stamp
stamp — noun
1. A small adhesive label from the post office that you fix to a letter or parcel t
A small adhesive label from the post office that you fix to a letter or parcel to pay for sending it.
Kenji bought a book of international stamps at the post office counter this morning.
collocation: book of stamps / at the post office
Each envelope needs a first-class stamp before you drop it into the mailbox.
The librarian helped Feng find a rare 19th-century stamp for his growing collection.
My grandmother collects stamps from every country her friends have ever visited.
文法句型
stamp + on [letter/package]
常見錯誤
2. A small device with raised letters or a design, used with ink to print a mark on
A small device with raised letters or a design, used with ink to print a mark onto paper, or the ink mark that this tool leaves behind.
The hotel receptionist used a rubber stamp to mark my receipt as paid.
collocation: rubber stamp
Adisa checked the red stamp on the invoice to confirm the date of payment.
A company stamp must appear on every official document before the bank accepts it.
Vikram designed a custom stamp with his business logo for the shop receipts.
The immigration officer pressed a stamp onto a new page in Tamar's passport.
文法句型
stamp + on [surface]
用法筆記
This sense covers both the tool (rubber stamp, date stamp) and the resulting mark. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
常見錯誤
3. An official slip of paper of a set value, bought to confirm a government charge
An official slip of paper of a set value, bought to confirm a government charge has been paid, or redeemable for goods over a period.
Many families received food stamps to help buy groceries during the economic crisis.
food stamps
The stamp on the cigarette packet shows the duty has been paid to the government.
tax stamp
Beatriz used a store gift stamp to buy a notebook and some pens.
A revenue stamp was stuck on the legal document to prove the tax was paid.
用法筆記
Commonly appears in compounds like 'food stamp,' 'tax stamp,' 'revenue stamp,' and 'gift stamp.' The meaning depends on the first word of the compound.
4. A clear sign or quality that shows the influence, origin, or nature of a particu
A clear sign or quality that shows the influence, origin, or nature of a particular person, group, or thing — for example, a garden having the stamp of a skilled designer.
The garden had the stamp of Eleni's careful planning in every flower bed.
the stamp of [someone's] [noun]
Mateo's pottery carries the stamp of his grandmother's careful teaching in every curved bowl.
The building carries the stamp of the architect's bold and modern style.
Shirin's work has the stamp of authority that comes from twenty years of experience.
文法句型
the stamp of [quality/person]
用法筆記
Typically used in the fixed pattern 'the stamp of [someone/something]' followed by a quality noun (genius, authority, personality). Almost always singular.
5. The action of bringing the foot down heavily on the ground, or the sound this ma
The action of bringing the foot down heavily on the ground, or the sound this makes, often to show anger, impatience, or a strong feeling.
A toddler gave a loud stamp of the foot when her mother refused another cookie.
Christopher's angry stamp echoed through the empty hall after the argument.
The audience showed its disapproval with a collective stamp of feet across the theatre floor.
Élise let out a frustrated stamp when she missed the last bus home.
用法筆記
Often appears with a possessive ('his stamp,' 'her stamp') or in the phrase 'a stamp of the foot.' The verb form is much more common for this meaning.
stamp — verb
1. To press a tool with raised letters or a design onto a surface, leaving a visibl
To press a tool with raised letters or a design onto a surface, leaving a visible mark, usually with ink — for example, stamping a passport page or stamping a date on a form.
The officer stamped Kenji's visa onto a fresh page in his passport.
Each piece of jewelry is stamped with the maker's symbol and gold purity.
passive: be stamped with
The librarian stamped the due date inside the front cover of every borrowed book.
Nellie asked the clerk to stamp her receipt so she could return the item later.
The factory worker stamped the batch number onto each metal part before packing it.
文法句型
stamp + object
stamp + object + with + noun
be stamped with
用法筆記
Frequently passive. The pattern 'be stamped with' describes what mark appears on an object. 'Stamp onto' emphasizes transferring the mark from tool to surface.
常見錯誤
2. To bring the foot down hard and fast onto the ground, producing a sharp sound, e
To bring the foot down hard and fast onto the ground, producing a sharp sound, especially to express strong feelings such as anger.
Anong stamped her foot in frustration when the bus drove past without stopping.
stamp one's foot
The angry customer stamped out of the shop without buying anything.
stamp out of [place]
Christopher warned the children not to stamp on the floor while their grandmother rested upstairs.
The soldiers stamped their boots to keep warm in the cold morning air.
A crowd of fans stamped their feet and cheered when the singer walked on stage.
文法句型
stamp + foot
stamp + on + noun
stamp + out of/into + place
用法筆記
The transitive form takes 'foot' or 'feet' as the object. The intransitive form often combines with a direction ('stamp out of,' 'stamp into') or 'on' plus a surface.
常見錯誤
3. To give a particular character or quality to someone or something, or to show cl
To give a particular character or quality to someone or something, or to show clearly that they have that quality — for example, a childhood experience stamping a person with determination.
War stamped Adisa with a quiet strength that stayed with him for life.
stamp [someone] with [quality]
The composer's early years in Brazil are stamped on every piece of music he wrote.
passive: be stamped on
Feng's generosity stamped everything he did, from small favours to large donations.
The earthquake stamped its mark on the town for many years after the disaster.
- mark
broader; can be literal or figurative
- characterize
more neutral; describes rather than imprints
文法句型
stamp + object + with + quality
be stamped + on + object
be stamped + as
用法筆記
Typically figurative. Common in two patterns: (1) 'stamp [someone] with [quality]' — the experience gives a quality to a person; (2) 'be stamped on [something]' — the quality is visible in the work or result.