rotary
gb/ɹˈoʊtɚi/ us/ɹˈoʊtɚi/
B2
English
~ 9200
forgó, rotációs, körforgalom, Rotary Klub, rotarista
B2
1
Usage pattern:
rotary [machine / part / motion]
The pump uses a simple rotary mechanism to move the water.
A szivattyú egy egyszerű forgó mechanizmust használ a víz mozgatásához.
Early computers often stored data on rotary magnetic drums.
A korai számítógépek gyakran forgó mágneses dobokon tárolták az adatokat.
He collects old rotary phones from the 1950s.
The dentist picked up a small rotary tool to polish the filling.
Helicopters are sometimes called rotary-wing aircraft because their lift comes from spinning blades.
Learner examples
A helicopter has a rotary blade on top.
A helikopternek felül forgó rotorlapátja van.
This old house still has a rotary phone in the hallway.
Ebben a régi házban még mindig tárcsás telefon van a folyosón.
The machine works with fast rotary motion.
The small rotary tool can cut, sand, and polish metal.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only 'rotating' and do not realize that 'rotary' is the more natural choice before technical nouns (e.g. 'rotary engine', not usually 'rotating engine'). They may also confuse 'rotary' (adjective) with 'rotation' (noun).
Meaning
Turning around a central axis
Collocations
rotary motion
|rotary phone
|rotary engine
|rotary tool
|rotary dial
|rotary wing aircraft
Synonyms
rotating (Very close in meaning; more general and used both before and after nouns, while 'rotary' is mostly used before nouns in technical or specific descriptions.)
|
revolving (Emphasizes continuous turning around something; often used for doors, stages, or mechanisms, while 'rotary' sounds more technical and mechanical.)
Antonyms
stationary (Describes something that does not move or turn, the opposite of a part or motion that is rotary.)
Themes
technology
|engineering
|physics
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Turning in a circle around a center point, or made to do this.
Turning or designed to turn around a central point or axis, especially in a continuous circular motion.
NOUN
C1
2
körforgalom
B1
Usage pattern:
to drive around / enter / leave the rotary
At the next rotary, take the second exit toward the highway.
A következő körforgalomnál hajts ki a második kijáraton az autópálya felé.
Traffic backs up every morning at the big rotary near the mall.
Minden reggel feltorlódik a forgalom a pláza melletti nagy körforgalomnál.
Locals told us to stay in the right lane when entering the rotary.
The town replaced an old four-way stop with a rotary to improve traffic flow.
Learner examples
Turn right at the rotary and go straight.
Fordulj jobbra a körforgalomnál, és menj egyenesen.
There is a large rotary at the end of this road.
Az út végén van egy nagy körforgalom.
We went around the rotary and took the second exit.
Cars must slow down before they enter the rotary.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this noun is regional and may expect everyone in English to understand it; in many places, 'roundabout' is the standard term. Some also confuse the noun 'a rotary' (a road junction) with the adjective 'rotary' (turning around an axis).
Meaning
Circular road junction for traffic
Collocations
enter the rotary
|at the rotary
|drive around the rotary
|take the exit off the rotary
Synonyms
roundabout (The more common general-English term internationally; 'rotary' is mainly regional in parts of the US.)
|
traffic circle (A US term for the same kind of circular junction; similar meaning, but 'rotary' is especially tied to New England usage.)
Antonyms
intersection (A road crossing where streets meet in straight lines rather than forming a circular junction.)
Themes
transport
|city_life
|travel
|transportation
|daily_life
Definition
A round road where cars go in a circle around the middle, with roads going in and out; similar to a roundabout.
(Mainly US, especially New England) A circular road junction where vehicles travel in one direction around a central island, with roads joining or leaving at several points.
NOUN
C1
3
Rotary Klub
B2
rotarista
B2
Usage pattern:
a Rotary [club / meeting / member]
The local Rotary raised thousands of dollars for the new playground.
A helyi Rotary Klub több ezer dollárt gyűjtött az új játszótérre.
She joined Rotary to meet people and support community projects.
Azért csatlakozott a Rotaryhoz, hogy embereket ismerjen meg, és támogassa a közösségi projekteket.
Rotary members organized a free health camp in the village.
The mayor spoke at the Rotary breakfast meeting on Friday.
Learner examples
My uncle is a member of Rotary in his town.
A nagybátyám a városában a Rotary tagja.
Rotary gives money to help local schools.
A Rotary pénzt ad a helyi iskolák támogatására.
She goes to a Rotary meeting every week.
Rotary often does charity work in many countries.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes write this as a common noun ('a rotary') even when referring to the organization; in practice it is almost always capitalized ('Rotary') and often appears as 'Rotary Club'. It is unrelated in meaning to 'rotary phone' or 'rotary motion'.
Meaning
Rotary Club or its member
Collocations
Rotary Club
|local Rotary
|Rotary meeting
|Rotary fundraiser
Synonyms
service club (A more general term for volunteer organizations that do charity and community projects; 'Rotary' is one specific international organization of this kind.)
Themes
society
|charity
|relationships
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A local group (usually written 'Rotary') that is part of Rotary International, where business and professional people meet to do charity and community work.
(Usually capitalized) A local club that belongs to Rotary International, or a member of this international service organization.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rotary
IPA
GB/ɹˈoʊtɚi/
US/ɹˈoʊtɚi/
Syllables & stress
rotary (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rotary)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: rotary
Noun
- Base: rotary
- Plural: rotaries
Word family
Forms
rotaries
noun
Related words
rotational
adjective
rotor
noun
Negative and opposite forms
stationary
adjective B1
Advanced or less common
rotator
noun
rotationally
adverb
Expressions
Rotary Club
1/ɹˈoʊtɚi klˈʌb/
fixed phrase
Local club of Rotary International
A local group of people who are part of Rotary International and meet regularly to do charity and community projects.
Examples
- She was invited to speak about her project at the Rotary Club.
- The Rotary Club in our town sponsors several student scholarships each year.
rotary dial
1/ɹˈoʊtɚi dˈaɪl/
fixed phrase
Circular number dial on old phones
The round part on an old phone with numbers that you turn with your finger to call someone.
Examples
- Children today often do not recognize a rotary dial when they see one.
- You had to put your finger in the hole and pull the rotary dial around to dial each number.
rotary engine
1/ɹˈoʊtɚi ˈɛnd͡ʒən/
fixed phrase
technical
Engine with mainly rotating parts
An engine where the main parts move in circles instead of moving up and down like in a normal car engine.
Examples
- Mazda became famous for using a rotary engine in some of its sports cars.
- The rotary engine design allows for a high power-to-weight ratio but can be harder to maintain.
rotary phone
1/ɹˈoʊtɚi fˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
Old telephone with a circular dial
An old-style telephone with a round dial that you turn to choose each number.
Examples
- My grandparents still have a black rotary phone in their kitchen.
- The museum shows how people once used a rotary phone to make calls.
rotary tool
1/ɹˈoʊtɚi tˈul/
fixed phrase
Handheld power tool with rotating tip
A small electric hand tool with a fast turning end that can cut, grind, or polish different materials.
Examples
- He used a rotary tool to carve the fine details into the wooden box.
- A basic rotary tool kit usually includes many small bits for cutting, sanding, and drilling.
rotary wing aircraft
1/ɹˈoʊtɚi wˈɪŋ ˈɛɹkɹˌæft/
fixed phrase
technical
Aircraft with lift from rotating blades
An aircraft, like a helicopter, that goes up because its wings or blades spin quickly around a center.
Examples
- Helicopters and some drones are classified as rotary wing aircraft.
- Unlike fixed wing airplanes, rotary wing aircraft can hover in one place.