What does "pottery" mean?
Fired ceramic wares that contain clay when formed.
Pottery
/ˈpɑtəɹi/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Fired ceramic wares that contain clay when formed.
- Grammar: pottery is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: ceramic, ceramics, clayware, earthenware.
- Usage evidence: Clay is the essential ingredient in making pottery.
How to use "pottery"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "pottery" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pottery" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "pottery" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "pottery" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "pottery" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "ceramic" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "pottery", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Fired ceramic wares that contain clay when formed. uncountable, usually
"The shelves were lined with pottery of all shapes and sizes."
- 2 the craft of making earthenware wordnet
- 3 A potter's shop or workshop, where pottery is made. countable, usually
"I visited the old potteries and saw the pots being made."
- 4 ceramic ware made from clay and baked in a kiln wordnet
- 5 The potter's craft or art: making vessels from clay. uncountable, usually
"Bernard Leach was skilled at pottery."
Show 1 more definition
- 6 a workshop where clayware is made wordnet
Example
"Clay is the essential ingredient in making pottery."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "pottery"?
Common synonyms include: ceramic, ceramics, clayware, earthenware, adobe, armory.
How do you use "pottery" in a sentence?
Clay is the essential ingredient in making pottery.
How do you pronounce "pottery"?
Pronounced /ˈpɑtəɹi/.
Etymology
From Old French poterie, from potier (“potter”), from the root of pot, equivalent to pot + -ery. First attested in the 13th century.