ounce

ounce — noun

1. a standard measure for weight, equal to a little over 28 grams.

1.名詞C1
釋義

a standard measure for weight, equal to a little over 28 grams.

例句

The recipe needs two ounces of butter for the cake filling.

number + ounces of + food

At the post office, the parcel was three ounces over the limit.

number + ounces over the limit

同義詞
  • gram

    a metric unit; smaller than an ounce and standard in most countries

  • pound

    a larger imperial unit; sixteen ounces make one pound

  • oz.

    the usual written abbreviation for 'ounce' on labels and recipes

文法句型

an ounce of + noun

number + ounces of + noun

用法筆記

Usually appears after a number and before 'of' plus the thing being weighed, especially with food, parcels, or body weight. Distinguish from sense 2, which is figurative and often appears in phrases like 'not an ounce of patience'.

常見錯誤

❌The baby weighed three ounce.
✅The baby weighed three ounces.
💡use the plural after numbers greater than one.
❌Please buy two ounces butter.
✅Please buy two ounces of butter.
💡this pattern normally needs 'of' before the noun.

2. a tiny quantity of something, often used to stress that there is very little or

2.名詞C2
釋義

a tiny quantity of something, often used to stress that there is very little or none.

例句

Rex showed not an ounce of fear before the diving lesson.

not an ounce of + abstract noun

After the lies, Nora had not an ounce of trust in Jake.

not an ounce of + abstract noun

同義詞
  • bit

    an informal everyday word for a small amount

  • trace

    a very tiny amount, often used in more careful or formal writing

  • hint

    a small sign of a quality or feeling rather than a measurable amount

  • drop

    a small amount, especially of liquid

文法句型

an ounce of + noun

not an ounce of + noun

without an ounce of + noun

用法筆記

Most common in fixed patterns such as 'not an ounce of' and 'without an ounce of', often before nouns like fear, kindness, proof, or shame. Distinguish from sense 1, which names a real unit of weight.

常見錯誤

❌Rex showed not ounce of fear.
✅Rex showed not an ounce of fear.
💡this fixed pattern needs the article 'an'.
❌Lena had an ounce patience.
✅Lena had an ounce of patience.
💡this sense almost always uses 'of' before the noun.