seasoned
/ˈsiːznd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsiːznd/ (ame, ipa)
seasoned — adjective
- seasonedpositive
- more seasonedcomparative
- most seasonedsuperlative
1. Someone who has been doing a job or activity for a long time and is very good at
Someone who has been doing a job or activity for a long time and is very good at it because of that practice — for example, a lawyer who has argued many cases in court, or a traveller who can handle unexpected problems on the road.
After twenty years in court, Elena is a seasoned lawyer who has won many cases.
The mountain rescue team hired only seasoned climbers for the dangerous winter mission.
collocation: seasoned climber / seasoned professional
Amara is a seasoned journalist whose reports on the conflict are read worldwide.
A seasoned teacher can tell within minutes whether a lesson will work well.
For the talks, the government hired a seasoned negotiator with thirty years of experience.
- experienced
More general; can be used with any length of practice. 'Seasoned' always suggests a long, proven track record.
- veteran
Stronger emphasis on having survived many challenges. Often used for military roles but common in other fields too.
- practiced
Focuses on skill gained through repeated action rather than length of time.
- inexperienced
The direct opposite — lacking practice and skill.
- novice
Describes a beginner who is just starting to learn.
用法筆記
Commonly used before job-related nouns: seasoned professional, seasoned veteran, seasoned performer. The noun that follows is almost always a role that requires skill gained over time.
常見錯誤
2. Food that has had salt, pepper, herbs, spices, or other flavourings added to mak
Food that has had salt, pepper, herbs, spices, or other flavourings added to make it taste better.
The chicken was well seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and a pinch of salt.
passive: was seasoned with [ingredient]
Omar tasted the soup and added more pepper because it was not seasoned enough.
Properly seasoned rice can turn a simple meal into something special.
The cook prefers lightly seasoned fish so that the natural flavour comes through.
In Indian dishes, the meat is seasoned with a mix of spices before cooking.
- plain
Describes food with no added seasoning.
- unseasoned
The direct opposite — no salt, herbs, or spices added.
用法筆記
Often used with degree adverbs such as 'lightly', 'well', 'heavily', or 'perfectly' to describe how much flavouring has been added.
常見錯誤
3. Wood that has been left to dry naturally over time so that it becomes strong, st
Wood that has been left to dry naturally over time so that it becomes strong, stable, and does not bend or crack when used for building, furniture, or burning.
The carpenter insisted on using only seasoned oak for the dining table.
collocation: seasoned oak / seasoned timber
Kofi stacked the cut logs under a shelter so they became seasoned by winter.
Unseasoned wood produces more smoke and less heat when burned in a fireplace.
Seasoned timber costs more than green wood, but it makes stronger furniture.
The guitars made from seasoned mahogany produce a warm, rich sound.
- green
Freshly cut wood that still contains moisture and is not ready for use.
- unseasoned
The direct opposite — wood that has not been dried or prepared.
- wet
Describes wood with high moisture content, which will shrink and crack as it dries.
用法筆記
Most common in woodworking and construction contexts. 'Green wood' is the opposite — freshly cut and still containing moisture. Seasoning typically takes months or years depending on the wood type.
4. A cooking pan, especially one made of cast iron, that has been heated with oil t
A cooking pan, especially one made of cast iron, that has been heated with oil to create a natural, dark non-stick surface, which also protects the metal from rust.
Javier cooked eggs on his seasoned cast-iron skillet, and nothing stuck to the surface.
collocation: seasoned cast-iron skillet / pan
A well-seasoned wok develops a dark patina that gives stir-fried dishes a better flavour.
Never wash a seasoned pan with soap, because that removes the protective oil layer.
The chef handed down her grandmother's seasoned iron pot, which had been used for decades.
After three rounds of oiling and heating, the new skillet was fully seasoned.
- unseasoned
A new pan that has not yet been treated with oil.
- bare
Describes raw metal with no protective coating.
用法筆記
Only used for certain types of cookware, especially cast iron, carbon steel, and woks. Non-stick pans with a Teflon coating are not 'seasoned' — the term refers to the oil-based coating that builds up over time.