dumbbell

/ˈdʌmbel/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdʌmbel/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdəm-ˌbel/ (ame, mw)

dumbbell — 名詞

  • dumbbellsingular
  • dumbbellsplural

1. a short metal bar with heavy discs at each end, used in strength training — you

1.名詞B1
釋義

啞鈴

兩端有重塊的短鐵棒，用於肌力訓練

a short metal bar with heavy discs at each end, used in strength training — you hold one in each hand or grip a single heavy one with both hands to work your arm, shoulder, and chest muscles

例句

Haruto picked up a 10-kilogram dumbbell and started doing bicep curls in front of the mirror.

Haruto 拿起一支十公斤的啞鈴，在鏡子前開始做二頭彎舉。

dumbbell as direct object of 'pick up' + weight specification

The gym near Mei-Lin's apartment has a full rack of dumbbells ranging from two to fifty kilograms.

Mei-Lin 住處附近的健身房裡，有一整排從兩公斤到五十公斤不等的啞鈴。

collocation: rack of dumbbells

同義詞
  • weight

    more general term — 'weights' can also refer to barbells, kettlebells, or weight plates

  • hand weight

    descriptive term used in product descriptions or beginner contexts

  • free weight

    broader category that includes dumbbells and barbells (as opposed to cable machines)

文法句型

dumbbell + noun (compound modifier)

a pair of dumbbells

用法筆記

Frequently used in compound nouns describing specific exercises (dumbbell curl, dumbbell press, dumbbell row). The plural form dumbbells refers either to a pair (one in each hand) or to multiple individual weights.

常見錯誤

❌She lifted a dumbbell bar without weights.
✅She lifted the barbell without weights.
💡A dumbbell has fixed weights on both ends; a barbell is a long bar that you add weight plates to.
❌He bought a dumbbell set of 5 kg.
✅He bought a 5-kg dumbbell set.' or 'He bought a set of dumbbells that goes up to 5 kg.
💡The weight of a dumbbell describes the whole object, not a detachable plate.

2. an insulting word for someone who does something foolish, thoughtless, or carele

2.名詞B2
釋義

笨蛋；蠢貨

對愚蠢或粗心之人的侮辱性稱呼

an insulting word for someone who does something foolish, thoughtless, or careless — milder than 'idiot' but still meant to offend

例句

Some dumbbell left the milk out of the fridge all night, and now it has gone sour.

哪個笨蛋把牛奶整晚放在冰箱外面，現在都酸掉了。

indefinite 'some dumbbell' — speaker does not know the person's name

Theo called his younger brother a dumbbell for forgetting their grandmother's birthday two years in a row.

Theo 罵他弟弟是笨蛋，因為弟弟接連兩年都忘了奶奶的生日。

同義詞
  • idiot

    stronger and more common insult with the same core meaning

  • fool

    slightly less harsh and more old-fashioned; can be affectionate in some contexts

  • blockhead

    old-fashioned and milder; sounds humorous rather than angry

反義詞
  • genius

    extreme opposite — a person of very high intelligence

  • brain

    informal — 'he's a real brain' means a very smart person

文法句型

call someone a dumbbell

be a dumbbell

用法筆記

Less harsh than 'idiot' or 'moron', but still clearly insulting. Avoid in formal or professional settings. Frequently appears in the phrases 'some dumbbell' (anonymous complaint) and 'don't be a dumbbell' (exasperated warning).

常見錯誤

❌He is such a dumbbell to drop his phone in the toilet.
✅He was such a dumbbell
💡he dropped his phone in the toilet.' — The 'to'-infinitive after 'dumbbell' sounds unnatural; use a separate clause or 'for + -ing'.
❌What a dumbbell idea!
✅What a stupid idea!
💡'Dumbbell' describes a person, not an action or idea.