legends

IPA/ˈledʒ.ənd/
KK[lˈɛdʒəndz]IPA/ˈledʒ.ənd/

legends — noun

  • legendssingular
  • legendsesplural

1. a traditional tale passed down from earlier times, or a well-known story that pe

1.名詞B1
釋義

a traditional tale passed down from earlier times, or a well-known story that people share about a notable person or happening, often mixing fact with imagination

例句

The legend of King Arthur and his knights has been told in many different versions across Europe.

the legend of [person] — traditional structure for naming the story

Folake grew up listening to her grandmother's legends about a sea monster that lived off the coast.

同義詞
  • myth

    focuses on stories involving gods or supernatural beings, often explaining natural phenomena

  • folktale

    refers to traditional stories passed down orally within a community, usually simpler than a legend

  • saga

    suggests a long, epic story about heroic adventures, often from Norse or Icelandic tradition

反義詞
  • fact

    a piece of information that can be proven true

  • history

    an account of past events based on verifiable evidence

文法句型

legend of [something/someone]

the legend of [person/place/event]

用法筆記

Commonly followed by 'of' to name the subject of the story (the legend of Robin Hood). This sense can be used as both a countable noun ('three different legends') and an uncountable mass noun ('Irish legend').

常見錯誤

❌The legend says the building is old.
✅According to legend, the building is hundreds of years old.
💡'Legend' without an article is used for traditional beliefs in general.
❌This is a legend story.
✅This is a legend.' or 'This is a legendary story.
💡'Legend' is a noun, not an adjective.

2. a person who is extremely well-known and greatly respected for their remarkable

2.名詞B1
釋義

a person who is extremely well-known and greatly respected for their remarkable talent, skill, or achievements

例句

Amira's grandfather was a jazz legend who performed with some of the biggest names in music history.

Many young athletes dream of becoming sporting legends like the tennis stars they watch on television.

sporting legends — common collocation for famous sportspeople

同義詞
  • icon

    emphasises being a widely recognised symbol of something, often in pop culture

  • star

    more general term for a famous performer or athlete, less enduring than 'legend'

  • pioneer

    highlights being the first to do something, rather than just fame

反義詞
  • unknown

    someone who is not famous at all

  • nobody

    informal term for an unimportant person

文法句型

[person] is a legend

a legend in [field/industry]

用法筆記

Frequently used in informal praise: 'You're a legend!' This sense is always countable. It often appears with a domain phrase (a legend in music / a Hollywood legend). Do not confuse with sense 1 — this sense refers to a real person, not a story.

常見錯誤

❌He is a legend person in football.
✅He is a football legend.
💡'Legend' is a noun, not an adjective; place it directly after the field.
❌Mozart was a legend composer.
✅Mozart was a legendary composer.
💡Use the adjective 'legendary' to modify a noun.

3. printed words that appear on or beside an illustration, diagram, map, or coin to

3.名詞B2
釋義

printed words that appear on or beside an illustration, diagram, map, or coin to describe what it shows or to explain the meaning of the symbols used

例句

Quinn checked the map's legend to see whether the dotted line marked a trail or a dirt road.

the map's legend — typical possessive pattern

The legend of the weather chart uses different colours to show areas of rain, snow, and sunshine.

the legend of [chart type] — explains symbols on a diagram

同義詞
  • key

    the most common alternative term, especially for maps and diagrams

  • caption

    describes text that explains an image, usually below it, not a list of symbols

  • inscription

    formal term for engraved or stamped text on a coin, medal, or monument

文法句型

the legend explains/shows [what]

see legend

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 3 is purely functional text, not a narrative. In cartography, the legend is also called a 'key'. In numismatics, 'legend' refers specifically to the inscription around the edge of a coin.

常見錯誤

❌The legend is a story about the map.
✅The legend explains the symbols on the map.
💡Do not confuse this sense with sense 1 (ancient story).
❌Look at the story on the map to find the symbols.
✅Look at the legend on the map to find the symbols.
💡Use 'legend' not 'story' for map keys.