onset
gb/ˈɔnsˌɛt/ us/ˈɔnsˌɛt/
B2
English
~ 6900
kezdet, szótagkezdet, első roham
NOUN
B2
1
kezdet
A2
Usage pattern:
the onset of [something]
The sudden onset of heavy rain forced the players off the field.
A heves eső hirtelen eleredése miatt a játékosoknak le kellett menniük a pályáról.
Early onset of the disease can make treatment more difficult.
A betegség korai kezdete megnehezítheti a kezelést.
At the onset of winter, many birds begin their migration south.
The medication should be taken at the first onset of symptoms.
Scientists are studying the onset of climate-related changes in the region.
Learner examples
She felt tired at the onset of the flu.
Az influenza kezdetén fáradtnak érezte magát.
The onset of summer is very hot in this city.
Ebben a városban a nyár kezdete nagyon forró.
He changed his diet after the onset of heart problems.
At the onset of the storm, we went inside.
The doctor asked about the onset of her pain.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "onset" with "outset". "Onset" is usually used for the beginning of something unpleasant or serious (the onset of illness, the onset of war), while "outset" means the beginning of an activity or process in general (from the outset of the project). Another mistake is using "onset" as a verb; it is only a noun in modern English.
Meaning
beginning or start of something
Collocations
the onset of winter
|the onset of symptoms
|the onset of disease
|the sudden onset of
|early onset
|the onset of dementia
Synonyms
beginning (More general and neutral; does not carry the common association with unpleasant events that 'onset' often has.)
|
start (More informal and very general; used for almost any beginning, while 'onset' is more formal and often used for medical or serious topics.)
Antonyms
end (Refers to the final part of something, the opposite point in time from the onset.)
|
conclusion (A formal word for the finishing stage, contrasting with the starting point implied by 'onset'.)
Themes
time
|health
|nature
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The time when something starts, especially something bad or serious, like an illness or a storm.
The beginning or first appearance of something, especially something noticeable, serious, or unpleasant such as an illness, season, or problem.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
szótagkezdet
C1
Usage pattern:
the onset of [a syllable]
In the syllable "spring," the onset is the consonant cluster /spr/.
A „spring” szótagban a szótagkezdet a /spr/ mássalhangzó-kapcsolat.
Some languages allow very complex onset clusters, while others only permit a single consonant.
Egyes nyelvek nagyon összetett szótagkezdő mássalhangzó-kapcsolatokat engednek meg, míg mások csak egyetlen mássalhangzót.
The teacher asked the students to identify the onset and rime in each word.
Phonotactic constraints determine which sounds can appear in the onset position.
Children often simplify difficult onset clusters when they are learning to speak.
Learner examples
In the word "cat," the onset is /k/.
A „cat” szóban a szótagkezdet a /k/.
The word "blue" has /bl/ as its onset.
A „blue” szó szótagkezdete a /bl/.
Some students find it hard to hear the onset sound in long words.
We circled the onset of each syllable in the exercise.
The onset comes before the vowel in a syllable.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "onset" with "stress" or "accent" when talking about sounds. "Onset" refers to the consonant(s) before the vowel in a syllable, not to which syllable is stressed.
Meaning
initial consonant(s) in a syllable
Collocations
syllable onset
|onset and coda
|consonant onset
|complex onset
|onset position
Synonyms
initial consonant (More descriptive phrase used in teaching; refers specifically to a single consonant, while 'onset' may be one or more consonants.)
Antonyms
coda (The final consonant or consonant cluster of a syllable, contrasting with the onset at the beginning.)
Themes
language
|linguistics
|education
|communication
|science
Definition
In the study of sounds, the consonant or consonant group at the start of a syllable, before the vowel.
In phonology, the consonant or consonant cluster that comes before the vowel (nucleus) in a syllable.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
3
első roham
B2
Usage pattern:
the onset of [the enemy / the attack]
The soldiers braced themselves for the onset of the enemy.
A katonák felkészültek az ellenség első rohamára.
Despite the fierce onset, the fortress walls held firm.
A heves első roham ellenére az erőd falai szilárdan álltak.
At the first onset, the defenders were driven back from the gates.
The town fell within hours of the enemy's onset.
They could not long withstand the onset of such a powerful army.
Learner examples
The city was not ready for the onset of the enemy.
A város nem volt felkészülve az ellenség első rohamára.
The walls stopped the first onset.
A falak feltartóztatták az első rohamot.
The army feared the onset of the attack.
They tried to resist the onset but failed.
Many men died in the onset of the battle.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use this sense in everyday speech to mean any "start" or "attack". In modern English, this meaning of "onset" is mostly found in historical or literary texts; in normal conversation, words like "attack" or "assault" are preferred.
Meaning
attack, especially at the start of battle
Collocations
the onset of the enemy
|resist the onset
|withstand the onset
|the first onset
|the onset of the attack
Synonyms
assault (Commonly used for strong physical or military attacks; more frequent in modern usage than this sense of "onset".)
Antonyms
defense (Refers to protecting against an attack, which contrasts with the attacking action implied by this sense of "onset".)
Themes
war
|history
|literature
|politics
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A violent attack, especially the first attack at the start of a fight or war.
A strong or sudden attack, especially the first attack in a battle or conflict.
Grammar
Dictionary form
onset
IPA
GB/ˈɔnsˌɛt/
US/ˈɔnsˌɛt/
Syllables & stress
on - set (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (on)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: onset
- Plural: onset, onsets
Word family
Forms
onsets
noun
Expressions
at the onset of
1/ˈæt ðə ˈɔnsˌɛt əv/
fixed phrase
at the beginning of something
At the time when something starts, especially something serious or bad, like an illness, war, or storm.
Examples
- At the onset of the crisis, the government moved quickly to support small businesses.
- You should see a doctor at the onset of any unusual symptoms.
- Many animals move to lower ground at the onset of winter.