lecture
gb/lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ/ us/lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ/
B1
English
~ 2800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
An educational talk to an audience
A formal talk given to people to teach them about something.
Usage pattern:
to give/deliver [a lecture] on [topic]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'lecture' with 'lesson'. A 'lecture' is usually a one-way talk, while a 'lesson' often involves interaction and activities.
Synonyms
presentation (A general term for showing information to an audience, not always educational.)
|
speech (A spoken address to an audience, often more persuasive or ceremonial than educational.)
Antonyms
discussion (An interactive exchange of ideas rather than a one-way talk.)
Collocations
deliver a lecture
|attend a lecture
|guest lecture
|lecture series
|lecture hall
Themes
education
|communication
|workplace
Examples
- The professor gave a lecture on climate change.
- We attended a lecture about ancient history.
- Her lecture on art history was very engaging.
- The university offers public lectures every month.
- He prepared slides for his lecture on economics.
Learner examples
- I went to a lecture about space.
- The teacher gave a lecture on animals.
- We listened to a lecture on music.
- My friend gave a lecture at the school.
- They had a lecture about health.
Verb
B1
action
2
To give an educational talk
To give a formal talk to people to teach them about something.
Usage pattern:
to lecture [someone] on/about [topic]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'lecture' with 'read'. 'Lecture' is about speaking to teach, not reading silently.
Synonyms
instruct (To teach or train someone, not necessarily by giving a formal talk.)
Antonyms
listen (To receive information without being the speaker.)
Collocations
lecture students
|lecture on biology
|lecture in history
Themes
education
|communication
Examples
- She lectures on medieval literature at the university.
- He was invited to lecture about renewable energy.
- The scientist lectured high school students on physics.
- They often lecture in large halls.
- The author will lecture at the library next week.
Learner examples
- She will lecture about plants.
- He lectures in the big room.
- My teacher lectured us on safety.
- They will lecture about the new law.
- I saw a man lecture in the park.
Verb
B2
action
3
To scold at length
To talk angrily or seriously to someone for a long time because they did something wrong.
Usage pattern:
to lecture [someone] about/on [behavior]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with giving an educational talk. Context and tone indicate when it means scolding.
Synonyms
reprimand (A more formal or official act of criticism.)
|
scold (Often used for telling off children; may be shorter than a 'lecture'.)
Antonyms
praise (To express approval instead of criticism.)
Collocations
lecture a child
|lecture teenagers
|lecture someone on responsibility
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
Examples
- My parents lectured me about being late again.
- The coach lectured the team after they lost the game.
- She lectured her brother on the importance of saving money.
- He hates being lectured by his boss.
- They spent hours lecturing him about his mistakes.
Learner examples
- My mom lectured me for hours.
- The teacher lectured us about homework.
- Dad lectured me on cleaning my room.
- She lectured him about being late.
- He does not like being lectured.
Grammar
Dictionary form
lecture
IPA
GB/lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ/
US/lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ/
Syllables & stress
lec - ture (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: lecture
- Plural: lectures
Verb
- Base: lecture
- 3rd Person Singular: lectures
- Present Participle: lecturing
- Past: lectured
Word family
Forms
lectures
noun
lecturing
verb
lectured
verb
Core family
lecturer
noun B1
Advanced or less common
lectureship
noun
Expressions
deliver a lecture
1/dɪlˈɪvɚ ə lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Give an educational talk
To give a formal talk to people to teach them something.
Examples
- The scientist will deliver a lecture on space exploration tomorrow.
- She delivered a lecture on modern poetry at the conference.
give someone a lecture
1/ɡˈɪv sˈʌmwˌʌn ə lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Scold someone at length
To talk seriously or angrily to someone for a long time because they did something wrong.
Examples
- My dad gave me a lecture about my grades.
- She gave her son a lecture for breaking the vase.
guest lecture
1/ɡˈɛst lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Talk by visiting speaker
A formal talk given by someone who is invited from outside the school or organization.
Examples
- The author gave a guest lecture at the university.
- He was invited to give a guest lecture on business ethics.
lecture hall
1/lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ hˈɔl/
fixed phrase
Large room for lectures
A big room where lectures are given.
Examples
- The lecture hall was full of students.
- Classes are held in the main lecture hall.
public lecture
1/pˈʌblɪk lˈɛkt͡ʃɚ/
fixed phrase
Educational talk for public audience
A formal talk that anyone can attend, not just students.
Examples
- The museum is hosting a public lecture on ancient Egypt.
- She gave a public lecture about climate change.