breakthrough
gb/bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu/ us/bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu/
B2
Anglais
~ 6100
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B2
event
1
Sudden major advance or discovery
A sudden big step forward in knowledge, a project, or a problem, usually after trying for a long time.
Schéma d’usage :
a breakthrough in [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes mix up "breakthrough" and "breakdown". A "breakthrough" is positive progress, while a "breakdown" is when something stops working or someone loses control. Learners also sometimes say *"do a breakthrough"*; the natural verbs are "make a breakthrough" or "achieve a breakthrough". Another common error is missing the article: you usually say "a breakthrough", not just *"breakthrough"* in singular countable use.
Synonymes
advance (A general word for progress; not always as sudden or dramatic as a breakthrough.)
|
discovery (Focuses on finding something new, especially in science; a breakthrough usually also changes what people can do or understand.)
|
milestone (Highlights an important stage reached; not necessarily the sudden jump in progress implied by breakthrough.)
Antonymes
setback (A problem or event that makes progress slower or reverses it, instead of moving it forward.)
|
stagnation (A period with no progress or change, the opposite of a sudden big step forward.)
Collocations
major breakthrough
|scientific breakthrough
|medical breakthrough
|technological breakthrough
|make a breakthrough
|achieve a breakthrough
Thèmes
science
|business
|innovation
|personal_development
|technology
|education
Exemples
- The new battery design is being called a major breakthrough in electric vehicle technology.
- After years of research, the team finally made a breakthrough in the treatment of the disease.
- Her therapist said the session was a real breakthrough in understanding the roots of her anxiety.
- The talks had gone nowhere for months, but last night negotiators reported a breakthrough in the peace process.
- This software marks an important breakthrough in how we analyze large amounts of data.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Scientists reported a big breakthrough in cancer research.
- After many failures, they finally had a breakthrough and finished the project.
- The new app is a breakthrough in online learning.
- That meeting was a breakthrough in our relationship.
- This discovery is a real breakthrough for the company.
Nom
technical
C1
event
2
Penetration of enemy defensive lines
In war, a moment when an army breaks through the enemy’s line and can move forward.
Schéma d’usage :
a breakthrough in [enemy defenses / the front lines]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may not realize this is a specific military use and might try to use it for any kind of physical breaking, where words like "break" or "smash" are more natural. Also, this sense is countable and usually used with an article: "a breakthrough" or "the breakthrough".
Synonymes
penetration (A technical term focusing on entering enemy defenses; less general and vivid than breakthrough.)
|
breach (Emphasizes the gap or opening in defenses rather than the overall advance that follows.)
Antonymes
stalemate (A situation where neither side can move forward, the opposite of pushing through defenses.)
|
repulse (When an attack is driven back, instead of successfully breaking through.)
Collocations
make a breakthrough
|achieve a breakthrough
|breakthrough in the enemy lines
|breakthrough on the western front
Thèmes
military
|history
|conflict
|politics
|law
Exemples
- The general ordered a final push in the hope of achieving a breakthrough in the enemy lines.
- The breakthrough on the eastern front changed the course of the war.
- Despite heavy losses, the offensive failed to produce a breakthrough.
- Once the breakthrough was made, armored units poured through the gap.
- Historians still debate whether the breakthrough could have been exploited more quickly.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The army was waiting for a breakthrough in the enemy line.
- The battle ended without a real breakthrough.
- Their attack almost made a breakthrough, but it was stopped.
- The general planned a big attack to create a breakthrough.
- The breakthrough allowed soldiers to move into the city.
adjective
B2
property
3
Describing something as a major advance
Very new and important, bringing a big change or success in some area.
Schéma d’usage :
breakthrough [noun]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes use "breakthrough" as an adjective in places where "successful" or "famous" is more natural, for example saying *"a breakthrough singer"* when they mean "a very successful singer". More natural is "a breakthrough album" or "a breakthrough role"—the thing that creates success, not usually the person.
Synonymes
groundbreaking (Stresses being very new and original; often used in similar contexts but sounds slightly more formal or emphatic.)
|
revolutionary (Strongly emphasizes completely changing how things are done; sometimes stronger than breakthrough.)
Antonymes
ordinary (Lacks the special importance or innovation of something described as breakthrough.)
|
conventional (Follows usual methods instead of offering a major advance.)
Collocations
breakthrough technology
|breakthrough drug
|breakthrough product
|breakthrough role
|breakthrough performance
Thèmes
innovation
|entertainment
|business
|science
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The company is seeking approval for a breakthrough drug to treat rare cancers.
- Her breakthrough role came in an independent film that won several awards.
- This breakthrough technology could transform the way we store energy.
- Critics praised his breakthrough performance as both subtle and powerful.
- The startup hopes its breakthrough product will reshape the home security market.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Scientists are working on a breakthrough vaccine.
- That movie was her breakthrough role as an actress.
- They developed a breakthrough phone with a new type of screen.
- The team showed a breakthrough design at the tech show.
- This is a breakthrough tool for learning languages.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
breakthrough
API
GB/bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu/
US/bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu/
Syllabes et accentuation
break - through (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (break)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: breakthrough
- Plural: breakthroughs
Famille de mots
Expressions
a breakthrough in
1/ə bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
A major advance in a field
Used to say that a big new advance has happened in a particular area, such as science, medicine, or business.
Exemples
- This could be a breakthrough in renewable energy.
- Doctors are excited about a breakthrough in heart disease treatment.
achieve a breakthrough
1/ət͡ʃˈiv ə bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu/
fixed phrase
Succeed in reaching a breakthrough
To succeed in making a sudden big step forward, usually after working hard for a long time.
Exemples
- The company achieved a breakthrough in battery efficiency last year.
- Negotiators finally achieved a breakthrough after three days of talks.
breakthrough performance
1/bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu pɚfˈɔɹməns/
fixed phrase
Performance that brings major recognition
A performance that makes an actor, musician, or athlete suddenly well-known or highly respected.
Exemples
- Critics praised her breakthrough performance in the drama series.
- The game was his breakthrough performance for the national team.
breakthrough role
1/bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu ɹˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
First role that makes actor famous
An actor’s or performer’s first important role that makes them well-known or successful.
Exemples
- That film was her breakthrough role and launched her career.
- He is still waiting for his breakthrough role on television.
make a breakthrough
1/mˈeɪk ə bɹˈeɪkθɹˌu/
fixed phrase
Achieve a sudden major advance
To suddenly have big success or progress after working on a problem or project for some time.
Exemples
- Researchers hope to make a breakthrough in the fight against climate change.
- After weeks of confusion, our team finally made a breakthrough on the design.
- Therapy helped him make a breakthrough in understanding his behavior.