pave
gb/pˈeɪv/ us/pˈeɪv/
B1
English
~ 8800
leburkol, utat nyit, előkészíti az utat
VERB
B1
1
leburkol
B2
Usage pattern:
to pave [a surface] with [material]
The city plans to pave the gravel road next summer.
Az önkormányzat azt tervezi, hogy jövő nyáron leburkolja a murvás utat.
They paved the driveway with concrete last year.
Tavaly betonnal burkolták le a kocsifelhajtót.
Workers are paving the main street, so expect delays.
The path through the park was recently paved with smooth stones.
Developers paved over the old parking area to create a wider sidewalk.
Learner examples
They will pave the road next month.
Jövő hónapban leburkolják az utat.
The city paved this street with new asphalt.
A város új aszfalttal burkolta le ezt az utcát.
We want to pave our garden path with stones.
The parking lot is old and needs to be paved again.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "pave" with "paint" or "cover" in general. "Pave" is specifically used for making a hard surface for walking or driving, usually with concrete, asphalt, or stones. Another mistake is using the wrong preposition: it is natural to say "pave the road with concrete," not *"pave the road by concrete."
Meaning
cover a surface with concrete or stones
Collocations
pave a road
|pave the street
|pave the driveway
|pave the parking lot
|paved with asphalt
|newly paved
Synonyms
surface (Often used in construction contexts to mean putting a top layer on a road or area; slightly more technical and general than "pave.")
Antonyms
dig up (Means to remove the surface or break it apart, which is the opposite of covering it with a hard material.)
Themes
construction
|transport
|daily life
|daily_life
|transportation
|housing
Definition
to cover a road, path, or area with a hard, flat material so people or cars can move on it easily
To cover a road, path, or other surface with a hard material such as concrete, asphalt, or flat stones so that people or vehicles can travel on it more easily.
VERB
B2
2
utat nyit
B2
Usage pattern:
to pave the way for [something]
Her research paved the way for new cancer treatments.
Kutatása utat nyitott az új rákkezelések előtt.
This agreement could pave the way for closer trade ties between the two countries.
Ez a megállapodás utat nyithat a két ország közötti szorosabb kereskedelmi kapcsolatoknak.
The invention of smartphones paved the way for many new online services.
Their early success paved the way for further investment in the project.
Stronger environmental laws paved the way for cleaner air in major cities.
Learner examples
The new law paved the way for big changes.
Az új törvény nagy változásoknak nyitott utat.
Her hard work paved the way for her promotion.
Kemény munkája előkészítette az utat az előléptetéséhez.
These talks may pave the way for peace.
This small project paved the way for a larger one.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this meaning is literal and imagine someone putting concrete on a road. In this sense, "pave" is almost always used in the fixed phrase "pave the way (for/to)" and is figurative: no real road or concrete is involved. Another common mistake is using the wrong preposition: it is usually "pave the way for something," not *"pave the way to something" when talking about events or changes.
Meaning
make something possible or easier
Collocations
pave the way for
|pave the way to
|pave the way toward
|pave the way for reform
|pave the way for success
Synonyms
prepare (General word for getting something ready; "pave" emphasizes making later progress smoother or easier.)
Antonyms
hinder (Means to make something more difficult, which is the opposite of making it easier or opening the way.)
Themes
business
|politics
|change
|education
|core_vocabulary
|work
Definition
to make it easier for something to happen later, often by doing important work before it
To create the necessary conditions or support so that something can happen more easily in the future.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pave
IPA
GB/pˈeɪv/
US/pˈeɪv/
Syllables & stress
pave (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pave)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: pave
- 3rd Person Singular: paves
- Present Participle: paving
- Past: paved
Word family
Expressions
pave over
1/pˈeɪv ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
cover land with concrete or asphalt
to cover an area of land with concrete or asphalt, usually so cars can drive or park there or so buildings can be built
Examples
- The city paved over the old playground to build a parking lot.
- Developers want to pave over the field and put up new apartments.
- Many people protested the plan to pave over the wetlands.
pave the way (for)
1/pˈeɪv ðə wˈeɪ fɚ/
idiom
create conditions for something
to make it easier for something to happen later, often by doing important or necessary things first
Examples
- The new regulations paved the way for cleaner energy projects.
- Her discovery paved the way for a completely new kind of medicine.
- This victory could pave the way for more women in leadership roles.
paved with gold
1/pˈeɪvd wˈɪθ ɡˈoʊld/
idiom
place seen as full of easy money
used to describe a city or country that people imagine as a place where it is very easy to get rich, even if that is not really true
Examples
- Many immigrants thought the big city was paved with gold before they arrived and saw the reality.
- As a child, he believed America was paved with gold and that everyone there was rich.
the road to hell is paved with good intentions
1/ðə ɹˈoʊd tə hˈɛl ˈɪz pˈeɪvd wˈɪθ ɡˈʊd ɪntˈɛnʃənz/
idiom
good intentions can lead to harm
A saying that means having good intentions is not enough; if you do not act carefully or wisely, your actions can still cause bad results.
Examples
- He gave them the money without checking anything, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
- "The road to hell is paved with good intentions," she reminded him when he wanted to lie to protect a friend.
- She meant to help, but the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and her plan made things worse.
- He meant to help, but ended up making things worse—proof that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.