revolutionary
gb/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi/ us/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi/
B2
English
~ 8200
forradalmi, úttörő, forradalmár
B2
1
forradalmi
B2
úttörő
B2
Usage pattern:
a revolutionary [idea/product/change/technology]
The company claims its new battery is a revolutionary step for electric cars.
A cég azt állítja, hogy az új akkumulátora forradalmi előrelépés az elektromos autók számára.
Her book offered a revolutionary way to think about mental health treatment.
A könyve forradalmi módot kínált a mentális egészségügyi kezelésről való gondolkodásra.
The discovery of penicillin was revolutionary for modern medicine.
Streaming services brought a revolutionary change to how people watch movies and TV.
They developed a revolutionary design that cuts energy use by half.
Learner examples
This app is revolutionary because it changes how we learn languages.
Ez az alkalmazás forradalmi, mert megváltoztatja, hogyan tanulunk nyelveket.
The internet was a revolutionary technology for the world.
Az internet forradalmi technológia volt a világ számára.
Scientists made a revolutionary discovery about how the brain works.
Her idea for the school was revolutionary and very different.
The new phone has a revolutionary camera system.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "revolutionary" can only describe politics. In modern English it is very common for technology, products, ideas, and methods. Learners also mix it up with "rebellious": a person can be rebellious, but a new method or product is usually called revolutionary, not rebellious.
Meaning
causing very great, new change
Collocations
revolutionary idea
|revolutionary technology
|revolutionary change
|revolutionary design
|revolutionary approach
|revolutionary product
Synonyms
groundbreaking (Stresses being completely new or original, often used in marketing or praise.)
|
radical (Emphasizes how extreme or far from the usual something is; can sound more political or negative.)
|
transformative (Focuses on the strong effect of change, often slightly more formal and less dramatic than "revolutionary".)
Antonyms
conventional (Describes ideas or things that follow normal, traditional ways instead of making big changes.)
|
traditional (Emphasizes following old customs or usual methods rather than new, major change.)
Themes
technology
|business
|society
|core_vocabulary
|science
Definition
Describing something that brings a very big and new change to how people do or think about things.
Causing or involving a very great, fundamental, and often sudden change in how something is done, made, or understood.
NOUN
B2
2
forradalmár
B2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a revolutionary
The young revolutionary spent years in prison for his political activities.
A fiatal forradalmár éveket töltött börtönben politikai tevékenységei miatt.
Many revolutionaries believed that violence was the only way to bring down the regime.
Sok forradalmár úgy hitte, hogy az erőszak az egyetlen módja a rendszer megdöntésének.
She is celebrated as a revolutionary who fought for independence.
The government arrested several suspected revolutionaries after the protest.
As a student he saw himself as a revolutionary, dreaming of changing the whole system.
Learner examples
The revolutionary gave a speech in the square.
A forradalmár beszédet mondott a téren.
Some revolutionaries want to change the government by force.
Néhány forradalmár erőszakkal akarja megváltoztatni a kormányt.
He became a revolutionary after seeing how people suffered.
The police arrested the revolutionary for his actions.
History books talk about famous revolutionaries in many countries.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun and adjective forms, saying *"He is very revolutionary"* when they mean *"He is a revolutionary"* (a person). "Revolutionary" as a noun always refers to a person, not to an idea or change.
Meaning
person who supports revolution
Collocations
a committed revolutionary
|young revolutionary
|Marxist revolutionary
|revolutionary leader
|revolutionary group
|heroic revolutionary
Synonyms
rebel (General word for someone who fights against authority; not always focused on changing the whole system.)
|
insurgent (Often used for armed fighters against a government, especially in news; slightly more technical and military.)
|
radical (Focuses on extreme political ideas; may or may not take direct action like a revolutionary.)
Antonyms
loyalist (Specifically supports the existing ruler or government instead of trying to overthrow it.)
|
moderate (Prefers small, gradual changes and avoids extreme or violent political actions.)
Themes
politics
|history
|conflict
|law
Definition
A person who wants to change or end the government or political system, often in a very strong and complete way.
A person who supports, plans, or takes part in a political revolution that aims to overthrow an existing system or government.
C1
3
forradalmi
B2
Usage pattern:
a revolutionary [government/movement/army/court]
The revolutionary government nationalized all major industries.
A forradalmi kormány államosította az összes nagyobb iparágat.
He joined a revolutionary movement dedicated to overthrowing the dictatorship.
Csatlakozott egy forradalmi mozgalomhoz, amely a diktatúra megdöntését tűzte ki célul.
Revolutionary forces took control of the capital after days of fighting.
The new leaders set up revolutionary courts to try former officials.
Their songs became anthems of the revolutionary struggle.
Learner examples
The revolutionary army entered the city at night.
A forradalmi hadsereg éjszaka vonult be a városba.
A revolutionary group planned to remove the king.
Egy forradalmi csoport azt tervezte, hogy eltávolítja a királyt.
During the war, the revolutionary government changed many laws.
Many people were afraid of the new revolutionary leaders.
Students joined a revolutionary movement at the university.
Common mistake:
Learners often use this meaning when they only want to say something is very new or creative. For example, a new smartphone is "revolutionary" in sense 1 (very new change), not "revolutionary" in the political sense. This sense should only be used for politics and revolutions.
Meaning
connected with a political revolution
Collocations
revolutionary government
|revolutionary movement
|revolutionary army
|revolutionary forces
|revolutionary slogans
|revolutionary court
Synonyms
insurgent (Often used for military or armed groups fighting the government; more strongly military than "revolutionary" in many contexts.)
|
anti-government (Broadly describes opposition to the government, not always aiming at full revolution.)
Antonyms
government (As an adjective, refers to the official side in power, the opposite of revolutionary forces or institutions.)
|
loyalist (Describes groups or forces that support the existing government rather than trying to overthrow it.)
Themes
politics
|history
|war
|law
Definition
Describing things that are part of, or linked to, a political revolution or to people who want to change the government completely.
Relating to a political revolution or to the people, activities, or institutions involved in trying to overthrow a government or political system.
Grammar
Dictionary form
revolutionary
IPA
GB/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi/
US/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi/
Syllables & stress
re - volu - tion - ary (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (tion)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: revolutionary
Noun
- Base: revolutionary
- Plural: revolutionaries
Word family
Forms
revolutionaries
noun
Core family
revolution
noun B1
revolutionize
verb C1
Negative and opposite forms
counterrevolution
noun
counterrevolutionary
adjective
Expressions
revolutionary change
1/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
very great and sudden change
Change that is very big and fast, and that completely changes how something works or is done.
Examples
- The internet brought revolutionary change to the music industry.
- The policy led to revolutionary change in how schools are funded.
revolutionary movement
1/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi mˈuvmənt/
fixed phrase
group seeking political revolution
A group of people who work together to completely change or remove the government or political system.
Examples
- The revolutionary movement quickly gained support among young people.
- Several revolutionary movements were active in the region during the 1970s.
revolutionary war
1/ɹˌɛvəlˈuʃənˌɛɹi wˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
war to overthrow a system
A war in which people fight to remove the government or to become independent from another country.
Examples
- The country won its freedom after a long revolutionary war.
- Many families were divided during the revolutionary war, with brothers fighting on opposite sides.