thermal
/ˈθɜːml/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈθɜːrml/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthər-məl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈθɜː.məl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈθɝː.məl/ (ame, ipa)
thermal — adjective
- thermalpositive
- more thermalcomparative
- most thermalsuperlative
1. involving or produced by heat energy — for example, thermal power stations that
involving or produced by heat energy — for example, thermal power stations that burn fuel to generate electricity, or thermal insulation that stops heat from escaping a building.
The thermal power station near Hiro's town burns coal to make electricity for local homes.
thermal + noun: power station / insulation / energy
Noor wrapped the pipes in thermal material to stop them from freezing during winter.
Mayumi wrapped a rescued bird in a thermal blanket on the way to the vet.
The car's seats have a thermal heating system that warms up on very cold mornings.
Talia borrowed a thermal camera to find water pipes hidden behind her living room wall.
- heat-related
less technical, used in general contexts
- heat
used as a noun modifier ('heat energy'), not equivalent as an adjective
- cold
describes the absence of heat rather than a direct opposite of the adjective thermal
文法句型
thermal + noun
用法筆記
Often appears before a noun as a technical or semi-technical term — common compounds include thermal energy, thermal insulation, thermal conductivity, and thermal imaging. In everyday language, thermal most often describes clothing or building materials rather than abstract heat concepts.
常見錯誤
2. made from a special material that traps body warmth, helping you stay warm in co
made from a special material that traps body warmth, helping you stay warm in cold weather — commonly used for clothing, blankets, curtains, and bedding.
Vivek bought a thermal jacket for his hiking trip in the mountains last month.
thermal + jacket / socks / underwear
Sade wears thermal socks every morning when she walks her dog in the snow.
The children's thermal pyjamas kept them warm even after the heating stopped working at night.
Dylan packed his thermal underwear for the camping trip in the cold forest.
Adina bought thermal curtains for her bedroom to keep the cold air out during winter.
Construction workers on the new hospital site wore thermal gloves all through the cold season.
- lightweight
describes thin clothing without insulation
- breathable
describes fabric that lets air through, opposite of trapping heat
文法句型
thermal + article of clothing
用法筆記
Only applies to items specifically designed with insulating material to retain body heat. An ordinary warm woollen jumper is 'warm' but not 'thermal' unless it has a special insulating lining. Thermal clothing is often worn as a base layer beneath other garments.
常見錯誤
3. relating to water that has been naturally warmed underground by the earth's inte
relating to water that has been naturally warmed underground by the earth's internal heat — used to describe hot springs, pools, spa treatments, or resorts that use geothermally heated water.
The hotel in Japan has a thermal pool fed by hot springs from deep underground.
thermal + pool / bath / spring / spa
Christopher went to a thermal spa in Iceland with water from volcanic rock deep underground.
Thermal springs in New Zealand attract visitors who bathe in the warm mineral water.
The town built a public thermal bath with water from the heated spring.
Noor booked a weekend at a thermal resort with outdoor hot pools and steam rooms.
- geothermal
more technical — refers specifically to heat from the earth's interior
- hot-spring
colloquial compound, used as an adjective ('hot-spring bath')
- cold
describes water at normal ground temperature
文法句型
thermal + water/bath/spring/spa
用法筆記
Almost always appears before a noun describing a water feature or facility. The thermal spring (geological formation) and the thermal bath (man-made pool) are the most common collocations. Distinguish from sense 1 (HEAT-RELATED) — sense 3 is specifically about geothermally heated water, not heat in general.
常見錯誤
4. relating to how a physical material behaves or changes depending on its temperat
relating to how a physical material behaves or changes depending on its temperature — used in science to describe properties such as thermal expansion, thermal motion, thermal equilibrium, and thermal conductivity.
In science class, Maeve measured a metal rod's thermal expansion as it got hot.
thermal + noun: expansion / energy / motion / equilibrium
An ice cube on the table absorbed thermal energy from the air and melted into a puddle.
thermal energy — heat transfer in a concrete scene
Christopher learned about thermal conductivity when he touched a metal spoon left in hot soup.
In science class, Dario watched gas particles move faster on the screen when the heater turned on.
Mira studied how two objects reach thermal equilibrium when they touch each other.
- thermodynamic
more specific — describes heat-to-work conversion and system behaviour
- caloric
historical term for heat-related, now rare in modern physics
文法句型
thermal + noun (property/behaviour)
用法筆記
A technical sense used primarily in physics and materials science. Each compound (thermal expansion, thermal equilibrium, thermal motion) is a distinct scientific term with a precise definition. Not used in everyday conversation. Distinguish from sense 1 (HEAT-RELATED) — sense 4 describes properties and behaviours governed by temperature, not simply things connected with heat.
常見錯誤
thermal — noun
- thermalsingular
- thermalsplural
1. a column of heated air that moves upward from the ground, often used by birds an
a column of heated air that moves upward from the ground, often used by birds and glider pilots to rise without spending their own energy.
Hawks circle in thermals high above the valley while searching for food on the ground.
birds ride thermals to gain height
Glider pilots look for thermals above warm fields to stay in the air longer.
On hot summer days, thermals rise from parking lots and create bumps for light planes.
The eagle caught a strong thermal and rose high without flapping its wings.
Paragliders depend on thermals to stay in the air for hours during good weather conditions.
- downdraft
a downward moving current of air
文法句型
thermal + verb (rise/form/carry)
verb + thermal (ride/catch/find)
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the plural (thermals). Frequently paired with verbs such as ride, catch, find, use, or look for. The singular (a thermal) is used when referring to a specific updraught. Not used for indoor or artificial warm air currents.
常見錯誤
2. items of clothing made from special fabric that holds body heat close to the ski
items of clothing made from special fabric that holds body heat close to the skin, usually worn as a base layer under other clothes in cold weather.
Nikos wore thermals under his shirt when he went skiing in the French Alps.
wear thermals under [+ outer clothing]
The outdoor shop sells thermals for workers who spend long hours outside in freezing weather.
Manuela always packs extra thermals when visiting her family in the cold countryside.
The children put on their thermals before going out to build a snowman.
Dylan bought a new pair of thermals for his winter hike through the national park.
- long johns
informal — specifically refers to thermal underwear for the legs and torso
- base layer
modern term used in sportswear for any close-fitting first layer
- thermal underwear
more formal, less common than simply 'thermals'
文法句型
wear thermals
a pair of thermals
pack thermals
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural (thermals), even when referring to a single garment. You can say 'a pair of thermals' or 'some thermals'. In retail contexts, singular (a thermal) is sometimes used informally to mean a single thermal garment, but this is less common. Refers specifically to insulating base-layer clothing, not to any warm garment.