amphibious
/æmˈfɪbiəs/ (bre, ipa) · /æmˈfɪbiəs/ (ame, ipa) · /am-ˈfi-bē-əs/ (ame, mw)
amphibious — adjective
- amphibiouspositive
- more amphibiouscomparative
- most amphibioussuperlative
1. used to describe animals able to live in water and on land — for example, frogs,
used to describe animals able to live in water and on land — for example, frogs, turtles, and salamanders that spend part of their life in each environment.
Frogs are amphibious creatures that start life in water and later grow lungs for land.
life cycle contrast: water (young) → land (adult)
The axolotl is an unusual amphibious animal that keeps its gills throughout its entire life.
Many amphibious species rely on wetland areas to breed and raise their young.
Turtles are amphibious reptiles that can stay underwater for hours before coming up for air.
- semiaquatic
refers to animals that spend part of their time in water but may not have a true dual-life stage like amphibians
- terrestrial
describes animals that live only on land
- aquatic
describes animals that live only in water
文法句型
amphibious + noun (attributive)
be + amphibious (predicative)
常見錯誤
2. describing vehicles designed for moving across ground and through water without
describing vehicles designed for moving across ground and through water without needing to change their mode of travel.
The tour company uses amphibious buses that drive straight from the road into the lake.
amphibious bus: road to water
Rescue teams used an amphibious truck to carry food across the flooded village.
Amphibious cars have special propellers that allow them to move through water.
The military tested a new amphibious jeep that can cross rivers without a bridge.
- dual-purpose
broader term; can describe any vehicle or tool with two functions, not specifically land-and-water
- land-based
vehicles that cannot operate in water
文法句型
amphibious + vehicle noun
3. able to function or be used on land or in water, when referring to equipment, ge
able to function or be used on land or in water, when referring to equipment, gear, or technology designed to work in both settings.
The team designed an amphibious drone that flies over land and lands on water.
amphibious drone: air to water surface
Amphibious boots with special soles work well on wet rocks and in shallow streams.
The new amphibious tent works on a beach or on a floating platform.
Engineers developed amphibious solar panels that float when floodwater covers the ground.
- dual-environment
less common; a more technical equivalent used in engineering contexts
文法句型
amphibious + equipment noun
be + amphibious (predicative)
用法筆記
This sense is broader than the VEHICLE sense and covers any equipment or gear designed for both land and water environments. Distinguish from sense 2, which applies only to vehicles that move across surfaces.
4. describing a military attack in which soldiers, vehicles, and equipment arrive b
describing a military attack in which soldiers, vehicles, and equipment arrive by sea and come ashore to fight on land.
The navy conducted an amphibious assault on the coast under cover of darkness.
military: amphibious assault on coast
Amphibious landings require careful planning between naval and ground forces.
Troops trained for months before the amphibious invasion of the island.
The general ordered an amphibious operation to capture the port city at dawn.
- seaborne
focuses on the sea-transport aspect rather than the full landing operation
文法句型
amphibious + military noun (assault, landing, operation, invasion)
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in military contexts. This sense always implies arrival from the sea, not from the air or land.