magnet

magnet — noun

1. An object made of iron or steel that pulls other iron-containing items toward it

1.名詞B1
釋義

An object made of iron or steel that pulls other iron-containing items toward it using an invisible magnetic force.

例句

The refrigerator door is held shut by a strong <hw>magnet</hw> inside the frame.

collocation: strong magnet

Élise used a <hw>magnet</hw> to pick up iron nails from the garage floor.

magnet + infinitive of purpose

同義詞
  • lodestone

    a naturally occurring magnetic rock; now rare in everyday speech

  • electromagnet

    a magnet that works only when electric current passes through it, not a permanent magnet

用法筆記

Countable noun. Frequently used with 'strong', 'powerful', 'permanent', or 'temporary' to describe the type or strength of the magnet.

常見錯誤

❌The iron sticked to the magnetic.
✅The iron stuck to the magnet.
💡'magnet' is a noun, not an adjective; use 'magnetic' as the adjective form.

2. Someone or something that people find strongly appealing, drawing them in natura

2.名詞B2
釋義

Someone or something that people find strongly appealing, drawing them in naturally and often in large numbers.

例句

The town square became a <hw>magnet</hw> for tourists seeking local crafts and food.

pattern: a magnet for [noun phrase]

Asher, a young freelance journalist, was a <hw>magnet</hw> for corruption stories that the big newspapers avoided covering.

同義詞
  • draw

    weaker; simply describes pulling interest rather than a strong inherent attractive power

  • attraction

    a more neutral term; 'tourist attraction' is standard but less vivid than 'tourist magnet'

  • crowd-puller

    informal, used especially about events or shows that bring in audiences

反義詞
  • deterrent

    something that discourages people from coming or participating

  • repellent

    something that drives people away; less common in figurative use

文法句型

be + a + magnet + for + noun phrase

act as + a + magnet

用法筆記

Figurative extension of the physical meaning. Usually followed by 'for' (a magnet for trouble / tourists / talent) or less commonly 'to'. The subject is often a place, event, activity, or charismatic person.

常見錯誤

❌She is a magnet to attract people.
✅She is a magnet for talented people.
💡use 'for', not 'to', after this figurative sense of 'magnet'.

magnet — combining form