comb
/kəʊm/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈom] /kəʊm/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈom] /ˈkōm/ (ame, mw) · [kˈom] /koʊm/ (ame, ipa)
comb — noun
- combsingular
- combsplural
1. a grooming tool with a row of pointed teeth, used to untangle and smooth your ha
a grooming tool with a row of pointed teeth, used to untangle and smooth your hair. Combs come in materials such as plastic, wood, and metal.
Léa always carries a small comb in her bag for touch-ups during the day.
collocation: carry a comb
The wooden comb on the bathroom shelf belonged to Minho's grandfather.
Ravindra bought a wide-tooth comb at the market for his curly hair.
A good comb should glide through your hair without pulling or breaking it.
- brush
a brush has soft bristles and is used for styling or smoothing hair; a comb has teeth and is used for detangling and parting
文法句型
comb + noun
comb + of + material
常見錯誤
2. a decorative object shaped like a comb, worn in the hair to hold strands togethe
a decorative object shaped like a comb, worn in the hair to hold strands together or add beauty without being used for everyday grooming.
Zola wore a silver comb in her hair at the wedding ceremony.
pattern: wear a comb in one's hair
The antique comb with tiny flowers was passed through three generations of the Liu family.
Rania's mother gave her a tortoiseshell hair comb for her eighteenth birthday.
A row of decorative combs hung on the wall of the costume shop.
文法句型
comb + in + location (hair)
用法筆記
Unlike the basic hair-tool sense (noun/1), this sense always refers to a comb worn as an accessory, not one used for actual combing. The comb may be purely decorative.
3. the red fleshy ridge found atop a chicken's head, located just above the beak on
the red fleshy ridge found atop a chicken's head, located just above the beak on domestic fowl.
The rooster's bright red comb stood proudly on top of his head.
collocation: red comb
The farmer checked each hen's comb for illness before letting them into the yard.
Beatrix drew a detailed picture of the chicken showing its comb, beak, and feathers.
A healthy chicken usually has a firm, bright-colored comb without any white spots.
- crest
crest is a broader term for any growth on a bird's head; comb specifically refers to the fleshy red one on chickens and related birds
文法句型
comb + of + bird species
4. the action of pulling a comb through your hair to arrange it, usually in phrases
the action of pulling a comb through your hair to arrange it, usually in phrases like 'give your hair a comb'.
Mauricio gave his hair a quick comb before the meeting started.
pattern: give + hair + a comb
After swimming, Rania gave her wet hair a thorough comb to remove the tangles.
The dog's thick winter coat needed a careful comb to remove all the loose underfur.
The stylist gave the model's hair one last comb before she walked onto the runway.
文法句型
give + noun + a comb
need + a comb
用法筆記
This sense appears almost exclusively in phrases with 'give' or 'need' followed by an article + 'comb'. You would not normally say 'I did a comb of my hair.'
5. a structure made of many six-sided cells, built by bees from wax to store honey
a structure made of many six-sided cells, built by bees from wax to store honey and keep their eggs; also called honeycomb.
The beekeeper carefully removed a piece of comb from the hive using a smoker.
collocation: piece of comb
Fresh honey dripped from the golden comb onto the kitchen counter.
Tuan watched the bees building their wax comb in the new hive box.
Each cell in the honeycomb has a perfect six-sided shape, fitting neatly against its neighbors.
- honeycomb
honeycomb is the more common everyday word; 'comb' alone in this sense is often used by beekeepers or in technical contexts
文法句型
comb + of + material
piece of comb
comb — verb
- combpresent simple I / you / we / they
- combs3rd person singular
- combing-ing form
- combedpast simple
1. to make your hair smooth and tidy by pulling a comb through it.
to make your hair smooth and tidy by pulling a comb through it.
Ilan combed his hair carefully before stepping onto the stage.
pattern: comb + one's hair + adverb
Romi combed her daughter's long hair after the bath and tied it into a ponytail.
The old man combed his thin white hair with slow, gentle movements.
Mark asked his sister to help comb the tangles from the back of his hair.
文法句型
comb + noun (hair)
comb + hair + adjective
常見錯誤
2. to examine every part of a place or collection of items systematically, hoping t
to examine every part of a place or collection of items systematically, hoping to discover a person or thing that is lost or hidden.
The rescue team combed the forest for the missing hiker all through the night.
pattern: comb + place + for + object
Beatrix combed through the old bookshop looking for a rare first edition of the novel.
pattern: comb through + noun
The police combed the beach with dogs and drones after the storm.
Asher combed through the online archives to find his great-grandmother's name on the passenger list.
- search
search is the general term; comb implies a more thorough, systematic search that covers every part
- scour
scour is very close to comb in meaning but often implies moving quickly while searching very thoroughly
- sift through
sift through is used mainly for documents, data, or collections of items rather than physical places
文法句型
comb + place + for + object
comb + through + noun
用法筆記
Often used with 'through' before a collection of documents or data, or with 'for' to specify what is being searched for. The sense carries a strong implication of thoroughness — every part of the place is checked.
常見錯誤
comb — abbreviation
1. a short written form of 'combination', 'combined', or 'combining', used in produ
a short written form of 'combination', 'combined', or 'combining', used in product names, menus, tickets, and informal notes to indicate things joined together, such as a combo meal or a combined ticket.
The menu listed a 'breakfast comb.' with eggs, toast, and coffee at one price.
pattern: noun + comb. (for combo meal)
Lin bought a 'comb. ticket' for both the art museum and the science center.
collocation: comb. ticket
The package label read 'shampoo and conditioner comb.' showing they were sold together.
The gym offered a 'comb. membership' with access to classes, pool, and equipment.
文法句型
comb. + noun
adj. + comb.
用法筆記
In spoken English, the abbreviation is usually expanded to 'combo' (e.g., 'a breakfast combo'). The written form 'comb.' with a period is more common in notes, menus, signs, and labels.
2. a short written form of 'combustion', used in technical writing and engineering
a short written form of 'combustion', used in technical writing and engineering contexts such as engine specifications, chemistry notes, and equipment labels.
The engine manual specified a new internal comb. chamber design to improve fuel efficiency.
collocation: internal comb. chamber
The chemistry report used 'comb.' in the section about heat released during burning.
The pilot checked the internal comb. engine start-up procedure before takeoff.
The heater manual warned users to check the comb. chamber for cracks each winter.
文法句型
comb. + noun