cluster
/ˈklʌstə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈklʌstər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈklə-stər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈklʌs.tər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈklʌs.tɚ/ (ame, ipa)
cluster — noun
- clustersingular
- clustersplural
1. many items, people, or objects of a single kind placed very near one another, fr
many items, people, or objects of a single kind placed very near one another, frequently forming a compact unit
A small cluster of wildflowers grew near the fence at the edge of the field.
cluster of [wildflowers/people/houses] — tight grouping of similar items
Ravi noticed a cluster of young fans waiting outside the stadium after the match.
cluster of + plural noun — group of people close together
The doctor found a small cluster of abnormal cells during the routine check-up.
Brightly coloured houses formed a tight cluster along the winding coastal road.
文法句型
cluster + of + plural noun + verb
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' + plural noun (e.g. a cluster of stars, a cluster of houses). The verb that follows can be singular or plural depending on whether the group is seen as one unit or as individual members.
常見錯誤
2. a sequence of multiple consonant sounds spoken without any vowel coming between
a sequence of multiple consonant sounds spoken without any vowel coming between neighbouring members — for instance, /spl/ at the start of 'splash'
In phonics class, Amara pointed to 'spring' on the board and asked classmates to find the /spr/ cluster.
consonant cluster — multiple consonants without an intervening vowel
Leila practised saying the cluster /ksθ/ until she could pronounce 'sixth' smoothly.
difficult consonant cluster — common pronunciation challenge for learners
During tutoring, Diego practised the /ntr/ cluster in 'entry' until it matched his teacher's model.
Teachers often drill word-initial clusters like /fl/ and /tr/ with beginner-level students.
- consonant blend
sometimes used interchangeably, though 'blend' can imply that each sound is still heard clearly
文法句型
consonant cluster + verb
用法筆記
Common in phonetics and language teaching. Languages differ greatly in which consonant clusters they allow; English permits clusters of up to three sounds at the start of a syllable (e.g. /str/ in 'strong') and up to four at the end (e.g. /ksθs/ in 'sixths').
常見錯誤
cluster — verb
- clusterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- clusters3rd person singular
- clustering-ing form
- clusteredpast simple
1. to come together tightly in a group, often surrounding a particular thing or per
to come together tightly in a group, often surrounding a particular thing or person, or to position objects close together in a dense arrangement
The children clustered around the birthday cake, waiting for the candles to be lit.
cluster around + thing — gather closely around something
Tiny white houses cluster together on the hillside above the busy harbour.
cluster together — form a dense group in a location
In autumn, bright red leaves cluster near the tips of the highest branches.
Reporters clustered near the front entrance, hoping to catch sight of the speaker.
- gather
more general; can be used for people coming together without physical closeness
- congregate
more formal; used mainly for people assembling in a place
- huddle
implies being very close, often for warmth, privacy, or protection
- scatter
to move apart in different directions
文法句型
cluster + adverb/preposition
cluster + around + noun
用法筆記
Usually intransitive. The subject is a group of multiple items or people — a single thing cannot cluster. Common with 'around', 'near', or 'together' to specify the arrangement.