| 例句 |
prime adj.
⇨ good 1 (prime cuts/lamb) ⇨ main (my prime concern)prime noun
⇨ peakgood1 adjective in good condition/Good work! 状况良好；干得不错！Now is a good time to... 现在是做⋯的合适时机a good idea/reason/question/point 好主意；正当理由；好问题；好的观点a good actor; good at languages; good with your hands 出色的演员；语言能力强；手巧a good person/deed/life 正派人；善行；高尚的生活a good impression/opinion/reputation 良好的印象；赞同的意见；好名声a good boy/girl/dog 乖巧的男孩／女孩；温驯的狗 ➡ See also the entries for ⇨ better, ⇨ excellent, ⇨ great 1 and ⇨ wonderful 另见better条、excellent条、great条第1义和wonderful条good ♦︎ fine ♦︎ quality ♦︎ high quality ♦︎ sterling ♦︎ prime ♦︎ superiorThese words all describe sth that is of a good quality. 这些词均表示优质的。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆(of) good / fine / sterling / prime / superior quality◆a good / fine / quality / high quality / sterling / superior performance / service◆a good / fine / quality / high quality / superior product■ good of a high quality or an acceptable standard 好的；优质的；符合标准的◆I think that make of car's pretty good.我认为那个牌子的汽车很好。◆The old piano was in good condition.这台旧钢琴状况良好。◆Your work is just not good enough.你的工作真是不够好。◆This is as good a place as any to spend the night.有这么个地方过夜就很好了。ⓘ Good is used especially about everyday things and places and work that people do. * good尤用于修饰日常事物、地点及工作。OPP bad ⇨ poor 2 ■ fine [usually before noun] of a high quality 优质的；高质量的◆It's a particularly fine example of Saxon architecture.这是撒克逊式建筑尤为优秀的范例。◆They enjoy good food and fine wines.他们喜欢美酒佳肴。◆people who enjoy the finer things in life (= for example, art, good food etc.) 享受生活中美好事物的人◆It was his finest hour (= most successful period) as manager of the England team.那是他作为英格兰队教练的鼎盛时期。ⓘ Fine is used especially about art, culture and food. * fine尤用于修饰艺术、文化和食物。OPP poor ⇨ poor 2 ■ quality [only before noun] (rather informal) of a high quality 优质的；高质量的◆We specialize in quality furniture.我们专营高档家具。◆We offer a quality service to all customers.我们为所有顾客提供优质服务。ⓘ Quality is used especially in advertising and selling. * quality尤用于广告和销售语境中。 see also quality ⇨ value noun 1 ■ high quality [only before noun] of a good quality 优质的；高质量的◆We always use the highest quality ingredients.我们总是使用最优质的原料。◆High quality TV shows are getting rarer all the time.优质的电视节目总是越来越少。NOTE 辨析 Quality or high quality?These words have the same meaning but quality is more informal than high quality and is only used by people trying to advertise or sell sth. 这两个词意思相同，但quality没有high quality正式，仅用于广告或销售语境中。■ sterling [usually before noun] (especially BrE, formal) of very good quality 优秀的；杰出的◆He's done some sterling work.他做了一些杰出的工作。◆Thanks to all your sterling efforts, we've raised over £12 000.由于你们的出色工作，我们已募集到超过12 000英镑。◆She has some sterling qualities.她有一些优秀品质。■ prime [only before noun] of the best quality 最优质的；上乘的◆Use only prime cuts (= pieces) of beef.只使用上等的牛肉块。◆a prime location in the centre of town位于市中心的黄金地段■ superior /suːˈpɪəriə(r), sjuːˈpɪəriə(r); NAmE suːˈpɪriər/ [usually before noun] of a very good quality; better than other, similar things 上佳的；出类拔萃的；超群的◆The hotel offers superior accommodation and leisure facilities.这家旅馆提供上等的膳宿和休闲设施。ⓘ Superior is used especially in advertisements. * superior尤用于广告文案中。 OPP inferior ⇨ poor 2 main adjective ➡ 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. OPP minor ⇨ 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◆ (rather informal) Speed is key at this point.在这个时候速度是关键。 ■ central (rather formal) 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] (rather formal) 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] (especially written) 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] (rather formal) 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] (rather formal) 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/suspect Primary 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; NAmE prɪˈdɑːmɪnənt/ (rather formal) 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。 peak noun peak ♦︎ top ♦︎ height ♦︎ highlight ♦︎ climax ♦︎ high ♦︎ culmination ♦︎ prime ♦︎ heyday ♦︎ high pointThese are all words for the point when sb/sth is best, most successful, strongest, or at their highest level. 这些词均表示顶峰、高峰。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆the peak / top / height / highlight / climax / culmination / prime / heyday / high point of sth◆a peak / high / high point of $40 a barrel◆at its peak / the top / its height / its climax / a high / its culmination / a high point◆in your / its prime / heyday◆a new peak / height / high / high point◆to reach its peak / the top / its height / its climax / a high / its culmination / a high point◆to represent the peak / climax / culmination / high point of sth◆to mark the climax / culmination / high point of sth◆to pass / be past its peak / prime / heyday■ peak [countable, usually singular] the point when sb/sth is at its best, most successful, strongest or highest level 顶峰；高峰◆She's at the peak of her career.她正处在事业的巅峰。◆Membership of the club has fallen from a peak of 600 people in 2005.俱乐部会员人数从2005年顶峰时期的600人下滑了。◆Economic life moves in cycles of peaks and troughs.经济活动起起伏伏，循环往复。◆Peak-rate phone calls cost more.高峰时段通话费用较高。◆You want your hair to look in peak condition.你希望让头发保持最佳状态。OPP trough ⇨ recession ▸ peak verb [intransitive] ◆North Sea oil production peaked in 1999.1999年，北海的石油产量达到了最高峰。◆Unemployment peaked at 17%.失业率达到了17%的最高点。■ top [singular] the highest or most important rank or position 最高的级别；最重要的职位◆He's at the top of his profession.他正处在事业的巅峰。◆She is determined to make it to the top (= to achieve the highest level of fame or success).她决心要出人头地。◆This decision came from the top.这个决定是由最高领导作出的。◆They finished the season at the top of the league.他们打完这个赛季之后积分高居联赛的榜首。◆We have a lot of things to do, but packing is at the top of the list.我们有许多事情要做，但首先是打点行装。◆This printer is a top of the range model (= the best it is possible to buy.) 这款打印机是最好的。 OPP bottom ⓘ The bottom is the lowest position in a class, on a list, etc., or the person, team, etc. that is in this position. * bottom表示班上、名单上的最末位，或指排名最后的人或队◆a battle between the teams at the bottom of the league联赛中表现最差的球队间的较量◆You have to be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up.你得准备好从最底层做起。◆I was always bottom of the class in English.我的英语总是班里最差的。 ■ height [singular] the point when sth is at its best, most successful, strongest or highest level 顶峰；顶点；最强点◆She is still at the height of her powers.她仍然处于巅峰状态。◆The fire reached its height at around 2 a.m.大火在凌晨2点左右烧得最猛。◆I wouldn't go there in the height of summer.我不会在盛夏时节去那里的。ⓘ Heights [plural] are a better or greater level of success or happiness. * heights指更大的成功或幸福◆Their success had reached new heights.他们的成就已创新高。◆She dreamed of reaching the dizzy heights of stardom.她梦想达到超级巨星的地位。 NOTE 辨析 Peak or height? Peak is the more frequent and more general of these two words. A person can be at the peak/height of their career/powers but otherwise, height is not used to talk about a person. 这两个词中peak更常用，含义更广。表示一个人处于事业顶峰或巅峰状态可以说at the peak/height of their career/powers，但除此以外height不能用于人◆She seems to be reaching her peak after a great three-set victory over Henin-Hardenne.在3:0大胜了海宁之后，她似乎达到了运动生涯的巅峰。◆She seems to be reaching her height... You can talk about the peak/height of sth or sth being at a peak of a particular number or level but not a height of a number or level (although you can say a high of a number or level－see below). Peak is used in compounds or before other nouns ( peak hours/period/season/time/year/demand/rate/level/efficiency/performance/fitness/form/condition) but height is not. However, you cannot say ◆the peak of summer 表示某事的高峰或巅峰时，可以说the peak/height of sth；表示达到最高值或巅峰水平时可以说a peak of，但不说a height of（但是可以用a high of，见下面的分词条）。peak用于构成复合词，或用于其他名词前，如peak hours/period/season/time/year/demand/rate/level/efficiency/performance/fitness/form/condition（巅峰时段／时期／季节／时间／年／需求／费率／水平；最佳效率／表现／身体状态／竞技状态／状况），而height不可以这样用。但不说the peak of summer。 ■ highlight [countable] the best, most interesting or most exciting part of sth 最好（或最精彩、最激动人心）的部分◆One of the highlights of the trip was seeing the Taj Mahal.这次旅游中最精彩的一件事是参观泰姬陵。◆The highlights of the game will be shown later this evening.比赛的精华片段将于今晚稍后播出。■ climax / /ˈklaɪmæks/ / [countable] the most exciting or important event or point in time, that usually happens near the end of a period or after some time; the most exciting part of a story, film or piece of music, that usually happens near the end （事情的）高潮，顶点；（故事、电影或音乐通常接近结尾时出现的）高潮◆The team's 3-1 victory in the final provided a fitting climax to a great season.该队在决赛中3:1获胜恰如其分地将这一重要赛季推向高潮。◆The story builds up to a powerful climax with the murder of Nancy by her lover Bill Sikes.南希被她的情人比尔•塞克斯杀死，至此故事达到了令人震撼的高潮。OPP anticlimax ⇨ disappointment ▸ climax verb [intransitive] ◆ (rather informal) The festival will climax on Sunday with a gala concert.星期天的音乐盛会将会把这次会演推向高潮。ⓘ In American English climax can also be used with an object. 在美式英语中，climax还可带宾语 [transitive] ◆ (NAmE) The sensational verdict climaxed a six-month trial.这一引起轰动的判决把持续六个月的审判推向高潮。 ■ high [countable] (business 商业 or journalism 新闻) the highest level or number, especially of prices, sales, etc.; the highest temperature reached during a particular day, week, etc. 最高水平；最大数量；（某天、某星期等的）最高温度◆Profits reached an all-time high last year.去年的利润空前地高。◆Oil prices hit a high of $70 a barrel yesterday.昨天油价达到了每桶70美元的高位。◆Highs today will be in the region of 25°C.今天的最高气温将为25摄氏度左右。 OPP low ⓘ The opposite is low. * high的反义词是low◆The dollar has fallen to an all-time low against the pound.美元兑英镑已经跌到空前的低点。◆The government's popularity has hit a new low.政府的声望已经降到了一个新低。 ■ culmination / /ˌkʌlmɪˈneɪʃn/ / [singular] (rather formal, especially written) the highest point or end of sth, usually happening after a long time （通常发生在很长一段时间之后的）顶点，高潮，终点◆The reforms marked the successful culmination of a long campaign.这些改革标志着一场长期运动的胜利结束。▸ culminate verb [intransitive] ◆Months of hard work culminated in success.几个月的艰辛工作终于取得了成功。■ prime [singular] the time in your life when you are strongest, most active or most successful 盛年；年富力强的时期；鼎盛时期◆She was then a great artist in her prime.那个时候，她是个了不起的艺术家，正处于鼎盛时期。◆He was barely 30 and in the prime of (his) life when he had the accident.发生意外的时候，他还不满30岁，风华正茂。■ heyday / /ˈheɪdeɪ/ / [countable, usually singular] the time when sb/sth had most power or success, or was most popular 最为强大（或成功、繁荣）的时期◆In its heyday in the 1820s, 80 horse-drawn coaches passed through the town each day.19世纪20年代是这个小镇的鼎盛时期，每天都有80辆马车经过。◆This is a fine film from the heyday of Italian cinema.这是意大利电影业鼎盛时期拍摄的一部佳片。■ ˈhigh point [countable] the point when sth is most interesting, enjoyable or successful or at its highest level 最有意思（或最令人愉快、最成功、最高水平）的时候◆It was the high point of the evening.那是晚会最精彩的部分。◆From a high point of nearly 140 000 in the 1950s, the workforce had fallen to 74 000 by 1984.劳动人口从20世纪50年代近14万人的最高点，减少到了1984年的7.4万人。ⓘ High point usually has a positive meaning. * high point通常有正面的含义◆The violence reached its peak / height in the summer of that year.那年夏季暴力事件达到了一个高峰。◆The violence reached a high point in the summer of that year. OPP low point |