calibrate
gb/kˈæləbɹˌeɪt/ us/kˈæləbɹˌeɪt/
C1
English
kalibrál, finomhangol, hozzáigazít, beoszt
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
1
kalibrál
C1
Usage pattern:
calibrate [an instrument/device/sensor] (to/against [a standard])
Technicians calibrate the store's scales every morning before opening.
A technikusok minden reggel, nyitás előtt kalibrálják az üzlet mérlegeit.
The lab calibrates its sensors against a certified reference once a year.
A labor évente egyszer hitelesített etalonhoz viszonyítva kalibrálja az érzékelőit.
If your phone's compass is inaccurate, you may need to calibrate it.
Learner examples
We calibrated the thermometer before the test.
A vizsgálat előtt kalibráltuk a hőmérőt.
The scale must be calibrated often.
A mérleget gyakran kell kalibrálni.
Common mistake:
Do not use calibrate for ordinary repairs; it specifically means setting or checking accuracy against a standard.
Meaning
adjust measuring equipment accurately
Collocations
calibrate a thermometer
|calibrate a scale
|calibrate a sensor
|calibrate an instrument
|calibrate a monitor
|calibrate a camera
|calibrate a printer
|calibrate a touchscreen
|calibrate a compass
|calibrate against a standard
Synonyms
adjust (More general; may not involve a standard or exact measurement.)
|
fine-tune (Emphasizes small, precise adjustments.)
|
standardize (Emphasizes making something consistent with an official standard.)
Antonyms
miscalibrate (To set or adjust something incorrectly so its readings are wrong.)
Themes
measurement
|science
|technology
|engineering
Definition
To set or check a measuring device so it gives correct results.
To check or adjust an instrument, device, or sensor by comparing it with a standard so that it measures accurately.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
finomhangol
B2
hozzáigazít
B2
Usage pattern:
calibrate [a response/strategy/message/level] (to/for [a situation or audience])
The company calibrated its message for different audiences.
A vállalat a különböző célközönségekhez igazította az üzenetét.
Officials tried to calibrate the sanctions so they would apply pressure without hurting civilians.
A tisztviselők úgy próbálták finomhangolni a szankciókat, hogy nyomást gyakoroljanak anélkül, hogy a civileknek ártanának.
She paused to calibrate her tone before answering the criticism.
Learner examples
We need to calibrate our plan for a smaller budget.
A tervünket egy kisebb költségvetéshez kell igazítanunk.
He calibrated his answer for a younger audience.
A válaszát egy fiatalabb közönséghez igazította.
Common mistake:
This figurative use is more formal than adjust or change and usually suggests careful judgment.
Meaning
fine-tune for desired effect
Collocations
calibrate a response
|calibrate a strategy
|calibrate an approach
|calibrate a message
|calibrate the tone
|calibrate a policy
|calibrate risk
|calibrate carefully
|finely calibrate
|calibrate for an audience
Synonyms
fine-tune (Very close; emphasizes small improvements.)
|
adjust (More general and common in everyday speech.)
|
tailor (Emphasizes adapting something to a particular person, group, or purpose.)
|
modulate (Often used for adjusting tone, intensity, or degree.)
Antonyms
miscalibrate (To judge or set the level wrongly.)
|
overdo (To make something too strong or excessive rather than well balanced.)
Themes
business
|communication
|planning
|decision_making
Definition
To make careful changes so something is appropriate or works well.
To adjust something carefully, especially a plan, response, tone, or level, so that it suits a situation or has the intended effect.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
3
beoszt
B2
Usage pattern:
calibrate [a scale/dial/container/axis] in [units]
The cylinder is calibrated in milliliters.
A henger milliliterben van beosztva.
The dial was calibrated from 0 to 100 psi.
A számlap 0-tól 100 psi-ig volt beosztva.
The chart's vertical axis is calibrated in logarithmic units.
Learner examples
The cup is calibrated in ounces.
A pohár unciában van beosztva.
Common mistake:
This meaning often appears in the passive: a scale is calibrated in inches, degrees, milliliters, etc.
Meaning
mark with measurement units
Collocations
calibrated in degrees
|calibrated in milliliters
|calibrated scale
|calibrated dial
|calibrated gauge
|calibrated cylinder
|calibrated axis
|calibrated ruler
Synonyms
graduate (Technical; means mark with measurement units.)
|
mark (More general; does not necessarily imply accurate measurement units.)
|
scale (Means provide with a scale or arrange values proportionally.)
Themes
measurement
|science
|engineering
|design
Definition
To put measurement marks or units on something.
To mark or design a scale, dial, container, or axis with units or values for measuring.
Grammar
Dictionary form
calibrate
IPA
GB/kˈæləbɹˌeɪt/
US/kˈæləbɹˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
cal - ib - rate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cal)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: calibrate
- 3rd Person Singular: calibrates
- Present Participle: calibrating
- Past: calibrated
Expressions
calibrate one's expectations
1/kˈæləbɹˌeɪt wˈʌnz ˌɛkspɛktˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
make expectations realistic
To change what you expect so it is more realistic.
Examples
- After the first sales report, we had to calibrate our expectations for the year.
- The coach tried to calibrate fans' expectations about the rookie player.
- Reading several reviews can help you calibrate your expectations before buying the product.
Learner examples
- I calibrated my expectations before the exam.
- We should calibrate our expectations for the trip.