layer
gb/lˈeɪɚ/ us/lˈeɪɚ/
A2
English
~ 2300
réteg, rétegez, rétegesen rak, szint
NOUN
A2
1
réteg
B1
Usage pattern:
a layer of [material/thing]
A thick layer of dust covered the furniture.
Vastag porréteg borította a bútorokat.
The cake has a layer of cream in the middle.
A torta közepén egy réteg krém van.
Ice formed a thin layer over the pond.
She wore several layers of clothing to stay warm.
Learner examples
There is a layer of snow on the ground.
Egy réteg hó van a földön.
The bread has a layer of butter on it.
Egy réteg vaj van a kenyéren.
I put a layer of paint on the wall.
He wore a layer of wool under his jacket.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'layer' with 'level' — 'layer' usually refers to physical thickness, while 'level' refers to height or stage.
Meaning
a flat sheet of material
Collocations
thick layer
|thin layer
|protective layer
|outer layer
|ice layer
Synonyms
sheet (Often used for flat pieces of material, especially paper, metal, or cloth; may not imply stacking.)
|
coating (Suggests a covering applied to a surface, often for protection or decoration.)
Antonyms
core (The central or innermost part, opposite of an outer or surface layer.)
Themes
daily life
|science
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
One thin part of something that is on top of or under another part.
A single thickness or fold of material that lies over or under another.
VERB
B1
2
rétegez
B2
Usage pattern:
to layer [something] [with something]
Layer the pasta sheets with sauce and cheese.
Rakd rétegesen egymásra a tésztalapokat a szósszal és a sajttal.
She carefully layered her clothes to stay warm in winter.
Télen gondosan rétegesen öltözött, hogy ne fázzon.
The artist layered different colors for depth.
Learner examples
Layer the bread with cheese and ham.
Rakj rétegesen sajtot és sonkát a kenyérre.
I layered my clothes because it is cold.
Rétegesen öltöztem fel, mert hideg van.
He layered paint on the wall.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'put' instead of 'layer', which loses the sense of multiple thin parts stacked together.
Meaning
to arrange in layers
Collocations
layer cake
|layer ingredients
|layer clothes
Synonyms
stack (Implies piling items but not necessarily in thin, even sections like layers.)
|
spread (Can mean to apply a coating, but may not imply multiple stacked parts.)
Antonyms
separate (To take apart stacked or layered items.)
Themes
daily life
|cooking
|crafts
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put things in flat parts, one on top of another.
To place or arrange something in flat sections, one on top of another.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
a layer of [system/organization]
The software has a security layer to protect data.
A szoftvernek van egy biztonsági rétege, amely védi az adatokat.
Management added another layer to the approval process.
A vezetőség egy újabb szintet épített be a jóváhagyási folyamatba.
The atmosphere has several layers.
Learner examples
The cake has three layers.
A tortának három rétege van.
The Earth has many layers.
A Földnek sok rétege van.
The company has many layers of management.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'step' — a 'layer' suggests a simultaneous structural part, whereas a 'step' suggests sequence.
Meaning
a level in a system
Collocations
security layer
|application layer
|management layer
Synonyms
tier (Often used for levels in systems or hierarchies; interchangeable in many contexts.)
|
level (A more general term for height or position; may not imply structural separation.)
Antonyms
whole (Refers to the complete system without subdivision into levels.)
Themes
technology
|business
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
One level in a system, group, or plan that is separate from other levels.
A distinct level or tier within an organization, system, or process.
Grammar
Dictionary form
layer
IPA
GB/lˈeɪɚ/
US/lˈeɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
lay - er (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lay)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: layer
- Plural: layers
Verb
- Base: layer
- 3rd Person Singular: layers
- Present Participle: layering
- Past: layered
Word family
Forms
layers
noun
layering
verb
layered
verb
Advanced or less common
multilayered
adjective
Expressions
layer upon layer
1/lˈeɪɚ əpˈɑn lˈeɪɚ/
fixed phrase
many layers stacked repeatedly
Many layers on top of each other.
Examples
- Layer upon layer of paint covered the wall.
- There were layer upon layer of blankets on the bed.
multi-layered
1/mˈʌlti lˈeɪɚd/
fixed phrase
having many layers or levels
Having more than one layer or level.
Examples
- The novel is multi-layered, with many themes and storylines.
- She wore a multi-layered skirt for the festival.
peel back the layers
1/pˈil bˈæk ðə lˈeɪɚz/
idiom
remove layers to reveal inside
To take away outer parts to see what is inside, sometimes used to mean finding out the truth about something.
Examples
- The journalist peeled back the layers of the story to find the truth.
- Peel back the layers of the onion before chopping it.