removal

/rɪˈmuːvl/ (bre, ipa) · /rɪˈmuːvl/ (ame, ipa) · /ri-ˈmü-vəl/ (ame, mw)

removal — noun

1. the action of moving a person or thing away from where they were, so that they a

1.名詞B1
釋義

the action of moving a person or thing away from where they were, so that they are no longer in that place or situation

例句

The removal of the old traffic lights took the crew less than an hour.

removal of + noun phrase (uncountable use)

Doctors at the city hospital recommended the removal of the tumour before it spread further.

medical context: removal of tumour

同義詞
  • extraction

    Suggests pulling something out from inside something else; more specific than removal

  • withdrawal

    Often implies a voluntary or planned retreat, especially of people or funds

  • displacement

    Emphasises that something has been forced out of its usual or proper position

反義詞
  • insertion

    Putting something into a space it was not in before

  • placement

    Putting something deliberately into a position or location

文法句型

removal of + noun phrase

removal from + place

用法筆記

Often uncountable when referring to the process generally. The countable form (a removal) usually refers to a single instance or event. Common in medical, legal, and administrative writing.

常見錯誤

❌I did a removal of the books from the shelf.
✅I removed the books from the shelf.
💡For everyday physical actions, the verb 'remove' sounds more natural than the noun 'removal', which can feel overly formal.

2. the service or business of packing up furniture, boxes, and household goods and

2.名詞B1
釋義

the service or business of packing up furniture, boxes, and household goods and then moving them to a different house or apartment

例句

Brian hired a removal company to pack up his flat before the move.

British: removal company (compound noun)

A large removal van sat outside the house while the workers loaded the furniture.

British: removal van

同義詞
  • move

    Refers to the event of changing homes, not the service of transporting goods

  • relocation

    More formal; can refer to moving a home, business, or entire department

文法句型

removal + noun (compound noun)

a removal (British, countable, meaning the event)

用法筆記

Chiefly British English. In American English, use 'moving company', 'moving truck', or 'moving service'. 'Removal' used alone (e.g. 'the removal cost £500') is more common in the UK than elsewhere.

常見錯誤

❌We need a removal truck for our move to Taipei.' (non-British context)
✅We need a moving truck for our move to Taipei.
💡In American and other varieties of English, 'moving truck' is the standard term.

3. the situation where someone in an important official role is pushed out of their

3.名詞B2
釋義

the situation where someone in an important official role is pushed out of their position, usually because of poor performance, misconduct, or political pressure

例句

The board voted unanimously for the removal of the chief executive after the financial scandal.

formal context: removal of + person + from + position

Calls for the removal of the mayor grew louder after the budget crisis broke.

同義詞
  • dismissal

    Broader term that applies to any level of employment; less dramatic

  • ousting

    Suggests a more forceful, often political, removal

  • expulsion

    A person is forced to leave a group or organisation, often permanently

反義詞
  • appointment

    The act of giving someone an official position or job

  • installation

    Formally placing someone in a position of authority

文法句型

removal of + person + from + position

call for the removal of + person

demand the removal of + person

用法筆記

Subject is typically an organisation with authority (board, committee, government). The object is always a person in a position of power or public trust. More dramatic and formal than 'dismissal', and rarely used for low-level jobs. Common in news reporting and official proceedings.

常見錯誤

❌The company announced the removal of two hundred factory workers.
✅The company announced the layoff of two hundred factory workers.
💡'Removal' in this sense applies to positions of authority, not to routine job dismissals. Use 'dismissal' or 'layoff' for regular employees.

4. the process of making something unwanted disappear or stop existing, by taking i

4.名詞B2
釋義

the process of making something unwanted disappear or stop existing, by taking it away or destroying it

例句

Regular exercise helps speed up the removal of waste products from the body.

removal of + unwanted substance

The new water filter ensures the complete removal of harmful chemicals from tap water.

complete removal of + noun phrase

同義詞
  • elimination

    Emphasises the complete end of something; often used for toxins, errors, or problems

  • eradication

    Stronger than removal — suggests total destruction, often of a disease or pest

  • extraction

    Pulling something out from within, like a tooth or a sample

反義詞
  • addition

    Putting something in or introducing something new

  • introduction

    Bringing something into a system or environment for the first time

文法句型

removal of + unwanted thing

removal of + substance/contaminant/obstacle

用法筆記

Common in technical and scientific writing. Often interchangeable with 'elimination' in contexts like waste removal, stain removal, and hair removal, though 'elimination' can sound more complete or final.

常見錯誤

❌This cream promises the removal of wrinkles forever.
✅This cream promises to reduce wrinkles.
💡'Removal' implies complete disappearance, which is rarely accurate for cosmetic products. Use 'reduction' or 'improvement' instead.