advent

/ˈæd.vent/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈædvˌɛnt] /ˈæd.vent/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈædvˌɛnt] /ˈad-ˌvent chiefly British -vənt/ (ame, mw)

advent — noun

1. the point at which something new — a technology, idea, person, or major event —

1.名詞C1
釋義

the point at which something new — a technology, idea, person, or major event — first appears and starts to make a difference; for example, the moment smartphones became common, or the day a long-awaited leader takes office.

例句

Quan still remembers life before the advent of the smartphone.

the advent of + noun (typical pattern)

Farming in the valley changed completely with the advent of cheap solar panels.

with the advent of + noun (common collocation)

同義詞
  • arrival

    neutral and everyday; 'advent' is more formal and reserved for landmark or historic appearances.

  • emergence

    focuses on something gradually coming into view; 'advent' implies a clearer starting point.

  • dawn

    metaphorical and slightly literary; often paired with 'era' or 'age', similar to 'advent'.

反義詞

文法句型

the advent of [something]

用法筆記

Almost always singular and preceded by 'the'. Subject of the 'of' phrase is typically a new technology, era, or important person — not an everyday arrival. Distinguish from sense 2, which is a fixed calendar term tied to Christmas.

常見錯誤

❌I'm waiting for the advent of my sister at the airport.
✅I'm waiting for my sister to arrive at the airport.
💡'advent' is reserved for big or historic arrivals, not everyday ones.
❌Many advents of new ideas appeared in the 1990s.
✅Many new ideas appeared in the 1990s, including the advent of the World Wide Web.
💡'advent' is rarely used in the plural; pick one landmark example.

2. in many Christian traditions, the roughly month-long season leading up to Christ

2.名詞B2
釋義

in many Christian traditions, the roughly month-long season leading up to Christmas Day, often marked by special church services, candles, and small daily treats in homes; usually written with a capital A.

例句

During Advent, Zola's family lights one candle each Sunday at dinner.

during Advent (typical preposition)

Our church holds a quiet evening service every Wednesday in Advent.

in Advent (alternative preposition)

同義詞

文法句型

during Advent

in Advent

用法筆記

Capitalised as 'Advent'. Used with 'during' or 'in' rather than 'on'. Appears often in compounds: Advent calendar, Advent wreath, Advent service. Distinguish from sense 1, which is lower-case and means the appearance of something new in general.

常見錯誤

❌Christmas is on Advent.
✅Christmas falls at the end of Advent.
💡Advent is a season of about four weeks, not a single day.
❌I'll see you on advent.
✅I'll see you during Advent.
💡use 'during' or 'in' with this sense, and capitalise the A.