path
gb/pˈæθ/ us/pˈæθ/
A2
English
~ 1300
út, ösvény, pálya, útvonal, jelút
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
a path through [something]
We followed the path through the forest until we reached the lake.
Az erdőn át az ösvényt követtük, amíg el nem értük a tavat.
A narrow path led from the village to the river.
Egy keskeny ösvény vezetett a faluból a folyóhoz.
Cyclists share the path with joggers in the park.
The garden has a stone path leading to the front door.
Learner examples
The path goes to my school.
Ez az út az iskolámhoz vezet.
We walk on the path by the river.
A folyó melletti ösvényen sétálunk.
There is a small path in the park.
The path is between two trees.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'path' with 'road'; 'path' is usually smaller and often for walking, not driving.
Meaning
track or route for travel
Collocations
narrow path
|dirt path
|winding path
|mountain path
|gravel path
Synonyms
trail (Often used for natural outdoor routes, especially in hiking contexts.)
|
track (Can refer to a worn route in the countryside or an unpaved road.)
Antonyms
road (A wider, usually paved route for vehicles rather than pedestrians.)
Themes
travel
|geography
|daily life
|transportation
Definition
A small road or track for people or animals to move along.
A way or track laid down for walking, cycling, or moving from one place to another.
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
a path to [something]
She chose a career path in medicine.
Az orvosi pályát választotta.
The company is on a path to recovery after the crisis.
A vállalat a válság után jó úton halad a talpra állás felé.
Education can be a path to a better life.
He decided to take a different path after college.
Learner examples
I want to find a good career path.
Szeretném megtalálni a megfelelő pályát.
School is my path to a good job.
Az iskola számomra a jó álláshoz vezető út.
She is on the path to success.
We need a new path to solve this problem.
Common mistake:
Learners may take 'path' too literally and not recognize metaphorical uses related to plans or goals.
Meaning
course of action or plan
Collocations
career path
|path to success
|path forward
|choose a path
Synonyms
route (Metaphorical use for a plan or method toward an outcome.)
|
course (A direction or plan of action taken over time.)
Antonyms
dead end (A figurative term for a situation with no progress possible.)
Themes
career
|life
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
|business
Definition
A way of doing something or reaching a goal.
A particular course of action or way of achieving a goal.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
The flight path took us over the mountains.
A repülési útvonalunk a hegyek fölött vezetett.
Engineers traced the signal path through the circuit.
A mérnökök végigkövették a jel útját az áramkörben.
The comet's path will bring it close to Earth next month.
Learner examples
The plane has a flight path over the city.
A repülőgép repülési útvonala a város fölött halad.
The light takes a short path to my eyes.
A fény rövid úton jut el a szememhez.
The river has a long path to the sea.
Meaning
route along which something moves
Collocations
flight path
|signal path
|current path
Synonyms
trajectory (Often used in physics for the curved path of a moving object.)
|
channel (A conduit or medium through which something passes.)
Antonyms
blockage (An obstruction that prevents movement along a route.)
Themes
science
|technology
Definition
The way that something like light, energy, or information goes from one place to another.
The course along which something such as light, electricity, or data travels.
Grammar
Dictionary form
path
IPA
GB/pˈæθ/
US/pˈæθ/
Syllables & stress
path (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (path)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: path
- Plural: path, paths
Word family
Forms
paths
noun
Core family
pathway
noun B2
Related words
footpath
noun
pathfinder
noun
Negative and opposite forms
pathless
adjective
Expressions
cross paths
1/kɹˈɔs pˈæθs/
idiom
meet someone unexpectedly
To meet someone by chance when you are going somewhere.
Examples
- I was surprised to cross paths with my old teacher at the airport.
- They first crossed paths at a conference five years ago.
follow a path
1/fˈɑloʊ ə pˈæθ/
fixed phrase
go along a route or plan
To go along a road, track, or plan.
Examples
- We followed a narrow path through the hills.
- She decided to follow a different career path.
lead down the wrong path
1/lˈid dˈaʊn ðə ɹˈɔŋ pˈæθ/
idiom
cause someone to make bad choices
To make someone start doing bad or harmful things in life.
Examples
- His friends led him down the wrong path and he got into trouble.
- Bad advice can lead you down the wrong path.
path of least resistance
1/pˈæθ əv lˈist ɹɪzˈɪstəns/
idiom
easiest way to do something
The way that is easiest and needs the least work.
Examples
- He took the path of least resistance and agreed with everyone.
- Sometimes choosing the path of least resistance isn't the best option.