torch
gb/tˈɔɹt͡ʃ/ us/tˈɔɹt͡ʃ/
A2
English
~ 7100
zseblámpa, fáklya, forrasztólámpa, hegesztőpisztoly, lángvágó, felgyújt, keményen bírál, ízekre szed, lehúz, leszedi róla a keresztvizet, szétszed
NOUN
A2
1
zseblámpa
A2
Usage pattern:
to use a torch to [do something]
It's getting dark; grab your torch from the drawer.
Sötétedik; vedd elő a zseblámpát a fiókból.
The campers used a torch to find their tent after sunset.
A táborozók zseblámpával találtak rá a sátrukra naplemente után.
Shine your torch over here so I can see the map.
I always keep a torch in the car in case of emergencies.
My phone died, so I had to use a torch to get up the stairs.
Learner examples
He turns on his torch to see the road.
Bekapcsolja a zseblámpáját, hogy lássa az utat.
Please bring a torch; it is very dark outside.
Kérlek, hozz zseblámpát; nagyon sötét van odakint.
I have a small torch in my bag.
She uses a torch when the lights go off.
They walk through the forest with one torch.
Common mistake:
Learners often do not realize that 'torch' in British English usually means 'flashlight'. In American English, people normally say 'flashlight', and 'torch' is understood more as a stick with fire. Be careful to choose the right word depending on the variety of English you are using.
Meaning
hand-held electric light (BrE)
Collocations
electric torch
|pocket torch
|head torch
|LED torch
|torch battery
|torch beam
Synonyms
flashlight (Standard American English word for the same object; slightly less common in British English.)
Antonyms
darkness (Refers to the absence of light, which a torch is used to overcome.)
Themes
daily life
|home
|travel
|daily_life
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A small light that you hold in your hand and turn on to see in the dark. In American English this is called a flashlight.
A small, hand-held electric light powered by batteries, used especially in the dark or during power cuts. (British English; American English: flashlight)
NOUN
B1
2
fáklya
B1
Usage pattern:
to carry a torch through [a place]
Each runner held a flaming torch as they entered the stadium.
A stadionba belépve minden futó égő fáklyát tartott a kezében.
Villagers walked up the hill at night, lighting their way with torches.
A falusiak éjszaka felmentek a dombra, és fáklyákkal világították meg az utat.
The cave walls were lit only by a single torch.
Protesters marched through the streets carrying torches and banners.
The ceremony began when the priest touched his torch to the altar fire.
Learner examples
The man carries a torch in the dark cave.
A férfi fáklyát visz a sötét barlangban.
She lights the torch and holds it high.
Meggyújtja a fáklyát, és magasra tartja.
People walk in a line with burning torches.
The Olympic athlete runs with the torch.
They use a torch because there is no electricity.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this meaning with the British English meaning of an electric torch/flashlight. If you say 'He carried a torch through the forest', many listeners will imagine a burning stick, especially in stories or historical contexts.
Meaning
stick with a burning flame
Collocations
flaming torch
|burning torch
|Olympic torch
|torch procession
|torch bearer
|torch light
Synonyms
burning stick (A simple descriptive phrase rather than a standard lexical item; clearly describes the object but is less idiomatic.)
Antonyms
electric light (Contrasts a traditional open flame with a modern, powered source of light.)
Themes
history
|outdoors
|ceremony
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
|arts_entertainment
Definition
A long stick with fire at one end, which a person carries to give light.
A long stick with material at one end that is set on fire and carried to provide light, often used in ceremonies, protests, or in historical and fantasy settings.
NOUN
B2
TECHNICAL
3
Usage pattern:
to use a torch to [heat/cut/weld] [something]
The mechanic used a gas torch to loosen the rusted bolt.
A szerelő forrasztólámpával lazította meg a berozsdásodott csavart.
You need a welding torch if you want to repair that metal frame properly.
Hegesztőpisztolyra lesz szükséged, ha rendesen meg akarod javítani azt a fémkeretet.
He carefully adjusted the flame on the torch before starting to cut the pipe.
The chef briefly passed the torch over the sugar to caramelize the top of the dessert.
Always wear safety glasses when working with a cutting torch.
Learner examples
The worker uses a torch to cut the metal bar.
A munkás lángvágóval vágja el a fémrudat.
She heats the pipe with a small gas torch.
Egy kis forrasztólámpával melegíti a csövet.
He turns on the torch and a blue flame appears.
Be careful; this torch is very hot.
The man fixes the gate with a welding torch.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that this 'torch' is different from a normal light. It produces a very hot flame, not just light, and is used mainly in jobs like welding, plumbing, and cooking.
Meaning
tool that produces a hot flame
Collocations
welding torch
|blow torch
|gas torch
|cutting torch
|soldering torch
|propane torch
Synonyms
blowtorch (Refers to a specific type of high-heat torch; often interchangeable in everyday talk but more specific in technical contexts.)
Antonyms
cooling fan (A tool used to cool materials, performing the opposite temperature effect of a heating torch.)
Themes
technology
|work
|construction
|science
Definition
A tool you hold in your hand that makes a very hot flame, used to cut or join metal or to heat things.
A handheld device that produces a narrow, high-temperature flame, used for welding, cutting, soldering, or heating materials such as metal or pipes.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
4
felgyújt
B1
Usage pattern:
to torch [something]
The gang torched three cars parked outside the shop.
A banda felgyújtott három, az üzlet előtt parkoló autót.
Angry protesters torched the governor's office late last night.
A dühös tüntetők tegnap késő este felgyújtották a kormányzó hivatalát.
Someone had torched the warehouse to destroy the records.
They threatened to torch the place if they didn't get paid.
The insurance company suspected the owners had torched their own restaurant.
Learner examples
The man torched the old car and ran away.
A férfi felgyújtotta a régi autót, majd elfutott.
Rioters torched the building during the night.
A zavargók éjszaka felgyújtották az épületet.
Someone torched the shop to hide the crime.
The police ask who torched the house.
It is a serious crime to torch a school.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'torch' as a verb just means 'to light' something, but in modern informal English it almost always means to burn something badly or destroy it with fire, often as a crime.
Meaning
to set fire to deliberately
Collocations
torch a car
|torch a building
|torch the house
|torch the place
|torch the evidence
|rioters torched
Synonyms
burn down (Often used for buildings and structures; slightly more neutral and descriptive, while 'torch' can sound harsher or more criminal.)
Antonyms
extinguish (Means to put out a fire, which is the opposite of starting one.)
Themes
crime
|violence
|news
|law
|daily_life
Definition
To start a fire on purpose and burn a building, car, or other object.
To deliberately set fire to something, such as a building, vehicle, or business, usually in order to destroy it.
VERB
C1
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
to torch [a performance/idea/plan]
Reviewers absolutely torched the film on opening weekend.
A kritikusok a bemutató hétvégéjén teljesen ízekre szedték a filmet.
Fans torched the team's new logo on social media.
A szurkolók a közösségi médiában szétszedték a csapat új logóját.
The committee torched his proposal for being unrealistic and too expensive.
Commentators torched the government for its slow response.
Her latest novel was torched by critics but loved by readers.
Learner examples
Many people online torched the new game.
Sokan online szétszedték az új játékot.
The newspaper torched the show in its review.
Az újság a kritikájában kíméletlenül lehúzta a műsort.
Fans torched the coach after the bad match.
Experts torched the plan as too simple.
Readers torched his article on social media.
Common mistake:
Learners may not recognize this figurative meaning and may think it always involves real fire. In headlines or reviews, 'torch' usually means to criticize something very strongly, not to burn it.
Meaning
to severely criticize something
Collocations
critics torched
|torch a movie
|torch the proposal
|torch his performance
|online commenters torched
|torched in the press
Synonyms
slam (Informal word commonly used in headlines; similar strength of criticism, but does not carry the image of total destruction that 'torch' can suggest.)
Antonyms
praise (Means to say very good things about someone or something, the opposite of harsh criticism.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|media
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To say very strong, negative things about something, for example a film, book, or idea, usually in public.
To criticize something or someone very harshly, especially in public or in reviews, often suggesting complete rejection or disapproval.
Grammar
Dictionary form
torch
IPA
GB/tˈɔɹt͡ʃ/
US/tˈɔɹt͡ʃ/
Syllables & stress
torch (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (torch)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: torch
- Plural: torches
Word family
Forms
torches
noun
Core family
torchlight
noun
Related words
flashlight
noun
blowtorch
noun
Advanced or less common
torchbearer
noun
Expressions
carry a torch for [someone]
1/kˈɛɹi ə tˈɔɹt͡ʃ fɚ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
to love someone who does not love you
To continue to have strong romantic feelings for someone who does not feel the same way, often for a long time.
Examples
- He still carries a torch for his first girlfriend even after ten years.
- Everyone knew she carried a torch for her married boss.
- I don't think he's over her; he's clearly carrying a torch for her.
Olympic torch
1/oʊlˈɪmpɪk tˈɔɹt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
ceremonial flame of the Olympics
The special flame and the object that holds it, carried by runners in a relay before the Olympic Games open.
Examples
- Thousands of people lined the streets to see the Olympic torch pass through their city.
- She was chosen to carry the Olympic torch for part of the relay.
- The ceremony ended when the athlete used the Olympic torch to light the main cauldron.
pass the torch
1/pˈæs ðə tˈɔɹt͡ʃ/
idiom
to hand leadership to someone new
To give your job, role, or responsibility to another person, usually a younger or newer person, so they can continue the work.
Examples
- After thirty years as editor, she decided it was time to pass the torch.
- The founder is passing the torch to the next generation of leaders.
- He officially passed the torch to his assistant at the end of the ceremony.
torch song
1/tˈɔɹt͡ʃ sˈɔŋ/
fixed phrase
sad love song about unreturned love
A slow, emotional song about love, usually about losing someone or loving someone who does not love you back.
Examples
- She made her name singing smoky jazz torch songs in small clubs.
- The album ends with a beautiful torch song about heartbreak.
- They danced slowly to an old torch song playing on the radio.