Reading Theme:
Drone Definition, Types & Usage Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：unmanned aircraft (Drone)
Drone
/droʊn/
n.
A small aircraft without a pilot that is controlled from the ground, often used for taking photos or videos from the sky.
unmanned aircraft
➕
/ʌnˈmænd ˈɛərkræft/
n.
A small aircraft operated remotely without a pilot onboard, commonly used for aerial photography or surveillance.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
Old English 'drān' (male bee) → lazy person → unmanned aircraft.
💡 Mnemonic
Think of a lazy male bee (drone) doing no work, just like a drone aircraft flies without a pilot.
📖 Example
He used his new drone to capture amazing aerial views of the family picnic in the park.
He used his new drone to capture amazing aerial views of the family picnic in the park.
🔗 Collocations
fly a drone – pilot an unmanned aircraft
drone pilot – person who operates a drone
drone footage – video captured by a drone
🔄 Synonyms
UAV (n.) – unmanned aerial vehicle
quadcopter (n.) – a four-rotor drone
🌱 Derivatives
📖 Cultural Story
Originally a male bee (Old English drān), then a lazy person; in the 20th century, the humming sound led to naming remote-controlled aircraft 'drones'.
Meaning 2：humming sound (Drone)
Drone
/droʊn/
n.
A low, continuous humming or buzzing sound that goes on for a long time.
humming sound
➕
/ˈhʌmɪŋ saʊnd/
n.
A continuous low-pitched buzzing or humming noise that persists over time.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The constant drone of the air conditioner made it hard for her to concentrate on her book.
The constant drone of the air conditioner made it hard for her to concentrate on her book.
🔗 Collocations
drone of traffic – continuous low sound from vehicles
drone of engines – steady humming from engines
drone of bees – buzzing sound made by bees
🔄 Synonyms
🌱 Derivatives
droning (n.) – the act of making a low humming sound
Meaning 3：monotonous speech (Drone)
Drone
/droʊn/
n.
To talk in a flat, boring, and continuous way without any change in tone or excitement.
monotonous speech
➕
/məˈnɒtənəs spiːtʃ/
n.
A dull, continuous way of speaking without changes in pitch or pace, often causing boredom.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
The professor tended to drone during his lectures, which made some students struggle to stay awake.
The professor tended to drone during his lectures, which made some students struggle to stay awake.
🔗 Collocations
droning lecture – a boring, monotonous lecture
droning voice – a voice that is flat and unvarying
droning speech – a speech delivered in a monotonous manner
🔄 Synonyms
monotone (n.) – a single unvaried tone in speech
drivel (n.) – stupid or boring talk
boring talk (n.) – tedious conversation
🚫 Antonyms
lively speech (n.) – energetic and varied speech
varied tone (n.) – speech with changes in pitch and pace
🌱 Derivatives
droning (adj.) – speaking in a monotonous way
Wordbook
Your data is saved in this browser