discoloration

/dɪsˌkʌləˈreɪʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪsˌkʌləˈreɪʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)dis-ˌkə-lə-ˈrā-shən/ (ame, mw)

discoloration — noun

  • discolorationsingular
  • discolorationsplural

1. a shift away from something's normal or original colour, usually leaving it dull

1.名詞C1
釋義

a shift away from something's normal or original colour, usually leaving it duller, darker, or patchy and less pleasant to look at.

例句

Adaeze noticed slight discoloration on the silver teapot after she washed it with lemon juice.

discoloration on [object surface]

Years of strong coffee had caused noticeable discoloration of Christopher's front teeth.

discoloration of [body part] caused by [cause]

同義詞
  • staining

    implies a foreign substance has marked the surface; discoloration is more general.

  • fading

    specifically a loss of brightness, while discoloration can also mean darkening or yellowing.

  • tarnish

    the dulling that builds up on metal, especially silver — a narrow type of discoloration.

文法句型

discoloration of [noun]

cause discoloration

用法筆記

Frequently uncountable when describing the general state or process; becomes countable when picking out particular instances. Often appears with cause/caused, of + body part or material, and adjectives of colour (yellow, brown) or degree (slight, noticeable).

常見錯誤

❌Her face got a discoloration after the sun.
✅Her face had some discoloration after a day in the sun.
💡use 'have' or 'show' with discoloration; 'get a discoloration' sounds unnatural to native speakers.
❌The wall is discoloration.
✅The wall has some discoloration.' or 'The wall is discoloured.
💡'discoloration' is a noun; the adjective form is 'discoloured'.

2. a single spot or patch where the colour has changed and stands out from the area

2.名詞C1
釋義

a single spot or patch where the colour has changed and stands out from the area around it.

例句

Elena pointed to a yellow discoloration on the wall just above the radiator.

a [colour] discoloration on [surface]

The dentist found a small discoloration on one of Pedro's back teeth and sent him for an X-ray.

a small discoloration on [body part]

同義詞
  • stain

    the everyday word; suggests something spilled or soaked in.

  • blemish

    any small mark that spoils appearance, not necessarily a colour change.

  • spot

    the most general word; doesn't specify colour change or cause.

文法句型

a discoloration on [surface]

用法筆記

Distinct from sense 1: this sense is always countable and refers to one particular mark you can point at, not the overall process. Common modifiers are size adjectives (small, faint, large) and colour adjectives (yellow, brown, dark).

常見錯誤

❌There are many discoloration on the wall.
✅There are many discolorations on the wall.
💡when counting, use the plural form 'discolorations'.