ferment

/fəˈment/ (bre, ipa) · /fərˈment/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)fər-ˈment/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfɜː.ment/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfɝː.ment/ (ame, ipa)

ferment — verb

  • fermentpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • fermentshe / she / it
  • fermentedpast simple
  • fermenting-ing form

1. When yeast or bacteria act on the sugars found in items such as fruit, milk, or

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

When yeast or bacteria act on the sugars found in items such as fruit, milk, or grain, the substance changes chemically — the sugars turn into alcohol or acids, and bubbles or heat often appear. People also ferment foods on purpose to make products such as wine, beer, yogurt, or kimchi.

例句

Hao left grape juice in a warm jar, where it fermented into wine within days.

intransitive: ferment + into [product]

To make kimchi, Marta fermented the cabbage with salt and chili for several weeks.

transitive: ferment [food] with [ingredients]

同義詞
  • break down

    more general; does not specify the role of yeast or bacteria

  • sour

    narrower, usually describing milk or dairy spoiling

  • cultivate

    implies human intention to grow bacteria or yeast, not a natural process

反義詞
  • preserve

    keeping food fresh by stopping fermentation (e.g. pickling with vinegar or refrigeration)

文法句型

ferment (intransitive — food/drink changes chemically)

ferment + noun phrase (transitive — you cause the change)

用法筆記

Common in cooking, baking, and brewing contexts. The transitive form (you ferment something) is typical when describing a recipe or industrial process; the intransitive form (something ferments) describes a natural or spontaneous process.

常見錯誤

❌The fruit decayed in the sun.
✅The fruit fermented in the warm jar.
💡'ferment' is a controlled or natural chemical change that produces useful products (alcohol, yogurt, bread); 'decay' means rot and spoilage without a useful result.

2. If a situation or group of people ferments, feelings of anger, excitement, or di

2.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

If a situation or group of people ferments, feelings of anger, excitement, or disagreement build up and grow stronger over time, often leading to change or conflict. To ferment something means to cause this kind of emotional or social unrest.

例句

Anthony noticed that the ideas fermenting among the workers could lead to a strike.

intransitive: ideas / feelings ferment among [group]

Amani's speech about inequality fermented a wave of protest across the university.

transitive: speech / event fermented [response]

同義詞
  • foment

    only transitive; strongly implies deliberately causing unrest

  • seethe

    intransitive only; suggests a hidden, barely controlled anger

  • simmer

    intransitive only; suggests unrest building slowly below the surface

反義詞
  • calm

    when emotions or a situation calms down, the agitation subsides

  • subside

    to become less intense; the opposite of building up

文法句型

ferment (intransitive — situation/feelings become agitated)

ferment + noun phrase (transitive — cause agitation, e.g. ferment discontent)

用法筆記

Frequently found in formal writing about history, politics, or social movements. The intransitive form (discontent ferments) emphasises a slow, underground buildup; the transitive form (to ferment rebellion) is closer in meaning to 'foment'.

常見錯誤

❌The students were fermenting in the classroom.
✅The students' anger fermented over weeks of unfair treatment.
💡'ferment' as a verb of unrest needs an abstract subject (anger, ideas, discontent), not a person as the subject.

ferment — noun