nest
gb/nˈɛst/ us/nˈɛst/
A2
English
~ 9400
fészek, boly, kuckó, bűntanya, egymásba rakható készlet, egymás alá tolható asztalkészlet, fészkel, egymásba rak, egymás alá tol, befészkel, bekuckózik
NOUN
A2
1
fészek
A2
Usage pattern:
a [bird] builds a nest
The robin built a nest in the apple tree outside our window.
A vörösbegy fészket rakott az ablakunk előtti almafán.
Three tiny chicks were sitting quietly in the nest.
Három apró fióka ült csendben a fészekben.
Predators can easily find a nest that is low to the ground.
We watched the parents bring food back to the nest all day.
By late summer, the young birds had left the nest.
Learner examples
The bird is making a nest in the tree.
A madár fészket rak a fán.
There are five eggs in the nest.
Öt tojás van a fészekben.
The baby birds stay in the nest.
The wind broke the nest on the small branch.
We saw a big nest high in the tree.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "nest" with "birdhouse". A birdhouse is a man-made box or house for birds, while a nest is the structure that the bird itself makes or uses.
Meaning
Bird’s home for eggs and chicks
Collocations
build a nest
|bird’s nest
|in the nest
|hatch in the nest
|leave the nest
|destroy a nest
Synonyms
roost (A place where birds rest or sleep, not specifically where they lay eggs and raise young.)
Antonyms
open sky (Suggests no shelter or built structure, the opposite of a protected bird’s nest.)
Themes
nature
|animals
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A place that a bird makes to put its eggs and take care of its babies.
A structure that a bird builds or uses as its home, especially for laying eggs and raising its young.
NOUN
A2
2
Usage pattern:
an [animal/insect] nest
We found an ant nest under the stone.
Hangyabolyt találtunk a kő alatt.
There is a wasp nest in the corner of the shed.
Darázsfészek van a fészer sarkában.
The snake returned to its nest after hunting.
Pest control removed a large rat’s nest from the attic.
You should never poke a hornets’ nest with a stick.
Learner examples
There is an ant nest in the garden.
Hangyaboly van a kertben.
They saw a big wasp nest on the wall.
Egy nagy darázsfészket láttak a falon.
Mice made a nest in the box.
Do not touch the nest of bees.
The insects ran back to their nest.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "house" instead of "nest" for animals and insects (e.g., *an ant house*). "Nest" is the usual word for many insects and small animals.
Meaning
Home of small animals or insects
Collocations
ant nest
|wasp nest
|mouse nest
|rat’s nest
|destroy a nest
|disturb a nest
Synonyms
den (Usually used for mammals like foxes or bears, not for insects.)
Antonyms
open ground (An exposed area with no sheltered home for animals or insects.)
Themes
nature
|animals
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The home of a small animal or many insects, where they live and have babies.
The place where a small animal or group of insects lives and keeps its young.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] nest in [place]
After years of renting, they finally bought a little nest of their own.
Évekig tartó albérletezés után végre vettek maguknak egy saját kis fészket.
The cabin became their quiet nest in the mountains.
A faház lett a csendes kis fészkük a hegyekben.
They turned the tiny apartment into a warm, welcoming nest.
The young couple built a cosy nest above a busy café.
He dreamed of a simple nest by the sea where he could retire.
Learner examples
They made a small nest in the city.
Kialakítottak maguknak egy kis fészket a városban.
The room is their little nest.
A szoba az ő kis fészkük.
The house is old, but it is a warm nest.
We want a quiet nest in the country.
They share a tiny nest near the school.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this use is figurative and may translate it too literally. In many contexts, "home" or "little home" is a more natural translation.
Meaning
Small, safe, comfortable home
Collocations
little nest
|cosy nest
|their own nest
|a nest in the city
|share a nest
Synonyms
home (More general and neutral; "nest" suggests something small, private, and cozy.)
Antonyms
hellhole (Informal; a very unpleasant, unsafe place, the opposite of a cozy nest.)
Themes
daily life
|homes
|emotions
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small home or place that feels warm, safe, and comfortable.
A home or place that is small, private, and feels safe and comfortable.
NOUN
B2
4
Usage pattern:
a nest of [plural noun]
The building was described as a nest of thieves by the local police.
A helyi rendőrség tolvajfészeknek nevezte az épületet.
For years the port city was a nest of smuggling and corruption.
A kikötőváros évekig a csempészet és a korrupció fészke volt.
The online forum became a nest of hate speech and conspiracy theories.
They promised to clean up what many called a nest of extremists.
The agency turned out to be a nest of spies working for a foreign government.
Learner examples
The bar was a nest of thieves.
A bár tolvajfészek volt.
Police said the house was a nest of drug dealers.
A rendőrség szerint a ház drogkereskedők fészke volt.
That website became a nest of hate.
The group is a nest of terrorists.
They want to close this nest of crime.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "nest" by itself for this meaning (e.g., *this city is a nest*). In this sense it is almost always used in the pattern "a nest of [bad people or activity]".
Meaning
Center of harmful or criminal activity
Collocations
nest of thieves
|nest of terrorists
|nest of spies
|nest of corruption
|nest of extremism
Synonyms
hotbed (Commonly used for places with a lot of activity (often bad), not tied to the "home" idea of "nest.")
Antonyms
safe haven (A place that is safe and protected, the opposite of a dangerous or corrupt "nest.")
Themes
crime
|politics
|society
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A place with many bad people or bad things happening, like crime or hate.
A place where many people who do something bad are gathered, or where an unwanted activity is strongly present.
NOUN
B2
5
Usage pattern:
a nest of [plural noun]
The living room was furnished with a nest of tables in the corner.
A nappali sarkában egymás alá tolható kisasztalok álltak.
She bought a nest of mixing bowls to save space in the kitchen.
Egy egymásba rakható keverőtál-készletet vett, hogy helyet takarítson meg a konyhában.
The camping pots come as a compact nest of lightweight pans.
He slid the three small tables back into the nest after the guests left.
The boxes form a neat nest that fits into the cupboard.
Learner examples
They have a nest of small tables in the room.
Van egy egymás alá tolható kisasztal-készletük a szobában.
She put the nest of bowls in the cupboard.
Betette az egymásba rakható tálkészletet a szekrénybe.
The pans are a nest, so they do not take much space.
He pushed the little tables back into the nest.
This nest of boxes is easy to carry.
Common mistake:
Learners may say *a group of tables* when they mean a special set that fits together. In furniture descriptions, "a nest of tables" is the more precise term.
Meaning
Set of items fitting inside each other
Collocations
a nest of tables
|a nest of bowls
|a nest of boxes
|stored in a nest
|plastic nest of containers
Synonyms
set (General word; does not show that the objects fit inside each other the way "nest" does.)
Antonyms
single item (One object on its own, not part of a stackable group.)
Themes
objects
|home
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A group of things, like bowls or tables, that are different sizes and fit one inside or under another.
A set of similar objects of different sizes designed to fit inside or under each other.
VERB
B1
6
fészkel
B1
Usage pattern:
[birds/animals] nest in [place]
Hundreds of seabirds nest on these rocky cliffs every summer.
Minden nyáron több száz tengeri madár fészkel ezeken a sziklás szirteken.
Owls often nest in old tree holes or abandoned buildings.
A baglyok gyakran öreg faodvakban vagy elhagyott épületekben fészkelnek.
The swallows return each year to nest under the bridge.
Turtles swim long distances to nest on the same beach where they hatched.
Many species that nest in this forest are now endangered.
Learner examples
Many birds nest in this tree.
Sok madár fészkel ezen a fán.
Seabirds nest on the high rocks.
Tengeri madarak fészkelnek a magas sziklákon.
The swallows nest under the roof.
These ducks nest on small islands.
Some birds do not nest here in winter.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *make a house* for birds instead of "nest". When talking about birds and eggs, use "nest" as a verb or noun, not "house."
Meaning
Birds or animals build and use nests
Collocations
birds nest in trees
|seabirds nest on cliffs
|nesting pairs
|nesting season
|migratory birds that nest here
Synonyms
roost (Focuses on birds resting or sleeping; "nest" includes building and raising young.)
Antonyms
migrate (To move from place to place instead of staying to build and use a nest.)
Themes
nature
|animals
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
When birds or small animals make nests and live in them, usually to lay eggs and care for babies.
When birds or small animals build nests and use them as their homes, especially for laying eggs and raising their young.
VERB
B2
TECHNICAL
7
egymásba rak
B1
Usage pattern:
to nest [objects] together
These plastic cups are designed to nest inside each other to save space.
Ezeket a műanyag poharakat úgy tervezték, hogy egymásba lehessen rakni őket, és így helyet takarítsanak meg.
You can nest the three tables together when you are not using them.
Ha nem használod őket, egymás alá tolhatod a három asztalt.
The bowls nest neatly, so they don’t take up much room in the cupboard.
The program uses nested loops to process the data.
Folders can be nested to keep related files organized.
Learner examples
Please nest the bowls after you wash them.
Kérlek, mosogatás után rakd egymásba a tálakat.
These chairs nest, so they are easy to store.
Ezeket a székeket egymásba lehet rakni, ezért könnyű tárolni őket.
He likes to nest the boxes to save space.
The tables nest under the big table.
You can nest the cups so the shelf is not full.
Common mistake:
In computing, learners sometimes say *inside loop* or *loop in a loop* instead of "nested loop." While understandable, "nested" is the standard technical term.
Meaning
Fit objects or structures inside each other
Collocations
nest the bowls
|nest the tables together
|nested folders
|nested lists
|nested loops
|nest containers
Synonyms
stack (Means putting things in a pile, not always fitting one inside another the way "nest" suggests.)
Antonyms
separate (To take things apart so they are no longer inside or under one another.)
Themes
technology
|computing
|objects
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put one thing inside or under another thing of a similar kind so they fit together neatly.
To place one object, group, or structure inside or under another similar one, especially so they stack or are contained within each other.
VERB
B2
8
befészkel
B2
bekuckózik
B1
Usage pattern:
to nest [yourself/something] in [place]
She nested the baby in a pile of warm blankets.
Kényelmesen befészkelte a babát egy halom meleg takaró közé.
He nested himself in the corner of the sofa with a book.
Befészkelte magát a kanapé sarkába egy könyvvel.
Several cats were nesting in the soft pillows by the window.
The camera was carefully nested in foam inside the case.
The tiny cups nested perfectly in the padded box.
Learner examples
She nested the child in the soft chair.
Befészkelte a gyereket a puha fotelbe.
He nested himself in the warm bed.
Befészkelte magát a meleg ágyba.
The dog nested in the blanket.
I nested the glass bottles in paper.
The kitten nested in my arms.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "nest" where "sit" or "lie" is more natural. Use this sense when you want to show a soft, safe, protected position, not just any way of sitting or lying.
Meaning
Settle snugly and comfortably
Collocations
nestle down in bed
|nest the baby in blankets
|nest in the cushions
|nest comfortably in [place]
Synonyms
snuggle (More emotional and informal; often suggests close physical affection.)
Antonyms
dislodge (To remove something from a secure or comfortable position.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To put yourself or another person or thing in a soft, safe place where it feels comfortable.
To settle yourself or someone or something into a soft, protected, and comfortable position.
Grammar
Dictionary form
nest
IPA
GB/nˈɛst/
US/nˈɛst/
Syllables & stress
nest (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (nest)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: nest
- Plural: nests
Verb
- Base: nest
- 3rd Person Singular: nests
- Present Participle: nesting
- Past: nested
Word family
Forms
nests
noun
nesting
verb
nested
verb
Related words
nestling
noun
nestle
verb
Expressions
a nest of vipers
1/ə nˈɛst əv vˈaɪpɚz/
idiom
literary
Group of dangerous, treacherous people
A group of people who are very unkind, dishonest, or likely to hurt others, especially in a secret way.
Examples
- He called the corrupt committee a nest of vipers.
- She left the company, saying it was a nest of vipers and backstabbers.
- The novel portrays the royal court as a nest of vipers.
empty-nest syndrome
1/ˈɛmpti nˈɛst sˈɪndɹˌoʊm/
fixed phrase
Sadness when children leave home
The strong feeling of sadness or loss that some parents have when their children grow up and leave home.
Examples
- She struggled with empty-nest syndrome after her only son moved abroad.
- Counselors say empty-nest syndrome is common but usually passes with time.
- They tried new hobbies to cope with their empty-nest syndrome.
feather your (own) nest
1/fˈɛðɚ jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn nˈɛst/
idiom
Use a position to enrich yourself
To get money or benefits for yourself, often in a secret or unfair way, by using your job or power.
Examples
- The politician was accused of feathering his own nest with public funds.
- Instead of helping the company, the directors just feathered their nests.
- She denied that she took the job only to feather her own nest.
fly the nest
1/flˈaɪ ðə nˈɛst/
idiom
Leave parents’ home to live independently
To leave your parents’ home to live on your own as an adult.
Examples
- Their youngest finally flew the nest at eighteen.
- Many children are flying the nest later because of high rent prices.
- She’s not ready for her son to fly the nest just yet.
leave the nest
1/lˈiv ðə nˈɛst/
idiom
Move out of parents’ home
To move out of your parents’ home for the first time and start living independently.
Examples
- Most of their friends have already left the nest.
- She plans to leave the nest after she finishes university.
- Leaving the nest can be exciting but also frightening.
love nest
1/lˈʌv nˈɛst/
idiom
informal
Secret or private place for lovers
A private home or room where two people in a romantic or sexual relationship meet, especially if the relationship is secret.
Examples
- The tabloids printed photos of the actor’s secret love nest.
- They rented a small love nest in the city where no one knew them.
- Reporters found out about the politician’s love nest with his girlfriend.
nest egg
1/nˈɛst ˈɛɡ/
idiom
Money saved for future use
Money that you save over time to use later, often for retirement or for a special need.
Examples
- They used their retirement nest egg to buy a small house by the sea.
- She has built up a nice nest egg from years of careful saving.
- He doesn’t want to touch his nest egg unless there is an emergency.
empty nest
1/ˈɛmpti nˈɛst/
idiom
Home after children have moved out
A home where children have grown up and moved away, leaving the parents alone.
Examples
- After their youngest left for college, they found themselves in an empty nest.
- Many parents feel lonely in their empty nest.
empty nest
2/ˈɛmpti nˈɛst/
idiom
Home after children have left
A home where the children have grown up and left, so only the parents live there now.
Examples
- They are still getting used to the empty nest now that their youngest has gone to college.
- The couple decided to travel more once they found themselves in an empty nest.
- Many parents feel both freedom and sadness when they reach the empty nest stage.