spectrum

/ˈspektrəm/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈspektrəm/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈspek-trəm/ (ame, mw)

spectrum — noun

  • spectrumsingular
  • spectrumsplural

1. The full range of different types of light, radio waves, sound waves, or other f

1.名詞B2
釋義

The full range of different types of light, radio waves, sound waves, or other forms of wave-like energy, arranged by wavelength or frequency. When white light passes through a prism, the visible part of this range appears as a band of colours — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet.

例句

When sunlight passes through a glass prism, it spreads into a spectrum of seven colours.

collocation: spectrum of colours

Radio telescopes detect waves from across the entire electromagnetic spectrum.

collocation: electromagnetic spectrum

同義詞
  • range

    more general, does not specifically imply waves or colours

  • continuum

    emphasises an unbroken sequence, more formal

  • array

    suggests an ordered display rather than a natural band

文法句型

the [adjective] spectrum

spectrum of + colours / waves / frequencies

用法筆記

Frequently used in scientific writing where the plural 'spectra' is standard (e.g., 'mass spectra', 'emission spectra'). Non-specialists normally use the singular form.

常見錯誤

❌The light created a spectra of colours.
✅The light created a spectrum of colours.
💡'Spectra' is the plural form, not a singular noun.

2. A wide range of different opinions, beliefs, needs, situations, or qualities tha

2.名詞B2
釋義

A wide range of different opinions, beliefs, needs, situations, or qualities that exist between two opposite extremes. The two ends represent the most opposing positions, and everything in between is part of the spectrum.

例句

Opinions at the town meeting covered the whole political spectrum, from left to right.

collocation: political spectrum

The clinic offers support for people at every point on the autism spectrum.

collocation: autism spectrum

同義詞
  • range

    more neutral and common; spectrum implies polar opposites more strongly

  • gamut

    suggests the complete set from one extreme to the other, often in emotional contexts

  • continuum

    emphasises that the categories blend into each other without clear boundaries

文法句型

a spectrum of + plural noun

across the spectrum

cover the spectrum

range across the spectrum

on the spectrum

用法筆記

Often paired with 'from X to Y' to name the two poles. The phrase 'on the spectrum' (without qualification) is commonly understood in everyday English as shorthand for 'on the autism spectrum', though this can be ambiguous in formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌There is a wide spectrum between good and evil.
✅There is a wide spectrum of moral positions between good and evil.
💡'Spectrum' describes a range of items in between two poles, not a gap between them.