tech

1.adjectiveB2

Definition

short for 'technical'; connected with the equipment, methods, and expert know-how of science and manufacturing

Example

Talia works for a company that offers tech support to schools across Mexico.

tech support — adjective + noun compound

The university built a new tech lab with 3D printers and laser cutters.

tech lab — adjective + noun compound

Synonyms

technical
the full form; 'tech' is informal and clipped
technological
wider scope, often about large systems rather than hands-on machinery

Usage Note

Almost always used before a noun in compounds such as tech company, tech industry, and tech support. In informal contexts it may stand alone (e.g., 'the tech team').

1.nounA2

Definition

short for 'technology', especially digital technology such as computers, the internet, smartphones, and the businesses and activities connected with them

Example

Megan found a job in tech after finishing her degree in computer science.

in tech — preposition + noun (field of work)

The tech industry in Nairobi has attracted investors from all over the world.

tech industry — noun + noun compound

Synonyms

technology
the full form; 'tech' is shorter and more conversational
IT
narrower focus on information systems and computing
computing
more about the act or science of using computers

Usage Note

Uncountable in this sense when referring to the field or concept generally ('a career in tech'). Can be countable when referring to specific types or sectors ('emerging techs' is rare but possible).

Common Mistakes

I work in a tech.

I work in tech.

When referring to the industry, do not use 'a'.

The techs are changing quickly.

Tech is changing quickly.

Usually uncountable for the field.

2.nounB1

Definition

electronic gadgets and tools that rely on computers or digital systems, for example phones, laptops, and tablets

Example

The Watanabe family keeps all their old tech in a box under the stairs.

old tech — adjective + noun (uncountable, general)

On the bus to Da Nang, Minh played games on his phone and other tech.

played games on [poss] tech — tech as uncountable category

Synonyms

gadgets
more playful; suggests smaller, fun devices
devices
more formal and neutral
electronics
broader — includes non-computer devices like radios

Usage Note

Uncountable — used as a collective term for multiple devices. Do not add -s ('techs') for this meaning.

Common Mistakes

I need to buy some techs for my trip.

I need to buy some tech for my trip.

Tech is uncountable here.

3.nounB2

Definition

short for 'technician'; someone with hands-on expertise in a scientific or technical field such as medicine, engineering, or laboratory work

Example

The hospital called a lab tech to repair the blood-testing machine before the morning shift.

lab tech — noun + noun compound (workplace role)

Imani worked as an engineering tech at a solar panel company for six years.

Synonyms

technician
the full form; 'tech' is shorter and more informal
engineer
requires more formal qualifications in most contexts

Usage Note

Often used with a preceding word specifying the field — lab tech, IT tech, engineering tech. Common in job titles and workplace speech.

4.nounB2

Definition

short for 'technical school'; an educational institution that focuses on hands-on training in fields like car repair, electronics, or health care

Example

After high school, Joaquín enrolled at a local tech to study automotive repair.

local tech — adjective + noun (school)

Élise chose a tech over a university because she preferred hands-on training in welding.

Synonyms

technical school
the full form; 'tech' is a shortening
vocational school
US English, similar meaning
trade school
focuses on skilled trades like plumbing or carpentry

Usage Note

Countable — a tech (school) / the tech. More common in the UK and Australia than in the US, where 'vocational school' or 'trade school' is typical.

Word family

technical
adjectiveB2
technically
adverbB2
technology
nounA2
technological
adjectiveB1
technologically
adverbB2
technician
nounB1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Tech is an informal shortening of technology, used widely in business and everyday conversation ('She works in tech'). Technology is the full form and fits formal or academic contexts ('advances in medical technology'). IT (Information Technology) focuses specifically on computer systems, networks, and software management, often within organizations ('the IT department'). Computing is broader than IT in one way—it covers the science of computation—but narrower in another, as it rarely includes hardware manufacturing or biotech. In practice: 'I work in tech' could mean any digital business; 'I work in IT' implies a technical support or systems role; 'I studied computing at university' suggests a computer science background.

tech ↗technology ↗IT ↗computing ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

tech industry
tech company
tech sector
tech giant
tech startup
tech hub
tech worker
tech job
tech community

Phrases

state of the art tech
cutting-edge tech
the latest tech

Prepositions

in tech
into tech

Etymology

GreekLatinFrenchEnglish

Tech started as a shortened form of three different words — technical (adjective), technology (noun), and technician (noun) — all of which trace back to the Greek word 'tekhnē', meaning art, skill, or craft. The clipped forms began appearing in informal English around the mid-20th century and became extremely common from the 1980s onward with the rise of personal computers and the internet.

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tech

tech — adjective

1. short for 'technical'; connected with the equipment, methods, and expert know-ho

Usage Note

tech — noun

1. short for 'technology', especially digital technology such as computers, the int

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. electronic gadgets and tools that rely on computers or digital systems, for exam

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. short for 'technician'; someone with hands-on expertise in a scientific or techn

Usage Note

4. short for 'technical school'; an educational institution that focuses on hands-o

Usage Note

tech — abbreviation

1. written abbreviation for 'technical' or 'technically', used in notes, forms, and

Usage Note

2. written abbreviation for 'technological', used in notes, charts, and technical d

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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