slavery
gb/slˈeɪvɚi/ us/slˈeɪvɚi/
B1
English
~ 2400
rabszolgaság
NOUN
B1
1
rabszolgaság
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is in slavery
Slavery was officially abolished in the United States in 1865.
A rabszolgaságot 1865-ben hivatalosan eltörölték az Egyesült Államokban.
Millions of people around the world are still trapped in modern slavery.
Világszerte emberek milliói élnek még mindig modern kori rabszolgaságban.
The museum has an exhibit on the history of slavery in the region.
She dedicated her life to fighting against human trafficking and slavery.
Learner examples
Slavery means people are not free.
A rabszolgaság azt jelenti, hogy az emberek nem szabadok.
Slavery was common in the past.
A rabszolgaság régen gyakori volt.
Many countries have ended slavery.
Slavery is against human rights.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'slavery' with 'slaver,' which means a person who trades slaves.
Meaning
System of forced labor and ownership
Collocations
abolish slavery
|end slavery
|modern slavery
|slavery abolition
|slavery system
Synonyms
bondage (More literary or formal term for the condition of being enslaved.)
|
servitude (A formal term that can mean forced labor, sometimes used more broadly than slavery.)
Antonyms
freedom (Represents the opposite state of being free from control or ownership.)
|
liberty (Emphasizes personal independence and rights, the opposite of being enslaved.)
Themes
history
|human rights
|law
|politics
|work
Definition
When someone is owned by another person and must work without pay or freedom.
The condition in which a person is legally owned by another and is forced to work without pay, losing personal freedom.
NOUN
B2
2
rabszolgaság
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] is in slavery to [something/someone]
Some workers feel their jobs are a kind of slavery.
Néhány munkavállaló úgy érzi, hogy a munkája egyfajta rabszolgaság.
He described his long hours as slavery to the company.
A cégnek ledolgozott hosszú óráit rabszolgaságnak nevezte.
The book explores the slavery of addiction.
Learner examples
He feels like his job is slavery.
Úgy érzi, hogy a munkája felér a rabszolgasággal.
Debt can be a kind of slavery.
Az adósság egyfajta rabszolgaság lehet.
She says she is in slavery to her boss.
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly think the metaphorical use means actual historical slavery if not given context.
Meaning
Extreme control over someone's life or work
Collocations
slavery to debt
|slavery to routine
|economic slavery
Synonyms
oppression (General term for unfair and cruel control, not limited to ownership.)
|
exploitation (Focuses on unfair use of someone's work or resources.)
Antonyms
autonomy (The ability to make one's own decisions freely.)
|
independence (Being free from control by others.)
Themes
work
|emotions
|relationships
Definition
When someone is treated very badly and has no freedom in their work or life, like a slave.
A situation where someone is excessively controlled, restricted, or overworked, resembling the conditions of slavery but used metaphorically.
Grammar
Dictionary form
slavery
IPA
GB/slˈeɪvɚi/
US/slˈeɪvɚi/
Syllables & stress
slavery (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (slavery)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: slavery
- Plural: slavery
Word family
Expressions
abolish slavery
1/əbˈɑlɪʃ slˈeɪvɚi/
fixed phrase
formal
End legal ownership of people
To make laws that stop people from owning other people.
Examples
- The country abolished slavery in the 19th century.
- Campaigners worked hard to abolish slavery worldwide.
modern slavery
1/mˈɑdɚn slˈeɪvɚi/
fixed phrase
Exploitation in current times similar to historical slavery
When people today are forced to work or live without freedom, often through threats or lies.
Examples
- Modern slavery affects millions worldwide, including victims of human trafficking.
- The report highlights cases of modern slavery in supply chains.
slavery to debt
1/slˈeɪvɚi tə dˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Being trapped in unfair debt repayment work
When someone must keep working because they owe money and cannot pay it off fairly.
Examples
- Many workers are caught in slavery to debt due to unfair contracts.
- Slavery to debt keeps families in poverty for generations.