mineral

/ˈmɪnərəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪnərəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmin-rəl, ˈmi-nə-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmɪn.ər.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɪn.ər.əl/ (ame, ipa)

mineral — noun

  • mineralsingular
  • mineralsplural

1. a natural solid substance with a fixed chemical makeup that is formed in the gro

1.名詞B1
釋義

a natural solid substance with a fixed chemical makeup that is formed in the ground and is not from a living source, such as gold, salt, or coal, which people dig up and use.

例句

The region has rich mineral deposits, including iron and copper.

collocation: mineral deposits

Lucas collected mineral samples from the volcanic mountains last summer.

collocation: mineral samples / collect minerals

同義詞
  • ore

    Ore is rock that contains enough of a mineral to mine profitably; all ores contain minerals, but not all minerals are ores.

  • rock

    Rock is a solid mass made of one or more minerals mixed together; mineral is a single chemical substance.

文法句型

mineral is found in [place]

[type] of mineral

mineral + noun (deposit, resource)

用法筆記

Often used in the plural form 'minerals' when referring broadly to a region's natural geological resources, as in 'mineral deposits' or 'mineral wealth'.

常見錯誤

❌I found a mineral in my garden.
✅I found a piece of quartz in my garden.
💡'Mineral' is a broad category name, not a word for a specific rock or crystal you pick up.
❌This rock is a single mineral.
✅This rock contains several minerals.
💡Most rocks are mixtures of multiple minerals, not a single one.

2. an inorganic chemical element that the human body needs in small amounts from fo

2.名詞B1
釋義

an inorganic chemical element that the human body needs in small amounts from food or supplements to stay healthy and work properly, such as calcium, iron, or zinc.

例句

Kasia takes a daily vitamin and mineral supplement every morning.

collocation: vitamin and mineral supplement

Dark green vegetables are rich in minerals like iron and calcium.

collocation: rich in minerals

同義詞
  • nutrient

    Nutrient is a broader category that includes vitamins, proteins, fats, and minerals; mineral specifically means inorganic nutrients.

  • trace element

    Trace element refers to minerals needed in very tiny amounts, like zinc or selenium; not all minerals are trace elements.

文法句型

rich in + minerals

mineral + noun (supplement, deficiency)

essential + mineral

用法筆記

Countable when listing specific nutrients ('calcium and iron are essential minerals'); uncountable when referring to the general category ('this food contains mineral'). Often paired with 'vitamins' in the fixed phrase 'vitamins and minerals'.

常見錯誤

❌Protein is an important mineral for muscles.
✅Protein is an important nutrient for muscles.
💡Minerals are inorganic; protein is organic and is not a mineral.

3. (British English, informal) a cold, sweet drink with bubbles of gas, containing

3.名詞B1
釋義

(British English, informal) a cold, sweet drink with bubbles of gas, containing no alcohol; a fizzy soft drink.

例句

Tariq bought a bottle of mineral water from the corner shop.

The children asked for minerals and crisps at the birthday party.

British plural use: 'minerals' = fizzy drinks

同義詞
  • soda

    Soda is the common American term for a fizzy drink; mineral is the British equivalent.

  • pop

    Pop is another regional term for fizzy drinks, used in parts of the US, Canada, and the UK.

文法句型

have + a mineral

mineral + and + snack

用法筆記

This sense is primarily British and informal. The word is often used in the plural ('minerals') to refer to a selection of fizzy drinks, especially in the context of a snack or meal. In American English, 'soda' or 'pop' is used instead.

常見錯誤

❌I ordered a mineral at the bar in New York.
✅I ordered a soda at the bar in New York.
💡This British meaning is not understood in American English.

mineral — adjective