dumbbell

/ˈdʌmbel/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʌmbel/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdəm-ˌbel/ (ame, mw)

dumbbell — noun

  • dumbbellsingular
  • dumbbellsplural

1. a short metal bar with heavy discs at each end, used in strength training — you

1.名詞B1
釋義

a short metal bar with heavy discs at each end, used in strength training — you hold one in each hand or grip a single heavy one with both hands to work your arm, shoulder, and chest muscles

例句

Haruto picked up a 10-kilogram dumbbell and started doing bicep curls in front of the mirror.

dumbbell as direct object of 'pick up' + weight specification

The gym near Mei-Lin's apartment has a full rack of dumbbells ranging from two to fifty kilograms.

collocation: rack of dumbbells

同義詞
  • weight

    more general term — 'weights' can also refer to barbells, kettlebells, or weight plates

  • hand weight

    descriptive term used in product descriptions or beginner contexts

  • free weight

    broader category that includes dumbbells and barbells (as opposed to cable machines)

文法句型

dumbbell + noun (compound modifier)

a pair of dumbbells

用法筆記

Frequently used in compound nouns describing specific exercises (dumbbell curl, dumbbell press, dumbbell row). The plural form dumbbells refers either to a pair (one in each hand) or to multiple individual weights.

常見錯誤

❌She lifted a dumbbell bar without weights.
✅She lifted the barbell without weights.
💡A dumbbell has fixed weights on both ends; a barbell is a long bar that you add weight plates to.
❌He bought a dumbbell set of 5 kg.
✅He bought a 5-kg dumbbell set.' or 'He bought a set of dumbbells that goes up to 5 kg.
💡The weight of a dumbbell describes the whole object, not a detachable plate.

2. an insulting word for someone who does something foolish, thoughtless, or carele

2.名詞B2
釋義

an insulting word for someone who does something foolish, thoughtless, or careless — milder than 'idiot' but still meant to offend

例句

Some dumbbell left the milk out of the fridge all night, and now it has gone sour.

indefinite 'some dumbbell' — speaker does not know the person's name

Theo called his younger brother a dumbbell for forgetting their grandmother's birthday two years in a row.

同義詞
  • idiot

    stronger and more common insult with the same core meaning

  • fool

    slightly less harsh and more old-fashioned; can be affectionate in some contexts

  • blockhead

    old-fashioned and milder; sounds humorous rather than angry

反義詞
  • genius

    extreme opposite — a person of very high intelligence

  • brain

    informal — 'he's a real brain' means a very smart person

文法句型

call someone a dumbbell

be a dumbbell

用法筆記

Less harsh than 'idiot' or 'moron', but still clearly insulting. Avoid in formal or professional settings. Frequently appears in the phrases 'some dumbbell' (anonymous complaint) and 'don't be a dumbbell' (exasperated warning).

常見錯誤

❌He is such a dumbbell to drop his phone in the toilet.
✅He was such a dumbbell
💡he dropped his phone in the toilet.' — The 'to'-infinitive after 'dumbbell' sounds unnatural; use a separate clause or 'for + -ing'.
❌What a dumbbell idea!
✅What a stupid idea!
💡'Dumbbell' describes a person, not an action or idea.