cruise
/kruːz/ (bre, ipa) · /kruːz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkrüz/ (ame, mw)
cruise — noun
- cruisesingular
- cruisesplural
1. a trip on a ship, taken for enjoyment and relaxation, with planned stops at diff
a trip on a ship, taken for enjoyment and relaxation, with planned stops at different coastal towns, islands, or cities so passengers can explore each place
The Zhang family booked a seven-day cruise around the Greek islands.
cruise + around + place name
My grandmother saved for years to afford a cruise through the Norwegian fjords.
The cruise offered guided tours at every port, from ancient temples to local food markets.
Instead of flying to Europe, the Watanabes decided to take a transatlantic cruise.
文法句型
cruise + around/through + place
take a cruise
go on a cruise
用法筆記
Commonly used with go on (go on a cruise) or take (take a cruise). The ship is called a cruise ship or cruise liner, and the destination ports are called ports of call.
常見錯誤
cruise — verb
- cruisepresent simple I / you / we / they
- cruises3rd person singular
- cruising-ing form
- cruisedpast simple
1. to travel on a boat or ship as a way of relaxing and seeing different places, us
to travel on a boat or ship as a way of relaxing and seeing different places, usually stopping at several ports along the way
Every winter, Ramón and his wife cruise around the Caribbean on a small yacht.
cruise around + region — destination pattern
The ship will cruise past glaciers and remote fishing villages on its way to Alaska.
After retiring, Beatriz plans to cruise through the Mediterranean with her cousins.
Adina and her classmates are saving up to go cruising along the coast of Vietnam.
文法句型
cruise + around/through/across + place
go cruising
用法筆記
Often used with go + -ing form (go cruising) to describe the activity in general. The verb focuses on the relaxed, pleasure-focused nature of the journey, not just moving from point A to point B.
常見錯誤
2. to move at a steady, moderate pace that feels comfortable over long distances an
to move at a steady, moderate pace that feels comfortable over long distances and does not burn too much fuel — used especially of cars, trucks, and aircraft
The delivery truck cruised along the highway at exactly ninety kilometres per hour.
cruise along + road + at + speed
Samir turned on the cruise control and let the car cruise across the desert road.
Electric cars are designed to cruise at lower speeds so the battery lasts longer.
Once the plane reached thirty-five thousand feet, it cruised comfortably above the clouds.
文法句型
cruise + at + speed
cruise + along/on/down + road/highway
用法筆記
Commonly appears with cruise control, a car feature that keeps the vehicle at a fixed speed. For aircraft, the cruising altitude is the height at which the plane flies most efficiently after take-off. This sense is neutral and positive — the vehicle is operating smoothly, not urgently.
常見錯誤
3. to drive or walk slowly through an area while hoping to find a particular person
to drive or walk slowly through an area while hoping to find a particular person, a place to stop, or an opportunity; to patrol an area in a searching way
A police car cruised slowly through the housing estate, watching for anything unusual.
intransitive: cruise + through + area
Gabriel cruised past the café twice, hoping to spot Manuela among the outdoor tables.
Taxi drivers often cruise the streets near the central station looking for passengers.
Henrik cruised the parking lot for ten minutes before finally finding a space.
文法句型
cruise + around/through + area
cruise + place + for + target
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (cruise the streets) or intransitively (cruise around the block). The searching is implied but not always stated explicitly. When the target is a parking spot or a fare, the tone is neutral; when looking for a person, it can suggest either purposefulness or aimlessness.
常見錯誤
4. to move forward smoothly and effortlessly, as if carried by a natural force, wit
to move forward smoothly and effortlessly, as if carried by a natural force, without needing to hurry or struggle
The eagle cruised on the warm air currents high above the valley.
subject = bird, natural effortless movement
Mira cruised effortlessly through the crowded market, weaving between the stalls.
The kiteboarder cruised across the bay with the wind pulling him forward.
Zola cruised past the other runners on the final lap without breaking a sweat.
文法句型
cruise + through + medium/space
cruise + past/across + object
用法筆記
Describes graceful, unforced movement through any medium — air, water, or a crowd. The connotation is always positive and elegant. Distinguish from sense 2 (steady vehicle speed) where the emphasis is on fuel efficiency and control, not grace.
常見錯誤
5. to get through a stage, task, or competition so easily that you seem to be movin
to get through a stage, task, or competition so easily that you seem to be moving forward with no effort at all, as if everything is naturally going your way
The top seed cruised through the opening round without losing a single game.
cruise through + competition round
Once the main project is done, we can cruise through the final week.
Élise cruised past the other candidates in the interview stage with total confidence.
Bao cruised to the top of the maths class after a few weeks of tutoring.
- breeze through
slightly more informal; implies the task was very easy
- sail through
very similar to cruise through; sail is slightly more common in British English
- romp
British informal; suggests a playful, easy win, especially in sports
- struggle through
implies difficulty and effort, the opposite of cruising
- flounder
suggests confusion and difficulty, especially in a task
文法句型
cruise + through + task/test/stage
cruise + to + victory/win
用法筆記
Frequently followed by through (an exam, a round, a project) or to (a win, a title, the top). This sense is figurative and always carries a positive, almost admiring tone — the person makes success look easy.
常見錯誤
6. to visit bars, clubs, parks, or other public places with the aim of finding some
to visit bars, clubs, parks, or other public places with the aim of finding someone willing to have casual sex, often without a prior arrangement
Late at night, some people cruise certain bars and clubs looking for casual encounters.
transitive: cruise + place
The council installed brighter lights to stop drivers cruising the area for sex workers.
In some cities, certain parks are known as places where men cruise for anonymous partners.
Online dating has largely replaced the practice of physically cruising public spaces for partners.
文法句型
cruise + place + for + partner
go cruising
用法筆記
This sense is informal and can be offensive in some contexts. It is most commonly associated with gay male cruising culture but is not exclusive to it. The term is generally considered impolite in formal conversation. In modern usage, dating apps have largely replaced physical cruising in public spaces.