built

built — adjective

1. Created or made in the specific manner, location, or style that is indicated by

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Created or made in the specific manner, location, or style that is indicated by the word before it. Used after an adverb such as 'well' to describe quality, or after a noun such as 'American' to describe where or how something was constructed.

例句

The Japanese-built train arrived exactly on time at the busy station.

built + nationality (Japanese-built) as compound adjective

Minho bought a custom-built desk with a wide surface and five deep drawers.

custom-built: made to the buyer's specific requirements

同義詞
  • made

    broader term that does not require compound form; 'handmade' or 'factory-made'

  • constructed

    more formal, often used for large buildings or engineering projects

  • manufactured

    suggests industrial production in a factory setting

反義詞
  • poorly built

    describes something constructed badly or with low-quality materials

文法句型

adverb + built (e.g., well-built, solidly built)

noun (origin/place) + built (e.g., American-built, custom-built)

用法筆記

This sense always appears at the end of a compound. The first part of the compound is most often an adverb (well-built, solidly built) or a place-of-origin noun (American-built, French-built). It describes objects, buildings, and products — never people's bodies.

常見錯誤

❌She is well-built and runs fast.' (describing a person)
✅She is powerfully built and runs fast.
💡well-built for objects means strongly made; for a person's body, use powerfully built or the physique sense instead.
❌A built well house.
✅A well-built house.
💡the adverb must come before 'built', not after.

2. Having a particular body shape or physical type. Often used with an adverb that

2.形容詞B1
釋義

Having a particular body shape or physical type. Often used with an adverb that describes the kind of build someone has, or with 'like' to compare their body to a specific type of person or thing.

例句

The security guard was heavily built with broad shoulders and a strong jaw.

be built + adverb of manner (heavily built)

Joaquín is built like a swimmer, with long arms and a powerful back.

be built + like + noun for comparisons

同義詞
  • shaped

    less common for describing a whole body; often used for specific body parts

  • physiqued

    very rare; not standard in everyday English

反義詞
  • slight

    describes a small, thin body frame

  • frail

    suggests weakness rather than a particular build

文法句型

be built + adverb (e.g., powerfully built, slimly built)

be built + like + noun (e.g., built like a bodybuilder)

用法筆記

Frequently used with degree adverbs like powerfully, heavily, slimly, or strongly. When used with 'like', the noun that follows names a category of person (athlete, dancer) or a stereotypical example (bodybuilder, boxer). Unlike sense 1, this sense only applies to living creatures, most commonly people.

常見錯誤

❌The table is built like a tank.' (talking about furniture)
✅The table is built like a tank.
💡actually this is acceptable when personifying an object; but be aware sense 2 primarily describes living things, while this figurative use is an extension.