retard
gb/ɹɪtˈɑɹd/ us/ɹɪtˈɑɹd/
B2
English
lassít, gátol, ritardando, lassítás, retardált
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
retard [something]
Higher interest rates can retard economic growth.
A magasabb kamatlábak lassíthatják a gazdasági növekedést.
The coating is designed to retard corrosion on the metal surface.
A bevonatot úgy tervezték, hogy gátolja a korróziót a fém felületén.
Heavy traffic retarded our progress for hours.
Learner examples
Cold weather can retard plant growth.
A hideg időjárás lassíthatja a növények növekedését.
The medicine may retard the disease.
A gyógyszer lassíthatja a betegség előrehaladását.
Common mistake:
In everyday conversation, people more often say “slow down” or “delay” than “retard.”
Meaning
slow down; delay progress
Collocations
retard growth
|retard development
|retard progress
|retard the spread
|retard the reaction
|retard oxidation
|retard combustion
|retard inflammation
|retard deterioration
|retard aging
Synonyms
slow (More general and common in everyday speech.)
|
delay (Emphasizes making something happen later.)
|
hinder (Emphasizes making progress more difficult.)
Antonyms
accelerate (Make something happen faster.)
|
hasten (Speed something up, often to finish sooner.)
Themes
general_english
|time
|science_and_technology
Definition
To make something happen more slowly.
To slow the speed of something or delay its development or progress.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
2
ritardando
C1
lassítás
B2
Usage pattern:
a retard
The score asks for a retard in the final two bars.
A kottában ritardando szerepel az utolsó két ütemben.
They rehearsed the passage with a slight retard into the cadence.
A részt enyhe lassítással próbálták a zárlat felé.
Follow the conductor’s cue for the retard at the end of the phrase.
Learner examples
At the end, play a retard.
A végén játssz egy ritardandót.
The music has a retard here.
Itt ritardando van a zenében.
Common mistake:
Often confused with the full Italian terms “ritard” and “ritardando”; “retard” is mainly used in rehearsal or older markings.
Meaning
a slowing down in music
Collocations
a slight retard
|a gradual retard
|marked retard
|retard at the end
|with a retard
|add a retard
|observe the retard
|retard into the cadence
Synonyms
ritardando (The full, more standard musical term.)
|
ritard (Common abbreviation in scores.)
Antonyms
accelerando (A gradual speeding up of tempo.)
Themes
music
|performing_arts
Definition
In music, a sign to slow down.
A gradual slowing of tempo in a piece of music; also a written instruction to slow down (short for ritard or ritardando).
NOUN
B2
VULGAR
3
retardált
C1
Usage pattern:
a retard
He was suspended for calling another student a “retard.”
Azért függesztették fel, mert egy másik diákot „retardáltnak” nevezett.
Many people consider the term “retard” an ableist slur.
Sokan a „retardált” szót az értelmi fogyatékossággal élőket sértő szitokszónak tartják.
The coach apologized after using the word “retard” during practice.
Common mistake:
Some learners think it is a neutral medical word; in modern English it is widely considered a slur and should be avoided.
Meaning
offensive word for disabled person
Collocations
call someone a retard
|use the word “retard”
|an ableist slur
|a hateful insult
Themes
society
|disability
|conflict
Definition
A very offensive insult for someone with an intellectual disability.
A highly offensive slang term used as an insult, referring to a person with an intellectual disability.
Grammar
Dictionary form
retard
IPA
GB/ɹɪtˈɑɹd/
US/ɹɪtˈɑɹd/
Syllables & stress
re - tard (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tard)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: retard
- 3rd Person Singular: retards
- Present Participle: retarding
- Past: retarded
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.