serums

IPA/ˈsɪə.rəm/
IPA/ˈsɪr.əm/

serums — noun

  • serumssingular
  • serumsesplural

1. the clear, pale-yellow fluid that separates from blood after it has clotted, lea

1.名詞B2
釋義

the clear, pale-yellow fluid that separates from blood after it has clotted, leaving behind the solid parts such as red cells and clotting proteins

例句

The lab technician separated the serum from Hana's blood sample before running the test.

collocation: separate serum from a blood sample

When the nurse drew blood from Amir's arm, a thin layer of yellow serum appeared on top.

同義詞
  • blood serum

    a more specific term; often used in medical contexts to distinguish from other types of serum

用法筆記

Distinguish from plasma: plasma is the liquid part of blood before clotting, while serum is the fluid that remains after blood has clotted and the clot has been removed. The two are tested for different substances.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor checked my plasma for antibodies.
✅The doctor checked my serum for antibodies.
💡plasma still contains clotting factors; serum is what remains after clotting, so antibody tests are usually done on serum.

2. a liquid medicine made from the blood of an animal — typically a horse — that ha

2.名詞C1
釋義

a liquid medicine made from the blood of an animal — typically a horse — that has been deliberately exposed to a disease or toxin, so that the animal's blood builds up protective antibodies; the resulting serum is injected into a person to help their body fight the same infection or poison

例句

The doctor injected the antivenom serum into Javier's leg shortly after the snake bite.

collocation: antivenom serum

Before vaccines became common, diphtheria was often treated with a horse-derived serum.

collocation: horse-derived serum

同義詞
  • antiserum

    the full technical term; 'serum' is the common shortened form in medical contexts

  • antitoxin

    specifically targets a toxin rather than a bacterium or virus; narrower in scope

用法筆記

Often used with a specific disease or toxin name: tetanus serum, anti-venom serum, diphtheria serum. Distinguish from sense 1 (the natural blood component) and sense 3 (the cosmetic product).

3. a light, fast-absorbing liquid for the face or hair that contains concentrated a

3.名詞B2
釋義

a light, fast-absorbing liquid for the face or hair that contains concentrated active ingredients — such as vitamins, acids, or plant extracts — used to address specific concerns like dryness, dullness, fine lines, or uneven skin tone

例句

Fatima applied a few drops of vitamin C serum to her face before putting on moisturiser.

collocation: vitamin C serum; apply serum

The beauty shop sold a hyaluronic acid serum that promised to reduce fine lines.

collocation: hyaluronic acid serum

同義詞
  • essence

    a similar lightweight skincare product, though essences are usually even thinner in texture and originate from Korean beauty routines

  • concentrate

    sometimes used interchangeably in luxury skincare, but 'serum' is the more common everyday term

用法筆記

Used in the context of cosmetics and personal care. The serum is typically named after its key active ingredient: vitamin C serum, retinol serum, hyaluronic acid serum. A serum is applied after cleansing and before moisturising.

常見錯誤

❌I wash my face with a vitamin C serum.
✅I apply a vitamin C serum after washing my face.
💡a serum is a treatment product, not a cleanser; it goes on after cleansing.

serums — adjective