What does "thermos" mean?
A bottle, flask or similar vessel having a vacuum between its inner and outer silvered walls; designed to maintain the temperature of its contents
Thermos
/ˈθɜː.mɒs/ name, noun
name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A bottle, flask or similar vessel having a vacuum between its inner and outer silvered walls; designed to maintain the temperature of its contents
- Grammar: thermos is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: insulated bottle, insulated container, thermos bottle, thermos brand.
- Useful contrasts: generic container, unbranded container, uninsulated bottle.
- Usage evidence: I made a thermos full of coffee so you can take it along with your lunch.
How to use "thermos"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "thermos" 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 "thermos" 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 "thermos" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "thermos" 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 "thermos" is acting as name, 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 "insulated bottle" 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 "thermos", 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 A bottle, flask or similar vessel having a vacuum between its inner and outer silvered walls; designed to maintain the temperature of its contents
- 2 A unit of measure whose identification remains very unclear. historical
"The mnaeion contains 4 gold pieces, 16 quarters, 64 thermoi, 128 carats. The gold piece contains 4 staters [sic for quarters], 16 thermoi, 32 carats. The thermos contains 2 carats. The quarter contains 4 thermoi, 8 carats. The thermos contains 2 carats.[…]The mnaeion has sixteen (16) quarters and the quarter has 6 thermoi, twelve (12) carats. The thermos has 2 carats, so that the mnaeion consists of 96 thermoi, 192 carats. The mnaeion weighs 8 drachmas, the quarter three obols, the thermos one-half obol, the carat 2 chalci.[…]Thermoi of 2 and of 1½ siliquae are attested in metrological writings (MSR II 180, s.v. θέρμοϲ); ½ ob. per thermus^([sic]) in 18 implies the lighter weight, as 1 ob. = 3 sil.[…]The mnaeion has 16 quarters and the quarter has (4 or 6) thermoi…"
- 3 vacuum flask that preserves temperature of hot or cold drinks wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 The ancient capital and sanctuary in Aetolia, Greece. historical
Synonyms
All synonyms insulated bottleinsulated containerthermos bottlethermos brandthermos flaskvacuum flask
Antonyms
generic containerunbranded containeruninsulated bottleuninsulated container
Example
"I made a thermos full of coffee so you can take it along with your lunch."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "thermos"?
Common synonyms include: insulated bottle, insulated container, thermos bottle, thermos brand, thermos flask, vacuum flask.
How do you use "thermos" in a sentence?
I made a thermos full of coffee so you can take it along with your lunch.
How do you pronounce "thermos"?
Pronounced /ˈθɜː.mɒs/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Genericization of the trademark Thermos, from Ancient Greek θερμός (thermós, “warm”). Possibly related to English warm.
Etymology 2
From Ancient Greek θέρμος (thérmos).
Etymology 3
Transliteration of Ancient Greek Θέρμος (Thérmos).