echo
/ˈek.əʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈek.oʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈe-(ˌ)kō/ (ame, mw) · /ˈekəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈekəʊ/ (ame, ipa)
echo — noun
- echosingular
- echoesplural
1. A sound that reaches your ears again after bouncing off a wall, cliff, or other
A sound that reaches your ears again after bouncing off a wall, cliff, or other hard surface, often repeating the original sound.
Theo shouted into the canyon and heard his own echo return a few seconds later.
the echo of [someone's] [sound]: heard + echo + return
The empty hall produced a clear echo of every word the speaker said.
Fatima could hear the echo of footsteps following her down the long stone corridor.
In the cave, the children's voices created a strange echo that seemed to come from everywhere.
- reverberation
a series of rapid echoes rather than one distinct repeat; more formal and technical
- reflection
used more generally; for sound it is a technical term, not everyday language
文法句型
the echo of [noun]
用法筆記
An echo is a single distinct repetition. When a sound bounces around many times creating a long decay, the more precise word is 'reverberation' or 'reverb'.
常見錯誤
2. A feature or detail that is similar to something from an earlier time, making yo
A feature or detail that is similar to something from an earlier time, making you remember that earlier thing.
The new library's design contains echoes of the ancient temples that once stood on that land.
contains echoes of [earlier thing]
Yuki's speech contained clear echoes of the civil rights speeches from the 1960s.
Kenji heard echoes of his grandfather's advice in his friend's words of encouragement.
The festival music carries echoes of traditional folk songs from a hundred years ago.
- reminder
more direct and less artistic; an echo is a subtle reminder, not an explicit one
- reflection
emphasises the idea of something being mirrored; slightly more formal
- reminiscence
more literary and personal; refers to memories of one's own experience
文法句型
echo of [noun phrase]
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the plural form 'echoes' and is followed by 'of'. The thing being echoed is usually something from the past — an idea, style, event, or feeling.
常見錯誤
echo — verb
- echopresent simple I / you / we / they
- echoeshe / she / it
- echoedpast simple
- echoing-ing form
1. When a loud sound repeats because it has hit a hard surface and bounced back; or
When a loud sound repeats because it has hit a hard surface and bounced back; or when a space causes this effect on a sound.
Amara's shout echoed through the empty train station late at night.
[sound] echoes through [place]
The sound of church bells echoed across the narrow streets of the old town.
The valley echoed with the roar of the waterfall every morning.
A loud crash echoed from the kitchen, and Elena ran in to see what had fallen.
- resound
more formal and literary; suggests a fuller, richer sound
- reverberate
more technical; suggests multiple reflections over time
- ring out
phrasal verb suggesting a clear, loud, single sound that fills a space
文法句型
[sound] echoes
[place] echoes with [sound]
[place] echoes to [sound]
用法筆記
Two common patterns: (a) the sound echoes — 'Her voice echoed in the hall'; (b) the place echoes — 'The hall echoed with her voice'. Both are natural.
常見錯誤
2. To be similar to an earlier idea, style, event, or quality, making you think of
To be similar to an earlier idea, style, event, or quality, making you think of that earlier thing.
The artist's later paintings echo the bold colours of the Impressionist movement.
[work] echoes [earlier style/influence]
Many modern buildings in the city echo the designs of ancient Greek temples.
The senator's speech echoed the promises made by her predecessor twenty years earlier.
This year's fashion collection echoes the bright patterns that were popular in the 1980s.
- contradict
to be the opposite of something from the past
文法句型
[subject] echoes [object]
用法筆記
Frequently used in arts, politics, and cultural commentary. The subject is usually a creative work, a performance, a speech, or a style. The object is an earlier influence or tradition.