ceramic
/səˈræm.ɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /səˈræm.ɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /sə-ˈra-mik especially British kə-/ (ame, mw) · /səˈræmɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /səˈræmɪk/ (ame, ipa)
ceramic — adjective
- ceramicpositive
- more ceramiccomparative
- most ceramicsuperlative
1. refers to an item produced by moulding damp clay into a particular form and then
refers to an item produced by moulding damp clay into a particular form and then placing it in an extremely hot kiln so that it becomes a hard, solid material — for example, a ceramic tile, a ceramic bowl, or a ceramic mug.
The kitchen floor is covered with white ceramic tiles that are easy to clean.
attributive: ceramic + tile (common household item)
Aiko served the rice in a hand-painted ceramic bowl that her grandmother had made.
attributive: ceramic + bowl with descriptive modifier
The local factory produces ceramic plates for hospitals across the region.
Ravi carefully placed the ceramic vase on the top shelf of the cabinet.
These ceramic mugs were fired by artisans in a small Portuguese village.
- earthenware
specifically refers to unglazed or minimally glazed fired clay, usually coarser and less refined than general ceramic
- porcelain
a type of white, fine-grained ceramic fired at extremely high temperatures and often translucent
- terracotta
a brownish-red unglazed ceramic material, typically used for flower pots and roof tiles
文法句型
ceramic + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is almost always used attributively (before a noun). It has no comparative or superlative forms — a thing is either made of fired clay or it is not.
常見錯誤
ceramic — noun
1. the hard, brittle substance that results when clay is heated to a very high temp
the hard, brittle substance that results when clay is heated to a very high temperature, used in tableware, building materials, and industrial parts.
Ceramic is much harder than plastic and can withstand extreme heat.
uncountable subject with singular verb
The sculptor prefers working with ceramic because it holds fine detail well.
uncountable: 'with ceramic' as material
Unlike plastic, ceramic does not release harmful chemicals when it is heated.
Nadia learned how ordinary clay becomes ceramic through the kiln-firing process.
Modern spacecraft use ceramic for its ability to resist extremely high temperatures.
文法句型
uncountable: ceramic + verb (singular agreement)
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable — you cannot say 'a ceramic' to refer to the material. To refer to the art or craft, the word 'ceramics' (uncountable, takes singular verb) is used: 'Ceramics is her favourite hobby.'
常見錯誤
2. an individual object — for example, a pot, vase, figurine, or tile — produced by
an individual object — for example, a pot, vase, figurine, or tile — produced by forming clay and then firing it at extreme temperature; commonly found in exhibitions, collections, or homes as a decorative or functional piece.
The shelf displayed colourful ceramics from different regions of Japan.
plural countable: 'ceramics' as collectible objects
Ravi collects ancient ceramics that were made over a thousand years ago.
plural countable with 'collect' and time reference
Each ceramic in the gallery was signed by the artist who shaped it.
The exhibition features modern ceramics alongside traditional stoneware.
A single cracked ceramic was enough to upset the museum curator.
- pottery
more commonly used for everyday functional objects like pots and bowls; 'ceramic' sounds more formal or artistic
- earthenware
a specific type of ceramic object made from porous clay, typically heavier and less refined
- porcelain
a fine white ceramic object fired at very high temperatures, often delicate and expensive
文法句型
a + ceramic
ceramics (plural)
collect + ceramics
用法筆記
In this countable sense, 'a ceramic' means one object made of fired clay. The plural 'ceramics' refers to a collection of such objects. Do not confuse this with 'ceramics' as the uncountable name of the craft ('Ceramics is a popular class at the college').