical discussion of the unit.

The intricate interplay between the poem's metre and its thematic content creates a haunting effect.

L'interaction complexe entre le mètre du poème et son contenu thématique crée un effet obsédant.

Advanced literary analysis.

In the realm of quantum mechanics, a metre is a vast, almost incomprehensible distance.

Dans le domaine de la mécanique quantique, un mètre est une distance vaste, presque incompréhensible.

Scientific scale comparison.

The standard metre bar in Paris served as the ultimate reference for over a century.

La barre de mètre étalon à Paris a servi de référence ultime pendant plus d'un siècle.

Historical reference.

The variation in the gravitational field was measured in fractions of a micrometre per metre.

La variation du champ gravitationnel a été mesurée en fractions de micromètre par mètre.

Highly technical ratio.

The artist explored the concept of the metre by painting a line exactly one thousand millimetres long.

L'artiste a exploré le concept du mètre en peignant une ligne de mille millimètres exactement.

Conceptual artistic use.

The legal definition of the property line was contested down to the last millimetre of the final metre.

La définition légale de la limite de propriété a été contestée jusqu'au dernier millimètre du dernier mètre.

Emphatic use for precision.

The fundamental constant of light's speed now anchors the definition of the metre.

La constante fondamentale de la vitesse de la lumière ancre désormais la définition du mètre.

Scientific foundational statement.

Common Collocations

square metre

cubic metre

linear metre

one metre apart

per metre

hundred metres

nearest metre

metre stick

half a metre

million metres

Common Phrases

within a metre

— Very close to a specific point or object.

The ball landed within a metre of the hole.

every metre counts

— Used to say that even small distances are important.

In a marathon, every metre counts toward your final time.

a few metres

— A small, non-specific number of metres.

The car stopped just a few metres from the wall.

square metre of

— Used to describe the area of a specific material.

We need another square metre of tiles for the bathroom.

measured in metres

— Specifying the unit of measurement being used.

The depth of the lake is measured in metres.

ten metres away

— Describing the distance to an object.

He was standing ten metres away from me.

for every metre

— Showing a ratio or consistent change.

The path rises one centimetre for every metre of length.

by the metre

— Referring to how an item is sold or calculated.

This beautiful lace is sold by the metre.

a metre or so

— Approximately one metre.

The water was a metre or so deep.

half-metre mark

— The point representing 0.5 metres on a scale.

The water reached the half-metre mark on the wall.

Often Confused With

metre vs meter

In British English, a meter is a device (like a gas meter). In American English, it's also the unit of length.

metre vs yard

A yard is slightly shorter than a metre (0.914m).

metre vs matter

A completely different word meaning physical substance or a problem.

Idioms & Expressions

"not give a metre"

— To refuse to change one's position or to yield even a little bit.

In the negotiations, they would not give a metre on the price.

Informal/Figurative

"every metre of the way"

— Throughout the entire distance or process.

She supported him every metre of the way during his recovery.

Neutral

"gain a metre"

— To make a small amount of progress.

The army struggled to gain even a metre of ground.

Neutral/Military

"by the metre"

— In large quantities (often used for fabric or rope).

They bought the ribbon by the metre for the wedding.

Neutral

"within a metre of one's life"

— A variation of 'within an inch of one's life', meaning very close to dying.

The accident brought him within a metre of his life.

Informal/Rare

"measure someone's metre"

— To judge someone's character or ability (rare, usually 'measure of a man').

The coach was trying to measure the new player's metre.

Literary

"beat the metre"

— In the context of a parking meter, to leave before the time expires.

We managed to beat the metre and didn't get a ticket.

Informal (Uses 'meter' spelling)

"keep a metre's distance"

— To stay away from someone, literally or figuratively.

You should keep a metre's distance from the edge of the cliff.

Neutral

"metre by metre"

— Slowly and steadily over a distance.

They cleared the path metre by metre.

Neutral

"miss by a metre"

— To fail to achieve something by a significant but measurable amount.

He missed the goal by a metre.

Neutral

Easily Confused

metre vs Centimetre

Both are metric units of length.

A centimetre is 100 times smaller than a metre.

A pencil is 15 centimetres, but a door is 2 metres.

metre vs Kilometre

Both are metric units of length.

A kilometre is 1000 times larger than a metre.

You walk metres in a room, but kilometres between cities.

metre vs Mile

Both measure distance.

A mile is much longer (about 1609 metres) and is an imperial unit.

The race was 5 kilometres, which is about 3.1 miles.

metre vs Foot

Both measure length.

A foot is much shorter; there are about 3.28 feet in a metre.

He is 6 feet tall, which is about 1.83 metres.

metre vs Liter

Both are metric units.

A metre measures length; a liter measures volume (liquids).

Buy a metre of rope and a liter of milk.

Sentence Patterns

The [object] is [number] metre(s) long.

The bed is two metres long.

I am [number] metres tall.

I am 1.8 metres tall.

The [place] is [number] square metres.

The garden is 100 square metres.

It is a [number]-metre [noun].

It is a ten-metre ladder.

The [noun] spans [number] metres.

The bridge spans 500 metres.

To the nearest [unit] of the [number] metre.

To the nearest centimetre of the third metre.

It is [number] metres away.

The park is 300 metres away.

The water is [number] metres deep.

The water is 4 metres deep.

Word Family

Nouns

metre

metric

metrication

centimetre

kilometre

millimetre

micrometre

nanometre

Verbs

metricate

measure

Adjectives

metric

metrical

measured

distance

length

dimension

scale

rhythm

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in all metric-using countries.

Common Mistakes

a five-metres wall → a five-metre wall
When a measurement acts as an adjective before a noun, it should be singular.
The table is 2 meter long. → The table is 2 metres long.
In British English, use 'metres' for plural length. Also, plural numbers need the 's'.
I am 180 metres tall. → I am 1.8 metres tall (or 180 centimetres).
Confusing metres with centimetres makes you sound like a giant!
The pool is 50 m.s long. → The pool is 50 m long.
The abbreviation 'm' does not take an 's' even if the quantity is plural.
The room is 20 metres. → The room is 20 square metres.
For area, you must specify 'square' metres, otherwise it sounds like a single line.

Tips

Estimating a Metre

If you don't have a ruler, remember that a metre is roughly the distance from your nose to the tip of your fingers when your arm is stretched out to the side.

The Adjective Rule

Never add an 's' to 'metre' when it comes before a noun. Say 'a ten-metre pool,' not 'a ten-metres pool.' This is a very common mistake for learners.

Regional Differences

If you are taking an exam like IELTS or Cambridge (British), use 'metre.' If you are taking the TOEFL (American), use 'meter.' Consistency is key!

Reading Symbols

When you see 'm' in a sentence, always say the full word 'metre' or 'metres.' Do not just say the letter 'm' unless you are specifically talking about the symbol.

Learn the Family

To master the word, learn its siblings: centimetre (small), millimetre (tiny), and kilometre (large). They all share the same 'metre' root.

Check the Unit

When traveling, always check if distance is in metres or feet. A '10-metre' dive is much higher than a '10-foot' dive!

Use Abbreviations Correctly

The abbreviation 'm' should have a space after the number: '10 m', not '10m'. However, in informal writing, people often omit the space.

Square vs. Linear

Remember that 'metres' measures a line, but 'square metres' measures a flat area. Using the wrong one can lead to buying too much or too little carpet!

Global Standard

The metre is used in almost every country. Learning it helps you communicate in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.

The Giant Step

Whenever you hear 'metre,' imagine a giant taking one big step. This helps you instantly visualize the distance.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'ME-TRE' as a 'ME-TALL' ruler. It's about as tall as a kitchen counter!

Visual Association

Imagine a giant 'M' standing on the ground. The height of that 'M' is exactly one metre.

Word Web

Centimetre Kilometre Length Distance Height Metric System Ruler Measure

Challenge

Go around your room and find three things that are about one metre long. Write them down in a sentence.

Word Origin

The word 'metre' comes from the French word 'mètre,' which was introduced in 1791 during the French Revolution. It was derived from the Greek word 'metron,' meaning 'a measure.' This Greek root is also found in words like 'geometry' (measuring the earth) and 'symmetry.'

Original meaning: A standard of measurement.

Indo-European (via Greek and French)

Cultural Context

No major sensitivities, but be aware that some older people in the UK/US might find metric units confusing compared to feet/inches.

The UK uses a mix of metric and imperial, but the US is almost entirely imperial for daily use. Australia and Canada are mostly metric.

The 100-metre sprint in the Olympics. The 'Metre des Archives' in Paris. Iambic pentametre in Shakespeare's plays.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Buying Fabric

How much per metre?
I need three metres.
Is this sold by the metre?
Can I have half a metre?

Sports

The 100-metre dash.
He jumped five metres.
The pool is 50 metres.
A few metres from the finish.

Giving Directions

Walk 100 metres.
It's just a few metres away.
Turn left in 50 metres.
About two hundred metres down the road.

Construction

Measure twice, cut once.
Two metres high.
The room is 20 square metres.
Check the metre stick.

Describing People

How many metres tall?
Nearly two metres tall.
1.5 metres in height.
Over a metre tall.

Conversation Starters

"How many metres long is your dining table?"

"Do you know how many square metres your apartment is?"

"How many metres tall are you exactly?"

"Can you run 100 metres in less than 15 seconds?"

"Is your car more than four metres long?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a room in your house using measurements in metres. How wide and long is it?

If you could jump ten metres into the air, where would you go first?

Write about a time you had to measure something carefully. What unit did you use?

Compare the metric system (metres) with the imperial system (feet). Which do you prefer?

Imagine you are building a small garden. Describe its dimensions in metres.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions