press
gb/pɹˈɛs/ us/pɹˈɛs/
A2
English
~ 1400
megnyom, nyom, sajtó, vasal, kivasal, sürget, szorgalmaz, unszol, prés
VERB
A2
1
Usage pattern:
to press [something]
Press the button to start the machine.
Nyomd meg a gombot a gép elindításához.
She pressed the doorbell and waited.
Megnyomta a csengőt, és várt.
Press the brake pedal when you see the red light.
He pressed the remote control to change the channel.
Learner examples
Press the button to open the door.
Nyomd meg a gombot, hogy kinyíljon az ajtó.
Press here to turn on the light.
Nyomd meg itt, hogy felkapcsold a villanyt.
Press the key to type a letter.
Press the red switch to stop.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'press' with 'push' without realizing 'press' often means applying steady force rather than moving something far.
Meaning
Push firmly on something
Collocations
press a button
|press the brake
|press the switch
|press gently
|press firmly
Synonyms
push (More general term for moving something away from oneself; not always with firmness or intent.)
Antonyms
pull (Opposite action of drawing something towards oneself rather than pushing away or down.)
Themes
daily life
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To push on something firmly with your hand or finger.
To apply force to something by pushing it, usually with your hand, finger, or another object.
NOUN
B1
2
sajtó
B1
The press reported widely on the event.
A sajtó széles körben beszámolt az eseményről.
Freedom of the press is important in a democracy.
A sajtószabadság fontos a demokráciában.
She gave an interview to the press.
The press covered the story extensively.
Learner examples
The press wrote about the new school.
A sajtó írt az új iskoláról.
He spoke to the press after the game.
A meccs után nyilatkozott a sajtónak.
The press asked many questions at the meeting.
The press took photos of the star.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'press' with 'pressure' in contexts about media.
Meaning
News media industry
Collocations
freedom of the press
|the press conference
|criticize the press
|press coverage
Synonyms
media (Broader term that includes all communication channels, not only news organizations.)
Antonyms
private communication (Information shared privately rather than through public news media.)
Themes
media
|politics
|communication
|business
Definition
Newspapers, TV, radio, and people who report news.
The organizations and people, such as newspapers, magazines, and journalists, that gather and publish news and information.
VERB
A2
3
Usage pattern:
to press [clothes]
He pressed his shirt before the meeting.
Kivasalta az ingét a megbeszélés előtt.
The tailor pressed the suit to perfection.
A szabó tökéletesen kivasalta az öltönyt.
Please press these trousers for me.
Learner examples
I pressed my dress for the party.
Kivasaltam a ruhámat a partira.
She pressed his shirt for work.
Kivasalta neki az inget a munkához.
He pressed his pants in the morning.
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'press' here means 'push'; it actually means 'iron'.
Meaning
Iron clothes to remove wrinkles
Collocations
press a shirt
|press trousers
|freshly pressed
Synonyms
iron (Common term specifically for using an iron to smooth clothes; 'press' can be more formal or specific in tailoring.)
Antonyms
wrinkle (To make or become creased or folded.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|clothing
Definition
To make clothes flat and smooth with an iron.
To make clothes smooth by using heat and pressure, typically with an iron.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to press [someone] to [do something]
They pressed him to accept the offer.
Sürgették, hogy fogadja el az ajánlatot.
She pressed for a quick decision.
Gyors döntést sürgetett.
The group pressed the government for reform.
Learner examples
She pressed him to join the team.
Unszolta, hogy csatlakozzon a csapathoz.
They pressed him to speak at the meeting.
Unszolták, hogy beszéljen a megbeszélésen.
He pressed her to finish quickly.
Meaning
Urge someone strongly to act
Collocations
press for action
|press someone to decide
|press demands
Synonyms
urge ('Urge' is softer and more about encouragement; 'press' can imply more persistence or pressure.)
Antonyms
dissuade (To convince someone not to take an action.)
Themes
communication
|relationships
Definition
To ask someone again and again to do something.
To try persistently and forcefully to persuade someone to do something.
NOUN
B1
5
prés
B2
The printing press revolutionized communication.
A nyomdagép forradalmasította a kommunikációt.
They used a wine press to crush the grapes.
Szőlőprést használtak a szőlő összezúzásához.
The metal was shaped in a large press.
Learner examples
The printing press made books faster to make.
A nyomdagép gyorsabbá tette a könyvkészítést.
We used a press to make juice from apples.
Prés segítségével készítettünk levet almából.
The worker used a press to shape metal.
Meaning
Machine for shaping or squeezing materials
Collocations
printing press
|wine press
|hydraulic press
Synonyms
compressor (A machine that compresses air or gas; not all compressors are presses.)
Themes
technology
|work
Definition
A machine that pushes on things to change their shape or get liquid out.
A machine that applies force to shape, compress, or extract liquid from something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
press
IPA
GB/pɹˈɛs/
US/pɹˈɛs/
Syllables & stress
press (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (press)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: press
- Plural: press, presses
Verb
- Base: press
- 3rd Person Singular: presses
- Present Participle: pressing
- Past: pressed
Word family
Forms
presses
noun
pressing
verb
pressed
verb
Core family
pressure
noun B1
Advanced or less common
pressurize
verb B2
Expressions
freedom of the press
1/fɹˈidəm əv ðə pɹˈɛs/
fixed phrase
Right of media to publish freely
The right of news organizations to write and share information without control from the government.
Examples
- Freedom of the press is protected by law in many countries.
- They argued that freedom of the press was being threatened.
hot off the press
1/hˈɑt ˈɔf ðə pɹˈɛs/
idiom
informal
Just printed or released news
News or information that has just been printed or made public.
Examples
- Here's today's newspaper—hot off the press!
- The story is hot off the press and already making waves.
press ahead (with)
1/pɹˈɛs əhˈɛd wˈɪθ/
phrasal verb
Continue despite obstacles
To keep doing something even if it is hard or people do not agree.
Examples
- They decided to press ahead with their plans despite criticism.
- We will press ahead regardless of the challenges.
press for time
1/pɹˈɛs fɚ tˈaɪm/
idiom
Have less time than needed
To be in a hurry because you do not have enough time.
Examples
- I can't talk now—I'm really pressed for time.
- We were pressed for time, so we skipped lunch.
press charges
1/pɹˈɛs t͡ʃˈɑɹd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
Formally accuse someone of a crime
To tell the police you want someone to be charged with a crime they did to you.
Examples
- She decided not to press charges after the incident.
- They decided not to press charges after the accident.
- The victim plans to press charges against the thief.
- The victim pressed charges against the attacker.