staples
staples — noun
- staplessingular
- staplesesplural
1. A small thin wire bent into a U-shape that is pushed through sheets of paper and
A small thin wire bent into a U-shape that is pushed through sheets of paper and folded flat on the other side to hold the pages together.
Eli pushed two staples through the corner of his report.
collocation: push staples through [paper]
The photocopier ran out of staples halfway through the big print job.
collocation: run out of staples
Sari removed the old staples carefully before shredding the documents.
A single staple held the receipt to the delivery note.
The corner of the poster tore where the staple had gone through.
- paper fastener
a more general term; can include paper clips, which do not pierce the paper
用法筆記
Countable. People often say 'a staple' for one piece and 'staples' for a collection. The tool that pushes staples through paper is called a 'stapler', not a 'staple'.
常見錯誤
2. A metal fastener shaped like the letter U, with pointed ends that is hammered in
A metal fastener shaped like the letter U, with pointed ends that is hammered into wood or a wall to keep wires, cables, or fencing held firmly in place.
Ilan hammered staples into the fence posts to hold the chicken wire tight.
collocation: hammer staples into [surface]
The electrician used special insulated staples for the new kitchen wiring.
Omar pulled the old rusty staples out of the wooden beam one by one.
There were six staples holding the rope tight against the barn wall.
The gardener drove a heavy staple into the post with two firm hits.
- U-nail
similar fastener, but usually larger and used in heavy construction
- fencing staple
specifically the type used to attach wire fencing to posts
用法筆記
These staples are larger and stronger than paper staples. They are often used outdoors and hammered in rather than pressed with a stapler.
3. A food, product, or activity that forms a basic, regular, and important part of
A food, product, or activity that forms a basic, regular, and important part of something — for example, rice as a staple of Asian cooking, or a morning walk as a staple of someone's daily routine.
Rice has been a staple of the local diet for centuries.
pattern: a staple of [diet/economy/routine]
Sayaka stocked flour, sugar, and other kitchen staples on the top shelf.
collocation: kitchen staples / pantry staples
Tourism is now a staple of the island's small economy.
Friday night pizza became a staple of the family's weekly routine.
Mira packed tea, dried fruit, and other camp staples for the long hike.
- mainstay
more often used about people or institutions that provide essential support
- cornerstone
more metaphorical; emphasises something fundamental that everything else depends on
- essential
broader — refers to anything necessary, not necessarily a regular item
- luxury
something expensive and not necessary for daily life
文法句型
a staple of [something]
用法筆記
Often used in the pattern 'a staple of [something]'. When referring to food, 'staple' means a food eaten very regularly, not just any basic food.
常見錯誤
staples — adjective
- staplespositive
- more staplescomparative
- most staplessuperlative
1. Forming the most basic, regular, or important part of a set — for example, a sta
Forming the most basic, regular, or important part of a set — for example, a staple ingredient that appears in most dishes, or a staple topic that comes up in most conversations.
Rice is the staple food in many parts of Asia.
collocation: staple food / staple diet
Sana's staple breakfast was toast with butter and a boiled egg.
The singer performed her staple hits at every concert on the tour.
Cooking oil is a staple item in every kitchen cupboard.
Mystery novels were Jude's staple reading during the long winter months.
- basic
focuses on the simplest level needed; 'basic training' vs 'staple training' (the latter sounds odd)
- main
highlights what is largest or most important, not necessarily what is regular
- primary
more formal; suggests first in order or rank
- fundamental
more abstract; points to what lies at the very foundation of something
- occasional
happening only sometimes, not regularly
文法句型
staple + [noun]
用法筆記
Always used before a noun. Do not confuse with the noun sense meaning the wire fastener — context makes the difference clear.
常見錯誤
staples — verb
- staplespresent simple I / you / we / they
- stapleses3rd person singular
- staplesing-ing form
- staplesedpast simple
1. To join or fix things together using staples — for example, stapling pages into
To join or fix things together using staples — for example, stapling pages into a booklet, or stapling a notice to a board.
Beatriz stapled the pages of her essay before handing it in.
transitive: staple + [object]
The office worker stapled the invoice to the delivery report.
pattern: staple [A] to [B]
Someone had stapled a poster to the tree outside the café.
Amira carefully stapled the fabric to the wooden frame.
Make sure you staple all four corners of the document.
- remove
take out the staples; the opposite action
文法句型
staple + [object]
staple + [object] + to + [surface]
staple + [object] + together
用法筆記
Typically used for paper and light materials. For heavier fastening such as fences or cables, people more often say 'hammer in staples' or 'fix with staples' rather than just 'staple'.