bridge
gb/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ/ us/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ/
A2
English
~ 1800
híd, áthidal, összeköt, húrláb, parancsnoki híd
NOUN
A2
1
híd
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] crosses a bridge
The new bridge connects the two towns across the river.
Az új híd összeköti a folyó két partján fekvő két várost.
We stopped halfway across the bridge to take photos.
Megálltunk a híd közepén, hogy fényképeket készítsünk.
The old wooden bridge was closed for repairs.
A suspension bridge swayed gently in the wind.
The engineers inspected the bridge for safety.
Learner examples
The bridge goes over the river.
A híd a folyó fölött vezet át.
We walked across the bridge.
Átsétáltunk a hídon.
Cars are on the bridge.
The bridge is very long.
They will build a new bridge.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'bridge' with 'tunnel'; remember a bridge is above ground or water, not under it.
Meaning
Structure over water or gap
Collocations
cross a bridge
|build a bridge
|bridge collapse
|suspension bridge
|wooden bridge
Synonyms
overpass (Usually refers to a bridge over a road or railway in urban contexts.)
Antonyms
tunnel (An underground passage instead of one above ground.)
Themes
travel
|infrastructure
|geography
|transportation
Definition
A structure that goes over water, a road, or another gap so people or vehicles can cross.
A structure built to span a physical obstacle, such as a river, road, or valley, to provide a passage between two points.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to bridge [something] and [something]
The program aims to bridge the gap between rich and poor communities.
A program célja, hogy áthidalja a gazdag és szegény közösségek közötti szakadékot.
Her work bridges the worlds of art and technology.
Munkája összeköti a művészet és a technológia világát.
Efforts are being made to bridge cultural differences.
Education can help bridge the divide between generations.
Learner examples
The teacher tries to bridge the gap between students.
A tanár megpróbálja áthidalni a diákok közötti különbségeket.
Music can bridge people from different countries.
A zene összekötheti a különböző országokból származó embereket.
The project will bridge two villages.
They bridged their ideas in one plan.
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'bridge' with physical objects only; in this sense it can be abstract, connecting ideas or people.
Meaning
Connect or link things
Collocations
bridge the gap
|bridge differences
|bridge cultures
|bridge understanding
Synonyms
connect (More general; 'bridge' often implies overcoming separation or difference.)
Antonyms
divide (To separate or create distance between things or groups.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
Definition
To connect two things or groups so they are closer or work together.
To make a connection between two things, groups, or ideas, often to reduce distance or differences.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
húrláb
C1
The guitar's bridge was damaged and needed replacing.
A gitár húrlába megsérült, és ki kellett cserélni.
Adjusting the bridge can change the instrument's tone.
A húrláb beállítása megváltoztathatja a hangszer hangszínét.
He installed a new bridge to improve sound quality.
Learner examples
The guitar has a wooden bridge.
A gitárnak fa húrlába van.
The man fixed the guitar bridge.
A férfi megjavította a gitár húrlábát.
He put new strings on the bridge.
Meaning
Guitar part holding strings
Collocations
adjust the bridge
|replace the bridge
|guitar bridge
Synonyms
string saddle (A more specific term used in instrument making.)
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
Definition
The part of a guitar that holds the strings at one end near the body.
The part of a guitar or similar instrument that supports the strings near the body and transmits vibrations to the soundboard.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
The captain ordered full speed ahead from the bridge.
A kapitány a parancsnoki hídról teljes sebességet rendelt el.
Visitors are not allowed on the ship's bridge during navigation.
A látogatók navigáció közben nem mehetnek fel a hajó parancsnoki hídjára.
From the bridge, you can see the entire deck.
Learner examples
The captain is on the bridge of the ship.
A kapitány a hajó parancsnoki hídján van.
The crew works on the ship's bridge.
A legénység a hajó parancsnoki hídján dolgozik.
We went to see the bridge on the boat.
Meaning
Ship's control area
Collocations
stand on the bridge
|ship's bridge
|captain's bridge
Synonyms
wheelhouse (More common for smaller vessels; similar function.)
Themes
transportation
|nautical
|travel
Definition
The place on a ship where the captain and crew control it.
The elevated platform or enclosed area on a ship from which it is navigated and controlled.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bridge
IPA
GB/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ/
US/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
bridge (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (bridge)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bridge
- Plural: bridges
Verb
- Base: bridge
- 3rd Person Singular: bridges
- Present Participle: bridging
- Past: bridged
Word family
Forms
bridges
noun
bridging
verb
bridged
verb
Related words
footbridge
noun
drawbridge
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unbridgeable
adjective
Advanced or less common
bridgeable
adjective
Expressions
build bridges
1/bˈɪld bɹˈɪd͡ʒɪz/
idiom
Improve relationships between groups
To make better relationships between people who disagree or are different from each other.
Examples
- The event was designed to build bridges between cultures.
- She worked hard to build bridges with her new neighbors.
burn your bridges
1/bˈɚn jˈʊɹ bɹˈɪd͡ʒɪz/
idiom
informal
End chance of going back
To do something that makes it impossible to go back to how things were before.
Examples
- I think quitting without notice will burn your bridges with that company.
- Be careful not to burn your bridges when leaving a job.
cross that bridge when you come to it
1/kɹˈɔs ðˈæt bɹˈɪd͡ʒ wˈɛn jˈu kˈʌm tə ˈɪt/
idiom
Deal with problem later
To wait until something happens before worrying about it or dealing with it.
Examples
- We might need more money, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
- Don't worry about next year yet; we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
bridge the gap
1/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ ðə ɡˈæp/
idiom
Reduce or remove difference/distance
To make two different groups, ideas, or situations more similar or connected.
Examples
- We need to bridge the gap between rich and poor.
- Technology can help bridge the gap between generations.
bridge the gap
2/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ ðə ɡˈæp/
idiom
Reduce difference between things
To make two different groups, ideas, or situations come closer together.
Examples
- This program helps to bridge the gap between students and employers.
- Better communication can bridge the gap between management and staff.
water under the bridge
1/wˈɔtɚ ˈʌndɚ ðə bɹˈɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
past problem that is no longer important
Something that happened in the past and is no longer important now.
Examples
- We had some arguments before, but that's all water under the bridge now.
- Yes, we had some disagreements, but that's water under the bridge now.
- Don't worry about last year's mistakes—it's water under the bridge.
- Don't worry about last year's problems; it's all water under the bridge.