build
/bild/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb:
- To construct by assembling materials: The primary meaning refers to the act of making a physical structure, such as a house, road, or machine, by putting parts together.
- To develop or establish something abstract: This refers to the process of gradually creating or strengthening something non-physical, such as a reputation, a business, or a relationship.
- To increase in intensity or amount: To grow or accumulate steadily, often referring to feelings, pressure, or tension.
Noun:
- The physical form or structure of a person's body: Refers to a person's physique, body shape, or general size and proportions.
Usage Examples
Verb:
- They plan to build a new library in the town center. (They plan to construct a new library.)
- It takes years to build trust in a relationship. (It takes years to establish trust.)
- Tension began to build in the room as everyone waited for the results. (Tension began to increase in the room.)
Noun:
- He has a slender build, perfect for a runner. (He has a slender physique.)
Advanced Usage
"to build on/upon": to use something as a foundation or basis for further development.
- We can build on our initial success to expand the project. (We can use our initial success as a basis for expansion.)
"to build in/into": to incorporate something as an integral part during construction or planning.
- The architect built in several energy-saving features. (The architect incorporated several energy-saving features.)
"to be built of/from": to be made or constructed using specific materials.
- The bridge is built of steel and concrete. (The bridge is made from steel and concrete.)
Variants and Related Words
Builder (n): A person or company that constructs buildings.
- The builder completed the house on schedule.
Building (n): A structure with a roof and walls, such as a house or factory. Also, the process or business of constructing such structures.
- That old building is being renovated.
Built (adj): Having a specified physical build or construction.
- She is powerfully built. (She has a powerful physique.)
- a well-built cabinet (a cabinet that is solidly constructed)
Synonyms
- Construct (v): To build or erect a structure.
- Establish (v): To set up or found, especially something abstract like an institution or a reputation.
- Assemble (v): To fit together the component parts of something.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Build up:
- To develop, increase, or strengthen something gradually.
- He built up his savings over many years. (He gradually increased his savings.)
- To praise someone or something highly, especially in publicity.
- The media built the event up as the concert of the decade.
- (Of traffic) To become heavier or more congested.
- Traffic builds up on this road every evening.
Build in/into: (See "Advanced Usage" above).
Related Idioms
Rome wasn't built in a day: Important or valuable things take time to achieve.
- Be patient with your language learning; Rome wasn't built in a day.
Build castles in the air/in Spain: To make unrealistic or impractical plans or dreams.
- He's always building castles in the air instead of focusing on practical steps.
Noun
- alternative names for the body of a human being
- Leonardo studied the human body
- he has a strong physique
- the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
- constitution of the human body
Verb
- develop and grow
- Suspense was building right from the beginning of the opera
- bolster or strengthen
- We worked up courage
- build up confidence
- ramp up security in the airports
- found or ground
- build a defense on nothing but the accused person's reputation
- be engaged in building
- These architects build in interesting and new styles
- give form to, according to a plan
- build a modern nation
- build a million-dollar business
- order, supervise, or finance the construction of
- The government is building new schools in this state
- improve the cleansing action of
- build detergents
- build or establish something abstract
- build a reputation
- form or accumulate steadily
- Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
- Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
- make by combining materials and parts
- this little pig made his house out of straw
- Some eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer