liquefy

/ˈlɪkwɪfaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlɪkwɪfaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈli-kwə-ˌfī/ (ame, mw)

liquefy — verb

  • liquefypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • liquefieshe / she / it
  • liquefiedpast simple
  • liquefying-ing form

1. to turn a gas or a solid substance into a liquid, or to become liquid — for exam

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to turn a gas or a solid substance into a liquid, or to become liquid — for example, when natural gas is cooled to extreme temperatures or when a metal is heated until it flows

例句

Takuya watched the ice cubes liquefy in his glass of warm tea.

intransitive: solid substance becomes liquid without external agent

The factory liquefies natural gas by cooling it to minus 162 degrees Celsius.

transitive: [company] liquefies [substance] by [method]

同義詞
  • melt

    everyday term for solids becoming liquid by heat; less technical than liquefy

  • dissolve

    a solid disperses into a liquid (sugar in water); different process from liquefy

  • thaw

    specifically for ice or frozen food returning to normal temperature

反義詞
  • solidify

    change from liquid to solid

  • freeze

    turn liquid into solid by cooling

文法句型

liquefy + noun (cause to become liquid)

noun + liquefies (becomes liquid)

用法筆記

Both transitive and intransitive patterns are common. The subject or object is typically a substance that can move between solid, liquid, and gas states. This sense is more technical and formal than 'melt'; in everyday speech, 'melt' is preferred for ice and butter.

常見錯誤

❌The butter liquefied quickly on the warm toast.
✅The butter melted quickly on the warm toast.
💡'liquefy' is technically correct for food items like butter, ice, or honey, but 'melt' is the ordinary everyday word. Using 'liquefy' for food in casual conversation sounds overly technical or unnatural.

2. to sell financial assets such as property, shares, or savings so that they becom

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to sell financial assets such as property, shares, or savings so that they become cash or easily tradeable form

例句

Vikram had to liquefy some of his investments to cover the unexpected medical bills.

transitive: liquefy + [financial asset] to [purpose]

The company plans to liquefy its property holdings and use the cash for overseas expansion.

同義詞
  • sell

    everyday term; less formal and broader in application

  • cash in

    informal; specifically converting an asset to cash

  • convert

    general; broader meaning of changing one form to another

反義詞
  • invest

    use money to buy assets rather than the reverse

  • hold

    keep an asset rather than selling it

文法句型

liquefy + financial asset

用法筆記

Almost always transitive. The direct object is a financial asset such as property, stocks, or savings. This belongs to formal financial terminology; in everyday speech, 'sell' or 'cash in' is far more common.

常見錯誤

❌I liquefied my old car to get some money.
✅I sold my old car to get some money.
💡'liquefy' is used for financial assets (shares, property, savings), not for physical objects like cars. Use 'sell' for physical items.