bell
/bel/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɛl] /bel/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɛl] /ˈbel/ (ame, mw)
bell — noun
- bellsingular
- bellsplural
1. A small signalling unit mounted beside a doorway that alerts people inside when
A small signalling unit mounted beside a doorway that alerts people inside when a visitor arrives — pressing its button causes a chime or tone to sound within the building.
Jisoo pressed the bell and waited for someone to open the door.
press the bell — common verb collocation
The bell in the kitchen rang, so Marta knew a customer had arrived at the shop.
bell rings — subject–verb pattern
Heloísa fixed the broken doorbell before the guests arrived for the party.
A loud bell wakes the students up when the school day begins.
The delivery driver rang the bell three times before anyone answered.
用法筆記
In British English, 'doorbell' is the common word for a bell at a home entrance; 'bell' alone often refers to a school bell or a service bell on a counter.
常見錯誤
2. A hollow, cup-shaped piece of metal that produces a clear ringing sound when a l
A hollow, cup-shaped piece of metal that produces a clear ringing sound when a loose piece inside it, called a clapper, strikes the sides.
Christopher rang the church bell every Sunday morning before the service started.
ring + church bell — typical collocation
A small brass bell on the hotel counter rang when guests walked through the door.
Tara could hear the bells of the temple ringing from across the valley.
Reuben polished the old bronze bell until it shone like new.
The bell on the cat's collar jingled every time it moved.
用法筆記
This sense covers both large bells hung in towers and small handheld bells. The verb 'ring' is the most common action verb for this sense.
常見錯誤
3. A musical instrument in which metal pieces — either cup-shaped bells hung in a f
A musical instrument in which metal pieces — either cup-shaped bells hung in a frame, or flat bars on a stand — are struck with mallets to produce bright, clear notes. In everyday language, both types of instrument are simply called 'bells'.
Mayumi played a short tune on the bells during the school concert.
play + bells — verb–object pattern
The orchestra's bells added a bright, cheerful sound to the final part of the song.
Eitan practised hitting each metal tube on the bells with the correct amount of force.
The music teacher showed the class how to hold the mallets for playing the bells.
Cyrus learned to play the national anthem on the bells for the school assembly.
The percussionist picked up the small hammers and began to play the bells softly.
Obi's favourite part of the music lesson was when the teacher let everyone try the bells.
Lien bought a small set of toy bells for her younger sister to play simple tunes on.
- glockenspiel
the formal music term for the flat-bar version of this instrument
- orchestral bells
the formal music term for the cup-shaped version played in orchestras
- handbells
a set of small bells held in the hands and rung by shaking, often played in groups
用法筆記
In formal music terminology, the flat-bar version of this instrument is specifically called a 'glockenspiel', while the cup-shaped version is called 'orchestral bells'. In everyday speech, both types are simply called 'bells'.
4. The wide, outward-curving opening at the far end of a brass or wind instrument,
The wide, outward-curving opening at the far end of a brass or wind instrument, through which the sound leaves the instrument.
Hamza cleaned the bell of his trumpet carefully after every practice session.
the bell of [instrument] — possessive-of pattern
The saxophone's bell is made of brass and gives the instrument a warm tone.
Ravindra pointed the bell of the trombone away from the audience while practising quietly.
A small dent in the bell of the French horn changed the way it sounded.
- flare
describes the shape of the opening rather than the part itself
用法筆記
This sense is specific to brass and wind instruments such as trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and tubas. It is not used for string or percussion instruments.
bell — verb
- bellpresent simple I / you / we / they
- bells3rd person singular
- belling-ing form
- belledpast simple
1. To fit something with one or more small ringing devices — for example, putting a
To fit something with one or more small ringing devices — for example, putting a bell on a pet's collar or fastening one to a bicycle so that movement produces a sound.
Antonia belled the cat so the birds would hear it coming through the garden.
bell + animal — verb–object pattern
The farmer belled all his goats before sending them up the mountain path.
Marta belled her bicycle so pedestrians would know she was coming up behind them.
In the old story, the mice argued about who should bell the cat.
- fit with a bell
a longer, clearer alternative suitable for everyday use
文法句型
bell + noun
用法筆記
This verb is uncommon in everyday conversation. It appears most often in the idiom 'to bell the cat' (to take a dangerous risk for the good of a group).
2. To call someone using a telephone, especially in informal British English.
To call someone using a telephone, especially in informal British English.
Jisoo said she would bell her mum as soon as the train arrived at the station.
bell + person (informal BrE)
Christopher belled the doctor's office to check if his test results were ready.
I'll bell you tomorrow morning to confirm the meeting time.
Reuben belled his brother to ask what time dinner would be ready.
文法句型
bell + person
用法筆記
This usage is informal and primarily heard in British English. In American English, 'call' or 'phone' are the standard verbs.
常見錯誤
3. To spread, curve, or swell outward into a rounded, flared shape that widens at t
To spread, curve, or swell outward into a rounded, flared shape that widens at the end, like the mouth of a trumpet or the bottom of a skirt.
The glassblower belled the end of the tube by heating it and spinning it carefully.
bell + noun (transitive) — shaping action
The bottom of her long skirt belled out as she twirled across the dance floor.
skirt + belled out — intransitive with 'out'
Tara watched the parachute bell out as the air caught underneath the fabric.
The metalworker used a special tool to bell the pipe so it would fit over the joint.
- narrow
to become thinner or more pointed at the end
文法句型
bell + noun (transitive)
noun + bells (intransitive)
用法筆記
This verb is most common in craft contexts such as glassblowing, metalworking, and sewing. 'Bell out' (intransitive) is the more frequent form in everyday use.