build

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To make something by joining materials and parts together

   They are going to build a new house on the hill.

2. 2
   verb

   To develop and grow gradually

   The tension in the film builds right up to the end.

3. 3
   verb

   To create or develop something gradually over time

   She built her reputation on hard work and honesty.

4. 4
   verb

   To increase or make stronger

   Regular exercise will build your strength.

Common collocations

• build a house Verb + noun
• build a wall Verb + noun
• build a fire Verb + noun
• build a road Verb + noun
• build a business Verb + noun
• build a relationship Verb + noun
• build a team Verb + noun
• build trust Verb + noun

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *buþlijan Old English bytlan Middle English bylden English build From Middle English bilden, bulden, bylden, from Old English byldan and bytlan, bytlian (“to build”), from Proto-West Germanic *buþlijan (“to build”), from Proto-Germanic *buþlą, *bōþlą (“house, dwelling, farm”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰuH- (“to become, grow, thrive, be, live, dwell”). Related to Old English botl (“building, house”). More at bottle.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images