print — noun
1. 文字、數字或符號經由機器使用墨水印在紙上所形成的內容
文字、數字或符號經由機器使用墨水印在紙上所形成的內容
The fine print at the bottom of the contract listed several extra fees.
collocation: fine print
Erik struggled to read the tiny print on the medicine bottle label.
The old newspaper's print had faded so badly that the date was impossible to read.
typical subject: newspaper / document
An image of the receipt in large, clear print was stored on the library's computer.
- small print
- fine print
- large print
- bold print
- faded print
- clear print
Grammar Patterns
in print
small print
fine print
Usage Note
Uncountable; refers to the visible text itself, not to a single copy. Frequently modified by adjectives describing size (small print, large print) or clarity (bold print, faded print).
Common Mistakes
2. 報紙、書籍、雜誌等以印刷形式存在的出版品，作為一種媒體類別
報紙、書籍、雜誌等以印刷形式存在的出版品，作為一種媒體類別
Many journalists now work online rather than in print.
preposition: in print (as medium)
Yasmin prefers to read the print edition of the newspaper over the digital version.
The story appeared in print for the first time in a local weekly magazine.
Sales of print books have dropped slightly, but they still outsell e-books in most countries.
common modifier: print books / print edition
- in print
- print edition
- print media
- print version
- print publication
- the press
narrower — usually refers to newspapers, not books or magazines
- publications
broader — includes both print and digital formats
Grammar Patterns
the print media
in the print
Usage Note
Uncountable; is used to contrast with digital or broadcast media. 'The print media' refers collectively to newspapers and magazines as an industry sector.
Common Mistakes
3. 書、雜誌等出版品目前是否仍可由出版社購買到新本的狀態
書、雜誌等出版品目前是否仍可由出版社購買到新本的狀態
The novel has been in print for over forty years and sells steadily every season.
phrasal collocation: in print = available for purchase
Gabriel searched every second-hand shop for a title that has been out of print since 1985.
phrasal collocation: out of print = no longer available
The publisher decided to bring the classic cookbook back into print after years of fan requests.
Only the first edition of the textbook remains in print; the revised versions were discontinued.
- in print
- out of print
- back in print
- keep in print
Grammar Patterns
in print
out of print
Usage Note
Only sense that is used almost exclusively in the fixed phrases 'in print' and 'out of print'. Cannot be used alone as a stand-alone noun. Distinguish from sense 1 (the visible text) and sense 2 (print as a medium).
Common Mistakes
4. 利用機器或化學方法從底片或數位檔製作出的照片或藝術品的複製品
利用機器或化學方法從底片或數位檔製作出的照片或藝術品的複製品
Faisal hung a signed print of the watercolour painting above his desk.
syntax: a print of [artwork]
The gallery sold limited-edition prints of each photograph for two hundred dollars.
Romi took the film to a shop near the station to get prints made of the holiday pictures.
common usage: get prints made
Each print in the exhibition was numbered and signed personally by the artist.
- limited-edition print
- signed print
- make a print
- print of
- get prints made
- framed print
- photograph
broader — includes digital and physical; 'print' specifically means a paper copy
- reproduction
more formal, often used for art copies; does not imply photographic process
- copy
more general; can refer to any duplicate
- original
the unique first version, not a reproduced copy
Grammar Patterns
a print of + noun
make a print
limited-edition print
Usage Note
Countable noun. In photography, refers to the paper photo produced from a negative or digital file. In art, refers to a reproduction of an original work, often part of a limited series. Cross-reference with verb sense 5 (PICTURE).
Common Mistakes
5. 用墨水印在布料或衣物上的圖案樣式
用墨水印在布料或衣物上的圖案樣式
Shirin wore a summer dress with a bright floral print and wide sleeves.
modifier: floral print
The cushion covers came in a geometric print that matched the living room curtains.
Bilal chose a shirt in a subtle blue-and-white striped print for the wedding.
The fabric shop sold cotton material in animal prints such as leopard and zebra.
common pattern type: animal print
- floral print
- animal print
- geometric print
- striped print
- fabric print
- in a ... print
Grammar Patterns
flower print
in a + adj + print
Usage Note
Can be countable ('a floral print') or uncountable ('fabric with a floral print'). Typically modified by the type of pattern (flower print, animal print, geometric print). Cross-reference with verb sense 6 (PATTERN).
Common Mistakes
6. 手指按壓在物品表面所留下的指紋痕跡（非正式用語，完整說法為 fingerprint）
手指按壓在物品表面所留下的指紋痕跡（非正式用語，完整說法為 fingerprint）
The detective found clear prints on the glass and sent them to the lab for analysis.
informal register: 'prints' = fingerprints
Justin wiped his prints off the door handle before leaving the empty house.
The security system logs each employee's prints at the entrance every morning.
The suspect's prints were found on the window frame and matched against the police database.
typical context: law enforcement
- leave prints
- take prints
- clear prints
- match prints
- identify prints
- fingerprint
the full, formal term; 'prints' is the informal shortening
Grammar Patterns
leave prints
take prints
Usage Note
Informal shortening of 'fingerprint'. Used in everyday conversation, police work, and security contexts. The full form 'fingerprint' is preferred in formal writing and technical documents.
Common Mistakes
7. 因按壓而在柔軟表面上留下的凹痕或印記
因按壓而在柔軟表面上留下的凹痕或印記
The dog's paws left muddy prints across the newly washed kitchen floor.
physical mark: paw prints
Ignacio noticed the clear print of a shoe sole in the wet cement near the building site.
preposition: print of [object]
The child pressed her hand into the clay and admired the print it left behind.
Tire prints ran across the grass where the delivery truck had driven onto the lawn.
- paw print
- foot print
- shoe print
- tire print
- leave a print
- print of
- impression
more formal; emphasizes the act of pressing into a surface
- imprint
stronger connotation of a permanent or meaningful mark
- mark
broader — includes stains, scratches, and any visible sign
Grammar Patterns
a print of + noun
leave a print
Usage Note
Refers to any physical mark or indentation made by pressing an object into a surface. Not related to ink or machines. Cross-reference with verb sense 7 (MARK). Distinguish from sense 6 (fingerprint) which always refers to human fingers.
print — verb
1. 用機器將文字或圖像輸出到紙張或其他材料上
用機器將文字或圖像輸出到紙張或其他材料上
Yan printed the boarding pass at the self-service kiosk before heading to the gate.
transitive: print + direct object
The ink cartridge ran out halfway through printing the wedding invitations.
intransitive: printing (no object)
Amihan asked the receptionist to print the receipt and put it in an envelope.
The teacher printed a map of the city onto a large sheet of paper for the class project.
pattern: print + noun + onto + surface
Benjamin printed the spreadsheet and checked each number against the original file.
- print a document
- print a copy
- print a page
- print on paper
- print in colour
- print double-sided
Grammar Patterns
print + noun
print something on/onto something
print something out/off
Usage Note
Most frequent sense of the verb. Can be transitive ('print a document') or intransitive ('the printer is printing'). Frequently combines with particles 'out' and 'off' ('print out the form', 'print off a copy') — these are phrasal-prepositional verbs, treated separately in some dictionaries.
Common Mistakes
2. 將文章、報導或作品刊載於報紙或雜誌上
將文章、報導或作品刊載於報紙或雜誌上
The newspaper printed a correction the following day after the error was pointed out.
typical object: correction / article / letter
Gita's letter to the editor was printed in the Sunday edition of the local paper.
passive: be printed in + publication
The magazine refused to print the interview because the source could not be verified.
Several newspapers printed the same photograph of the ceremony on their front pages.
- print an article
- print a story
- print a letter
- print a correction
- printed in the newspaper
- printed in the magazine
- suppress
to prevent material from being published
Grammar Patterns
print + noun
be printed in + publication
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'publish': 'print' in this sense focuses on the act of including material in a printed periodical, while 'publish' is broader (includes digital, books, and formal release). Subject is typically a newspaper, magazine, or publication name.
Common Mistakes
3. 大量生產書籍、報紙、雜誌等出版物
大量生產書籍、報紙、雜誌等出版物
The publisher printed fifty thousand copies of the new novel in the first run.
quantity pattern: print + number + copies
The textbook is printed in both hardcover and paperback editions for different markets.
passive: be printed in + edition format
Romi's comic book was printed in three languages and sold across Southeast Asia.
The company printed the catalogue in full colour and distributed it to retail stores.
- print copies of
- print an edition of
- printed in hardcover
- printed in paperback
- first printed in
- printed in colour
Grammar Patterns
print + number + copies of + noun
be printed in + language/edition
Usage Note
Subject is usually a publisher or printing company. The object is the publication itself ('print a book') or the quantity ('print 10,000 copies'). Cross-reference with noun sense 3 (AVAILABILITY) — a book that is 'in print' has been produced by this process and is still available.
Common Mistakes
4. 以不相連的分開字母書寫，而非使用草寫連筆
以不相連的分開字母書寫，而非使用草寫連筆
Young children in American schools usually learn to print before they learn cursive writing.
common context: learning to write
Padma printed her name neatly at the top of the form so the staff could read it clearly.
The doctor's note was impossible to read, so the nurse asked him to print the prescription instead.
contrast: print vs cursive = clarity vs speed
Tyler printed each letter of the alphabet for his younger sister to trace with a pencil.
- print your name
- print clearly
- learn to print
- print in block letters
- print neatly
- write in block letters
clearer phrasing for learners; specifies the style explicitly
- write in cursive
joined handwriting, the opposite of printing
Grammar Patterns
print + adverb
learn to print
Usage Note
Predominantly American English. In British English, 'write in block capitals' or 'write in print' is more common. Intransitive — the object ('letters', 'name') is the written content, but the verb is used without a direct object ('learn to print') or with the content as a direct object ('print your name').
Common Mistakes
5. 從底片或數位檔案在感光紙上製作出照片
從底片或數位檔案在感光紙上製作出照片
Yasmin printed the wedding photos on glossy paper and arranged them in an album.
transitive: print + photos on + paper type
The shop on the high street prints digital photos from a memory card within an hour.
Ignacio printed a black-and-white portrait of his grandmother and framed it for her birthday.
The photographer printed only three copies of each image to keep them exclusive.
- print a photo
- print an image
- print on glossy paper
- print in colour
- get photos printed
- print from a negative
Grammar Patterns
print + noun
print photographs/photos
get something printed
Usage Note
Cross-reference with noun sense 4 (PICTURE COPY) — a 'print' is the result of this verb. In traditional film photography, 'print' refers to developing from a negative onto photosensitive paper. In digital photography, it means outputting to a photo printer. Distinguish from sense 1 (PRINT DOCUMENTS) — sense 1 covers general document printing; this sense is specific to photographic images.
Common Mistakes
6. 用墨水將圖案轉印到布料或紙張等材料的表面上
用墨水將圖案轉印到布料或紙張等材料的表面上
The factory printed a traditional batik pattern onto cotton fabric for the summer collection.
pattern: print + pattern + onto + material
Each scarf is printed with a unique floral design that takes two days to complete.
passive: be printed with + design
Bilal's company prints custom logos on T-shirts and hoodies for local sports teams.
The wallpaper was printed in Italy using original nineteenth-century wooden blocks.
- printed with
- print a pattern on
- print a design on
- print fabric
- screen-print
- hand-print
Grammar Patterns
print + noun + on/onto + noun
be printed with + pattern
Usage Note
Cross-reference with noun sense 5 (FABRIC PATTERN) — a 'print' on fabric is the result of this action. Often used in passive voice ('the fabric is printed with flowers'). The object can be either the pattern itself ('print a floral pattern') or the material ('print the fabric').
Common Mistakes
7. 透過按壓在柔軟表面上留下印記或凹痕
透過按壓在柔軟表面上留下印記或凹痕
The heavy box printed a deep square mark into the carpet where it had sat for months.
pattern: print + mark + into + surface (indentation)
Wet boots printed footprints across the wooden floor of the cabin.
The design from the metal stamp was printed clearly into the soft leather wallet.
Gita pressed the leaf between the pages of a book, and its shape printed faintly onto the paper.
- print into
- print on
- printed footprint
- printed mark
Grammar Patterns
print + noun + in/on + noun
be printed on/into + surface
Usage Note
This sense is more about physical indentation or transfer of shape by pressure, not necessarily involving ink. Cross-reference with noun sense 7 (IMPRESSION). Can apply to footprints in mud, impressions in clay, or marks left by pressure on any soft surface.
Common Mistakes
print off
phrasal verbTo produce a copy of a document or image from a computer using a printer.
Diego asked me to print off the report for the meeting.
Can you print off these photos for the album?
print out
phrasal verbTo produce a paper copy of a document or image from a computer.
Maya printed out the email to show her manager.
Please print out the directions before we leave.
A business or activity that earns a lot of money without requiring much work.
Sara's new app became a licence to print money within months.
Is owning a popular blog really a licence to print money?
Something that has no real value or authority, often because it is not legally binding or the promise is not kept.
The contract was not worth the paper it was printed on.
His apology is not worth the paper it's written on.
Information or ideas that are published in books, newspapers, or other printed materials.
Many people still trust the printed word more than online news.
The printed page remains a powerful tool for education.
print — adjective
1. 與印刷出版品相關的，相對於數位或廣播媒體
與印刷出版品相關的，相對於數位或廣播媒體
Justin applied for a job at a print magazine rather than an online news site.
common noun: print magazine
The print edition of the dictionary weighs almost three kilograms.
Many print journalists have had to learn video editing skills as the industry changes.
The library keeps both print and digital copies of every local newspaper published since 1920.
- print edition
- print version
- print magazine
- print newspaper
- print journalist
- print publication
- print media
- paper
informal; 'paper edition' contrasts with 'digital edition'
Grammar Patterns
print + noun
Usage Note
Attributive only — used before a noun. Cannot be used predicatively ('The magazine is print' is not standard). Most common in compound nouns that contrast print media with digital or broadcast media (print edition, print journalist, print publication).
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four words involve producing copies of material, but they differ in scope and context. 'Print' is the most general word for producing text or images from a machine onto paper — you print a document, a photo, or a form. 'Publish' is narrower in one direction and broader in another: it specifically means making content available to the public (including digitally) and focuses on the release rather than the mechanical process. A newspaper prints articles, but a publishing house publishes books. 'Reproduce' is more formal and technical, covering any method of making copies (photocopying, scanning, digital duplication) and does not specifically imply ink on paper. 'Run off' is an informal phrasal verb that suggests quickly producing a small number of copies — 'Can you run off fifty flyers for the meeting?' For a learner at A2 level, use 'print' for everyday printing tasks and 'publish' when discussing public release. Example: 'I printed the assignment at home' vs. 'The university published the research findings online.'
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'print' comes from Old French 'preinte', meaning 'something pressed or impressed', which developed from Latin 'premere' ('to press, push'). In Middle English (around 1300), 'printen' meant 'to press, stamp, or make an impression'. The word gained its modern sense of 'producing text from type' in the late 1400s, shortly after Johannes Gutenberg's printing press revolutionised book production in Europe. The photographic sense (making a print from a negative) emerged in the mid-1800s alongside the development of photography. The adjective use (as in 'print edition') became common in the late 1900s as digital media created a need to distinguish physical from electronic formats.