built-in
/ˌbɪlt ˈɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɪltˌɪn] /ˌbɪlt ˈɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɪltˌɪn] /ˈbilt-ˈin How to pronounce built-in (audio)/ (ame, mw)
built-in — adjective
1. made as a fixed part of a room, machine, or device instead of being added later
made as a fixed part of a room, machine, or device instead of being added later as a separate thing
The kitchen has a built-in oven beside the narrow spice cupboard.
collocation: built-in oven
Jiwoo chose a desk with built-in drawers to save space.
pattern: built-in + plural noun
The camper's built-in lights came on when Tomás opened the side door.
Our new shower has a built-in seat for older guests.
- fitted
often used for furniture or kitchens installed to match a space exactly
- integrated
common in technology and design when parts are made to work together as one system
- fixed
broader term that only stresses that something is not movable
- freestanding
describes furniture or equipment that stands alone and is not attached
- detachable
can be taken off or separated from the main object
- portable
made to be carried or moved from place to place
文法句型
built-in + noun
have + built-in + noun
用法筆記
Usually describes furniture, storage, lighting, or equipment that is fitted into a larger structure. It emphasizes that the item belongs to the room or product itself, unlike something portable or freestanding.
常見錯誤
2. present from the beginning as part of a person's nature or a system's design, so
present from the beginning as part of a person's nature or a system's design, so it does not need to be added from outside
Toddlers have a built-in drive to copy the adults around them.
pattern: built-in + abstract noun
The app has a built-in limit that stops users after three tries.
collocation: built-in limit
Roya's built-in calm helped the team during the sudden power cut.
The school schedule has built-in breaks between the longer exams.
文法句型
built-in + quality
have + built-in + limit/advantage
用法筆記
This sense is broader than sense 1. It can describe human qualities such as patience or confidence, and also limits, advantages, or protections that a plan or system already contains.
常見錯誤
built-in — noun
1. a piece of furniture that is fixed into a room as part of the wall or structure,
a piece of furniture that is fixed into a room as part of the wall or structure, rather than standing alone
The bedroom still has the built-ins that the first owner designed.
plural form: built-ins
Mira painted the old built-in beside the window bright green.
The buyers loved the kitchen built-ins because they added extra storage.
A carpenter repaired the damaged built-in after the pipe leak.
- fitted unit
broad term for a storage or furniture unit installed into a space
- fixed cupboard
more specific and mainly used when the built-in is for storage
- integrated cabinet
common in design or renovation contexts, especially for kitchens
- freestanding unit
a piece of furniture that stands alone and can be moved
- movable furniture
describes ordinary furniture that is not attached to the structure
文法句型
a built-in
built-ins (plural)
用法筆記
Most often refers to shelves, cupboards, benches, or similar furniture fixed into a house or apartment. In everyday use, the plural built-ins is more common than the singular form.