entry
C1Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
The act or means of entering; a place of access; an item recorded or listed.
Can refer to physical entrance, initiation into a state or condition (e.g., entry into a new market), or a single recorded item in a list, log, competition, or database.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The primary physical sense ('doorway') is less common than the abstract senses ('gaining access', 'list item'). In computing, 'entry' often means a single record in a database or a line in a log file.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use all core senses. The plural 'entries' is standard everywhere.
Connotations
Similar connotations of formality and record-keeping in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in business/legal contexts in AmE due to 'market entry', 'entry-level job'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
gain entry to [place]make an entry in [log/book]entry into [market/field]entry for [competition]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “force an entry”
- “make a grand entry”
- “no entry”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Market entry, entry-level position, entry barrier.
Academic
Lexical entry (in a dictionary), journal entry.
Everyday
Filling in a competition entry form, using the back entry to the house.
Technical
Database entry, log entry, point of entry (cybersecurity).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The main entry to the castle was through the gatehouse.
- Her diary entry for that day was particularly moving.
- The entry requirements for the university are listed online.
American English
- Use the side entry if the front door is locked.
- Each database entry must have a unique identifier.
- The company announced its entry into the Asian market.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please use the back entry.
- I made an entry in my notebook.
- The sign said 'No Entry'.
- She won first prize with her competition entry.
- Gaining entry to the exclusive club required a membership.
- The accounting software automates the creation of each journal entry.
- The treaty facilitated the country's entry into the trade bloc.
- His late entry into the field of neuroscience didn't hinder his groundbreaking research.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of EN-TRY as you 'TRY' to get 'IN'.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE IS A CONTAINER / A dictionary is a container, each word is an entry into that knowledge.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not to be confused with 'entrance' (which is more specifically the physical door/gate). 'Entry' can be more abstract. Russian 'вход' maps closely to 'entrance', not all senses of 'entry'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'entry' for a very large, grand entrance (prefer 'entrance'). Confusing 'entry' (single item) with 'entries' (plural) in competition contexts. *'Make an entry to a room' (use 'into').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'entry' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Entrance' is primarily the physical means of entering (a door, gate). 'Entry' is more often the *act* of entering or an *item* in a list. A building has an entrance; you gain entry through it.
It is both. As an act ('They were denied entry'), it's uncountable. As an item ('There were fifty entries in the contest'), it's countable.
It describes a job, product, or position suitable for a beginner, requiring minimal prior experience or expertise.
Use 'entry into' for abstract 'joining' contexts: 'entry into a market', 'entry into politics', 'entry into force' (of a law). For physical places, use 'entry to' or simply 'entry of'.