foundation
gb/faʊndˈeɪʃən/ us/faʊndˈeɪʃən/
A2
English
~ 1900
alap, alapítvány, alapozó
NOUN
A2
1
alap
A2
Usage pattern:
the foundation of [a building/structure]
The house has a concrete foundation to keep it stable.
A háznak betonalapja van, hogy stabil legyen.
Cracks in the foundation can cause serious structural problems.
Az alap repedései súlyos szerkezeti problémákat okozhatnak.
They laid the foundation last summer before starting the walls.
Learner examples
The house has a strong foundation.
A háznak erős alapja van.
Workers are making the foundation for a new school.
A munkások egy új iskola alapját készítik.
A good foundation keeps the building safe.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'foundation' with 'floor', but the foundation is below ground and supports the entire structure.
Meaning
Base structure of a building
Collocations
lay the foundation
|solid foundation
|foundation stone
|build on the foundation
Synonyms
base (A more general term for the bottom support of something, not limited to buildings.)
Antonyms
roof (The top covering of a building, opposite in position to the foundation.)
Themes
construction
|architecture
|engineering
|housing
Definition
The strong bottom part that holds up a building.
The solid base, usually made of concrete or stone, that supports a building from below.
NOUN
B1
2
alap
A2
Usage pattern:
the foundation of [an idea/system/relationship]
Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship.
A bizalom minden egészséges kapcsolat alapja.
These values form the foundation of our company culture.
Ezek az értékek képezik vállalati kultúránk alapját.
The theory provides the foundation for further research.
Learner examples
Trust is the foundation of friendship.
A bizalom a barátság alapja.
Math is the foundation for science.
A matematika a tudományok alapja.
Good rules are the foundation of the game.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'foundation' with 'reason'; 'foundation' refers to a base idea, not just a cause.
Meaning
Basic idea or principle
Collocations
lay the foundation for
|form the foundation of
|strong foundation
|solid foundation
Synonyms
basis (A close synonym, often interchangeable, but 'basis' can be less formal in some contexts.)
Antonyms
superstructure (Something built on top of a base, opposite in conceptual hierarchy.)
Themes
education
|philosophy
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The main idea or fact that something is based on.
An underlying basis or set of ideas on which something is built or established.
NOUN
B1
3
alapítvány
B1
Usage pattern:
[name] Foundation supports [cause/project]
The foundation awarded scholarships to 50 students this year.
Az alapítvány idén 50 diáknak ítélt oda ösztöndíjat.
She set up a foundation to protect endangered animals.
Alapítványt hozott létre a veszélyeztetett állatok védelmére.
The project is funded by an international health foundation.
Learner examples
The foundation gave money to poor families.
Az alapítvány pénzt adott szegény családoknak.
He started a foundation for sick children.
Alapítványt hozott létre beteg gyerekek számára.
The school gets help from a big foundation.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'foundation' (organization) with 'fund' (money itself). A foundation is the group managing the money.
Meaning
Charitable or funding organization
Collocations
charitable foundation
|set up a foundation
|foundation grant
Synonyms
trust (A legal arrangement to hold and distribute funds, sometimes similar to a foundation but with different legal structure.)
Antonyms
beneficiary (The person or group receiving money, opposite role to a foundation.)
Themes
charity
|business
|education
|finance
Definition
A group that gives money to help people or projects.
An organization that provides money and support for a particular purpose, often charitable or educational.
NOUN
B1
4
alapozó
B1
Usage pattern:
apply foundation to [face/skin]
She applied a light layer of foundation before her lipstick.
A rúzs előtt egy vékony réteg alapozót vitt fel.
This brand offers a wide range of foundation shades.
Ez a márka sokféle alapozóárnyalatot kínál.
I need a new brush to blend my foundation.
Learner examples
She puts on foundation every morning.
Minden reggel alapozót tesz fel.
I bought new liquid foundation.
Új folyékony alapozót vettem.
Her face looks smooth because of the foundation.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'foundation' with 'powder'—foundation is applied first as a base layer.
Meaning
Skin-colored makeup base
Collocations
liquid foundation
|powder foundation
|apply foundation
Synonyms
base makeup (More descriptive term used in cosmetics industry.)
Antonyms
bare skin (Skin without any cosmetic applied.)
Themes
fashion
|daily life
|clothing
|daily_life
Definition
A cream or liquid you put on your face to make your skin look smooth before other makeup.
A skin-colored cosmetic cream or liquid applied to the face to create an even skin tone before other makeup.
Grammar
Dictionary form
foundation
IPA
GB/faʊndˈeɪʃən/
US/faʊndˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
found - a - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: foundation
- Plural: foundation, foundations
Word family
Forms
foundations
noun
Core family
found
verb
founder
noun B2
Related words
founding
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unfounded
adjective
Advanced or less common
foundational
adjective
Expressions
lay the foundation for
1/lˈeɪ ðə faʊndˈeɪʃən fɚ/
fixed phrase
Prepare base for future success
To start something that will make it possible for another thing to happen later.
Examples
- Her early research laid the foundation for modern genetics.
- Good study habits lay the foundation for academic success.
on a firm foundation
1/ˈɔn ə fˈɚm faʊndˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Stable and well supported base
Having strong support so something can last or succeed.
Examples
- Their marriage is on a firm foundation of trust and respect.
- The business is built on a firm foundation of customer loyalty.
shake the foundations of
1/ʃˈeɪk ðə faʊndˈeɪʃənz əv/
fixed phrase
Disrupt basic beliefs or systems
To make people question their basic ideas or change an important system.
Examples
- The scandal shook the foundations of the political party.
- New evidence could shake the foundations of modern physics.