Lift
/lɪft/
Definitions
6 meaningsTo raise or move something upwards.
/lɪft/
To raise or move something to a higher position.
Could you lift this suitcase for me?
💡 Simply: Imagine you're trying to get a really heavy box onto a shelf. That's lifting! It's like using your arms to help something go up.
👶 For kids: To pick something up!
More Examples
She lifted her head to see what was happening.
The crane will lift the containers onto the ship.
How It's Used
"He lifted the heavy box with difficulty."
"She lifted the trophy victoriously."
To remove or end a restriction, rule, or limit.
/lɪft/
To end a restriction or limit.
The city council voted to lift the curfew.
💡 Simply: Sometimes there are rules that stop you from doing something, like staying inside. When the rules are removed, that restriction is 'lifted.'
👶 For kids: To make a rule go away!
More Examples
The company lifted the embargo on the new product.
The doctor lifted the restrictions on her patient's diet.
How It's Used
"The government lifted the travel ban."
"The company lifted its hiring freeze."
The act of raising something.
/lɪft/
The lift was a great feat of engineering.
💡 Simply: When you pick something up, that's a lift! It's the action of moving something upwards.
👶 For kids: When you pick something up. Like when you do the lift.
More Examples
She needed help with the lift of the heavy box.
The mechanic used a lift to raise the car.
How It's Used
"The lift of the weight required a great deal of strength."
"The car needed a lift to change the tire."
A device (especially a cabin or platform) for raising and lowering people or objects.
/lɪft/
A device for carrying people or objects.
The lift was out of order, so we had to take the stairs.
💡 Simply: A lift is like a special box that helps you go up and down in a building, instead of using stairs!
👶 For kids: A box that takes you up and down in a building!
More Examples
He waited for the lift to arrive.
The service lift is used for moving goods in the building.
How It's Used
"Take the lift to the tenth floor."
"The car lift at the garage needs maintenance."
A ride, especially in a car, given to someone.
/lɪft/
An instance of providing a ride to someone.
I need a lift to the grocery store.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone needs a ride somewhere. Giving them a lift means you're driving them in your car.
👶 For kids: A ride in a car!
More Examples
Thanks for the lift!
She gave him a lift home after the party.
How It's Used
"Can you give me a lift to the airport?"
An improvement or increase in something, often emotional or financial.
/lɪft/
An improvement or increase.
The pay raise gave his morale a lift.
💡 Simply: When things get better, that can be called a 'lift'. Like when your mood or sales go up.
👶 For kids: To make something better!
More Examples
The economic forecast predicts a lift in consumer spending.
Her words gave me a lift and made me feel better.
How It's Used
"The new advertising campaign gave the company's sales a lift."
"The news gave her spirits a lift."
Synonyms
Boost
Elevate
Heave
Hoist
Cancel
End
Elevation
Elevator
Carriage
Enhancement
Improvement
Increase
Idioms & expressions
give (someone) a lift
To provide someone with a ride.
"Could you give me a lift to the station?"
get a lift
To receive a ride from someone.
"I usually get a lift to work with my colleague."
lift off
To become airborne; to take flight (referring to an aircraft or spacecraft).
"The rocket will lift off at precisely 10:00 AM."
lift someone's spirits
To make someone feel happier or more cheerful.
"A funny joke can really lift someone's spirits."
From Old English *lyftan* 'to raise, elevate'. Related to Old Norse *lypta* and German *lüften*.
The word 'lift' has been used since Old English, originally referring to the action of raising or carrying.
Memory tip
Think of lifting weights at the gym.