gear

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The equipment, clothing, or tools needed for a particular activity or job.

   Grammar: No plural in this sense: say camping gear, not camping gears.

   Patterns

   • camping gear
   • sports gear
   • safety gear

   We packed our hiking gear before sunrise.

   The studio provided microphones and other recording gear.

2. 2nouncountabletechnical

   A toothed wheel or similar part that transfers motion and force in a machine.

   Grammar: Takes a plural for separate wheels: the gears meshed smoothly.

   Patterns

   • a gear wheel
   • mesh with another gear
   • strip a gear

   A broken gear made the clock stop ticking.

   The mechanic replaced two gears in the gearbox.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To design, adjust, or aim something so it suits a particular purpose, level, or group.

   Grammar: Takes an object and often to, toward(s), or for: gear lessons to beginners.

   Patterns

   • gear something to someone
   • gear something toward something
   • gear something for something

   The course is geared toward adult learners.

   Advertisements were geared for local families, not tourists.

4. 4verbphrasal verb

   To prepare yourself or others for an event or task, especially by getting ready mentally or practically.

   Grammar: Usually gear up; followed by for or to do, not a direct object.

   Patterns

   • gear up for something
   • gear up to do something
   • gear someone up

   The team is gearing up for the final match.

   She geared herself up to ask a difficult question.

Word forms

Common combinations

camping gear

Check the camping gear before you leave for the mountains.

change gear

The driver changed gear as the road began to climb.

gear toward

The workshop is geared toward recent graduates.

gear up for

Everyone is gearing up for the busy holiday season.

Synonyms and how they differ

equipment

Equipment is broader and uncountable; gear is informal and often means personal or activity-specific items.

apparatus

Apparatus sounds technical or organized; gear is common in everyday sports, travel, and work contexts.

adjust

Adjust changes details; gear suggests directing the whole thing toward a purpose or audience.

Opposites

Word family

gearing noun

A set of gears or a system of transferring motion.

gearbox noun

A case containing gears in a vehicle or machine.

geared adjective

Designed or suited for a particular purpose or audience.

Commonly confused: gear or fear? gear or career?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “gear”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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