strength
gb/stɹˈɛŋθ/ us/stɹˈɛŋθ/
A2
English
~ 1300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
physical power or force
The ability of a person or animal to use a lot of physical power.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s strength
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'strength' with 'strong'. 'Strength' is a noun; 'strong' is an adjective.
Synonyms
power (A general term for physical or mechanical force, not limited to living beings.)
Antonyms
weakness (A lack of physical power or ability.)
Collocations
physical strength
|inner strength
|build strength
|test strength
|muscle strength
Themes
health
|sports
|daily life
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- His physical strength allowed him to lift the heavy box.
- The athlete's strength impressed the crowd.
- After the illness, she worked to regain her strength.
- You need strength to carry all those bags.
- The wrestler's strength was unmatched in the competition.
Learner examples
- She has great strength in her arms.
- He lost his strength after being sick.
- I need more strength to open this jar.
- This job needs a lot of strength.
- He used his strength to move the table.
Noun
B1
entity
2
mental or emotional resilience
The ability to stay strong in your mind or feelings when things are hard.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s strength
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'strength' here with 'bravery'. Bravery is about facing danger; this sense is about enduring hardship.
Synonyms
resilience (Focuses on the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.)
Antonyms
fragility (The quality of being easily upset or emotionally broken.)
Collocations
inner strength
|emotional strength
|strength of character
|find strength
|draw strength
Themes
emotions
|personal development
|health
Examples
- She showed great strength during the crisis.
- He found the strength to forgive her.
- Her inner strength helped her through tough times.
- It takes strength to admit you were wrong.
- She drew strength from her friends' support.
Learner examples
- She has the strength to face problems.
- He found the strength to keep going.
- It takes strength to tell the truth.
- She has emotional strength in hard times.
- He needs more strength to deal with stress.
Noun
B1
entity
3
advantage or beneficial quality
Something good about a person or thing that helps them succeed.
Usage pattern:
[something]'s strength is [something]
Synonyms
asset (A useful or valuable quality, skill, or resource.)
Antonyms
weakness (A fault or disadvantage that makes success harder.)
Collocations
key strength
|main strength
|play to strengths
|strength and weakness
Themes
business
|personal development
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her main strength is her ability to communicate clearly.
- The team's strengths include speed and teamwork.
- Knowing your strengths can help you choose the right career.
- One of the strengths of this phone is its battery life.
- We should play to our strengths in the competition.
Learner examples
- Her strength is speaking well.
- The team's strength is working together.
- My strength is in writing stories.
- One strength of this car is its low cost.
- We should use our strengths to win.
Noun
B2
entity
4
degree of intensity or concentration
How strong something is, like a drink, smell, signal, or material.
Usage pattern:
the strength of [something]
Synonyms
intensity (Focuses on the degree of force or energy present.)
Antonyms
weakness (Low level of intensity, concentration, or force.)
Collocations
signal strength
|wind strength
|alcohol strength
|material strength
Themes
science
|technology
Examples
- The wind reached hurricane strength by nightfall.
- I prefer coffee with less strength in the morning.
- Check the signal strength before you start streaming.
- The bridge was tested for its load-bearing strength.
- The medicine varies in strength depending on the dose.
Learner examples
- The wind has great strength today.
- My tea has too much strength for me.
- The phone has low signal strength here.
- We tested the rope's strength.
- This perfume has a lot of strength.
Grammar
Dictionary form
strength
IPA
GB/stɹˈɛŋθ/
US/stɹˈɛŋθ/
Syllables & stress
strength (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (strength)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: strength
- Plural: strength, strengths
Word family
Expressions
draw strength from [something]
1/dɹˈɔ stɹˈɛŋθ fɹˈʌm sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
gain resilience from source
To get mental or emotional power from something or someone.
Examples
- She draws strength from her family's support.
- He drew strength from his past experiences.
in strength
1/ˈɪn stɹˈɛŋθ/
fixed phrase
in large numbers together
When many people or things are together with power or force.
Examples
- The protesters came out in strength to support the cause.
- Fans turned up in strength for the final match.
play to your strengths
1/plˈeɪ tə jˈʊɹ stɹˈɛŋθs/
idiom
use your best skills for success
To do things that you are good at so you can succeed.
Examples
- In the interview, try to play to your strengths.
- The coach told the team to play to their strengths.
strength to strength
1/stɹˈɛŋθ tə stɹˈɛŋθ/
idiom
keep improving steadily
To keep getting better and more successful over time.
Examples
- Since launching, the company has gone from strength to strength.
- Her career has gone from strength to strength since she moved abroad.