Mat
/mæt/
nounA1
Definition
A mat is a small, flat object made from materials like fabric, rubber, or straw. People put mats on the floor to keep it clean, to sit or lie on, or to decorate a space. Mats are often found at doors to wipe shoes or in homes for comfort.
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See It in Action
A small piece of material placed on the floor
- •Please wipe your feet on the mat before entering.
- •She placed a mat under the plant to protect the floor.
- •The yoga mat is soft and non-slip.
A surface used for sports or exercise
- •The gymnast landed safely on the mat.
- •Children sat on the mat during storytime.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "mat" like "rug," but usually smaller and simpler—used for specific places like doorways or floors
- ✓Picture a small rectangle or square on the floor near the door where you wipe your feet before entering
- ✓It's the feeling of stepping onto something soft or clean after being outside with dirty shoes
- ✓Sounds like "cat" but with an "m" → imagine a cat sitting comfortably on a soft mat
- ✓Think about a yoga mat that you roll out to exercise or stretch—it’s flat and soft for your body
- ✓NOT like "carpet" (which usually covers a whole room), a mat is smaller and easier to move
- ✓NOT like "towel" (used for drying), a mat is for standing, sitting, or decoration
Try Other Words
- •Rug: a larger floor covering (Use when the floor covering is bigger and more decorative)
- •Doormat: a mat specifically placed at a door for wiping feet (Use when talking about mats at entrances)
- •Carpet: a large fabric floor covering (Use when covering entire floors)
- •Yoga mat: a special mat used for exercise (Use when referring to mats for sports or workouts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "mat" is a simple root word without prefixes or suffixes
- •Etymology: From Old English "mæt," meaning a piece of fabric or matting
- •Historical development: Originally meant a woven piece of material; meaning expanded to various floor coverings
- •Modern usage: Used for many types of small floor coverings, from door mats to exercise mats
Reflect & Connect
•What different types of mats have you seen or used in your home or community?
•How does a mat help keep a home clean or comfortable?
Fill in the blanks
1.Please wipe your feet on the mat ___ you enter the house.
2.A yoga mat is usually made of ___ material to stop slipping.
3.The children sat quietly on the mat ___ the teacher read a story.
4.Unlike a carpet, a mat is usually ___ and easy to move.
5.You often find a doormat outside the front door to ___ dirt from shoes.
6.The gymnast landed softly on the mat to avoid ___ injury.
7.A mat can be made from fabric, rubber, or even ___ materials like straw.