B2 noun Neutral

code

/koʊd/

A system of words, letters, figures, or other symbols used to represent others, especially for the purposes of secrecy or computer programming. It also refers to a set of rules or principles that a group of people agree to follow.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I forgot the entry code for the garage door.

I forgot the entry code for the garage door.

2

The organization requires all members to sign a strict code of ethics.

The organization requires all members to sign a strict code of ethics.

3

Can you give me the code for the discount before I check out?

Can you give me the code for the discount before I check out?

Word Family

Noun
code
Verb
code
Adjective
coded
Related
coding
💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Code' as a 'Mode' of communication that requires a key to understand.

Quick Quiz

The software engineer spent all night writing _____ for the new mobile application.

Correct!

The correct answer is: code

Examples

1

I forgot the entry code for the garage door.

everyday

I forgot the entry code for the garage door.

2

The organization requires all members to sign a strict code of ethics.

formal

The organization requires all members to sign a strict code of ethics.

3

Can you give me the code for the discount before I check out?

informal

Can you give me the code for the discount before I check out?

4

Sociologists analyze the underlying cultural code that dictates social interaction.

academic

Sociologists analyze the underlying cultural code that dictates social interaction.

5

The company's proprietary code is protected by intellectual property laws.

business

The company's proprietary code is protected by intellectual property laws.

Word Family

Noun
code
Verb
code
Adjective
coded
Related
coding

Common Collocations

dress code dress code
area code area code
genetic code genetic code
binary code binary code
moral code moral code

Common Phrases

crack the code

to solve a difficult problem or mystery

code of conduct

a set of rules outlining the social norms and responsibilities of an individual

zip code

a postal code used in the United States

Often Confused With

code vs chord

A chord refers to a group of musical notes or a line segment in geometry, whereas code refers to rules or symbols.

code vs cord

A cord is a thin string or rope, while a code is a system of information or rules.

📝

Usage Notes

When referring to computer software, 'code' is often used as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'there is a lot of code'). When referring to laws or regulations, 'codes' is frequently used in the plural.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often say 'codes' when they mean 'lines of programming code,' but in a technical context, 'code' is usually uncountable.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of 'Code' as a 'Mode' of communication that requires a key to understand.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'codex,' meaning 'trunk of a tree' or 'wooden tablet' used for writing.

Grammar Patterns

Uncountable when referring to software instructions Countable when referring to specific signals or laws Used with the preposition 'for' (e.g., a code for the vault)
🌍

Cultural Context

In Western professional environments, 'codes of conduct' are foundational documents that define corporate culture and legal liability.

Quick Quiz

The software engineer spent all night writing _____ for the new mobile application.

Correct!

The correct answer is: code

Related Words

overhospence

C1

Describing a quality of being excessively or intrusively hospitable to the point of making a guest feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable. It implies that the host's efforts to be welcoming have crossed a boundary into being burdensome or stifling.

excelership

C1

Describing a state of superior leadership and technical mastery, particularly within a corporate or organizational structure. It characterizes individuals or actions that demonstrate both exceptional performance and the ability to guide others toward high-level goals.

homosophful

C1

Describing a state of possessing shared wisdom or having a mindset that aligns with universal human understanding. It is often used to characterize individuals or groups that exhibit profound, common-sense insight or an intellectual harmony with their community.

abphotoion

C1

To remove or displace an ion from a molecular structure using concentrated light energy or radiation. It is a specialized term used in advanced physics and chemical engineering to describe the precise detachment of particles via photon interaction.

undertrudless

C1

To execute a series of tasks or navigate a complex system with a complete absence of resistance or friction. It implies bypassing the usual 'trudge' or difficulty associated with a process, often in a mechanical or systematic way.

prodentation

C1

Characterized by the forward projection or protrusion of teeth or tooth-like structures. It is a specialized term used primarily in anatomical, biological, or technical descriptions to indicate a feature that juts outward.

regratine

C1

Regratine refers to the historical trade practice of purchasing commodities, particularly food, at a market and reselling them in the same or a nearby market at an inflated price. It was traditionally considered a form of unethical profiteering or price manipulation in medieval and early modern economic systems.

prehabment

C1

The process of engaging in physical conditioning and strengthening exercises prior to a surgical procedure or a period of intense physical exertion. It is used to improve physiological resilience, reduce the risk of injury, and accelerate the subsequent recovery process.

anteregess

C1

A specialized term used primarily in academic and logical testing contexts to describe a preliminary stage of advancement or a forward-moving phase that precedes a primary event. It represents an initial step in a sequence that establishes the necessary conditions for further progress.

inclarive

C1

A noun referring to a rhetorical or logical construct that is intentionally broad yet lacks specific detail, often used to encompass various possibilities without committing to one. It describes a state where inclusion is prioritized over precision, leading to a calculated ambiguity.

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