carbonize

/ˈkɑːbənaɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkɑːrbənaɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkär-bə-ˌnīz/ (ame, mw)

carbonize — verb

  • carbonizepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • carbonizeshe / she / it
  • carbonizedpast simple
  • carbonizing-ing form

1. When a material carbonizes, strong heat or very long natural pressure leaves it

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

When a material carbonizes, strong heat or very long natural pressure leaves it as black carbon. You can also carbonize a material on purpose.

例句

The dry wood carbonized in the kiln after several hours.

intransitive: material + carbonized from heat

Workers carbonized the coconut shells to make black cooking fuel.

transitive: carbonize + material

同義詞
  • char

    more common and often used for partial burning that leaves a black surface

  • burn

    much broader and does not specifically mean becoming carbon

  • calcine

    technical and used for heating minerals rather than ordinary materials

文法句型

carbonize + material

material + carbonizes under heat

用法筆記

Often used in scientific or historical writing about burning, burial, or fossil remains. Unlike simple burn, this sense focuses on the material ending up as carbon or a black charred layer.

常見錯誤

❌The paper carbonized into smoke.
✅The paper carbonized into a black crust.
💡'Carbonize' means the material becomes carbon or char, not that it simply vanishes.

2. To carbonize a metal means to add carbon to it so the outer part becomes harder.

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

To carbonize a metal means to add carbon to it so the outer part becomes harder.

例句

The factory carbonized the steel parts before fitting them into the gears.

technical use: carbonize + steel parts

Engineers carbonize the blade edge so it stays hard longer.

同義詞
  • carburize

    the more common technical verb for adding carbon to metal

  • case-harden

    focuses on making the outside harder and may use methods beyond carbon

反義詞

文法句型

carbonize + metal

carbonize + metal part

用法筆記

Used in technical writing about metal treatment. Unlike sense 1, the metal does not burn away; carbon is added to help harden the surface.

常見錯誤

❌The factory carbonized the steel to melt it faster.
✅The factory carbonized the steel to harden the surface.
💡In this sense, carbon is added to metal; the goal is not melting.