a small disc or knob sewn onto a garment, either to fasten it by being pushed through a slit made for the purpose or for decoration, a switch on a piece of electrical or electronic equipment that is pressed to operate it, a badge bearing a design or slogan and pinned to clothing

press someone's buttons, on the button, button your lip

Formal and Informal Expressions of button

In different contexts, you can replace 'button' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'fastener, switch' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'clicker, doohickey' is a commonplace synonym.

button: Explore its Definition & Usage

button Definition

1a small disc or knob sewn onto a garment, either to fasten it by being pushed through a slit made for the purpose or for decoration
2a switch on a piece of electrical or electronic equipment that is pressed to operate it
3a badge bearing a design or slogan and pinned to clothing

Using button: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "button" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
She wore a button-up shirt.
Example
He pressed the button to turn on the TV.
Example
The candidate handed out buttons with his name on them.
Example
I need to sew a button back onto my coat.

button Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for button

Antonyms for button

Phrases with button

press someone's buttons
to do or say something that provokes or annoys someone
Example
Don't talk about politics around him, it really presses his buttons.
on the button
exactly right or accurate
Example
Her estimate was on the button; the project cost exactly what she predicted.
button your lip
to stop talking or be quiet
Example
I had to tell him to button his lip during the movie because he wouldn't stop talking.

Origins of button

from Old French 'bouton', meaning 'knob'

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Summary: button in Brief

A 'button' [ˈbʌtn] is a small disc or knob used to fasten a garment or as a switch on electronic equipment. It can also refer to a badge pinned to clothing. Examples include 'She wore a button-up shirt.' and 'He pressed the button to turn on the TV.' Phrases like 'press someone's buttons' mean to provoke or annoy, while 'on the button' means exactly right or accurate.