contraceptive
/ˌkɒn.trəˈsep.tɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːn.trəˈsep.tɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌkän-trə-ˈsep-tiv/ (ame, mw) · /ˌkɒntrəˈseptɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌkɑːntrəˈseptɪv/ (ame, ipa)
contraceptive — noun
- contraceptivesingular
- contraceptivesplural
1. a product such as a pill, injection, or device that a person uses to avoid becom
a product such as a pill, injection, or device that a person uses to avoid becoming pregnant
The clinic offers free contraceptives to young people under twenty-five.
passive: contraceptives are offered / provided
Samir and Élise discussed different types of contraceptives with their doctor.
collocation: types of contraceptives
Many modern contraceptives contain hormones that stop the release of an egg.
After giving birth, Harper decided to use a long-term contraceptive instead of pills.
The government launched a campaign to improve access to contraceptives in rural areas.
- birth control
broader, less clinical term that also covers the practice and methods in general
- condom
a specific type of contraceptive that also protects against STIs; narrower in meaning
- the pill
informal term for oral contraceptive pills only; a subtype of contraceptives
文法句型
contraceptive is countable; often used in plural
用法筆記
Often used in the plural (contraceptives) when referring to the general category of birth control products. The singular form typically refers to a specific product type or brand.
常見錯誤
contraceptive — adjective
- contraceptivepositive
- more contraceptivecomparative
- most contraceptivesuperlative
1. describes medicines, devices, or services that help people avoid having a baby
describes medicines, devices, or services that help people avoid having a baby
Élise has been taking contraceptive pills for three years to regulate her cycle.
collocation: contraceptive pill
The nurse explained several contraceptive methods, including the patch and the implant.
collocation: contraceptive method
Rafael's doctor recommended a contraceptive injection that lasts for three months.
Contraceptive services at the public health centre include free check-ups and advice.
- birth control
used attributively in similar contexts (birth control pill / method), but less clinical in register
- prophylactic
formal and dated; covers disease prevention too, not exclusive to pregnancy prevention
- contraceptive (noun form used attributively)
in phrases like contraceptive use, the same word acts as a noun modifier, not the adjective
- fertility
related to the ability to conceive, opposite concept; not a direct word-level antonym
文法句型
almost always before a noun
用法筆記
Almost always placed before a noun. The most common collocations are contraceptive pill, contraceptive method, and contraceptive use. Not used predicatively — 'This method is contraceptive' is unnatural; use 'This method prevents pregnancy' instead.