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Ladder for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: 'lædər

What does Ladder really mean?

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Teacher: Hey there! I see you're curious about the word "ladder." Well, let's have a chat about it! Have you ever tried climbing a ladder? It's fascinating how ladders can help us reach higher places, isn't it? So, a ladder is basically like a set of steps that are put together vertically, allowing us to climb up or down. It's like having a stairway that we can carry and place wherever we need it!

But wait, there's more! You see, "ladder" is not only a physical object, but it can also have different meanings depending on the context. For instance, have you ever heard of a "career ladder"? It's not an actual set of steps, but rather a metaphorical concept. In this case, a career ladder represents a series of levels or steps within a profession. Think of it as those achievements or advancements you can make as you progress in your chosen career path.

Now, let's dive deeper into the physical aspect of a ladder. Picture a ladder in your mind. It usually has two long, vertical pieces called "rails" or "stringers." These rails are connected by shorter horizontal pieces called "rungs." Rungs are the parts on a ladder where we place our feet when climbing up or down. Imagine each rung acting like a step of a staircase, providing support for our feet as we move.

What's interesting is that ladders can come in various shapes and sizes! Some ladders are quite short and are perfect for reaching things in our homes, like changing a lightbulb or putting up decorations. These are often called "step ladders" because they have a fixed height and can stand on their own, like a tiny staircase without any rails.

On the other hand, taller ladders, like the ones you might see against buildings or trees, often require some support at the top to remain stable. These are typically called "extension ladders" since they can be extended to different lengths, allowing us to reach even higher. Extension ladders need to be leaned against a solid surface for stability, just like a tree growing taller and stronger with deep roots.

You might also come across another type of ladder called a "rope ladder." This kind of ladder is made of ropes or cables with wooden or metal rungs. It's like a magical bridge hanging in the air, allowing us to climb up or down by holding onto the ropes and stepping on the rungs. Rope ladders are often used in situations where a traditional ladder is not practical or in adventure activities like climbing mountains!

So, my friend, "ladder" is a versatile word that can refer to both a physical set of steps we climb and a metaphorical concept of progression in our careers. Remember, it can be short or tall, free-standing or leaning, and even made of ropes. Ladders are tools that help us reach new heights, whether physically or professionally, like stairs leading us to exciting opportunities. Now, do you have any more questions about ladders?

Revised and Fact checked by Michael Davis on 2023-10-27 23:29:20

Ladder In a sentece

Learn how to use Ladder inside a sentece

  • You can use a ladder to reach high places like when you clean the gutters on the roof of your house.
  • A firefighter uses a ladder to rescue people from tall buildings during a fire.
  • When you want to pick fruits from the top branches of a tree, you can use a ladder to climb up and reach them.
  • In a library, books are stored on high shelves, and librarians often use ladders to reach them.
  • If you want to paint the walls of your room, you can use a ladder to stand on and reach the top corners.

Ladder Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Ladder Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Ladder Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.

Ladder Meronyms

Words that are part of the original word.