path
gb/pˈæθ/ us/pˈæθ/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
track or route for travel
A small road or track for people or animals to move along.
Usage pattern:
a path through [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'path' with 'road'; 'path' is usually smaller and often for walking, not driving.
Synonyms
trail (Often used for natural outdoor routes, especially in hiking contexts.)
|
track (Can refer to a worn route in the countryside or an unpaved road.)
Antonyms
road (A wider, usually paved route for vehicles rather than pedestrians.)
Collocations
narrow path
|dirt path
|winding path
|mountain path
|gravel path
Themes
travel
|geography
|daily life
|transportation
Examples
- We followed the path through the forest until we reached the lake.
- A narrow path led from the village to the river.
- Cyclists share the path with joggers in the park.
- The garden has a stone path leading to the front door.
Learner examples
- The path goes to my school.
- We walk on the path by the river.
- There is a small path in the park.
- The path is between two trees.
Noun
B1
entity
2
course of action or plan
A way of doing something or reaching a goal.
Usage pattern:
a path to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may take 'path' too literally and not recognize metaphorical uses related to plans or goals.
Synonyms
route (Metaphorical use for a plan or method toward an outcome.)
|
course (A direction or plan of action taken over time.)
Antonyms
dead end (A figurative term for a situation with no progress possible.)
Collocations
career path
|path to success
|path forward
|choose a path
Themes
career
|life
|decision-making
|core_vocabulary
|business
Examples
- She chose a career path in medicine.
- The company is on a path to recovery after the crisis.
- Education can be a path to a better life.
- He decided to take a different path after college.
Learner examples
- I want to find a good career path.
- School is my path to a good job.
- She is on the path to success.
- We need a new path to solve this problem.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
3
route along which something moves
The way that something like light, energy, or information goes from one place to another.
Synonyms
trajectory (Often used in physics for the curved path of a moving object.)
|
channel (A conduit or medium through which something passes.)
Antonyms
blockage (An obstruction that prevents movement along a route.)
Collocations
flight path
|signal path
|current path
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- The flight path took us over the mountains.
- Engineers traced the signal path through the circuit.
- The comet's path will bring it close to Earth next month.
Learner examples
- The plane has a flight path over the city.
- The light takes a short path to my eyes.
- The river has a long path to the sea.
Grammar
Dictionary form
path
IPA
GB/pˈæθ/
US/pˈæθ/
Syllables & stress
path (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (path)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: path
- Plural: path, paths
Word family
Forms
paths
noun
Core family
pathway
noun B2
Related words
footpath
noun
pathfinder
noun
Negative and opposite forms
pathless
adjective
Expressions
cross paths
1/kɹˈɔs pˈæθs/
idiom
meet someone unexpectedly
To meet someone by chance when you are going somewhere.
Examples
- I was surprised to cross paths with my old teacher at the airport.
- They first crossed paths at a conference five years ago.
follow a path
1/fˈɑloʊ ə pˈæθ/
fixed phrase
go along a route or plan
To go along a road, track, or plan.
Examples
- We followed a narrow path through the hills.
- She decided to follow a different career path.
lead down the wrong path
1/lˈid dˈaʊn ðə ɹˈɔŋ pˈæθ/
idiom
cause someone to make bad choices
To make someone start doing bad or harmful things in life.
Examples
- His friends led him down the wrong path and he got into trouble.
- Bad advice can lead you down the wrong path.
path of least resistance
1/pˈæθ əv lˈist ɹɪzˈɪstəns/
idiom
easiest way to do something
The way that is easiest and needs the least work.
Examples
- He took the path of least resistance and agreed with everyone.
- Sometimes choosing the path of least resistance isn't the best option.