tower
gb/tˈaʊɚ/ us/tˈaʊɚ/
A2
English
~ 2600
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Tall vertical structure
A tall, narrow building or part of a building that is higher than it is wide.
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] tower
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'tower' with 'building' in general; a tower is specifically tall and narrow.
Synonyms
structure (A general term for any built object, not necessarily tall or narrow.)
|
spire (Usually refers to a pointed structure on top of a building, often decorative or religious.)
Antonyms
basement (An underground part of a building, opposite in vertical position to a tower.)
Collocations
skyscraper tower
|bell tower
|observation tower
|clock tower
|radio tower
Themes
architecture
|city
|landmarks
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous landmarks in the world.
- A bell rang out from the church tower.
- The radio tower can be seen from miles away.
- Tourists climbed the observation tower for a better view.
- The castle had four tall towers at each corner.
Learner examples
- The clock is in the tower.
- We went up the tower to see the city.
- The tower is very high.
- There is a flag on top of the tower.
- That old tower is made of stone.
Verb
B1
action
2
Be much taller than others
To be much taller than other things around.
Usage pattern:
[something] towers over [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'tower' as a noun when describing height comparison; as a verb it requires a subject and often 'over/above'.
Synonyms
overlook (Can mean to be above and look down on something, but also has unrelated meanings like 'fail to notice'.)
|
dominate (Emphasizes control or strong presence rather than just height.)
Antonyms
dwarf (In this sense, means to make something look small by comparison.)
Collocations
tower over
|tower above
Themes
size
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The skyscraper towers over all the other buildings in the city.
- The mountain towers above the valley.
- He towers over his classmates in height.
- Ancient redwoods tower over the forest floor.
- The monument towers over the square.
Learner examples
- That tree towers over the house.
- The new building towers over the park.
- She towers over her friends.
- The castle towers above the town.
- The hill towers over the fields.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tower
IPA
GB/tˈaʊɚ/
US/tˈaʊɚ/
Syllables & stress
tower (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tower)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: tower
- Plural: towers
Verb
- Base: tower
- 3rd Person Singular: towers
- Present Participle: towering
- Past: towered
Word family
Forms
towers
noun
towering
verb
towered
verb
Related words
watchtower
noun
Expressions
tower of strength
1/tˈaʊɚ əv stɹˈɛŋθ/
idiom
Very supportive person
Someone who gives strong help and comfort in difficult times.
Examples
- She was a tower of strength for her family during the crisis.
- He proved to be a tower of strength when we needed him most.
tower over
1/tˈaʊɚ ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
Be much taller than surroundings
To be much taller than other things or people nearby.
Examples
- The cathedral towers over the small houses around it.
- He towers over his younger brother by almost a foot.
ivory tower
1/ˈaɪvɚi tˈaʊɚ/
idiom
Isolated from real life
A situation or place where people are separated from practical problems and everyday life, often used about academics or intellectuals.
Examples
- The professor was accused of living in an ivory tower, out of touch with reality.
- Some critics say the committee makes decisions from an ivory tower.
ivory tower
2/ˈaɪvɚi tˈaʊɚ/
idiom
detached academic or intellectual world
A place or situation where people, often academics or experts, are separated from normal life and real problems.
Examples
- Critics say the policy was designed in an ivory tower, with little understanding of ordinary people’s lives.
- She left her ivory tower and started working directly with local communities.
- The professor was accused of living in an ivory tower, far from the realities of business.