temple
gb/tˈɛmpəl/ us/tˈɛmpəl/
A2
English
~ 4400
templom, halánték, szentély
NOUN
A2
1
templom
A2
Usage pattern:
visit [a temple]
Tourists flock to the ancient temple every year.
A turisták minden évben özönlenek az ősi templomhoz.
The golden temple is a symbol of the city.
Az aranytemplom a város jelképe.
They lit candles inside the temple during the ceremony.
The temple's architecture reflects traditional design.
This temple has been standing for over 500 years.
Learner examples
We went to the temple to pray.
Elmentünk a templomba imádkozni.
The temple is very old.
A templom nagyon régi.
Many people visit the temple on holidays.
The temple is near the river.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'temple' with 'church'; 'temple' is used for non-Christian religions in most contexts.
Meaning
Building for religious worship
Collocations
Buddhist temple
|Hindu temple
|ancient temple
|visit a temple
|temple grounds
Synonyms
shrine (Often smaller or more specific to a saint, deity, or sacred object.)
|
place of worship (More general term for any location used for religious practice.)
Antonyms
secular building (A building with no religious function.)
Themes
religion
|architecture
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A special building where people pray to a god or gods.
A building dedicated to the service or worship of a god or gods.
NOUN
B1
2
halánték
B2
Usage pattern:
touch [someone's] temple
She rubbed her temples to ease the headache.
A halántékát dörzsölte, hogy enyhítse a fejfájását.
A vein throbbed in his temple.
Egy ér lüktetett a halántékán.
He felt a sharp pain in his left temple.
Sweat trickled down from his temple.
Learner examples
He has a cut on his temple.
Vágás van a halántékán.
I feel pain in my temple.
Fáj a halántékom.
She touched her temple gently.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'temple' (part of head) with 'temple' (religious building); context is key.
Meaning
Side of the head between eye and ear
Collocations
rub your temples
|pain in the temples
|press his temples
Synonyms
side of head (Less precise anatomical description.)
Themes
body
|anatomy
|health
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The soft part of your head between your eye and your ear.
The flat area on either side of the head between the forehead and the ear.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
3
The library is a true temple of knowledge.
A könyvtár a tudás igazi szentélye.
For him, the theater was a temple where stories came alive.
Számára a színház szentély volt, ahol a történetek életre keltek.
The museum stood like a temple to human creativity.
Learner examples
The school is like a temple of learning.
Az iskola olyan, mint a tanulás szentélye.
This stadium is a temple for football fans.
Ez a stadion a futballrajongók szentélye.
Meaning
Place revered for an activity or ideal
Collocations
temple of art
|temple of learning
Synonyms
sanctuary (Carries similar connotations of safety and reverence, but more often literal.)
Themes
metaphor
|culture
|arts_entertainment
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A place that people respect greatly because it is important for a special activity or idea.
A place regarded as dedicated to or embodying a particular activity, pursuit, or ideal, often used metaphorically.
Grammar
Dictionary form
temple
IPA
GB/tˈɛmpəl/
US/tˈɛmpəl/
Syllables & stress
temple (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (temple)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: temple
- Plural: temples
Word family
Forms
temples
noun
Related words
shrine
noun B2
Expressions
temple of doom
1/tˈɛmpəl əv dˈum/
fixed phrase
Dangerous or deadly place
A place that is very dangerous and could cause harm or death.
Examples
- Entering that abandoned mine felt like walking into a temple of doom.
- The old factory, with its collapsing roof, was a real temple of doom.
temple of knowledge
1/tˈɛmpəl əv nˈɑlɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
literary
Building revered for learning
A place that people respect because it is important for learning and education.
Examples
- The university was considered a temple of knowledge.
- He treated the library as his personal temple of knowledge.