baseline
gb/bˈeɪslˌaɪn/ us/bˈeɪslˌaɪn/
B1
English
~ 6600
viszonyítási alap, kiindulási alap, minimális elvárás, alapkövetelmény, alapvonal, kiindulási érték, alapérték
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a baseline for [something]
These results give us a baseline for measuring future improvements in test scores.
Ezek az eredmények viszonyítási alapot adnak a teszteredmények későbbi javulásának méréséhez.
The report uses last year’s sales as a baseline for this year’s targets.
A jelentés a tavalyi eladásokat használja viszonyítási alapként az idei célokhoz.
We need to establish a clear baseline before we can judge whether the new policy is working.
The survey provides a baseline against which we can track changes in public opinion.
Without a baseline, it’s hard to say if the company’s performance is actually getting better.
Learner examples
We use last year’s numbers as a baseline.
A tavalyi számokat használjuk viszonyítási alapként.
The teacher set a baseline to compare students’ progress.
A tanár viszonyítási alapot határozott meg a diákok fejlődésének összehasonlításához.
This test gives us a baseline for your health.
We need a baseline before we start the project.
They took a survey to create a baseline for future studies.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "baseline" with "deadline". A "baseline" is a starting standard for comparison, while a "deadline" is the latest time something must be completed. Learners may also write it as two words "base line" in this sense; in modern usage for this meaning, it is almost always written as one word: "baseline".
Meaning
standard level for comparison
Collocations
establish a baseline
|set a baseline
|baseline for comparison
|baseline figure
|baseline data
|provide a baseline
Synonyms
benchmark (Often used in business or technical contexts for a standard to compare performance against.)
|
reference point (More general and slightly more informal; emphasizes the idea of something you compare other things to.)
|
starting point (Focuses more on where something begins, not always on formal measurement.)
Antonyms
outlier (Refers to something that is very different from the standard or baseline in a set of data.)
|
peak (Suggests the highest level reached, not the standard or normal level used for comparison.)
Themes
business
|science
|statistics
Definition
A normal or starting level that you use to compare other things with.
A standard level, condition, or amount that is used as a reference point to measure change, progress, or differences.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the baseline [for/of] [something]
Respect is the baseline for any healthy relationship.
A tisztelet minimális elvárás minden egészséges kapcsolatban.
Strong reading skills are the baseline requirement for this course.
A jó olvasási készség alapkövetelmény ezen a kurzuson.
For this job, good communication is the baseline, not an extra advantage.
We need to agree on a baseline standard of customer service.
Punctuality should be the baseline expectation in any workplace.
Learner examples
Being on time is the baseline in this company.
A pontos érkezés minimális elvárás ennél a cégnél.
Basic computer skills are the baseline for many jobs.
Az alapvető számítógépes ismeretek sok állásnál alapkövetelménynek számítanak.
Honesty is the baseline in our team.
This test shows if students meet the baseline level.
A clean room is the baseline, not a bonus.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with the more technical measurement sense, thinking "baseline" always requires numbers or data. In this sense, it is often abstract and used with words like "respect", "skills", or "standards" to mean the least that is acceptable.
Meaning
minimum acceptable standard or level
Collocations
baseline standard
|baseline requirement
|baseline skills
|baseline competence
|baseline expectation
|baseline level of service
Synonyms
minimum standard (More explicit and slightly more formal; spells out that it is the lowest acceptable level.)
|
basic level (Less formal; emphasizes simplicity rather than acceptability or rules.)
|
floor (Often used in business or policy to mean the lowest allowed level (e.g., price floor).)
Antonyms
ideal (Refers to the best or most perfect standard, not the minimum acceptable one.)
|
maximum (The highest allowed or possible level, rather than the lowest acceptable level.)
Themes
business
|education
|daily life
|work
Definition
The minimum level that is good enough in a certain situation.
The lowest level of quality, ability, or behavior that is considered acceptable in a particular situation.
NOUN
B1
3
alapvonal
B2
Usage pattern:
on/behind the baseline
He waited on the baseline for the serve.
Az alapvonalon várta az adogatást.
She hit a powerful shot from the baseline to win the point.
Az alapvonalról ütött egy erős labdát, és ezzel megnyerte a pontot.
The referee said the ball landed just beyond the baseline.
The player stepped over the baseline before releasing the ball.
They practiced baseline drills to improve their groundstrokes.
Learner examples
The tennis player stands on the baseline.
A teniszező az alapvonalon áll.
The ball is out if it goes past the baseline.
A labda kint van, ha túlmegy az alapvonalon.
He hit a long shot from the baseline.
She ran to the baseline to return the ball.
The coach told them not to cross the baseline early.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix up "baseline" with "sideline" or use "baseline" for any line on the court. "Baseline" is specifically the back boundary line in sports like tennis and basketball. Spelling it as two words "base line" is also a common error in this sense in learner writing, though some older sports writing may show that form.
Meaning
boundary line at back of court
Collocations
stand on the baseline
|behind the baseline
|baseline shot
|baseline jumper
|baseline drive
|step over the baseline
Synonyms
end line (Used in some sports (e.g., basketball, American football) for the back boundary line; very close in meaning but sport-dependent.)
|
back line (General term used in some sports for the line at the back of the court or field.)
Antonyms
sideline (Marks the sides of the playing area rather than the back edge.)
|
center line (Marks the middle of the court or field, not the back boundary.)
Themes
sports
Definition
In sports like tennis or basketball, the line at the far end of the court that marks the back edge of the playing area.
In sports such as tennis and basketball, the line marking the back boundary of the court or playing area.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
alapérték
C1
Usage pattern:
baseline [measurement/level] of [something]
The study recorded patients’ baseline blood pressure before starting the new drug.
A vizsgálat rögzítette a betegek vérnyomásának kiindulási értékét az új gyógyszer szedésének megkezdése előtt.
We need baseline data on air quality to see how the new regulations affect pollution.
Kiindulási adatokra van szükségünk a levegőminőségről, hogy lássuk, hogyan hatnak az új szabályozások a légszennyezésre.
Her baseline heart rate was measured after ten minutes of rest.
Test scores at the start of the year serve as a baseline for later comparisons.
After exercise, his blood sugar rose but then returned to baseline within an hour.
Learner examples
The doctor took a baseline blood pressure reading.
Az orvos megmérte a vérnyomás kiindulási értékét.
We measure your weight to set a baseline before the diet.
A diéta előtt megmérjük a testsúlyodat, hogy legyen kiindulási értékünk.
Scientists need a baseline level of noise in the room.
They use the first test as a baseline for later tests.
After you rest, your heart rate goes back to baseline.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "baseline" in this sense always means a normal or healthy level. In fact, it simply means the first or starting measurement, which might itself be abnormal (for example, a high baseline blood pressure).
Meaning
initial measurement before change
Collocations
baseline level
|baseline measurement
|baseline data
|baseline value
|baseline heart rate
|return to baseline
Synonyms
initial value (Neutral and general; common in technical writing for the first recorded value.)
|
pre-treatment level (Used mainly in medical or clinical contexts to emphasize that the measurement is before treatment.)
|
starting level (Less technical; stresses that it is the first level before any change.)
Antonyms
post-treatment level (Refers to measurements taken after an intervention, the opposite point in time from baseline.)
|
peak level (The highest level reached, contrasted with the ordinary starting level.)
Themes
medicine
|science
|statistics
|health
Definition
The first measurement of something, before you change anything, so you can compare later measurements to it.
An initial level or measurement of a variable, taken before an intervention, treatment, or change, used to compare later results against.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
alapvonal
C1
Usage pattern:
the baseline of [text/letters]
Make sure all the headings align to the same baseline.
Ügyelj arra, hogy minden címsor ugyanahhoz az alapvonalhoz igazodjon.
In this font, some decorative elements drop below the baseline.
Ebben a betűtípusban néhány díszítőelem az alapvonal alá nyúlik.
Designers often use a baseline grid to keep text lines even across columns.
Raising the baseline slightly can improve readability on small screens.
The logo was misaligned with the text baseline on the website.
Learner examples
Most letters sit on the baseline in a line of text.
A legtöbb betű egy szövegsorban az alapvonalon ül.
The designer used a baseline grid for the magazine.
A tervező alapvonalrácsot használt a magazinhoz.
Some letters, like "g" and "y", go below the baseline.
The text looks neater when the baselines match.
They moved the image so its bottom lines up with the text baseline.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this technical typography meaning with the general "standard" meaning. In design software, "baseline" is specifically about vertical text alignment, not about quality or minimum standards.
Meaning
line that text sits on
Collocations
baseline grid
|baseline alignment
|baseline shift
|align to the baseline
|raise the baseline
|drop below the baseline
Synonyms
text baseline (Explicitly ties the baseline to text; used in technical documentation.)
Antonyms
cap height (Refers to the top line of capital letters, conceptually opposite in vertical position from the baseline.)
|
x-height (Refers to the height of lowercase letters, contrasted with the line on which they sit.)
Themes
design
|printing
|computing
|arts_entertainment
|technology
Definition
In text layout and design, the invisible line that the bottom of most letters rests on.
In typography and graphic design, the invisible line on which the main bodies of letters sit in a line of text.
Grammar
Dictionary form
baseline
IPA
GB/bˈeɪslˌaɪn/
US/bˈeɪslˌaɪn/
Syllables & stress
baseline (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (baseline)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: baseline
- Plural: baselines
Word family
Expressions
baseline data
1/bˈeɪslˌaɪn dˈætə/
fixed phrase
technical
data showing starting state
Information or measurements taken at the start, before you change anything, so you can compare later information to it.
Examples
- Researchers collected baseline data on students’ reading levels before the new program began.
- Without baseline data, it is hard to know whether the project has had any real effect.
baseline study
1/bˈeɪslˌaɪn stˈʌdi/
fixed phrase
technical
initial assessment study
A research study done at the start of a project to show how things are before any changes are made.
Examples
- An NGO carried out a baseline study to understand local health needs before designing its program.
- The baseline study will help us see whether the new policy improves conditions over time.
establish a baseline
1/ɪstˈæblɪʃ ə bˈeɪslˌaɪn/
fixed phrase
create an initial reference level
To create a first, standard level that you will use to compare later results to.
Examples
- Before we redesign the website, we need to establish a baseline for current user behavior.
- The company established a baseline of energy use so it could track future savings.
return to baseline
1/ɹɪtˈɚn tə bˈeɪslˌaɪn/
fixed phrase
technical
go back to starting level
To go back to the first or normal level after going higher or lower for a time.
Examples
- The patient’s heart rate spiked during exercise but returned to baseline after five minutes of rest.
- Oil prices fell sharply and then slowly returned to baseline over the next month.
serve as a baseline
1/sˈɚv ˈæz ə bˈeɪslˌaɪn/
fixed phrase
act as comparison standard
To be used as the main starting level or standard to compare other things with.
Examples
- These initial measurements will serve as a baseline for the rest of the experiment.
- The old contract will serve as a baseline when we negotiate the new one.
set a baseline
1/sˈɛt ə bˈeɪslˌaɪn/
fixed phrase
define a standard comparison level
To decide what the normal or starting level is, so you can measure change.
Examples
- We need to set a baseline for acceptable response times on the help desk.
- The teacher set a baseline for class behavior on the first day.