1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To design or adapt something to suit a specific audience, purpose, or level.
"The new app is geared to users with no prior coding experience."
inseparable
gear to
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To design, adapt, or prepare something so that it is suitable for a particular audience, purpose, or situation.
In plain English
To make something work for a specific person, group, or purpose.
What does "gear to" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To prepare or condition someone or something to meet a particular demand or expectation.
"The training programme is geared to the demands of the professional market."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To set the gears of a machine so they connect correctly with another — to mesh or fit.
Actually means
To make something work for a specific person, group, or purpose.
Usage tip
Commonly used in educational, marketing, and policy contexts. 'Gear to' and 'gear towards' are largely interchangeable, with 'gear towards' more frequent in British English. Passive constructions are common: 'the course is geared to beginners'.
Words that pair with "gear to"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
audience beginners needs market level consumer
How to conjugate "gear to"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
gear to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
gears to
he/she/it
Past simple
geared to
yesterday
Past participle
geared to
have + pp
-ing form
gearing to
continuous
Hear "gear to" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "gear to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "gear to"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
adapt to design for orient to pitch at tailor to target
Keep exploring
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