fe
fe — noun
- fesingular
- fesplural
1. a common greyish metal that is one of the chemical elements. It is strong and is
a common greyish metal that is one of the chemical elements. It is strong and is used widely in building, making tools, and producing steel. Iron is also found in small amounts in the human body and in many foods. Its chemical symbol on the periodic table is Fe.
The old bridge in town was made of iron and painted dark red.
material noun: made of iron
Iron ore from the mine is sent to a steel factory nearby.
Aylin learned that iron is one of the most common elements on Earth.
The blacksmith heated the iron until it glowed bright orange.
Many cooking pots are made of iron because it conducts heat well.
文法句型
iron [noun] as material
[adjective] iron
用法筆記
When talking about iron as a material, it is uncountable ('a gate made of iron'). When referring to individual objects made of iron, it can be countable ('two fire irons'). The chemical symbol Fe (from Latin 'ferrum') is used in science and appears on the periodic table.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I need more iron in my diet' (when meaning food source, correct usage). — This is actually correct. See sense 2 for dietary iron.
2. a mineral that the human body needs in small amounts for good health. This subst
a mineral that the human body needs in small amounts for good health. This substance forms part of haemoglobin inside red blood corpuscles and helps transport oxygen from the lungs to all tissues. Iron-rich foods include meat, leafy green vegetables, and beans.
Spinach and red meat are good sources of iron for the human body.
collocation: sources of iron
The doctor told Mira that her iron levels were too low.
collocation: iron levels
A diet rich in iron helps prevent feelings of tiredness and weakness.
Iron carries oxygen in red blood cells to every part of the human body.
- mineral
a broader category; iron is one type of dietary mineral
文法句型
iron in [body/food]
rich in iron
iron [deficiency/levels/supplement]
用法筆記
Often used in health and nutrition contexts. Common phrases include 'iron deficiency' (not enough iron), 'iron supplement' (pills to add iron), and 'iron-rich foods'.
常見錯誤
3. a piece of household equipment with a flat metal base that is heated and pushed
a piece of household equipment with a flat metal base that is heated and pushed across clothes to make them smooth and remove unwanted creases.
Stefan plugged in the iron and waited for it to get hot.
verb phrase: plug in the iron
The steam iron removed all the wrinkles from Aylin's cotton shirt.
compound noun: steam iron
Mizuki bought a new iron with a ceramic base for easy gliding.
Hoa set the iron down on its stand and unplugged it safely.
- flat iron
another name for a clothes iron, especially older types
文法句型
[adjective] iron
iron + [verb]
用法筆記
Do not confuse with the verb 'to iron' (sense verb/1). The noun refers to the device itself; the verb refers to the action of using it.
常見錯誤
4. a type of golf club with a flat, angled metal head, used for hitting the ball ov
a type of golf club with a flat, angled metal head, used for hitting the ball over medium to long distances. Irons are numbered from 1 to 9, with lower numbers hitting the ball farther.
Hiro chose a seven iron for his next shot on the fairway.
numbered: [number] + iron
Samir cleaned each golf iron carefully after the afternoon game.
The professional golfer hit the ball over two hundred yards with a five iron.
Anong found her golf irons too heavy and switched to lighter clubs.
- wood
a type of golf club with a larger head, used for longer shots
文法句型
[number] iron
iron [shot/game/club]
用法筆記
Golf irons are usually referred to by their number ('a five iron', 'a seven iron'). Lower numbers (1–4) hit farther; higher numbers (7–9) are for shorter, more accurate shots.
5. an object fashioned from iron, often designed to be heated for a particular task
an object fashioned from iron, often designed to be heated for a particular task such as stamping a mark onto livestock, shaping hot metal, or holding burning fuel.
With a tire iron in hand, Mei-Lin pried the old tyre off the rim of her car.
compound noun: tire iron
Anong used a branding iron to mark the symbol onto the cattle.
compound: branding iron
The broken wires on the old radio were carefully soldered back together using a soldering iron.
Diego pushed the logs further into the blazing fire using a long iron poker.
文法句型
[noun] iron
iron for [purpose]
6. heavy chains or metal bands fastened around a prisoner's wrists or ankles to pre
heavy chains or metal bands fastened around a prisoner's wrists or ankles to prevent escape or movement. Usually used in the plural form 'irons'.
The prisoner's irons clanked loudly as he walked down the stone corridor.
plural form: irons = chains
The captive was kept in irons for three weeks before the trial began.
fixed phrase: in irons = chained up
Amani could hear the sound of irons from the cells downstairs.
The guards put the thief in irons and led him away to the courthouse.
文法句型
in irons
[verb] irons
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in the plural 'irons'. The singular 'iron' for a single chain or fetter is very rare and old-fashioned. Common in historical or literary texts.
常見錯誤
fe — verb
- fepresent simple I / you / we / they
- fes3rd person singular
- fing-ing form
- fedpast simple
1. to press clothing or fabric with a heated household tool so that creases and wri
to press clothing or fabric with a heated household tool so that creases and wrinkles disappear and the material becomes neat and flat.
Olivia ironed her white blouse before the job interview.
transitive: iron + clothing item
Ramón hates ironing but his work uniform has to look neat.
gerund: ironing as activity
Maeve carefully ironed the creases out of her linen trousers.
Hoa was ironing his shirt while listening to music on the radio.
- press
slightly more formal; often used by dry cleaners or in instructions
- crumple
to make creases or wrinkles in fabric
文法句型
iron + [clothing item]
iron + object + [adjective/complement]
be ironing
用法筆記
Also commonly used as a gerund noun ('to do the ironing' meaning the activity or the pile of clothes waiting to be ironed). The phrasal verb 'iron out' can also mean 'to solve problems' figuratively.
常見錯誤
fe — adjective
- fepositive
- fercomparative
- festsuperlative
1. extremely strong and determined, not easily changed or weakened. Used with abstr
extremely strong and determined, not easily changed or weakened. Used with abstract nouns to describe someone's character, control, or commitment — for example, an iron will means a very strong and unshakeable will.
The team showed an iron determination to win the championship.
fixed phrase: iron determination
Grandma had an iron will that helped her survive difficult times.
fixed phrase: iron will
Mira faced the challenge with iron resolve and quiet confidence.
The old general ruled his soldiers with an iron discipline.
- steely
similar meaning but often implies cold or unemotional firmness
- unyielding
more formal; describes a person or attitude that refuses to change
- adamant
describes someone who refuses to be persuaded about a specific decision
文法句型
iron + [abstract noun: will/resolve/discipline/fist]
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). Common in fixed expressions such as 'iron will', 'iron fist', 'iron discipline', and 'iron resolve'. Cannot be used with degree adverbs like 'very' — you can say 'an iron will' but not 'a very iron will'.