core
/kɔːr/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɔr] /kɔːr/ (ame, ipa) · [kˈɔr] /ˈkȯr/ (ame, mw) · /kɔː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /-kɔːr/ (bre, ipa) · [kˈɔr] /-kɔːr/ (ame, ipa)
core — 動詞
- corepresent simple I / you / we / they
- cores3rd person singular
- coring-ing form
- coredpast simple
1. to cut away the hard, seed-filled centre of a fruit such as an apple or a pear,
去核
去除水果的果核
to cut away the hard, seed-filled centre of a fruit such as an apple or a pear, usually before eating it or using it in cooking
Adisa cored the apple and sliced it into thin pieces for the pie.
Adisa 把蘋果去核後切成薄片，準備放進派裡。
Before adding the pears to the salad, Salma cored and chopped them.
Salma 在把梨子加入沙拉之前，先將它們去核並切塊。
core and chop + noun for food preparation
The recipe says to core the pears first, then boil them with sugar and cinnamon.
食譜上說要先將梨子去核，然後加糖和肉桂一起煮。
Maja cored six apples in under two minutes using the new kitchen gadget.
Maja 用了不到兩分鐘就把六顆蘋果去核完畢，用的是那把新廚房工具。
Reuben showed his daughter how to core an apple without cutting herself.
Reuben 教女兒如何幫蘋果去核才不會割到自己。
文法句型
core + noun (fruit)
用法筆記
Object is always a fruit — usually an apple, pear, or pineapple. The verb is most common in recipe instructions and cooking contexts.
常見錯誤
core — 名詞
- coresingular
- coresplural
1. The most central, basic, or important part of an idea, system, problem, or set o
核心；精髓
事物最重要、最根本的中心部分
The most central, basic, or important part of an idea, system, problem, or set of beliefs — the part that makes everything else possible or meaningful.
The core of the problem is a lack of clean drinking water in the village.
這個問題的核心，是村裡缺乏乾淨的飲用水。
the core of + noun (the most central element)
Putri believes that honesty is at the core of every strong friendship.
Putri 相信，誠實是每一段深厚友誼的核心。
at the core of — phrase for stating the essential nature
These three topics form the core of the training course for new nurses.
這三個主題構成了護理師培訓課程的核心。
At its core, the novel is a story about forgiveness and hope.
這本小說的核心，其實是一個關於寬恕與希望的故事。
The company’s core is still manufacturing bicycle parts, not software.
這家公司的核心業務仍然是生產自行車零件，而不是軟體。
- heart
More emotional or figurative; 'the heart of the matter' suggests feeling, while 'core' suggests logical foundation.
- essence
More philosophical; suggests the fundamental nature that makes something what it is.
- centre
More physical/spatial; 'centre of the city' is concrete, 'core of the argument' is abstract.
文法句型
the core of [something]
at its core
[something] forms the core of [something]
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed phrase 'at its core' to state the essential character of something after removing details.
常見錯誤
2. The tough centre of an apple, pear, or similar fruit where the seeds are held, u
果核
蘋果、梨等水果中含種子的硬心
The tough centre of an apple, pear, or similar fruit where the seeds are held, usually removed before eating.
After eating the apple, Jin dropped the core into the compost bin.
Jin 吃完蘋果後，把果核丟進廚餘桶。
drop/throw the core — disposal of fruit remains
Tara cut the pear into four pieces and carefully removed the core.
Tara 把梨切成四塊，小心地去掉果核。
remove the core — common cooking or eating action
The children learned that the core of a pineapple is too tough to chew.
孩子們學到，鳳梨的果核太硬了，沒辦法咬得動。
Adaeze used a small metal tool to scoop out the apple core before baking.
Adaeze 用一個小金屬工具挖出蘋果核，然後才放進烤箱烘焙。
- seed case
A botanical term for the part that holds seeds; less common in everyday language.
文法句型
the core of [a fruit]
[fruit] core
常見錯誤
3. The innermost region of a planet or other space body, where heat and pressure ar
行星核心
行星或其他天體的中心高溫區域
The innermost region of a planet or other space body, where heat and pressure are far greater than at the surface.
Scientists believe that Earth’s core is made mostly of iron and nickel.
科學家認為，地球的核心主要由鐵和鎳組成。
Earth’s core — the most common collocation for this sense
The planet’s solid core is surrounded by thick layers of hot liquid rock.
這顆行星的固態核心外面，包裹著厚厚的炎熱液態岩石。
Kevin learned that the Moon’s core is much smaller than Earth’s relative to its size.
Kevin 學到，月球的核相比地球的核小很多。
Heat rising from the planet’s core drives the movement of continents over millions of years.
從地球核心上升的熱能，在數百萬年間推動著大陸的移動。
- centre
More general term for the middle point; core implies different physical properties from the surrounding layers.
文法句型
[planet]'s core
the core of [planet]
用法筆記
Frequently used in geography and science contexts. Often contrasted with 'crust' (the outer layer) and 'mantle' (the middle layer).
常見錯誤
4. The innermost section of a nuclear power plant where fuel atoms are broken apart
反應爐核心
核反應器中進行核分裂的中心區域
The innermost section of a nuclear power plant where fuel atoms are broken apart to produce heat for making electricity.
Engineers checked the temperature inside the reactor core every hour.
工程師每小時都會檢查反應爐核心內的溫度。
reactor core — common technical noun+noun compound
The nuclear reactor’s core holds fuel rods that contain enriched uranium.
核反應爐的核心裡裝著含有濃縮鈾的燃料棒。
A cooling system surrounds the reactor core to stop it from getting too hot.
冷卻系統圍繞著反應爐核心，防止它過熱。
Karim watched a documentary about how engineers built the reactor core inside the power plant.
Karim 看了一部紀錄片，介紹工程師如何在發電廠內部建造反應爐核心。
文法句型
reactor core
the core of a nuclear reactor
用法筆記
This is a technical term used in physics and energy-industry writing. In everyday conversation, people usually say 'nuclear reactor' rather than 'reactor core'.
常見錯誤
5. The group of muscles in the middle of your body, including the stomach, lower ba
核心肌群
腹部、下背與臀部等維持身體平衡的肌肉
The group of muscles in the middle of your body, including the stomach, lower back, and hips, that help you stay balanced and move with strength and control.
Sven does twenty minutes of core exercises every morning before breakfast.
Sven 每天早上早餐前會做二十分鐘的核心訓練。
core exercises — common fitness collocation
A strong core helps prevent back pain when you lift heavy boxes.
核心肌群強壯有助於抬起重物時避免背部受傷。
The yoga teacher told the class to engage their core during the balancing pose.
瑜伽老師告訴全班，在做平衡動作時要收緊核心肌群。
Putri’s running coach said that building core strength would improve her speed.
Putri 的跑步教練說，增強核心力量可以提升她的速度。
Iris felt her core working hard as she held the plank position for one minute.
Iris 撐著棒式姿勢一分鐘，感覺到核心肌群在用力。
- abdominal muscles
More specific; refers only to the stomach-area muscles, not the full set including back and hips.
- midriff
Refers to the front of the body between chest and waist; less common in fitness contexts.
文法句型
core + noun (exercises, strength, muscles)
[possessive] core
用法筆記
Common in fitness and health contexts. 'Core' here is uncountable when referring to the muscle group as a whole ('build core'), but countable when referring to specific muscle areas ('work your core').
常見錯誤
6. A column-shaped piece of earth, rock, or ice brought up from deep underground by
岩心；冰芯
用空心鑽從地層深處取出的圓柱形樣本
A column-shaped piece of earth, rock, or ice brought up from deep underground by a special drilling tube, so researchers can study what lies beneath the surface.
The research team pulled a three-meter core of ice from the Antarctic glacier.
研究團隊從南極冰河中取出了一根三公尺長的冰芯。
core of ice — [material] + core
Each core sample from the ocean floor contains layers of sand, shells, and tiny fossils.
從海床取出的每一份岩心中，都含有沙層、貝殼和微小化石。
core sample — fixed expression for a sample obtained by drilling
Scientists examine rock cores to learn what the climate was like thousands of years ago.
科學家透過分析岩石岩心，了解數千年前的氣候狀況。
Cole helped carry the soil cores from the drill site back to the laboratory van.
Cole 幫忙把土壤岩心從鑽探點搬回實驗室的貨車上。
The ice cores taken from Greenland show pollution levels from the past five centuries.
從格陵蘭取得的冰芯顯示了過去五個世紀的汙染程度。
文法句型
core + of + [material]
core sample
[material] core
用法筆記
Typically used in geology, climate science, and archaeology. Core samples are stored in long trays and studied layer by layer.
常見錯誤
7. The innermost section of a manufactured or natural object, running along its len
內芯
人造或天然物體的中心實心部分
The innermost section of a manufactured or natural object, running along its length and often made of a different material from the outer layers.
The core of the climbing rope is made of strong nylon fibers twisted tightly together.
攀岩繩的內芯是由堅韌的尼龍纖維緊密扭絞而成的。
The thin graphite core inside a pencil is surrounded by a wooden casing.
鉛筆內部的石墨筆芯被木質外殼包裹著。
[material] core — core made of a specific substance
Workers drilled into the core of the concrete pillar to check its strength.
工人們鑽進混凝土柱子的中心，檢查它的強度。
The core of the foam mattress is made of dense memory foam for better support.
泡棉床墊的內芯由高密度記憶泡棉製成，提供更好的支撐。
At the core of the old tree, the wood had become soft and hollow inside.
那棵老樹的中心，木頭已經變得又軟又空洞。
- outer layer
the parts that surround and enclose the core
- surface
the outermost boundary of an object
用法筆記
Applies to manufactured objects and natural formations where an inner layer differs from the outer layer. Not used for fruit (sense 2) or planets (sense 3).
常見錯誤
8. A small, tightly connected set of people who are the main participants in an act
骨幹
活動或組織中的核心參與群體
A small, tightly connected set of people who are the main participants in an activity, organization, or movement, and on whom its continued operation depends.
A core of twenty volunteers keeps the neighborhood library open on weekends.
二十名骨幹志工讓社區圖書館在週末也能開放。
core of + number + role
The dance company's core consists of twelve dancers who train together daily.
這個舞團的核心由十二名每天一起訓練的舞者組成。
possessive: [group]'s core
Brooke is part of the core team that organizes the annual science fair.
Brooke 是負責舉辦年度科展的核心團隊成員。
Only the core members of the club knew about the surprise party.
只有社團的核心成員知道驚喜派對的事。
Léa joined the core of experienced engineers who designed the new bridge.
Léa 加入了設計新大橋的工程師核心團隊。
- nucleus
more formal — often used for the central part of an organization around which others gather
- backbone
emphasises the essential supporting role of the group
- inner circle
emphasises exclusivity and closeness to leadership
用法筆記
Typically refers to a stable, long-term group rather than a temporary team. The core may be surrounded by a larger, looser set of occasional participants or peripheral members.
常見錯誤
core — 形容詞
- corepositive
- corercomparative
- corestsuperlative
1. describing the part or aspect of something that is the most important and fundam
最關鍵的
最重要或最基礎的
describing the part or aspect of something that is the most important and fundamental, serving as the foundation that everything else depends on.
The core message of her speech was that small daily habits lead to big changes.
她的演講中最關鍵的訊息是，微小的日常習慣能帶來巨大的改變。
attributive: before a noun (core message)
Good customer service is a core part of the hotel's business strategy.
優質的客戶服務是這家旅館商業策略中最關鍵的一環。
Addressing the core problem of water shortages requires effort at every level.
解決最關鍵的缺水問題需要各個層級共同努力。
The designers returned to the core question of what users actually need from the app.
設計師們回歸到最關鍵的問題：使用者實際上需要這個應用程式的哪些功能。
- fundamental
More formal; emphasises the foundational nature rather than importance ranking
- essential
Closer in meaning, but 'essential' focuses on necessity rather than centrality
- primary
Focuses on rank or order (first in importance) rather than being the central foundation
- peripheral
Describes something on the edges, not central
文法句型
core + noun
2. relating to the values, beliefs, or principles that are most important to a pers
核心理念
價值信念中最根本的
relating to the values, beliefs, or principles that are most important to a person, group, or system and that define their identity or purpose.
Honesty is a core belief that the school tries to teach its students from day one.
誠信是這所學校從入學第一天起就試圖教導學生的核心理念。
collocation: core belief
Respect for different opinions is core to the way Lin's team makes decisions.
尊重不同的意見是 Lin 的團隊在做決定時最核心的處事方式。
predictive use: is core to [something]
The organisation's core values include fairness, transparency, and community service.
該組織的核心理念包括公平、透明和社區服務。
Protecting children's safety is a core principle that guides every policy decision.
保護兒童的安全是指導每一項政策決策的核心理念。
- fundamental
Stronger emphasis on being the necessary base or foundation
- central
Focuses on the idea being at the centre of a set of related ideas
文法句型
core + (value, belief, principle, idea)
用法筆記
Often used with nouns like 'value', 'belief', 'principle' to describe what defines a person or group. Can also appear predicatively: 'is core to [something]'.
常見錯誤
3. describing the main, most essential, or most profitable activities, products, or
主要業務
公司最重要的營運活動
describing the main, most essential, or most profitable activities, products, or services that a company or organisation focuses on.
The company decided to sell its smaller brands and focus on its core business.
該公司決定出售旗下較小的品牌，專注於主要業務。
collocation: core business
Software development is the firm's core activity and generates most of its income.
軟體開發是這家公司的核心活動，也是其大部分收入的來源。
The publishing house cut costs by outsourcing everything except its core operations.
這家出版社除了主要業務之外，將其他部分都外包以降低成本。
Our core customers are families looking for reliable and affordable home appliances.
我們的主要客戶群是尋找可靠且價格合理的家庭電器的家庭。
- peripheral
Describes activities that are on the edges, not central to the business
- secondary
Describes activities that are less important or supporting
文法句型
core + (business, activity, operation, product, customer)
用法筆記
Typically used before nouns that name a type of business activity (business, operation, product, service, activity). Not used for one-time projects or side ventures.
4. describing the set of courses or subjects that all students in a programme must
必修科目
所有學生必須修讀的課程
describing the set of courses or subjects that all students in a programme must study as a compulsory part of their education.
All first-year engineering students must take the same core courses in mathematics and physics.
所有大一工程科學生都必須修讀同樣的必修科目，包括數學和物理。
collocation: core courses
The university redesigned its core curriculum to include more practical writing assignments.
這所大學重新設計了必修科目課程，增加了更多實用寫作作業。
Advanced chemistry is optional, but the core science classes are compulsory for everyone.
進階化學是選修課，但基礎科學必修科目則是每個人都必須修的。
The school's core subjects include English, mathematics, science, and social studies.
該校的必修科目包括英文、數學、自然和社會。
- required
More general; used across contexts beyond education
- compulsory
Stronger emphasis on obligation; common in British English
- mandatory
More formal; often used in official documents
文法句型
core + (subject, course, curriculum)
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'subject', 'course', 'curriculum'. Not used for optional or elective courses.
常見錯誤
5. relating to the group of muscles in the torso — including the abdomen, lower bac
軀幹肌群
腹部和下背部穩定身體的肌肉
relating to the group of muscles in the torso — including the abdomen, lower back, hips, and pelvis — that stabilise the body during movement and help maintain balance.
The yoga instructor told the class to keep their core muscles tight during the pose.
瑜珈老師告訴全班學員在姿勢中要保持軀幹肌群緊繃。
collocation: core muscles
Strong core strength helps prevent back injuries when lifting heavy objects at work.
強健的軀幹肌群有助於在工作中搬起重物時預防背部受傷。
The physical therapist designed exercises to strengthen Wei's core after the surgery.
物理治療師在手術後設計了一系列運動來強化 Wei 的軀幹肌群。
Runners benefit from core training because it improves balance and running efficiency.
跑步者可以從軀幹肌群訓練中受益，因為它能改善平衡和跑步效率。
文法句型
core + (muscles, strength, training, exercise)
用法筆記
Often used in fitness, sports medicine, and rehabilitation contexts. Typically attributive before 'muscles', 'strength', 'training', 'exercise'. Can also be used as a noun in fitness contexts ('work on your core').
常見錯誤
core — 縮寫
1. a US civil rights organization, founded in 1942, that fought against racial segr
種族平等大會
美國民權組織，以自由乘車運動聞名
a US civil rights organization, founded in 1942, that fought against racial segregation through nonviolent protest, most famously the Freedom Rides of 1961
In 1961, CORE organized the Freedom Rides to challenge segregation on interstate buses across the South.
1961 年，CORE 組織了自由乘車運動（Freedom Rides），挑戰美國南部跨州巴士上的種族隔離制度。
CORE organized [event] — subject-verb pattern for describing the group's actions
The nonviolent methods used by CORE inspired many other groups working for social change.
CORE 所使用的非暴力抗議方式，啟發了許多其他爭取社會改革的團體。
Lotte's grandfather joined CORE in 1962 and took part in the march from Selma to Montgomery.
Lotte 的祖父在 1962 年加入 CORE，並參加了從塞爾瑪到蒙哥馬利的遊行。
CORE trained volunteers in peaceful protest techniques before sending them to sites across the South.
CORE 培訓志願者使用和平抗議技巧，然後將他們送往美國南部各地。
The history textbook describes how CORE helped end segregation in public transportation.
歷史課本描述 CORE 如何協助終止公共交通上的種族隔離。
用法筆記
Often used in past-tense discussions of US civil rights history. The name is pronounced as one word /kɔːr/, not as separate letters.
core — 字尾
1. added to the end of a word to name a fashion or lifestyle trend that follows a c
風格後綴
構詞後綴，表示某種流行風格
added to the end of a word to name a fashion or lifestyle trend that follows a certain look or feeling, especially one shared online
Her outfit was pure normcore — plain jeans, a white T-shirt, and simple sneakers.
她的穿搭是純正的 normcore 風格——素色牛仔褲、白 T 恤和簡單的運動鞋。
'normcore' — core added to 'normal' for an ordinary, everyday style
Cottagecore has become popular online, with people sharing pictures of baking bread and gardening.
Cottagecore 在網路上越來越流行，許多人分享烤麵包和種花草的照片。
Otis created a gorpcore jacket by sewing together parts of old camping tents and sleeping bags.
Otis 用舊露營帳篷和睡袋的材料，設計了一件 gorpcore 外套。
The barbiecore trend filled bedrooms and clothes with bright pink colours in 2023.
2023 年的 barbiecore 風潮讓房間和衣服都充滿了亮粉色。
Adina follows several '-core' accounts on social media to find new decorating ideas for her room.
Adina 在社群媒體上追蹤好幾個「-core」帳號，尋找新的居家佈置靈感。
文法句型
[base word] + core
用法筆記
New '-core' words appear frequently as online trends change. The base word is usually a noun (cottage, barbie, gorp) or an adjective (normal) describing the style.
常見錯誤
❖ 'I like this core style.' ✅ 'I like this normcore style.' — '-core' is a suffix that must attach to a base word; it cannot stand alone as an adjective.