Explanation at your level:
A system is a group of things working together. For example, your computer is a system. It has many parts that work to help you play games or write. You can have a system for cleaning your room, too. It just means you have a plan to get things done.
A system is a way of doing something. A school system helps students learn. A train system helps people travel. When parts work together, we call it a system. It helps keep things organized and easy to use.
In English, a system refers to an organized set of rules or parts. We use it for technology, like a computer system, or for nature, like the digestive system. If you have a system for studying, you have a routine that helps you succeed. It is a very common word in business and science.
The term system is used to describe complex structures. It can refer to social or political frameworks, such as the legal system. It implies that there is an underlying structure or logic that governs how things operate. When we say someone is 'working within the system,' we mean they are following the established rules of an organization.
At an advanced level, system often implies a degree of interconnectedness. It is frequently used in academic discourse to analyze how different variables interact. For instance, an ecosystem is a system where biological organisms interact with their environment. The word suggests a level of sophistication and intentional design, often implying that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
At the C2 level, we recognize system as a fundamental concept in systems theory. It transcends simple mechanical definitions to encompass abstract, cybernetic, and philosophical domains. Whether discussing a monetary system, a belief system, or a nervous system, the word carries the weight of structural integrity. It is the bedrock of how we classify reality, order our knowledge, and understand the causal relationships that define our existence.
Mot en 30 secondes
- A system is a set of parts working together.
- It can be physical, like a computer, or abstract, like rules.
- The plural is systems.
- It is a very common word in professional and scientific English.
When we talk about a system, we are describing the way things are organized. Whether it is the solar system in space or the filing system on your desk, the core idea is that individual pieces are not just sitting there; they are working together.
Think of it as a machine. If you take one gear out of a clock, the whole thing stops. That is because the clock is a system. It relies on every part doing its duty to create a final output, like telling the time. We use this word in almost every part of life, from technology to government.
The word system has a fascinating journey through history. It comes from the Greek word systēma, which literally means 'a whole compounded of several parts.' It moved into Latin as systema before entering English in the early 17th century.
Originally, it was used to describe musical arrangements or philosophical theories. Over time, as science and industry grew, the word expanded to cover everything from plumbing to computer code. It is a great example of how a word can grow from a simple idea of 'putting things together' into a term that describes the very structure of our modern world.
You will hear system used in both professional and casual settings. In the office, you might hear about a management system or a computer system. In daily life, you might talk about your immune system or even a sound system in your car.
Common adjectives used with it include complex, efficient, and outdated. If something is working well, we say it is a good system. If it is failing, we might say the system crashed. It is a very versatile word that fits almost any context where organization is key.
There are several ways to use system in idioms. 1. Beat the system: To find a way to avoid the rules. 2. Get it out of your system: To do something you want to do so you can stop thinking about it. 3. System failure: A total breakdown of processes. 4. The whole system: Everything included. 5. System check: A quick review to see if things are working.
The word system is a countable noun. Its plural form is simply systems. In terms of pronunciation, it is stressed on the first syllable: SIS-tem. In IPA, it is /ˈsɪstəm/ in both American and British English.
It is often used with definite articles like 'the' (e.g., 'the system is down') or indefinite articles like 'a' (e.g., 'we need a new system'). Common rhyming words include blossom (slant rhyme) or wisdom (in terms of rhythm).
Fun Fact
The word was originally used for musical arrangements!
Pronunciation Guide
Clear s-i-s-t-uh-m sound.
Similar to UK, very standard.
Common Errors
- mispronouncing the 'y' as 'eye'
- stressing the second syllable
- swallowing the final 'm'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Commonly heard
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Countable Nouns
a system, two systems
Subject-Verb Agreement
The system works.
Adjective Placement
efficient system
Examples by Level
The computer system is fast.
computer system = computer parts working together
singular noun
I have a system for my toys.
system = plan
noun
The school system is big.
school system = all schools in an area
noun
My body has a system.
body system = how we live
noun
Do you like this system?
system = method
question
The alarm system is on.
alarm system = security
noun
It is a good system.
good system = good plan
adjective+noun
The system works well.
works well = functions
subject-verb
The heating system is broken.
We need a better filing system.
The solar system has eight planets.
She has a system for saving money.
The nervous system is very complex.
Our system is very efficient.
He learned the system quickly.
The system failed during the test.
The political system is changing.
We need to upgrade our software system.
The economic system relies on trade.
She developed a system to track her progress.
The immune system fights off disease.
He is trying to beat the system.
The public transport system is reliable.
They are installing a new security system.
The current system is no longer sustainable.
He is a product of the educational system.
The justice system must be fair to all.
We need to overhaul the entire system.
The system is designed to prevent errors.
It is a closed system with no outside input.
She understands how the system works.
The system crashed during the update.
The ecosystem is fragile and needs protection.
He challenged the existing power system.
The bureaucratic system can be quite slow.
The system of checks and balances is vital.
She analyzed the system for any vulnerabilities.
The financial system is under great pressure.
The system of belief is deeply rooted in culture.
We are looking at a systemic failure.
The system of governance was deeply flawed.
He viewed the world as a complex system of energy.
The linguistic system of this dialect is unique.
The system of notation is difficult to master.
The system of classification is outdated.
They are studying the system of neural pathways.
The system of values is strictly enforced.
The entire system of logic is based on this axiom.
Synonymes
Antonymes
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"beat the system"
to succeed by finding a way around rules
He tried to beat the system by finding a loophole.
casual"get it out of your system"
to do something you want to do so you can stop thinking about it
Go on the rollercoaster to get it out of your system.
casual"system shock"
a sudden, unpleasant change
The new rules were a system shock to the staff.
neutral"in the system"
registered or recorded
Your name is now in the system.
neutral"system error"
a technical failure
I keep getting a system error when I log in.
neutral"the system"
the establishment or government
He is fighting against the system.
neutralEasily Confused
Both imply a way of doing things.
A method is a specific way; a system is the whole structure.
I have a method for cleaning, but the whole system is messy.
Both relate to organization.
Structure is the shape/frame; system is the function.
The structure is good, but the system is slow.
Both involve steps.
A process is a sequence of actions; a system is the environment where it happens.
The process is part of the system.
Both involve connections.
A network is specifically about links between points.
The computer network is part of the system.
Sentence Patterns
The system is + adjective
The system is efficient.
We need a new + system
We need a new system.
The system of + noun
The system of rules is clear.
He is working within the system
He is working within the system.
The system is designed to + verb
The system is designed to help.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Systeming is not a word; use systematic for describing a method.
Don't add an apostrophe for the plural form.
While 'system' works, 'set' is often more natural for simple lists.
These are often confused; know the difference.
Sometimes 'method' is better for a single action, while 'system' implies a larger process.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant clockwork machine whenever you hear the word.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it for anything that has a process.
Cultural Insight
In the US, 'the system' often refers to the government.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before system.
Say It Right
Focus on the first syllable stress.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'systeming' as a verb.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Greek word for 'compounded parts'.
Study Smart
Group it with words like 'process' and 'method'.
Better Writing
Use 'systematic' when describing your study habits.
Speaking Tip
Use it to explain how you do things to sound professional.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
SIS-TEM: Seven Important Steps To Every Method.
Visual Association
A set of gears interlocking.
Word Web
Défi
Describe your morning routine as a 'system'.
Origine du mot
Greek
Original meaning: A whole compounded of several parts
Contexte culturel
None, very neutral.
Used heavily in business and tech culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- the filing system
- the computer system
- our management system
in science
- the solar system
- the nervous system
- an ecosystem
in society
- the legal system
- the education system
- the political system
at home
- the alarm system
- the heating system
- the sound system
Conversation Starters
"How would you describe the education system in your country?"
"Do you have a system for organizing your daily tasks?"
"What do you think is the most important system in the human body?"
"Have you ever tried to 'beat the system'?"
"Is it better to have a complex system or a simple one?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a system you use every day.
If you could change one system in the world, what would it be?
How does your body's 'system' keep you healthy?
Write about a time a system failed you.
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsYes, you can have one system or many systems.
SIS-tem.
Systems.
Sometimes, like 'the school system' or 'the legal system'.
No, it is a noun, but 'systematize' is the verb.
A problem that affects the whole system.
It is neutral and used everywhere.
Yes, like method or structure.
Teste-toi
The computer ___ is fast.
Computer system is a common phrase.
Which means a group of parts working together?
System is the definition of organized parts.
A system is always a physical machine.
Systems can be rules or abstract concepts.
Word
Signification
These are common collocations.
Subject + verb + adverb.
We need to ___ the system to make it better.
You improve a system.
What does systemic mean?
Systemic means affecting the entire structure.
Systematic and systemic are the same.
They have different meanings.
The ___ of the government is complex.
System of government is standard.
Word
Signification
Vocabulary matching.
Score : /10
Summary
A system is simply an organized way of making parts work together to achieve a goal.
- A system is a set of parts working together.
- It can be physical, like a computer, or abstract, like rules.
- The plural is systems.
- It is a very common word in professional and scientific English.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a giant clockwork machine whenever you hear the word.
When Native Speakers Use It
They use it for anything that has a process.
Cultural Insight
In the US, 'the system' often refers to the government.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before system.
Exemple
I need a better system for organizing my school books.
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abdocion
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abdocly
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aberration
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abfacible
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abfactency
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