carbon

A chemical element found in all living things and in materials such as coal and diamonds.

• Diamonds are made of carbon.
• All living things contain carbon.
• Adding carbon makes the steel harder.

Common phrases: pure carbon, carbon content, carbon fibre

Carbon dioxide released into the air, especially when discussing its effect on the climate.

• Flying adds carbon to the atmosphere.
• The company wants to reduce its carbon emissions.
• How large is your carbon footprint?

Similar words: carbon dioxide

Common phrases: carbon emissions, carbon footprint, carbon neutral

One atom of the element found in diamonds, considered as part of a larger chemical structure.

• Each carbon bonds to other atoms.
• This molecule contains six carbons.
• An oxygen is attached to the central carbon.

Similar words: carbon atom

Common phrases: central carbon, carbon atom, carbon chain

A thin sheet with a dark coating, placed between sheets of paper to make copies.

• Put a carbon between the sheets.
• The typist replaced the worn carbon.
• Did you remember to insert a carbon?

Similar words: carbon paper

Common phrases: sheet of carbon, insert the carbon, fresh carbon

A copy made by writing or typing through a sheet with a dark coating.

• I kept a carbon of the receipt.
• The office filed carbons of every letter.
• She compared the carbon with the original.

How to use it: a carbon of something (Please keep a carbon of the letter.)

Similar words: carbon copy, duplicate

Common phrases: carbon of something, keep a carbon, file the carbon

A solid fuel, such as coal, made mostly of the black element found in diamonds.

• The furnace burns carbon for heat.
• They used carbon to fuel the fire.
• Burning carbon releases gases into the air.

Common phrases: burn carbon, solid carbon, carbon fuel