➡ See also the entry for ⇨ top另见top条main ♦︎ major ♦︎ key ♦︎ central ♦︎ principal ♦︎ chief ♦︎ prime ♦︎ primary ♦︎ number one ♦︎ predominantThese words all describe sb/sth that is the largest or most important of its kind.这些词均表示主要的、最重要的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆to be key / central to sth◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / chief / prime / primary / number one / predominant concern◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / chief / prime / primary / predominant purpose / source / factor◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / chief / prime / primary aim / focus / function / objective / task / reason / consideration◆a / the main / major / principal / chief / prime / primary object◆a / the main / major / key / principal / chief / prime / primary / number one cause◆a / the main / major / principal / chief / primary / predominant effect◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / chief / prime attraction◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / predominant theme◆a / the main / major / key / central / principal / prime / primary / predominant role◆a / the main / major / principal / prime / number one contender◆the main / chief / prime / number one suspect◆a / the main / major / principal road / town / city◆the main / key thing is to...◆to be of major / key / central / prime / primary importance■main [only before noun] largest or most important主要的；最重要的◆Be careful crossing the main road.过大马路时小心点儿。◆We have our main meal at lunchtime.我们的正餐是午饭。◆The main course was roast lamb.主菜是烤羊羔肉。◆Reception is in the main building.接待处在主楼。◆Please use the main entrance.请走正门。◆Poor housing and unemployment are the main problems.住房差和失业是主要问题。◆ (spoken) The main thing is to remain calm.最重要的是要保持冷静。▸mainly
adverb
◆They eat mainly fruit and nuts.他们的食物以水果和坚果为主。◆The population almost doubles in August, mainly because of the film festival.主要是电影节的缘故，8月这里的人几乎比平时多一倍。■major / /ˈmeɪdʒə(r)/ / [usually before noun] very large or important主要的；重要的；大的◆A major road runs right through the centre of the town.一条大马路恰好从城中心穿过。◆He played a major role in setting up the system.他对该项制度的建立起了重要作用。◆We have encountered major problems.我们遇到了大问题。ⓘ Major is most often used after a with a singular noun or no article with a plural noun. When it is used with the or my/your/his/her/our/their it means 'the largest or most important'. * major最常用于不定冠词a之后，与单数名词连用；或不用冠词，与复数名词连用。major与the或my/your/his/her/our/their连用时意为“最主要的、最重要的”◆Our major concern here is combatting poverty.在这里我们最关心的是解决贫穷问题。In this meaning it is only used to talk about ideas or worries that people have, not physical things, and it is also more formal than main.表达此义时，major只用以修饰人的想法或忧虑，而非物质的东西，且较main正式◆Be careful crossing the major road.◆The major thing is to remain calm.OPPminor ⇨ minor■key [usually before noun] most important; essential最重要的；主要的；关键的◆The key issue here is taxation.这里的关键问题是税收。◆'Caution' is the key word in this situation.在此情形之下，caution为关键词。◆Attitude is a key concept in social psychology.态度是社会心理学中非常重要的概念。ⓘ Key is used most frequently in business and political contexts. It can be used to talk about ideas, or the part that sb plays in a situation, but not physical things. It is slightly more informal than major, especially when used after a noun and linking verb. * key最常用于商务和政治语境，修饰想法或某人在某情形下所起的作用，而非物质的东西。key较major略非正式，用在名词加连系动词后尤其如此◆ (ratherinformal) Speed is key at this point.在这个时候速度是关键。■central (ratherformal) most important; having power or control over other parts最重要的；首要的；起支配作用的；主导性的◆The central issue is that of widespread racism.最重要的问题是种族主义泛滥。◆She has been a central figure in the campaign.她一直是这场运动的首要人物。◆Reducing inflation is central to(= is an important part of) the government's economic policy.降低通胀是政府经济政策的重点。◆the central committee(= of a political party)党中央委员会◆The organization has a central office in New York.该组织在纽约设有总部。ⓘ Central is used in a similar way to key, but is more formal. It is most frequently used in the phrase sth is central to sth else and has a slightly smaller range of noun collocates than key. These mostly relate to the part sb/sth plays in sth (character, component, feature, figure, motif, part, role, theme, topic), what sb is trying to achieve (aim, focus, issue, preoccupation, problem, recommendation) or ideas that sb has about sth (belief, concept, doctrine, truth). * central与key用法相似，但更正式，最常用于短语be central to中。与key相比，central可搭配的名词范围略小。这些搭配词大多与某人或某事物所起的作用(character、component、feature、figure、motif、part、role、theme、topic)、某人努力想完成之事(aim、focus、issue、preoccupation、problem、recommendation)或某人对某事物的看法(belief、concept、doctrine、truth)相关。■principal / /ˈprɪnsəpl/ / [only before noun] (ratherformal) most important最重要的；主要的◆New roads will link the principal cities.新建道路将连通各主要城市。◆Tourist revenue is now our principal source of wealth.旅游业的收入现在成了我们主要的财富来源。◆My principal concern is to get the job done fast.我最关心的是把工作快点做完。ⓘ Principal is mostly used for statements of fact about which there can be no argument. To state an opinion, or to try to persuade sb of the facts as you see them, it is more usual to use key or central. * principal主要用于陈述无可争辩的事实。表明意见或说服别人相信你所认定的事实，较常用key或central◆The key / central issue here is ...这里的关键问题是⋯▸principally
adverb
◆The tax was very unpopular, principally because it hit the poor hardest.这项税收很不得人心，主要是因为它对穷人的打击最沉重。◆The farms are principally arable.这些农场主要是可耕地。■chief [only before noun] (especiallywritten) most important最重要的；主要的◆Unemployment was the chief cause of poverty.失业是贫穷的主要原因。◆Her chief rival for the gold medal is Jones of the USA.她争夺金牌的主要对手是美国的琼斯。ⓘ Chief also means 'highest in rank' when talking about the jobs that people have. In the meaning of 'most important' it is also often used to talk about people in various different roles. * chief修饰职位时意为“最高级别的、首席的”。chief表达“最重要的”之意时亦常修饰担任各种不同角色的人◆sb's chief enemy / rival / opponent某人主要的敌人／竞争对手／对手◆the chief architect / exponent of sth某事主要的缔造者／倡导者▸chiefly
adverb
◆Defence spending was cut, chiefly by reducing national service by six months.主要通过减少六个月兵役来削减国防开支。◆The scientists cannot be held solely or even chiefly to blame.责任不能完全甚至主要由科学家来承担。■prime [only before noun] (ratherformal) most important; to be considered first最重要的；主要的；首要的◆My prime concern is to protect my property.我最关心的是保护自己的财产。◆The care of the environment is of prime importance.保护环境最为重要。◆He's the police's prime suspect in this case.他是该案中警方的首要怀疑对象。■primary [usually before noun] (ratherformal) prime最重要的；主要的；首要的◆The primary aim of this class is to improve your spoken English.这门课的主要目的是提高英语会话能力。◆Our primary concern must be the children.我们首要关心的必须是儿童。▸primarily
adverb
◆In the 1790s Britain was still primarily an agricultural country.18世纪90年代，英国基本上还是个农业国。◆History is after all primarily about people.历史毕竟主要还是人的历史。NOTE辨析 Prime or primary?In many cases you can use either word.在许多情况下这两个词可以通用◆your prime / primary concern / purpose / aim / object / objective / task你最关心的事；你的首要目的／目标／宗旨／目标／任务◆to be of prime / primary importance最重要However, prime is used in some fixed collocations where primary cannot be used.不过，在某些固定搭配中只能用prime，不能用primary◆the prime attraction / contender / suspect主要的景点／竞争者／怀疑对象◆the primary attraction/contender/suspectPrimary also has the related meaning of 'earliest' or 'first'. * primary还有一个相关义项，即“最初的、最早的”。 see also primary ⇨ first■number one [only before noun] (informal) most important or best头号的；最重要的；最好的◆Our number one priority is to find larger office space.我们的头等大事是找到大一些的办公场所。◆I just love your work! I'm your number one fan.我真是太爱你的作品了！我是你的头号仰慕者。■predominant /prɪˈdɒmɪnənt; NAmEprɪˈdɑːmɪnənt/ (ratherformal) most obvious or noticeable显著的；明显的；盛行的◆A predominant feature of his work is the use of natural materials.他的作品的一个显著特征是使用天然材料。◆Yellow is the predominant colour this spring in the fashion world.黄色是今春时装界的主流行色。▸predominantly
adverb
◆The firm has a predominantly female workforce.该公司的员工以女性居多。◆Ours is a predominantly Buddhist country.我国国民大多信奉佛教。
top
adjective
➡ See also the entry for ⇨ main另见main条top ♦︎ senior ♦︎ chief ♦︎ leading ♦︎ high ♦︎ first ♦︎ high-ranking ♦︎ premier ♦︎ foremost ♦︎ superior ♦︎ eliteThese words all describe sb/sth that is the highest in position, rank or degree.这些词均表示最高级别的、一流的、顶尖的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a top / senior / chief / leading / high-ranking / superior officer◆a top / senior / chief / leading adviser / aide / economist / lawyer◆a top / senior / chief / high-ranking executive◆a top / senior / leading / high-ranking official◆a senior / leading / high-ranking figure / member◆the chief / leading / foremost exponent of sth◆the leading / foremost authority / expert on sth◆a top / senior grade / appointment / job◆the top / first / premier division / prize◆top / high grades / marks■top [usually before noun] highest in position, rank or degree（位置、级别或程度）最高的◆He lives on the top floor.他住在顶层。◆She's one of the top players in the country.她是国内顶尖运动员之一。◆The car was travelling at top speed.那辆汽车全速行驶。◆This is top quality silk.这是最优质的丝绸。ⓘ Top can be used after a linking verb, but only in British English. * top可用于连系动词后，但仅在英式英语中有此用法◆ (BrE) He finished top in the exam.他考试得了第一名。◆They're top of the league.他们在联赛中位居榜首。▸top
noun
[countable] ◆She was standing at the top of the stairs.她站在楼梯的顶端。◆Write your name at the top.把你的姓名写在上端。◆He's at the top of his profession.他正处于事业的巅峰。◆This decision came from the top(= the most important person in an organization).这一决定是由最高领导作出的。OPPbottom ⇨ bottom■seniorhigh in rank or status; higher in rank or status than others级别（或地位）高的◆She's a senior lecturer at the university.她是那所大学的高级讲师。◆I'm looking for a more senior position.我在寻找更高的职位。◆He is senior to me.他的职位比我高。OPPjuniorⓘ A person in a junior position is low in rank or status, or lower than others. * junior指级别或地位低的◆junior employees初级员工◆She is junior to me.她的职位比我低。■chief (often常作Chief) [only before noun] highest in rank最高级别的；为首的；首席的◆Who is the new Chief Education Officer?谁是新的首席教育官？◆The chief financial officer of the company paid us a visit.那家公司的财务总监访问了我们。◆Detective Chief Inspector Williams侦缉总督察威廉斯ⓘ Chief is mainly used in names of positions. * chief主要用于职务名称。■leading [only before noun] most important or most successful最重要的；一流的◆She was offered the leading role in the new TV series.她获邀在那部新的电视连续剧中扮演主角。◆He's a leading business analyst.他是顶尖的商业分析员。ⓘ Leading is often used in publicity for companies that produce products or provide services. * leading常用于生产产品或提供服务的公司的宣传材料中◆a leading brand / manufacturer / supplier领先的品牌／制造商／供应商 see also prominent ⇨ famous■high [usually before noun] near the top in rank or status上层的；地位高的◆She has held high office under three prime ministers.她曾在三任首相手下任过要职。◆The case was referred to a higher court.案件被提交上级法院审理。◆He has friends in high places(= among people of power and influence).他有位高权重的朋友。ⓘ In this meaning high is used in a fairly limited range of collocations表达此义时，high仅用于有限的几种搭配◆high status / rank / position / office高的地位／等级／职位／职务and in some more particular names of very important people and things.另外也用于一些非常重要的人或机构的特定名称中◆a high court / magistrate / commissioner / priest高等法院；高级地方执法官／专员；祭司长■first
determiner
most important or best最重要的；首要的；最优秀的◆Your first duty is to your family.你首先要对家庭尽责。◆She won first prize in the competition.她在竞赛中获得头等奖。ⓘ When first means 'most important', typical collocates are duty, importance and consideration. When first means 'best in a competition', typical collocates are prize and place.当first表示“最重要”时，常见搭配词有duty、importance和consideration。当first表示“在竞争中表现最佳”时，常见搭配词有prize和place。■ˌhigh-ˈranking [usually before noun] high in rank or status; important职位高的；显要的◆He's a high-ranking officer in the army.他是部队的高级军官。◆She's been offered a high-ranking post in the police force.她获得了警察机关中的高层职位。ⓘ High-ranking is often used to talk about positions in the areas of politics and the military. Typical collocates are (army/military) officer, bureaucrat, official, and (party) member. * high-ranking常指政治和军事领域的高级职位。常见搭配词有(army/military) officer、bureaucrat、official和(party) member。■premier /ˈpremiə(r); NAmEprɪˈmɪr, prɪˈmjɪr/ [only before noun] (especiallywrittenorjournalism新闻) most important, famous or successful首要的；最著名的；一流的；顶尖的◆The new Institute of Contemporary Art is one of Boston's premier attractions.新的当代美术馆是波士顿首屈一指的旅游景点。◆ (BrE, sport体育) They've just moved up to the Premier League(= in football).他们刚刚晋级超级联赛。ⓘ Premier is often used in journalism and advertising to talk about popular and successful events or places, especially in relation to the country or place they can be found in. * premier常用于新闻和广告，谈论出名及成功的事件或地方，尤与举办国或发生地相关◆Scotland's premier resort / hotel / exhibition / tourist attraction苏格兰首屈一指的度假胜地／酒店／展览／旅游景点■foremost /ˈfɔːməʊst; NAmEˈfɔːrmoʊst/ (ratherformal, especiallywritten) most important, famous or successful; in a position at the front最重要的；最著名的；一流的；最前的◆I'd like to introduce you to the world's foremost authority on the subject.我想向你介绍该学科全世界首屈一指的权威。◆The President was foremost among those who condemned the violence.总统带头谴责暴力行为。◆This question has been foremost in our minds recently.近来我们心目中一直认为这个问题最重要。NOTE辨析 Premier or foremost?Premier is used more to describe places and events; foremost is used more to describe people. Foremost is a more formal word and suggests greater seriousness; premier suggests greater popularity. * premier多修饰地方和事件，foremost多修饰人。foremost比较正式，含意更为严肃；premier意味着更为人熟知◆the world's foremost authority on / expert on / exponent of sth某方面全世界最重要的权威／专家／倡导者◆Britain's premier chef英国名厨■superior /suːˈpɪəriə(r), sjuːˈpɪəriə(r); NAmEsuːˈpɪriər/ higher in rank or status（级别或地位）更高的◆I'll need to check with my superior officer.我需要和我的上级长官核实一下。ⓘ In this meaning, superior typically collocates with officer, status, position and power.表达此义时superior通常与officer、status、position和power搭配。OPPinferiorⓘ An inferior officer or position is lower in rank or status. * inferior指级别或地位较低的。NOTE辨析 Senior or superior?Superior is used more than senior when there is a strong sense of status in a system or organization, for example in the army. In an everyday office or work situation it is more usual to talk about a senior colleague/manager/adviser/clerk/editor/designer/teacher.在等级观念较强的系统或组织，如军队中，superior比senior更常用。在日常办公或工作场合中较常用senior，如a senior colleague/manager/adviser/clerk/editor/designer/teacher（资深同事；高级经理／顾问／文员／编辑／设计师／教师）。■elite /eɪˈliːt, ɪˈliːt/ [only before noun] powerful, and having a lot of influence, because of wealth, ability, family or business connections掌权的；上层的；社会精英的◆The secret was known only by an elite group of senior executives.那个秘密仅限于一批掌权的高级主管知晓。◆He was trained at an elite military academy.他曾在精英军事学院受训。ⓘ Elite is often used in texts relating to the army or education. * elite常用于与军队或教育有关的文字中◆elite troops / force / corps精锐部队◆an elite force / corps一支精锐部队◆an elite education / private school精英教育；英才私立学校Elite is also often used to describe a group of people who share special knowedge or secrets. * elite亦常用来修饰拥有专业知识或知晓某些秘密的群体。 see also elite ⇨ elitenoun, elitist ⇨ exclusive
leader1
noun
political leaders政治领袖The company is a world leader in electrical goods.该公司的电器产品在全世界首屈一指。➡ See also the entry for ⇨ manager另见manager条leader ♦︎ chairman ♦︎ head ♦︎ president ♦︎ chief executive ♦︎ chief ♦︎ managing director ♦︎ boss ♦︎ governor ♦︎ chairThese are all words for a person who is in charge of a company, organization, committee, etc.这些词均表示公司、机构和委员会等的负责人或领导者。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a deputy leader / chairman / head / president / chief executive / chief / managing director / boss / governor / chair◆a vice chairman / president / chair◆an acting chairman / head / president / chief executive / governor / chair◆the honorary chairman / president / chair◆a joint leader / head / president / managing director◆a party leader / chairman / president / chief / boss / chair◆a union leader / chairman / president / chief / boss◆a company / club chairman / president / chief executive / chief / managing director / boss◆a council leader / chairman / chief / boss / chair◆an industry leader / chairman / chief / boss◆to be appointed (as) leader / chairman / head / president / chief executive / chief / managing director / governor / chair◆to be elected (as) leader / chairman / head / president / chair◆to nominate sb as leader / chairman / president◆to take over as leader / chairman / head / president / chief executive / managing director / chair◆to serve as chairman / head / president / governor / chair◆to resign / stand down / step down as leader / chairman / head / president / chief executive / chief / managing director / governor / chair■leader [countable] a person who leads a group of people, especially a country or organization（尤指国家或机构的）领导者，领袖，首领◆He resigned as leader of the Democratic Party.他辞去了民主党领袖的职务。◆Discuss any problems with your team leader.任何问题都要与你们的组长讨论解决。◆A strong leader is one who is not afraid of listening to people.有魄力的领导是不怕听取民众意见的。◆She's a born leader(= she has the skills needed to be a good leader).她是个天生的领袖。◆He was not a natural leader.他并非天生具备领导素质。 see also leadership ⇨ government2■chairman [countable] the person in charge of a committee or company; the person in charge of a meeting, who tells people when they can speak（委员会的）理事长，主席；（公司的）董事长；（会议的）主席，主持人◆The chairman of the company presented the annual report.公司董事长提交了年度报告。◆Sir Herbert took it upon himself to act as chairman.赫伯特爵士主动担任了主席。ⓘ A chairman is nearly always a man. A woman who holds this position can be called a chairwoman, but this is much less frequent. The term chair (see below) can be used for a man or a woman, but usually refers to sb in charge of a committee or meeting but not a company. * chairman几乎总是男性，担任该职务的女性称作chairwoman，但该词不常用。而chair这一用语（见下面的分词条）可兼指男女，但通常指委员会或会议的主席，而非公司的董事长◆the committee / council / party chair委员会／地方议会／政党主席◆the company/industry/union/club chair■head [countable] the person in charge of a group of people or an organization负责人；领导人◆The Bishop is head of the Church in Kenya.在肯尼亚，主教是教会的领导人。◆She resigned as head of department.她辞去了部门主管的职务。◆It is a parliamentary democracy with a president as head of state.这是一个议会民主政体，以总统为国家元首。 see also headship ⇨ management■president ( President) [countable] the person in charge of some organizations, businesses, clubs or colleges（机构、企业、俱乐部或学院的）会长，董事长，主席，院长◆She was elected president of the student's union.她当选为学生会主席。◆ (especially NAmE) He was appointed as vice president of business development the following year.第二年他被任命为商务发展部副部长。ⓘ The title of president for heads and senior managers in commercial organizations is more frequent in American English than in British English. * president作为商业机构负责人或高级经理这个头衔更常用于美式英语而非英式英语。■ˌchief eˈxecutive / /ɪgˈzekjətɪv/ / [countable] the person with the highest position in a company or organization, who makes decisions about how the business is run（公司或机构的）总经理，总裁◆The chief executive addressed the board.总经理向董事会致辞。■chief [countable] a person in a high position or the highest position in a company or organization（公司或机构的）主管，最高领导人◆We spoke to a former CIA chief of European operations.我们与美国中央情报局前任欧洲部最高领导人交谈过。◆Virgin chief, Richard Branson, may take legal action against the newspaper.维京公司最高领导人理查德•布兰森有可能会起诉这家报纸。ⓘ Chief is used as part of some official job titles, especially in American English. * chief可用于某些正式职务头衔中，特别是在美式英语中 (especially NAmE) ◆the police / fire chief警察局长；消防队长◆the chief of staff总参谋长It is common in job titles for heads of government departments and other public organizations, such as the police and security services. In British English, especially in journalism, it is often rather informal.政府部门和其他公共机构最高领导人的职务头衔中常用，比如警察和国家安全机构。在英式英语中，特别是在新闻中，这种用法常很不正式◆ (BrE, ratherinformal, journalism新闻) Health chiefs say waiting times are down.卫生事务负责人说看病等候的时间缩短了。■ˌmanaging diˈrector [countable] (BrE) the person in charge of a company, or a division of a company, who has responsibility for the daily running of the business（公司或部门的）总裁，总经理，常务董事◆The firm's managing director is now under investigation for corruption.该公司总经理正在接受贪污调查。 see also manager,director ⇨ managerNOTE辨析 Chairman, president, chief executive or managing director?The chairman of a company is usually the most senior member of its board(= group of directors). President is a title given to the most senior position in some companies. The chief executive or managing director is the person in charge of making decisions about how a business, or part of a business, is run. The chief executive or managing director is often also the chairman.在公司里chairman通常是地位最高的董事会主席；president是一些公司里最高职位的头衔；chief executive或managing director则指负责企业经营或负责部分业务的决策人；chief executive或managing director常常也是chairman。■boss [countable] (informal, journalism新闻) a person in charge of a company or organization老板；主事者◆There's been criticism of bonuses paid to top oil company bosses.石油公司大老板们的奖金一直受到批评。NOTE辨析 Chief or boss?Both of these words are used especially in journalism to refer to the people in charge of organizations or public services.这两个词尤用于新闻报道，指机构或公用事业的负责人◆industry chiefs / bosses行业大老板Chief is used especially for the people in charge of government or public services. * chief尤指政府或公用事业的负责人◆Health Service chiefs医疗保健服务负责人Boss is often used for the people in charge of particular companies and sports clubs. * boss常指某个公司或体育俱乐部的负责人◆a record label boss / the Sheffield United boss唱片公司老板；谢菲尔德联队老板Boss is more informal. * boss较非正式。■governor [countable] (BrE) a person in charge of an institution, such as a prison or bank主管；机构负责人；总裁◆He is a former governor of the Bank of England.他曾任英格兰银行行长。◆A copy of the report was sent to the prison governor.报告的一份复印件送交给了监狱长。 see also governor ⇨ manager■chair [singular] the position of being in charge of a meeting or committee; the person who holds this position（主持会议或委员会的）主席席位，理事长职位；（会议或委员会的）主席，理事长◆She takes the chair in all our meetings.我们所有的会议都由她主持。◆Who is in the chair today?今天谁主持？◆All remarks should be addressed to the chair.所有言论都应说给会议主席听。◆He was elected chair of the city council.他当选为市议会主席。ⓘ See note at chairman (above).参见上文中chairman的注释。