B2 adjective Neutral

anchorage

/ˈæŋ.kər.ɪdʒ/

A place where a boat or ship can be securely anchored, or the state of being held firmly in place. It can also figuratively refer to something that provides a sense of stability, security, or a foundational basis for a system of belief.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The bay offers a protected anchorage for sailors during the summer months.

The bay offers a protected anchorage for sailors during the summer months.

2

Vessels are required to maintain a safe distance while at the designated anchorage.

Vessels are required to maintain a safe distance while at the designated anchorage.

3

I really need some kind of anchorage in my life right now; everything feels so uncertain.

I really need some kind of anchorage in my life right now; everything feels so uncertain.

Word Family

Noun
anchorage
Verb
anchor
Adjective
anchored
Related
anchoring
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the city Anchorage, Alaska—it was named because it served as a safe place for ships to stop and stay.

Quick Quiz

The storm was approaching, so the captain steered the ship toward a protected ___.

Correct!

The correct answer is: anchorage

Examples

1

The bay offers a protected anchorage for sailors during the summer months.

everyday

The bay offers a protected anchorage for sailors during the summer months.

2

Vessels are required to maintain a safe distance while at the designated anchorage.

formal

Vessels are required to maintain a safe distance while at the designated anchorage.

3

I really need some kind of anchorage in my life right now; everything feels so uncertain.

informal

I really need some kind of anchorage in my life right now; everything feels so uncertain.

4

The study explores the theoretical anchorage of post-structuralist thought in linguistics.

academic

The study explores the theoretical anchorage of post-structuralist thought in linguistics.

5

The partnership provided the financial anchorage necessary for the startup's expansion.

business

The partnership provided the financial anchorage necessary for the startup's expansion.

Word Family

Noun
anchorage
Verb
anchor
Adjective
anchored
Related
anchoring

Common Collocations

safe anchorage a secure place to anchor
secure anchorage a firm and safe mooring
provide anchorage to offer a place to stay or stability
emotional anchorage a source of psychological stability
deep-water anchorage a place for large ships to anchor

Common Phrases

at anchorage

the state of a ship being anchored

find anchorage

to locate a safe spot or foundation

firm anchorage

a strong and stable position

Often Confused With

anchorage vs anchor

An 'anchor' is the heavy metal tool used to hold a ship, while 'anchorage' is the specific location or area where ships anchor.

📝

Usage Notes

While primarily a maritime term used to describe nautical locations, it is frequently used in literary or academic contexts to describe a metaphorical sense of stability or a foundational idea.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'anchorage' when they mean the physical metal 'anchor' tool itself. Remember that 'anchorage' usually refers to the place or the abstract concept of being held.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the city Anchorage, Alaska—it was named because it served as a safe place for ships to stop and stay.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle English 'anker' (anchor) combined with the suffix '-age', which denotes a place, state, or collective condition.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Usually takes the prepositions 'at' or 'in' Can be used as an abstract noun without an article in philosophical contexts
🌍

Cultural Context

The term is deeply rooted in seafaring history, symbolizing safety, the end of a long voyage, and the importance of a reliable foundation.

Quick Quiz

The storm was approaching, so the captain steered the ship toward a protected ___.

Correct!

The correct answer is: anchorage

Related Words

ozone

B2

Ozone is a colorless gas found in the upper atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. It is also produced at ground level as a pollutant when sunlight reacts with industrial emissions.

layer

B2

A layer is a single thickness, sheet, or level of a material that covers a surface or is placed between other things. It can refer to physical substances like paint and geological strata, or abstract levels of complexity and meaning.

around

C2

As an adverb at a C2 level, it denotes presence, availability, or existence within a specific vicinity or context. It is also used to indicate approximate values or to describe movement or positioning that encircles a point or lacks a specific direction.

climate

B2

Climate refers to the long-term patterns of weather conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, in a particular region over many years. It can also describe the prevailing mood, conditions, or social atmosphere of a specific time or place.

immune

B2

Immune describes the state of being protected from a specific disease, typically through vaccination or prior exposure. It can also figuratively refer to being unaffected by something negative, such as criticism, or being exempt from certain duties or legal consequences.

virus

B2

A submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism, often causing disease. In technology, it refers to a piece of malicious code that replicates itself to damage or disrupt a computer system.

species

B2

A species is a group of living organisms consisting of similar individuals capable of exchanging genes or interbreeding. It is the basic unit of biological classification and taxonomic rank in the hierarchy of living things.

business

B2

Used as an attributive adjective to describe things related to professional commerce, trade, or work activities. It distinguishes professional matters from personal, social, or recreational ones.

contract

C1

A formal and legally binding agreement between two or more parties that establishes mutual obligations. In academic and legal contexts, it refers to the specific terms, conditions, and enforcement mechanisms that govern a transaction or relationship.

bonus

B2

A bonus is an extra amount of money, credit, or benefit added to what is expected or required. It is typically given as a reward for good performance or as an incentive to encourage future effort.

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!

Start learning languages for free

Start Learning Free