connector
gb/kənˈɛktɚ/ us/kənˈɛktɚ/
B2
English
~ 6000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
technical
B2
entity
1
device joining electrical cables
A small part, like a plug, that joins two electric wires or devices so electricity or data can move between them.
Usage pattern:
an [adjective] connector for [device]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes call the whole cable a "connector". The connector is only the part at the end of the cable that plugs in. They may also confuse "connector" with "adapter"; an adapter changes one type of connector to another.
Synonyms
plug (Often refers to the male part of an electrical connector that fits into a socket or port.)
Antonyms
insulator (An insulator keeps electrical parts apart, while a connector joins them so electricity or signals can pass.)
Collocations
electrical connector
|USB connector
|cable connector
|power connector
|multi-pin connector
|plug-in connector
Themes
technology
|engineering
|electronics
Examples
- Make sure the power connector is fully inserted before you turn on the computer.
- This cable has a USB-C connector on one end and a HDMI connector on the other.
- A bent pin in the connector can stop the whole device from working.
- The technician replaced the damaged connector instead of changing the entire cable.
- Most smartphones now use the same type of connector for charging and data transfer.
Learner examples
- The cable connector is broken, so my phone cannot charge.
- Please check that the connector is in the right port.
- This computer uses a different connector for the screen.
- I bought an adapter because my laptop has another type of connector.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
piece joining physical parts
A small part that joins two pipes, hoses, or other hard things so they stay together and work as one.
Usage pattern:
a connector between [two parts]
Common mistake:
Learners may call every small part a "connector" even if it only supports or covers something. A connector must join two parts into one working unit.
Synonyms
coupling (A more specialized engineering term for a device that joins two lengths of pipe or shaft.)
Antonyms
end cap (An end cap closes the end of a pipe, while a connector joins it to something else.)
Collocations
hose connector
|pipe connector
|quick connector
|plastic connector
|metal connector
|angle connector
Themes
engineering
|daily life
|construction
|work
Examples
- You’ll need a hose connector if you want to attach the garden hose to the sprinkler.
- The plumber replaced the old pipe connector to stop the leak.
- Use a right-angle connector here so the cable can turn the corner safely.
- This kit includes all the screws and plastic connectors you need for assembly.
- The metal connectors hold the wooden beams together in the roof.
Learner examples
- I bought a connector to join two garden hoses.
- The pipe connector is loose and water is coming out.
- We used a plastic connector to fix the broken tube.
- The table legs are held by small metal connectors.
Noun
B2
entity
3
person who links people
A person who knows many people and likes to introduce them so they can meet and work or be friends together.
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] connector of [people/groups]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse "connector" with "connection". A connection is the relationship; a connector is the person who creates that relationship between others.
Synonyms
networker (Focuses on building professional contacts, while "connector" highlights joining other people together.)
Antonyms
loner (A loner avoids many social contacts, while a connector actively creates them for others.)
Collocations
natural connector
|real connector
|great connector
|social connector
|community connector
|act as a connector
Themes
social
|business
|communication
|relationships
Examples
- She’s a natural connector who loves introducing people who might work well together.
- In our industry, being a good connector is just as important as having technical skills.
- He acted as a connector between the local community and the new company.
- Connectors often remember small details about people and use them to build strong relationships.
- The conference organizer turned out to be a powerful connector in the startup world.
Learner examples
- My boss is a connector and knows many people in the city.
- She is a connector who likes to help people meet each other.
- He is not shy; he is a connector in our office.
- Good connectors can help you find a new job.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
4
word linking clauses or ideas
A word or short phrase, like "because" or "however", that joins two sentences or ideas and shows how they are related.
Usage pattern:
a connector between [clauses/ideas]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think connectors are only conjunctions like "and" or "but". In fact, many adverbs and phrases, such as "for example" or "as a result", also work as connectors in writing and speaking.
Synonyms
linking word (A common teaching term; very close in meaning but less technical-sounding than "connector".)
Antonyms
full stop (A full stop separates sentences completely, while a connector joins ideas across sentences.)
Collocations
sentence connector
|discourse connector
|logical connector
|use connectors
|connectors of contrast
|connectors of cause and effect
Themes
language
|education
|communication
Examples
- In this exercise, underline the connectors that show contrast.
- Words like "however" and "on the other hand" are discourse connectors.
- Using clear connectors makes your writing easier to follow.
- Learners often overuse basic connectors like "and" instead of more precise ones.
- The teacher asked us to add more connectors to improve the flow of our essay.
Learner examples
- Words like "because" and "so" are common connectors.
- Use a connector to join these two sentences.
- We learned connectors of time, like "before" and "after".
- Good connectors help the reader understand your text.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
5
software linking two systems
A piece of software that lets two computer systems or apps talk to each other and share data.
Usage pattern:
a connector between [systems/applications]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse a "connector" with an "API". An API is an interface that a service offers; a connector is usually a specific piece of software that uses that API to link two systems.
Synonyms
adapter (In software, an adapter often changes one interface to another; a connector more generally provides a link between systems or services.)
Antonyms
standalone application (A standalone application works by itself, while a connector exists mainly to link it with other systems.)
Collocations
database connector
|API connector
|cloud connector
|JDBC connector
|install the connector
|third-party connector
Themes
computing
|technology
|business
Examples
- We installed a new database connector to sync customer records with the CRM system.
- This platform offers connectors for most major cloud storage services.
- The developer wrote a custom connector to integrate the website with the payment gateway.
- Before upgrading, check that your existing connectors are still compatible.
- Using a prebuilt connector is usually faster than coding the integration from scratch.
Learner examples
- The software has a connector for Google Drive.
- You need a database connector to move the data to this app.
- They built a connector to send orders to the warehouse system.
- This connector lets two programs share information.
Grammar
Dictionary form
connector
IPA
GB/kənˈɛktɚ/
US/kənˈɛktɚ/
Syllables & stress
con - nect - or (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (nect)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: connector
- Plural: connectors
Word family
Forms
connectors
noun
Core family
Related words
connectivity
noun
connective
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
API connector
1/ˈeɪ pˈi ˈaɪ kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
software link to an API
Software that connects your program to an online service through its API so they can share data.
Examples
- Their tool includes an API connector for most popular email services.
- You can create a custom API connector to reach your internal systems.
database connector
1/dˈætəbˌeɪs kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
software link to a database
Software that lets a program talk to a database to read or write data.
Examples
- The application failed to start because the database connector was not configured.
- We use a standard database connector to connect the web app to PostgreSQL.
discourse connector
1/dˈɪskɔɹs kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
connector linking larger text parts
A word or phrase, such as "on the other hand" or "as a result", that links bigger parts of speech or writing and helps the listener or reader follow the ideas.
Examples
- Using a variety of discourse connectors will improve the flow of your presentation.
- In academic writing, discourse connectors like "moreover" and "therefore" are very common.
electrical connector
1/ɪlˈɛktɹɪkəl kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
device for joining electrical parts
A small electrical part that joins two wires or devices so electricity or signals can move between them.
Examples
- This electrical connector can handle up to 10 amps of current.
- Always switch off the power before touching any electrical connector.
hose connector
1/hˈoʊz kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
device joining garden hoses
A small part that joins two hoses, or a hose and a tap, so water can flow between them.
Examples
- We bought a hose connector so we could reach the back of the garden.
- The plastic hose connector cracked in the sun and started to leak.
pipe connector
1/pˈaɪp kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
piece joining sections of pipe
A part used to join two pieces of pipe so water, gas, or another material can move through them.
Examples
- The plumber replaced the rusty pipe connector under the sink.
- Use a metal pipe connector here because the pressure is high.
power connector
1/pˈaʊɚ kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
connector that provides power
The electrical connector that carries power from a power source to a device.
Examples
- The graphics card uses an extra power connector from the power supply.
- Make sure the power connector is firmly attached before you start the machine.
sentence connector
1/sˈɛntəns kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
word linking sentences or clauses
A word or phrase, like "however" or "because", that joins two sentences or clauses and shows the relationship between them.
Examples
- Circle the sentence connector that best shows contrast in each pair of sentences.
- The teacher asked us to add a sentence connector to combine these two ideas.
social connector
1/sˈoʊʃəl kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
person who connects people socially
A person who likes to bring people together and help them meet and become friends or work partners.
Examples
- As a social connector, she often hosts events to bring people together.
- Every office needs at least one social connector to help new employees feel welcome.
USB connector
1/jˈu ˈɛs bˈi kənˈɛktɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
connector for USB ports
The plug at the end of a USB cable that you put into a USB port on a computer or other device.
Examples
- My laptop only has one USB connector on each side.
- Be careful not to force the USB connector into the port the wrong way.