cleave

cleave — verb

1. to break, cut, or force something into separate pieces, or to move through it as

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

to break, cut, or force something into separate pieces, or to move through it as if slicing it apart.

例句

Kenji cleaved the coconut open with a heavy kitchen knife.

pattern: cleave something open

The falling branch cleaved the fence into two uneven pieces.

pattern: cleave something into two pieces

同義詞
  • split

    the broad everyday word for breaking something into parts

  • sever

    more formal and often stresses a complete break

  • divide

    common for both physical and figurative separation

反義詞
  • join

    focuses on bringing separate parts together

  • unite

    often used for groups or opinions becoming one

文法句型

cleave something open

cleave something in two

cleave through something

用法筆記

Often appears in literary or dramatic writing. With a direct object, it usually describes a strong cut or split; with through, it describes moving ahead by slicing through air, water, or a crowd.

常見錯誤

❌The chef cleaved the carrots into tiny cubes.
✅The chef chopped the carrots into tiny cubes.
💡cleave suggests a strong splitting cut, not ordinary small cutting.

cleave — verb

1. to stay tightly attached to someone or something, or to keep holding to a belief

1.動詞不及物C2
釋義

to stay tightly attached to someone or something, or to keep holding to a belief, habit, or person with firm loyalty.

例句

Noor still cleaves to her grandmother's advice during hard weeks.

pattern: cleave to an idea or source of guidance

Even after the scandal, Christopher cleaved to the old promise.

figurative use: remain loyal to something

同義詞
  • cling

    suggests holding on tightly, sometimes emotionally

  • adhere

    more formal, especially for rules, beliefs, or surfaces

  • stick

    the most everyday word, especially for physical attachment

反義詞
  • abandon

    means giving up a person, idea, or plan

  • renounce

    formal word for publicly giving up a belief or claim

文法句型

cleave to somebody

cleave to something

用法筆記

This sense is usually followed by to. In physical uses, the subject stays attached to a surface; in figurative uses, the object is often a faith, promise, custom, or person.

常見錯誤

❌She cleaved on her beliefs during the trial.
✅She cleaved to her beliefs during the trial.
💡this sense normally takes to before the thing or idea you stay loyal to.