multilateral

IPA/ˌmʌltiˈlætərəl/
KK[mˌʌltɪlˈætɚəl]IPA/ˌmʌltiˈlætərəl/

multilateral — adjective

  • multilateralpositive
  • more multilateralcomparative
  • most multilateralsuperlative

1. used for talks, agreements, or actions that bring together several countries, gr

1.形容詞C1
釋義

used for talks, agreements, or actions that bring together several countries, groups, or organizations.

例句

The minister called for a multilateral plan to cut shipping pollution.

collocation: multilateral plan

Brazil joined the multilateral talks on food prices last week.

collocation: multilateral talks

同義詞
  • international

    broader and can describe anything between nations, even without shared joint action

  • collective

    less diplomatic and used for group action in many settings, not only relations between states

  • joint

    more general and less formal; it does not itself suggest several sides

反義詞

文法句型

multilateral + noun

be/become + multilateral

用法筆記

Most often used before nouns such as talks, agreement, effort, or plan. It can also follow be or become, but the noun-modifying pattern is more common.

常見錯誤

❌The two countries reached a multilateral deal.
✅The two countries reached a bilateral deal.
💡'multilateral' is used when three or more sides are involved.

2. made with several sides, faces, or sections rather than one simple flat or round

2.形容詞C2
釋義

made with several sides, faces, or sections rather than one simple flat or round form.

例句

The cutter gave the crystal a multilateral shape before the trade fair.

collocation: multilateral shape

The child made a multilateral paper lantern for the night market.

同義詞
  • many-sided

    the plainer everyday way to describe something with several sides

  • faceted

    used especially for stones, glass, or surfaces cut into small flat faces

  • polygonal

    more mathematical and focused on a shape with straight sides

反義詞
  • round

    having a curved outline rather than several sides

  • flat

    having one plain surface rather than many faces or parts

文法句型

multilateral + noun

be/look + multilateral

用法筆記

This sense is technical and much less common than sense 1. In everyday English, many-sided is often the clearer choice unless a formal description is needed.