cornerstone
gb/kˈɔɹnɚstˌoʊn/ us/kˈɔɹnɚstˌoʊn/
B2
Engleză
~ 9300
Sensuri
0 sensuri
Substantiv
B2
entity
1
most important, basic part
The main and most important part that supports or guides something, like a system, idea, plan, or belief.
Tipar de utilizare:
[something] is the cornerstone of [something]
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners sometimes think "cornerstone" can be used for any important thing. In natural English, it is usually used for the single most important part or one of a very small number of basic parts (e.g., "a cornerstone of our policy", not "a cornerstone of my lunch"). Another common mistake is writing it as two words (*corner stone*), but it is written as one word in this figurative sense.
Sinonime
foundation (Very close in meaning; slightly broader and more common in both literal and figurative uses.)
|
basis (Stresses what something is built on, but sounds a bit less strong and less formal than "cornerstone".)
|
pillar (Often used for ideas or values that support something; suggests one of several main supports, while "cornerstone" suggests the single most important one.)
Antonime
detail (A small, less important part, contrasting with "cornerstone" as the most important part.)
|
minor aspect (Emphasizes something of low importance within a system, the opposite role of a cornerstone.)
Colocații
cornerstone of democracy
|cornerstone of policy
|cornerstone of the economy
|serve as the cornerstone
|form the cornerstone
|provide the cornerstone
Teme
society
|business
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemple
- Trust is the cornerstone of any healthy relationship.
- Free speech is a cornerstone of democratic society.
- This agreement will become the cornerstone of our long‑term strategy.
- Education is the cornerstone of the country’s development plans.
- Their customer‑first culture is the cornerstone of the company’s success.
Exemple pentru cursanți
- Honesty is the cornerstone of their family life.
- Good communication is the cornerstone of teamwork.
- Respect for others is a cornerstone of the school’s rules.
- Saving money early is the cornerstone of his financial plan.
- Strong laws are the cornerstone of public safety.
Substantiv
B2
entity
2
ceremonial stone at building corner
A special stone placed at the bottom corner of a building, often with writing on it to show when or why the building was made.
Tipar de utilizare:
lay/place a cornerstone in/at [a building]
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners may confuse the literal architectural meaning with the common figurative meaning and use this sense when talking about ideas (for example, saying "the literal cornerstone of democracy" when the physical stone meaning is not intended). In most modern texts, if no building is mentioned, the figurative sense is usually meant.
Sinonime
foundation stone (Very close in architectural use; sometimes broader and not limited to the corner position.)
Antonime
capstone (Refers to the top stone of a structure, contrasting with a cornerstone at the base.)
Colocații
lay the cornerstone
|ceremonial cornerstone
|inscribed cornerstone
|cornerstone ceremony
|marble cornerstone
|cornerstone of the building
Teme
architecture
|history
|housing
|core_vocabulary
Exemple
- The church’s cornerstone, laid in 1883, is still visible near the front steps.
- A time capsule was placed inside the new library’s cornerstone during the opening ceremony.
- The mayor helped lay the cornerstone of the new hospital.
- Workers cleaned the soot from the old courthouse’s granite cornerstone.
- An inscription on the cornerstone records the names of the original architects.
Exemple pentru cursanți
- They put a box inside the cornerstone of the new school.
- The date of the building is written on the cornerstone.
- People watched as the cornerstone of the museum was put in place.
- The old church has a large cornerstone near the main door.
- The president spoke when the cornerstone of the bridge tower was laid.
Gramatică
Expresii
the cornerstone of [something]
1/ðə kˈɔɹnɚstˌoʊn əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
the most important part of something
Used to say that something is the main thing that supports or guides another thing, such as a system, plan, or belief.
Exemple
- Transparency is the cornerstone of our management style.
- Equal access to education is the cornerstone of the government’s social policy.