equilibrium

/ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbriəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbriəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌē-kwə-ˈli-brē-əm ˌe-/ (ame, mw)

equilibrium — noun

1. a condition in which opposing forces, influences, or processes are so evenly mat

1.名詞B2
釋義

a condition in which opposing forces, influences, or processes are so evenly matched that no one side is stronger than the other and the whole system stays stable

例句

The region's economy achieved a new equilibrium after years of inflation and high unemployment.

collocation: 'achieve equilibrium' with abstract noun subject

Rafael adjusted the weights on both sides to bring the scale into equilibrium.

同義詞
  • balance

    the common everyday word; equilibrium is more formal and technical

  • stability

    emphasises the lack of change over time rather than the equal weight of forces

  • parity

    focuses on equality of value, status, or amount, often in economics or politics

反義詞
  • imbalance

    the direct opposite — a situation where forces are not equal

  • instability

    refers to a system that changes unpredictably rather than settling

文法句型

equilibrium + between + [plural noun]

in equilibrium + with + [noun]

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal or academic writing about economics, politics, ecology, and physics. Unlike the everyday word 'balance,' which is common in casual speech, 'equilibrium' carries a more technical or scholarly tone.

常見錯誤

❌The two sides are in the equilibrium.
✅The two sides are in equilibrium.
💡When equilibrium describes a general state of balance, it is uncountable and does not take the article 'the.'
❌Scientists observed an equilibrium between temperature and pressure.
✅Scientists observed equilibrium between temperature and pressure.
💡The indefinite article 'an' should not be used before uncountable 'equilibrium.'

2. the ability to stay calm and in control of your emotions or thoughts, especially

2.名詞B2
釋義

the ability to stay calm and in control of your emotions or thoughts, especially when facing difficult or stressful situations

例句

After the accident, it took Christopher several months to regain his emotional equilibrium.

collocation: 'regain one's equilibrium' after a shock

Practising yoga every morning helps Diya maintain her mental equilibrium throughout the day.

collocation: 'mental equilibrium' with 'maintain'

同義詞
  • composure

    less formal, very common in everyday English; equilibrium is more formal

  • poise

    emphasises grace and dignity under pressure, not just calmness

  • self-possession

    focuses on control over one's reactions, similar register to equilibrium

反義詞
  • agitation

    a state of nervousness or upset

  • anxiety

    a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease

文法句型

[possessive] + equilibrium

keep/maintain/regain/lose + [possessive] + equilibrium

用法筆記

Almost always paired with a possessive determiner (my, his, her, their, one's). Common verbs used with this sense include keep, maintain, regain, lose, and disturb. The modifying adjectives are typically emotional, mental, or psychological.

常見錯誤

❌She tried to keep equilibrium during the crisis.
✅She tried to keep her equilibrium during the crisis.
💡In the mental state sense, equilibrium requires a possessive determiner.

❌ 'I lost my emotional equilibrium after hearing the news of his passing.' is grammatically correct but very formal. In everyday conversation, speakers would more naturally say 'I lost my composure' or 'I got really upset.'

3. in chemistry, the condition of a reversible reaction in which the forward reacti

3.名詞C1
釋義

in chemistry, the condition of a reversible reaction in which the forward reaction and the reverse reaction happen at the same speed, so that the amounts of the reactants and products stop changing over time

例句

In chemistry class, Ilan learned how raising the temperature affects the position of chemical equilibrium.

domain: 'chemical equilibrium' as a technical concept

The system reached equilibrium when the forward and reverse reaction rates became equal.

pattern: 'reach equilibrium' as a complete process

同義詞
  • steady state

    broader term used in many sciences for a system that does not change over time, though the mechanism differs

文法句型

reach equilibrium

at equilibrium

chemical equilibrium

dynamic equilibrium

用法筆記

Subject is typically a chemical system, reaction, or mixture. This sense can appear as an attributive noun in compounds such as equilibrium constant and equilibrium position, a pattern that is rare for other senses of the word. Often modified by the adjectives dynamic or static to distinguish two types of equilibrium.