unicorn
unicorn — 名詞
- unicornsingular
- unicornsplural
1. a legendary white animal that looks like a horse and has one pointed horn on its
獨角獸
神話中額頭長角的馬
a legendary white animal that looks like a horse and has one pointed horn on its forehead, often drawn with a long mane and tail
The child drew a unicorn with a sparkling golden horn and a long flowing tail.
那個小孩畫了一隻獨角獸，有著閃閃發亮的金色獨角和長長的尾巴。
typical collocations: golden horn / flowing tail
In old tales, a unicorn lives in an enchanted forest safe from hunters.
在古老的故事中，獨角獸住在魔法森林裡，遠離獵人的威脅。
Talia's favourite bedtime story was about a unicorn that could grant wishes to kind children.
Talia 最喜歡的床邊故事，是關於一隻可以實現善良孩子願望的獨角獸。
subject of a story: unicorn that could [verb]
A unicorn is the emblem on the royal coat of arms in the United Kingdom.
獨角獸是聯合王國皇家盾徽上的標誌之一。
cultural context: national emblem
- silver horn
- white mane
- enchanted forest
- mythical unicorn
- legendary unicorn
- mythical creature
broader term covering all legendary beasts, not specific to a horse-like animal with a horn
- magical horse
emphasises the equine appearance and magical quality; less precise
常見錯誤
2. a young company, especially in the technology sector, that has been given a valu
獨角獸公司
估值超過十億美元的新創企業
a young company, especially in the technology sector, that has been given a value of more than one billion dollars by investors
The software startup reached unicorn status after its third round of funding from investors.
這間軟體新創公司在第三輪投資後，達到了獨角獸公司的地位。
collocation: reach unicorn status
Ayesha joined the firm before it became a unicorn, so her shares grew valuable.
Ayesha 在那間公司變成獨角獸之前就加入，所以她的股票增值不少。
verb pattern: became a unicorn
Investors are searching for the next unicorn in the artificial intelligence sector.
投資人正在人工智慧領域尋找下一間獨角獸公司。
figurative use: the next unicorn — the next big success
Not every fast-growing company will become a unicorn — most stay below that billion-dollar mark.
並非每間快速成長的公司都會成為獨角獸——大多數都達不到十億美元的門檻。
- unicorn status
- become a unicorn
- unicorn startup
- next unicorn
- billion-dollar unicorn
- billion-dollar startup
more literal and transparent; less colourful than 'unicorn'
- high-growth company
broader — any fast-growing firm regardless of valuation threshold
文法句型
become a unicorn
reach unicorn status
用法筆記
Common in business journalism and technology news. The term was coined around 2013 by venture capitalist Aileen Lee to stress how rare billion-dollar startups are. Frequently appears in the phrase 'unicorn status' or in the modifier position (e.g. 'a unicorn startup').
常見錯誤
3. a person or thing that is exceptionally unusual and extremely hard to discover,
稀有珍品
極罕見而難找到的人或事物
a person or thing that is exceptionally unusual and extremely hard to discover, even though many people are looking for one
A truly honest politician is something of a unicorn in any country.
在任何國家，真正誠實的政治人物都算是稀有珍品。
figurative use: something of a unicorn
The first-edition comic book was a unicorn among collectors — only five copies exist.
那本初版漫畫在收藏家之間堪稱稀有珍品——僅存五本。
structure: a unicorn among [group]
An affordable apartment near the city centre is a unicorn in this housing market.
在目前的房市中，靠近市中心的平價公寓可說是稀有珍品。
A chef who can also manage the accounts is a unicorn in the restaurant world.
同時會做菜又會管帳的廚師，在餐飲界可說是稀有珍品。
- something of a unicorn
- a unicorn among
- the unicorn of
- rarity
neutral term; lacks the colourful, slightly playful tone of 'unicorn'
- needle in a haystack
idiom with similar meaning; more informal and vivid
- dime a dozen
idiom describing something very common and easy to find
文法句型
something of a unicorn
a unicorn among [group]
用法筆記
Typically used in informal or figurative contexts. Carries a tone of mild exaggeration — the speaker is comparing something rare to a mythical creature for effect. Often appears in the phrase 'something of a unicorn' or 'a unicorn among [plural noun]'. Distinguish from sense 2 (VALUED STARTUP), which is a specific business use — this sense applies to any rare person, object, or situation.
常見錯誤
unicorn — 形容詞
- unicornpositive
- more unicorncomparative
- most unicornsuperlative
1. decorated in a set of soft, bright colours — most often pink, purple, blue, gree
夢幻配色
以粉紫藍綠等柔和色調裝飾的
decorated in a set of soft, bright colours — most often pink, purple, blue, green and white — that are combined to create a dreamy or fantasy look on cakes, drinks, clothes, party decorations and similar items
The bakery sold unicorn cupcakes topped with swirls of pink, purple, and blue frosting.
那間麵包店賣的夢幻配色杯子蛋糕，上面有粉紅、紫色和藍色的奶油漩渦紋。
typical use: unicorn + [food item] — cupcake, cake, milkshake
Elena wore a unicorn hoodie in pastel colours to the music festival.
Elena 穿了一件夢幻配色的連帽外套去音樂節。
The birthday party had a unicorn theme, with rainbow balloons and glittery decorations everywhere.
那場生日派對採用夢幻配色主題，到處都是彩虹氣球和亮片裝飾。
collocation: unicorn theme
Dewi ordered a unicorn milkshake topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.
Dewi 點了一杯夢幻配色的奶昔，上面有鮮奶油和五彩糖粒。
- unicorn cake
- unicorn cupcake
- unicorn milkshake
- unicorn theme
- unicorn colour scheme
- unicorn hoodie
- pastel-coloured
focuses on the softness of the colours but does not specify which shades
- rainbow-coloured
broader — includes all spectral colours, not just the pastel unicorn palette
文法句型
unicorn + [noun: food, clothing, decoration]
用法筆記
Primarily used in marketing, food decoration and fashion contexts. Considered trendy or informal language — it is very common on social media and in product descriptions but rarely appears in formal writing. The 'unicorn' colour scheme specifically refers to a pastel-toned rainbow palette (pink, purple, light blue, pale green, white) rather than any bright multicolour arrangement.
常見錯誤
同根字
- unicorn-like形容詞C1
常見搭配
名詞搭配
- unicorn startup
- unicorn status
- unicorn theme
- unicorn cake
- unicorn colour scheme
常用片語
- something of a unicorn
- a unicorn among
- reach unicorn status
- become a unicorn