dino

dino — noun

1. A very large animal that lived on Earth a very long time ago, before there were

1.名詞B1
釋義

A very large animal that lived on Earth a very long time ago, before there were any humans. 'Dino' is a short, friendly form of 'dinosaur', often used when speaking with children or in casual situations.

例句

Nora's little brother cried when his toy dino broke during playtime.

toy dino — common compound for children's toys

The museum had a huge dino skeleton that filled the entire room.

dino skeleton — common collocation in museums

同義詞
  • dinosaur

    the full, standard form; appropriate in all registers including formal

用法筆記

This word is a clipped form of 'dinosaur'. Use it only in informal speech or writing — in formal contexts, use the full word 'dinosaur' instead.

常見錯誤

❌I read a book about dino evolution.
✅I read a book about dinosaur evolution.
💡Use 'dinosaur' in formal or academic writing.

2. Someone or something that is very old-fashioned and no longer useful or effectiv

2.名詞B2
釋義

Someone or something that is very old-fashioned and no longer useful or effective in today's world.

例句

My old desktop computer is a real dino — it takes five minutes to start up.

a real dino — informal intensifier meaning 'very outdated'

When the CEO refused to use email, staff called him a dino behind his back.

同義詞
  • fossil

    similar meaning but even more dated; strongly informal

  • relic

    slightly more formal; can refer to objects or systems rather than people

  • has-been

    specifically for a person who was once successful but is no longer relevant

反義詞

用法筆記

This is a metaphorical extension of 'dinosaur' (sense 1). It is always critical or teasing, though it can be playful rather than hostile depending on tone.

常見錯誤

❌My grandfather is a dino.' (too direct and potentially rude)
✅My grandfather says his computer is a dino.
💡Safer to apply to objects or systems rather than people directly.