capture
capture — verb
1. to make a person or animal unable to escape from you, or to take a place using p
to make a person or animal unable to escape from you, or to take a place using physical power or arms
Police officers captured the thief after a short chase through the market.
passive: be captured + by [agent]
Government soldiers captured the bridge during the night attack.
The zoo team captured the escaped snake before anyone got hurt.
Aiko was captured by enemy troops while trying to cross the border.
文法句型
capture + noun phrase (person/animal/place)
用法筆記
Frequently used in news reports about police work, military action, or animal control. The object is typically a person, animal, or place.
常見錯誤
2. to obtain a desired thing that others are competing for at the same time
to obtain a desired thing that others are competing for at the same time
The company captured a large share of the market with its new phone.
collocation: capture + market share
Our school team captured first place at the national science competition.
Leila captured the top prize in the photography contest last week.
The new streaming service has captured millions of users in its first year.
- lose
to fail to get something that others obtain instead
文法句型
capture + noun phrase (prize/position/share)
用法筆記
Often used in business and competition contexts. The object is a desired thing that others want, such as a prize, award, position, or customers.
常見錯誤
3. to show or describe a feeling, quality, or scene in an accurate and powerful way
to show or describe a feeling, quality, or scene in an accurate and powerful way using words, pictures, or other art forms
The novel perfectly captures the loneliness of living far from home.
collocation: capture + feeling/emotion/atmosphere
This painting captures the warm light of the sun setting over the hills.
Hiro's photographs capture the daily life of fishermen on the coast of Japan.
The documentary captures what it feels like to train as an astronaut.
文法句型
capture + noun phrase (feeling/atmosphere/quality)
用法筆記
Used for art, writing, film, and photography. The object is an abstract quality (feeling, mood, spirit) or a scene. Not used for simply taking a photograph — see sense 4 for camera recording.
常見錯誤
4. to use a camera or other device to take a picture or record a video of someone o
to use a camera or other device to take a picture or record a video of someone or something
A news crew captured the entire ceremony on video.
pattern: capture + noun + on video/film/camera
Priya captured some incredible images of the northern lights in Norway.
The security camera captured a woman leaving the building just after midnight.
Diego captured the moment when the bride and father walked down the path.
- record
more general; 'capture' often suggests a special or noteworthy moment
- photograph
only for still images; 'capture' covers both photos and video
- film
specifically for video recording
文法句型
capture + noun phrase (image/video/moment) + on/in [medium]
用法筆記
The most common sense in everyday conversation about photography and video. Often used with 'on camera', 'on video', 'on film', or 'with a [device]'.
5. if a computer, sensor, or other device receives information, it stores it for la
if a computer, sensor, or other device receives information, it stores it for later use
The sensor captures data about temperature and humidity every ten minutes.
pattern: device + captures + data/information + frequency
This app captures your spoken words and turns them into written text.
The scanner captures the barcode and checks the price in the system.
Our online system captures customer details when someone places an order.
文法句型
capture + noun phrase (data/information/input)
用法筆記
Common in technology contexts. The subject is always a machine, system, or piece of software. Not used for people actively writing down information.
常見錯誤
6. to make someone feel very interested, excited, or attracted by something unusual
to make someone feel very interested, excited, or attracted by something unusual, beautiful, or compelling
The idea of traveling to Mars captured the imagination of children around the world.
fixed expression: capture + imagination
Her speech about climate change captured the attention of everyone in the hall.
fixed expression: capture + attention
A story about a lost city of gold captured the hearts of readers everywhere.
The dancer's performance captured the interest of audiences across Europe.
- bore
to make someone feel uninterested
文法句型
capture + (someone's) + imagination / attention / interest
用法筆記
Almost always used with one of three fixed objects: imagination, attention, or interest — and occasionally 'heart(s)'. The subject is typically an idea, story, performance, or event, not a person.
常見錯誤
capture — noun
1. the process of catching and holding a person or animal, or gaining control of a
the process of catching and holding a person or animal, or gaining control of a location through physical power
The capture of the escaped prisoner took place near the river.
collocation: the capture of + [person/place]
The army announced the capture of three enemy camps after two days of fighting.
Wild animals are sometimes killed during capture for the illegal pet trade.
The capture of the city marked a turning point in the war.
- release
the act of setting someone free
用法筆記
Used in news, military, and law enforcement contexts. Uncountable — do not say 'a capture' when referring to the general act.
2. the method of collecting a substance from nature, such as sunlight, water, or ca
the method of collecting a substance from nature, such as sunlight, water, or carbon, for future use
New technology has improved the capture of solar energy for home use.
collocation: capture of + [energy/water/carbon]
Carbon capture is one method of reducing pollution from power stations.
The system is designed for the capture of rainwater for the school garden.
New methods of carbon capture could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- collection
more general; 'capture' emphasizes the active process of gathering something elusive
- harvesting
for energy resources; 'capture' is more technical
用法筆記
Often appears in compound nouns like 'carbon capture', 'data capture', or 'rainwater capture'. Not used for collecting man-made objects.
3. the process of saving a picture, sound, or information using a device, or the sa
the process of saving a picture, sound, or information using a device, or the saved result of that process
The capture of high-quality video requires good lighting and a steady camera.
This device is designed for the capture of sound in large concert halls.
The final capture was saved as a digital file and shared with the team.
The screen capture shows exactly what the user saw on the monitor.
用法筆記
Has both uncountable use (the process: 'the capture of video') and countable use (the result: 'a clean digital capture').
4. a photograph, especially one that a person shares on social media
a photograph, especially one that a person shares on social media
That is such a beautiful capture of the sunset over the mountains.
informal: used on social media for 'photo'
Yara posted a stunning capture of her cat sitting in a flower pot.
Nice capture — the lighting in that cafe window is perfect.
Lovely capture of the dogs playing in the autumn leaves!
用法筆記
Fairly new usage, common on social media platforms such as Instagram. A synonym for 'photo' or 'shot', often with a complimenting tone.
5. the process by which a computer or digital device receives and stores informatio
the process by which a computer or digital device receives and stores information automatically
Data capture happens automatically when customers fill in the online form.
collocation: data capture
The system allows for fast capture of customer information at the checkout.
Facial recognition software relies on the capture of images from security cameras.
Document capture saves time by turning paper forms into digital records.
- acquisition
more formal and technical (data acquisition); 'capture' is more common in everyday tech contexts
- collection
broader; 'capture' implies automated gathering by a device
用法筆記
Often used in compound forms like 'data capture', 'image capture', 'document capture'. Refers to automated digital processes, not manual data entry.