glass
glass — verb
1. to deliberately cut or injure a person with the jagged edge of a smashed bottle
to deliberately cut or injure a person with the jagged edge of a smashed bottle or any glass shard, typically during a fight in a pub, bar, or street.
Outside the crowded nightclub, a drunk man tried to glass Élise with a broken bottle.
glass + person + with + broken bottle
Shirin was glassed across the cheek during a bar fight and needed twenty stitches.
The police arrested two men for glassing a tourist near the train station.
The bouncer stopped the man before he could glass the bartender with a jagged bottle.
文法句型
glass + person
glass + person + with + broken bottle
be glassed
用法筆記
Common in British news reports about pub fights and street violence. The passive form ('was glassed') is frequent when describing injuries. This sense is not used in American English.
常見錯誤
2. to carefully examine an area of land by looking through binoculars, a telescope,
to carefully examine an area of land by looking through binoculars, a telescope, or a gun sight, usually in search of animals, people, or targets.
Sahil stood on the ridge and glassed the valley for any sign of deer.
glass + area + for + target
The hunter glassed the forest edge for nearly an hour before spotting movement.
Using a pair of binoculars, the birdwatcher glassed the distant marsh for rare waterfowl.
Wren carefully glassed the open fields, looking for the lost hiker's tent.
The soldiers glassed the ridge line before deciding to advance through the pass.
- scan
more common; does not specify the optical instrument
- survey
more formal; can mean examining in a general sense
- glass over
phrasal verb form with same meaning but different syntax
文法句型
glass + area/location
glass + for + target
glass + landscape + with + binoculars
用法筆記
Typical in hunting, birdwatching, and military reconnaissance. The object is usually a large area such as a valley, ridge, forest, or field. Can be used intransitively with 'for' ('glass for deer').
常見錯誤
3. to fit a frame, window, or building with glass panels; to enclose or cover an op
to fit a frame, window, or building with glass panels; to enclose or cover an open area with a glass surface, typically to create indoor space while letting in light.
The builders glassed the south-facing wall to let in more winter sunlight.
glass + building part + purpose
Aunt Manuela plans to glass the balcony so the family can use it all year.
The old wooden porch was glassed in and turned into a bright sunroom.
Mayumi hired a contractor to glass the greenhouse frame last spring.
The architect suggested they glass over the courtyard to create an indoor garden.
- glaze
more technical; specifically used in window and pottery contexts
- enclose with glass
periphrastic; explains rather than replaces the verb
- uncover
removing rather than adding a glass covering
文法句型
glass + object
be glassed in
be glassed over
用法筆記
Often combines with the particles 'in' ('glassed in' = enclosed with glass) and 'over' ('glassed over' = covered with a glass roof). The passive is common when describing completed buildings.
常見錯誤
4. to become smooth, shiny, and hard like a glass surface, or for a liquid to freez
to become smooth, shiny, and hard like a glass surface, or for a liquid to freeze into a glass-like layer; also used figuratively for eyes losing expression and becoming fixed and lifeless.
The river's surface glassed over as the temperature dropped below zero.
glass over + weather condition
The ceramic glaze glassed into a hard, shiny coating when it was fired.
Nicholas's eyes glassed over as he listened to the long, dull lecture.
The lava glassed into a smooth black rock as it slowly cooled.
Noa's gaze glassed over when the teacher started the third hour of grammar review.
- glaze over
more common for eyes becoming dull; same meaning
- freeze over
specific to liquid surfaces turning to ice
- harden
broader meaning; does not imply glass-like smoothness
文法句型
glass over
glass into
用法筆記
Most common with the particle 'over' when describing water freezing or eyes losing focus. With 'into', it describes materials transforming into a glass-like state through heat or firing.
常見錯誤
glass — noun
1. a hard clear substance made by heating sand and other minerals until they melt a
a hard clear substance made by heating sand and other minerals until they melt and then cooling them quickly, used for making windows, bottles, mirrors, and similar everyday items
Harper recycled the glass bottles and jars from her kitchen last weekend.
glass bottles / glass jars (uncountable material noun)
A sharp piece of broken glass near the playground cut Nellie's finger.
collocation: broken glass / piece of glass
The old church tower had beautiful stained glass windows that let in colourful light.
Esteban used a sheet of glass to cover the top of the wooden table.
文法句型
piece of glass
sheet of glass
stained glass
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the material itself. For individual items, use phrases like 'a piece of glass' or 'a sheet of glass'. Do not confuse with the countable 'a glass' (sense 4, a drinking container).
常見錯誤
2. glassware in general — vases, bowls, ornaments, and other items fashioned from t
glassware in general — vases, bowls, ornaments, and other items fashioned from this material, treated as a single uncountable category
Indra polished the museum's antique glass until each piece shone under the lights.
glass as uncountable collective noun
Ignacio wrapped every piece of glass in bubble wrap before packing the boxes.
Jisoo collected Venetian glass from the eighteenth century and kept it on shelves.
Ayesha carefully washed the delicate crystal glass after the dinner party ended.
文法句型
[adjective] glass as collective uncountable
用法筆記
Always uncountable when referring to glass objects as a general group. Do not use 'a glass' to mean a single decorative piece — the countable form refers only to drinking containers (sense 4).
常見錯誤
3. the protected environment inside a glass building or frame where plants are grow
the protected environment inside a glass building or frame where plants are grown, especially to shield them from cold or bad weather
Omar grew the orchids under glass to protect them during the winter months.
fixed phrase: under glass
Obi watered the young tomato seedlings in the glasshouse every morning.
compound noun: glasshouse
Eitan built a small glasshouse at the back of his garden for tropical plants.
Tropical plants grow well under glass even in cold northern climates.
- greenhouse
a more common term for a glass building used for growing plants; 'glasshouse' is slightly more formal or technical
- conservatory
a glass room attached to a house, used for displaying plants rather than commercial growing
文法句型
under glass
in a glasshouse
4. a container with a flat bottom and thin sides, made from glass or a similar clea
a container with a flat bottom and thin sides, made from glass or a similar clear material, designed for holding a drink
Joaquín poured cold milk into a tall glass for his younger sister.
countable noun: a [adjective] glass
Before serving the meal, the waiter placed a wine glass on the table.
compound: wine glass
Dr. Park picked up a clean glass and held it up to the light.
The bartender poured beer into a chilled glass and slid it across the counter.
文法句型
a [adjective] glass
glass + of + [drink]
wine glass / water glass
用法筆記
Countable — you can say 'a glass' or 'two glasses'. When describing the material rather than the container, use the uncountable form (sense 1): compare 'a glass of water' (container) with 'a sheet of glass' (material).
常見錯誤
5. the amount of liquid that fills a drinking container, or a serving of a drink me
the amount of liquid that fills a drinking container, or a serving of a drink measured by the container it comes in
Dr. Lin told his patient to drink at least eight glasses of water each day.
pattern: [number] glass[es] of [drink]
The host offered each guest a glass of sparkling wine at the party.
The recipe calls for two glasses of milk and one glass of flour.
The dinner guest asked for a glass of red wine to go with the pasta.
文法句型
[number] + glass[es] + of + [drink]
用法筆記
Always followed by 'of' + a noun for the drink. The same form 'a glass of…' can be used for any liquid. This sense differs from sense 4 in that it focuses on the CONTENTS rather than the physical container: 'She broke a glass' (sense 4, container) vs 'She drank a glass of milk' (sense 5, amount).
常見錯誤
6. two corrective or protective lenses mounted together and worn on the face so tha
two corrective or protective lenses mounted together and worn on the face so that each lens sits in front of one eye, helping the wearer see better or shielding the eyes from damage
Mr. Chen put on his reading glasses to look at the menu.
reading glasses
The optician recommended a new pair of glasses for the child.
pattern: a pair of glasses
The librarian pushed her glasses up her nose and continued reading.
Grandma wiped her glasses clean with a soft cloth before sewing.
- spectacles
a more formal or old-fashioned term for glasses
- eyewear
a broader category that includes glasses, sunglasses, safety goggles, and contact lenses
文法句型
a pair of glasses
wear glasses
reading glasses
用法筆記
Always used in the plural form 'glasses'. The singular 'glass' never means a single piece of eyewear. When referring to one unit, use 'a pair of glasses' or simply 'glasses' with a plural verb: 'My glasses are on the table.'
常見錯誤
7. a device that measures the pressure of the air, traditionally used on ships or i
a device that measures the pressure of the air, traditionally used on ships or in homes to help predict whether the weather will be good or bad
The captain tapped the glass and announced that a storm was approaching.
nautical: tapped the glass referring to a barometer
Bao checked the glass every morning before deciding whether to carry an umbrella.
A rapid drop in the glass often signals that rain is on its way.
Nikos's grandfather used to read the glass and predict storms more accurately than the radio weather report.
- barometer
the standard modern term; 'glass' is more old-fashioned
- weather glass
a slightly more explicit term, but equally traditional
文法句型
the + glass
glass + verb (drop, rise, fall)
用法筆記
This sense is most common in nautical or historical contexts. The verb that follows the subject is usually one of motion: the glass drops, falls, rises, or climbs.
常見錯誤
8. a piece of glass with a reflective surface that shows an image of whatever is in
a piece of glass with a reflective surface that shows an image of whatever is in front of it
Élise studied her reflection in the glass before heading out to dinner.
formal register: reflection in the glass instead of mirror
The antique glass above the fireplace is framed in carved mahogany.
Christopher caught a glimpse of himself in the glass as he walked through the hotel lobby.
A crack ran across the glass in the dressing room, distorting every face that looked into it.
- mirror
the ordinary modern word for this object
- looking glass
an old-fashioned or literary term for a mirror
文法句型
in/into the glass
glass + be + [adjective]
用法筆記
In modern everyday speech, mirror is the usual word. Using glass for 'mirror' sounds literary or old-fashioned, and often appears in descriptions of older houses or formal writing.
常見錯誤
9. an optical tool whose built-in lenses make distant objects appear closer and lar
an optical tool whose built-in lenses make distant objects appear closer and larger, such as a telescope or a pair of binoculars
Hao focused the glass on the distant mountain peak and spotted a thin trail of smoke.
telescope: focus the glass on [target]
The birdwatcher raised the glass and scanned the treetops for the rare kingfisher.
Antonia handed the glass to her companion and pointed toward the lighthouse on the cliff.
Through the glass the sailors could make out the shape of a ship on the horizon.
- binoculars
the standard modern word for a hand-held dual-lens viewer
- telescope
a single-tube instrument for viewing very distant objects, especially in astronomy
- spyglass
a small hand-held telescope, now old-fashioned
- field glasses
another term for binoculars, especially for outdoor use
文法句型
through the glass
focus/raise/lower + the glass
用法筆記
When referring to binoculars, the plural form glasses is more common: field glasses, opera glasses. The singular a glass usually refers to a single telescope or a spyglass.
常見錯誤
glass — idiom
glass — biographical name
1. the surname of Philip Glass (born 1937), an American composer whose repetitive,
the surname of Philip Glass (born 1937), an American composer whose repetitive, layered style of music — known as minimalism — is widely used in operas, film scores, and concert works.
Lauren listened to Glass's opera 'Einstein on the Beach' for her music class.
surname in possessive form + composer's work
The film score by Glass won praise for its hypnotic, simple melodies.
Glass + film-score context
Reuben wrote a report on how Glass influenced modern orchestral music.
Nala found a recording of Glass's violin concerto at the library.
用法筆記
When referring to the composer in text, either 'Glass' (the surname alone) or 'Philip Glass' (full name) is common. Musical works are typically introduced with a possessive form, as in 'Glass's opera'.