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springboard

noun · verb

Simple meaning

A flexible board for jumping upward.

Pronunciation

Say it like this:

springbawrd

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US device voice
IPA pronunciation (US)

ˈspɹɪŋbɔɹd

This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.

IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.

Word Review

Definition

Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.

noun

  1. A flexible board for jumping upward

  2. A board consisting of a flexible, springy, cantilevered platform that propels one into the air, used for diving or gymnastics.

  3. figuratively

    Something that acts as a catalyst to begin or accelerate an action or growth.

verb

  1. transitive

    To launch or propel as if from a springboard, especially toward political office.

Word at a Glance

Difficulty
C2 · Proficient (estimated)
Frequency
Uncommon
Formality
Technical

Word Aura™

How this word commonly comes across.

Aura for this meaning

This meaning: A flexible board for jumping upward

Used this way, springboard is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.

Emotional tone
Neutral
Formality
Neutral
Intensity
Not strongly marked
How common
Moderately common
Connotation
Matter-of-fact
Usage feel
Neutral and straightforward

Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.

More ways to use springboard

  • “He uses other people's ideas as a springboard for his own.”noun

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Common Patterns and Combinations

How this word naturally appears with others.

springboard divinggood springboarduseful springboardmeter springboardideal springboardimportant springboardperfect springboardnatural springboard

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Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.