Net
/nɛt/
nounadjectiveverbA2
Definition
As a noun, a net is a piece of material made from threads tied together with spaces in between, used to catch or hold things like fish or balls. As an adjective, "net" describes the final amount left after removing costs, taxes, or losses. As a verb, "to net" means to catch or earn something, often money or objects, usually by using a net or by gaining a final amount.
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See It in Action
A tool made of threads to catch or hold things
- •The fisherman threw the net into the sea.
- •She caught the butterfly in a small net.
- •The soccer ball hit the net after the goal.
The final amount left after costs or losses (usually money)
- •His net salary is less than his gross salary.
- •After expenses, the company made a net profit.
- •The net weight of the package is 2 kilograms.
To catch or earn something (verb)
- •He netted a big fish during the trip.
- •The company netted a large sum of money last year.
- •She netted the winning goal in the last minute.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "net" like "bag" (A1 word), but a bag with many holes to let air or water through while still holding things inside
- ✓Picture a fisherman throwing a large net into the water to catch fish
- ✓It's the feeling of keeping what is left after paying for everything, like the money you really get to keep after taxes
- ✓Sounds like "net" → imagine a spider's net catching a fly, holding it tightly but still looking light and open
- ✓Remember sports like tennis or volleyball where the net divides the players and the ball goes over or hits it
- ✓NOT like "bag" (solid, no holes), "net" has many holes and is lighter and more open
- ✓NOT like "gross" (the total before costs), "net" is the amount after costs or losses
- ✓NOT like "catch" (general action), "net" often means catching with a tool or gaining a final amount
Try Other Words
- •Mesh: a material made of threads with holes (Use when talking about the material itself, not the action or financial meaning)
- •Profit: money earned after costs (Use when focusing only on money earned)
- •Catch: to get or trap something (Use when talking about the action of catching, but not specifically with a net)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: single root word "net"
- •Etymology: from Old English "net(t)" meaning a woven fabric to catch things
- •Historical development: used for fishing and hunting tools since ancient times; financial meaning developed later to mean "final amount"
- •Modern usage: still used for tools to catch animals or objects, in sports, and in finance to describe final amounts after deductions
Reflect & Connect
•How does the idea of a "net" help you understand the difference between total and final amounts in money?
•Can you think of situations where using a net is better than using a solid container like a bag?
Fill in the blanks
1.The fisherman threw the net into the water to ___ many fish at once.
2.After paying all the bills, her net income was ___ than expected.
3.The soccer ball hit the ___ and everyone cheered for the goal.
4.The company netted a large profit ___ after subtracting expenses.
5.Unlike a bag, a net has many ___ that let air and water pass through.
6.When you net something, you usually get the ___ amount after costs or losses.
7.The butterfly was caught gently in a small ___ made of thin threads.