eclipse
gb/ɪklˈɪps/ us/ɪklˈɪps/
B2
English
~ 7100
fogyatkozás, eltakar, elfed, háttérbe szorít, elhomályosít, háttérbe szorulás, háttérbe szorul
NOUN
B2
1
fogyatkozás
B2
Usage pattern:
a [type] eclipse of the [sun/moon]
Millions of people traveled to see the total solar eclipse last year.
Emberek milliói utaztak el tavaly, hogy láthassák a teljes napfogyatkozást.
During a lunar eclipse, the full moon can turn a deep red color.
Holdfogyatkozáskor a telihold mélyvörös színűvé válhat.
The city switched off unnecessary lights so that residents could watch the eclipse clearly.
The next eclipse of the sun will not be visible from this part of the world.
Clouds covered the sky and spoiled our view of the eclipse.
Learner examples
We wore special glasses to watch the solar eclipse.
Speciális szemüveget viseltünk, hogy megnézzük a napfogyatkozást.
A lunar eclipse happens when the Earth is between the sun and the moon.
Holdfogyatkozás akkor következik be, amikor a Föld a Nap és a Hold közé kerül.
The teacher showed us a video of an eclipse in science class.
People went outside to see the eclipse in the afternoon.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse “eclipse” with “ellipse,” which is a different word in geometry. Others say “the moon make an eclipse” instead of “there is an eclipse” or “the moon causes an eclipse.”
Meaning
astronomical blocking of the sun or moon
Collocations
solar eclipse
|lunar eclipse
|total eclipse
|partial eclipse
|observe an eclipse
|during the eclipse
Synonyms
occultation (A technical astronomy term; less common in everyday language and not limited to the sun or moon.)
Antonyms
full illumination (Describes the opposite situation, when a celestial body is completely lit and not blocked at all.)
Themes
science
|space
|nature
Definition
A time when the sun, moon, or another body in space looks dark because something moves in front of it and blocks the light.
An event in which the sun, moon, or another celestial body is temporarily darkened when another body passes between it and the observer or between it and its source of light.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
[celestial body] eclipses [celestial body]
At that point in its orbit, the moon briefly eclipses the bright star behind it.
A pályája azon pontján a Hold rövid időre eltakarja a mögötte látszó fényes csillagot.
When the Earth eclipses the moon, we see a lunar eclipse from the ground.
Amikor a Föld eltakarja a Nap fényét a Hold elől, a Földről holdfogyatkozást látunk.
In the simulation, a large exoplanet eclipses its host star every ten days.
Learner examples
The moon eclipses the sun during a solar eclipse.
Napfogyatkozáskor a Hold eltakarja a Napot.
When the Earth eclipses the moon, the moon looks dark.
Amikor a Föld eltakarja a Nap fényét a Hold elől, a Hold sötétnek látszik.
In the picture, the planet eclipses the star behind it.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say “eclipse the light of” when talking about everyday objects (e.g. buildings), but this verb in its literal sense is mostly used for bodies in space. For everyday blocking of light, words like “block” or “cover” are more natural.
Meaning
to block light from a celestial body
Collocations
the moon eclipses the sun
|the Earth eclipses the moon
|a planet eclipses a star
|completely eclipses
|partially eclipses
Synonyms
obscure (Can be used more generally for blocking light or view, not only in astronomy.)
Antonyms
reveal (Means to make something visible again, the opposite of blocking it from view.)
Themes
science
|space
|nature
Definition
To move in front of something like the sun or moon so that its light or shape cannot be seen, or can only be seen partly.
To block the light or view of a celestial body by passing between it and the observer or between it and its source of light.
VERB
C1
3
elhomályosít
C1
Usage pattern:
to eclipse [someone/something]
The scandal quickly eclipsed all of the government’s recent achievements.
A botrány gyorsan háttérbe szorította a kormány összes közelmúltbeli eredményét.
Her performance eclipsed that of every other singer in the competition.
Az ő produkciója a verseny összes többi énekesének teljesítményét háttérbe szorította.
Streaming services have largely eclipsed traditional television for younger viewers.
The new smartphone is expected to eclipse last year’s model in sales.
His early success was so great that it eclipsed the rest of his career.
Learner examples
Online shopping is starting to eclipse many small local shops.
Az online vásárlás sok kis helyi üzletet kezd háttérbe szorítani.
Her talent eclipsed all the other dancers in the show.
A tehetsége háttérbe szorította a műsor összes többi táncosát.
The big news story eclipsed all other headlines that day.
Their new product could eclipse their older products.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use “eclipse” as if it were reflexive (e.g. “he eclipsed himself”) when they mean “he surpassed himself.” It is also sometimes confused with “clip,” which has a very different meaning.
Meaning
to overshadow or outshine
Collocations
eclipse a rival
|eclipse an achievement
|eclipse previous records
|completely eclipsed
|threaten to eclipse
|risk being eclipsed
Synonyms
outshine (Very close in meaning; slightly more informal and often used about personal talent or charm.)
|
overshadow (Stresses making something seem less important; can also suggest a negative or sad effect.)
Antonyms
highlight (Means to draw attention to something, the opposite of making it seem less important.)
Themes
business
|media
|competition
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be so strong, famous, or good that people pay less attention to another person or thing.
To become so important, successful, or impressive that something or someone else seems less important or less impressive by comparison.
NOUN
C1
4
Usage pattern:
the eclipse of [something]
The eclipse of print newspapers has been dramatic over the past two decades.
A nyomtatott újságok háttérbe szorulása drámai volt az elmúlt két évtizedben.
After years in eclipse, the party has begun to regain influence.
Miután évekig háttérbe szorult, a párt most ismét kezd befolyásra szert tenni.
Many fear the eclipse of local cultures by global entertainment brands.
Her work enjoyed a brief eclipse but is now widely studied again.
The kingdom entered a long eclipse after the defeat.
Learner examples
The eclipse of CDs came when people started to stream music online.
A CD-k háttérbe szorulása akkor következett be, amikor az emberek elkezdtek online zenét streamelni.
The team was in eclipse for many years, but now it is strong again.
A csapat sok éven át háttérbe szorult, de most újra erős.
Some old traditions are in eclipse because young people do not follow them.
After his eclipse, the actor made a big return to film.
Common mistake:
Learners may treat this sense as always literal and try to use it only with the sun or moon. In this meaning, “eclipse” is abstract and is usually used with things like power, influence, or popularity, often in phrases like “the eclipse of X” or “in eclipse.”
Meaning
state of reduced importance or attention
Collocations
the eclipse of traditional media
|in eclipse
|fall into eclipse
|a long eclipse
|temporary eclipse
Synonyms
decline (General word for becoming weaker or less important; does not always imply being replaced by something else.)
|
obscurity (Focuses more on not being known or noticed rather than on being replaced.)
Antonyms
ascendancy (Describes a position of rising power or dominance, the opposite of being in eclipse.)
Themes
politics
|history
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A situation where a person, group, or thing is not important or not noticed anymore because something else is stronger or more popular.
A state in which someone or something has lost importance, power, or public attention because someone or something else has become more important or more popular.
Grammar
Dictionary form
eclipse
IPA
GB/ɪklˈɪps/
US/ɪklˈɪps/
Syllables & stress
ec - lipse (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lipse)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: eclipse
- Plural: eclipse, eclipses
Verb
- Base: eclipse
- 3rd Person Singular: eclipses
- Present Participle: eclipsing
- Past: eclipsed
Word family
Forms
eclipses
noun
eclipsing
verb
eclipsed
verb
Advanced or less common
ecliptic
noun
Expressions
fall into eclipse
1/fˈɔl ˈɪntu ɪklˈɪps/
idiom
literary
to lose importance or influence
To slowly lose power, fame, or interest from the public, usually because something else replaces it.
Examples
- The movement fell into eclipse after the arrest of its leaders.
- Many traditional crafts have fallen into eclipse in the age of mass production.
in eclipse
1/ˈɪn ɪklˈɪps/
idiom
literary
in a state of reduced importance
Not important or not noticed anymore, usually because something else has become more important.
Examples
- For many years the band was in eclipse, remembered only by older fans.
- The company’s luxury brand is in eclipse as customers look for cheaper options.
partial eclipse
1/pˈɑɹʃəl ɪklˈɪps/
fixed phrase
an eclipse where light is partly blocked
An eclipse where only part of the sun or moon is covered, so you can still see some of it.
Examples
- From our city we could only see a partial eclipse of the sun.
- Even during a partial eclipse, you must not look at the sun without protection.
total eclipse
1/tˈoʊtəl ɪklˈɪps/
fixed phrase
an eclipse where the light is fully blocked
An eclipse where the sun or moon is completely covered and cannot be seen from a certain place.
Examples
- A total eclipse of the sun turned day into night for a few minutes.
- We were just outside the zone of total eclipse and only saw a partial one.
lunar eclipse
1/lˈunɚ ɪklˈɪps/
fixed phrase
eclipse of the Moon
When the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, and the Earth’s shadow makes the Moon dark.
Examples
- The lunar eclipse will be visible from most of Europe tonight.
- We stayed up late to watch the total lunar eclipse.
- During the lunar eclipse, the full moon slowly changed from white to red.
- A blood-red Moon can appear during a full lunar eclipse.
solar eclipse
1/sˈoʊlɚ ɪklˈɪps/
fixed phrase
When Moon hides the Sun
When the Moon moves in front of the Sun and blocks its light for a short time.
Examples
- We watched the solar eclipse through special glasses.
- We drove into the path of totality to see the solar eclipse.
- A total solar eclipse will happen next year.
- Schools closed for the morning so students could watch the solar eclipse safely.