clay

clay — noun

1. a soft, sticky natural earth that can be pressed into shapes when wet and become

1.名詞B1
釋義

a soft, sticky natural earth that can be pressed into shapes when wet and becomes very hard after drying or heating, used for making pots, bricks, tiles, and other objects

例句

The pottery studio keeps wet <hl>clay</hl> ready for students each morning.

uncountable noun used as a material

Hana molded the soft <hl>clay</hl> into small cups and a teapot.

同義詞
  • earth

    a broader, everyday term for soil or ground; less specific than clay

  • mud

    wet, soft earth; less formal and less precise than clay

  • pottery clay

    a specific type of clay refined for making ceramic objects

反義詞
  • sand

    loose, gritty soil that does not hold water or hold a shape like clay

文法句型

used as a material noun

used as a modifier before a noun (e.g., clay pot)

用法筆記

Usually uncountable. When referring to different varieties used in ceramics, it can be countable (e.g., 'These two clays produce different colours when fired').

常見錯誤

❌I bought a clay for my art project.
✅I bought some clay for my art project.
💡Clay is uncountable when referring to the material.

2. in tennis, a playing surface made from crushed stone or brick material that slow

2.名詞B2
釋義

in tennis, a playing surface made from crushed stone or brick material that slows the ball down and makes it bounce higher than on other surfaces

例句

The French Open is the only Grand Slam tournament played on <hl>clay</hl>.

on clay: surface type in tennis

Diego prefers playing on <hl>clay</hl> because the ball bounces higher and slower.

同義詞
  • clay court

    the full term for a tennis court with a clay surface

  • red clay

    a specific type of clay court surface used in Europe and South America

反義詞
  • grass court

    a tennis court surface made of natural grass

  • hard court

    a tennis court surface made of concrete or acrylic

文法句型

on + clay

clay + court (compound noun)

用法筆記

Often used without an article in phrases like 'play on clay' (meaning play on a clay court). When specifying a particular court, use the countable form: 'a clay court' or 'clay courts'.

常見錯誤

❌He plays on clay court every weekend.
✅He plays on a clay court every weekend.' or 'He plays on clay every weekend.
💡Include an article for a specific court; omit it when referring to the surface type in general.

3. a type of tennis played over crushed-stone or brick court surfaces, demanding sp

3.名詞B2
釋義

a type of tennis played over crushed-stone or brick court surfaces, demanding special techniques such as sliding and patient defensive rallies

例句

Nadia performs best on <hl>clay</hl>, winning most of her titles on that surface.

on clay: category of tennis play

Young players must learn to slide on <hl>clay</hl> during long rallies.

slide on clay: skill specific to clay play

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

on + clay (category of play)

clay + noun (as modifier)

用法筆記

Always uncountable in this sense. Used in expressions such as 'good on clay', 'clay specialist', or 'clay season' to describe tennis played on a clay surface as a distinct category. This sense is different from sense 2 (CLAY COURT), which refers to the physical surface itself rather than the style of play.