magnet
B1Neutral (common in everyday, technical, and academic contexts)
Definition
Meaning
A piece of iron or other material that has its component atoms arranged so that it attracts iron or objects containing iron.
A person, place, or thing that has a powerful attraction or draws people, things, or attention towards itself.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The physical object meaning is primary. The figurative sense (a person/place with strong attraction) is a common extension, typically used with 'be a magnet for' or 'act as a magnet' patterns.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or pronunciation differences in the core meaning. Minor differences in collocational preferences for figurative use (e.g., 'magnet for trouble' vs. 'trouble magnet').
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties: scientific reliability in technical contexts, powerful attraction in figurative use.
Frequency
Equally common and core in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NOUN + magnet (bar magnet)magnet + for + NOUN (a magnet for tourists)ADJ + magnet (powerful magnet)like + a + magnet (draw like a magnet)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “draw/pull/attract like a magnet”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used figuratively: 'The new shopping centre became a magnet for investment.'
Academic
Used in physics and engineering contexts: 'The experiment measured the flux density around the magnet.'
Everyday
Referring to a physical object: 'I used a magnet to pick up the pins.'
Technical
Referring to specific types: 'The neodymium magnet provides a high magnetic field strength.'
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a small magnet on my fridge.
- The magnet sticks to the metal door.
- He used a powerful magnet to find the lost key in the grass.
- The city is a magnet for tourists in the summer.
- The new arts festival is acting as a magnet for creative talent from across the region.
- The electromagnet can be switched on and off.
- His controversial policies proved to be a magnet for media scrutiny.
- The rare-earth magnet's coercivity makes it ideal for high-performance motors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAG-net catching metal like a fishing NET catches fish.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTRACTION IS MAGNETISM (e.g., 'She's a magnet for interesting people.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'магнит' (the shop chain) when referring to the physical object.
- The Russian word 'магнит' is a direct cognate, so meaning transfer is generally safe, but figurative use ('магнит для проблем') is a calque and may sound less natural in Russian than in English.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'magnate' (a wealthy person).
- Using 'magnet' as a verb (incorrect; the verb is 'magnetise/magnetize').
- Confusing 'magnetic' (adj.) and 'magnet' (noun).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a correct use of 'magnet'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The correct verb is 'magnetise' (UK) / 'magnetize' (US). 'Magnet' is strictly a noun.
'Magnet' is a noun for the object that produces a magnetic field. 'Magnetic' is an adjective describing the property of attraction (e.g., a magnetic personality, a magnetic field).
Yes, figuratively. A person can be described as 'a magnet' if they attract a lot of attention, people, or things (e.g., 'He's a magnet for trouble').
In the US and UK, it's a public school with specialized courses or curricula, designed to attract students from across different neighbourhoods, often through a selective process.