engine
B1 (High frequency)Neutral (Used across all registers from technical to everyday)
Definition
Meaning
A machine with moving parts that converts power into motion; the primary source of motive power.
A thing that is the agent or instrument of a particular process or activity; a system, organization, or device that drives or enables something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to mechanical power sources. Metaphorical use ('engine of growth') is common in economics/politics. In computing, refers to core software components (e.g., search engine).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. In UK contexts, 'motor' is more common for internal combustion engines in cars (car motor), though 'engine' is standard. In rail transport, 'locomotive engine' is sometimes used in UK formal contexts.
Connotations
US usage slightly more technical/industrial. UK usage may retain older engineering connotations.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
start the enginerev the engineoverhaul an enginemount an enginethe engine drives somethingthe engine powers somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fire up the engine”
- “the engine of change”
- “ticking over like a well-oiled engine”
- “throw a spanner in the engine (UK variant of 'spanner in the works')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to primary driver of growth/profit ('The new division became the profit engine').
Academic
Used in engineering, economics, and computer science with precise technical meanings.
Everyday
Almost exclusively for car/motorbike/boat motors and internet search tools.
Technical
Specific types: internal combustion engine, Stirling engine, game engine, inference engine.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- engine parts
- engine performance
- engine oil
American English
- engine components
- engine specs
- engine trouble
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The car engine is very loud.
- I start the engine every morning.
- The jet engine failed during the flight.
- He repaired the engine of his boat.
- The country's economy is the engine of regional growth.
- The search engine algorithm was updated.
- The novel's plot is driven by the engine of the protagonist's ambition.
- They are developing a new engine for rendering complex graphics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ENGINE' as 'ENerGy INside' – the thing that has energy inside to make other things move.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN ENGINE IS A HEART (it powers the system), AN ENGINE IS A FOUNDATION (it enables functionality).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'инженер' (engineer). 'Engine' = двигатель, мотор. 'Locomotive' often translated as 'паровоз/тепловоз', but in English, it's a 'railway engine' or simply 'engine'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'motor' and 'engine' interchangeably in precise technical writing (motor often implies electric). Saying 'machine engine' is redundant. Incorrect: 'The engine of the computer' (should be 'processor' or 'CPU').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'engine' used metaphorically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, an engine converts fuel (like petrol) into motion via combustion, while a motor uses electrical energy. In everyday car talk, they are often used interchangeably, though 'engine' is more precise for petrol/diesel cars.
Yes, especially in computing: a search engine, a game engine, or a recommendation engine are all standard terms for core software systems that perform specific tasks.
No, this is redundant. Use either 'motor' or 'engine'. 'Motor engine' is not standard English.
It's the locomotive, the powered vehicle that pulls the train. You can say 'railway engine', 'train engine', or just 'engine' (UK: 'The engine broke down').
Collections
Part of a collection
Transport
A2 · 48 words · Ways of getting from place to place.
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