toilet
toilet — noun
1. a piece of equipment in a bathroom, with a seat and a bowl that uses water to wa
a piece of equipment in a bathroom, with a seat and a bowl that uses water to wash away human waste
The plumber replaced the broken toilet in Lien's apartment this morning.
countable: a toilet / the toilet / toilets
Jiwoo flushed the toilet twice to make sure everything went down.
collocation: flush the toilet
Amani cleaned the toilet seat with a disinfectant spray after using it.
The old toilet in the basement had a cracked bowl and needed replacing.
Anya bought a new toilet brush and a bottle of bleach from the shop.
用法筆記
In British English, the room itself is often called 'the toilet' (see sense 2). In American English, 'toilet' usually refers only to the physical fixture, while the room is called 'bathroom' or 'restroom.'
常見錯誤
2. a room that contains a toilet, usually with a sink and sometimes a bath or showe
a room that contains a toilet, usually with a sink and sometimes a bath or shower
Eitan asked the waiter where the toilet was in the restaurant.
question: 'where the toilet is/was'
There is a toilet on the ground floor near the main entrance of the museum.
Maja knocked on the toilet door but nobody answered from inside.
Every flat in this building has its own toilet and a small shower room.
The sign on the toilet door showed a picture of a woman in a dress.
用法筆記
This is the standard word for the room in British English. In American English, 'bathroom' or 'restroom' is used instead. See sense 1 for the fixture-only usage.
常見錯誤
3. the act of passing waste out of your body, especially when talking about childre
the act of passing waste out of your body, especially when talking about children, older people, or people who are ill
The little boy told his mother he needed to go to the toilet.
phrase: need to go to the toilet
Shanti asked the teacher if she could use the toilet before the exam started.
phrase: use the toilet (polite request)
The bus made a short stop so that everybody could go to the toilet.
Karim's grandmother needs help getting to the toilet during the night.
Young children often find it hard to wait when they need the toilet.
- go to the bathroom
common American euphemism; covers the same meaning
- use the restroom
American polite alternative
- go to the loo
informal British term
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable and mainly occurs in fixed phrases: 'go to the toilet,' 'use the toilet,' 'need the toilet.' It is a polite way of talking about bodily functions, especially with children or in public settings.
常見錯誤
4. an area in a park, station, or shopping centre that contains several individual
an area in a park, station, or shopping centre that contains several individual stalls fitted with a toilet for public use
The public toilets in the city park stay open until nine in the evening.
compound noun: public toilets
Iris found the toilet block at the train station on the lower level.
compound noun: toilet block
Tourists complained that the public toilet stalls near the beach had no soap.
The museum toilets have a cleaner who checks them every thirty minutes.
Beatriz checked the map to find the nearest public toilet in the shopping centre.
- public restroom
standard American term for the same facility
- public conveniences
formal British term found on official signs
- washroom
Canadian term; also used in some public buildings
- comfort station
American term, especially for highway rest areas
用法筆記
Often used in the plural ('toilets') to refer to a shared facility. In American English, 'public restroom' or 'public bathroom' is the usual equivalent. 'Toilet block' is common in British English for a standalone building.
常見錯誤
5. the activity of washing, combing your hair, putting on makeup, and getting dress
the activity of washing, combing your hair, putting on makeup, and getting dressed, especially as a regular morning routine
Élise spent an hour on her toilet before the evening party began.
formal register: 'her toilet' = her grooming routine
Joshua keeps a small toilet bag with soap, a comb, and a razor inside.
compound noun: toilet bag (bag for grooming items)
The hotel provides free toilet soap and fresh towels for each guest.
Tom spent an hour at his toilet before the wedding, shaving and fixing his hair.
Before her big show, the singer's toilet included a hot shower and careful makeup.
- grooming
modern term for washing and making yourself tidy
- getting ready
everyday alternative, less formal
- dressing
focuses specifically on putting clothes on
用法筆記
This sense is old-fashioned in modern everyday English. It survives mainly in fixed compounds ('toilet bag,' 'toilet soap,' 'toiletries') and in historical or formal writing. The related noun 'toiletries' (products used for grooming) is much more common today.
常見錯誤
toilet — verb
1. to pass waste from your body, or to help someone — especially a child, an elderl
to pass waste from your body, or to help someone — especially a child, an elderly person, or a pet — go to the toilet
The nurse helped toilet the elderly patient after his morning bath.
transitive: toilet + person (caregiver context)
Maja's puppy has not yet learned to toilet outside the house.
intransitive: to toilet (about animals)
Shanti needs to toilet her toddler before putting him down for a nap.
The elderly dog had trouble toileting and needed to go outside more often.
- use the toilet
the standard phrase for yourself — not a verb but a noun phrase
- go to the bathroom
American alternative for one's own needs
- help someone use the toilet
the full transitive equivalent for caregivers
文法句型
toilet + (object)
toilet + person/animal
用法筆記
As an intransitive verb, 'toilet' is mainly used for pets or in medical contexts. The transitive sense (helping someone use the toilet) is used by caregivers, nurses, and parents. In everyday conversation, 'go to the toilet' (noun sense 3) is far more common than using this verb.