ounce

A unit of weight equal to about 28 grams, or one sixteenth of a pound.

• The package weighs one ounce.
• She bought eight ounces of cheese.
• How many ounces are in a pound?

How to use it: an ounce of something (Add an ounce of butter to the pan.)

Similar words: oz., ℥, uncia

Common phrases: an ounce, ounce of cheese, weigh an ounce

A very small amount of something, often used to say there is none at all.

• He had not an ounce of sympathy.
• She used every ounce of energy to finish the race.
• There wasn't an ounce of doubt in her mind.

How to use it: an ounce of something (There isn't an ounce of truth in that story.)

Similar words: bit, shred, trace

Common phrases: ounce of truth, ounce of courage, not an ounce

A unit for measuring liquid, equal to about 30 millilitres in the United States.

• Add one ounce of water.
• This bottle holds twelve ounces of juice.
• She measured two fluid ounces of milk.

How to use it: an ounce of + liquid (Pour an ounce of lemon juice into the glass.)

Similar words: fluid ounce

Common phrases: fluid ounce, ounce of juice, ounce of water