round off

round off — phrasal verb

  • round offbase form
  • rounds off3rd person singular
  • rounding off-ing form
  • rounded offpast simple

1. to shape an edge or corner into a curve by taking away the pointed or rough part

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to shape an edge or corner into a curve by taking away the pointed or rough parts, leaving a smooth finish.

例句

The carpenter used sandpaper to round off the sharp corners of the wooden table.

round off + concrete object (sharp corners)

Kofi carefully rounded off the edges of the glass shelf so nobody would get cut.

round off + edges; passive implication of safety

同義詞
  • smooth

    less specific about the curved result; can just mean remove bumps

  • file down

    implies using a tool (a file); more concrete about the method

  • bevel

    technical term for cutting a sloping edge; more precise in woodworking

反義詞
  • sharpen

    opposite action — making an edge pointed instead of curved

文法句型

round + object + off

round off + object

用法筆記

The object can go either between 'round' and 'off' or after 'off'. Examples: 'She rounded the corners off' / 'She rounded off the corners'. This sense is always transitive.

常見錯誤

❌I rounded off the knife by cutting the bread.
✅I used a sharpening stone to round off the tip of the knife.
💡'round off' involves shaping or smoothing, not the result of using the object.

2. to complete an event, activity, series, or period of time in a pleasant, satisfy

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to complete an event, activity, series, or period of time in a pleasant, satisfying, or suitably impressive way.

例句

We rounded off the dinner party with a homemade chocolate cake and fresh coffee.

round off + [event] + with + [something enjoyable]

The festival rounded off a week of performances by featuring a jazz band from New Orleans.

round off + by + [gerund phrase]

同義詞
  • finish off

    more neutral; does not carry the same 'pleasant/satisfying' connotation

  • cap

    implies adding something impressive at the end; slightly more dramatic

  • top off

    especially common in American English for ending a meal or experience with something extra

文法句型

round + object + off

round off + object

round off + object + with/by + [noun/gerund]

用法筆記

Commonly followed by 'with + noun phrase' or 'by + -ing' to state what the finishing element was. The object is typically an event, trip, meal, project, or period (evening, year, season). Distinguish from 'round up', which means to gather people or increase a number.

常見錯誤

❌We rounded off the meeting with a decision.
✅We rounded off the meeting with a short summary of the key points.
💡'round off' implies a pleasant or positive finish, not just any conclusion.