centre
gb/sˈɛntɚ/ us/sˈɛntɚ/
A2
English
~ 500
közép, középpont, központ, középre helyez, középre tesz, középre igazít, központi alak
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
the centre of [something]
The statue stands in the centre of the square.
A szobor a tér közepén áll.
He drew a dot in the exact centre of the page.
Rajzolt egy pontot az oldal pontos közepére.
The table was placed at the centre of the room.
London's West End is considered the cultural centre of the city.
Learner examples
The ball is in the centre of the field.
A labda a pálya közepén van.
She stood in the centre of the room.
A szoba közepén állt.
There is a park in the centre of town.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'centre' with 'middle' in abstract contexts; 'centre' often implies a precise point or a focal area, while 'middle' can be more general.
Meaning
Middle point or area
Collocations
city centre
|centre of attention
|centre stage
|centre point
|centre circle
Synonyms
middle (More general term for the midpoint; less formal and not always spatially exact.)
Antonyms
edge (Refers to the outer limit or boundary, opposite of the middle.)
Themes
geometry
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The middle part of something, the same distance from all sides.
The point or area that is equally distant from all sides, edges, or surfaces of something.
NOUN
A2
2
központ
A2
Usage pattern:
[type of] centre
The town has a new leisure centre with a swimming pool.
A városnak van egy új, úszómedencés szabadidőközpontja.
Our company’s training centre is located near the airport.
Cégünk képzési központja a repülőtér közelében található.
The conference will be held at the international convention centre.
Learner examples
We went to the sports centre to play basketball.
Elmentünk a sportközpontba kosárlabdázni.
The shopping centre has many stores.
A bevásárlóközpontban sok üzlet van.
She works at a community centre.
Meaning
Main place for activity
Collocations
shopping centre
|sports centre
|community centre
|conference centre
Synonyms
hub (Often used figuratively; suggests a central or most important place for activity.)
Antonyms
periphery (The outer area far from the main activity.)
Themes
business
|education
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A building or place where certain activities happen.
A place where a particular activity, service, or organization is based or concentrated.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to centre [something] [somewhere]
Please centre the title on the page.
Kérlek, igazítsd középre a címet az oldalon.
She centred the vase on the table.
Az asztal közepére helyezte a vázát.
The camera should be centred on the subject.
Learner examples
Centre the photo on the wall.
Tedd a fényképet a fal közepére.
He centred his name on the paper.
Középre igazította a nevét a papíron.
I centred my chair between theirs.
Meaning
Place in the middle
Collocations
centre the text
|centre a picture
|centre yourself
Synonyms
align (To arrange something properly, which may include centering but can also refer to other positions.)
Antonyms
offset (To move something away from the middle position.)
Themes
daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put something in the middle of a space.
To position something so that it is in the middle of an area or space.
NOUN
B2
4
középpont
B1
The issue of climate change is at the centre of political debate.
A klímaváltozás kérdése a politikai vita középpontjában áll.
She loves being at the centre of attention.
Szereti, ha ő van a figyelem középpontjában.
Education reform is at the centre of their campaign.
Learner examples
He is at the centre of this problem.
Ő áll ennek a problémának a középpontjában.
She is at the centre of our team.
Ő a csapatunk központi alakja.
Money is at the centre of their plan.
Meaning
Core or key part
Collocations
centre of attention
|centre of power
|centre of interest
Synonyms
focus (Emphasizes concentration of attention or effort rather than physical location.)
Antonyms
margins (Areas far from importance or influence.)
Themes
abstract concepts
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The most important part of something.
The most important or influential part of something, often used figuratively.
Grammar
Dictionary form
centre
IPA
GB/sˈɛntɚ/
US/sˈɛntɚ/
Syllables & stress
centre (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (centre)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: centre
- Variant Spelling: center
- Plural: centres
Verb
- Base: centre
- Variant Spelling: center
- 3rd Person Singular: centres
- Present Participle: centring
- Past: centred
Word family
Forms
Core family
central
adjective A2
centrally
adverb
Related words
centralise
verb C1
Negative and opposite forms
decentralise
verb C1
Advanced or less common
centralisation
noun C1
centrality
noun
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: center Verb
- Spelling Variant: center Noun
Expressions
centre around/on something
1/sˈɛntɚ ˈɑɹˈaʊndən sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Have as main focus/topic
To be mainly about something, or to have it as your main interest.
Examples
- The discussion centred on ways to improve safety.
- Our holiday plans centred around visiting family.
centre of attention
1/sˈɛntɚ əv ətˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
Person everyone notices most
The person or thing that everyone is looking at or talking about.
Examples
- She was the centre of attention at her birthday party.
- The unusual painting became the centre of attention in the gallery.
city centre
1/sˈɪti sˈɛntɚ/
fixed phrase
Main commercial area of city
The main part of a city where there are many shops, offices, and other businesses.
Examples
- We stayed in a hotel right in the city centre.
- Traffic is always heavy in the city centre during rush hour.
take centre stage
1/tˈeɪk sˈɛntɚ stˈeɪd͡ʒ/
idiom
Become most important focus
To become the most important thing or person in a situation.
Examples
- Environmental issues took centre stage during the conference.
- She took centre stage with her powerful speech.