ample

/ˈæmpl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæmpl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈam-pəl/ (ame, mw)

ample — 形容詞

1. describing an amount, area, or supply that is large enough to comfortably cover

1.形容詞C1
釋義

充足的

份量、空間或時間綽綽有餘的

describing an amount, area, or supply that is large enough to comfortably cover what is needed, with some left over.

例句

The new library gives students ample space to spread out their books and laptops.

新圖書館提供學生充足的空間，可以攤開書本和筆電。

ample + space (room collocation)

Mei left home early so she would have ample time to find the concert hall.

美玲提早出門，這樣就有充裕的時間找到那間音樂廳。

ample + time (most frequent collocation)

同義詞
  • plentiful

    everyday word; works with countable and uncountable nouns alike

  • abundant

    stronger; suggests an overflowing supply, often of natural resources

  • sufficient

    neutral; only means 'just enough', not 'more than enough'

反義詞
  • insufficient

    formal opposite; not enough to meet a need

  • scant

    literary; barely any at all

文法句型

ample + noun (time, space, evidence, opportunity)

用法筆記

Almost always sits before a noun, not after a linking verb (you say 'ample time', not 'the time was ample'). Common nouns are time, space, room, evidence, opportunity, and supply.

常見錯誤

❌The room was ample for ten people.
✅The room was big enough for ten people.
💡'ample' usually goes before a noun, not after 'be'.
❌I have ample friends in Taipei.
✅I have plenty of friends in Taipei.
💡'ample' is used with uncountable nouns or abstract amounts, not with countable people.

2. used as a polite or flattering way to describe a person's body, or part of it, a

2.形容詞C2
釋義

豐滿的

委婉形容身材圓潤豐腴

used as a polite or flattering way to describe a person's body, or part of it, as rounded and generous in size rather than slim.

例句

Aunt Beatrice greeted me with a warm hug and her ample bosom nearly knocked off my glasses.

碧翠絲阿姨給了我一個熱情的擁抱，她豐滿的胸部差點撞掉我的眼鏡。

ample + bosom (classic euphemism)

The tailor adjusted the silk dress to flatter Mrs. Okafor's ample figure.

裁縫師調整這件絲質洋裝，好襯托歐卡佛太太豐滿的身材。

ample + figure (polite description)

同義詞
  • buxom

    specifically of women, focused on the chest area

  • full-figured

    modern, polite alternative often used in fashion and clothing sizes

  • rotund

    more humorous; suggests a roundly plump shape, often of older men

反義詞
  • slender

    polite opposite; thin in an attractive way

  • slight

    describes a small, narrow build

文法句型

ample + body-part noun (figure, bosom, hips, frame)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense only describes human bodies or body parts (figure, bosom, hips, frame, waistline), and carries a softer, often complimentary tone where 'fat' or 'large' would feel rude. Almost always pre-modifies a body-part noun.

常見錯誤

❌He has an ample stomach problem.
✅He has a big stomach problem.
💡sense 2 describes the size of a body part, not the seriousness of an issue.
❌She felt ample after the meal.
✅She felt full after the meal.
💡'ample' does not describe how a person feels; it describes shape or amount.