periphery

IPA/pəˈrɪfəri/
KK[pɚˈɪfɚi]IPA/pəˈrɪfəri/

periphery — 名詞

  • peripherysingular
  • peripheriesplural

1. the outer boundary or the part of an area that is farthest from its centre — for

1.名詞B2
釋義

外圍；周邊

某地區最外圈的邊界地帶

the outer boundary or the part of an area that is farthest from its centre — for example, the edge of a city where houses stop and fields begin, or the outermost ring of a target in archery.

例句

Factories and warehouses have moved to the periphery of the city, where land is cheaper.

工廠和倉庫已遷移到城市的外圍，那裡的土地比較便宜。

the periphery of [place] — physical boundary zone

Dr. Okafor noticed a small swelling on the periphery of the wound, near the healthy skin.

Okafor 醫生注意到傷口周邊有一處小小的腫脹，靠近健康的皮膚。

常見搭配
  • the periphery of + [area]
  • on / at / around / along the periphery
  • northern / southern / eastern / western periphery
  • urban / rural / industrial periphery
同義詞
  • edge

    more general and common; can be a sharp line or a boundary; 'periphery' sounds more formal

  • rim

    specifically the circular edge of an opening (cup, crater, wheel); narrower than 'periphery'

  • border

    focuses on the dividing line between two areas rather than the zone near it

  • outskirts

    refers specifically to the outer parts of a town or city, not used for other types of areas

反義詞
  • centre

    the middle point of an area

  • core

    the innermost part

文法句型

the periphery of + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often used with 'of' to specify the area: 'the periphery of the forest / estate / city'. Unlike 'edge', 'periphery' tends to describe a broader border zone rather than a sharp line. Frequently used in formal or written contexts.

常見錯誤

He stood at the periphery of the cliff.
He stood at the edge of the cliff.
'periphery' describes a broader zone around a boundary, not a sharp drop-off point.
The periphery of the knife is sharp.
The edge of the knife is sharp.
'periphery' is not used for the cutting edge of a blade.

2. the less important, less central, or less involved part of a group, activity, fi

2.名詞C1
釋義

邊緣；非核心

團體或活動中比較不重要的部分

the less important, less central, or less involved part of a group, activity, field of knowledge, or social scene — for example, people who are only loosely connected to a political movement, or topics that are not a main concern of a profession.

例句

The Watanabe family remained on the periphery of local politics, attending meetings but never running for office.

渡邊一家始終處在地方政治的邊緣，參加會議但從未參選公職。

on the periphery of [group/activity] — metaphorical fringe

For years, mental health care existed at the periphery of the national health system, receiving far less funding than other departments.

多年來，心理健康照護一直處於國家醫療體系的邊緣，得到的經費遠少於其他部門。

常見搭配
  • on / at the periphery of [field / scene / group / debate]
  • remain on the periphery
  • move from the periphery to the centre
  • exist / sit / stand on the periphery
  • push someone to the periphery
  • cultural / political / social periphery
同義詞
  • fringe

    similar meaning but often suggests ideas or groups that are unconventional or extreme; 'periphery' is more neutral

  • margin

    emphasises being outside the main activity; often used for social or economic exclusion

  • sidelines

    suggests watching rather than participating; more informal than 'periphery'

反義詞
  • centre

    the most important part of an activity or group

  • mainstream

    the prevailing current of thought or activity

文法句型

the periphery of + noun phrase (abstract)

用法筆記

Commonly paired with 'on' or 'at' to indicate position: 'on the periphery of the art scene / political debate / academic field'. The opposite expression is 'move to the centre / mainstream'. Unlike 'fringe', 'periphery' does not always carry a sense of radicalism or non-conformity — it mainly signals low importance or involvement.

常見錯誤

She sits on the periphery of the board, making key decisions.
She sits on the board and makes key decisions.
being on the periphery means low involvement, not a position of power.
Agriculture is at the periphery of this farming community.
Agriculture is at the centre of this farming community.
the core activity of a community is its centre, not its periphery.

同根字

常見搭配

介系詞搭配

  • on the periphery of
  • at the periphery of
  • around the periphery of
  • along the periphery of