stratosphere

stratosphere — noun

1. One of the bands of gas that surround a planet, positioned above the lowest atmo

1.名詞B2
釋義

One of the bands of gas that surround a planet, positioned above the lowest atmospheric layer, where the air grows warmer at higher altitudes.

例句

Weather balloons rise through the troposphere and into the stratosphere to collect scientific data.

collocation: rise through / into the stratosphere

Commercial aircraft often fly in the lower part of the stratosphere to avoid stormy weather below.

collocation: fly in the stratosphere

同義詞
  • upper atmosphere

    broader term that includes the stratosphere and layers above it

  • ozone layer

    a part of the stratosphere, not a synonym for the whole layer

反義詞
  • troposphere

    the lowest atmospheric layer, where weather occurs

文法句型

the + stratosphere

用法筆記

Frequently preceded by 'the'. This sense can refer to any planet's atmosphere, not only Earth's. Distinguish from sense 2 which is specific to Earth's atmosphere and its exact altitude range.

常見錯誤

❌The ozone layer is in the troposphere.
✅The ozone layer is in the stratosphere.
💡The ozone layer sits within the stratosphere, not the troposphere (the weather layer below).
❌The stratosphere contains all the clouds we see.
✅The troposphere contains all the clouds we see.
💡Almost all clouds form in the troposphere, not the stratosphere.

2. The part of Earth's atmosphere located between about fifteen and fifty kilometre

2.名詞B2
釋義

The part of Earth's atmosphere located between about fifteen and fifty kilometres above the ground, where the air is dry and stable, few clouds form, and the temperature rises with height instead of falling.

例句

The ozone layer sits within Earth's stratosphere and absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.

collocation: within Earth's stratosphere

Unlike the troposphere below it, the stratosphere is extremely dry and almost completely free of clouds.

contrastive structure: unlike X, Y is...

同義詞
  • ozone layer

    refers specifically to the ozone-rich zone within the stratosphere, not the full layer

反義詞
  • troposphere

    the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, containing weather and clouds

文法句型

the + stratosphere

within + the + stratosphere

用法筆記

This sense is more scientifically precise than sense 1. It refers specifically to Earth's atmosphere between the tropopause (≈15 km) and the stratopause (≈50 km). The ozone layer is contained within this zone. Distinguish from sense 1, which is a broader reference to any planet's stratospheric layer.

常見錯誤

❌The stratosphere is full of clouds and rain.
✅The stratosphere is dry and cloud-free.
💡Weather systems and clouds are almost entirely in the troposphere.
❌Temperatures drop as you go higher in the stratosphere.
✅Temperatures rise as you go higher in the stratosphere.
💡Temperature inversion is the key feature of the stratosphere.

3. Used informally when a price, cost, temperature, or quantity climbs to a point f

3.名詞B2
釋義

Used informally when a price, cost, temperature, or quantity climbs to a point far above what people consider normal or reasonable.

例句

House prices in Amsterdam soared into the stratosphere after the new tech hub opened.

figurative: soared into the stratosphere

Kofi watched in disbelief as fuel prices hit the stratosphere during the month-long crisis.

同義詞
  • the sky

    equally informal; 'prices sky-high'

  • the roof

    informal; 'costs went through the roof'

  • astronomical

    adjective meaning extremely high; more formal

反義詞
  • rock bottom

    the lowest possible level, opposite of extremely high

  • the floor

    informal; 'prices hit the floor'

文法句型

the + stratosphere

into + the + stratosphere

reach + the + stratosphere

soar into + the + stratosphere

hit + the + stratosphere

用法筆記

Figurative and informal. Common in news and everyday speech about surging prices, costs, or temperatures. Frequently pairs with verbs like 'soar into', 'hit', 'reach', 'go into', 'climb into'. The literal scientific meaning (senses 1-2) is always the primary meaning; this figurative extension is marked by informal register.

常見錯誤

❌Her kindness reached the stratosphere.
✅The price of butter reached the stratosphere.
💡This figurative sense is used for measurable quantities (prices, costs, temperatures), not abstract qualities like kindness.

4. The highest level of achievement in a career, sport, art, or business — the poin

4.名詞C1
釋義

The highest level of achievement in a career, sport, art, or business — the point at which someone has attained outstanding success and widespread recognition.

例句

After her third Olympic gold medal, swimmer Lin's career was in the stratosphere.

figurative: career in the stratosphere

Minho's small software company reached the stratosphere when a global corporation bought it for two billion dollars.

同義詞
  • the top

    general term for highest position; less colourful

  • the pinnacle

    slightly more formal; the highest point of achievement

  • the summit

    similar to pinnacle; suggests reaching the peak after effort

反義詞
  • obscurity

    state of being unknown; the opposite of fame and recognition

  • mediocrity

    average or ordinary achievement

文法句型

the + stratosphere

into + the + stratosphere

in + the + stratosphere

reach + the + stratosphere

用法筆記

Figurative and informal. Similar to sense 3 but specifically about a person's career, reputation, or level of success rather than prices or quantities. Often appears in possessive constructions ('her career was in the stratosphere') or with verbs of entering and reaching. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 describes things (prices, costs, temperatures) reaching an extreme high; sense 4 describes people or their careers reaching a peak of success.

常見錯誤

❌The price of milk went into the stratosphere after he became famous.
✅His fame went into the stratosphere after the hit movie.
💡Sense 4 is about success and achievement, not prices. Use sense 3 for prices.