I. build 1 S1 W1 /bɪld/ BrE AmE verb ( past tense and past participle built /bɪlt/)
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ build , ↑ builder , ↑ building ; verb : ↑ build , ↑ rebuild ; adjective : ↑ built ]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: byldan ]
1 . MAKE SOMETHING [intransitive and transitive] to make something, especially a building or something large:
The purpose is to build new houses for local people.
The road took many years to build.
They needed $3 million to build the bridge.
It is the female birds that build the nests.
Developers want to build on the site of the old gasworks.
a row of recently built houses
build somebody something
He’s going to build the children a doll’s house.
2 . MAKE SOMETHING DEVELOP ( also build up ) [transitive] to make something develop or form:
She had built a reputation as a criminal lawyer.
She’s been busy building her career.
Ross took 20 years to build up his business.
build (up) a picture of somebody/something (=form a clear idea about someone or something)
We’re trying to build up a picture of what happened.
3 . be built of something to be made using particular materials:
The church was built of brick.
4 . FEELING ( also build up ) [intransitive and transitive] if a feeling builds, or if you build it, it increases gradually over a period of time:
Tension began to build as they argued more frequently.
In order to build your self-esteem, set yourself targets you can reach.
5 . build bridges to try to establish a better relationship between people who do not like each other:
Peter needs to try and build bridges with Lizzie.
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THESAURUS
▪ build to make a house, road, wall, bridge etc using bricks, stone, wood, or other materials:
A new stadium will be built for the Olympics.
▪ construct to build a building, bridge, machine etc. Construct is more formal than build :
The council plans to construct two new schools.
▪ put up something to build a wall, fence, or building, or put a statue somewhere. Put up is less formal than build :
The neighbours have put up a new wooden fence.
▪ erect formal to build a wall, fence, or building, especially a public building, or put a statue somewhere:
A monument to the Canadian soliders was erected in Green Park.
▪ throw something up British English informal to build something very quickly:
Developers have hastily thrown up family homes in the area.
▪ put together to make something from its parts, for example a piece of furniture:
It took an hour to put the bookcase together.
▪ assemble formal to put all the parts of something such as a machine or a piece of furniture together:
A line of robots assemble the cars.
build something around something phrasal verb
to base something on an idea or thing and develop it from there:
Successful businesses are built around good personal relationships.
build something ↔ in phrasal verb
to make something so that it is a permanent part of a wall, room etc:
You could build in a wardrobe with mirrored doors.
⇨ ↑ built-in
build something into something phrasal verb
1 . to make something so that it is a permanent part of a wall, room etc:
There are three cash machines built into the wall.
2 . to make something a permanent part of a system, agreement etc:
Opportunities for reviewing the timings should be built into the plan.
build on phrasal verb
1 . build something on something to base something on an idea or thing:
Our relationship is built on trust.
2 . build on something to use your achievements as a base for further development:
The new plan will build on the success of the previous programme.
3 . to add another room to a building in order to have more space
build something ↔ on
We’re planning to build on a conservatory.
build up phrasal verb
1 . INCREASE GRADUALLY if something builds up somewhere, or if you build it up, it gradually becomes bigger or greater:
the rate at which the pension builds up
build something ↔ up
The museum has built up a fine art collection.
⇨ ↑ build-up
2 . DEVELOP build something ↔ up to make something develop or form
build something ↔ up into
He’s built up the family firm into a multinational company.
3 . FEELING if a feeling builds up, or if you build it up, it increases gradually over a period of time:
If you don’t express your feelings, frustration and anger can build up.
build up something
You have to build up trust.
4 . MAKE HEALTHY build somebody/something ↔ up to make someone well and strong again, especially after an illness:
Taking exercise will build up your strength.
5 . PRAISE build somebody/something ↔ up to praise someone or something so that other people think they are really good, or so that they have more confidence:
The coach has been building his men up before the match.
6 . build up sb’s hopes ( also build somebody's hopes up ) to unfairly encourage someone to think that they will get what they hope for:
Don’t build your hopes up too much.
build up to something phrasal verb
to prepare for a particular moment or event:
I could tell she was building up to some kind of announcement.
II. build 2 BrE AmE noun [singular, uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ build , ↑ builder , ↑ building ; verb : ↑ build , ↑ rebuild ; adjective : ↑ built ]
the shape and size of someone’s body ⇨ built :
a woman of slim build
You’re a surprisingly strong swimmer for one of such a slight build.
I wanted a more athletic and muscular build.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ medium/average build
He was of medium build and wearing a light-coloured jacket.
▪ slim/slender build
She was very strong despite her slender build.
▪ thin build
He had the thin build of a long-distance runner.
▪ slight build (=fairly thin)
Simpson was of slight build and shy in character.
▪ stocky build (=not very tall, but broad and strong)
The man was described as of stocky build with dark hair.
▪ sturdy build (=not very tall but strong and healthy)
an eight-year-old boy of sturdy build
▪ muscular build
These exercises will help you achieve a strong muscular build.
▪ athletic build
She admired his athletic build.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ body the shape, size, and appearance of someone’s body:
Many women are not happy with their bodies.
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His clothes emphasized his strong body.
▪ figure a woman’s figure is the shape of her body – used especially when it is attractive:
She has a really nice figure.
|
Freya had an enviably slim figure.
▪ build the size and shape of someone’s body – used in the following phrases:
Police described the man as tall and of medium build.
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He was of heavy build.
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She has a very slight build.
▪ physique the size and appearance of someone’s body – used especially about men who look attractive:
He was over 1.8 m tall with a muscular physique.
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Ben has a very athletic physique.