maintain
gb/meɪntˈeɪn/ us/meɪntˈeɪn/
B1
English
~ 900
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Keep in good condition
To keep something working well or looking good by taking care of it.
Usage pattern:
to maintain [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'maintain' with 'obtain'. 'Maintain' is about keeping something in its current state, not getting it.
Synonyms
upkeep (Refers more to the ongoing process of keeping something in good condition.)
|
preserve (Implies protecting from harm or decay, sometimes with a focus on long-term protection.)
Antonyms
neglect (Means to fail to care for something properly, leading to decline or damage.)
Collocations
maintain equipment
|maintain a building
|maintain a vehicle
|properly maintain
|maintain facilities
Themes
daily life
|work
|technology
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We need to maintain the car to avoid costly repairs.
- The company maintains its computers regularly to prevent breakdowns.
- It’s important to maintain your home to keep its value.
Learner examples
- I maintain my bike every week.
- He maintains his shoes so they look new.
- They maintain the garden very well.
Verb
B2
action
2
Continue to have or keep
To keep a certain way of being or situation without change.
Usage pattern:
to maintain [a state/quality/position]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'maintain' with 'remain'. 'Remain' means to stay in a place or condition passively, while 'maintain' implies active effort.
Synonyms
sustain (Often used for continuing something over a period of time, especially effort or energy.)
Antonyms
lose (To no longer have a state, quality, or position.)
Collocations
maintain control
|maintain focus
|maintain balance
|maintain speed
Themes
emotions
|sports
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She maintained her composure during the crisis.
- The team struggled to maintain their lead in the final minutes.
- He maintains a high level of fitness all year round.
Learner examples
- She maintains her weight by eating healthy food.
- He maintains his place in the class.
- They maintain good relations with their neighbors.
Verb
formal
B2
action
3
State firmly is true
To say strongly that something is true, even if others disagree.
Usage pattern:
to maintain (that) [clause]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes omit 'that' after 'maintain', which can make the sentence unclear in formal writing.
Synonyms
assert (Formally and confidently state something as fact.)
|
claim (Say that something is true; can sound less certain than 'maintain'.)
Antonyms
deny (To say that something is not true.)
Collocations
maintain innocence
|maintain that something is true
Themes
law
|debate
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He maintained that he had never seen her before.
- The scientist maintains that the results are conclusive.
- She maintained her innocence throughout the trial.
Learner examples
- He maintains that he is right.
- She maintains that she did not take the money.
- They maintain that this plan will work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
maintain
IPA
GB/meɪntˈeɪn/
US/meɪntˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
main - tain (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tain)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: maintain
- 3rd Person Singular: maintains
- Present Participle: maintaining
- Past: maintained
Word family
Forms
maintains
verb
maintaining
verb
maintained
verb
Core family
maintenance
noun B1
Related words
maintainer
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unmaintainable
adjective
Advanced or less common
maintainable
adjective
maintainability
noun C1
Expressions
maintain a low profile
1/meɪntˈeɪn ə lˈoʊ pɹˈoʊfˌaɪl/
idiom
Avoid drawing attention to oneself
To act quietly and not attract attention.
Examples
- After the scandal, he decided to maintain a low profile.
- She maintained a low profile during the negotiations.
maintain contact
1/meɪntˈeɪn kˈɑntˌækt/
fixed phrase
Keep communicating with someone
To keep talking or writing to someone over time.
Examples
- We try to maintain contact with old school friends.
- It's important to maintain contact with clients.
maintain order
1/meɪntˈeɪn ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
Keep things organized and controlled
To keep people behaving well and things working in an organized way.
Examples
- The police were called in to maintain order during the protest.
- Teachers must maintain order in the classroom.