detect
gb/dɪtˈɛkt/ us/dɪtˈɛkt/
B1
English
~ 2600
észlel, kimutat, érzékel
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to detect [something]
The alarm can detect smoke within seconds.
A riasztó másodperceken belül érzékeli a füstöt.
Scientists detected water on the planet's surface.
A tudósok vizet mutattak ki a bolygó felszínén.
Police dogs are trained to detect drugs.
This sensor can detect even the smallest movements.
She detected a slight hesitation in his voice.
Learner examples
The machine can detect heat.
A gép érzékeli a hőt.
I detected a strange smell in the room.
Furcsa szagot észleltem a szobában.
The police detected the stolen car.
The test can detect the virus early.
He detected a sound outside.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'detect' with 'look for'. 'Detect' means you actually find or notice something, not just search for it.
Meaning
Notice or find something
Collocations
detect a problem
|detect movement
|detect changes
|detect a signal
|detect a smell
Synonyms
discover (More general; can refer to finding anything new or unknown, not necessarily hidden.)
|
identify (Focuses on recognizing exactly what something is, not just noticing its existence.)
Antonyms
miss (Fail to notice or become aware of something.)
|
overlook (Fail to see or notice something, often by accident.)
Themes
science
|crime
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To find out that something exists, especially something you cannot see easily.
To discover or identify the presence or existence of something, often something that is hidden or not immediately obvious.
Grammar
Dictionary form
detect
IPA
GB/dɪtˈɛkt/
US/dɪtˈɛkt/
Syllables & stress
de - tect (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tect)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: detect
- 3rd Person Singular: detects
- Present Participle: detecting
- Past: detected
Word family
Forms
detects
verb
detecting
verb
detected
verb
Related words
detectable
adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
undetectable
adjective
undetected
adjective
Expressions
detect a lie
1/dɪtˈɛkt ə lˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
Find out someone is lying
To notice or find out that someone is not telling the truth.
Examples
- It's hard to detect a lie if the person seems confident.
- Some people can easily detect a lie by watching body language.
detect a problem early
1/dɪtˈɛkt ə pɹˈɑbləm ˈɚli/
fixed phrase
Find an issue soon
To find a problem before it gets worse.
Examples
- Regular check-ups help doctors detect a problem early.
- We detected the problem early and fixed it quickly.