Build — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈbild/

Meaning & Definition of Build

Build (verb)

  1. to form by ordering and uniting materials by gradual means into a composite whole, construct
  2. to cause to be constructed
  3. to develop according to a systematic plan, by a definite process, or on a particular base

Build (noun)

  1. form or mode of structure, make; especially, bodily conformation of a person or animal
  2. a version or iteration of a product or component

Build (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to form by putting together parts or materials

    "he spent hours building a model airplane from a kit"

    similar: assemble, confect, construct, erect, fabricate, make, make up, piece, put up, raise, rear, set up, put together
    related: carpenter, fashion, forge, frame, hammer, handcraft, manufacture, mold, produce, shape, prefabricate, begin, coin, create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate, constitute, establish, father, found, institute, organize, conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), design, devise, imagine, think (up), reassemble, rebuild, reconstruct, redevelop, reedify (British), retrofit, jerry-build, rig (up), throw up, combine, unite
    opposite: demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down
    near: demolish, destroy, devastate, flatten, level, pull down, pulverize, raze, ruin, ruinate, shatter, smash, wreck, blow up, explode, detach, disengage, disconnect, disjoin, disunite, divide, separate

Build (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the type of body that a person has

    "has a slender build"

    similar: constitution, figure, form, frame, habit, physique, shape
    related: anatomy, structure

Related Entry: Build up (verb)

Build up is a different word from Build. The synonyms below are for build up, not for build.

  1. to become greater in extent, volume, amount, or number

    "static electricity built up on the cat's fur"

    similar: accelerate, accumulate, appreciate, balloon, boom, burgeon, climb, enlarge, escalate, expand, gain, increase, mount, multiply, mushroom, proliferate, rise, roll up, snowball, spread, swell, wax
    related: jump, rocket, skyrocket, surge, heighten, intensify, redouble, blow up, bulk, distend, inflate, puff (up), crescendo, crest, peak
    opposite: contract, decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, recede, wane

  2. to gradually increase in

    "the roller coaster built up momentum"

    similar: gain, gather, grow (in), pick up
    related: double (in), triple (in), accrue, accumulate, amass, excite, stimulate, enhance, enlarge, enrich, expand, extend, maximize, boost, elevate, jack (up), mount, ramp (up), step up
    opposite: decrease (in), lose
    near: abate, decline (in), diminish (in), dip, dwindle, fall (in), lessen, taper, taper off

  3. to gradually form into a layer, pile, or mass

    "evidence that the toxic chemical builds up in the bloodstream to unhealthy levels"

    similar: accrete, accumulate, amass, collect, concentrate, conglomerate, gather, mass, pile (up), stack (up)
    related: agglutinate, clump, lump, bank, drift, ridge
    near: disperse, dissipate, scatter

  4. to make greater in size, amount, or number

    "he patiently built up his coin collection over several decades"

    "the young stockbroker worked hard to build up a clientele"

    similar: accelerate, add (to), aggrandize, amplify, augment, boost, compound, enlarge, escalate, expand, extend, hype, increase, multiply, pump up, raise, stoke, supersize, swell, up
    related: boom, jump, skyrocket, spike, bump (up), ratchet (up), blow up, dilate, distend, inflate, draw out, elongate, flesh (out), lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch, develop, enhance, heighten, intensify, magnify, complement, supplement, beef (up), reinforce, strengthen, maximize, accumulate, amass, collect, follow up, parlay
    opposite: abate, decrease, de-escalate, diminish, downsize, dwindle, lessen, lower, minify, reduce, subtract (from)
    near: abbreviate, abridge, curtail, shorten, compress, condense, constrict, contract, cut back, retrench

Related Entry: Build a fire under (phrase)

Build a fire under is a different word from Build. The synonyms below are for build a fire under, not for build.

  1. to rouse to strong feeling or action

    "He was a well-known self-help guru who could build a fire under anyone to finally take those next steps."

    similar: arouse, encourage, excite, fire (up), impassion, incite, instigate, move, pique, provoke, rev (up), spark, stimulate, stir
    related: fan, ignite, inflame, kindle, trigger, activate, animate, drive, energize, galvanize, induce, inspire, key (up), motivate, motive, pump up, quicken, set off, vitalize, abet, ferment, foment, raise, whip (up), anger, enrage, madden, upset, jeer, taunt, tease, aggravate, annoy, bother, exasperate, gall, get, irritate, vex
    near: calm, soothe, subdue, tranquilize, appease, mollify, pacify, placate

Related Entry: Jerry-build (verb)

Jerry-build is a different word from Build. The synonyms below are for jerry-build, not for build.

  1. as in throw up, rig (up)

    similar: rig (up), throw up, reassemble, rebuild, reconstruct, redevelop, reedify (British), retrofit, combine, unite, conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), design, devise, imagine, think (up), constitute, establish, father, found, institute, organize, begin, coin, create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate, prefabricate, carpenter, fashion, forge, frame, hammer, handcraft, manufacture, mold, produce, shape, assemble, build, confect, construct, erect, fabricate, make, make up, piece, put up, raise, rear, set up
    opposite: demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down, demolish, destroy, devastate, flatten, level, pull down, pulverize, raze, ruin, ruinate, shatter, smash, wreck, blow up, explode, detach, disengage, disconnect, disjoin, disunite, divide, separate

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Build

The most common words with a similar meaning to Build:

assemble, confect, construct, erect, fabricate, make, make up, piece, put up, raise, rear, set up, put together, constitution, figure, form, frame, habit, physique, shape

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Build

Words with the opposite meaning of Build:

demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down, tear down

Related Words for Build

carpenter, fashion, forge, hammer, handcraft, manufacture, mold, produce, prefabricate, begin, coin, create, generate, inaugurate, initiate, innovate, invent, originate, constitute, establish, father, found, institute, organize, conceive, concoct, contrive, cook (up), design, devise

Near Antonyms of Build

demolish, destroy, devastate, flatten, level, pull down, pulverize, raze, ruin, ruinate, shatter, smash, wreck, blow up, explode, detach, disengage, disconnect, disjoin, disunite, divide, separate

Word Forms of Build

Inflections: built, building, builds

Origin & Etymology of Build

Middle English bilden, buylden, bulden "to make one's home (in a place), dwell, put together, construct," going back to Old English byldan, metathetic variant of bytlian, bytlan "to build, erect," derivative of botl, boðl "dwelling, house, hall" boodle

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Build

Words & Phrases Containing Build

builded, build a fire under, build in, build into, build on, build-out, build up, build a bridge

Frequently Asked Questions about Build

What does "Build" mean?

"Build" means to form by ordering and uniting materials by gradual means into a composite whole, construct. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to form by ordering and uniting materials by gradual means into a composite whole, construct. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Build"?

Other words for "Build" include assemble, confect, construct, erect, fabricate, make, make up and piece. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Build" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Build"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Build". Common alternatives include assemble, confect, construct, erect, fabricate, make, make up, piece, put up and raise.

What is the opposite of "Build"?

Antonyms of "Build" include demount, disassemble, dismantle, dismember, knock down, strike, take down and tear down. Near antonyms include demolish, destroy, devastate and flatten.

How do you use "Build" in a sentence?

Examples of "Build" in a sentence: "he spent hours building a model airplane from a kit"; "has a slender build".

Is "Build" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Build" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Build" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Build" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Build"?

"Build" is pronounced /ˈbild/.