Binder
/ˈbaɪndər/
nounA2
Definition
A binder is a container or folder used to keep loose papers together in one place. It often has rings inside that open and close so you can add or remove pages easily. People use binders for school, work, or personal documents to stay organized.
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⚡ See It in Action
A folder with rings to hold loose papers
- •She put all her class notes in a binder.
- •The office uses binders to organize contracts.
- •I bought a new binder to keep my recipes.
A substance that holds materials together (like glue or cement)
- •The paint needs a binder to stick well.
- •In construction, a binder holds stones together in concrete.
🧲 Make It Stick
- ✓Think of 'binder' like a 'folder' (A1 word), but a binder is thicker and can hold many pages with rings inside.
- ✓Picture a thick book with metal rings inside that open and close to hold papers tightly.
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to keep your important papers neat and not lose them.
- ✓Sounds like 'BIND-er' → imagine binding (tying) papers together so they don’t fall apart.
- ✓Remember school when you put your homework or notes in a binder to keep them safe.
- ✓NOT like 'folder' (just holds papers flat), a binder holds papers securely with rings.
- ✓NOT like 'notebook' (pages are fixed), a binder lets you add or take out pages easily.
🔄 Try Other Words
- •Folder: a simple cover for papers (Use when you only need to hold a few papers flat)
- •Notebook: a book with fixed pages for writing (Use when you write notes directly on pages)
- •Portfolio: a case for holding documents or artwork (Use when you want to show or carry important papers)
- •Ring binder: a binder with metal rings inside (Use when you want to emphasize the rings feature)
🔍 Unboxing
- •Word parts: 'bind' (to tie or hold together) + '-er' (a thing that does an action)
- •Etymology: From English 'bind' meaning to tie, plus '-er' meaning an object that binds
- •Historical development: The word started meaning anything that ties or holds things together, then came to mean the folder with rings for papers
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for office, school, and personal organization tools that hold papers securely
💭 Reflect & Connect
•How do you prefer to keep your important papers—using a binder, folder, or something else? Why?
•Can the word 'binder' apply to things outside of paper organization? How does the meaning change?
Fill in the blanks with the correct word:
1.I put all my notes in a binder so they don't ___ or get lost.
2.A binder usually has metal rings inside that ___ papers together.
3.Unlike a folder, a binder lets you ___ or remove pages easily.
4.The teacher asked us to bring a binder ___ our homework and handouts.
5.In construction, a binder is a material that helps ___ stones or bricks.
6.When papers are loose, putting them in a binder helps keep them ___.
7.She bought a colorful binder ___ to organize her school subjects.