ceramics
ceramics — noun
1. The skill or activity of shaping wet clay into useful or decorative objects and
The skill or activity of shaping wet clay into useful or decorative objects and then baking them at a very high temperature so they become permanently hard.
Mei studied ceramics at a vocational college in Tainan before opening her own studio.
uncountable noun with singular verb
The museum has a spacious room dedicated to ancient Japanese ceramics and pottery.
ceramics as field of study / collection category
Modern ceramics often blends traditional hand-building techniques with experimental glazing methods.
- pottery
narrower in scope — usually refers to vessels and domestic ware, while ceramics includes tiles, bricks, and sculpture
- pottery-making
more informal, less common in academic or museum contexts
文法句型
ceramics + singular verb (craft sense)
用法筆記
The word looks plural (ending in -s) but takes a singular verb when referring to the craft or field of study: 'Ceramics is her passion.' To refer to objects, a plural verb is also possible: 'These ceramics are very old.'
常見錯誤
2. Objects that are made from clay that has been shaped and fired, such as bowls, v
Objects that are made from clay that has been shaped and fired, such as bowls, vases, tiles, or sculptures, especially when valued or displayed as art.
The gallery is showing a collection of colourful ceramics by emerging Taiwanese artists this spring.
plural verb with ceramics meaning objects
Amara carefully wrapped each piece of ceramics in bubble wrap before the move.
These ancient Chinese ceramics were buried for more than two thousand years before being discovered by archaeologists.
- pottery
overlaps considerably but pottery usually excludes industrial ceramics like tiles or bricks
- earthenware
a specific type of low-fired, often unglazed ceramic; not a synonym for all ceramics
- porcelain
a fine, high-fired ceramic; only covers a subset of ceramic objects
文法句型
these/those ceramics + plural verb (object sense)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (THE ART OF CLAY): this sense refers to the physical objects themselves. When the objects are the focus, a plural verb can be used: 'These ceramics are fragile.'
常見錯誤
ceramics — adjective
1. Made from clay or similar non-metallic minerals that have been shaped and fired
Made from clay or similar non-metallic minerals that have been shaped and fired at a high temperature; relating to the production or use of such materials.
The kitchen countertops are covered in ceramic tiles that are easy to wipe clean.
ceramic + noun (tiles)
Diego replaced his old metal coffee mug with a ceramic one that keeps his drink hot longer.
Ceramic brake pads last longer than standard ones but cost more to replace.
- earthenware
specifically low-fired clay objects, usually unglazed
- terracotta
a reddish-brown unglazed earthenware; much narrower meaning
文法句型
ceramic + noun (material/object)
用法筆記
The adjective only appears before the noun it modifies (attributive position). It is not used in predicative position: 'The vase is ceramic' is borderline; 'The vase is a ceramic piece' or 'This is a ceramic vase' sounds more natural.