merit

/ˈmerɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmerɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmer-ət ˈme-rət/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmer.ɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmer.ɪt/ (ame, ipa)

merit — noun

1. a standard of goodness or skill that earns someone or something praise, a reward

1.名詞B2
釋義

a standard of goodness or skill that earns someone or something praise, a reward, or a particular position

例句

The scholarship was awarded purely on academic merit, without considering family background.

on [adjective] merit — basis for selection

Trang's research paper has enough merit to be published in a top journal.

has enough merit + to-infinitive

同義詞
  • worth

    focuses on inherent value rather than earned recognition; less formal

  • excellence

    stronger, implies an exceptionally high standard rather than simply meeting a standard

  • quality

    broader, can refer to any feature; less evaluative than 'merit'

反義詞
  • demerit

    direct opposite; a flaw or fault that reduces someone's worth

文法句型

merit (uncountable)

[adjective] merit

用法筆記

Frequently uncountable. Common in contexts about selection, reward, and evaluation where personal quality is measured against objective standards. The collocation 'on merit' appears in formal recruitment and admissions language.

常見錯誤

❌The plan has many merits' (when meaning sense 1 'goodness/worth').
✅The plan has merit.
💡When 'merit' means 'the quality of being good', it is uncountable. For countable specific advantages, use sense 2.

2. the good qualities or strong points that make something seem better or more reas

2.名詞B2
釋義

the good qualities or strong points that make something seem better or more reasonable than another option when you compare them

例句

Pedro presented the merits of both housing options to his parents.

the merits of [something]

Each plan has its own merits and drawbacks that the team must weigh carefully.

merits and drawbacks — contrasting pair

同義詞
  • advantage

    more direct and conversational; focuses on a practical benefit rather than an inherent good quality

  • strength

    emphasises robustness or effectiveness; commonly paired with 'weakness'

  • virtue

    suggests a morally good quality; slightly more formal and evaluative

反義詞
  • drawback

    a disadvantage or negative feature of something

  • weakness

    a point where something is not effective or strong

文法句型

the merits of [something]

[possessive] merits

用法筆記

Nearly always used in the plural form ('merits') for this sense. Often paired with a contrasting noun such as 'drawbacks', 'weaknesses', or 'disadvantages'. The preposition 'of' typically introduces the thing being evaluated.

常見錯誤

❌The merit of this method is its low cost.
✅One of the merits of this method is its low cost.
💡For countable advantages, use the plural form or 'one of the merits'.

merit — verb