geared
geared — adjective
1. Deliberately designed, organized, or adjusted so that something fits a particula
Deliberately designed, organized, or adjusted so that something fits a particular purpose, need, or audience — for example, a course geared to beginners, or a policy geared toward economic growth.
The new training program is geared toward helping young graduates find their first jobs.
geared toward + gerund [purpose]
Kenji signed up for a cooking class that is geared to absolute beginners.
geared to + noun phrase [audience]
Most exhibits in the science museum are geared for children aged six to twelve.
geared for + specific age group
Ananya felt the workshop was geared too heavily toward theory and not enough practice.
The university offers evening classes geared specifically to students who work full time during the day.
- geared toward/towards
- geared to
- geared for
- geared specifically
- geared primarily
- geared heavily
- geared solely
- unsuitable
not fitting the purpose or audience
- inappropriate
wrong for the context or group
Grammar Patterns
be geared to/toward/for + noun/gerund
Usage Note
This sense is almost always used in the passive pattern: 'be geared + to/toward/for'. The object after the preposition can be a noun phrase or a gerund (e.g., geared toward helping).
Common Mistakes
2. Fully prepared in practical or mental terms to begin a task, face a situation, o
Fully prepared in practical or mental terms to begin a task, face a situation, or handle an event — for example, a team geared up for a big match, or emergency workers geared to respond to a disaster.
The whole team was geared up for the final match of the season.
geared up for + [event]
Sofia is geared to start her new job at the hospital next Monday.
geared to + infinitive [action]
Emergency services are geared to respond within minutes when an earthquake strikes.
After months of training, Chen felt mentally geared for the long bicycle ride across Taiwan.
adverb: mentally geared for
The school is fully geared up to welcome over four hundred new students in September.
- geared up
- geared up for
- geared to [do]
- fully geared
- mentally geared
- geared and ready
- unprepared
not ready
- unready
not in a state of readiness
Grammar Patterns
be geared up for + noun
geared to + infinitive
Usage Note
Often appears as 'geared up' (the phrasal-verb form fossilized as an adjective). The subject is typically a person, team, or organization rather than an inanimate object. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense describes readiness for action, not design for a purpose.
Common Mistakes
geared — noun
1. The personal items, clothing, or tools that someone owns or uses for a particula
The personal items, clothing, or tools that someone owns or uses for a particular purpose.
Yusuf packed his camping gear into the back of the car before leaving for the mountains.
collocation: camping gear
The shop sells hiking gear such as boots, tents, and waterproof jackets.
collocation: hiking gear
Zara took off her wet climbing gear and hung it by the fireplace to dry.
collocation: climbing gear
Before the race all the runners checked their gear and tied their shoelaces tightly.
Wei keeps his painting gear in a large wooden box under the window.
- camping gear
- hiking gear
- fishing gear
- climbing gear
- sports gear
- protective gear
Grammar Patterns
gear for [activity]
[possessive] gear
Usage Note
Often used as an uncountable noun — 'some gear,' 'a lot of gear,' not 'a gear.' However, 'gears' is possible when referring to individual pieces of equipment in informal speech.
Common Mistakes
2. A circular wheel with teeth around its edge that fits into another similar wheel
A circular wheel with teeth around its edge that fits into another similar wheel, so that power and movement can be passed from one part of a machine to another.
The mechanic replaced the broken gear inside the factory conveyor belt motor.
When Santiago turned the handle, the brass gears inside the old clock began to move.
countable: 'brass gears' referring to multiple toothed wheels
Chidi watched the large metal gears rotate as the water mill started operating again.
A gear with fewer teeth spins faster than a larger gear that it is connected to.
The bicycle chain connects the pedal gear at the front to the rear wheel gear.
collocation: pedal gear / rear wheel gear
- metal gear
- brass gear
- gear teeth
- gear wheel
- gear mechanism
Grammar Patterns
gear + verb (meshes, turns, rotates)
Usage Note
Frequently appears in compound nouns describing location or function: 'drive gear', 'pedal gear', 'steering gear'.
Common Mistakes
3. A specific position of a vehicle's speed-changing system that decides the relati
A specific position of a vehicle's speed-changing system that decides the relationship between engine speed and wheel speed, such as first, second, or reverse.
Nadia shifted into third gear as the car reached the highway speed limit.
collocation: shift into + [number] + gear
The driving instructor told Wei to put the car into reverse gear before backing out.
On steep hills, cyclists switch to a lower gear to make pedalling easier.
Kenji heard a grinding noise when he tried to engage a gear without pressing the clutch.
collocation: engage a gear
The truck struggled up the slope in first gear, moving very slowly but steadily.
- first gear
- second gear
- reverse gear
- change gear
- shift gear
- engage a gear
- in gear
- out of gear
Grammar Patterns
[ordinal/number] + gear
in/into + [adjective] + gear
Usage Note
Often used with ordinal numbers (first, second, third) to indicate the specific setting. 'Reverse gear' is the setting for moving backward.
Common Mistakes
4. A state or level at which a system, plan, or activity is operating, being organi
A state or level at which a system, plan, or activity is operating, being organised, or ready to function properly.
After weeks of preparation, the new marketing campaign finally shifted into high gear.
idiomatic: shift into high gear = begin operating at full speed
The team's efforts moved into full gear just before the product launch date.
With all the new staff trained, the office operations are now fully in gear.
collocation: in gear = operating properly
Ananya felt her concentration slip out of gear during the long afternoon meeting.
The emergency response plan clicked into gear the moment the alarm sounded.
collocation: click into gear = start working smoothly
- in gear
- out of gear
- into gear
- high gear
- full gear
- click into gear
- shift into gear
- move into gear
Grammar Patterns
in gear
out of gear
into gear
shift into [adjective] gear
Usage Note
Nearly always appears in set phrases ('in gear', 'out of gear', 'shift into gear', 'move into gear'). The mechanical metaphor extends to any organised activity or system.
5. The system of ropes, cables, and sails used to operate and steer any sailing ves
The system of ropes, cables, and sails used to operate and steer any sailing vessel.
The captain ordered the crew to inspect every piece of gear on the main mast before the voyage.
collocation: inspect gear
After years at sea, the ship's gear needed new ropes and stronger cables.
collocation: ship's gear
Amir learned how to adjust the gear on a small sailboat during his summer sailing course.
collocation: adjust gear (sailing)
Salt water had damaged the gear, so the deckhands spent a week replacing the worn ropes.
- ship's gear
- boat gear
- inspect gear
- check the gear
Grammar Patterns
ship's gear
boat gear
Usage Note
This nautical sense is almost always uncountable. The term refers collectively to all rigging components rather than individual pieces.
6. The set of straps, buckles, and fittings used to attach a horse to a cart, plow,
The set of straps, buckles, and fittings used to attach a horse to a cart, plow, or other vehicle.
The farmer checked the horse's gear before hooking the animal up to the wagon.
collocation: horse's gear
Diego spent the afternoon cleaning and oiling every buckle on the leather gear.
At the stables beginners learn how to put the gear on a horse and fasten it correctly.
collocation: put gear on a horse
The leather gear had grown stiff from years of storage, so Satoshi applied conditioner to soften it.
- horse's gear
- leather gear
- put gear on a horse
- check the gear
Grammar Patterns
horse's gear
Usage Note
This sense is specific to horse-drawn transport and is now uncommon in everyday language. The more general term 'tack' is often preferred by modern equestrians.
Common Mistakes
7. Speech or writing that is silly, meaningless, or not worth taking seriously.
Speech or writing that is silly, meaningless, or not worth taking seriously.
Don't listen to that gear about haunted houses — there is no such thing as ghosts.
informal dismissal phrase: 'that gear about...'
Mika dismissed the rumour as pure gear and walked away without another word.
phrase: 'pure gear'
The article was full of gear and contained no real facts or useful information.
phrase: 'full of gear'
When the politician started talking about aliens, the reporter knew it was all gear.
- talk gear
- pure gear
- full of gear
- that gear about
- sense
meaningful or reasonable speech
Usage Note
This sense is old-fashioned and limited mainly to informal British English. It is far less common today than 'nonsense' or 'rubbish.'
Common Mistakes
8. The ordinary activities, tasks, or events that happen in a person's day-to-day l
The ordinary activities, tasks, or events that happen in a person's day-to-day life.
Tariq told his roommate about the day's gear — classes, laundry, and a quick dinner with friends.
The usual gear of a school morning includes breakfast, packing books, and catching the bus.
Hana asked her grandfather about the gear of farm life when he was a boy.
informal register; used with 'the gear of'
Cleaning the apartment, paying the bills, and walking the dog — that was the usual gear of Linnea's Saturday morning.
informal register; listing routine activities with 'the usual gear of'
- the gear of the day
- daily gear
- the usual gear
- activities
more common in everyday speech; 'gear' is more informal and regional
- business
can overlap but 'business' is broader and not restricted to daily routines
Grammar Patterns
the gear of [something]
Usage Note
This sense is dated or dialectal in modern English and rarely appears in formal writing.
geared — verb
1. to get a system, facility, or group of people ready so that they can operate, fu
to get a system, facility, or group of people ready so that they can operate, function, or handle a task effectively — for example, gearing a classroom with supplies before term starts, or gearing a warehouse for overnight shipments.
The ground crew geared the emergency shelter with cots and water supplies a day before the hurricane made landfall.
gear + object + with [supplies] for readiness
Volunteers geared the community kitchen with stoves and utensils to prepare meals for flood survivors.
The company geared its production line for the holiday season, doubling output in just three weeks.
gear + object + for [season/event]
The facility manager geared the conference centre for the summit, installing microphones in every meeting room.
Luisa geared the art studio with fresh paint and clean brushes so students could start their projects the next morning.
gear + object + with [materials] for preparation
- geared toward
- geared to
- geared for
- geared to help
- geared to meet
Grammar Patterns
be geared to/toward/for + noun
be geared to + infinitive
Usage Note
Very often used in the passive voice ('is geared to/toward/for'). The typical pattern describes a system or plan that has been designed with a particular purpose in mind.
Common Mistakes
2. to change the content, design, or level of something so that it matches the need
to change the content, design, or level of something so that it matches the needs or tastes of a specific set of people or a particular situation.
Hana geared the hotel's breakfast menu to the preferences of Japanese business travellers who stayed there regularly.
gear + object + to + [tastes/needs]
The author geared the textbook toward readers who had no background in science but needed the basics.
Local tour companies geared their guided walks to the interests of families with young children.
gear + object + to + [interest/need]
Sofia geared the investor presentation toward a non-technical audience, keeping financial terms simple and clear.
The university's language programme is geared to the needs of students who plan to work abroad after graduating.
passive: be geared to + noun phrase [needs/wants]
- geared to the needs of
- geared toward
- geared to the tastes of
Grammar Patterns
be geared to/toward + noun
be geared to + infinitive
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 1 (MAKE READY): sense 1 focuses on preparing a system or space for effective operation, while this sense focuses on adjusting the content or design so that it suits a particular audience or situation. Frequently passive.
Common Mistakes
3. to fit a machine or a mechanical device with a set of gears so that its moving p
to fit a machine or a mechanical device with a set of gears so that its moving parts can work together at the correct speed and with the right amount of force.
The technician geared the new conveyor belt so it matched the speed of the factory's existing line.
gear + object + so that clause
Chen carefully geared the clock mechanism, placing each wheel so the hands would turn at the correct rate.
Satoshi geared the robot arm with precision parts to lift loads of up to fifty kilograms.
gear + object + with [component]
The factory floor was geared with a new transmission system that cut production time by half.
passive: be geared with [component]
- gear a machine
- gear a mechanism
- gear an engine
Grammar Patterns
gear + object
Usage Note
Often used in the passive form when describing the way a machine is built or modified.
Common Mistakes
4. to link multiple mechanical parts through a system of gears so that the movement
to link multiple mechanical parts through a system of gears so that the movement of one part causes the other to move.
Nadia geared the small motor to the pump so that water would flow whenever the motor ran.
gear + object + to + object
The engineer geared the steering column directly to the front wheels for a more responsive ride.
Ines geared the pedal mechanism to the rear axle of the prototype tricycle.
gear + object + to + [mechanical part]
The drill's handle was geared to the main shaft, transferring every turn into cutting force.
passive: be geared to [part]
- gear something to something
- gear a motor to a wheel
Grammar Patterns
gear + object + to + object
Usage Note
Typically describes a physical mechanical connection. The object after 'to' is the part that receives the movement.
Common Mistakes
5. When the teeth of several interlocking gear wheels lock together and turn as one
When the teeth of several interlocking gear wheels lock together and turn as one unit, transferring movement from one part of a machine to another.
The teeth on the large wheel geared smoothly with the smaller one, and the conveyor belt began to move.
gear + with [mechanical part]
When the mechanic shifted the lever, the cogs finally geared and the engine turned over.
intransitive use without preposition
The two metal rings did not gear correctly because a single tooth had snapped off the edge.
negative form: did not gear correctly
Inside the old clock tower, the brass wheels geared against each other, moving the hands around the dial.
gear + against [another part]
The driver released the clutch slowly, and the transmission gears geared with a soft click.
- gear with
- gear against
- gear together
Grammar Patterns
gear + with [another mechanical part]
gear + against [another part]
Usage Note
Subject is usually a pair or set of toothed mechanical parts (gears, cogs, wheels). The preposition 'with' introduces the other part; 'against' can also be used. Frequently occurs in descriptions of machinery, clocks, and vehicle transmissions.
Common Mistakes
6. When different systems, plans, or groups of people gradually adjust to each othe
When different systems, plans, or groups of people gradually adjust to each other so that they work well together or fit each other's needs.
Over several months, the two departments' schedules geared together and the workflow became much smoother.
gear together for abstract entities
The marketing plan did not gear with the company's limited budget, so the team had to revise their proposals.
gear with [abstract system]
After three weeks of rehearsals, the musicians' playing styles geared naturally and the band sounded excellent.
The new software geared easily with the existing database, so nobody needed extra training.
gear with [technology/system]
Linnea's teaching methods geared well with the school's philosophy of learning through hands-on projects.
- gear with
- gear together
- gear well
Grammar Patterns
gear + with [system/plan]
gear + together
Usage Note
Subject is usually an abstract entity (plans, systems, methods, schedules, groups). Often followed by 'with' to introduce the matching element, or 'together' to describe mutual adjustment. Distinguish from verb sense 4 — sense 4 is transitive (someone gears something to match), while sense 6 is intransitive (things gear themselves naturally).
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
All five describe something shaped for a particular purpose, but they differ in emphasis. 'Geared to/toward' suggests a system or plan has been organised and calibrated for a target — often with a sense of mechanical readiness (a course geared toward working adults). 'Tailored to' implies finer, more individual customisation, as if cut to fit exactly (a benefits package tailored to each employee). 'Designed for' is the broadest, covering any deliberate planning from the start (furniture designed for small spaces). 'Intended for' focuses on the aim or purpose rather than the actual adjustment (a film intended for children). 'Adapted for' implies something that has been changed from its original form (a novel adapted for television). In practice, 'geared to' and 'tailored to' are the closest, but 'geared' carries a stronger mechanical or organisational metaphor, while 'tailored' suggests finer, more personal precision.
Common collocations
Etymology
Gear entered English from Old Norse 'gervi' (equipment, apparel), related to the Old English verb 'gyrwan' (to prepare, clothe). In Middle English it became 'gere', meaning clothing or movable property. By the 1500s the word was applied to the wheels and mechanisms of machines — the toothed-wheel sense was born from the general idea of 'gear' as apparatus. From that mechanical image, the verb sense 'to equip with gears' led to the figurative use: by the 1800s, 'geared for' or 'geared to' described any system prepared or adjusted for a particular purpose, just as gears are set to the right ratio for the task at hand.