grassroots
gb/ɡɹˈæsɹˈuts/ us/ɡɹˈæsɹˈuts/
B2
English
bázis, tagság, alulról szerveződő, alulról jövő
NOUN
C1
1
Usage pattern:
the grassroots
Party leaders are under pressure from the grassroots to change their policy.
A párt vezetőire a bázis nyomást gyakorol, hogy változtassanak a politikájukon.
The proposal has strong support among the grassroots.
A javaslat erős támogatást élvez a bázis körében.
The organization grew from the grassroots rather than being created by national leaders.
Learner examples
The grassroots want a new leader.
A bázis új vezetőt akar.
She listens to the grassroots.
Meghallgatja a tagságot.
Common mistake:
Usually used with the: the grassroots. Do not confuse it with the literal roots of grass, normally written grass roots.
Meaning
Ordinary local people
Collocations
the party grassroots
|local grassroots
|grassroots of the movement
|grassroots support
|grassroots activists
|grassroots pressure
|grassroots involvement
|grassroots participation
Synonyms
rank and file (emphasizes ordinary members of an organization rather than leaders)
|
ordinary people (more general and less political)
|
local community (emphasizes people in a particular place)
Antonyms
leadership (the people in charge rather than ordinary members)
|
elite (a small powerful group rather than ordinary people)
|
establishment (the existing powerful institutions rather than local ordinary members)
Themes
politics
|society
|community
|organizations
Definition
ordinary people in a community or organization, not the leaders
The ordinary members of a community, organization, or political party, especially those at the local level rather than its leaders or central authorities.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
grassroots [movement/campaign/support/organization]
A grassroots campaign forced the city council to reconsider the plan.
Egy alulról szerveződő kampány arra kényszerítette a városi tanácsot, hogy gondolja újra a tervet.
The candidate built a large grassroots network of volunteers.
A jelölt önkéntesekből álló nagy, alulról szerveződő hálózatot épített ki.
The charity began as a grassroots effort in one neighborhood.
Learner examples
They started a grassroots campaign.
Alulról szerveződő kampányt indítottak.
The group has grassroots support.
A csoport mögött alulról jövő támogatás áll.
Common mistake:
Use grassroots before a noun: a grassroots campaign. The form grassroots is normally unchanged; do not say grassroot campaign in standard use.
Meaning
Locally driven by ordinary people
Collocations
grassroots campaign
|grassroots movement
|grassroots support
|grassroots organization
|grassroots activism
|grassroots effort
|grassroots initiative
|grassroots pressure
|grassroots politics
|grassroots fundraising
Synonyms
bottom-up (emphasizes starting from ordinary people or lower levels of an organization)
|
community-based (emphasizes being based in a local community)
|
local (broader and less specifically about ordinary people)
Antonyms
top-down (directed by leaders or central authorities)
|
centralized (controlled from one main authority rather than locally)
|
elite-driven (led by powerful or influential people rather than ordinary members)
Themes
politics
|activism
|community
|organizations
Definition
started or supported by ordinary local people, not by powerful leaders
Involving, created by, or supported by ordinary people in a community or organization, especially at a local level rather than by leaders, governments, or large institutions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
grassroots
IPA
GB/ɡɹˈæsɹˈuts/
US/ɡɹˈæsɹˈuts/
Syllables & stress
grass - roots (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (grass)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: grassroots
- Comparative: grassrootser
- Superlative: grassrootsest
Noun
- Base: grassroots
- Plural: grassrootses
Expressions
at the grassroots level
1/ˈæt ðə ɡɹˈæsɹˈuts lˈɛvəl/
fixed phrase
among ordinary local people
among ordinary local people, not among leaders
Examples
- The policy is popular at the grassroots level but unpopular with senior officials.
- Real change often starts at the grassroots level.
- The party needs to rebuild trust at the grassroots level.
Learner examples
- Support is strong at the grassroots level.
from the grassroots up
1/fɹˈʌm ðə ɡɹˈæsɹˈuts ˈʌp/
fixed phrase
starting with ordinary people
starting with ordinary people and growing bigger
Examples
- They built the movement from the grassroots up.
- The organization wants to change the industry from the grassroots up.
- The campaign grew from the grassroots up, with volunteers leading most of the work.
Learner examples
- The movement grew from the grassroots up.
grassroots democracy
1/ɡɹˈæsɹˈuts dɪmˈɑkɹəsi/
fixed phrase
direct local citizen participation
democracy where ordinary local people take part directly
Examples
- The movement promotes grassroots democracy through town meetings and local assemblies.
- Supporters say grassroots democracy gives communities more control over public decisions.
- The new platform was designed to encourage grassroots democracy within the party.
Learner examples
- They believe in grassroots democracy.