preserve
gb/pɹɪzˈɚv/ us/pɹɪzˈɚv/
A2
English
~ 2400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Keep something from changing or decaying
To keep something the same and stop it from being damaged or lost.
Usage pattern:
to preserve [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'preserve' with 'reserve'. 'Preserve' means to keep something safe or unchanged, while 'reserve' means to keep something for later use.
Synonyms
maintain (Implies ongoing care to keep something in a good state.)
|
protect (Focuses more on guarding from harm rather than maintaining condition.)
Antonyms
destroy (Means to cause complete damage or ruin.)
|
neglect (Means to fail to care for something, leading to decline.)
Collocations
preserve nature
|preserve tradition
|preserve evidence
|preserve peace
Themes
daily life
|environment
|history
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We must preserve the old photographs for future generations.
- The treaty aims to preserve peace between the two nations.
- She worked hard to preserve her family's traditions.
- The museum preserves rare artifacts from ancient times.
Learner examples
- We must preserve the books.
- They want to preserve the park.
- We preserve food in the fridge.
- He tries to preserve his culture.
Noun
A2
entity
2
Sweet fruit spread or conserve
Sweet food made from fruit and sugar, usually spread on bread.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'preserves' with 'conserve' or 'jam', which are similar but may differ in recipe or texture.
Synonyms
jam (Commonly used for a similar fruit spread, though texture can differ.)
|
marmalade (A citrus-based preserve, often with peel pieces.)
Collocations
strawberry preserves
|homemade preserves
|jar of preserves
Themes
food
|cooking
|food_drink
|daily_life
Examples
- She spread raspberry preserves on her toast.
- The shop sells homemade strawberry preserves.
- We bought a jar of apricot preserves at the market.
Learner examples
- I like strawberry preserves.
- He eats bread with preserves.
- We made preserves from the apples.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Protected area for wildlife
A place where animals and plants are safe and protected by law.
Synonyms
sanctuary (A safe place for animals, sometimes also for people.)
|
reserve (A protected area, often larger and may allow some human activity.)
Collocations
wildlife preserve
|nature preserve
|game preserve
Themes
environment
|geography
|nature
Examples
- The island is a nature preserve for rare birds.
- Hunters are not allowed in the game preserve.
- The government created a wildlife preserve to protect endangered species.
Learner examples
- We went to a nature preserve.
- The park is a wildlife preserve.
- Many birds live in the preserve.
Grammar
Dictionary form
preserve
IPA
GB/pɹɪzˈɚv/
US/pɹɪzˈɚv/
Syllables & stress
pre - serve (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (serve)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: preserve
- Plural: preserve, preserves
Verb
- Base: preserve
- 3rd Person Singular: preserves
- Present Participle: preserving
- Past: preserved
Word family
Forms
preserves
noun
preserving
verb
preserved
verb
Core family
preservation
noun B2
preservative
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
destroy
verb B1
Advanced or less common
preservable
adjective
Expressions
preserve one's dignity
1/pɹɪzˈɚv wˈʌnz dˈɪɡnəti/
fixed phrase
Maintain self-respect under pressure
To keep your sense of self-respect even when things are hard or embarrassing.
Examples
- She tried to preserve her dignity after making the mistake.
- Even in defeat, he preserved his dignity.
preserve the peace
1/pɹɪzˈɚv ðə pˈis/
fixed phrase
Keep public order and safety
To keep people safe and stop fighting or trouble in public places.
Examples
- The police were called to preserve the peace during the protest.
- Diplomats worked hard to preserve the peace between the two countries.