wing
gb/wˈɪŋ/ us/wˈɪŋ/
A2
English
~ 1900
szárny, épületszárny, szél, takarás, irányzat, rögtönöz, improvizál, menet közben talál ki valamit
NOUN
A2
1
szárny
A2
Usage pattern:
[bird/animal] spreads its wings
The eagle spread its wings and soared into the sky.
A sas kitárta a szárnyait, és felszállt az égbe.
A butterfly's wings are covered in tiny scales.
A pillangó szárnyait apró pikkelyek borítják.
The injured gull had a broken wing.
Bats have wings made of skin, not feathers.
Learner examples
The bird opened its wings.
A madár kitárta a szárnyait.
A bee has four wings.
A méhnek négy szárnya van.
I saw a bat with large wings.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'wing' with 'arm' when talking about birds.
Meaning
Feathered limb for flying
Collocations
flap wings
|spread wings
|broken wing
|wing span
|fold wings
Synonyms
flipper (Used for aquatic animals like penguins; not for flying)
Antonyms
fin (A limb-like structure for swimming, not flying)
Themes
animals
|nature
|biology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A part of a bird or insect that helps it fly.
One of the paired feathered limbs that birds and some insects use to fly.
NOUN
B1
2
épületszárny
B2
szárny
B1
Usage pattern:
the [north/east/etc.] wing of [building]
The new hospital wing will open next month.
Az új kórházi szárny a jövő hónapban nyílik meg.
Guests stayed in the east wing of the hotel.
A vendégek a szálloda keleti szárnyában szálltak meg.
The museum's west wing is under renovation.
Learner examples
The library has a new wing.
A könyvtárnak új szárnya van.
Our room is in the east wing.
A szobánk a keleti szárnyban van.
They built a new wing for offices.
Meaning
Part of a building
Collocations
east wing
|west wing
|hospital wing
|new wing
Synonyms
annex (Separate or additional building space)
Antonyms
core (The central part of a building)
Themes
architecture
|places
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A part of a building that sticks out from the main part.
A part of a building that extends from the main central section.
NOUN
B1
3
Usage pattern:
play on the [left/right] wing
He plays on the right wing in the soccer team.
A focicsapatban a jobb szélen játszik.
The actor waited in the wings before stepping on stage.
A színész a takarásban várakozott, mielőtt színpadra lépett.
The winger passed the ball to the striker.
Learner examples
She plays on the left wing.
A bal szélen játszik.
The actor stood in the wings.
A színész a takarásban állt.
He is a winger on the team.
Meaning
Side position or area
Collocations
left wing
|right wing
|on the wing
Synonyms
flank (Used in sports to mean side position)
Antonyms
center (The middle position)
Themes
sports
|performing arts
|arts_entertainment
|space
Definition
A place at the side of a field, stage, or other area.
A position or area located at either side of a playing field, stage, or other space.
NOUN
B2
4
Usage pattern:
the [left/right] wing of [organization]
The left wing of the party supports higher taxes on the wealthy.
A párt baloldali szárnya támogatja, hogy a gazdagokat magasabb adó terhelje.
The hard-right wing gained more influence this year.
A keményvonalas jobboldali szárny idén nagyobb befolyásra tett szert.
She belongs to the moderate wing of the movement.
Learner examples
He is part of the left wing.
A baloldali szárnyhoz tartozik.
The right wing won more seats.
A jobboldali szárny több mandátumot szerzett.
She leads the moderate wing.
Meaning
Faction within an organization
Collocations
left wing
|right wing
|moderate wing
Synonyms
faction (Any subgroup with differing views)
Antonyms
mainstream (The dominant or central group)
Themes
politics
|society
|business
Definition
A group inside an organization or party with special ideas.
A group within an organization, especially a political party, that has particular views or purposes.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
wing it to [somewhere] / wing [something]
We didn't have a map, so we just winged it to the festival.
Nem volt térképünk, úgyhogy csak találomra mentünk a fesztiválra.
I forgot my notes, so I had to wing my speech.
Otthon felejtettem a jegyzeteimet, ezért rögtönöznöm kellett a beszédemet.
He decided to wing it and hope for the best.
Learner examples
I did not study, so I will wing it.
Nem tanultam, úgyhogy majd rögtönzök.
We will just wing it today.
Ma majd csak rögtönzünk.
He forgot his lines but he winged it.
Meaning
Go quickly without preparation
Collocations
wing it
Synonyms
improvise (General term for doing something without preparation)
Antonyms
plan (To prepare in advance)
Themes
travel
|daily life
|daily_life
Definition
To go somewhere fast without making plans first, or to do something without planning it.
To move or travel rapidly without prior preparation; to improvise during movement or performance.
Grammar
Dictionary form
wing
IPA
GB/wˈɪŋ/
US/wˈɪŋ/
Syllables & stress
wing (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (wing)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: wing
- Plural: wings
Verb
- Base: wing
- 3rd Person Singular: wings
- Present Participle: winging
- Past: winged
Word family
Forms
wings
noun
winging
verb
winged
verb
Related words
winger
noun
wingspan
noun
wingtip
noun
Negative and opposite forms
wingless
adjective
Advanced or less common
winglet
noun
Expressions
clip someone's wings
1/klˈɪp sˈʌmwˌʌnz wˈɪŋz/
idiom
Limit someone's freedom or power
To take away someone's ability to do what they want.
Examples
- New rules clipped the company's wings.
- His parents clipped his wings by setting strict rules.
in the wings
1/ˈɪn ðə wˈɪŋz/
fixed phrase
Waiting at side stage
Standing at the side of a stage, ready to perform or take part.
Examples
- The dancers waited in the wings for their cue.
- He stood in the wings, watching nervously.
on the wing
1/ˈɔn ðə wˈɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Flying in motion
Flying through the air, usually about birds or insects.
Examples
- We saw swallows on the wing above the lake.
- Geese on the wing form a V-shape.
take someone under your wing
1/tˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌn ˈʌndɚ jˈʊɹ wˈɪŋ/
idiom
Protect and guide someone new
To help and teach someone who is new or less experienced.
Examples
- She took the new employee under her wing and showed him around.
- He took his younger cousin under his wing.
spread your wings
1/spɹˈɛd jˈʊɹ wˈɪŋz/
idiom
start doing new independent activities
To begin doing new and different things by yourself with confidence.
Examples
- After college, he decided to spread his wings and move abroad.
- It’s time for you to spread your wings and explore new opportunities.
spread your wings
2/spɹˈɛd jˈʊɹ wˈɪŋz/
idiom
Become independent and confident
To try new things and live more freely and independently.
Examples
- After college, she spread her wings and moved abroad.
- It's time for you to spread your wings and explore.