English Reference

Word

beaten

Phoneticsbeat·en, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈbitən/

UK/bˈiːtən/

Definitions

01past participle of beat

A2 · Elementary

v. the form of 'beat' used after 'have' or 'be'.

v. the past participle of 'beat'.

“Our team has beaten them three times already this season.”

“By the time the whistle blew, the reigning champions had been beaten by a margin that no one in the press box had predicted.”

Pitfall

They have beat the record.

They have beaten the record.

In standard English, 'beaten' is the past participle, while 'beat' is the past simple form.

Synonyms

02defeated

B1 · Intermediate

adj. having lost a game, a fight, or a competition.

adj. having been defeated in a contest or conflict.

“The beaten players walked off the field with their heads down.”

“The beaten candidate gave a brief, dignified speech to his supporters before leaving the stage for the final time.”

03mixed for cooking

B1 · Intermediate Cooking

adj. mixed very quickly with a tool like a fork or a spoon.

adj. describing food ingredients that have been vigorously mixed or whisked to incorporate air or combine textures.

“Add the beaten eggs to the flour and stir gently.”

“The recipe requires two lightly beaten egg whites to be folded into the batter to ensure a fluffy texture.”

04worn or shaped by hitting

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. something that has been hit many times to change its shape or because it is old.

adj. formed, shaped, or worn down by repeated blows or heavy use.

“The old path was made of beaten earth from years of people walking on it.”

“The artisan displayed a collection of beaten copper bowls, each showing the unique marks of the hammer used to shape them.”

Etymology

From beat + -en.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

beaten(A2)

ADJECTIVE

Domain

Cooking

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · Elementary
Updated

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English Reference