outlet

/ˈaʊtlet/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈaʊtlet/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈau̇t-ˌlet -lət/ (ame, mw)

outlet — noun

1. an opening or pipe that lets water, air, or another substance pass out from some

1.名詞C1
釋義

an opening or pipe that lets water, air, or another substance pass out from something

例句

Water poured from the outlet at the bottom of the tank.

outlet at the bottom of a container

The mechanic cleared the air outlet so the dryer could cool.

collocation: air outlet

同義詞
  • opening

    a broad everyday word; outlet often suggests a designed place for something to come out

  • vent

    usually refers to air, gas, or heat rather than any substance

  • drain

    often refers specifically to water flowing away

反義詞
  • inlet

    a point where liquid, gas, or air goes in rather than out

文法句型

water outlet

air outlet

outlet at the bottom of + noun

用法筆記

Usually refers to an opening in equipment, pipes, tanks, or walls, not a door for people. Common modifiers include air, water, drain, and exhaust.

常見錯誤

❌Use the fire outlet on the left side of the hall.
✅Use the fire exit on the left side of the hall.
💡For people leaving a building, English normally uses 'exit', not this noun.

2. a store, often linked to a brand, that sells its goods directly to customers, so

2.名詞C2
釋義

a store, often linked to a brand, that sells its goods directly to customers, sometimes more cheaply than regular stores

例句

We found cheaper coats at the outlet near the highway.

The brand opened a new outlet beside the train station.

open a new outlet

同義詞
  • store

    the broad everyday word; outlet often suggests a brand-linked shop

  • shop

    common in British English for a retail business of any kind

  • branch

    stresses one location in a larger business network

文法句型

factory outlet

outlet mall

open a new outlet

用法筆記

Often appears in phrases such as factory outlet and outlet mall, especially for stores selling older stock at lower prices. Distinguish from sense 4, where an outlet is a media company rather than a place to shop.

常見錯誤

❌We bought the shoes at the outlet shop of Nike.
✅We bought the shoes at the Nike outlet.
💡English usually puts the brand name before 'outlet' without 'shop of'.

3. a company or website that gives news to the public through print, broadcast, or

3.名詞C1
釋義

a company or website that gives news to the public through print, broadcast, or online reports

例句

The local news outlet posted the election results before midnight.

collocation: news outlet

A sports outlet interviewed the captain after the final.

同義詞
  • publication

    works especially for newspapers, magazines, and websites with written content

  • broadcaster

    focuses on television or radio rather than media in general

  • channel

    often used for television or online content streams

文法句型

news outlet

local outlet

online outlet

用法筆記

Often appears with modifiers such as news, local, digital, or conservative. Distinguish from sense 2, where an outlet is a way to express feelings or energy, not a media body.

常見錯誤

❌I read it in a news output.
✅I read it in a news outlet.
💡For a media company or publication, the usual word is 'outlet', not 'output'.

4. a wall fitting for plugging in a device so it can receive electricity

4.名詞C1
釋義

a wall fitting for plugging in a device so it can receive electricity

例句

Nina plugged the fan into the outlet by the sofa.

plug into an outlet

The hotel room had only one outlet near the desk.

同義詞
  • socket

    the closest general word, especially common in British English

  • wall socket

    makes the wall location explicit

  • receptacle

    a technical term used by electricians and in manuals

文法句型

plug into an outlet

wall outlet

electrical outlet

用法筆記

Usually American in this meaning. In British English, people more often say socket or power point.

常見錯誤

❌I plugged the charger into the plug.
✅I plugged the charger into the outlet.
💡The plug is on the cord; the outlet is the place in the wall.

5. an activity or interest that helps you express deep emotions or put extra energy

5.名詞C2
釋義

an activity or interest that helps you express deep emotions or put extra energy to good use

例句

Basketball gave Leo an outlet for his anger after school.

outlet for + feeling

Painting became Marta's outlet when she felt lonely at home.

同義詞
  • release

    focuses on letting emotion out, but does not always suggest an activity

  • channel

    often stresses directing energy or feeling in a useful direction

  • escape

    can suggest relief from pressure, sometimes by avoiding problems

文法句型

an outlet for anger

an outlet for stress

find an outlet in + activity

用法筆記

Often follows have, need, give, or find, and the outlet is usually an activity such as sport, music, art, or writing. Distinguish from sense 4, where an outlet is a news organization, not a personal channel for feelings.

常見錯誤

❌Running is a good outlet of my stress.
✅Running is a good outlet for my stress.
💡This sense usually takes 'for' before the feeling being released.