major
gb/mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/ us/mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
B1
English
~ 500
jelentős, komoly, őrnagy, szak, dúr
B1
1
Usage pattern:
a major [problem/change/event]
Climate change is a major challenge of our time.
Az éghajlatváltozás korunk egyik jelentős kihívása.
She played a major role in the success of the project.
Jelentős szerepet játszott a projekt sikerében.
Losing his job was a major setback for him.
Traffic accidents are a major cause of injury.
The company announced a major expansion into Asia.
Learner examples
This is a major problem for the city.
Ez komoly probléma a város számára.
He made a major change to the plan.
Jelentős változtatást hajtott végre a terven.
The storm caused major damage to houses.
We have a major test tomorrow.
A major road is closed today.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'major' with 'main'; 'major' emphasizes size or importance, while 'main' emphasizes being the primary one.
Meaning
Very large or important
Collocations
major change
|major problem
|major event
|major role
|major factor
Synonyms
significant (Implies meaningful or notable importance, often less extreme than 'major'.)
Antonyms
minor (Describes something small or less important, the opposite of 'major' in this sense.)
Themes
general
|importance
|measurement
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very big or very important.
Very great in size, extent, or importance.
NOUN
B2
2
őrnagy
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a major in [the army]
Major Smith will lead the training exercise.
Smith őrnagy vezeti majd a kiképzési gyakorlatot.
He was promoted to major after ten years of service.
Tíz év szolgálat után őrnaggyá léptették elő.
The major inspected the troops before the parade.
She served as a major in the air force.
Major Thompson addressed the soldiers.
Learner examples
My uncle is a major in the army.
A nagybátyám őrnagy a hadseregben.
The major spoke to the soldiers.
Az őrnagy beszélt a katonákhoz.
She became a major last year.
The major gave us orders.
He is now a major in the air force.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'major' as a noun (rank) with 'major' as an adjective (important). Context usually makes it clear.
Meaning
Military officer rank above captain
Collocations
army major
|air force major
|promoted to major
Synonyms
officer (A general term for someone with a military rank; less specific than 'major'.)
Themes
military
|politics
|law
Definition
An officer in the army, above a captain and below a lieutenant colonel.
A military rank above captain and below lieutenant colonel.
NOUN
B1
3
szak
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] majors in [subject] / [someone's] major is [subject]
Her major is computer science.
Informatika a szakja.
He decided to change his major from physics to economics.
Úgy döntött, hogy fizikáról közgazdaságtanra vált szakot.
As an English major, she reads a lot of literature.
Choosing the right major can affect your career path.
They offer over fifty different majors at this university.
Learner examples
My major is history.
Történelem a szakom.
She wants to choose art as her major.
Művészetet szeretne szaknak választani.
He changed his major to law.
I am an engineering major.
Her major is biology.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'major' (main subject) with 'degree' (the qualification received).
Meaning
Main subject of study at college
Collocations
choose a major
|declare a major
|biology major
Synonyms
specialization (Focus of study, often used in academic contexts; can be broader than 'major'.)
Themes
education
Definition
The main subject you study at college or university.
The main academic subject that a student specializes in at college or university.
B2
TECHNICAL
4
dúr
C1
Usage pattern:
a major [scale/key/chord]
The piece is written in C major.
A darab C-dúrban van.
He practiced the G major scale for an hour.
Egy órán át gyakorolta a G-dúr skálát.
Many pop songs are in major keys.
The melody shifts from minor to major halfway through.
She prefers the sound of major chords.
Learner examples
This song is in C major.
Ez a dal C-dúrban van.
He plays the G major scale every day.
Minden nap eljátssza a G-dúr skálát.
Many songs are in a major key.
I like the sound of major chords.
We learned about the F major key.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'major' and 'minor' in music; they describe different patterns and moods of sound.
Meaning
Musical scale with happy sound quality
Collocations
major scale
|major key
|C major
Synonyms
bright (In music, describes a tone quality similar to that of a major key.)
Antonyms
minor (In music, refers to scales or chords with a darker or sadder sound quality.)
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
Definition
In music, having notes that make a bright or happy sound.
In music, relating to a scale, key, or chord that follows a specific pattern of intervals and generally has a bright or happy sound quality.
Grammar
Dictionary form
major
IPA
GB/mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
US/mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ/
Syllables & stress
ma - jor (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ma)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: major
Noun
- Base: major
- Plural: majors
Word family
Expressions
in a major way
1/ˈɪn ə mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
informal
To a very great extent
In a very big or important way.
Examples
- That movie influenced me in a major way.
- The storm affected the city in a major way.
major in
1/mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Study a subject as main focus at university
To study one subject as your main subject at college or university.
Examples
- She plans to major in chemistry when she starts college.
- He majored in political science before becoming a lawyer.
major league
1/mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ lˈiɡ/
fixed phrase
Highest professional sports level
The top level of professional sports competition.
Examples
- He was drafted into the major leagues last year.
- Making it to the major leagues is every young player's dream.
major league
2/mˈeɪd͡ʒɚ lˈiɡ/
fixed phrase
informal
Highest level of competition or performance
At the top level of competition or skill, especially in sports or business.
Examples
- He's playing in the baseball major leagues now.
- This new product puts them into the business major league.