contain meaning
contain :
to hold, to have inside
Verb
▪ The box contains toys.
▪ The box holds toys.
▪ This bottle contains water.
▪ This bottle has water inside.
paraphrasing
▪ hold – to have
▪ include – to have as part
▪ enclose – to have inside
▪ comprise – to consist of
Pronunciation
contain [kənˈteɪn]
The stress is on 'tain' and sounds like 'kuhn-teyn'.
Common phrases and grammar about contain
contain - Common meaning
Verb
to hold, to have inside
Part of Speech Changes for "contain"
▪ container (noun) – something that holds things
▪ containment (noun) – the act of holding or having inside
Common Expressions with "contain"
▪ contain a message – to have a message inside
▪ contain information – to hold information
▪ contain a surprise – to have a surprise inside
▪ contain an error – to have an error inside
Important examples of contain in TOEIC
Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test
In TOEIC vocabulary questions, contain often means to hold or include something within.
Example of a confusing word: retain (to keep possession of)
Grammar examples from the TOEIC test
Contain is used as a transitive verb, meaning it requires an object in TOEIC grammar questions.
contain
Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC
contain costs
'to keep expenses within limits', used in business contexts.
contain oneself
means 'to control emotions', used in emotional contexts.
Differences between similar words and contain
contain
,
include
differences
Contain means to have something inside; include means to have something as part of a group.
Words with the same origin as contain
The origin of contain
Contain comes from the Latin 'continere', meaning 'to hold together'.
Word structure
It has the prefix con (together), root tain (hold), and means 'to hold together'.
Words with the same origin
The root of contain is tain (hold). Words with the same root include retain (to hold back), detain (to hold back), and obtain (to hold or get).
