force
gb/fˈɔɹs/ us/fˈɔɹs/
B1
English
~ 900
erő, fegyveres erők, rendőrség, kényszerít
NOUN
B1
1
erő
A2
Usage pattern:
the force of [something]
The wind hit the windows with great force.
A szél nagy erővel csapódott az ablakoknak.
He used all his force to push the door open.
Minden erejével tolta az ajtót, hogy kinyíljon.
The force of the explosion shattered the glass.
Learner examples
He pushed the box with force.
Nagy erővel tolta a dobozt.
The ball hit me with force.
A labda nagy erővel talált el.
The wind has a lot of force today.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'force' with 'strength'. 'Strength' is the ability to exert power; 'force' is the actual power being applied.
Meaning
physical power or strength
Collocations
use force
|with force
|brute force
|force of nature
Synonyms
strength (Refers broadly to physical power, not always active or applied like 'force'.)
Antonyms
weakness (Lack of physical power or strength.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Power or strength that can move or change something.
Physical power, energy, or strength used to move, push, or affect something.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
a [type] force
The police force is investigating the crime.
A rendőrség nyomoz a bűncselekmény ügyében.
He joined the armed forces after graduation.
Tanulmányai befejezése után belépett a fegyveres erőkhöz.
A special task force was sent to handle the situation.
Learner examples
My brother is in the police force.
A testvérem a rendőrségnél szolgál.
The armed forces protect the country.
A fegyveres erők védik az országot.
The task force will clean the park.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'force' with 'team'. A team is usually smaller and not necessarily official like a police or military force.
Meaning
organized group for a purpose
Collocations
police force
|armed forces
|task force
|security forces
Synonyms
unit (A smaller, specific group within a larger organization.)
Antonyms
individual (A single person rather than a group.)
Themes
military
|work
|law
|politics
Definition
A group of people who work together for a job, often in the army or police.
A group of people organized and trained to work together for a specific purpose, especially in the military or police.
VERB
B1
3
kényszerít
B1
Usage pattern:
to force [someone] to [do something]
They forced him to sign the document.
Arra kényszerítették, hogy aláírja a dokumentumot.
The storm forced us to stay indoors.
A vihar arra kényszerített minket, hogy bent maradjunk.
She forced a smile despite feeling sad.
Learner examples
He forced me to go with him.
Arra kényszerített, hogy vele menjek.
The rain forced us to stop playing.
Az eső arra kényszerített minket, hogy abbahagyjuk a játékot.
She forced him to eat the food.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'make' instead of 'force'. 'Make' can be neutral; 'force' implies unwillingness or resistance.
Meaning
make someone do unwillingly
Collocations
force someone to act
|force entry
|force a smile
Synonyms
compel (More formal; often used in legal or serious contexts.)
Antonyms
persuade (Encourage someone willingly instead of making them do it.)
Themes
emotions
|law
|relationships
Definition
To make a person do something when they do not want to.
To make someone do something they do not want to do, often using pressure, threats, or physical power.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
4
erő
B1
Gravity is a force that pulls objects toward Earth.
A gravitáció olyan erő, amely a tárgyakat a Föld felé húzza.
The net force determines how an object accelerates.
Az eredő erő határozza meg, hogyan gyorsul egy test.
Friction is a force that slows things down.
Learner examples
Gravity is a force.
A gravitáció erő.
Friction is a kind of force.
A súrlódás egyfajta erő.
A push is a type of force.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'energy' with 'force'. Energy is capacity to do work; force is an interaction causing motion change.
Meaning
push or pull in physics
Collocations
gravitational force
|centripetal force
|net force
Synonyms
thrust (A specific type of push in a given direction.)
Antonyms
resistance (An opposing influence that prevents motion.)
Themes
science
Definition
In science, a push or pull that moves something or changes its shape.
In physics, a push, pull, or other influence that can change the motion or shape of an object.
Grammar
Dictionary form
force
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹs/
US/fˈɔɹs/
Syllables & stress
force (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (force)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: force
- Plural: force, forces
Verb
- Base: force
- 3rd Person Singular: forces
- Present Participle: forcing
- Past: forced
Word family
Forms
forces
noun
forcing
verb
forced
verb
Core family
forceful
adjective
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unforced
adjective
Advanced or less common
Expressions
by force
1/bˈaɪ fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
using physical power or violence
Using physical power to make something happen.
Examples
- The soldiers took control of the building by force.
- He entered the room by force after breaking the lock.
force someone's hand
1/fˈɔɹs sˈʌmwˌʌnz hˈænd/
idiom
make someone act sooner than wanted
To make someone do something earlier than they wanted to.
Examples
- The sudden news forced her hand, and she announced her decision immediately.
- His competitor's actions forced his hand in making an offer.
forced smile
1/fˈɔɹst smˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
smile without genuine feeling
A smile that is not real, made because you have to.
Examples
- She gave him a forced smile and walked away.
- His forced smile showed he was uncomfortable.
in force
1/ˈɪn fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
present in numbers or legally active
Happening with many people present, or officially active (law).
Examples
- Police were out in force during the parade.
- The new regulations are now in force.
use force
1/jˈuz fˈɔɹs/
fixed phrase
apply physical power intentionally
To use physical power to do something.
Examples
- The officer had no choice but to use force to stop the attack.
- We must try to solve this without using force.