Sieve

/sɪv/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A device with perforations or meshes used for separating wanted elements from unwanted material or for controlling the consistency of a mixture.

She used a sieve to strain the pasta after boiling it.

An instrument used to screen or separate particles based on size.

The gardener sifted soil through a fine sieve to remove clumps.

verb

To separate or remove by using a sieve.

He will sieve the flour before mixing it with the sugar.

To examine closely or thoroughly, often to filter out unwanted details.

Investigators will sieve through the evidence to find any key information.

Middle English, from Old English 'sif' related to Old Norse 'sífr'.

sieve through

To carefully examine or filter through information or data.

filter

To remove unwanted materials or allows some material to pass through.

strainer

An implement with holes that allows liquid to pass while retaining solids.

A person who is easily fooled or misled.

He's such a sieve, always falling for the latest scam.

To leak information or secrets.

Don't tell her anything; she’s a sieve!