heuristic
heuristic — adjective
- heuristicpositive
- more heuristiccomparative
- most heuristicsuperlative
1. describes a way of teaching or learning in which students find out information f
describes a way of teaching or learning in which students find out information for themselves through exploring, experimenting, and discovering, instead of being told the answers directly.
The science teacher used a heuristic approach, letting students discover concepts through hands-on experiments.
collocation: heuristic approach
Felix preferred heuristic math because he solved problems instead of memorising formulas.
In a heuristic classroom, the instructor asks guiding questions rather than giving direct answers.
Layla appreciated the heuristic method in art class, where she explored techniques freely.
The university programme includes heuristic exercises that challenge students to design their own experiments.
- discovery-based
more specific; often used interchangeably in educational contexts
- exploratory
broader; can apply to any investigative process, not only teaching
- experiential
emphasises learning through direct experience rather than instruction
- didactic
describes teaching where the instructor gives direct instruction rather than letting students discover
- direct-instruction
a teaching approach based on clear, step-by-step teacher guidance
文法句型
heuristic + noun (approach, method, teaching)
be + heuristic
用法筆記
Frequently appears before nouns such as 'approach', 'method', 'teaching', and 'learning'. This sense is most common in educational contexts.
常見錯誤
2. used to describe a method of solving problems by trying different possible solut
used to describe a method of solving problems by trying different possible solutions, learning from mistakes, and adjusting the approach based on what works, rather than applying a fixed set of rules.
The team used a heuristic approach to fix the bug, testing each possible cause one by one.
collocation: heuristic approach
Esteban improved his recipe through heuristic cooking, adjusting ingredients until the flavour was right.
Hugo used a heuristic method to organise the workshop, trying different layouts until everything was easy to reach.
The rescue team applied a heuristic search pattern, checking the most likely areas first.
Sayaka used a heuristic search strategy, trying each trail until she found the path.
- trial-and-error
more informal and widely understood; emphasises the process of learning through mistakes
- empirical
broader; describes any method based on observation and experience rather than theory
- experimental
focuses on testing ideas to see what happens
- algorithmic
describes a step-by-step procedure that guarantees a correct result
- rule-based
follows a fixed set of rules rather than flexible exploration
文法句型
heuristic + noun (method, approach, technique)
be + heuristic
用法筆記
Common in computing, design, and engineering contexts. This sense emphasises iterative trial-and-error rather than following a predefined algorithm.
常見錯誤
heuristic — noun
- heuristicsingular
- heuristicsplural
1. a practical rule, method, or mental shortcut that helps you find a solution to a
a practical rule, method, or mental shortcut that helps you find a solution to a problem, usually based on experience and trial-and-error rather than on strict logical rules.
A useful heuristic in cooking is to add salt slowly and taste after each addition.
pattern: a + adjective + heuristic + in + noun phrase
The programmer used a simple heuristic: restart the app and see if the problem disappears.
In psychology class, the professor explained the availability heuristic, where people judge risk from memorable examples.
Doctors use heuristics to make quick decisions when there is no time for full analysis.
Ishaan uses a useful heuristic for chess: always try to control the centre first.
- rule of thumb
more informal; a general principle based on experience rather than exact science
- mental shortcut
focuses on the cognitive process of simplifying decisions
- guideline
broader; a general recommendation that is not binding
- algorithm
a precise, step-by-step procedure that guarantees a correct result if followed correctly
- strict procedure
a fixed method that must be followed exactly
文法句型
a/useful/common/simple + heuristic
use/apply/develop + a heuristic
heuristic for + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Frequently used in psychology and computing to describe mental shortcuts or rules of thumb. Unlike an algorithm, a heuristic does not guarantee a correct answer but usually works well in practice.