standard
standard — noun
1. a measurement of how good or acceptable something is, based on what people expec
a measurement of how good or acceptable something is, based on what people expect or what is judged to be sufficient
The hospital was praised for raising its standards of patient care.
collocation: raise/improve standards
Christopher inspected every part to ensure it met the required quality standards.
collocation: meet / required standards
Many restaurants in Taipei maintain a high standard of food safety.
The review found that building work on the new bridge fell below the usual standard.
用法筆記
Often paired with prepositions like 'of' (standard of something) and verbs like 'meet', 'raise', 'set', or 'maintain'. Can be uncountable when speaking generally ('work of a high standard').
常見錯誤
2. a principle of behaviour that a person or group believes to be morally right and
a principle of behaviour that a person or group believes to be morally right and follows consistently
Sahil refused to lie to his clients because he holds himself to strict moral standards.
collocation: moral / ethical standards
Sirin refused to reveal her source for the story, honouring the ethical standards of journalism.
The company's advertising standards require all claims to be backed by evidence.
The school's behaviour standards clearly state that bullying will not be tolerated.
用法筆記
Almost always plural in this sense (standards). Singular 'a standard' is rare and only appears in fixed phrases like 'a double standard'. Frequently modified by adjectives such as 'moral', 'ethical', 'high', 'strict'.
常見錯誤
3. something that is accepted as a normal or official model for how things should b
something that is accepted as a normal or official model for how things should be done or made
The kilogram kept in France once served as the international standard for measuring weight.
collocation: serve as / become the standard for
Naoko's report layout became the standard for all departments in the company.
The USB connector is now a global standard used by billions of devices.
Mateo checked the safety standards published by the European committee before building the machine.
用法筆記
Use 'the standard for something' to name what is being measured or guided. Often used in technical or industrial contexts (safety standards, industry standards, international standards).
4. a much-loved song or musical work that stays popular for many years and is frequ
a much-loved song or musical work that stays popular for many years and is frequently performed or covered by different musicians
Tamar sang a jazz standard from the 1940s at the school talent show.
domain: jazz standard
The band's set list included old folk standards that the whole crowd knew by heart.
Minh learned to play several piano standards so he could perform at the café.
Every Christmas, the radio station plays holiday standards that have been around for decades.
用法筆記
Common in music contexts, especially with genres like jazz, folk, pop, and blues. Often modified by the genre name: 'jazz standard', 'blues standard'.
5. a car in which the driver changes gear using a stick and a foot-operated clutch,
a car in which the driver changes gear using a stick and a foot-operated clutch, rather than an automatic system
Hugo prefers driving a standard because he can shift gears manually for better control on the mountain roads.
informal register: 'a standard' = manual car
Rafael learned to shift gears in heavy traffic on an old standard transmission car.
Omar bought a second-hand standard because it cost much less than an automatic.
Learning to drive a standard takes patience, especially when starting on a steep hill.
- manual
more common in British English; the standard term
- stick shift
informal, used mainly in American English
- automatic
a car that changes gears by itself
用法筆記
Short for 'standard transmission'. Mostly used informally in North America. In the UK, 'manual' is more common than 'standard' for this sense.
6. a long narrow flag, often with two pointed ends, used as the official symbol of
a long narrow flag, often with two pointed ends, used as the official symbol of a military unit, a royal family, or a state
The soldiers marched behind the regimental standard during the national day parade.
domain: military standard
The king's standard flew above the palace to show that he was in residence.
Each knight carried a standard bearing the colours of his house into battle.
The standard of the 7th Infantry Regiment hangs in the military museum.
用法筆記
This is a historical or ceremonial sense, more specific than the general word 'flag'. Typically refers to a banner carried in battle or displayed at official events.
standard — adjective
1. matching the typical or accepted form — what most people expect and recognise as
matching the typical or accepted form — what most people expect and recognise as normal and correct
The standard procedure for this test requires patients to fast for eight hours.
collocation: standard procedure / practice
Soraya ordered the standard size pizza, which was enough for two people.
A standard passport photo must be two inches square with a plain white background.
All new employees receive a standard contract with the same basic terms.
用法筆記
This is the most frequent adjectival sense. It describes what is typical or expected, not exceptional. Often appears before a noun: 'standard practice', 'standard procedure', 'standard size'.
常見錯誤
2. describing a form of a language that is widely accepted as correct, proper, and
describing a form of a language that is widely accepted as correct, proper, and appropriate for formal writing and education by most educated speakers
Omar is learning standard Arabic so he can read newspapers and official documents.
collocation: standard Arabic / English / Chinese
Camille showed her class that standard English uses 'They were going', not 'They was going'.
National Taiwan University requires first-year history students to write their term papers in standard academic language.
In Beijing, most news broadcasts are delivered in standard Mandarin.
- non-standard
not conforming to the standard form of a language
- dialectal
relating to a local or regional variety of a language
用法筆記
Often used before a language name: standard English, standard Mandarin, standard Arabic. This sense does not mean 'better' — it describes the established, institutionalised form taught in schools.
常見錯誤
3. describing a book, author, or reference work that is widely recognised as the mo
describing a book, author, or reference work that is widely recognised as the most authoritative and reliable source of information on a given subject
Gray's Anatomy is still regarded as the standard medical textbook for students worldwide.
collocation: standard textbook / reference work
Mateo consulted the standard reference work on Chinese pottery before writing his paper.
Professor Chen's research has become a standard text in the field of environmental economics.
Every medical student owns a copy of the standard pharmacology textbook.
- authoritative
trusted as being accurate and reliable; stronger than standard
- definitive
the most complete and authoritative work on a subject
- classic
well-known and of lasting importance
用法筆記
Only used before a noun (attributive position). Common with words like 'textbook', 'reference', 'work', 'author'. Unlike other adjective senses, this one cannot be used predicatively ('This book is standard' would be read as sense 1).
4. describing a dog that matches the usual type, size, and appearance expected for
describing a dog that matches the usual type, size, and appearance expected for its particular breed in competitions or breed standards
The golden retriever was judged according to the breed's standard size and coat colour.
domain: dog breed
Dario's poodle meets the standard weight requirements for its breed classification.
The judge only accepts standard poodles in this category, not miniature or toy varieties.
The breeder specialises in standard schnauzers, rather than the giant variety.
- full-size
less formal; describes a dog that is not a miniature or toy variant
用法筆記
Used mainly in dog breeding and dog show contexts. Refers to the middle or original size of a breed, distinguishing it from miniature or toy variants (e.g. standard poodle vs. toy poodle).