synchronise

/ˈsɪŋ.krə.naɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪŋ.krə.naɪz/ (ame, ipa)

synchronise — verb

  • synchronisepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • synchronises3rd person singular
  • synchronising-ing form
  • synchronisedpast simple

1. to make two or more events, movements, or processes happen at exactly the same t

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to make two or more events, movements, or processes happen at exactly the same time, or to work together in a planned way — for example, dancers synchronising their steps with the music, or two teams synchronising their work schedules.

例句

Hao and Mayumi synchronised their swimming routines before the competition.

synchronise + plural object (routines)

The dancers' movements were synchronised with the beat of the drum.

passive: be synchronised with [music]

同義詞
  • coordinate

    broader; can mean arranging an orderly sequence or combination, not just simultaneous timing

  • align

    emphasises bringing things into line or agreement rather than matching exactly in time

  • time

    verb meaning to arrange for a particular moment; more focused on a single target time

反義詞

文法句型

synchronise + plural object

synchronise + object + with + object

synchronise with + object

be synchronised with + object

用法筆記

This sense can be transitive (synchronise something) or intransitive (the two things synchronise). The intransitive use is rarer but common in technical and computing contexts.

常見錯誤

❌We synchronised the meeting with the presentation' (when meaning we scheduled them conveniently).
✅We scheduled the meeting for the same time as the presentation.
💡'synchronise' implies simultaneous action, not simply convenient timing.
❌The video and audio are not syncing' (informal shortening).
✅The video and audio are not synchronised.
💡'sync' is a common informal clipping but may not be appropriate in formal writing.

2. to adjust two or more clocks, watches, or other timing devices so that they all

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to adjust two or more clocks, watches, or other timing devices so that they all show exactly the same time — for example, synchronising your watch with a station clock, or synchronising all the computers in an office network.

例句

Before the race began, Zuri synchronised her stopwatch with the official timer.

synchronise + device + with + reference

Selim synchronised his phone with the computer clock so that both devices showed the same time.

同義詞
  • set

    simpler and more general; does not imply matching multiple devices to each other

  • calibrate

    more technical; suggests adjusting to a standard, not just matching two devices

文法句型

synchronise + device + with + reference

synchronise + plural devices

be synchronised to + time signal

用法筆記

Object is typically a timepiece or device. The reference can be introduced by 'with' (synchronise X with Y) or 'to' (synchronise X to Y) — 'to' is more common with external signals or standards.

常見錯誤

❌I synchronised my watch to the wall.
✅I synchronised my watch with the station clock.
💡the object of 'with'/'to' must be another timepiece or time signal, not a physical object.