cataracts

IPA/ˈkæt.ə.rækts/
IPA/ˈkæt.ə.rækts/

cataracts — noun

  • cataractssingular
  • cataractsingular
  • cataractsesplural

1. a medical problem in which the eye's lens turns cloudy, causing blurry vision; i

1.名詞B2
釋義

a medical problem in which the eye's lens turns cloudy, causing blurry vision; it mainly affects older people and can be fixed with a straightforward operation

例句

Justin's grandmother had surgery to remove the cataracts from both eyes last spring.

cataract removal surgery — standard treatment collocation

After her cataract operation, Mayumi could see the bright colours of the garden much better.

cataract operation — common medical term

同義詞
  • lens opacity

    formal medical term for the clouding of the eye's lens

文法句型

develop cataracts

have cataracts

cataract surgery

用法筆記

Often used in the plural even when referring to one person's condition ('He has cataracts'). Frequently passive in medical contexts ('diagnosed with cataracts', 'treated for cataracts').

常見錯誤

❌I have a cataract infection.
✅I have cataracts.
💡Cataracts are a clouding of the lens, not an infection caused by bacteria or a virus.
❌My doctor said I need cataract surgery because the cataract is hurting me.
✅My doctor said I need cataract surgery because the cataract is affecting my vision.
💡Cataracts do not cause pain; they cause blurred or dim vision.

2. a very large waterfall or a steep, powerful cascade of water, especially one whe

2.名詞C1
釋義

a very large waterfall or a steep, powerful cascade of water, especially one where a river drops down over a cliff or rocky surface

例句

In the rainy season the river becomes a roaring cataract heard from miles away.

roaring cataract — descriptive adjective + noun collocation

The hikers watched the cataract crash down the rocky cliff from the viewpoint.

同義詞
  • waterfall

    general, everyday term for any falling water

  • cascade

    often describes a series of small falls rather than one big drop

  • falls

    commonly used in place names (Niagara Falls); shorter and more casual

文法句型

a cataract of [water]

the cataracts of [river]

用法筆記

More formal and poetic than common words like 'waterfall'. Often used in geographical descriptions of large, famous waterfalls (e.g., the cataracts of the Nile). Less common in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌We visited a small cataract in the park.
✅We visited a small waterfall in the park.
💡'Cataract' is reserved for very large or powerful waterfalls; use 'waterfall' for small ones.