rock
rock — noun
1. The hard natural substance found in the ground that forms mountains, cliffs, and
The hard natural substance found in the ground that forms mountains, cliffs, and the land surface; also a single prominent piece of this material standing out from the ground or sea.
Tamar studied the layers of rock visible in the side of the canyon wall.
collocation: layers of rock
Deep beneath the ocean, new rock forms when hot liquid from inside the earth cools.
Jisoo took a photograph of the tall rock formation that resembled a giant face.
The path through the forest was covered with loose pieces of rock after the landslide.
文法句型
rock (uncountable) + verb
a/the rock (countable) + verb
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to the material itself (e.g., 'built of rock'); countable when referring to a single large mass ('a huge rock blocking the road').
常見錯誤
2. A small, loose piece of the hard material found in the ground, small enough to h
A small, loose piece of the hard material found in the ground, small enough to hold in one hand.
Nala found a smooth white rock on the beach and put it in her pocket.
Dario threw a small rock into the pond and watched the circles spread across the surface.
Paloma used a flat rock as a hammer to crack open the nuts from the tree.
The children collected colourful rocks from the riverbed and arranged them by size.
文法句型
a/the rock + verb
用法筆記
In everyday speech, 'rock' can refer to any size of stone, but for very small pieces (pea-sized or smaller), 'pebble' or 'stone' is more common. For very large pieces, 'boulder' is preferred.
常見錯誤
3. A line or group of large stones that emerges above the water, sometimes staying
A line or group of large stones that emerges above the water, sometimes staying hidden just beneath the surface and posing a danger to ships.
Mark steered the boat carefully to avoid the rocks that were just below the surface of the water.
nautical context: danger to ships
The old ship hit the rocks during the fierce storm and began to break apart.
Allison watched the waves crash against the jagged rocks near the lighthouse.
Local fishermen know the location of every dangerous rock along this stretch of coastline.
文法句型
the rocks + verb (plural)
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural ('rocks') when referring to the sea. The singular 'rock' in a coastal context usually refers to a single large formation, not the group.
4. A valuable stone set into rings or other jewellery items, most often a diamond.
A valuable stone set into rings or other jewellery items, most often a diamond.
Hamza saved up for months to buy her a rock for their engagement ring.
slang: rock = diamond
The thief got away with a bag full of rocks worth over a million dollars.
Mira showed off the enormous rock on her finger to everyone at the dinner table.
At the auction, collectors admired the famous blue rock from the royal jewellery collection.
文法句型
a/the rock + verb
用法筆記
Informal slang. Appropriate in casual conversation but not in formal writing or jewellery catalogues. Typically refers to a diamond, but can be any precious gem.
常見錯誤
5. A category of loud, guitar-driven music with a forceful beat, usually featuring
A category of loud, guitar-driven music with a forceful beat, usually featuring electric guitars, drums, and strong singing.
The band played loud rock music that made the whole crowd jump and sing along.
collocation: rock music / rock band
Christopher learned to play rock songs on his electric guitar after just six months.
Rock concerts often have flashing lights and huge speakers on the stage.
The teenager went to her first rock festival last summer and camped in a field with friends.
- classical music
a traditional Western music style with orchestral instruments, very different in sound and structure from rock
文法句型
rock music
rock band
play rock
用法筆記
Often shortened to just 'rock' without 'music', e.g., 'I like rock' or 'She plays rock'. Many sub-genres exist (punk rock, hard rock, indie rock) with different sounds and styles.
常見錯誤
6. A stick-shaped candy with a firm, solid texture, often containing coloured lette
A stick-shaped candy with a firm, solid texture, often containing coloured lettering running through its centre and commonly sold at coastal holiday destinations.
Meera bought a stick of pink rock for her little brother at the seaside shop.
British seaside context: stick of rock
The lettering on the rock said ‘Brighton’ all the way through the middle of the sweet.
Grandma always brought back sticks of rock whenever she visited the beach town.
The children lined up at the sweet shop to buy colourful rock with different flavours inside.
文法句型
a stick of rock
rock (as a type)
用法筆記
Primarily British. In other English varieties, this type of sweet is less common or called 'rock candy' or simply 'candy stick'. The letters printed through the middle are a distinctive feature of traditional British seaside rock.
7. A person who can always be trusted to provide emotional support and remain stead
A person who can always be trusted to provide emotional support and remain steady during difficult times.
When her father passed away, her older sister was the rock that held the family together.
idiomatic: be a rock / someone’s rock
Greta knew she could call him at any hour because he was her rock through every crisis.
The coach was a rock for the young team after they lost the championship game.
During the long illness, the nurse became a rock of support for the worried family.
- support
a more general term for someone who provides help, less emotional in tone
- pillar
a person who holds up a group or institution through their strength and reliability
- foundation
the person or principle that something is built upon, suggesting a basis for everything else
- burden
a person who causes worry or difficulty rather than providing support
文法句型
someone’s rock
be a rock for someone
用法筆記
Always used figuratively. Usually takes a possessive ('my rock', 'her rock', 'the rock of the family'). Typically describes one person in a support role; rarely used in the plural.
常見錯誤
rock — verb
1. To shift gently and repeatedly between two positions, or to make an object or a
To shift gently and repeatedly between two positions, or to make an object or a person do the same in a soft, regular rhythm.
The mother gently rocked the baby in her arms until he fell asleep.
transitive: rock a baby / rock a cradle
The old wooden chair rocked back and forth as the man sat reading his newspaper.
Roya sat on the porch and rocked slowly while watching the sun go down.
The gentle wind rocked the small boat from side to side on the calm lake.
- still
not moving; the opposite of rocking motion
文法句型
rock + object (+ adverb)
rock (no object) + adverb
用法筆記
Intransitive uses often include a manner adverb ('rock gently', 'rock slowly') or a direction phrase ('rock back and forth', 'rock from side to side'). Transitive uses typically involve a caregiver with a baby or someone sitting in a rocking chair.
常見錯誤
2. To shake violently and suddenly from the force of an explosion, earthquake, or p
To shake violently and suddenly from the force of an explosion, earthquake, or powerful impact.
The whole building was rocked by the blast from the gas explosion down the street.
passive: be rocked by [force/explosion]
A powerful earthquake rocked the coastal city, sending people running into the streets.
The train rocked violently as it passed over the damaged section of the railway track.
Thunder rocked the old farmhouse as the storm moved directly overhead.
- shake
a more general term for quick, repeated movements; less specific about the type of force
- shake violently
emphasises the force and suddenness
- convulse
to shake uncontrollably, usually used for a person or the ground
- stabilise
to make something steady and stop it from shaking
文法句型
be rocked by + noun
rock + object
用法筆記
Stronger and more violent than sense 1 (MOVE GENTLY). The subject is usually a force or event (explosion, earthquake, impact), not a person. Frequently used in the passive voice ('was rocked by...').
常見錯誤
3. To shock or upset a person, group, or community very deeply, causing strong emot
To shock or upset a person, group, or community very deeply, causing strong emotional reactions.
The news of the factory closing rocked the small town where everyone worked together.
figurative: rock a community / society
The whole nation was rocked by the sudden death of the beloved prime minister.
Scandal rocked the university after it was revealed that grades had been changed secretly.
The financial crisis rocked the global banking system and destroyed many people’s savings.
- reassure
to comfort someone, removing shock or distress
文法句型
be rocked by + noun
rock + collective noun (society, community, nation)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (SHAKE VIOLENTLY): this sense is purely figurative and describes emotional or social disruption, not physical shaking. The subject is typically an event or revelation (scandal, tragedy, crisis).
常見錯誤
4. To put on and confidently show off an outfit, hairstyle, or accessory in a way t
To put on and confidently show off an outfit, hairstyle, or accessory in a way that draws admiration.
The lead singer rocked a bright red leather jacket at the award ceremony last night.
informal: rock + clothing item
Even at sixty years old, the actor can still rock a pair of ripped jeans with style.
Sari decided to rock a short haircut for the summer and everybody loved the new look.
The model rocked a simple white dress on the runway and stole the whole show.
文法句型
rock + clothing/accessory
用法筆記
Informal slang from American English, originally from music and fashion culture. Used when the speaker wants to express admiration for someone’s confident style. Less common in British English.