network
To meet and talk with other people to help each other in your work or social life.
Explanation at your level:
To network means to talk to people. You meet new people at school or work. You share your ideas. It helps you find friends or get a job. You can network at a party or a meeting. It is good to be friendly when you network.
When you network, you connect with people to help your career. You might go to a business event to meet new people. You exchange phone numbers or emails. It is a useful way to learn about new jobs or get advice from experts in your field.
To network is to engage in a process of building professional relationships. You attend events or use platforms like LinkedIn to meet people who share your interests. The goal is to create a support system where you can exchange information, share opportunities, and grow your professional influence over time.
Networking is a strategic activity where you cultivate a web of contacts. It involves more than just meeting people; it requires active maintenance of those relationships. You might network to find mentors, discover hidden job opportunities, or gain industry insights that aren't available through public channels.
In advanced contexts, networking refers to the deliberate cultivation of social capital. It is an essential skill for leadership, as it allows individuals to bridge silos and foster collaboration across diverse sectors. Effective networkers understand the nuance of reciprocity, ensuring that their interactions provide value to others while simultaneously advancing their own professional objectives.
The verb network encapsulates the modern imperative of interconnectedness. Beyond mere professional advancement, it describes the systemic integration of individuals into a broader social or intellectual fabric. Historically, this evolution from a literal 'net' to a figurative 'social system' reflects the increasing complexity of human society. Mastery of networking involves high-level social intelligence, the ability to navigate diverse cultural environments, and the capacity to synthesize disparate information streams for mutual benefit.
Wort in 30 Sekunden
- Network means to build professional connections.
- It involves talking to people to help your career.
- It is a very common term in business.
- Always use 'with' when networking with people.
When you network, you are essentially building a web of human connections. Think of it like being a spider, but instead of silk, you are using conversations, emails, and handshakes to link yourself to others.
It is not just about collecting business cards; it is about building relationships. By sharing your skills and learning from others, you create a community where everyone can thrive. Whether you are at a conference or a coffee shop, networking is the act of reaching out to expand your circle.
The word network comes from the 16th century, originally referring to a piece of fabric or thread arranged in a crisscross pattern, like a fishing net. It combines the Old English net with work.
By the 19th century, it began to describe systems of interconnected things, like railways or telegraph lines. It wasn't until the mid-20th century, specifically the 1970s and 80s, that it became a popular verb for humans interacting to advance their careers.
You will most often hear network used in professional settings. You might say, 'I need to network more to find a better job.' It is a very common term in business English.
Common collocations include networking event, professional network, and expand your network. While it sounds professional, it can also apply to social circles, though we usually say 'socializing' in casual contexts.
1. It's not what you know, but who you know: Emphasizes the importance of networking. 2. Work the room: To move around a party or event and talk to as many people as possible. 3. Build bridges: To create connections between different groups. 4. Get your foot in the door: To make a connection that helps you start a career. 5. Rub shoulders with: To spend time with influential people.
As a verb, network is regular: networking, networked, networks. It is usually intransitive (you don't 'network someone', you 'network with someone').
Pronunciation: UK /ˈnet.wɜːk/ and US /ˈnet.wɝːk/. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with artwork and framework.
Fun Fact
It was originally a literal net, not a social one!
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'e' sound, followed by a long 'ur' sound.
Similar to UK, but with a rhotic 'r' sound.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'w'
- Stress on the second syllable
- Adding an extra syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to write
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Fortgeschritten
Grammar to Know
Gerunds as subjects
Networking is fun.
Intransitive verbs
I network with them.
Prepositional phrases
I network at events.
Examples by Level
I want to network with you.
I want to meet/talk to you.
Verb + with.
She networks every day.
She talks to people daily.
Third person singular.
We like to network.
We enjoy meeting people.
Verb.
They network at work.
They meet people at the office.
Location.
Can we network later?
Can we meet later?
Modal verb.
He networks with friends.
He connects with friends.
Preposition.
Networking is fun.
Meeting people is fun.
Gerund.
Did you network today?
Did you meet people today?
Past question.
I went to a party to network.
He is good at networking.
We should network more often.
She networks with local artists.
They are networking at the conference.
Networking helps me find work.
Do you network online?
I need to network with experts.
Networking is essential for career growth.
I spent the evening networking with potential clients.
She has a vast network of contacts.
We are networking to find new partners.
He finds it hard to network in large crowds.
Networking requires good communication skills.
They were networking at the industry gala.
I try to network whenever I travel.
She excels at networking within the tech industry.
Networking is about giving as much as receiving.
He leveraged his network to secure the promotion.
They are busy networking at the international summit.
Effective networking takes time and patience.
I've been networking with alumni from my university.
You should network to broaden your perspective.
The event was designed for professionals to network.
He strategically networks to influence key stakeholders.
Networking has become a cornerstone of modern business success.
She has a reputation for networking across diverse disciplines.
The conference provides a platform to network with global leaders.
Networking is a nuanced art form that requires empathy.
They are networking to foster cross-industry collaboration.
I found the networking session highly informative.
Professional networking often leads to unexpected opportunities.
His ability to network seamlessly across cultures is impressive.
The company encourages employees to network to drive innovation.
She has cultivated a network that spans several continents.
Networking is the lifeblood of the modern knowledge economy.
He views networking as a symbiotic exchange of value.
The art of networking involves active listening and genuine curiosity.
We must network with peers to stay ahead of market trends.
Her networking prowess is legendary in the legal field.
Häufige Kollokationen
Idioms & Expressions
"Work the room"
To talk to many people at an event
She is great at working the room.
casual"Build bridges"
Create connections between people
We need to build bridges with the new team.
neutral"Rub shoulders with"
Spend time with important people
He loves rubbing shoulders with celebrities.
casual"Get your foot in the door"
Take the first step to a career
This internship helps get your foot in the door.
neutral"It's who you know"
Success depends on contacts
In this business, it's who you know.
casual"Make contact"
Establish communication
I finally made contact with the manager.
neutralEasily Confused
Both involve people
Socialize is for fun, network is for goals
I socialize with friends; I network with colleagues.
Both involve working
Collaborate is on a project, network is building the relationship
We collaborate on the report; we network to find the partner.
Both involve talking
Communicate is the act, network is the intent
I communicate via email; I network to meet people.
Similar meaning
Connect is the result, network is the process
I connect with him on LinkedIn; I network to find new leads.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + network + with + object
I network with peers.
Subject + love + to + network
They love to network.
Networking + is + adjective
Networking is essential.
Subject + should + network + more
You should network more.
Subject + spend + time + networking
I spend time networking.
Wortfamilie
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Verwandt
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Häufige Fehler
Network is intransitive when referring to people.
You don't network a person, you network with them.
It has two distinct meanings.
You network at a location, you don't network the location itself.
It implies a long-term goal.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a net catching people.
Native Usage
Used often in job hunting.
Cultural Insight
Very important in US culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'with' after the verb.
Say It Right
Stress the first syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'network someone'.
Did You Know?
It comes from fishing nets.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence today.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
NET (fishing net) + WORK (your job) = Working your net of people.
Visual Association
Imagine a spiderweb where every intersection is a person you know.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Talk to one new person today.
Wortherkunft
English
Original meaning: A piece of fabric with a crisscross pattern
Kultureller Kontext
None, but can feel transactional if done poorly.
Networking is highly valued in US and UK business cultures.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At a conference
- Nice to meet you
- What do you do?
- Let's keep in touch
At a job interview
- I heard about this from...
- I'd love to learn more
Social media
- Let's connect
- Thanks for the add
- Great post
University
- Are you in this class?
- What's your major?
Conversation Starters
"How do you usually network?"
"Do you find networking easy or hard?"
"What is the best networking event you have attended?"
"Do you prefer networking online or in person?"
"Who is the most interesting person you have met through networking?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you met someone new.
How can you improve your networking skills?
Why is it important to have a professional network?
Describe your ideal networking event.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
8 FragenNo, it can be social too.
Yes, LinkedIn is great for this.
It is standard in professional contexts.
Start by introducing yourself.
Not always, it's about mutual help.
Someone who is good at networking.
It takes practice but gets easier.
It opens doors to new opportunities.
Teste dich selbst
I like to ___ with my friends.
Networking is about connecting with people.
What does it mean to network?
It means building professional relationships.
You can network with a computer.
The verb 'network' in this context refers to people.
Word
Bedeutung
Matching idioms and definitions.
Standard subject-verb-object structure.
Ergebnis: /5
Summary
Networking is the art of building relationships to help everyone grow together.
- Network means to build professional connections.
- It involves talking to people to help your career.
- It is a very common term in business.
- Always use 'with' when networking with people.
Memory Palace
Imagine a net catching people.
Native Usage
Used often in job hunting.
Cultural Insight
Very important in US culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'with' after the verb.
Beispiel
I went to the local meet-up to network with other small business owners in the area.
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