square
gb/skwˈɛɹ/ us/skwˈɛɹ/
A2
English
~ 3000
négyzet, tér, négyzet alakúra alakít, derékszögűre igazít, maradi, igazít, derékszögbe állít, egy vonalba igazít
NOUN
A2
1
négyzet
A2
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] square
The floor tiles are shaped like squares.
A padlólapok négyzet alakúak.
Draw a square on the paper.
Rajzolj egy négyzetet a papírra.
The chessboard has sixty-four black and white squares.
Learner examples
The box is a square.
A doboz négyzet alakú.
He drew a square on the page.
Rajzolt egy négyzetet a lapra.
This table has a square top.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'square' with 'rectangle'; a rectangle has opposite sides equal, but a square has all four sides equal.
Meaning
Four-sided shape with equal sides
Collocations
perfect square
|small square
|town square
|chessboard square
|square shape
Synonyms
quadrilateral (A broader term meaning any four-sided shape, not necessarily with equal sides and angles.)
Antonyms
circle (A round shape with no straight sides or angles, opposite in form to a square.)
Themes
mathematics
|geometry
|design
|science
|education
Definition
A flat shape with four sides that are the same length and four corners that are square angles.
A plane geometric figure with four equal straight sides and four right angles.
NOUN
B1
2
tér
A2
Usage pattern:
meet in the [place] square
They held the festival in the main square.
A fesztivált a főtéren tartották.
The hotel is near the central square.
A szálloda a központi tér közelében van.
Protesters gathered in the public square.
Learner examples
We met in the main square.
A főtéren találkoztunk.
The bus stops at the city square.
A busz a város főterénél áll meg.
There is a fountain in the square.
Meaning
Open public area in a town or city
Collocations
city square
|central square
|public square
|main square
Synonyms
plaza (Common in American English and Spanish-influenced contexts; similar meaning.)
Antonyms
alley (A narrow passage between buildings, opposite in openness to a square.)
Themes
urban life
|travel
|daily_life
Definition
A large open place in a town or city, often with roads around it and buildings on the sides.
An open area in a town or city, often surrounded by buildings, where people can gather.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
to square [something]
He squared the edges of the wood before cutting it.
Vágás előtt derékszögűre igazította a fa széleit.
The carpenter squared the frame for accuracy.
Az asztalos a pontosság érdekében derékszögűre igazította a keretet.
Square the corners before joining the pieces.
Learner examples
He squared the paper.
Négyzet alakúra vágta a papírt.
She squared the frame.
Négyzet alakúra igazította a keretet.
I will square the box.
Meaning
Make something into a square shape
Collocations
square the edges
|square the corners
Synonyms
align (Make straight or aligned, though not necessarily into a square shape.)
Antonyms
round off (To smooth or make edges rounded instead of square.)
Themes
geometry
|construction
|science
|work
Definition
To change something so that it has four equal sides and four right angles.
To make something have the shape of a square.
B2
INFORMAL
4
maradi
B2
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] person is a square
Don't be such a square—come dancing with us!
Ne légy ilyen maradi – gyere táncolni velünk!
He used to think his parents were squares.
Régen azt gondolta, hogy a szülei maradiak.
In the 1960s, being called a square was an insult.
Learner examples
He is a square.
Ő egy maradi alak.
She says I am a square.
Azt mondja, hogy maradi vagyok.
My brother is not a square.
Meaning
Old-fashioned or conventional person or style
Collocations
such a square
Synonyms
conservative (Describes someone holding traditional views; not necessarily boring.)
Antonyms
hip (Trendy and fashionable, opposite of 'square' in this sense.)
Themes
slang
|personality
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not modern or fun; too traditional.
Old-fashioned, conventional, or not in touch with current trends or ideas.
VERB
B2
5
Usage pattern:
square [something] with [something else]
Square the picture with the edge of the table.
Igazítsd a képet az asztal széléhez.
He squared the post with the ground before securing it.
Rögzítés előtt derékszögbe állította az oszlopot a talajhoz képest.
The shelves must be squared before being fixed.
Learner examples
Square the table with the wall.
Igazítsd az asztalt a falhoz.
I squared my chair with the desk.
Az íróasztalhoz igazítottam a székemet.
He squared the box with the floor.
Meaning
Make level or aligned with something else
Collocations
square with the wall
|square up the picture
Synonyms
align (Focuses more generally on bringing into correct position; squaring implies 90-degree alignment.)
Antonyms
tilt (To make slanted or not level, opposite of squaring.)
Themes
construction
|measurement
|work
Definition
To move something so it is straight and even with something else.
To adjust something so that it is even, level, or aligned with another surface or reference point.
Grammar
Dictionary form
square
IPA
GB/skwˈɛɹ/
US/skwˈɛɹ/
Syllables & stress
square (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (square)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: square
- Comparative: squarer
- Superlative: squarest
Noun
- Base: square
- Plural: squares
Verb
- Base: square
- 3rd Person Singular: squares
- Present Participle: squaring
- Past: squared
Word family
Forms
squares
noun
squaring
verb
squared
verb
squarer
adjective
squarest
adjective
Related words
squarely
adverb
squarish
adjective
Advanced or less common
squareness
noun
Expressions
back to square one
1/bˈæk tə skwˈɛɹ wˈʌn/
idiom
Return to starting point after failure
To have to start again from the beginning because your plan failed.
Examples
- After months of work, the deal fell through and we were back to square one.
- The project was rejected, so it's back to square one for us.
square off
1/skwˈɛɹ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
Prepare to fight or compete directly against someone
To get ready to fight or compete by facing your opponent directly.
Examples
- The two boxers squared off before the match began.
- Protesters squared off with police outside the building.
square up to [something]
1/skwˈɛɹ ˈʌp tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
Confront something directly and bravely
To face a problem or challenge directly without avoiding it.
Examples
- It's time to square up to your responsibilities.
- She finally squared up to her fear of speaking in public.
fair and square
1/fˈɛɹ ˈænd skwˈɛɹ/
idiom
Done honestly without cheating or lying
Done in an honest way, following all rules.
Examples
- He won the game fair and square.
- They beat us fair and square—no excuses.
fair and square
2/fˈɛɹ ˈænd skwˈɛɹ/
idiom
Achieved honestly without cheating
Winning or succeeding in an honest way without cheating.
Examples
- She won the game fair and square.
- They beat us fair and square.