legend
gb/lˈɛd͡ʒənd/ us/lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
A2
English
~ 4100
legenda, monda, legendás alak, jelmagyarázat
NOUN
B1
1
Usage pattern:
a legend about [someone/something]
The legend of King Arthur has inspired countless books and films.
Arthur király legendája számtalan könyvet és filmet ihletett.
According to local legend, the lake is home to a giant creature.
A helyi legenda szerint a tóban egy óriási lény él.
Many cultures have legends about the creation of the world.
Learner examples
I read a legend about a dragon.
Olvastam egy legendát egy sárkányról.
People tell a legend about this mountain.
Az emberek legendát mesélnek erről a hegyről.
This is a legend from my country.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'legend' with 'myth', but 'legend' usually involves a real person or place, while 'myth' often explains natural events with gods or magic.
Meaning
Traditional story or myth
Collocations
ancient legend
|famous legend
|urban legend
|local legend
|myth and legend
Synonyms
myth (Often refers to a traditional story explaining natural or social phenomena, sometimes with gods or supernatural beings.)
Antonyms
fact (A piece of information that is true and can be proven, unlike a legend which may not be fully true.)
Themes
history
|culture
|storytelling
|arts_entertainment
|education
Definition
An old story told for many years, sometimes mixing real events with made-up parts.
A traditional story, often about historical events or figures, that has been passed down over generations and may contain both factual and fictional elements.
NOUN
B1
2
legenda
B2
Usage pattern:
a legend in [field]
Pele is considered a football legend.
She became a legend in the fashion industry.
He is a living legend of jazz music.
Learner examples
Michael Jordan is a basketball legend.
She is a legend in science.
He became a legend after winning many races.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'legend' with 'idol'. An 'idol' is someone you personally admire, while a 'legend' is widely recognized by many people.
Meaning
Extremely famous or admired person
Collocations
football legend
|music legend
|living legend
|become a legend
Synonyms
icon (A person who is greatly admired and represents an important ideal or style.)
Antonyms
unknown (A person who is not known by the public.)
Themes
fame
|sports
|arts
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A person who is very famous and remembered for doing something great.
A person who is very famous and admired, often for their achievements in a particular field, and remembered long after their time.
NOUN
A2
TECHNICAL
3
The legend on this map shows what each color means.
Ezen a térképen a jelmagyarázat megmutatja, melyik szín mit jelent.
Check the legend to understand the symbols.
Nézd meg a jelmagyarázatot, hogy megértsd a jelöléseket.
Without the legend, the diagram is hard to read.
Learner examples
The map legend shows rivers in blue.
A térkép jelmagyarázata szerint a folyók kékkel vannak jelölve.
Look at the legend to find the road signs.
Nézd meg a jelmagyarázatot, hogy megtaláld a közúti jelzéseket.
This chart has a legend for the lines.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with 'legend' as a story. In maps, it means an explanation of symbols.
Meaning
Explanatory list of map symbols
Collocations
map legend
|chart legend
|diagram legend
Synonyms
key (Commonly used for maps; refers to the same concept as 'legend' in this sense.)
Themes
geography
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small table on a map or diagram that shows what the symbols mean.
A table or list on a map, chart, or diagram that explains the meaning of its symbols or colors.
Grammar
Dictionary form
legend
IPA
GB/lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
US/lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
Syllables & stress
le - gend (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (le)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: legend
- Plural: legend, legends
Word family
Expressions
legend has it
1/lˈɛd͡ʒənd hˈæz ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
Phrase introducing a traditional story
People say that something happened, but it may not be true.
Examples
- Legend has it that the castle was built overnight.
- Legend has it she still walks these halls at night.
living legend
1/lˈɪvɪŋ lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
fixed phrase
Famous person still alive and admired
A very famous person who is still alive and greatly respected for their work or talent.
Examples
- Serena Williams is considered a living legend in tennis.
- The singer became a living legend after decades of success.
urban legend
1/ˈɚbən lˈɛd͡ʒənd/
fixed phrase
False modern story widely told
A story many people tell that is not true, usually about strange or scary things in modern life.
Examples
- The story about alligators in sewers is just an urban legend.
- There's an urban legend about alligators living in New York sewers.
- He told me an urban legend about a haunted hotel.
- The tale of the haunted hotel is just an urban legend.