seminar

/ˈsemɪnɑː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsemɪnɑːr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈse-mə-ˌnär/ (ame, mw)

seminar — noun

  • seminarsingular
  • seminarsplural

1. a meeting where an expert guides attendees in studying a specific subject throug

1.名詞B1
釋義

a meeting where an expert guides attendees in studying a specific subject through discussion

例句

Indra attended a two-day seminar on renewable energy in Taipei last month.

attend + seminar on [topic]

The marketing team held a seminar to teach staff about new social media tools.

hold a seminar + to-infinitive purpose

同義詞
  • workshop

    Focuses on hands-on, practical skill-building rather than discussion; participants actively do tasks.

  • symposium

    More formal and academic; typically features multiple speakers presenting papers on a single theme.

  • forum

    A public meeting where participants can raise questions and share opinions, often on current issues.

文法句型

seminar on [topic]

attend a seminar

hold a seminar

用法筆記

Commonly followed by 'on' or 'about' to indicate the topic (e.g., 'a seminar on leadership'). Typical verbs used with this sense include 'attend', 'hold', 'run', 'give', and 'organise'.

常見錯誤

❌The professor will give a seminar conference.
✅The professor will give a seminar.
💡Do not combine 'seminar' and 'conference' as one event; they are different types of gatherings.
❌I go to seminar every week.
✅I go to a seminar every week.
💡'Seminar' is a countable noun and needs an article or determiner.

2. a small university class, usually for advanced students, where participants expl

2.名詞B2
釋義

a small university class, usually for advanced students, where participants explore a topic through discussion, research, and presentations under a professor's supervision

例句

Tamar is taking a seminar on modern Chinese literature at the university this semester.

take a seminar on [academic subject]

The history professor limits his seminar to twelve students so everyone can join the discussion.

limit a seminar to [number] students

同義詞
  • tutorial

    A one-on-one or very small group session with a tutor, common in British universities; even more intimate than a seminar.

  • colloquium

    An academic gathering where researchers present and discuss their work; often open to faculty and invited guests.

反義詞
  • lecture

    A large class where the professor speaks to many students with little to no discussion.

文法句型

take a seminar in [subject]

seminar on [academic topic]

用法筆記

In an academic context, 'seminar' refers to a regular small-class format that meets over a whole term, rather than a single event. Students are expected to prepare readings, lead class discussions, and present their own research. Distinguished from a 'lecture' by its interactive, discussion-based structure.

常見錯誤

❌I have seminar at 10 o'clock.
✅I have a seminar at 10 o'clock.
💡'Seminar' is a countable noun; use an article.
❌The seminar had 200 students in a big hall.
✅The lecture had 200 students.
💡Large audiences sit in lectures; seminars are small-group classes by definition.