penal

penal — adjective

1. connected with punishment in the legal system, or describing acts the law can pu

1.形容詞C1
釋義

connected with punishment in the legal system, or describing acts the law can punish.

例句

The judge explained the penal code to the new court clerks.

collocation: penal code

Britain once sent prisoners to a penal colony in Australia.

historical collocation: penal colony

同義詞
  • punitive

    stresses an intention to punish, not simply a link to the legal system

  • criminal

    usually relates to crime or criminals more broadly, not specifically to punishment

  • correctional

    is used mainly for prisons and rehabilitation services

文法句型

penal code / system / institution

penal offence

用法筆記

Usually placed before a noun, especially in legal phrases such as penal code, penal system, and penal institution. It can also describe an act or offence that the law treats as punishable.

常見錯誤

❌He paid a penal for speeding.
✅He paid a penalty for speeding.
💡penal is an adjective; penalty is the noun for the punishment or fine.

2. making a situation worse for someone, often by adding an extra cost or burden.

2.形容詞C2
釋義

making a situation worse for someone, often by adding an extra cost or burden.

例句

The bank charged a penal rate after Mia missed two payments.

collocation: penal rate

Late delivery brought a penal charge under the school lunch contract.

collocation: penal charge

同義詞
  • harsh

    is the broader everyday word for something severe or difficult

  • damaging

    focuses on harm in general, not specifically an extra charge or rule

  • disadvantageous

    is formal and stresses putting someone in a weaker position

反義詞
  • beneficial

    means helpful or producing an advantage

  • favorable

    means giving better conditions instead of a burden

文法句型

penal rate / charge / cost

penal effect on

用法筆記

Mostly found before nouns in formal business, legal, or policy writing, especially with words like rate, charge, cost, and clause. Distinguish it from adjective/1: this sense describes an extra burden or disadvantage, not criminal punishment.

常見錯誤

❌The bank gave us a penal after one late payment.
✅The bank charged us a penal rate after one late payment.
💡in this sense, penal usually describes a fee, rate, or charge; it is not a noun.