pedestal
gb/pˈɛdɪstəl/ us/pˈɛdɪstəl/
B2
English
talapzat, posztamens, piedesztál, piedesztálon tart, oszloptalapzat, piedesztálra emel, bálványoz
NOUN
B2
1
talapzat
B2
posztamens
C1
Usage pattern:
a pedestal for [something]; [something] on a pedestal
The statue stood on a granite pedestal in the town square.
A szobor a város főterén egy gránit talapzaton állt.
They put the trophy on a pedestal in the lobby.
A trófeát egy talapzatra tették az előcsarnokban.
A simple white pedestal helped the vase stand out in the gallery.
Learner examples
The statue is on a pedestal.
A szobor egy talapzaton van.
The vase sits on a small pedestal.
A váza egy kis talapzaton áll.
Common mistake:
A pedestal is usually a base or stand, not the object on top of it.
Meaning
base that supports a statue
Collocations
marble pedestal
|stone pedestal
|wooden pedestal
|display pedestal
|raised pedestal
|pedestal base
|statue on a pedestal
|sit on a pedestal
|mount [something] on a pedestal
|a pedestal for a sculpture
Synonyms
base (General word for the bottom support.)
|
plinth (Often used for the base of a statue or building feature; slightly more formal.)
|
stand (Common for a support used to hold equipment or objects.)
Antonyms
top (Opposite position (the highest part rather than the supporting base).)
Themes
home
|art
|design
|objects
Definition
A strong base that holds something up.
A solid base or stand that something such as a statue, vase, or machine is placed on for support or display.
NOUN
C1
2
piedesztál
C1
Usage pattern:
put [someone] on a pedestal; place [someone] on a pedestal
It’s easy to put new leaders on a pedestal and then feel disappointed.
Könnyű piedesztálra emelni az új vezetőket, aztán csalódottnak lenni.
She never wanted to be on a pedestal; she wanted to be treated like a normal person.
Sosem akarta, hogy piedesztálra emeljék; azt akarta, hogy normális emberként bánjanak vele.
The interview knocked him off the pedestal for a lot of fans.
Learner examples
Don’t put celebrities on a pedestal.
Ne emeld piedesztálra a hírességeket.
I used to see him on a pedestal.
Régebben hajlamos voltam piedesztálra emelni őt.
Common mistake:
This is usually used with verbs like put/place/knock, not as a literal physical pedestal.
Meaning
position of exaggerated admiration
Collocations
put [someone] on a pedestal
|place [someone] on a pedestal
|set [someone] on a pedestal
|knock [someone] off a pedestal
|idolize and pedestal (rare)
|a pedestal of fame (less common)
Synonyms
idealization (Focuses on imagining someone as perfect.)
|
hero-worship (Strong admiration, often for a celebrity or leader.)
|
exaltation (More formal; emphasizes raising someone’s status.)
Antonyms
contempt (Strong disrespect rather than admiration.)
|
disdain (A feeling that someone is not worthy of respect.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|society
Definition
A situation where you admire someone too much.
A position in which someone is admired or treated as better or more perfect than they really are.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
talapzat
B2
Usage pattern:
a pedestal for a column; a column on a pedestal
Each column rose from a carved pedestal at the entrance.
Mindegyik oszlop a bejáratnál egy faragott oszloptalapzatról emelkedett.
The architect specified a low pedestal to lift the columns above the steps.
Az építész alacsony oszloptalapzatot írt elő, hogy az oszlopokat a lépcsők fölé emelje.
The original pedestals were damaged and later replaced.
Learner examples
The column stands on a pedestal.
Az oszlop egy talapzaton áll.
Meaning
base under a column
Collocations
column pedestal
|classical pedestal
|stone pedestal
|square pedestal
|a column on a pedestal
|pedestal and column
|decorated pedestal
Synonyms
plinth (Common term for the supporting base in architecture.)
|
base (General term; less specific to architectural style.)
Antonyms
capital (The top part of a column, not the supporting base.)
Themes
architecture
|buildings
|design
Definition
In buildings, a base that a column stands on.
In architecture, the block or base that supports a column or other upright structure.
VERB
C2
4
bálványoz
B2
Usage pattern:
pedestal [someone]
The media tends to pedestal young athletes and ignore their mistakes.
A média hajlamos piedesztálra emelni a fiatal sportolókat, és figyelmen kívül hagyni a hibáikat.
He pedestaled her for years, and the relationship suffered because of it.
Évekig piedesztálra emelte őt, és ez a kapcsolatuk rovására ment.
Common mistake:
More common in English is the idiom “put someone on a pedestal,” not the verb pedestal.
Meaning
treat as perfect or superior
Collocations
pedestal a celebrity
|pedestal your partner
|pedestal public figures
Synonyms
idolize (Stronger; suggests deep admiration or worship.)
|
idealize (Emphasizes seeing someone as better than reality.)
|
glorify (Focuses on praising or making someone seem great.)
Antonyms
criticize (Focuses on faults rather than praising.)
|
devalue (Treat as less important or worthwhile.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|society
Definition
To admire someone too much and treat them as perfect.
To treat someone as unusually important or perfect, often more than they deserve.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pedestal
IPA
GB/pˈɛdɪstəl/
US/pˈɛdɪstəl/
Syllables & stress
ped - es - tal (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ped)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pedestal
- Plural: pedestals
Word family
Forms
pedestals
noun
Related words
base
noun A2
Expressions
knock [someone] off a pedestal
1/nˈɑk sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔf ə pˈɛdɪstəl/
idiom
reduce someone’s admired status
To make people admire someone less.
Examples
- The scandal knocked the politician off a pedestal overnight.
- One bad performance shouldn’t knock her off a pedestal completely.
- The book tries to knock famous inventors off their pedestals by showing their mistakes.
Learner examples
- The news knocked him off a pedestal.
on a pedestal
1/ˈɔn ə pˈɛdɪstəl/
fixed phrase
treated as perfect
Highly admired, like a perfect person.
Examples
- He hated being on a pedestal and wanted honest feedback.
- No one should be on a pedestal all the time.
- She felt uncomfortable being put on a pedestal at work.
Learner examples
- She is on a pedestal at school.
pedestal fan
1/pˈɛdɪstəl fˈæn/
fixed phrase
fan on an adjustable stand
A standing fan on a tall base.
Examples
- We bought a pedestal fan for the bedroom during the heatwave.
- The pedestal fan oscillates from side to side.
- A pedestal fan is louder than the ceiling fan, but it cools the room quickly.
Learner examples
- Turn on the pedestal fan, please.
pedestal sink
1/pˈɛdɪstəl sˈɪŋk/
fixed phrase
sink on a supporting column
A bathroom sink with a tall base underneath.
Examples
- We replaced the old vanity with a pedestal sink to save space.
- A pedestal sink looks sleek but offers very little storage.
- The plumber installed a new pedestal sink in the downstairs bathroom.
Learner examples
- There is a pedestal sink in the bathroom.
pedestal table
1/pˈɛdɪstəl tˈeɪbəl/
fixed phrase
table with a central support
A table with one main leg in the middle.
Examples
- A round pedestal table can make a small dining area feel less crowded.
- They chose a pedestal table so chairs could slide in easily.
- The café has marble pedestal tables by the window.
put [someone] on a pedestal
1/pˈʊt sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈɔn ə pˈɛdɪstəl/
idiom
admire someone too much
To think someone is perfect.
Examples
- People often put their first boss on a pedestal and forget the problems.
- Don’t put your partner on a pedestal; it creates pressure for both of you.
- Fans put him on a pedestal after one great season.
Learner examples
- I put her on a pedestal.
- Don’t put people on a pedestal.