noun · neutral

source

UK/sɔːs/US/sɔːrs/SOURCE

Band 6-7task1task2speaking

the origin of information, data, energy, etc.; where something comes from

Examples

Use reliable sources when you write your essay.

The river is a major source of drinking water for the area.

The researchers checked the primary source before quoting it.

Band 8 sentence

When writing your essay, always cite a reliable primary source rather than an unverified website.

Collocations

  • primary source
  • reliable source
  • a source of data

Word family

source nounsourcing noun/verbresourced adjective

Common mistakes

many sourcemany sources

a source of informationsa source of information

refer to sourcerefer to the source / refer to sources

Say it for a higher band

5place6origin7+source

Synonyms

origin

reference

Easily confused

origin

The origin of the river's name is unclear.

Related words

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In Sublist 1

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