stand-alone

/ˈstænd ələʊn/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈstænd ələʊn/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈstand-ə-ˈlōn/ (ame, mw)

stand-alone — 形容詞

1. describing something that can function or exist by itself, without needing suppo

1.形容詞B2
釋義

獨立；獨立運作

不須連接其他系統即可自行運作

describing something that can function or exist by itself, without needing support or connection from another system, device, or organization.

例句

The small generator is a stand-alone unit that provides power to the cabin.

這台小型發電機是獨立運作的設備，為小屋提供電力。

stand-alone unit — an independent piece of equipment

Each sensor operates as a stand-alone device and does not need a central controller.

每個感測器都是獨立運作的裝置，不需要中央控制器。

stand-alone device — independent functioning

同義詞
  • independent

    broader in meaning; stand-alone emphasises physical or functional separateness

  • self-contained

    suggests that all needed parts are built into the unit itself

  • autonomous

    more formal; often used for systems that make their own decisions

反義詞
  • integrated

    built into a larger system rather than separate

  • networked

    connected to other devices or systems

文法句型

stand-alone + noun

用法筆記

Frequently appears before a noun (attributive position) — a stand-alone system, a stand-alone device. The hyphen is typically included when used as an adjective before the noun.

常見錯誤

❌This computer is stand alone
✅This computer is stand-alone.
💡The compound adjective requires a hyphen.
❌He bought a stand alone printer
✅He bought a stand-alone printer.
💡When used before a noun, the hyphen is essential.

2. referring to a computer that performs all its tasks locally, without being linke

2.形容詞B2
釋義

獨立電腦

不須連接網路即可運作的電腦

referring to a computer that performs all its tasks locally, without being linked to a network or depending on a server for data or processing.

例句

The library keeps one stand-alone computer for catalog searches so patrons can work offline.

圖書館保留了一台獨立電腦供查詢目錄使用，這樣使用者可以在離線狀態下作業。

stand-alone computer — works without a network

During the internet outage, the stand-alone machines in the lab continued functioning normally.

網路中斷期間，實驗室裡的獨立電腦依然正常運作。

同義詞
  • offline computer

    emphasises the lack of network connection rather than independence

  • local machine

    emphasises running programs on the computer itself rather than accessing them remotely

反義詞
  • networked computer

    a machine that relies on a server or other computers

  • terminal

    a device that depends on a central server for processing

文法句型

stand-alone + computer / machine

用法筆記

Common in tech-support and IT documentation. The opposite is a networked computer or a workstation that depends on a server. In modern use, a stand-alone computer may still connect to the internet occasionally but does not require a network for its core tasks.

常見錯誤

❌My stand-alone computer cannot connect to Wi-Fi at all.
✅A stand-alone computer can function without a network but may still have optional internet access.
💡Stand-alone means the computer does not need a network to work; it does not mean it cannot connect.
❌This is a stand-alone server
✅This is a stand-alone computer.
💡A server's purpose is to serve others on a network, so a stand-alone server contradicts the concept.

3. describing a piece of electronic equipment that works as an individual unit on i

3.形容詞B2
釋義

獨立裝置

單一裝置，未與其他設備合併

describing a piece of electronic equipment that works as an individual unit on its own, rather than being built into a larger product that does several things.

例句

Elena bought a stand-alone scanner because the all-in-one printer in the office kept breaking down.

Elena 買了一台獨立掃描器，因為辦公室的多功能印表機老是故障。

stand-alone scanner — a separate device, not combined

The sound system in the gym is a stand-alone amplifier with its own speakers attached.

健身房的音響系統是一台獨立擴大機，上面接了自己的喇叭。

同義詞
反義詞
  • built-in

    contained within another device

  • integrated

    combined into a single unit with other functions

文法句型

stand-alone + device / equipment

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (INDEPENDENT OPERATION): this sense focuses on physical separation — the device is not built into a larger product. A stand-alone scanner sits on a desk as its own box; a combined printer-scanner has the scanner built into the printer body.

常見錯誤

❌A stand-alone camera means it does not need batteries.
✅A stand-alone camera is a separate camera not built into something like a phone.
💡The term refers to the device being physically separate, not its power source.

4. describing software or an application that runs entirely on a local device, with

4.形容詞B2
釋義

獨立軟體

不需要網路即可在本機執行的軟體

describing software or an application that runs entirely on a local device, without needing an internet connection or assistance from other computer processes to function.

例句

The photo editor is a stand-alone application that works even when you are not connected to Wi-Fi.

這款照片編輯軟體是獨立應用程式，即使沒有連接 Wi-Fi 也能使用。

stand-alone application — runs without internet

Ananya installed a stand-alone dictionary on her phone so she could look up words during flights.

Ananya 在手機上安裝了一款獨立辭典，這樣她在搭飛機時也可以查單字。

同義詞
  • offline application

    emphasises that no internet is needed

  • local software

    emphasises that the software runs on the user's own device

  • native app

    emphasises that the app is installed on the device rather than accessed through a browser

反義詞

文法句型

stand-alone + application / software / program

用法筆記

This sense is restricted to software contexts. A stand-alone application may still check for updates online, but its primary functions do not depend on a network connection. The opposite is web-based software or cloud software, which requires a browser and internet access.

常見錯誤

❌A stand-alone app never connects to the internet.
✅A stand-alone app works offline, but it may still connect for updates or syncing.
💡Stand-alone means it does not depend on a connection, not that it can never connect.

5. describing a company, department, or organisation that runs its own operations a

5.形容詞B2
釋義

獨立機構

不隸屬於更大組織的企業或單位

describing a company, department, or organisation that runs its own operations and is not controlled by a larger corporate group or chain.

例句

The clinic started as a stand-alone practice but later joined a hospital network.

這間診所原本是獨立機構，後來加入了醫院體系。

stand-alone practice — an independent business

Despite being owned by a large publisher, the children's book division remains a stand-alone unit with its own budget.

雖然隸屬於一家大型出版社，童書部門仍然是擁有獨立預算的單位。

同義詞
  • independent

    broader; can apply to any organisation, not just business units

  • autonomous

    more formal; emphasises self-governance in decision-making

  • freestanding

    often used for physical branches or stores that are separate from others

反義詞
  • chain

    one of many outlets under a central brand

  • subsidiary

    controlled by a parent company

文法句型

stand-alone + business / company / division

用法筆記

Common in business journalism and corporate reports. A stand-alone division may still share a parent company's name but runs its own operations and budget. The term contrasts with subsidiary (legally owned by a parent) or franchise (operates under a brand's rules).

常見錯誤

❌A stand-alone business means it is a new company.
✅A stand-alone business operates independently; it may be new or old.
💡Stand-alone describes how it operates, not its age.

6. describing a book, film, article, or other creative work that functions as a com

6.形容詞C1
釋義

獨立作品

不屬於系列，可單獨欣賞的作品

describing a book, film, article, or other creative work that functions as a complete piece on its own, with no need to refer to earlier works in a series or set.

例句

The novel works as a stand-alone story, so you do not need to read the earlier books.

這本小說是獨立作品，不需要先讀過前面的書就能看懂。

stand-alone story — no need to read others first

Each episode of the documentary is a stand-alone film that covers a different historical event.

這部紀錄片系列的每一集都是獨立影片，講述不同的歷史事件。

同義詞
  • self-contained

    suggests the work has everything needed within it, with no dangling threads

  • independent

    more general; lacks the specific publishing/entertainment context

反義詞
  • serial

    describes a work that is one part of a continuing story

  • sequel

    a follow-up that assumes knowledge of an earlier work

文法句型

stand-alone + book / film / episode / article

用法筆記

Most common in publishing, film criticism, and academic citations. A stand-alone work is complete in itself — there is no cliffhanger requiring a sequel, and no prior knowledge is assumed. Distinguish from sense 1 (INDEPENDENT OPERATION) which applies to physical systems, not creative works.

常見錯誤

❌A stand-alone book means it is the only book the author wrote.
✅A stand-alone book means the story is complete in one volume, not that the author wrote only one book.
💡The term describes the work's relationship to a series, not the author's total output.