echolocate
gb/ɪkˈɑləkˌeɪt/ us/ɪkˈɑləkˌeɪt/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
technical
C1
action
1
find things using sound echoes
To find where things are by making sounds and listening to the echoes.
Usage pattern:
[animal] echolocates (to) [navigate/find prey]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse echolocate (the action) with echolocation (the system/ability).
Synonyms
orient (Broader; not specifically by interpreting echoes.)
|
ping (Often technological; means send out a signal and listen for a return.)
Antonyms
grope (Move or search uncertainly without reliable sensory guidance.)
Collocations
bats echolocate
|dolphins echolocate
|echolocate prey
|echolocate insects
|echolocate underwater
|echolocate in caves
|echolocate using ultrasonic calls
|echolocate by emitting clicks
|echolocate in murky water
|echolocate in complete darkness
Themes
animals
|nature
|science
Examples
- Bats echolocate to hunt insects at night.
- Some whales echolocate to track prey in deep water.
- In the dark cave, the animals echolocated to avoid obstacles.
Learner examples
- Bats echolocate at night.
- Dolphins can echolocate underwater.
Verb
C1
action
2
navigate by making tongue clicks
To move around safely by making small sounds and listening to the echoes.
Usage pattern:
[someone] echolocates (to) [move around/find obstacles]
Common mistake:
Learners may assume it requires special equipment; it can also be done by making clicks with the mouth.
Synonyms
navigate (General; does not imply using echoes.)
Antonyms
stumble (Move unsteadily, often because you cannot sense obstacles well.)
Collocations
learn to echolocate
|echolocate with tongue clicks
|echolocate in unfamiliar places
|echolocate around obstacles
|echolocate while walking
|echolocate indoors
|echolocate in crowded spaces
|practice echolocating
|echolocate without a cane
|teach someone to echolocate
Themes
health
|daily_life
|disability
|science
Examples
- After months of practice, he could echolocate well enough to avoid poles and doorways.
- She echolocates by making quiet clicks and listening for changes in the echo.
- In a new building, he echolocated to judge the width of the hallway.
Learner examples
- He echolocates with small clicks.
- She echolocates to avoid obstacles.
Verb
technical
C2
process
3
measure location using sonar-like echoes
To use sound echoes to measure where something is, using technology.
Usage pattern:
[device/system] echolocates [object/space]
Common mistake:
Learners may think echolocate is only used for animals; it can also be used for devices that work like sonar.
Synonyms
range (Measure distance; does not necessarily involve echoes or sound.)
Antonyms
miscalculate (Get the position or distance wrong.)
Collocations
echolocate obstacles
|echolocate a target
|echolocate a room
|echolocate in real time
|echolocate using ultrasound
|echolocate with sonar
|echolocate nearby objects
|echolocate in a tunnel
|echolocate reflections
|echolocate distance
Themes
technology
|engineering
|science
Examples
- The robot echolocates obstacles using an ultrasonic sensor.
- Submarines can echolocate targets by sending out pings and analyzing the echoes.
- The system echolocated the wall position even through smoke.
Learner examples
- The sensor echolocates nearby objects.
Grammar
Dictionary form
echolocate
IPA
GB/ɪkˈɑləkˌeɪt/
US/ɪkˈɑləkˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
echo - locate (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (locate)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: echolocate
- 3rd Person Singular: echolocates
- Present Participle: echolocating
- Past: echolocated
- Past Participle: echolocated
Word family
Forms
echolocates
verb
echolocating
verb
echolocated
verb
Core family
echolocation
noun C1
Advanced or less common
echolocator
noun
Expressions
echolocate your way around
1/ɪkˈɑləkˌeɪt jˈʊɹ wˈeɪ ɚˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
navigate using echoes
To get around a place by making sounds and listening to echoes.
Examples
- In the unfamiliar apartment, she echolocated her way around the furniture.
- He echolocated his way around the station by clicking softly and listening for echoes.
- With practice, you can echolocate your way around a room without bumping into chairs.