buds
buds — noun
- budssingular
- budsesplural
1. A small growth that appears along a plant’s stem or branch and will later open i
A small growth that appears along a plant’s stem or branch and will later open into a leaf, flower, or new shoot.
Hiro noticed tiny green buds on the maple tree in early March.
adjective + bud(s): tiny green buds
The gardener showed Astrid how to pinch off side buds to help the main stem grow.
verb + bud(s): pinch off buds
After a warm spring rain, buds appeared on all the cherry trees along the lane.
These buds will turn into large sunflowers by the middle of summer.
Indra carefully examined the buds on the rose bush for signs of insects.
- flower
a fully open bloom, the stage after a bud opens
文法句型
bud(s) + verb
adjective + bud(s)
常見錯誤
2. The condition of a plant when its buds have formed but the flowers or leaves hav
The condition of a plant when its buds have formed but the flowers or leaves have not yet opened.
The tulips were still in bud when the frost caught everyone by surprise.
be in bud: state of having buds before opening
Meera took photos of the garden while every rose bush was in bud.
The apple trees in bud promised plenty of fruit later that year.
Gardeners check their plants daily once they see the trees are in bud.
Even in early April the magnolia tree was already in bud.
- in bloom
the stage after buds have opened into flowers
文法句型
be in bud
常見錯誤
3. A friendly way to address one or more people you know well — short form of 'budd
A friendly way to address one or more people you know well — short form of 'buddy'.
Hey, buds, are you coming to the football game tonight?
direct address: 'Hey, buds'
Andrés waved at his friends and shouted, 'See you later, buds!'
Hamza calls everyone ‘buds’ whether he knows them well or not.
‘Thanks for helping me move, buds — I owe you one,’ said Stephanie.
Theo clapped his teammates on the back and said, ‘Nice work, buds.’
文法句型
used in direct address: 'Hey, buds…'
用法筆記
Always used in direct address (calling someone by name or title), not in third-person reference. 'Buds' is the plural or singular-informal form; use 'bud' for one person.
常見錯誤
4. The dried, smokable flower buds of the cannabis plant, used as an illegal or med
The dried, smokable flower buds of the cannabis plant, used as an illegal or medically prescribed drug.
Police found a small bag of dried buds inside the glove compartment.
dried buds: cannabis prepared for use
In some places adults can buy cannabis buds from licensed shops.
Adisa warned his younger brother to stay away from people selling buds at school.
Darius explained that the buds needed to be dried and cured before use.
The smell of cannabis buds filled the room when Asher opened the metal tin.
文法句型
buds + verb
adjective + buds
用法筆記
This slang sense is strongly associated with drug culture. In formal or professional settings, use 'cannabis' or 'marijuana' instead.
常見錯誤
5. A flower that has started to unfurl its outer petals but is not yet fully open,
A flower that has started to unfurl its outer petals but is not yet fully open, often sold or displayed at this stage.
Meera chose a bouquet of pink rose buds for her grandmother’s birthday.
rose buds: partially opened roses
The morning sun made the dewdrops sparkle on the half-open lily buds.
Hiro placed a single white bud in a small glass vase on his desk.
Asher brought tulip buds from the market and put them in a row of jars.
The flower seller kept buds in cool water so they would not open too fast.
- flower bud
more specific than 'bud'; makes clear it will become a flower, not a leaf
- rosebud
a specific type of partly open rose; often used in decorative contexts
- bloom
a fully open flower, the stage after the bud opens completely
文法句型
adjective + bud(s)
bud(s) of + flower type
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (PLANT BUD): sense 1 refers to the undeveloped growth point before the flower forms, while this sense refers to a flower that has already begun opening but is not fully expanded.
常見錯誤
buds — verb
- budspresent simple I / you / we / they
- budses3rd person singular
- budsing-ing form
- budsedpast simple
1. When a plant forms buds on its stems or branches as part of its natural growth c
When a plant forms buds on its stems or branches as part of its natural growth cycle.
The jasmine plant began to bud after two weeks of warm, sunny weather.
begin to bud: start forming buds
Hugo’s lemon tree buds earlier each year as the weather grows warmer.
Most fruit trees bud in spring and then flower a few weeks later.
The rose bushes were budding nicely, promising a colourful summer garden.
Indra noticed that her potted hydrangea had started to bud indoors in late winter.
- sprout
broader meaning — a plant can sprout leaves or stems; 'bud' is more specific to the bud stage
- wilt
when a plant droops or dies from lack of water; opposite of healthy growth
文法句型
plant + bud
plant + begin to bud
plant + is budding
用法筆記
Intransitive only — you cannot 'bud something'. For the horticultural technique of grafting a bud, use 'bud' as a transitive verb (rare in everyday English) or describe the action differently.
常見錯誤
2. When an idea, feeling, talent, or relationship starts to appear and gradually ta
When an idea, feeling, talent, or relationship starts to appear and gradually take shape — like a plant forming its first buds.
A strong friendship budded between the two neighbours after they shared their home-grown vegetables.
friendship buds: figurative use for a relationship starting
Theo felt a new confidence budding inside him as he practised his speech each day.
The small business started as a hobby and slowly budded into a successful online shop.
An interest in music budded in Astrid when she heard a street violinist play.
Stephanie watched her daughter’s artistic talent bud as she painted picture after picture.
- wither
when something that could have grown instead fades or fails
文法句型
something + buds
something + buds into + noun
用法筆記
This is a literary or formal sense. In everyday conversation, 'develop', 'emerge', or 'grow' are more common. The verb 'bud' in this sense is often used with 'into' to show the result of the development.