Urn - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
An urn is a tall vase, often with a lid, used to hold ashes after cremation or as a decorative container. It can also store liquids like tea or coffee.
Definition:
A tall vase with a foot, often used for storing ashes or as an ornamental container.
Synonyms:
vase, jar, vessel, receptacle
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
(none commonly recognized)
Common Collocations:
funeral urn, decorative urn, ancient urn, cremation urn, clay urn
Derivatives:
urned, urning (rare)
Usage Tips:
Use "urn" for tall vases, especially those holding ashes or as decorative pieces in gardens or interiors.
Common Phrases:
Pandora's urn (variant of Pandora's box), urn of fate, eternal urn
Etymology:
From Latin "urna," meaning a vessel for water or ashes; related to "urceus" (pitcher).
Examples:
- 1. She placed the flowers in the ornate urn by the window.
- 2. The ancient urn was displayed in the museum’s ceramics section.
- 3. His ashes were kept in a small marble urn on the mantelpiece.
- 4. The gardener filled the stone urn with fresh soil and plants.