emit

emit — verb

1. to produce and send outward something such as visible light, warmth, noise, gas,

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to produce and send outward something such as visible light, warmth, noise, gas, or a scent so that it spreads into the surrounding area

例句

The factory chimney was emitting thick black smoke into the air all morning.

emit + smoke — physical release into the air

Sofie's phone emits a quiet beep every time a new message arrives.

emit + sound signal from a device

同義詞
  • release

    more general, does not always imply spreading outward; can be deliberate or unintentional

  • discharge

    more forceful or formal, often used for waste, gas, or pollutants

  • give off

    informal alternative, common in everyday speech for smells and heat

  • radiate

    specifically for light or heat spreading in all directions

反義詞
  • absorb

    to take in rather than send out, opposite for light and heat

  • contain

    to hold something in, opposite for gas and smell

文法句型

emit + noun phrase

用法筆記

Commonly used with nouns describing measurable physical outputs such as light, heat, gas, smoke, sound, or radiation. Frequent in technical, scientific, and environmental writing.

常見錯誤

❌He emitted a letter to the company.
✅He sent a letter to the company.
💡'emit' is not used for sending written documents or postal items.
❌The company emitted a new product last week.
✅The company launched a new product last week.
💡'emit' does not mean to release onto the market.

2. to make a sound with your voice, especially when the sound is not a word or is a

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make a sound with your voice, especially when the sound is not a word or is a brief, sudden noise

例句

The injured bird emitted a soft, high-pitched cry when Sana picked it up.

emit + cry — vocal sound from an animal

Emre could not emit a single word during the job interview because of his nerves.

emit + word — used in a negative construction for inability to speak

同義詞
  • utter

    also formal, but more commonly used for words than nonverbal sounds

  • let out

    informal alternative, common in everyday speech for cries, sighs, and groans

  • produce

    neutral and broad; less specific to vocal sounds

反義詞
  • suppress

    to stop yourself from making a sound that you want to make

  • hold back

    to keep a sound from coming out

文法句型

emit + noun phrase (the sound produced)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (RELEASE): sense 2 refers specifically to sounds produced by the voice of a living creature, while sense 1 covers machine-produced sounds and other physical emissions. Sense 2 is less common and carries a more formal tone than everyday alternatives like 'let out' or 'make'.

常見錯誤

❌She emitted that she was tired.
✅She said she was tired.
💡'emit' cannot take a that-clause or reported speech as its object.
❌The teacher emitted the students to be quiet.
✅The teacher told the students to be quiet.
💡'emit' does not take an infinitive complement.