threshold
gb/θɹˈɛʃˌoʊld/ us/θɹˈɛʃˌoʊld/
B2
English
~ 5900
küszöbérték, alsó határ, küszöb, ajtóküszöb, küszöböl, küszöbértéket alkalmaz
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
the threshold for [something]
His pain threshold is so high that he rarely takes medicine.
Olyan magas a fájdalomküszöbe, hogy ritkán vesz be gyógyszert.
The company will only hire candidates whose test scores pass a certain threshold.
A cég csak olyan jelölteket vesz fel, akiknek a teszteredménye elér egy bizonyos küszöbértéket.
Scientists believe the planet is approaching a dangerous temperature threshold.
There is an income threshold below which families pay no tax.
The alarm is set to go off when the noise level crosses a specific threshold.
Learner examples
My pain threshold is low, so I feel pain easily.
Alacsony a fájdalomküszöböm, ezért hamar fájdalmat érzek.
There is a minimum age threshold to enter the club.
A klubba való belépéshez van egy alsó korhatár.
If the sound goes over this threshold, the alarm will ring.
Her score was just below the threshold for a scholarship.
The doctor tested the threshold at which he could feel touch.
Common mistake:
Learners often use “limit” instead of “threshold” in all situations. “Limit” is very general, but “threshold” usually means the minimum point where something starts to happen or be noticed (for example, “income threshold,” “pain threshold”). Another common mistake is saying “in the threshold for” instead of “the threshold for” or “the threshold of.”
Meaning
minimum level that triggers change
Collocations
high threshold
|low threshold
|pain threshold
|temperature threshold
|income threshold
|voting threshold
Synonyms
limit (A very general word for a point that you cannot go past; it does not always suggest a starting point like “threshold” does.)
|
cutoff (Often used in technical or official contexts for a fixed point that separates two groups or states, similar to a threshold used as a dividing line.)
Antonyms
ceiling (Refers to a maximum allowed level, which contrasts with “threshold” as a minimum level at which something begins.)
Themes
science
|business
|daily life
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The smallest level, amount, or point where something starts to happen or to be noticed.
The point or minimum level at which something starts to happen, have an effect, or change in a noticeable way.
NOUN
B2
2
küszöb
A2
ajtóküszöb
B1
Usage pattern:
the threshold of [a room/building]
She paused on the threshold before entering the dark room.
Megállt a küszöbön, mielőtt belépett a sötét szobába.
Please wipe your shoes before you cross the threshold.
Kérlek, töröld meg a cipődet, mielőtt átléped a küszöböt.
He left his muddy boots just inside the threshold.
The old wooden threshold was worn smooth by years of use.
They decorated the threshold with flowers for the wedding.
Learner examples
He stood at the threshold of the house and knocked.
A ház küszöbénél állt, és kopogott.
She stepped over the threshold and went into the kitchen.
Átlépte a küszöböt, és bement a konyhába.
Please do not leave your bag on the threshold.
The cat waited on the threshold for someone to open the door.
Rainwater came in under the threshold during the storm.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse “threshold” with “doorstep.” A threshold is the strip at the bottom of the doorway that you step over; a doorstep is usually the outside step in front of the door. In many everyday situations people may not care about the difference, but in careful descriptions it matters.
Meaning
bottom part of a doorway
Collocations
front-door threshold
|door threshold
|step over the threshold
|stand on the threshold
Synonyms
doorstep (Often refers to the step just outside a door, not the actual strip at the bottom of the doorway, but in casual speech they can overlap.)
|
sill (More often used for “windowsill,” but “doorsill” can also refer to the same physical part as a threshold.)
Antonyms
interior (Refers to the inner part of a room or building, which contrasts with the entrance boundary marked by the threshold.)
Themes
home
|buildings
|housing
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The piece at the bottom of a door that you step over when you go into or out of a room or building.
The strip of wood, stone, or metal at the bottom of a doorway that you step over when you enter or leave a room or building.
NOUN
C1
3
küszöb
B2
Usage pattern:
on the threshold of [a new stage]
The country is on the threshold of major political change.
Az ország jelentős politikai változások küszöbén áll.
She felt she was standing on the threshold of a new life.
Úgy érezte, egy új élet küszöbén áll.
We are at the threshold of an exciting scientific revolution.
The project is on the threshold of success after years of work.
He saw graduation as the threshold of adulthood.
Learner examples
The team is on the threshold of winning the championship.
A csapat a bajnokság megnyerésének küszöbén áll.
She feels she is on the threshold of a big change in her life.
Úgy érzi, nagy változás küszöbén áll az életében.
Many people think we are on the threshold of a new age of technology.
He is on the threshold of his career after finishing university.
They are on the threshold of becoming parents.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say “in the threshold of a new life” instead of the fixed pattern “on the threshold of a new life.” Another mistake is to use “edge” in formal writing when “threshold” is more natural for positive or neutral new stages (for example, “on the threshold of a new era,” not usually “on the edge of a new era”).
Meaning
point before a new stage begins
Collocations
on the threshold of adulthood
|on the threshold of a new era
|on the threshold of success
|stand on the threshold
Synonyms
brink (Suggests being very close to something, often dramatic or dangerous; “threshold” is more neutral and can be positive or negative.)
|
verge (Means to be very close to something happening; “threshold” sounds slightly more formal and often suggests a new stage or era.)
Antonyms
end (The final part of a period or process, in contrast to “threshold,” which refers to the beginning of one.)
Themes
change
|time
|life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A point in time when you are just about to enter a new and important stage or period.
The point just before a new situation, period, or stage begins, especially an important one in life or history.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
to threshold [data/signal/image]
The software can automatically threshold the image to highlight the cells.
A szoftver automatikusan küszöbértéket tud alkalmazni a képen, hogy kiemelje a sejteket.
We thresholded the signal at 40 dB to remove background noise.
A jelet 40 dB-nél küszöböltük, hogy kiszűrjük a háttérzajt.
After you threshold the data, only values above the cutoff will be displayed.
You may need to manually threshold the image for better contrast.
Learner examples
The program can threshold the image for you.
A program el tudja végezni helyetted a kép küszöbölését.
They threshold the data to remove small values.
Küszöbérték alapján szűrik az adatokat, hogy eltávolítsák a kis értékeket.
You should threshold the signal at this level.
We thresholded the picture so that only bright areas are shown.
Common mistake:
This verb is rare outside technical contexts. Learners may incorrectly use it in general English (e.g., “We thresholded his anger”), which sounds wrong. In everyday English, use verbs like “limit,” “filter,” or “cut” instead.
Meaning
apply a cutoff to data/signal
Collocations
threshold the image
|threshold the signal
|automatically threshold
|manually threshold
Synonyms
clip (In audio, means cutting off parts of a signal above a level; similar idea but more specific to limiting peaks rather than general thresholding.)
Antonyms
leave unprocessed (Means not to apply any transformation or cutoff to the data, which contrasts with actively thresholding it.)
Themes
technology
|science
Definition
In technical fields, to change a signal or data by using a fixed value, so numbers above or below that value are treated in a special way.
(Specialized) To apply a fixed cutoff value to a signal, image, or data set so that values above or below that point are altered, separated, or removed.
Grammar
Dictionary form
threshold
IPA
GB/θɹˈɛʃˌoʊld/
US/θɹˈɛʃˌoʊld/
Syllables & stress
threshold (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (threshold)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: threshold
- Plural: thresholds
Verb
- Base: threshold
- 3rd Person Singular: thresholds
- Present Participle: thresholding
- Past: thresholded
Word family
Forms
thresholds
noun
thresholding
verb
thresholded
verb
Advanced or less common
subthreshold
adjective
Expressions
cross the threshold
1/kɹˈɔs ðə θɹˈɛʃˌoʊld/
fixed phrase
enter by stepping over doorway line
To enter a house or room by stepping over the line at the bottom of the doorway; sometimes also used figuratively for entering a new stage.
Examples
- She took a deep breath and crossed the threshold of her new home.
- The moment he crossed the threshold, the crowd began to cheer.
on the threshold of
1/ˈɔn ðə θɹˈɛʃˌoʊld əv/
fixed phrase
about to start a new stage
To be very close to starting a new and often important period, situation, or stage in life or history.
Examples
- The company is on the threshold of major expansion.
- We are on the threshold of discovering a cure for the disease.