bee

bee — noun

1. an insect with black-and-yellow markings that feeds on flower nectar, makes hone

1.名詞B1
釋義

an insect with black-and-yellow markings that feeds on flower nectar, makes honey, and may hurt you with its sting

例句

A bee landed on Emma's sleeve while she picked peaches.

bee + land on something

By noon, bees were moving between the lavender plants in rows.

同義詞
  • honeybee

    a narrower word for the common hive bee that makes honey

  • bumblebee

    a larger, hairier kind of bee

  • insect

    a much broader word; a bee is one type of insect

文法句型

a bee stings somebody

bees buzz around flowers

a bee lands on something

用法筆記

Often used in compounds such as honey bee, queen bee, and worker bee. Distinguish from sense 2, where bee names a gathering rather than an insect.

常見錯誤

❌A bee bit my arm.
✅A bee stung my arm.
💡Bees are usually said to sting, not bite.

2. an event where people gather to work together or compete in one named activity

2.名詞
釋義

an event where people gather to work together or compete in one named activity

例句

At the school spelling bee, Nora won with the word "camera."

compound pattern: spelling bee

The church sewing bee met every Tuesday before the winter fair.

compound pattern: sewing bee

同義詞
  • gathering

    broader and does not show the shared task or contest clearly

  • contest

    fits competitive events like a spelling bee, but not shared work

  • work party

    fits the shared-labor use, but not competitions

文法句型

spelling bee

sewing bee

work bee

用法筆記

Most often appears after a noun that names the activity, especially spelling, sewing, quilting, or work. Distinguish from sense 1, which refers to the flying insect.

常見錯誤

❌Our school had a bee of spelling.
✅Our school had a spelling bee.
💡In this sense, bee usually comes after the activity noun.