What does springboard mean?
Word: Springboard
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Springboard means a bendy board that throws a diver or gymnast up into the air; also something that helps you make a start towards success.
How do you spell springboard?
Syllables: spring - board
Tricky part: The vowel sound near the end is spelt oa, not o or or. Springbord and springbored are common slips.
Watch out for: springbord, springbored
Memory tip: A diver soars off it and floats down: soar and float both carry the oa you need.
Springboard in a sentence
Example 1: Tara bounced twice on the springboard before her dive.
Example 2: The science fair was a springboard for Kunal's love of robots.
Example 3: The gymnast ran towards the springboard and flew over the vaulting box.
Fun Fact
Springboard diving has been part of the Olympic Games since 1908, and the Olympic event uses a board three metres above the water.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Three of these compound words are spelt correctly. Choose the misspelt one:
a) cupboard
b) skateboard
c) sprinboard
d) keyboard
Show answer
c) sprinboard. Sprinboard has lost its g; skateboard, cupboard and keyboard are all spelt correctly.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence and choose the word they make:
The coach lowered the bdrinrsgapo so the beginners could practise small, safe jumps into the pool.
a) sideboard
b) scoreboard
c) signboard
d) springboard
Show answer
d) springboard. Only springboard has a p among the four, and the eleven letters fit it exactly.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word springboard as used in the sentence:
Winning the state quiz was a springboard to a place at a top science camp.
a) setback
b) roadblock
c) launch pad
d) dead end
Show answer
c) launch pad. A launch pad is a starting point that sends you on to bigger things.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word:
1. vawlting 2. springboard 3. gymnastiks 4. trampoleen
a) jumping over something with the help of your hands
b) a sport of balance, strength and bending exercises
c) a stretchy sheet on a frame for bouncing
d) a flexible plank that bounces you upwards
Show answer
d) a flexible plank that bounces you upwards. Trampoline ends in line, gymnastics ends in ics, and vaulting has au.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which sentence uses springboard in its 'starting point' sense?
a) The debate club was her springboard to public speaking.
b) Our pool has a springboard and a slide.
c) The springboard needs a new rubber mat.
d) He dived off the springboard at the pool.
Show answer
a) The debate club was her springboard to public speaking.
2. Why does a diver bounce on the end of a springboard before take-off?
a) to gain extra height
b) to warm the water
c) to slow the dive down
d) to dry the wet board
Show answer
a) to gain extra height
