latitude

/ˈlætɪtjuːd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlætɪtuːd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈla-tə-ˌtüd -ˌtyüd/ (ame, mw)

latitude — noun

  • latitudesingular
  • latitudesplural

1. a value from zero to ninety degrees that marks a location's distance from the eq

1.名詞B1
釋義

a value from zero to ninety degrees that marks a location's distance from the equator towards either the North or the South Pole

例句

The ship was sailing at a latitude of 45 degrees north.

pattern: at + latitude + number + direction

Ife used a GPS device to check the latitude of their campsite.

同義詞
  • parallel

    used specifically for the imaginary lines on a map, less common in everyday speech

  • declination

    technical term in astronomy, not used for Earth geography

反義詞
  • longitude

    measures east–west position rather than north–south

文法句型

at + latitude + number

latitude of + number + degrees

用法筆記

Latitude is usually paired with 'north' or 'south' (e.g. '30° N'). Zero degrees is the equator; the highest values are the North Pole (90° N) and the South Pole (90° S).

2. an area on Earth whose typical weather is shaped by how far it lies from the equ

2.名詞B1
釋義

an area on Earth whose typical weather is shaped by how far it lies from the equator

例句

Birds from northern latitudes fly south for the winter.

collocation: northern/southern latitudes

Beatriz enjoyed the warm sunshine of tropical latitudes during her holiday.

collocation: tropical latitudes

同義詞
  • region

    broader term, does not specifically imply distance from the equator

  • zone

    often used in 'climate zone' to mean the same thing

  • clime

    literary or poetic term for a region with a particular climate

文法句型

adjective + latitudes

用法筆記

This sense is almost always used in the plural (latitudes) with an adjective describing climate type: temperate, tropical, northern, southern, high, low.

常見錯誤

❌I visited a warm latitude last year.
✅I visited a warm climate last year.
💡When referring to a single specific place, use 'climate' or 'region' instead of 'latitude.'

3. the freedom to make your own choices or behave as you think best, without being

3.名詞B2
釋義

the freedom to make your own choices or behave as you think best, without being controlled by strict rules

例句

The new manager gave her team more latitude to make their own decisions.

pattern: give + noun + latitude + to-infinitive

Teachers have considerable latitude in choosing their own teaching materials.

collocation: considerable latitude

同義詞
  • freedom

    broader and more common; 'latitude' emphasises room for choice within a system

  • leeway

    more informal, often about extra time or flexibility

  • scope

    focuses on the range of possibilities rather than permission

  • discretion

    formal; emphasises personal judgement in making decisions

反義詞

文法句型

have + latitude + to-infinitive

give + noun + latitude + to-infinitive

allow + noun + latitude

用法筆記

Commonly appears in formal or professional contexts. The amount of latitude is usually described with modifiers such as considerable, great, wide, or a lot of — not with very or much.

常見錯誤

❌The boss gave me much latitude.
✅The boss gave me a lot of latitude.
💡'Much latitude' is grammatically possible but sounds unnatural; use 'a lot of' or 'considerable' instead.