bookshelf
gb/bˈʊkʃˌɛlf/ us/bˈʊkʃˌɛlf/
A2
English
könyvespolc, könyvgyűjtemény
NOUN
A2
1
könyvespolc
A2
Usage pattern:
a bookshelf; the bookshelf in/at [place]
We bought a new bookshelf to store all the novels we’ve collected.
Vettünk egy új könyvespolcot, hogy legyen hová tenni az összes regényt, amit összegyűjtöttünk.
The bookshelf in his office is packed with history books.
Az irodájában álló könyvespolc zsúfolásig tele van történelmi témájú könyvekkel.
She dusted the bookshelf and rearranged the books by author.
Learner examples
My books are on the bookshelf.
A könyveim a könyvespolcon vannak.
There is a bookshelf in my room.
Van egy könyvespolc a szobámban.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse bookshelf with book (a single item) or with library (a place).
Meaning
furniture with shelves for books
Collocations
a wooden bookshelf
|a tall bookshelf
|a small bookshelf
|a bookshelf in the living room
|put books on a bookshelf
|fill a bookshelf
|a bookshelf is full of books
|buy a bookshelf
|build a bookshelf
|bookshelf space
Synonyms
bookcase (Often implies a larger, freestanding unit; in many contexts it is interchangeable.)
|
shelving unit (More general; not specifically for books.)
Themes
home
|furniture
|reading
|daily_life
Definition
A piece of furniture where you keep books.
A piece of furniture with one or more shelves used for holding and displaying books.
NOUN
B1
2
könyvespolc
A2
Usage pattern:
a bookshelf on [wall]; bookshelves in [room]
They installed a bookshelf on the wall above the desk.
Felszereltek egy könyvespolcot az íróasztal fölötti falra.
The hallway has bookshelves built into the wall.
A folyosó falába könyvespolcokat építettek.
He reached up to the top bookshelf to grab a dictionary.
Learner examples
We put a bookshelf on the wall.
Feltettünk egy könyvespolcot a falra.
Common mistake:
Learners may use bookshelf when they mean shelf in general; bookshelf is usually for books.
Meaning
shelf used for keeping books
Collocations
wall-mounted bookshelf
|a narrow bookshelf
|a floating bookshelf
|install a bookshelf
|a row of bookshelves
|bookshelves along the wall
Synonyms
shelf (More general; not limited to books.)
Themes
home
|furniture
|reading
|interior_design
Definition
A shelf where you put books.
A shelf, especially one fixed to a wall or inside a cabinet, that is used to hold books.
NOUN
B1
3
könyvespolc
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s bookshelf in [app/service]
The app lets you add new titles to your bookshelf with one tap.
Az alkalmazásban egyetlen koppintással új címeket adhatsz hozzá a könyvespolcodhoz.
I can’t find the book—it’s not showing up on my bookshelf anymore.
Nem találom a könyvet – már nem jelenik meg a könyvespolcomon.
She organized her bookshelf into categories like 'To Read' and 'Finished'.
Learner examples
I saved the book to my bookshelf.
Elmentettem a könyvet a könyvespolcomra.
Common mistake:
Learners may assume bookshelf always means a physical object; it can also be used digitally.
Meaning
digital display of saved books
Collocations
a digital bookshelf
|your online bookshelf
|browse your bookshelf
|add it to your bookshelf
|remove it from your bookshelf
|a bookshelf view
Synonyms
library (Common in apps; often refers to the same feature but can include more than books.)
Themes
technology
|reading
|media
Definition
A place in an app where your books are shown.
A digital collection or display in an app or online service that shows the books a person owns, has saved, or wants to read.
NOUN
B2
4
könyvespolc
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s bookshelf is full of [genre/topic]
Her bookshelf is full of cookbooks and travel guides.
A könyvespolca tele van szakácskönyvekkel és útikönyvekkel.
His bookshelf reflects his love of science fiction.
A könyvespolca jól tükrözi a sci-fi iránti szeretetét.
What’s on your bookshelf these days?
Learner examples
My bookshelf is full of storybooks.
A könyvespolcom tele van mesekönyvekkel.
Common mistake:
This use is figurative: 'my bookshelf' can mean 'my book collection,' not only the furniture.
Meaning
the books someone owns
Collocations
my bookshelf is full of
|her bookshelf is packed with
|his bookshelf reflects
|what’s on your bookshelf
Synonyms
collection (More general; does not suggest the books are kept on shelves.)
Themes
reading
|daily_life
|home
Definition
All the books someone has at home.
Used to refer to the books someone has at home or personally owns, viewed as a collection.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bookshelf
IPA
GB/bˈʊkʃˌɛlf/
US/bˈʊkʃˌɛlf/
Syllables & stress
book - shelf (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (book)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bookshelf
- Plural: book shelves, bookshelves
Word family
Expressions
bookshelf speaker
1/bˈʊkʃˌɛlf spˈikɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
small speaker for shelf use
A small speaker you can put on a shelf.
Examples
- He upgraded to a pair of bookshelf speakers for better sound.
- These bookshelf speakers fit easily on a desk.
- Bookshelf speakers can work well in small rooms.
Learner examples
- I bought bookshelf speakers for my room.
bookshelf stereo
1/bˈʊkʃˌɛlf stˈɛɹioʊ/
fixed phrase
compact home stereo system
A small stereo you can keep on a shelf.
Examples
- They keep a bookshelf stereo in the kitchen for listening to the radio.
- A bookshelf stereo is a good option if you don’t have much space.
- He connected his phone to the bookshelf stereo with Bluetooth.
Learner examples
- We have a bookshelf stereo in the living room.
bookshelf unit
1/bˈʊkʃˌɛlf jˈunɪt/
fixed phrase
shelving furniture like a bookcase
A shelving unit for books.
Examples
- We bought a bookshelf unit with adjustable shelves.
- The bookshelf unit doubles as a room divider.
- She assembled the bookshelf unit in about an hour.
Learner examples
- This bookshelf unit has five shelves.