build 1 S1 W1 / bɪld / 动词 ( past tense and past participle built / bɪlt / )
1 make something [不及物和及物动词] to make something, especially a building or something large :
The purpose is to build new houses for local people.
The road took many years to build.
They needed $3 million to build the bridge.
It is the female birds that build the nests.
Developers want to build on the site of the old gasworks.
a row of recently built houses
build somebody something
He’s going to build the children a doll’s house.
2 make something develop ( also build up ) [及物动词] to make something develop or form :
She had built a reputation as a criminal lawyer.
She’s been busy building her career.
Ross took 20 years to build up his business.
build (up) a picture of somebody/something (= form a clear idea about someone or something )
We’re trying to build up a picture of what happened.
3 be built of something to be made using particular materials :
The church was built of brick.
4 feeling ( also build up ) [不及物和及物动词] if a feeling builds, or if you build it, it increases gradually over a period of time :
Tension began to build as they argued more frequently.
In order to build your self-esteem, set yourself targets you can reach.
5 build bridges to try to establish a better relationship between people who do not like each other :
Peter needs to try and build bridges with Lizzie.
THESAURUS
build to make a house, road, wall, bridge etc using bricks, stone, wood, or other materials : A new stadium will be built for the Olympics.
construct to build a building, bridge, machine etc. Construct is more formal than build : The council plans to construct two new schools.
put up something to build a wall, fence, or building, or put a statue somewhere. Put up is less formal than build : The neighbours have put up a new wooden fence.
erect formal to build a wall, fence, or building, especially a public building, or put a statue somewhere : A monument to the Canadian soliders was erected in Green Park.
throw something up British English informal to build something very quickly : Developers have hastily thrown up family homes in the area.
put together to make something from its parts, for example a piece of furniture : It took an hour to put the bookcase together.
assemble formal to put all the parts of something such as a machine or a piece of furniture together : A line of robots assemble the cars.
build something around something 短语动词
to base something on an idea or thing and develop it from there :
Successful businesses are built around good personal relationships.
build something ↔ in 短语动词
to make something so that it is a permanent part of a wall, room etc :
You could build in a wardrobe with mirrored doors. → built-in
build something into something 短语动词
1 to make something so that it is a permanent part of a wall, room etc :
There are three cash machines built into the wall .
2 to make something a permanent part of a system, agreement etc :
Opportunities for reviewing the timings should be built into the plan.
build on 短语动词
1 build something on something to base something on an idea or thing :
Our relationship is built on trust.
2 build on something to use your achievements as a base for further development :
The new plan will build on the success of the previous programme.
3 to add another room to a building in order to have more space
build something ↔ on
We’re planning to build on a conservatory.
build up 短语动词
1 increase gradually if something builds up somewhere, or if you build it up, it gradually becomes bigger or greater :
the rate at which the pension builds up
build something ↔ up
The museum has built up a fine art collection. → build-up
2 develop build something ↔ up to make something develop or form
build something ↔ up into
He’s built up the family firm into a multinational company.
3 feeling if a feeling builds up, or if you build it up, it increases gradually over a period of time :
If you don’t express your feelings, frustration and anger can build up.
build up something
You have to build up trust.
4 make healthy build somebody/something ↔ up to make someone well and strong again, especially after an illness :
Taking exercise will build up your strength.
5 praise build somebody/something ↔ up to praise someone or something so that other people think they are really good, or so that they have more confidence :
The coach has been building his men up before the match.
6 build up sb’s hopes ( also build somebody’s hopes up ) to unfairly encourage someone to think that they will get what they hope for :
Don’t build your hopes up too much.
build up to something 短语动词
to prepare for a particular moment or event :
I could tell she was building up to some kind of an 名词 cement.