course
course — verb
1. to move at high speed through or across something, especially used for liquids s
to move at high speed through or across something, especially used for liquids such as blood, water, or tears.
Tears began to course down Anong's cheeks as she listened to the sad story.
course down [surface] — path of a liquid
Blood coursed through Rafael's veins as he pushed his body toward the finish line.
The cool water from the melting snow courses along the narrow mountain stream.
A strange feeling of fear coursed through Dahlia's body when she heard the noise.
Electricity courses along the copper wires the moment the switch is turned on.
- flow
more general; 'flow' can be slow or fast, while 'course' specifically suggests speed and force
- rush
similar speed but 'rush' emphasises urgency or haste, not just physical movement
- stream
suggests a continuous, narrow flow; 'stream' is more common in everyday language
- surge
implies a sudden powerful burst, while 'course' can be steady
文法句型
course + through/along/down + [place or body part]
course + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in literary or descriptive writing. The subject is most often a liquid (blood, tears, water), but can also be an abstract force such as fear, rage, or electricity. The verb rarely appears without a following prepositional phrase that indicates the path of movement.
常見錯誤
2. to chase small wild animals such as hares or rabbits using trained dogs, a tradi
to chase small wild animals such as hares or rabbits using trained dogs, a traditional country practice that often involves riders on horseback following the dogs.
The landowners used to course rabbits across the open fields every autumn morning.
course + [animal] + across/over + [terrain]
A group of riders coursed the fox through the thick forest until it escaped into a hidden den.
In some rural areas, families still course hares with specially trained dogs.
The old estate has a tradition of coursing deer that goes back more than two hundred years.
文法句型
course + [animal being hunted]
course + [animal] + through/over + [terrain]
用法筆記
A specialised term from traditional field sports. The object of the verb is always the animal being chased, never the dogs. This sense is now rare in everyday conversation and appears mostly in historical writing or discussions of country sports.
常見錯誤
course — noun
1. a planned set of learning sessions that focus on one topic and are meant to give
a planned set of learning sessions that focus on one topic and are meant to give you a certificate or a new skill when you finish.
Joon is taking a two-year course in graphic design at the local college.
course in [subject] — introduces the subject area
The online photography course now has over three thousand students enrolled.
After completing the course, Ezra received a certificate in business management.
Gita signed up for a first-aid course offered by the Red Cross last month.
This course covers the basics of web development, from HTML to JavaScript.
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'in' or 'on' to indicate the subject area: a course in history, a course on web design.
常見錯誤
2. a specially prepared outdoor space, on the ground or on a stretch of water, buil
a specially prepared outdoor space, on the ground or on a stretch of water, built for people to play a sport like golf or to hold races.
The golf course near the beach has eighteen holes and a small clubhouse.
compound: golf course
Esteban ran his fastest time on the new race course at the sports centre.
compound: race course
The sailing course on the lake is closed today because of strong winds.
Apinya works at the golf course, where she helps visitors find their way around.
用法筆記
Often appears as part of a compound noun: golf course, race course, obstacle course, ski course.
常見錯誤
3. the way something naturally develops, changes, or progresses over time — used es
the way something naturally develops, changes, or progresses over time — used especially for describing how events, situations, or processes unfold from one stage to the next.
The course of the river changed after the heavy rains last spring.
course of a river — natural movement
The captain adjusted the ship's course to avoid the storm up ahead.
adjust/set a ship's course
Nobody could predict the course the meeting would take after the argument.
The doctors agreed on a new course of treatment when the first one failed.
Élise chose a different course of action after listening to her team's advice.
用法筆記
Common in fixed phrases such as 'course of action' (what you decide to do), 'course of events' (how things develop), and 'course of treatment' (a medical plan). For physical direction, used mainly with ships, aircraft, and rivers — not with road vehicles.
常見錯誤
4. happening or developing gradually as time passes, especially in a natural or exp
happening or developing gradually as time passes, especially in a natural or expected way.
Ilan's confidence grew steadily over the course of the six-month training programme.
over the course of [period] — gradual change
In the course of the discussion, several useful new ideas came up.
The old bridge was repaired in the course of a single weekend.
Over the course of several weeks, the garden slowly began to bloom.
In the course of his long career, Hamza worked in five different countries.
用法筆記
Nearly always used in the fixed patterns 'in the course of' or 'over the course of', followed by a noun phrase referring to a period of time or an event.
常見錯誤
5. the physical path that a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle follows as it travels
the physical path that a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle follows as it travels from one place to another — used especially when this direction is adjusted or changed.
The captain ordered a change of course to avoid the approaching storm.
change course — set a new direction
Radar showed the aircraft had suddenly changed course during the night.
The ship stayed on its original course despite the rough weather.
After checking the wind direction, Sora set a new course toward the harbour.
A small error in the navigation system pushed the vessel off its planned course.
用法筆記
Frequently used in the fixed phrase 'change course.' The subject is typically a ship, plane, or spacecraft.
6. The general direction in which an organization, project, or plan is developing —
The general direction in which an organization, project, or plan is developing — used when that direction is altered to a new way of doing things.
The company changed course after realising its original plan was too expensive.
figurative: change course — adopt a new strategy
When the first marketing method failed, the team changed course and tried something different.
The government changed course on its education policy after parents complained.
Gabriel decided to change course and study engineering instead of art.
The charity had to change course when its main donor withdrew funding.
用法筆記
Figurative extension of sense 7. The subject is usually an organization, project, plan, or person's career path rather than a vehicle.
常見錯誤
7. Following the correct path or developing in the expected way, so that success or
Following the correct path or developing in the expected way, so that success or the intended result is probable — used in the fixed phrase 'on course.'
The project is on course to be finished before the summer deadline.
on course to + infinitive
The patient is on course for a full recovery after the surgery.
on course for + noun phrase
With strong exam results, Gabriela is on course to enter her first-choice university.
Despite a few problems, the peace talks remain on course.
Sales this quarter are on course to exceed last year's numbers.
- on track
more informal; interchangeable in most contexts
- on schedule
specifically about timing rather than general progress
- off course
the direct antonym; indicates failure to follow the intended path
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed phrase 'on course.' Commonly followed by 'to + infinitive' to state the expected result, or 'for + noun' to name the goal.
8. In a position of not following the planned direction or correct path, so that th
In a position of not following the planned direction or correct path, so that the intended result or goal is unlikely — used in the fixed phrase 'off course.'
The ship was blown off course by the unexpected storm.
off course — not following the planned route
The negotiations went off course when neither side would compromise.
figurative: off course — not proceeding as planned
Without clear instructions, the whole project drifted off course.
The plane was off course by nearly a hundred miles before the pilot corrected it.
Padma felt her career went off course after taking a year away from work.
- on course
the direct antonym; indicates correct progression toward a goal
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed phrase 'off course.' Common verbs preceding it are 'go,' 'drift,' 'blow,' and 'throw.' Can be used literally (vehicles) or figuratively (projects, plans, careers).
9. Each separate portion of food that is served as one stage within a full meal — f
Each separate portion of food that is served as one stage within a full meal — for example, a starter, a main dish, and a dessert.
For the main course, Mauricio ordered grilled fish with vegetables.
main course — the largest part of a meal
A traditional three-course dinner includes a starter, a main dish, and a dessert.
three-course dinner — structure of a meal
The first course was a light soup served with warm bread.
Iris chose the cheese plate for the final course of the meal.
The wedding banquet had five courses, each paired with a different wine.
用法筆記
Often preceded by an adjective specifying the position in the sequence: 'first course,' 'main course,' 'final course.' Countable: a two-course meal, a three-course dinner.
常見錯誤
10. A planned series of medical procedures, doses of a drug, or therapy visits that
A planned series of medical procedures, doses of a drug, or therapy visits that happen at regular intervals.
The doctor prescribed a ten-day course of antibiotics for the infection.
course of [medicine] — a fixed period of taking a drug
Élise completed a full course of chemotherapy at the hospital last spring.
Patients often feel better after the first course but may need a second one.
Adisa was given a short course of injections before travelling to the tropical region.
Finish the entire course of medicine even if you start feeling well.
用法筆記
Commonly followed by 'of + [treatment type]', e.g. 'course of antibiotics,' 'course of chemotherapy.' Frequently used with the verbs 'complete,' 'finish,' 'prescribe,' and 'undergo.'
常見錯誤
11. one level of bricks, stones, or blocks placed in a straight line across a wall f
one level of bricks, stones, or blocks placed in a straight line across a wall from one side to the other, with each row resting on the one below.
Tariq checked that every course of bricks was perfectly level.
The wall had a decorative course of darker stones across its centre.
course of [material]
After laying each course, Nikhil tapped the bricks gently into place.
The bottom course of the wall was built with limestone blocks for strength.
Minho noticed the top course of the chimney had shifted out of line.
文法句型
a course of + [material]
adjective + course
常見錯誤
12. the flow of blood and tissue from the womb that women and girls experience rough
the flow of blood and tissue from the womb that women and girls experience roughly every four weeks as part of the body's natural cycle.
The doctor explained that a monthly course usually lasts three to seven days.
monthly course + duration
Eshe noted the date of her first course in a small calendar notebook.
Some women experience pain at the start of each monthly course.
The leaflet describes what happens in the body during a normal monthly course.
Defne's grandmother used to call her monthly course "the monthly visitor."
- period
the standard everyday term in modern English
- menstruation
the clinical medical term, neutral in register
文法句型
her monthly course
her course
用法筆記
This sense is formal or dated in modern English; the word 'period' is much more common in everyday conversation. You are most likely to encounter this meaning in older literature, historical texts, or very formal medical writing.