button
14 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
buttons
plural
buttons
Britannica Dictionary definition of BUTTON
[count]
1
:
a small, usually round piece of plastic, glass, metal, etc., that is sewn to a piece of clothing and is pushed through a loop or hole to fasten one part of the clothing to another part
—
see color picture on this page
-
a skirt/coat button
-
a dress with buttons down the back
-
I lost a button on my jacket.
-
He took off his tie and undid the top button of his shirt.
2
US
:
a small, usually round sign that has a picture or words on the front and a pin on the back
◊ People pin buttons to their clothing to show support for a person or idea.
-
She was wearing a button that read “Support your local library.”
-
a campaign button [=a button that shows support for someone's political campaign]
— called also
(British)
badge
3
a
:
a small part of a machine that you push to make the machine work
-
the on/off button
-
Will you please push/press the “play” button on the CD player?
-
With a fax machine, you can send a document across the country with the touch/push of a button.
b
:
a small area on a computer screen that you click on to make the computer software do something
—
see also hot button
-
If the information on the registration form is correct, click the “OK” button.
(as) cute as a button
informal
:
very cute
-
Your nephew is cute as a button!
on the button
US, informal
1
:
exactly at the specified time
-
They arrived at noon on the button. [=on the dot, precisely]
2
:
perfectly accurate
-
Your guess was (right) on the button. [=on the nose]
push the right buttons
informal
:
to do the things that are needed to produce a desired effect or result
-
The coach knows how to push all the right buttons to get his players ready for the game.
push your buttons
informal
:
to do or say something just to make you angry or upset
-
Don't pay any attention to her. She's just trying to push your buttons.
-
Even though they're both adults now, Rita's brother still knows how to push her buttons. [=he is easily able to annoy or frustrate her]
2
button
/ˈbʌtn̩/
verb
buttons;
buttoned;
buttoning
2
button
/ˈbʌtn̩/
verb
buttons;
buttoned;
buttoning
Britannica Dictionary definition of BUTTON
1
[+ object]
:
to attach (a button) by passing it through a hole
-
He rarely buttons the top button on his shirt.
2
[+ object]
:
to close or fasten (something) with buttons
— often + up
-
Will you button the baby's jacket for her?
-
Be sure to button up your coat before you go outside.
3
[no object]
:
to have buttons for fastening
-
The skirt buttons on the side.
button it
informal + impolite
— used to tell someone to stop talking
-
She angrily told him to button it.
button your lip/lips
US, informal or keep your lip/lips buttoned
:
to not talk about something
-
Button your lip. He's coming toward us.
-
Don't tell him what I said, please. You know he can't keep his lips buttoned.
