rock

/rɒk/ (bre, ipa) · [rˈɑk] /rɑːk/ (ame, ipa) · [rˈɑk] /ˈräk/ (ame, mw)

rock — 名詞

  • rocksingular
  • rocksplural

1. The hard natural substance found in the ground that forms mountains, cliffs, and

1.名詞B1
釋義

岩石

構成地殼的堅硬天然物質

The hard natural substance found in the ground that forms mountains, cliffs, and the land surface; also a single prominent piece of this material standing out from the ground or sea.

例句

Tamar studied the layers of rock visible in the side of the canyon wall.

Tamar 研究峡谷壁上可見的岩層。

collocation: layers of rock

Deep beneath the ocean, new rock forms when hot liquid from inside the earth cools.

在海洋深處，地球內部的熱溶岩冷卻後會形成新的岩石。

同義詞
  • stone

    more general; 'rock' suggests larger masses or the material, while 'stone' can be any size

  • cliff

    a specific type of rock formation, steep and vertical

  • boulder

    a very large, rounded piece of rock, often detached

文法句型

rock (uncountable) + verb

a/the rock (countable) + verb

用法筆記

Uncountable when referring to the material itself (e.g., 'built of rock'); countable when referring to a single large mass ('a huge rock blocking the road').

常見錯誤

❌I picked up a rock from the ground' (when meaning a small stone).
✅I picked up a stone from the ground.
💡For a small, loose piece, 'stone' or 'pebble' is more natural than 'rock', which usually refers to something larger or the material itself.

2. A small, loose piece of the hard material found in the ground, small enough to h

2.名詞B1
釋義

石頭；石塊

一小塊岩石或石頭

A small, loose piece of the hard material found in the ground, small enough to hold in one hand.

例句

Nala found a smooth white rock on the beach and put it in her pocket.

Nala 在海滩上發現一塊光滑的白石頭，放進了口袋裡。

Dario threw a small rock into the pond and watched the circles spread across the surface.

Dario 往池塘裡抛了一小塊石頭，看著水波一圈圈散開。

同義詞
  • stone

    the more neutral term for a small piece of hard mineral material

  • pebble

    a small, smooth stone worn by water

  • boulder

    a very large rock, much bigger than a person

文法句型

a/the rock + verb

用法筆記

In everyday speech, 'rock' can refer to any size of stone, but for very small pieces (pea-sized or smaller), 'pebble' or 'stone' is more common. For very large pieces, 'boulder' is preferred.

常見錯誤

❌He threw a rock at the window and broke it.
✅He threw a stone at the window and broke it.
💡For throwing, 'stone' is the more natural word; 'rock' suggests something too heavy to throw easily.

3. A line or group of large stones that emerges above the water, sometimes staying

3.名詞B2
釋義

礁石

突出海面的岩石群

A line or group of large stones that emerges above the water, sometimes staying hidden just beneath the surface and posing a danger to ships.

例句

Mark steered the boat carefully to avoid the rocks that were just below the surface of the water.

Mark 謹慎地操總船隻，避開就在水面下方的礁石。

nautical context: danger to ships

The old ship hit the rocks during the fierce storm and began to break apart.

那艘老船在狂風暴雨中撞上礁石，開始破裂。

同義詞
  • reef

    a ridge of rock or coral at or near the surface of water, often covering a larger area

  • crag

    a steep, rough rock formation, usually on land rather than sea

文法句型

the rocks + verb (plural)

用法筆記

Almost always used in the plural ('rocks') when referring to the sea. The singular 'rock' in a coastal context usually refers to a single large formation, not the group.

4. A valuable stone set into rings or other jewellery items, most often a diamond.

4.名詞B2
釋義

寶石；鑽石

珠寶用的貴重石頭，尤指鑽石

A valuable stone set into rings or other jewellery items, most often a diamond.

例句

Hamza saved up for months to buy her a rock for their engagement ring.

Hamza 存了好幾個月的錢，給她買了一顆寶石當定婚戒指。

slang: rock = diamond

The thief got away with a bag full of rocks worth over a million dollars.

小盜帶走了一整袋价值超過百萬美元的寶石。

同義詞
  • diamond

    the specific precious stone most commonly called a 'rock' in slang

  • gem

    a precious or semi-precious stone, more formal than 'rock'

  • jewel

    a decorative item containing a precious stone, or the stone itself

文法句型

a/the rock + verb

用法筆記

Informal slang. Appropriate in casual conversation but not in formal writing or jewellery catalogues. Typically refers to a diamond, but can be any precious gem.

常見錯誤

❌She bought a beautiful rock from the jewellery store.
✅She bought a beautiful diamond from the jewellery store.
💡In formal or commercial contexts, use 'diamond' or 'gemstone' instead of the slang 'rock'.

5. A category of loud, guitar-driven music with a forceful beat, usually featuring

5.名詞A2
釋義

搖滾樂

以電吉他和鼓演奏的強節拍流行音樂

A category of loud, guitar-driven music with a forceful beat, usually featuring electric guitars, drums, and strong singing.

例句

The band played loud rock music that made the whole crowd jump and sing along.

樂團演奏著喜騰的搖滾樂，讓整個群眾跳起來同聲唱。

collocation: rock music / rock band

Christopher learned to play rock songs on his electric guitar after just six months.

Christopher 學了六個月的電吉他，就會彈搖滾歌了。

同義詞
  • pop

    popular music with a lighter, more commercial sound than rock

  • metal

    a heavier, louder style of rock music with distorted electric guitars

反義詞
  • classical music

    a traditional Western music style with orchestral instruments, very different in sound and structure from rock

文法句型

rock music

rock band

play rock

用法筆記

Often shortened to just 'rock' without 'music', e.g., 'I like rock' or 'She plays rock'. Many sub-genres exist (punk rock, hard rock, indie rock) with different sounds and styles.

常見錯誤

❌I listened to a rock.
✅I listened to rock music.' or 'I listened to a rock song.
💡'Rock' is uncountable when referring to the genre; you cannot say 'a rock' to mean a piece of music.

6. A stick-shaped candy with a firm, solid texture, often containing coloured lette

6.名詞B1
釋義

礦石糖

圓條形的硬糖果

A stick-shaped candy with a firm, solid texture, often containing coloured lettering running through its centre and commonly sold at coastal holiday destinations.

例句

Meera bought a stick of pink rock for her little brother at the seaside shop.

Meera 在海邊商店給弟弟買了一條粉紅色的礦石棒糖。

British seaside context: stick of rock

The lettering on the rock said ‘Brighton’ all the way through the middle of the sweet.

這條礦石棒糖中間的字母寫著「布萊顿」，贯穿整條糖果。

同義詞
  • candy

    the general American term for sweets; includes many types beyond stick-shaped hard candy

  • lollipop

    a sweet on a stick, but on the end of the stick rather than the whole stick being the sweet

文法句型

a stick of rock

rock (as a type)

用法筆記

Primarily British. In other English varieties, this type of sweet is less common or called 'rock candy' or simply 'candy stick'. The letters printed through the middle are a distinctive feature of traditional British seaside rock.

7. A person who can always be trusted to provide emotional support and remain stead

7.名詞B2
釋義

支柱；靠山

情感上可靠可依賴的人

A person who can always be trusted to provide emotional support and remain steady during difficult times.

例句

When her father passed away, her older sister was the rock that held the family together.

父親過世後，姊姊是讓全家團結在一起的支柱。

idiomatic: be a rock / someone’s rock

Greta knew she could call him at any hour because he was her rock through every crisis.

Greta 知道她什麼時候打給他都行，因為他是她每次危機的靠山。

同義詞
  • support

    a more general term for someone who provides help, less emotional in tone

  • pillar

    a person who holds up a group or institution through their strength and reliability

  • foundation

    the person or principle that something is built upon, suggesting a basis for everything else

反義詞
  • burden

    a person who causes worry or difficulty rather than providing support

文法句型

someone’s rock

be a rock for someone

用法筆記

Always used figuratively. Usually takes a possessive ('my rock', 'her rock', 'the rock of the family'). Typically describes one person in a support role; rarely used in the plural.

常見錯誤

❌He is a rock for lifting heavy furniture.
✅He is a rock when I feel sad or stressed.
💡'Rock' in this sense refers to emotional support, not physical strength. Do not use it for physical tasks.

rock — 動詞