cavity

/ˈkævəti/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈkævəti/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈka-və-tē/ (ame, mw)

cavity — noun

  • cavitysingular
  • cavitiesplural

1. an empty space or hole inside a solid object, or an open area between two surfac

1.名詞B1
釋義

an empty space or hole inside a solid object, or an open area between two surfaces that are close together

例句

When the builders removed the old tiles, they found a cavity behind the kitchen wall.

cavity behind + [surface]: hidden space in a structure

Water had seeped into the narrow cavity between the window frame and the brick wall.

同義詞
  • hole

    more general term; cavity suggests a natural or structural hollow rather than a hole punched through

  • gap

    focuses on the distance between two things; cavity emphasises an enclosed hollow

  • hollow

    more common for natural depressions in surfaces; cavity often implies an internal space

  • space

    the broadest term; cavity is more specific to an empty area inside something solid

反義詞
  • solid

    a solid block has no cavity inside

2. a hole that forms in a tooth when the hard outer layer is broken down by bacteri

2.名詞B2
釋義

a hole that forms in a tooth when the hard outer layer is broken down by bacteria and acid — if left untreated, the decay can reach the inner nerve and cause pain or infection

例句

The dentist found a cavity in my back molar and said it needed a filling.

cavity + need a filling: common dental collocation

Anika brushes her teeth twice a day but still got a cavity between two molars.

同義詞
  • caries

    the formal medical term for tooth decay; 'cavity' is the everyday word patients use

  • decay

    refers to the process of damage; 'cavity' is the resulting hole

用法筆記

Common in discussions of dental check-ups, oral hygiene, and sugar intake. The phrase 'have a cavity' is the usual way to report the condition to a dentist.

常見錯誤

❌I got a cavity in my tooth that hurts.
✅The dentist found a cavity in my molar and said it needs a filling.
💡'cavity' is the hole caused by decay, not the tooth itself.

3. a hollow area inside the body that contains or protects internal organs, such as

3.名詞B2
釋義

a hollow area inside the body that contains or protects internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, or stomach

例句

The doctor listened to the patient's chest cavity with a stethoscope to check the lungs.

chest cavity / abdominal cavity: specific body-cavity names

During the operation, the surgeon cut into the abdominal cavity to reach the appendix.

同義詞
  • chamber

    more common for heart chambers or small internal spaces; cavity implies a larger hollow

  • space

    less technical; cavity is the standard anatomical term for organ-containing hollows

  • sinus

    refers specifically to air-filled cavities in the skull; not interchangeable with other body cavities

用法筆記

Typically used in medical, biological, or clinical contexts. Many body cavities have fixed anatomical names (thoracic cavity, pelvic cavity, cranial cavity) that are best learned as fixed collocations.