好词典

ulterior

UK //ʌlˈtɪə.ri.ər//US //ʌlˈtɪr.i.ɚ//

词源

源自拉丁语 'ulterior',意为'更远的'或'在那一边的',由'ultra'(超越)派生而来。17世纪进入英语,最初指地理位置,后引申为'隐藏的'含义。

adjective

❶ 指某人做某事时隐藏着不为人知的真实目的或动机,通常带有不坦诚或不可告人的意味。

“She was suspicious of his ulterior motives for helping her.”

(她怀疑他帮助她背后有不可告人的动机。)

“His friendly behavior hid an ulterior agenda.”

(他友好的行为掩盖了背后的真实目的。)

同义词:hidden, covert, secret, concealed, underlying

常见短语

ulterior motive — 指某人做某事时隐藏的真实目的,通常带有负面含义。

“He helped me with my project, but I suspect he had an ulterior motive.”

(他帮助了我的项目,但我怀疑他别有用心。)