path

/pɑːθ/ (bre, ipa) · [pˈæθ] /pæθ/ (ame, ipa) · [pˈæθ] /ˈpath ˈpäth/ (ame, mw)

path — noun

  • pathsingular
  • pathsplural

1. a narrow way people walk on, or the line something moves along.

1.名詞A2
釋義

a narrow way people walk on, or the line something moves along.

例句

A narrow path led the children from the farm to the river.

pattern: path to + place

After the storm, workers cleared a path through the fallen trees.

collocation: clear a path through

同義詞
  • trail

    often means a rough or natural path, especially in the countryside

  • track

    can be a narrow path made by repeated walking, wheels, or feet

  • route

    more often suggests a planned way from one place to another

  • course

    fits best for the line an object follows while moving

文法句型

path to + place

path through + area

in the path of + moving thing

用法筆記

Common after prepositions such as on, along, through, and in the path of. Distinguish from sense 2, which uses path figuratively for progress, plans, or future change.

常見錯誤

❌We walked in the path to the lake.
✅We walked on the path to the lake.
💡use 'on' when you mean moving along the path.

2. a way of doing things that moves you toward a desired result or future state.

2.名詞B2
釋義

a way of doing things that moves you toward a desired result or future state.

例句

Night classes gave Rosa a new path to better work.

pattern: path to + goal

The mayor set the town on a path toward cleaner air.

pattern: set [something] on a path toward

同義詞
  • way

    the broadest choice, but less focused on steady progress than path

  • route

    suggests a more planned or mapped set of steps

  • road

    a common metaphor for a longer future or life direction

  • course

    sounds more formal and often stresses deliberate action

反義詞
  • dead end

    describes a plan or situation that does not lead anywhere useful

文法句型

path to/toward + goal

set somebody on a path

open a path for + noun + to-infinitive

用法筆記

Often appears in patterns like path to/toward + goal and set someone on a path. Distinguish from sense 1, which is about an actual track or movement line.

常見錯誤

❌This course gave me a path for a new job.
✅This course gave me a path to a new job.
💡this sense usually takes 'to' before the result.