temperatures
temperatures — noun
- temperaturessingular
- temperaturesesplural
1. how hot or cold something is, measured with a thermometer and usually shown in d
how hot or cold something is, measured with a thermometer and usually shown in degrees.
The weather forecast said temperatures would reach 40 degrees in Madrid this weekend.
plural: temperatures + location + value
Mira checked the temperature of the oven before putting the bread in to bake.
countable: the temperature of [object]
Scientists have been recording ocean temperatures around the world for more than a century.
The nurse took the child's temperature with a digital thermometer and recorded it.
Temperatures in the desert can drop by over fifteen degrees after sunset.
文法句型
[countable] temperatures in/at [place]
[uncountable] the temperature of/of [something]
take/record/check someone's temperature
用法筆記
Can be countable ('a temperature of 100°C') when referring to a specific measurement, or uncountable ('Temperature affects plant growth') when speaking generally about the concept.
常見錯誤
2. a condition in which a person's body is hotter than the normal level of about 37
a condition in which a person's body is hotter than the normal level of about 37 degrees Celsius, usually because of an illness or infection.
Elena had a high temperature and stayed home from school for two days.
collocation: have a high temperature
If your baby's temperature rises above 39 degrees, you should call the doctor right away.
Megan was shivering in bed even though the nurse said she was running a temperature.
The doctor checked Nikos and said his temperature was finally back to normal.
- fever
more direct medical term; 'temperature' is the everyday word, 'fever' is slightly more formal or clinical
- high temperature
a slightly more explicit version of the same meaning
文法句型
have/run a temperature
have a high temperature
temperature + verb (rises, goes up, comes down)
用法筆記
When temperature is used in this fever sense, speakers normally say 'a temperature' (with the indefinite article) rather than 'the temperature'. 'Run a temperature' and 'have a temperature' are the most common verb collocations.
常見錯誤
3. how strongly people feel anger, disagreement, or excitement in a situation where
how strongly people feel anger, disagreement, or excitement in a situation where conflict or a big change might happen.
Political temperatures have been rising since the election results were announced.
collocation: political + temperatures rise
Hao tried to lower the temperature of the argument by making a joke.
collocation: lower the temperature (of an argument)
Temperatures ran high during the staff meeting when the company announced possible job cuts.
Soraya felt the temperature in the room rise as neither side would agree.
The coach asked the teams to cool down and lower the temperature before fighting started.
文法句型
temperatures rise / run high
lower the temperature
political / racial / social temperatures
用法筆記
This metaphorical sense is almost always used with verbs of change: 'rise', 'run high', 'lower'. It does NOT combine with precise numbers (do not say 'the temperature reached 85 in the room' when describing tension).