undergo
gb/ˌʌndɚɡˈoʊ/ us/ˌʌndɚɡˈoʊ/
B2
English
~ 8300
átesik, aláveti magát, részt vesz, változáson megy keresztül, változik, átalakul
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to undergo [a process/treatment/test]
She had to undergo emergency surgery after the accident.
A baleset után sürgősségi műtéten kellett átesnie.
All new employees must undergo a three-month training program.
Minden új alkalmazottnak részt kell vennie egy három hónapos képzésen.
The drug is still undergoing clinical trials and is not yet on the market.
Before getting the job, applicants undergo a background check and several interviews.
The bridge will undergo safety testing before it is opened to the public.
Learner examples
He will undergo a medical test next week.
A jövő héten orvosi vizsgálaton fog átesni.
Many patients undergo treatment for several months.
Sok beteg több hónapon át kezelésben részesül.
New students must undergo a short language test.
The vaccine is still undergoing tests.
I am nervous because I will undergo an operation tomorrow.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"do a surgery"* or *"make a surgery"* instead of "have surgery" or "undergo surgery." They may also confuse the forms of the verb: the correct forms are *undergo – underwent – undergone*, not *undergoed* or *underwented*.
Meaning
experience a process or treatment
Collocations
undergo surgery
|undergo treatment
|undergo testing
|undergo training
|undergo a medical procedure
|undergo an evaluation
Synonyms
experience (More general and common; does not suggest difficulty or formality as strongly as "undergo.")
|
go through (Less formal, often spoken; can sound more emotional or personal than "undergo.")
|
endure (Adds a feeling of suffering or hardship more strongly than "undergo.")
Antonyms
avoid (Describes successfully keeping away from a process or treatment instead of being subjected to it.)
Themes
health
|work
|education
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To experience a process, test, or medical treatment, often something difficult or serious.
To experience or be subjected to a process, test, or treatment, especially something serious, difficult, or medical.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to undergo [change/transformation/development]
The company has undergone major changes in the last five years.
A vállalat az elmúlt öt évben jelentős változásokon ment keresztül.
Many cities are undergoing rapid growth due to migration from rural areas.
Sok város gyors növekedésen megy keresztül a vidékről odaköltözők miatt.
Her attitude has undergone a complete transformation since she became a parent.
The education system is undergoing a significant reform.
The old factory will undergo modernization to meet new environmental standards.
Learner examples
The town is undergoing fast change.
A kisváros gyorsan változik.
Our company is undergoing a big transformation.
Cégünk nagy átalakuláson megy keresztül.
The school is undergoing repair and improvement this year.
His views have undergone a slow change over time.
The system is undergoing major updates now.
Common mistake:
Learners may use "be" instead of a verb of change, saying *"The company is different"* when they want to talk about the process. Using "undergo" highlights the change over time, as in "The company has undergone changes." Also, some learners try *"pass a change"* or *"support a change"* where "undergo a change" is standard.
Meaning
go through a change
Collocations
undergo major changes
|undergo a transformation
|undergo rapid growth
|undergo modernization
|undergo restructuring
|undergo a shift
Synonyms
go through (Very common and less formal; used in both spoken and written English for changes over time.)
|
experience (General verb; does not emphasize the process of change as clearly as "undergo.")
|
transform (Stronger; focuses on the result of becoming very different, not just the process.)
Antonyms
remain unchanged (Direct opposite idea: to stay the same instead of experiencing change.)
Themes
society
|business
|science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To go through a change or big difference over time.
To experience or be affected by a change, development, or transformation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
undergo
IPA
GB/ˌʌndɚɡˈoʊ/
US/ˌʌndɚɡˈoʊ/
Syllables & stress
un - der - go (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (der)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: undergo
- 3rd Person Singular: under goes, under-goes, undergoes
- Present Participle: under going, under-going, undergoing
- Past: under went, under-went, underwent
- Past Participle: under gone, under-gone, undergone
Word family
Forms
under goes
verb
under-goes
verb
undergoes
verb
under going
verb
under-going
verb
undergoing
verb
under went
verb
under-went
verb
Highlights
- Irregular past: under went, under-went, underwent Verb
- Irregular past participle: under gone, under-gone, undergone Verb
Expressions
undergo changes
1/ˌʌndɚɡˈoʊ t͡ʃˈeɪnd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
experience changes over time
To slowly or clearly change in one or more ways.
Examples
- The climate is undergoing significant changes.
- The company is undergoing changes to improve customer service.
undergo treatment
1/ˌʌndɚɡˈoʊ tɹˈitmənt/
fixed phrase
receive medical treatment
To receive medical care over a period of time to help with an illness or condition.
Examples
- She is undergoing treatment for cancer at a specialist hospital.
- Patients must undergo treatment for several weeks before they see results.
undergo a transformation
1/ˌʌndɚɡˈoʊ ə tɹˌænsfɚmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
go through a big change
To change in a big and clear way, so that something or someone becomes very different from before.
Examples
- Over the years, the neighborhood has undergone a complete transformation.
- The area has undergone a transformation and is now full of cafes and galleries.
- After her training, she underwent a transformation and became much more confident.
- Her career underwent a transformation after she moved abroad.
- The company has undergone a transformation since the new CEO arrived.
undergo surgery
1/ˌʌndɚɡˈoʊ sˈɚd͡ʒɚi/
fixed phrase
have a surgical operation
To have a medical operation where a doctor cuts the body to treat a problem.
Examples
- He will undergo surgery on his back tomorrow.
- He had to undergo surgery after breaking his leg.
- She underwent surgery after the accident.
- Many heart patients undergo surgery to improve blood flow.