motor
motor — noun
1. a part inside a machine that uses electrical power or fuel to create motion, all
a part inside a machine that uses electrical power or fuel to create motion, allowing the machine to run
The fan's motor stopped working after the power surge damaged it.
Élise opened the back of the toy car and checked the small motor.
motor + in [object] to show location inside a device
This electric bicycle has a quiet motor hidden inside the rear wheel.
The factory installed a new motor to power the conveyor belt.
Owen checked whether the motor was getting enough electricity from the battery.
常見錯誤
2. a car — used as an informal or slightly old-fashioned term, mainly in British En
a car — used as an informal or slightly old-fashioned term, mainly in British English
Shirin parked her motor in the garage behind the terraced house.
informal British: 'park + one's + motor'
My grandfather still calls every car a motor, even modern ones.
The Harris family took the old motor out for a drive along the coast road.
Cyrus bought a second-hand motor for his daily trip to work.
用法筆記
This sense appears mainly in British English and sounds informal or somewhat dated. Most modern speakers prefer the word 'car'. It is not used for commercial vehicles like buses or trucks.
常見錯誤
3. a person, event, or thing that provides the main energy or power behind progress
a person, event, or thing that provides the main energy or power behind progress, change, or growth
Élise was the motor behind the team's successful product launch.
person + 'was the motor behind' + achievement
Trade has been the main motor of economic growth in the region.
Innovation acts as the motor that drives the technology industry forward.
Indra described community spirit as the real motor behind the neighbourhood project.
- driving force
more transparent and common in everyday English for the same figurative meaning
- engine
used similarly for the source of energy behind progress, e.g. 'engine of growth'
用法筆記
This is a figurative sense — the motor is not a physical machine but the driving force behind something. Often followed by 'of' or 'behind' + a noun phrase describing the result.
常見錯誤
motor — adjective
1. relating to cars and other road vehicles that have an engine — used before a nou
relating to cars and other road vehicles that have an engine — used before a noun
Diego works in the motor industry as a design engineer for new models.
collocation: 'motor industry' for the car manufacturing sector
The motor show in Frankfurt attracts visitors from around the world.
Zuri took her car to a motor repair shop near the train station.
Motor vehicles are not allowed in the city's central park on weekends.
The motor trade has changed a lot with the rise of electric cars and batteries.
- automotive
more technical and formal; more common in American English than 'motor'
用法筆記
'Motor' as an adjective almost always comes before a noun (attributive use). Common collocations include 'motor vehicle', 'motor industry', 'motor show', 'motor insurance', and 'motor repair'. In American English, 'automotive' is more common than 'motor' for this sense in some contexts.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the nerves, muscles, and brain functions that control physical movem
relating to the nerves, muscles, and brain functions that control physical movement of the body
Children develop fine motor skills by drawing and playing with small objects.
collocation: 'fine motor skills' for precise hand movements
The patient's motor functions were affected after the stroke damaged part of her brain.
collocation: 'motor functions' for the ability to move
Yael's doctor examined her motor reflexes during the routine check-up.
Certain exercises can help improve motor coordination in older adults.
- sensory
relating to the nerves that carry signals from the senses to the brain, opposite of motor nerves
用法筆記
A technical term used in medicine, neuroscience, and developmental psychology. It is not used in everyday conversation about cars or machines. Common compound terms include 'motor skills', 'motor cortex', 'motor neurons', and 'motor functions'.
常見錯誤
motor — verb
1. to move rapidly or make fast progress, often with a sense of energy and purpose
to move rapidly or make fast progress, often with a sense of energy and purpose
The car motored along the empty highway at top speed.
motor + along [road/path] for fast movement
Sales have been motoring ahead since the new product launched in stores.
figurative: 'motor ahead' for rapid progress in business
The team motored through the project and finished two weeks before the deadline.
Felipe's career began to motor after he completed his training course.
文法句型
motor + adverb/preposition (along, ahead, through)
用法筆記
Informal, used especially in British English. Often paired with adverbs or prepositions like 'along', 'ahead', or 'through' to show direction or speed. Can be used literally (movement) or figuratively (progress in work, sales, career).
常見錯誤
2. to travel somewhere in a car, usually for pleasure and at a relaxed pace
to travel somewhere in a car, usually for pleasure and at a relaxed pace
The Kim family motored down to the coast for a long weekend by the sea.
motor + down to [destination] for relaxed car travel
The family motored across the country in their old camper van.
On sunny weekends, Yael and her friends like to motor into the countryside.
Cyrus motored his grandmother to the market every Saturday morning.
文法句型
motor + adverb of place
motor + object + adverb of place
用法筆記
Somewhat old-fashioned or slightly humorous in tone. More common in British English than American English. When used transitively (motor someone somewhere), the object is a passenger being driven.