dial-up

/ˈdī(-ə)l-ˌəp/ (ame, mw)

dial-up — adjective

1. describes an older kind of internet or computer connection that works by having

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes an older kind of internet or computer connection that works by having a modem call a number on a normal telephone line, so the line cannot be used for phone calls at the same time.

例句

Arjun's family in the village still relies on a slow dial-up connection to check emails.

attributive: dial-up + connection

Before broadband reached our town, Christopher waited ten minutes for one photo to load on dial-up internet.

common collocation: dial-up internet

反義詞
  • broadband

    the faster always-on technology that replaced dial-up in most homes

  • fibre-optic

    very high-speed cable-based internet; the modern opposite of dial-up

文法句型

dial-up + noun (connection, modem, internet, service)

用法筆記

Almost always used attributively before a noun (connection, modem, internet, service, session); rarely appears after 'be'. Often appears in contexts contrasting it with faster modern options such as broadband or fibre.

常見錯誤

❌Our internet is dial-up at home.
✅We have a dial-up internet connection at home.
💡'dial-up' usually goes before a noun, not after 'be' on its own.
❌I will dial-up the website.
✅I will dial up the website.
💡as a verb the two words are separate; the hyphenated form is only the adjective.