soil
/sɔɪl/ (bre, ipa) · /sɔɪl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsȯi(-ə)l/ (ame, mw)
soil — noun
- soilsingular
- soilsplural
1. the loose, dark substance on the ground that provides a place for plants to grow
the loose, dark substance on the ground that provides a place for plants to grow and obtain nutrients; it is made up of small pieces of rock, dead plant matter, and tiny living organisms.
Manuela mixed compost into the soil before planting tomatoes in early April.
collocation: mix compost into the soil
The soil in the coastal region is very sandy and drains water extremely quickly.
collocation: sandy soil
After the flood, the soil in the fields stayed too wet for the wheat crop.
Earthworms help keep garden soil healthy by moving air and water through it.
Hiro scooped up a handful of soil and checked its colour and texture carefully.
文法句型
soil (uncountable)
a/an ___ soil (when describing type)
用法筆記
Uncountable in general use ('the soil is dry'), but countable when referring to a specific variety ('a sandy soil', 'loamy soils').
常見錯誤
2. a nation's territory, especially when it relates to people's identity, loyalty,
a nation's territory, especially when it relates to people's identity, loyalty, or sense of where they come from.
After teaching in Germany for two decades, Yara returned to her native soil in Kenya.
collocation: native soil
The new agreement bans all testing of nuclear weapons on Australian soil.
The embassy sits on foreign soil but still follows the laws of its own country.
Imran felt a surge of pride competing in the Olympics on his home soil.
The treaty allows foreign troops to be stationed on Japanese soil with strict limits.
文法句型
possessive + soil
on/into + adjective + soil
用法筆記
Found chiefly in formal or literary contexts. Typically appears with a possessive adjective ('his native soil') or an adjective preceding it ('foreign soil', 'home soil'). Rarely used as a simple countable noun.
常見錯誤
3. the occupation or way of life of a farmer; agricultural work seen as a tradition
the occupation or way of life of a farmer; agricultural work seen as a traditional or meaningful activity.
Theo's grandfather, a man of the soil, worked the same land for fifty years.
idiom: a man of the soil
The Tanaka family lived by the soil for centuries, growing rice in the mountain valley.
collocation: live by the soil
Priya left her city job and returned to the soil to start a vegetable farm.
Old poems celebrate the dignity of those who work the soil with their hands.
Adina went back to the soil, taking over the small organic farm her parents began.
- farming
more direct and practical; refers to the activity itself
- agriculture
formal, industry-focused term
文法句型
the soil (as a way of life)
man/woman of the soil
work the soil
用法筆記
Restricted to fixed expressions such as 'a man/woman of the soil' (a farmer), 'work the soil' (work as a farmer), or 'live by the soil' (earn a living from farming). Sounds literary or old-fashioned in modern English.
常見錯誤
soil — verb
- soilpresent simple I / you / we / they
- soils3rd person singular
- soiling-ing form
- soiledpast simple
1. to get dirt, mud, or waste onto the surface of something, making it no longer cl
to get dirt, mud, or waste onto the surface of something, making it no longer clean.
Sofie soiled her new white trousers when she sat down on the wet grass.
The baby had soiled her nappy by the time the plane landed in Tokyo.
common object: soil a nappy / diaper
Obi asked the children to remove muddy boots so they would not soil the carpet.
The puppy soiled the kitchen floor while everyone in the house was fast asleep.
Christopher soiled his hands and shirt while repairing the rusty old garden fence.
文法句型
soil + object
be/get soiled
soil + oneself
用法筆記
Frequently used for babies soiling their nappies or for pet accidents. Less common in everyday speech than 'dirty', 'get dirty', or 'make a mess'. Can be used figuratively: 'to soil one's reputation' (formal).