net

Universal Words noun, adjective, verb noun 1 [U] a type of material that is made of string, thread or wire woven or tied together, with small spaces in between: net curtains seealsoFISHNET, NETTING 2 [C] (especially in compounds) a piece of net used for a particular purpose, such as catching fish or covering sth: fishing nets * a mosquito net (= used to protect you from mosquitoes) seealsoHAIRNET, SAFETYNET 3 (the net) [sing.] (in football, etc.) the frame covered in net that forms the goal: to kick / hit the ball into the back of the net 4 (the net) [sing.] (in tennis, etc.) the piece of net between the two players that the ball goes over: She hit her second serve straight into the net. 5 (the Net) (informal) = THEINTERNET IDIOMS see CASTv., SLIPv., SPREADv. adjective (BrE also nett) 1 [usuallybeforenoun] a net amount of money is the amount that remains when nothing more is to be taken away: a net profit of ｣500 * net income / earnings (= after tax has been paid) * What do you earn net of tax? compareGROSS 2 [onlybeforenoun] the net weight of sth is the weight without its container or the material it is wrapped in: 450 gms net weight compareGROSS 3 [onlybeforenoun] final, after all the important facts have been included: The net result is that small shopkeepers are being forced out of business. * Canada is now a substantial net importer of medicines (= it imports more than it exports). * a net gain net adverb: a salary of $50000 net * Interest on the investment will be paid net (= tax will already have been taken away). compareGROSS verb (-tt-) [VN] 1 to earn an amount of money as a profit after you have paid tax on it: The sale of paintings netted ｣17000. 2 to catch sth, especially fish, in a net 3 to catch sb or obtain sth in a skilful way: A swoop by customs officers netted a large quantity of drugs. 4 (especially BrE) to kick or hit a ball into the goal SYNSCORE: He has netted 21 goals so far this season. 5 to cover sth with a net or nets: It is a good idea to net the strawberry plants.