installment
/ɪnˈstɔːl.mənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈstɑːl.mənt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈstȯl-mənt/ (ame, mw)
installment — noun
- installmentsingular
- installmentsplural
1. one of the regular, scheduled payments that together settle a debt or cover the
one of the regular, scheduled payments that together settle a debt or cover the cost of something over time, rather than paying the full amount at once.
The motorcycle costs NT$120,000, but Wei can pay for it in twelve monthly installments.
pay in + [number] + monthly installments
Javier fell behind on his car loan after missing three installments in a row.
miss an installment
The insurance company agreed to let Priyanka settle the remaining premium in four equal installments.
Each installment on Surya's student loan is automatically taken from his bank account every month.
Olga bought the sofa on an interest-free installment plan for six months.
- payment
a general term for any money given; an installment is specifically one of several scheduled payments
- tranche
a more formal, technical term from finance, typically for large-scale bonds or loans, not everyday purchases
- repayment
focuses on paying back a debt, while 'installment' can also apply to buying something on credit
- lump sum
a single full payment made at once, the opposite of paying in installments
用法筆記
US spelling 'installment' — the British spelling is 'instalment' (one 'l'). Frequently used in the patterns 'in installments', 'by installments', and 'pay in installments'. Common in contexts of loans, hire-purchase, and utility bills.
常見錯誤
2. one part of a story, TV show, podcast, or other work that is released in separat
one part of a story, TV show, podcast, or other work that is released in separate parts at regular intervals, building up a complete series over time.
The first installment of the mystery novel had readers guessing until the very last page.
first installment of [title / work]
Fatima and her colleagues discussed the latest installment of the podcast during their lunch break.
latest installment of [podcast / series]
The final installment of the series will be released in theaters next summer.
Readers waited eagerly for each monthly installment of the comic strip in the local newspaper.
Ananya downloaded the new game installment the moment it appeared on the console store.
- episode
used more narrowly for individual TV or radio show segments; 'installment' is broader and includes written works
- part
simpler and more general; 'installment' implies a scheduled, ongoing series
- chapter
specifically a division of a book, while 'installment' covers any serialised medium
- volume
implies a complete printed book within a series; an installment may be shorter and periodical
用法筆記
For individual episodes of standard-length TV series, 'episode' or 'season' is more common in everyday speech. 'Installment' is preferred for multi-part books, major story arcs, podcasts, and film series where each part is a substantial, self-contained unit.