engineer
gb/ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹ/ us/ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹ/
A2
English
~ 2200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
A person trained in engineering
A person who uses science and math to design or build things like machines, roads, or buildings.
Usage pattern:
an engineer [designs/builds/works on] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'engineer' with 'mechanic'; a mechanic usually repairs machines, while an engineer may design or build them.
Synonyms
technologist (Often used for someone skilled in technology, but less specific to formal engineering qualifications.)
Antonyms
layperson (Refers to someone without technical or specialized knowledge.)
Collocations
software engineer
|civil engineer
|mechanical engineer
|electrical engineer
|train engineer
Themes
science
|technology
|professions
|work
Examples
- The company hired a civil engineer to oversee the bridge construction.
- She works as a software engineer at a major tech firm.
- The mechanical engineer inspected the factory's production line.
Learner examples
- My brother is an engineer.
- The engineer builds roads.
- The engineer fixes the machine.
Verb
B1
action
2
To design or build technically
To plan and make something using skill and knowledge of science or technology.
Usage pattern:
to engineer [a system/machine/solution]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'engineer' only for physical machines; it can also be used for systems and processes.
Synonyms
design (Focuses more on the planning stage rather than the full technical creation process.)
Antonyms
destroy (Opposite in the sense of undoing or breaking down what was built.)
Collocations
engineer a solution
|engineer a bridge
|engineer a product
Themes
science
|technology
|work
Examples
- The team engineered a new type of battery.
- She engineered the entire irrigation system for the farm.
- They engineered a safer braking mechanism for trains.
Learner examples
- We will engineer a new car.
- They engineer better machines.
- He engineers computer programs.
Verb
B2
action
3
To arrange or cause something skillfully
To make something happen by careful and sometimes secret planning.
Usage pattern:
to engineer [an event/a result]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this meaning is only about machines; here it refers to arranging events or outcomes.
Synonyms
orchestrate (Often used for complex events with many parts coordinated.)
Antonyms
prevent (Opposite in the sense of stopping an event from happening.)
Collocations
engineer a deal
|engineer a victory
|engineer a meeting
Themes
politics
|business
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He engineered his promotion by building strong alliances at work.
- The scandal was engineered to damage the politician's reputation.
- They engineered a meeting between the two leaders.
Learner examples
- She engineered the meeting of the two friends.
- They engineered his success in the contest.
- He engineered the end of the project.
Grammar
Dictionary form
engineer
IPA
GB/ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹ/
US/ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹ/
Syllables & stress
en - gin - eer (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (en)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: engineer
- Plural: engineers
Verb
- Base: engineer
- 3rd Person Singular: engineers
- Present Participle: engineering
- Past: engineered
Word family
Forms
Related words
engine
noun A2
Expressions
reverse engineer
1/ɹɪvˈɚs ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
technical
Analyze design by dismantling product
To take apart a product to learn how it works and how to make it again.
Examples
- The team reverse engineered the device to create their own version.
- They tried to reverse engineer the software to find its security flaws.
- Hackers tried to reverse engineer the software code.
- The company reverse engineered a competitor’s device to create their own version.
social engineering
1/sˈoʊʃəl ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Tricking people to get private information
Tricking people into telling secrets or private information instead of hacking computers directly.
Examples
- The hacker used social engineering to get the password.
- The attack was carried out through social engineering rather than hacking the system directly.
- Social engineering often involves pretending to be someone you trust.
- Social engineering scams are becoming more common online.
genetic engineering
1/d͡ʒənˈɛtɪk ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹɪŋ/
fixed phrase
technical
Changing an organism's genes on purpose
Changing the genes of a plant, animal, or other living thing on purpose.
Examples
- Genetic engineering has created crops that resist pests.
- Genetic engineering has led to crops that resist disease.
- Genetic engineering has produced crops resistant to pests.
- Some people worry about the effects of genetic engineering on nature.
- Scientists are exploring genetic engineering to treat illnesses.
- The debate over genetic engineering includes ethical concerns.