bracket

bracket — noun

1. a written mark from a matching set, such as ( ), [ ], or < >, used to separate e

1.名詞B2
釋義

a written mark from a matching set, such as ( ), [ ], or < >, used to separate extra words, numbers, or notes from the main text.

例句

The editor put the missing date in square brackets.

pattern: put something in square brackets

Please write your phone number in brackets after your name.

pattern: in brackets after a word or phrase

同義詞

用法筆記

Usually plural when you mean the two marks together. In American English, 'parentheses' is often used for ( ), while 'brackets' may more often mean [ ].

常見錯誤

❌Write your age in bracket.
✅Write your age in brackets.
💡this noun is usually plural because the pair of marks is meant.
❌Put the note between brackets.
✅Put the note in brackets.
💡'in brackets' is the normal phrase for this punctuation use.

2. a class in a system where all members fall between a stated low point and high p

2.名詞C1
釋義

a class in a system where all members fall between a stated low point and high point, for example in age, income, tax, or price.

例句

The hotel falls into the middle price bracket for this area.

collocation: price bracket

Children in the ten-to-twelve age bracket can enter alone.

collocation: age bracket

同義詞
  • range

    broader and more general, often without the idea of a named class

  • band

    common in official systems such as tax or pay levels

  • tier

    often suggests a ranked level in a system

  • category

    general word for a class, not always based on upper and lower limits

用法筆記

Most common in set phrases such as 'age bracket', 'tax bracket', 'income bracket', and 'price bracket'. Often follows adjectives like 'higher', 'lower', 'top', 'middle', or 'same'.

常見錯誤

❌This laptop is in the same bracket with mine.
✅This laptop is in the same bracket as mine.
💡use 'as' after 'same bracket'.

3. an angled piece fixed to a wall or post to hold up a shelf, lamp, sink, or other

3.名詞B2
釋義

an angled piece fixed to a wall or post to hold up a shelf, lamp, sink, or other object.

例句

Ravi screwed a metal bracket under the new kitchen shelf.

collocation: metal bracket under a shelf

One bracket came loose, so the wall lamp leaned down.

同義詞
  • support

    general word for anything that holds something up

  • brace

    often suggests extra strength or reinforcement

  • mount

    often used when something is fixed to a wall or surface

用法筆記

Often appears with the thing supported or the material used, such as 'shelf bracket', 'lamp bracket', 'metal bracket', or 'wooden bracket'. The word names the support piece, not the object resting on it.

常見錯誤

❌The shelf is the bracket.
✅The bracket supports the shelf.
💡a bracket is the support piece, not the shelf itself.

4. a chart that shows who plays whom in each round of a competition and where each

4.名詞C1
釋義

a chart that shows who plays whom in each round of a competition and where each winner goes next.

例句

The coach pinned the tournament bracket beside the locker room door.

collocation: tournament bracket

After Friday's win, Bao checked the bracket for the next team.

pattern: check the bracket

同義詞
  • draw

    common in British English for the arrangement of matches, though not always the full chart

  • matchup chart

    plain descriptive term for who plays whom

  • fixture list

    lists games, but does not always show elimination paths

用法筆記

Used mainly for elimination competitions. Common verbs are 'check', 'update', 'study', and 'fill out', and the noun often appears as 'tournament bracket'.

bracket — verb