structural
gb/stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚəl/ us/stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚəl/
B1
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
relating to physical framework
About how parts are built or held together in something, like a building or bridge.
Usage pattern:
[structural] [noun]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'structural' with 'decorative', using it to describe style rather than strength or arrangement.
Synonyms
architectural (Focuses more on design and style rather than purely physical strength or arrangement.)
Antonyms
decorative (Emphasizes appearance rather than function or strength.)
Collocations
structural damage
|structural engineer
|structural integrity
|structural support
Themes
construction
|engineering
|architecture
|housing
|technology
Examples
- The earthquake caused significant structural damage to the bridge.
- A structural engineer inspected the old building for safety.
- Structural support beams hold up the roof.
- The house has some structural problems that need repair.
Learner examples
- The storm made structural damage to the house.
- A structural wall keeps the roof safe.
- The bridge has strong structural parts.
adjective
technical
B2
property
2
relating to system arrangement
About how parts of a system or idea are put together and connected.
Usage pattern:
[structural] [change/problem/feature]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'structural' here when 'strategic' would be more accurate for discussing plans or goals.
Synonyms
organizational (More specifically refers to the arrangement of people and roles in an organization.)
Antonyms
incidental (Not part of the main arrangement or system.)
Collocations
structural change
|structural problem
|structural reform
|structural feature
Themes
business
|science
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company needs structural changes to improve efficiency.
- Structural problems in the economy can take years to fix.
- The book's structural features make it easy to read.
Learner examples
- The school made structural changes to its schedule.
- There is a structural problem in the plan.
- The team talked about structural reforms.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
relating to scientific structure
About how parts are arranged in science, like words in language or atoms in a molecule.
Usage pattern:
[structural] [analysis/formula/component]
Synonyms
syntactic (Specifically refers to the structure of sentences in linguistics.)
Collocations
structural analysis
|structural formula
|structural component
Themes
science
|linguistics
|education
Examples
- Structural analysis helps us understand how sentences are built.
- Chemists use structural formulas to show how atoms connect.
- Structural biology studies the shapes of proteins.
Learner examples
- We did a structural analysis of the poem.
- The chemist drew a structural formula.
- They study structural changes in metals.
Grammar
Dictionary form
structural
IPA
GB/stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚəl/
US/stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚəl/
Syllables & stress
struc - tur - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (struc)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: structural
Word family
Core family
structure
noun B1
structurally
adverb B2
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
unstructured
adjective
Advanced or less common
structuralism
noun
structuralist
noun
Expressions
structural damage
1/stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚəl dˈæmɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
damage to a structure's framework
Harm to the main parts that hold something up, like a building or bridge.
Examples
- The hurricane caused severe structural damage to homes along the coast.
- After the fire, inspectors found significant structural damage.
structural engineer
1/stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚəl ˈɛnd͡ʒənˈɪɹ/
fixed phrase
person designing strong structures
An engineer who makes sure buildings, bridges, and other structures are strong and safe.
Examples
- A structural engineer inspected the cracked walls.
- She works as a structural engineer for a large firm.
structural integrity
1/stɹˈʌkt͡ʃɚəl ɪntˈɛɡɹɪti/
fixed phrase
technical
strength and safety of a structure
The strength that keeps a building or object standing and safe.
Examples
- Engineers tested the bridge's structural integrity before reopening it.
- Engineers assessed the bridge’s structural integrity.
- Poor materials can weaken a building's structural integrity.
- High temperatures can reduce structural integrity.