model
model — adjective
- modelpositive
- more modelcomparative
- most modelsuperlative
1. describing a person or thing that shows such excellent qualities that others sho
describing a person or thing that shows such excellent qualities that others should try to copy them.
The school presented Mizuki with an award for her model behaviour in class.
attributive use: model + behaviour
Asher runs a model organic farm that other farmers visit each year.
The city's model transport system has reduced traffic jams by half.
Soraya was held up as a model student by every teacher in the school.
- imperfect
suggests flaws that make imitation undesirable
文法句型
model + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun in this sense. Common with nouns like 'student', 'citizen', 'behaviour', 'farm', 'school'.
常見錯誤
2. made as a small copy of something bigger, often for display, study, or play.
made as a small copy of something bigger, often for display, study, or play.
The children spent the weekend building a model village from cardboard boxes.
Niran bought a model car kit and assembled it piece by piece.
collocation: model car / model train / model plane
The architect showed Yuna a model house before the real construction started.
The children painted their model aeroplanes bright colours before the display.
- miniature
can be used both as adjective and noun; slightly more technical
- scaled-down
emphasises the size reduction; more informal
文法句型
model + noun
用法筆記
Only used before a noun. Frequently combined with nouns like 'train', 'plane', 'car', 'ship', 'village', or 'house'.
model — noun
- modelsingular
- modelsplural
1. a person or thing that is such a good example of a particular quality or type th
a person or thing that is such a good example of a particular quality or type that other things can be copied from it or compared with it.
The new library is a model of modern sustainable architecture in the region.
pattern: a model of + noun phrase
Renata's essay was praised as a model of clear academic writing.
Finland's education system is often described as a model for other countries to follow.
Paloma considered her grandmother a model of patience and quiet strength.
- exception
something that does not follow the pattern
文法句型
a model of + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the pattern 'a model of + abstract noun' (e.g. efficiency, clarity, simplicity). Differs from sense 6 (ROLE MODEL) in that this sense focuses on the thing as a template or benchmark, not on inspiring imitation in people.
常見錯誤
2. someone whose work involves displaying clothing, jewellery, or other goods by we
someone whose work involves displaying clothing, jewellery, or other goods by wearing them in photographs or on a runway.
Ritu started working as a fashion model when she was eighteen years old.
collocation: fashion model
The photographer asked the model to turn slightly toward the window light.
Nora dreams of becoming a model and walking on runways in Paris.
The fashion show featured models from eight different countries this season.
- supermodel
a very famous and highly-paid model, a subset of models
- mannequin
usually refers to a dummy in a shop window, not a living person; also describes a model who poses very still
- catwalk model
specifically one who walks the runway at fashion shows
用法筆記
Can be used with specific modifiers: 'fashion model', 'runway model', 'catwalk model', 'supermodel' (a top-earning, famous model). Also used for people who pose for artists ('artist's model').
常見錯誤
3. one of several slightly different designs of a manufactured item, each identifie
one of several slightly different designs of a manufactured item, each identified by a distinct name or number — used especially for cars, computers, and other machines.
Christopher drives the latest model of electric car from that manufacturer.
pattern: latest model / new model / old model
The company has just released a new model laptop with a longer battery life.
Hoa compared three different models of washing machine before buying one.
This phone model sold over two million units in its first month on the market.
用法筆記
Commonly used with brand names: 'Toyota model', 'iPhone model', 'Dell model'. Frequently appears with 'latest', 'new', 'previous', 'current', 'basic', 'top-of-the-range'.
常見錯誤
4. a small physical copy of an object, usually built to a smaller scale than the or
a small physical copy of an object, usually built to a smaller scale than the original, often for display, education, or hobby purposes.
Romi built a detailed model of the solar system for the science fair.
pattern: a model of + concrete noun
The museum has a model showing the ancient city as it looked two thousand years ago.
Élise spent three months constructing a model of a Japanese castle from tiny wooden pieces.
The architect placed a cardboard model of the building on the meeting-room table.
- original
the real thing that the model copies
文法句型
model of + noun
用法筆記
Used with a wide range of materials: 'clay model', 'cardboard model', '3D-printed model', 'plastic model'. Often a hobby (model-building, model-making). Differs from sense 5 (THEORETICAL MODEL) in that this is always a physical object.
5. a simplified way of describing a system, process, or situation, often using math
a simplified way of describing a system, process, or situation, often using mathematics or computers, in order to understand it or predict what might happen.
Scientists used a computer model to predict the path of the hurricane.
collocation: computer model
The economic model suggests that prices will rise by about two percent next year.
Harper created a mathematical model to calculate the hospital's energy usage.
The climate model shows how temperatures might change over the next fifty years.
- simulation
often a dynamic model that runs over time; more specific to computing
- framework
a broader conceptual structure; less quantitative than a model
文法句型
model of + noun
model for + noun
用法筆記
Common collocations: 'computer model', 'mathematical model', 'climate model', 'economic model', 'statistical model', 'theoretical model'. The model is an abstract representation, not a physical object (cf. sense 4).
常見錯誤
6. a person whose behaviour, character, or achievements are considered good enough
a person whose behaviour, character, or achievements are considered good enough for others to try to copy.
Tamar's aunt has always been her model of courage and generosity.
pattern: someone's model of + quality
Many young athletes look up to professional players as models of success and hard work.
The charity serves as a model for community-led projects across the country.
Parents are often the first models of kindness that young children observe at home.
- role model
the more common compound; always refers to a person
- exemplar
formal; can refer to either a person or thing
- paragon
stronger; suggests perfection; somewhat literary
- bad example
someone whose behaviour should not be copied
文法句型
model for + noun
model of + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the compound 'role model'. Differs from sense 1 (PERFECT EXAMPLE) in that sense 6 focuses on imitation of character and behaviour, while sense 1 focuses on being a standard for quality in a system or category.
常見錯誤
model — verb
- modelpresent simple I / you / we / they
- models3rd person singular
- modeling-ing form
- modeledpast simple
1. to wear and display clothes, jewellery, or other products as a job, so that cust
to wear and display clothes, jewellery, or other products as a job, so that customers or viewers can see them in photographs, magazines, or fashion shows.
Mizuki has been modelling for a well-known fashion brand since she was sixteen.
intransitive: model for + company
Asher modelled the new winter collection at Milan Fashion Week last year.
transitive: model + clothing collection
The agency asked Folake to model a diamond necklace for the magazine cover shoot.
Inês started modelling part-time while she was still at university.
文法句型
model + object (clothing)
model for + company
用法筆記
Both transitive (model clothes/a product) and intransitive (model for a company) uses are common. The subject is always a person.
2. to shape a physical copy of something using a soft material such as clay, wax, o
to shape a physical copy of something using a soft material such as clay, wax, or wood, often at a smaller size than the original.
Renata spent the afternoon modelling a horse out of grey modelling clay.
pattern: model + object + out of + material
The artist modelled a bust of the mayor for the town hall entrance.
Ritu enjoys modelling miniature furniture from balsa wood for her dollhouse.
Nikos modelled a small sailboat from leftover pieces of pine wood.
文法句型
model + object (material)
model + object in/from + material
用法筆記
Frequently used with materials: 'model in clay', 'model from wood', 'model out of wax'. Closely related to sculpture. The noun form 'modelling' (UK) or 'modeling' (US) is common for this sense.
常見錯誤
3. to design or create something so that it is based on a particular example, patte
to design or create something so that it is based on a particular example, pattern, or system, copying its structure or style.
The new hospital was modelled on a successful healthcare design from Sweden.
passive: be modelled on + source
Salma modelled her business plan after her father's company structure.
active: model + object + after + source
The education programme was modelled after a curriculum used in Japanese schools.
The developer modelled the new app on a popular messaging service from Asia.
- base on
more general; does not carry the same sense of design or craft
- pattern after
very close in meaning but more formal and less common
文法句型
be modelled on + noun
be modelled after + noun
model + on + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used in the passive voice ('be modelled on/after'). British English prefers 'modelled on', while American English uses 'modeled on' or 'modeled after'. The active voice ('model X on/after Y') also occurs but is less frequent.