What does “build” mean?
- 1
verbto make a building or other structure by putting parts together
They built a new school in our town.
- 2
verbto develop something over time
It takes years to build trust.
Build at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /bɪld/ · BILD
- Forms
- built
How to use “build” correctly
The “u” is silent: “build” sounds like “billed”.
Common phrases with “build”
- build a house
- build a relationship
- build up
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- construct
- develop
Antonyms (opposite meaning)
- destroy
Word family
- building
- builder
- rebuild
“build” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- begin verbA1to start doing something or to start happening
- break verbA1to make something separate into pieces or stop working
- bring verbA1to take someone or something with you to a place
- change verbA1to become different, or make someone or something different
- check verbA1to look at something to see if it is correct, safe or as it should be
- close verbA1to shut something, or to stop being open
- come verbA1to move toward the speaker or the place being talked about
- cut verbA1to divide or make an opening in something with a knife or scissors