unerring

/ʌnˈɜːrɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ʌnˈɜːrɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈer-iŋ How to pronounce unerring (audio) ˌən-ˈər- How to pronounce unerring (audio)/ (ame, mw)

unerring — adjective

  • unerringpositive
  • more unerringcomparative
  • most unerringsuperlative

1. describing a throw or shot that consistently reaches what it is aimed at, withou

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a throw or shot that consistently reaches what it is aimed at, without ever missing the mark.

例句

The archer's unerring aim sent the arrow straight into the centre of the gold ring.

collocation: unerring aim

Even in heavy rain, the hawk made an unerring dive toward the rabbit.

attributive position before noun (dive)

同義詞
  • accurate

    more common and not limited to physical targeting; 'accurate' can apply to figures, predictions, or descriptions, while 'unerring' emphasises perfect consistency

  • infallible

    stronger — suggests absolute certainty in any circumstance; 'infallible' is less common than 'unerring' and often carries religious or philosophical overtones

  • faultless

    focuses on the absence of mistakes in performance; 'unerring' implies a natural or trained ability rather than a one-time flawless result

反義詞
  • erratic

    suggests unpredictable, unreliable performance — the opposite of consistent accuracy

文法句型

unerring + noun (aim, accuracy, shot)

用法筆記

Almost always used attributively (before a noun). The noun is typically something related to aim or hitting (shot, throw, dive, arrow).

常見錯誤

He threw the ball with unerring.
He threw the ball with unerring accuracy.
💡'unerring' is an adjective and must modify a noun; it cannot stand alone as an object of a preposition.

2. of a person's judgment, instinct, or ability — always making the right decision

2.形容詞C1
釋義

of a person's judgment, instinct, or ability — always making the right decision without ever being wrong.

例句

Dahlia has an unerring instinct for choosing the right gift for every person.

collocation: unerring instinct

The detective's unerring judgment helped him solve cases that had confused others.

collocation: unerring judgment

同義詞
  • infallible

    broader — can mean 'never wrong about anything,' whereas 'unerring' is usually limited to a specific skill (judgment, taste, instinct)

  • impeccable

    focuses on flawlessness of taste or behaviour; 'impeccable' is more about social or aesthetic standards, 'unerring' about correctness of judgment

反義詞
  • fallible

    the direct opposite — capable of making mistakes or errors

文法句型

unerring + noun (judgment, instinct, sense)

用法筆記

Like sense 1, predominantly used attributively. The nouns that follow are abstract — judgment, instinct, taste, feel, sense. This sense cannot describe physical aim or targeting.

常見錯誤

My grandmother was unerring.
My grandmother had unerring judgment.
💡'unerring' is almost never used predicatively (after 'be') in natural English; pair it with a following noun.