species
/ˈspiːʃiːz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspiːʃiːz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspē-(ˌ)shēz -(ˌ)sēz/ (ame, mw)
species — noun
- speciessingular
- speciesesplural
1. A group of living organisms that share common physical features and are able to
A group of living organisms that share common physical features and are able to produce young together that can themselves produce more young.
The giant panda is an endangered species found in the mountain forests of central China.
endangered species — common collocation for at-risk organisms
Indra's research team discovered a new species of deep-sea fish near the coast of Japan.
Half of the bird species in this region rely on the local forest to survive.
Each species of coral on the reef helps keep the ecosystem healthy.
Hugo spent the summer identifying plant species along the riverbank with his field guide.
文法句型
species + of + [type of organism]
species + verb (singular or plural depending on context)
用法筆記
Species has the same written form in both singular and plural (one species, two species). Do not write 'specie' as a singular form — specie is a separate word meaning money in coin form. In scientific writing, a binomial Latin name (e.g. Homo sapiens) is used to identify each species precisely.
常見錯誤
2. A particular class of things that share a set of recognisable qualities, making
A particular class of things that share a set of recognisable qualities, making them different from other items within a larger group.
Chidi faced a rare species of problem that the team had never seen before.
a rare species of [abstract noun] — figurative use for types of things
The museum held a strange species of performance art that mixed dance with storytelling.
Meera found a strange species of mushroom with purple spots growing behind her garden shed.
A new species of online fraud has appeared that targets elderly smartphone users.
文法句型
a species of + [abstract noun or thing]
species — adjective
- speciespositive
- more speciescomparative
- most speciessuperlative
1. Describes the original wild form of a plant or animal as it occurs in nature, in
Describes the original wild form of a plant or animal as it occurs in nature, in contrast with a version that has been selectively bred or cross-bred by people.
Garden centres rarely stock species roses, but the wild ones have a lovely simple scent.
species + noun — the original wild form, not a cultivated hybrid
This species tulip grows on Turkish hillsides and has smaller flowers than garden hybrids.
Horticulturists at the botanical garden preserve species orchids that are disappearing from the wild.
Unlike the farmed variety, the species tomato has small fruit and a very strong flavour.
- hybrid
refers to a cross between two different species or varieties
- cultivated
refers to plants that have been selected and grown by people
文法句型
species + noun (used as a modifier before a noun)
用法筆記
This adjective meaning is restricted to technical contexts in horticulture, botany, and conservation biology. It always appears directly before a noun (a species rose, a species tulip). In everyday English, 'species' is almost always a noun.