conduct
gb/kˈɑndʌkt/ us/kˈɑndʌkt/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
A person's behavior or actions
The way someone acts in a place or situation.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s conduct
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'conduct' (noun) with 'to conduct' (verb) and use them interchangeably, which is incorrect.
Synonyms
behavior (More common in everyday speech; 'conduct' is slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
misconduct (Refers to unacceptable or improper behavior, often in a professional context.)
Collocations
professional conduct
|code of conduct
|improper conduct
|conduct unbecoming
|good conduct
Themes
social
|ethics
|law
|daily_life
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her conduct during the meeting impressed everyone.
- The soldier received a medal for his exemplary conduct.
- Poor conduct in class will not be tolerated.
- The company has a strict code of conduct.
- His conduct was beyond reproach.
Learner examples
- Her conduct at school is good.
- The teacher spoke about good conduct.
- We must follow the code of conduct.
- Bad conduct can cause problems.
- He was praised for his conduct.
Verb
B2
action
2
To organize and lead something
To plan and control an activity or event.
Usage pattern:
to conduct [an activity/event]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'conduct' with 'lead' when referring to people, but 'conduct' focuses on the activity itself rather than the people involved.
Synonyms
carry out (More informal and common in everyday speech; 'conduct' is more formal.)
Antonyms
abandon (To stop or give up on an activity before it is finished.)
Collocations
conduct research
|conduct a survey
|conduct negotiations
|conduct an interview
Themes
business
|education
|research
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The scientists conducted experiments to test the theory.
- They are conducting a survey on consumer habits.
- The police will conduct an investigation into the crime.
- She conducted training sessions for new employees.
- We will conduct interviews next week.
Learner examples
- The teacher will conduct the test.
- They will conduct a meeting tomorrow.
- The police will conduct an investigation.
- He conducted a survey about food.
- We will conduct interviews today.
Verb
B1
action
3
To lead people somewhere
To take someone to a place while going with them.
Usage pattern:
to conduct [someone] [somewhere]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'conduct' with 'drive' when talking about transport, but 'conduct' means guiding on foot or within a location, not operating a vehicle.
Synonyms
escort ('Escort' often implies protection or formality; 'conduct' is more neutral.)
Antonyms
abandon (To leave someone without guidance or support.)
Collocations
conduct a tour
|conduct guests to their seats
Themes
travel
|tourism
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The usher conducted us to our seats.
- She conducted the visitors through the museum.
- The guide conducted the group along the trail.
- Security staff conducted the VIPs out of the building.
Learner examples
- He conducted us to the door.
- The guide conducted tourists around the city.
- She conducted them to their seats.
- They conducted the guests to the hall.
Verb
B2
action
4
To lead musical performers
To lead musicians while they play music, usually with your hands or a stick.
Usage pattern:
to conduct [a band/orchestra/choir]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'conduct' here with 'perform'. Conducting means leading musicians, not playing an instrument yourself.
Synonyms
lead ('Lead' is broader and less specific; 'conduct' refers specifically to directing music.)
Antonyms
follow (In music, to play under another's direction rather than lead.)
Collocations
conduct an orchestra
|conduct a choir
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has conducted many famous orchestras.
- He conducted the choir during the concert.
- The maestro conducted with great passion.
- He has been conducting for over twenty years.
Learner examples
- She will conduct the orchestra tonight.
- He conducts the choir every Sunday.
- The teacher conducted the school band.
- He is conducting a concert now.
Verb
technical
B2
property
5
To transmit heat or electricity
When heat or electricity can move through something.
Usage pattern:
to conduct [heat/electricity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'conduct' with 'produce'; conducting means allowing energy to pass, not creating it.
Synonyms
transmit ('Transmit' is broader; 'conduct' is used for physical energy passing through materials.)
Antonyms
insulate (To prevent heat or electricity from passing through.)
Collocations
conduct heat
|conduct electricity
Themes
science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Copper conducts electricity very well.
- Metal conducts heat better than wood.
- Water can conduct electricity if it contains minerals.
Learner examples
- Metal conducts heat well.
- Copper conducts electricity easily.
- Wood does not conduct heat much.
Grammar
Dictionary form
conduct
IPA
GB/kˈɑndʌkt/
US/kˈɑndʌkt/
Syllables & stress
con - duct (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (con)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: conduct
- Plural: conduct
Verb
- Base: conduct
- 3rd Person Singular: conducts
- Present Participle: conducting
- Past: conducted
Word family
Forms
conducts
verb
conducting
verb
conducted
verb
Core family
conductor
noun B1
Related words
conduction
noun
conductive
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
misconduct
noun B2
Advanced or less common
conductivity
noun
nonconductive
adjective
Expressions
conduct oneself
1/kəndˈʌkt wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
formal
Behave in a particular way
To behave in a certain way, especially politely or properly.
Examples
- He conducted himself well during the interview.
- Guests are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times.
code of conduct
1/kˈoʊd əv kˈɑndʌkt/
fixed phrase
rules for acceptable behavior
A set of rules about how people should behave in a group or organization.
Examples
- Every employee must follow the company's code of conduct.
- All employees must follow the company's code of conduct.
- The sports club has a strict code of conduct for members.
- The school has a strict code of conduct for students.