Net — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb adjective /ˈnet/

Meaning & Definition of Net

Net (noun)

  1. an open-meshed fabric twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals
  2. something made of net
  3. a device for catching fish, birds, or insects
  4. a net amount, profit, weight, or price
  5. the golf score in a handicap match after deducting the player's handicap from the gross score
  6. essence, gist

Net (verb)

  1. to cover or enclose with or as if with a net
  2. to catch in or as if in a net
  3. to cover with or as if with a network
  4. to receive by way of profit, clear
  5. to produce by way of profit, yield
  6. to get possession of, gain

Net (adjective)

  1. free from all charges or deductions
  2. remaining after the deduction of all charges, outlay, or loss
  3. excluding all tare

Net (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a fabric made of strands loosely twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals

    "the basketball didn't go into the basket—it just hit the net"

    similar: mesh, netting, network
  2. a device or scheme for capturing another by surprise

    "drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police"

    similar: ambush, snare, trap, web
  3. something that catches and holds

    "caught in a net of palace intrigues"

  4. the amount of money left when expenses are subtracted from the total amount received

    "his net for the year was about 60% of his total income"

  5. the central part or aspect of something under consideration

    "the net of the report on race relations is that things are better but not good enough"

Net (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to catch or hold as if in a net

    "the kite was stubbornly netted in the branches of the willow tree"

  2. to take physical control or possession of (something) suddenly or forcibly

    "a police sting that netted drug dealers from all parts of the city"

    opposite: miss
  3. to receive after charges and deductions have been made

    "the entrepreneur netted millions on that deal"

    similar: clear
    near: gross

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Net

The most common words with a similar meaning to Net:

Slang: cop
British slang: nobble

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Net

Words with the opposite meaning of Net:

Near Antonyms of Net

Word Forms of Net

Inflections: netted, netting

Derived words: netless (adjective), netlike (adjective), netty (adjective), netter (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Net

Middle English nett, from Old English; akin to Old High German nezzi net

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Net

Words & Phrases Containing Net

Frequently Asked Questions about Net

What does "Net" mean?

"Net" means an open-meshed fabric twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals. As an a noun, a verb and an adjective, it is defined as: an open-meshed fabric twisted, knotted, or woven together at regular intervals. It has 8 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Net"?

Other words for "Net" include mesh, netting, network, ambush, snare, trap, web and entanglement. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Net" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Net"?

There are 176 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Net". Common alternatives include mesh, netting, network, ambush, snare, trap, web, entanglement, mesh(es) and morass.

What is the opposite of "Net"?

Antonyms of "Net" include disentangle, untangle and miss. Near antonyms include charge, cost, disbursement and expenditure.

How do you use "Net" in a sentence?

Examples of "Net" in a sentence: "the basketball didn't go into the basket—it just hit the net"; "drug runners caught in an elaborate net set by the police"; "caught in a net of palace intrigues".

Is "Net" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Net" can be used as a noun, a verb and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Net" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Net" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Net"?

"Net" is pronounced /ˈnet/.