intersect

/ˌɪntəˈsekt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɪntərˈsekt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌin-tər-ˈsekt/ (ame, mw)

intersect — verb

  • intersectpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • intersectshe / she / it
  • intersectedpast simple
  • intersecting-ing form

1. when roads, lines, paths, or similar things cross each other and meet at a share

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

when roads, lines, paths, or similar things cross each other and meet at a shared point — for example, where two streets meet at a crossing, or where a railway line passes across a road

例句

The A4 highway and the coastal road intersect just north of Lucia's hometown.

intransitive: two roads intersect

Two busy streets intersect near the old market square in the city center.

同義詞
  • cross

    more common and general; can mean going from one side to the other without necessarily meeting at a single point

  • meet

    less precise than 'intersect'; suggests coming together but not necessarily crossing through

  • converge

    emphasises coming toward the same point from different directions, without the crossing motion

反義詞
  • diverge

    to move apart or go in different directions

  • separate

    to move away from each other after being joined or close

文法句型

[two or more things] + intersect

[one thing] + intersect + [another thing]

intersect + at + [point/place]

用法筆記

This sense can be intransitive (The two roads intersect at the square) or transitive (The tracks intersect the road). For physical objects like roads, paths, and lines. Unlike sense 4, which is restricted to formal mathematics, this sense applies to everyday geography and physical spaces. When intransitive, the subject is usually plural (two or more things).

常見錯誤

❌The two roads intersect with each other near the bridge.
✅The two roads intersect near the bridge.
💡'with each other' is redundant; 'intersect' already implies mutual crossing.
❌The highway intersects to the coastal road at the junction.
✅The highway intersects the coastal road at the junction.
💡Use transitive form without 'to' when one thing crosses another.

2. to pass across an area, surface, or space and split it into separate parts — for

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to pass across an area, surface, or space and split it into separate parts — for example, a path that cuts a garden into two sections, or a canal that runs through a field dividing the farmland

例句

A narrow gravel path intersects the garden and splits it into two separate flower beds.

pattern: path/road + intersect + area

Samir watched the irrigation canal intersect the farmland and carry water to the crops.

同義詞
  • cross

    more general; can mean going from one side to the other without emphasising the division

  • cut across

    less formal; vividly suggests the dividing action

  • traverse

    more formal; emphasises the journey from one side to the other rather than the division

反義詞
  • go around

    to avoid crossing or passing through something

  • skirt

    to go along the edge of something rather than through it

文法句型

[one thing] + intersect + [area/space]

用法筆記

Always transitive. The subject (typically a path, road, river, or similar linear feature) passes through the object (an area or space) and divides it. The focus is on the dividing or cutting action, not on the meeting point (which is the focus of sense 1). Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 1, the focus is two things crossing each other; in sense 2, one thing cuts through an area.

常見錯誤

❌The river intersects through the valley.
✅The river intersects the valley.
💡'Intersect' is transitive and does not need 'through'; the valley is the direct object.
❌The path intersects with the garden and creates two sections.
✅The path intersects the garden and creates two sections.
💡For sense 2 (dividing by crossing), use transitive without 'with'.

3. when ideas, interests, activities, or fields of study have something in common o

3.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

when ideas, interests, activities, or fields of study have something in common or connect with each other in a meaningful way — for example, where a person's career and hobby share overlapping skills, or where two academic disciplines study related questions

例句

Rosa's interest in climate science intersects with Suki's work on renewable energy technology.

pattern: interest/field + intersect + with + another interest/field

The fields of neuroscience and artificial intelligence intersect in exciting and unexpected new ways.

intransitive: two academic fields intersect

同義詞
  • overlap

    more common; suggests partial covering or shared area without the precise meeting-point feel of 'intersect'

  • converge

    suggests different things moving toward the same goal or conclusion

  • connect

    broader and more neutral; can describe any kind of link between ideas or fields

反義詞
  • diverge

    to move apart or become increasingly different

  • differ

    to be unlike or distinct from each other

文法句型

[two or more abstract things] + intersect

[one thing] + intersect + [another]

intersect + with + [something]

用法筆記

Used figuratively for abstract concepts — ideas, careers, interests, academic fields, research, cultures. Unlike sense 1 (physical crossing), this sense describes sharing common ground or connecting in content. Distinguish from 'overlap': 'overlap' suggests partial covering or duplication; 'intersect' suggests a more precise point of connection or shared concern.

常見錯誤

❌Our schedules intersect at 3 PM tomorrow.
✅Our schedules overlap at 3 PM tomorrow.
💡Use 'overlap' for time periods; 'intersect' sounds unnatural for scheduling.
❌The two novels intersect in their themes about family.
✅The two novels share common themes about family.
💡'Intersect' sounds unnatural for concrete objects like books; use 'share' or 'overlap'.
❌My interests intersect with yours regarding cooking.
✅My interests overlap with yours when it comes to cooking.
💡'Regarding' is too formal with 'intersect'; use 'overlap' for broader, less precise connections.

4. in mathematics and geometry, when two or more geometric objects (lines, curves,

4.動詞不及物C1
釋義

in mathematics and geometry, when two or more geometric objects (lines, curves, circles, planes, or sets) share at least one common point — for example, a line passing through a circle at two points, or two sets having elements in common

例句

Guo proved that the two circles intersect at exactly two distinct points on the coordinate plane.

intransitive: two circles intersect at [number] points

In geometry class, Samir learned that parallel lines never intersect, no matter how far they extend.

rule statement: parallel lines never intersect

同義詞
  • meet

    common in geometry classrooms ('the lines meet at point P'); less technical than 'intersect'

  • cross

    more informal; acceptable in basic geometry but less precise for technical descriptions

反義詞
  • run parallel

    to stay the same distance apart without ever meeting (of lines/planes)

  • diverge

    to move apart from a meeting point or common direction

文法句型

[geometric figure/line] + intersect + [another figure/line]

[figure A] + and + [figure B] + intersect + at + [point]

用法筆記

Restricted to mathematics, geometry, and formal logic. Unlike sense 1 (everyday roads and paths), this sense is used for geometric figures, coordinate systems, and set theory. Frequently followed by 'at' when stating the intersection point (The lines intersect at the origin). In set theory, 'intersect' means 'have at least one element in common'. For everyday physical objects, use sense 1 instead.

常見錯誤

❌The two lines intersect with each other at a right angle.
✅The two lines intersect at a right angle.
💡'with each other' is redundant; 'intersect' already implies mutual relation.
❌The curves intersect together at the origin point.
✅The curves intersect at the origin.
💡'together' is redundant; 'the origin' already names the unique point.
❌My schedule and yours intersect on Friday.
✅My schedule and yours overlap on Friday.
💡This belongs to everyday life, not mathematics; use sense 1 or 'overlap'.