好词典

unstable

UK //ʌnˈsteɪ.bəl//US //ʌnˈsteɪ.bəl//

词源

源自中古英语,由前缀 un-(表示否定)和 stable(稳定的)组成,字面意思为“不稳定的”。

adjective

❶ 指物体或结构不牢固、容易倒塌或移动的状态,常用于描述物理上的不稳定。

“The old chair is unstable and may collapse at any moment.”

(这把旧椅子很不稳,随时可能散架。)

“The tower was built on unstable ground, making it dangerous.”

(这座塔建在不稳定的地基上,非常危险。)

❶ 形容情绪、心理或状态容易变化,缺乏稳定性,常用于描述人或抽象事物。

“He has been emotionally unstable since losing his job.”

(失业后,他的情绪一直很不稳定。)

“The political situation in the region remains unstable.”

(该地区的政治局势仍然不稳定。)

同义词:unsteady, shaky, precarious, volatile, fluctuating

常见短语

unstable equilibrium — 指一种平衡状态,轻微扰动就会失去平衡,常用于物理或比喻场景。

“The ball on the hill is in unstable equilibrium—any push will make it roll down.”

(山顶的球处于不稳定平衡状态,轻轻一推就会滚下去。)