measure
gb/mˈɛʒɚ/ us/mˈɛʒɚ/
A2
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
quantity
1
amount determined by measuring
A certain amount or size of something found by using a tool or method to measure it.
Usage pattern:
a measure of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'measure' (noun) with 'measurement'. 'Measure' can be the amount itself, while 'measurement' is often the act or process.
Synonyms
measurement (A more general term for the result of measuring.)
Antonyms
estimate (An approximate calculation without precise measuring.)
Collocations
take a measure
|exact measure
|accurate measure
|unit of measure
Themes
science
|daily life
|math
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The tailor took my waist measure before making the pants.
- The recipe calls for an exact measure of sugar.
- We recorded the measures of each sample in the lab.
- The bridge’s safety depends on accurate measures of stress.
- This ruler provides a clear measure of length.
Learner examples
- The cup has a measure for 200 milliliters.
- He wrote the measure of the table on paper.
- We need the right measure of salt for the soup.
- The teacher asked for the measure of the line.
- I used a spoon to get a measure of rice.
Verb
A2
action
2
find size or amount
To find out how big, long, or much something is by using a tool or method.
Usage pattern:
to measure [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'measure' without specifying what is being measured, making sentences unclear.
Synonyms
calculate (In some contexts, involves working out a value, but not always by physical measurement.)
Antonyms
guess (To estimate without using tools or exact methods.)
Collocations
measure length
|measure distance
|measure temperature
|carefully measure
Themes
science
|daily life
|math
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We need to measure the room before buying furniture.
- The scientist measured the temperature every hour.
- Please measure the flour carefully for the cake.
- He measured the distance between the two towns.
- They measured her height at the doctor’s office.
Learner examples
- I will measure the table with a ruler.
- She measured the water for tea.
- We measured the road from here to school.
- He measured his shoe size at the store.
- They measured my arm at the hospital.
Noun
B1
action
3
action taken for a purpose
Something you do to get a certain result or solve a problem.
Usage pattern:
a measure to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this meaning with 'measurement', which refers to finding size or amount, not an action plan.
Synonyms
step (A common, less formal alternative for an action taken toward a goal.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failure to take action when needed.)
Collocations
safety measure
|preventive measure
|emergency measure
|security measure
Themes
politics
|business
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The government introduced new measures to reduce pollution.
- Installing cameras is a safety measure for the building.
- We took extra measures to protect our data.
- The company adopted measures to improve efficiency.
- Strong measures were implemented after the accident.
Learner examples
- We took measures to keep our home safe.
- The school has measures to help new students.
- Washing hands is a good health measure.
- The city made measures to stop traffic jams.
- They have measures to save energy.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
4
segment in musical notation
A part of music with a set number of beats, shown between two lines on sheet music.
Synonyms
bar (The more common term in British English for this musical unit.)
Collocations
four-beat measure
|first measure
|final measure
Themes
music
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- The song begins with two measures of silence.
- Each measure contains four quarter notes in this piece.
- He played the wrong notes in the third measure.
- The composer added an extra beat to the final measure.
Learner examples
- This song has four beats in each measure.
- She made a mistake in the second measure.
- The first measure is very quiet.
- We learned how to count measures in music.
Grammar
Dictionary form
measure
IPA
GB/mˈɛʒɚ/
US/mˈɛʒɚ/
Syllables & stress
meas - ure (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (meas)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: measure
- Plural: measure, measures
Verb
- Base: measure
- 3rd Person Singular: measures
- Present Participle: measuring
- Past: measured
Word family
Forms
measures
noun
measuring
verb
measured
verb
Core family
measurement
noun A2
measurable
adjective B2
Related words
measurably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
immeasurable
adjective
Advanced or less common
countermeasure
noun C1
Expressions
beyond measure
1/bɪjˈɔnd mˈɛʒɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
extremely great beyond limits
Very much; more than usual or normal.
Examples
- She was grateful beyond measure for their help.
- His arrogance was beyond measure.
for good measure
1/fɚ ɡˈʊd mˈɛʒɚ/
fixed phrase
add extra for completeness/emphasis
To add something extra just to be sure or complete.
Examples
- She added another spoonful of sugar for good measure.
- I included an extra copy of the report for good measure.
measure up to
1/mˈɛʒɚ ˈʌp tə/
phrasal verb
be as good as expected standard/person
To be as good as someone or something that people compare you with.
Examples
- He didn’t measure up to his older brother’s achievements.
- The product failed to measure up to expectations.
take measures
1/tˈeɪk mˈɛʒɚz/
fixed phrase
do things to achieve goal/prevent harm
To do things to get a result or stop something bad from happening.
Examples
- We must take measures to protect endangered species.
- The school took measures to improve safety.