prototype
prototype — noun
1. The first fully functional version of any newly designed machine, device, or sys
The first fully functional version of any newly designed machine, device, or system, created to test whether the design works before the final version is manufactured.
An engineering team built a working prototype of the new scooter in just three months.
collocation: build a prototype
Before mass production began, Vivek tested the prototype to find any design problems.
The first prototype failed the safety test, so designers went back to the drawing board.
Haruto showed the functional prototype to the investors, who were impressed by its performance.
The early smartphone prototype had a small screen and plastic body, unlike the sleek metal final version.
- model
broader term; a model may be non-functional or a smaller-scale version, while a prototype is a full working version
- mock-up
a static, non-working display version used to show appearance, not function
- proof of concept
a small-scale test to show an idea is possible, less developed than a prototype
- final product
the finished, market-ready version of a product after prototyping
文法句型
prototype + of + noun
prototype + for + noun
常見錯誤
2. A person or thing that shows all the most important qualities of a particular ki
A person or thing that shows all the most important qualities of a particular kind or group, making it a perfect example of that type.
The small family farm is widely considered a prototype of sustainable agriculture in this region.
collocation: prototype of [category]
The village’s one-room schoolhouse became a prototype for rural education across the province.
prototype + for showing representative model
Ada’s teaching method became a prototype followed by schools across the country.
This novel is often considered a prototype of the modern detective story.
- archetype
similar but stronger; an archetype is the original pattern from which copies are made, often with idealised qualities
- quintessence
more abstract; refers to the purest form or essence of something
- standard
a benchmark used for comparison rather than a typical representative
- anomaly
something that deviates from the typical characteristics
文法句型
prototype + of + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (FIRST MODEL). This sense is about being a typical example, not about being the first working version of a product. It is more common in formal or academic writing and often used with ‘of’ to specify the category.
常見錯誤
prototype — verb
1. To create the first fully functional version of a new product or design, built t
To create the first fully functional version of a new product or design, built to test whether the core idea works before investing in mass production.
A research team is prototyping a medical device that detects heart problems earlier.
prototyping + new device (transitive pattern)
Valentina prototyped her furniture design using cheap plywood before ordering expensive hardwood.
The startup plans to prototype the app in six weeks and launch it by December.
Before mass production, the engineers prototyped three different versions of the circuit board.
- develop
broader; includes planning and refinement beyond the first version
- test-build
less common but more precise about the experimental purpose of building
文法句型
prototype + noun phrase
用法筆記
The object of this verb is the thing being created, not the material. Frequently used in technology, engineering, and design contexts.
常見錯誤
2. To work through a repeated cycle of designing, testing, and refining a concept b
To work through a repeated cycle of designing, testing, and refining a concept by building and improving successive versions, rather than producing just one initial prototype.
After test users complained about slippery grip, Yuki prototyped a wider handle and brought the cyclists back the next week.
intransitive: prototyping + feedback loop
Rafael prototyped six ventilation layouts for the safety helmet, testing each with construction workers before picking the best.
iterative prototyping of multiple versions
Students in the engineering course learn how to prototype by working on real-world problems.
Anya prototyped three juice-bottle packaging options, tested each with focus groups, and refined the winner for another round.
- iterate
focuses on repeating the cycle of improvement rather than the initial creation
- test and refine
a phrase rather than a single verb; emphasises the evaluation part of the process
文法句型
prototype + noun
prototype (no object)
用法筆記
Broader than verb sense 1 (BUILD FIRST VERSION). This sense covers the full iterative cycle — designing, building, testing, and improving. It can be used intransitively (‘We spent the month prototyping’), which sense 1 cannot.