tattered

IPA/ˈtætəd/
KK[tˈætɚd]IPA/ˈtætərd/

tattered — adjective

  • tatteredpositive
  • more tatteredcomparative
  • most tatteredsuperlative

1. describing cloth, paper, or clothing that has been torn many times and is in ver

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing cloth, paper, or clothing that has been torn many times and is in very poor condition, often from being used for a long time without enough care.

例句

Diego wore his father's tattered shirt, full of holes and with a missing collar.

The librarian carefully repaired the tattered pages of the children's book with special tape.

collocation: tattered pages

同義詞
  • ragged

    focuses on uneven, torn edges; slightly more informal

  • shredded

    suggests the item is in strips or pieces; more extreme than 'tattered'

  • frayed

    describes worn threads at edges, not necessarily full holes

反義詞
  • pristine

    describes something in perfect, new condition

  • intact

    emphasises that nothing has been torn or broken

文法句型

tattered + noun

be + tattered

用法筆記

Unlike 'torn', which describes a single split or hole, 'tattered' suggests damage spread across the whole item — many tears, frayed edges, and general wear. The noun it describes is almost always something made of fabric, paper, or similar thin material.

常見錯誤

❌He wore a tattered shirt with a small hole near the collar.
✅He wore a shirt with a small hole near the collar.
💡'tattered' implies many tears and extensive wear, not just a single small hole.

2. describing a system, relationship, building, or other entity that has fallen int

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describing a system, relationship, building, or other entity that has fallen into an extremely poor condition, often because it has been neglected or has suffered serious damage over time.

例句

After years of war and conflict, the country's infrastructure lay in a tattered state.

figurative use: tattered state

Heather's tattered relationship with her brother slowly began to heal during their holiday together.

同義詞
  • dilapidated

    more formal and specifically about buildings or structures

  • ruined

    stronger; suggests complete destruction beyond repair

  • decrepit

    emphasises weakness from age and neglect

反義詞
  • sound

    describes something in good, solid condition

  • flourishing

    describes a system or relationship that is thriving

文法句型

tattered + noun

be + tattered

用法筆記

Frequently used figuratively for abstract nouns such as 'relationship', 'economy', 'reputation', or 'hopes'. The literal sense (Sense 1) is reserved for physical materials; this sense extends the image of torn cloth to anything that has fallen apart.

常見錯誤

❌The tattered building had one broken window.
✅The building was in a tattered condition, with broken windows and a collapsing roof.
💡'tattered' implies extensive dilapidation, not a single flaw.