words
[wˈɚdz] /ˈwərd How to pronounce word (audio)/ (ame, mw)
words — 名詞
1. separate pieces of language that carry meaning, whether people say them aloud or
字詞
有獨立意義的語言單位
separate pieces of language that carry meaning, whether people say them aloud or write them down.
Tuan copied the new words from the board into his notebook.
Tuan 把黑板上的新字詞抄進筆記本裡。
collocation: copy words from the board
Jisoo counted the words in her essay before sending it to the teacher.
Jisoo 在把作文交給老師前，先數了裡面的字詞。
The red sign uses only three words, but everyone understands it.
那塊紅色告示只用了三個字詞，但每個人都看得懂。
Ayana underlined the hard words in the recipe and checked them later.
Ayana 把食譜裡較難的字詞畫線，打算晚點再查。
- terms
more formal, often used in academic or technical contexts
- expressions
broader, and often used for longer fixed combinations rather than single items
用法筆記
This is the everyday sense used for vocabulary items in speech or writing. It often appears with verbs like learn, count, copy, spell, and underline.
常見錯誤
2. a way of naming a taboo or awkward expression by saying its opening letter inste
某字眼
以首字母代稱禁忌詞
a way of naming a taboo or awkward expression by saying its opening letter instead of the full form.
Leo whispered that the older boys had shouted the F-word behind the gym.
Leo 小聲說，那群大男孩剛才在體育館後面喊出 F 字眼。
pattern: the F-word / the N-word
The host joked about the C-word, then quickly changed the topic.
主持人拿 C 字眼開玩笑，然後立刻換了話題。
Manuela covered her son's ears when the man used the S-word on the bus.
Manuela 聽到那名男子在公車上罵出 S 字眼時，立刻摀住兒子的耳朵。
The newspaper printed 'the N-word' instead of spelling the insult in full.
報紙只印出「the N-word」，沒有把那個侮辱人的某字眼完整寫出來。
- euphemism
broader; covers many polite substitutions, not only letter-based forms
文法句型
the + letter + -word
用法筆記
Most often seen in patterns like the F-word or the N-word. Speakers use it when they want to mention a sensitive term without repeating it openly.
3. a few spoken remarks, or a quick conversation with someone.
幾句話
簡短的談話或提醒
a few spoken remarks, or a quick conversation with someone.
Christopher had a few words with the waiter about the cold soup.
Christopher 跟服務生談了幾句話，提到湯已經冷了。
pattern: have a few words with someone
The coach said a few words before the team ran onto the field.
教練在球隊跑進場前先講了幾句話。
Ilan exchanged a few friendly words with the new neighbor by the gate.
Ilan 在大門口和新鄰居友善地聊了幾句話。
The sisters shared a few quiet words before the train doors closed.
姐妹倆在車門關上前低聲說了幾句話。
文法句型
have a few words with someone
exchange a few words
用法筆記
Often appears with a few, a quiet, or a friendly. This sense covers both a short talk and a short spoken remark before an event.
4. things people say or write, considered as language rather than as separate vocab
話語；文字
泛指說出或寫出的語言
things people say or write, considered as language rather than as separate vocabulary items.
The poet chose simple words so children could follow the story easily.
那位詩人故意選用簡單的話語，讓孩子也能輕鬆看懂故事。
words as general language choice
Her words on the card made Grandmother cry with relief.
她寫在卡片上的文字讓祖母感動得掉下眼淚。
Cruel words can stay in a child's mind for many years.
殘忍的話語可能會在孩子心裡留很多年。
The journalist weighed her words carefully before the live interview began.
那位記者在直播訪問前，小心斟酌自己的文字。
用法筆記
This sense treats words as speech or writing in a broad way, often with emotional or moral force. It is less about counting vocabulary items than about what language does.
5. talk that sounds concerned or impressive but is not followed by any real action.
空話；空談
只有談論，沒有行動
talk that sounds concerned or impressive but is not followed by any real action.
Workers wanted repairs, not words, after the factory roof collapsed.
工廠屋頂倒塌後，工人們要的是修理，不是空話。
contrast: not words, but action
The mayor's kind words did not fix the broken water pipes.
市長溫和的空話並沒有修好破掉的水管。
Residents said they were tired of words and delays after the storm.
暴風雨過後，居民說自己已經受夠空談和拖延。
All we heard were words; no one actually brought blankets or food.
我們聽到的只有空話，沒有人真的送來毛毯或食物。
文法句型
not words but action
tired of words
用法筆記
Often contrasted directly with action, help, results, or money. The speaker is usually criticizing a gap between what was said and what was done.
6. remarks that openly back, encourage, or praise a person, plan, or cause.
鼓勵；支持
表示贊同或打氣的話
remarks that openly back, encourage, or praise a person, plan, or cause.
The nurse's gentle words gave Ayana courage before the operation.
手術前，護士溫柔的鼓勵讓 Ayana 更有勇氣。
supportive words that encourage someone
Fans sent words of support after the singer canceled the tour.
歌手取消巡演後，粉絲們傳來許多支持的話。
pattern: words of support
Tuan thanked his teacher for the warm words after the school play.
Tuan 感謝老師在校內演出後給他的溫暖鼓勵。
Her public words in favor of the shelter persuaded more neighbors to donate.
她公開表示支持收容所的那些話，說服了更多鄰居捐款。
- encouragement
focuses more on giving confidence than on public approval
- endorsement
more formal and public, especially for policies or candidates
文法句型
words of support
words in favor of something
用法筆記
Often used with of or in favor of when the support is public. It can describe encouragement to a person or approval of an idea or campaign.
7. information that reaches someone from elsewhere, often after a period of waiting
消息；口信
傳來的資訊或訊息
information that reaches someone from elsewhere, often after a period of waiting.
The first words from the rescue team were reassuring after the landslide.
土石流後，救援隊傳回來的第一批消息讓大家放下心來。
pattern: words from [person/group]
Pim waited all week for words from his son in Seoul.
Pim 整個星期都在等兒子從首爾捎來的消息。
By noon, worried families were still waiting for words from the ferry.
到中午時，焦急的家屬還在等渡輪那邊傳來的消息。
The late-night words said the mountain road had finally reopened.
深夜傳來的口信說，山路終於重新開放了。
文法句型
words from someone
words that-clause
用法筆記
Often appears in patterns like words from someone or wait for words. In modern everyday English, singular word is more common, while plural words can sound slightly more literary or emphasize several reported details.
8. spoken assurances that commit someone to doing something or keeping something tr
保證
帶有承諾意味的話
spoken assurances that commit someone to doing something or keeping something true.
The captain's last words were a promise that he would return for the climber.
船長最後留下的那些話，是一定會回來找那名登山客的保證。
words were a promise that-clause
Her calm words to the children were a promise that no one was abandoned.
她安撫孩子們的那些話，成了不會有人被丟下的保證。
The judge treated the company's public words as a promise to repay customers.
法官把公司公開說的那些話，視為會退款給顧客的保證。
To Mia, his words were more than comfort; they were a real promise.
對 Mia 來說，他的那些話不只是安慰，而是真正的保證。
文法句型
words were a promise
take words as a promise
用法筆記
Used when spoken language itself carries the force of a commitment. It overlaps with promise, but the focus stays on the spoken assurance rather than on a formal agreement.
9. spoken instructions that tell people what to do and expect immediate obedience.
命令
要求別人立刻照做的話
spoken instructions that tell people what to do and expect immediate obedience.
The sergeant's words sent the sleepy recruits running into the yard.
中士的命令一下，睡眼惺忪的新兵就跑進院子裡。
words functioning as an immediate command
At her mother's sharp words, Manuela put the phone away at once.
聽到母親嚴厲的命令，Manuela 立刻把手機收起來。
pattern: at someone's words
The coach's words brought every player back to the bench in silence.
教練一聲命令，就讓所有球員安靜地回到板凳區。
One burst of words from the foreman stopped the machine checks immediately.
工頭吼出命令後，機器檢查立刻停了下來。
文法句型
at someone's words
words sent someone somewhere
用法筆記
This sense is stronger and more immediate than the general MESSAGE sense. The words themselves function like an instruction that people are expected to follow.
10. the lines that are sung or spoken in a song, stage work, or script.
歌詞；台詞
歌曲或戲劇中的文字
the lines that are sung or spoken in a song, stage work, or script.
Jisoo forgot the last words of the chorus during rehearsal.
Jisoo 彩排時忘了副歌最後一句歌詞。
words of a song section
The actor penciled new words into the margin of his script.
那位演員把新的台詞用鉛筆寫在劇本邊上。
script lines revised in writing
The children sang the same words again while the drummer fixed the beat.
鼓手調整節拍時，孩子們又把同樣的歌詞唱了一遍。
The musical's closing words made the audience fall completely silent.
音樂劇結尾那幾句台詞讓全場安靜了下來。
文法句型
words of a song
words in a script
用法筆記
Use this sense for lyrics in songs and for spoken lines in plays or musicals. It points to the text itself, not to the performance or melody.
11. sharp talk between people who are arguing in anger.
口角；爭執
帶怒氣的爭吵對話
sharp talk between people who are arguing in anger.
The neighbors had angry words over the barking dog at midnight.
鄰居們因為半夜狂叫的狗起了口角。
pattern: have angry words over something
After a few sharp words in the kitchen, Christopher walked outside to cool off.
廚房裡爆發幾句尖銳的爭執後，Christopher 走到外面去消氣。
The drivers exchanged heated words beside the blocked bridge.
兩名駕駛在被堵住的橋邊互相大聲爭執。
One rude customer left the cafe after harsh words with the cashier.
那位粗魯的客人跟收銀員起了口角後，就離開了咖啡館。
文法句型
have words with someone
exchange heated words
用法筆記
Usually appears in patterns like have words with someone or exchange words. Unlike the BRIEF EXCHANGE sense, this one clearly involves anger or conflict.
words — 動詞
- wordspresent simple I / you / we / they
- wordses3rd person singular
- wordsing-ing form
- wordsedpast simple
1. to shape an idea with particular language when you speak or write it.
措辭；表述
把意思用特定字句說出
to shape an idea with particular language when you speak or write it.
Jisoo words her emails politely when she must refuse a request.
Jisoo 在必須拒絕請求時，電子郵件總會措辭得很客氣。
word + object + adverb
The lawyer words each question carefully during interviews with witnesses.
律師在詢問證人時，每個問題都措辭得很謹慎。
Ayana usually words bad news gently for worried families at the clinic.
Ayana 對焦急的家屬說壞消息時，通常會表述得很溫和。
The poster words the safety warning in simple language for children.
那張海報把安全警語措辭成孩子也能懂的簡單語言。
文法句型
word + object + adverb
word + object + in + noun phrase
用法筆記
The focus is on how something is phrased, not just on the message itself. It is often used with adverbs like carefully, politely, clearly, or badly.