stilt

Everyday

1. Stilts are a pair of long poles with footrests that you stand on to walk high above the ground. tree →
2. Stilts are also tall posts that hold a house or building up above water or the ground. tree →
3. A stilt is a wading bird with very long thin pink legs. tree →
4. To get on your stilts is an informal way to say to act proud and pompous, as if you are better than others. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories about circuses and fairs (stilt walkers), in geography about houses on stilts in flood areas, and in science about wading birds; phrases: on stilts, stilt walker, stilt house.

Examples

• The clown walked on stilts at the fair. tree →
• Houses on stilts stay dry when the river floods. tree →
• I fell off my stilts twice before I got the hang of it. tree →
• The stilt waded through the shallow lake. tree →
• Stilt walkers led the carnival parade. tree →
• The beach hut stands on wooden stilts. tree →
• "Don't get on your stilts," said the crone, "and I'll answer you. tree →

Note

Usually plural: «a pair of stilts», «on stilts». Countable. «Stilted» (adjective) means stiff and unnatural, e.g. stilted speech.