frog
gb/fɹˈɑɡ/ us/fɹˈɑɡ/
A1
English
~ 7300
béka, békazabáló, zsinórkapocs, nyír, kápa, virágrögzítő, keresztezési csúcsbetét, téglamélyedés, toktartó, kardfüggesztő, visszabont
NOUN
A1
1
béka
A1
We saw a bright green frog sitting on a lily pad in the pond.
Egy élénkzöld békát láttunk, amint egy tavirózsa levelén ült a tóban.
At night the sound of frogs filled the air around the campsite.
Éjszaka békák hangja töltötte be a levegőt a táborhely körül.
The biology class studied how a tadpole slowly changes into a frog.
Some restaurants in France serve frog legs as a delicacy.
The children tried to catch a frog in the shallow stream.
Learner examples
A frog jumped into the water.
Egy béka beugrott a vízbe.
The frog has long back legs.
A békának hosszú hátsó lábai vannak.
We found a small frog in the garden.
The baby frog came from an egg in the pond.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "frog" and "toad". Both are amphibians, but frogs usually have smoother, wetter skin and live closer to water, while toads often have drier, bumpy skin and can live farther from water. In everyday speech, however, many people do not make a strict difference.
Meaning
small jumping amphibian
Collocations
tree frog
|poison dart frog
|frog spawn
|frog species
|frog habitat
|frog legs
Synonyms
amphibian (More general; includes frogs, toads, salamanders, and similar animals.)
Themes
animals
|nature
|science
Definition
A small animal with wet skin and long back legs that can jump and lives in or near water.
A small tailless amphibian with moist skin and long back legs for jumping, that usually lives both in water and on land.
NOUN
B2
SLANG
2
békazabáló
B2
Usage pattern:
call [someone] a frog
He got into trouble at work for calling his French colleague a "frog."
Bajba került a munkahelyén, mert „békazabálónak” nevezte a francia kollégáját.
The term "frog" for a French person is widely considered offensive and outdated.
A francia emberre használt „békazabáló” kifejezést széles körben sértőnek és idejétmúltnak tartják.
The article criticized the politician for using the word "frog" in a speech about immigrants.
Learner examples
The word "frog" for a French person is rude.
A „békazabáló” szó francia emberre használva durva és sértő.
Do not call a French person a frog.
Ne nevezz egy francia embert békazabálónak.
This use of the word is an insult.
Common mistake:
Some learners see this meaning in movies or old books and think it is normal or funny. In modern English it is offensive and can hurt or anger people. Use neutral words like "French person" or "French man/woman" instead.
Meaning
insult for a French person
Collocations
call someone a frog
|stupid frog
|dirty frog
Synonyms
French person (Neutral description of nationality; not insulting, and the correct word to use.)
Themes
people
|nationalities
|insults
|communication
|relationships
Definition
A rude, offensive word for a French person. You should not use this word.
A strongly insulting slang term for a person from France or of French origin.
NOUN
B2
3
zsinórkapocs
C1
The jacket is finished with ornate frog closures down the front.
A kabát elejét díszes zsinórkapcsok zárják.
She replaced the broken button with a black cord frog to match the trim.
A letört gombot egy fekete zsinórkapocsra cserélte, hogy illjen a szegélyhez.
Traditional Chinese jackets often have decorative frogs instead of regular buttons.
Learner examples
This dress has three gold frogs on the front.
Ezen a ruhán elöl három aranyszínű zsinórkapocs van.
The frog on my coat is broken, so it will not close.
Eltört a kabátomon a zsinórkapocs, ezért nem lehet begombolni.
Some jackets use frogs instead of buttons.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this frog is related to the animal. It is not; it is the name of a special kind of clothing fastener.
Meaning
decorative clothing fastener
Collocations
frog closure
|frog fastener
|decorative frog
|Chinese frog
Synonyms
fastener (More general; can be any device that closes clothing, not just this decorative style.)
Themes
clothing
|fashion
|crafts
Definition
A special kind of button made from cord or braid, with a loop and a knot, used to close and decorate clothes.
A decorative braid or cord fastener with a loop and button or knot, used especially on jackets, dresses, or traditional garments.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
nyír
C2
The farrier checked the horse’s frog for any signs of infection.
A patkolókovács megvizsgálta a ló patájának nyírját, nincs-e rajta fertőzés jele.
You should clean the frog carefully every time you pick out your horse’s hooves.
A nyírt minden alkalommal gondosan meg kell tisztítani, amikor kikaparod a ló patáját.
A damaged frog can cause serious lameness in a horse.
Learner examples
The frog is on the bottom of the horse’s hoof.
A nyír a ló patájának alján van.
The farrier said the frog is healthy.
A patkolókovács azt mondta, hogy egészséges a nyír.
If the frog is sick, the horse can feel pain.
Common mistake:
Non-specialists often have never heard this meaning and may think it refers to the animal. In horse care, however, "frog" almost always refers to this part of the hoof.
Meaning
soft v-shaped part of hoof
Collocations
clean the frog
|pick out the frog
|rotting frog
|frog infection
Themes
animals
|sports
|body
Definition
The soft V-shaped part on the bottom of a horse’s foot that helps protect it when the horse walks or runs.
The V-shaped, rubbery structure on the underside of a horse’s hoof that aids in shock absorption and blood circulation.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
5
kápa
C2
He loosened the bow hair by turning the screw at the frog.
A kápánál lévő csavar elfordításával meglazította a vonószőrt.
This old violin bow has an ebony frog with a mother-of-pearl inlay.
Ennek a régi hegedűvonónak ébenfa kápája van gyöngyházberakással.
The repairer replaced the cracked frog on her cello bow.
Learner examples
Hold the bow by the frog when you play.
Játék közben a kápánál fogd a vonót.
The frog keeps the hair tight on the bow.
A kápa feszesen tartja a szőrt a vonón.
The frog on my violin bow is made of dark wood.
Common mistake:
Learners who play string instruments may not realize that this part is called the "frog" in English and may simply call it "the handle".
Meaning
part of a bow for strings
Collocations
ebony frog
|ivory frog
|tighten the frog
|adjust the frog
Themes
music
|instruments
|arts_entertainment
|education
Definition
The part of a violin or other string instrument bow that you hold, where the hair is fixed and tightened.
The part of a violin, viola, cello, or double bass bow that holds and tightens the hair and is gripped by the player’s hand.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
6
virágrögzítő
C1
She used a metal flower frog to hold the stems upright in the shallow bowl.
Fém virágrögzítőt használt, hogy a szárak egyenesen álljanak a sekély tálban.
Vintage glass frogs are popular with collectors of flower-arranging tools.
A régi üveg virágrögzítők népszerűek a virágrendező eszközök gyűjtői körében.
Without a frog, the flowers kept sliding to one side of the vase.
Learner examples
Put the frog in the vase before you add the flowers.
Tedd a virágrögzítőt a vázába, mielőtt beleteszed a virágokat.
The flower frog keeps the roses standing straight.
A virágrögzítő egyenesen tartja a rózsákat.
She bought a glass frog for flower arranging.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "flower frog" refers to a frog sitting on or near flowers. In home and craft contexts, it usually means this arranging tool.
Meaning
device to hold flower stems
Collocations
flower frog
|glass frog
|metal frog
|pin frog
Synonyms
flower holder (Descriptive phrase; less specific and not a standard technical term.)
Themes
home
|hobbies
|art
|daily_life
Definition
A small object that you put in a vase to keep flower stems in place so you can make a nice flower design.
A small device, often made of metal, glass, or plastic, placed in a vase or bowl to support and space flower stems in an arrangement.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
7
The maintenance crew inspected the frog at the rail junction for signs of wear.
A karbantartó csapat megvizsgálta a síncsomópont keresztezési csúcsbetétjét, nincs-e rajta kopás.
A damaged frog can cause serious accidents if it is not repaired.
A sérült keresztezési csúcsbetét súlyos baleseteket okozhat, ha nem javítják meg.
Modern railway frogs are designed to reduce noise and vibration as trains pass over them.
Learner examples
The train makes a loud noise when it goes over the frog.
A vonat hangos zajt csap, amikor áthalad a keresztezési csúcsbetéten.
Workers changed the frog at the busy rail crossing.
A munkások kicserélték a keresztezési csúcsbetétet a forgalmas vasúti kereszteződésnél.
The frog helps guide the train wheels where the tracks cross.
Common mistake:
This meaning is very specialized. People outside rail engineering almost never use it, so learners may not need it unless they work with trains.
Meaning
railway track crossing piece
Collocations
railroad frog
|track frog
|crossing frog
|switch frog
Themes
transport
|engineering
|transportation
|technology
Definition
A metal part of train tracks where two rails cross or meet, which helps the wheels move safely across.
A specially shaped metal component in a railway track system where two rails cross or join, guiding train wheels through the intersection.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
8
The bricks should be laid with the frog facing up so the mortar can fill it.
A téglákat a téglamélyedéssel felfelé kell lerakni, hogy a habarcs kitölthesse.
Builders debate whether the frog of a brick should go up or down in different situations.
Az építők vitatkoznak azon, hogy különböző helyzetekben a tégla mélyedése felfelé vagy lefelé nézzen-e.
The frog in each brick reduces the amount of clay needed without losing strength.
Learner examples
The brick has a frog on one side.
A téglának az egyik oldalán mélyedés van.
He put the bricks on the wall with the frog up.
A falba a téglákat a mélyedéssel felfelé rakta.
Cement goes into the frog of the brick.
Common mistake:
Outside of construction, many English speakers do not know this meaning, so learners might assume it refers to the animal.
Meaning
hollow part of a brick
Collocations
brick frog
|frog up
|frog down
|filled frog
Themes
construction
|engineering
|housing
|work
Definition
A hollow or low part on one side of a brick that makes it lighter and helps the cement stick.
The shallow recess or indentation in one face of a brick, designed to reduce its weight and improve the grip of mortar.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
9
toktartó
C1
The sword hung from a leather frog on his belt.
A kard az övén lévő bőr kardfüggesztőről lógott.
She slid the knife sheath into the frog before going out to work on the farm.
Becsúsztatta a kés tokját a toktartóba, mielőtt kiment dolgozni a gazdaságba.
The craftsman made a custom frog to carry the customer’s antique dagger.
Learner examples
The sword is held by a frog on his belt.
A kardot az övén lévő toktartó tartja.
He put the knife sheath into the frog.
Betette a kés tokját a toktartóba.
The leather frog keeps the tool by his side.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with ordinary belt loops for holding the belt itself. A frog specifically holds a sheath or similar object.
Meaning
belt holder for sword or tool
Collocations
sword frog
|knife frog
|leather frog
|tool frog
Synonyms
belt loop (More general; can refer to any loop on a belt, not only one made to hold a sheath.)
Themes
clothing
|weapons
|daily_life
|work
Definition
A piece on a belt that holds a sword, knife, or tool in its case.
A loop or piece of leather or similar material attached to a belt, designed to hold the sheath of a sword, knife, or tool.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
10
visszabont
B2
Usage pattern:
frog [a row / your knitting / a project]
I realized I had made a mistake and had to frog ten rows of my sweater.
Rájöttem, hogy hibáztam, ezért vissza kellett bontanom tíz sort a pulóveremből.
She spent the evening frogging a scarf that was too wide.
Az estét azzal töltötte, hogy visszabontott egy túl széles sálat.
If you follow the chart carefully, you won’t need to frog your work later.
Learner examples
I made a mistake, so I will frog my knitting.
Hibáztam, ezért vissza fogom bontani a kötésemet.
He frogged the hat and started again.
Visszabontotta a sapkát, és újrakezdte.
She does not want to frog this scarf because it took a long time.
Common mistake:
This verb is special slang used mainly by knitters and may confuse learners who only know "frog" as the animal. It is not used for other types of clothing repair or for sewing in general.
Meaning
undo rows of knitting
Collocations
frog a project
|frog back
|have to frog
|completely frogged
Synonyms
unravel (More general; used outside knitting too, but can mean the same action with knitted work.)
Antonyms
knit (To create stitches and fabric, the opposite of taking them apart.)
Themes
crafts
|hobbies
|arts_entertainment
|daily_life
Definition
To pull on the yarn so that your knitting comes apart and you can use the yarn again.
In knitting, to undo rows of stitches by pulling the yarn so that the work is taken apart and the yarn can be reused.
Grammar
Dictionary form
frog
IPA
GB/fɹˈɑɡ/
US/fɹˈɑɡ/
Syllables & stress
frog (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (frog)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: frog
- Plural: frogs
Verb
- Base: frog
- 3rd Person Singular: frogs
- Present Participle: frogging
- Past: frogged
Word family
Forms
frogs
noun
frogging
verb
frogged
verb
Related words
froglet
noun
froggy
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: frogging Verb
- Irregular past: frogged Verb
Expressions
a frog in your throat
1/ə fɹˈɑɡ ˈɪn jˈʊɹ θɹˈoʊt/
idiom
temporary hoarseness in the throat
A feeling in your throat that makes your voice sound low or rough and makes it hard to speak clearly, for a short time.
Examples
- There’s a frog in my throat and I can’t hit the high notes today.
- She cleared her throat, complaining about a frog in her throat before starting the speech.
- If you have a frog in your throat, try drinking some warm tea.
have a frog in your throat
1/hˈæv ə fɹˈɑɡ ˈɪn jˈʊɹ θɹˈoʊt/
idiom
have a rough, hoarse voice
To have a dry or strange feeling in your throat so your voice sounds rough and it is hard to speak clearly, usually for a short time.
Examples
- I think I’ve got a frog in my throat; my voice sounds terrible this morning.
- She apologized for the croaky sound and said she had a frog in her throat.
- You sound like you have a frog in your throat—do you need some water?
the boiling frog
1/ðə bˈɔɪlɪŋ fɹˈɑɡ/
idiom
ignoring slow-growing danger
A way to describe a situation where things get worse very slowly, so people do not see the danger until it is too late to stop it.
Examples
- Commentators often use the boiling frog to explain how people accept a loss of freedoms bit by bit.
- The climate crisis is a boiling frog problem: small changes add up until they become a disaster.
- He warned the team not to become the boiling frog by ignoring the company’s gradual decline.