rust
/rʌst/ (bre, ipa) · /rʌst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈrəst/ (ame, mw)
rust — noun
1. the reddish, flaky coating that develops on iron and steel over time when oxygen
the reddish, flaky coating that develops on iron and steel over time when oxygen and moisture reach the metal — it slowly eats away at the surface, leaving a brittle brown or orange layer
The old iron gate in the garden was covered in orange rust after years of rain.
collocation: covered in rust
Mei scraped the rust off her bicycle chain with a wire brush before oiling it.
collocation: scrape rust off
Salt water from the sea causes rust to form much faster on metal surfaces.
Omar noticed patches of rust on the steel beams of the old warehouse.
A thin layer of rust had appeared on the tools that were left in the damp shed.
用法筆記
Often used with verbs like 'form', 'appear', 'spread', and 'remove'. The substance itself is uncountable, so you cannot say 'a rust' — use 'a patch of rust' or 'a layer of rust' for specific instances.
常見錯誤
2. the warm, earthy reddish-brown shade that resembles iron oxide or old metal, com
the warm, earthy reddish-brown shade that resembles iron oxide or old metal, common in autumn leaves, fabric dyes, and paint
Fatima chose a rust-coloured scarf that matched the autumn leaves perfectly.
compound modifier: rust-coloured
The walls of the living room were painted a warm shade of rust.
Kenji's new jacket was a deep rust that looked great with his blue jeans.
The artist mixed red and brown to create the perfect rust tone for the sunset painting.
- reddish-brown
a more general colour description that covers rust but also many other shades
- copper
a warmer, more orange-red metallic shade, lighter than rust
用法筆記
Can be used as a noun ("a deep rust") or as a colour modifier ("rust-coloured"). As a simple colour term without -coloured, it is less common — "rust-coloured" is the more natural choice in everyday use.
3. a disease caused by a type of fungus that creates reddish-brown or orange spots
a disease caused by a type of fungus that creates reddish-brown or orange spots on the leaves and stems of plants, often damaging crops such as wheat, coffee, or roses
The farmer noticed reddish-brown spots on the wheat leaves and knew it was rust.
diagnostic symptom: reddish-brown spots
Rust spread quickly through the rose garden after several weeks of wet weather.
Dr. Okafor examined the tomato plants and confirmed they were infected with rust.
Gardeners treat rust on their plants by removing the affected leaves as soon as they appear.
- blight
a broader term for various plant diseases that cause damage, not limited to reddish-brown spots
- fungal infection
more general; not every fungal infection on plants produces rust-coloured spots
用法筆記
Frequently appears with the verbs 'infect' and 'treat'. The fungus spreads easily in warm, wet conditions. Different plants are affected by different types of rust fungi.
常見錯誤
rust — verb
- rustpresent simple I / you / we / they
- rusts3rd person singular
- rusting-ing form
- rustedpast simple
1. when metal rusts, it becomes covered with a reddish-brown substance because of r
when metal rusts, it becomes covered with a reddish-brown substance because of reacting with oxygen and moisture in the air; you can also rust something by causing this to happen through exposure to air and dampness
The old metal chairs in the backyard had rusted badly after two harsh winters.
intransitive: [object] rusted + adverb
If you leave your bike out in the rain every night, the chain will rust very quickly.
Chidi used a coat of paint to prevent the garden gate from rusting any further.
Rain and humidity had rusted the screws so badly that they could not be removed.
Salt on the roads during winter can rust the underside of a car within months.
- protect
to prevent rust by applying paint, oil, or a coating
文法句型
something rusts
something rusts something
用法筆記
Intransitive use ("the gate rusted") is more common than transitive ("the rain rusted the gate"). The transitive pattern is used when you want to name the cause of the rust. Not used with human subjects — you cannot "rust something" intentionally the way you can "paint something".
常見錯誤
rust — adjective
- rustpositive
- rustercomparative
- rustestsuperlative
1. coloured in the warm reddish-brown tone of iron oxide or old metal, used for clo
coloured in the warm reddish-brown tone of iron oxide or old metal, used for clothing, paint colours, and autumnal scenery
Ana bought a rust-coloured dress for the autumn wedding at her cousin's farm.
compound modifier: rust-coloured
Wei placed two rust pillows on the grey sofa to add warmth to the room.
bare adjective use: rust throw pillows
Hiroshi painted his front door a warm rust shade to match the brick walls.
A rust sweater hung in the window of the small shop near the train station.
Elena chose rust-coloured tiles for her kitchen because they hide dirt well.
- reddish-brown
a more general description; rust is one specific shade of reddish-brown
- copper-coloured
similar warm reddish-brown but with a more metallic, shiny quality
- terracotta
a similar earthy reddish-brown tone, slightly more orange
用法筆記
Unlike 'rusty' (which means covered in rust or damaged by rust), 'rust' as an adjective only describes colour. Saying 'a rust jacket' means the jacket is this colour, not that it is decaying.