tattoos
tattoos — noun
- tattoossingular
- tattoosesplural
1. A picture, word, or decorative mark that stays on a person's skin after being ma
A picture, word, or decorative mark that stays on a person's skin after being made with a needle that pushes ink under the surface, often lasting for many years.
Lakshmi got a small tattoo of a lotus flower on her wrist after finishing college.
tattoo + of + design; tattoo + on + body part
The artist warned Omar that the large dragon tattoo would need three sessions to complete.
Yumi designed her own flower tattoo and had the shop put it on her shoulder.
Mauricio covered his old tattoo with a bigger tiger design on his upper arm.
Before getting his first tattoo, Chidi asked the artist about cleaning the skin afterward.
文法句型
tattoo + of + design
tattoo + on + body part
用法筆記
Countable noun. Often used with 'get' (get a tattoo) or 'have' (has a tattoo on his arm). Temporary tattoos that wash off after a few days are also called tattoos.
常見錯誤
2. An outdoor public performance in which soldiers march to music and carry out cer
An outdoor public performance in which soldiers march to music and carry out ceremonial movements, often with marching bands playing instruments.
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings thousands of visitors to the castle every August.
the Edinburgh Military Tattoo (proper name for a famous event)
Anong watched a tattoo where marching bands from three Asian countries played together.
The annual military tattoo featured bagpipers and soldiers in traditional red uniforms.
Henrik bought tickets for the tattoo months before the summer festival began.
- military pageant
formal term for a grand military spectacle, often indoors
文法句型
the + [place name] + Tattoo
military tattoo
用法筆記
This sense is capitalized (Tattoo) when part of a specific event name, such as the Edinburgh Military Tattoo or the Royal International Air Tattoo. Common in British and Commonwealth English.
3. A short rhythmic sound made by beating a drum or playing a bugle that gives an o
A short rhythmic sound made by beating a drum or playing a bugle that gives an order to soldiers, especially telling them it is time to head back to sleeping quarters for the night.
The drummer sounded the tattoo to tell all soldiers to return to their quarters.
sound the tattoo (fixed collocation)
Jude heard the bugle tattoo echo across the camp just before the sun went down.
In old army camps, the tattoo told troops the working day was finished.
The sound of the tattoo told everyone the camp was closing for the night.
- drumbeat
general term for any sound made by a drum; broader and more common
- bugle call
specific to a brass instrument signal rather than a drum
- reveille
the morning bugle call that wakes soldiers up
文法句型
sound the tattoo
play the tattoo
用法筆記
Historically, this sense is related to the military-show sense above, but refers only to the sound itself, not the whole performance. The opposite signal — waking soldiers in the morning — is called 'reveille.'
4. The activity, skill, or business of putting designs onto people's skin using a n
The activity, skill, or business of putting designs onto people's skin using a needle and ink, including the methods and tools that are used.
The shop follows strict hygiene rules during every tattoo to prevent skin infections.
hygiene rules + tattoo (collocation for professional standards)
Yara read books about the art of tattoo before she opened her own studio.
Léa learned traditional tattoo techniques used by artists in cultures all around the world.
Modern tattoo machines use electricity to push ink in much faster than older hand tools.
- tattooing
the more common term for the process, used in everyday language
- body modification
a broader category that also includes piercings, scarification, and branding
文法句型
the art of tattoo
tattoo + noun (as modifier)
用法筆記
Uncountable in this sense — you cannot say 'a tattoo' when referring to the activity. 'The art of tattoo' or 'the practice of tattooing' are common collocations. Distinguish from sense 1 (the physical mark) which is countable.
常見錯誤
tattoos — verb
- tattoospresent simple I / you / we / they
- tattooses3rd person singular
- tattoosing-ing form
- tattoosedpast simple
1. To make a permanent picture, word, or mark on someone's skin by pushing ink unde
To make a permanent picture, word, or mark on someone's skin by pushing ink under the surface using a needle attached to a special machine.
The artist tattooed a crescent moon onto Noa's ankle in less than an hour.
tattooed + [design] + onto + [body part]
Allison decided to tattoo a small bird on her back to remember her grandmother.
Omar tattooed the names of his three children on his chest in black ink.
The technician tattooed the flower outline first and then filled in the colors.
Some people get their wedding rings tattooed onto their fingers instead of wearing metal bands.
- remove
to take a tattoo off the skin using laser treatment
文法句型
tattoo + design + on + body part
get + body part + tattooed
用法筆記
The object can be the design (tattoo a flower) or the body part (tattoo one's arm), though the 'design onto body part' pattern is more common. Frequently used in the passive: 'get tattooed' or 'have something tattooed.'