protect
gb/pɹətˈɛkt/ us/pɹətˈɛkt/
A2
English
~ 1200
véd
VERB
A2
1
véd
A2
Usage pattern:
to protect [someone/something] from [something]
The police were called to protect the public.
A rendőrséget azért hívták, hogy megvédje a lakosságot.
You should wear sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun.
Naptejet kellene használnod, hogy megvédd a bőrödet a naptól.
The law is designed to protect endangered species.
Parents try to protect their children from bad influences.
A helmet will protect your head in case of a fall.
Learner examples
I wear a hat to protect my head from the sun.
Kalapot hordok, hogy megvédjem a fejemet a naptól.
The dog protects the house at night.
A kutya éjszaka védi a házat.
He protects his little sister from bullies.
We protect our plants from cold weather.
Glasses protect your eyes.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'protect' with 'prevent'. 'Protect' means to keep safe from harm, while 'prevent' means to stop something from happening.
Meaning
Keep safe from harm or danger
Collocations
protect the environment
|protect children
|protect yourself
|protect against disease
|protect property
Synonyms
defend (Often used when there is an active threat or attack to resist.)
|
guard (Suggests watching over something to prevent harm.)
Antonyms
harm (Means to cause injury or damage, the opposite of protecting.)
|
endanger (Means to put someone or something in danger.)
Themes
safety
|daily life
|law
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stop harm or danger from happening to someone or something.
To keep someone or something safe from harm, injury, damage, or loss.
Grammar
Dictionary form
protect
IPA
GB/pɹətˈɛkt/
US/pɹətˈɛkt/
Syllables & stress
pro - tect (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tect)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: protect
- 3rd Person Singular: protects
- Present Participle: protecting
- Past: protected
Word family
Forms
protects
verb
protecting
verb
protected
verb
Core family
Related words
protectively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unprotected
adjective
Advanced or less common
overprotective
adjective
Expressions
protect against
1/pɹətˈɛkt əɡˈɛnst/
fixed phrase
Take action to avoid specific harm
To take action so that a certain danger or problem does not hurt you.
Examples
- This vaccine will protect against several types of flu.
- Wearing gloves can protect against skin irritation.
protect from
1/pɹətˈɛkt fɹˈʌm/
fixed phrase
Keep safe from general harm
To stop harm or danger coming to someone or something.
Examples
- A good roof will protect you from the rain.
- The fence protects the garden from animals.