preschool
/ˈpriː.skuːl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpriː.skuːl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈprē-ˌskül (ˌ)prē-ˈskül/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpriːskuːl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpriːskuːl/ (ame, ipa)
preschool — adjective
- preschoolpositive
- more preschoolcomparative
- most preschoolsuperlative
1. describing children aged roughly three to five who do not yet attend regular sch
describing children aged roughly three to five who do not yet attend regular school, or describing the activities, classes, and toys made for them.
Maya runs a music class for preschool children every Saturday morning.
preschool + plural noun (children)
The library has a quiet room full of preschool books with big pictures.
preschool + concrete noun (books)
Carlos bought soft mats for his daughter's preschool gymnastics group.
Most parents on our street have at least one preschool child at home.
The clinic offers free dental checks during the preschool years.
- pre-K
American, often used for the year just before kindergarten (around age 4)
- nursery
British, refers to the same age group; 'nursery school' is the common phrase
- kindergarten
in some countries means the same; in the US it means the year just before first grade, so not the same
- school-age
describes children old enough to attend regular school
文法句型
preschool + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used directly before a noun (preschool child, preschool teacher, preschool years). Not used after a verb like 'be': avoid 'My son is preschool' — say 'My son is of preschool age' or use the noun sense.
常見錯誤
preschool — noun
- preschoolsingular
- preschoolsplural
1. a place where small children, usually aged about two to five, go during the day
a place where small children, usually aged about two to five, go during the day to play, learn simple skills, and get used to being with other children before they begin regular school.
Lina starts preschool next month and is excited about meeting new friends.
start + preschool (no article)
The new preschool near the park has a sandpit and a small vegetable garden.
countable noun: a / the preschool
Marcus drops his twins off at preschool every morning before work.
Many preschools in Taipei now teach short songs in English.
Aunt Rosa worked as a cook at a small preschool for over twenty years.
- nursery school
British equivalent; same kind of place
- kindergarten
in countries like Taiwan and the UK, often means the same; in US English it is the school year for five-year-olds, after preschool
- playgroup
less formal, often shorter sessions and run by parents
- daycare
focuses on care while parents work; less focus on structured learning
文法句型
go to preschool
at preschool
attend preschool
用法筆記
Used without 'a' or 'the' when talking about attending in general (go to preschool, start preschool), like 'school' or 'church'. Add an article when talking about a specific building or organisation (a preschool near the park).