continent
continent — noun
1. any of the seven enormous land areas — Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Euro
any of the seven enormous land areas — Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America — that together cover most of Earth's land surface and are mainly surrounded by ocean.
Nia's family traveled across three continents during their summer vacation.
collocation: across + [number] continents
The Amazon rainforest spans across several countries on the South American continent.
pattern: on the [name] continent
Asia is both the largest and the most populated continent in the world.
Scientists believe that all the continents were once joined together as one landmass.
Many different languages are spoken on the African continent.
- island
a land area completely surrounded by water, much smaller than a continent
文法句型
the [name] continent
[number] continents
用法筆記
The names of the seven continents (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America) are proper nouns and are always capitalized in English.
常見錯誤
2. the mainland of Europe, especially when spoken about by people in the UK or Irel
the mainland of Europe, especially when spoken about by people in the UK or Ireland — nearly always used with the word 'the' and usually capitalized.
Lotte took a train from London to Paris to explore the Continent for the first time.
the Continent (capitalized) = mainland Europe
The ferry service connects Ireland to the Continent several times a week.
More young British graduates are choosing to work on the Continent after university.
Many European products arrive in the UK by ship from the Continent.
Selim spent a year backpacking across the Continent after finishing his degree.
- mainland Europe
more explicit and less old-fashioned than 'the Continent'
- Europe
broader term that can include the British Isles; less specific
- the British Isles
the islands that are contrasted with the Continent from a British perspective
文法句型
the Continent
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used with the definite article 'the' and written with a capital C. It is most commonly used by British and Irish speakers to refer to Europe outside the British Isles. Do not use it to mean the European Union or the eurozone.
常見錯誤
continent — adjective
1. having the physical ability to choose when to release urine or solid waste from
having the physical ability to choose when to release urine or solid waste from the body, so that this happens only at the expected time and place.
After the surgery, the nurse asked Grandpa whether he was still continent.
formal: 'still continent' as a post-operative assessment
The elderly patient remained continent throughout her stay at the clinic.
Some children do not become fully continent until after the age of four.
The doctor explained that staying continent depends on healthy nerve and muscle function.
Physical therapy helped the stroke patient become continent again within six months.
- toilet-trained
more common for children; emphasizes the learned skill rather than physical ability
- potty-trained
informal, used for young children
- incontinent
unable to control bladder or bowel functions; much more common than 'continent'
文法句型
remain continent
become continent
用法筆記
This adjective is primarily used in medical contexts. Its opposite, 'incontinent', is much more common in everyday conversation. For most everyday situations, English speakers prefer phrases like 'able to control one's bladder/bowels'.
常見錯誤
2. choosing to control one's physical urges, especially the desire for sex, often a
choosing to control one's physical urges, especially the desire for sex, often as a matter of religious discipline or personal principle.
The monk took a vow to remain continent for the rest of his life.
formal register: vow + to remain continent
In some religious traditions, followers are expected to be continent before marriage.
Esteban chose to live a continent life focused on his academic work and charitable projects.
The historical text describes the philosopher as a disciplined man who remained continent.
Liam admired the community's decision to practise continent living as part of their beliefs.
- lustful
feeling or expressing strong sexual desire; opposite in terms of self-control
- licentious
showing a lack of moral restraint in sexual matters; very strong, formal term
文法句型
remain continent
live a continent life
用法筆記
This sense is considered old-fashioned or literary outside of religious contexts. The related noun 'continence' is more common. In modern English, phrases like 'celibate' or 'abstinent' are more frequently used for sexual restraint.