category
gb/kˈætəɡˌɔɹi/ us/kˈætəɡˌɔɹi/
A2
English
~ 1500
család
NOUN
A2
1
család
B2
Usage pattern:
a category of [things/people]
Books in this library are arranged by category.
In which category would you place this species?
These expenses fall into a different category than last year.
The competition has several age categories.
This product doesn't fit neatly into any category.
Learner examples
This store sells many categories of food.
Cats and dogs are in different categories of animals.
We put the photos into three categories.
There is a sports category in the magazine.
I like the comedy category of movies.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'category' with 'catalogue'; 'category' means a type or group, not a list.
Meaning
Group with common features
Collocations
fall into a category
|broad category
|main category
|specific category
Synonyms
class (Often used interchangeably, but 'class' can also imply hierarchy or rank.)
|
type ('Type' is more informal and general in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
individual (Refers to a single person or thing rather than a group.)
Themes
classification
|language
|organization
|core_vocabulary
|education
Definition
A group of people or things that are the same in some way.
A class or division of people or things regarded as having particular shared characteristics.
Grammar
Dictionary form
category
IPA
GB/kˈætəɡˌɔɹi/
US/kˈætəɡˌɔɹi/
Syllables & stress
cat - egory (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: category
- Plural: categories
Word family
Forms
categories
noun
Core family
categorize
verb B2
Related words
Advanced or less common
categorically
adverb
Expressions
fall into a category
1/fˈɔl ˈɪntu ə kˈætəɡˌɔɹi/
fixed phrase
Belong to a specific group
To be part of a certain group because of similar features.
Examples
- These symptoms fall into the category of mild illness.
- His work falls into the category of modern art.
in a category of its own
1/ˈɪn ə kˈætəɡˌɔɹi əv ˈɪts ˈoʊn/
idiom
Completely unique or unmatched
So different or special that nothing else is like it.
Examples
- Her singing talent is in a category of its own.
- This restaurant is in a category of its own when it comes to service.