toi‧let S2 / tɔɪlət, tɔɪlɪt / 名词

1 [可数名词] a large bowl that you sit on to get rid of waste liquid or waste matter from your body :

He flushed the toilet (= pulled the handle so that water ran into the toilet to clean it ) .

2 [可数名词] British English a room or building containing a toilet 同义词 bathroom, restroom American English :

public toilets

3 go to the toilet especially British English to pass waste liquid or waste matter from your body :

Mummy, I need to go to the toilet!

4 [不可数名词] old-fashioned the act of washing and dressing yourself :

She finished her toilet.

COLLOCATIONS

动词

go to the toilet ( also use the toilet especially British English ) He got up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.

need the toilet British English (= need to use the toilet ) Does anyone need the toilet before we set off?

flush the toilet (= make water go through it to clean it ) I heard someone flush the toilet.

形容词

a public toilet especially British English He set off across the square in search of a public toilet.

a disabled toilet British English (= one for disabled people ) Is there a disabled toilet?

an outside toilet (= one that is outside a house, not in it ) The house was small, with no hot water and an outside toilet.

an indoor toilet Many cottages lacked a bathroom or indoor toilet.

toilet + NOUN

toilet facilities Toilet facilities are available at the bus station.

the toilet seat He always left the toilet seat up.

the toilet bowl She was scrubbing the toilet bowl.

COMMON ERRORS

► Do not say ’ go to toilet ‘. Say go to the toilet .

THESAURUS

toilet British English a room with a toilet in it, in someone’s house or in a public place : He locked himself in the toilet. | the public toilets

bathroom a room with a toilet in it, in someone’s house. In British English, bathroom is used especially when you want to be polite. In American English, it is the usual word to use : He asked to use the bathroom.

restroom American English a room in a public place that has one or more toilets in it : She went into the store to use the restroom.

lavatory formal a room with a toilet in it. In American English lavatory is used mainly for toilets in a public building or on a plane. In British English it is used both about public toilets and toilets in people’s houses : public lavatories | He didn’t have time to visit the lavatory.

loo British English informal , john American English informal a room with a toilet in it. Loo is very common in everyday spoken British English : ‘Where’s Chris?’ ‘He’s in the loo.’ | Can I use your loo? | Where’s the john?

bog British English informal a very informal word for a toilet, which is not considered polite : The nearest bog was miles away.

the ladies British English , the ladies’ room American English a public toilet for women : Where’s the ladies? | I need to go to the ladies’ room.

the gents British English , the men’s room American English a public toilet for men : I followed him into the gents. | I’ve got to go to the men’s room. Excuse me.

latrine an outdoor toilet in a camp or military area : The latrines were in a shocking state.

urinal a type of toilet for men that is attached to a wall : He was standing at the urinal.

potty a bowl that babies use as a toilet : Does he need his potty?

commode a chair with a bowl in it, used as a toilet, especially in hospitals and homes for old people : She has to use a commode.

bedpan a container which is used as a toilet, especially in hospitals by people who are too ill or weak to get out of bed : I had to change the bedpans.