bar
gb/bˈɑɹ/ us/bˈɑɹ/
A2
English
~ 1100
bár, rúd, ügyvédi kamara, ügyvédi kar, tábla, tömb, megtilt, eltorlaszol, kitilt
NOUN
A2
1
bár
A2
Usage pattern:
to go to [a bar]
We met at a small bar near the station.
Egy kis bárban találkoztunk az állomás közelében.
The new bar downtown has live music every Friday.
Az új belvárosi bárban minden pénteken élő zene van.
He works as a bartender in a busy bar.
Learner examples
I went to a bar with my friends.
Elmentem egy bárba a barátaimmal.
The bar is next to the hotel.
A bár a szálloda mellett van.
She works in a bar.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'bar' with 'pub' or 'club'; a club often has dancing and loud music, while a bar is mainly for drinking and talking.
Meaning
Place serving alcoholic drinks
Collocations
go to a bar
|crowded bar
|local bar
|sports bar
|bar counter
Synonyms
pub (More common in British English; often suggests a more casual, traditional place.)
|
tavern (Slightly old-fashioned; may suggest a rustic or themed place.)
Antonyms
cafe (A place focused on coffee and light food, not alcoholic drinks.)
Themes
daily life
|food and drink
|leisure
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
A place where you can buy and drink alcohol, like beer or wine.
A place where alcoholic drinks and sometimes food are served, often with a counter for customers to sit or stand at.
NOUN
B1
2
rúd
A2
Usage pattern:
[a bar] of [material]
The window was protected by iron bars.
Az ablakot vasrács védte.
He lifted the heavy steel bar with ease.
Könnyedén felemelte a nehéz acélrudat.
They used wooden bars to support the roof.
Learner examples
There is a metal bar across the door.
Egy fémrúd van keresztben az ajtón.
The cage has strong bars.
A ketrec rácsai erősek.
He broke the wooden bar.
Common mistake:
Sometimes confused with 'pole'; poles are usually round and vertical, bars can be horizontal or vertical.
Meaning
Rigid straight piece of material
Collocations
iron bar
|metal bar
|prison bars
|steel bar
Synonyms
rod (Usually thinner and more cylindrical than a bar.)
Antonyms
tube (Hollow inside, unlike a solid bar.)
Themes
construction
|objects
|work
|housing
Definition
A long, straight, hard piece of metal, wood, or other material.
A long straight piece of metal, wood, or other solid material, often used for support or as part of a structure.
NOUN
B2
3
ügyvédi kar
C1
Usage pattern:
to be called to [the bar]
She was admitted to the bar in 2010.
2010-ben felvették az ügyvédi kamarába.
The bar has strict rules about ethics.
Az ügyvédi kamarának szigorú etikai szabályai vannak.
He is respected by members of the bar.
Learner examples
She joined the bar last year.
Tavaly felvették az ügyvédi kamarába.
He is a member of the bar.
Tagja az ügyvédi kamarának.
The bar makes rules for lawyers.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'bar' here means a physical location; it refers to the profession itself.
Meaning
The legal profession as a whole
Collocations
member of the bar
|called to the bar
Synonyms
legal profession (General term without metaphorical origin.)
Themes
law
|work
Definition
All the lawyers in a country or area as a group.
The legal profession or the group of people qualified to practice law.
NOUN
A2
4
Usage pattern:
[a bar] of [substance]
She bought a bar of chocolate.
Vett egy tábla csokoládét.
The thief stole gold bars from the vault.
A tolvaj aranyrudakat lopott a páncélteremből.
I keep an energy bar in my bag.
Learner examples
I ate a bar of chocolate.
Megettem egy tábla csokoládét.
He bought three gold bars.
Három aranyrudat vett.
She gave me an energy bar.
Meaning
Solid block of food or substance
Collocations
bar of chocolate
|energy bar
|gold bar
Synonyms
block (Any solid mass; less specific about shape.)
Themes
food and drink
|objects
|daily_life
|food_drink
Definition
A solid piece of something like chocolate or soap that is usually long and rectangular.
A solid block or piece of food or another substance, usually rectangular and often wrapped or packaged.
VERB
B1
5
Usage pattern:
to bar [someone] from [something]
They barred him from entering the club.
Kitiltották a klubból.
Heavy snow barred access to the village.
A nagy hó eltorlaszolta a faluhoz vezető utat.
She was barred from applying for the position.
Learner examples
The guard barred us from going in.
Az őr nem engedett be minket.
The door was barred with wood.
Az ajtót fával eltorlaszolták.
He was barred from the game.
Meaning
Prevent entry or action
Collocations
bar entry
|bar someone from entering
Synonyms
block (More general; can refer to physical or abstract prevention.)
|
prohibit (More formal/legal tone; often used in official rules.)
Antonyms
allow (Permitting entry or action instead of preventing it.)
Themes
law
|security
|daily_life
Definition
To stop someone from going into a place or doing something.
To prevent someone from entering a place or from doing something, usually by official order or physical obstruction.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bar
IPA
GB/bˈɑɹ/
US/bˈɑɹ/
Syllables & stress
bar (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (bar)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: bar
- 3rd Person Singular: bars
- Present Participle: barring
- Past: barred
Word family
Forms
bars
verb
barring
verb
barred
verb
Core family
bartender
noun B1
Advanced or less common
barrister
noun C1
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: barring Verb
- Irregular past: barred Verb
Expressions
/set the bar/ (high/low)
1/sˈɛt ðə bˈɑɹ hˈaɪəloʊ/
fixed phrase
Establish a standard level of quality or achievement
To decide how good something must be to be acceptable or the best it can be.
Examples
- The company has set the bar high for customer service.
- His performance set the bar for future contestants.
call to the bar
1/kˈɔl tə ðə bˈɑɹ/
fixed phrase
formal
Admit lawyer to profession officially
When someone becomes an official lawyer after passing tests and requirements.
Examples
- She was called to the bar last year after completing her training.
- Many graduates dream of being called to the bar.
bar none
1/bˈɑɹ nˈʌn/
idiom
informal
Without exception at all
Used to say that something is the best compared to all others, with no exceptions.
Examples
- This is the best pizza in town, bar none.
- He is the best player on the team, bar none.
- She is the smartest student here, bar none.
- This is the finest meal I’ve had, bar none.
behind bars
1/bɪhˈaɪnd bˈɑɹz/
idiom
In prison or jail
In prison after being caught by the police.
Examples
- The criminal is now behind bars for life.
- He spent two years behind bars for fraud.
behind bars
2/bɪhˈaɪnd bˈɑɹz/
idiom
In prison or jail
In prison; locked up by the police.
Examples
- The criminal is now behind bars for life.
- He spent five years behind bars.