spam

/spæm/ (bre, ipa) · /spæm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspam/ (ame, mw)

spam — noun

1. electronic messages, typically advertisements or promotions, that are sent in hu

1.名詞B1
釋義

electronic messages, typically advertisements or promotions, that are sent in huge volumes to recipients who never requested them — for example, emails from unknown companies promising prizes or pushing products you never searched for.

例句

Zayd's email inbox was full of spam offering cheap watches and loans.

collocation: full of spam

The company installed a new filter to block spam before it reaches employees.

passive: block spam before it reaches

同義詞
  • junk mail

    broader term that includes unwanted physical postal mail as well as email

  • bulk email

    more neutral; can refer to legitimate mass emails that recipients have agreed to receive

反義詞
  • ham

    internet slang for legitimate, wanted email messages

文法句型

spam + noun (e.g. spam email, spam filter)

uncountable: does not take 'a' or plural -s

用法筆記

Often used as an uncountable noun. It can also appear as a modifier before another noun, as in 'spam folder' or 'spam campaign'.

常見錯誤

❌I received a spam in my inbox.
✅I received spam in my inbox.
💡Spam is uncountable; do not use 'a spam' or 'spams'.

2. a brand of cooked, processed meat, sold in a metal can and prepared chiefly from

2.名詞B2
釋義

a brand of cooked, processed meat, sold in a metal can and prepared chiefly from ground pork that is pressed into a solid block — often sliced and fried or eaten cold in sandwiches.

例句

Paul fried slices of spam in a pan until they turned golden brown.

collocation: slices of spam

The camping trip menu included cans of spam and packets of instant noodles.

同義詞
  • luncheon meat

    the general category; less specific, refers to any processed meat in a can

  • canned ham

    similar product but usually made from whole ham pieces rather than ground pork

文法句型

can/tin of + spam

slice of + spam

用法筆記

This is a trademarked brand name (owned by Hormel Foods) but is often used generically to refer to any canned processed meat. Especially popular in Hawaii, Guam, and parts of East and Southeast Asia.

常見錯誤

❌I bought two spams at the store.
✅I bought two cans of spam at the store.
💡Spam is uncountable; specify containers for quantities.

spam — verb