powerful
gb/pˈaʊɚfəl/ us/pˈaʊɚfəl/
B1
English
~ 1400
erős, befolyásos, nagy hatalmú, erőteljes, megható, megrendítő, nagy teljesítményű, erős hatású
B1
1
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is powerful
The president is one of the most powerful people in the country.
Az elnök az ország egyik legbefolyásosabb embere.
This engine is powerful enough to pull heavy loads.
Ez a motor elég erős ahhoz, hogy nehéz terheket húzzon.
She gave a powerful speech that moved everyone in the room.
The company has become powerful in the tech industry.
A powerful storm hit the coast last night.
Learner examples
The king was a powerful man.
A király nagy hatalmú ember volt.
This car has a powerful motor.
Ennek az autónak erős motorja van.
He is a powerful player on the team.
They are a powerful group in the city.
A powerful wind blew down the trees.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'powerful' with 'powerless'; remember 'powerful' means having much strength or control, while 'powerless' means having none.
Meaning
Having great strength or influence
Collocations
powerful leader
|powerful engine
|powerful country
|powerful speech
|powerful organization
Synonyms
strong (Focuses on physical strength or ability rather than influence.)
|
influential (Emphasizes the ability to affect people’s opinions or actions rather than raw strength.)
Antonyms
weak (Lacking physical strength, influence, or control.)
Themes
daily life
|politics
|business
|core_vocabulary
|relationships
Definition
Being very strong or able to control many things or people.
Having a lot of physical strength, influence, or control over people or events.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is powerful
The film delivers a powerful message about hope.
A film erőteljes üzenetet közvetít a reményről.
His words had a powerful impact on the audience.
Szavai erőteljes hatást gyakoroltak a közönségre.
She painted a powerful image of life in the city.
The novel is a powerful portrayal of war.
Music can be a powerful way to connect with people.
Learner examples
The book has a powerful story.
A könyvnek megrendítő története van.
It was a powerful song that made me cry.
Megható dal volt, sírva fakadtam tőle.
Her speech was very powerful.
The photo is powerful and sad.
It was a powerful moment for us.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse emotional power with physical strength; context usually makes it clear.
Meaning
Having a strong emotional effect
Collocations
powerful image
|powerful story
|powerful performance
|powerful message
Synonyms
moving (Focuses on causing deep emotions, often sadness or sympathy.)
|
impactful (Modern term emphasizing noticeable effect or impression.)
Antonyms
unimpressive (Fails to cause strong emotions or effects.)
Themes
emotions
|art
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Making you feel something very strongly.
Having a strong effect on feelings, thoughts, or senses.
B1
3
Usage pattern:
[something] is powerful
This is one of the most powerful computers available.
Ez az egyik legerősebb jelenleg kapható számítógép.
The medicine is very powerful and works quickly.
A gyógyszer nagyon erős hatású, és gyorsan hat.
A powerful telescope can see distant galaxies.
That pump is powerful enough to fill the tank in minutes.
They used a powerful laser to cut through metal.
Learner examples
This car has a powerful engine.
Ennek az autónak erős motorja van.
The computer is very powerful.
Ez a számítógép nagyon erős.
We need a powerful light for the job.
He bought a powerful camera.
The machine is powerful and fast.
Meaning
Producing much force or energy
Collocations
powerful engine
|powerful computer
|powerful signal
Synonyms
potent (Often used for substances or tools with strong effects.)
|
high-powered (Informal term for something with high capability or performance.)
Antonyms
weak (Not able to produce much force or energy.)
Themes
science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Making a lot of force or energy.
Producing a large amount of force, energy, or effect compared to its size or type.
Grammar
Dictionary form
powerful
IPA
GB/pˈaʊɚfəl/
US/pˈaʊɚfəl/
Syllables & stress
power - ful (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (power)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: powerful
Word family
Core family
power
noun B1
powerfully
adverb B2
Related words
empower
verb B1
empowerment
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
powerless
adjective B1
powerlessness
noun
Advanced or less common
overpower
verb
overpowering
adjective
Expressions
knowledge is power
1/nˈɑlɪd͡ʒ ˈɪz pˈaʊɚ/
idiom
Knowing things gives advantage
If you know more, you can have more control and success.
Examples
- He always studies because he believes knowledge is power.
- In business, knowledge is power when making decisions.
speak truth to power
1/spˈik tɹˈuθ tə pˈaʊɚ/
idiom
Tell authority unpleasant truths
To tell leaders or people in power what you think is true, even if they do not like it.
Examples
- Journalists should speak truth to power.
- She spoke truth to power by criticizing the policy in public.
absolute power corrupts absolutely
1/ˈæbsəlˌut pˈaʊɚ kɚˈʌpts ˌæbsəlˈutli/
idiom
formal
Total power causes corruption
If someone has complete power, they will become corrupt.
Examples
- They say that absolute power corrupts absolutely, which is why checks and balances are important.
- History shows that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
absolute power corrupts absolutely
2/ˈæbsəlˌut pˈaʊɚ kɚˈʌpts ˌæbsəlˈutli/
idiom
literary
Total control leads to corruption
If someone has too much control, they will become dishonest or bad.
Examples
- History shows that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
- They warned that giving him full control was dangerous because absolute power corrupts absolutely.