plead
gb/plˈid/ us/plˈid/
B1
English
~ 1700
könyörög, bűnösnek/ártatlannak vallani magát, érvel
VERB
B1
1
könyörög
B1
Usage pattern:
to plead with [someone] to [do something]
She pleaded with the teacher to give her another chance.
Könyörgött a tanárnak, hogy adjon neki még egy esélyt.
The villagers pleaded for food and water after the storm.
A falusiak élelemért és vízért könyörögtek a vihar után.
He pleaded for mercy when he realized he had lost.
Learner examples
I pleaded with my friend to stay.
Könyörögtem a barátomnak, hogy maradjon.
She pleaded for help when she fell.
Segítségért könyörgött, amikor elesett.
They pleaded for more time to finish the work.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'plead' with 'pray'; 'pray' is used for speaking to a god, while 'plead' is used when asking a person for something.
Meaning
Ask urgently or emotionally
Collocations
plead with someone
|plead for help
|plead desperately
|plead for mercy
Synonyms
beg (More informal and often stronger in emotional intensity.)
Antonyms
demand (Implies force or authority rather than emotional appeal.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To ask for something in a strong and serious way.
To make an urgent or emotional request for something.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to plead [guilty/not guilty]
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges.
A vádlott valamennyi vádpontban ártatlannak vallotta magát.
He decided to plead guilty to avoid a long trial.
Úgy döntött, bűnösnek vallja magát, hogy elkerülje a hosszú tárgyalást.
They pleaded no contest as part of the deal.
Learner examples
He pleaded guilty in court.
A bíróságon bűnösnek vallotta magát.
She pleaded not guilty to the crime.
Ártatlannak vallotta magát a bűncselekménnyel kapcsolatban.
The man pleaded no contest.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'plead' here with 'plead with'; in legal contexts, it means making a formal statement, not asking emotionally.
Meaning
State legal guilt or innocence
Collocations
plead guilty
|plead not guilty
|plead no contest
Synonyms
declare (More general and less specific to legal contexts.)
Antonyms
deny (In court, to say that you did not commit the crime.)
Themes
law
|justice
Definition
To say in court if you are guilty or not guilty.
To formally state in a court of law whether you are guilty or not guilty of a crime.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
3
érvel
B2
Usage pattern:
to plead [a case]
The attorney pleaded the case skillfully.
Az ügyvéd ügyesen érvelt az ügyben.
She has pleaded on behalf of many poor clients.
Sok szegény ügyfél érdekében érvelt már a bíróságon.
They will plead his case tomorrow.
Learner examples
The lawyer pleaded the case in court.
Az ügyvéd a bíróságon érvelt az ügyben.
She pleaded for her client.
Az ügyfele érdekében érvelt.
He pleaded on behalf of his friend.
Meaning
Argue a case in court
Collocations
plead a case
|plead on behalf of someone
Synonyms
argue (More general; can be outside a legal context.)
Antonyms
prosecute (In court, to argue against the defendant instead of for them.)
Themes
law
|justice
|communication
Definition
To speak in court to support one side of a case.
To argue a case or cause before a judge or jury, especially as a lawyer.
Grammar
Dictionary form
plead
IPA
GB/plˈid/
US/plˈid/
Syllables & stress
plead (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (plead)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: plead
- 3rd Person Singular: pleads
- Present Participle: pleading
- Past: plead, pleaded, pled
- Past Participle: plead, pleaded, pled
Word family
Forms
pleads
verb
pleading
verb
pleaded
verb
pled
verb
Core family
plea
noun B2
Related words
pleader
noun
Expressions
plead for mercy
1/plˈid fɚ mˈɚsi/
fixed phrase
Ask urgently for forgiveness or kindness
To ask very strongly for someone to be kind and not punish you hard.
Examples
- The prisoner pleaded for mercy before sentencing.
- They pleaded for mercy from the king.
plead not guilty
1/plˈid nˈɑt ɡˈɪlti/
fixed phrase
Formally deny guilt in court
To say in court that you did not do the crime.
Examples
- The suspect pleaded not guilty during the trial.
- They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
plead with someone
1/plˈid wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
Ask someone seriously or emotionally
To ask someone very strongly to do something.
Examples
- I pleaded with him to stay until morning.
- She pleaded with the teacher not to fail her.
plead guilty
1/plˈid ɡˈɪlti/
fixed phrase
Formally admit guilt in court
To say in court that you did the crime.
Examples
- He decided to plead guilty to avoid a longer sentence.
- She pleaded guilty and apologized to the victims.
- The suspect pleaded guilty to all charges.