support
gb/səpˈɔɹt/ us/səpˈɔɹt/
A2
English
~ 600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
give help or assistance
To help someone or something succeed or be strong.
Usage pattern:
to support [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'support' with 'sponsor'; 'sponsor' often means providing money for an event or person, while 'support' can mean emotional, practical, or material help.
Synonyms
assist (Slightly more formal; often used for practical or technical help.)
|
help (More general and common; can be used in more casual contexts.)
Antonyms
oppose (Means to act against someone or something instead of helping them.)
Collocations
support a friend
|support a cause
|support the team
|support each other
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|work
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She always supports her coworkers when they are under pressure.
- We should support local businesses in our community.
- He supported his sister through her illness.
- The charity supports children in need across the country.
Learner examples
- I support my friend when she is sad.
- They support the team at every game.
- We support our teacher by listening.
- He supports his brother with homework.
Verb
B1
action
2
hold up weight
To carry or hold something so it does not fall.
Usage pattern:
to support [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with emotional or moral support; here it refers to physical holding up.
Synonyms
hold up (Informal; more physical and less formal than 'support'.)
|
sustain (More formal; often used in technical contexts.)
Antonyms
collapse (Describes what happens when something is not supported and falls down.)
Collocations
support the roof
|support the structure
|support the bridge
Themes
construction
|objects
|housing
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The pillars support the roof of the building.
- This beam supports the weight of the floor above.
- Strong cables support the suspension bridge.
Learner examples
- The table legs support the top.
- The wall supports the shelf.
- The pole supports the tent.
Noun
A2
entity
3
help given
Help or encouragement given to a person, group, or idea.
Synonyms
assistance (More formal; often used in service or professional contexts.)
|
aid (Often used in humanitarian or emergency contexts.)
Antonyms
opposition (Actively working against instead of helping.)
Collocations
offer support
|emotional support
|financial support
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her family gave her a lot of support during her studies.
- We rely on community support to run the program.
- The proposal has widespread public support.
Learner examples
- I get support from my friends.
- We need more support for this idea.
- He gave me support when I was sick.
Noun
B1
entity
4
object that holds weight
Something that holds another thing so it does not fall.
Synonyms
brace (Often used for a supporting device in construction or engineering.)
|
prop (Usually temporary support to hold something up.)
Antonyms
weakness (A lack of strength or structure to hold something up.)
Collocations
metal support
|wooden support
|structural support
Themes
construction
|objects
|housing
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The scaffolding provides support for the workers.
- This beam acts as a support for the ceiling.
- The shelf needs an extra support in the middle.
Learner examples
- The stick is a support for the plant.
- The chair leg is a support for the seat.
- The wall is a support for the roof.
Verb
B1
action
5
agree with and promote cause
To say yes to an idea and try to make it happen.
Usage pattern:
to support [an idea/cause/person]
Synonyms
endorse (More formal; often used in political or commercial contexts.)
|
back (Informal; suggests active promotion.)
Antonyms
oppose (To be against an idea or cause.)
Collocations
support a policy
|support a candidate
|support reform
Themes
politics
|opinions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Many voters support the new environmental policy.
- She supports equal rights for all citizens.
- The senator supports the education reform bill.
Learner examples
- I support free education.
- They support new laws for clean air.
- We support our leader's plan.
Grammar
Dictionary form
support
IPA
GB/səpˈɔɹt/
US/səpˈɔɹt/
Syllables & stress
sup - port (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (port)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: support
- Plural: support, supports
Verb
- Base: support
- 3rd Person Singular: supports
- Present Participle: supporting
- Past: supported
Word family
Forms
supports
noun
supporting
verb
supported
verb
Core family
supporter
noun A2
supportive
adjective B1
Related words
supportable
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unsupportive
adjective
unsupported
adjective
Advanced or less common
supportively
adverb
supportiveness
noun
Expressions
financial support
1/fɪnˈænʃəl səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
money given to help continue operating
Money given to help a person, group, or activity continue.
Examples
- The project depends on financial support from donors.
- She received financial support from her parents while studying.
in support of
1/ˈɪn səpˈɔɹt əv/
fixed phrase
showing agreement/help for something
To show that you agree with or want to help someone or something.
Examples
- They marched in support of climate action.
- He spoke in support of the new proposal.
lend support to
1/lˈɛnd səpˈɔɹt tə/
fixed phrase
give help or approval to something/someone
To give help or agree with someone or something.
Examples
- Several experts lent their support to the project.
- She lent her support to the charity campaign.
moral support
1/mˈɔɹəl səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
emotional encouragement only
Kind words or presence that make someone feel better, without doing physical work.
Examples
- I didn't help move the boxes, but I was there for moral support.
- She came along for moral support during his speech.
technical support
1/tˈɛknɪkəl səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
Help with technology problems
Help people get when they have problems with computers, phones, or other equipment.
Examples
- Call technical support if your computer stops working.
- The company offers 24/7 technical support for its customers.
technical support
2/tˈɛknɪkəl səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
technical
help with technology products/services
Help from experts when you have problems with technology like computers or phones.
Examples
- Call technical support if your computer isn't working.
- The company offers 24/7 technical support for customers.