metabolize
gb/mətˈæbəlˌaɪz/ us/mətˈæbəlˌaɪz/
C1
English
lebont, metabolizál, feldolgoz, megemészt
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
1
lebont
B2
metabolizál
C1
Usage pattern:
[body/organism/cell] metabolizes [something]; [something] is metabolized by/in [the body/liver/cells]
The liver metabolizes alcohol before it can be eliminated from the body.
A máj lebontja az alkoholt, mielőtt az kiürülne a szervezetből.
Some people metabolize caffeine slowly and feel its effects for many hours.
Egyes emberek lassan bontják le a koffeint, ezért még sok órán át érzik a hatását.
During exercise, muscles metabolize glucose to produce energy.
Learner examples
My body metabolizes caffeine slowly.
A szervezetem lassan bontja le a koffeint.
The medicine is metabolized in the liver.
A gyógyszer a májban bomlik le.
Common mistake:
Do not use metabolize to mean simply eat or digest; it refers to chemical processing in the body or cells.
Meaning
chemically process substances
Collocations
metabolize food
|metabolize glucose
|metabolize fat
|metabolize carbohydrates
|metabolize alcohol
|metabolize caffeine
|metabolize medication
|metabolize drugs
|metabolize nutrients
|metabolize quickly
Synonyms
process (broader and less scientific; can refer to many kinds of handling or treatment)
|
break down (common in health contexts, especially when a substance is chemically reduced or changed)
|
convert (emphasizes changing a substance into another form)
Antonyms
store (emphasizes keeping a substance in the body rather than chemically using or changing it)
|
accumulate (suggests building up instead of being processed or removed)
Themes
biology
|health
|medicine
|nutrition
Definition
When your body metabolizes something, it chemically changes it so it can use it or get rid of it.
To change food, drugs, or other substances in the body or in cells by chemical processes, especially to produce energy or remove waste.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
metabolize [an experience/emotion/idea/information]
She needed time to metabolize the shock of losing her job.
Időre volt szüksége, hogy feldolgozza az állása elvesztésének sokkját.
The documentary asks viewers to metabolize a painful chapter of history rather than look away.
A dokumentumfilm arra kéri a nézőket, hogy dolgozzák fel a történelem egy fájdalmas fejezetét, ahelyett hogy elfordulnának tőle.
After the meeting, he went for a walk to metabolize all the criticism he had received.
Learner examples
I need time to metabolize the news.
Időre van szükségem, hogy feldolgozzam a hírt.
She is still metabolizing the experience.
Még mindig dolgozza fel az élményt.
Common mistake:
This figurative use is more formal and metaphorical than process or deal with, so it may sound unusual in simple everyday conversation.
Meaning
mentally process experiences
Collocations
metabolize trauma
|metabolize grief
|metabolize an experience
|metabolize information
|metabolize criticism
|metabolize change
|metabolize the news
|metabolize ideas
Synonyms
process (more common and neutral for dealing with feelings, events, or information)
|
absorb (emphasizes taking in and gradually understanding something)
|
digest (similar metaphor, often used for understanding news or information over time)
Antonyms
suppress (means to push away feelings instead of working through them)
|
ignore (means to pay no attention rather than mentally process something)
Themes
psychology
|emotions
|communication
|culture
Definition
To slowly understand and deal with something difficult, new, or complex.
To absorb, process, and gradually come to understand or deal with an experience, emotion, idea, or information.
Grammar
Dictionary form
metabolize
IPA
GB/mətˈæbəlˌaɪz/
US/mətˈæbəlˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
meta - bol - ize (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (bol)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: metabolize
- 3rd Person Singular: metabolizes
- Present Participle: metabolizing
- Past: metabolized
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.