sire
gb/sˈaɪɚ/ us/sˈaɪɚ/
C1
English
~ 25300
apaállat, nemz, felség, atya
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
1
apaállat
C1
Usage pattern:
the sire of [an animal]
The foal’s sire was a champion racehorse from Ireland.
A csikó apja egy Írországból származó bajnok versenyló volt.
Breeders carefully choose the sire to improve the herd’s genetics.
A tenyésztők gondosan választják ki az apaállatot, hogy javítsák az állomány genetikáját.
On the pedigree chart, the sire is listed on the top line and the dam on the bottom.
They imported a new sire to bring fresh blood into the breeding program.
The colt has the same sire as last year’s Derby winner.
Learner examples
The puppy’s sire is a very strong dog.
A kölyökkutya apja egy nagyon erős kutya.
They use the same sire for many of their horses.
Sok lovuknál ugyanazt az apaállatot használják.
On this paper, you can see the name of the sire.
The farmer bought a new sire for his cows.
This cat is the sire of many kittens in the village.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "sire" is a polite word for any man, confusing it with "sir". In modern English, this noun is mainly used in animal breeding, not as a general form of address.
Meaning
male parent of an animal
Collocations
the sire of
|leading sire
|prized sire
|top sire
|by the same sire
|sire line
Synonyms
stud (Common in everyday speech for a male animal kept for breeding, especially horses; less formal and more colloquial.)
|
stallion (Specifically a male horse; refers to the animal itself, not always emphasizing its role as a parent.)
Antonyms
dam (The technical term for the female parent of an animal, especially in breeding records.)
Themes
animals
|science
|work
Definition
The male parent of an animal, especially on a farm or in breeding.
A male parent of an animal, especially one kept and used for breeding.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
nemz
C1
Usage pattern:
to sire [a child / offspring]
The stallion has sired more than twenty winning racehorses.
A mén több mint húsz győztes versenylovat nemzett.
He hoped to sire an heir who would continue the family name.
Remélte, hogy nemz egy örököst, aki továbbviszi a család nevét.
The prized bull was brought in to sire the next generation of the herd.
The king had sired several children with different queens.
Genetic tests proved that the old male wolf had sired most of the pups in the pack.
Learner examples
The horse sired many strong foals.
A ló sok erős csikót nemzett.
He wants to sire a child and start a family.
Gyermeket akar nemzeni, és családot alapítani.
The farm uses this bull to sire new calves.
The old lion sired many cubs in the pride.
The king sired a son who became the next king.
Common mistake:
Learners may use "sire" as a very general verb for "have" children. In modern English, "sire" is formal or technical and is often replaced by "father" or simply "have" (have children). "Sire" is less common in everyday speech.
Meaning
to father offspring
Collocations
sire a child
|sire an heir
|sire offspring
|sire a dynasty
|sire many foals
|sire a bloodline
Synonyms
father (Common verb for being the male parent of a child; less formal and more widely used than "sire" for humans.)
|
beget (Very formal or literary; often used in religious or historical styles.)
Antonyms
remain childless (Describes the opposite situation, where a person has no children.)
Themes
family
|animals
|science
|relationships
Definition
To be the father of babies or young, especially in animals or in formal writing about people.
To be the male parent of offspring; to father, especially in the context of animal or formal human reproduction.
NOUN
C2
ARCHAIC
3
felség
C1
Usage pattern:
Yes, sire, [clause]
“Yes, sire,” the general replied, bowing deeply.
– Igen, felség – felelte a tábornok, mélyen meghajolva.
“Forgive me, sire, but the troops are not ready,” the officer said.
– Bocsásson meg, felség, de a csapatok még nem állnak készen – mondta a tiszt.
“As you wish, sire,” the advisor answered, turning to leave the throne room.
“The people are restless, sire,” warned the counselor in a low voice.
“Sire, the enemy has crossed the river,” the messenger announced breathlessly.
Learner examples
In the old movie, everyone calls the king “sire.”
A régi filmben mindenki „felség”-nek szólítja a királyt.
The soldier says, “Yes, sire,” to the king.
A katona azt mondja a királynak: „Igen, felség.”
People in the story use “sire” to talk to their ruler.
He bows and says, “No, sire, I would never lie.”
In history books, you may see the word “sire” for a king.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "sire" is still used today like "sir" to address any man. In modern English, people do not normally use "sire" to speak to real kings; it appears mostly in historical or fantasy stories.
Meaning
title used to address a king
Collocations
Yes, sire
|No, sire
|Forgive me, sire
|My liege and sire
|As you command, sire
|Very good, sire
Synonyms
Your Majesty (Modern standard polite form of address to a king or queen; still used officially today.)
Antonyms
commoner (Refers to an ordinary person without royal rank, contrasting with the royal status implied by "sire".)
Themes
politics
|history
|literature
|communication
Definition
An old, very formal word people used when talking to a king.
A respectful form of address used when speaking to a king or male sovereign.
NOUN
C2
ARCHAIC
4
atya
C1
Usage pattern:
his sire [verb]
Like his sire before him, he chose a life at sea.
Atyjához hasonlóan ő is a tengeri életet választotta.
He swore an oath upon the grave of his sire.
Esküt tett atyja sírjánál.
The young knight was eager to prove himself worthy of his noble sire.
She carried the features of her sire in her eyes and jaw.
Their lands had passed from sire to son for generations.
Learner examples
In this old story, the word “sire” means “father.”
Ebben a régi történetben a „sire” szó jelentése „atya”.
He wants to be brave like his sire.
Olyan bátor akar lenni, mint az atyja.
The son takes the farm from his sire.
The book says his sire died in war.
Her sire is a strong and proud man in the story.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "sire" in modern conversation instead of "father." This sounds very old-fashioned or strange today; use "father" or "dad" instead.
Meaning
father, in archaic style
Collocations
his sire
|her sire
|noble sire
|honored sire
|like his sire before him
|followed his sire
Synonyms
father (Normal, modern word; used in all kinds of contexts, unlike archaic "sire.")
|
forefather (Literary and more distant; refers to an ancestor, not just an immediate father.)
Antonyms
mother (The female parent, contrasting with the male parent "sire.")
Themes
family
|history
|literature
|relationships
|communication
Definition
An old word meaning "father," used in old stories or poems.
A male parent; a father, used in an old-fashioned or literary style.
Grammar
Dictionary form
sire
IPA
GB/sˈaɪɚ/
US/sˈaɪɚ/
Syllables & stress
sire (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (sire)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: sire
- Plural: sires
Verb
- Base: sire
- 3rd Person Singular: sires
- Present Participle: siring
- Past: sired
Word family
Forms
sires
noun
siring
verb
sired
verb
Related words
sir
noun A2
Expressions
sire a child
1/sˈaɪɚ ə t͡ʃˈaɪld/
fixed phrase
formal
to father a child
For a man to be the biological father of a child.
Examples
- At forty, he still hoped to sire a child and start a family.
- The king was desperate to sire a child to secure the royal line.
Yes, sire
1/jˈɛs | sˈaɪɚ/
fixed phrase
archaic
respectful agreement to a king
A very formal, old way of saying "yes" to a king or male ruler.
Examples
- “Yes, sire,” the guard replied, opening the gate at once.
- “Yes, sire,” she whispered, afraid to meet his eyes.