millimeter
gb/mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ/ us/mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ/
A2
English
milliméter, egy millimétert sem, milliméternyi
NOUN
A2
1
milliméter
A2
Usage pattern:
[a number] millimeter(s) (mm)
The crack is only about two millimeters wide.
A repedés csak körülbelül két milliméter széles.
Cut the sheet so it’s 0.5 millimeters thick.
Úgy vágd el a lapot, hogy 0,5 milliméter vastag legyen.
The surgeon worked with millimeter-level precision.
Learner examples
This line is 3 millimeters long.
Ez a vonal 3 milliméter hosszú.
A millimeter is smaller than a centimeter.
A milliméter kisebb, mint a centiméter.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse millimeter (mm) with centimeter (cm) or misspell it as *milimeter* (one L).
Meaning
one thousandth of a meter
Collocations
millimeter thick
|a few millimeters
|several millimeters
|millimeter precision
|millimeter measurement
|millimeter gap
|millimeter ruler
|millimeters of rain
|millimeter scale
|one millimeter
Synonyms
millimetre (UK spelling.)
|
mm (Common abbreviation in measurements.)
Antonyms
kilometer (A much larger metric unit of length.)
Themes
measurement
|science
|math
|daily_life
Definition
A millimeter is a very small metric unit of length: 1/1000 of a meter.
A unit of length in the metric system equal to one thousandth of a meter (0.001 m).
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
(not) a millimeter; by a millimeter
She wouldn’t compromise a millimeter on the safety rules.
A biztonsági szabályokból egy millimétert sem volt hajlandó engedni.
Their opinions didn’t shift a millimeter after the meeting.
A megbeszélés után az álláspontjuk egy millimétert sem változott.
The schedule can’t slip a millimeter if we want to meet the deadline.
Learner examples
He did not change a millimeter.
Egy millimétert sem változott.
There is only a millimeter of difference.
Csak milliméternyi különbség van.
Common mistake:
This emphatic use is less common than similar phrases with inch; it is usually used to stress “no change at all” or “only a tiny change.”
Meaning
a tiny amount or degree
Collocations
not a millimeter
|without a millimeter
|by a millimeter
|a millimeter of change
|a millimeter of difference
Synonyms
a tiny bit (More general and informal; not tied to measurement.)
|
a fraction (Emphasizes a very small part; often abstract.)
Antonyms
a lot (Opposite in amount or degree.)
Themes
communication
|measurement
Definition
A millimeter can mean “a very tiny amount,” not only an exact measurement.
A very small amount of movement, difference, or change, used for emphasis.
Grammar
Dictionary form
millimeter
IPA
GB/mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ/
US/mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ/
Syllables & stress
mil - li - meter (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mil)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: millimeter
- Plural: millimeter, millimeters
Word family
Forms
millimeters
noun
Related words
Advanced or less common
millimetric
adjective
Expressions
by a millimeter
1/bˈaɪ ə mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ/
fixed phrase
by a very small amount
Only by a very small amount; almost not.
Examples
- The ball missed the post by a millimeter.
- We won by a millimeter after a last-second decision.
- He avoided the cyclist by a millimeter.
Learner examples
- The car missed me by a millimeter.
- They won by a millimeter.
millimeter by millimeter
1/mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ bˈaɪ mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ/
fixed phrase
very slowly in tiny steps
Very slowly, little by little.
Examples
- The truck edged forward millimeter by millimeter in the traffic jam.
- Negotiations moved forward millimeter by millimeter.
- The climber inched up the wall millimeter by millimeter.
Learner examples
- The line moved millimeter by millimeter.
- We improved millimeter by millimeter.
not move a millimeter
1/nˈɑt mˈuv ə mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ/
idiom
not change at all
To not move or not change your opinion at all.
Examples
- The manager wouldn’t move a millimeter on the refund policy.
- I pushed the door, but it didn’t move a millimeter.
- They argued for hours, but neither side moved a millimeter.
Learner examples
- He wouldn’t move a millimeter.
- The box did not move a millimeter.
to the millimeter
1/tə ðə mˈɪlɪmˌitɚ/
fixed phrase
with exact precision
Exactly, with no extra or missing amount.
Examples
- The parts have to fit to the millimeter.
- Measure the distance to the millimeter before you drill.
- The frame was aligned to the millimeter.
Learner examples
- Cut it to the millimeter.
- It must fit to the millimeter.