element
/ˈelɪmənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈelɪmənt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈe-lə-mənt/ (ame, mw)
element — noun
- elementsingular
- elementsplural
1. a basic part that, together with other parts, makes up a larger structure such a
a basic part that, together with other parts, makes up a larger structure such as a system, a plan, or a machine.
The visual design is a key element of any successful website.
key element of [something]
Yuki learned the basic elements of photography during her summer course.
the basic elements of [subject] — meaning basic principles
Trust is the essential element that holds any strong working relationship together.
The engineer checked every element of the bridge design before construction began.
Cost was only one element among several that the committee weighed when choosing a school supplier.
- component
more technical; suggests a manufactured or engineered part
- constituent
more formal; used in academic or scientific writing
- ingredient
common for mixtures and recipes; also used figuratively
- factor
focuses on the role of the element in determining an outcome
- whole
the complete thing that elements together form
文法句型
element of [something]
[adjective] element
the elements of [subject]
用法筆記
Countable. Frequently paired with an adjective (key, essential, basic, deciding) and the preposition of or in.
常見錯誤
2. a slight but noticeable amount of a particular feeling or trait that can be sens
a slight but noticeable amount of a particular feeling or trait that can be sensed in what someone does or says.
There was an element of sadness in her voice when she talked about leaving.
element of [emotion] — a small amount of a feeling
Bilal's speech contained an element of humour that pleased the audience.
The game has an element of luck that keeps it exciting for new players.
A small element of caution crept into the detective's voice whenever she described that witness.
The children's performance showed an element of creativity that surprised their teacher.
文法句型
an element of [emotion/quality]
a[n] [adjective] element of [emotion/quality]
用法筆記
Always singular in this sense. The noun that follows of is usually an abstract noun describing an emotion, quality, or characteristic.
常見錯誤
3. a substance made entirely of one kind of atom that cannot be divided into simple
a substance made entirely of one kind of atom that cannot be divided into simpler chemicals through normal laboratory methods.
Gold is a heavy element that does not rust or corrode over time.
[name of metal] is an element
The chemistry teacher asked the students to memorise the symbols of twenty elements.
Oxygen is the most common element in the Earth's rocky outer layer.
Silicon is a common element used in the tiny chips that power mobile phones.
Élise learned that carbon is the element found in all known living things.
- chemical element
the full formal term
- substance
much broader; includes compounds and mixtures
- compound
a substance made of two or more elements bonded together
文法句型
[chemical] is an element
the element [name]
用法筆記
Countable. Each element is identified by its atomic number. There are 118 known elements, 92 of which occur naturally. Do not confuse with compound (a substance made of two or more elements chemically bonded).
常見錯誤
4. one of four basic materials — earth, water, air, and fire — that people in ancie
one of four basic materials — earth, water, air, and fire — that people in ancient times believed everything in the world was made of.
Ancient Greek philosophers believed that everything was made of four elements: earth, water, air, and fire.
the four elements
In medieval medicine, each of the four elements was linked to a specific bodily fluid.
Constanza read about how alchemists tried to turn one element into another, such as lead into gold.
The idea of the four elements appears in the ancient cultures of China, Greece, and India.
Some traditional philosophies add a fifth element called spirit or ether to the original four.
- classical element
the formal term for this sense
- prime element
historical term for these four substances
文法句型
the four elements
[element name]
用法筆記
Usually plural in this historical sense (the four elements). When used in singular, it refers to one of the four (e.g., 'Fire is the most active element'). This sense is now considered outdated in science but remains important in the history of ideas.
常見錯誤
5. strong or unpleasant weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong wind, or ext
strong or unpleasant weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong wind, or extreme cold, considered as a force that people must face or endure.
The hikers were caught in the elements when the storm arrived unexpectedly.
exposed to / caught in the elements
The old wooden fence had been battered by the elements for over thirty years.
battered by / weathered by the elements
The gardener covered the plants with a sheet to protect them from the elements.
Samir's tent was strong enough to withstand the elements during the mountain climb.
The old lighthouse keeper learned to respect the power of the elements at sea.
- weather
neutral; includes both good and bad conditions
- the outdoors
broader; refers to nature rather than specifically weather
文法句型
the elements
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article as the elements (plural). Refers to bad weather rather than pleasant weather. Common with verbs like brave, withstand, expose (to), protect (from), and be battered (by).
常見錯誤
6. the part inside an electrical device, such as a hairdryer, space heater, or elec
the part inside an electrical device, such as a hairdryer, space heater, or electric blanket, that produces heat when an electric current passes through it.
The hairdryer stopped working because the heating element had broken inside.
heating element — the part that produces heat
Jenna cleaned the oven element carefully so that the heat would spread evenly.
The mechanic replaced the heating element in the water heater after it stopped warming up.
A modern electric kettle uses a hidden element at the bottom to boil water fast.
The engineer checked whether the element in the furnace could reach the required temperature.
- heating coil
specific to spiral-shaped heating elements
- heater
broader term for the whole device, not just the part
文法句型
[device] element
heating element
用法筆記
Countable. Often used in compound nouns (heating element, oven element, kettle element). If the device type is clear from context, simply 'the element' is sufficient.
常見錯誤
7. The visible circular metal ring or coil on an electric hob, cooktop, or oven flo
The visible circular metal ring or coil on an electric hob, cooktop, or oven floor that gets hot when electricity flows through it, allowing you to cook food.
The chef turned the knob and the cooker's metal element began to glow bright red.
element began to glow: heating activation
The chef wiped the ceramic cooktop gently so as not to scratch the glass surface around each element.
element on a cooktop: visible cooking ring
The circular element on the old electric stove glowed orange within seconds of being turned on.
When the hob element failed, the guests had to wait longer for dinner.
The baker replaced the old oven element with a new one from the hardware shop.
- heating coil
emphasises the spiral shape of the element
- hotplate
the entire cooking surface, not just the coil inside
文法句型
heating element in/inside/of [appliance]
[appliance] element
用法筆記
Often preceded by the name of the appliance ('oven element,' 'hob element,' 'cooktop element') or the modifier 'heating' ('heating element'). Distinguish this sense from sense 6 — sense 6 refers to general heating parts in any electrical device (hairdryers, space heaters), while sense 7 specifically describes the visible circular coil on cooking surfaces such as hobs, cooktops, and oven floors.
常見錯誤
8. A place, situation, or type of activity where a person, animal, or thing feels m
A place, situation, or type of activity where a person, animal, or thing feels most comfortable, confident, and able to perform well — for example, a fish in water, or a skilled chef in a busy kitchen.
The university librarian was truly in her element organising the rare book collection.
in one's element: comfortable and able
For a polar bear, the Arctic ice is its natural element.
natural element: ideal habitat
The open kitchen was the head chef's natural element — the space where she moved with complete confidence.
After years in marketing, Tuan finally found his element teaching art at a community college.
The brightly lit stage was the performer's true element, the place where she felt most alive.
- alien environment
a place where one feels uncomfortable and out of place
文法句型
in one's element
natural element
find one's element
用法筆記
This noun sense describes the concept of a natural environment where someone or something thrives (e.g., 'the stage was her true element'). It is closely related to the fixed idiom 'in one's element' (see Idioms), which uses the same metaphor. Distinguish the two: the noun sense takes modifiers like 'natural,' 'true,' or 'proper' and can be used in various grammatical roles ('The sea is a dolphin's element'); the idiom 'in one's element' is a fixed prepositional phrase meaning 'in a situation where one feels comfortable and capable.' The singular form is always used — 'elements' belongs to sense 5 (BAD WEATHER).
常見錯誤
9. Any distinct subgroup within a larger society, political party, or organisation
Any distinct subgroup within a larger society, political party, or organisation whose members share particular beliefs, attitudes, or backgrounds that set them apart from the majority.
The moderate elements in the government pushed for a compromise on the new tax law.
[adjective] elements in [group]: faction identifier
Extremist elements within the student union called for a boycott of the event.
elements within [group]: internal subgroup
The report identified criminal elements that had infiltrated the local council.
Conservative elements of the church opposed the proposed changes to the ceremony.
Younger elements in the company argued that remote working improved productivity.
文法句型
[adjective] elements in/within/of [group]
用法筆記
Nearly always used in the plural form ('elements') with an adjective modifier that identifies the type of group (moderate, extremist, criminal, progressive, conservative). The singular form ('an element') would not convey this sense. Common in political analysis, sociology, and organisational reporting.