measure
measure — verb
1. to use a tool such as a ruler or scale to determine how big, long, or heavy some
to use a tool such as a ruler or scale to determine how big, long, or heavy something is
Ezra measured the window before buying new curtains.
measure + object for fitting / sizing
The nurse measured Sora's height and weight at the clinic.
measure + body dimensions (height / weight)
Can you measure how much flour we need for the cake?
measure + how much / quantity
Christopher measured the temperature of the water before getting into the pool.
measure + temperature
- measure carefully
- measure accurately
- measure the distance
- measure the temperature
Grammar Patterns
measure + [object]
Usage Note
Commonly followed by a concrete object (size, length, weight, temperature) or a wh-clause (how much, how long).
Common Mistakes
2. when something has a certain size, length, width, or height according to a measu
when something has a certain size, length, width, or height according to a measurement
The living room measures about six metres across.
measure + dimension + unit
Salma's new wooden desk measures 120 centimetres by 60 centimetres, which fits her study room perfectly.
measure + width × height (dimensions)
The bridge measures nearly two kilometres from end to end.
measure + distance (length)
Elena's suitcase measures 55 centimetres tall and fits the airline carry-on rules.
measure + height dimension
- measures [number] metres
- measures [number] feet
- measures [number] by [number]
- be
simpler and more common in everyday speech; 'measure' is more precise or formal
Grammar Patterns
measure + [number] + [unit]
Usage Note
This sense does NOT take a direct object. The subject IS the thing being described. A measurement expression (e.g. '3 metres', '2 kg') is required.
Common Mistakes
3. to form a judgement about how good, significant, or useful something is, often b
to form a judgement about how good, significant, or useful something is, often by comparing it against a standard
Schools measure students' progress through regular tests and classroom observations.
measure + progress / achievement
Ingrid measured her students' progress by giving them a short quiz each week.
measure + abstract quality (progress / performance)
The study measured people's happiness against their income level.
measure + [something] + against + [standard]
The charity measures its success by the number of families it helps each year.
measure + success + by + [criterion]
- measure success
- measure progress
- measure the impact
- measure against
- measure by
Grammar Patterns
measure + [object]
measure + [object] + against/by + [criterion]
Usage Note
Subject is often an institution, researcher, or impersonal study. The object is usually an abstract noun (success, impact, happiness, effectiveness).
Common Mistakes
measure against
phrasal verbTo compare something with another thing to see how good or suitable it is.
Sara measured her new dress against the old one.
Did you measure your idea against the company's goals?
measure out
phrasal verbTo take a specific amount of something from a larger quantity.
The chef measured out two cups of flour for the cake.
Could you measure out the medicine for me?
measure up
phrasal verbTo be as good as expected or needed.
Brian's performance did not measure up to the manager's standards.
Will the new employee measure up to the job requirements?
measure — noun
1. an official action or set of actions taken by a government, company, or other gr
an official action or set of actions taken by a government, company, or other group in order to deal with a particular problem or achieve a goal
The government introduced new safety measures after the factory accident.
collocation: introduce / take measures
As a cost-cutting measure, the company reduced its staff by ten percent.
pattern: as a + adjective + measure
The school took emergency measures after the storm damaged the gym roof.
Environmental groups are demanding stronger measures to protect the rainforest.
collocation: strong / drastic / emergency measures
The city council announced new measures to help small businesses grow.
pattern: measures to + infinitive
- take measures
- introduce measures
- adopt measures
- implement measures
- safety measures
- cost-cutting measures
- temporary measures
Grammar Patterns
measure + to-infinitive
measure + against/of + noun
Usage Note
Often used in the plural (measures). Common verbs that pair with this sense include take, introduce, adopt, and implement.
Common Mistakes
2. a fixed standard that people use to express how long, how heavy, or how much of
a fixed standard that people use to express how long, how heavy, or how much of something there is
The metre is a measure of length, while the kilogram is a measure of weight.
pattern: a measure of [property]
In the UK, road signs still use miles as a measure of distance.
collocation: use [noun] as a measure of [noun]
The litre is a common measure of liquid volume in Europe and Asia.
Astronomers needed a larger measure of distance than a simple kilometre.
A cup is a standard measure used in baking recipes across America.
- a measure of length
- a measure of time
- a measure of weight
- a liquid measure
- imperial measure
- metric measure
Grammar Patterns
measure + of + noun
a measure of + noun
Usage Note
Can be countable (inches are a measure of length) or uncountable (a pint is an imperial measure). This sense is distinct from 'a measuring instrument' (a ruler, cup, etc.).
3. an amount of something pleasant or useful, or the level to which a quality exist
an amount of something pleasant or useful, or the level to which a quality exists in a particular situation
The new policy brought a measure of stability to the struggling economy.
pattern: a measure of + abstract noun
Luca felt a measure of pride when his painting was chosen for the exhibition.
The charity brought a measure of hope to families living without clean water.
Wei felt a measure of sympathy for his opponent after the difficult debate.
The new agreement gave the workers a measure of control over their schedules.
- a measure of success
- a measure of freedom
- a measure of control
- a measure of truth
- a certain measure of
Grammar Patterns
a measure of + noun
Usage Note
Always used in the singular with the article 'a'. The noun that follows 'a measure of' is usually an abstract quality such as peace, success, freedom, or pride.
Common Mistakes
4. a fixed amount of a strong alcoholic drink that is measured and served, especial
a fixed amount of a strong alcoholic drink that is measured and served, especially in a bar or pub
The bartender poured a generous measure of whisky into a thick glass.
collocation: a [adjective] measure of [alcohol]
Imran ordered a double measure of rum with his cola.
The pub serves a standard measure of gin with each tonic water.
Linh asked for just a small measure of brandy in her evening coffee.
pattern: a [size] measure of [alcohol]
According to the recipe, you need one measure of rum and two of juice.
- a double measure
- a single measure
- a generous measure
- a measure of whisky
- a measure of rum
Usage Note
In British English, a 'single measure' of spirits in a pub is typically 25 ml. In American English, this sense is less common; phrases such as 'a shot' are used instead.
5. one of the equal parts into which a piece of music is divided by vertical lines
one of the equal parts into which a piece of music is divided by vertical lines on the staff, containing a fixed number of beats
The pianist practised the last measure of the sonata until her fingers moved without effort.
domain-specific: in musical notation
A waltz has three beats in each measure, which gives it a swinging feel.
The drummer lost her place and came in two measures before the chorus.
The conductor held the final measure for a long, dramatic pause.
Each measure of the tango contains four strong beats for the dancers.
- the first measure
- the final measure
- beats per measure
- opening measure
- closing measure
- bar
the equivalent term, more common in British English
Usage Note
Often called a 'bar' in British English musical contexts. 'Measure' is more common in American English, though both terms are understood internationally.
6. a standard that helps people decide how good, important, or effective someone or
a standard that helps people decide how good, important, or effective someone or something is, often by comparing it with something else
Exam results are not the only measure of a student's ability.
pattern: [noun] is not the only / a good measure of [noun]
By any measure, the festival was a huge success this year.
fixed phrase: by any measure
Customer satisfaction is an important measure of a restaurant's quality.
The number of trees planted became a measure of the town's green efforts.
Test scores are only one measure of a teacher's effectiveness in class.
- a measure of success
- a measure of quality
- a reliable measure
- by any measure
- beyond measure
- the true measure of
Grammar Patterns
a measure of + noun
by any measure
by some measure
Usage Note
Common in fixed phrases such as 'by any measure', 'by some measure', and 'beyond measure'. The preposition 'of' introduces the quality being judged.
7. the regular pattern of beats and accents that gives music or poetry a particular
the regular pattern of beats and accents that gives music or poetry a particular rhythm; the feel of a tune, a dance, or a line of verse as it moves in time.
Sana could feel the gentle measure of the lullaby as it slowed near the end.
adjective + measure (gentle, slow, regular)
Kemi clapped her hands in a steady measure as the choir sang.
The dancers moved in perfect measure, matching every step to the drumbeat.
in + measure (in perfect measure)
Arjun tapped his pencil on the desk, keeping time with the measure of the jazz tune.
The choir sang in a lively measure that made the audience want to clap.
- in measure
- perfect measure
- slow measure
- lively measure
- regular measure
Grammar Patterns
in + measure
measure of + noun
adjective + measure
Usage Note
Often appears with descriptive adjectives such as 'slow', 'lively', 'regular', and 'perfect'. In poetry, 'measure' is a traditional term for metrical structure and is less common than 'meter' in modern discussions.
8. an object used to find out the size, amount, or level of something, for example
an object used to find out the size, amount, or level of something, for example a ruler, a tape, or a cup with printed marks.
Emma took out a tape measure and checked the width of the window frame.
compound: tape measure
Salma poured the flour into a measuring cup up to the two-cup line.
compound: measuring cup
The carpenter reached for his metal measure and made a mark on the wood.
A ruler is the simplest measure for drawing straight lines of a known length.
Lucía filled the glass measure with milk up to the 500-millilitre mark.
glass measure (kitchen tool)
- tape measure
- measuring cup
- measuring spoon
- glass measure
- metal measure
Grammar Patterns
a + measure
tape measure
measuring cup/spoon
Usage Note
Frequently combined with another noun to name the specific tool: tape measure, measuring cup, measuring spoon. In everyday conversation, the specific name (ruler, scale, cup) is often used instead of the general word 'measure'.
Common Mistakes
9. the act of checking the size, amount, or level of something by using a tool or c
the act of checking the size, amount, or level of something by using a tool or comparing it with a known standard.
Accurate measure of rainfall is essential for farmers who plan their planting season.
measure of + noun (measure of rainfall)
Feng recorded the measure of each plant's height every Monday morning.
By careful measure, the scientist found that the lake had lost nearly a metre of water.
by + adjective + measure
The measure of a person's blood pressure gives doctors important information about their health.
Zola learned that the measure of air quality involves checking several different gases.
- accurate measure
- careful measure
- measure of rainfall
- measure of temperature
- by measure
- measurement
emphasises the result or value obtained, rather than the process
- evaluation
a broader term that includes judging quality, not just size or quantity
- assessment
similar to evaluation, often used for skills or situations
Grammar Patterns
measure of + noun
by + measure
adjective + measure
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'measurement': 'measure' (this sense) emphasises the activity or process of finding a value, while 'measurement' typically refers to the value or result obtained. Frequently used with 'of' to specify what is being measured: 'measure of temperature', 'measure of success'.
Common Mistakes
Word family
- measurementnounB1
- measurableadjectiveB2
- measurablyadverbC1
- measuredadjectiveC1
- measuringadjectiveB1
- measuringnounB2
Common collocations
Phrases
- take measures
- measure up
- beyond measure
- for good measure
- made to measure
Etymology
The word 'measure' came into English through a long journey across languages. It began with the Latin noun 'mensura', meaning 'a measuring or a thing used for measuring'. This Latin word came from 'metiri', meaning 'to measure'. French speakers changed it to 'mesure', and after the Norman Conquest in 1066, English speakers adopted it as 'mesure', later settling on the modern spelling 'measure'. Today's spelling still closely matches the Old French form. Related words such as 'meter', 'metric', and 'immense' (from Latin 'immensus' — 'unmeasured', therefore 'vast') share the same ancient root.