net
/net/ (bre, ipa) · [nˈɛt] /net/ (ame, ipa) · [nˈɛt] /ˈnet/ (ame, mw)
net — noun
- netsingular
- netsplural
1. a piece of fabric made from threads, string, or wire that are tied or woven toge
a piece of fabric made from threads, string, or wire that are tied or woven together leaving regular spaces between them. It is used for catching things (such as fish or insects), for protecting an area, or as part of sports equipment.
The fisherman spent the morning repairing a large hole in his net.
collocation: fishing net
A metal net over the window kept insects out while letting fresh air in.
material: metal net for protection
The children used a small net to carry shells home from the beach.
A wire net around the garden stopped the neighbour's dog from digging.
The net was made of thin rope knotted tightly at regular intervals.
- solid sheet
fabric without holes; opposite property
文法句型
a net
made of net
net + noun
用法筆記
Can be countable ('a fishing net') or uncountable ('a bag made of net'). The uncountable use describes the material itself.
常見錯誤
2. a thin window covering made from net fabric that lets light pass through while b
a thin window covering made from net fabric that lets light pass through while blocking the view from outside.
Élise hung white net curtains in every window of her new flat.
British English: net curtains for privacy
The net curtains let in plenty of light but hid the room from the street.
Christopher replaced the old net curtains with thicker blinds.
Through the net curtains, Zuri could see the postman walking up the path.
- sheer curtain
more common in American English for the same item
- lace curtain
decorative net fabric, usually more patterned
- blackout curtain
blocks all light; opposite function
文法句型
net curtains
a net curtain
用法筆記
This sense is much more common in British English than American English. In the US, 'sheer curtains' is the preferred term.
3. a piece of netting stretched across a sports court — in tennis, badminton, or vo
a piece of netting stretched across a sports court — in tennis, badminton, or volleyball — that splits the court into two sides for play.
The volleyball net stood two metres high across the middle of the court.
collocation: volleyball net / tennis net
Mateo hit the shuttlecock so hard it flew straight over the net.
Before the match the players helped stretch the net tight between the poles.
A strong wind pushed the badminton net sideways during the outdoor game.
The tennis net sagged in the middle and needed to be raised.
文法句型
the net
over the net
across the net
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4: this is the dividing net in the middle of the court, not the goal net at the end.
常見錯誤
4. the netting attached to the frame behind the goal in sports such as football, ho
the netting attached to the frame behind the goal in sports such as football, hockey, or basketball, designed to catch the ball or puck after a goal is scored.
Ishaan kicked the ball into the back of the net for the winning goal.
collocation: back of the net
The hockey puck hit the post and bounced away from the net.
Fans cheered as the ball found the net in the final minute of the match.
The goalkeeper stood ready near the net as the other team attacked.
A hole in the net at the back of the goal let the ball roll outside.
- goal
broader; refers to the whole scoring area including the net, frame, and line
- goal mouth
the opening in front of the net, not the net itself
文法句型
the net
into the net
back of the net
用法筆記
Common in sports commentary. 'Find the back of the net' is a fixed expression meaning to score a goal.
5. the global system of interconnected computers that people use to share informati
the global system of interconnected computers that people use to share information, communicate by email or social media, visit websites, and buy or sell things.
Quan searched the net for information about his science project.
fixed phrase: search the net
More people buy their groceries on the net than ever before.
collocation: on the net
The café offers free access to the net for customers who bring laptops.
Shirin found a recipe for banana bread on the net this morning.
Without a connection to the net, the tablet could not check emails.
- the Internet
the full form; more formal and the preferred term in academic writing
- the web
short for 'World Wide Web'; often used interchangeably, though technically distinct
- cyberspace
more abstract and literary; less common in everyday speech
- offline
not connected to the internet; the opposite state
文法句型
the net
on the net
surf the net
用法筆記
When this meaning is intended, the word is typically written with a capital letter as 'the Net' or 'the Internet,' though lowercase 'the net' is common in informal writing. In formal contexts, 'the Internet' is preferred.
常見錯誤
6. an amount of money, weight, or value that remains after all related costs, taxes
an amount of money, weight, or value that remains after all related costs, taxes, expenses, or other deductions have been subtracted.
The company's net for the year was just over a million dollars after tax.
formal register: net as a noun
After paying all costs, the net from the sale came to thirty thousand dollars.
pattern: net from [something]
The net of the deal was smaller than Piotr had expected.
Ryo calculated the net after subtracting shipping and packaging costs.
- take-home pay
informal; only for salary, not general business profit
- bottom line
informal business term for final profit or loss
- gross
the amount before deductions; the opposite of net
文法句型
a net of [amount]
net [noun]
用法筆記
This noun sense is closely related to the adjective sense (ADJ/1). Use the adjective when modifying another noun ('net profit'), and this noun form when referring to the amount itself ('a net of £5,000').
常見錯誤
net — verb
- netpresent simple I / you / we / they
- nets3rd person singular
- netting-ing form
- nettedpast simple
1. to catch an animal, especially a fish, bird, or insect, using a net.
to catch an animal, especially a fish, bird, or insect, using a net.
The crew netted over a hundred salmon during their morning trip.
transitive: net + quantity + fish type
Eli netted a rare butterfly for the school science exhibition.
Scientists netted birds in the forest to tag them for migration research.
The children netted tadpoles from the pond with a small scoop net.
A team of volunteers netted the stray cats for the vaccination programme.
- release
to set free after capture; opposite action
文法句型
net + object (fish/animal)
net + object + for + purpose
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive for reporting research methods: 'The fish were netted and measured.'
2. to get something you want, or to make a particular amount of money as profit aft
to get something you want, or to make a particular amount of money as profit after all expenses have been subtracted.
The film netted over ten million dollars in its first week.
pattern: net + amount of money
Henry netted a huge profit by selling his house just before prices fell.
The charity sale netted enough money to buy books for the local library.
Her online shop nets about two thousand dollars each month.
Zola netted three new clients after the trade fair in Shanghai.
- lose
to fail to earn or to have expenses exceed income
文法句型
net + amount (money)
net + object (profit/deal/client)
net + something + from + something
用法筆記
Subject is usually a business, event, or activity (sale, film, shop) rather than a person, though personal use is possible. Often implies the amount is the final figure after deductions.
常見錯誤
3. to send the ball or puck past the goalkeeper and into the goal, earning a point
to send the ball or puck past the goalkeeper and into the goal, earning a point for your team in sports such as football or hockey.
Esme netted the winning goal in the final minute of the match.
pattern: net + the winning goal
The striker netted twice in the first half of the game.
Ryan netted the ball with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area.
Devika almost netted the puck but the goalie blocked it.
The player netted her first goal of the season on Saturday.
文法句型
net + the ball/puck
net + a goal/point
用法筆記
Used in sports commentary and reporting. 'Net' as a verb is more common in British football commentary than American sports coverage.
常見錯誤
net — adjective
- netpositive
- nettercomparative
- nettestsuperlative
1. describes an amount of money, weight, or other quantity that is left after every
describes an amount of money, weight, or other quantity that is left after everything that should be removed (such as costs, tax, packaging, or losses) has been taken away.
Her net salary after tax and insurance is three thousand dollars per month.
common collocation: net salary
The net profit from the bakery was higher than the owners had expected.
common collocation: net profit
The box shows a net weight of five hundred grams for the cereal.
Net income is what a worker actually takes home after all deductions.
The company reported a net loss of fifty thousand dollars last quarter.
- gross
the amount before any deductions; the direct opposite
文法句型
net + noun (profit/income/weight/salary)
用法筆記
No comparative ('netter') or superlative ('nettest') forms. Always placed before the noun it modifies: 'net profit,' not 'profit net.'
常見錯誤
2. describes the final or most important result of a process, after all other consi
describes the final or most important result of a process, after all other considerations have been removed or taken into account.
The net result of all their efforts was a successful product launch.
common collocation: net result
After many hours of debate, the net effect was that nothing changed.
common collocation: net effect
The net outcome of the meeting was a decision to expand the research team.
The net consequence of ignoring the early warnings was a costly delay.
The net impression from the speech was that the leader favoured reform.
- initial
at the beginning; opposite of final
- preliminary
early and not yet final
文法句型
net + noun (result/effect/outcome)
用法筆記
Essentially a figurative extension of sense 1 (after deductions), but applied to non-financial outcomes. Common in formal writing and analysis to mean 'when everything is considered.'