step stool

step stool — noun

1. a low, compact piece of furniture with small built-in stairs, used as both a sea

1.名詞B1
釋義

a low, compact piece of furniture with small built-in stairs, used as both a seat and a short platform for reaching things overhead that are just above arm's reach

例句

Soraya stood on a step stool to reach the top shelf of the kitchen cupboard.

stand on + step stool + infinitive of purpose

A small step stool was kept behind the pantry door for reaching the high hooks.

passive: was kept for + purpose

同義詞
  • stool

    a general term for any backless seat; not all stools have steps for climbing

  • step ladder

    taller and folds into an A-frame; used for tasks at ceiling height, not just above arm's reach

  • footstool

    lower and designed for resting the feet, not for standing on

用法筆記

Unlike a full ladder, a step stool is short — typically under sixty centimetres — and is meant for reaching things just out of arm's reach, not for ceiling-height tasks. Many step stools fold up and double as a regular seat.

常見錯誤

❌Can you hand me that ladder?' (for a small step stool).
✅Can you hand me the step stool?
💡a ladder is taller and folds into an A-shape; a step stool is shorter and has only one or two steps.
❌I need a step to reach the shelf.
✅I need a step stool to reach the shelf.
💡saying 'step' alone sounds like you mean a single stair, not the piece of furniture.