equilibrium
gb/ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/ us/ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
C1
English
~ 9000
egyensúly, lelki egyensúly, érzelmi egyensúly, piaci egyensúly, egyensúlyi állapot, egyensúlyérzék
NOUN
C1
1
egyensúly
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] is in equilibrium
The ecosystem has been pushed out of equilibrium by climate change.
Az ökoszisztémát a klímaváltozás kibillentette az egyensúlyából.
After a few minutes the temperature of the water and the air reached equilibrium.
Néhány perc után a víz és a levegő hőmérséklete egyensúlyba került.
Central banks try to maintain an equilibrium between growth and inflation.
Any new tax on fuel could disturb the delicate equilibrium of the transport market.
In a state of dynamic equilibrium, the population size stays roughly the same even though individuals are constantly being born and dying.
Learner examples
The market is in equilibrium when prices do not change much.
A piac egyensúlyban van, amikor az árak alig változnak.
When supply and demand are equal, the system is in equilibrium.
Amikor a kereslet és a kínálat egyenlő, a rendszer egyensúlyban van.
If you heat one side, the system moves out of equilibrium.
After some time, the two rooms come into equilibrium in temperature.
The government is trying to keep an equilibrium between safety and freedom.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "equilibrium" with "equality". "Equality" is about being the same (for example, equal rights), while "equilibrium" is about different forces or parts being balanced. Another common error is using it like an adjective (e.g., *"an equilibrium system"*) instead of as a noun phrase: "a system in equilibrium" or "a state of equilibrium".
Meaning
state of balance between forces
Collocations
in equilibrium
|reach equilibrium
|dynamic equilibrium
|stable equilibrium
|restore equilibrium
|upset the equilibrium
Synonyms
balance (More common and general; can refer to many kinds of balance, not just formal or scientific ones.)
|
stability (Stresses being steady and not changing, rather than the idea of equal opposing forces.)
Antonyms
imbalance (Highlights that one side is stronger than another so the system is not evenly balanced.)
|
instability (Focuses on the fact that the system is likely to change or collapse rather than stay steady.)
Themes
science
|society
|environment
Definition
A state where different forces or things are in balance and nothing is changing overall.
A state in which opposing forces, influences, or parts of a system are evenly balanced so that there is no overall change.
NOUN
C1
2
Usage pattern:
to maintain [someone's] equilibrium
After the shock of the news, it took her several minutes to regain her equilibrium.
A hír okozta sokk után több percre volt szüksége, hogy visszanyerje a lelki egyensúlyát.
He spoke with surprising equilibrium, despite the intense pressure.
A nagy nyomás ellenére meglepő nyugalommal és kiegyensúlyozottsággal beszélt.
Meditation helps him maintain his emotional equilibrium during stressful periods at work.
The sudden criticism disturbed her inner equilibrium.
Travel and rest restored a sense of equilibrium to his life.
Learner examples
He tried to keep his equilibrium during the interview.
Az interjú alatt igyekezett megőrizni a lelki egyensúlyát.
After the argument, she needed time to find her equilibrium again.
A vita után időre volt szüksége, hogy újra megtalálja a lelki egyensúlyát.
Deep breathing can help you regain your emotional equilibrium.
Stress at work can break your mental equilibrium.
Exercise helps many people keep their inner equilibrium.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "equilibrium" in everyday emotional contexts where "calm" or "balance" is more natural, especially in spoken English. "Equilibrium" often sounds slightly formal or literary when talking about feelings, so it is more common in writing than in casual speech.
Meaning
emotional or mental calm
Collocations
emotional equilibrium
|mental equilibrium
|inner equilibrium
|regain one's equilibrium
|maintain one's equilibrium
|lose one's equilibrium
Synonyms
composure (Stresses staying calm and controlled in difficult or surprising situations.)
|
poise (Suggests calm self-control, often with a sense of confidence or grace.)
Antonyms
turmoil (Emphasizes strong confusion or emotional disturbance rather than calm and balance.)
|
agitation (Focuses on being nervous, upset, or emotionally stirred up.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|health
Definition
A steady, calm feeling, when your mind and emotions are balanced and not easily upset.
A calm and stable state of mind in which someone is not easily upset, confused, or thrown off emotionally.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
[a market] is in equilibrium
In a competitive market, prices tend to move toward equilibrium where supply equals demand.
Versenyző piacon az árak általában a piaci egyensúly felé mozdulnak, ahol a kínálat megegyezik a kereslettel.
A sudden increase in demand pushes the market out of equilibrium until prices adjust.
A kereslet hirtelen növekedése kibillenti a piacot az egyensúlyából, amíg az árak nem alkalmazkodnak.
The concept of an equilibrium wage is central to many labor market models.
Government subsidies can prevent the market from reaching its natural equilibrium.
General equilibrium theory studies how all markets in an economy can be in equilibrium at the same time.
Learner examples
The equilibrium price is where the demand curve meets the supply curve.
Az egyensúlyi ár ott van, ahol a keresleti görbe metszi a kínálati görbét.
If the price is too high, the market is not in equilibrium.
Ha az ár túl magas, a piac nincs egyensúlyban.
Over time, the market moves toward equilibrium.
In equilibrium, there is no shortage and no surplus.
Taxes can change the equilibrium quantity in a market.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "equilibrium price" with "average price". The equilibrium price is specifically the price where supply equals demand, not just the typical or mean price. They may also say *"the equilibrium of the price"* instead of the more natural "equilibrium price" or "price is in equilibrium".
Meaning
market state where supply meets demand
Collocations
market equilibrium
|equilibrium price
|equilibrium wage
|general equilibrium
|move toward equilibrium
|disequilibrium in the market
Synonyms
market balance (Less technical; can describe the same idea but is not a strict economic term.)
Antonyms
disequilibrium (Technical term in economics for a situation where supply and demand are not equal.)
|
market distortion (Focuses on the idea that outside forces have pushed the market away from its natural equilibrium.)
Themes
economics
|business
|finance
Definition
In economics, a situation where what people want to buy and what companies want to sell are the same, so the price stays steady.
In economics, a condition in which the quantity supplied and the quantity demanded are equal, so that prices and quantities tend to remain stable unless disturbed.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
egyensúly
C1
Usage pattern:
[a system] is in equilibrium
At chemical equilibrium, the forward and reverse reactions occur at the same rate.
Kémiai egyensúlyban az oda- és visszareakció azonos sebességgel megy végbe.
Once thermal equilibrium is reached, there is no further net flow of heat between the objects.
Amint létrejön a termikus egyensúly, a tárgyak között már nincs nettó hőáramlás.
The value of the equilibrium constant depends on temperature.
In mechanical equilibrium, the sum of all forces and torques on the body is zero.
The experiment measures how quickly the system returns to equilibrium after being disturbed.
Learner examples
The reaction stops changing when it reaches equilibrium.
A reakció akkor szűnik meg változni, amikor eléri az egyensúlyt.
In equilibrium, the rate of the forward reaction equals the rate of the backward reaction.
Egyensúlyban az oda-reakció sebessége megegyezik a visszareakció sebességével.
Two objects at the same temperature are in thermal equilibrium.
A book resting on a table is in mechanical equilibrium.
We can use the equilibrium constant to find the concentrations of the products.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think that at chemical equilibrium the reaction has "stopped". In fact, both the forward and reverse reactions are still happening, but at the same rate, so there is no net change. Another common mistake is to confuse "equilibrium" with "equator" because of visual similarity.
Meaning
stable physical or chemical state
Collocations
chemical equilibrium
|thermal equilibrium
|equilibrium constant
|mechanical equilibrium
|dynamic equilibrium
|equilibrium state
Synonyms
steady state (In some scientific contexts, describes a similar idea of no net change, but may allow for constant flow through the system.)
Antonyms
non-equilibrium (Used in physics and chemistry for systems that are not in a balanced, unchanging state.)
Themes
science
|chemistry
|physics
Definition
In science, a state where different actions in a system are equal and opposite, so nothing changes overall.
In physics and chemistry, a state in which all acting forces or processes balance each other so that there is no net change in the system over time.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
egyensúly
B2
Usage pattern:
to lose [someone's] equilibrium
The blow to the head affected his equilibrium and he stumbled across the room.
A fejére mért ütés megzavarta az egyensúlyát, és tántorogva ment át a szobán.
Inner ear problems can interfere with your equilibrium and cause vertigo.
A belső fül problémái megzavarhatják az egyensúlyérzéket, és szédülést okozhatnak.
Gymnasts rely on a highly developed sense of equilibrium.
The medication may temporarily disturb your equilibrium, so avoid driving.
As we age, our natural equilibrium becomes more fragile, increasing the risk of falls.
Learner examples
The drunk man lost his equilibrium and fell.
A részeg férfi elvesztette az egyensúlyát, és elesett.
Ear problems can damage your equilibrium.
A fülproblémák károsíthatják az egyensúlyérzéket.
After the spin, she needed a moment to regain her equilibrium.
Good equilibrium is important for dancers and athletes.
The doctor tested his equilibrium by asking him to stand on one leg.
Common mistake:
In everyday situations, native speakers almost always use "balance" rather than "equilibrium" (for example, "He lost his balance," not *"He lost his equilibrium"*). "Equilibrium" in this sense appears more in medical or technical writing.
Meaning
bodily sense of balance
Collocations
lose your equilibrium
|regain your equilibrium
|disturb equilibrium
|equilibrium disorders
|sense of equilibrium
Synonyms
balance (More common in everyday English; usually used instead of "equilibrium" when talking about not falling.)
Antonyms
dizziness (Describes the feeling that often comes when your equilibrium is disturbed.)
|
unsteadiness (Focuses on not being able to stand or move firmly because of poor balance.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|sports
|body
Definition
The body's ability to keep its balance so you can stand or move without falling.
The body's state or sense of physical balance that allows a person or animal to stay upright and not fall.
Grammar
Dictionary form
equilibrium
IPA
GB/ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
US/ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
Syllables & stress
equi - lib - ri - um (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ri)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: equilibrium
- Plural: equilibria, equilibrium, equilibriums
Word family
Forms
equilibria
noun
equilibriums
noun
Related words
equilibrate
verb
equilibration
noun
Negative and opposite forms
disequilibrium
noun C2
Expressions
in equilibrium
1/ˈɪn ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
technical
in a state of balance
In a situation where all forces or parts are balanced and nothing is changing overall.
Examples
- At this temperature, the liquid and its vapor are in equilibrium.
- The diagram shows the system in equilibrium before any external force is applied.
- When supply and demand are in equilibrium, prices remain stable.
lose one's equilibrium
1/lˈuz wˈʌnz ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
formal
stop being balanced and steady
To lose physical balance or emotional calm, often because of shock, illness, or strong feelings.
Examples
- He lost his equilibrium on the wet steps and slipped.
- She briefly lost her equilibrium when she heard the unexpected news.
- The drug can make patients dizzy and cause them to lose their equilibrium.
maintain one's equilibrium
1/meɪntˈeɪn wˈʌnz ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
formal
keep physical or emotional balance
To stay calm or physically steady, and not lose your balance or self-control.
Examples
- Despite the chaos around her, she managed to maintain her equilibrium.
- He struggled to maintain his equilibrium on the narrow ledge.
- Good leaders maintain their equilibrium even in a crisis.
reach equilibrium
1/ɹˈit͡ʃ ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
technical
arrive at a balanced state
To change until a system or situation becomes balanced and stops changing overall.
Examples
- The reaction will reach equilibrium after several hours.
- Over time, the two populations reach equilibrium and their sizes stop changing much.
- The market usually reaches equilibrium as buyers and sellers adjust their behavior.
restore equilibrium
1/ɹɪstˈɔɹ ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
formal
bring back a state of balance
To make a system, situation, or person balanced again after it was disturbed.
Examples
- The central bank raised interest rates to restore equilibrium in the currency market.
- A period of rest helped restore his emotional equilibrium.
- The new policy aims to restore equilibrium between work and family life.
upset the equilibrium
1/ʌpsˈɛt ðə ˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
formal
disturb a balanced state
To change a situation that was balanced so that it is no longer steady or stable.
Examples
- The arrival of a powerful new competitor upset the equilibrium of the industry.
- Even a small temperature change can upset the equilibrium of the reaction.
- Such a sudden law would upset the social equilibrium.