pest
gb/pˈɛst/ us/pˈɛst/
B1
English
~ 8400
kártevő, nyűg, idegesítő alak, pestis, dögvész
NOUN
B1
1
kártevő
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] has a problem with [pests]
The farmer sprayed the field to protect his crops from pests.
A gazda lepermetezte a földet, hogy megvédje a termését a kártevőktől.
We called an exterminator because the kitchen was full of tiny pests.
Kihívtunk egy kártevőirtót, mert tele volt a konyha apró kártevőkkel.
Climate change is allowing new pests to survive the winter and damage trees.
The report warns that invasive pests are destroying native plants in the region.
Proper food storage is essential to prevent pests in restaurants.
Learner examples
We have pests in our kitchen, so we must clean it well.
Kártevők vannak a konyhánkban, ezért alaposan ki kell takarítanunk.
Many farmers lose money because pests eat their crops.
Sok gazda veszít pénzt, mert a kártevők megeszik a termésüket.
The city pays a company to control rats and other pests.
This spray helps keep garden pests away from the roses.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "pest" for any insect, even when it is not harmful. In English, an insect or animal is called a "pest" only when it causes damage or trouble (for example, mosquitoes, cockroaches, rats). Learners may also confuse the noun "pest" with the verb "pester"; "pest" is the thing that causes trouble, while "pester" is the action of bothering someone.
Meaning
harmful insect or small animal
Collocations
pest control
|pest problem
|common household pests
|crop pests
|pest infestation
|get rid of pests
Synonyms
vermin (Often refers to dirty or disease-carrying animals like rats; slightly more negative or vivid than "pest".)
|
nuisance (Broader and more general; can be anything annoying, not only insects or animals.)
|
bug (Informal and usually limited to insects or small crawling creatures, especially in homes and gardens.)
Antonyms
beneficial insect (Refers to insects that help crops or the environment, the opposite role of a pest in agriculture or gardens.)
Themes
nature
|home
|science
|food
|animals
|health
Definition
An insect or small animal that causes damage to plants, food, homes, or health.
An insect or small animal that damages crops, food, buildings, or human and animal health.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
2
nyűg
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is such a pest
Stop calling me at work just to chat; you're being a real pest.
Ne hívogass munka közben csak azért, hogy beszélgessünk; igazi nyűg vagy.
Her little brother can be a pest, but she still loves him.
Az öccse néha igazi nyűg tud lenni, de ő akkor is szereti.
I don't want to be a pest, but could you check that email today?
He kept tapping my shoulder during the movie like a total pest.
Neighbors complained that the salesman was a pest, knocking on doors late at night.
Learner examples
My little cousin is a pest when I try to study.
A kis unokatestvérem igazi nyűg, amikor tanulni próbálok.
I don't want to be a pest, so I only ask once.
Nem akarok nyűg lenni, ezért csak egyszer kérdezem meg.
She can be a pest, but she is very kind too.
Please stop texting me every minute; you are such a pest.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "pest" is very rude or insulting in all cases. In reality, it is often used jokingly or softly, especially about children or friends. Also, learners may say "He is pest" without the article. In this sense, you should say "He is a pest."
Meaning
annoying or bothersome person
Collocations
such a pest
|little pest
|stop being a pest
|what a pest
|acting like a pest
Synonyms
nuisance (Slightly more formal and polite; can sound less emotional than calling someone a "pest".)
|
annoyance (Focuses more on the feeling caused, not the person; often used in more formal or neutral situations.)
|
pain (Informal and often used in expressions like "a pain" or "a pain in the neck" to describe an annoying person.)
Antonyms
delight (Describes someone who is very pleasant to be around, the emotional opposite of an annoying "pest".)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person who is very annoying and does not stop bothering other people.
A person, especially a child, who keeps bothering or irritating others.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
the pest spreads through [a place]
The village was emptied when the pest swept through in the winter of 1629.
A falu elnéptelenedett, amikor 1629 telén végigsöpört rajta a pestis.
In the old chronicles, the pest is described as a punishment from heaven.
A régi krónikákban a pestist égi büntetésként írják le.
Doctors were powerless against the pest that ravaged the crowded city.
Learner examples
In this old story, many people die from a pest.
Ebben a régi történetben sokan meghalnak a pestisben.
The writer uses the word "pest" for a great sickness in the city.
Az író a „pestis” szót használja a várost sújtó nagy járványra.
Long ago, some people thought the pest was a sign of God's anger.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this sense of "pest" is still common in modern speech. Today, people almost always say "plague" or use the specific disease name; this sense of "pest" is mainly found in old texts or in some translations from other languages.
Meaning
old term for plague disease
Collocations
the black pest
|ravages of the pest
|stricken by the pest
Synonyms
plague (The modern and much more common word; used for the specific disease and more generally for serious epidemics.)
|
epidemic (General term for a widespread disease; "pest" in this sense is usually more dramatic and old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
health (Represents the absence of disease, the opposite condition of widespread deadly illness.)
Themes
health
|history
|religion
Definition
An old word used in literature or history for a very dangerous disease that kills many people, especially the plague.
An old or literary term for a deadly epidemic disease, especially the bubonic plague.
Grammar
Dictionary form
pest
IPA
GB/pˈɛst/
US/pˈɛst/
Syllables & stress
pest (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (pest)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: pest
- Plural: pests
Word family
Forms
pests
noun
Core family
pester
verb
pesticide
noun B1
Advanced or less common
pestilence
noun C2
pestilential
adjective
Expressions
garden pest
1/ɡˈɑɹdən pˈɛst/
fixed phrase
pest that harms garden plants
An insect or small animal that eats or damages flowers, vegetables, or other plants in a garden.
Examples
- Slugs are a serious garden pest in this rainy region.
- The book includes pictures to help you identify common garden pests.
household pest
1/hˈaʊshˌoʊld pˈɛst/
fixed phrase
pest commonly found in homes
An insect or small animal, like ants, cockroaches, or mice, that often lives in people’s houses and causes problems.
Examples
- Cockroaches are one of the most common household pests worldwide.
- The leaflet explains how to prevent household pests without using strong chemicals.
pest control
1/pˈɛst kəntɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
professional or organized removal of pests
Work done to stop or remove insects or animals that cause damage or problems, especially in homes, farms, or cities.
Examples
- We need to call a pest control company to deal with the cockroaches.
- The city increased its pest control efforts after a rise in rat sightings.
pest management
1/pˈɛst mˈænɪd͡ʒmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
planned control of pest populations
Careful planning and methods used, especially by farmers and scientists, to reduce damage from pests.
Examples
- The workshop focused on sustainable pest management for small farms.
- Integrated pest management encourages using fewer chemical pesticides.