investment
gb/ɪnvˈɛstmənt/ us/ɪnvˈɛstmənt/
B1
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
Putting money in to earn more
When you use money, time, or energy to get more money or a good result later.
Usage pattern:
an investment in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'investment' with 'expense'; an expense is simply spending money, while an investment is expected to bring future benefit.
Synonyms
expenditure (General spending; does not necessarily imply a return or profit.)
|
funding (Providing money for something, often without personal profit motive.)
Antonyms
divestment (The act of taking money or resources out of an investment.)
Collocations
make an investment
|return on investment
|foreign investment
|real estate investment
|investment portfolio
Themes
business
|finance
|economics
Examples
- Her investment in the tech startup doubled in value within two years.
- Foreign investment has boosted the country's economy.
- The company made a significant investment in renewable energy.
- He considered the house purchase as a long-term investment.
- Our education is the best investment we can make.
Learner examples
- I made an investment in a small shop.
- She wants to make an investment in new machines.
- They got a big profit from their investment.
- The bank offers advice on safe investments.
Noun
B1
entity
2
An asset you invest in
Something you buy with money because you hope it will make more money later.
Usage pattern:
an investment [asset]
Synonyms
asset (Something valuable owned; not always bought as an investment.)
Antonyms
liability (Something that takes money away instead of generating it.)
Collocations
profitable investment
|safe investment
|risky investment
Themes
business
|finance
Examples
- That apartment is one of our best investments.
- Gold can be a stable investment during economic uncertainty.
- His art collection turned out to be a wise investment.
Learner examples
- The house is a good investment.
- Gold is a safe investment.
- She sold her investment for a big profit.
Noun
B2
action
3
Giving effort for future gain
When you give your time, work, or care to get a good result later.
Usage pattern:
an investment of [time/effort] in [something]
Synonyms
commitment (A strong dedication; may not imply expectation of measurable return.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failure to give time or attention.)
Collocations
investment of time
|emotional investment
Themes
daily life
|self-improvement
|work
|education
Examples
- Training new staff requires a big investment of time.
- She has a lot of emotional investment in this project.
- Good relationships need an ongoing investment of effort.
Learner examples
- Learning English is an investment of time.
- He made an investment of effort to pass the exam.
- Friendship needs an investment of care.
Grammar
Dictionary form
investment
IPA
GB/ɪnvˈɛstmənt/
US/ɪnvˈɛstmənt/
Syllables & stress
in - vest - ment (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (vest)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: investment
- Plural: investment, investments
Word family
Forms
investments
noun
Related words
reinvest
verb
reinvestment
noun
Negative and opposite forms
divest
verb C1
divestment
noun C1
Expressions
foreign investment
1/fˈɔɹən ɪnvˈɛstmənt/
fixed phrase
Money invested abroad for profit
When people or companies put money into businesses or things in another country to make money.
Examples
- Foreign investment has increased in the region over the last decade.
- The government is encouraging foreign investment in renewable energy.
make an investment
1/mˈeɪk ən ɪnvˈɛstmənt/
fixed phrase
Put money into for gain
To use money or resources to try to get more money or benefits later.
Examples
- We decided to make an investment in solar panels.
- She made an investment in her friend's new business.
return on investment
1/ɹɪtˈɚn ˈɔn ɪnvˈɛstmənt/
fixed phrase
Profit compared to cost
How much money you make compared to how much you spent or invested.
Examples
- The return on investment for the new marketing campaign was higher than expected.
- They calculated the return on investment before starting the project.
investment portfolio
1/ɪnvˈɛstmənt pɔɹtfˈoʊlioʊ/
fixed phrase
technical
Collection of owned investments
All the investments that a person or company owns.
Examples
- He reviewed his investment portfolio with his financial advisor.
- His investment portfolio includes shares in several tech companies.
- Diversifying your investment portfolio can reduce risk.
- It's important to diversify your investment portfolio to reduce risk.