memorise
gb/mˈɛmˈɔɹɪs/ us/mˈɛmˈɔɹɪs/
B1
English
megtanul, kívülről megtanul, megjegyez
VERB
B1
1
megtanul
A2
Usage pattern:
memorise [something]
I had to memorise a short poem for English class.
Meg kellett tanulnom egy rövid verset az angolórára.
She memorised her lines during the train ride.
A vonatúton megtanulta a szövegét.
Try to understand the idea, not just memorise the definition.
Learner examples
I memorised ten new words.
Megtanultam tíz új szót.
He memorised the poem.
Megtanulta a verset.
Common mistake:
Learners often use "memorise" when they mean "remember" (a past action), and may write the US spelling "memorize" in UK contexts.
Meaning
learn so you can repeat
Collocations
memorise a poem
|memorise a speech
|memorise a script
|memorise your lines
|memorise vocabulary
|memorise a formula
|memorise a definition
|memorise a list
|memorise a phone number
|memorise the lyrics
Synonyms
learn (More general; does not always mean exact recall.)
|
commit to memory (Slightly more formal and deliberate.)
|
learn by heart (Very close in meaning; common alternative phrase.)
Antonyms
forget (Fail to keep it in your memory.)
|
misremember (Remember it incorrectly rather than exactly.)
Themes
education
|learning
|memory
|school
Definition
To learn something so you can say it from memory.
To learn something so well that you can remember it exactly, often by repeating it many times.
VERB
B2
2
megjegyez
B1
Usage pattern:
memorise [something]
Memorise the route before you set off, because the signal drops in the valley.
Jegyezd meg az útvonalat, mielőtt elindulsz, mert a völgyben elmegy a térerő.
He quickly memorised the door code and typed it in.
Gyorsan megjegyezte az ajtókódot, és beütötte.
She tried to memorise his face in case she needed to identify him later.
Learner examples
Please memorise this address.
Kérlek, jegyezd meg ezt a címet.
I memorised the route to school.
Megjegyeztem az iskolába vezető útvonalat.
Common mistake:
Do not use "memorise" to mean "be reminded" (e.g., "This memorises me of..."); the correct verb is "remind".
Meaning
store details in your mind
Collocations
memorise a route
|memorise a map
|memorise the layout
|memorise the code
|memorise the combination
|memorise the instructions
|memorise someone's face
|memorise the address
|memorise the details
|memorise the sequence
Synonyms
remember (More general; may be unintentional or not deliberate.)
|
take in (Informal; focuses on noticing and understanding.)
|
register (Often means notice and remember briefly, especially information or impressions.)
Antonyms
forget (Not retain the details for later.)
|
miss (Fail to notice or take in the details.)
Themes
daily_life
|memory
|travel
Definition
To make yourself remember important details for later.
To make sure you remember particular details such as a face, route, or set of information for later use.
Grammar
Dictionary form
memorise
IPA
GB/mˈɛmˈɔɹɪs/
US/mˈɛmˈɔɹɪs/
Syllables & stress
mem - or - ise (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mem)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: memorise
- 3rd Person Singular: memorises
- Present Participle: memorising
- Past: memorised
Word family
Expressions
memorise [something] by rote
1/mˈɛmˈɔɹɪs sˈʌmθɪŋ bˈaɪ ɹˈoʊt/
fixed phrase
learn by repetition only
To learn something only by repeating it again and again.
Examples
- He memorised the dates by rote but couldn’t explain what caused the events.
- Teachers try to discourage students from memorising answers by rote.
- It’s easier to remember the rules if you understand them instead of memorising them by rote.
memorise [something] off by heart
1/mˈɛmˈɔɹɪs sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈɔf bˈaɪ hˈɑɹt/
idiom
learn perfectly from memory
To learn something perfectly so you can say it without reading.
Examples
- We had to memorise the times tables off by heart.
- She memorised the whole song off by heart.
- If you memorise it off by heart, you won’t need your notes.
Learner examples
- I memorised the poem off by heart.
- He memorised his lines off by heart.
memorise [something] word for word
1/mˈɛmˈɔɹɪs sˈʌmθɪŋ wˈɚd fɚ wˈɚd/
fixed phrase
learn exact wording
To learn every word exactly.
Examples
- The actor memorised the monologue word for word.
- You don’t need to memorise the introduction word for word—just explain the main idea.
- She memorised the apology word for word so she wouldn’t panic.
Learner examples
- I memorised the speech word for word.