contract
gb/kˈɑntɹˌækt/ us/kˈɑntɹˌækt/
B1
English
~ 700
szerződés, szerződést köt, összehúzódik, összehúz, elkap, megfertőződik
NOUN
B1
1
szerződés
B1
Usage pattern:
sign [a/an] contract
The company offered her a one-year contract.
A cég egyéves szerződést ajánlott neki.
He refused to sign the contract without reading it first.
Nem volt hajlandó aláírni a szerződést anélkül, hogy előbb elolvasta volna.
Under the contract, they must deliver the goods by June.
The contract clearly states the payment schedule.
Learner examples
I signed a contract for a new job.
Munkaszerződést írtam alá az új állásomhoz.
The contract is for two years.
A szerződés két évre szól.
We have a contract with the school.
She read the contract before signing it.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'contract' (noun) with 'contact' due to similar spelling and pronunciation.
Meaning
Legally binding agreement
Collocations
sign a contract
|break a contract
|contract terms
|contract agreement
|contract negotiations
Synonyms
agreement (General term for mutual arrangement; not always legally binding.)
|
deal (Informal term for an arrangement, often in business context.)
Antonyms
breach (Breaking the terms of a contract, making it invalid.)
Themes
business
|law
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
An official agreement between people or groups that the law says must be followed.
A formal written or spoken agreement between two or more parties that is enforceable by law.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to contract [someone] to [do something]
The firm has been contracted to build the bridge.
A céggel szerződést kötöttek a híd megépítésére.
They contracted with a supplier for raw materials.
Szerződést kötöttek egy beszállítóval nyersanyagok szállítására.
She was contracted to write three articles per month.
Learner examples
The school contracted a builder to fix the roof.
Az iskola szerződést kötött egy építési vállalkozóval a tető megjavítására.
We contracted with a company for cleaning.
Szerződést kötöttünk egy céggel takarításra.
They contracted him to paint the house.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'contract' meaning 'to agree formally' with 'contract' meaning 'to catch an illness'. Context is important.
Meaning
To make a legal agreement
Collocations
contract work
|contract services
|contract with a company
Synonyms
engage (More formal; often used for hiring services.)
Themes
business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To agree to do work or provide something by signing an official paper.
To formally agree to do something by signing or entering into a legally binding arrangement.
VERB
B2
3
összehúzódik
B1
összehúz
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] contracts
Metals contract as they cool.
A fémek hűlés közben összehúzódnak.
Her pupils contracted in the bright light.
A pupillái összehúzódtak az erős fényben.
The material contracts when it dries.
Learner examples
The metal contracts when it is cold.
A fém hidegben összehúzódik.
My muscles contract when I move.
Mozgás közben összehúzódnak az izmaim.
The plastic will contract after washing.
Meaning
To shrink or tighten
Collocations
muscles contract
|metal contracts
|contract in the cold
Synonyms
shrink (General word for becoming smaller; less technical in some contexts.)
Antonyms
expand (To become larger in size or amount.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something smaller or shorter, or to become smaller or shorter.
To decrease in size, range, or length; to make smaller by drawing together or tightening.
VERB
B2
4
elkap
A2
Usage pattern:
contract [a disease]
He contracted malaria while traveling abroad.
Külföldi utazása során maláriát kapott el.
The virus can be contracted through contaminated water.
A vírust szennyezett víz útján is el lehet kapni.
She contracted pneumonia during the winter.
Learner examples
He contracted a bad illness on holiday.
Nyaralás közben elkapott egy komoly betegséget.
She contracted flu last year.
Tavaly elkapta az influenzát.
They contracted malaria in Africa.
Meaning
To catch an illness
Collocations
contract malaria
|contract HIV
|contract an infection
Synonyms
catch (More informal; used for illnesses like colds or flu.)
Themes
health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To get a disease or illness.
To become infected with a disease or illness.
Grammar
Dictionary form
contract
IPA
GB/kˈɑntɹˌækt/
US/kˈɑntɹˌækt/
Syllables & stress
con - tract (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: contract
- Plural: contracts
Verb
- Base: contract
- 3rd Person Singular: contracts
- Present Participle: contracting
- Past: contracted
Word family
Forms
contracts
noun
contracting
verb
contracted
verb
Core family
contractor
noun B1
Related words
Advanced or less common
contractually
adverb C1
subcontractor
noun B2
Expressions
contract out
1/kˈɑntɹˌækt ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Hire outside company for work
To pay another company to do work instead of doing it yourself.
Examples
- They decided to contract out their IT support.
- The cleaning is contracted out to a local firm.
enter into a contract
1/ˈɛntɚ ˈɪntu ə kˈɑntɹˌækt/
fixed phrase
formal
Begin legal agreement formally
To start an official legal agreement with someone.
Examples
- Both parties entered into a contract last month.
- We will enter into a contract once terms are agreed.
sign a contract
1/sˈaɪn ə kˈɑntɹˌækt/
fixed phrase
Sign legal agreement document
To write your name on an official paper to agree to it.
Examples
- We signed the contract yesterday afternoon.
- He refused to sign the contract without changes.
under contract
1/ˈʌndɚ kˈɑntɹˌækt/
fixed phrase
Currently bound by contract
Having a legal agreement that you must follow at this time.
Examples
- She is under contract with the studio for two more films.
- The player is still under contract until next season.
breach of contract
1/bɹˈit͡ʃ əv kˈɑntɹˌækt/
fixed phrase
Failure to follow contract terms
When someone does not do what they agreed to do in a contract.
Examples
- The company sued for breach of contract after the supplier failed to deliver.
- Breach of contract can result in legal action.
breach of contract
2/bɹˈit͡ʃ əv kˈɑntɹˌækt/
fixed phrase
formal
Failure to follow contract terms
When someone does not do what the contract says they must do.
Examples
- The company sued him for breach of contract.
- Failing to deliver on time is a breach of contract.