bent
gb/bˈɛnt/ us/bˈɛnt/
A2
English
~ 10000
görbe, elgörbült, eltökélt, hajlam, beállítottság, érzék, korrupt, buzi, tippan
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is bent
The bike’s front wheel is bent and keeps rubbing against the frame.
A bicikli első kereke elgörbült, és folyton hozzáér a vázhoz.
He tried to use the screwdriver, but the tip was too bent to fit the screws.
Próbálta használni a csavarhúzót, de a hegye annyira el volt görbülve, hogy nem illett a csavarfejekbe.
The artist used a piece of bent metal to make the sculpture.
After the accident, the car door was badly bent and wouldn’t close properly.
Check the plug; if the pins are bent, it won’t go into the socket.
Learner examples
The table leg is bent and the table moves.
Az asztal lába görbe, ezért billeg az asztal.
This fork is bent, so it is hard to use.
Ez a villa görbe, ezért nehéz használni.
My glasses are bent after I sat on them.
The wire is bent into a circle.
The road ahead is not straight; it is bent to the left.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the adjective "bent" with the verb "bend." Use "bent" to describe the result (The nail is bent) and "bend" for the action (I bend the nail).
Meaning
not straight in shape
Collocations
bent nail
|bent metal
|bent wire
|slightly bent
|bent frame
|bent spoon
Synonyms
curved (More general word for a smooth, rounded shape, not necessarily damaged.)
|
twisted (Suggests stronger or more irregular bending, often more damaged than just bent.)
Antonyms
straight (Describes something with no curve or bend.)
Themes
daily life
|objects
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not straight in shape; curved or twisted, often because it was pushed or hit.
Describes something that is curved, twisted, or no longer straight, often because it has been damaged or deliberately shaped.
B2
2
eltökélt
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is bent on [doing something]
She seems absolutely bent on proving everyone wrong.
Úgy tűnik, teljesen eltökélt abban, hogy mindenkire rácáfoljon.
They are bent on expanding the business into new markets.
Eltökélt szándékuk, hogy új piacokra terjeszkedjenek a vállalkozással.
He was bent on becoming a doctor, no matter how long it took.
The group is bent on changing the law to protect the environment.
The manager is bent on cutting costs this year.
Learner examples
She is bent on passing the exam.
Eltökélt szándéka, hogy átmenjen a vizsgán.
He is bent on becoming a famous singer.
Eltökélt szándéka, hogy híres énekes legyen.
They are bent on winning the game.
The company is bent on making more money this year.
My brother is bent on learning English quickly.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "bent to" instead of "bent on." The natural pattern is "bent on [noun/gerund]": "bent on success," "bent on winning," not *"bent to win."
Meaning
strongly determined to do something
Collocations
bent on revenge
|bent on success
|bent on winning
|bent on change
|bent on finding the truth
Synonyms
determined (Very close in meaning; slightly more common and neutral in tone.)
|
intent (More formal and often used with a similar pattern: "intent on doing something.")
Antonyms
indifferent (Shows no strong feeling or interest about the goal.)
Themes
emotions
|goals
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Wanting very strongly to do something and not planning to stop or change your mind.
Completely determined to do something and unlikely to change your mind, especially when you are very focused on one goal.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] bent for [something]
From an early age, she showed a strong artistic bent.
Már kiskorától kifejezett művészi hajlamot mutatott.
His scientific bent made him a perfect fit for the research team.
Tudományos beállítottsága miatt tökéletesen illett a kutatócsoportba.
The school tries to support students with a musical bent.
Writers with a political bent are often drawn to opinion columns.
Her technical bent helped her quickly learn to code.
Learner examples
He has an artistic bent and loves to draw.
Művészi hajlama van, és szeret rajzolni.
My sister has a musical bent and plays three instruments.
A nővéremnek jó zenei érzéke van, és három hangszeren játszik.
Students with a scientific bent may enjoy this class.
Her bent is more creative than practical.
People with a technical bent often like computers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes treat "bent" here like an adjective and say "he is very bent" to mean he is artistic or creative. In this sense, "bent" is a noun, so say "He has an artistic bent" or "He has a bent for music."
Meaning
natural liking or tendency
Collocations
artistic bent
|musical bent
|creative bent
|scientific bent
|political bent
|technical bent
Synonyms
inclination (Very close in meaning but a little more formal; can also refer to general preferences, not just talents.)
Antonyms
aversion (A strong dislike of something, the opposite of a natural liking or talent.)
Themes
personality
|interests
|core_vocabulary
|education
Definition
A natural interest or talent for something, which makes a person like to do it or be good at it.
A natural tendency, interest, or ability that makes someone especially suited to a particular activity or way of thinking.
B2
INFORMAL
4
korrupt
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is bent
The film follows a bent cop who takes money from local gangs.
A film egy korrupt zsaru történetét követi, aki pénzt fogad el a helyi bandáktól.
They claimed the whole council was bent and working for developers.
Azt állították, hogy az egész önkormányzat korrupt, és az ingatlanfejlesztőknek dolgozik.
A few bent officers can damage trust in the entire police force.
Journalists uncovered a network of bent officials taking bribes.
People are tired of bent politicians promising change but stealing money.
Learner examples
The movie is about a bent police officer who takes money.
A film egy korrupt rendőrről szól, aki pénzt fogad el.
Many people think some leaders are bent.
Sokan úgy gondolják, hogy egyes vezetők korruptak.
A few bent judges can hurt the legal system.
Voters were angry when they learned the mayor was bent.
He says the system is bent and does not help poor people.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "bent" here means physically not straight. In this sense, it is a slangy way to say "corrupt" or "dishonest," usually about police, officials, or systems.
Meaning
dishonest or corrupt (informal)
Collocations
bent cop
|bent politician
|bent judge
|bent officer
|bent system
|bent referee
Synonyms
corrupt (Standard term in formal and informal contexts; slightly more common and neutral than "bent.")
Antonyms
honest (Describes someone who does not lie, cheat, or take bribes.)
Themes
law
|society
|politics
Definition
Dishonest and ready to break the law or rules, especially when someone has power or an important job.
Describes a person, especially in an official position, who is dishonest and willing to break rules or laws for personal gain.
C1
VULGAR
5
buzi
C1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is bent
The word "bent" for gay people is considered offensive and should be avoided.
A „buzi” szó meleg emberekre használva sértőnek számít, és kerülni kell.
In that old TV show, some characters use "bent" as an insult, which many viewers now find unacceptable.
Abban a régi tévésorozatban néhány szereplő sértésként használja a „buzi” szót, amit ma sok néző elfogadhatatlannak tart.
He was bullied at school and called "bent" by other students.
Writers today usually avoid using "bent" in this way unless they are showing prejudice in a story.
Learner examples
Some people use the word "bent" for gay people, but it is rude.
Vannak, akik a „buzi” szót használják meleg emberekre, de ez sértő.
Do not call a person "bent"; say "gay" if they use that word for themselves.
Ne nevezz senkit „buzinak”; mondd inkább azt, hogy „meleg”, ha az illető magára ezt a szót használja.
The boys at school called him "bent," and it hurt him.
This word for gay people is old and offensive.
Modern teachers say you should not use the word "bent" for someone who is gay.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes see "bent" used for gay people in older books or movies and think it is normal English. Today it is rude and offensive. Use respectful words like "gay" or "lesbian," and only when relevant and appropriate.
Meaning
homosexual (offensive slang)
Collocations
call someone bent
|think someone is bent
Synonyms
gay (Standard, neutral word; not offensive. "Bent" in this sense is insulting and should be avoided.)
Antonyms
straight (Informal word meaning heterosexual; often used in contrast to "gay.")
Themes
relationships
|identity
Definition
A rude and offensive word for someone who is gay. It should not be used.
Offensive slang describing someone as homosexual, often used to insult or mock them.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
6
tippan
C2
Usage pattern:
[something] is covered with bent
The dunes are held together by hardy bent growing in the sand.
A homokban növő szívós tippan összetartja a dűnéket.
The golf course uses a mixture of bent and fescue on the greens.
A golfpálya greenjein tippan és csenkesz keverékét használják.
Farmers complained that the field was mostly bent and other coarse grasses.
Coastal bent is well adapted to salty, windy conditions.
Learner examples
Bent grows in the sandy soil near the sea.
Tippan nő a tenger közelében, a homokos talajban.
The grass on this golf course is a special bent grass.
A golfpálya füve egy különleges tippanfajta.
Some fields have mostly bent and not many flowers.
Bent can help hold sand in place on beaches.
Common mistake:
Learners rarely use this word, but they may not realize that "bent" can also be a kind of grass when reading nature or farming texts.
Meaning
a type of grass (bent)
Collocations
bent grass
|creeping bent
|coastal bent
|bent pasture
Synonyms
bentgrass (Alternative spelling, mainly in North American English, used especially in gardening and turf contexts.)
Antonyms
broadleaf plant (A general term for non-grass plants with wider leaves, contrasting with grasses like bent.)
Themes
nature
|plants
Definition
A kind of grass plant, often called bent grass, that grows in fields or on lawns and is used on some golf courses.
Any of several grass species, especially in the genus Agrostis, often found in fields, dunes, and lawns, sometimes used on golf courses.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bent
IPA
GB/bˈɛnt/
US/bˈɛnt/
Syllables & stress
bent (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (bent)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: bent
Noun
- Base: bent
- Plural: bents
Word family
Forms
bents
noun
Core family
bend
verb A2
Related words
bendable
adjective
bendy
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unbent
adjective
Advanced or less common
unbend
verb
Expressions
bent on
1/bˈɛnt ˈɔn/
fixed phrase
firmly determined about something
To be very determined to do something, and not likely to change your mind.
Examples
- She is bent on starting her own business before she turns thirty.
- They seem bent on making the project a success, whatever it costs.
- He’s bent on improving his English this year and studies every night.
bent out of shape
1/bˈɛnt ˈaʊt əv ʃˈeɪp/
idiom
informal
very upset or annoyed
To become very upset, angry, or offended, often about something small.
Examples
- Don’t get bent out of shape over one small mistake.
- He got really bent out of shape when they changed the meeting time.
- She tends to get bent out of shape if people are a few minutes late.
get bent
1/ɡˈɛt bˈɛnt/
idiom
vulgar
rude way to say go away
A very rude way to tell someone to go away or show strong dislike, similar to saying "go to hell."
Examples
- He told the reporter to get bent and slammed the door.
- "Get bent," she muttered under her breath as she walked away.
- That phrase is offensive; telling someone to get bent will probably make them angry.
hell-bent on
1/hˈɛl bˈɛnt ˈɔn/
idiom
informal
extremely determined, regardless of risk
Very strongly and sometimes blindly determined to do something, even if it is dangerous or unwise.
Examples
- He seems hell-bent on quitting his job, even though he has no other offer.
- The government is hell-bent on pushing through the reforms despite protests.
- She was hell-bent on winning the race, no matter how tired she felt.