members - Master This Word
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members Word Meanings
- a person belonging to a group
- a part of a larger whole
- a member of a club or organization
members Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
members Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈmɛmbə/
US
/ˈmɛmbər/
members Word Etymology
mem- = to remember + -ber = a person who. Origin: Latin -> Old French -> English. Imagine a 'member' holding a sign that says 'We belong' among others.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I push the door and step into the room, the tag on my chest catching the light as I move. I shift my weight, scan the faces, and listen to the buzz of conversation. I adjust my posture, keep my hands loose, and find a seat that feels right, letting my breath settle. In that moment I realize I belong here, a member of this circle, not because of a rule but because I acted and stayed.
Real Context
Member is a versatile noun with three core senses. It can name a person who belongs to a group, such as a club member or a team member, highlighting shared identity and rights. It can refer to a component that is part of a larger whole, emphasizing being a piece rather than a person, as in a body part or a module that connects with others. It also covers the idea of someone who is part of a body or organization, often implying duties, responsibilities, or membership criteria. Learners often confuse member with employee or resident, and may mix up singular and plural forms or omit the associated prepositions in phrases like be a member of.
Usage Reminders
- Use 'be a member of' to show belonging to a group.
- Use 'a member of' for a person in a group, and 'part of' to describe a component of a larger whole.
- Plural 'members' refers to multiple people in the group.
- Avoid confusing 'member' with 'employee' or 'resident'.
- Learn common collocations: become a member, fellow member, senior member.
Common Misconceptions
- Member is always a person, never a part of a system or thing.
- Be a member of is not the same as belonging to a team wordlessly.
- Membership is not a person; it’s the status of belonging.
- Confusing member with employee can happen in workplaces.
- People often drop 'of' after be a member and say 'a member club'.
Thinking Differences
Think of member as a flexible label that can describe a person in a group or a part of a larger system. English frequently uses fixed phrases like 'a member of' or 'membership,' which learners often misplace or mispronounce. Some languages mark belonging differently (case, postpositions) and learners may translate directly, producing awkward phrases.
Learning Tips
- Visualize member as both a person and a part of something larger.
- Practice 'be a member of' with clubs, teams, and organizations.
- Learn the related noun 'membership' for the state of belonging.
- Use context to choose between person-focused and part-of meanings.
- Memorize common collocations: become a member, fellow member, senior member.
- Read widely to see natural English usage in groups and systems.
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