maintain
gb/meɪntˈeɪn/ us/meɪntˈeɪn/
B1
English
~ 900
karbantart, ápol, megőriz, fenntart, tart, váltig állít
VERB
B1
1
karbantart
B1
ápol
B1
Usage pattern:
to maintain [something]
We need to maintain the car to avoid costly repairs.
Rendszeresen karban kell tartanunk az autót, hogy elkerüljük a költséges javításokat.
The company maintains its computers regularly to prevent breakdowns.
A cég rendszeresen karbantartja a számítógépeit, hogy megelőzze a meghibásodásokat.
It’s important to maintain your home to keep its value.
Learner examples
I maintain my bike every week.
Minden héten karbantartom a biciklimet.
He maintains his shoes so they look new.
Ápolja a cipőit, hogy újnak nézzenek ki.
They maintain the garden very well.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'maintain' with 'obtain'. 'Maintain' is about keeping something in its current state, not getting it.
Meaning
Keep in good condition
Collocations
maintain equipment
|maintain a building
|maintain a vehicle
|properly maintain
|maintain facilities
Synonyms
upkeep (Refers more to the ongoing process of keeping something in good condition.)
|
preserve (Implies protecting from harm or decay, sometimes with a focus on long-term protection.)
Antonyms
neglect (Means to fail to care for something properly, leading to decline or damage.)
Themes
daily life
|work
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To keep something working well or looking good by taking care of it.
To keep something in a good or functional state through regular care or attention.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to maintain [a state/quality/position]
She maintained her composure during the crisis.
A válság alatt is megőrizte a nyugalmát.
The team struggled to maintain their lead in the final minutes.
A csapat az utolsó percekben nehezen tudta megőrizni az előnyét.
He maintains a high level of fitness all year round.
Learner examples
She maintains her weight by eating healthy food.
Egészséges ételek fogyasztásával tartja a súlyát.
He maintains his place in the class.
Megőrzi a helyét az osztályban.
They maintain good relations with their neighbors.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'maintain' with 'remain'. 'Remain' means to stay in a place or condition passively, while 'maintain' implies active effort.
Meaning
Continue to have or keep
Collocations
maintain control
|maintain focus
|maintain balance
|maintain speed
Synonyms
sustain (Often used for continuing something over a period of time, especially effort or energy.)
Antonyms
lose (To no longer have a state, quality, or position.)
Themes
emotions
|sports
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To keep a certain way of being or situation without change.
To continue to have or keep a particular state, quality, or position over time.
VERB
B2
FORMAL
3
fenntart
C1
váltig állít
C1
Usage pattern:
to maintain (that) [clause]
He maintained that he had never seen her before.
Váltig állította, hogy soha korábban nem látta őt.
The scientist maintains that the results are conclusive.
A tudós fenntartja, hogy az eredmények egyértelműek.
She maintained her innocence throughout the trial.
Learner examples
He maintains that he is right.
Váltig állítja, hogy igaza van.
She maintains that she did not take the money.
Váltig állítja, hogy nem ő vette el a pénzt.
They maintain that this plan will work.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'that' after 'maintain', which can make the sentence unclear in formal writing.
Meaning
State firmly is true
Collocations
maintain innocence
|maintain that something is true
Synonyms
assert (Formally and confidently state something as fact.)
|
claim (Say that something is true; can sound less certain than 'maintain'.)
Antonyms
deny (To say that something is not true.)
Themes
law
|debate
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say strongly that something is true, even if others disagree.
To assert or claim something strongly, especially in the face of opposition.
Grammar
Dictionary form
maintain
IPA
GB/meɪntˈeɪn/
US/meɪntˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
main - tain (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tain)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: maintain
- 3rd Person Singular: maintains
- Present Participle: maintaining
- Past: maintained
Word family
Forms
maintains
verb
maintaining
verb
maintained
verb
Core family
maintenance
noun B1
Related words
maintainer
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unmaintainable
adjective
Advanced or less common
maintainable
adjective
maintainability
noun C1
Expressions
maintain a low profile
1/meɪntˈeɪn ə lˈoʊ pɹˈoʊfˌaɪl/
idiom
Avoid drawing attention to oneself
To act quietly and not attract attention.
Examples
- After the scandal, he decided to maintain a low profile.
- She maintained a low profile during the negotiations.
maintain contact
1/meɪntˈeɪn kˈɑntˌækt/
fixed phrase
Keep communicating with someone
To keep talking or writing to someone over time.
Examples
- We try to maintain contact with old school friends.
- It's important to maintain contact with clients.
maintain order
1/meɪntˈeɪn ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
Keep things organized and controlled
To keep people behaving well and things working in an organized way.
Examples
- The police were called in to maintain order during the protest.
- Teachers must maintain order in the classroom.