measured

measured — adjective

1. done or said with deliberate control and careful thought, without unnecessary sp

1.形容詞B2
釋義

done or said with deliberate control and careful thought, without unnecessary speed or strong emotion — used especially of speech, behavior, or actions in tense situations.

例句

The minister gave a measured response to the journalist's aggressive questions.

collocation: measured response

Pim walked at a measured pace through the museum, studying each painting for several minutes.

collocation: measured pace

同義詞
  • deliberate

    emphasises intentional slowness and purpose; less emotional than 'measured'

  • calculated

    suggests cold, strategic planning, often with a negative tone

  • restrained

    focuses on holding back emotion, less on the thoughtfulness

  • cautious

    emphasises avoiding risk, not necessarily control or dignity

反義詞
  • rash

    acting without careful thought

  • hasty

    done in a hurry without enough consideration

文法句型

measured + noun (attributive)

be/seem/remain + measured (predicative)

用法筆記

Frequently describes speech, behaviour, or actions in situations where strong emotions might be expected but the person deliberately shows self-control. Common noun partners include 'response', 'tone', 'approach', 'pace', 'step', and 'words'.

常見錯誤

❌The price was measured at $50.' (when meaning 'moderate/reasonable').
✅The doctor took a measured approach to the treatment plan.
💡'measured' describes careful, controlled behaviour, not price or amount.
❌She spoke in a measured voice, very quietly.' (adding 'quietly' is redundant or may confuse).
✅She spoke in a measured voice, choosing each word with obvious care.
💡'measured' already implies a controlled, unhurried quality beyond just volume.

2. having a regular, repeating pattern of beats or stressed syllables — used of poe

2.形容詞C1
釋義

having a regular, repeating pattern of beats or stressed syllables — used of poetry, music, or speech that follows a clear rhythmic structure.

例句

The poet read the lines in a measured rhythm, pausing at each full stop.

collocation: measured rhythm

Eli's speech had a measured, musical quality that made the audience listen more carefully.

同義詞
  • rhythmic

    more general; describes any repeated pattern, natural or deliberate

  • metrical

    strictly refers to poetic metre; more technical and less common in everyday use

  • steady

    emphasises evenness and regularity; less tied to art or formal structure

反義詞
  • irregular

    lacking a consistent pattern of beats or stresses

  • erratic

    unpredictable in rhythm, with no fixed pattern

文法句型

measured + rhythm/beat/metre/cadence

用法筆記

Mainly found in literary criticism and discussion of music or oral performance. Typical nouns it modifies: 'rhythm', 'beat', 'metre', 'cadence', 'step'. Not used for natural, informal speech patterns — only for deliberately structured or composed rhythms.

常見錯誤

❌She walked with a measured step to the shop.' (when 'measured' is meant as 'rhythmic' but the context is casual walking).
✅The soldiers marched with a measured step in the parade.
💡'measured step' works for deliberate, formal marching, not everyday walking.