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View synonyms for

pebble

[ peb-uhl ]

noun

  1. a small, rounded stone, especially one worn smooth by the action of water.
  2. Also called pebble leather. leather that has been given a granulated surface.
  3. any granulated or crinkled surface, especially of a textile.
  4. a transparent colorless rock crystal used for the lenses of eyeglasses.
  5. a lens made from this crystal.


verb (used with object)

pebbled, pebbling.
  1. to prepare (leather) so as to have a granulated surface.
  2. to pelt with or as with pebbles.

pebble

/ ˈɛə /

noun

    1. a small smooth rounded stone, esp one worn by the action of water
    2. geology a rock fragment, often rounded, with a diameter of 4–64 mm and thus smaller than a cobble but larger than a granule
    1. a transparent colourless variety of rock crystal, used for making certain lenses
    2. such a lens
  1. informal.
    modifier (of a lens or of spectacles) thick, with a high degree of magnification or distortion
    1. a grainy irregular surface, esp on leather
    2. leather having such a surface
  2. informal.
    a troublesome or obstinate person or animal
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to pave, cover, or pelt with pebbles
  2. to impart a grainy surface to (leather)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

pebble

  1. A rock fragment larger than a granule and smaller than a cobble. Pebbles have a diameter between 4 and 64 mm (0.16 and 2.56 inches) and are often rounded.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈ, adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • ܲ·b adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pebble1

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pibbil, puble, pobble; compare Old English æ (in placenames), papel-, popel- (in compounds); phonological relations unclear
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pebble1

Old English 貹DZ, from papol- (perhaps of imitative origin) + stone
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Idioms and Phrases

see not the only fish in the sea (pebble on the beach) .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Inside, you’ll find an elevated lineup: rich, gluten-free brownies; perfectly chewy, salted chocolate chip cookies; next-level fruity pebble treats; and playful weed leaf–shaped sugar cookies that manage to be both charming and indulgent.

From

“You’re seeing a glowing tunnel of hot air that might be 10 miles in diameter produced by this very tiny little pebble that’s passing through the atmosphere and burns up,” Krupp said.

From

Their unique front-yard landscape features deck and pebble walkways linking deep raised beds made from stacked bits of broken concrete where they grow vegetables, cutting flowers and fruits.

From

I played in the parks, which were often hard red clay with loose pebbles and stones, with two square goalposts fashioned out of wood and string.

From

Sybille Raphael, legal director of Protect, said NHS staff felt raising concerns was "like throwing a pebble in a dark hole", adding: "It's completely pointless."

From

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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