mechanical
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.connected with machines or how they are made and used.
adj.relating to the design, construction, and operation of machinery.
Simple“The car broke down because of a mechanical problem with the engine.”
In context“The engineers identified a mechanical failure in the cooling system that had caused the entire production line to halt unexpectedly.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.done without thinking, like a machine.
adj.performed or acting without conscious thought or expression; automatic and often lacking emotion.
Simple“He gave a mechanical wave to the crowd as he walked past.”
In context“Her response was entirely mechanical, suggesting she had rehearsed the statement so many times that it no longer held any personal meaning.”
Antonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
adj.related to the branch of science that studies how physical forces affect objects.
adj.relating to the branch of physics concerned with the motion of bodies and the forces acting upon them.
Simple“The teacher explained the mechanical energy of a swinging pendulum.”
In context“The research paper explores the mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes under extreme pressure and temperature conditions.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
adj.good at understanding or fixing machines.
adj.possessing an innate or developed aptitude for understanding and repairing machinery.
Simple“My brother is very mechanical and can fix almost anything in the house.”
In context“Growing up on a farm, she developed a mechanical mind that allowed her to troubleshoot complex irrigation systems without formal training.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
n.a situation where a machine or piece of equipment stops working.
n.an instance of technical or equipment failure, particularly in a competitive or high-stakes context.
Simple“The cyclist lost the race after suffering a mechanical on the final hill.”
In context“Despite a strong start, the driver was forced to retire from the Grand Prix following a terminal mechanical in the third lap.”
Synonyms - 06 C2 Proficiency
n.a person who does physical work with their hands.
n.a manual labourer or artisan; often used in literary contexts to refer to uneducated workers.
Simple“The play features a group of mechanicals who are trying to put on a show.”
In context“Shakespeare's 'rude mechanicals' provide comic relief through their earnest but clumsy attempts to perform a classical tragedy for the Duke.”
Usage mechanical properties
“Greek police believe a mechanical fault may have caused a helicopter to crash moments before it was due to land on the island of Sifnos, killing a British couple on honeymoon and the pilot.”
“This type of protein gives some silks both strength and toughness – two related but distinct mechanical properties.”
From Middle English mechanical, mechanicalle, mechanycalle, equivalent to mechanic + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.