1
the wick of [a candle/lamp]
wick 是可数名词，表示某物的灯芯时用 the wick of...。
The wick of the candle is too short to light.
这根蜡烛的烛芯太短，点不着。
灯芯；烛芯；油绳
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
灯芯；烛芯；油绳
a piece of cord or loosely woven material that draws liquid up by capillary action; especially the cord in a candle or oil lamp that carries fuel to the flame
The wick of the candle is too short to light.
这根蜡烛的烛芯太短，点不着。
蜡烛、煤油炉、油灯等中由纤维或多孔材料(通常为捻或织的棉)制成的条状物,一端吸取液态燃料(如蜡或油),另一端点燃以产生火焰。
A braid or bundle of fibre or other porous material (now generally twisted or woven cotton) in a candle, kerosene heater, oil lamp, etc., that draws up a liquid fuel (such as melted tallow or wax, or oil) at one end, to be ignited at the other end to produce a flame.
Before lighting the candle, I trimmed the wick.
点蜡烛之前，我把烛芯修剪了一下。
The old oil lamp needs a new wick.
这盏旧油灯需要一根新灯芯。
A long wick can make the candle burn too quickly.
灯芯太长会让蜡烛烧得太快。
wick 是可数名词，表示某物的灯芯时用 the wick of...。
The wick of the candle is too short to light.
这根蜡烛的烛芯太短，点不着。
常用动词 trim（修剪）或 replace（更换）与 the wick 搭配。
You should trim the wick before lighting the lamp.
点灯之前你应该修剪灯芯。
说明材质时可用 a wick made of...，也可说 a cotton wick。
This oil lamp has a wick made of cotton.
这盏油灯的灯芯是棉质的。
Not this
The candle's heart is too short, so it burns out quickly.
Use this
The candle's wick is too short, so it burns out quickly.
中文「灯芯」的「芯」容易直译为 heart/core，但英语中蜡烛或油灯的灯芯用 wick，不能用 heart。
Not this
There is wick in the candle.
Use this
There is a wick in the candle.
wick 是可数名词，单数前需要不定冠词 a；汉语没有冠词，所以容易漏掉。
Not this
The candle has a wicked inside.
Use this
The candle has a wick inside.
wicked 是形容词（或动词 wick 的过去式），不能作名词表示「灯芯」；名词单数应为 wick。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
蜡烛烛芯
Please don't cut the candle wick too short.
请不要把蜡烛烛芯剪得太短。
灯芯
The lamp wick needs to be replaced.
这盏灯的灯芯需要更换。
修剪烛芯
Trim the wick to about five millimeters before lighting the candle.
点燃蜡烛前，把烛芯修剪到大约五毫米。
点燃烛芯
She lit the wick with a match.
她用火柴点燃了烛芯。
棉灯芯
A cotton wick works well in an oil lamp.
棉灯芯在油灯中很好用。
惹恼某人；使某人心烦
The constant noise from the construction site is starting to get on my wick.
建筑工地持续的噪音开始让我心烦了。
（男子）性交（粗俗俚语）
He often jokes about dipping his wick, which makes his colleagues uncomfortable.
他常拿做爱开玩笑，这让同事们很不舒服。
Use wick naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
蜡烛中央那根细绳就是wick：字母w弯弯曲曲，就像一根被点燃的灯芯。
语域：neutral 常见场景：蜡烛、油灯 该词为中性常用词，通常用于蜡烛、油灯等灯芯的日常说法，在涉及毛细作用的技术语境中也可使用。
这些词都与 wick 押韵（/ɪk/）：kick, pick, lick, sick, thick, brick。注意形近但音异的词：week /wiːk/ 和 wake /weɪk/。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.