buildup

[bˈɪldˌʌp] /ˈbild-ˌəp How to pronounce buildup (audio)/ (ame, mw)

buildup — noun

1. a slow increase or development that becomes more noticeable over time

1.名詞B2
釋義

a slow increase or development that becomes more noticeable over time

例句

Months of military buildup worried families living near the border.

military buildup before conflict

The long buildup of debt finally closed the family shop.

a buildup of + problem

同義詞
  • accumulation

    more formal and often used in writing

  • increase

    broader and does not always suggest a gradual process

  • growth

    often used for size, business, or population

反義詞
  • decline

    focuses on something becoming weaker or smaller

  • reduction

    used when the amount is deliberately made smaller

文法句型

a buildup of + pressure/tension/forces

years of buildup

用法筆記

Often used for pressure, tension, forces, or development that grows little by little before reaching a noticeable stage.

2. a layer, amount, or pressure that has collected in one place after some time

2.名詞B2
釋義

a layer, amount, or pressure that has collected in one place after some time

例句

Plaque buildup made the dentist warn Eric about his gums.

plaque buildup in health contexts

A buildup of snow sealed the cabin door during the storm.

a buildup of + material

同義詞
  • deposit

    often used for a layer left on a surface

  • accumulation

    broader and more formal; can name either the result or the process

  • layer

    focuses on the physical thickness of what has collected

反義詞
  • clearance

    focuses on removing what has collected

  • drainage

    used when fluid is allowed to flow away

文法句型

a buildup of + snow/fluid/plaque

oil/plaque buildup

用法筆記

This sense names what has collected, especially material or fluid in a place, rather than the process of it collecting.

常見錯誤

❌The dentist found a buildup from plaque.
✅The dentist found a buildup of plaque.
💡This noun usually takes of when you name what has collected.