petal

IPA/ˈpetl/
KK[pˈɛtəl]IPA/ˈpetl/

petal — noun

  • petalsingular
  • petalsplural

1. One of the individual, often brightly coloured pieces that together form the out

1.名詞B1
釋義

One of the individual, often brightly coloured pieces that together form the outer ring of a flower's head.

例句

Amira put a white flower petal on the water and watched it move away.

collocation: white + petal; flower petal

The gardener put pink petals in a ring around the candle.

collocation: pink petals; put petals in a ring

常見錯誤

❌The bicycle needs new petals.
✅The bicycle needs new pedals.
💡'petal' is part of a flower; 'pedal' is what you push with your foot.

2. Used in British English as a warm, casual way of speaking to someone, most often

2.名詞B2
釋義

Used in British English as a warm, casual way of speaking to someone, most often directed at women and children.

例句

'Don't you worry, petal,' the elderly shopkeeper said to the little girl.

British informal address: used for a child

The nurse called the frightened boy 'petal' as she cleaned the cut on his knee.

同義詞
  • love

    also a British informal term of address; wider usage across genders and ages

  • dear

    less markedly British; common in both speech and writing

  • darling

    carries a stronger sense of closeness; often used between romantic partners

文法句型

call someone + petal

用法筆記

Common in British English, especially in northern England and among older speakers. Avoid using it for adult men — it is almost always directed at women and children. May sound old-fashioned or patronising in some situations.

常見錯誤

❌Hello, petal,' the manager said to his male colleague.
✅Hello, love,' the manager said to his male colleague.
💡'petal' as a form of address is almost never used for adult men.