amplify

/ˈæmplɪfaɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈæmplɪfaɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈam-plə-ˌfī/ (ame, mw)

amplify — 動詞

  • amplifypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • amplifieshe / she / it
  • amplifiedpast simple
  • amplifying-ing form

1. to use a device or piece of equipment to make a sound or signal stronger so that

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

擴音；放大

用器材讓聲音或訊號變大

to use a device or piece of equipment to make a sound or signal stronger so that people can hear it more easily.

例句

The small speakers amplified Vivek's voice so the whole crowd could hear his speech.

小型喇叭擴音了 Vivek 的聲音，讓全場觀眾都聽得到他的演講。

amplify + voice/sound (typical object)

Noa adjusted the microphone to amplify the singer's quiet vocals during the second verse.

Noa 調整麥克風，把歌手在第二段的輕柔嗓音放大。

amplify + vocals/voice (audio production context)

同義詞
  • boost

    informal; common for radio or wireless signals

  • magnify

    more general; can apply to sight as well as sound

反義詞
  • muffle

    to make a sound quieter or less clear

  • dampen

    to reduce the strength of a sound or vibration

文法句型

amplify + [sound/voice/signal]

用法筆記

Subject is typically a device (speaker, microphone, amplifier, antenna) or a person operating one. Object is almost always a sound, voice, or electronic signal.

常見錯誤

❌Amir amplified the volume on the radio.
✅Amir turned up the volume on the radio.
💡you amplify a sound or signal, not the volume control itself.

2. to make a feeling, problem, risk, or effect stronger or more noticeable, often w

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

加劇；強化

讓感受、風險或影響變得更明顯

to make a feeling, problem, risk, or effect stronger or more noticeable, often without intending to.

例句

Social media posts can amplify public anger after a single careless remark by a politician.

社群媒體的貼文，可能因為政治人物一句失言，就加劇大眾的憤怒。

amplify + anger/outrage (figurative effect)

The heavy rain amplified the risk of flooding in villages along the river.

大雨加劇了沿河村莊淹水的風險。

amplify + risk (typical abstract object)

同義詞
  • intensify

    very close in meaning; slightly more neutral about cause

  • heighten

    often used with awareness, fear, or tension

  • magnify

    emphasizes making something look or feel bigger than it is

反義詞
  • reduce

    to make smaller in size or effect

  • ease

    to make a problem or feeling less serious

文法句型

amplify + [feeling/risk/effect]

用法筆記

Distinct from sense 1: the object is abstract (a feeling, risk, problem, effect), not a sound. The increase is often unwanted or a side effect, not a deliberate action.

常見錯誤

❌Roya amplified her happiness when she got the job.
✅Roya's happiness grew when she got the job.
💡'amplify' usually takes an external force as subject, not the person feeling the emotion.

3. to say more about a statement, story, or idea by giving extra information or exp

3.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

詳述；補述

對說法、故事再做更多說明

to say more about a statement, story, or idea by giving extra information or explaining the smaller parts of it.

例句

The minister was asked to amplify her brief remarks about the new education policy.

部長被要求就新的教育政策，對她簡短的發言再做詳述。

amplify + remarks/statement (formal context)

Christopher amplified his point with two short stories from his time as a school nurse.

Christopher 以他擔任校護期間的兩個小故事，補充說明他的論點。

amplify + point + with [examples]

同義詞
  • elaborate

    more common in everyday English; often paired with 'on'

  • expand

    general; can also mean to make physically larger

  • expound

    very formal; usually about theories or ideas

反義詞
  • summarize

    to give the main points in a short form

  • condense

    to make a piece of writing or speech shorter

文法句型

amplify + [statement/point]

amplify on + [topic]

用法筆記

Formal; common in journalism, law, and academic writing. Often appears in passive constructions ('was asked to amplify') or with the preposition 'on'. Distinct from sense 2 in that the object is a piece of speech or writing, not a feeling.

常見錯誤

❌Linh amplified her homework with more questions.
✅Linh added more questions to her homework.
💡'amplify' in this sense applies to a statement, argument, or story, not to a task or object.