ironclad
ironclad — adjective
- ironcladpositive
- more ironcladcomparative
- most ironcladsuperlative
1. used to describe a contract, promise, or piece of evidence that is so carefully
used to describe a contract, promise, or piece of evidence that is so carefully prepared or strongly supported that no one can argue against it or find a weakness in it.
The lawyer said the contract was ironclad and would stand up in court.
collocation: ironclad contract / agreement
Yara presented ironclad proof that the money had been stolen from her account.
collocation: ironclad proof / evidence
Every product the company sells comes with an ironclad money-back guarantee.
Sofia made an ironclad promise to her grandmother that she would finish college.
The new security system provides ironclad protection against online identity theft.
- unbreakable
more general; ironclad is specifically about agreements and proof being immune to challenge
- airtight
more common for arguments and alibis; slightly less formal than ironclad
- watertight
also used for arguments and legal cases; suggests no loopholes can be found
- binding
strictly legal; focuses on legal enforceability rather than strength of proof
文法句型
ironclad + noun (contract / guarantee / proof / evidence / promise / agreement)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun. Common noun partners include contract, guarantee, proof, evidence, promise, and agreement.
常見錯誤
2. describing a ship or structure from the 1800s whose outer surface was covered wi
describing a ship or structure from the 1800s whose outer surface was covered with a protective layer of iron to withstand cannon fire.
The museum displayed a model of an ironclad warship used during the Civil War.
historical context: 19th-century warships
The old fortress had ironclad gates that withstood hours of cannon fire.
Visitors at the naval museum can walk through a restored ironclad vessel.
Darius wrote a report about the first battle between ironclad ships in 1862.
The castle's ironclad doors were so heavy that six soldiers had to push them open.
- armored
more general term; ironclad is specific to iron-plated surfaces and 19th-century contexts
- iron-plated
nearly identical in meaning; less common in modern usage
- reinforced
broader meaning; describes any strengthening, not just iron plates
文法句型
ironclad + noun (warship / vessel / battleship / door / gate)
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in historical or military contexts to describe 19th-century naval vessels, fortifications, or similar structures. Not used for modern armored vehicles.
常見錯誤
ironclad — noun
1. a type of warship from the 1800s whose wooden body was covered with iron plates
a type of warship from the 1800s whose wooden body was covered with iron plates to protect it from cannon fire during battles at sea.
The ironclad could withstand cannon fire that would destroy an ordinary wooden ship.
Ritu read about the first battle between two ironclads in her maritime history class.
countable noun in historical context
The ironclad sank in a storm in 1893 and now rests on the ocean floor.
Andrei built a detailed model of a Confederate ironclad for his school history fair.
Only a few ironclads from the 19th century have survived and become museum exhibits.
- armored ship
a more general, descriptive term; ironclad is the specific historical name
- warship
much broader category; not all warships are ironclads
- man-of-war
historical term for any armed naval vessel of the sailing era, not specific to iron-armored ships
文法句型
a / the ironclad
ironclads (plural)
用法筆記
Primarily appears in discussions of 19th-century naval history, especially the American Civil War (1861–1865) and the famous battle between USS Monitor and CSS Virginia (Merrimack).