yeast
gb/jˈist/ us/jˈist/
A2
English
~ 8900
élesztő, gombás fertőzés, Candida-fertőzés, élesztőgomba, katalizátor, hajtóerő, kovász
NOUN
A2
1
élesztő
A2
Usage pattern:
add [yeast] to [mixture]
Stir the warm water and sugar together, then sprinkle the yeast on top.
Keverd össze a langyos vizet és a cukrot, majd szórd a tetejére az élesztőt.
If the yeast is too old, the bread will not rise properly.
Ha túl régi az élesztő, a kenyér nem kel meg rendesen.
Many home bakers prefer instant yeast because it does not need to be dissolved first.
The recipe calls for one packet of active dry yeast for two loaves of bread.
Yeast is also used to ferment the sugar in grape juice when making wine.
Learner examples
I bought some yeast to make bread at home.
Vettem élesztőt, hogy otthon kenyeret süssek.
Put the yeast in warm water and wait a few minutes.
Tedd az élesztőt langyos vízbe, és várj néhány percet.
The dough did not rise because the yeast was dead.
You need yeast to make this pizza dough soft and light.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse yeast with baking powder or baking soda. Yeast is a living organism that needs warmth and time, while baking powder and baking soda are chemical powders that react quickly. Yeast is usually uncountable in this sense: say "some yeast" or "a packet of yeast", not "a yeast".
Meaning
substance that makes dough rise
Collocations
add yeast
|active dry yeast
|instant yeast
|yeast dough
|yeast mixture
|yeast bread
Synonyms
leavening agent (More technical; any substance that makes dough rise, not only yeast.)
|
leaven (Somewhat formal or old-fashioned; can refer to yeast or other rising agents.)
Antonyms
unleavened (Describes bread or dough made without yeast or any rising agent.)
Themes
food
|cooking
|science
|food_drink
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A living substance used in bread, beer, and other foods to change sugar into gas and alcohol so that dough rises and drinks ferment.
A living, microscopic substance used in baking and brewing that turns sugars into gas and alcohol, making dough rise and liquids ferment.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a yeast infection in [a body part]
She went to the doctor because she thought she had a yeast infection.
Elment orvoshoz, mert azt gondolta, hogy gombás fertőzése van.
Antibiotics can sometimes lead to yeast overgrowth in the body.
Az antibiotikumok néha az élesztőgombák túlzott elszaporodásához vezethetnek a szervezetben.
Under the microscope, the lab technician counted the yeast cells in the sample.
Certain creams are used to kill yeast on the skin.
The study examined how this drug affects yeast and other fungi in the gut.
Learner examples
My doctor said I have a yeast infection.
Az orvosom azt mondta, hogy gombás fertőzésem van.
This cream helps to stop the yeast from growing.
Ez a krém segít megakadályozni, hogy a gomba tovább szaporodjon.
The test showed a high level of yeast in his mouth.
Too much yeast on the skin can make it red and itchy.
Common mistake:
Learners may think yeast only refers to the baking ingredient and not realize it also names the fungus that can cause infections. In health contexts, "yeast" almost always means the organism on or in the body, especially in the fixed phrase "yeast infection."
Meaning
fungus that can cause infection
Collocations
yeast infection
|yeast overgrowth
|yeast cells
|kill yeast
|treat a yeast infection
Synonyms
fungus (More general; includes yeasts, molds, and other related organisms.)
|
Candida (More specific medical term; refers to a common type of yeast that causes many yeast infections.)
Themes
health
|medicine
|science
|body
Definition
A tiny living fungus on or in the body that can grow too much and cause health problems, often called a yeast infection.
A single-celled fungus that lives on skin and inside the body, and can grow too much and cause infections, especially on moist body surfaces.
NOUN
C1
LITERARY
3
Usage pattern:
the yeast of [abstract noun]
Her radical ideas were the yeast of social change in the small town.
Radikális eszméi a társadalmi változás kovászát jelentették a kisvárosban.
Student protests provided the yeast of political reform in the country.
A diáktüntetések az ország politikai reformjának katalizátorává váltak.
New technology often acts as the yeast of innovation in traditional industries.
Learner examples
Young people can be the yeast of change in a society.
A fiatalok a változás katalizátorai lehetnek egy társadalomban.
The new manager became the yeast of many important changes.
Az új vezető sok fontos változás katalizátorává vált.
Social media was the yeast of the protest movement.
Common mistake:
This meaning is rare and mainly literary. Learners sometimes take it literally and think it refers to baking even when it clearly describes social or political change; in such contexts, it is a metaphor for a strong, growing influence.
Meaning
thing that strongly stimulates change
Collocations
the yeast of change
|the yeast of revolution
|the yeast of reform
Synonyms
catalyst (More common and neutral word for something that causes or speeds up change.)
|
spark (Figurative; suggests a small thing that starts a larger reaction.)
Antonyms
dampener (Something that reduces excitement or slows change, the opposite of a stimulating influence.)
Themes
society
|ideas
|metaphor
|communication
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that makes people or ideas more active, excited, or likely to change.
A person, idea, or force that strongly stimulates growth, energy, or change within a group, movement, or situation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
yeast
IPA
GB/jˈist/
US/jˈist/
Syllables & stress
yeast (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (yeast)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: yeast
- Plural: yeast, yeasts
Word family
Forms
yeasts
noun
Core family
yeasty
adjective
Related words
yeasted
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
yeastless
adjective
Advanced or less common
yeastiness
noun
Expressions
baker's yeast
1/bˈeɪkɚz jˈist/
fixed phrase
yeast used for baking bread
Yeast that is made and sold for baking bread and other baked foods.
Examples
- Most home bread recipes call for active dry baker's yeast.
- She substituted fresh baker's yeast for the instant yeast in the recipe.
brewer's yeast
1/bɹˈuɚz jˈist/
fixed phrase
technical
yeast used for brewing beer
Yeast that is used to make beer and sometimes other alcoholic drinks by turning sugar into alcohol.
Examples
- The brewery uses a special strain of brewer's yeast for its pale ale.
- Brewer's yeast is responsible for the flavor and alcohol content of the beer.
nutritional yeast
1/nutɹˈɪʃənəl jˈist/
fixed phrase
deactivated yeast eaten as food
Inactive yeast, usually in yellow flakes or powder, that people put on food or take as a vitamin supplement.
Examples
- Vegans often use nutritional yeast to give foods a cheesy flavor.
- She sprinkled nutritional yeast over her popcorn for extra protein.
yeast extract
1/jˈist ˈɛkstɹækt/
fixed phrase
technical
flavoring paste made from yeast
A thick, dark paste made from yeast that is used to add strong flavor to soups, sauces, and some foods like Marmite or Vegemite.
Examples
- The label lists yeast extract as one of the main flavorings.
- Some people enjoy spreading yeast extract on toast for a salty snack.
yeast infection
1/jˈist ɪnfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
infection caused by yeast fungus
An infection on or inside the body that happens when yeast grows too much, often in warm, moist areas such as the mouth or genitals.
Examples
- Many women get a yeast infection after taking antibiotics.
- If you think you have a yeast infection, you should see a doctor or pharmacist.