tower
gb/tˈaʊɚ/ us/tˈaʊɚ/
A2
English
~ 2600
torony, magasodik, tornyosul
NOUN
A2
1
torony
A2
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
Az Eiffel-torony a világ egyik leghíresebb nevezetessége.
A bell rang out from the church tower.
Harangszó zendült fel a templomtoronyból.
The radio tower can be seen from miles away.
Tourists climbed the observation tower for a better view.
The castle had four tall towers at each corner.
Learner examples
The clock is in the tower.
Az óra a toronyban van.
We went up the tower to see the city.
Felmentünk a toronyba, hogy lássuk a várost.
The tower is very high.
There is a flag on top of the tower.
That old tower is made of stone.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tower' with 'building' in general; a tower is specifically tall and narrow.
Meaning
Tall vertical structure
Collocations
skyscraper tower
|bell tower
|observation tower
|clock tower
|radio tower
Synonyms
structure (A general term for any built object, not necessarily tall or narrow.)
|
spire (Usually refers to a pointed structure on top of a building, often decorative or religious.)
Antonyms
basement (An underground part of a building, opposite in vertical position to a tower.)
Themes
architecture
|city
|landmarks
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A tall, narrow building or part of a building that is higher than it is wide.
A tall, narrow building or part of a building that rises high above the ground, often used for specific purposes such as observation, communication, or defense.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] towers over [something]
The skyscraper towers over all the other buildings in the city.
A felhőkarcoló a város összes többi épülete fölé magasodik.
The mountain towers above the valley.
A hegy a völgy fölé magasodik.
He towers over his classmates in height.
Ancient redwoods tower over the forest floor.
The monument towers over the square.
Learner examples
That tree towers over the house.
Az a fa a ház fölé magasodik.
The new building towers over the park.
Az új épület a park fölé magasodik.
She towers over her friends.
The castle towers above the town.
The hill towers over the fields.
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'tower' as a noun when describing height comparison; as a verb it requires a subject and often 'over/above'.
Meaning
Be much taller than others
Collocations
tower over
|tower above
Synonyms
overlook (Can mean to be above and look down on something, but also has unrelated meanings like 'fail to notice'.)
|
dominate (Emphasizes control or strong presence rather than just height.)
Antonyms
dwarf (In this sense, means to make something look small by comparison.)
Themes
size
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be much taller than other things around.
To rise high above something or someone, appearing much taller in comparison.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tower
IPA
GB/tˈaʊɚ/
US/tˈaʊɚ/
Syllables & stress
tower (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tower)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tower
- Plural: towers
Verb
- Base: tower
- 3rd Person Singular: towers
- Present Participle: towering
- Past: towered
Word family
Forms
towers
noun
towering
verb
towered
verb
Related words
watchtower
noun
Expressions
tower of strength
1/tˈaʊɚ əv stɹˈɛŋθ/
idiom
Very supportive person
Someone who gives strong help and comfort in difficult times.
Examples
- She was a tower of strength for her family during the crisis.
- He proved to be a tower of strength when we needed him most.
tower over
1/tˈaʊɚ ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
Be much taller than surroundings
To be much taller than other things or people nearby.
Examples
- The cathedral towers over the small houses around it.
- He towers over his younger brother by almost a foot.
ivory tower
1/ˈaɪvɚi tˈaʊɚ/
idiom
Isolated from real life
A situation or place where people are separated from practical problems and everyday life, often used about academics or intellectuals.
Examples
- The professor was accused of living in an ivory tower, out of touch with reality.
- Some critics say the committee makes decisions from an ivory tower.
ivory tower
2/ˈaɪvɚi tˈaʊɚ/
idiom
detached academic or intellectual world
A place or situation where people, often academics or experts, are separated from normal life and real problems.
Examples
- Critics say the policy was designed in an ivory tower, with little understanding of ordinary people’s lives.
- She left her ivory tower and started working directly with local communities.
- The professor was accused of living in an ivory tower, far from the realities of business.