invert
/ɪnˈvɜːt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈvɜːrt/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈvərt/ (ame, mw)
invert — verb
- invertpresent simple I / you / we / they
- invertshe / she / it
- invertedpast simple
- inverting-ing form
1. to turn something so that its top becomes its bottom, or so that the inside part
to turn something so that its top becomes its bottom, or so that the inside part faces outward — for example, turning a glass over on a table or turning a piece of clothing inside out to dry.
Kenji inverted the empty glass and placed it on the drainboard.
invert + simple noun phrase (glass)
The recipe says to invert the cake pan onto a large plate after baking.
When the image was inverted on the screen, the colours also appeared opposite.
Anong carefully inverted the test tube and watched the liquid flow down.
The photographer inverted the picture in editing software to create a mirror effect.
- right
to return something to its correct upright position
- straighten
to make something orderly or properly positioned
文法句型
invert + noun phrase
be inverted
用法筆記
Often used in the passive voice when describing the result of the action (The cake was inverted onto a plate). The past participle 'inverted' can also function as an adjective (an inverted glass, inverted commas).
常見錯誤
2. to change the usual order, position, or relationship of two or more things — for
to change the usual order, position, or relationship of two or more things — for example, swapping the sequence of items in a list or reversing the expected roles of people in a situation.
Christopher inverted the rows and columns on the spreadsheet to make the data clearer.
invert + specific noun phrase (rows and columns)
In some games, the usual ranking is inverted and the last player becomes the leader.
passive: is inverted
The professor suggested inverting the order of the two chapters for a stronger argument.
Talia spoke last at the meeting, which inverted the usual pattern of discussion.
When you invert the fraction, the numerator and denominator swap places.
文法句型
invert + noun phrase
用法筆記
Common in mathematics and computing to describe swapping elements or reversing sequences (invert the order, invert the fraction). In social contexts, it describes a role or power reversal (the usual hierarchy was inverted).
常見錯誤
invert — noun
1. a person or thing that is in an inverted state — for example, a chemical substan
a person or thing that is in an inverted state — for example, a chemical substance whose molecular structure is reversed, or a person whose behaviour or identity reflects an inversion of what is considered typical.
In biochemistry, an invert is sugar that has been broken into simpler components.
technical terminology: invert as a chemical substance
Élise stirred a spoonful of invert into the caramel to keep it from turning gritty.
noun use of 'invert' for processed sugar in cooking
The label on the honey jar said it contained natural invert from the flower nectar.
The factory produces invert for use in commercial candy and soft drinks.
用法筆記
As a noun, 'invert' is very rare in everyday English. It appears primarily in technical fields such as chemistry (invert sugar) and in historical psychology writing. Most learners can focus on the verb senses and the noun 'inversion' instead.