mallet

IPA/ˈmælɪt/
KK[mˈælɪt]IPA/ˈmælɪt/

mallet — noun

  • malletsingular
  • malletsplural

1. This hand tool has a short grip and an oversized head made from wood, rubber, or

1.名詞B2
釋義

This hand tool has a short grip and an oversized head made from wood, rubber, or soft plastic. People strike chisels or tap furniture parts with it because the soft head does not scratch or dent the surface.

例句

Marco used a rubber mallet to tap the wooden frame into place without damaging it.

rubber mallet — the head material matters

The carpenter picked up her mallet and struck the chisel with a firm, steady blow.

mallet + strike + chisel — typical use pair

同義詞
  • hammer

    a hammer has a metal head for driving nails; a mallet has a softer head for striking without marking surfaces

  • beetle

    a heavy wooden mallet used in stoneworking or for driving wedges; less common in everyday speech

用法筆記

Unlike a metal hammer, a mallet has a head made of softer material (wood, rubber, or plastic). This makes it ideal for striking surfaces that could be dented or scratched by a steel hammer.

常見錯誤

I hit the nail with a mallet.
I hit the nail with a hammer.
💡A mallet has a soft head and is not designed for driving nails; use a metal hammer for that job.

2. In croquet and polo, players swing this long-stick tool to drive the ball across

2.名詞B2
釋義

In croquet and polo, players swing this long-stick tool to drive the ball across the grass. Its head is made of wood and its shaft extends far enough for use either on foot or on horseback.

例句

Hui swung the croquet mallet and sent the ball rolling through the wicket.

croquet mallet — specific sport compound

The polo player raised his mallet and struck the ball down the field.

用法筆記

In croquet the mallet is short-handled and the player stands on the ground; in polo the mallet has a much longer handle because the player uses it from horseback.

3. a light stick with a rounded, padded tip used to strike percussion instruments s

3.名詞C1
釋義

a light stick with a rounded, padded tip used to strike percussion instruments such as the marimba, vibraphone, glockenspiel, or xylophone

例句

The musician chose a soft yarn mallet for the warm notes of the marimba solo.

soft yarn mallet — head material affects sound

Dario placed the mallet on the stand after playing the final chord on the vibraphone.

同義詞
  • drumstick

    drumsticks are longer, thinner, and used for drums and cymbals; mallets have padded heads for melodic percussion instruments

  • beater

    a general term for any object used to strike a percussion instrument, including mallets and drumsticks

用法筆記

The hardness of the mallet head directly changes the instrument's sound: soft yarn or rubber mallets produce warm, gentle tones, while hard plastic or wood mallets create bright, sharp notes.

常見錯誤

The drummer played the snare drum with a mallet.
The drummer played the snare with drumsticks.
💡Mallets are used for melodic percussion (xylophone, vibraphone), not for drums.