elastic
/ɪˈlæs.tɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlæs.tɪk/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈla-stik/ (ame, mw) · /ɪˈlæstɪk/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈlæstɪk/ (ame, ipa)
elastic — 形容詞
- elasticpositive
- more elasticcomparative
- most elasticsuperlative
1. An elastic material stretches when pulled and then goes back to the way it was b
彈性的
拉伸後能恢復原狀的
An elastic material stretches when pulled and then goes back to the way it was before — like a rubber band or the stretchy waistband of sports shorts.
Lucía prefers yoga pants made from elastic fabric because they move with her body.
Lucía 偏愛彈性布料做的瑜珈褲，因為它們會隨著身體的動作伸展。
collocation: elastic fabric
The elastic cord on Jude's tent snapped after too many stretches in strong wind.
被強風反覆拉扯太多次後，Jude 帳篷上的彈性繩就斷了。
elastic cord stretches and snaps under tension
Sofie checked the elastic waistband of her running shorts for a snug fit.
Sofie 檢查了跑步短褲的彈性褲頭，確認鬆緊是否合身。
Children's art smocks often have elastic cuffs that keep paint off the arms.
兒童美術圍裙通常有彈性袖口，可以防止顏料沾到袖子。
用法筆記
Commonly used as a modifier before nouns: elastic band, elastic fabric, elastic waistband.
常見錯誤
2. An elastic rule, system, or idea can be changed or adjusted to suit different ne
靈活的
可依需求調整的
An elastic rule, system, or idea can be changed or adjusted to suit different needs or situations, rather than being fixed and strict.
The company's dress code is quite elastic, allowing jeans on most days except for meetings.
這家公司的服裝規定相當靈活，除了會議之外大部分日子都可以穿牛仔褲。
elastic dress code / rule — figurative use
Ravindra designed an elastic schedule that could adapt when the team needed more testing time.
Ravindra 設計了一個有彈性的時程表，可以在團隊需要更多測試時間時進行調整。
elastic schedule = adaptable, not rigid
Economists describe luxury goods as having elastic demand because sales drop when prices rise.
經濟學家認為奢侈品具有彈性需求，因為價格上漲時銷量就會下降。
Tamar found the school's homework policy elastic enough to let her travel during term time.
Tamar 發現學校的作業規定頗有彈性，足以讓她在學期間出遊。
- flexible
much more common for abstract senses; 'elastic' sounds more formal or technical
- adaptable
emphasises the ability to change to suit new conditions
- adjustable
implies someone can actively change it, not that it changes by itself
- rigid
strictly fixed, unwilling or unable to change
- inflexible
the direct opposite of flexible; often used for rules and policies
用法筆記
Common in academic and business contexts (elastic demand, elastic budget, elastic policy). Distinguish from adj/1: adj/2 describes systems and rules, not physical materials.
常見錯誤
elastic — 名詞
1. A stretchy rubber substance that springs back into its former form after you str
鬆緊帶
可伸縮的橡膠材料
A stretchy rubber substance that springs back into its former form after you stretch it; used for making bands, cords, and stretchy parts of clothing.
Dario threaded a length of elastic through the waistband of his homemade shorts.
Dario 穿了一段鬆緊帶到他自製的家居短褲褲頭裡。
uncountable: a length of elastic
Soraya bought a roll of thick elastic at the fabric store for her camping repairs.
Soraya 在布行買了一卷粗的鬆緊帶，用來修理露營裝備。
The tailor suggested wider elastic for the pyjama trousers so they stay up.
裁縫師傅建議睡褲用較寬的鬆緊帶，這樣才不會往下滑。
The children cut pieces of elastic from the roll to build catapults for science class.
孩子們從那卷鬆緊帶上剪了幾段，用來在自然課做彈弓。
- elastic band
refers to a specific object made from the material, not the material itself
- rubber band
a specific everyday object, usually smaller; overlaps with sense 2
用法筆記
Uncountable — you cannot say 'an elastic' to mean the material. Use 'a piece of elastic' or 'a length of elastic.'
2. A small ring-shaped band of stretchy material that you put around objects to kee
橡皮筋
用來捆綁物品的小圈帶
A small ring-shaped band of stretchy material that you put around objects to keep them bundled together.
Walid wrapped an elastic around the stack of envelopes before putting them in the mailbox.
Walid 在那一疊信封外面繞了一圈橡皮筋，然後才放進郵筒。
elastic around [object] — typical prepositional use
Mizuki kept a handful of elastics in her desk drawer for bundling old receipts.
Mizuki 在辦公桌抽屜裡放了一把橡皮筋，用來捆綁舊收據。
The florist bound the sunflower stems together with an elastic before adding the paper wrap.
花店老闆用一條橡皮筋綁住向日葵的花莖，然後再包上紙。
Christopher flipped an elastic across the classroom and it hit the blackboard.
Christopher 在教室裡彈了一條橡皮筋，打到黑板。
- rubber band
more common in US English; the same object
- elastic band
fuller form; also used in British English
用法筆記
This is the British English word for rubber band. In US English, 'rubber band' is more common, though 'elastic' is understood. Always countable — one elastic, two elastics.
3. A type of cloth made with rubber or synthetic threads that lets it stretch and f
彈性布料
含橡膠纖維的伸縮織物
A type of cloth made with rubber or synthetic threads that lets it stretch and fit closely to the body, often used in sportswear, swimwear, and dance costumes.
Christopher wore a breathable elastic jersey that cut wind resistance on the road.
Christopher 穿了一件透氣的彈性布料車衣，在騎行時可以減少風阻。
elastic as fabric — breathable elastic
Beatrix chose a black elastic leotard that moved with every dance stretch.
Beatrix 選了一件黑色彈性布料的緊身衣，每個舞蹈伸展動作都很自如。
The elastic in Ari's swim trunks faded after a summer of daily use.
Ari 泳褲上的彈性布料經過一個夏天的每日使用就褪色了。
Lucía's stage costume was made of a shiny elastic that caught the spotlight beautifully.
Lucía 的舞台服裝是用亮面彈性布料做的，在聚光燈下非常耀眼。
- spandex
a specific synthetic elastic fibre, used especially in athletic wear; more common in US English
- Lycra
a brand name for spandex that is often used generically for stretch fabric
- stretch fabric
the plain English description; more general and less technical
用法筆記
Used both as an uncountable material ('made from elastic') and countably ('a stretchy elastic'). The uncountable use overlaps with sense 1; context (sportswear vs. raw rubber) disambiguates.