image
image — noun
1. a drawing, painting, printed photo, carved figure, or other item that shows the
a drawing, painting, printed photo, carved figure, or other item that shows the way a particular subject looks
The museum displayed a huge image of the queen in the main hall.
countable: an image of [person]
Harper found an old image of her grandmother inside a dusty photo album.
The textbook uses colourful images to explain how volcanoes form and erupt.
Roya bought a poster showing an image of a famous painting by Monet.
The cave walls were covered with ancient images of animals and hunters.
文法句型
an image of [someone/something]
常見錯誤
2. the view you get when something is captured by a mirror, a camera lens, or a dis
the view you get when something is captured by a mirror, a camera lens, or a display screen
Diya stepped closer to the mirror to study her image closely.
possessive: her image in the mirror
The security camera captured a sharp image of the man leaving the building.
Jin pressed a button to freeze the moving image on the computer screen.
The doctor examined the X-ray image on her screen for several minutes.
A clear image of the bridge appeared on the radar screen.
- reflection
specifically what is seen in a mirror or water; not used for camera images
- picture
more casual term for what a camera or screen produces
文法句型
[possessive] image in/on [surface]
用法筆記
In photography and film contexts, 'image' is slightly more formal than 'picture'. On screens, 'image' is the standard term for a single still frame.
常見錯誤
3. a scene or impression your mind creates that lets you see the way a person or ob
a scene or impression your mind creates that lets you see the way a person or object appears
When Obi hears the word 'beach,' a clear image of white sand fills his mind.
prepositional pattern: image of [sth] in [possessive] mind
Roya could not shake the image of the frightened puppy from her thoughts.
The storyteller's words created a vivid image of a rainy street in Taipei.
The smell of fresh bread brought back images of his grandmother's kitchen.
Teachers often ask students to form a mental image of what they read.
- impression
less visual; more about a general feeling or sense
- mental picture
more explicit; used when you want to stress it is in the mind, not on paper
文法句型
an image of [something] in [possessive] mind
用法筆記
Frequently paired with adjectives like 'vivid,' 'clear,' 'strong,' or 'mental' to emphasise the clarity of the picture in the mind.
4. the way a person, company, or place is seen by the general public
the way a person, company, or place is seen by the general public
The company hired a team to improve its public image after the scandal.
collocation: public image
Lucía's image as a fair and honest manager made her popular with the staff.
pattern: image as [noun phrase]
The university worked hard to protect its image as a centre of academic excellence.
The charity worked hard to maintain a clean image in the local community.
Lien's image as a helpful team player helped her get the promotion.
- reputation
based more on actual behaviour and track record; 'image' can be crafted independently of reality
- public perception
more formal; describes what people think rather than what is projected
- brand
used in marketing; more commercial and tied to a specific product line
文法句型
[possessive] image
a [adjective] image
image as [noun]
用法筆記
Common in business, politics, and media contexts. You can have a 'positive image,' 'negative image,' or 'tarnished image.' 'Image' in this sense is about perception, not reality.
常見錯誤
5. a word or description that makes readers see a scene clearly in their imaginatio
a word or description that makes readers see a scene clearly in their imagination, especially in poems or stories
The poem uses images of fire and ash to express deep anger and loss.
plural: images + of + concrete noun
Andrei's essay was praised for its powerful images of village life during the harvest.
The author uses a broken bridge image to show the end of a close friendship.
The novelist uses images of winter to suggest loneliness and isolation.
Each poem in the collection builds a fresh image of hope and renewal.
- imagery
uncountable — the collective set of images in a work; 'image' is one instance
- figure of speech
broader category that includes metaphors, similes, and other devices beyond just visual description
- metaphor
a specific type of figure of speech that compares two unlike things directly
文法句型
image of [something]
poetic image
use of images
用法筆記
This is a standard term in literary analysis. 'Imagery' (uncountable) is more common when referring to the general use of vivid descriptions in a text, while 'image' (countable) refers to a single instance.
6. someone who looks almost exactly like another person, especially a parent or old
someone who looks almost exactly like another person, especially a parent or older relative
Little Quinn is the image of his grandfather when he was young.
pattern: be the image of [person]
The young actress was the exact image of her famous mother on the red carpet.
Amihan is the very image of her older sister — people often mistake them for twins.
With those bright green eyes, the child is the image of her Irish grandmother.
Visitors often remark that the young boy is the image of his famous uncle.
- spitting image
more informal and emphatic version of the same expression
- double
suggests an uncanny resemblance that can be confusing to others
文法句型
be the image of [someone]
be the very/spitting image of [someone]
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expression 'be the (very/exact/spitting) image of someone.' Not used freely with other determiners.
常見錯誤
image — verb
1. to show someone or something in a painting, photograph, or other work of art
to show someone or something in a painting, photograph, or other work of art
The artist imaged the daily life of farmers in a series of large oil paintings.
transitive: image + noun phrase + in [medium]
The cathedral walls are imaged with colourful scenes from the Bible.
passive: be imaged with [scenes]
Élise imaged her childhood home in a soft watercolour for the family exhibition.
The ancient clay pot was imaged with scenes of wild deer and hunters.
Roya imaged the morning fog in a delicate sketch using charcoal pencils.
文法句型
be imaged in [medium]
image + noun phrase + in/on [medium]
用法筆記
This verb sense is quite formal and less common in everyday speech. 'Depict' or 'paint' are more frequent alternatives for spoken English.
2. to see something clearly in your mind; to imagine what a person or situation is
to see something clearly in your mind; to imagine what a person or situation is like
Ilan tried to image the house as it would look after the full renovation.
pattern: image + noun phrase + as
The children imaged themselves as brave knights riding through the forest.
reflexive pattern: image + reflexive + as
After hearing the song, Harper could image the sunny beach described in the lyrics.
Can you image a world where everyone speaks the same language?
Diya imaged the old library as it must have looked a hundred years ago.
文法句型
image + noun phrase
image + reflexive + as [noun/adjective]
用法筆記
In modern English, 'imagine' is far more common than 'image' as a verb for this sense. The verb 'image' is mostly found in formal or literary writing.
3. to show the form or appearance of something on a surface, as a mirror or lens do
to show the form or appearance of something on a surface, as a mirror or lens does when it reflects or projects light
The tall glass buildings were imaged in the still water of the lake.
passive: be imaged in [surface]
The scientist imaged the cells onto a computer screen using a powerful microscope.
pattern: image onto [surface]
In the old oval mirror, her face was imaged in a soft golden glow.
The setting sun was imaged on every glass window in the street.
Ultrasound technology images the baby inside the mother's body for doctors to study.
文法句型
be imaged in [surface]
image + noun phrase + on/onto [surface]
用法筆記
In scientific contexts, 'imaging' (as a gerund or present participle) is far more common than the base verb. Medical imaging, satellite imaging, and thermal imaging are standard compound nouns.