champion
champion — noun
1. a person, team, or animal that wins a competition by finishing first or performi
a person, team, or animal that wins a competition by finishing first or performing better than every other competitor
The young gymnast became the national champion at just fourteen years old.
collocation: national champion / become champion
Our school's basketball team were the champions two years in a row.
After months of training, the greyhound emerged as the track champion.
The defending champion lost her title to a newcomer in the final match.
Ravi trained every morning at five o'clock to prepare for the champion title.
- winner
general term; champion emphasizes having beaten all rivals in a contest
- victor
more formal and literary; often used in military or historical contexts
- title-holder
highlights that the person currently holds a championship and may need to defend it
- loser
someone who does not win
常見錯誤
2. a person who actively speaks in favour of or works to protect a particular cause
a person who actively speaks in favour of or works to protect a particular cause, group, or set of beliefs, often against opposition
Dr. Okafor has been a champion of press freedom in his country for decades.
pattern: champion of [abstract cause]
The group became champions of the rights of disabled workers across the region.
Leila is a passionate champion of local farmers and their traditional methods.
As a champion of public education, Senator Okonkwo fought for more school funding.
The charity is a well-known champion of children's right to quality healthcare.
用法筆記
The object of support is typically a principle, right, or disadvantaged group (e.g. press freedom, workers' rights, local farmers), not a personal ambition.
常見錯誤
champion — verb
1. to publicly support, fight for, or defend a person, cause, or principle that you
to publicly support, fight for, or defend a person, cause, or principle that you believe is important, especially when it is not popular or easy
The lawyer championed the cause of refugees seeking safety in a new country.
pattern: champion + cause of [group]
Aiko has always championed equal pay for women in the technology industry.
collocation: champion equal pay / champion a right
Several local groups are championing a new law to protect the coastal forest.
Senator Okonkwo championed the bill through a long and difficult debate.
The newspaper has long championed the rights of migrant workers in the city.
文法句型
champion + noun phrase (cause / right / principle / person)
用法筆記
Frequently used in formal, journalistic, or political contexts. Not typically used for casual personal support (use support or back instead). The direct object is an abstract noun or a group of people, never a person's name alone.
常見錯誤
champion — adjective
1. extremely good or of very high quality — for example, a champion performance, a
extremely good or of very high quality — for example, a champion performance, a champion meal, or a champion effort
The chef prepared a champion meal that impressed every guest at the table.
collocation: champion meal
That was a champion effort from everyone who helped clean up the park.
collocation: champion effort
The team put on a champion performance in the final game of the season.
Uncle Tomas gave us champion advice about buying our first house.
- excellent
neutral register; champion is more informal and has a conversational flavour
- superb
more formal and stronger; champion is more colloquial
- first-rate
similar register and meaning; champion has a slightly old-fashioned, friendly tone
用法筆記
Chiefly British informal usage. Used only attributively (before a noun). Not interchangeable with excellent in formal writing.