emerge
gb/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒ/ us/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Come into view
To come out so that people can see you.
Usage pattern:
to emerge from [somewhere]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'emerge' with 'immerse', which means to put into liquid or involve deeply.
Synonyms
appear (More general; can refer to suddenly or gradually coming into sight.)
Antonyms
disappear (Refers to going out of sight or no longer being visible.)
Collocations
emerge from the shadows
|emerge from the water
|emerge from hiding
|emerge into view
Themes
daily life
|nature
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The sun emerged from behind the clouds.
- A deer emerged from the forest into the clearing.
- She emerged from the subway station into the busy street.
- The diver emerged from the water, gasping for air.
Learner examples
- The cat emerged from under the bed.
- He emerged from the shop with a bag.
- The moon emerged from behind a tree.
- They emerged from the tunnel slowly.
Verb
B2
action
2
Become known
To become known after being secret or not clear before.
Usage pattern:
it emerges that [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'emerge' for physical appearance when they mean information becoming known, and vice versa.
Synonyms
surface (Often used for information becoming known; slightly more informal.)
Antonyms
remain hidden (To continue to be unknown or secret.)
Collocations
details emerge
|truth emerges
|story emerges
|facts emerge
Themes
news
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- New evidence has emerged in the investigation.
- It emerged that he had lied about his age.
- Details of the agreement began to emerge in the press.
- The truth eventually emerged after months of speculation.
Learner examples
- It emerged that she was the winner.
- New facts emerged during the meeting.
- The truth will emerge soon.
- A new story emerged about the event.
Verb
B2
action
3
Come into existence
To slowly start to exist or be noticed.
Usage pattern:
[something] emerges as [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'emerge' with 'merge', which means to combine into one.
Synonyms
develop (More general; can refer to many kinds of growth or change.)
Antonyms
decline (Refers to losing strength, importance, or existence.)
Collocations
emerge as a leader
|emerge as a power
|emerging markets
|emerging technology
Themes
history
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has emerged as a strong candidate for the job.
- A new style of music emerged in the 1990s.
- Several small businesses have emerged in the area recently.
- Over time, a pattern began to emerge.
Learner examples
- He emerged as a good leader.
- A new idea emerged from the group.
- A new shop emerged in the town.
- The city emerged as a big trade center.
Grammar
Dictionary form
emerge
IPA
GB/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒ/
US/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
emerge (1 syllable)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: emerge
- 3rd Person Singular: emerges
- Present Participle: emerging
- Past: emerged
Word family
Expressions
emerge from the shadows
1/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒ fɹˈʌm ðə ʃˈædoʊz/
fixed phrase
literary
Come out of obscurity
To move out of darkness or be noticed after being unknown.
Examples
- The singer emerged from the shadows to claim her award.
- After years of research, the scientist finally emerged from the shadows.
emerge unscathed
1/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒ ʌnskˈeɪðd/
fixed phrase
Escape without harm
To get through a bad situation without being hurt or damaged.
Examples
- She emerged unscathed from the accident.
- The company emerged unscathed after the crisis.
emerging markets
1/ɪmˈɚd͡ʒɪŋ mˈɑɹkɪts/
fixed phrase
technical
Developing economies
Countries with economies that are growing and becoming more advanced.
Examples
- Investors are looking at emerging markets for growth opportunities.
- Emerging markets can be risky but profitable.