recycle

/ˌriːˈsaɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌriːˈsaɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)rē-ˈsī-kəl/ (ame, mw)

recycle — verb

  • recyclepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • recycleshe / she / it
  • recycledpast simple
  • recycling-ing form

1. to collect waste materials such as paper, glass, or plastic and convert them int

1.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

to collect waste materials such as paper, glass, or plastic and convert them into new products instead of throwing them away.

例句

Eshe recycles all her glass jars and plastic bottles every week.

recycle + materials (glass, plastic, paper)

Old cardboard boxes can be recycled into new packaging materials.

passive: be recycled into [new product]

同義詞
  • reuse

    to use again without processing — recycling changes the material, reusing keeps it in its current form

  • recover

    more technical; to extract useful material from waste

  • compost

    specific to organic waste like food scraps (recycle is for manufactured materials)

反義詞
  • waste

    to use or dispose of carelessly without recovering materials

  • discard

    to throw away without sorting for recycling

文法句型

recycle + noun phrase (object of materials)

recycle (no object)

用法筆記

Object is typically household waste materials (paper, glass, plastic, metal, cans). Can be used intransitively in public campaigns and instructions ("Please recycle.")

常見錯誤

❌I recycled my old phone by giving it to my younger sister.
✅I reused my old phone by giving it to my younger sister.
💡recycling means processing waste into raw materials; passing a working item to someone else is reusing it.

2. to give a used object or idea a fresh role instead of throwing it away, often wi

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to give a used object or idea a fresh role instead of throwing it away, often with some creative change.

例句

Gita recycled some old jeans into a colourful shopping bag.

recycle + old item + into + new item

The film director recycled a scene from his earlier movie in this new production.

recycle creative content (ideas, scenes, melodies)

同義詞
  • repurpose

    similar meaning but more about designing a new function; slightly more formal

  • adapt

    to change something to fit a new situation (broader, not about waste or reuse of old materials)

  • reuse

    to use again without necessarily changing form (recycle implies some adaptation)

反義詞
  • discard

    to throw something away instead of finding a new use for it

  • waste

    to use an item or idea carelessly without extending its usefulness

文法句型

recycle + noun phrase + into + noun phrase

recycle + noun phrase (for new use)

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense does NOT involve industrial processing. The item keeps its material identity but changes function. Frequently used for creative content (jokes, scenes, melodies) and building materials.

常見錯誤

❌I recycled the leftover paint by using it on the bathroom wall.
✅I reused the leftover paint by using it on the bathroom wall.
💡recycling (sense 2) works best for changing the form or purpose of an item, not simply using up leftovers.

recycle — noun