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to gear

to gear

136 4.5
To change something to fit a particular purpose or group
  • verb
  • /ɡɪr/
translation icon : adaptar a
  • Are our activities, programs, and projects geared to and related to the music education profession?
  • programs geared to
  • education geared to
  • geared to students

You know, a lot of your work is geared around this kind of journey.

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Examples

  • I'm actually gearing up for a residency right now at Madison Square Garden.

  • I thought about doing content more geared at kids, teens.

  • Okay, time to gear up.

  • Let's gear up and move onto the next stage!

  • Uh, once I bring Lucy in, we're going to roll for a couple hours straight, so gear up for a long session.

  • What are you gearing up for?

  • His books, such as Career Management for Scientists and Engineers, are geared toward business.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The art packs include materials geared for the age and grade level of the child.

    Academic text (2015)
  • In all, the individualized tutoring sessions were geared to the student's particular needs according to subject areas.

    Academic text (2008)
  • The new curriculum is designed to gear students for success in the workforce.

Synonyms

to pitch
vsto gear
152 3.9

To try to sell something or persuade people to accept an idea

adjusts or designs things to suit a purpose or situation rather than sell

Antonyms

4 6.7

To put parts in the wrong position so they do not line up

Idioms

22 3.6

With the gears engaged so a car or machine can move when the engine runs

4 4.4

Working very fast and doing everything needed

2 9.9

Start working quickly and with more energy

1 3.5

Completely ready and working at full speed

out of gear
  • Specialized
1 4.6

The gears are not engaged so the engine does not move the wheels

A person who has gear for an activity but does not know how to use it

9.9

To start working quickly and seriously

Phrasal Verbs

68 3.7

To get ready for an activity by preparing people or equipment

to get in gear
  • Informal
3 4.2

Start working more actively and getting more done

To start working faster and harder

1 6.8

To work harder or faster when facing a challenge

4.2

To start working well and fast after a slow time

To start working faster and try harder to reach a goal

Compounds

landing gear
  • Specialized
17 3.1

Wheels and parts under a plane that hold it on the ground during takeoff and landing

13 3.7

A forward setting in a vehicle that lets it go fastest with low engine speed

8 1.7

Equipment that people use to catch fish, like rods, nets, lines and hooks

4 1.6

Clothing and items like a raincoat or umbrella that keep you dry in rain

3 2.5

A car setting used after first for low to medium speed and more power

3 2.8

A gear in a car that makes the car move slowly when you start

2 3.2

A lower setting in a vehicle that gives more power and less speed for starting and climbing

reverse gear
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A gear in a vehicle that makes it move backwards

1 3.4

A car setting that gives more speed than second but more power than higher gears

Clothing that keeps you dry and warm in rain or storms

1 3.2

Moving the gears in a car changes speed or power

1 3.6

A handle in a car you move to change gears

top gear
  • Informal
1 3.8

A time when someone works at their highest speed or energy

laughing gear
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person's mouth and their ability to speak or make happy sounds

gear queer
  • Slang
1 9.9

A person who loves equipment for hobbies like cycling

reduction gear
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A group of gears that makes a fast shaft turn more slowly and gives more turning power to the output

planetary gear
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A gear that turns around a central sun gear to change speed in a gearbox

sun gear
  • Specialized
1 6.0

A central gear that other gears turn around and that drives them

spur gear
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A wheel with straight teeth that turns another wheel on a parallel axle

worm gear
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A gear with a screw shaft that turns a toothed wheel to change direction and make turning slower and stronger

bevel gear
  • Specialized
6.5

A wheel with teeth set at an angle to change motion between two crossing shafts

chafing gear
  • Jargon
8.5

Material like rope that protects a line or pole from rubbing

differential gear
  • Specialized
5.8

A set of gears that lets two wheels turn at different speeds when a car turns

epicyclic gear
  • Specialized
8.8

A gear that turns around a central gear to change speed or turning force

epicyclic gear train
  • Specialized
6.5

A set of gears where one gear moves around a central gear while spinning to change speed or force

fixed-gear drivetrain
  • Specialized
7.0

A system that connects the pedals to the rear wheel so you must keep pedalling while the bike moves

gear case
  • Specialized
4.1

A metal cover that holds and protects gears in a machine or vehicle

gear mechanism
  • Specialized
4.1

A group of wheels with teeth that pass movement and force to make a machine work

A sudden change in plan or way of doing things to improve results

gear wheel
  • Specialized
3.5

A round wheel with teeth that fits together with another wheel to move parts or change speed

Clothes and tools you need for long walks in hills or mountains

pinion and ring gear
  • Specialized
8.0

Gears that fit together at a right angle to send power between car axles

planet gear
  • Specialized
7.7

A small wheel with teeth that turns around a central gear and fits inside an outer ring

Equipment for horses like saddles, bridles and harnesses

steering gear
  • Specialized
4.0

A car part that moves the front wheels when the driver turns the wheel

How Tailored

to customize
  • US
65 3.7
to gear
136 4.5
to adapt
178 3.2
to modify
268 3.2
to adjust
317 2.7

Surface Forms

gear infinitive
geared past
geared past participle
gearing present participle
gears third person singular

Etymology

Gear (verb) comes from the noun gear meaning 'equipment' and so means 'to make or set something for a special purpose'. So to gear a course or plan to beginners is to adjust it so it fits their needs.