dedication
dedication — noun
1. The quality of investing significant time and energy into a cause or task that m
The quality of investing significant time and energy into a cause or task that matters deeply to you, often over a long period.
Theo's dedication to his music lessons was clear — he practised every evening without fail.
dedication to + noun phrase for commitment
Building a successful small business takes years of hard work and genuine dedication.
collocation: hard work and dedication
Nia showed remarkable dedication by training at dawn every day for the city marathon.
The research team's dedication to finding a vaccine kept them working late into the night.
With patience and dedication, Shirin learned to speak Mandarin fluently in just two years.
- commitment
Very close in meaning; 'commitment' can also imply a promise or obligation, while 'dedication' emphasises personal passion and effort.
- devotion
Suggests strong emotional attachment and loyalty, often to a person or faith; 'dedication' is more focused on task-oriented effort.
- perseverance
Emphasises continuing despite difficulties; 'dedication' includes willingness to put in time regardless of difficulty.
- indifference
A complete lack of interest or concern, the opposite of caring deeply enough to invest effort.
- apathy
The absence of enthusiasm or motivation, whereas dedication requires active engagement.
用法筆記
Often used with the preposition 'to' to indicate the goal or activity: dedication to a cause, dedication to learning, dedication to one's family.
常見錯誤
2. A brief note placed in the front of a creative work, naming the person or group
A brief note placed in the front of a creative work, naming the person or group to whom the creator offers it out of respect or gratitude.
Joaquín read the front-page dedication: 'For my grandmother, who taught me to love stories.'
dedication + 'For + person' pattern
The singer said the dedication was for all the nurses fighting the pandemic.
Aarav wrote a dedication to his late father on the first page of his book.
The author's brief dedication — 'To the librarians' — earned cheers at the book launch.
- inscription
A more general term for writing carved or written on something; 'dedication' specifically names the honoured person and implies a tribute.
- tribute
A broader term for any act or statement showing gratitude or respect; a dedication is a specific written form of tribute.
- acknowledgement
Often longer and appears after the dedication page, thanking many people for help; a dedication is usually brief and honours one person or group.
用法筆記
In books, the dedication typically appears on a separate page near the front, often using the phrase 'For [name]' or 'To [name].'
常見錯誤
3. A formal event that marks the official opening of a structure such as a church,
A formal event that marks the official opening of a structure such as a church, library, or memorial, with a public announcement of its intended purpose.
The mayor attended the dedication of the new public library last Saturday morning.
dedication of + building
Ryo's family went to the dedication ceremony for the temple in their hometown.
dedication ceremony for + building
Hundreds of residents gathered for the dedication of the war memorial in the town square.
The dedication of the new hospital wing included speeches from doctors and local leaders.
- inauguration
Often used for official launch of a public institution or political term; 'dedication' has a stronger sense of setting something apart for a sacred or special purpose.
- consecration
Specifically religious — dedicating a church or altar with a blessing; 'dedication' can be secular or religious.
- opening ceremony
A broader term for any event marking the start of use; 'dedication' emphasises the formal statement of purpose.
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'of' to specify the building being dedicated. The ceremony often includes speeches, a ribbon-cutting, or a blessing by a religious figure.