rock
gb/ɹˈɑk/ us/ɹˈɑk/
A2
English
~ 1200
kő, kőzet, szikla, rockzene, rock, ringat, ringatózik, nagyot alakít, tarol, király, remekel, drágakő
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
a [size/shape] rock
The hikers stopped to rest on a large rock.
A túrázók megálltak pihenni egy nagy sziklán.
This type of rock contains a lot of quartz.
Ez a kőzettípus sok kvarcot tartalmaz.
She threw a rock into the lake.
The cave was hidden behind a wall of rock.
Learner examples
I see a big rock.
Látok egy nagy követ.
The rock is very hard.
A kő nagyon kemény.
He sits on the rock.
A rock is on the ground.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rock' with 'stone'. In everyday English, 'stone' often means a smaller piece, while 'rock' can be larger or general.
Meaning
Hard natural mineral material
Collocations
big rock
|cliff rock
|rock formation
|rock surface
|throw a rock
Synonyms
stone (Often refers to a smaller piece of rock, especially one that can be picked up.)
Antonyms
soil (Soil is loose and soft earth material, unlike hard rock.)
Themes
nature
|geology
|environment
|science
Definition
A hard, solid material from the ground, made of minerals.
A solid mass of mineral material forming part of the Earth's surface.
NOUN
A2
2
He plays guitar in a rock band.
Egy rockzenekarban gitározik.
They went to see their favorite rock singer perform live.
Elmentek megnézni, ahogy a kedvenc rockénekesük élőben fellép.
Classic rock from the 1970s is still popular today.
Learner examples
I like rock music.
Szeretem a rockzenét.
My brother plays in a rock band.
A testvérem egy rockzenekarban játszik.
We listen to rock at home.
Meaning
Popular music with strong rhythm
Collocations
rock band
|rock concert
|rock song
|rock star
|classic rock
Synonyms
rock and roll (An earlier form or closely related style of rock music, often used historically.)
Antonyms
classical music (A genre of music that is formal, orchestral, and not characterized by strong electric rhythm.)
Themes
music
|culture
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A kind of loud music with a strong beat, usually with electric guitars and drums.
A genre of popular music characterized by a strong beat, simple chord progressions, and often played with electric guitars and drums.
VERB
B1
3
ringat
B1
ringatózik
B2
Usage pattern:
to rock [something/someone]
She rocked the baby until he fell asleep.
Addig ringatta a babát, amíg el nem aludt.
The boat rocked in the waves.
A csónak ringatózott a hullámokon.
He rocked back and forth in his chair.
Learner examples
I rock the baby.
Ringatom a babát.
The chair rocks slowly.
A szék lassan ringatózik.
The boat rocks in the water.
Meaning
Move gently back and forth
Collocations
rock the baby
|rock gently
|rock back and forth
Synonyms
sway (Often used for slower or smoother movement; 'rock' may be slightly stronger or more rhythmic.)
Antonyms
steady (To make something stop moving; the opposite of rocking.)
Themes
movement
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move slowly from side to side or back and forth.
To move someone or something gently backwards and forwards or from side to side.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
4
Usage pattern:
to rock [something]
You really rocked that presentation!
Tényleg nagyot alakítottál azzal a prezentációval!
She rocks at playing the guitar.
Királyul gitározik.
They totally rocked the competition.
Learner examples
You rock at singing.
Királyul énekelsz.
He rocks in sports.
A sportban is király.
She rocks her new job.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this with the literal movement sense of 'rock'. In informal contexts, it means to do well, not to move.
Meaning
Do something very well
Collocations
rock the stage
|rock your exam
|you rock
Synonyms
excel ('Excel' is more formal; 'rock' is informal and enthusiastic.)
Antonyms
fail (To do something badly; opposite of performing well.)
Themes
slang
|success
|education
|work
Definition
To do something very well or be great at it.
To do something in an excellent or impressive way, often showing confidence and energy.
NOUN
B2
INFORMAL
5
She showed off the huge rock on her finger.
Büszkén mutogatta az ujján lévő hatalmas követ.
That engagement ring has quite a rock!
Az eljegyzési gyűrűben aztán jókora kő van!
Learner examples
She has a big rock on her ring.
Nagy kő van a gyűrűjén.
The rock shines in the light.
A kő csillog a fényben.
Meaning
Large diamond or gemstone
Collocations
huge rock
|sparkling rock
Synonyms
diamond ('Diamond' is specific to the gemstone; 'rock' is slang for any large gem, often diamond.)
Antonyms
pebble (A small stone; opposite in size and value to a large gemstone in this context.)
Themes
jewelry
|slang
|core_vocabulary
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A big diamond or jewel.
A diamond or other precious stone, especially one that is large and eye-catching.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rock
IPA
GB/ɹˈɑk/
US/ɹˈɑk/
Syllables & stress
rock (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rock)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rock
- Plural: rock, rocks
Verb
- Base: rock
- 3rd Person Singular: rocks
- Present Participle: rocking
- Past: rocked
Word family
Expressions
on the rocks
1/ˈɔn ðə ɹˈɑks/
idiom
In serious difficulty or near failure (or drink with ice)
In trouble or likely to fail (or for drinks, served over ice). Context shows which meaning is intended.
Examples
- Their marriage is on the rocks after years of arguments.
- I'd like my whiskey on the rocks, please.
rock bottom
1/ɹˈɑk bˈɑtəm/
fixed phrase
Lowest possible point or level
The lowest point or worst time in someone's life or situation.
Examples
- After losing his job, he hit rock bottom emotionally.
- Prices have reached rock bottom this year.
solid as a rock
1/sˈɑlɪd ˈæz ə ɹˈɑk/
idiom
Very strong or dependable
Very strong, safe, or reliable.
Examples
- Their friendship is solid as a rock.
- This table is solid as a rock—it won't break easily.
between a rock and a hard place
1/bɪtwˈin ə ɹˈɑk ˈænd ə hˈɑɹd plˈeɪs/
idiom
faced with two bad choices
To be in a situation where you must choose between two bad things.
Examples
- I'm between a rock and a hard place—either I quit my job or move away from my family.
- I'm between a rock and a hard place—either option will upset someone.
- She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place when deciding on the budget cuts.
- She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place when both jobs had major downsides.
rock the boat
1/ɹˈɑk ðə bˈoʊt/
idiom
informal
Upset an existing situation
To cause problems by changing something that works well now.
Examples
- Everything is going smoothly, so don’t rock the boat.
- He tends to rock the boat whenever he joins a new team.
rock the boat
2/ɹˈɑk ðə bˈoʊt/
idiom
Disturb a stable situation
To say or do something that changes a good situation and may cause problems.
Examples
- I don't want to rock the boat by asking for more money now.
- Everything is going well—let's not rock the boat.