vicissitude

IPA/vɪˈsɪsɪtjuːd/
KK[vˌɪsˈɪsɪtud]IPA/vɪˈsɪsɪtuːd/

vicissitude — noun

1. A change in your situation or conditions — especially a difficult one — that hap

1.名詞C2
釋義

A change in your situation or conditions — especially a difficult one — that happens over time and must be dealt with as part of life, work, or a particular activity.

例句

Felipe learned to accept the vicissitudes of running a business, from good months to bad.

the vicissitudes of + gerund (running a business)

The novel follows the Noor family through the vicissitudes of life over three generations.

the vicissitudes of life

同義詞
  • ups and downs

    More informal and conversational; 'vicissitudes' is formal and literary

  • hardship

    Focuses only on the difficulty aspect, whereas 'vicissitudes' includes both good and bad changes

  • turbulence

    Implies violent or chaotic change; 'vicissitudes' can refer to calmer, gradual shifts as well

反義詞
  • stability

    A state without change or difficulty, opposite of the changes implied by 'vicissitudes'

  • constancy

    The quality of staying the same, whereas 'vicissitudes' emphasises change

文法句型

the vicissitudes of [something]

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form 'vicissitudes'. Frequently followed by 'of + noun phrase' to specify the domain where changes occur (e.g. 'the vicissitudes of life / politics / the market').

常見錯誤

❌The vicissitude of the weather surprised everyone.
✅The vicissitudes of the weather surprised everyone.
💡'vicissitude' is almost always used in the plural 'vicissitudes' when referring to changes and difficulties in a situation.