Meaning & use
established
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Accepted or recognized as fixed, true, or authoritative because it has existed or been used for a long time.
Grammar: Usually stands before a noun: an established rule; it can also follow be: The rule is established.
Patterns
- an established fact
- an established custom
- established as something
- become established
It is an established fact that regular sleep supports memory.
The court relied on established precedent rather than a new argument.
By the twentieth century, the festival was an established city tradition.
adjectivebefore a noun
Securely set up and successful or settled, especially after existing for some time rather than being new.
Grammar: Often describes people, businesses, or institutions with a track record: an established clinic.
Patterns
- an established business
- established in a place
- become established in something
- an established name
She left an established firm to start her own design studio.
The bakery became established in the neighborhood through steady weekend customers.
He is an established name in documentary photography.
adjectivebefore a nounreligionformal
Officially recognized or supported by the state, especially as a national church.
Grammar: Used mainly in formal historical or religious contexts: the established church.
Patterns
- the established church
- remain established
- disestablish something
The established church played a central role in local government records.
The debate asked whether the church should remain established by law.
Some countries have an established religion, while others keep church and state separate.
Common combinations
- an established fact
- Scientists treat the link as an established fact after repeated trials.
- become established
- The organization became established through years of dependable service.
- well established
- Her reputation is well established among museum curators.
- established practice
- Checking sources twice is established practice in the newsroom.
- established in
- The charity is established in several coastal towns.
Synonyms and how they differ
- accepted
- Accepted means generally agreed, but it does not always imply a long history or secure position.
- recognized
- Recognized stresses being known or acknowledged, whereas established adds durability over time.
- settled
- Settled suggests fixed after doubt or change; established often suggests social or institutional continuity.
- proven
- Proven emphasizes tested validity, while established can refer to custom, status, or long existence.
Opposites
Word family
- establish verb
- To set up, create, or show something to be true.
- establishment noun
- The act of setting up, or an institution, business, or organization.
- well-established adjective
- Securely accepted or successful over a long period.
Commonly confused: established or establishment? established or establish?
established vs establishment
Establishment is a noun for an institution or the act of setting up; established is the adjective form.
established vs establish
Establish is the verb meaning to create or prove; established often describes the resulting accepted state.
Practice
Which word best completes this sentence? “The theory has been tested for decades and is now an ______ principle in physics.”
Choose one answer.
Established fits because the theory is accepted and has a long track record. Popular could be widely liked without lasting proof; experimental and temporary suggest the opposite of secure acceptance.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “established”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.