foundation
gb/faʊndˈeɪʃən/ us/faʊndˈeɪʃən/
A2
Kiingereza
~ 1900
Maana
maana 0
Nomino
A2
entity
1
Base structure of a building
The strong bottom part that holds up a building.
Muundo wa matumizi:
the foundation of [a building/structure]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners sometimes confuse 'foundation' with 'floor', but the foundation is below ground and supports the entire structure.
Visawe
base (A more general term for the bottom support of something, not limited to buildings.)
Vinyume
roof (The top covering of a building, opposite in position to the foundation.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
lay the foundation
|solid foundation
|foundation stone
|build on the foundation
Mada
construction
|architecture
|engineering
|housing
Mifano
- The house has a concrete foundation to keep it stable.
- Cracks in the foundation can cause serious structural problems.
- They laid the foundation last summer before starting the walls.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- The house has a strong foundation.
- Workers are making the foundation for a new school.
- A good foundation keeps the building safe.
Nomino
B1
entity
2
Basic idea or principle
The main idea or fact that something is based on.
Muundo wa matumizi:
the foundation of [an idea/system/relationship]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse 'foundation' with 'reason'; 'foundation' refers to a base idea, not just a cause.
Visawe
basis (A close synonym, often interchangeable, but 'basis' can be less formal in some contexts.)
Vinyume
superstructure (Something built on top of a base, opposite in conceptual hierarchy.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
lay the foundation for
|form the foundation of
|strong foundation
|solid foundation
Mada
education
|philosophy
|business
|core_vocabulary
Mifano
- Trust is the foundation of any healthy relationship.
- These values form the foundation of our company culture.
- The theory provides the foundation for further research.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- Trust is the foundation of friendship.
- Math is the foundation for science.
- Good rules are the foundation of the game.
Nomino
B1
entity
3
Charitable or funding organization
A group that gives money to help people or projects.
Muundo wa matumizi:
[name] Foundation supports [cause/project]
Kosa la kawaida:
Learners may confuse 'foundation' (organization) with 'fund' (money itself). A foundation is the group managing the money.
Visawe
trust (A legal arrangement to hold and distribute funds, sometimes similar to a foundation but with different legal structure.)
Vinyume
beneficiary (The person or group receiving money, opposite role to a foundation.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
charitable foundation
|set up a foundation
|foundation grant
Mada
charity
|business
|education
|finance
Mifano
- The foundation awarded scholarships to 50 students this year.
- She set up a foundation to protect endangered animals.
- The project is funded by an international health foundation.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- The foundation gave money to poor families.
- He started a foundation for sick children.
- The school gets help from a big foundation.
Nomino
B1
entity
4
Skin-colored makeup base
A cream or liquid you put on your face to make your skin look smooth before other makeup.
Muundo wa matumizi:
apply foundation to [face/skin]
Kosa la kawaida:
Some learners confuse 'foundation' with 'powder'—foundation is applied first as a base layer.
Visawe
base makeup (More descriptive term used in cosmetics industry.)
Vinyume
bare skin (Skin without any cosmetic applied.)
Miunganiko ya maneno
liquid foundation
|powder foundation
|apply foundation
Mada
fashion
|daily life
|clothing
|daily_life
Mifano
- She applied a light layer of foundation before her lipstick.
- This brand offers a wide range of foundation shades.
- I need a new brush to blend my foundation.
Mifano kwa wanafunzi
- She puts on foundation every morning.
- I bought new liquid foundation.
- Her face looks smooth because of the foundation.
Sarufi
Umbo la kamusi
foundation
IPA
GB/faʊndˈeɪʃən/
US/faʊndˈeɪʃən/
Silabi na mkazo
found - a - tion (silabi 3)
Stress on 2nd syllable (a)
Maumbo ya neno
Noun
- Base: foundation
- Plural: foundation, foundations
Familia ya neno
Forms
foundations
noun
Core family
found
verb
founder
noun B2
Related words
founding
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unfounded
adjective
Advanced or less common
foundational
adjective
Semi
lay the foundation for
1/lˈeɪ ðə faʊndˈeɪʃən fɚ/
fixed phrase
Prepare base for future success
To start something that will make it possible for another thing to happen later.
Mifano
- Her early research laid the foundation for modern genetics.
- Good study habits lay the foundation for academic success.
on a firm foundation
1/ˈɔn ə fˈɚm faʊndˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Stable and well supported base
Having strong support so something can last or succeed.
Mifano
- Their marriage is on a firm foundation of trust and respect.
- The business is built on a firm foundation of customer loyalty.
shake the foundations of
1/ʃˈeɪk ðə faʊndˈeɪʃənz əv/
fixed phrase
Disrupt basic beliefs or systems
To make people question their basic ideas or change an important system.
Mifano
- The scandal shook the foundations of the political party.
- New evidence could shake the foundations of modern physics.