memorandum
gb/mˌɛmɚˈændəm/ us/mˌɛmɚˈændəm/
B2
English
~ 5600
belső feljegyzés, egyetértési megállapodás, feljegyzés
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a memorandum on/about [topic]
The manager sent a memorandum explaining the new overtime policy.
A vezető belső feljegyzést küldött, amelyben ismertette az új túlóraszabályokat.
According to yesterday’s memorandum, all travel expenses must be approved in advance.
A tegnapi belső feljegyzés szerint minden utazási költséget előzetesen jóvá kell hagyatni.
The human resources department issued a memorandum on workplace safety procedures.
She drafted a memorandum to staff outlining the changes to the holiday schedule.
An internal memorandum leaked to the press revealed details of the restructuring plan.
Learner examples
The boss wrote a memorandum to all workers.
A főnök belső feljegyzést írt minden dolgozónak.
We read a memorandum about changes in office hours.
Elolvastunk egy belső feljegyzést az irodai munkaidő változásairól.
He sent a memorandum to explain the new rules.
The company gave a memorandum on dress code to every employee.
Please read the memorandum before the meeting tomorrow.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "memorandum" with "memory" or "memorial" because of the similar spelling. "Memorandum" is a written message or document, not the ability to remember or a structure to remember someone. Another common issue is the plural form: both "memorandums" and "memoranda" are correct, but "memorandums" is more common in modern English.
Meaning
written message used inside an organization
Collocations
internal memorandum
|confidential memorandum
|circulate a memorandum
|draft a memorandum
|company memorandum
|office memorandum
Synonyms
memo (More informal and common in everyday business speech; usually shorter and less formal in style than a full memorandum.)
Antonyms
phone call (A spoken, not written, way of giving information, which contrasts with the written nature of a memorandum.)
Themes
business
|workplace
|administration
|work
|communication
Definition
A short written message used to give information to people inside the same company or group.
A short written message or report used to communicate information within a business, government office, or other organization.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
a memorandum of [agreement/understanding] between [parties]
The two companies signed a memorandum outlining plans for future cooperation.
A két vállalat egyetértési megállapodást írt alá, amelyben felvázolták jövőbeli együttműködésük terveit.
Under the memorandum of understanding, both sides agreed to share research data.
Az egyetértési megállapodás értelmében mindkét fél vállalta, hogy megosztja a kutatási adatokat.
The foreign ministers exchanged a memorandum on border security measures.
Our lawyers prepared a detailed memorandum setting out the terms of the settlement.
The memorandum between the universities encourages student and staff exchanges.
Learner examples
The two firms signed a memorandum of understanding.
A két cég egyetértési megállapodást írt alá.
The countries wrote a memorandum to show their plans to work together.
Az országok egyetértési megállapodásban rögzítették, hogy együtt kívánnak működni.
They prepared a memorandum that listed all the terms of the deal.
Both sides agreed to the memorandum after long talks.
A memorandum can help avoid problems because the agreement is written down.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think a "memorandum of understanding" is always legally binding. In many contexts, especially business and diplomacy, it often describes a formal but non-binding agreement that shows serious intent but may not have the full force of a contract.
Meaning
written record of an agreement or understanding
Collocations
memorandum of understanding
|sign a memorandum
|draft a memorandum
|bilateral memorandum
|legal memorandum
|joint memorandum
Synonyms
agreement (A broader term that can be spoken or written; it focuses on the shared decision itself, while "memorandum" stresses the written record of that decision.)
Antonyms
verbal agreement (An agreement made only in spoken form without a written record, which contrasts with the documented nature of a memorandum.)
Themes
law
|business
|politics
|international_relations
Definition
A formal written paper that records what two or more people, companies, or countries agree to do.
A formal written document that records the details of an agreement, understanding, or arrangement between two or more parties, often for legal, diplomatic, or official purposes.
NOUN
C2
FORMAL
3
feljegyzés
B2
Usage pattern:
a memorandum to [oneself/someone] about [something]
He kept a handwritten memorandum in his diary listing key deadlines for the year.
A naplójában egy kézzel írt feljegyzést tartott az év fontos határidőiről.
She left a brief memorandum on her desk so she wouldn’t forget the appointment.
Rövid feljegyzést hagyott az íróasztalán, hogy ne felejtse el az időpontot.
The judge made a private memorandum of the witness’s main points for later review.
I wrote a memorandum to myself to follow up with the client next month.
Learner examples
I wrote a small memorandum so I will not forget the meeting.
Írtam egy rövid feljegyzést, hogy ne felejtsem el a megbeszélést.
She keeps a memorandum in her notebook with important dates.
A jegyzetfüzetében feljegyzést vezet a fontos dátumokról.
He made a memorandum about the tasks for next week.
I use a memorandum on my phone to remember homework.
The memorandum helps me remember what I must do.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this sense is formal and somewhat uncommon in everyday speech; in modern English, people are more likely to say "note" or "reminder" in general contexts.
Meaning
written note as a reminder
Collocations
personal memorandum
|brief memorandum
|keep a memorandum
|make a memorandum
|private memorandum
Synonyms
reminder (A more general and common word for anything that helps you remember; it may be spoken, written, or an object, whereas a memorandum is specifically written.)
Antonyms
forgetfulness (The state of not remembering things, which a memorandum is meant to prevent.)
Themes
daily_life
|organization
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A short written note that helps you remember something later.
A written note or brief record made to help someone remember something or to keep information for future reference.
Grammar
Dictionary form
memorandum
IPA
GB/mˌɛmɚˈændəm/
US/mˌɛmɚˈændəm/
Syllables & stress
memor - andum (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (andum)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: memorandum
- Plural: memoranda, memorandums
Word family
Forms
memoranda
noun
memorandums
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unmemorable
adjective
Advanced or less common
commemoration
noun
commemorative
adjective
Expressions
memorandum of understanding
1/mˌɛmɚˈændəm əv ˌʌndɚstˈændɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
formal non-binding written agreement
A formal written paper that says what two or more groups plan to do together, usually without being a full legal contract.
Examples
- The two tech companies signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on new software.
- Under the memorandum of understanding, the universities will exchange students and share research facilities.