prototype
gb/pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/ us/pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
B2
English
~ 9200
prototípus, archetípus, mintapélda, prototípust készít
NOUN
B2
1
prototípus
B2
Usage pattern:
a prototype of [something]
The company built a prototype of the new phone to test the camera and battery life.
A cég elkészítette az új telefon prototípusát, hogy tesztelje a kamerát és az akkumulátor üzemidejét.
Engineers are working on a prototype electric car that can drive 800 kilometers on a single charge.
A mérnökök egy olyan elektromos autó prototípusán dolgoznak, amely egyetlen töltéssel 800 kilométert tud megtenni.
We showed the client a 3D-printed prototype before starting full production.
This prototype has many bugs, but it proves that the basic idea works.
After several prototype versions, the team finally approved the design for manufacturing.
Learner examples
The team made a prototype of the new watch.
A csapat elkészítette az új óra prototípusát.
We tested the prototype in a small group of users.
A prototípust egy kisebb felhasználói csoporttal teszteltük.
This is only a prototype, not the final product.
They built a simple prototype with cheap materials.
The company showed investors a working prototype of the machine.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think a prototype must be very polished. In fact, a prototype can be rough or simple, as long as it is used to test or show the idea. Learners also confuse “prototype” with “sample” or “example”; a prototype is usually an early, special model used in development, not just any sample of a finished product.
Meaning
early example or test model
Collocations
build a prototype
|create a prototype
|working prototype
|early prototype
|prototype stage
|prototype design
Synonyms
model (A general term; does not always suggest an early test version.)
|
mock-up (Often suggests a simpler or non-working model used to show appearance or basic function.)
|
test version (Informal phrase that stresses the experimental nature rather than the physical model.)
Antonyms
final product (Emphasizes the completed, fully developed version, opposite of an early test model.)
|
mass-produced version (Shows the opposite stage: large-scale production, not a one-off test item.)
Themes
technology
|business
|engineering
|design
Definition
The first or early form of a new product or design, made to see if the idea works before making many copies.
An original or early model of a product, system, or design that is built to test or show how the final version will work.
NOUN
C1
2
archetípus
C1
mintapélda
B2
Usage pattern:
the prototype of [a type of person/thing]
He is the prototype of a modern tech entrepreneur: confident, ambitious, and always online.
Ő a modern techvállalkozó archetípusa: magabiztos, ambiciózus, és mindig online van.
The film's main character is the prototype of the tragic hero.
A film főszereplője a tragikus hős archetípusa.
This small coastal town became the prototype of the classic beach resort.
She became the prototype of the strong, independent female detective in later novels.
The building is often seen as the prototype of 21st-century green architecture.
Learner examples
He is the prototype of a good teacher: kind and patient.
Ő a jó tanár mintapéldája: kedves és türelmes.
This story is the prototype of many later crime films.
Ez a történet számos későbbi bűnügyi film archetípusa.
She is the prototype of a serious student who always does her homework.
The city is the prototype of a busy modern capital.
That painting is the prototype of this artist’s early style.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse “prototype” with “stereotype.” A prototype is a very typical or perfect example and is not automatically negative, while a stereotype is an oversimplified and often unfair idea about a group. Learners may also overuse this sense in casual speech, where simpler words like “typical example” or “the kind of person who…” are more natural.
Meaning
very typical example of a type
Collocations
the prototype of
|classic prototype
|perfect prototype
|the very prototype
Synonyms
archetype (More formal and literary; often used in academic or artistic discussion.)
|
epitome (Focuses on the best or most complete example, often with a positive tone.)
|
embodiment (Emphasizes that many qualities are fully expressed in this person or thing.)
Antonyms
exception (Describes someone or something that is not typical of the group.)
|
outlier (Technical or statistical tone; something that is far from the typical case.)
Themes
description
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A person or thing that shows very clearly what a type of person or thing is like.
A person or thing that is a very clear and typical example of a particular group, style, or quality.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
prototípus
C1
Usage pattern:
a prototype for the category [X]
In many cultures, a robin or sparrow serves as the prototype for the category 'bird'.
Sok kultúrában a vörösbegy vagy a veréb szolgál a „madár” kategória prototípusaként.
Prototype theory suggests that people compare new objects to an internal prototype rather than to a clear set of rules.
A prototípuselmélet szerint az emberek az új tárgyakat inkább egy belső prototípushoz hasonlítják, mintsem egy világos szabálykészlethez.
A golden retriever is often used as a prototype of the category 'dog' in experiments.
Researchers found that participants named the prototype faster than less typical category members.
In this study, the prototype for 'chair' had four legs, a back, and no wheels.
Learner examples
In psychology, a robin can be a prototype of the category ‘bird’.
A pszichológiában egy vörösbegy lehet a „madár” kategória prototípusa.
People often think of a dog like a labrador as the prototype of a dog.
Az emberek gyakran egy labradort tekintenek a kutya prototípusának.
Students learned that a prototype is the most typical member of a group.
The teacher asked the class to name a prototype of the word ‘fruit’.
The study compared how fast people said the name of a prototype and a less typical example.
Common mistake:
Learners may mix this technical sense with the everyday meaning of a physical test model. In this technical use, the prototype is usually an idea in the mind, not a real object that engineers build.
Meaning
best mental example of a category
Collocations
prototype theory
|category prototype
|prototypical member
|prototype effects
Synonyms
central exemplar (Technical term in cognitive science; emphasizes one key example within a set of examples.)
|
mental prototype (Stresses that the prototype exists as an idea in the mind.)
Antonyms
marginal member (Refers to an item that weakly fits a category and is far from the prototype.)
|
non-prototypical example (General technical opposite: a category member that is not central or typical.)
Themes
science
|linguistics
|psychology
|education
Definition
In psychology and linguistics, the most typical example of a group in people’s minds, which they use to judge other members of the group.
In cognitive science and linguistics, the most central or typical example of a category in how people mentally represent that category.
VERB
B2
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
to prototype [a product / a feature]
We need to prototype the new payment feature before adding it to the main app.
Mielőtt beépítjük a fő alkalmazásba, el kell készítenünk az új fizetési funkció prototípusát.
The team prototyped several concepts in cardboard to get quick feedback.
A csapat több elképzelésről is készített kartonból prototípust, hogy gyors visszajelzést kapjon.
They prototyped the device in plastic first, then moved to metal for the final design.
Designers can now prototype interactions directly in the browser.
Our goal this week is to prototype three different layouts and test them with users.
Learner examples
The company will prototype the new phone this year.
A cég idén elkészíti az új telefon prototípusát.
Engineers prototyped the machine before building the final version.
A mérnökök elkészítették a gép prototípusát, mielőtt megépítették a végleges változatot.
We can prototype the app with simple screens on paper.
The team quickly prototyped two or three ideas.
She wants to prototype a new type of chair.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use “prototype” as a verb in very general contexts like “prototype a plan,” where native speakers would usually say “test” or “try out.” As a verb, it is most natural in technical, design, or engineering contexts where a concrete model or interactive version is made.
Meaning
create an early test version
Collocations
prototype a product
|prototype a feature
|design and prototype
|rapidly prototype
|prototype ideas
Synonyms
mock up (Often more informal; can suggest a quick or rough version mainly to show appearance.)
|
model (Very general; may not always mean an early test version.)
|
pilot (Common in business and services; often refers to testing a process with real users rather than building a physical model.)
Antonyms
mass-produce (Describes large-scale production, which usually happens after prototyping is complete.)
|
finalize (Means to complete the final version, the opposite stage of making early test models.)
Themes
technology
|business
|design
|engineering
|work
Definition
To make an early version of a new product or design so you can test the idea and see problems before the final version.
To create an early model or version of a product, system, or design in order to explore, test, or demonstrate how it will work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
prototype
IPA
GB/pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
US/pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
Syllables & stress
pro - to - type (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (pro)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: prototype
- Plural: prototypes
Verb
- Base: prototype
- 3rd Person Singular: prototypes
- Present Participle: prototyping
- Past: prototyped
Word family
Forms
prototypes
noun
prototyping
verb
prototyped
verb
Core family
prototypical
adjective
Related words
prototypically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
atypical
adjective B2
Expressions
alpha prototype
1/ˈælfə pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
technical
very early internal test version
A very early version of a product, tested inside the company to find big problems before it is shown to more people.
Examples
- The alpha prototype is only for internal testing and will be very unstable.
- Our alpha prototype has all the main features but still many bugs.
- They plan to move from the alpha prototype to a public beta next quarter.
high-fidelity prototype
1/hˈaɪ fədˈɛləti pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
technical
detailed, realistic version of a design
A detailed prototype that looks and works very much like the final product.
Examples
- At this stage, we need a high-fidelity prototype to test the visual design.
- The high-fidelity prototype includes real data and smooth animations.
- They moved from sketches to a high-fidelity prototype in just two weeks.
low-fidelity prototype
1/lˈoʊ fədˈɛləti pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
technical
simple, rough version of a design
A quick and simple prototype that does not look like the final product but helps test basic ideas.
Examples
- We started with a low-fidelity prototype to explore different layouts.
- Low-fidelity prototypes are great for getting early feedback from users.
- The team built several low-fidelity prototypes before choosing one direction.
paper prototype
1/pˈeɪpɚ pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
technical
simple paper model of a design
A simple model of a website, app, or product made with paper, used to show or test how it will work.
Examples
- We started with a paper prototype of the app to test the main screens.
- The designer used a paper prototype in the first user test.
- Paper prototypes are cheap and fast to change.
proof-of-concept prototype
1/pɹˈuf əv kˈɑnsɛpt pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
technical
prototype to show an idea can work
A simple prototype made to show that an idea or new technology can really work in the real world.
Examples
- They built a proof-of-concept prototype to show that the engine could run on hydrogen.
- The proof-of-concept prototype was ugly, but it proved the system was possible.
- Once the proof-of-concept prototype succeeded, the company funded a full product team.
prototype phase
1/pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp fˈeɪz/
fixed phrase
stage when prototypes are built
The stage in a project when the team builds and tests early versions of the product or design.
Examples
- We are still in the prototype phase, so the design may change a lot.
- During the prototype phase, they tested different materials for the casing.
- The project will move out of the prototype phase once we pick a final design.
rapid prototyping
1/ɹˈæpɪd pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪpɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
quickly creating test models
Creating early versions of a product or design very fast, often many times, to test ideas and improve them.
Examples
- Rapid prototyping allowed the team to test three different product ideas in just one week.
- With 3D printers, rapid prototyping has become much cheaper for small companies.
- The workshop focuses on rapid prototyping so designers can learn from user feedback quickly.
working prototype
1/wˈɚkɪŋ pɹˈoʊtoʊtˌaɪp/
fixed phrase
prototype that actually works
An early version of a product that is not final but already works well enough to show its main functions.
Examples
- The engineers finally have a working prototype of the robot.
- Investors wanted to see a working prototype before giving more money.
- We built a working prototype in three months, but it still needs many improvements.