particle

A very small piece of something.

• A tiny particle entered my eye.
• The filter removes dust particles from the air.
• Small particles floated on the water.

How to use it: particle of something (A particle of sand stuck to the lens.)

Similar words: speck, grain, bit

Common phrases: dust particle, tiny particle, particle of something

A very small unit of matter, such as an electron, that forms part of an atom.

• An electron is a tiny particle.
• These particles carry an electric charge.
• Scientists detected a previously unknown particle.

Common phrases: subatomic particle, elementary particle, charged particle, particle physics

A short word, such as up or off, that joins a verb to give it a particular meaning.

• In 'turn off', 'off' is a particle.
• This particle can follow the object.
• Which particles can you use with this verb?

Common phrases: verb particle, adverbial particle, separable particle

A small piece of bread blessed for use in a Roman Catholic religious service.

• The priest held a consecrated particle.
• He placed the particle in the chalice.
• The particles were carefully collected after Communion.

Similar words: host

Common phrases: consecrated particle, sacred particle, particle of bread