member
gb/mˈɛmbɚ/ us/mˈɛmbɚ/
A2
English
~ 200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
person in a group
A person who is part of a group or club.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a member of [group/organization]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'member' with 'participant'; however, 'participant' means someone taking part in an event, while 'member' means someone who belongs to a group or organization over time.
Synonyms
participant (Emphasizes active involvement rather than just belonging.)
|
affiliate (More formal; often used for organizations or companies linked to a larger body.)
Antonyms
nonmember (Refers to someone who does not belong to a particular group or organization.)
Collocations
club member
|family member
|team member
|staff member
|union member
Themes
social
|business
|daily life
|relationships
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is a long-time member of the local book club.
- All staff members must attend the meeting.
- The gym offers discounts to its members.
- He became a member of the committee last year.
- Family members gathered for the reunion.
Learner examples
- I am a member of the soccer team.
- He is a member of my family.
- We are members of the same club.
- She is a member of the student council.
Noun
B2
entity
2
part of a structure
One part of something bigger, like a body or building.
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this meaning with 'member' as a person; here it refers to parts, often in technical or biological contexts.
Synonyms
component (General term for any part of a whole.)
|
element (Often used in technical contexts for parts within a system.)
Antonyms
whole (The complete thing, not just one part.)
Collocations
structural member
|limb member
|framework member
Themes
science
|engineering
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Each member of the bridge must be inspected for damage.
- The leg is a member of the human body.
- This beam serves as a critical load-bearing member in the structure.
Learner examples
- A finger is a member of the hand.
- This beam is a strong member in the wall.
- My arm is a member of my body.
Noun
informal
C1
entity
3
man's penis (euphemism)
A polite word for a man's sex organ.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this meaning is euphemistic and somewhat old-fashioned; it is less common in everyday conversation and more often found in literature or formal contexts.
Synonyms
penis (The standard medical term.)
|
manhood (Euphemistic and sometimes figurative.)
Themes
body
|sexuality
|health
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The doctor examined the patient's member for signs of infection.
- He covered his member quickly when someone entered the room.
- The sculpture depicted a nude male figure with an exaggerated member.
Learner examples
- The man covered his member.
- The doctor looked at his member.
- He hurt his member while playing sports.
Grammar
Dictionary form
member
IPA
GB/mˈɛmbɚ/
US/mˈɛmbɚ/
Syllables & stress
mem - ber (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mem)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: member
- Plural: members
Word family
Expressions
family member
1/fˈæmɪli mˈɛmbɚ/
fixed phrase
relative by blood or marriage
Someone in your family, like your parent, sister, or cousin.
Examples
- Only close family members were invited to the ceremony.
- Every family member brought food to share.
founding member
1/fˈaʊndɪŋ mˈɛmbɚ/
fixed phrase
person who started a group
A person who helped begin an organization or club.
Examples
- She is a founding member of the charity.
- As a founding member, he shaped the group's mission.
member state
1/mˈɛmbɚ stˈeɪt/
fixed phrase
formal
country in an organization
A country that belongs to an international group like the UN or EU.
Examples
- France is a member state of the European Union.
- All member states agreed to sign the treaty.
staff member
1/stˈæf mˈɛmbɚ/
fixed phrase
employee in an organization
A worker in a company or other organization.
Examples
- Each staff member has been given new safety training.
- The hotel hired three new staff members.
team member
1/tˈim mˈɛmbɚ/
fixed phrase
person in a team
Someone who plays or works with others as part of a team.
Examples
- Each team member has an important role to play.
- A good team member helps others succeed.