steam
gb/stˈim/ us/stˈim/
A2
English
~ 5700
gőz, pára, gőzben párol, párol, lendület, gőzölög, bepárásodik, dühöng, fortyog, előretör, beront, gőzerő, gőzmeghajtás, gőzöl, gőzzel tisztít, átgőzöl
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
steam rises from [something]
Steam rose from the kettle as the water boiled.
Gőz szállt fel a vízforralóból, miközben forrt a víz.
The bathroom mirror was covered with steam after his long shower.
A fürdőszobai tükröt pára borította a hosszú zuhany után.
We could see clouds of steam coming out of the factory pipes.
Be careful of the steam when you lift the lid off the pot.
The cold air made the steam from our coffee clearly visible.
Learner examples
Hot steam came out of the teapot.
Forró gőz jött ki a teáskannából.
The room was full of steam after the hot bath.
A forró fürdő után a helyiség tele volt párával.
I burned my hand on the steam from the pan.
Steam rose from the street after the rain.
You can see steam when water gets very hot.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "steam" with "smoke". Steam comes from hot water, while smoke comes from burning things. Another mistake is using "vapour" or "steam" interchangeably in all contexts; in everyday speech, "steam" is preferred when talking about hot water or cooking.
Meaning
hot water vapor in the air
Collocations
hot steam
|clouds of steam
|steam rises
|filled with steam
|steam room
Synonyms
vapor (More technical and general; refers to any substance in gas form, not only water.)
|
mist (Usually for cooler, lighter water in the air, not necessarily from boiling.)
Antonyms
ice (Represents water in a solid, frozen state, the opposite of hot water vapor.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|cooking
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Very small drops of hot water in the air that you can see as a white cloud when water is very hot.
Water in the form of hot vapor, produced when water is heated and often seen as a white cloud.
VERB
B1
2
gőzben párol
B1
párol
B1
Usage pattern:
to steam [food]
We usually steam the vegetables to keep them crisp and healthy.
A zöldségeket általában gőzben pároljuk, hogy roppanósak és egészségesek maradjanak.
She decided to steam the fish instead of frying it.
Úgy döntött, hogy sütés helyett gőzben párolja meg a halat.
The recipe says to steam the dumplings for ten minutes.
They serve steamed rice with almost every dish at that restaurant.
Steam the broccoli until it turns bright green and is just tender.
Learner examples
I like to steam carrots for dinner.
Szeretek vacsorára sárgarépát gőzben párolni.
Please steam the rice for twenty minutes.
Kérlek, párold gőzben a rizst húsz percig.
We steamed the vegetables instead of frying them.
My mother often steams fish because it is healthier.
He steamed the dumplings in a bamboo basket.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "cook with water" when they mean "steam". Steaming is not the same as boiling; the food is cooked by the steam above the water, not by sitting in the water itself.
Meaning
cook food using steam
Collocations
steam vegetables
|steam rice
|steam dumplings
|lightly steamed
|steamed fish
Synonyms
poach (Also a gentle cooking method, but usually done in simmering liquid, not just steam.)
Antonyms
fry (Means to cook in hot fat or oil, which is a much less gentle and less moist method than steaming.)
Themes
cooking
|daily life
|health
|food_drink
|daily_life
Definition
To cook food with hot steam, not in oil or directly in water.
To cook food by surrounding it with hot steam rather than placing it directly in boiling water or oil.
NOUN
B2
3
lendület
B1
Usage pattern:
[activity] loses/gains steam
The project started well but began to lose steam after a few months.
A projekt jól indult, de néhány hónap után kezdett veszíteni a lendületéből.
The campaign picked up steam once it was covered in the news.
A kampány lendületet kapott, miután bekerült a hírekbe.
By the end of the game, the team had run out of steam.
His career gathered steam after his first big success.
The discussion had a lot of steam at the beginning but faded quickly.
Learner examples
The party had a lot of steam at first.
A buli eleinte nagy lendülettel indult.
The class project lost steam after the holiday.
Az osztályprojekt a szünet után vesztett a lendületéből.
Our team ran out of steam in the second half.
Her business picked up steam after she went online.
The plan is slowly gathering steam at the company.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use "steam" alone to mean "energy" in any context (e.g., *"I have no steam"*). This sounds unnatural; it is usually used in set phrases like "lose steam", "pick up steam", or "run out of steam" rather than as a free noun.
Meaning
energy, drive, or momentum
Collocations
lose steam
|run out of steam
|gather steam
|pick up steam
|full of steam
Synonyms
momentum (Focuses more on the ongoing movement or progress of a process than on personal energy.)
Antonyms
fatigue (Emphasizes tiredness and lack of energy, the opposite of having steam to continue.)
Themes
work
|emotions
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The energy or power that helps a person or activity keep going.
Energy, strength, or momentum that allows someone or something to continue working, developing, or being active.
VERB
B1
4
gőzölög
B1
bepárásodik
B1
Usage pattern:
steam from [something] / steam up [something]
Her glasses steamed up as soon as she walked into the warm room.
A szemüvege bepárásodott, amint belépett a meleg szobába.
Steam was pouring from the radiator.
Ömlött a gőz a radiátorból.
The bathroom steamed up after his long, hot shower.
The kitchen windows steamed up while the soup was cooking.
The engine was steaming, so we turned it off immediately.
Learner examples
My glasses steamed up when I opened the oven.
Bepárásodott a szemüvegem, amikor kinyitottam a sütőt.
The car windows steamed up in the rain.
Az autó ablakai bepárásodtak az esőben.
Steam came from the hot pipes.
The room quickly steamed up after we boiled water.
His cup of tea was steaming on the table.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "my glasses became steam" instead of "my glasses steamed up". The glasses do not become steam; they are covered with steam or they steam up.
Meaning
give off or be covered with steam
Collocations
glasses steamed up
|windows steamed up
|bathroom steamed up
|steam from the kettle
|engine steaming
Synonyms
fog (Often used with objects like "up" (fog up); describes similar clouding but not always from heat.)
Antonyms
clear (To become free of mist or steam, the opposite of being steamed up.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
To let out steam, or to become wet and cloudy with steam.
To send out steam, or to become covered or filled with steam.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
[someone] is/was steaming (about [something])
He was absolutely steaming when he heard about the mistake.
Teljesen dühöngött, amikor meghallotta, hogy hiba történt.
She was still steaming about the way they spoke to her.
Még mindig fortyogott amiatt, ahogy beszéltek vele.
By the time he got home, he was steaming with anger.
The coach was steaming after the referee’s decision.
You could tell she was steaming, even though she didn’t say a word.
Learner examples
My boss was steaming after the report was late.
A főnököm dühöngött, amiért késett a jelentés.
He was steaming when he saw the broken window.
Dühöngött, amikor meglátta a betört ablakot.
She was still steaming about the rude email.
They were steaming because the train was canceled again.
I was steaming when my phone was stolen.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "steaming" (very angry) with "boiling" in all contexts; while both can be used about anger, "steaming" is more informal and is not used for temperature in the same way as "boiling" is.
Meaning
be very angry
Collocations
was steaming mad
|absolutely steaming
|steaming about the decision
|left him steaming
|got him steaming
Synonyms
furious (A strong adjective for being very angry; "steaming" sounds more informal and conversational.)
Antonyms
calm (Describes a relaxed emotional state with no anger, the opposite of steaming with anger.)
Themes
emotions
|informal
|communication
Definition
To be very, very angry.
To be or become very angry, often in a way that shows clearly in someone’s behaviour or expression.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
6
Usage pattern:
steam [adv/preposition] (e.g. ahead, into, towards)
The team steamed ahead in the second half and won easily.
A csapat a második félidőben lendületesen előretört, és könnyedén nyert.
He steamed into the room without knocking.
Kopogás nélkül berontott a szobába.
The train steamed past the small stations without stopping.
They are steaming towards another victory this season.
She steamed down the corridor, determined not to be late.
Learner examples
Our team steamed ahead after the break.
A csapatunk a szünet után lendületesen előretört.
He steamed into the office and started talking.
Berontott az irodába, és beszélni kezdett.
The car steamed past us on the highway.
They steamed towards the finish line.
The runner steamed down the track.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use always means the vehicle is powered by steam. In modern English, it usually just means moving quickly and strongly, even if there is no actual steam.
Meaning
move quickly and forcefully
Collocations
steam ahead
|steam into
|steam toward the goal
|steam down the track
|steamed straight past
Synonyms
charge (Also means to move forward quickly and strongly, especially in attack, and often sounds more aggressive.)
Antonyms
creep (Means to move very slowly and carefully, the opposite of steaming ahead.)
Themes
movement
|sports
|informal
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To go forward very fast and with strong force or energy.
To move quickly and with force or determination in a particular direction.
NOUN
B2
7
gőzerő
B2
gőzmeghajtás
C1
Usage pattern:
powered by steam
The first factories were often driven by steam.
Az első gyárak gyakran gőzerővel működtek.
The museum has a working steam engine on display.
A múzeumban egy működő gőzgép van kiállítva.
Before diesel, many trains ran on steam.
Steam power changed industry in the nineteenth century.
The ship was originally built to run on steam.
Learner examples
Old trains used steam as power.
A régi vonatok gőzt használtak hajtóerőként.
The engine runs on steam.
A gép gőzzel működik.
Factories once used steam to move big machines.
They built a small steam engine for the science project.
We saw a steam train at the museum.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "steam" in this sense always means visible white clouds. Here it refers more specifically to the energy and pressure created by steam to drive machines, not just the cloud itself.
Meaning
steam power used for machines
Collocations
steam engine
|steam power
|steam turbine
|steam train
|steam boiler
Synonyms
steam power (A fixed phrase that names this source of energy more explicitly; often used in technical or historical contexts.)
Antonyms
electricity (A different common source of power for machines, often contrasted with steam in historical descriptions.)
Themes
technology
|history
|science
Definition
Power made by hot steam that is used to run machines like old trains or engines.
Power or mechanical energy produced by steam pressure and used to operate engines, turbines, or other machines.
VERB
B2
8
Usage pattern:
steam [something]
We decided to steam clean the carpets before moving in.
Úgy döntöttünk, hogy beköltözés előtt gőzzel kitisztítjuk a szőnyegeket.
She steamed her dress to remove the wrinkles.
Átgőzölte a ruháját, hogy eltüntesse a gyűrődéseket.
The spa offers a treatment where you steam your face.
He carefully steamed open the envelope without tearing it.
The company uses machines to steam and disinfect the seats.
Learner examples
We will steam the carpet this weekend.
A hétvégén gőzzel kitisztítjuk a szőnyeget.
She steamed her shirt to make it smooth.
Átgőzölte az ingét, hogy sima legyen.
He steamed his face over a bowl of hot water.
They steamed the floors to kill germs.
I need to steam clean the sofa.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with simply "wash" or "clean". "Steam" here tells you the specific method: hot steam is used instead of just water or soap.
Meaning
clean or soften with steam
Collocations
steam clean
|steam the carpet
|steam clothes
|steam open an envelope
|steam your face
Synonyms
sanitize (Focuses on making something free from germs; does not say how it is done, while "steam" specifies steam as the method.)
Antonyms
soil (Means to make something dirty, the opposite of cleaning it with steam.)
Themes
cleaning
|health
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
To use hot steam to make something clean or soft.
To use hot steam to clean, disinfect, or soften something such as fabric, carpets, or skin.
Grammar
Dictionary form
steam
IPA
GB/stˈim/
US/stˈim/
Syllables & stress
steam (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (steam)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: steam
- Plural: steam
Verb
- Base: steam
- 3rd Person Singular: steams
- Present Participle: steaming
- Past: steamed
Word family
Forms
steams
verb
steaming
verb
steamed
verb
Core family
steamy
adjective
Related words
steamer
noun A2
steamship
noun
Advanced or less common
steamroller
noun
Expressions
full steam ahead
1/fˈʊl stˈim əhˈɛd/
idiom
continue with maximum effort
To move forward or continue a plan with as much speed and effort as possible.
Examples
- With the funding approved, it’s full steam ahead on the new project.
- It’s full steam ahead for the team as they prepare for the finals.
- Once they agreed on the plan, it was full steam ahead.
gather steam
1/ɡˈæðɚ stˈim/
idiom
slowly gain momentum
To slowly become stronger or more active, or to get more support over time.
Examples
- The movement has gathered steam over the past few months.
- The idea started small but is gathering steam inside the company.
- Her career really gathered steam after that award.
get steamed up (about)
1/ɡˈɛt stˈimd ˈʌp əbˈaʊt/
idiom
informal
become angry or upset
To become angry or very upset about something.
Examples
- He gets steamed up about small problems at work.
- Don’t get so steamed up about it; it’s not that serious.
- She got steamed up over the changes to the schedule.
lose steam
1/lˈuz stˈim/
idiom
gradually become weaker or slower
To slowly have less energy, interest, or power to continue something.
Examples
- The protest lost steam after the first week.
- The conversation began to lose steam, and people started leaving.
- Sales are losing steam after a strong start to the year.
pick up steam
1/pˈɪk ˈʌp stˈim/
idiom
gain strength or speed
To become stronger, faster, or more active after starting slowly.
Examples
- The campaign is picking up steam as election day approaches.
- Our new product really picked up steam after we advertised online.
- The discussion picked up steam once more people joined in.
run out of steam
1/ɹˈʌn ˈaʊt əv stˈim/
idiom
lose energy or momentum
To become tired or less interested so that you cannot continue an activity strongly.
Examples
- The project ran out of steam when the funding ended.
- The team started well but ran out of steam in the second half.
- Her speech ran out of steam after the first few minutes.
steam ahead
1/stˈim əhˈɛd/
phrasal verb
advance quickly and confidently
To move or make progress quickly and with strong, clear effort, often without stopping.
Examples
- Despite the problems, the team is steaming ahead with the plan.
- The company has steamed ahead of its competitors this year.
- They steamed ahead to an easy victory.
steam up
1/stˈim ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
become covered in steam
To become covered with steam so that you cannot see clearly, or to make something like this.
Examples
- The car windows steamed up in the rain.
- Don’t breathe on the glass or you’ll steam it up.
- The kitchen steamed up quickly while the soup was boiling.
under your own steam
1/ˈʌndɚ jˈʊɹ ˈoʊn stˈim/
idiom
without help from others
To go somewhere or do something using only your own power, money, or effort, without help.
Examples
- She traveled to Europe under her own steam, without any support from her parents.
- The company grew under its own steam, without outside investment.
- He finished the project under his own steam, even after the team left.
blow off steam
1/blˈoʊ ˈɔf stˈim/
idiom
informal
Release strong feelings through activity/talk
To do something active to get rid of anger or stress.
Examples
- He went for a run to blow off some steam after work.
- We played video games all night to blow off steam after the exams.
- Talking to her friend helped her blow off steam.
- He goes to the gym to blow off steam when work is stressful.
- She needed to blow off some steam, so she went out with friends.
let off steam
1/lˈɛt ˈɔf stˈim/
idiom
informal
release emotions or energy through action
To get rid of strong feelings by doing something active or by talking about them.
Examples
- He goes jogging every morning to let off steam.
- Talking about it helped her let off steam.
let off steam
2/lˈɛt ˈɔf stˈim/
idiom
release strong feelings safely
To do something active so that you can lose strong feelings like anger, stress, or excitement.
Examples
- After a long week at work, he went running to let off steam.
- The kids need to let off steam after sitting in class all day.
- She called a friend just to let off steam about her boss.