create
gb/kɹiˈeɪt/ us/kɹiˈeɪt/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
To make something new
To make or produce something new.
Usage pattern:
to create [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'create' with 'build' or 'make'. 'Create' often emphasizes originality or bringing something into existence, while 'make' is more general and 'build' usually refers to physical structures.
Synonyms
produce (Slightly broader; can refer to making or manufacturing something physical or abstract.)
Antonyms
destroy (Opposite in meaning; to cause something to stop existing.)
Collocations
create a plan
|create a problem
|create a website
|create a design
|create opportunities
Themes
work
|art
|technology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company plans to create 500 new jobs next year.
- She created a beautiful painting for the exhibition.
- This policy could create serious problems for small businesses.
- He created a new recipe that quickly became popular.
- The app was created to help people learn languages.
Learner examples
- I want to create a new game.
- We will create a big cake for the party.
- She created a picture of her dog.
- The teacher created a test for the students.
- They created a small garden behind the house.
Verb
B1
action
2
To cause something to occur
To make something happen, especially a feeling or problem.
Usage pattern:
to create [a situation/feeling/problem]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'make' instead of 'create'. In formal writing, 'create' is often preferred when talking about causing situations or feelings.
Synonyms
generate (Often used for producing energy, ideas, or reactions; slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
prevent (Opposite in meaning; to stop something from happening.)
Collocations
create confusion
|create tension
|create excitement
|create difficulties
|create conflict
Themes
emotions
|social
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His sudden resignation created uncertainty among the staff.
- The news created a lot of excitement in the community.
- Poor communication can create misunderstandings.
- The delay created tension between the two teams.
- Her speech created hope for the future.
Learner examples
- The loud noise created fear in the children.
- Rain can create problems for drivers.
- Her words created happiness in my heart.
- This rule may create confusion for new workers.
- The bad road created trouble for us.
Grammar
Dictionary form
create
IPA
GB/kɹiˈeɪt/
US/kɹiˈeɪt/
Syllables & stress
cre - ate (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ate)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: create
- 3rd Person Singular: creates
- Present Participle: creating
- Past: created
Word family
Forms
creates
verb
creating
verb
created
verb
Core family
Related words
recreate
verb B2
Negative and opposite forms
uncreative
adjective
Expressions
create a scene
1/kɹiˈeɪt ə sˈin/
idiom
Behave in a disruptive way publicly
To act in a loud, emotional, or noticeable way in public that attracts attention.
Examples
- Please don’t create a scene at the restaurant.
- She created a scene when the waiter got her order wrong.
create from scratch
1/kɹiˈeɪt fɹˈʌm skɹˈæt͡ʃ/
fixed phrase
Make starting from nothing prepared
To make something completely by yourself without using anything already prepared.
Examples
- He created the website from scratch without any templates.
- They created their own costumes from scratch for the play.