tom

/tɒm/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑm] /tɑːm/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɑm] /ˈtäm How to pronounce tom (audio)/ (ame, mw)

tom — noun

  • tomsingular
  • tomsplural

1. an adult male cat that is not neutered, often larger and more territorial than a

1.名詞B1
釋義

an adult male cat that is not neutered, often larger and more territorial than a neutered male or a female cat

例句

A large ginger tom had been sleeping on the shed roof all afternoon.

collocation: ginger tom

The stray tom kept coming into our garden to fight with our cat.

同義詞
  • tomcat

    the standard full form; 'tomcat' is more common in both spoken and written English

反義詞
  • queen

    an adult female cat, used especially in breeding contexts

  • molly

    an adult female cat, commonly used by breeders and veterinarians

文法句型

a tom

用法筆記

Used less often than the full form 'tomcat'. Frequently used with a colour adjective (e.g. 'black tom', 'ginger tom').

常見錯誤

❌I saw a tom walking down the street' (vague context; does not establish 'cat').
✅I saw a tom cat walking down the street.
💡'tom' by itself may confuse learners; use 'tomcat' or establish the topic of cats first.

2. an adult male turkey, larger than the female and with more brightly coloured fea

2.名詞B2
釋義

an adult male turkey, larger than the female and with more brightly coloured feathers and a larger wattle

例句

The farmer raised twenty hens and one tom for breeding on the small family farm in Wales.

sizing context: [number] hens and [number] tom[s]

A huge tom strutted across the yard, fanning its tail feathers in front of the hens.

同義詞
  • gobbler

    informal term for a male turkey, based on the sound it makes

反義詞
  • hen

    an adult female turkey

文法句型

a tom

用法筆記

Usually specified when distinguishing between male and female turkeys in farming or wildlife contexts. When referring to the meat, speakers typically say 'turkey' rather than 'tom'.

3. a cylindrical drum of medium size, used in a drum set and played with sticks or

3.名詞B2
釋義

a cylindrical drum of medium size, used in a drum set and played with sticks or brushes to produce a resonant pitched note

例句

Andrei adjusted the angle of his floor tom before starting the rehearsal.

compound noun: floor tom

The drummer's kit has two rack toms and one floor tom mounted above the bass drum.

collocation: rack tom / floor tom

同義詞
  • tom-tom

    older full form; still used in traditional and orchestral percussion contexts

文法句型

a tom

toms

用法筆記

Almost always used as part of a larger drum set. The full form 'tom-tom' is now rare in modern music contexts — most drummers say 'tom'.

4. a short, informal way of saying 'tomato', used mainly in British English in casu

4.名詞B1
釋義

a short, informal way of saying 'tomato', used mainly in British English in casual speech or on shopping lists

例句

Brooke picked up a tin of toms and a head of lettuce at the corner shop.

informal register: 'tin of toms'

The recipe calls for four fresh toms, chopped roughly and added to the pan.

文法句型

a tom

toms

用法筆記

Primarily British and informal. Avoid in formal writing. The clipped form 'tom' for 'tomato' is much less common than 'toms' in the plural.

常見錯誤

❌Please buy a tom for the salad.
✅Please buy a tomato for the salad.
💡In many English varieties 'tom' is not recognised; use 'tomato' unless you are sure the listener will understand the clipping.