whiskers

whiskers — noun

1. The stiff, touch-sensitive hairs that grow around the nose and mouth of animals

1.名詞A2
釋義

The stiff, touch-sensitive hairs that grow around the nose and mouth of animals such as cats, dogs, and mice, helping them sense nearby objects and movement.

例句

The neighbour's cat has long white whiskers that curl at the tips.

collocation: long white whiskers

Arjun watched the mouse's delicate whiskers brush against the wall as it crept along.

同義詞
  • bristles

    shorter and stiffer hairs, like those on a brush or a pig's back; not specific to the face or sensory function

  • vibrissae

    the scientific term for animal whiskers; too technical for everyday conversation

文法句型

usually in plural: whiskers

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural form (whiskers). The singular (whisker) is rare in this sense and usually appears in the fixed phrase 'by a whisker' meaning by an extremely small amount.

常見錯誤

❌The cat has a long white whisker on each side of its nose.
✅The cat has long white whiskers on each side of its nose.
💡Whiskers is almost always used in the plural form.

2. A man's facial hair, particularly the growth on the cheeks, chin, and jawline th

2.名詞B1
釋義

A man's facial hair, particularly the growth on the cheeks, chin, and jawline that forms part of a beard.

例句

Bilal grew thick whiskers over the winter and decided to keep them.

collocation: grew thick whiskers

Olivia's grandfather had white whiskers that tickled her cheek when he hugged her.

同義詞
  • beard

    covers the chin, cheeks, and jaw more fully than whiskers, which often refers specifically to the sides

  • mustache

    only the hair growing on the upper lip, not the sides or chin

  • sideburns

    the strips of hair growing down the sides of the face in front of the ears; more specific than whiskers

文法句型

usually in plural: whiskers

用法筆記

Unlike 'beard' (which covers the chin and jaw fully) or 'mustache' (hair above the upper lip), 'whiskers' often emphasises the hair on the cheeks and sides of the face. Also used in the plural form only.

常見錯誤

❌He shaved his whisker before the party.
✅He shaved his whiskers before the party.
💡Whiskers is almost always used in the plural.