terraces
terraces — noun
1. A level stretch of ground that sits higher than the land around it, often with a
A level stretch of ground that sits higher than the land around it, often with a wall or slope marking its edge.
Hoa stood at the edge of the terrace, looking down at the river below.
The hotel's terrace offered a wide view of the old city and the harbour.
The gardeners built a stone terrace in the front garden to level the sloping ground.
The terrace of the ancient temple looked out across the whole valley.
From the terrace, Amara could see the whole village spread out in the valley below.
2. A paved or grassy area next to a house, used for sitting, eating, or entertainin
A paved or grassy area next to a house, used for sitting, eating, or entertaining guests in the open air.
Salma set the table on the terrace for a family dinner outside.
On warm evenings, the family ate their meals on the stone terrace behind the kitchen.
collocation: stone terrace, ate on the terrace
Naoko planted roses in large pots along the edge of the terrace.
The small house had a charming terrace where the owners had coffee each morning.
After the rain, Kemi swept the water off the terrace before the guests arrived.
用法筆記
Subject is typically a house, flat, restaurant, or café. Distinct from a balcony, which is raised above ground level and attached to an upper floor.
常見錯誤
3. A flat strip cut into a hillside, forming one of a series of step-like levels th
A flat strip cut into a hillside, forming one of a series of step-like levels that allow farmers to grow crops on steep slopes.
Rice farmers in the mountains carved terraces into the steep hillsides centuries ago.
The narrow terraces followed the curve of the hill, each planted with a different crop.
Erik photographed the bright green terraces that covered the valley slopes in northern Vietnam.
Building terraces stops soil from washing away when heavy rains fall on the hillside.
The village grew its food on terraces cut into the mountainside above the river.
- contour strip
a technical term in agriculture and land management, rarely used in everyday English
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural. Most commonly associated with rice farming in East and Southeast Asia, though the technique exists worldwide.
常見錯誤
4. A broad stepped section in a sports ground where spectators watch the match whil
A broad stepped section in a sports ground where spectators watch the match while standing, traditionally found in British football stadiums.
The loudest supporters always stood on the terraces behind the goal.
Rohan watched the match from the terraces, squeezed between hundreds of chanting fans.
collocation: on the terraces, watched from the terraces
The old stadium still had standing terraces at both ends of the pitch.
After the goal, the whole terrace erupted in shouts and waving scarves.
Nila stood on the terraces at Celtic Park, singing with the home fans after the goal.
- seats
individual seated places, as opposed to the standing-room terraces
用法筆記
Often used in the plural. After the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, standing terraces were phased out of top-division English football in favour of all-seater stadiums. Distinguish from sense 3 (agriculture) — these are for people, not crops.
常見錯誤
5. A connected line of houses that share side walls with their neighbours, usually
A connected line of houses that share side walls with their neighbours, usually built to a matching design on the same street.
Valentina bought a small house in a quiet terrace near the town centre.
British usage: terrace meaning a row of houses
The whole terrace was painted the same cream colour, with matching front doors.
Sophia's terrace had no front garden; the front door opened straight onto the pavement.
Stefan lived in a Victorian terrace that shared walls with neighbours on both sides.
- row houses
the standard American English term for the same style of housing
- townhouses
similar attached houses but often larger and sometimes spread over multiple floors
- detached house
a house that stands alone with no shared walls, the opposite of a terraced house
用法筆記
This meaning is common in British English. The word can refer both to the row of houses as a whole and to an individual house within such a row. American English uses 'row house' or 'townhouse' for similar housing.