gun
gb/ɡˈʌn/ us/ɡˈʌn/
A2
English
~ 1800
lőfegyver, fegyver, pisztoly, szórópisztoly, ragasztópisztoly, szögbelövő, felpörget, padlógázt ad, rálép a gázra, lövész, felbérelt fegyveres, pisztolyhős
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to fire [a gun]
The police officer drew his gun.
A rendőr előrántotta a pisztolyát.
She learned how to clean and maintain her gun.
Megtanulta, hogyan kell megtisztítani és karbantartani a fegyverét.
Gun violence is a serious problem in many cities.
He pointed the gun at the target.
The suspect was found with an illegal gun.
Learner examples
The man has a gun.
A férfinál fegyver van.
He uses a gun to hunt.
Puskával vadászik.
I see a police officer with a gun.
The soldier carries a gun.
She cleans her gun every week.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gun' with 'rifle' or 'pistol'. 'Gun' is the general term; 'rifle' and 'pistol' are specific types.
Meaning
A portable firearm
Collocations
fire a gun
|carry a gun
|load a gun
|point a gun
|gun violence
Synonyms
firearm (A more formal and general term that includes all kinds of guns, both handheld and mounted.)
Antonyms
unarmed (Describes a person without a weapon, the opposite of having a gun.)
Themes
weapons
|law enforcement
|crime
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small weapon you hold in your hand that shoots bullets.
A weapon designed to discharge bullets or other projectiles by the force of an explosive charge, typically operated by hand.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] gun
The painter used a spray gun to cover the wall quickly.
A festő szórópisztollyal gyorsan lefestette a falat.
He fixed the chair with a nail gun.
Szögbelövővel javította meg a széket.
A glue gun can make crafting easier.
Learner examples
I have a spray gun for painting.
Van egy szórópisztolyom festéshez.
She uses a glue gun for art.
Ragasztópisztolyt használ a kézműves munkákhoz.
He works with a nail gun every day.
Meaning
Device for spraying or shooting material
Collocations
nail gun
|glue gun
|spray gun
Synonyms
sprayer (Refers specifically to devices that spray liquids, not all materials.)
Themes
tools
|technology
|work
Definition
A tool that pushes out paint, nails, or another material with force.
A tool or device that uses pressure to spray or shoot out liquid, gas, paint, nails, or other material.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to gun [the engine]
He gunned the engine and sped off.
Felpörgette a motort, és elszáguldott.
The driver gunned it to beat the light.
A sofőr rálépett a gázra, hogy még átérjen, mielőtt pirosra vált a lámpa.
She gunned the boat across the lake.
Learner examples
He gunned the car and left fast.
Rálépett a gázra, és gyorsan elhajtott.
She gunned it to cross the road.
Rálépett a gázra, hogy átjusson az úton.
The boat gunned across the water.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'shoot'; in this sense it relates to speed, not weapons.
Meaning
Accelerate suddenly or strongly
Collocations
gun the engine
|gun it
Synonyms
rev (Means to increase engine speed, but not always with intent to move quickly.)
Antonyms
brake (Means to slow down or stop, the opposite of accelerating.)
Themes
transportation
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
To make a car or engine go faster very quickly.
To cause a vehicle's engine to run faster suddenly, especially to move quickly or show power.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
4
The gang brought in a hired gun for the job.
A banda felbérelt egy fegyverest a melóra.
He's the top gun in the tournament.
Ő a verseny legjobb lövésze.
They called in their best gun to handle security.
Learner examples
He is a hired gun.
Ő egy felbérelt fegyveres.
She is the top gun in the team.
Ő a csapat legjobb lövésze.
They use their best gun for the job.
Meaning
A person skilled in shooting or armed work
Collocations
hired gun
|top gun
Synonyms
marksman (Refers to someone skilled at shooting accurately, often in formal contexts.)
Themes
people
|weapons
|law
|sports
Definition
A person who is good at using guns.
A person who uses guns skillfully, often for protection, crime, or competition.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gun
IPA
GB/ɡˈʌn/
US/ɡˈʌn/
Syllables & stress
gun (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gun)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gun
- Plural: guns
Verb
- Base: gun
- 3rd Person Singular: guns
- Present Participle: gunning
- Past: gunned
Word family
Forms
guns
noun
gunning
verb
gunned
verb
Core family
gunshot
noun B2
gunfire
noun
Related words
Advanced or less common
gunnery
noun
gunsmith
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: gunning Verb
- Irregular past: gunned Verb
Expressions
big guns
1/bˈɪɡ ɡˈʌnz/
idiom
informal
Important or powerful people in a field
People who have power or are important in an area of work or activity.
Examples
- They brought in the big guns for the negotiation.
- The big guns of the tech industry met at the conference.
under the gun
1/ˈʌndɚ ðə ɡˈʌn/
idiom
informal
Under time or performance pressure
Feeling stress because you must do something quickly or by a certain time.
Examples
- I'm really under the gun with this project due tomorrow.
- They've been under the gun since the new boss arrived.
jump the gun
1/d͡ʒˈʌmp ðə ɡˈʌn/
idiom
informal
Act too early or prematurely
To start doing something too soon before you should.
Examples
- They jumped the gun by announcing the product before it was ready.
- I think we jumped the gun by announcing the project before getting approval.
- Don't jump the gun on your assignment; wait for instructions.
- Don’t jump the gun—wait until we have all the facts.
son of a gun
1/sˈʌn əv ə ɡˈʌn/
idiom
informal
mild surprise or admiration
A friendly way to show surprise or that you think someone is clever or lucky.
Examples
- Well, you son of a gun, you actually did it!
- Well, son of a gun! I didn't expect to see you here.
- You son of a gun, that was amazing.
- That son of a gun fixed my car for free.
stick to your guns
1/stˈɪk tə jˈʊɹ ɡˈʌnz/
idiom
informal
Refuse to change decision/opinion
To keep your opinion or plan even when people say you are wrong.
Examples
- She stuck to her guns during the debate.
- Even under criticism, he stuck to his guns.
stick to your guns
2/stˈɪk tə jˈʊɹ ɡˈʌnz/
idiom
Stay firm in your beliefs or decisions
To not change your opinion or decision even when people disagree with you.
Examples
- Even under pressure, she stuck to her guns and refused to sign the deal.
- You should stick to your guns if you believe you're right.