maverick
gb/mˈævɚɪk/ us/mˈævɚɪk/
C1
English
különutas, nonkonformista, kakukktojás, bélyegezetlen borjú, bitang jószág
NOUN
C1
1
különutas
B2
Usage pattern:
a maverick (in [field])
She was a maverick who refused to copy the standard methods in her field.
Igazi különutas volt, és nem volt hajlandó a szakterületén bevett módszereket másolni.
The company hired a maverick to shake up its conservative culture.
A cég egy különutast vett fel, hogy felrázza a konzervatív vállalati kultúrát.
As a maverick in the party, he often voted against leadership.
Learner examples
He is a maverick and likes to work alone.
Ő különutas, és szeret egyedül dolgozni.
She is a maverick in her company.
A cégénél különutasnak számít.
Common mistake:
Don’t confuse common-noun maverick with the proper name Maverick; also, it usually implies independence, not simply being rude or difficult.
Meaning
independent-minded person
Collocations
a political maverick
|a maverick politician
|a maverick senator
|a maverick scientist
|a maverick entrepreneur
|a maverick journalist
|a maverick leader
|a maverick thinker
|a maverick in the industry
|a party maverick
Synonyms
nonconformist (Focuses on not following social norms.)
|
iconoclast (Emphasizes challenging respected ideas or traditions.)
|
rebel (Suggests active resistance rather than just independence.)
|
independent (More general; can be less dramatic than maverick.)
Antonyms
conformist (Someone who follows accepted rules and norms.)
|
follower (Someone who lets others lead and set direction.)
|
party loyalist (In politics, someone who consistently follows the party line.)
Themes
people
|work
|politics
|society
Definition
Someone who does things in their own way and doesn’t follow the group.
A person who thinks and acts independently and does not usually follow the rules or typical behavior of a group, organization, or profession.
NOUN
C1
2
kakukktojás
B2
Usage pattern:
a maverick among [group/plural]
Among the bland proposals, hers was the maverick that everyone kept talking about.
A jellegtelen javaslatok között az övé volt a kakukktojás, amiről mindenki beszélt.
The film was a maverick in the genre, ignoring most of its usual rules.
A film kakukktojás volt a műfajában, mert figyelmen kívül hagyta a szokásos szabályok nagy részét.
In a field of similar products, this one is a maverick.
Learner examples
His idea was the maverick in the meeting.
Az értekezleten az ő ötlete volt a kakukktojás.
Common mistake:
This noun use is less common than the adjective; many contexts prefer “a maverick person” or “a maverick approach.”
Meaning
unconventional person or thing
Collocations
a maverick among peers
|a maverick in the lineup
|a maverick in the market
|a maverick proposal
|a maverick plan
|a maverick voice
|the maverick of the group
Synonyms
outlier (Highlights being outside the normal range or pattern.)
|
odd one out (More informal; focuses on being different from the group.)
Antonyms
typical example (Something that closely matches the normal pattern.)
|
standard model (Something that represents the usual or accepted form.)
Themes
ideas
|society
|work
Definition
Someone or something that is different from the rest in an independent way.
A person, idea, or thing that stands apart from others because it is unusual, unorthodox, or independent of the usual pattern.
C1
3
különutas
B2
Usage pattern:
a maverick [person/approach/decision]
She took a maverick approach to teaching that surprised her colleagues.
Kollégáit meglepte a tanításhoz választott különutas megközelítése.
The team made a maverick choice to release the product early.
A csapat különutas döntést hozott, és a terméket korábban adta ki.
His maverick style doesn’t suit every workplace.
Learner examples
They tried a maverick idea.
Egy különutas ötlettel próbálkoztak.
He has a maverick style.
Különutas stílusa van.
Common mistake:
Because it’s also a noun, learners sometimes say “a maverick” when they need “a maverick approach/decision.”
Meaning
independent and unconventional
Collocations
a maverick approach
|a maverick decision
|a maverick move
|maverick ideas
|a maverick strategy
|a maverick style
|a maverick attitude
|maverick thinking
|a maverick streak
|a maverick reputation
Synonyms
unorthodox (Emphasizes being different from established practice.)
|
nonconformist (Emphasizes not following social or group norms.)
|
independent-minded (Focuses on thinking for yourself rather than being unconventional.)
Antonyms
conventional (Following accepted ways of doing things.)
|
orthodox (Strictly following traditional or accepted beliefs and methods.)
Themes
work
|ideas
|society
Definition
Doing things in a new way, not the usual way.
Independent in thought or action and not following established rules, customs, or typical ways of doing things.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
a maverick (calf)
The ranch hands rounded up the mavericks before branding season.
A ranch dolgozói a bélyegzési időszak előtt összeterelték a bélyegezetlen borjakat.
They found a maverick calf wandering without a brand.
Találtak egy bélyegezetlen borjút, amelyik billog nélkül kóborolt.
Old ranch records mention mavericks on open range land.
Learner examples
The calf was a maverick with no brand.
A borjú bélyegezetlen volt, nem volt rajta billog.
Common mistake:
This meaning is uncommon in everyday conversation; in most modern contexts, maverick refers to an independent person or approach.
Meaning
unbranded calf or animal
Collocations
an unbranded maverick
|a maverick calf
|round up mavericks
|brand the mavericks
Synonyms
unbranded calf (A direct, explanatory synonym used in ranching contexts.)
Antonyms
branded calf (An animal marked to show ownership.)
Themes
animals
|agriculture
|history
Definition
In ranching, a young cow with no brand.
An unbranded calf, or more generally an unowned or unbranded animal, especially in ranching contexts.
Grammar
Dictionary form
maverick
IPA
GB/mˈævɚɪk/
US/mˈævɚɪk/
Syllables & stress
mav - er - ick (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mav)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: maverick
Noun
- Base: maverick
- Plural: mavericks
Word family
Forms
mavericks
noun
Negative and opposite forms
conformist
noun
Expressions
go maverick
1/ɡˈoʊ mˈævɚɪk/
fixed phrase
informal
act independently of group
To stop following the plan and do your own thing.
Examples
- Halfway through the project, he went maverick and changed the design without telling anyone.
- If you go maverick on the plan, we’ll miss the deadline.
Learner examples
- Don’t go maverick on this project.
maverick candidate
1/mˈævɚɪk kˈændɪdeɪt/
fixed phrase
independent political candidate
A candidate who doesn’t always follow their party.
Examples
- She ran as a maverick candidate who promised to challenge party leadership.
- Voters liked him as a maverick candidate with a record of crossing party lines.
Learner examples
- He is a maverick candidate.
maverick vote
1/mˈævɚɪk vˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
vote against party line
A vote that is different from the group’s vote.
Examples
- Her maverick vote on the bill angered party leaders.
- A few maverick votes were enough to defeat the proposal.
Learner examples
- He made a maverick vote.