terms
terms — verb
1. to give a person or thing a particular name or description, especially in a form
to give a person or thing a particular name or description, especially in a formal or official context — for example, terming a policy a failure or terming someone a genius
The project was termed a complete success by the board of directors.
passive: termed + noun complement
Arjun termed his rival's remarks utterly irrelevant during the debate.
active: term + noun + adjective complement
Local residents termed the new stadium an unnecessary waste of public money.
Élise termed the agreement a major step forward for both companies.
The film has been termed a masterpiece of modern cinema by international critics.
- call
more common and less formal; used in everyday speech
- label
often suggests a fixed or oversimplified classification, sometimes unfairly
- designate
more official, typically used for naming roles, positions, or categories
- describe as
emphasises the act of explaining rather than naming; requires 'as'
文法句型
term + noun + adjective/noun complement
be termed + adjective/noun complement
用法筆記
Frequently passive; the complement after the object must be an adjective or noun phrase that expresses a classification or opinion. In everyday conversation, call or name is preferred over term.
常見錯誤
terms — noun
1. The specific rules, requirements, and promises that each side must follow when t
The specific rules, requirements, and promises that each side must follow when two or more people or organisations make a formal agreement with each other.
Before signing the lease, Lien read every term of the rental agreement.
The contract clearly states the terms of payment between the two companies.
the terms of [something] — formal agreement phrasing
Under the terms of the treaty, all prisoners must be released within thirty days.
Nkechi's lawyer told her to read the small-print terms before signing anything.
Both sides failed to agree on the terms for ending the conflict.
- conditions
broader and less formal; can apply to any situation, not just legal agreements
- provisions
more formal; specifically refers to written clauses in a legal document
- stipulations
very formal; emphasises that something is demanded as part of the agreement
文法句型
the terms of [document/agreement]
under the terms of [document]
用法筆記
Usually used in the plural form 'terms'. The singular 'term' exists but is rare in this sense and usually refers to a single clause within a contract.
常見錯誤
2. The agreed price, cost, or method of paying for something, including the schedul
The agreed price, cost, or method of paying for something, including the schedule, interest charges, and any special conditions involved in the purchase.
The car dealer offered Yan easy payment terms of twelve monthly instalments.
payment terms — common business collocation
We bought the sofa on very reasonable terms with no interest for two years.
Rafael asked about the loan terms before signing any paperwork.
The store's credit terms let customers pay over six months without extra fees.
Wren accepted the job because the salary terms were better than her last position.
- conditions
more general; covers the whole arrangement, not just money
- rates
focuses specifically on the price or interest charged, not the full arrangement
文法句型
on [adjective] terms
payment terms
credit terms
terms of sale
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (AGREEMENT CONDITIONS): sense 1 refers to all conditions of an agreement, while sense 2 focuses specifically on price, cost, and payment schedule. Common in shopping, banking, and employment contexts.
常見錯誤
3. The particular choice of words or style that someone uses when talking or writin
The particular choice of words or style that someone uses when talking or writing about something, showing their attitude or making their meaning clear.
The manager described the budget cuts in very clear terms so everyone understood.
in [adjective] terms — expression pattern for describing style of speech
Nikos criticised the decision in the strongest possible terms.
in the strongest possible terms — fixed expression
The report was written in technical terms that most readers could not follow.
Layla expressed her anger in terms that left no room for doubt.
A good teacher explains difficult ideas in simple terms.
文法句型
in [adjective] terms
in the strongest terms
in simple terms
in practical terms
用法筆記
Always appears in the pattern 'in [adjective] terms' or 'in [determiner] terms'. The adjective describes the quality of the language used (clear, strong, simple, technical, emotional). A related use is to give someone a specific label: 'in those exact terms', 'called a genius in those terms' — this still follows the same pattern but assigns a label to a person rather than describing a style of speech.
常見錯誤
4. The general state of how two people or groups get along with each other, describ
The general state of how two people or groups get along with each other, described by an adjective that shows whether the relationship is close, distant, friendly, or hostile.
Tamar has always been on good terms with her neighbours.
on good terms — most common fixed phrase for relationships
The two families remained on friendly terms despite their political differences.
Reema and her cousin are on excellent terms and visit each other often.
The company stayed on bad terms with its main supplier for several years.
The Watanabe family and their neighbours have always been on close terms.
- relationship
more general noun; 'terms' is more about the current state of the connection rather than its history or depth
- footing
more formal; often used to describe professional or social standing with someone
文法句型
be on [adjective] terms with [someone]
keep on [adjective] terms
用法筆記
Frequently paired with the preposition 'with' to specify who the relationship is with. The adjective before 'terms' determines the quality of the relationship: good, bad, friendly, close, civil, speaking, equal.
常見錯誤
5. A willingness or refusal to be polite and friendly toward someone after a disagr
A willingness or refusal to be polite and friendly toward someone after a disagreement, conflict, or period of silence between them.
Christopher is not on speaking terms with his sister after their bitter argument.
not on speaking terms — fixed expression for post-argument refusal
Anthony hopes to get back on good terms with his former business partner.
get back on good terms — showing desire for reconciliation
After months of silence, the two neighbours agreed to be on civil terms again.
The children agreed to stay on friendly terms for the rest of the trip.
- reconciled
more formal and stronger; implies the conflict is fully resolved, not just that people are being polite
- civil
describes polite but distant behaviour, less warm than 'on good terms'
- at odds
indicates active disagreement rather than just distance after a conflict
文法句型
be (not) on speaking terms
get back on [adjective] terms with [someone]
用法筆記
Closely related to sense 4 (RELATIONSHIP), but sense 5 specifically describes the effort or willingness to re-establish a relationship after conflict. Often appears in negative constructions ('not on speaking terms') or with 'back' ('back on good terms').
常見錯誤
6. To finally reach a shared understanding or settlement after a period of discussi
To finally reach a shared understanding or settlement after a period of discussion, argument, or disagreement with someone.
After weeks of negotiation, the union and the management came to terms.
came to terms — fixed phrase for reaching agreement
The two countries finally came to terms on a new trade agreement.
Jason and his former partner came to terms and split the profits equally.
It took several meetings for the committee to come to terms about the new policy.
- reach an agreement
more formal and explicit; 'come to terms' is slightly more informal and implies the agreement was reached after difficulty
- settle
shorter and can be used for both agreements and disputes; 'come to terms' focuses on the mutual decision
- disagree
the opposite; 'come to terms' implies the disagreement has been resolved
文法句型
come to terms (with [someone]) (on/about [something])
用法筆記
Distinguish from 'come to terms with' (sense 7, in noun_b2 chunk): sense 6 means reaching a mutual agreement with someone else ('come to terms with someone'), while 'come to terms with' (sense 7) means accepting an unpleasant situation emotionally.
常見錯誤
7. to slowly reach a point where a painful reality no longer overwhelms you and you
to slowly reach a point where a painful reality no longer overwhelms you and you can move forward in your life
After months of grief counseling, Aoi finally came to terms with her grandmother's death.
come to terms with + noun phrase expressing loss
Dr. Okafor told us we must come to terms with a disease that has no cure.
come to terms with + the fact that + clause
The Watanabe family had to come to terms with losing their home in the earthquake.
Gabriel slowly came to terms with the idea that he would never walk after the crash.
The company is still coming to terms with the financial damage caused by the flood.
- accept
more general; lack's 'come to terms' emotional processing component
- come to grips with
more informal, often implies a struggle
- deny
refusing to accept reality
文法句型
come to terms with + noun phrase / gerund
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed phrase 'come to terms with'. The object is typically a difficult situation, a loss, a change, or an unpleasant fact. Cannot be used as a standalone plural noun 'terms' in this sense.
常見錯誤
8. a phrase made of two terms whose core ideas clash, making the expression logical
a phrase made of two terms whose core ideas clash, making the expression logically impossible to be true
'Militant pacifist' sounds like a contradiction in terms to most people.
noun + noun as a contradiction in terms
Some students argued that 'jumbo shrimp' is a contradiction in terms, since shrimp suggests something small.
In the philosophy lecture, the idea of a 'compulsory choice' was called a clear contradiction in terms.
To Aunt Rosa, the phrase 'silent party' seemed like a ridiculous contradiction in terms.
'Business ethics' is not a contradiction in terms, the visiting professor insisted at the forum.
文法句型
a contradiction in terms
用法筆記
Always appears in the fixed phrase 'a contradiction in terms'. The two words combined must create a logical paradox, not merely an unusual or surprising pairing.
常見錯誤
9. in a direct, forceful, and completely clear way — especially when expressing dis
in a direct, forceful, and completely clear way — especially when expressing disapproval, giving an order, or making a firm statement
The landlord warned the tenants in no uncertain terms that smoking was banned inside the building.
warn + in no uncertain terms + that-clause
Dr. Kim told the patient in no uncertain terms to stop eating sugar and fried food at once.
The manager stated in no uncertain terms that the company would not tolerate discrimination.
Élise's father informed her in no uncertain terms that she must be home before midnight.
The critics described the film in no uncertain terms as a complete waste of time and talent.
- unequivocally
more formal; also means 'clearly and without doubt'
- bluntly
similar force, but blunter implies rudeness; 'in no uncertain terms' can be firm but polite
文法句型
tell / inform / warn + someone + in no uncertain terms + that-clause
用法筆記
Always used in the fixed expression 'in no uncertain terms'. Most common with verbs of telling, warning, criticizing, or ordering. The double negative structure adds emphasis. Not used for polite or neutral messages.
常見錯誤
10. used to specify which particular area or viewpoint you are considering when disc
used to specify which particular area or viewpoint you are considering when discussing a subject
The new phone is excellent in terms of battery life but disappointing in terms of camera quality.
in terms of + aspect (battery life, camera quality)
In terms of safety, the Okonkwo family chose a neighbourhood with low crime and good lighting.
This year's sales look good in terms of total revenue, though profits have stayed flat.
The two universities are quite different in terms of tuition fees, class size, and campus culture.
In terms of cultural influence, few musicians have shaped pop music as deeply as Aretha Franklin.
- with regard to
more formal; similar meaning of specifying an aspect
- regarding
simpler and more direct; does not need 'of' after it
文法句型
in terms of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Used to introduce the specific aspect or viewpoint being discussed. Must always be followed by a noun phrase. Very common in academic writing, business reports, and analytical discussions. Can appear at the beginning or middle of a sentence.
常見錯誤
11. enjoying the same opportunities or levels of treatment as others, so that no ind
enjoying the same opportunities or levels of treatment as others, so that no individual or side receives better conditions
The new policy ensures that all employees are hired on equal terms regardless of their background.
on equal terms + verb 'hire' + passive
Small shops struggle to compete on the same terms as large stores with much bigger budgets.
Students from both regions competed on equal terms at the national science fair.
After years of talks, both nations finally agreed to trade on equal terms with no special taxes.
The scholarship helps girls from rural areas study on the same terms as boys in city schools.
- on a level playing field
more informal; same idea of fair competition
- fairly
simpler adverb; less specific about the comparative dimension
- unfairly
without equal treatment or conditions
文法句型
on equal / same terms + (with + noun phrase)
用法筆記
Often used in contexts of fairness, competition, rights, or negotiation. 'On the same terms' is slightly more general than 'on equal terms'; 'on equal terms' emphasises fairness. Always plural — 'terms' cannot be 'term' in this phrase.
常見錯誤
12. in a way that follows the conditions or rules that you choose for yourself, rath
in a way that follows the conditions or rules that you choose for yourself, rather than accepting what others decide
After thirty years in banking, Grandpa retired on his own terms and moved to a fishing village.
on + possessive + own terms (his)
Nadia wanted to end the relationship on her own terms rather than wait to be abandoned.
The artist insisted on selling her work on her own terms and refused to join any gallery.
Dr. Chang schedules his operations on his own terms and will not follow the hospital's rigid timetable.
The rebel leader surrendered on his own terms, securing safety for everyone in his group.
- on one's own conditions
less common; same meaning but more formal
- independently
adverb form; captures the autonomy but not the condition-setting aspect
文法句型
on + possessive + own terms
用法筆記
Expresses autonomy and personal choice. The possessive pronoun changes to match the subject: my, your, his, her, its, our, their. Always plural — 'terms' cannot be 'term' in this phrase.
常見錯誤
terms — idiom
1. used in the fixed constructions 'under the terms of' or 'by the terms of' to ref
used in the fixed constructions 'under the terms of' or 'by the terms of' to refer to the specific promises and conditions written into a legal agreement that each side must obey
Under the terms of the lease, Niran must pay rent by the first day of each month.
under the terms of + lease — fixed prepositional construction
By the terms of the settlement, the company must pay Nora five thousand dollars.
by the terms of + settlement — fixed prepositional construction
Under the terms of the contract, Ezra must finish the work by June.
Under the terms of the will, Folake inherited her grandmother's house and its furniture.
By the terms of the trade deal, both countries will remove taxes on farm products.
- conditions
more general; 'terms' is more specific to agreements and contracts
- provisions
more formal, used in legal writing about contracts or laws
文法句型
under the terms of [document/agreement]
by the terms of [document]
用法筆記
Used only in the fixed constructions 'under the terms of' and 'by the terms of' followed by a document name (contract, treaty, lease, will). This idiom points back to the specific written conditions in that document, rather than describing the conditions themselves — that meaning belongs to noun sense 1 (AGREEMENT CONDITIONS).