interaction

/ˌɪntərˈækʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪntərˈækʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-tər-ˈak-shən/ (ame, mw)

interaction — noun

  • interactionsingular
  • interactionsplural

1. a situation where at least two people have a conversation, do things together, o

1.名詞B1
釋義

a situation where at least two people have a conversation, do things together, or react to what others say or do

例句

Tariro enjoys the daily interaction with her colleagues at the office.

interaction with [colleagues/people]

The teacher watched the interaction between the children during the group project.

同義詞
  • communication

    broader term covering any exchange of information; does not always imply two-way back-and-forth

  • contact

    suggests a brief or surface-level connection rather than extended mutual engagement

  • exchange

    emphasises a reciprocal giving and receiving, often of specific things like ideas or greetings

反義詞
  • isolation

    state of being alone or separated from others, with no interaction

文法句型

interaction between [plural noun]

interaction with [noun]

[adjective] interaction

用法筆記

Commonly uncountable when referring to the general activity of communicating, and countable when describing a specific instance or type (e.g. 'a brief interaction at the door').

常見錯誤

❌There is not enough interaction within the team members.
✅There is not enough interaction between the team members.
💡use 'between' (not 'within') to name the participants in an interaction.
❌I had an interaction with my teacher about homework.' (sounds unnatural for a one-sided or brief exchange)
✅I spoke with my teacher about the homework assignment.
💡'interaction' implies two-way mutual engagement, not a simple question-and-answer.

2. a situation in which two or more things, forces, or processes affect or influenc

2.名詞B2
釋義

a situation in which two or more things, forces, or processes affect or influence each other

例句

The interaction between the two drugs caused unexpected side effects in some patients.

drug interaction — common collocation in medicine

Scientists are studying the interaction of sunlight with ocean algae.

interaction of [X] with [Y]

同義詞
  • interplay

    more literary or formal; suggests a dynamic or intricate mutual influence

  • reciprocal effect

    emphasises the two-way nature of the influence; more technical in tone

  • mutual influence

    a direct synonym, often used in social sciences and physics

反義詞

文法句型

interaction between [plural noun]

interaction of [noun] with [noun]

interaction among [plural noun]

用法筆記

Common in scientific, technical, and academic writing. When used about medicines or chemicals, it often implies an unwanted or surprising effect that does not happen with either substance alone.

常見錯誤

❌The interaction between the medicine is dangerous.
✅The interaction between the two medicines is dangerous.
💡name both participants in the interaction; a single thing cannot interact with itself.