light-year
UK/'laitjə:/US
Definitions
n.
The distance light travels in one year, used to measure astronomical distance
光年（距离单位）
n.
(informal) a very great distance or degree of difference
（非正式）极大的差距；天壤之别
Root Breakdown
Native Englishlight + year = how far light travels in a year. A common trap: it sounds like a unit of time, but it measures distance, not duration. Informally 'light-years ahead' just means 'far ahead.'
Root light still carries 58 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.several light-years away相隔若干光年
- 2.light-years apart相距光年之遥
Example Sentences
- 1.
The nearest star is about four light-years from Earth.
- 2.
Their technology is light-years ahead of ours.