anchor
gb/ˈæŋkɚ/ us/ˈæŋkɚ/
A2
English
~ 6900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
heavy device holding a boat
A heavy metal object on a rope or chain that you drop into the water to stop a boat from moving.
Usage pattern:
the anchor of [a boat/ship]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'anchor' with 'buoy'. A 'buoy' is a floating marker on the surface of the water, while an 'anchor' is a heavy object that sinks and holds the boat still.
Synonyms
mooring (Usually refers to the place or system used to tie up a boat, not specifically the heavy metal device itself.)
Antonyms
engine (An engine makes a boat move, while an anchor is used to stop a boat from moving.)
Collocations
drop anchor
|weigh anchor
|at anchor
|ship's anchor
|anchor chain
|anchor rope
Themes
travel
|nature
|technology
|transportation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The storm was so strong that the ship's anchor began to drag along the seabed.
- They dropped the anchor a few hundred meters from the beach and jumped into the clear water.
- The fishing boat remained steady all night thanks to a heavy anchor.
- Divers found an old iron anchor covered in coral on the ocean floor.
- Before we went to sleep, the captain checked that the anchor was holding firmly.
Learner examples
- The boat has a big metal anchor at the front.
- We drop the anchor when we want to stop the boat.
- The ship stayed in one place because the anchor was in the water.
- They pulled up the anchor and started to move again.
- He cleaned the anchor before putting it back on the boat.
Verb
B1
action
2
fix a boat with an anchor
To stop a boat or ship from moving by putting its anchor in the water.
Usage pattern:
to anchor [a boat/ship] [off a place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"park the boat"* instead of *"anchor the boat"*. Use *"anchor"* when you stop a boat using an anchor, and *"moor"* or *"tie up"* when you attach it to a dock.
Synonyms
moor (Very similar, but 'moor' can also mean to tie a boat to a fixed object like a dock, not only to use an anchor.)
Antonyms
set sail (To leave a place by boat, starting to move, which is the opposite of anchoring and staying still.)
Collocations
anchor the boat
|anchor offshore
|anchor near the coast
|safely anchored
|anchored overnight
|anchor in the bay
Themes
travel
|daily_life
|nature
|transportation
Examples
- We decided to anchor the yacht just outside the harbor for the night.
- Several fishing boats were anchored close together near the rocks.
- The captain anchored the ship a safe distance from the shore.
- They anchored in a quiet bay and went swimming.
- We anchored about fifty meters from the pier to avoid the shallow water.
Learner examples
- They anchor the boat near the beach.
- The ship is anchored in the bay.
- We will anchor here and sleep on the boat.
- He carefully anchors the small boat before he jumps into the water.
- Many boats are anchored close to the island.
Noun
B2
entity
3
person or thing giving stability
Someone or something that makes you feel safe and stable in your life.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is an anchor for [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes overuse 'support' and forget that 'anchor' is more specific. Use 'anchor' when you want to stress that something keeps you steady and safe, not just that it helps you.
Synonyms
support (A general word for help or strength; 'anchor' emphasizes stability and the feeling of being held firmly and safely.)
Antonyms
instability (While an anchor gives stability and security, instability is the lack of these things.)
Collocations
emotional anchor
|an anchor in my life
|anchor of the family
|anchor for the team
|a strong anchor
|anchor in difficult times
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After his father died, his grandmother became the emotional anchor of the family.
- Her daily routine is an anchor that helps her manage her anxiety.
- The local school is an anchor for the whole community.
- In tough times, close friends can be a powerful anchor.
- His faith acted as an anchor during the long months of treatment.
Learner examples
- My wife is an anchor in my life.
- For many people, family is an anchor.
- This job is my anchor when I feel stressed.
- Good friends can be an anchor when you have problems.
- Exercise is an anchor that helps me stay calm.
Noun
B1
entity
4
main TV or radio news presenter
The main person who reads and presents the news on TV or radio.
Usage pattern:
the anchor of [a news program/show]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"news reader"* or *"news speaker"*. While understandable, the common term in modern English, especially in American English, is *"news anchor"* or simply *"anchor"*.
Synonyms
presenter (A more general word for someone who hosts a TV or radio show; 'anchor' usually refers specifically to a news presenter.)
Antonyms
correspondent (A correspondent usually reports from the field, not from the studio as the main presenter, so their role contrasts with that of an anchor.)
Collocations
news anchor
|anchor desk
|evening anchor
|anchor of the show
|studio anchor
|anchor team
Themes
media
|work
|communication
Examples
- The network's top news anchor is leaving after twenty years on air.
- She works as the morning anchor for a local television station.
- During the breaking news, the anchor stayed calm and professional.
- Viewers trust the anchor to explain complex political stories.
- The anchor introduced a live report from the scene of the earthquake.
Learner examples
- He is a famous news anchor.
- The anchor reads the news every night at six.
- She became the main anchor of the show last year.
- The anchor asked the reporter a question.
- I watch the same anchor every morning on TV.
Verb
B2
action
5
present a TV or radio program
To be the main person who presents a TV or radio show, especially a news show.
Usage pattern:
to anchor [a program/show/broadcast]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"drive the news"* or *"speak the news"*. Use *"anchor the news"* or *"host the news"* for the main presenter, and *"read the news"* for the action of reading the stories.
Synonyms
host (A general word for leading a show; 'anchor' is more specific to news programs and implies more responsibility for the whole broadcast.)
Antonyms
watch (An anchor presents the show; viewers simply watch it, which is the opposite role.)
Collocations
anchor the evening news
|anchor the broadcast
|anchored by [name]
|anchor the program
|anchor live coverage
|anchor the morning show
Themes
media
|work
|communication
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She currently anchors the network's flagship evening news program.
- The show was anchored by a well-known journalist during the election.
- He has anchored sports broadcasts for over a decade.
- They asked her to anchor the live coverage of the ceremony.
- A guest will anchor the program while the regular host is on vacation.
Learner examples
- She will anchor the news tonight.
- He often anchors special live shows.
- The show is anchored by two people.
- A famous reporter will anchor the program today.
- He started to anchor the morning news last year.
Verb
C1
action
6
fix or base something firmly
To keep something in a firm position, or to base an idea or plan strongly on something so it is stable.
Usage pattern:
to anchor [something] in/to/on [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix the prepositions and say *"anchored on"* when they mean *"anchored in"* (for ideas and beliefs). Use *"anchored in"* for mental or social bases (anchored in tradition, reality) and *"anchored to"* for physical attachment (anchored to the wall).
Synonyms
root (To 'root' something in something gives it a strong base; 'anchor' adds a sense of preventing movement or change.)
Antonyms
loosen (If you loosen something, you make it less fixed or secure; this is the opposite of anchoring it firmly.)
Collocations
anchored in reality
|anchored in tradition
|firmly anchored
|anchor expectations
|anchored to the ground
|anchor the structure
Themes
work
|thought
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Good policies should be anchored in solid evidence, not just opinion.
- The new regulations are anchored in the lessons learned from past accidents.
- The sculpture was anchored to the floor with steel bolts.
- Their identity is deeply anchored in local culture and traditions.
- The campaign aims to anchor people's expectations of prices at a realistic level.
Learner examples
- The building is anchored to the ground with strong metal bars.
- Her ideas are anchored in real experience.
- We need to anchor this plan in facts, not feelings.
- The table is anchored to the wall so it does not move.
- His life is anchored in his family and his work.
Noun
B2
entity
7
key or last member of a team
In sports, the most important player, often the last runner in a race or the player who gives the team strength and stability.
Usage pattern:
the anchor of [a team/relay]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think 'anchor' in sports only means 'captain'. The captain is the official leader, but the anchor is the player who gives the team strong support or finishes a relay, and they are not always the same person.
Synonyms
leader (A general term for someone in charge; 'anchor' emphasizes stability and closing strength, especially in relays.)
Antonyms
substitute (A substitute is usually a backup player, while the anchor is usually the team's strongest or most central player.)
Collocations
anchor of the team
|anchor leg
|relay anchor
|team anchor
|serve as anchor
|play anchor
Themes
sports
|work
Examples
- She ran the anchor leg for the 4x100 meter relay team.
- As the anchor of the team, he often plays in the most critical moments.
- The coach chose their most experienced swimmer as the relay anchor.
- He has been the defensive anchor of the club for ten years.
- Their star player serves as the emotional anchor of the squad.
Learner examples
- He is the anchor of the basketball team.
- She will run the anchor leg in the race.
- Our best swimmer is the relay anchor.
- The coach picked him as the team anchor.
- She is the anchor of the defense.
Grammar
Dictionary form
anchor
IPA
GB/ˈæŋkɚ/
US/ˈæŋkɚ/
Syllables & stress
an - chor (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (an)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: anchor
- Plural: anchors
Verb
- Base: anchor
- 3rd Person Singular: anchors
- Present Participle: anchoring
- Past: anchored
Word family
Forms
anchors
noun
anchoring
verb
anchored
verb
Related words
anchorage
noun B2
anchorperson
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unanchored
adjective
Expressions
an anchor around someone's neck
6/ən ˈæŋkɚ ɚˈaʊnd sˈʌmwˌʌnz nˈɛk/
idiom
a heavy limiting burden
A serious problem or responsibility that makes it hard for someone to move forward in life or feel free.
Examples
- The old building has become an anchor around the company's neck, costing more money every year.
- For many graduates, student debt feels like an anchor around their neck.
- He worries that caring for the farm will be an anchor around his neck, stopping him from traveling.
anchor point
3/ˈæŋkɚ pˈɔɪnt/
fixed phrase
technical
fixed secure attachment point
A strong fixed place where you attach something, for example a rope, cable, or safety line, so it will not move.
Examples
- Climbers must always check that their anchor points are secure before moving up.
- The safety harness clips onto an anchor point on the wall.
- We need to choose a stronger anchor point for the cables.
anchor store
4/ˈæŋkɚ stˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
main large store in a mall
The big main store in a shopping center that many people come to visit, which helps smaller stores get customers.
Examples
- The closure of the anchor store caused a big drop in traffic for the smaller shops.
- Developers hope a new anchor store will revive the struggling mall.
- Without a strong anchor store, it's hard for a shopping center to succeed.
anchor tenant
5/ˈæŋkɚ tˈɛnənt/
fixed phrase
technical
main long-term business tenant
The biggest or most important store or company that rents space in a shopping center or building, and helps bring many customers.
Examples
- A major supermarket will be the anchor tenant in the new shopping complex.
- Losing its anchor tenant left the mall with many empty shops.
- Developers are negotiating with a cinema chain to serve as an anchor tenant.
at anchor
2/ˈæt ˈæŋkɚ/
fixed phrase
held in place by anchor
Describes a boat or ship that is stopped and held in place by its anchor.
Examples
- Several yachts were lying at anchor just off the coast.
- The ship spent the night at anchor in the harbor.
- We could see a cruise ship at anchor in the distance.
drop anchor
1/dɹˈɑp ˈæŋkɚ/
fixed phrase
let a boat's anchor down
To put a boat's anchor into the water so the boat stops moving.
Examples
- We decided to drop anchor in a quiet bay and swim for an hour.
- The captain dropped anchor just outside the harbor to wait for permission to enter.
- As the sun set, dozens of small boats dropped anchor near the beach.
weigh anchor
1/wˈeɪ ˈæŋkɚ/
fixed phrase
literary
raise a boat's anchor
To lift a boat's anchor out of the water so the boat can start moving again.
Examples
- At first light, the crew weighed anchor and headed for open sea.
- The ship will weigh anchor at dawn and continue its journey.
- Once the storm passed, they weighed anchor and left the bay.
weigh anchor
2/wˈeɪ ˈæŋkɚ/
fixed phrase
raise a ship’s anchor
To lift the heavy metal anchor from the sea so the ship can start to move.
Examples
- They weighed anchor at sunrise and set sail for the islands.
- Once the fog lifted, the captain ordered the crew to weigh anchor.
- We will weigh anchor tomorrow if the weather improves.