funnel

Everyday

1. A funnel is a tube that is wide at the top and narrow at the bottom, used to pour liquids or powders into a small opening. tree →
2. A funnel is also a chimney on a ship or steam train. tree →
3. A funnel cloud is the spinning, cone-shaped cloud of a tornado. tree →
4. To funnel means to move things or people through a narrow space. tree →

In the lessons

In science and cooking a funnel helps pour without spilling, e.g. when separating mixtures with filter paper. In weather, a funnel cloud is a sign of a tornado. Phrases: «funnel cloud», «pour through a funnel», «filter funnel».

Examples

• Use a funnel to pour the water into the bottle. tree →
• We put filter paper in the funnel to separate sand from water. tree →
• The ship had three red funnels. tree →
• A funnel cloud came down from the storm. tree →
• The crowd was funnelled through one gate. tree →
• Mum used a funnel to fill the salt shaker. tree →
• The steam train puffed smoke from its funnel. tree →
• And hop! hop! without hesitating, the rats took the leap, swam straight to the funnel, plunged in head foremost and disappeared. tree →

Note

Countable. UK doubles l (funnelled); US often one l (funneled). A tornado funnel cloud is dangerous: go indoors to the lowest floor away from windows.