amphitheatre

amphitheatre — noun

1. a large round or oval building, built without a roof in ancient Greece or Rome,

1.名詞C1
釋義

a large round or oval building, built without a roof in ancient Greece or Rome, where audiences sat on stone seats rising in steps around a central floor to watch fights between gladiators, animal hunts, or plays.

例句

The Colosseum in Rome is the most famous Roman amphitheatre in the world.

the [adjective] amphitheatre — historical reference

Tourists climbed the worn stone steps of the amphitheatre at Pompeii.

amphitheatre at [place name]

同義詞
  • arena

    broader; any space for sport or fights, ancient or modern

  • coliseum

    often refers to large modern stadiums; sometimes used for the Roman one as a proper noun

文法句型

the amphitheatre at [place]

用法筆記

Subject is usually a specific named ancient site (the Colosseum, the amphitheatre at Pompeii). Often appears with the definite article and a place name attached by 'at' or 'in'.

常見錯誤

The Colosseum is a famous coliseum.
The Colosseum is a famous amphitheatre.
💡'coliseum' in modern English usually means a large modern stadium; the ancient Roman type is an amphitheatre.

2. an outdoor performance space where the audience sits on curved tiers of seats th

2.名詞C1
釋義

an outdoor performance space where the audience sits on curved tiers of seats that climb up around a central stage, used today for concerts, plays, and ceremonies.

例句

The orchestra performed Mozart at the open-air amphitheatre under a clear summer sky.

perform at the amphitheatre — venue use

Families spread blankets on the grass tiers of the park's small amphitheatre.

同義詞
  • auditorium

    usually indoor; any space with tiered seating facing a stage

  • bowl

    informal; large outdoor amphitheatre, e.g. the Hollywood Bowl

文法句型

at the amphitheatre

perform at an amphitheatre

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 by context: a modern amphitheatre is typically associated with present-day concerts, festivals, or ceremonies, often with adjectives like 'open-air', 'hillside', or 'park'. Sense 1 collocates with named ancient sites.

常見錯誤

The concert was held at the stadium amphitheatre.
The concert was held at the open-air amphitheatre.
💡an amphitheatre is the curved tiered venue itself, not part of a stadium.