straw
straw — noun
1. the dry, hollow stems of grain plants such as wheat or rice, after the seeds hav
the dry, hollow stems of grain plants such as wheat or rice, after the seeds have been removed — used as weaving material for objects like baskets and hats, given to farm animals to eat, or spread as a soft bedding layer for animals to rest on
The farmer spread clean straw across the barn floor for the sheep.
material: spread straw across [surface]
Talia wore a wide hat woven from golden straw to the village market.
woven from straw
After cutting the wheat, the workers tied the straw into heavy bundles.
The old cottage had a straw roof that kept the rooms cool in summer.
文法句型
made of/from straw
straw + noun (straw hat, straw basket)
a piece/stalk of straw
用法筆記
Uncountable as a material ('the barn is full of straw'), but countable for individual stems ('a few straws were sticking out of the bale').
常見錯誤
2. a thin hollow tube, often made from plastic or paper, which you place in a bever
a thin hollow tube, often made from plastic or paper, which you place in a beverage to draw liquid into your mouth by sucking
Ari sipped his orange juice through a striped paper straw.
drink through a straw
Many restaurants now use paper straws instead of plastic ones to reduce waste.
paper straw / plastic straw
The toddler dropped her straw into the cup and laughed as bubbles appeared.
Could you bring me a clean straw for my lemonade?
- drinking straw
the full form, less common in everyday speech
- sipper
informal term, less common, sometimes used for baby bottles or special lids
文法句型
drink (something) through a straw
paper/plastic straw
a straw for [drink]
常見錯誤
3. a light yellow color that looks like dried straw, often used to describe hair, f
a light yellow color that looks like dried straw, often used to describe hair, fabric, or natural materials
Mizuki painted the kitchen walls a warm straw color that made the room feel sunny.
straw color
The old photograph had faded to a pale straw yellow over many years.
straw yellow
The autumn grass on the hillside turned from bright green to dry straw shades.
Some white wines have a light straw color with a hint of green.
- pale yellow
more general term, less specific than straw
- wheat
a similar pale golden color, often used in fashion and design
文法句型
straw color
straw yellow
a shade of straw
用法筆記
Commonly used in compound forms like 'straw-colored' or 'straw yellow'. Often appears in descriptions of wine, hair, and natural scenery.
straw — adjective
1. made from the dried stems of grain plants, used to describe hats, baskets, mats,
made from the dried stems of grain plants, used to describe hats, baskets, mats, and other woven or thatched items
A straw hat protects your face from the hot afternoon sun.
straw hat
Folake bought a small straw basket at the local market to carry fruit.
The scarecrow in the field wore a faded shirt and an old straw hat.
The resort had straw umbrellas set up next to the swimming pool.
- woven
broader term; woven items can be made from many materials, not just straw
文法句型
straw + noun (hat, basket, mat, roof)
用法筆記
This adjective is used only before a noun (attributive). You can say 'a straw basket' but not 'the basket is straw' — instead say 'the basket is made of straw.'
常見錯誤
2. concerning straw as an agricultural material — describing tools, vehicles, or bu
concerning straw as an agricultural material — describing tools, vehicles, or business activities that involve straw in farming
The straw bales were stacked high against the side of the barn.
straw bales
The farmer loaded the straw wagon before the evening rain arrived.
The straw trade in this region supports hundreds of local farming families.
The workers used a straw cutter to chop the stems into smaller pieces.
文法句型
straw + noun (bale, trade, wagon)
用法筆記
Distinguish from the 'made of straw' sense: 'straw bales' are bales that contain straw, not bales made of straw. This sense describes the context or purpose of an object, not its material.
3. having a light yellow color that looks like dried straw — used to describe hair,
having a light yellow color that looks like dried straw — used to describe hair, wine, fabric, paint, or natural scenery
The white wine had a pleasant straw color and a light fruity smell.
straw color: describes wine
Hannah's hair turned a natural straw shade after the long summer break.
The artist mixed yellow and white to create a straw tone for the wheat field.
The cat's fur was a soft straw color with white patches on its belly.
- pale yellow
broader and more common, less specifically tied to the straw reference
- wheat-colored
a similar shade, sometimes used interchangeably but slightly warmer in tone
文法句型
straw + noun (color, hair, shade, tint)
straw-colored
用法筆記
Common in compound form 'straw-colored'. Not used after a linking verb — say 'the wine is straw-colored' or 'a straw-colored wine', not 'the wine is straw.'