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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Contract: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：formal agreement (contract)

contract 🔊

/ˈkɑːntrækt/

A formal agreement between people or companies that is written down and can be enforced by law.

Contract meaning: businesspeople shaking hands over a signed legal agreement document.

formal agreement 🔊

➕

/ˈfɔːrməl əˈɡriːmənt/

A written and legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'contractus', meaning 'drawn together', from 'con-' (together) + 'trahere' (to draw).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a CONtract as a CONnection that TRACes terms Together.

📖 Example

Before starting her new job as a model, she carefully read and signed the contract that detailed her salary and working hours. 🔊 She reviewed and signed the agreement outlining her job terms prior to employment.

🔗 Collocations

sign a contract – to formally agree by signing a document

breach of contract – violation of the agreed terms

contract negotiation – discussion to reach an agreement

🔄 Synonyms

agreement (n.) – a mutual understanding or arrangement

pact (n.) – a formal agreement, often between groups

covenant (n.) – a binding agreement, often with moral force

🚫 Antonyms

disagreement (n.) – lack of accord or consensus

🌱 Derivatives

contractual (adj.) – pertaining to or based on a contract

contractor (n.) – a person or company hired to perform work under a contract

📖 Cultural Story

Originates from Latin 'contractus', used in Roman law for binding agreements. In modern English, it is central to legal and business contexts, ensuring enforceable terms.

Meaning 2：shrink or tighten (contract)

contract 🔊

/ˈkɑːntrækt/

To become smaller or shorter, like muscles do when they get cold.

Contract verb meaning: person's muscles contracting in cold weather, showing shrinkage.

shrink or tighten 🔊

➕

/ʃrɪŋk ɔːr ˈtaɪtən/

To become smaller in size or length, as when muscles involuntarily tighten.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

When you step into the cold water, your muscles contract automatically to generate heat. 🔊 Upon entering cold water, muscles tighten involuntarily to produce warmth.

🔗 Collocations

muscle contraction – the tightening of muscle fibers

contract a muscle – to cause a muscle to shorten

🔄 Synonyms

shrink (v.) – to reduce in size

constrict (v.) – to make narrower or tighter

compress (v.) – to press together into less space

🚫 Antonyms

expand (v.) – to increase in size

relax (v.) – to become less tense

🌱 Derivatives

contraction (n.) – the act or process of contracting

contractile (adj.) – capable of contracting