contaminants

IPA/kənˈtæm.ɪ.nənt/
KK[kəntˈæmənənts]IPA/kənˈtæm.ə.nənt/

contaminants — noun

  • contaminantssingular
  • contaminantsesplural

1. an unwanted or harmful substance that gets into food, water, air, or another mat

1.名詞B2
釋義

an unwanted or harmful substance that gets into food, water, air, or another material and makes it impure, dirty, or unsafe for use

例句

The lab tests found chemical contaminants in the town's drinking water supply.

contaminants in [water / food / material] — common collocation

Joaquín wore a mask at work to avoid breathing in airborne contaminants.

airborne contaminants — adjective + noun pattern

同義詞
  • pollutant

    specifically refers to substances that harm the natural environment; a narrower category than contaminant

  • impurity

    less formal and broader; any substance that makes something not pure, not necessarily harmful

  • toxin

    a poisonous contaminant produced by living organisms such as bacteria or plants

反義詞
  • purifier

    a device or substance that removes contaminants and restores purity

用法筆記

Frequently used in the plural form when referring to a category of unwanted substances collectively. The singular form 'contaminant' is used when specifying one particular type.

常見錯誤

❌The water contains contaminant.
✅The water contains contaminants.
💡The plural form is standard when referring to unwanted substances in general.