harbor
gb/hˈɑɹbɚ/ us/hˈɑɹbɚ/
A2
English
~ 4800
kikötő, bújtat, menedéket ad, táplál, dédelget
NOUN
A2
1
kikötő
A2
Usage pattern:
[a/some] harbor
The fishing boats returned to the harbor before the storm hit.
A halászhajók visszatértek a kikötőbe, mielőtt lecsapott a vihar.
Sydney Harbor is one of the most famous in the world.
A Sydney-i kikötő a világ egyik leghíresebbje.
The harbor was full of colorful sailboats.
Learner examples
The boat is in the harbor.
A hajó a kikötőben van.
We walk near the harbor.
A kikötő közelében sétálunk.
Many ships are in the harbor today.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'harbor' with 'port'; 'port' usually has more facilities for trade, while 'harbor' refers mainly to the sheltered water area.
Meaning
Sheltered place for ships
Collocations
busy harbor
|natural harbor
|harbor city
|deep-water harbor
Synonyms
port (Often refers to a harbor with facilities for loading and unloading cargo or passengers.)
Antonyms
open sea (Refers to the exposed ocean, lacking shelter for ships.)
Themes
travel
|geography
|transportation
|nature
Definition
A safe place on the coast where boats can stay and be protected from bad weather.
A sheltered body of water where ships can anchor, dock, or take shelter from rough waters.
VERB
B2
2
bújtat
B2
menedéket ad
B1
Usage pattern:
to harbor [someone/something]
They were arrested for harboring an escaped prisoner.
Letartóztatták őket, mert egy megszökött rabot bújtattak.
The villagers harbored the soldiers during the war.
A falusiak a háború alatt katonákat bújtattak.
She was accused of harboring illegal immigrants.
Learner examples
He harbors a lost dog.
Menedéket ad egy elveszett kutyának.
They harbor a man from the rain.
Menedéket adnak egy férfinak az eső elől.
The family harbors a friend in trouble.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this sense with 'habitat'—'harbor' in this sense is about active protection, not a natural home.
Meaning
Give shelter or protection
Collocations
harbor fugitives
|harbor refugees
|harbor criminals
Synonyms
shelter (General term for giving protection from danger or bad conditions.)
Antonyms
expose (To leave someone or something without protection.)
Themes
safety
|crime
|relationships
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To keep someone or something safe in your home or another place.
To provide shelter or refuge to someone or something, especially when they are in danger or being pursued.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to harbor [feelings/thoughts]
He still harbors resentment towards his former boss.
Még mindig neheztelést táplál a volt főnökével szemben.
She harbored doubts about the plan from the beginning.
Már kezdettől fogva kételyeket táplált a tervvel kapcsolatban.
They harbor hopes of winning the championship.
Learner examples
I harbor hope for success.
Bízom a sikerben.
She harbors fear of flying.
Régóta fél a repüléstől.
He harbors love for his hometown.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'express'; 'harbor' means keeping something inside, not showing it openly.
Meaning
Keep thought or feeling inside
Collocations
harbor resentment
|harbor doubts
|harbor ambitions
Synonyms
nurse (In this context, means to keep and feed a feeling over time, often negative.)
Antonyms
let go of (To release a feeling or thought instead of keeping it.)
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To keep a feeling or idea in your mind for a long time.
To hold a thought, feeling, or intention in one's mind, often secretly and for a long time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
harbor
IPA
GB/hˈɑɹbɚ/
US/hˈɑɹbɚ/
Syllables & stress
har - bor (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (har)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: harbor
- Plural: harbor, harbors
Verb
- Base: harbor
- 3rd Person Singular: harbors
- Present Participle: harboring
- Past: harbored
Word family
Forms
harbors
noun
harboring
verb
harbored
verb
Related words
harbour
noun A2
harbormaster
noun
Expressions
harbor doubts
1/hˈɑɹbɚ dˈaʊts/
fixed phrase
Keep feelings of uncertainty
To have doubts about something and keep them in your mind.
Examples
- Many experts harbor doubts about the new policy.
- She harbored doubts about his honesty.
safe harbor
1/sˈeɪf hˈɑɹbɚ/
fixed phrase
Place or situation of safety
A safe place where someone or something is protected from danger or trouble.
Examples
- The small town became a safe harbor for refugees.
- Her friendship was a safe harbor during hard times.
harbor a grudge
1/hˈɑɹbɚ ə ɡɹˈʌd͡ʒ/
idiom
Keep anger toward someone
To stay angry with someone for a long time because of something they did.
Examples
- He still harbors a grudge against his old teammate.
- She still harbors a grudge against her old classmates who bullied her.
- She doesn't harbor any grudges despite what happened.
- There’s no point in harboring a grudge over something so small.