motorbike

/ˈməʊtəbaɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈməʊtərbaɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmō-tər-ˌbīk/ (ame, mw)

motorbike — noun

  • motorbikesingular
  • motorbikesplural

1. a machine with two wheels that runs on an engine and carries people along roads

1.名詞A2
釋義

a machine with two wheels that runs on an engine and carries people along roads

例句

Esteban rides his motorbike to work every morning.

ride + motorbike + to [place]

A motorbike can weave through heavy traffic more easily than a car.

motorbike + weave through + traffic

同義詞
  • motorcycle

    the standard term in American English; more formal than 'motorbike'

  • bike

    informal and can mean either bicycle or motorbike depending on context

文法句型

a/the motorbike

by motorbike

用法筆記

In British English, 'motorbike' commonly refers to any size of motorcycle. In American English, 'motorcycle' is the more frequent term for the full-sized vehicle.

常見錯誤

❌He bought a new motorbike bicycle.
✅He bought a new motorbike.
💡'motorbike' already means a motorised two-wheeled vehicle; adding 'bicycle' is redundant.
❌She rides a motorbike bicycle to school.
✅She rides a motorbike to school.
💡'motorbike' is a complete term on its own.

2. a smaller, lighter motorcycle with a less powerful engine, originally built like

2.名詞B1
釋義

a smaller, lighter motorcycle with a less powerful engine, originally built like a bicycle with a small motor attached

例句

Meera bought a small motorbike for travelling around the city.

small motorbike + for [purpose]

Hassan let his daughter learn to ride on his old motorbike.

learn to ride + on [possessive] motorbike

同義詞
  • moped

    even smaller, with pedals and a very small engine; top speed is usually limited by law

  • scooter

    has a step-through frame and smaller wheels; rider sits with feet together on a flat board

反義詞
  • motorcycle

    standard term for a full-sized, more powerful two-wheeled vehicle

文法句型

a/the motorbike

small/lightweight motorbike

用法筆記

This sense is more common in British English, where 'motorbike' can suggest a smaller machine. In modern usage the boundary between sense 1 and sense 2 is often unclear, and many speakers use 'motorbike' for any motorcycle.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a motorbike. It has a 1000cc engine.
✅I bought a motorcycle. It has a 1000cc engine.
💡a 1000cc machine is not a small/lightweight motorbike; use 'motorcycle' for large bikes.