flatware

/ˈflætweə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈflætwer/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈflat-ˌwer/ (ame, mw)

flatware — noun

1. the knives, forks, and spoons that people use when they sit down to eat a meal

1.名詞B2
釋義

the knives, forks, and spoons that people use when they sit down to eat a meal

例句

Valentina set out clean flatware — a fork, knife, and spoon at every seat.

set the table with flatware

The restaurant wrapped each piece of flatware in a paper napkin before serving the meal.

piece of flatware

同義詞
  • cutlery

    the usual British term for knives, forks, and spoons

  • silverware

    more formal or posh-sounding; originally referred to silver utensils but now used for any metal flatware

  • utensils

    broader; can include kitchen tools like spatulas and ladles

文法句型

uncountable

用法筆記

American English only. British English uses 'cutlery' for knives, forks, and spoons. Frequently uncountable — you say 'a piece of flatware' not 'a flatware'.

常見錯誤

❌I bought new flatware including plates and bowls.
✅I bought new flatware including knives, forks, and spoons.
💡Sense 1 refers only to eating utensils, not plates or serving dishes.

2. tableware items with a flat shape, such as plates, saucers, and serving platters

2.名詞C1
釋義

tableware items with a flat shape, such as plates, saucers, and serving platters, as opposed to bowls or cups

例句

Mariana bought a set of ceramic flatware that included dinner plates, side plates, and saucers.

ceramic flatware

Tomoki arranged the flatware carefully on the buffet table before the party started.

同義詞
  • crockery

    the usual British term for plates, saucers, and similar items

  • tableware

    broader term that covers both flat and deep items, including bowls and cups

  • dishes

    the everyday word for plates, bowls, and serving pieces

反義詞
  • hollowware

    items with depth such as bowls, cups, and tureens

文法句型

uncountable

用法筆記

Primarily American English and less common than sense 1. British speakers say 'crockery' for plates and saucers. Distinguish from sense 1 by context: items you eat with (forks, knives) belong to sense 1; items you serve food on (plates) belong to sense 2.

常見錯誤

❌Could you pass me a piece of flatware?' (meaning a plate)
✅Could you pass me a plate?
💡Sense 2 is almost always uncountable and used generically; for a single item, name the object directly.