insignia

/ɪnˈsɪɡniə/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈsɪɡniə/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈsig-nē-ə/ (ame, mw)

insignia — noun

  • insigniasingular
  • insigniasplural

1. a badge, symbol, or special mark worn on a uniform or clothing to show a person'

1.名詞B2
釋義

a badge, symbol, or special mark worn on a uniform or clothing to show a person's official rank, position, or membership in an organization or group, such as a military unit, police force, or scout troop.

例句

Colonel Amara wore the gold insignia of her regiment on both collars of the uniform.

wear + insignia + of + [group] + on + uniform

At the ceremony, the scout leader pinned a new insignia onto each young member's shirt.

同義詞
  • badge

    more general term; a badge can be any piece of metal, cloth, or plastic showing membership, while insignia is more specific to official rank

  • emblem

    focuses on the symbolic design of the mark rather than its function of showing rank

  • crest

    a heraldic design used by families or organizations; more decorative than insignia

  • chevron

    a V-shaped stripe used specifically for non-commissioned military rank

文法句型

insignia + of + [group/rank]

wear + insignia

用法筆記

Often used in the plural form (insignia) even for a single item, though 'insignias' is also accepted in modern English. Frequently paired with verbs like 'wear', 'display', 'bear', or 'carry'.

常見錯誤

❌He was promoted to a new rank and received a new insignia of office.
✅He was promoted to a new rank and received the insignia of his new office.
💡'insignia' is usually used with 'the' or a possessive, not 'a', because it refers to a set or type of badge.
❌The insignia on his shirt was insignificance.
✅The insignia on his shirt was barely noticeable.
💡'insignia' and 'insignificant' look similar but are unrelated in meaning.

2. a visible mark, sign, or design that represents or identifies a particular insti

2.名詞C1
釋義

a visible mark, sign, or design that represents or identifies a particular institution, quality, or idea, serving as its distinguishing symbol.

例句

The university's official insignia features an open book and a burning torch.

features + symbols as part of insignia

For many residents, the old lighthouse remains the most familiar insignia of the coastal town.

most familiar insignia of + [place]

同義詞
  • symbol

    broader term covering any object or mark that stands for something else; less official than insignia

  • emblem

    a design or picture intentionally chosen to represent a group or idea

  • mark

    the most general term; any visible impression or sign

  • logo

    a modern graphic design used in business branding, more informal than insignia

文法句型

insignia + of + [quality/institution]

[possessive] + insignia

用法筆記

In this sense, the emphasis is on the symbolic meaning of the object or mark, not its role in showing rank. Distinguish from sense 1, where the insignia specifically indicates membership or official position.

常見錯誤

❌The dove is an insignia of peace.
✅The dove is a symbol of peace.
💡'insignia' usually marks belonging to a specific group or institution, not an abstract quality. Use 'symbol' for broad concepts like peace, love, or hope.
❌She wore a small insignia around her neck.
✅She wore a small pendant around her neck.
💡'insignia' is typically an official mark, not a piece of personal jewellery.