spring
gb/spɹˈɪŋ/ us/spɹˈɪŋ/
A1
English
~ 1700
tavasz, ugrik, rugó, felbukkan, megjelenik, forrás
NOUN
A1
1
tavasz
A1
Usage pattern:
[something] happens in spring
We usually go hiking in spring when the weather is mild.
Tavasszal általában túrázni megyünk, amikor enyhe az idő.
The cherry blossoms bloom in early spring.
A cseresznyevirágok kora tavasszal nyílnak.
Spring is my favorite time of year.
Learner examples
I like spring because it is warm.
Szeretem a tavaszt, mert meleg van.
Many flowers open in spring.
Tavasszal sok virág kinyílik.
We have a holiday in spring.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'spring' (the season) with 'spring' meaning 'to jump'. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Meaning
Season after winter
Collocations
in spring
|spring flowers
|spring weather
|spring break
Synonyms
springtime (A slightly more poetic or literary term for the same season.)
Antonyms
autumn (The season opposite in the yearly cycle; follows summer instead of preceding it.)
Themes
nature
|weather
|daily life
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The time of year after winter when the weather gets warmer and plants start to grow.
The season of the year between winter and summer, when temperatures rise and plants begin to grow again.
VERB
B1
2
ugrik
A1
Usage pattern:
to spring [somewhere]
The cat sprang onto the windowsill.
A macska felugrott az ablakpárkányra.
She sprang out of bed when she heard the alarm.
Kipattant az ágyból, amikor meghallotta az ébresztőt.
He sprang forward to catch the ball.
Learner examples
The dog springs over the fence.
A kutya átugrik a kerítésen.
She springs from her chair.
Felugrik a székéből.
I spring to the door.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this verb with 'jump' without noticing that 'spring' often suggests suddenness or energy.
Meaning
Jump or move quickly
Collocations
spring into action
|spring forward
|spring up
Synonyms
leap (Often suggests a longer or higher jump; can be more dramatic.)
Antonyms
sink (To go down slowly, opposite of moving up quickly.)
Themes
movement
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To jump or move fast and suddenly.
To move or jump suddenly and quickly, often forward or upward.
NOUN
B1
3
rugó
A2
The mattress has several broken springs.
A matracban több törött rugó van.
You need a new spring for your watch.
Új rugó kell az órádba.
The door won't close properly because the spring is worn out.
Learner examples
The pen has a small spring inside.
A tollban van egy kis rugó.
The chair has soft springs.
A székben puha rugók vannak.
I can see the spring in the toy.
Meaning
Coiled metal device
Collocations
metal spring
|bed spring
|coil spring
Synonyms
coil (Can refer to any looped material, not just one used for elasticity.)
Antonyms
rigid bar (A solid piece that does not bend or spring back.)
Themes
technology
|manufacturing
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A long, thin piece of metal made into a coil that goes back to its shape after you press or pull it.
A piece of metal that is shaped into a coil and can be pressed or stretched but returns to its original shape, used in machines, furniture, and other devices.
VERB
B2
4
felbukkan
B2
megjelenik
B1
Usage pattern:
to spring up [somewhere]
New cafes have sprung up all over the city.
Új kávézók bukkantak fel szerte a városban.
A smile sprang to her face.
Mosoly jelent meg az arcán.
Problems sprang up during construction.
Learner examples
Shops spring up in this street.
Üzletek bukkannak fel ezen az utcán.
A flower springs up in the garden.
Egy virág bújik elő a kertben.
New houses spring up near the river.
Meaning
Appear suddenly
Collocations
spring up overnight
|spring up everywhere
Synonyms
emerge (More formal; does not always imply suddenness.)
Antonyms
disappear (To go out of view or existence, opposite of appearing.)
Themes
nature
|society
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To start or appear fast and suddenly.
To come into existence, view, or operation quickly and unexpectedly.
NOUN
B1
5
forrás
A2
We filled our bottles at a mountain spring.
Megtöltöttük a palackjainkat egy hegyi forrásnál.
The village gets its water from a natural spring.
A falu egy természetes forrásból kapja a vizét.
Hot springs attract many tourists to the area.
Learner examples
We drink from the spring.
A forrásból iszunk.
The spring water is clean.
A forrásvíz tiszta.
A hot spring is near my house.
Meaning
Natural water source
Collocations
hot spring
|mountain spring
|freshwater spring
Synonyms
fountainhead (More literary; refers to the original source of something, not just water.)
Antonyms
dry well (A well or source with no water, opposite of a flowing spring.)
Themes
nature
|geography
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A place where water comes up from the ground naturally.
A place where water flows naturally from the ground.
Grammar
Dictionary form
spring
IPA
GB/spɹˈɪŋ/
US/spɹˈɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
spring (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (spring)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: spring
- Plural: spring, springs
Verb
- Base: spring
- 3rd Person Singular: springs
- Present Participle: springing
- Past: sprang, sprung
- Past Participle: sprung
Word family
Forms
springs
noun
springing
verb
sprang
verb
sprung
verb
Core family
springtime
noun
Related words
springy
adjective
Advanced or less common
springboard
noun
springiness
noun
Highlights
- Irregular past: sprang, sprung Verb
- Irregular past participle: sprung Verb
Expressions
no spring chicken
1/nˈoʊ spɹˈɪŋ t͡ʃˈɪkən/
idiom
informal
Not young anymore
Used to say someone is not young anymore.
Examples
- He can still run fast, but he's no spring chicken.
- She may be no spring chicken, but she's very experienced.
spring to mind
1/spɹˈɪŋ tə mˈaɪnd/
idiom
Come to mind quickly
To think of something very quickly without trying hard.
Examples
- When you mention Italy, pizza springs to mind.
- Her name didn't immediately spring to mind.
spring up overnight
1/spɹˈɪŋ ˈʌp ˈoʊvɚnˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
Appear very suddenly
To appear very fast, like in one night.
Examples
- Shops seem to spring up overnight in this area.
- A new problem sprang up overnight and delayed the project.
spring into action
1/spɹˈɪŋ ˈɪntu ˈækʃən/
idiom
Start quickly and energetically
To start doing something fast and with energy.
Examples
- When the fire alarm rang, everyone sprang into action.
- As soon as the alarm sounded, the firefighters sprang into action.
- She sprang into action when she heard the baby crying.
- When she saw the mess, she sprang into action to clean it up.