ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gear

n. · v. · adj.
US //ˈɡɪɹ// UK //ɡˈiə// gear
  1. 1 equipment (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the special clothes or tools you need for a particular activity.

    the collective equipment, paraphernalia, or apparatus required for a specific task or athletic pursuit.

    Example

    We packed all our camping gear into the back of the car.

    Example

    The rescue team inspected their climbing gear meticulously before ascending the north face of the mountain.
  2. 2 mechanical part (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Engineering

    a part of a machine or vehicle that controls how much power goes to the wheels.

    a toothed wheel that engages with another to transmit motion; also the specific ratio selected in a transmission system.

    Example

    He shifted into a lower gear to drive up the steep hill.

    Example

    The engineer noted that the primary gear was showing signs of significant wear, likely due to insufficient lubrication during high-speed operation.
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  1. 3 clothing (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    clothes, especially a particular type of clothing.

    clothing or garments, often used to describe a specific style or functional attire.

    Example

    The shop sells a lot of designer gear that is very expensive.

    Example

    The teenagers were all dressed in the latest streetwear gear, congregating near the entrance of the skate park.
  2. 4 landing gear (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Aviation

    the wheels of an aircraft that it uses to land.

    the undercarriage of an aircraft, including the wheels and struts, used for takeoff and landing.

    Example

    The pilot lowered the gear as the plane approached the runway.

    Example

    A mechanical failure prevented the nose gear from locking into place, forcing the crew to declare an emergency landing.
    • undercarriage
  3. 5 illegal drugs (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang British English

    a word for illegal drugs.

    a slang term for recreational drugs, including narcotics or performance-enhancing steroids.

    Example

    He was caught trying to sell gear behind the nightclub.

    Example

    The investigation revealed a sophisticated network involved in the distribution of illegal gear across the city's gyms.
  4. 6 to prepare or adapt (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to design or organize something so that it is suitable for a specific group or purpose.

    to adjust or adapt something to ensure it is appropriate for a particular audience or objective; usually used with 'to' or 'towards'.

    Example

    The course is geared towards students who already have some experience.

    Example

    The government's new economic policy is geared towards stimulating growth in the renewable energy sector over the next decade.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice: 'be geared to/towards'.
  5. 7 to borrow for investment (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical British English Finance

    to borrow money to buy assets or investments.

    to use borrowed capital for an investment, expecting the profits made to be greater than the interest payable.

    Example

    The company decided to gear its operations to fund the new expansion.

    Example

    Highly geared companies often struggle during periods of rising interest rates due to the increased cost of servicing their debt.
  6. 8 excellent (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic British English Dialect

    very good or wonderful.

    an expression of high approval or excellence.

    Example

    That new record is absolutely gear.

    Example

    The youth in the club thought the band's performance was gear, echoing the popular slang of the era.

    Teacher's tip

    This was very popular in 1960s Liverpool (associated with The Beatles) but is rarely heard today.
Origin

From Middle English gere, a borrowing from Old Norse gervi, from Proto-Germanic *garwijaną (“to prepare”). See also adjective yare, yar from the same root via Old English.

Word family
Idioms7 entries

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