headspace
headspace — noun
1. the empty layer of air or unfilled space left between the top of a container's c
the empty layer of air or unfilled space left between the top of a container's contents and the lid or seal, needed for proper sealing or preservation.
Mei-Lin left two centimetres of headspace in the jar before sealing the lid tightly.
leave + amount + of headspace in + container
The lab technician measured the headspace above the liquid sample in each vial.
measure the headspace in a container
Too little headspace caused the bottle caps to bulge outward during shipping.
Omar checked the headspace of each tin before sending the order to the warehouse.
用法筆記
Most common in technical contexts such as food preservation, laboratory work, and industrial packaging. Never used for the physical space above a person's head (see headroom).
常見錯誤
2. a particular way of thinking, feeling, or approaching a situation that affects h
a particular way of thinking, feeling, or approaching a situation that affects how you react and behave.
Kofi was not in the right headspace to discuss the argument calmly that evening.
in the right/wrong headspace to [verb]
Lucia's positive headspace helped her team stay motivated through the difficult project.
The meditation class helped Amara find a calmer headspace before her exams started.
Diego tried to get into a creative headspace by listening to music before painting.
- mindset
more fixed and stable than headspace, which suggests a temporary state
- frame of mind
very close in meaning; frame of mind is slightly more formal
- attitude
broader; can refer to a long-held opinion, not just a temporary mood
文法句型
be in a/an + adj + headspace
用法筆記
Often paired with an adjective (competitive, creative, positive, negative, calm). The preposition phrase 'in the right/wrong headspace for something' is also very common.
常見錯誤
3. the ability or freedom to think calmly and clearly without being distracted, rus
the ability or freedom to think calmly and clearly without being distracted, rushed, or under pressure.
After his holiday, Deepak finally had the headspace to plan his next career move.
have the headspace to [verb]
Working from home gives Sophie the headspace she needs to finish her reports.
The noisy construction outside stopped Anjali from finding any headspace to work.
Hana cleared her Friday afternoon to create headspace for long-term planning.
- mental space
nearly identical; mental space is slightly more formal
- breathing room
more figurative; suggests relief from pressure rather than clarity
- room to think
more literal and descriptive; often used in the same contexts
- distraction
the opposite of having mental room — something that breaks your focus
- mental clutter
a state where the mind is too full to think clearly
文法句型
have the headspace to [verb]
need headspace to [verb]
用法筆記
Most often appears after 'have', 'need', 'find', 'create', 'get', or 'give'. The activity or purpose is usually introduced by 'to + infinitive' or 'for + noun phrase'.