Rope
/roʊp/
nounverbA2
Definition
A rope is a long, strong cord made by twisting or braiding many thin threads or fibers together. People use ropes to tie, pull, or hold things. As a verb, "to rope" means to catch or tie something with a rope, often by throwing the rope around it.
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See It in Action
A thick, strong cord used for tying or pulling
- •He pulled the boat to the dock with a strong rope.
- •The climber held the rope tightly while climbing the mountain.
- •They used a rope to tie the boxes together.
To catch or tie something using a rope (verb)
- •The cowboy roped the calf quickly during the rodeo.
- •We roped the tent to the ground to keep it from moving.
- •She roped the package to the bike rack.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "rope" like "string," but much thicker, stronger, and able to hold heavy things
- ✓Picture a thick, twisted line made of many small threads, like the ones used to climb or pull objects
- ✓It’s the feeling of holding something strong and rough in your hands that can help you pull or tie things safely
- ✓Sounds like "rope" → imagine a "rope" swinging through the air, ready to catch or hold something tightly
- ✓In cowboy movies, cowboys use ropes to catch animals like cows or horses—a rope is their important tool
- ✓NOT like "wire" (thin metal), rope is soft and made from fibers, not metal
- ✓NOT like "chain" (made from metal links), rope is flexible and can be tied easily
- ✓As a verb, "to rope" means to catch or tie something yourself, not just to tie something already fixed
Try Other Words
- •Cord: a strong, thin rope (Use when the rope is thinner or lighter)
- •Line: a rope or string used for fishing or tying (Use in specific contexts like fishing or sailing)
- •Twine: thin string made from two or more threads twisted together (Use for small, light tying jobs)
- •Chain: metal links connected together (Use when strength is needed but for metal objects)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: rope (single root word)
- •Etymology: Old English "rāp," meaning a cord or string made by twisting fibers
- •Historical development: Used for many centuries as a basic tool for tying and pulling objects
- •Modern usage: Common word for a strong, twisted cord used in many activities like climbing, sailing, and construction
- •Verb form comes from the action of using a rope to catch or tie something
Reflect & Connect
•How do you think ropes have helped people in history for work or safety?
•Can you think of situations where using a rope is better than using other tools?
Fill in the blanks
1.The climber held the rope ___ to avoid falling down the mountain.
2.Cowboys often rope ___ animals during rodeos to catch them safely.
3.When setting up a tent, you need to rope it ___ the ground so it does not move.
4.Unlike a string, a rope is strong enough to ___ heavy objects.
5.To rope something means to catch or tie it ___ using a rope.
6.The rope was made from many small fibers ___ together to make it strong.
7.If you want to pull something heavy, using a rope is often ___ than using your hands alone.