sec
gb/sˈɛk/ us/sˈɛk/
A2
English
~ 2000
másodperc, biztonság, SEC, amerikai Értékpapír- és Tőzsdefelügyelet
NOUN
A2
1
másodperc
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] takes [number] seconds
Hold on, I'll be there in a sec.
It only takes a few secs to start the computer.
The light will change in about ten secs.
Learner examples
Wait a sec, I need my bag.
I will call you back in a sec.
It takes five secs to open this app.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'sec' with 'moment' or 'minute'; 'sec' is shorter and more precise, meaning exactly one second in formal contexts, but often used loosely for a very short time.
Meaning
One sixtieth of a minute
Collocations
just a sec
|a few seconds
|seconds left
|wait a sec
|in seconds
Synonyms
second (Standard full form; 'sec' is an informal abbreviation.)
Antonyms
minute (A longer unit of time.)
Themes
time
|measurement
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A very short time, equal to one second.
A period of time equal to one sixtieth of a minute; a second.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
2
biztonság
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] sec settings
He's working in cyber sec now.
Most kiberbiztonsági területen dolgozik.
The company hired new staff for info sec.
A cég új munkatársakat vett fel az információbiztonsági részlegre.
'Sec protocols need to be updated regularly.
Learner examples
She works in cyber sec.
Kiberbiztonsági területen dolgozik.
'Info sec is important for all companies.
Az információbiztonság minden vállalat számára fontos.
'They study sec at university.
Meaning
Short form for security
Collocations
cyber sec
|info sec
|sec protocols
Synonyms
security ('Security' is the full form; 'sec' is shorthand used in certain fields.)
Themes
technology
|safety
|business
|communication
Definition
'Sec' can mean 'security', especially in computer or safety talk.
'Sec' used as an abbreviation for 'security', especially in technical or online contexts.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[someone] reports to the SEC
'The company filed its report with the SEC.
A vállalat benyújtotta jelentését a SEC-nek.
'The SEC is investigating insider trading allegations.
A SEC bennfentes kereskedelemmel kapcsolatos vádakat vizsgál.
'SEC rules require timely disclosure of financial information.
Learner examples
'The SEC checks companies in the stock market.
A SEC ellenőrzi a tőzsdei vállalatokat.
'A company must send papers to the SEC.
Egy vállalatnak iratokat kell benyújtania a SEC-nek.
'The SEC makes rules for stock trading.
Meaning
(US) Financial regulator agency
Collocations
SEC regulations
|file with the SEC
|SEC investigation
Synonyms
Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC' is the acronym; full name is formal.)
Themes
finance
|government
|business
|law
Definition
'SEC' is the name of the U.S. government group that watches over the stock market.
'SEC' refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, a government agency regulating financial markets.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sec
IPA
GB/sˈɛk/
US/sˈɛk/
Syllables & stress
sec (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sec
- Plural: secs
Word family
Forms
secs
noun
Core family
second
noun A2
Expressions
(in) a sec
1/ˈɪn ə sˈɛk/
fixed phrase
informal
'In a very short time'
'In a sec' means 'very soon'.
Examples
- 'I'll be with you in a sec.
- 'Dinner will be ready in a sec.
just a sec
1/d͡ʒˈʌst ə sˈɛk/
fixed phrase
informal
'Wait a very short time'
'Just a sec' means 'please wait a very short time'.
Examples
- 'Just a sec, I'll get my keys.
- 'Can you hold on just a sec?