confine
gb/kˈɑnfaɪn/ us/kˈɑnfaɪn/
B1
English
~ 2900
tart, bezár, korlátoz, szorítkozik, határ, keret
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to confine [someone/something] to [place/limits]
The patient was confined to bed for two weeks after surgery.
A betegnek a műtét után két hétig ágyban kellett maradnia.
The zoo confines the animals to secure enclosures.
Az állatkert biztonságos, zárt kifutókban tartja az állatokat.
Due to the storm, we were confined indoors all day.
The prisoner was confined to his cell for 23 hours a day.
Learner examples
She was confined to her room.
A szobájában kellett maradnia.
The dog is confined in the yard.
A kutyát az udvarban tartják.
He was confined to bed after the accident.
We were confined inside because of the rain.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'confine' with 'define'. 'Confine' means to limit or keep inside; 'define' means to explain the meaning of something.
Meaning
Keep within limits or boundaries
Collocations
confine to bed
|confine within walls
|confine to prison
|confine discussion
|confine movement
Synonyms
restrict (More general; can apply to non-physical limitations as well.)
|
imprison (Specifically means to confine a person in prison.)
Antonyms
free (Means to release from confinement or restriction.)
|
liberate (Often used for freeing from severe or unjust confinement.)
Themes
control
|law
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To keep a person or thing in one place or to stop them from going outside certain limits.
To restrict someone or something within a certain area, range, or limits.
VERB
B2
2
korlátoz
B2
szorítkozik
B2
Usage pattern:
to confine [discussion/activity] to [topic/area]
Please confine your remarks to the topic under discussion.
Kérem, a hozzászólásában szorítkozzon a tárgyalt témára.
The study confines itself to rural communities.
A tanulmány a vidéki közösségekre szorítkozik.
We should confine our efforts to achievable goals.
Learner examples
Please confine your talk to the point.
Kérem, szorítkozzon a lényegre.
The book confines itself to one subject.
A könyv egyetlen témára szorítkozik.
We will confine our work to this project.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse this sense for physical restriction contexts; in abstract use it refers to limiting scope, not physical movement.
Meaning
Limit the range or scope of something
Collocations
confine remarks
|confine attention
|confine efforts
|confine scope
Synonyms
narrow (Focuses on reducing breadth in scope.)
|
limit (General term for placing boundaries on extent or amount.)
Antonyms
expand (Increase in size, scope, or extent.)
|
broaden (Make wider in scope or range.)
Themes
communication
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To limit what you talk about, work on, or deal with to a particular subject or area.
To restrict the range, subject, or extent of something, especially in discussion or activity.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
3
She spent most of her life within the confines of the small village.
Élete nagy részét a kis falu határain belül töltötte.
The discussion stayed within the confines of legal issues.
A vita a jogi kérdések keretein belül maradt.
They longed to escape the confines of their routine.
Learner examples
He stayed within the confines of the park.
A park határain belül maradt.
They live within the confines of this town.
Ennek a városnak a határain belül élnek.
She wanted to leave the confines of her home.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this noun form with its verb form; as a noun it refers to boundaries, not the act of restricting.
Meaning
Borders or limits of an area/subject
Collocations
within the confines of
|escape the confines of
|confines of the city
Synonyms
limits (General term for boundaries.)
|
boundaries (Often used for physical or conceptual borders.)
Antonyms
freedom (Absence of limits or restrictions.)
Themes
geography
|law
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The edges or borders of a place or of what is possible.
The boundaries or limits that enclose a space, area, or subject.
Grammar
Dictionary form
confine
IPA
GB/kˈɑnfaɪn/
US/kˈɑnfaɪn/
Syllables & stress
con - fine (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: confine
- 3rd Person Singular: confines
- Present Participle: confining
- Past: confined
Word family
Forms
confines
verb
confining
verb
confined
verb
Core family
confinement
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unconfined
adjective
Expressions
confined space
1/kənfˈaɪnd spˈeɪs/
fixed phrase
technical
Small enclosed area with limited access
A small closed place that is hard to get in and out of and may have little air.
Examples
- Workers must wear protective gear when entering a confined space.
- The rescue team had trouble reaching him in the confined space.
confined to bed
1/kənfˈaɪnd tə bˈɛd/
fixed phrase
Kept in bed by illness/injury
Made to stay in bed because you are sick or hurt.
Examples
- After the operation, she was confined to bed for several days.
- He has been confined to bed with the flu.
within the confines of
1/wɪðˈɪn ðə kˈɑnfaɪnz əv/
fixed phrase
formal
Inside set boundaries or limits
Inside the limits or borders of a place or situation.
Examples
- All activities must take place within the confines of the campus.
- Freedom of speech exists within the confines of the law.