Easier English Student Dictionary

EASIER ENGLISH STUDENT DICTIONARY Dictionary Titles in the Series: Basic English Dictionary Easier English Dictionary: Handy Pocket Format English Study Dictionary English Thesaurus for Students 1 9016 5996 8 0 7475 6625 9 1 9016 5963 1 1 9016 5931 3 Specialist Dictionaries: Dictionary of Banking and Finance Dictionary of Computing Dictionary of Economics Dictionary of Hotels, Tourism and Catering Management Dictionary of Human Resources and Personnel Management Dictionary of Marketing Dictionary of Military Terms Dictionary of Nursing Dictionary of Science & Technology 0 7475 6685 2 1 9016 5946 1 0 7475 6632 1 1 9016 5999 2 0 7475 6623 2 0 7475 6621 6 1 9038 5620 5 0 7475 6634 8 0 7475 6620 8 Check your Vocabulary Workbooks: Business English for Academic Purposes English for First Certificate Examination English for the IELTS Examination 0 7475 6626 7 0 7475 6691 7 1 9016 5911 9 1 9016 5960 7 Visit our website for full details of all our books http://www.bloomsbury.com/reference EASIER ENGLISH STUDENT DICTIONARY General editor P.H. Collin A BLOOMSBURY REFERENCE BOOK Originally published by Peter Collin Publishing Third edition published 2003 Second edition published 2000 First published in Great Britain 1999 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc 38 Soho Square London W1D 3HB © Copyright P.H. Collin, F. Collin, S.M.H. Collin 1999, 2000 This edition © Bloomsbury Publishing 2003 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the permission of the publishers. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 0 7475 66240 eISBN-13: 978-1-4081-0200-8 Text processing and computer typesetting by Bloomsbury Printed and bound in Italy by Legoprint All papers used by Bloomsbury Publishing are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in sustainable, well-managed forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin. GENERAL EDITOR P. H. Collin Editorial Contributors Lesley Brown, Sandra Anderson, Stephen Curtis, Penelope Hands, Dinah Jackson, Alice Grandison, Isabel Griffiths, Imogen Kerr, Héloïse McGuinness Text Production and Proofreading Katy McAdam, Joel Adams, Daisy Jackson, Sarah Lusznat, Sandra Anderson, Ruth Hillmore, Irene Lakhani, Fiona McIntosh Preface By 2050, it is estimated that fifty percent of the world’s population will have some competence in English. Many of these people will regard themselves as improvers rather than learners and will have only occasional need to quickly check the meaning of a word in a dictionary. This dictionary is a portable, easy-to-use quick reference tool for a large number of words and phrases, rather than a substitute for the detailed guidance of a grammar or course book. It includes commonly heard terms, with an indication of their relevant frequency, and many more terms from the worlds of work and communication and of modern society generally. Each word is individually defined, and no words, not even adverbs, are listed without a definition. Examples and collocations are given for words that are likely to be used in practice, in order to provide patterns for the user’s own production of English sentences. Less frequently encountered words, which only need to be recognised and understood, are given definitions only. Each word, including compound words and phrasal verbs, has its own easy-to-find main entry in bold type. Each word has a pronunciation in the International Phonetic Alphabet. Typical phrases and idioms associated with the main term are shown in bold type and separately defined within the entry. The meaning of the main senses of each word is given clearly and simply, using a limited and easily understood vocabulary. Meanings are grouped together by their part of speech. Extra help is offered in Notes at the end of some entries. These include unusual inflected forms and warnings about words which sound the same but have different spellings and can be confused with each other. The major differences in US and British spelling are also noted. Synonyms and antonyms (opposites) are given for many words. Parts of speech abbr adj adv article conj (abbreviation) (adjective) (adverb) (conjunction) interj (interjection) modal verb noun plural noun [always takes a plural verb] prefix prep pron suffix verb (preposition) (pronoun) Symbols The numbers ①, ②, ③ indicate words which are commonly used, from ① = the most basic and essential, ② = frequent and useful to know, to ③ = starting to develop a wider vocabulary. 쐽 before a new part of speech 쎲 before examples 왍 before a phrase or collocation 앳 before an idiom 쒁 an explanation of the word will be found at the place indicated 쏡 extra information will be found at the place indicated Pronunciation The following symbols have been used to show the pronunciation of the main words in the dictionary. Stress has been indicated by a main stress mark (
) and a secondary stress mark (  ). Note that these are only guides, as the stress of the word changes according to its position in the sentence. Vowels  ɑ ɒ a aυ aə aυə ɔ ɔ e eə e eυ  i i ə  ə u u υ υə ( Consonants back harm stop type how hire hour course annoy head fair make go word keep happy about fit near annual pool book tour shut b d ð dȢ f  h j k l m n ŋ p r s ʃ t tʃ θ v w x Ȣ z buck dead other jump fare gold head yellow cab leave mix nil sing print rest save shop take change theft value work loch measure zone A a /e/, A noun the first letter of the alphabet, followed by B 쑗 Do you mean ‘pendant’ spelt with an ‘a’ or with an ‘e’? 왍 from A to Z completely, all the way through a /ə, e/, an /ən, n/ article 1. one 쑗 an enormous hole 쑗 a useful guidebook 쑗 She’s bought a new car. 쑗 I want a cup of tea. 쑗 We had to wait an hour for the bus. 2. for each or to each 쑗 Apples cost 50p a kilo. 쑗 The car was travelling at 50 kilometres an hour. 쑗 He earns £100 a day. (NOTE: an is used before words beginning with a, e, i, o, u and with h if the h is not pronounced: an apple or an hour. a is used before words beginning with all other letters and also before u where u is pronounced /ju /: a useful guidebook) A&E abbr accident and emergency aback /ə bk/ adv 왍 taken aback sur- abbreviate /ə bri viet/ verb 1. to shorten a word by leaving out some of the letters 2. to shorten a piece of writing by leaving out part of it. Synonym cut abbreviated /ə bri vietd/ adj shortened by having something left out abbreviation /əbri vi eʃ(ə)n/ noun a shortened form of a word. Compare acronym ABC /e bi si / noun the alphabet (NOTE: The name comes from the first letters of the Roman alphabet.) 왍 it’s as easy as ABC it’s very easy abdicate / bdket/ verb to give up the slaughterhouse abbey / bi/ noun 1. a place where a community of Christian monks or nuns live 2. a position as king or queen of a country abdication /bd keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of giving up the position of king or queen of a country abdomen / bdəmən/ noun the space in the front part of your body, containing the stomach and other organs abdominal /b dɒmn(ə)l/ adj referring to the abdomen abduct /b dkt/ verb to take someone away, usually by force. Synonym kidnap abduction /b dkʃən/ noun the act of taking someone away, usually by force. Synonym kidnap aberrant / berənt/ adj not usual or as expected (formal ). Synonym abnormal. Antonym normal aberration /bə reʃ(ə)n/ noun an action or thing which is not usual or expected. Synonym abnormality abet /ə bet/ verb to encourage or help someone to do something wrong or illegal (formal ) 쒁 aid (NOTE: abetting – abetted) abhorrence /əb hɒrəns/ noun a feeling of hatred or horror (formal ) abhorrent /əb hɒrənt/ adj horrible or disgusting (formal ) abide /ə bad/ verb 왍 to abide by to follow rules or customs 쑗 You must abide by the rules of the game. 쑗 We have to abide by the decision of the referee. 왍 to abide by a promise to keep a promise abiding /ə badŋ/ adj lasting a long time (formal ). Synonym enduring. Antonym large church 쑗 Westminister Abbey transient prised and shocked by something unpleasant 쑗 She was somewhat taken aback when he told her there was no train that evening. abacus / bəkəs/ noun an object used for counting, consisting of a frame with balls which can be moved on bars ③ abandon /ə bndən/ verb 1. to leave someone or something without help 쑗 The crew abandoned the sinking boat. Synonym desert 2. to give up or stop doing something 쑗 The company has decided to abandon the project. 쑗 We abandoned the idea of setting up a London office. abandoned /ə bndənd/ adj no longer used or lived in abandonment /ə bndənmənt/ noun 1. the act or process of giving someone or something up 2. the act or process of leaving someone or something without help. Synonym desertion abashed /ə bʃt/ adj ashamed or embarrassed abate /ə bet/ verb to become less strong or forceful (formal ). Synonym decrease abattoir / bətwɑ / noun a place where animals are killed for meat. Synonym . . . . . . ability 2 ① ability /ə blti/ noun 1. the force or capacity to do something 쑗 She has many abilities but singing isn’t one of them. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is abilities.) 왍 I’ll do it to the best of my ability I’ll do it as well as I can 2. the fact of being clever 쑗 a person of great or outstanding ability abject / bdȢekt/ adj (formal ) 1. very bad 쑗 abject poverty 2. making you feel ashamed 쑗 an abject apology 쑗 abject terror ablaze /ə blez/ adv 1. on fire 쑗 Thirty hectares of trees were ablaze. 2. shining brightly 쑗 At midnight the house was still ablaze with lights. ① able / eb(ə)l/ adj 1. (NOTE: In this sense, able is only used with to and a verb.) 왍 to be able to do something to be capable of something or have the chance to do something 쑗 They weren’t able to find the house. 왍 will you be able to come to the meeting? can you come to the meeting? 2. being strong enough or clever enough to do something 쑗 He’s a very able general. able-bodied /eb(ə)l bɒdid/ adj fit and healthy ably / ebli/ adv in a very competent or efficient way. Synonym capably abnormal /b nɔ m(ə)l/ adj not normal. Synonym irregular. Antonym normal abnormality /bnɔ mlti/ noun 1. the state of being abnormal 2. something which is abnormal (NOTE: The plural is abnormali. ties.) abnormally /b nɔ məli/ adv in a way which is different from normal aboard /ə bɔ d/ adv, prep on a ship or vehicle 쑗 The passengers went aboard the ‘Queen Elizabeth’ at 10 p.m. 쑗 When the ship docked, customs officers came aboard to inspect the cargo. 왍 all aboard! everyone get on, please! abode /ə bəυd/ noun the place where someone lives (literary) Synonym home 왍 of no fixed abode with no permanent address (formal ) abolish /ə bɒlʃ/ verb to get rid of something such as a law or right abolition /bə lʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of abolishing something such as a law or right. Synonym elimination abominable /ə bɒmnəb(ə)l/ adj very bad. Synonym dreadful abominably /ə bɒmnəbli/ adv in a horrible way Aboriginal /bə rdȢən(ə)l/ adj referring to Aborigines 쐽 noun same as Aborigine Aborigine /bə rdȢni/ noun an Australian who is a member of the peoples who lived in Australia before Europeans arrived. Also called Aboriginal . abrasive abort /ə bɔ t/ verb 1. to stop something taking place 2. to perform an abortion on a foetus 3. (of a woman) to have an abortion or miscarriage abortion /ə bɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun the ending of a woman’s pregnancy before a live infant can be born abortive /ə bɔ tv/ adj attempted without success. Synonym unsuccessful. Antonym successful abound /ə baυnd/ verb 왍 to abound in or with to be full of something (formal ) 쑗 The forests abound in game. ① about /ə baυt/ prep 1. referring to something 쑗 He told me all about his operation. 쑗 What do you want to speak to the doctor about? 2. 왍 to be about to do something to be going to do something very soon 쑗 We were about to go home when you arrived. 3. approximately 쑗 I’ve been waiting for about four hours. 쑗 She’s only about fifteen years old. 왍 how about, what about what do you think about (informal ) 쑗 We can’t find a new chairperson for the club – what about Sarah? 왍 how about a cup of tea? would you like a cup of tea? 왍 while you’re about it at the same time as the thing you are doing 쑗 While you’re about it, can you post this letter? 쐽 adv in various places 쑗 There were papers lying about on the floor. 쑗 There is a lot of flu about during the winter months. about-turn /əbaυt t" n/, about-face /əbaυt fes/ noun 1. an order to soldiers to turn to face in the opposite direction 2. an act of changing your plans or policy to the opposite of what you did before. Synonym U-turn ① above /ə bv/ prep 1. higher than 쑗 The plane was flying above the clouds. 쑗 The temperature in the street was above 30 degrees. 쑗 At prices above £2.00, nobody will buy it. 2. older than 쑗 If you are above 18, you have to pay the full fare. 3. louder than 쑗 I couldn’t hear the telephone above the noise of the drills. 4. 왍 they’re living above their means they’re living more extravagantly than they can afford 쐽 adv earlier on in a book or higher up on a page 쑗 See the section on computers on page 25 above. 쐽 noun 왍 the above the people mentioned earlier in a text 쑗 All the above have passed the test. above board /əbv bɔ d/ adj openly honest and legal abrasion /ə breȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of rubbing off the surface of something 2. an area of skin damaged by rubbing against something hard 쑗 There were cuts and abrasions all over her legs. abrasive /ə bresv/ adj 1. rude and impatient in dealing with people 2. which rubs away a surface 쐽 noun a substance which rubs away a surface 쑗 Avoid using abrasives to clean this surface. . . abreast 3 abreast /ə brest/ adv 1. side by side 2. 왍 to keep abreast of something to keep up to date with something 쑗 She wants to keep abreast of the latest developments in cancer therapy. abridge /ə brdȢ/ verb to shorten a text such as a book or play abridged /ə brdȢd/ adj shortened by removing parts of a text abridgement /ə brdȢmənt/ noun a shortened form of a text such as a book or play ② abroad /ə brɔ d/ adv in or to another country 쑗 They’ve gone abroad on holiday. 쑗 Holidays abroad are more and more popular. Synonym overseas abrupt /ə brpt/ adj 1. sudden 2. using few words and not being very polite abruptly /ə brptli/ adv 1. suddenly, without giving any warning 2. briefly and impolitely abruptness /ə brptnəs/ noun 1. the fact of happening suddenly 2. the fact of using few words and not being very polite abscess / bses/ noun a collection of pus in the body. Synonym boil (NOTE: The plural is abscesses.) abscond /əb skɒnd/ verb 1. to leave somewhere suddenly and secretly (formal ) 2. to escape from prison (formal ) abseil / bsel/ verb to come down a cliff . . or wall using a fixed rope wound around your body ② absence / bsəns/ noun 1. the fact of being away from a place 쑗 She did not explain her absence from the meeting. 쑗 The former president was sentenced in his absence. 왍 in the absence of because someone is not there 쑗 In the absence of the chairman, his deputy took the chair. 2. because of a lack of something 쑗 In the absence of any town maps we had to ask our way. ③ absent adj / bsənt/ not there 쐽 verb /b sent/ 왍 to absent yourself from to stay away from a class or meeting deliberately (formal ) absentee /bsən ti / noun a person who is not there absenteeism /bs(ə)n ti z(ə)m/ noun the act or fact of deliberately staying away from work absentee landlord /bs(ə)nti lndlɔ d/ noun an owner of a property who lives a long way away and uses other people to deal with those who live in or use it absent-minded /bs(ə)nt mandd/ adj often forgetting things. Synonym forgetful ② absolute / bsəlu t/ adj complete or total ① absolutely / bsəlu tli/ adv 1. completely or totally 쑗 I am absolutely sure I left . absurdity the keys in my coat pocket. 2. yes, of course 쑗 Did you build it yourself? – Absolutely! absolute majority /bsəlu t mədȢɒrti/ noun a majority over all the others counted together absolve /əb zɒlv/ verb to remove blame for a sin from someone. Synonym pardon ③ absorb verb /əb zɔ b/ 1. to take in something such as a liquid 쑗 The water should be absorbed by the paper. 쑗 Salt absorbs moisture from the air. 2. to make something part of something larger 쑗 When we took over the company we absorbed most of their staff. 3. to learn or accept something new 쑗 When I started my new job there was a lot of information to absorb. 4. to reduce a shock 쑗 The car’s springs are supposed to absorb any shock from the road surface. 쐽 adj 왍 absorbed in totally interested in 쑗 He was so absorbed in his newspaper that he didn’t notice that the toast had burnt. absorbent /əb zɔ bənt/ adj which can absorb something such as a liquid. Synonym porous absorbing /əb zɔ bŋ/ adj very interesting. Synonym fascinating. Antonym boring absorption /əb zɔ pʃən/ noun 1. the act of absorbing something or of being absorbed 2. the fact of being very interested in something abstain /əb sten/ verb 1. deliberately not to do something (NOTE: You abstain from doing something.) 2. not to vote on a matter abstemious /əb sti miəs/ adj not drinking or eating too much. Antonym self-indulgent abstention /əb stenʃən/ noun 1. a person who deliberately does not vote on a matter 2. the act or fact of deliberately not voting on a matter abstinence / bstnəns/ noun the act or fact of deliberately not doing something, especially not drinking alcohol abstract / bstrkt/ adj 1. which exists only in the mind rather then in the physical world 2. (of art) which does not copy things exactly as they appear 쐽 noun 1. something which exists in the mind only 왍 in the abstract in a general way 2. an abstract painting 쑗 He started by painting abstracts and then turned to portraits. 3. a short form of a report or document 쑗 to make an abstract of a report abstract noun /bstrkt naυn/ noun a noun that refers to an idea or quality, e.g. ‘truth’ abstruse /b stru s/ adj difficult to understand. Synonym obscure absurd /əb s" d/ adj ridiculous absurdity /əb s" dti/ noun the fact of being absurd abundance abundance /ə bndəns/ noun a large quantity. Synonym profusion. Antonym scarcity 왍 in abundance in large quantities (formal ) 쑗 The fridge was full, so we had food and drink in abundance. abundant /ə bndənt/ adj existing in large quantities. Synonym plentiful. Antonym . scarce abundantly /ə bndənt(ə)li/ adv 1. to a very large degree 2. in large or more than large enough quantities ② abuse /ə bju s/; /ə bju z/ noun 1. a bad use 쑗 The minister’s action is an abuse of power. 2. rude words 쑗 The people being arrested shouted abuse at the police. 3. very bad treatment 쑗 sexual abuse of children 쑗 She suffered physical abuse in prison. (NOTE: [all noun senses] no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to make the wrong use of something 쑗 He abused his position as finance director. 왍 he abused my confidence he took advantage of my trust in him 2. to treat someone very badly, usually sexually 쑗 As a child, she was abused by her uncle. 3. to say rude things about someone 쑗 The crowd sang songs abusing the president’s wife. abusive /ə bju sv/ adj 1. rude and insulting 쑗 an abusive letter 쑗 He had too much to drink and became abusive. 2. treating someone in a violent or cruel way, or referring to a violent and cruel situation 쑗 an abusive father 쑗 an abusive relationship abysmal /ə bzm(ə)l/ adj extremely bad. Synonym terrible. Antonym superb abysmally /ə bzməli/ adv extremely badly abyss /ə bs/ noun 1. a deep hole (NOTE: The plural is abysses.) 2. a horrible or frightening situation (NOTE: no plural) AC abbr alternating current ② academic /kə demk/ adj 1. referring to study at a university 쑗 Members of the academic staff received a letter from the principal. 2. only in theory, not in practice 쑗 It is only of academic interest. 쐽 noun a university teacher 쑗 All her friends are academics. academically /kə demkli/ adv with regard to study in general, or to teaching at a university academic year /kədemk jə/ noun a period which starts in September and finishes in August academy /ə kdəmi/ noun 1. a college where specialised subjects are taught 2. a secondary school in Scotland that chooses its pupils on academic ability 3. a private society for the study of art or science accelerate /ək seləret/ verb 1. to go faster 2. to make something go faster. Antonym decelerate 4 accessory acceleration /əkselə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the ability to go at a faster speed 2. the action of going at a faster speed ③ accelerator /ək seləretə/ noun a pedal which makes a car go faster accent / ksənt/ noun 1. a particular way of pronouncing 쑗 He speaks with an American accent. 2. stress in speaking 쑗 In the word ‘haberdashery’ the accent is on the first syllable. 3. a mark over a letter indicating a particular way of pronouncing it 쑗 ‘Résumé’ has two accents. 4. emphasis 쑗 The accent is on youth unemployment. accentuate /k sentʃuet/ verb to put emphasis on something. Synonym emphasise. Antonym play down ① accept /ək sept/ verb 1. to take and keep a present 쑗 We hope you will accept this little gift. 2. to say ‘yes’ or to agree to something 쑗 She accepted the offer of a job in Australia. 쑗 I invited her to come with us and she accepted. 3. to agree to handle something 쑗 ‘All major credit cards accepted.’ 쑗 Do you accept traveller’s cheques? (NOTE: Do not confuse with except.) ③ acceptable /ək septəb(ə)l/ adj easily accepted 쑗 A small gift of flowers would be very acceptable. 쑗 The offer is not acceptable to the vendor. ③ acceptance /ək septəns/ noun 1. the act of taking something which is offered 2. the act or fact of agreeing to do something ③ accepted /ək septd/ adj which is taken as correct by most people. Synonym conventional. Antonym unconventional ① access / kses/ noun 1. a way of getting to a place 쑗 The concert hall has access for wheelchairs. 쑗 At present there is no access to the site. 2. 왍 to have (easy) access to to be able to get to a place or obtain something 쑗 The company has access to substantial funds. 쐽 verb to get information from a computer 쑗 She tried to access the address list. Synonym get into access course / kses kɔ s/ noun a course of study designed to qualify someone for higher education accessible /ək sesb(ə)l/ adj 1. easily reached 쑗 They live on a farm which is not accessible by car. 2. easy to read or understand 쑗 Her style of writing is quite accessible. 3. suitable for disabled people 쑗 accessible toilets 쑗 accessible holidays accession /ək seʃ(ə)n/ noun 왍 accession to the throne the act of becoming king or queen 쑗 On his accession to the throne, he took the title Alexander III. ③ accessory /ək sesəri/ noun 1. a useful piece of equipment, added to others 2. small items of clothing 왍 had a brown silk dress with yellow accessories had a dress worn with items such as a yellow belt, handbag, accident 5 account gloves, and shoes 3. a person who helps someone commit a crime (NOTE: The plural sings (NOTE: accompanied by someone or is accessories.) ① accident / ksd(ə)nt/ noun 1. an un- accomplice /ə kmpls/ noun a person who helps another person to commit a crime accomplish /ə kmplʃ/ verb to do something successfully. Synonym achieve accomplished /ə kmplʃt/ adj talented or skilled accomplishment /ə kmplʃmənt/ noun the successful finishing of something after a lot of work accord /ə kɔ d/ noun 1. an agreement 왍 with one accord with the agreement of everyone 2. 왍 of your own accord without being ordered or forced by anyone 쑗 Of his own accord he decided to sell the business and retire to a Greek island. 쐽 verb 1. to give something to someone as an honour 2. 왍 to accord with to agree with (formal ) 쑗 His way of behaving does not accord with his principles. ③ accordance /ə kɔ dns/ noun 왍 in accordance with in agreement with or following 쑗 In accordance with your instructions we have sold the house. accordingly /ə kɔ dŋli/ adv as a result of something just mentioned ① according to /ə kɔ dŋ tu / prep as someone says or writes 쑗 The washing machine was installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 쑗 According to the witness, the car was going too fast. 쐽 adv in relation to 쑗 The teachers have separated the children into classes according to their ages. accost /ə kɒst/ verb to approach or stop someone in an aggressive or suggestive way ① account /ə kaυnt/ noun 1. same as bank account 2. (in a shop) an arrangement which a customer makes with a shop to buy goods and pay for them later 쑗 Put it on my account or Charge it to my account. 3. 왍 on account as part of a total bill 왍 to pay money on account to pay part of a bill 4. 왍 I was worried on her account I was afraid something might happen to her 왍 on no account not under any circumstances 5. 왍 to take something into account, to take account of something to consider something 쑗 We have to take the weather into account. 6. a story of how something happened 쑗 They listened to his account of the journey. 왍 by all accounts as everyone says 쑗 By all accounts, she is a very attractive woman. 7. 왍 the accounts of a business, a company’s accounts detailed records of the money a company receives and pays out 왍 to keep the accounts to write a record of money received or paid out in a book for that purpose 쐽 verb (formal ) 왍 to account for to explain something that has happened 쑗 He was asked to account for all his expenditure. pleasant thing which happens and causes damage or injury 쑗 He missed his flight, because his bus had an accident. 쑗 She was involved in a car accident and had to go to hospital. 2. something that happens unexpectedly 왍 by accident without being planned or expected 쑗 He found the missing papers by accident. Synonym accidentally accidental /ks dent(ə)l/ adj which happens by chance 쑗 an accidental meeting 쑗 accidental damage 쑗 His death was not accidental. Synonym unintentional 쐽 noun (in music ) an additional sharp, flat or natural accidentally /ks dent(ə)li/ adv by chance acclaim /ə klem/ noun great praise. Synonym approval. Antonym disapproval 쐽 verb to praise someone or something publicly 쑗 She was acclaimed as the best novelist of the decade. Antonym criticise acclaimed /ə klemd/ adj much praised, especially publicly acclimatise /ə klamətaz/, acclimatize verb (NOTE: The US term is acclimate.) 왍 to become acclimatised to to become used to something 쑗 Gradually, the animals became acclimatised to their new habitat. 쑗 Did you ever become acclimatised to living in Hong Kong? accolade / kəled/ noun a thing given to someone as a sign of praise. Synonym . tribute accommodate /ə kɒmədet/ verb to provide someone with a place to live accommodating /ə kɒmədetŋ/ adj taking trouble to help people. Synonym helpful. Antonym uncooperative ② accommodation /əkɒmə deʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a place to live 쑗 All the available accommodation in the town has been taken by journalists. 쑗 Visitors have difficulty in finding hotel accommodation during the summer. 2. an agreement in which both sides change their demands (formal ) 쑗 He reached an accommodation with his creditors. accompaniment /ə kmp(ə)nimənt/ noun 1. a thing which accompanies something 쑗 They served cranberry sauce as an accompaniment to the turkey. 2. music played to accompany someone singing or playing an instrument 쑗 a piece for violin with piano accompaniment 왍 to the accompaniment of while being accompanied by 쑗 He sang a rude song to the accompaniment of loud whistles from the audience. ② accompany /ə kmp(ə)ni/ verb 1. to go with someone or something 2. to play a musical instrument when someone else plays or ③ . something) . . accountability accountability /əkaυntə blti/ noun the fact of being accountable for something accountable /ə kaυntəb(ə)l/ adj having to explain what you have done, especially how you have spent or received money (NOTE: You are accountable to someone for something.) accountancy /ə kaυntənsi/ noun the study or the work of being an accountant (NOTE: The US term is accounting in this meaning.) ③ accountant /ə kaυntənt/ noun a person who deals with financial accounts. Synonym bookkeeper accounting /ə kaυntŋ/ noun the work of recording money paid, received, borrowed or owed accredit /ə kredt/ verb to make someone an official representative. Synonym recognise accredited /ə kredtd/ adj given official approval accrue /ə kru / verb to accumulate. Antonym dwindle ③ accumulate /ə kju mjυlet/ verb to grow larger by addition. Synonym build up, accrue accumulation /əkju mjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of accumulating something 2. an amount of something built up over time accuracy / kjυrəsi/ noun the fact of being correct in every detail ② accurate / kjυrət/ adj correct in all details 쑗 Are the figures accurate? 쑗 We asked them to make an accurate copy of the plan. Synonym precise. Antonym inaccurate accurately / kjυrətli/ adv correctly accusation /kjυ zeʃ(ə)n/ noun a statement that someone has done wrong. Synonym allegation accusative /ə kju zətv/ noun the grammatical case which shows the object of a verb 쐽 adj in the accusative ③ accuse /ə kju z/ verb to say that someone has done something wrong 쑗 The police accused her of stealing the money. (NOTE: You accuse someone of a crime or of doing something.) accusing /ə kju zŋ/ adj 왍 in an accusing tone as if you are accusing someone of something accusingly /ə kju zŋli/ adv as if you are accusing someone of something wrong accustom /ə kstəm/ verb 왍 to accustom yourself to something to gradually accept that something is normal or usual 쑗 They had to accustom themselves to working in Swedish. accustomed /ə kstəmd/ adj normal or usual 왍 accustomed to used to 쑗 She was accustomed to walking her dog in the park ev- 6 acoustics ery morning. 쑗 It took him some time to become accustomed to driving on the righthand side of the road. ace /es/ noun 1. a playing card with one spot 2. someone who is excellent at doing something 3. a service in tennis which the opponent cannot return ③ ache /ek/ noun a pain that lasts for a while. 쏡 toothache, headache. Synonym pain 쐽 verb 1. to hurt or feel pain that lasts for a while (formal ) 2. to feel a painful desire. Synonym long ① achieve /ə tʃi v/ verb to succeed in doing something 쑗 What do you hope to achieve by writing to your MP? 쑗 He achieved all his objectives. Synonym attain ② achievement /ə tʃi vmənt/ noun a thing which has been done successfully 쑗 Coming sixth was a great achievement, since he had never raced before. 쑗 She is excessively modest about her achievements. Synonym attainment Achilles’ heel /əkli z hi l/ noun a weak spot where you can be hurt Achilles’ tendon /əkli z tendən/ noun the tendon at the back of the ankle ② acid / sd/ noun a chemical substance containing hydrogen that forms a salt when combined with an alkali, and turns litmus paper red. Antonym alkali 쐽 adj sour 쑗 the acid taste of lemons. Synonym acidic acidic /ə sdk/ adj which has a sour taste. Synonym acid acidity /ə sdti/ noun 1. the percentage of acid in something 2. bitter taste acid rain /sd ren/ noun polluted rain which kills trees acid test /sd test/ noun a test which will show the true value of something ③ acknowledge /ək nɒldȢ/ verb 1. to say that something has been received 2. to accept that something is true. Synonym admit acknowledgement /ək nɒldȢmənt/ noun 1. a reply to say that something has been received 2. an admission that something is true acme / kmi/ noun the highest point. Synonym peak. Antonym nadir acne / kni/ noun spots on the skin, usually on the face, neck and shoulders acolyte / kəlat/ noun 1. a person who helps a priest during religious ceremonies 2. a person who supports someone else, often without criticising their behaviour or opinions acorn / ekɔ n/ noun the fruit of an oak tree acoustic /ə ku stk/ adj referring to sound acoustics /ə ku stks/ plural noun the ability to carry sound without changing its quality 쑗 The acoustics in the concert hall are good. . acquaint acquaint /ə kwent/ verb 1. 왍 to be acquainted with someone or something have some knowledge of someone or something (formal ) 쑗 Is he acquainted with the details of the case? 쑗 She is acquainted with my father. 2. to inform someone acquaintance /ə kwentəns/ noun 1. knowledge of someone 쑗 My first acquaintance with him was in Hong Kong in 1997. 왍 to make the acquaintance of to get to know someone for the first time 쑗 I made her acquaintance when we were at college together. 2. a person you know slightly 쑗 She has many acquaintances in the publishing industry but no real friends. acquiesce /kwi es/ verb to agree to something without protesting about it (formal ). Synonym accept. Antonym resist acquiescence /kwi es(ə)ns/ noun agreement without protest. Synonym . . acceptance ② acquire /ə kwaə/ verb to obtain or to get something ③ acquisition /kw zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of acquiring something 2. a thing which has been acquired acquisitive /ə kwztv/ adj always wanting to acquire new things. Synonym greedy acquit /ə kwt/ verb 1. to state formally that someone is not guilty 2. 왍 to acquit yourself well to do well when trying something difficult or for the first time 쑗 She said she had never played tennis before, but in the event she acquitted herself very well. acquittal /ə kwt(ə)l/ noun a decision by a court that someone is not guilty acre / ekə/ noun a measure of land, 4840 square yards or 0.4047 hectares (NOTE: The plural is used with figures, except before a noun: a farm of 250 acres or a 250-acre farm) acrid / krd/ adj with a bitter smell acrimonious /kr məυniəs/ adj angry and bitter. Synonym hostile. Antonym amicable acrobat / krəbt/ noun a person who performs difficult and exciting physical movements for the public acrobatic /krə btk/ adj 1. moving in a difficult and exciting way, like an acrobat. Synonym gymnastic 2. lively and energetic. Synonym agile acrobatics /krə btks/ plural noun 1. acrobatic movements 2. skills used in doing something difficult 쑗 We enjoyed the verbal acrobatics as they tried to explain their actions. acronym / krənm/ noun a word made from the first letters of the name of something 쑗 NATO and AIDS are both acronyms. Compare abbreviation 7 action ① across /ə krɒs/ prep 1. from one side to the other 쑗 Don’t run across the road without looking to see if there is any traffic coming. 2. on the other side of 쑗 He called to her from across the street. 왍 their house is across the street from ours it is opposite our house 쐽 adv from one side to the other 쑗 The river is only twenty feet across. 쑗 The stream is very narrow – you can easily jump across. across-the-board /əkrɒs ðə bɔ d/ adj, adv having the same effect on everyone or everything acrylic /ə krlk/ noun a synthetic substance used to make many products, including fibres 쐽 adj made from acrylic acrylic paint /ə krlk pent/ noun a paint used by artists, made from acrylic ① act /kt/ noun 1. a thing which is done 쑗 the many acts of kindness she had shown him over the years 왍 we caught him or her in the act we caught him or her as he or she was doing it 2. a distinct part of a play or show 쑗 Act II of the play takes place in the garden. 쑗 The circus has acts by clowns and wild animals. 왍 to get your act together to organise yourself properly (informal ) 쑗 If they don’t get their act together, they’ll miss their train. 3. a law passed by Parliament 쑗 an act to ban the sale of weapons 쐽 verb 1. to take part in a performance such as a film or play 쑗 She’s acted on TV many times. 쑗 He acted the part of Hamlet in the film. 2. to do something 쑗 You will have to act quickly if you want to stop the fire. 쑗 She acted in a very responsible way. 왍 to act on behalf of to do something official for someone or represent someone 쑗 The lawyer is acting on behalf of the old lady’s family. 왍 to act as to do the work of 쑗 The thick curtain acts as a screen to cut out noise from the street. 3. to behave 쑗 acting very strangely 4. to take effect 쑗 How long will the drug take to act? acting / ktŋ/ adj taking the place of someone who is absent. Synonym temporary. Antonym permanent 쐽 noun the profession of an actor ① action / kʃən/ noun 1. something done, or the doing of something 쑗 What action are you going to take to prevent accidents? 왍 out of action not working 쑗 The car has been out of action for a week. 쑗 The goalkeeper broke his leg and will be out of action for some time. 2. what happens in a performance such as a play or film 쑗 The action of the play takes place in a flat in London. 3. an instruction to start recording a film 쑗 Camera, lights, action! 4. a case in a law court where someone tries to get money from someone else 쑗 to bring an action for damages against someone 쑗 an action for libel or a libel action 왍 to take legal action against someone . action-packed to take someone to court to try to get money from him or her action-packed / kʃən pkt/ adj with a large number of exciting events action replay /kʃən ri ple/ noun a section of a sporting event which is shown again on TV at a slower speed, so that the action can be examined carefully ③ activate / ktvet/ verb 1. to make something start to work 2. to start a chemical reaction ② active / ktv/ adj 1. energetic or positive 쑗 He didn’t play an active part in the attack on the police station. 쑗 My grandmother is still very active at the age of 88. 2. (of a volcano) which is erupting or liable to erupt 쑗 Scientists think the volcano is no longer active. 3. 왍 on active service, on active duty US serving in the armed services in time of war 쑗 He was killed on active service. 4. the form of a verb which shows that the subject is doing something (NOTE: If you say ‘the car hit him’ the verb is active, but in ‘he was hit by the car’ it is passive.) ② actively / ktvli/ adv in an active way. Synonym vigorously ③ activist / ktvst/ noun a person who vigorously supports a political party. Synonym campaigner ① activity /k tvti/ noun 1. the act or fact of being active 쑗 There is a possibility of volcanic activity. 2. something that someone does to occupy or pass time pleasantly 쑗 Children are offered various holiday activities – sailing, windsurfing and water-skiing. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is activities.) activity holiday /k tvti hɒlde/ noun a holiday taken to do a leisure activity such as painting or rock-climbing Act of Parliament /kt əv pɑ ləmənt/ noun a law which has been passed by parliament actor / ktə/, actress / ktrəs/ noun a person who acts in the theatre, in films, on TV (NOTE: The plural of actress is actresses.) ① actual / ktʃuəl/ adj real 쑗 It looks quite small but the actual height is 5 metres. 쑗 Her actual words were much stronger. Antonym imaginary 왍 in actual fact really 쑗 In spite of what the newspapers said, in actual fact he did win first prize. ① actually / ktʃuəli/ adv really 쑗 It looks quite small, but actually it is over 5 metres high. 쑗 He said he was ill, but actually he wanted to go to the football match. actuary / ktʃuəri/ noun a person who calculates insurance rates 8 adaptation acumen / kjυmən/ noun the ability to make clever and successful decisions. Synonym insight acupuncture / kjυpŋktʃə/ noun a medical treatment that comes from China, in which needles are stuck through the skin into nerve centres in order to reduce or remove pain or to treat an illness, etc. acupuncturist / kjυpnktʃərst/ noun a person who practises acupuncture acute /ə kju t/ adj 1. (of serious illness or pain) which starts suddenly and lasts for a short time 쑗 a child with acute bronchitis 쑗 The pain was very acute. Compare chronic 2. able to notice something easily 쑗 Dogs have an acute sense of smell. acute accent /əkju t ksənt/ noun a mark sloping forwards over a vowel, indicating a change of sound acute angle /əkju t ŋDZəl/ noun an angle which is less than 90° acutely /ə kju tli/ adv to a high degree. Synonym very. Antonym slightly ③ ad /d/ noun an advertisement (informal ) 쑗 If you want to sell your car quickly, put an ad in the paper. AD abbr Anno Domini (used in dates) 쑗 Claudius invaded Britain in 43 AD. (NOTE: . Latin for ‘in the year of our Lord’. For dates before the birth of Christ, use BC.) adage / ddȢ/ noun a traditional statement about an aspect of everyday life 쑗 According to the old adage, ’time is a great healer’. Synonym saying adagio /ə dɑ dȢəυ/ noun a slow piece of music (NOTE: The plural is adagios.) Adam / dəm/ noun 왍 I don’t know him or her from Adam I have no idea who he or she is (informal ) adamant / dəmənt/ adj with firm opinions. Synonym obstinate. Antonym . amenable Adam’s apple /dəmz p(ə)l/ noun a piece of cartilage that makes a lump in the front of the throat, which can sometimes be seen in men ③ adapt /ə dpt/ verb 1. to change something to be suitable for a new situation 쑗 She adapted the story for TV. 쑗 The car has been adapted for disabled drivers. 2. to change your behaviour to fit into a new situation 쑗 We’ll all have to learn to adapt to the new system. adaptability /ədptə blti/ noun being able to change or be changed easily to new situations or uses. Synonym flexibility adaptable /ə dptəb(ə)l/ adj able to change or be changed easily to deal with new situations or uses. Synonym flexible ③ adaptation /dp teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a change which fits new situations or uses 2. add something such as a film or play which has been developed from another ① add /d/ verb 1. to make a total of numbers 쑗 If you add all these numbers together it should make fifty. (NOTE: Adding is usually shown by the sign + : 10 + 4 = 14.) 2. to join to something else 쑗 Interest is added to the account monthly. 쑗 Add two cupfuls of sugar. 쑗 Put a teabag into the pot and add boiling water. 쑗 By building the annexe, they have added thirty rooms to the hotel. 3. to say or to write something more 쑗 I have nothing to add to what I put in my letter. 쑗 She added that we still owed her some money for work she did last month. added / dd/ adj included as well as what there is already. Synonym extra adder / də/ noun a type of poisonous European snake. Also called viper addict / dkt/ noun a person who cannot stop doing something addicted /ə dktd/ adj unable to stop doing something addiction /ə dkʃən/ noun the fact or state of being unable to stop doing something. Synonym habit addictive /ə dktv/ adj 1. which people can become addicted to 2. which you can get used to doing ① addition /ə dʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of adding figures to make a total 쑗 You don’t need a calculator to do a simple addition. 2. a thing or person added 쑗 the latest addition to the family 쑗 He showed us the additions to his collection of paintings. 3. 왍 in addition as well 왍 in addition to as well as 쑗 There are twelve registered letters to be sent in addition to this parcel. ② additional /ə dʃ(ə)nəl/ adj included as well as what there is already. Synonym extra ② additionally /ə dʃ(ə)nəli/ adv as well as what there is already additive / dtv/ noun a substance which is added to something, especially to food to preserve it or alter the taste or colour ① address /ə dres/ noun 1. a set of details of the number of a house, the name of a street and the town where someone lives or works 쑗 What is the doctor’s address? 쑗 Our address is: 1 Cambridge Road, Teddington, Middlesex. 2. a formal speech 쑗 He made an address to the Parliament. (NOTE: The plural is addresses.) 쐽 verb 1. to write details such as someone’s name, street and town on a letter or parcel 쑗 That letter is addressed to me – don’t open it! 2. to speak or write to someone 쑗 Please address your inquiries to the information office. 쑗 Teachers are not normally addressed as ‘Sir’ in the USA. 3. to make a formal speech to a group 쑗 The chairman addressed the meeting. 4. to examine a problem 쑗 This is an important issue 9 adjoin which must be addressed at the next meeting. 쑗 The committee failed to address the question of sexual harassment. address book /ə dres bυk/ noun a special book with columns printed in such a way that names, addresses and phone numbers can be entered address list /ə dres lst/ noun a list of names and addresses of people and companies add up /d p/ verb 1. to put several figures together to make a total 왍 the figures do not add up the total given is not correct 2. 왍 it doesn’t add up it doesn’t make sense, it is confusing 쑗 The story she told the police simply did not add up. add up to /d p tυ/ verb to make a total of something. Synonym come to adenoids / dnɔdz/ plural noun small masses of tissue in the back of the throat adept /ə dept/ adj skilful at doing something 쑗 She’s adept at avoiding paying her bills. Antonym inept 쐽 noun a person who is skilful at doing something (formal ) ③ adequate / dkwət/ adj enough to fulfil a purpose 쑗 We don’t have adequate supplies for the whole journey. 쑗 His salary is barely adequate to support his family. adhere /əd hə tu / verb to attach physically to something. Synonym stick 왍 to adhere to something to keep to a rule, agreement or promise adherent /əd hərənt/ noun a person who supports a policy or a religion. Synonym . supporter adhesion /əd hi Ȣ(ə)n/ noun the ability of something to stick to something else adhesive /əd hi sv/ adj which sticks 쐽 noun a substance which sticks things together. Synonym glue ad hoc adj /d hɒk/ arranged for a specific case 쑗 an ad hoc decision 쑗 We order the books on an ad hoc basis. 쐽 adv as necessary, without planning in advance 쑗 I did it ad hoc. ad infinitum /d nf natəm/ adv for ever. Synonym endlessly adj, adj. abbr 1. adjective 2. adjunct adjacent /ə dȢes(ə)nt/ adj very close to or almost touching something 왍 adjacent to very near to 쑗 The house is adjacent to the garden centre. adjectival /dȢk tav(ə)l/ adj used like an adjective ① adjective / dȢktv/ noun a word which describes a noun 쑗 In the phrase ‘a big black cloud’, ‘big’ and ‘black’ are both adjectives. adjoin /ə dȢɔn/ verb to be close to or touching something 왍 adjoining rooms adjourn 10 rooms which are next to each other 쑗 They asked to be put in adjoining rooms. adjourn /ə dȢ" n/ verb to stop something such as a meeting or court proceedings in order to continue at a later time or date 왍 let’s adjourn to the bar let’s go on talking over a drink in the bar adjournment /ə dȢ" nmənt/ noun the act of stopping a meeting or court proceeedings in order to continue at a later time or date adjudicate /ə dȢu dket/ verb 1. to give an official decision in a legal matter or a disagreement 2. to act as a judge in a competition adjudication /ədȢu d keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an official decision in a legal matter or a disagreement 2. the judging of a competition adjudicator /ə dȢu dketə/ noun 1. a person who gives an official decision in a legal matter or a disagreement 2. a person who judges a competition adjunct / dȢŋkt/ noun something which is joined to something else ③ adjust /ə dȢst/ verb 1. to make a slight change to something 2. 왍 to adjust to to change and adapt to something 쑗 How are you adjusting to living in a tropical climate? adjustable /ə dȢstəb(ə)l/ adj which can be adjusted. Synonym adaptable ③ adjustment /ə dȢstmənt/ noun a slight change to make something work well. Synonym modification ad-lib /d lb/ adj, adv spoken without using a prepared set of words 쑗 a few ad-lib remarks 쐽 verb to speak without a prepared set of words. Synonym improvise (NOTE: ad-libbing – ad-libs – ad-libbed) admin / dmn/ noun 1. the work of administration 2. staff dealing with administration (NOTE: singular or plural verb) administer /əd mnstə/ verb 1. to manage or organise something 2. to give someone a drug or treatment 3. 왍 to administer an oath to someone to make someone swear an oath (formal ) ② administration /ədmn streʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of organising something such as a company or office 쑗 Hospital administration must be improved. 쑗 Who’s in charge of administration here? 2. a particular government 쑗 the Bush Administration 3. 왍 the administration of justice providing justice ③ administrative /əd mnstrətv/ adj referring to administration ③ administrator /əd mnstretə/ noun 1. a ruler or governor 2. a person who runs an organisation admirable / dm(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which must be approved of and praised. Synonym . praiseworthy adolescent admirably / dm(ə)rəbli/ adv to a remarkable or excellent degree admiral / dm(ə)rəl/ noun a high ranking officer in a country’s navy admiration /dmə reʃ(ə)n/ noun respect for someone or something. Synonym regard. Antonym disapproval ③ admire /əd maə/ verb 1. to consider someone or something with approval 쑗 a much-admired chief minister 쑗 He was admired for his skill as a violinist. Synonym respect 2. to look at someone or something you find attractive 쑗 We admired their garden. 쑗 She admired and envied their slim figures. admirer /əd maərə/ noun a person who loves someone or is attracted by someone. Synonym fan admiring /əd maərŋ/ adj showing that you admire someone or something. Synonym appreciative admiringly /əd maərŋli/ adv in an admiring way ③ admission /əd mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act or fact of being allowed to go in 왍 no admission no one can enter 2. a statement saying that something is true admission fee /əd mʃ(ə)n fi / noun a fee paid to go into a place such as a museum or a sports stadium ① admit /əd mt/ verb 1. to allow someone to go in 쑗 Children are admitted free, but adults have to pay. 쑗 This ticket admits three persons. 2. to say that something is true 쑗 They admitted stealing the car. 쑗 She admitted she had taken the wrong road. 3. to accept evidence in court (NOTE: admitting – admits – admitted) admittance /əd mtns/ noun the allowing of someone to go into a place. Synonym admission admittedly /əd mtdli/ adv admitting that this is true admonish /əd mɒnʃ/ verb to criticise or warn someone. Synonym reprove. Antonym praise admonishment /əd mɒnʃmənt/ noun a warning given to someone (formal ). Synonym reprimand. Antonym approval ad nauseam /d nɔ zim/ adv until everyone is sick of it ado /ə du / noun 왍 without any more ado without any more delay adolescence /də les(ə)ns/ noun a period between childhood and adulthood, between the ages of 12 and 18. Synonym teens adolescent /də les(ə)nt/ adj referring to the period between childhood and adulthood 쑗 She teaches a class of adolescent boys. 쐽 noun a young person between 12 and 18. Synonym teenager . adopt 11 ② adopt /ə dɒpt/ verb 1. to take someone legally as a son or daughter 쑗 They have adopted a little boy. 2. to take and use something 쑗 adopted an air of superiority 쑗 The opposition parties have adopted a different line of argument. 3. to tell all students to use something 쑗 The book has been adopted for use in all English classes. 4. (of a political party) to choose a candidate 쑗 James Black was adopted as the candidate for our constituency. adopted /ə dɒptd/ adj taken legally as someone’s son or daughter ③ adoption /ə dɒpʃən/ noun 1. the legal taking of someone as a son or daughter 왍 to put someone up for adoption to offer a child to be adopted 2. the act of choosing an official candidate adoptive /ə dɒptv/ adj who has or have adopted a child as a son or daughter 왍 adoptive parents or mother or father Synonym legal. Antonym natural adorable /ə dɔ rəb(ə)l/ adj attractive and appealing. Synonym lovable adoration /də reʃ(ə)n/ noun admiration or love adore /ə dɔ / verb to like someone or something very much. Synonym love. Antonym hate adoring /ə dɔ rŋ/ adj who or which adores. Synonym affectionate adorn /ə dɔ n/ verb to decorate something with ornaments (formal ) . adrenalin /ə drenəln/ noun a hormone produced by glands in the body when a person or animal is experiencing surprise, shock, fear or excitement. It speeds up the heartbeat and raises the blood pressure. 왍 to get the adrenalin going, flowing to make someone excited and energetic 쑗 The preparation for the great race got the adrenalin going. adrift /ə drft/ adv 1. floating on the water but not being guided by anyone 왍 to cast a boat adrift to let a boat float without control 2. not connected 쑗 It won’t work because the wire has come adrift from the plug. 3. away from the correct figure 쑗 I think we are about £250 adrift in our calculations. adroit /ə drɔt/ adj clever, especially in negotiating. Synonym skilful. Antonym clumsy adroitly /ə drɔtli/ adv skilfully ADSL abbr asymmetrical digital subscriber line adulation /djυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun excessive praise. Synonym adoration. Antonym disparagement ② adult / dlt/ adj 1. fully grown 쑗 an adult tiger 2. referring to mature people 쑗 adult fiction 쐽 noun a mature person, or a advantage mature animal or plant. Synonym grown-up. Antonym child adult education /dlt edjυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun the teaching of people over the age of 20 adulterate /ə dltəret/ verb 1. to add water to milk or wine 2. to make something less pure by adding an inferior substance to it adulteration /ədltə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of making something less pure. Synonym contamination. Antonym purification adulterer /ə dltərə/, adulteress /ədlt(ə)rəs/ noun a person who commits adultery adultery /ə dlt(ə)ri/ noun sexual intercourse with someone who is not your husband or wife adulthood / dlthυd/ noun the period when someone is adult. Synonym maturity. Antonym childhood adv, adv. abbr 1. adverb 2. adverbial ② advance /əd vɑ ns/ noun 1. a movement forwards 2. 왍 in advance earlier than something happens 쑗 If you want to get good seats for the play, you need to book three weeks in advance. 쑗 You must phone well in advance to make an appointment. 3. money paid as a loan or as a part of a payment to be made later 쐽 verb 1. to go forward 2. to pay money as a loan or as part of a later payment 3. to change a date or time for something to an earlier one 4. to move a clock to a later time. Synonym put forward 쐽 adj done before something happens ③ advanced /əd vɑ nst/ adj 1. which is studied after studying for several years 쑗 taking advanced mathematics 쑗 studying for an advanced degree 2. which has moved forward 쑗 in an advanced state of decay 왍 the season is well advanced the season is coming to an end advancement /əd vɑ nsmənt/ noun 1. the act of moving something forwards 2. a promotion in a job or organisation advances /əd vɑ nsz/ plural noun attempts to be friendly with someone ① advantage /əd vɑ ntdȢ/ noun something which will help you to be successful 쑗 Being able to drive a car is an advantage. 쑗 Knowledge of two foreign languages is an advantage in this job. 쑗 She has several advantages over the other candidates for the job. Synonym benefit. Antonym disadvantage 왍 to take advantage of to profit from something 쑗 They took advantage of the cheap fares on offer. 왍 to take advantage of someone to cheat someone 쑗 He took advantage of the old lady. 왍 to advantage in a way that makes someone look perfect 쑗 Her dress shows off her figure to advantage. 왍 to use something to great advantage to use something in a way which helps you win advantageous 12 advantageous /dvən tedȢəs/ adj likely to help or make something successful. Synonym beneficial. Antonym disadvantageous advent / dvent/ noun the introduction or appearance of something new Advent / dvent/ noun the period just before Christmas adventure /əd ventʃə/ noun a new, exciting and dangerous experience 쑗 I must tell you about our adventures in the Gobi desert. Synonym escapade adventure playground /ədventʃə pleDZraυnd/ noun a children’s playground with objects such as climbing frames, slides and wooden houses adventurous /əd ventʃ(ə)rəs/ adj 1. happy to do something risky 2. exciting and full of adventure ② adverb / dv" b/ noun a word which applies to a verb, an adjective, another adverb or a whole sentence 쑗 In the phrase ‘He walked slowly, because the snow was very thick.’ ‘slowly’ and ‘very’ are both adverbs. adverbial /d v" biəl/ adj used as an adverb adversary / dvəs(ə)ri/ noun the person you are fighting or opposed to. Synonym opponent. Antonym supporter (NOTE: The plural is adversaries.) adverse / dv" s/ adj 1. (of a wind ) which blows against you 2. (conditions) which do . not help or which go against you 왍 adverse balance of trade a situation where a country imports more than it exports adversely / dv" sli/ adv in a bad or damaging way adversity /əd v" sti/ noun difficult times, when you have to face all sorts of problems. Synonym hardship. Antonym privilege ③ advert / dv" t/ noun GB same as advertisement (informal ) advertise / dvətaz/ verb to make sure that people know that something is for sale, that something is going to happen or that a show is on 쑗 I sent away for a watch which I saw advertised in the paper. 쑗 The company is advertising for secretaries. 쑗 Did you see that the restaurant is advertising cheap meals on Sundays? 왍 there’s no need to advertise the fact there’s no need to tell everyone something which would be better kept secret ③ advertisement /əd v" tsmənt/ noun an announcement which tries to make sure that people know that something is for sale, that something is going to happen or that a show is on advertiser / dvətazə/ noun a person who advertises something . aerodynamics advertising / dvətazŋ/ noun the action of making sure that people know that something is for sale, that something is going to happen or that a show is on 쑗 They spent millions on the advertising campaign. 쑗 The company has increased the amount of money it spends on advertising. Synonym publicity advertising agency / dvətazŋ edȢənsi/ noun an agency which organises advertisements for other companies ① advice /əd vas/ noun the saying of what should be done 쑗 She took or followed the doctor’s advice. 쑗 He went to the bank manager for advice on how to pay his debts. 쑗 They would not listen to the doctor’s advice. 쑗 My grandfather gave me a very useful piece of advice. 쑗 His mother’s advice was to stay in bed. (NOTE: no plural: some advice; ① for one item say a piece of advice) advisable /əd vazəb(ə)l/ adj which is recommended. Synonym sensible. Antonym unwise ① advise /əd vaz/ verb 1. to suggest to someone what should be done 쑗 He advised her to put all her money into a deposit account. 2. to tell someone officially that something has happened (formal ) 쑗 They advised us that the sale of the house had been completed. ③ adviser /əd vazə/, advisor noun 1. a person who gives advice 2. a person who advises students on their courses and other academic matters 3. a teacher who advises school heads and teachers on the teaching of a specialist subject advisory /əd vaz(ə)ri/ adj giving advice advocacy / dvəkəsi/ noun strong support for a cause or policy advocate noun / dvəkət/ 1. a lawyer in a Scottish court 2. a person who strongly supports a cause 3. a person who says that something is a good thing 쐽 verb / dvəket/ to say that something is a good thing. Synonym support. Antonym oppose aerial / eəriəl/ adj referring to the air 쐽 noun a device for receiving radio or TV signals (NOTE: The US term is antenna.) aerobic /eə rəυbk/ adj using or needing oxygen. Antonym anaerobic aerobics /eə rəυbks/ noun active exercises which aim to increase the amount of oxygen taken into the body (NOTE: takes a . singular verb) aerodrome / eərədrəυm/ noun a small airport. Synonym airfield aerodynamic /eərəυda nmk/ adj referring to the movement of objects through the air aerodynamics /eərəυda nmks/ noun 1. the science of the movement of objects through the air (NOTE: takes a singular verb) aeronautical 13 2. the way in which a machine moves through the air (NOTE: takes a plural verb) aeronautical /eərə nɔ tk(ə)l/ adj refer- ring to the flying of aircraft ③ aeroplane / eərəplen/ noun a machine which flies in the air, carrying passengers or cargo. Synonym aircraft, plane (NOTE: The US term is airplane.) aerosol / eərəsɒl/ noun 1. a can which sprays a liquid such as an insecticide or medicine in the form of tiny drops 2. tiny particles of a chemical in the air aerospace / eərəυspes/ noun Earth’s atmosphere and space beyond it aerospace industry / eərəυspes ndəstri/ noun the industry involved in making and flying aeroplanes aesthetic /i s θetk/ adj pleasant, from an artistic point of view (NOTE: The usual US spelling is esthetic.) aesthetically /i s θetkli/ adv from an artistic point of view (NOTE: The usual US spelling is esthetically.) aesthetics /i sθetks/ noun the science of and study of beauty, especially in art (NOTE: takes a singular verb. The usual US spelling is esthetics.) afar /ə fɑ / adv 왍 from afar from a long way away (formal ) 쑗 Travellers came from . afar to the great market at Samarkand. affability /fə blti/ noun the state of being pleasant and easy to talk to affable / fəb(ə)l/ adj pleasant and easy to talk to. Synonym genial. Antonym unfriendly affably / fəbli/ adv in a pleasant or friendly way ① affair /ə feə/ noun 1. something which is relevant to one person or a group of people only 쑗 That’s his affair – it’s nothing to do with me. 쑗 It’s an affair for the police. 쑗 She’s always sticking her nose into other people’s affairs. 쑗 His business affairs were very complicated. 2. a sexual relationship with someone who is not the person’s husband or wife 쑗 He’s having an affair with his boss’s wife. 3. 왍 state of affairs general situation 쑗 the present state of affairs ① affect /ə fekt/ verb 1. to have an influence on or change someone or something 쑗 The new regulations have affected our business. 쑗 Train services have been seriously affected by the strike. 2. to pretend 쑗 He affected not to notice. affectation /fek teʃ(ə)n/ noun something which someone pretends but which is not sincere affected /ə fektd/ adj pretended and not sincere. Synonym pretentious affection /ə fekʃən/ noun a feeling of liking or love afford affectionate /ə fekʃənət/ adj showing love. Synonym loving affectionately /ə fekʃənətli/ adv in a loving way affidavit /f devt/ noun a written statement which is signed and sworn before a solicitor and which can then be used as evidence in court affiliatenoun /ə fliət/ a company formally associated with another one 쑗 We have affiliates in several European countries. Synonym associate 쐽 verb /ə fliet/ to connect something or someone to a larger group. Synonym link affiliated /ə flietd/ adj connected to or with another as an affiliate affiliation /əfli eʃ(ə)n/ noun the act or fact of being affiliated. Synonym association affinity /ə fnti/ noun the fact of being similar in character 왍 to feel an affinity for to feel a special link with someone or something 쑗 She feels an affinity for homeless people. affirm /ə f" m/ verb 1. to state publicly that something is true 2. to make a statement in court that you will tell the truth, though this is not sworn on oath affirmation /fə meʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a statement that something is true 2. a statement in court that you will tell the truth, though this is not sworn on oath affirmative /ə f" mətv/ adj meaning ‘yes’. Antonym negative 쐽 noun a word or statement meaning ‘yes’ 왍 the answer is in the affirmative the answer is ‘yes’ affix verb /ə fks/ to fix something in place (formal ) 쑗 He affixed the seal to the contract. 쑗 There is no need to affix a stamp on a prepaid envelope. Synonym attach. Antonym remove 쐽 noun / fks/ a group of letters added to the beginning or end of a word to make a new word afflict /ə flkt/ verb (of a serious problem or illness) to make someone suffer (formal ) affliction /ə flkʃən/ noun (formal ) 1. an illness affecting someone physically or mentally 2. something that causes distress affluence / fluəns/ noun wealth. Synonym prosperity. Antonym poverty affluent / fluənt/ adj very rich. Synonym . . . wealthy afford /ə fɔ d/ verb to have enough money, time or other resources to do something 쑗 We can’t afford to run a large car these days. 쑗 He couldn’t afford the time to take a holiday. (NOTE: only used after can, ① cannot, could, could not, able to, unable to) affordable 14 affordable /ə fɔ dəb(ə)l/ adj which can be afforded. Synonym reasonable. Antonym expensive affront /ə frnt/ noun an action which insults someone 쐽 verb to insult someone 왘 Synonym (all senses) insult. Antonym compliment afield /ə fi ld/ adv 왍 far afield a long way away 쑗 People come from far afield to visit the grave. afloat /ə fləυt/ adv 1. floating, not sinking 쑗 She kept afloat by holding on to a piece of wood. 쑗 Our boat was driven onto the beach by the storm, but we managed to get it afloat again. 2. (of a company) not in financial difficulties 쑗 I wonder how they manage to stay afloat when the market is so difficult. afoot /ə fυt/ adv in the process of being planned aforementioned /ə fɔ menʃənd/ (formal ) adj mentioned earlier 쐽 noun someone or something mentioned earlier ① afraid /ə fred/ adj 1. frightened of something 쑗 I am afraid of snakes. 쑗 He is too afraid to climb the ladder. 2. 왍 to be afraid (that) to be sorry to say 쑗 I’m afraid that all the cakes have been sold. 쑗 You can’t see the boss – I’m afraid he’s ill. 쑗 Have you got a pocket calculator? – No, I’m afraid not. afresh /ə freʃ/ adv again. Synonym anew ① African / frkən/ adj referring to Africa 쐽 noun a person from Africa African American /frkən ə merkən/ noun an American whose ancestors came from Africa African Caribbean /frkən krbi ən/ noun someone from the Caribbean whose ancestors came from Africa Afro- /frəυ/ prefix African, or between Africa and another country Afro-Caribbean /frəυ kr bi ən/ noun same as African Caribbean aft /ɑ ft/ adv in the back of a ship or plane. Antonym forward ① after / ɑ ftə/ prep 1. following or next in order to 쑗 If today is Tuesday, the day after tomorrow is Thursday. 쑗 They spoke one after the other. 쑗 What’s the letter after Q in the alphabet? 왍 after you you go first 왍 after you with the milk pass me the milk when you have finished with it (informal ) 2. later than 쑗 We arrived after six o’clock. 쑗 We don’t let the children go out alone after dark. 3. 왍 what’s she after? what does she want? (informal ) 쐽 conj later than a time 쑗 After the snow fell, the motorways were blocked. 쑗 Phone me after you get home. (NOTE: after is . . . used with many verbs: to look after, to take after, etc.) 앳 after all 1. in spite of everything 2. the fact is 앳 to be after someone (informal ) 1. to be looking for someone . against The police are after him. 2. to be angry with someone 쑗 If you leave mud all over the kitchen floor, your mother will be after you. aftercare / ɑ ftəkeə/ noun the care of a patient after an operation after-effects /ɑ ftə  fekts/ plural noun effects which follow after something 쑗 The after-effects of the bomb lasted for years. 쑗 The operation can have some unpleasant after-effects. afterlife / ɑ ftəlaf/ noun 1. life believed to go on after death 2. a stage of life that follows a period or event aftermath / ɑ ftəmɑ θ/ noun the period immediately after a bad event when its effects are seen. Synonym consequence ① afternoon /ɑ ftə nu n/ noun the time between lunchtime and the evening 쑗 He always has a little sleep in the afternoon. 쑗 There is an afternoon flight to Paris. 쑗 I’m playing tennis tomorrow afternoon. 쑗 Can we meet tomorrow afternoon? afternoon tea /ɑ ftənu n ti / noun a meal eaten in the afternoon, usually with small sandwiches, cakes and tea afters / ɑ ftəz/ noun GB a sweet course of a meal (informal ). Synonym dessert after-sales service /ɑ ftə selz s" vs/ noun the maintaining of a machine by the seller for the buyer aftershave / ɑ ftəʃev/, aftershave lotion / ɑ ftəʃev ləυʃ(ə)n/ noun a lotion for soothing a man’s face after he has shaved aftershock / ɑ ftəʃɒk/ noun a light earth tremor felt after a major earthquake aftertaste / ɑ ftətest/ noun 1. a taste that continues after something has been eaten or drunk 2. an unpleasant feeling after something has happened afterthought / ɑ ftəθɔ t/ noun a thing which you only think of or do later 왍 as an afterthought showing that you have just thought of something new 쑗 He signed the letter and as an afterthought added a row of kisses. ① afterwards / ɑ ftəwədz/ adv later 쑗 We’ll have lunch first and go shopping afterwards. (NOTE: The US term is afterward.) ① again /ə DZen/ adv 1. another time or once more 쑗 We’d love to come to see you again. 쑗 He had to take his driving test again. 왍 again and again several times 쑗 The police officer asked the same question again and again. 왍 now and again sometimes 쑗 Now and again I get a pain in my right elbow. 2. back as you were before 쑗 Although I like going on holiday, I’m always glad to be home again. ① against /ə DZenst/ prep 1. so as to touch 쑗 He was leaning against the wall. 쑗 She hit her head against the low doorway. 2. not as 쑗 . age 15 someone proposes 왍 it’s against the rules, against the law it’s not as the rules say or the law says 쑗 It’s against the law to drive in the dark without lights. 쑗 You mustn’t hold the football in your hands – it’s against the rules. 왍 what do you have against the plan? why don’t you agree with the plan? 쑗 She was against the idea of going to the cinema. 3. in opposition to 쑗 England is playing against South Africa tomorrow. 쑗 It’s hard cycling uphill against the wind. 4. as part of 쑗 Can I have an advance against next month’s salary? ① age /edȢ/ noun 1. the number of years which you have lived 쑗 She is thirty years of age. 쑗 He looks younger than his age. 왍 under age younger than the legal age to do something 쑗 under-age drinkers 2. 왍 ages a very long time 쑗 I’ve been waiting here for ages. 쑗 It took us ages to get served. 3. a period in history 쑗 They found remains dating back to the Stone Age. 쑗 The Victorian age covered most of the nineteenth century. 쐽 verb to look older 쑗 He has aged a lot since I last saw him. ② aged adj 1. /edȢd/ with the age of 쑗 a girl aged nine 쑗 She died last year, aged 83. 2. / edȢd/ very old 쑗 an aged man age group / edȢ DZru p/ noun all the people of a particular age. Synonym generation ageing / edȢŋ/ adj which is becoming older (NOTE: The US spelling is aging.) age limit / edȢ lmt/ noun the youngest or oldest age at which you are allowed to do something ① agency / edȢənsi/ noun an office which represents another firm 쑗 an advertising agency 쑗 We have the agency for Ford cars. ③ agenda /ə dȢendə/ noun a list of points for discussion 왍 what’s on the agenda? what are we going to discuss? ③ agent / edȢənt/ noun 1. a person who works for or represents someone else 쑗 Our head office is in London but we have an agent in Paris. 2. a person or thing that causes something 쑗 War is an agent of mass destruction. age of consent /edȢ əv kən sent/ noun the age at which someone can legally agree to have sex age-old adj, adv which has existed for a long time aggravate / DZrəvet/ verb 1. to make something worse 2. to annoy someone aggravating / DZrəvetŋ/ adj who or which annoys someone (informal ). Synonym annoying. Antonym pleasing aggregate / DZrDZət/ noun 1. a total of everything added together 왍 on aggregate, in the aggregate as a final total 쑗 Liverpool . agony won 7 –2 on aggregate. 2. a mixture of sand and gravel used to make roads ③ aggression /ə DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun a feeling of anger against someone that is expressed, especially in physical force 왍 an act of aggression an attack on someone ③ aggressive /ə DZresv/ adj ready to attack someone aggressively /ə DZresvli/ adv as if wanting to attack someone aggressiveness /ə DZresvnəs/ noun the state of being aggressive towards someone aggressor /ə DZresə/ noun a person or country that attacks another. Synonym attacker aggrieved /ə DZri vd/ adj annoyed because you have been badly treated aggro / DZrəυ/ noun violent quarrelling or disagreement aghast /ə DZɑ st/ adj filled with horror and amazement. Synonym horrified. Antonym unaffected agile / dȢal/ adj that can move easily agility /ə dȢlti/ noun the fact of being agile. Antonym clumsiness agitate / dȢtet/ verb 1. to stir up public opinion for or against something 2. to shake a container such as a bottle (formal ) agitated / dȢtetd/ adj very nervous, . worried or upset and often not able to keep still. Synonym restless. Antonym calm agitation /dȢ teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. nervous worry 2. struggle for change, especially political change agitator / dȢtetə/ noun a person who stirs up political unrest. Synonym campaigner AGM abbr annual general meeting agnostic /DZ nɒstk/ adj believing that no one can know if God exists 쐽 noun a person who believes that no one can know if God exists. Compare atheist. Antonym believer agnosticism /DZ nɒstsz(ə)m/ noun a belief that no one can know if God exists. Synonym doubt ① ago /ə DZəυ/ adv in the past 쑗 He phoned a few minutes ago. 쑗 This all happened a long time ago. Synonym before. Antonym ahead (NOTE: ago always follows a word meaning time.) agog /ə DZɒDZ/ adj 왍 all agog very eager 쑗 They were all agog to hear her story. agonise / DZənaz/, agonize verb to spend a lot of time worrying about something 왍 to agonize over a decision to worry about a decision agonising / DZənazŋ/, agonizing adj 1. (of pain ) very sharp 2. very painful and difficult ③ agony / DZəni/ noun extreme pain . agony aunt agony aunt / DZəni ɑ nt/ noun a person who writes an agony column agony column / DZəni kɒləm/ noun a newspaper column giving advice on personal problems ① agree /ə DZri / verb 1. to say yes 쑗 Most of the group agreed with her suggestion. 쑗 After some discussion he agreed to our plan. (NOTE: You agree to or on a plan.) 2. 왍 to agree with someone to think the same way as someone 쑗 I agree with you that most people drive too fast. agreeable /ə DZri əb(ə)l/ adj 1. pleasant 2. 왍 to be agreeable to to be in agreement with (formal ) 쑗 Are they all agreeable to the plan? agreeably /ə DZri əbli/ adv pleasantly agreed /ə DZri d/ adj which has been accepted. Synonym decided ① agreement /ə DZri mənt/ noun 1. the act or fact of thinking the same 쑗 to reach an agreement or to come to an agreement on salaries 쑗 Agreement between the two sides is still a long way off. 왍 they are in agreement with our plan they agree with our plan 쑗 We discussed the plan with them and they are in agreement. 2. a contract 쑗 to draw up or to draft an agreement 쑗 We signed an agreement with the Italian company. ② agricultural /DZr kltʃ(ə)rəl/ adj referring to agriculture agricultural labourer /DZrkltʃərəl leb(ə)rə/ noun a person who does heavy work on a farm ② agriculture / DZrkltʃə/ noun the practice of growing crops or raising animals on farms. Synonym cultivation aground /ə DZraυnd/ adv stuck on sand or rocks, not afloat 왍 the ship ran aground, went aground the ship hit sand or rocks ③ ah /ɑ / interj showing surprise 쐽 noun an act of saying ‘ah!’ 쑗 The audience let out ‘oohs’ and ‘ahs’ as they watched the lion tamers. 쐽 verb 쒁 um aha /ɑ hɑ / interj showing that something has been discovered, especially expressing satisfaction or excitement ① ahead /ə hed/ adv in front 쑗 Our team was losing, but now we are ahead again. 쑗 Run on ahead and find some seats for us. 쑗 You need to go straight ahead, and then turn left. 왍 full steam ahead! go forwards as fast as possible 왍 to draw ahead to become the leader in a race ahoy /ə hɔ/ interj used by sailors to call another ship AI abbr 1. artificial insemination 2. artificial intelligence ② aid /ed/ noun 1. help 쑗 aid to Third World countries 쑗 aid worker 2. 왍 in aid of to help 쑗 We give money in aid of the Red . 16 aircraft Cross. 쑗 They are collecting money in aid of refugees. 왍 what’s all this in aid of? what’s all the fuss about? (informal ) 3. a device which helps 쑗 He wears a hearing aid. 쑗 Food processors are useful aids in the kitchen. 왍 to help someone or a process. Antonym thwart 왍 to aid and abet someone to help someone to commit a crime aide /ed/ noun a person employed to assist someone important. Synonym assistant AIDS /edz/ noun a viral infection which breaks down the body’s immune system 쑗 a clinic for people with AIDS Full form ac. quired immune deficiency syndrome ailing / elŋ/ adj 1. sick 2. in financial difficulties ailment / elmənt/ noun an illness, though not generally a very serious one ② aim /em/ noun what you are trying to do 쑗 His aim is to do well at school and then go to university. 쑗 One of our aims is to increase the speed of service. Synonym goal 쐽 verb 1. to plan to do something 쑗 We aim to go on holiday in June. 2. to point a weapon at something 쑗 He was not aiming at the target. aimless / emləs/ adj without any particular plan. Antonym purposeful aimlessly / emləsli/ adv without any particular plan ain’t /ent/ contraction is not, has not, have not (informal ) 쑗 It ain’t fair. 쑗 He ain’t finished yet. ① air /eə/ noun 1. a mixture of gases, mainly oxygen and nitrogen, which cannot be seen, but which is all around us and which every animal breathes 쑗 His breath was like steam in the cold air. 쑗 He threw the ball up into the air. 2. a method of travelling or sending goods using aircraft 3. a little tune 쑗 She played an air by Bach. 4. an appearance or feeling 쑗 There was an air of gloom over the meeting. 쐽 verb to freshen a room or clothes by giving them more air 쑗 Let’s open the windows to air the room. air bag / eə bDZ/ noun a bag in a car which inflates when there is an accident and protects the driver or passenger airbase / eəbes/ noun a military airfield airborne / eəbɔ n/ adj 1. carried in the air 2. carried by an aircraft air-conditioned / eə kəndʃ(ə)nd/ adj having the temperature controlled by an air-conditioner air-conditioner / eə kəndʃ(ə)nə/ noun a device which filters and cools the air in a room air-conditioning / eə kəndʃ(ə)nŋ/ noun a system of controlling the temperature in a place such as a room or a train ② aircraft / eəkrɑ ft/ noun a machine which flies in the air 쑗 The passengers got . aircraft carrier 17 into the aircraft. 쑗 The airline has a fleet of ten aircraft. Synonym aeroplane (NOTE: The plural is aircraft: one aircraft, six aircraft.) aircraft carrier / eəkrɑ ft kriə/ noun a large ship in a navy, which has a large flat deck where aircraft can land and take off airfare / eəfeə/ noun what it costs for a journey in an aircraft airfield / eəfi ld/ noun a small, usually military, airport. Synonym airstrip air force / eə fɔ s/ noun a country’s military air organisation air freshener / eə freʃ(ə)nə/ noun a substance which makes the air in a room smell fresh and clean air hostess / eə həυstəs/ noun a woman flight attendant (dated ) airing cupboard / eərŋ kbəd/ noun a warm cupboard where clothes can be aired airless / eələs/ adj without any air. Synonym stuffy air letter / eə letə/ noun a special sheet of thin blue paper which when folded can be sent by airmail without an envelope airlift / eəlft/ noun an emergency transporting of something by air 쐽 verb to transport someone or something by air in an emergency 쑗 The climbers were airlifted to safety. Synonym fly ② airline / eəlan/ noun a company which runs air services 쑗 He’s an airline pilot. 쑗 The airline has been voted the most popular with business travellers. airliner / eəlanə/ noun a large aircraft that carries passengers ③ airmail / eəmel/ noun a way of sending letters or parcels by air 쐽 verb to send letters or parcels by air 쑗 We airmailed the documents to New York. airman / eəmən/ noun a man who serves in an air force (NOTE: The plural is airmen.) airplane / eərplen/ noun US an aeroplane ② airport / eəpɔ t/ noun a place where aircraft land and take off 쑗 You can take the underground to the airport. 쑗 We are due to arrive at Heathrow Airport at midday. airport tax / eəpɔ t tks/ noun a tax added to the price of an air ticket to cover the cost of running an airport air raid / eə red/ noun an attack by military aircraft airship / eəʃp/ noun a large balloon driven by an engine airsickness / eəsknəs/ noun the feeling of being sick while in an aircraft. Synonym . travel sickness airspace / eəspes/ noun the air above a country airstream / eəstri m/ noun a flow of air in a particular direction alarmed airstrip / eəstrp/ noun a small runway airtight / eətat/ adj which does not allow air to get in or out air time / eə tam/ noun 1. the amount of time that is given to a programme or subject in radio or TV broadcasting 2. the time at which a programme or item is to be broadcast air traffic controller /eə trfk kəntrəυlə/ noun a person on land who gives instructions for the movements of aircraft as they land or take off airwaves / eəwevz/ plural noun 1. 왍 on the airwaves on the radio (old ) 쑗 His was a familiar voice on the airwaves in the 1950s. 2. the way in which radio signals move through the air airway / eəwe/ noun 1. a name given to an airline 2. a passage for air airworthiness / eəw" ðinəs/ noun the safety of an aircraft for use airy / eəri/ adj 1. full of fresh air 2. vague and not likely to be put into practice (NOTE: . airier – airiest) airy-fairy /eəri feəri/ adj not possible to put into practice (informal ) Synonym vague aisle /al/ noun 1. a gangway between seats . in something such as a plane, theatre or church 2. a gangway between shelves in a supermarket 3. a side part of a church (NOTE: Do not confuse with isle.) aisle seat / al si t/ noun a seat which is next to an aisle ajar /ə dȢɑ / adj slightly open aka abbr also known as akin /ə kn/ adj 왍 akin to similar to 쑗 She experienced a sensation akin to burning on her skin. à la carte / l kɑ t/ adv, adj made of several dishes ordered separately from a menu alacrity /ə lkrti/ noun speed 왍 with alacrity fast ② alarm /ə lɑ m/ noun 1. a loud warning 쑗 An alarm will sound if someone touches the wire. 왍 to raise the alarm to warn everyone of danger 왍 it was a false alarm it was a wrong warning 2. the fact or feeling of being afraid 쑗 The expression on his face increased her alarm. 쑗 There’s no cause for alarm, the injection won’t hurt at all. 쐽 verb to frighten someone 쑗 I don’t want to alarm you, but the police say a dangerous criminal has been seen in the village. Synonym worry. Antonym calm alarm bells /ə lɑ m belz/ plural noun an indication that something unpleasant or dangerous will happen ③ alarm clock /ə lɑ m klɒk/ noun a clock which rings a bell to wake you up alarmed /ə lɑ md/ adj worried and frightened. Synonym worried alarming alarming /ə lɑ mŋ/ adj frightening. Synonym disturbing. Antonym soothing alarmist /ə lɑ mst/ noun someone who makes people feel frightened or worried when they do not need to 쐽 adj which makes people feel frightened or worried when they do not need to 쑗 an alarmist report alas /ə ls/ interj showing sadness 쑗 He died in the war, alas. 쑗 Alas, there is no time left to continue the discussion. albatross / lbətrɒs/ noun a very large white sea bird which flies for long distances (NOTE: The plural is albatrosses.) ③ albeit /ɔ l bi t/ conj although albino /l bi nəυ/ noun an animal or person born with pale skin, white hair, and pink eyes (NOTE: The plural is albinos.) ③ album / lbəm/ noun 1. a large book 2. a collection of songs on a CD, cassette or record ③ alcohol / lkəhɒl/ noun a substance in drinks such as beer or wine, that can make people drunk 쑗 They will not serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. alcoholic /lkə hɒlk/ adj referring to alcohol. Synonym intoxicating 쐽 noun a person who depends on alcohol as a drug alcoholism / lkəhɒlz(ə)m/ noun the condition of depending on drinking alcohol regularly alcove / lkəυv/ noun a part of the wall of a room which is set back. Synonym recess ③ ale /el/ noun a type of British beer, especially bitter beer, but not lager alert /ə l" t/ adj 1. able to think clearly 2. watching carefully 쐽 noun news that something dangerous is happening or going to happen 쑗 a flood alert. Synonym warning 왍 to be on the alert to watch out for something 쐽 verb 왍 to alert someone to to warn someone of something 쑗 She was alerted to the dangers of smoking. ② A Level / e lev(ə)l/ noun an examination taken by pupils aged 17 or 18 쑗 If you pass your A Levels, you can go on to higher education. Full form advanced level alfresco /l freskəυ/ adj in the open air. Synonym outdoor. Antonym indoor (NOTE: Do not confuse with fresco.) algae / ldȢi / noun very small plants liv- ing in water or in wet conditions which have no stems or roots or leaves algebra / ldȢbrə/ noun a type of mathematics where letters are used to represent quantities algebraic /ldȢ brek/ adj referring to algebra algorithm / lDZərð(ə)m/ noun a plan for working out a complicated calculation alias / eliəs/ adv also known as 쑗 John Smith, alias ‘The Bulldog’ 쐽 noun a different 18 all name that is not the person’s own. Synonym assumed name (NOTE: The plural is aliases.) alibi / lba/ noun a claim that a person charged with a crime was somewhere else when the crime was committed alien / eliən/ adj foreign, from another country. Synonym unfamiliar 쐽 noun a person who is from a foreign country alienate / eliənet/ verb 1. to make someone feel unfriendly 2. to make someone not want to support you alienated / eliənetd/ adj not feeling included or welcome, especially in society at large alight /ə lat/ verb to get off a vehicle (formal ) 쐽 adj on fire align /ə lan/ verb 1. to arrange in line with 2. 왍 to align yourself with to decide on a similar policy to another country 쑗 The three neighbouring states aligned themselves with France. alignment /ə lanmənt/ noun 1. a row 왍 out of alignment not parallel 쑗 I think the front wheels are out of alignment. 2. an agreement between people on the same side of an argument. 쏡 realignment alike /ə lak/ adj very similar. Antonym different 쐽 adv in a similar way 쑗 My sister and I just don’t think alike. 쑗 The change will affect rich and poor alike. alimentary canal /lment(ə)ri kə nl/ noun the tube by which food goes into the stomach, and passes through the body alimony / lməni/ noun money paid regularly by someone to a wife or husband they are no longer married to ② alive /ə lav/ adj 1. not dead 쑗 He was still alive when he was rescued, even though he had been in the sea for hours. 쑗 When my grandfather was alive, there were no supermarkets. (NOTE: not used in front of a noun: the fish is alive but a live fish.) 2. 왍 alive to knowing and understanding 왍 alive with full of 3. lively 쑗 The fishing village is rather dead during the day time, but really comes alive at night. alkali / lkəla/ noun a substance which reacts with an acid to form a salt and water . (NOTE: The British English plural is alkalis, but American English is alkalies.) alkaline / lkəlan/ adj containing more al- kali than acid ① all /ɔ l/ adj, pron 1. everything or everyone 쑗 They all or All of them like coffee. 쑗 All trains stop at Clapham Junction. 쑗 Did you pick all (of ) the tomatoes? 쑗 Where are all the children? 왍 let’s sing the song all together everyone should sing at the same time 2. 왍 fifteen all (in tennis) fifteen points each 쐽 adv 1. completely 쑗 The ground was . Allah 19 all white after the snow fell. 쑗 I forgot all about her birthday. 2. 왍 all by yourself all alone 쑗 You can’t do it all by yourself. 쑗 I’m all by myself this evening – my girlfriend’s gone out. 쑗 He drove the lorry all by himself. 앳 all along right from the beginning 앳 all but almost 앳 all in (informal )1. tired out 2. including everything 앳 all over 1. everywhere over something 2. finished 3. everywhere Allah / lə/ noun the Muslim name for God allay /ə le/ verb to calm something. Synonym dispel. Antonym stimulate all day /ɔ l de/ adv for the whole day 쑗 It’s been raining hard all day. allegation /lə DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun the suggestion that someone has possibly done something wrong allege /ə ledȢ/ verb to suggest that someone may have done something wrong. Synonym claim alleged /ə ledȢd/ adj suggested. Antonym . confirmed allegedly /ə ledȢdli/ adv as has been suggested, but not proved allegiance /ə li dȢ(ə)ns/ noun the fact of being loyal. Synonym loyalty. Antonym disloyalty allegorical /l DZɒrk(ə)l/ adj referring to allegory. Synonym metaphorical. Antonym literal allegory / ləDZ(ə)ri/ noun a painting or story where the characters represent ideas or are symbols of something else. Synonym parable allegro /ə leDZrəυ/ adv, adj (in music) played fast allergen / lədȢən/ noun a substance which produces an allergic reaction allergic /ə l" dȢk/ adj suffering from or referring to an allergy 앳 to be allergic to 1. to react badly to a substance 쑗 Many people are allergic to grass pollen. 쑗 She is allergic to cats. 2. to dislike something or someone very much (informal ) 쑗 He is allergic to jazz. 쑗 She is allergic to men with beards. allergy / lədȢi/ noun a bad reaction to a substance alleviate /ə li viet/ verb to make less painful. Synonym ease ③ alley / li/ noun a narrow little street ③ alliance /ə laəns/ noun a formal agreement between two or more groups or countries ① allied / lad/ adj 1. joined in an alliance 2. 왍 allied to combined with 쑗 His poor health allied to his age means that he will not be able to run the marathon. alligator / lDZetə/ noun a large reptile like a crocodile, found in the southern parts of the United States . all right all-important /ɔ l m pɔ tənt/ adj very important or necessary all-inclusive /ɔ l n klu sv/ adj that includes everything. Synonym comprehensive all-in rate /ɔ l n ret/, all-in price /ɔ l n pras/ noun a price which covers everything alliteration /əltə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of using words which begin with the same sound to make special effects in poetry all-night / ɔ l nat/ adj lasting, open or available throughout the night, or throughout a specific night ② allocate / ləket/ verb to give something out to various people ③ allocation /lə keʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of giving something as a share allot /ə lɒt/ verb to give something to someone as a share of something (NOTE: allotting – allotted) allotment /ə lɒtmənt/ noun 1. the process of giving out money 2. a piece of land which belongs to a local council and which can be rented for growing vegetables all-out /ɔ l aυt/ adj total, involving a lot of work. Synonym maximum. Antonym half-hearted ① allow /ə laυ/ verb 1. to let someone do something 쑗 She allowed me to borrow her book. 쑗 Smoking is not allowed in the restaurant. 쑗 You are allowed to take two pieces of hand luggage onto the plane. 2. to give 쑗 We will allow you a discount. 3. to agree or to accept legally 쑗 to allow a claim for damages 왍 to allow for something to provide a certain amount of time or money for something 쑗 to allow 10% extra for postage and packing 쑗 Allow 28 days for delivery. allowable /ə laυəb(ə)l/ adj which can be allowed. Synonym permissible. Antonym unacceptable 왍 allowable expenses expenses which are allowed against tax ① allowance /ə laυəns/ noun 1. money paid regularly 2. something which is allowed 3. an amount of money which you are allowed to earn without paying tax 4. 왍 to make allowances for to take something into account 쑗 You must make allowances for his age. alloy / lɔ/ noun a mixture of metals 쐽 verb to mix metals 쑗 You alloy copper and zinc to get brass. all-purpose /ɔ l p" pəs/ adj which can be used in many different situations. Antonym specialised all right /ɔ l rat/ adj well 쑗 She was ill yesterday but is all right now. 쐽 interj meaning ‘yes’ (NOTE: OK and no problem are ① often used in this meaning.) all-round 20 all-round adj able to do many things well, or useful in a number of different ways, not specialised 쐽 adv 1. considering everything 2. for, from or involving everyone all-rounder /ɔ l raυndə/ noun a person who is good at anything all-star / ɔ lstɑ / adj with many stars or celebrities. Antonym unknown all-time / ɔ ltam/ adj biggest, best, worst, etc. ever (informal ) Antonym insignificant allude /ə lu d/ verb 왍 to allude to something to refer to something in an indirect way 쑗 He alluded to it in his speech, without giving any details. allure /ə lυə, ə ljυə/ noun a mysteriously attractive quality. Synonym attraction 쐽 verb to attract someone 쑗 Allured by the high salary offered, he answered the advertisement. alluring /ə lυərŋ, ə ljυərŋ/ adj very attractive. Synonym appealing. Antonym . repulsive allusion /ə lu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun referring indirectly to something. Synonym reference alluvial /ə lu viəl/ adj left behind by rivers ③ ally noun / la/ a person or country which is on the same side. Synonym friend (NOTE: The plural is allies.) 쐽 verb /ə la/ 왍 to ally yourself with or to someone to join forces with someone 쑗 The unions have allied themselves with the opposition. almighty /ɔ l mati/ adj very powerful, very loud 쐽 noun 왍 the Almighty God 쑗 We pray to the Almighty every day that they find our daughter alive. almond / ɑ mənd/ noun 1. a type of nut 2. same as almond tree almond tree / ɑ mənd tri / noun a tree which produces almonds ① almost / ɔ lməυst/ adv nearly 쑗 London is almost as far from here as Paris. 쑗 She’s almost as tall as I am. 쑗 She’ll eat almost anything. 쑗 Hurry up, it’s almost time for the train to leave. Synonym nearly aloft /ə lɒft/ adv high in the air. Antonym below ① alone /ə ləυn/ adj with no one else 쑗 She lives alone with her cats. 쑗 He was all alone in the shop. 쑗 We don’t let the children go out alone after dark. 왍 I want to talk to you alone I want the two of us to talk in private 쐽 adv 왍 to leave someone alone not to disturb someone 쑗 Leave that cat alone and come and have your tea. ① along /ə lɒŋ/ prep 1. by the side of 쑗 He has planted fruit trees along both sides of the garden path. 쑗 The river runs along one side of the castle. 2. from one end to the other 쑗 She ran along the pavement. 쑗 Walk along the street until you come to the post office. 쐽 adv 왍 to get along with someone to agree altar with or to work well with someone 쑗 She doesn’t get along very well with her new boss. ③ alongside /əlɒŋ sad/ prep at the side of 쑗 The ship was tied up alongside the quay. 쐽 adv so as to be beside or level with something 쑗 We had stopped at a red light when a police car pulled up alongside. Synonym abreast aloof /ə lu f/ adj quiet, private and unfriendly to other people 쐽 adv 왍 to keep yourself aloof, to stand aloof from to keep separate from, not to get involved with other people 쑗 They kept themselves aloof from the rest of the crowd. aloud /ə laυd/ adv in a voice which can be heard alpha / lfə/ noun the first letter of the Greek alphabet, or a mark showing the best results. Symbol alphabet / lfəbet/ noun a series of letters in order, e.g. A, B, C, etc. 쑗 G comes before H in the alphabet. 쑗 If you’re going to Greece on holiday, you ought to learn the Greek alphabet. alphabetical /lfə betk(ə)l/ adj referring to the alphabet 왍 in alphabetical order in order of the first letter of each word 쑗 The words in the dictionary are in alphabetical order. 쑗 Sort out the address cards into alphabetical order of their names. alphabetically /lfə betkli/ adv in alphabetical order alphabetise / lfəbetaz/, alphabetize verb to put words into alphabetical order, especially automatically alpine / lpan/ adj referring to high mountains, especially the Alps. Synonym mountainous 쐽 noun a plant which grows on or originally comes from high mountains ① already /ɔ l redi/ adv 1. before now or before the time mentioned 쑗 I’ve already done my shopping. 쑗 It was already past ten o’clock when he arrived. 왍 I have seen that film already I have seen that film before 2. sooner than expected 쑗 Have you finished your work already? alright /ɔ l rat/ adj, adv another spelling of all right Alsatian /l seʃ(ə)n/ noun a type of large dog, often used as a guard dog. Also called German shepherd ① also / ɔ lsəυ/ adv too, in addition 쑗 She sings well and can also play the violin. 쑗 They came to visit us, and their children also came. altar / ɔ ltə/ noun a table for important objects in religious ceremonies, especially in a church 왍 to lead someone to the altar to marry someone, especially a woman 쑗 alter Grandfather led his wife to the altar when he was only 22 years old. ③ alter / ɔ ltə/ verb to become or make something different. Synonym change 21 ambassador (NOTE: Do not confuse with altar.) ③ alteration /ɔ ltə reʃ(ə)n/ noun an act happier man since he got married. 쑗 Their situation is altogether different from ours. altruistic /ltru stk/ adj not selfish. Synonym unselfish. Antonym selfish aluminium /lə mniəm/ noun a silver-coloured metal which is extremely light of becoming different or of making something different. Synonym change, modifi- (NOTE: The US spelling is aluminum.) alumnus /ə lmnəs/ noun US a male stu- cation altercation /ɔ ltə keʃ(ə)n/ noun a verbal disagreement. Synonym argument alternate adj /ɔ l t" nət/ every other one 쐽 verb / ɔ ltənet/ to keep changing from one particular position or state to another alternately /ɔ l t" nətli/ adv with one first and then the other. Antonym consecutively alternating current / ɔ ltənetŋ krənt/ noun an electric current which changes direction all the time, as opposed to direct current which flows in one direction. Abbr AC. Compare direct current ② alternative /ɔ l t" nətv/ adj 1. in place of something else 쑗 If the plane is full, we will put you on an alternative flight. 2. following a different way from usual 쐽 noun something which takes the place of something else 쑗 Now that she’s got measles, do we have any alternative to calling the holiday off? 왍 there is no alternative there is nothing else we can do alternative energy /ɔ lt" nətv enədȢi/ noun energy produced by the sun, the sea or the wind alternatively /ɔ l t" nətvli/ adv on the other hand alternative medicine /ɔ lt" nətv med(ə)sn/ noun the treating of diseases by means such as herbal medicines which are not usually used by doctors alternator / ɔ ltənetə/ noun a device which produces alternating current ① although /ɔ l ðəυ/ conj in spite of the fact that 쑗 Although it was freezing, she didn’t put a coat on. 쑗 I’ve never been into that shop although I’ve often walked past it. altimeter / ltmi tə/ noun an instrument for measuring height above sea level ③ altitude / lttju d/ noun height above sea level altitude sickness / lttju d sknəs/ noun a condition caused by lack of oxygen because of being at a high altitude, as when you are on a mountain alto / ltəυ/ noun 1. a high singing voice of a man or boy 2. a man or boy with a high voice (NOTE: The plural is altos.) ① altogether /ɔ ltə DZeðə/ adv 1. taking everything together 쑗 The food was £10 and the drinks £5, so that makes £15 altogether. 쑗 The staff of the three shops come to 200 altogether. 2. completely 쑗 He’s altogether a dent who used to attend a university or college or high school. Synonym graduate (NOTE: The plural is alumni /ə lmna/.) ① always / ɔ lwez/ adv 1. every time 쑗 She is always late for work. 쑗 Why does it always rain when we want to go for a walk? 2. all the time 쑗 It’s always hot in tropical countries. 3. frequently, especially when someone finds it annoying 쑗 She’s always asking me to lend her money. Alzheimer’s disease / ltshaməz dzi z/ noun a disease of the brain that leads to memory loss that gets worse and worse ① am /əm, m/ 쒁 be ① a.m. / e em/ adv before midday 쑗 I have to catch the 7 a.m. train to work every day. 쑗 Telephone calls made before 6 a.m. are charged at the cheap rate. (NOTE: a.m. is usually used to show the exact hour and the word o’clock is left out. The US spelling is A.M.) amalgam /ə mlDZəm/ noun a mixture, es- pecially the mixture used by dentists to fill holes in teeth amalgamate /ə mlDZəmet/ verb to combine together. Synonym merge amalgamation /əmlDZə meʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of combining together amass /ə ms/ verb to collect a lot of money, information or things. Synonym accumulate amateur / mətə, mətʃυə/ noun 1. a person who is not paid to play his or her sport 2. a person who does something because he or she likes doing it 쐽 adj 1. not paid 2. the practice of doing something for enjoyment rather than to earn money amateurish / mətərʃ/ adj not done well or in a professional way amaze /ə mez/ verb to surprise someone very much. Synonym astonish amazed /ə mezd/ adj very surprised. Synonym astonished amazement /ə mezmənt/ noun great surprise. Synonym astonishment ② amazing /ə mezŋ/ adj 1. very surprising 쑗 It was amazing that she never suspected anything. 2. extremely interesting and unusual 쑗 It was an amazing experience, sailing down the Nile. ambassador /m bsədə/ noun a person who is regarded as a representative or a symbol of something amber amber / mbə/ adj yellow-orange coloured noun 1. a yellow to dark brown substance, which can be used for making jewellery 2. an orange traffic light ambidextrous /mb dekstrəs/ adj able to use either the right or left hand equally well ambience / mbiəns/ noun the character and general feeling of a place. Synonym atmosphere ambient / mbiənt/ adj which surrounds. Synonym surrounding ③ ambiguity /mb DZju ti/ noun the fact of having two meanings. Antonym clarity (NOTE: The plural is ambiguities.) ambiguous /m bDZjuəs/ adj having two meanings and therefore not being clear. Synonym vague ambition /m bʃ(ə)n/ noun a wish to become great, rich or famous, or to do something special 쑗 His great ambition is to ride on an elephant. ambitious /m bʃəs/ adj with high aims ambivalence /m bvələns/ noun the state of not being sure about something. Synonym uncertainty ambivalent /m bvələnt/ adj not sure or decided. Synonym unsure amble / mb(ə)l/ verb to walk in a relaxed way without hurrying. Synonym stroll. Antonym dash ① ambulance / mbjυləns/ noun a van which carries sick or injured people 쑗 When she fell down the stairs, her husband called an ambulance. ambush / mbυʃ/ noun a surprise attack by people who have been hiding 쑗 The enemy lay in ambush beside the path. (NOTE: The plural is ambushes.) 쐽 verb to wait hidden and attack someone by surprise 왘 Synonym (all senses) trap ameba /ə mi bə/ noun another spelling of amoeba amelioration /əmi liə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of becoming better. Synonym improvement. Antonym deterioration amen /ɑ men, e men/ interj meaning ‘let this be so’ used at the end of Christian prayers 왍 I say amen to that I agree with that amenable /ə mi nəb(ə)l/ adj easy-going, not difficult. Synonym agreeable 왍 amenable to new ideas willing to accept new ideas ③ amend /ə mend/ verb to change for the better. Synonym alter ③ amendment /ə mendmənt/ noun 1. a change intended to make something better 2. a change to a law or proposal amends /ə mendz/ noun 왍 to make amends for something to compensate, e.g. for an injury 쐽 22 amoeba amenity /ə mi nti/ noun a feature that makes a place attractive, enjoyable or comfortable to be in ① American /ə merkən/ adj referring to the United States 쐽 noun a person from the United States American football /əmerkən fυtbɔ l/ noun a type of football played in the United States (NOTE: The US term is simply football; soccer is used in US English to refer to what is simply football in British English.) American Indian /əmerkən ndiən/ noun (dated ) a Native American 쐽 adj refer. ring to Native Americans Americanise /ə merkənaz/, Americanize verb to take on or give someone or something qualities which are associated with the United States American War of Independence /əmerkən wɔ əv nd pendəns/ noun a war from 1775 to 1786 between the American colonies and Britain, by which the colonies became independent and formed the United States amethyst / məθst/ noun a purple stone from which jewellery can be made amiable / emiəb(ə)l/ adj friendly and pleasant amicable / mkəb(ə)l/ adj done in a friendly way. Synonym friendly amicably / mkəbli/ adv in a friendly way amid /ə md/ prep in the middle of amidships /ə mdʃps/ adv in the middle of a ship amidst /ə mdst/ prep in the middle of amino acid /əmi nəυ sd/ noun one of the chemicals that combine to make protein. Humans are only able to produce some amino acids in their bodies, so others have to be absorbed from food. amiss /ə ms/ adv, adj 왍 something is amiss something is wrong, there is a problem 쑗 They checked the engine, but nothing seemed to be amiss. 왍 don’t take it amiss don’t be annoyed ammonia /ə məυniə/ noun a strong poisonous gas or liquid used in cleaning products ammunition /mjυ nʃ(ə)n/ noun objects such as bombs and bullets, which can be fired from weapons (NOTE: no plural) amnesia /m ni ziə/ noun a medical state when you forget everything amnesty / mnəsti/ noun a period during which criminals will not be punished amniotic fluid /mniɒtk flu d/ noun the liquid surrounding a baby before it is born amoeba /ə mi bə/, ameba /ə mi bə/ noun a living thing which consists of a single cell amoebic (NOTE: The plural is amoebas or amoebae /ə mi bi /.) amoebic /ə mi bk/ adj caused by an amoeba amok /ə mɒk/ adv 왍 to run amok to behave in a frighteningly uncontrolled way among /ə mŋ/ prep in addition to other people or things amoral /e mɒrəl/ adj not caring about right and wrong. Synonym unprincipled amorous / mərəs/ adj showing sexual love. Synonym ardent. Antonym dispassionate amorphous /ə mɔ fəs/ adj with no particular shape amount /ə maυnt/ noun a quantity of something such as money 쑗 The amount in my bank account has reached £1,000. 쑗 This make of car uses by far the least amount of petrol. 왍 a certain amount some 쑗 The storm did a certain amount of damage. ① amount to /ə maυnt tu / verb 1. to make a total of 2. 왍 to amount to the same thing to mean the same, to be the same 쑗 Whether he took cash or free holidays, it all amounts to the same thing. amp /mp/ noun a piece of equipment which can make sounds louder ampersand / mpəsnd/ noun a printing sign (&) meaning ‘and’ amphetamine /m fetəmi n/ noun a drug which is supposed to increase the user’s energy levels amphibian /m fbiən/ noun an animal that lives both in water and on land amphibious /m fbiəs/ adj living both in water and on land amphitheatre / mfθətə/ noun 1. a circular Greek or Roman theatre 2. a semi-circular lecture hall (NOTE: [all senses] ① 23 analogous amused themselves quietly while their parents talked. amused /ə mju zd/ adj thinking that something is funny. Antonym annoyed 왍 to keep someone amused to keep someone interested and happy 쑗 This jigsaw will keep the children amused for hours. amusement /ə mju zmənt/ noun 1. pleasure 2. 왍 to someone’s amusement making someone laugh 쑗 Much to her amusement, the band played ‘Happy Birthday to you!’ amusement arcade /ə mju zmənt ɑ ked/ noun a place with machines for playing games amusement park /ə mju zmənt pɑ k/ noun an open-air park with various types of entertainment. Synonym funfair amusing /ə mju zŋ/ adj funny. Synonym entertaining ① an /ən, n/ 쒁 a anachronism /ə nkrənz(ə)m/ noun a thing which is out of date and does not belong to the present time. Synonym relic anachronistic /ənkrə nstk/ adj not fitting the period when a play or film is supposed to take place. Antonym contemporary anaconda /nə kɒndə/ noun a large snake from South America, which winds itself round its food before eating it anaemia /ə ni miə/ noun a condition where the level of red blood cells is less than normal (NOTE: The US spelling is anemia.) anaemic /ə ni mk/ adj 1. having anaemia 2. looking weak and pale (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is anemic.) anaerobic /nə rəυbk/ adj not needing oxygen to exist. Antonym aerobic anaesthesia /nəs θi ziə/ noun the loss of feeling after being given an anaesthetic (NOTE: The US spelling is anesthesia.) The US spelling is amphitheater.) ample / mpəl/ adj large enough. Synonym enough, sufficient. Antonym insufficient amplification /mplf keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of making a sound louder 2. a anaesthetic /nəs θetk/ noun a sub- more detailed explanation amplifier / mplfaə/ noun a piece of equipment which makes sound louder amplify / mplfa/ verb 1. to make a sound louder 2. to explain something in more detail amputate / mpjυtet/ verb to cut off an arm, leg, finger or toe amputation /mpjυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun cutting off an arm, leg, finger or toe amuse /ə mju z/ verb 1. to make someone laugh 2. to make the time pass pleasantly 왍 to amuse yourself to play or get pleasure from what you are doing 쑗 The children tize verb to give a patient an anaesthetic (NOTE: The US spelling is anesthetize.) anaesthetist /ə ni sθətst/ noun a person stance given to a patient to remove feeling, so that he or she can have an operation without feeling pain (NOTE: The US spelling is anesthetic.) anaesthetise /ə ni sθətaz/, anaesthe- whose job is to give patients anaesthetics (NOTE: The US term is anesthesiologist.) anagram / nəDZrm/ noun a word or phrase containing the letters of another word or phrase in a different order, e.g. ‘Cathy’ is an anagram of ‘yacht’ anal / en(ə)l/ adj referring to the anus analgesic /nl dȢi zk/ adj killing pain 쐽 noun a painkilling drug. Synonym painkiller analogous /ə nləDZəs/ adj similar. Antonym different analogy ③ analogy /ə nlədȢi/ noun a similarity between two things. Antonym contrast 왍 to draw an analogy between to show how two things are similar 쑗 He drew an analogy between raising children and growing plants. analyse / nəlaz/, analyze verb to examine closely and scientifically ① analysis /ə nləss/ noun a close examination of the parts or elements of something 쑗 job analysis 쑗 to make an analysis of the sales or a sales analysis 쑗 to carry out an analysis of the market potential (NOTE: The plural is analyses /ə nlsi z/.) analyst / nəlst/ noun 1. a person who carries out analyses 2. a doctor who is trained in psychoanalysis analytical /nə ltk(ə)l/ adj examining something in detail anarchic /ə nɑ kk/, anarchical /ənɑ kkl/ adj without any law or order anarchist / nəkst/ noun a person who tries to destroy a government by violent means, without planning to replace it in any way. Synonym revolutionary anarchy / nəki/ noun a lack of law and order, because the government has lost control or because there is no government (NOTE: no plural) anathema /ə nθəmə/ noun a thing which you dislike very much 왍 it’s anathema to her she dislikes it very much 쑗 His way of teaching is anathema to the older teachers. anatomical /nə tɒmk(ə)l/ adj referring to the structure of the body anatomy /ə ntəmi/ noun 1. the structure of the body or of part of the body 2. a detailed examination (NOTE: plural in sense 1 and 2 is anatomies) 3. the study of the structure of the body 4. your own body ancestor / nsestə/ noun a member of a family who has been dead for a long time ancestral /n sestrəl/ adj referring to a family over many generations ancestry / nsestri/ noun your family going back over a long period. Synonym lineage 왍 she is of French ancestry originally her family came from France anchor / ŋkə/ noun a large metal hook which holds a ship in place 왍 to drop anchor to let an anchor fall to the bottom of the sea to hold a ship steady 쑗 The ship dropped anchor in the bay. 쐽 verb 1. (of a ship) to drop an anchor to stay in the same place 2. to hold something firmly in position anchorman / ŋkəmn/ noun the main presenter on a TV news show. Synonym newsreader anchovy / ntʃəvi, n tʃəυvi/ noun a small, very salty fish (NOTE: The plural is anchovies.) 24 Anglican ancient / enʃənt/ adj very old 쑗 She’s studying ancient history. 쑗 He was riding an ancient bicycle. ancillary workers /n sləri w" kəz/ plural noun staff such as cleaners or classroom helpers who work with professional people in hospitals or schools ① and /ən, ənd, nd/ conj used to join two words or phrases 쑗 All my uncles and aunts live in the country. 쑗 The children were running about and singing. 쑗 Come and sit down next to me. (NOTE: and is used to say numbers after 100: seven hundred and two (702).) andante /n dnti/ adv, adj (in music) played fairly slowly anecdotal /nk dəυt(ə)l/ adj coming from stories of individual people. Synonym subjective. Antonym objective anecdotal evidence /nkdəυt(ə)l evd(ə)ns/ noun evidence which comes in the form of stories told by individual people anecdote / nkdəυt/ noun a usually humorous story based on something which has taken place anemone /ə neməni/ noun a small flower anew /ə nju / adv again (formal ) angel / endȢəl/ noun 1. a heavenly being 2. a sweet, kind person 3. a person who provides money for a theatre production angelic /n dȢelk/ adj 1. very beautiful 2. appearing to be kind and good. Synonym angelic. Antonym wicked ③ anger / ŋDZə/ noun the feeling of being very annoyed 쑗 I felt no anger, only great disappointment. Synonym annoyance. Antonym calmness 쐽 verb to make someone annoyed 쑗 Her lateness angered him. Synonym annoy. Antonym pacify angina /n dȢanə/ noun severe pains in the centre of the chest, caused by not enough blood being supplied to the heart muscles ③ angle / ŋDZəl/ noun 1. a corner between two lines 쑗 She planted the tree in the angle of the two walls. 왍 at an angle to not straight or upright in relation to 쑗 The bookcase is at an angle to the wall. 2. a point of view 쑗 What’s the government’s angle on the story? angle bracket /ŋDZəl brkt/ noun a printed symbol < or >, used around text, especially in instructions for a computer angle for / ŋDZəl fɔ / verb to try to get something 왍 he was just angling for compliments he was trying to get someone to say nice things about him angler / ŋDZlə/ noun a person who goes fishing for pleasure Anglican / ŋDZlkən/ adj referring to the Anglican Church 쐽 noun a member of the Anglican Church ② . Anglican Church 25 annul Anglican Church / ŋDZlkən tʃ" tʃ/ annihilation /ənaə leʃ(ə)n/ noun total noun the Protestant church which is the official religion of England, with the Queen as its head, and other similar churches in other countries. Also called Church of England angling / ŋDZlŋ/ noun the sport of catching fish with a rod Anglo- /ŋDZləυ/ prefix English, between England and another country angrily / ŋDZrli/ adv in an angry way ① angry / ŋDZri/ adj upset and annoyed, and sometimes wanting to harm someone 쑗 When the cashier still hadn’t arrived at midday the boss got angrier. 쑗 The shopkeeper is angry with the children because they broke his window. 쑗 He gets angry if the post is late. 쑗 I am angry that the government is doing nothing to prevent crime. Synonym annoyed. Antonym calm (NOTE: angrier – angriest) angst /ŋst/ noun great worry about life. Synonym anguish. Antonym happiness anguish / ŋDZwʃ/ noun great mental suffering. Synonym suffering. Antonym contentment (NOTE: no plural) anguished / ŋDZwʃt/ adj showing or feeling great suffering. Antonym content angular / ŋDZjυlə/ adj 1. with sharp corners 2. with sharp-looking bones ① animal / nm(ə)l/ noun a living thing that moves independently 쑗 I love animals about the house – we have two dogs and three cats as pets. 쑗 The football crowd behaved like animals. (NOTE: animal may include humans in scientific contexts.) 쐽 adj referring to animals 쑗 the fans’ animal behaviour animated / nmetd/ adj full of life and energy. Synonym energetic animation /n meʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. being lively 2. the process of making animated films animosity /n mɒsti/ noun a strong feeling of dislike towards someone ankle / ŋkəl/ noun the part of the body where your leg joins your foot ankle sock / ŋkəl sɒk/ noun one of a pair of short socks annex /ə neks/ verb to take possession of land which belongs to another state. Antonym cede annexation /nek seʃ(ə)n/ noun attaching one country to another annexe / neks/ noun 1. a less important building attached to another building 2. a document attached to another document (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is annex.) annihilate /ə naəlet/ verb to destroy something completely destruction. Antonym protection anniversary /n v" s(ə)ri/ noun the same date as an important event that happened in the past annotate / nətet/ verb to add notes to a text. Synonym gloss annotation /nə teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of adding notes to a text 2. a note added to a text ① announce /ə naυns/ verb to say officially or in public 쑗 He announced his resignation. 쑗 She announced that she would be standing for parliament. Synonym proclaim ① announcement /ə naυnsmənt/ noun a statement made in public 쑗 The managing director made an announcement to the staff. 쑗 There were several loudspeaker announcements concerning flight changes. announcer /ə naυnsə/ noun a person who reads the news or announces programmes on radio or TV. Synonym presenter ③ annoy /ə nɔ/ verb to make someone feel angry or impatient. Synonym irritate. Antonym please annoyance /ə nɔəns/ noun a feeling of being annoyed. Synonym irritation. Antonym pleasure 왍 to someone’s annoyance so that someone is annoyed 쑗 I took both sets of keys home with me, much to his annoyance. ① annoyed /ə nɔd/ adj slightly angry or impatient 쑗 He was annoyed with his neighbour who had cut down one of his trees. 쑗 I was annoyed to find someone had stolen my mobile phone. 쑗 We came back from holiday to find some very annoyed letters from the gas company. Antonym pleased ① annoying /ə nɔŋ/ adj making you angry 쑗 I find it very annoying that the post doesn’t come before 10 o’clock. 쑗 How annoying! I’ve got to go back to the shop because I forgot to buy some milk. 쑗 The baby has an annoying cough which won’t go away. Synonym maddening. Antonym ① pleasing ② annual / njuəl/ adj happening once a year 쑗 The village fair is an annual event. 쑗 I get annual interest of 6% on my savings account. Synonym yearly 쐽 noun 1. a plant which grows from a seed and produces its flowers and dies, all in the same year 쑗 We will put tall plants at the back of the flowerbed and annuals in front. 2. a book which is published each year 쑗 the Beano annual annually / njuəli/ adv every year annuity /ə nju ti/ noun an amount of money paid to someone each year. Synonym pension (NOTE: The plural is annuities.) annul /ə nl/ verb 1. to stop something having a legal effect 2. to end a marriage by stat- annulment 26 ing that it is not legal (NOTE: annulling – annulled) annulment /ə nlmənt/ noun the ending of a marriage or a contract by stating that it does not exist anode / nəυd/ noun a positive terminal on a piece of electrical equipment anoint /ə nɔnt/ verb to put oil onto a person as part of a religious ceremony anomaly /ə nɒməli/ noun an unusual thing. Synonym irregularity (NOTE: The plural is anomalies.) anon /ə nɒn/ abbr anonymous anonymity /nə nmti/ noun the hiding of your real name anonymous /ə nɒnməs/ adj without stating a name anorak / nərk/ noun 1. a warm waterproof jacket, sometimes with a hood (NOTE: The US term is windbreaker or parka.) 2. someone who is too interested in a particular subject, especially one that seems unfashionable or dull to other people (informal ) anorexia /nə reksiə/ noun a condition caused by an extreme fear of becoming fat and marked by ill health as a result of not eating enough anorexic /nə reksk/ adj referring to or affected by anorexia ① another adj, pron 1. one more 쑗 I’d like another one of those cakes, please. 쑗 Would you like another drink? 2. a different one 쑗 He’s bought another car. 쑗 She tried on one dress after another, but couldn’t find anything she liked. 쏡 each other, one another ① answer / ɑ nsə/ noun a reply, letter or conversation after someone has written or spoken to you, asking you a question 쑗 I phoned his office but there was no answer. 쑗 Have you had an answer to your letter yet? 왍 in answer to as a reply to 쑗 I am writing in answer to your letter of October 6th. 쐽 verb 1. to reply, to speak or write words to someone who has spoken to you or asked you a question 쑗 He never answers my letters. 쑗 When he asked us if we had enjoyed the meal we all answered ‘yes’. 2. 왍 to answer the phone to speak and listen to a telephone caller 쑗 When I called, it was his secretary who answered the phone. 왍 to answer the door to open the door when someone knocks or rings 쑗 He jumped out of the shower and answered the door dripping wet with a towel round his waist. answerable / ɑ ns(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj 왍 to be answerable to someone for something to be responsible to someone for your actions 쑗 The manager is answerable to the directors for the smooth running of the office. answer back /ɑ nsə bk/ verb to speak to someone in a rude way. Synonym retort . anthropologist answerphone / ɑ nsəfəυn/ noun a machine which answers the telephone automatically when someone is not in the office or at home, and allows messages to be recorded ant /nt/ noun a small insect that lives in large groups antagonise /n tDZənaz/, antagonize verb to make someone feel angry or impatient. Synonym provoke. Antonym mollify antagonism /n tDZənz(ə)m/ noun a strong feeling of dislike towards someone antagonistic /ntDZə nstk/ adj disliking someone very much. Synonym aggressive. Antonym friendly 왍 antagonistic to or towards something very much against something 쑗 The demonstrations against fox-hunting just show how antagonistic these people are to the idea. 쑗 You would never believe how antagonistic she was towards my plan. antarctic /n tɑ ktk/ adj referring to the area round the South Pole 쐽 noun 왍 the Antarctic the area round the South Pole ante- /nti/ prefix before antecedent /nt si d(ə)nt/ noun something that existed earlier but is similar to what exists now antedate /nt det/ verb 1. to put an earlier date on a cheque 2. to happen or exist earlier than something else antelope / ntləυp/ noun an African deer which can run very fast (NOTE: usually no plural: a herd of antelope) antenatal /nti net(ə)l/ adj before birth antenna /n tenə/ noun 1. a tube on the head of an insect, used to feel things (NOTE: The plural is antennae /n teni /.) 2. a person’s ability to know something without being told (NOTE: The plural is antennae /n teni /.) 3. a piece of equipment for receiving radio or TV signals (NOTE: The plural is antennae /n teni /. Note that British ① English also uses aerial.) anthem / nθəm/ noun a song for a group of singers anther / nθə/ noun the part of a flower that carries pollen anthology /n θɒlədȢi/ noun a collection of stories or poems (NOTE: The plural is anthologies.) anthrax / nθrks/ noun a serious disease of cows and sheep, which can be caught by people anthropoid / nθrəpɔd/ noun an ape which is like a human 쐽 adj similar to a human anthropological /nθrəpə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to the study of people and their cultures anthropologist /nθrə pɒlədȢst/ noun a scientist who studies people and culture anthropology anthropology /nθrə pɒlədȢi/ noun the study of people and culture (NOTE: no plural) anti- /nti/ prefix against antibiotic /ntiba ɒtk/ adj killing bacteria 쑗 She’s taking a new antibiotic drug. 쐽 noun a substance which kills bacteria ③ antibody / ntbɒdi/ noun a natural substance produced by the body to fight disease (NOTE: The plural is antibodies.) ③ anticipate /n tspet/ verb 1. to act because you see something is about to happen 2. to expect something to happen ③ anticipation /nts peʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. excitement because you expect that something will happen 2. 왍 in anticipation of because you expect something to happen 쑗 We closed our shop in anticipation of riots after the football match. anticlimax /nti klamks/ noun a feeling of disappointment when something does not turn out as expected. Synonym letdown. Antonym climax (NOTE: The plural is anticlimaxes.) anticlockwise /nti klɒkwaz/ adv, adj in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock 쑗 an anticlockwise movement 쑗 He was driving anticlockwise round the ring road when the accident took place. (NOTE: The US term is counterclockwise. The opposite is clockwise.) antics / ntks/ plural noun funny or silly behaviour 쑗 the antics of the clowns in the circus 쑗 The students’ antics cost them their places at university. anticyclone /nti sakləυn/ noun an area of high pressure usually associated with fine dry weather in summer and fog in winter. Compare cyclone antidepressant /ntid pres(ə)nt/ noun a drug that is used to treat a person suffering from depression antidote / ntdəυt/ noun 1. a substance which balances the effect of a poison 2. something which balances a bad influence antifreeze / ntifri z/ noun a liquid put in the engine of a car to prevent it from freezing in cold weather antigen / ntdȢən/ noun a substance which produces antibodies antihistamine /nti hstəmi n/ noun a drug which controls the effects of an allergy antipathy /n tpəθi/ noun strong dislike (NOTE: no plural) antipodean /ntpə di ən/ adj referring to or coming from Australia or New Zealand antiquated / ntkwetd/ adj very old and out-of-date. Antonym modern antique /n ti k/ adj old and valuable 쑗 an antique Chinese vase 쐽 noun a valuable old object 27 any antiquities /n tkwti z/ plural noun old objects from ancient times antiquity /n tkwti/ noun ancient times 왍 lost in the mists of antiquity very, very old 쑗 The source of the drama is lost in the mists of antiquity. anti-Semitic /nti sə mtk/ adj showing hate towards Jewish people ③ antiseptic /nt septk/ adj preventing infection from bacteria 쑗 an antiseptic dressing 쑗 She gargled with an antiseptic mouthwash. 쐽 noun a substance which prevents infections from developing or spreading antisocial /nti səυʃ(ə)l/ adj unfriendly, not wanting to meet other people 왍 antisocial hours work outside the normal hours of work 쑗 In this job, you may have to work antisocial hours. antisocial behaviour /ntisəυʃ(ə)l bhevjə/ noun bad or unpleasant behaviour in public antithesis /n tθəss/ noun the exact opposite of something. Antonym epitome (NOTE: The plural is antitheses /ntθəsi z/.) antlers / ntləz/ plural noun the horns of a deer 쑗 Deer grow new antlers each summer and then shed them in the winter. antonym / ntənm/ noun a word which means the opposite of another word. Antonym synonym anus / enəs/ noun the opening at the end of the rectum, through which solid waste matter passes from the body (NOTE: The plural is anuses.) anvil / nvl/ noun 1. a block on which pieces of hot metal can be placed to shape them 2. one of the three little bones in the middle ear ③ anxiety /ŋ zaəti/ noun 1. nervous worry about something 2. the state of being keen to do something ③ anxious / ŋkʃəs/ adj 1. nervous and very worried about something 쑗 She’s anxious about the baby. 2. keen to do something 쑗 The shopkeeper is always anxious to please his customers. ① anxiously / ŋkʃəsli/ adv in a nervous worried way ① any / eni/ adj, pron 1. it doesn’t matter which 쑗 I’m free any day next week except Tuesday. 쑗 I don’t like any of the paintings in the exhibition. 2. a quantity 쑗 Have you any money left? 쑗 Is there any food for me? 쑗 Would you like any more to eat? 쑗 Will any of your friends be there? 3. 왍 not…any none 쑗 There isn’t any food left – they’ve eaten it all. 쑗 Can you lend me some money? – sorry, I haven’t got any. 쐽 adv 왍 not…any not even a little more (used to emphasise comparatives) 쑗 He can’t cycle any faster. 쑗 anybody 28 She’s been in hospital for two weeks and isn’t any better. 쑗 Can’t you sing any louder? ① anybody / enibɒdi/ pron same as anyone anyhow / enihaυ/ adv 1. in a careless way 2. same as anyway ③ any more /en mɔ /, anymore adv 왍 not … any more no longer 쑗 We don’t go there any more. anyone / eniwn/ pron any person at all 왍 anyone else any other person 쑗 Is there anyone else who can’t see the screen? 왍 we didn’t meet anyone we knew we met no one we knew 왍 hardly anyone came to the meeting very few people came to the meeting ③ anyplace / enples/ adv US same as anywhere (informal ) ① anything / eniθŋ/ pron 1. it does not matter what 쑗 You can eat anything you want. 쑗 Our dog will bite anything that moves. 2. (in questions, negatives) something 쑗 Did you do anything interesting at the weekend? 쑗 Did you hear anything make a noise during the night? 쑗 Has anything happened to their plans for a long holiday? 쑗 Do you want anything more to drink? 왍 he didn’t eat anything he ate nothing 3. a particular thing 왍 hardly anything almost nothing 쑗 Hardly anything was saved from the wreck. 4. 왍 like anything very strongly 왍 it’s raining like anything it’s pouring down with rain 왍 anything else any other thing 쑗 Do you want anything else to drink? 쑗 Is there anything else you would like to know about? 쑗 She must have a doll which closes its eyes – anything else won’t do. ① anyway / eniwe/ adv in any case 쑗 I’m not supposed to drink during the daytime, but I’ll have a beer anyway. 쑗 I think it’s time to leave – anyway, the last bus is at 11.40. Synonym anyhow ① anywhere / eniweə/ adv 1. it does not matter where 쑗 put the chair anywhere 2. (in questions, negatives) somewhere 쑗 I can’t see your wallet anywhere. 쑗 Did you go anywhere at the weekend? 쑗 Is there anywhere where I can sit down? (NOTE: Another US ① . term is anyplace.) aorta /e ɔ tə/ noun the large artery which takes blood away from the left side of the heart and carries it to other arteries ① apart /ə pɑ t/ adv 1. separated 쑗 The two churches are about six miles apart. 2. not together 쑗 They were married but now they’re living apart. 3. in separate pieces 쑗 He took the watch apart. 왍 the watch came apart the watch opened into pieces 4. 왍 to tell something, someone apart to realise how two things or people are different 쑗 The twins are very alike – can you tell them apart? apostrophe apartheid /ə pɑ thet/ noun a policy in the past in South Africa of separating black people from the white population ② apartment /ə pɑ tmənt/ noun a separate set of rooms for living in 쑗 She has an apartment in downtown New York. apathetic /pə θetk/ adj not caring about anything, not interested in anything. Synonym indifferent. Antonym enthusiastic apathy / pəθi/ noun not having any interest in anything. Synonym indifference (NOTE: no plural) ape /ep/ noun a large monkey 쐽 verb to copy someone else’s behaviour 쑗 The younger children often ape the behaviour of their older brothers and sisters. Synonym imitate aperture / pətʃə/ noun 1. a little hole 2. the opening in front of a camera lens, which can be made larger or smaller apex / epeks/ noun the top or highest part of a pointed shape. Synonym top (NOTE: The plural is apexes.) aphid / efd/, aphis / efs, fs/ noun a small insect which sucks liquids from plants and can multiply very quickly aphorism / fərz(ə)m/ noun a short saying which is full of truth. Synonym saying aphrodisiac /frə dzik/ noun a substance which makes people want to have sex 쐽 adj making people want to have sex apiece /ə pi s/ adv each aplomb /ə plɒm/ noun a calm and self-confident attitude. Synonym assurance Apocalypse /ə pɒkəlps/ noun 1. the last book of the New Testament 2. the end of the world apocalyptic /əpɒkə lptk/ adj warning about the end of the world apocryphal /ə pɒkrəf(ə)l/ adj famous, but probably not true. Synonym mythical apologetic /əpɒlə dȢetk/ adj showing that you are sorry for something. Synonym sorry. Antonym unrepentant apologetically /əpɒlə dȢetkli/ adv in an apologetic way ② apologise /ə pɒlədȢaz/, apologize verb to say you are sorry 쑗 He shouted at her and then apologised. 쑗 She apologised for being late. 쑗 Did you apologise to your mother for what you said? ② apology /ə pɒlədȢi/ noun an act of saying ‘sorry’ (NOTE: The plural is apologies.) apostrophe /ə pɒstrəfi/ noun a printing sign (’), either showing that a letter has been left out or to show possession COMMENT: An apostrophe either shows that a letter has been left out (weren’t) or is used with ‘s’ to show possession: before an ‘s’ with singular words, after the ‘s’ with plural words (a boy’s coat, the girls’ team). appal 29 appal /ə pɔ l/ verb , to shock or offend someone very much (NOTE: The US spelling is appall.) appalled /ə pɔ ld/ adj very shocked. Synonym horrified. Antonym delighted appalling /ə pɔ lŋ/ adj horrible, shocking apparatus /pə retəs/ noun scientific or medical equipment apparel /ə prəl/ noun clothes (literary ). Synonym clothing ② apparent /ə prənt/ adj obvious, seeming to be 쑗 It was apparent to everyone that there had been an accident. 쑗 There is an apparent mistake in the accounts. ① apparently /ə prəntli/ adv as it seems 쑗 Apparently she took the last train home and then disappeared. 쑗 He didn’t come to work today – apparently he’s got a cold. apparition /pə rʃ(ə)n/ noun something which you think you see. Synonym ghost ① appeal /ə pi l/ noun 1. an act of asking for help 쑗 The police have made an appeal for witnesses. 쑗 The hospital is launching an appeal to raise £50,000. 2. a legal request to look at a decision again to see if it was correct 쑗 His appeal was rejected. 쑗 The verdict was overturned on appeal. 3. an attractive quality 쑗 the appeal of Greece as a holiday destination 왍 sex appeal being sexually attractive 쐽 verb 왍 to appeal for to ask for 쑗 They appealed for money to continue their work. Appeal Court /ə pi l kɔ t/ noun a court to which a person may go to ask for a decision or a sentence to be changed appealing /ə pi lŋ/ adj attractive. Antonym repulsive ① appear /ə pə/ verb 1. to start to be seen 쑗 A ship appeared through the fog. 2. to seem 쑗 There appears to be a mistake. 쑗 He appears to have forgotten the time. 쑗 She appeared rather cross. 3. to come to a law court 쑗 Mr Wilson appeared for the defence. 쑗 He appeared in court, charged with murder. ① appearance /ə pərəns/ noun 1. look 쑗 You could tell from his appearance that he had been sleeping rough. 2. the state of being present 쑗 This is her second appearance in a film. 왍 to put in an appearance to come to a place where other people are ① appearances /ə pi ərənsz/ plural noun looks 왍 to keep up appearances to try to show that you are still as rich or important as you were before appease /ə pi z/ verb 1. to try to improve something bad or uncomfortable 2. to give in to another country in the hope that they will not start a war appeasement /ə pi zmənt/ noun a policy of avoiding war by giving in to another coun. applied science try’s wishes. Synonym conciliation. Antonym provocation appellant /ə pelənt/ noun a person who makes a legal appeal appendage /ə penddȢ/ noun a thing that is attached appendicitis /əpend sats/ noun an illness that affects the appendix ③ appendix /ə pendks/ noun 1. a small part inside the body which has no real purpose but can become infected, causing appendicitis (NOTE: The plural is appendixes.) 2. a section at the back of a book, containing additional information (NOTE: The plural is appendices /ə pendsi z/.) appetiser / ptazə/ noun a small amount of food before a main meal appetising / ptazŋ/, appetizing adj looking or smelling good and making you want to eat. Antonym unappetising appetite / ptat/ noun 1. a need or wish to eat 쑗 Going for a long walk has given me an appetite. 쑗 He’s not feeling well and has lost his appetite. 왍 a good appetite an interest in eating food 쑗 The baby has a good appetite. 왍 poor appetite a lack of interest in eating food 2. a strong wish to do something 쑗 She has an appetite for hard work. applaud /ə plɔ d/ verb to clap to show that you like something applause /ə plɔ z/ noun the act of clapping ① apple / p(ə)l/ noun 1. a common hard round sweet fruit, growing on a tree 쑗 Don’t eat apples that are not ripe – they’ll make you ill. 2. same as apple tree apple pie /p(ə)l pa/ noun a pie made with apples and sugar apple tree / p(ə)l tri / noun a tree which apples grow on appliance /ə plaəns/ noun 1. a machine such as a washing machine or cooker used in the home 2. a fire engine applicable /ə plkəb(ə)l/ adj able to be applied in particular cases. Synonym appropriate applicant / plkənt/ noun a person who applies for something. Synonym candidate ① application /pl keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of putting medicine on 쑗 Several applications of the cream will be necessary. 왍 for external application only to be used on the skin only 2. the process or act of applying for a job 쑗 He wrote a letter of application. 쑗 We’ve received dozens of applications for the job of barman. 3. hard work ③ application form /pl keʃ(ə)n fɔ m/ noun a form which has to be filled in to apply for something applied science /əplad saəns/ noun a science which is put to practical use apply 30 ① apply /ə pla/ verb 1. 왍 to apply for a job to ask for a job 쑗 She applied for a job in the supermarket. 쑗 He’s applying for a job as a teacher. 2. to put on 쑗 Wait until the first coat of paint is dry before you apply the second. 3. 왍 to apply to to affect or to be relevant to 쑗 This rule only applies to people coming from outside the EU. ① appoint /ə pɔnt/ verb to give someone a job 쑗 He was appointed (as) manager or to the post of manager. 쑗 We want to appoint someone to manage our sales department. (NOTE: You appoint a person to a job.) ① appointment /ə pɔntmənt/ noun 1. the process of being given a job 왍 on her appointment as manager when she was made manager 쑗 She had a rise on her appointment as manager. 2. an agreed time for a meeting 쑗 I want to make an appointment to see the doctor. 쑗 She was late for her appointment. 쑗 I have an appointment with the manager. apposite / pəzt/ adj fitting or suitable. Synonym appropriate. Antonym inappropriate apposition /pə zʃ(ə)n/ noun the prac- tice of putting a word next to another 왍 in apposition (of a noun) used as an adjective to describe another noun ③ appraisal /ə prez(ə)l/ noun a report on the value of someone or something. Synonym assessment appraise /ə prez/ verb to judge how well someone or something is working. Synonym assess appreciable /ə pri ʃəb(ə)l/ adj able to be felt or noticed. Synonym considerable. Antonym insignificant appreciably /ə pri ʃəbli/ adv in a way which can be felt or noticed ① appreciate /ə pri ʃiet/ verb 1. to recognise the value of 쑗 Shoppers always appreciate a bargain. 쑗 Customers don’t appreciate having to wait to be served. 2. to increase in value 쑗 The pound appreciated against the euro. appreciation /əpri ʃi eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. showing that you recognise the value of something 2. an increase in value appreciative /ə pri ʃətv/ adj 1. being very grateful 2. showing enjoyment apprehend /pr hend/ verb to arrest a criminal (formal ). Synonym catch. Antonym . release apprehension /pr henʃən/ noun 1. a worry about what is going to happen. Compare misapprehension 2. the act of arresting someone apprehensive /pr hensv/ adj worried about the future. Synonym uneasy. Antonym confident approximate apprentice /ə prents/ noun a young person who works under contract with a skilled person to learn from them. Synonym trainee 쐽 verb 왍 to be apprenticed to someone to have a contract to work with and learn from a skilled worker 쑗 He has been apprenticed to one of the best printers in the country. apprenticeship /ə prentsʃp/ noun 1. the contract of an apprentice 2. time spent as an apprentice ② approach /ə prəυtʃ/ noun 1. the act of coming nearer 쑗 With the approach of winter we need to get the central heating serviced. 2. a way which leads to 쑗 The approaches to the city were crowded with coaches. 3. a way of dealing with a situation 쑗 His approach to the question was different from hers. 4. a proposal 쑗 He made approaches to her to leave her job and come to work for him. (NOTE: The plural is approaches.) 쐽 verb 1. to come near 쑗 The plane was approaching London airport when the lights went out. 2. to deal with a problem 쑗 She approached the question in an entirely new way. 3. to make a proposal 쑗 Our company was approached with a takeover bid. 쑗 He approached his bank with a request for a loan. approachable /ə prəυtʃəb(ə)l/ adj easy to talk to approaching /ə prəυtʃŋ/ adj coming nearer. Synonym imminent approach road /ə prəυtʃ rəυd/ noun a road leading to a main road ① appropriate adj /ə prəυpriət/ suitable 쑗 That short skirt is not really appropriate for gardening. 쑗 We leave it to you to take appropriate action. Antonym inappropriate 쐽 verb /ə prəυpriet/ 1. to take property 2. to keep an amount of money for a special purpose 쑗 They appropriated £100,000 to the reserve fund. ② approval /ə pru v(ə)l/ noun 1. the act of agreeing 쑗 The committee gave their approval to the scheme. 쑗 Does the choice of colour have your approval or meet with your approval? 2. 왍 on approval taken by a customer to use and see if he or she likes it 쑗 The shop let us have the photocopier for two weeks on approval. ② approve /ə pru v/ verb 1. 왍 to approve of to think something is good 쑗 He doesn’t approve of loud music. 2. to agree to something officially 쑗 The committee approved the scheme. approving /ə pru vŋ/ adj showing agreement approvingly /ə pru vŋli/ adv showing agreement approximate adj /ə prɒksmət/ more or less correct. Antonym exact 쐽 verb /əprɒksmet/ to be nearly correct 쑗 The cost approximately of the sports stadium will approximate to two million pounds. ① approximately /ə prɒksmətli/ adv nearly, but not exactly 쑗 It takes approximately 35 minutes to get to central London from here. approximation /əprɒks meʃ(ə)n/ noun a calculation which is not exact. Synonym estimate apricot / eprkɒt/ noun a fruit with yellow flesh and a hard stone ① April / eprəl/ noun the fourth month of the year, the month after March and before May 쑗 Her birthday is in April. 쑗 We went on holiday last April. 쑗 Today is April 5th. (NOTE: April 5th or April 5: say ‘the fifth of April’ or ‘April the fifth’ or in US English ‘April fifth’.) April fool /eprəl fu l/ noun a person who is tricked on April 1st ① April Fools’ Day /eprəl fu lz de/ noun April 1st, a day when you play tricks on people apron / eprən/ noun 1. a cloth worn over your clothes when cooking 2. (at an airport) a piece of ground on which planes can be parked apt /pt/ adj 1. fitting well 2. 왍 apt to tending to 쑗 Our old car was apt to break down on motorways. aptitude / pttju d/ noun a natural ability for doing something 왍 aptitude test test of someone’s ability 쑗 Twenty young people will take the aptitude test this month. aqualung / kwəlŋ/ noun equipment for holding oxygen, which a person carries when swimming under water aquamarine /kwəmə ri n/ adj dark blue-green 쐽 noun a semi-precious blue stone aquarium /ə kweəriəm/ noun 1. a tank for keeping tropical fish 2. a building with an exhibition of fish Aquarius /ə kweəriəs/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like a person carrying water, covering the period 20th January to 18th February aquatic /ə kwtk/ adj 1. living in water, not on land (NOTE: Animals and plants that live on land are terrestrial.) 2. taking place in water aqueduct / kwdkt/ noun a high bridge carrying water over a valley aquifer / kwfə/ noun a layer of rock in which water gathers Arab / rəb/ adj referring to the countries of the Middle East where Arabic is the language 쑗 Foreign Ministers of the Arab countries have met in Jordan. 쐽 noun a person who speaks Arabic and who comes from one of the countries in the Middle East 31 archetypal Arabic / rəbk/ noun the language spoken by Arabs Arabic numeral /rəbk nju mərəl/ noun one of the set of written symbols such as 2, 3 or 6 used to represent numbers. Compare Roman numeral arable / rəb(ə)l/ adj referring to the growing of crops arachnid /ə rknd/ noun a type of animal with eight legs, e.g. a spider arbiter / ɑ btə/ noun a person who decides what is fashionable arbitrarily / ɑ btrərli, ɑ b treərli/ adv not according to a plan or system arbitrary / ɑ btrəri/ adj done without any reason. Synonym random. Antonym systematic arbitrate / ɑ btret/ verb 왍 to arbitrate in a dispute to act as an official judge in an argument 쑗 He has been asked to arbitrate in the dispute between the company and the union. arbitration /ɑ b treʃ(ə)n/ noun the settling of an argument by an official judge, accepted by both sides ③ arc /ɑ k/ noun 1. a curve, like part of a circle 2. a bright electric spark between two points. 쏡 arc-lamp (NOTE: Do not confuse with ark.) arcade /ɑ ked/ noun a covered area for walking around a square or an area of shops arcane /ɑ ken/ adj mysterious and secret ③ arch /ɑ tʃ/ noun 1. a round structure forming a roof or doorway 왍 Norman arch an arch in the shape of a half-circle 2. the rounded part under the foot (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is arches.) 쐽 verb to make something round like an arch. Synonym curve. Antonym straighten archaeological /ɑ kiə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to archaeology ③ archaeologist /ɑ ki ɒlədȢst/ noun a person who studies or is a specialist in archaeology ③ archaeology /ɑ ki ɒlədȢi/ noun the digging up of buried remains of buildings to study ancient civilisations archaic /ɑ kek/ adj 1. dating from ancient times 2. old-fashioned archangel / ɑ kendȢəl/ noun the highest rank of angel in heaven archbishop /ɑ tʃ bʃəp/ noun a bishop holding the highest rank arched /ɑ tʃt/ adj made with an arch. Synonym curved archer / ɑ tʃə/ noun a person who shoots with a bow and arrows archery / ɑ tʃəri/ noun the sport of shooting arrows at targets archetypal /ɑ k tap(ə)l/ adj very typical ③ archetype archetype / ɑ ktap/ noun a typical example of something archipelago /ɑ k peləDZəυ/ noun a group of islands (NOTE: The plural is archipelagos.) architect / ɑ ktekt/ noun a person who designs buildings architectural /ɑ k tektʃ(ə)rəl/ adj referring to architecture ③ architecture / ɑ ktektʃə/ noun the design of buildings archive / ɑ kav/ noun 1. an organised collection of documents 2. a place where archives are kept 3. a copy of computer files stored on tape or disk 4. a computer file containing other files 5. a directory of files that Internet users can access 쐽 verb 1. to put a document in an archive 2. to transfer computer data from a hard disk to an external storage medium 3. to combine computer files for storage archives / ɑ kavz/ plural noun a collection of documents archway / ɑ tʃwe/ noun a passage which goes under an arch arc-lamp / ɑ klmp/, arc-light / ɑ klat/ noun a very bright light caused by an electric spark between two points arctic / ɑ ktk/ adj 1. referring to the area round the North Pole 2. extremely cold 쐽 noun 왍 the Arctic the area round the North Pole 쑗 The Arctic is home to polar bears. ardent / ɑ dnt/ adj very keen. Synonym passionate. Antonym dispassionate ardently / ɑ dntli/ adj very strongly or passionately ardour / ɑ də/ noun violent feelings of love or enthusiasm (NOTE: The US spelling is ar③ dor.) arduous / ɑ djuəs/ adj needing a lot of effort or work. Synonym difficult. Antonym easy ① are /ə, ɑ / 쒁 be ① area / eəriə/ noun 1. a space 쑗 The whole area round the town hall is going to be rebuilt. 쑗 We always sit in the ‘no smoking’ area. 2. a measurement of the space taken up by something, calculated by multiplying the length by the width 쑗 The area of the room is four square metres. 쑗 We are looking for a shop with a sales area of about 100 square metres. 3. a subject 쑗 It’s a problem area for the government. 쑗 He’s an expert in the area of crowd control. 4. a district, part of a town or country 쑗 Our house is near the commercial area of the town. 쑗 The factory is in a very good area for getting to the motorways and airports. 왍 the London area the part of England around London 쑗 Houses in the London area are more expensive than elsewhere in the country. 32 arm area code / eəriə kəυd/ noun a special telephone number which is given to a particular area arena /ə ri nə/ noun 1. a building with seats for people to sit and watch events like sports or fights 2. a field of activity where something happens ① aren’t /ɑ nt/ 쒁 be argon / ɑ DZɒn/ noun an inert gas which is found in small quantities in air, and which is used in electric light bulbs arguable / ɑ DZjuəb(ə)l/ adj possibly not true. Synonym debatable arguably / ɑ DZjuəbli/ adv quite possibly true ① argue / ɑ DZju / verb to discuss without agreeing 쑗 They argued over the prices. 쑗 She argued with the waiter about the bill. 쑗 I could hear them arguing in the next room. (NOTE: You argue with someone about or ① over something.) ① argument / ɑ DZjυmənt/ noun a quarrel 쑗 Nobody would back her up in her argument with the boss. 쑗 The argument took place in the restaurant. 왍 to get into an argument with someone to start to argue with someone 쑗 He got into an argument with the customs officials. argumentative /ɑ DZjυ mentətv/ adj liking to argue. Synonym quarrelsome. Antonym peaceable aria / ɑ riə/ noun a song for a singer in an opera arid / rd/ adj extremely dry; where there is very little rain Aries / eəri z/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like a ram, covering the period 21st March to 19th April ② arise /ə raz/ verb 1. to start, to appear 2. 왍 to arise from to result from, to happen because of 쑗 The misunderstanding arose from a mistake in her instructions. aristocracy /r stɒkrəsi/ noun the people of the highest class in society, usually with titles such as Lord or Duke. Synonym nobility. Antonym lower class aristocrat / rstəkrt/ noun a member of the aristocracy. Synonym noble aristocratic /rstə krtk/ adj referring to the aristocracy ③ arithmetic /ə rθmətk/ noun calculations with numbers, such as addition, subtraction and division arithmetical /rθ metk(ə)l/ adj referring to arithmetic ark /ɑ k/ noun 1. a large ship (literary) 2. a small building for pigs (NOTE: Do not con- fuse with arc.) ① arm /ɑ m/ noun 1. the part of your body which goes from your shoulder to your hand 쑗 He held the parcel under his arm. 쑗 She armada 33 tripped over the pavement and broke her arm. 왍 arm in arm (of two people) with their arms folded together 쑗 They walked down the street arm in arm. 왍 to welcome someone with open arms to welcome someone in a very friendly way 쑗 The villagers welcomed the UN soldiers with open arms. 쏡 cost 2. the sleeve of a piece of clothing such as a coat or shirt 쑗 There was a hole under the arm of her favourite T-shirt. 3. the part of a chair which you can rest your arms on 쑗 He put his coffee cup on the arm of his chair. 4. a narrow stretch of sea running inland 5. a part of the armed forces of a country 쐽 verb to give weapons to 쑗 The farm workers have all been armed because of possible attacks. 쑗 The soldiers were armed with guns. Antonym disarm armada /ɑ mɑ də/ noun 1. a large number of warships 2. a large group of any ships armadillo /ɑ mə dləυ/ noun a small South American animal covered with a shell Armageddon /ɑ mə DZedn/ noun in the Bible, a battle between good and evil that will destroy the world armaments / ɑ məmənts/ plural noun heavy weapons 쑗 an important armaments manufacturer 쑗 Britain has been supplying armaments to the Middle Eastern countries. Synonym arms armband / ɑ mbnd/ noun a band of cloth which goes round your arm armchair / ɑ mtʃeə/ noun a chair with arms ② armed /ɑ md/ adj (of a person) carrying weapons 쑗 Most British policemen are not armed. 쑗 Armed police guarded the house. Antonym unarmed 왍 armed to the teeth carrying lots of weapons (informal ) 쑗 The robbers were armed to the teeth. armed forces /ɑ md fɔ ss/, armed services /ɑ md s" vsz/ plural noun the army, navy and air force of a country armful / ɑ mfυl/ noun an amount of things you can carry in your arms armhole / ɑ mhəυl/ noun a hole in a piece of clothing through which you put your arm armistice / ɑ msts/ noun an agreement to stop fighting. Synonym truce Armistice Day / ɑ msts de/ noun November 11th, or the nearest Sunday, celebrating the end of the First World War and remembering the dead of both World Wars. Also called Poppy Day, Remembrance . Day armour / ɑ mə/ noun 1. metal clothing which soldiers wore in the past, to protect their bodies 2. sheets of thick metal covering on military ships or vehicles, to protect them against attack (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is armor.) arouse armoured / ɑ məd/ adj protected by armour (NOTE: The US spelling is armored.) armpit / ɑ mpt/ noun the part of your body under each arm where it joins the body armrest / ɑ mrest/ noun the part of a chair which you rest your arm on ① arms /ɑ mz/ plural noun weapons such as guns or bombs 쑗 He’s a well-known arms dealer. 쑗 They were selling arms to various countries. 쐽 noun 왍 up in arms about very annoyed about 쑗 They are up in arms about the new bus timetable. arms race / ɑ mz res/ noun competition between countries to have the largest number of weapons or the most powerful weapons ① army / ɑ mi/ noun 1. all the soldiers of a country, trained for fighting on land 쑗 He left school at 16 and joined the army. 쑗 An army spokesman held a news conference. 2. a large number of people 쑗 An army of volunteers helped put out the forest fire. (NOTE: The plural is armies.) aroma /ə rəυmə/ noun a pleasant smell of something you can eat or drink aromatherapy /ərəυmə θerəpi/ noun a treatment with pleasant-smelling oils aromatic /rə mtk/ adj with a strong pleasant smell aromatic herb /rəmtk h" b/ noun a plant which has a pleasant smell and which can be used as flavouring for food or in substances which you use to clean your hair or skin ① around /ə raυnd/ prep 1. going all round something 쑗 She had a gold chain around her neck. 쑗 The flood water was all around the village. 2. close to or in a place or area 쑗 Is there a bus stop around here? 쑗 It’s the only swimming pool for miles around. 3. in various places 쑗 We have lots of computers around the office. 4. more or less 쑗 It will cost around £200. 쑗 Around sixty people came to the meeting. 쐽 adv 1. in various places 쑗 Papers were lying around all over the floor. 쑗 The restaurants were all full, so we walked around for some time. 2. surrounding something 쑗 a castle with water all around 3. close to, nearby 쑗 The children stood around waiting for the bus. 4. in existence 쑗 She’s one of the best eye surgeons around. 쑗 The new coins have been around for some weeks now. arousal /ə raυz(ə)l/ noun a feeling of sexual excitement arouse /ə raυz/ verb 1. to make someone feel a particular emotion 왍 someone is easily aroused it is easy to make someone angry 2. to make someone behave in a particular way, e.g. become excited about something 3. to make someone feel sexually excited. Compare rouse arpeggio arpeggio /ɑ pedȢiəυ/ noun a set of musical notes where the notes are played one after the other and not all together (NOTE: The plural is arpeggios.) ② arrange /ə rendȢ/ verb 1. to put in order The chairs are arranged in rows. 쑗 The books are arranged in alphabetical order. 쑗 The ground floor is arranged as an open-plan area with a little kitchen at the side. 2. to organise 쑗 Let’s arrange to meet somewhere before we go to the theatre. 쑗 The tour has been arranged by the travel agent. 쑗 She arranged for a taxi to meet him at the airport. 쑗 I’ve arranged with my mother that she will feed the cat while we’re away. 3. to change a piece of music in order to make it suitable for playing on different instruments 쑗 The piece was written for the piano, but it has been arranged for full orchestra. (NOTE: You arrange for someone 쑗 to do something; you arrange for something to be done; or you arrange to do something.) ② arrangement /ə rendȢmənt/ noun 1. the process of putting things into an order 쑗 the arrangement of the pictures in a book 2. a thing which has been arranged 3. the process of organising an event 쑗 All the arrangements for the wedding were left to the bride’s mother. 4. a general agreement 쑗 We have an arrangement by which we meet for lunch every Tuesday. ③ array /ə re/ noun a display arrears /ə rəz/ plural noun an amount of money which should have been paid earlier 쑗 She arranged to pay the arrears of rent in monthly instalments. 쑗 He let the payments fall into arrears. 쐽 noun 왍 to be in arrears to owe money which should have been paid earlier 쑗 He is six weeks in arrears with his rent. ③ arrest /ə rest/ noun the act of holding someone for breaking the law 쑗 The police made several arrests at the demonstration. 왍 under arrest held by the police 쑗 After the demonstration, three people were under arrest. 쐽 verb to hold someone for breaking the law 쑗 The police arrested two men and took them to the police station. 쑗 He ended up getting arrested as he tried to leave the country. 쑗 She was arrested for stealing, but the judge let her off with a fine. ① arrival /ə rav(ə)l/ noun 1. the act of reaching a place 쑗 We announce the arrival of flight AB 987 from Tangiers. 쑗 We apologise for the late arrival of the 14.25 express from Edinburgh. 쑗 The time of arrival is 5 p.m. 왍 on arrival when you arrive 쑗 On arrival at the hotel, members of the party will be allocated rooms. 2. a person who has arrived 쑗 He’s a new arrival on our staff. 3. the 34 art gallery birth of a baby 쑗 The arrival of their daughter was announced in the newspapers. arrivals /ə rav(ə)lz/ noun the part of an airport that deals with passengers who are arriving. Compare departures ① arrive /ə rav/ verb to reach a place 쑗 They arrived home tired out. 쑗 The train from Paris arrives in London at 5 p.m. (NOTE: You arrive in a town or in a country but at a place.) ③ arrogance / rəDZəns/ noun a feeling of being very proud of yourself, and thinking that you are much better than others. Synonym conceit. Antonym humility arrogant / rəDZənt/ adj very proud in an unpleasant way. Synonym conceited arrogantly / rəDZəntli/ adv too proudly arrow / rəυ/ noun 1. a a weapon made of a piece of wood with a sharp point, which you shoot from a bow 2. a printed sign (쏡) which points to something arrowhead / rəυhed/ noun a sharp metal head attached to the end of an arrow arse /ɑ s/ noun the part of your body that you sit on (offensive) arsenal / ɑ sn(ə)l/ noun 1. a store of weapons 2. a collection of things which can be used arsenic / ɑ snk/ noun a very poisonous substance arson / ɑ s(ə)n/ noun the crime of setting fire to something such as a building or some property arson attack / ɑ s(ə)n ətk/ noun an act of setting fire to something such as a house arsonist / ɑ s(ə)nst/ noun a person who sets fire to buildings or property on purpose ① art /ɑ t/ noun 1. the practice of creating objects, e.g. by painting, drawing or sculpture, or the objects that are created in this way 쑗 She is taking art lessons. 쑗 When you’re in Washington, don’t miss the Museum of Modern Art. 2. the practice of playing music or singing 쑗 a musician who lives for her art 쏡 arts 3. a particular skill or ability at doing something 쑗 He has mastered the art of not answering reporters’ questions. ③ artefact / ɑ tfkt/ noun an object such as a tool or a dish that was made by a person in the past arterial /ɑ təriəl/ adj referring to arteries artery / ɑ təri/ noun a tube carrying blood from the heart around the body. Compare vein (NOTE: The plural is arteries.) artful / ɑ tf(ə)l/ adj clever, good at tricking people. Synonym crafty artfully / ɑ tf(ə)li/ adv cleverly, in a way which tricks people art gallery / ɑ t DZləri/ noun a building which has paintings and other art for people to go and see arthritic 35 ascetic arthritic /ɑ θrtk/ adj affected by arthritis artistically /ɑ tstkli/ adv in an artistic noun a person with arthritis arthritis /ɑ θrats/ noun a painful medical condition affecting a joint, where two bones meet artichoke / ɑ ttʃəυk/ noun 쒁 Jerusalem artichoke ① article / ɑ tk(ə)l/ noun 1. a report in a newspaper 쑗 Did you read the article on skiing in yesterday’s paper? 2. a section of a legal agreement 쑗 See article 8 of the treaty. 3. an object or thing 쑗 Several articles of clothing were found near the road. 4. a word used before a noun to show whether you are referring to a particular or general example of something. The definite article is ‘the’ and the indefinite article is ‘a’ or ‘an’. articulate verb /ɑ tkjυlet/ to speak in a clear and careful way 쐽 adj /ɑ tkjυlət/ describes someone who expresses thoughts clearly articulated lorry /ɑ tkjυletd lɒri/ noun a large truck with two or more parts which are connected so that they can move in different directions at the same time, e.g. when going around a corner artifact / ɑ tfkt/ another spelling of artefact ③ artificial /ɑ t fʃ(ə)l/ adj not real 쑗 She was wearing artificial pearls. Synonym imitation. Antonym real artificial insemination /ɑ tfʃ(ə)l nsem neʃ(ə)n/ noun a medical treatment in which cells from a man’s sex organs are put into a woman’s womb (the part of her body where a baby can grow) to make her pregnant. Abbr AI artificial intelligence /ɑ tfʃ(ə)l nteldȢəns/ noun the use of computer programs to make machines do things which people can do. Abbr AI artificially /ɑ t fʃ(ə)li/ adv in a way that is false artificial respiration /ɑ tfʃ(ə)l respreʃ(ə)n/ noun a treatment for helping someone who is almost dead by blowing air into their lungs so that they will start breathing again artillery /ɑ tləri/ noun the large guns that an army has artisan /ɑ t zn/ noun a skilled worker who makes things with his or her hands ② artist / ɑ tst/ noun a person who is skilled in making things such as paintings 쑗 She collects paintings by 19th-century artists. artiste /ɑ ti st/ noun a professional performer such as a singer or dancer artistic /ɑ tstk/ adj 1. (of a person) showing skill or interest in art 2. arranged or done in a way that shows skill and looks beautiful way 쐽 artistry / ɑ tstri/ noun skill in a particular art arts /ɑ ts/ plural noun 1. all work connected with art 2. a subject of study which is not a science, e.g. history or literature art school / ɑ t sku l/ noun a college where students study subjects such as drawing and painting artwork / ɑ tw" k/ noun things such as pictures or designs which are printed in a book or used in advertising arty / ɑ ti/, arty-crafty /ɑ ti krɑ fti/ adj pretending to be artistic; making artistic things ① as /əz, z/ conj 1. because 쑗 As you can’t drive, you’ll have to go by bus. 쑗 As it’s cold, you should wear an overcoat. 2. at the same time that something else happens 쑗 As he was getting into the bath, the telephone rang. 쑗 The little girl ran into the road as the fire engine was turning the corner. 3. in the same way 쑗 Leave everything as it is. 쑗 You should take a holiday as the doctor told you. 쐽 prep 1. in a particular job 쑗 She had a job as a bus driver. 2. because of being a particular type of person 쑗 As a doctor, he has to know the symptoms of all the common diseases. 3. in a particular way 쑗 She was dressed as a nurse. 쑗 They treated him as a friend of the family. 왍 as…as used in comparisons 쑗 as black as coal 쑗 She is as tall as I am. 쑗 I can’t run as fast as you. 왍 as well in addition 쑗 She came to have tea and brought her sister as well. 쑗 We visited the castle and swam in the pool as well. 왍 as well as in addition to or together with 쑗 He has a cottage in the country as well as a flat in town. 쑗 As well as being a maths teacher, he is a part-time policeman. 앳 as for concerning or referring to a particular person or thing 앳 as from from a particular time 쑗 as from next Friday 앳 as if, as though in the same way as asbestos /s bestəs/ noun a substance which does not burn, formerly used in buildings to protect against fire ③ ascend /ə send/ verb 1. to go up 2. 왍 to ascend the throne to become king or queen 쑗 Henry VIII ascended the throne in 1509. ascendancy /ə sendənsi/ noun the influence or power that one person or group has over another ③ ascent /ə sent/ noun the action of climbing up (NOTE: Do not confuse with assent.) ③ ascertain /sə ten/ verb to check facts to see if they are true (formal ) Synonym ③ . determine ascetic /ə setk/ adj living in a simple way, without personal pleasures. Synonym austere 쐽 noun a person who lives in a simple ascorbic acid way without personal pleasures, usually for religious reasons. Antonym hedonist ascorbic acid /əskɔ bk sd/ noun vitamin C, a natural food substance which is contained in many fruits and vegetables ascribe /ə skrab/ verb 왍 to ascribe something to something or someone to say that something is caused by something or someone 쑗 He ascribed his business failures to bad luck. asexual /e sekʃuəl/ adj with no sexual organs or without having sex ash /ʃ/ noun 1. a grey dust left after something has burned (NOTE: no plural in this meaning, but see also ashes) 2. a type of tree that grows in the northern part of Europe ③ ashamed /ə ʃemd/ adj a feeling of being embarrassed and sorry for something that you have done or not done ashen / ʃ(ə)n/ adj looking very pale and ill. Synonym pallid ashes / ʃz/ plural noun the grey dust that remains when the body of a dead person has been cremated ashore /ə ʃɔ / adv to or onto land, e.g. from the sea or from a ship. 쏡 shore ③ ashtray / ʃtre/ noun a little dish for cigarette ash Ash Wednesday /ʃ wenzde/ noun the first day of Lent, the day after Shrove Tuesday ① Asian / eȢ(ə)n/ adj referring to Asia 쐽 noun a person coming from one of the countries of Asia, especially the Indian subcontinent 쑗 More than half the children in the class are Asians. Asiatic /eʃi tk/ adj referring to things from Asia ③ aside /ə sad/ adv 1. to one side 쑗 He took me aside and whispered in my ear. 왍 to put aside, to set aside to save money 쑗 He is putting £50 aside each week to pay for his car. 2. 왍 aside from apart from 쑗 Aside from a minor infection, his health has been remarkably good. 쐽 noun words that a character in a play speaks but which the other characters do not seem hear ① ask /ɑ sk/ verb 1. to put a question to get information 쑗 She asked a policeman the way to the hospital. 쑗 Joe went to the railway station to ask about cheap tickets. 쑗 Ask Mum how much her shoes cost. 왍 to ask after someone to ask for news about someone, especially about his or her health 쑗 Several of your colleagues were asking after you. 2. to put a question to get someone to do something 쑗 Ask your father to teach you how to drive. 쑗 Can I ask you not to make so much noise? 3. to invite 쑗 We asked them round for dinner. 왍 to ask someone out to ask someone to go out with you, e.g. to a restau- 36 aspirational rant or to a film 쑗 Don’t ask her out – she always orders the most expensive things on the menu! askance /ə skns/ adv 왍 to look at something or someone askance to look at something or someone in a way that shows you do not trust them askew /ə skju / adv not straight 쑗 That picture’s askew. Synonym crooked ① ask for / ɑ sk fɔ / verb to say that you want something 왍 ask for something back to ask someone to give back something which you had lent to him or her asking / ɑ skŋ/ noun 왍 it’s yours for the asking you only have to ask for it and you will get it asking price / ɑ skŋ pras/ noun the price which someone wants to charge for something which he or she is selling ① asleep /ə sli p/ adj sleeping 쑗 He was asleep and didn’t hear the fire alarm. 쑗 They were lying asleep on the ground. 왍 to fall asleep to begin to sleep asp /sp/ noun a small poisonous snake asparagus /ə sprəDZəs/ noun a green vegetable that has long thin stems and pointed tips and which you cook before eating ① aspect / spekt/ noun 1. a way of considering something such as a situation or a problem 쑗 I will examine several aspects of the problem. 2. the direction in which a house faces 쑗 The living room has a southerly aspect. aspersions /ə sp" ʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun 왍 to cast aspersions on someone to make bad comments about someone 쑗 He cast aspersions on my honour. asphalt / sflt/ noun a mixture of tar, small stones and sand, used for making road surfaces 쐽 verb to cover a road with asphalt 쑗 The path will be asphalted during the summer. asphyxia /s fksiə/ noun a situation in which someone is prevented from breathing and therefore cannot take air into the lungs. Synonym suffocation asphyxiate /s fksiet/ verb to stop someone breathing, or to die because of being unable to breathe. Synonym suffocate asphyxiation /əsfksi eʃ(ə)n/ noun death caused by being unable to breathe. Synonym suffocation aspirate / sprət/ noun a speech sound made by breathing out, e.g. the ‘h’ in ‘horse’ ③ aspiration /sp reʃ(ə)n/ noun something which you want to achieve or to be successful at. Synonym ambition aspirational adj typical of people who want to become more successful and be able aspire 37 to afford a more expensive home and way of life ③ aspire /ə spaə/ verb 왍 to aspire to something to want to achieve something 쑗 He aspires to great success as an actor. ① aspirin / sprn/ noun 1. a common drug, used in the treatment of slight illnesses to reduce pain 2. a pill that contains aspirin aspiring /ə spaərŋ/ adj hoping to get something ③ ass /s/ noun 1. US the part of your body that you sit on (offensive) 2. a stupid person (informal ) 3. a donkey (old ) (NOTE: The plu. . ral is asses.) assail /ə sel/ verb to attack someone or something (formal ) assailant /ə selənt/ noun a person who attacks someone. Synonym attacker assassin /ə ssn/ noun a person who . kills someone famous, especially for political reasons assassinate /ə ssnet/ verb to kill a famous person, especially for political reasons ③ assassination /əss neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of killing a famous person for political reasons ③ assault /ə sɔ lt/ noun an attack 쐽 verb to attack assemble /ə semb(ə)l/ verb 1. to come together 2. to put something together ② assembly /ə sembl/ noun 1. a meeting 2. the process of putting something together assembly line /ə sembli lan/ noun a moving line in a factory, where the product moves slowly past workers who add pieces to it as it goes past assent /ə sent/ noun the approval of or agreement with something such as a suggestion. Synonym approval 쐽 verb 왍 to assent to something to agree to something 쑗 The committee assented to the suggestion. ③ assert /ə s" t/ verb to state something firmly 왍 to assert yourself to state your opinions strongly ③ assertion /ə s" ʃ(ə)n/ noun a statement of something which you believe to be true but of which you have no proof. Synonym claim assertive /ə s" tv/ adj confident and stating your opinions in a strong way. Synonym self-confident. Antonym shy ② assess /ə ses/ verb 1. to calculate an amount to be paid 2. to consider something such as someone’s achievement or progress in order to decide if it is satisfactory ② assessment /ə sesmənt/ noun 1. a calculation of an amount to be paid 2. the process of assessing someone or something assessor /ə sesə/ noun a person who calculates the results of people who have taken an examination association ② asset / set/ noun a valuable quality assets / sets/ plural noun the valuable things which people own 쑗 They will have to sell some of their assets to repay the debt. assiduity /s dju ti/ noun the practice of working in a careful and regular way. Synonym diligence. Antonym carelessness assiduous /ə sdjυəs/ adj careful and regular. Synonym diligent. Antonym careless assign /ə san/ verb 왍 to assign someone to something to give someone the job of doing something 쑗 She was assigned to the booking office. 쑗 We are assigning you to work in the accounts department. ① assignment /ə sanmənt/ noun 1. the act of giving someone a job to do 2. a job of work 3. a piece of written work which a student has to do assimilate /ə smlet/ verb 1. to learn and understand 2. (of the body) to change the food that you have just eaten into substances can be used 3. 왍 to assimilate into a group, to be assimilated into a group to become part of a group 쑗 She assimilated into the teaching community very easily. assimilation /əsm leʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of assimilating something or someone ③ assist /ə sst/ verb to help someone 쑗 He assists me with my income tax forms. 쑗 I will be assisted in my work by Miss Smith. (NOTE: You assist someone in doing something or with something.) ② assistance /ə sst(ə)ns/ noun help 쑗 He was trying to change the wheel, when a truck drew up and the driver offered his assistance. 쑗 He asked if he could be of any assistance. 쑗 She will need assistance with her luggage. ② assistant /ə sst(ə)nt/ noun a person who helps or is second in command to someone 쑗 His assistant works in the office next door. Synonym helper ② associate verb /ə səυsiet/ 왍 to associate with to have contact with or be connected with someone or something 쑗 I don’t want you to associate with that family – they’ve all been in trouble with the police. 쑗 The government is closely associated with the project. 쐽 noun /ə səυsiət/ a person who works in the same business as you ① associated /ə səυsietd/ adj connected with ① association /əsəυsi eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an official group of people or a group of companies in the same trade 쑗 an association offering support to victims of street violence 쑗 the Association of British Travel Agents 2. a connection between things 쑗 For some people, a black cat has an association with luck. 쑗 Manchester has strong family associations for him. 3. 왍 in association with to- assorted gether with 쑗 The guidebook is published in association with the local tourist board. 쑗 This programme is brought to you in association with British Airways. assorted /ə sɔ td/ adj various, mixed assortment /ə sɔ tmənt/ noun a mixture of a lot of things that have some differences, e.g., in shape or colour assuage /ə swedȢ/ verb to make an unpleasant feeling or experience feel less painful (formal ) ① assume /ə sju m/ verb 1. to imagine or believe that something is true 쑗 Let’s assume that he is innocent. 쑗 I assume you have enough money to pay for the meal? 2. to take on something such as a responsibility 쑗 When she was twenty-one, she assumed complete control of the family business. 쑗 He has assumed responsibility for fire safety. assumed name /əsju md nem/ noun a false name. Synonym alias ③ assuming /ə sju mŋ/ conj believing something to be true ② assumption /ə smpʃən/ noun a belief that something is true assurance /ə ʃυərəns/ noun 1. an attitude of confidence in your own abilities 쑗 He didn’t have the assurance to face a press conference Synonym self-confidence 2. the fact of being sure that something will happen 3. a promise 쑗 He gave her an assurance that he would not do it again. ② assure /ə ʃυə/ verb 1. to state something definitely 2. to make sure that something will happen 3. to provide someone with insurance assured /ə ʃυəd/ adj very certain and confident asterisk / stərsk/ noun a printing sign like a star, used to draw attention to something astern /ə st" n/ adv 1. behind a ship 2. 왍 to go astern to make a ship go backwards 쑗 The ferry had to go full speed astern so as not to hit the barge. asteroid / stərɔd/ noun a mass of rock that travels in a path round the sun asthma / smə/ noun a medical condition in which someone suffers breathing difficulty, often because a particular substance has a bad effect on his or her body asthmatic /s mtk/ adj referring to or affected by asthma 쑗 He has an asthmatic attack every spring. 쑗 Their little girl is asthmatic. 쐽 noun a person who has asthma ③ astonish /ə stɒnʃ/ verb to surprise someone very much. Synonym amaze astonished /ə stɒnʃt/ adj very surprised. Synonym amazed astonishing /ə stɒnʃŋ/ adj very surprising. Synonym amazing . 38 asylum seeker astonishingly /ə stɒnʃŋli/ adv very surprisingly astonishment /ə stɒnʃmənt/ noun great surprise. Synonym amazement ③ astound /ə staυnd/ verb to surprise someone completely. Synonym astonish astounded /ə staυndd/ adj very surprised. Synonym astonished astounding /ə staυndŋ/ adj very surprising. Synonym astonishing astray /ə stre/ adv 왍 to go astray to get lost 쑗 Yet another spoon seems to have gone astray; we can’t find it anywhere. 왍 to lead someone astray to encourage someone to bad habits 쑗 It appears that the boy was led astray by some of the older boys at school. astride /ə strad/ adv, prep with your legs on either side of something 쑗 He was sitting astride his bicycle, with both feet on the ground. 쑗 Sit astride and hold tight. astringent /ə strndȢənt/ adj 1. severe or extremely unkind 2. describes a substance which you put on your skin, e.g. as a beauty treatment or to stop the flow of blood from a cut 쐽 noun an astringent substance astrologer /ə strɒlədȢə/ noun a person who claims to be able to tell what will happen in the future, by looking at the positions of the planets and stars astrological /strə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to astrology astrology /ə strɒlədȢi/ noun the practice of saying what the future will be by looking at the position of the planets and the stars (NOTE: no plural) astronaut / strənɔ t/ noun a person ③ who travels into space astronomer /ə strɒnəmə/ noun a person who studies astronomy astronomical /strə nɒmk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to astronomy 2. (of a price or amount ) very large (informal ) ③ astronomy /ə strɒnəmi/ noun the scientific study of the stars, sun and planets . . (NOTE: no plural) astrophysics /strəυ fzks/ noun the study of the physics of the universe (NOTE: no plural) astute /ə stju t/ adj clever at understanding things quickly. Synonym shrewd astutely /ə stju tli/ adv cleverly astuteness /ə stju tnəs/ noun the quality of being astute ③ asylum /ə saləm/ noun 1. the right to stay in another country if you have been treated badly in your own country 쑗 to seek asylum 쑗 to grant someone asylum 쑗 to ask for political asylum 2. a hospital for people who have mental illnesses (old ) asylum seeker /ə saləm si kə/ noun a person who asks for permission to stay in an. asymmetrical other country because the political situation in his or her own country is not safe for him or her to stay there asymmetrical /es metrk(ə)l/ adj which does not have the same shape or size on both sides ① at /ət, t/ prep 1. showing time 쑗 We’ll meet at eleven o’clock. 쑗 You must put your lights on when you drive at night. 쑗 At the weekend, we went to see my mother. 쑗 We went to Paris at Easter. 2. showing place 쑗 Meet us at the post office. 쑗 She’s got a job at the supermarket. 쑗 He’s not at home, he’s at work. 3. showing speed 쑗 The train was travelling at 200 kilometres an hour. 4. showing direction 쑗 They threw rotten eggs at the speaker. (NOTE: at is often used after verbs, e.g. to look at, to point at.) 5. showing cause 쑗 She laughed at my old coat. ① ate /et, et/ 쒁 eat atheist / eθist/ noun a person who believes there is no god. Compare agnostic. Synonym unbeliever. Antonym believer athlete / θli t/ noun a person who competes in sports such as running athlete’s foot /θli ts fυt/ noun a skin infection on the feet, especially between the toes athletic /θ letk/ adj referring to athletics athletics /θ letks/ noun organised sports such as running or long jump (NOTE: no plural) Atlantic Ocean /ətlntk əυʃən/ noun the ocean between the Americas and Europe and Africa atlas / tləs/ noun a book of maps (NOTE: The plural is atlases.) ATM abbr automated teller machine ② atmosphere / tməsfə/ noun 1. the air around the Earth 쑗 The atmosphere surrounds the Earth to a height of several hundred kilometres. 2. a general feeling 쑗 The atmosphere in the office was tense. 쑗 I like the friendly atmosphere at our college. atmospheric /tməs ferk/ adj 1. referring to the atmosphere 2. mysterious, beautiful atoll / tɒl/ noun a ring-shaped island made of coral ③ atom / təm/ noun 1. a very small basic piece of matter 2. a very small thing atom bomb / təm bɒm/ noun a bomb using nuclear energy ③ atomic /ə tɒmk/ adj referring to atoms atomic bomb /ə tɒmk bɒm/ noun same as atom bomb atomic energy /ətɒmk enədȢi/ adj energy created during a nuclear reaction atomic number /ətɒmk nmbə/ noun the number of protons in one atom of a chemical element 39 attainment atomic weight /ətɒmk wet/ noun the ratio of the mass of an atom of an element to the mass of carbon 12 atomiser / təmazə/ noun an object which you use to send out a lot of small drops of liquid, e.g. into the air or onto your skin atone /ə təυn/ verb to do something which shows that you are sorry for doing something wrong (formal ) atonement /ə təυnmənt/ noun the act of atoning for doing something wrong A to Z /e tə zed/ noun a street map for a town, especially one for London atrium / etriəm/ noun 1. a very large open space in a building, often with a glass roof and arrangements of indoor plants, which acts as a central meeting point 2. one of two parts inside the heart (NOTE: The plural is . atria.) atrocious /ə trəυʃəs/ adj 1. very bad 2. extremely evil atrocity /ə trɒsti/ noun an extremely evil act (NOTE: The plural is atrocities.) atrophy / trəfi/ noun a process in which an organ or other part of the body wastes away 쐽 verb to waste away or become smaller ② attach /ə ttʃ/ verb 1. to fasten something to something 쑗 The gate is attached to the post. 쑗 I am attaching a copy of my previous letter. 2. to consider that something has a particular quality 쑗 She attaches great importance to hygiene. attached /ə ttʃt/ adj having a strong liking for someone or something (informal ) attachment /ə ttʃmənt/ noun 1. something which can be attached to something else 2. a liking for someone or something 3. a document attached to an email ① attack /ə tk/ noun 1. the act of trying to hurt someone or something 쑗 They made an attack on the town. 왍 under attack the situation of being attacked 쑗 The town is under attack from rebel guerrillas. 2. a criticism 쑗 He launched an attack on the government. 3. a sudden illness 쑗 She had an attack of malaria. 쐽 verb 1. to try to hurt someone or to hit someone 쑗 Three men attacked her and stole her watch. 쑗 The old lady was attacked by muggers. 2. to try to destroy something 쑗 They attacked the enemy camp. ③ attacker /ə tkə/ noun a person who attacks someone or something. Synonym . assailant attain /ə ten/ verb to reach a particular status or rank or to be successful in something attainment /ə tenmənt/ noun success in achieving something or reaching a particular goal ③ attempt ① attempt /ə tempt/ noun an act of trying to do something 쑗 He failed in his attempt to climb Mount Everest. 쑗 All his attempts to get a job have failed. 쑗 We closed down one shop in an attempt to cut costs. 쑗 She passed her driving test at the second attempt. 왍 an attempt on someone’s life the action of trying to kill someone 쐽 verb to try to do something 쑗 She attempted to commit suicide. attempted /ə temptd/ adj describes something which someone has tried to do ② attend /ə tend/ verb to be present at an event 쑗 She attended the wedding. 쑗 They organised a protest meeting, but only one or two people attended. attendance /ə tendəns/ noun 1. the fact of being present at an event 왍 in attendance being with someone in order to help them 쑗 The Queen unveiled the memorial, with Major Jones in attendance. 2. the number of people present at an event (NOTE: no plural) attendant /ə tendənt/ noun 1. a person on duty in a place 2. a person who helps someone during a ceremony attend to /ə tend tu / verb 1. to give careful thought to something and deal with it 2. 왍 to attend to someone, to someone’s needs to look after someone such as a customer or patient 쑗 Wait here, please, someone will attend to you in a moment. ① attention /ə tenʃən/ noun 1. the act of concentrating on what you are doing 쑗 Don’t distract the driver’s attention. 왍 for the attention of words written on a letter to show that it is intended for a particular person to deal with it 쑗 Mark your letter ‘for the attention of the Managing Director’. Abbr FAO 왍 to pay attention to to concentrate on something and think about it carefully 쑗 Pay attention to the instructions in the leaflet. 쑗 Don’t pay any attention to what she says! 왍 to turn your attention to something to start to think about something carefully 2. careful treatment 쑗 Your shoulder needs some attention. 쑗 His brakes could do with some attention. 3. the position of a soldier, standing straight, with heels together and looking straight ahead 쑗 The guards stood to attention at the entrance of the palace. attention span /ə tenʃən spn/ noun the length of time that someone can concentrate effectively on a particular job or activity attentive /ə tentv/ adj 1. listening carefully 2. being careful when dealing with someone attentively /ə tentvli/ adv in an attentive way attest /ə test/ verb 왍 to attest to something to state officially that something is true (formal ) 쑗 Many people attested to his honesty. . 40 attributive attic / tk/ noun a room or space at the top of a house under the roof. Synonym loft. Antonym cellar attire /ə taə/ noun clothing (formal ) . (NOTE: no plural) ① attitude / ttju d/ noun 1. the position of your body, e.g. standing or sitting 쑗 His portrait shows him in a thoughtful attitude. 2. a way of thinking 쑗 What is the government’s attitude to the problem? ② attorney /ə t" ni/ noun US a lawyer Attorney-General /ət" ni dȢen(ə)rəl/ noun 1. one of the law officers in the UK government 2. the head of legal matters in the US federal government, in charge of the Department of Justice ② attract /ə trkt/ verb to make someone want to come to a place or want to become involved in something such as a business 쑗 The shops are lowering their prices to attract more customers. 쑗 The exhibition attracted hundreds of visitors. 쑗 We must see if we can attract more candidates for the job. 왍 to be attracted to someone to feel a sexual interest in someone 쑗 I can’t understand why she’s attracted to him. ③ attraction /ə trkʃən/ noun 1. the ability to attract 2. something which attracts people 쑗 The Tower of London is a great tourist attraction. 3. the ability of a substance or object to make something move towards it. Antonym repulsion ② attractive /ə trktv/ adj 1. pleasant-looking 쑗 They found the Lake District very attractive. 쑗 She’s an attractive young girl. 2. which attracts people 쑗 There are some attractive bargains in the sale. 쑗 The rival firm made him a very attractive offer. attributable /ə trbjυtəb(ə)l/ adj probably the cause of something ③ attribute / trbju t/ noun a quality that someone has 앳 to attribute something to 1. to say that something was caused by something 쑗 The accident was attributed to faulty brakes. 2. to say that something was said or written by someone 쑗 The remark was attributed to his father. attribution /tr bju ʃ(ə)n/ noun 앳 attribution to 1. the fact of saying that something was caused by something 쑗 They confirmed the inspectors’ attribution of the accident to faulty brakes. 2. the fact of saying that something was said or written by someone 쑗 I disagree with his attribution of the poem to Shakespeare. attributive /ə trbjυtv/ adj (of an adjective) which comes before a noun and describes it COMMENT: In ‘the cold weather’ the word ‘cold’ is attributive (as opposed to ‘the weather is cold’, where it is predicative). atypical 41 atypical /e tpk(ə)l/ adj not typical. Antonym typical aubergine / əυbəȢi n/ noun a dark purple shiny fruit of a small plant, used as a vegetable (NOTE: The US term is eggplant.) auburn / ɔ bən/ adj of a dark reddish-brown colour auction / ɔ kʃən/ noun a public sale in which an object is sold to the person who offers to pay the highest amount of money for it 왍 to put something up for auction to offer something for sale at an auction 쐽 verb to sell something at an auction auctioneer /ɔ kʃə nə/ noun a person who runs an auction audacious /ɔ deʃəs/ adj very brave or involving great risk audaciously /ɔ deʃəsli/ adv in an audacious way audacity /ɔ dsti/ noun audacious behaviour audible / ɔ db(ə)l/ adj which can be heard. Synonym perceptible. Antonym inaudible audibly / ɔ dbli/ adv in an audible way ② audience / ɔ diəns/ noun 1. the people watching a performance, e.g. at a theatre or cinema or on television, or listening to a radio programme 쑗 Members of the audience cheered. 쑗 There was a huge audience on the first night of the play. 2. a formal situation in which you can speak privately to an important person 쑗 The ambassador had an audience with the President. audio- /ɔ diəυ/ prefix referring to sound 쑗 audio tape audiovisual /ɔ diəυ vȢuəl/ adj referring to sound and pictures that have been recorded together 쐽 noun an audiovisual recording audit / ɔ dt/ noun 1. an official check of a company’s accounts 2. a careful examination of an organisation or a set of procedures to see how good they are. Synonym review 쐽 verb 1. to check accounts officially 쑗 The accounts have not yet been audited. 2. to examine something carefully to see how good it is. Synonym review ③ audition /ɔ dʃ(ə)n/ noun a test for performers such as actors, singers or dancers, to see if they will be given a part in a play or film 쐽 verb 1. to hold an audition for a performer 2. to do an audition for a part 쑗 Two hundred children auditioned for the part of the Artful Dodger. auditor / ɔ dtə/ noun someone whose job is to check a company’s accounts officially auditorium /ɔ d tɔ riəm/ noun a large hall used for events such as concerts (NOTE: The plural is auditoriums or auditoria.) augment /ɔ DZ ment/ verb to increase an amount of something (formal ) . authenticate augmentation /ɔ DZmen teʃ(ə)n/ noun an increase (formal ) augur / ɔ DZə/ verb to be a sign for the future. Synonym foretell 왍 it doesn’t augur well it is not a good sign ① August / ɔ DZəst/ noun the eighth month of the year, the month after July and before September 쑗 August 15 쑗 My birthday is in August. 쑗 I left my job last August. 쑗 Today is August 15th. (NOTE: August 15th or Au. gust 15: say ‘August the fifteenth’ or ‘the fifteenth of August’ or in US English ‘August fifteenth’.) ① aunt /ɑ nt/ noun the sister of your mother or father, or the wife of an uncle 쑗 Say goodbye to Aunt Anne. 쑗 She lives next door to my aunt. auntie / ɑ nti/, aunty noun an aunt (informal ) au pair /əυ peə/ noun a person, usually a young woman, who lives with a family in another country to learn the language while looking after children and helping to keep the house clean (NOTE: The plural is au pairs.) aura / ɔ rə/ noun a general feeling or quality in a particular situation. Synonym air aural / ɔ rəl/ adj referring to hearing (NOTE: . Do not confuse with oral.) auspices / ɔ spsz/ noun 왍 under the auspices of organised by or supported with money from (formal ) 쑗 The concert is being held under the auspices of the local Chamber of Commerce. auspicious /ɔ spʃəs/ adj likely to be successful. Antonym inauspicious Aussie / ɒzi/ (informal ) adj Australian 쐽 noun an Australian 쑗 There was a group of Aussies in the restaurant. (NOTE: The plural . . is Aussies.) austere /ɔ stə/ adj 1. with a plain and simple appearance 2. with only the basic things you need to live austerity /ɔ sterti/ noun 1. the quality of being austere 2. poor living conditions because people do not have much money Australasian /ɒstrə leȢ(ə)n/ adj referring to Australasia, the part of the southern half of the world which includes Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands Australian Rules football /ɒstreliən ru lz fυtbɔ l/ noun a sport played by two teams of eighteen players on an oval field with an oval ball with the intention of scoring points by kicking the ball over the opponents’ goal line (NOTE: In Australia the game is often called Footie.) authentic /ɔ θentk/ adj original, not false or artificial authenticate /ɔ θentket/ verb to prove that something is authentic authentication 42 auxiliary verb authentication /ɔ θent keʃ(ə)n/ noun autograph hunter / ɔ təDZrɑ f hntə/ the act of proving that something is authentic authenticity /ɔ θen tsti/ noun the fact of being authentic ② author / ɔ θə/ noun a writer 쑗 The books are written under a pseudonym and no one knows who the author is. 쑗 She is the author of a popular series of children’s books. authorisation /ɔ θəra zeʃ(ə)n/, authorization noun official permission. Synonym noun a person who tries to meet famous people to get their autographs automate / ɔ təmet/ verb to use machines to do work which previously was done by people automated / ɔ təmetd/ adj using machines in place of people. Synonym automatic automated teller machine /ɔ təmetd telə məʃi n/ noun US a machine outside a bank from which money can be obtained when a card is inserted. Abbr ATM (NOTE: The British term is cashpoint machine.) ① automatic adj /ɔ tə mtk/ which works by itself 쑗 There is an automatic device which cuts off the electric current. 쐽 noun 1. a gun which continues firing as long as the trigger is being pulled 쑗 The robbers opened fire with automatics. 2. a car which has automatic gear change 쑗 I prefer driving automatics to manual models. ① automatically /ɔ tə mtkli/ adv 1. without thinking about what is being done 2. without people being involved automation /ɔ tə meʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of using machines instead of people to carry out work. Synonym mechanisation automobile / ɔ təməbi l/ noun especially US a car automotive /ɔ tə məυtv/ adj referring to motor vehicles autonomous /ɔ tɒnəməs/ adj selfgoverning ③ autonomy /ɔ tɒnəmi/ noun 1. selfgovernment 2. the fact of being able to decide what to do by yourself, without asking anyone else autopilot / ɔ təυpalət/ noun a machine which can fly a plane, allowing the pilot to rest autopsy / ɔ tɒpsi/ noun the examination of the body of a dead person to find the cause of death (NOTE: The plural is autopsies.) ① autumn / ɔ təm/ noun the season of the year between summer and winter (formal ) 쑗 In autumn, the leaves turn brown. 쑗 We went on a walking holiday last autumn. 쑗 They say the building will be finished next autumn. 쑗 I’ll be starting my new job in the autumn. (NOTE: The US term is fall.) autumnal /ɔ tmn(ə)l/ adj referring to autumn auxiliary /ɔ DZ zliəri/ adj which gives help 쐽 noun 1. a person who helps other workers 2. an auxiliary verb (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is auxiliaries.) auxiliary verb /ɔ DZ zliəri v" b/ noun a verb that is used with another verb to show person, number, mood, tense, or aspect approval authorise / ɔ θəraz/, authorize verb to give permission for something to be done. Synonym approve. Antonym forbid authoritarian /ɔ θɒr teəriən/ adj controlling people strictly. Synonym strict authoritative /ɔ θɒrtətv/ adj 1. in a powerful way, so that people will obey 2. recognised as expert authoritatively /ɔ θɒrtətvli/ adv in an authoritative way authorities /ɔ θɒrtiz/ plural noun the government ① authority /ɔ θɒrti/ noun 1. a power to do something 쑗 He has no authority to act on our behalf. 2. permission to do something 쑗 He signed without having my authority to do so. 3. where information is from 쑗 What is his authority for the story? 4. a ruling organisation 쑗 The education authority pays teachers’ salaries. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is authorities.) 5. an expert 쑗 He’s an authority on Greek literature. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is authorities.) autism / ɔ tz(ə)m/ noun a mental condi- tion which makes people who have it unable to react to other people in the usual way autistic /ɔ tstk/ adj having autism ① auto / ɔ təυ/ noun a car (informal ) autobiographical /ɔ təυbaəDZrfk(ə)l/ adj referring to the writer’s life autobiography /ɔ təυba ɒDZrəfi/ noun a story of the life of a person written by himself or herself. Synonym memoirs autocrat / ɔ təkrt/ noun a person who governs or manages with total power over the people in a country or organisation autocratic /ɔ tə krtk/ adj ruling like an autocrat Autocue / ɔ təυkju / trademark a screen which helps someone speaking on television by showing them the words of their speech autograph / ɔ təDZrɑ f/ noun a famous person’s name written in their own writing for someone to keep 쐽 verb 왍 to autograph something for someone to write your name in something such as a book 쑗 I asked the goalkeeper to autograph the programme for me. . . avail COMMENT: The auxiliary verbs in English are be, do and have. avail /ə vel/ verb 왍 to avail yourself of something to make use of something 쐽 noun 왍 be of no avail to be no use 왍 to no avail without success 쑗 They tried pushing the car, but all to no avail. ③ availability /əvelə blti/ noun the fact of being available 왍 subject to availability if available 쑗 The goods will be supplied subject to availability. ① available /ə veləb(ə)l/ adj 1. able to be obtained 쑗 The tablets are available from most chemists. 2. 왍 to make yourself available to arrange to be free to do something 쑗 I can make myself available to meet you next week. avalanche / vəlɑ ntʃ/ noun a fall of masses of snow down the side of a mountain 왍 avalanche season late spring, when increasing temperatures make the snow become soft on high mountains, and cause avalanches avant-garde /vɒŋ DZɑ d/ adj describes things such as forms of art or ways of thinking that are new, original and not traditional avarice / vərs/ noun a strong feeling of wanting to have and keep a lot of money. Synonym greed avaricious /və rʃəs/ adj wanting to have a lot of money and not spend it. Synonym greedy Ave abbr avenue avenge /ə vendȢ/ verb to hurt or punish someone because they have done wrong to you or to someone close to you 왍 to avenge yourself on to make someone suffer for something wrong that they have done to you 쑗 She wanted to avenge herself on her rival. Compare revenge ③ avenue / vənju / noun 1. a wide street in a town, often with trees along the side 2. two parallel rows of trees 3. a way of dealing with a matter ① average / v(ə)rdȢ/ noun 1. a total calculated by adding several numbers together and dividing by the amount of numbers added 쑗 The temperature has been above the average for the time of year. 쑗 the average for the last three months or the last three months’ average 2. 왍 on average as a rule 쑗 On average, £15 worth of goods are stolen every day. 3. a sharing of the costs of an insurance 쐽 adj 1. ordinary 쑗 It was an average working day at the office. 쑗 Their daughter is of above average intelligence. 2. calculated by dividing the total by the number of quantities 쑗 His average speed was 30 miles per hour. 쐽 verb to work out as an average 쑗 Price increases have averaged 10% per annum. 43 award averse /ə v" s/ adj (formal ) 왍 to be averse to to dislike 쑗 I’m averse to people smoking in pubs. 왍 not to be averse to to like 쑗 She is not averse to hard work. 쑗 He is not averse to the odd glass of wine with his meals. aversion /ə v" ʃ(ə)n/ noun 왍 an aversion to or towards a dislike of 쑗 She has a great aversion to people who look away while talking to her. 쑗 You can’t ask them together because of their mutual aversion towards each other. avert /ə v" t/ verb 1. to prevent something happening 2. 왍 to avert your eyes to look away (formal ) 쑗 On the sight of blood she averted her eyes. aviation /evi eʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of flying aircraft avid / vd/ adj extremely keen avidly / vdli/ adv keenly avocado /və kɑ dəυ/ noun 1. a fruit which has a thick green or black skin and pale green flesh with a large seed inside 2. a tree that avocados grow on 3. a pale green colour ① avoid /ə vɔd/ verb 1. to keep away from 쑗 Travel early to avoid the traffic jams. 쑗 Aircraft fly high to avoid storms. 2. to try not to do something 쑗 He’s always trying to avoid taking a decision. 쑗 You must avoid travelling on Friday evenings. (NOTE: You . . avoid something or avoid doing something.) avoidable /ə vɔdəb(ə)l/ adj which could have been avoided avowed /ə vaυd/ adj publicly stated (formal ) await /ə wet/ verb to wait for something ① awake /ə wek/ verb 1. to wake someone up 쑗 He was awoken by the sound of the telephone. 2. to wake up 쑗 He awoke when he heard them knocking on the door. 쑗 They awoke to find a fox in their tent. (NOTE: awaking – awoke /ə wəυk/ – has awoken) 쐽 adj not asleep 쑗 I can’t get to sleep – it’s 2 o’clock and I’m still awake. Antonym . asleep (NOTE: awake cannot be used in front of a noun) awaken /ə wekən/ verb 1. to wake up 2. to wake someone up 왍 to awaken someone to a danger to warn someone of a danger 쑗 The president was finally awakened to the possibility of war. awakening /ə wek(ə)nŋ/ noun a waking up ① award /ə wɔ d/ noun 1. a prize 쑗 The coffee maker has won a design award. 쑗 The school has been nominated for an award. 2. a decision which settles a disagreement 쑗 The latest pay award has been announced. 쐽 verb to give something such as a prize, a degree or diploma, or other reward to someone award-winning He was awarded first prize. 쑗 She was awarded damages. Synonym confer award-winning /ə wɔ d wnŋ/ adj having won an award or awards ① aware /ə weə/ adj knowing something 쑗 I am not aware of any problem. 쑗 Is he aware that we have to decide quickly? 왍 not that I am aware of not as far as I know 쑗 Has there ever been an accident here before? – Not that I am aware of. ③ awareness /ə weənəs/ noun a state of being aware awash /ə wɒʃ/ adj 앳 awash with 1. covered with something, especially a liquid 2. possessing a lot of something 쑗 Just at the moment the company is awash with cash. ① away /ə we/ adv 1. at a particular distance or time 쑗 The nearest shop is three kilometres away. 2. moving or leading further from a person, place or object 쑗 We all waved as the bus moved away. 쑗 The track led away towards the sea. 3. (as emphasis, after verbs) without stopping 쑗 The birds were singing away in the garden. 왍 right away immediately 쑗 She ate the mince pie and right away asked for another one. 4. not here, somewhere else 쑗 The managing director is away on business. 쑗 My assistant is away sick. 5. (in sports) at your opponents’ sports ground 쑗 Our team is playing away next Saturday. away game /ə we DZem/ noun game played at your opponents’ sports ground ③ awe /ɔ / noun great fear or respect of someone 왍 to be in awe of someone to be frightened of someone 쑗 She is in awe of her father. ① awful / ɔ f(ə)l/ adj very bad or unpleasant 쑗 She felt awful about missing the party. 쑗 He’s got an awful cold. 쑗 Turn off the television – that programme’s awful! Synonym 쑗 dreadful ① awfully / ɔ f(ə)li/ adv very (informal.) 44 azure awhile /ə wal/ adv for a short time (literary) awkward / ɔ kwəd/ adj 1. embarrassing or difficult to deal with 2. difficult to use or deal with because of its shape, size or position 쑗 The handle’s a very awkward shape. 3. not convenient 4. (of a person) not relaxed or confident on social occasions 5. (of a person) clumsy and unattractive in appearance or movement awkwardly / ɔ kwədli/ adv 1. in an awkward way 2. not conveniently awkwardness / ɔ kwədnəs/ noun 1. a feeling of being embarrassed 2. difficulty awning / ɔ nŋ/ noun a roof made of strong cloth, used to keep the sun or rain off awoke, awoken /ə wəυk, ə wəυkən/ 쒁 ① awake awry /ə ra/ adj 1. not straight 2. wrong axe /ks/ noun 1. a tool with a heavy sharp metal head, used for cutting through something 2. 왍 to get the axe to be stopped 쑗 The project got the axe. 왍 to have an axe to grind to have a personal reason for doing something, or a personal point of view which you keep repeating 쑗 You can ask him what he thinks as he doesn’t have any particular axe to grind on this issue. 쐽 verb to get rid of 왍 to axe staff to tell people that they have to leave their job 쑗 Two hundred jobs are going to be axed. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is ax.) axiomatic /ksiə mtk/ adj which everyone knows is true axis / kss/ noun an imaginary line through the centre of a round object such as a ball (NOTE: The plural is axes / ksi z/.) axle / ksəl/ noun a straight bar, usually made of metal, which connects the wheels in a vehicle aye /a/ noun a yes vote 왍 the ayes have it the yes votes have won 쐽 interj 왍 aye aye sir! (in the navy) yes, sir! azure / Ȣə/ adj bright blue (literary) B b /bi /, B noun the second letter of the alphabet, between A and C BA abbr bachelor of arts 쑗 She has a BA in Italian and music. (NOTE: written after the name: Jane Bushell BA) baa /bɑ / verb to make the sound that a sheep makes with its voice 쐽 noun the sound that a sheep makes with its voice babble / bb(ə)l/ noun 1. a little sound made by water as it flows 쑗 the babble of the stream 2. the sound of people talking together 쑗 a babble of voices in the next room 쐽 verb 1. (of water ) to make a sound as it flows 쑗 We sat on the grass by a babbling brook. 2. to speak in a confused way 쑗 She babbled a few words and collapsed. 쑗 What’s he babbling on about? babe /beb/ noun 1. a baby 2. an attractive young man or woman 쑗 She’s a real babe! 3. a girl (informal, sometimes offensive ) 쑗 Come on, babe, let’s hit the town. baboon /bə bu n/ noun a type of large African monkey ① baby / bebi/ noun 1. a very young child 쑗 Most babies start to walk when they are about a year old. 쑗 I’ve known him since he was a baby. 왍 to have a baby to give birth to a baby 쑗 She’s going into hospital to have her baby. 왍 the baby of the family the youngest child in a family 2. a very young animal 쑗 a baby rabbit (NOTE: The plural is babies. . . If you do not know if a baby is a boy or a girl, you can refer to it as it: The baby was sucking its thumb.) baby carrier / bebi kriə/ noun an ob- ject like a large flat bag with handles, for carrying a baby babyish / bebiʃ/ adj like a baby. Synonym childish ③ baby-sit / bebi st/ verb to look after a child or children in a house, while their parents are out (NOTE: baby-sitting – baby-sat) ③ baby-sitter / bebi stə/ noun a person who baby-sits baby talk / bebi tɔ k/ noun a way of speaking like a baby bachelor / btʃələ/ noun 1. a man who is not married 쑗 He’s still a bachelor and I’m beginning to wonder if he’ll ever get mar- ried. 2. a person with a first degree from a university 쑗 a bachelor of arts 쑗 He left university in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree. bachelor’s degree / btʃələz dDZri / noun a first degree from a university ① back /bk/ noun 1. the part of your body which is not in front 쑗 She went to sleep lying on her back. 쑗 He carried his son on his back. 쑗 Don’t lift that heavy box, you may hurt your back. 왍 do something behind someone’s back do something without telling the person who it affects 왍 to turn your back on someone to turn round so that your back is towards someone, as a sign that you are annoyed 왍 glad to see the back of someone pleased that someone has left 왍 to put someone’s back up to annoy someone 왍 have broken the back of the work have done most of the work 2. the opposite part to the front 쑗 He wrote his address on the back of the envelope. 쑗 She sat in the back of the bus and went to sleep. 쑗 The dining room is at the back of the house. 왍 to know a place like the back of your hand to know a place extremely well 왍 to put trousers on back to front to put trousers on the wrong way round 3. one of the players in a sports team who tries to prevent the other team from getting a point 쑗 The backs should stay back to defend the goal. 쐽 adj 1. on the opposite side to the front 쑗 He knocked at the back door of the house. 쑗 The back tyre of my bicycle is flat. 2. referring to the past 쑗 back pay 쐽 adv 1. towards the back 쑗 He stepped back from the edge of the platform. 쑗 She leant back in her armchair. 쑗 Can you please sit back, I can’t see the screen. 2. in the state that something was previously 쑗 Put the telephone back on the table. 쑗 She watched him drive away and then went back into the house. 쑗 She gave me back the money she had borrowed. 쑗 I’ll phone you when I am back in the office. 3. in the past 쑗 Back in the 1950s, life was much less complicated than it is today. 쐽 verb 1. to go backwards, to make something go backwards 쑗 He backed or backed his car down the drive. 왍 to back away from to go backwards from something frightening 쑗 The little girl backed away from the dog. 2. to backache 46 support with money 쑗 She is backing her son’s restaurant. 3. to strongly support a particular person, opinion, etc. 쑗 We’re backing the Prime Minister to win the election. (NOTE: Back is often used after verbs: to give back, to go back, to pay back, etc.) backache / bkek/ noun a pain in the back back benches / bk bentʃz/ plural noun in the British Parliament, the seats where ordinary members of parliament sit ③ backbone / bkbəυn/ noun 1. the series of bones which connect together down the back of a person or an animal 쑗 If you’re careful, you ought to be able to lift the backbone off the fish before eating it. 2. strength of character 쑗 It takes someone with backbone to stand up to the government. backdate /bk det/ verb to put an earlier date on something ③ back door /bk dɔ / noun a door at the back of a house backer / bkə/ noun 1. a person who supports a project with money 쑗 One of the company’s backers has withdrawn. 2. a person who risks money by saying which horse, team, etc. will win a particular race or competition 쑗 Several backers lost thousands when the favourite fell at the last fence. backfire /bk faə/ verb 1. (of a car ) to make a loud noise in the engine 쑗 The motorbike backfired several times when I started it this morning. 2. (of a plan) to go wrong, to turn out exactly the opposite to what was expected 쑗 He was sure that everything would go according to plan and had never even thought it could backfire. 쑗 All their holiday plans backfired when their children got chickenpox. backgammon / bkDZmən/ noun a board game for two people, in which they move their playing pieces after throwing two dice ② background / bkDZraυnd/ noun 1. a part of a picture which seems further away 쑗 The photograph is of a house with mountains in the background. 쑗 His white shirt stands out against the dark background. Compare foreground 2. past life or experience 쑗 He comes from a working class background. 쑗 Her background is in the restaurant business. 3. past details 쑗 He explained the background of the claim for damages. background music / bkDZraυnd mju zk/ noun music played quietly as part of a film or in a place such as a restaurant backhand / bkhnd/ adj referring to a way of hitting the ball in sports such as tennis in which the back of the player’s hand moves towards the ball 쐽 noun a backhand shot. Antonym forehand . backstage backhanded /bk hndd/ adj which could be taken also as an insult ③ backing / bkŋ/ noun 1. financial support 쑗 He has the backing of a French bank. 2. the action of going backwards 쑗 Backing your car round corners is always difficult. 3. music played for a singer 쑗 She sings with an Irish backing group. backlash / bklʃ/ noun a reaction against something backlog / bklɒDZ/ noun a lot of work which someone has not had time to do yet back out /bk aυt/ verb 1. to make a car go backwards out of a place 쑗 He backed (the car) out of the garage into the main road. 2. to decide not to support a project 쑗 We had to cancel the project when the bank backed out. ③ backpack / bkpk/ noun a bag carried on your back. Synonym rucksack ③ backpacker / bkpkə/ noun a person who goes walking for pleasure, carrying a backpack ③ backpacking / bkpkŋ/ noun the activity of going on a long distance walk, carrying a backpack back pay / bk pe/ noun a part of a salary which has not been paid backpedal / bkped(ə)l/ verb 1. (on a bicycle) to move the pedals backwards 2. to change your point of view and do the opposite of what you had promised 쑗 The government is starting to backpedal over its pledge to cut taxes. 쑗 The minister had to backpedal rapidly when the papers found out about his speech. back room /bk rυm/ noun a room at the back of an office, where secret work is done back-room boys / bk ru m bɔz/ plural noun people, especially scientists, who do important work that the public do not know about back seat /bk si t/ noun 1. a seat in the back of a vehicle 2. a less important or active position in an organisation back seat driver /bk si t dravə/ noun a passenger in a car who offers the driver advice backside / bksad/ noun the part of the body you sit on (informal ) backslash / bkslʃ/ noun a keyboard character (\) in the form of a line that slopes to the left backspace / bkspes/ noun the key that you press on a keyboard in order to move one space back on a computer screen backstage /bk stedȢ/ adv 1. off the stage in a theatre 쑗 The actors gathered backstage to wait for the audience to settle down. 2. hidden from view 쑗 She did a lot of . back street 47 work backstage to help the party win the election. 쐽 adj hidden from view 쑗 The football club has several backstage supporters who keep it afloat. 쑗 He did a lot of backstage work to help the poor people of the town. back street / bk stri t/ noun a street away from the main streets 쑗 He grew up in the back streets of the city. 쐽 adj referring to an activity that is done secretly or illegally backstroke / bkstrəυk/ noun a swimming style where you lie on your back and move your arms backwards back-to-back /bk tə bk/ adj, adv 1. with the back of one person or thing against the back of another 쑗 Stand back-to-back to see who is the tallest. 쑗 They put the chairs back-to-back. 2. happening one after the other 쑗 back-to-back meetings backtrack / bktrk/ verb 1. to go back 2. to say that you no longer agree with something that you did or said previously ③ back up /bk p/ verb 1. to help or support someone 쑗 Nobody would back her up when she complained about the service. 쑗 Will you back me up in the vote? 2. to make a copy of a computer file 쑗 Don’t forget to back up your work before you go home in the evening. 3. to make a car go backwards 쑗 Can you back up, please – I want to get out of the parking lot. backup / bkp/ adj supporting, helping 쑗 We offer a free backup service to customers. 쐽 noun helper support backup copy / bkp kɒpi/ noun a copy of a computer disk to be kept in case the original disk is damaged or lost backward / bkwəd/ adj 1. not as advanced as normal 쑗 The little boy seems backward for his age. 2. with no advanced industry 쑗 Some countries are still relatively backward. 3. towards the back, behind you 쑗 He gave her a backward look and waved goodbye. 쐽 adv US same as backwards ① backwards / bkwədz/ adv from the front towards the back 쑗 Don’t step backwards. 쑗 ‘Tab’ is ‘bat’ spelt backwards. 쑗 She looked backwards at the next person in the queue. 왍 backwards and forwards in one direction, then in the opposite direction 쑗 The policeman was walking backwards and forwards in front of the bank. 왍 to bend over backwards, to lean over backwards to do something to do everything you can to be helpful (informal ) 쑗 We bent over backwards to get her a mortgage, and then she decided not to buy the house. 쑗 The social services leant over backwards to help the family. backwater / bkwɔ tə/ noun a quiet country place, away from the capital city backyard /bk jɑ d/ noun 1. an enclosed area behind a house, with a hard surface 쑗 . bad language We keep our bikes in the backyard. 2. the area in which you live 쑗 They have no idea of what’s going on in their own backyard. 3. US a piece of land behind a house (NOTE: The British term is garden.) bacon / bekən/ noun meat from a pig ③ which has been treated with salt or smoke, usually cut into thin pieces 왍 bacon and eggs a breakfast meal of bacon and eggs that have been cooked in a pan on top of a cooker 왍 to save someone’s bacon to get someone out of a difficult situation (informal ) bacteria /bk təriə/ plural noun very small living things, which can cause disease (NOTE: The singular is bacterium /bktəriəm/.) bacterial /bk təriəl/, bacteriological /bktiəriə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to bacteria bacterial warfare /bktəriəl wɔ feə/ noun war where bacteria are used to kill the enemy Bactrian camel /bktriən km(ə)l/ noun an Asian camel which has two humps ① bad /bd/ adj 1. not good 쑗 Eating too much fat is bad for you. 쑗 I think it would be a bad idea to go on holiday in November. 2. of poor quality 쑗 He’s a bad driver. 쑗 She’s good at singing but bad at playing the piano. 3. unpleasant 쑗 He’s got a bad cold. 쑗 She’s in a bad temper. 쑗 I’ve got some bad news for you. 쑗 The weather was bad when we were on holiday in August. 4. serious 쑗 He had a bad accident on the motorway. 5. (of food ) which is not fresh and has started to decay 쑗 I think the pie is bad, so we had better not eat it. 쑗 The meat we bought yesterday has started to go bad. (NOTE: bad – worse /w" s/ – worst /w" st/) bad debt /bd det/ noun an amount of money owed to a person or to a company, which will never be paid baddy / bdi/ noun an evil character, e.g. in a novel or a film. Antonym goody (NOTE: . . The plural is baddies.) badge /bdȢ/ noun a small sign attached to someone’s clothes to show something, e.g. who he or she is or what company he or she belongs to badger / bdȢə/ noun a wild animal, with short legs and a black and white mark on the front of its head, which lives in holes in the ground 쑗 Farmers say that cows can catch TB from badgers. 쐽 verb 왍 to badger someone into doing something to keep on asking someone so often that in the end they do what you want 쑗 She badgered me into giving her the key. bad guy / bd DZa/ noun an evil character in a story or film (informal ) bad language /bd lŋDZwdȢ/ noun swearing and rude words . badly 48 ① badly / bdli/ adv 1. not well 쑗 She did badly in her driving test. 2. seriously 쑗 He was badly injured in the motorway accident. 3. very much 쑗 His hair badly needs cutting. (NOTE: badly – worse – worst) badly-off /bdli ɒf/ adj not having very much money (NOTE: badly-off – worse-off – worst-off) badminton / bdmntən/ noun a game for two or four people, similar to tennis, in which the players use rackets to hit a shuttlecock over a net badmouth / bdmaυθ/ verb to criticise someone in a rude or unpleasant way (informal ) bad-tempered /bd tempəd/ adj feeling angry baffle / bf(ə)l/ noun an object which reduces the effects or movement of noise or air 쑗 They built baffles between the airport runway and the road. 쐽 verb to be unable to understand something 쑗 I’m baffled as to why the car won’t start. 쑗 The cause of the common cold has baffled scientists for years. Synonym confuse ① bag /bDZ/ noun 1. a container made of a substance such as paper or plastic, and used for carrying things 쑗 He put the apples in a paper bag. 왍 to let the cat out of the bag to tell a secret by accident (informal ) 쑗 Her husband let the cat out of the bag and it was all over the newspapers the following morning. 왍 it’s in the bag the deal has been agreed 2. an amount that can be contained in a bag 쑗 a bag of potatoes 쑗 a small bag of flour 왍 bags of a large amount of (informal ) 쑗 Let him pay the bill if he wants to – he’s got bags of money. 3. same as handbag 쑗 My keys are in my bag. 4. a suitcase or large bag used when travelling 쑗 I always pack my bags at the last minute. 왍 to tell someone to pack their bags to tell someone to leave or to tell someone they have to leave their job (informal ) 쑗 When he got home, she told him to pack his bags. 쐽 verb 1. to catch, kill or destroy 쑗 We bagged a brace of pheasants. 쑗 He bagged three enemy planes. 2. 왍 bags I go first let me go first, I claim the right to go first (informal ) bagel / beDZ(ə)l/ noun a small hard bread roll, shaped like a ring baggage / bDZdȢ/ noun cases and bags which you take with you when travelling. Synonym luggage baggage check / bDZdȢ tʃek/ noun the examination of passengers’ bags to see if they contain bombs or other dangerous objects baggage handler / bDZdȢ hndlə/ noun a person who works at an airport taking passengers’ bags on or off planes . . . . . baked potato baggy / bDZi/ adj (of clothes) appearing too big for the person who is wearing them (NOTE: baggier – baggiest) bagpipes / bDZpaps/ plural noun a musical instrument used especially in Scotland, Ireland and Brittany, which is played by blowing air into a bag and then pumping it through pipes baguette /b DZet/ noun 1. a stick-shaped loaf of bread 2. a valuable stone such as a diamond which is cut in a long narrow shape bail /bel/ noun money which an arrested person, or someone else, pays to a court as a promise that the person will return to court for their trial. If they do not return the court keeps the money. 쑗 She was released on bail of £5000. 왍 to jump bail not to appear in court after being allowed bail 쑗 The police are afraid he will jump bail. 쐽 verb to use something to remove water from a boat 쑗 We’re filling up with water – start bailing! (NOTE: Do not confuse with bale.) bailiff / belf/ noun 1. a court official who is responsible for making sure that court orders are obeyed 쑗 The court ordered the bailiff to seize his property because he had not paid his debt. 쑗 We were having breakfast when the bailiffs arrived and seized our car. 2. someone whose job is to manage a farm for the person who owns it 쑗 We are looking for a bailiff for one of our farms. bail out /bel aυt/ verb 1. to help someone in difficulty 쑗 When he couldn’t pay his rent, he asked his father to bail him out. 2. to pay money to a court to have a prisoner set free 쑗 He phoned his lawyer to see if someone could bail him out. 3. to remove water from a boat 쑗 I’ll try to plug the hole, if you start to bail out. bails /belz/ plural noun two pieces of wood on top of the stumps in cricket bait /bet/ noun something used to attract fish or animals so that you can catch them 쑗 We must put down some more bait to try to get rid of the mice. Synonym lure 왍 to rise to the bait, to take the bait to allow yourself to get caught by an attractive offer 쐽 verb to attach bait to a hook 쑗 He baited his line with a worm. ③ bake /bek/ verb to cook food in an oven 쑗 Mum’s baking a cake for my birthday. 쑗 Bake the pizza for 35 minutes. ③ baked beans /bekt bi nz/ plural noun dried white beans cooked in tomato sauce 쑗 We had baked beans on toast for supper. 쑗 Can you go to the grocer’s and get me a tin of baked beans? baked potato /bekt pə tetəυ/ noun a potato which you bake in the oven, often cut open when it is cooked and filled with another food such as cheese or beans baker ③ baker / bekə/ noun a person whose job is to make bread and cakes baker’s dozen /bekəz dz(ə)n/ noun thirteen bakery / bekəri/ noun a place where bread and cakes are made for selling to the public (NOTE: The plural is bakeries.) baking / bekŋ/ noun the action of cook- ing in an oven, especially bread and cakes 쑗 There was a wonderful smell of baking coming from the kitchen. 쐽 adj very hot 쑗 It’s baking (hot) in here – can you open the window? Synonym sweltering. Antonym freezing baking powder / bekŋ paυdə/ noun powder which when added to a cake mix helps it to rise baking soda / bekŋ səυdə/ noun sodium bicarbonate, used in baking to make cakes rise ② balance / bləns/ noun 1. the quality of staying steady 쑗 The cat needs a good sense of balance to walk along the top of a fence. 왍 to keep your balance not to fall over 왍 to lose your balance to fall down 쑗 As he was crossing the river on the tightrope he lost his balance and fell. 2. money left in an account 쑗 I have a balance of £25 in my bank account. 3. money left to be paid 쑗 You can pay £100 down and the balance in three instalments. 쑗 The balance outstanding is now £5000. 4. a machine which weighs things 왍 the result is hanging in the balance you cannot tell which way the result will turn out 쐽 verb 1. to stand without falling 쑗 The cat balanced on the top of the fence. 2. to make something stand without falling 쑗 The waiter balanced a pile of dirty plates on his arm. 3. 왍 to make accounts balance, to balance the accounts to make income and the amount spent equal in accounts balanced / blənst/ adj 1. not extreme, having equal quantities 쑗 a balanced diet 2. not in profit or loss 쑗 a balanced budget 3. sensible 쑗 to express a balanced opinion balance of payments /bləns əv pemənts/ noun the difference in value between what a country buys from other countries and what it sells to them balance of power /bləns əv paυə/ noun 1. a situation where two powerful states are almost equal in power 쑗 The rise of the military government has threatened the balance of power in the region. 2. 왍 to hold the balance of power to be in a situation where no large group has a majority and so hold power by being able to decide which group to support 쑗 Although the Liberal Democrats only have two seats on the council, they hold the balance of power because the other two parties have twenty seats each. 49 ball-bearing balance sheet / bləns ʃi t/ noun a statement of a company’s financial position at the end of a period of time balancing act / blənsŋ kt/ noun a skilful attempt to deal with opposing groups or opinions, or with a large variety of jobs balcony / blkəni/ noun 1. a small flat area that sticks out from the upper level of a building 쑗 The flat has a balcony overlooking the harbour. 쑗 Breakfast is served on the balcony. 2. the upper rows of seats in a theatre or cinema 쑗 We booked seats at the front of the balcony. (NOTE: The plural is balconies.) bald /bɔ ld/ adj 1. having no hair on the head 쑗 His grandfather is quite bald. 쑗 He is beginning to go bald. Compare hairless 2. giving plain facts without any explanation 쑗 After the fire, the police issued a bald statement. balding / bɔ ldŋ/ adj going bald baldly / bɔ ldli/ adv done or said in a plain and simple way bald tyre /bɔ ld taə/ noun a tyre which has been worn smooth bale /bel/ noun a large block of a substance such as wool, paper or cotton 쑗 a bale of cotton 쑗 They used bales of straw to make walls alongside the racetrack. 쐽 verb 왍 to bale out to jump out of a plane with a parachute 쑗 As the plane exploded, the pilot managed to bale out. (NOTE: Do not confuse with bail.) ① ball /bɔ l/ noun 1. a round object used in playing games, for throwing, kicking or hitting 쑗 They played in the garden with an old tennis ball. 쑗 He kicked the ball into the goal. 쑗 He threw the ball and I caught it. 왍 to keep the ball rolling to keep everything moving, especially a conversation 쑗 John kept the ball rolling by telling a long story about his trip to Egypt. 왍 to start the ball rolling to start things going 왍 to be on the ball to have a lot of skill or knowledge of something 쑗 I’ll ask Mary to do it – she’s been here a long time and is really on the ball. 왍 won’t play ball won’t cooperate 2. any round object 쑗 a ball of wool 쑗 He crumpled the paper up into a ball. 3. a formal dance 쑗 Cinderella lost her shoe at the ball. 왍 to have a ball to enjoy yourself very much (informal ) 쑗 The children don’t want to go home – they’re having a ball. ballad / bləd/ noun a simple romantic song ballast / bləst/ noun 1. material carried in a ship to give it extra weight, so that it will keep steady even if it is not carrying any goods 2. small stones that form a base for a railway track ball-bearing /bɔ l beərŋ/ noun 1. a small steel ball 쑗 I tried to mend my bicycle wheel and lost one of the ball-bearings. 2. a . ball boy 50 ring of small steel balls which allows a metal bar to turn easily 쑗 The ball-bearings in the bicycle wheel had to be replaced. ball boy / bɔ l bɔ/ noun a boy who picks up the balls during tennis games ballerina /blə ri nə/ noun a woman ballet dancer ballet / ble/ noun 1. a type of dance, given as a public entertainment, where dancers perform a story to music 2. a performance of this type of dance 쑗 We went to the ballet last night. ballet dancer / ble dɑ nsə/ noun a person who dances in ballet ball game / bɔ l DZem/ noun 1. a game played with a ball 쑗 football, tennis and other ball games 2. US a game of baseball 3. the general way in which things are managed 왍 a whole new ball game a completely new situation 쑗 It’s opened up a whole new ball game. ball girl / bɔ l DZ" l/ noun a girl who picks up the balls during tennis games ballistic /bə lstk/ adj referring to ballistics ballistics /bə lstks/ noun the study of things which are shot through the air, such as bullets (NOTE: takes a singular verb) ③ balloon /bə lu n/ noun a large ball which is blown up with air or gas 쐽 verb to increase in size or amount ballot / blət/ noun a way of voting in which voters mark papers with a cross 쐽 verb 1. to get people to vote on something 쑗 The union is balloting its members on the strike. 2. to vote by marking papers with a cross 쑗 They balloted for the place on the committee. ballot box / blət bɒks/ noun a box for putting voting papers into ballot paper / blət pepə/ noun a paper on which the voter marks a vote ballpark / bɔ lpɑ k/ noun US a place for playing baseball 쑗 The team’s gone to the ballpark. ballpark figure / bɔ lpɑ k fDZə/ noun a general figure which can be used as the basis for discussion ballpoint / bɔ lpɔnt/, ballpoint pen /bɔ lpɔnt pen/ noun a pen which has a small ball at the tip over which ink flows as you write 쑗 Don’t write in ballpoint, use a pencil. ballroom / bɔ lru m/ noun a large room for formal dances ballroom dancing /bɔ lru m dɑ nsŋ/ noun formal dancing ballyhoo /bli hu / noun excited and energetic publicity (informal ). Synonym . uproar balm /bɑ m/ noun a soothing ointment balmy / bɑ mi/ adj pleasantly mild bandage baloney /bə ləυni/ noun US nonsense (informal ). Synonym drivel balsa / bɔ lsə/ noun a very light wood used for making models Baltic / bɔ ltk/ noun the sea south of Sweden and Finland, and north of Poland 쑗 We spent the summer cruising along the Baltic coast. balustrade /blə stred/ noun a series of small pillars with a bar across the top, forming a wall around a balcony or formal garden bamboo /bm bu / noun a tall tropical plant whose stems are used as supports or in making furniture bamboo shoots /bm bu ʃu ts/ plural noun young shoots of bamboo, eaten especially in Chinese cooking ③ ban /bn/ noun an order which forbids something 쑗 The government has introduced a ban on smoking in cinemas. Synonym prohibition 쐽 verb to forbid 쑗 She was banned from driving for three years. (NOTE: banning – banned) banal /bə nɑ l/ adj quite ordinary and uninteresting. Synonym commonplace banality /bə nlti/ noun being ordinary 쑗 The banality of that sitcom drives me mad. banana /bə nɑ nə/ noun 1. a long yellow, slightly curved fruit which grows in hot countries 쑗 She was peeling a banana. 쑗 Can I have a banana milk shake? 2. 왍 to go bananas to get very annoyed (informal ) 쑗 When he saw what they had done to his car, he went bananas. banana republic /bənɑ nə r pblk/ noun a corrupt Central American state (disapproving) banana split /bənɑ nə splt/ noun a dessert made of banana with ice cream, cream and chocolate sauce, usually served in a long dish ② band /bnd/ noun 1. a group of people 쑗 Bands of drunken football fans wandered around the streets. 2. a group of people who play music together 쑗 The soldiers marched down the street, following the band. 쑗 The dance band played all night. 3. a range of things taken together 쑗 He’s in the £50 – 60,000 salary band. 쑗 We’re looking for something in the £10 – £15 price band. 쐽 verb 왍 to band together to form a group 쑗 They banded together to form a pressure group. ③ bandage / bnddȢ/ noun a cloth for putting around a wound or an injured part of the body 쑗 The nurse put a bandage round his knee. 쑗 His head was covered in bandages. 쐽 verb to put a cloth around a wound or an injured part of the body 쑗 The nurse bandaged his knee. . . BandAid 51 BandAid / bnded/ trademark US a small strip of cloth with gauze in the middle, which can be stuck to the skin to cover a wound 쑗 Let me put a BandAid on your finger. B & B abbr bed and breakfast bandit / bndt/ noun a robber. Synonym ③ outlaw bandwagon / bndwDZən/ noun 왍 to jump on the bandwagon to do what everyone else is doing 쑗 Once the prince had praised the ecological movement, everyone wanted to jump on the bandwagon. bandwidth / bndwdθ/ noun 1. a range of radio wavelengths 2. the amount of electronic data that can be sent through an Internet connection or other communication channel 3. the time someone has available to finish jobs they have been given to do bandy / bndi/ adj 왍 he has bandy legs when he stands with his feet together, his knees do not touch bandy about /bndi ə baυt/ verb to speak or write certain words. Synonym exchange bane /ben/ noun 왍 it’s the bane of my life it’s very annoying 쑗 The neighbour’s dog is the bane of our lives. ③ bang /bŋ/ noun a sudden noise like that made by a gun 쑗 The car started with a series of loud bangs. 쑗 There was a bang and the tyre went flat. 쐽 verb to hit hard, so as to make a loud noise 쑗 He banged (on) the table with his hand. 쑗 Can’t you stop the door banging? 쐽 adv, interj showing the something makes a sudden noise (informal ) 쑗 A firework suddenly went bang. 왍 bang in the middle right in the middle 쑗 Bang in the middle of her speech, someone’s mobile phone started to ring. banger / bŋə/ noun 1. a type of firework which makes a bang 쑗 Keep the dog indoors on November 5th – she doesn’t like bangers. 2. an old car 쑗 I’m surprised his old banger is still on the road. 3. a sausage 왍 bangers and mash fried sausages and mashed potatoes bangle / bŋDZəl/ noun a metal bracelet worn round the wrist or ankle ③ banish / bnʃ/ verb 1. to send someone to live a long distance away (usually out of the country, or in a distant part of the country) as a punishment 쑗 She was banished to a small island for ten years. 쑗 He was banished to Siberia. Synonym exile 2. to send someone away from a particular place 쑗 She was banished from the front desk to a little office on the fifth floor. 3. to get rid of 쑗 The aim is to banish poverty by the year 2010. banishment / bnʃmənt/ noun the act of banishing or state of being banished. Synonym expulsion (NOTE: no plural) . bankrupt banisters / bnstəz/ noun a handrail on top of a series of poles along the side of stairs banjo / bndȢəυ/ noun a stringed instrument with a round body and a long neck (NOTE: The plural is banjos.) ① bank /bŋk/ noun 1. a business which holds money for its clients, which lends money at interest and trades generally in money 쑗 I must go to the bank to get some money. 쑗 She took all her money out of the bank to buy a car. 쑗 How much money do you have in the bank? 2. land along the side of a river 쑗 He sat on the river bank all day, trying to catch fish. 쑗 There is a path along the bank of the canal. 3. a long heap of earth, sand, snow, etc. 쑗 The road was blocked by banks of snow blown by the wind. 쐽 verb 1. to put money away into a bank 쑗 I banked the cheque as soon as it arrived. 쑗 Have you banked the money yet? 2. to pile up in a long mound 쑗 The snow was banked up along both sides of the road. ② bank account / bŋk əkaυnt/ noun an arrangement which you make with a bank to keep your money safely, and in which you can deposit and withdraw money as you want 왍 to open a bank account to start keeping money in a bank 쑗 He opened a bank account when he started his first job. 왍 to close a bank account to stop having an account with a bank bank balance / bŋk bləns/ noun the amount of money someone has in a bank account bank card / bŋk kɑ d/ noun a plastic card you use with a cheque to make a payment banker / bŋkə/ noun a person who has a senior post in a bank ① bank holiday /bŋk hɒlde/ noun a special day when most people do not go to work and the banks are closed ③ banking / bŋkŋ/ noun 1. the profession of working in a bank 쑗 He is planning a career in banking. 2. the work that banks do 쑗 Some supermarkets now offer banking services. bank manager / bŋk mndȢə/ noun the person in charge of a branch of a bank banknote / bŋknəυt/ noun a piece of paper money (NOTE: The US term is bill.) bank on / bŋk ɒn/ verb to be sure that something will happen. Synonym count on bankroll / bŋkrəυl/ verb to pay for a project (informal ). Synonym finance ③ bankrupt / bŋkrpt/ adj not able to pay your debts 쑗 He has been declared bankrupt. 쐽 noun a person who cannot pay his or her debts 쑗 A bankrupt cannot be a member of parliament. . bankruptcy bankruptcy / bŋkrptsi/ noun being bankrupt (NOTE: The plural is bankruptcies.) COMMENT: ‘Bankruptcy’ and ‘bankrupt’ are applied to people, and ‘insolvency’ and ‘insolvent’ are usually applied to companies. bank statement / bŋk stetmənt/ noun a written document from a bank showing the balance of an account banner / bnə/ noun 1. a long flag 쑗 They hung banners from the tops of buildings for the festival. 2. a large piece of cloth with a slogan on it 쑗 The demonstrators carried banners with the words ‘Power to the People’. banner headline /bnə hedlan/ noun a newspaper headline printed in very large letters banquet / bŋkwt/ noun a formal dinner for important guests bantam / bntəm/ noun a small breed of chicken, most kinds being about half the size and weight of an ordinary chicken bantamweight / bntəmwet/ noun a weight of boxer between flyweight and featherweight banter / bntə/ noun talk with joking comments banyan / bnjən/ noun a tropical tree with roots which come down from the branches bap /bp/ noun a soft flat white bread roll baptise /bp taz/, baptize verb 1. to receive someone into the Christian religion in a ceremony involving sprinkling or covering with water 2. to give a baby a name when it is baptised. Synonym christen baptism / bptz(ə)m/ noun 1. a religious ceremony where someone, usually a baby, is welcomed into the Christian church and given a Christian name after being sprinkled with holy water 쑗 All the family came together for the baptism. Synonym christening 2. 왍 baptism of fire the first time someone has faced a difficult situation 쑗 Giving a speech to the sales conference was her baptism of fire as sales manager. ① bar /bɑ / noun 1. a long piece of something hard 쑗 The yard was full of planks and metal bars. 2. a solid rectangular piece of material 쑗 Put a new bar of soap by the bath. 쑗 She was munching a bar of chocolate. 3. a long piece of wood or metal which closes a door or window 왍 behind bars in prison 쑗 He was put behind bars for several years. 4. the long metal or plastic key on a computer keyboard 5. a place in a hotel or pub where you can buy and drink alcohol 쑗 Let’s meet in the bar before dinner. 쑗 The reps met in the bar of the hotel. 6. a small shop where you can buy food 7. an obstacle, something which prevents something else happening 쑗 52 bare Not having the right qualifications could be a bar to your promotion. 8. the profession of a barrister 왍 to be called to the bar to become a barrister 9. a division within a piece of music 쑗 Let’s play the first few bars again. 쐽 prep except 쑗 All of the suppliers replied bar one. 쑗 All bar two of the players in the team are British. 쐽 verb 1. to block 쑗 The road was barred by the police. 쑗 The path is barred to cyclists. 2. 왍 to bar someone from doing something to prevent someone doing something 쑗 She was barred from entering the USA. barb /bɑ b/ noun a small tooth on a fish-hook or arrow barbarian /bɑ beəriən/ noun a wild and uncivilised person barbaric /bɑ brk/ adj cruel and uncivilised barbarous / bɑ bərəs/ adj very cruel (formal ) ③ barbecue / bɑ bkju / noun 1. a metal grill for cooking out of doors 쑗 Light the barbecue at least half an hour before you start cooking. 2. a meal or party where food is cooked out of doors 쑗 We had a barbecue for twenty guests. 쑗 They were invited to a barbecue. 쐽 verb to cook on a barbecue 쑗 Barbecued spare ribs are on the menu. 쑗 She was barbecuing sausages for lunch when it started to rain. barbed /bɑ bd/ adj 1. with sharp hooks 쑗 It was impossible to remove the barbed hook from her hand without cutting into the flesh. 2. (of a remark ) sharply critical 쑗 He made some barbed comments about her singing. ③ barbed wire /bɑ bd waə/ noun a type of wire with sharp spikes, used to make fences barbell / bɑ bel/ noun a long metal bar with a weight at each end which is used in weightlifting barber / bɑ bə/ noun a person who cuts men’s hair barbiturate /bɑ btʃυrət/ noun a drug which sends you to sleep bar chart / bɑ tʃɑ t/ noun a diagram where quantities are shown as thick columns of different heights. Also called bar graph bar code / bɑ kəυd/ noun printed lines which can be read by a computer bard /bɑ d/ noun a poet (literary or humorous) 왍 the Bard (of Avon) a literary name for William Shakespeare ③ bare /beə/ adj 1. with no clothes on 쑗 He walked on the beach in his bare feet. 2. with no leaves on, no covering, or with no furnishings in 쑗 In winter, the branches are all bare. 쑗 They slept on the bare floorboards. 쑗 They saw the bare bones of dead animals in the desert. 3. 왍 a bare living just enough to live . . bareback on 쑗 He makes a bare living selling T-shirts to tourists. 왍 bare minimum the smallest amount needed 쑗 The flat is furnished with the bare minimum of furniture. 쐽 verb to make part of the body bare by removing clothes 쑗 Men should bare their heads on entering the church. Synonym expose (NOTE: 53 barometer barge in /bɑ dȢ n/ verb to arrive or intervene in an unwelcome way. Synonym rush barge pole / bɑ dȢ pəυl/ noun 왍 I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole I would advise you not to get involved in that (informal ) bar graph / bɑ DZrɑ f/ noun same as bar . Do not confuse with bear.) bareback / beəbk/ adj, adv without a chart saddle makes coffee in a coffee bar baritone / brtəυn/ noun a singer with a voice which is higher than a bass and lower than a tenor 쑗 The baritone sang a duet with the soprano. 쐽 adj higher than a bass and lower than a tenor 쑗 He has a rich baritone voice. barium / beəriəm/ noun a chemical element which is a white metal bark /bɑ k/ noun 1. the hard outer layer of a tree 쑗 the rough bark of a pine tree 쑗 The bark of silver birch trees comes off in strips. 2. the call of a dog 쑗 The dog gave a bark of greeting as we came into the house. 왍 his bark is worse than his bite he is not as frightening as he seems 쑗 Don’t be afraid of Aunt Bessie – her bark is much worse than her bite. 쐽 verb 1. to scrape your skin 쑗 He barked his shin climbing over the wall. 2. to make a call like a dog 쑗 The dog barks every time he hears the postman. 왍 to bark up the wrong tree to be mistaken 쑗 They don’t know what the problem is – they’re barking up the wrong tree. barley / bɑ li/ noun a common cereal crop grown in temperate areas barmaid / bɑ med/ noun a woman who serves drinks in a bar (dated ) barman / bɑ mən/ noun a man who serves drinks in a bar (NOTE: The plural is bar- barefaced lie /beə fest/ noun a crude or cynical lie barefoot / beəfυt/ adj, adv without shoes The children were barefoot. 쑗 She walked barefoot in the grass. bareheaded /beə hedd/ adj, adv not wearing a hat barelegged /beə leDZd/ adj, adv not wearing clothes on your legs ③ barely / beəli/ adv scarcely, almost not enough 쑗 She barely had enough money to pay for her ticket. 쑗 He barely had time to get dressed before the police arrived. 쑗 The noise in the iron foundry is barely tolerable. Synonym hardly ③ bargain / bɑ DZn/ noun 1. an agreed deal 왍 to strike a bargain to agree terms 쑗 We shook hands and the bargain was struck. 왍 he drives a hard bargain he is a tough negotiator 2. 왍 into the bargain as well as other things 쑗 The plane was late and they lost my suitcase into the bargain. 3. something bought more cheaply than usual 쑗 The car was a real bargain at £500. 쐽 verb 1. to negotiate terms 쑗 After bargaining with the doorman, we managed to get into the club. 2. to haggle, to discuss a price 쑗 If you bargain with the man in the antique shop, you’ll probably get something knocked off the price. 3. 왍 to bargain for something to expect something to happen 쑗 I hadn’t bargained for him being away and leaving me to do all the work. 왍 I got more than I bargained for the situation had unpleasant results which I did not expect bargain basement /bɑ DZn besmənt/ noun a department, sometimes in the basement of a shop, where you can buy things at cheap prices bargain counter / bɑ DZn kaυntə/ noun a counter in a shop where things are sold particularly cheaply bargain hunting / bɑ DZn hntŋ/ noun the activity of looking for bargains in a shop bargaining / bɑ DZnŋ/ noun the discussing of prices or terms bargain offer /bɑ DZn ɒfə/ noun goods which are put on sale at a reduced price barge /bɑ dȢ/ noun a cargo boat on a river or canal 쑗 We watched the barges go past along the Rhine. 쑗 barista /bə rstə/ noun someone who . men.) bar mitzvah /bɑ mtsvə/ noun a ceremony where a Jewish boy is made a full member of his community at the age of 13 barmy / bɑ mi/ adj mad (informal ). Synonym irrational. Antonym rational (NOTE: . barmy – barmier – barmiest) barn /bɑ n/ noun a large farm building used for storing produce, and also used in the USA for keeping animals barnacle / bɑ nək(ə)l/ noun a small shellfish which clings to things in the sea such as the bottoms of ships and wooden posts barnstorming / bɑ nstɔ mŋ/ adj full of wild political oratory barnyard / bɑ njɑ d/ noun the space round barns and other farm buildings. Synonym farmyard barometer /bə rɒmtə/ noun an instrument which measures changes in atmospheric pressure and can be used to forecast the weather barometric pressure 54 barometric pressure /brəmetrk preʃə/ noun atmospheric pressure shown by a barometer baron / brən/ noun 1. a nobleman, of a low rank in the UK 2. the title given to a life peer in the UK 3. a powerful person (NOTE: Do not confuse with barren.) COMMENT: Life peers and peeresses are barons and baronesses; barons are addressed as ‘Lord’ followed by their family name, and baronesses as ‘Lady’. In some European countries, the word is used as a form of address: so, Baron Smith is addressed as ‘Lord Smith’, but Baron Schmidt is addressed as ‘Baron’. baroness / brənəs/ noun 1. the wife of a baron 2. the title given to a female life peer baronet / brənət/ noun a a member of one of the lowest ranks of the aristocracy, of lower status than a baron COMMENT: Baronets are addressed as ‘Sir’, followed by their Christian name and family name; their wives are addressed as ‘Lady’ followed by the family name (hence Sir John Smith’s wife is addressed as ‘Lady Smith’). The title passes to the heir but does not automatically qualify the holder for a seat in the House of Lords; baronets can be Members of Parliament. baroque /bə rɒk/ adj highly decorated European artistic, architectural and musical style of the late 17th and 18th centuries barracks / brəks/ noun 1. a building where soldiers are housed 쑗 The soldiers marched into their barracks. 2. a big cold building 쑗 The school was housed in a barracks of a building. (NOTE: Barracks takes a singular or a plural verb.) barrage / brɑ Ȣ/ noun 1. heavy gunfire, mass of things thrown 쑗 The enemy started an artillery barrage. 쑗 The police were met by a barrage of stones and bottles. 쑗 He faced a barrage of questions from reporters when he arrived at the airport. 2. a dam made of a wall of soil or stones which blocks a river 쑗 They built a barrage to help control the water level in the river. ③ barrel / brəl/ noun 1. a round wooden container for liquid 쑗 a barrel of beer 쑗 We sell wine by the barrel. 왍 he’s got me over a barrel he has put me in very awkward situation 2. an amount contained in a barrel 쑗 The price of oil has reached $30 a barrel. 쑗 The oil well produces thousands of barrels of oil per day. 3. the firing tube of a gun 쑗 You need to clean the barrel of your rifle very carefully. barren / brən/ adj 1. (of land ) which is not fertile and cannot grow crops 쑗 Barren land stretches for miles around the reactor site. 2. which cannot bear young 쑗 a barren . base cow 3. which does not produce fruit 쑗 One pear tree on its own will be barren – you need two trees to produce fruit. (NOTE: Do not confuse with baron.) barricade /br ked/ noun a pile of something such as stones or burnt cars which is used to block a street 쑗 Protesters built barricades across several of the main streets. Synonym blockade 쐽 verb to build a barricade 쑗 Protesters barricaded the streets. 왍 to barricade yourself inside to block a door with furniture, etc., so that no one else can get inside 쑗 He barricaded himself inside the flat. ③ barrier / briə/ noun 1. a bar which blocks a passage 쑗 He lifted the barrier and we drove across the border. 2. something which stops something from progressing or happening, such as the spread of a disease or the import of goods barrier reef /briə ri f/ noun a coral reef enclosing a lagoon barring / bɑ rŋ/ prep unless something is the case barrister / brstə/ noun a lawyer who can present cases in court. 쏡 bar. Also called counsel (NOTE: The word barrister is not used in the USA.) COMMENT: Barristers are members of one of the Inns of Court. They are instructed by solicitors, and never by the client whom they are representing. Important barristers are nominated to become QCs. barrow / brəυ/ noun 1. a wheeled handcart for selling fruit and vegetables 2. a mound of earth over the tomb of a prehistoric leader 쑗 Archaeologists are excavating an old barrow. bartender / bɑ tendə/ noun a person who serves behind a bar barter / bɑ tə/ noun a system where goods are exchanged for other goods and not sold for money 쑗 The company has agreed a barter deal with Bulgaria. 쐽 verb 왍 to barter something for something to exchange goods for other goods, and not buy them for money 쑗 They agreed a deal to barter tractors for barrels of wine. basalt / bsɔ lt/ noun a black rock produced by volcanoes ① base /bes/ noun 1. the bottom part 쑗 The table lamp has a flat base. 2. a place where you work from 쑗 He lives in London but uses Paris as his base when travelling in France. 3. one of the marked spots in baseball where a player is safe 쑗 Players have to run from base to base. 왍 to touch base with someone to get in touch with someone again (informal ) 쑗 I’m calling because I wanted to touch base with you. 쐽 verb to use as a base 쑗 The company is based in Paris, it is not . baseball 55 London-based as you might expect. 쑗 The theory is based on research done in Russia. 쑗 He based his article on work done at Harvard University. ② baseball / besbɔ l/ noun 1. an American game for two teams of nine players, in which a player hits a ball with a bat and players from the other team try to catch it 쑗 We went to the baseball game last Saturday. 2. the hard ball used in playing baseball 쑗 We lost yet another baseball in the river. baseball cap / besbɔ l kp/ noun a soft cotton cap with a large peak baseline / beslan/ noun the line at the back of a tennis court, etc. basement / besmənt/ noun a floor in a building below ground level. Synonym cellar. Antonym attic base rate / bes ret/ noun a basic rate of interest set by a central bank on which other banks calculate the actual rate of interest on money they lend (NOTE: The US term is prime rate.) bash /bʃ/ noun 1. a knock 쑗 I see your car has had a bash. 2. 왍 have a bash try to do something (informal ) 쑗 Waterskiing . looks fun – do you think I could have a bash at it? 3. a party 쑗 Are you going to Jane’s bash tomorrow? (NOTE: The plural is bashes.) 쐽 verb to hit hard 쑗 He bashed her over the head with a stick. 쑗 When she fell down she bashed her head on the chair. 쑗 She was bashing stakes into the ground with a mallet. bashful / bʃf(ə)l/ adj shy and embarrassed. Synonym shy ① basic / besk/ adj very simple, or at the first level 쑗 Being able to swim is a basic requirement if you are going canoeing. 쑗 Knowledge of basic Spanish will be enough for the job. ① basically / beskli/ adv at the simplest level (used when stating the simplest fact) 쑗 Basically, he’s fed up with his job. basic pay /besk pe/ noun a normal salary without extra payments basics / besks/ plural noun basic facts. Synonym fundamentals 왍 to get back to basics to concentrate on the main points again 쑗 All these new theories are very interesting, but we need to get back to basics again. basil / bz(ə)l/ noun a herb with strongly scented leaves which is used especially in Italian cooking basilica /bə zlkə/ noun 1. an early form of Christian church, built as a long rectangle 2. an important Catholic church 쑗 St Peter’s Basilica is the most important church in Rome. bat basin / bes(ə)n/ noun a large bowl 왍 wash basin a large bowl in the bathroom, used for washing your hands and face ① basis / bess/ noun 1. the general facts on which something is based 쑗 What is the basis for these proposals? 왍 on the basis of based on 쑗 The calculations are done on the basis of an exchange rate of 1.6 dollars to the pound. 2. the general terms of an agreement 쑗 She is working for us on a freelance basis. 쑗 Many of the helpers at the hospice work on a voluntary basis. (NOTE: The plural is bases / besi z/.) bask /bɑ sk/ verb to lie happily in warm sunshine or in a pleasant atmosphere ② basket / bɑ skt/ noun a container made of thin pieces of wood, wire or grass woven together ② basketball / bɑ sktbɔ l/ noun 1. a game played by two teams of five players who try to throw the ball through an open net hung high up at each end of the playing area 2. the ball used when playing basketball bass1 /bes/ adj referring to a low-pitched voice or music 쑗 He has a pleasant bass voice. Synonym deep 쐽 noun 1. a singer with a deep voice 쑗 the famous Russian bass 2. same as double bass bass2 /bs/ noun a type of edible freshwater fish bass clef /bes klef/ noun a sign showing that the notes are in a low range bass guitar /bes DZ tɑ / noun a guitar which plays a lower range of notes bassoon /bə su n/ noun a long wooden wind instrument, with a low tone ③ bastard / bɑ stəd/ noun 1. a person whose parents are not married 쑗 Technically speaking, many children are born bastards nowadays. 2. a nasty person or nasty thing (generally offensive) 쑗 The bastard walked out of the restaurant without paying. 쑗 The written driving test is a real bastard. 쐽 adj with parents who are not married 쑗 the bastard son of the last duke bastion / bstiən/ noun 1. a part of a castle wall which sticks out from the face of the wall 쑗 The gate was protected by bastions at each corner. 2. a place which protects some particular way of living 왍 the country is a bastion of democracy the country is firmly democratic 쑗 Rome is famous as the bastion of Catholicism. ③ bat /bt/ noun 1. a piece of wood used for hitting a ball 쑗 a baseball bat 쑗 a cricket bat 왍 he did it off his own bat he decided to do it himself, without asking anyone (informal ) 2. a little animal, similar to a mouse, which can fly 쑗 Bats hang upside down. 쐽 verb 1. to be one of the two batsmen or to be the team which is batting in a cricket match 쑗 England batted all day. 쑗 Vaughan is bat. batch 56 ting. 2. to be the batter in a baseball match 쑗 I watched him batting on TV this afternoon. 3. 왍 never batted an eyelid showed no surprise at all batch /btʃ/ noun a number of things made at one time bated / betd/ adj 왍 with bated breath in anxious or excited anticipation 쑗 She waited with bated breath to see if she had passed the exam. ② bath /bɑ θ/ noun 1. a large container in which you can sit and wash your whole body 쑗 There’s a wash basin and a bath in the bathroom. (NOTE: The US term is bathtub or tub.) 2. the process of washing your whole body 쑗 My father has a cold bath every morning. 왍 to throw the baby out with the bath water to get rid of something good and useful at the same time as you are getting rid of something useless (informal ) 3. 왍 swimming baths a large building with a swimming pool 쐽 verb to wash all over 쑗 She’s bathing the baby. Synonym wash (NOTE: Do . not confuse with bathe. Note also baths /bɑ θs/ – bathing / bɑ θŋ/ – bathed /bɑ θt/.) bathe /beð/ verb 1. to go into water 쑗 Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in the Ganges. 2. to wash a wound carefully 쑗 The nurse bathed his wound before applying a dressing. 3. US to have a bath 쑗 I just have enough time to bathe before my dinner guests arrive. 쐽 noun the act of swimming in a pool, a river, or the sea (dated ) 쑗 We all went for an early-morning bathe before breakfast. (NOTE: Do not confuse with bath. Note also bathes /beðz/ – bathing / beðŋ/ – bathed /beðd/.) bather / beðə/ noun a person who is swimming. Synonym swimmer bathing / beðŋ/ noun swimming or going into the sea, a river or a lake bathing costume / beðŋ kɒstju m/, bathing suit / beðŋ su t/ noun a piece of clothing worn when swimming (dated ) bathrobe / bɑ θrəυb/ noun a loose coat of towelling, worn when you get out of a bath 쑗 She came out of the bathroom dressed in a pink bathrobe. ② bathroom / bɑ θru m/ noun 1. a room in a house with a bath, a wash basin and usually a toilet 쑗 The house has two bathrooms. 2. a toilet (said instead of ) 쑗 Where’s the bathroom? 쑗 Can I use your bathroom, please? bath salts / bɑ θ sɔ lts/ plural noun scented crystals to put in a bath bathtowel / bɑ θtaυəl/ noun a very large towel bathtub / bɑ θtb/ noun US the container in which you sit and wash your body (NOTE: . . . The British term is bath.) battle baton / btɒn/ noun 1. a large stick used to hit with 쑗 The crowd was stopped by a row of policemen carrying batons. 2. a thin white stick used to conduct an orchestra 3. a stick which is passed from runner to runner in a relay race 앳 to pass the baton 1. to hand the stick on to the next runner 쑗 As he passed the baton the other runner dropped it. 2. to pass control of something to your successor baton charge / btɒn tʃɑ dȢ/ noun a charge by police using batons against a mob batsman / btsmən/ noun the player who is batting in a cricket match (NOTE: The plural is batsmen.) battalion /bə tljən/ noun a section of the army, usually commanded by a lieutenantcolonel batten / bt(ə)n/ noun a thin strip of wood 쑗 Nail some battens onto the wall, and hang the pictures on them. 쐽 verb 앳 to batten down the hatches 1. to close down the hatch covers on a ship before a storm 2. to prepare yourself for a difficult situation batter / btə/ noun 1. a liquid mixture of flour, milk and usually eggs 쑗 fish coated in batter and fried 2. (in baseball ) the player who has the bat and hits the ball 쐽 verb to hit often 쑗 He was accused of battering the baby to death. battered / btəd/ adj 1. ill-treated by being often hit 쑗 battered babies 쑗 battered wives 2. old and in a bad condition 쑗 a battered old car. Synonym beat-up. Antonym pristine 3. covered with batter and cooked 쑗 battered prawns battering ram / btərŋ rm/ noun a long beam used to break down gates ② battery / bt(ə)ri/ noun 1. a device for storing electric energy 쑗 My calculator needs a new battery. 쑗 The battery has given out so I can’t use my radio. 쑗 My mobile phone has a rechargeable battery. 2. a group of artillery guns 쑗 They set two mortar batteries on the hills above the town. 3. a series of small cages in which thousands of chickens are kept (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is batter. ies.) battery hen / bt(ə)ri hen/, battery chicken /bt(ə)ri tʃkn/ noun a chicken which spends its life confined in a small cage ② battle / bt(ə)l/ noun 1. an important fight between armed forces 쑗 Many of the soldiers died in battle. 쑗 Napoleon was beaten at the Battle of Waterloo. 2. a fight against something 쑗 the government’s constant battle against inflation 쑗 He lost his battle against cancer. 쐽 verb 왍 to battle against to fight against 쑗 She had to battle against the other members of the board. 쑗 His last years were spent battling against cancer. battleaxe 57 battleaxe / bt(ə)lks/ noun a large difficult woman (dated offensive) battlefield / bt(ə)lfi ld/, battleground / bt(ə)lDZraυnd/ noun a site of a battle battlements / bt(ə)lmənts/ plural noun the top part of a castle wall, with places where soldiers could shoot at attackers 쑗 Soldiers were firing from the battlements. Synonym ramparts battleship / bt(ə)lʃp/ noun the largest type of warship, with big guns batty / bti/ adj eccentric (informal ) (NOTE: . batty – battier – battiest) baulk /bɔ k/ verb 왍 to baulk at something to refuse to do something which is dangerous or unpleasant 쑗 He did all sorts of work in the office, but baulked at having to clean the toilets. 쑗 She baulked at the cost of the air fare to New Zealand. bauxite / bɔ ksat/ noun a mineral from which aluminium is produced bawl /bɔ l/ verb to shout loudly bawl out /bɔ l aυt/ verb (informal ) 왍 to bawl someone out US to criticise someone sharply 쑗 She bawled him out for having left the house in a mess. ③ bay /be/ noun 1. a large inwards curve in a coast 쑗 the Bay of Biscay 2. 왍 to keep someone at bay to stop someone attacking or doing something unpleasant 쑗 He tried to keep the bank manager at bay by promising to repay the loan in ten days’ time. 3. a shrub with leaves used in cooking 4. a light brown horse bay leaf / be li f/ noun an aromatic leaf of a bay tree which is used in cooking (NOTE: . The plural isbay leaves.) bayonet / beənt/ noun a sharp blade fit- ted at the end of a rifle 쑗 The soldiers were ordered to fix bayonets. bayonet fitting /beənt ftŋ/ noun a light bulb fitting with two pins, which you push into a socket and turn, as opposed to a screw fitting bay window /be wndəυ/ noun a window which sticks out from a flat wall bazaar /bə zɑ / noun a market in South Asia, the Middle East or North Africa 쑗 We visited the busy bazaar to try to buy spices. BBC abbr British Broadcasting Corporation 쑗 We were listening to the BBC news or to the news on the BBC. 쑗 The BBC broadcasts to many countries in the world. 쑗 A BBC reporter wanted to interview her. BBQ abbr barbecue BC abbr before Christ (used in dates) 쑗 Julius Caesar died in 44 BC. (NOTE: For dates after the birth of Christ, use AD.) ① be verb /b, bi / 1. describing a person or thing 쑗 Our house is older than yours. 쑗 She is bigger than her brother. 쑗 Lemons are yel- bead low. 쑗 The soup is hot. 쑗 Put on your coat – it is cold outside. 쑗 I’m cold after standing waiting for the bus. 쑗 Are you tired after your long walk? 2. showing age or time 쑗 He’s twenty years old. 쑗 She will be two next month. 쑗 It is nearly ten o’clock. 쑗 It is time to get up. 쑗 September is the beginning of autumn. 3. showing price 쑗 Onions are 80p a kilo. 쑗 The cakes are 50p each. 쑗 My car was worth £10,000 when it was new. 4. showing a job 쑗 His father is a bus driver. 쑗 She wants to be a teacher. 5. showing size, weight, height, etc. 쑗 He’s 1.70m tall. 쑗 The room is three metres square. 쑗 Our house is ten miles from the nearest station. 6. to add up to 쑗 Two and two are four. 7. showing that something exists 쑗 There was a crowd of people waiting for the shop to open. 쑗 There were only two people left on the bus. 쑗 Where are we? 쑗 There’s your hat! 8. meaning to go or visit 쑗 The police have been into every room. 쑗 We have been to see the film three times. 쑗 Have you ever been to Spain? 9. forming a verb in a continuous tense 쑗 Don’t make a noise when he’s watching the football on TV. 쑗 I’m waiting for the bank to open. 쑗 We are hoping to go on holiday in June. 10. making part of a verb, or making a future tense 쑗 He was singing in the bath. 쑗 We were walking towards the post office when we met her. 11. forming a passive 쑗 He was killed by a train. 쑗 The children were sent home by the teacher. (NOTE: I am; you are; he/she/it is; we/you/they are/ ɑ /; being; I/he/she/it was/ wɒz/; we/you/they were/ w" /; has been; negative: is not usually isn’t / zn(ə)t/; are not usually aren’t /ɑ nt/; was not usually wasn’t / wɒz(ə)nt/; were not usually weren’t /w" nt/.) ② beach /bi tʃ/ noun an area of sand or pebbles by the edge of the sea 쑗 Let’s go to the beach this afternoon. 쑗 Many of the beaches were covered with oil from the tanker. 쑗 We walked along the beach and looked for shells. Synonym seashore 쐽 verb to bring something onto a beach 쑗 They beached the boat near the harbour. 쑗 At high tide we will try to return the beached whale to the sea. (NOTE: Do not confuse with beech.) beachhead / bi tʃhed/ noun a small area occupied by troops at the beginning of an invasion from the sea beacon / bi kən/ noun a light which warns, especially ships or aircraft bead /bi d/ noun 1. a little piece of wood, plastic or glass, with a hole in it, which is used to make a necklace or other decoration 쑗 She was wearing a string of red beads. 쑗 Beads are back in fashion again. 2. a small beady 58 drop of liquid 쑗 Beads of sweat formed on his brow. beady / bi di/ adj 1. small and round like beads 쑗 Her eyes were bright and beady. 2. (of eyes ) watchful and suspicious 쑗 The supervisor kept a beady eye on them all, watching for any mistakes. beagle / bi DZ(ə)l/ noun a breed of dog used for hunting ③ beak /bi k/ noun the hard part of a bird’s mouth. Synonym bill beaker / bi kə/ noun 1. a drinking cup with or without a handle, sometimes with a lid and spout if intended for very small children 쑗 We’ll use these glasses and the children can have the plastic beakers. 쑗 She’s just started to drink from a beaker. 2. a glass jar used in chemical experiments 쑗 You need a beaker and a Bunsen burner for this experiment. beam /bi m/ noun 1. a long block of wood or metal which supports a structure, especially a roof 쑗 You can see the old beams in the ceiling. 2. a ray of light 쑗 Beams of sunlight came through the stained glass windows. 쑗 The beam from the car’s headlights shone into the barn. 3. the width of a ship 왍 broad in the beam rather fat (informal ) 쐽 verb to give a wide smile 쑗 The little girl beamed at him. ③ bean /bi n/ noun a long thin green vegetable, of which you eat the pod or seeds 쑗 We had veal with French beans or green beans. 왍 full of beans full of energy (informal ) 쑗 She’s full of beans today. 왍 I haven’t got a bean I have no money at all (informal ) bean bag / bi n bDZ/ noun 1. a large bag full of small soft plastic balls, used as a chair 2. a little bag with beans inside, used to throw, or to form the body of a toy 쑗 She was playing with her bean bag frog. bean curd / bi n k" d/ noun a soft white paste made from soya beans. Also called . . . . tofu bean sprouts / bi n spraυts/ plural noun a small sprouts of various types of beans, used as food ① bear /beə/ noun 1. a large wild animal covered with fur 쑗 They say that bears like honey. 쑗 There are bears near the campsite in the mountains. 왍 like a bear with a sore head in a very bad temper (informal ) 쑗 What’s the matter with him, he’s like a bear with a sore head this morning. 2. a person who believes that share prices will fall. Compare bull 쐽 verb 1. to carry or produce something 쑗 This apple tree has borne fruit every year for the last twenty years. 쑗 The letter bore a London postmark. 쑗 a bond which bears interest at 5% 2. to accept something bad or unpleasant in a calm way 쑗 She bore the bad news bravely. 왍 cannot bear someone or something to strongly dislike some. beat one or something 쑗 I can’t bear the smell of cooking fish. 3. to turn slightly 쑗 Bear right at the crossroads. 4. to support 쑗 Will this branch bear my weight? 5. to aim 쑗 The enemy brought their guns to bear on our ship. (NOTE: bearing – bore /bɔ / – has borne /bɔ n/) bearable / beərəb(ə)l/ adj which you can accept even though it is unpleasant. Synonym manageable. Antonym unbearable ③ beard /bəd/ noun 1. the hair growing on a man’s chin 쑗 Father Christmas has a long white beard. 2. whiskers on a mussel or other shellfish bearded / bədd/ adj with a beard. Antonym clean-shaven bearer / beərə/ noun 1. a person who carries something 쑗 He said he was the bearer of bad news. 쑗 Flag bearers walked in front of the groups of soldiers. 2. a person who owns a legal document such as a cheque 쑗 This card entitles the bearer to a discount. 왍 the cheque is payable to bearer the cheque can be paid only to the person who holds it, not to any other named person ③ bearing / beərŋ/ noun 1. one of a set of little balls inside which an axle turns 쑗 The bearings in the bicycle wheel had to be replaced. 2. a calculation to show where you are 쑗 You need a compass to take a bearing. 왍 to get your bearings to find out where you are 쑗 Give me a few moments to get my bearings. 왍 to lose your bearings to get lost 쑗 I’m sorry I’m late, but I didn’t have a map and lost my bearings. 3. 왍 bearing on something connection to something 쑗 The letter had no bearing on the result of the trial. 4. the way a person carries his or her body bear market / beə mɑ kt/ noun a period when prices on the stock market fall as shareholders sell shares, because they think share prices will fall further. Compare bull market bear out /beər aυt/ verb to confirm. Antonym contradict bear up /beər p/ verb to survive cheerfully bear with / beə wð/ verb to wait patiently for someone to do something ③ beast /bi st/ noun 1. a wild animal 2. a nasty person 쑗 The beast! He left nothing for anyone else. beastly / bi stli/ adj nasty (dated informal ) Synonym horrid. Antonym lovely beast of burden /bi st əv b" d(ə)n/ noun an animal which carries heavy loads (literary) ② beat /bi t/ noun 1. a regular sound 쑗 The patient’s heart has a regular beat. 쏡 heartbeat 2. a regular sound of a piece of music 쑗 They danced to the beat of the steel band. 3. an area patrolled by a police officer on foot 쑗 . beat down 59 Here policemen on the beat have to go around in pairs. 쐽 verb 1. to make a regular sound 쑗 His heart was still beating when the ambulance arrived. 쑗 Her heart beat faster as she went into the interview. 2. to hit hard 쑗 He was beaten by a gang of youths. 쑗 She hung the carpet on the line and beat it with a stick to remove the dust. 왍 the burglars beat a hasty retreat the burglars went away very quickly 왍 don’t beat about the bush get to the point quickly 3. to do better than someone else or than another team in a game 쑗 They beat their rivals into second place. 쑗 Our football team beat France 2 – 0. 쑗 They beat us by 10 goals to 2. 쑗 We beat the Australians at cricket last year. 4. to stir eggs or another food vigorously 쑗 Beat the yolks of three eggs with a little cream. 5. 왍 beat it! go away! (informal ) (NOTE: beating – beat – . has beaten) beat down /bi t daυn/ verb 1. to make someone reduce a price 쑗 I beat down his price or I beat him down. 2. to fall hard on 쑗 The sun was beating down so we looked for some shade. 쑗 The rain beat down on the marchers. ③ beaten / bi t(ə)n/ adj 1. defeated 쑗 The beaten team was very disappointed. 2. 왍 off the beaten track away from main roads 쑗 Luckily, our village is off the beaten track and so is very quiet. ③ beating / bi tŋ/ noun the act of hitting or defeating ② beat up /bi t p/ verb 1. to whip cream, eggs or another food 쑗 Beat up the mixture in a big bowl. 2. to attack someone 쑗 Three muggers beat him up and stole his wallet. beat-up / bi t p/ adj wrecked and useless (informal ). Synonym battered. Antonym . pristine Beaujolais / bəυȢəle/ noun a light French red wine from Burgundy beautician /bju tʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who works in a beauty parlour ① beautiful / bju tf(ə)l/ adj very nice, especially to look at 쑗 the beautiful colours of the autumn leaves 쑗 Mr Smith and his three beautiful daughters 쑗 They have a beautiful house in the country. 쑗 What beautiful weather! beautifully / bju tf(ə)li/ adv in a very pleasing way beautify / bju tfa/ verb to make someone or something beautiful ② beauty / bju ti/ noun 1. the quality of being beautiful 쑗 Her beauty was legendary. 쑗 the beauty of the maples against the background of the blue lake 2. a beautiful woman; a beautiful thing 쑗 At 18 she was a real beauty. 쑗 His motorbike is a beauty – I must buy one like it. 쑗 Look at these apples, they’re real beauties. bed beauty contest / bju ti kɒntest/ noun a competition to see which person is most beautiful beauty parlour / bju ti pɑ lə/, beauty salon / bju ti slɒn/, beauty shop / bju ti ʃɒp/ noun a place which offers treatments for hair, nails, skin, etc., to help women look more beautiful beauty spot / bju ti spɒt/ noun 1. a famous beautiful place 2. a dark spot, usually on your face beaver / bi və/ noun an American animal with soft brown fur, sharp teeth and a broad flat tail, which lives in water 쑗 Beavers cut down young trees to build their homes. 쐽 verb (informal ) 왍 to beaver away at something to work hard at something 쑗 They were beavering away at building the wall. ① because /b kɒz/ conj for this reason 쑗 I was late because I missed the train. 쑗 The dog’s wet because he’s been in the river. 쑗 Just because I’m lending you my car this time, it doesn’t mean you can borrow it when you like. 왍 because of for the reason that 쑗 The plane was delayed because of bad weather. beck /bek/ noun 왍 he is always at her beck and call he always does exactly what she wants him to do beckon / bekən/ verb 왍 to beckon to someone to make a sign with your hand telling someone to come 쑗 The nurse beckoned to her to come into the room. ① become /b km/ verb 1. to change to something different 쑗 The sky became dark and the wind became stronger. 쑗 They became good friends. 쑗 As she got older she became rather deaf. 쑗 It soon became obvious that he didn’t understand a word of what I was saying. 2. to start to work as 쑗 He wants to become a doctor. 3. 왍 to become of to happen to someone or something 쑗 I never saw her brother again – I wonder what became of him. 4. to suit someone (formal ) 쑗 Such behaviour hardly becomes a young person. (NOTE: becoming – became /b kem/ . . – has become) becoming /b kmŋ/ adj which looks good (dated ) 왍 her dress is very becoming . her dress suits her ① bed /bed/ noun 1. a piece of furniture for sleeping on 쑗 Lie down on my bed if you’re tired. 왍 to go to bed to get into your bed for the night 쑗 She always goes to bed at 9 o’clock. 왍 to be in bed to be sitting or lying in bed 쑗 She’s in bed with a cold. 쑗 He was sitting up in bed drinking a cup of coffee. 왍 to make a bed to make a bed tidy or change the bedclothes after someone has slept in it 쑗 You can’t go into your hotel room because the beds haven’t been made. 쑗 Have you made your bed? 2. a piece of ground spe- bed and breakfast cially for plants 쑗 a strawberry bed 쑗 a bed of roses 왍 her life isn’t a bed of roses she leads a life full of difficulties 3. the ground at the bottom of water 쑗 the sandy bed of a river ① bed and breakfast /bed ən brekfəst/ noun a guesthouse offering accommodation and breakfast 쑗 We got a list of bed and breakfasts from the tourist office. Abbr b&b, B&B bedclothes / bedkləυðz/ plural noun sheets and blankets which cover a bed 쑗 She woke up when all her bedclothes fell off. bedcover / bedkvə/ noun a decorated cloth put over a bed bedding / bedŋ/ noun 1. sheets, blankets and other items for a bed; bedclothes 쑗 When you rent a cottage the bedding is usually provided. 2. a soft material such as hay for an animal to sleep on bed linen / bed lnn/ noun sheets and pillowcases used on a bed bedraggled /b drDZ(ə)ld/ adj dirty, untidy and wet. Synonym unkempt bedridden / bedrdn/ adj forced to stay in bed because of illness bedrock / bedrɒk/ noun 1. the bottom layer of rock under the earth 2. basic principles 쑗 Socialism is the bedrock of the party’s manifesto. ① bedroom / bedru m/ noun a room where you sleep 쑗 My bedroom is on the first floor. 쑗 The hotel has twenty-five bedrooms. 쑗 Shut your bedroom door if you want to be quiet. bedside / bedsad/ noun the side of a bed bedside manner /bedsad mnə/ noun the way in which a doctor behaves towards a patient, especially a patient who is in bed bed-sitting room /bed stŋ ru m/, bed-sitter / bedstə/, bedsit / bedst/ noun a combined bedroom and living room which is rented bedsore / bedsɔ / noun a inflammed patch of skin which you get from lying in bed bedspread / bedspred/ noun a decorated cloth put over a bed ③ bedtime / bedtam/ noun the time when you go to bed 왍 it’s past your bedtime it’s later than the time when you normally go to bed bee /bi / noun an insect which makes honey, and can sting you if it is annoyed COMMENT: In a bee colony, the main female bee is the queen; the other females are the workers, and the males are the drones. beech /bi tʃ/ noun 1. same as beech tree 2. wood from this tree 쑗 a beech table 쑗 The floor is made of beech. (NOTE: Do not confuse with beach.) 60 before beech tree / bi tʃ tri / noun a common hardwood tree 쑗 Beech trees are common on the chalk hills in the south of England. beef /bi f/ noun 1. meat from a cow 쑗 a plate of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding 2. a grumble (informal ) 쑗 It’s one of her regular beefs. 쐽 verb (informal) 왍 to beef about to grumble about something 쑗 What’s he beefing on about, tell him to shut up! 왍 to beef up to make something bigger or stronger 쑗 We will have to beef up our advertising budget. beefburger / bi fb" DZə/ noun a cake of grilled minced beef, usually served in a roll beefy / bi fi/ adj 1. big and muscular 쑗 a strong, beefy looking man. Synonym brawny 2. powerful 쑗 The novel is a good, beefy read. (NOTE: beefy – beefier – beefiest) beehive / bi hav/ noun a box for bees to make a nest in beekeeper / bi ki pə/ noun a person who keeps bees for their honey beeline / bi lan/ noun a straight line 왍 to make a beeline for to go straight towards 쑗 He made a beeline for the prettiest girl in the room. 쑗 She made a beeline for the chocolate cakes. ① been /bi n/ 쒁 be beep /bi p/ noun an audible warning sound 쑗 The printer will make a beep when it runs out of paper. Synonym peep 쐽 verb to make a beep 쑗 The computer beeped when I hit the wrong key. 쏡 bleep. Synonym peep beeper / bi pə/ noun same as bleeper ② beer /bə/ noun 1. an alcoholic drink made from grain and water 쑗 British beer is flavoured with hops. 쑗 Can I have a glass of beer? (NOTE: no plural) 2. a glass or bottle of beer 쑗 Three beers, please. beet /bi t/ noun same as sugar beet beetle / bi t(ə)l/ noun an insect with hard covers on its wings beetroot / bi tru t/ noun a vegetable with a dark red root, eaten cooked, usually in a salad 왍 as red as a beetroot very red in the face 쑗 He went as red as a beetroot when we asked him about his girlfriend. befall /b fɔ l/ verb to happen to (archaic or literary) (NOTE: befalling – befell – has . befallen) befit /b ft/ verb to suit (NOTE: befitting – befitted) ① before /b fɔ / adv earlier 쑗 I didn’t see him last week, I saw him the week before. 쑗 Why didn’t you tell me before? 쐽 prep earlier than 쑗 They should have arrived before now. 쑗 You must be home before 9 o’clock. 쑗 G comes before H in the alphabet. 왍 before that earlier than that 쑗 He only came into work at ten, so what did he do before that? 쐽 conj earlier than 쑗 The police got there be- beforehand 61 fore I did. 쑗 Think carefully before you start to answer the exam questions. 쑗 Wash your hands before you have your dinner. 쑗 Before you sit down, can you switch on the light? ③ beforehand /b fɔ hnd/ adv in advance. Antonym afterwards befriend /b frend/ verb to become friendly with someone and help them. Antonym shun beg /beDZ/ verb 1. to ask for things like money or food 쑗 She sat begging on the steps of the station. 쑗 Children were begging for food. 2. to ask someone in an emotional way to do something or give something 쑗 His mother begged him not to go. 쑗 He begged for more time to find the money. 왍 to beg a favour of someone to ask someone to do something for you 3. 왍 I beg your pardon! excuse me, forgive me 쑗 I beg your pardon, I didn’t hear what you said. 쑗 I do beg your pardon – I didn’t know you were busy. ① began /b DZn/ 쒁 begin beggar / beDZə/ noun 1. a person who lives by asking for money 쑗 There are lots of beggars outside the railway stations. 2. 왍 lucky beggar! lucky person (informal dated ) 쑗 He just won the lottery – lucky beggar! begging / beDZŋ/ noun the act of asking for food or money 왍 it’s going begging no one wants it 쑗 This last sandwich is going begging. ① begin /b DZn/ verb to start 쑗 The children began to cry. 쑗 She has begun to knit a red pullover for her father. 쑗 The house is beginning to warm up. 쑗 His surname begins with an S. 쑗 The meeting is due to begin at ten o’clock sharp. 왍 to begin again to start a second time 쑗 He forgot to save his file and had to begin keyboarding all over again. (NOTE: beginning – began /b DZn/ – has begun /b DZn/) ③ beginner /b DZnə/ noun a person who is starting. Synonym novice ① beginning /b DZnŋ/ noun the first part 쑗 The beginning of the film is rather boring. Synonym start begin with /b DZn wð/ verb 왍 to begin with at first 쑗 To begin with, I travelled by train but now I cycle every day. begrudge /b DZrdȢ/ verb to feel resentment because of something someone has or does. Synonym resent ① begun /b DZn/ 쒁 begin behalf /b hɑ f/ noun 왍 on behalf of acting for someone 쑗 She is speaking on behalf of the trade association. 쑗 He was chosen to speak on behalf of the other workers on the shop floor. ③ behave /b hev/ verb to act in a certain way with someone 쑗 He behaved very pleasantly towards his staff. 쑗 She was behaving . belch in a funny way. 왍 to behave (yourself ) to be good 쑗 If you don’t behave yourselves, children, you won’t have any ice cream. -behaved /bhevd/ suffix referring to behaviour 쑗 a well-behaved child ① behaviour /b hevjə/ noun a way of doing things 쑗 His behaviour was quite natural. 쑗 Local people complained about the behaviour of the football fans. (NOTE: The US . spelling is behavior.) behavioural /b hevjərəl/ adj referring to human behaviour (NOTE: The US spelling is behavioral.) behead /b hed/ verb to cut off someone’s head. Synonym decapitate ① behind /b hand/ prep 1. at the back of They hid behind the door. 쑗 I dropped my pen behind the sofa. 쑗 He was second, only three metres behind the winner. 왍 she’s behind the rest of class she is not as advanced as the others. 쏡 time 2. responsible for 쑗 The police believe they know who is behind the bombing campaign. 3. supporting 쑗 All his colleagues were behind his decision. 쑗 We’re behind you! 쐽 adv 1. at the back 쑗 He was first, and the rest of the runners were a long way behind. 왍 he left his wallet behind he forgot to take his wallet with him 왍 when the others went out, he stayed behind to watch TV he stayed at home when the others went out 2. later than you should be 쑗 I am behind with my correspondence. 쑗 The company has fallen behind with its deliveries. 쐽 noun the part of the body which you sit on 쑗 There was some water on the chair and my behind’s all wet. 쑗 I’ll kick his behind if he doesn’t get a move on. 쑗 He’s so lazy! – he needs a good kick up the behind. behold /b həυld/ verb 1. to see (old ) 쑗 The happiness on the little children’s faces was marvellous to behold. 2. 왍 lo and behold! used to introduce something you think is surprising 쑗 We had been waiting for hours for a bus when, lo and behold, three came together. beige /beȢ/ adj, noun very pale brown 쑗 He was wearing a beige pullover. ① being / bi ŋ/ adj 왍 for the time being temporarily, for now 쑗 We will leave the furniture as it is for the time being. 쐽 noun an existence 쑗 The association came into being in 1946. 쏡 human. Synonym existence belated /b letd/ adj coming or happening later than it should. Synonym late. Antonym timely belch /beltʃ/ noun allowing air in the stomach to come up through the mouth 쑗 He finished his meal and let out a loud belch. Synonym burp (NOTE: The plural is belches.) 쐽 verb 1. to make air in the stomach come up through the mouth 쑗 He wiped his mouth and belched. 2. to pour out of 쑗 쑗 . beleaguered 62 Dark smoke belched from the power station. 3. 왍 to belch out to send out large amounts of smoke, fumes or flames 쑗 The power station was belching out dark smoke. beleaguered /b li DZəd/ adj surrounded by difficulties or by enemies belfry / belfri/ noun a church tower where bells are (NOTE: The plural is belfries.) ③ Belgian / beldȢən/ adj referring to Belgium 쑗 Belgian chocolates are very popular in England. 쑗 All Belgian motorways are lit up at night. 쐽 noun a person from Belgium 쑗 There were ten people at the meeting, and two of them were Belgians. belie /b la/ verb 1. to hide 쑗 His brusque manner belies his gentle nature. 2. to show that something is false 쑗 His exam results belied his teachers’ reports. ② belief /b li f/ noun feeling sure that something is true 쑗 His firm belief in the power of law. 쑗 Her strong belief in God. 왍 it is my belief I believe 쑗 It’s my belief that the problems have been grossly exaggerated. 왍 to the best of my belief as far as I know 쑗 To the best of my belief, no one else has seen this letter. 왍 beyond belief incredible 쑗 That she did not know that there were drugs in the parcel is quite beyond belief. believable /b li vəb(ə)l/ adj which can be believed. Synonym credible. Antonym unbelievable ① believe /b li v/ verb 1. to be sure that something is true, although you can’t prove it 쑗 People used to believe that the earth was flat. 쑗 Don’t believe anything he tells you. 2. not to be absolutely sure 쑗 I don’t believe I have ever met your father. 쑗 I believe I have been here before. 3. 왍 to believe in to be sure that something exists 쑗 Some people believe in miracles. 쑗 Do you believe in flying saucers? believer /b li və/ noun a person who believes in a particular religion or idea. Synonym supporter Belisha beacon /bəli ʃə bi kən/ noun a flashing light at a zebra crossing belittle /b ltl/ verb to make something seem unimportant. Synonym disparage. Antonym praise ② bell /bel/ noun 1. a metal object shaped like a cup, which makes a ringing noise when hit쑗 They rang the church bells at the wedding. 2. any object designed to make a ringing noise, especially an electric device 쑗 The alarm bell rings if you touch the door. 쑗 The postman rang the door bell. 쑗 You ought to have a bell on your bicycle. 왍 that rings a bell that reminds me of something 쑗 Does the name Forsyth ring a bell? 3. 왍 to give someone a bell to phone someone (informal ) 쑗 I’ll give you a bell when we’ve sorted out the details. . below belligerent /bə ldȢərənt/ adj 1. wanting to go to war, or being at war 쑗 The country has turned increasingly belligerent towards its neighbours. 2. aggressive, wanting to argue with other people 쑗 Ask the manager about it tomorrow, he’s in a belligerent mood at the moment. Antonym compliant 쐽 noun a country that is at war 쑗 The belligerents refused to accept the ruling of the international mediators. bellow / beləυ/ noun a loud deep cry 쑗 The deer raised its head and gave a loud bellow. Synonym roar. Antonym whisper 쐽 verb 1. to make a loud cry 쑗 He bellowed with pain. 쑗 The bull was bellowing in the farmyard. 2. to shout 쑗 He bellowed to the swimmers to come back to the beach. bellows / beləυz/ plural noun a device used to blow air onto a fire (NOTE: no singular: to show one item, say ‘a pair of bellows’.) ③ belly / beli/ noun 1. the stomach and intestines 2. the front part of the body below the chest (informal ) (NOTE: The plural is bellies.) bellyache / beliek/ (informal ) noun a pain . . in the abdomen or stomach 쑗 She had a bellyache after eating green apples. 쐽 verb 왍 to bellyache about something to complain about something 쑗 Nothing seems to make her happy – she’s always bellyaching about something. belly button / beli bt(ə)n/ noun same as navel (informal ) ① belong /b lɒŋ/ verb 1. to be in the usual or expected place 쑗 That book belongs on the top shelf. 2. to be happy to be somewhere or with a group of people 쑗 Within a week in my new job I felt I belonged. 왍 to belong to someone to be the property of someone 쑗 Does the car really belong to you? 앳 to belong to something 1. to be a member of an organisation 쑗 They still belong to the tennis club. 2. to be part of or connected to something 쑗 French belongs to the family of languages that developed from Latin. belongings /b lɒŋŋz/ plural noun personal property 쑗 Her belongings were scattered all over the room. 쑗 Please be sure to take all your personal belongings with you when you leave the aircraft. Synonym possessions beloved /b lvd/ adj which is loved 쑗 She doesn’t want to leave her beloved childhood home. 쑗 He was very upset at the death of his beloved grandfather. Synonym much-loved 쐽 noun the person you love most (formal ) 쑗 He was reunited with his beloved. ① below /b ləυ/ adv lower down 쑗 Standing on the bridge we looked at the river below. 쑗 These toys are for children of two . . belt 63 years and below. 쐽 prep lower down than 쑗 The temperature was below freezing. 쑗 In Singapore, the temperature never goes below 25°C. 쑗 Do not write anything below this line. 쑗 These tablets should not be given to children below the age of twelve. 쑗 Can you see below the surface of the water? ② belt /belt/ noun 1. a strap which goes round your waist to hold up a skirt or trousers 쑗 She wore a bright red belt. 쑗 This silver belt comes from Thailand. 2. a person who wears a particular coloured belt worn when playing judo, karate, etc. 쑗 He’s a black belt. 3. a zone around something 쐽 verb 1. to travel fast 쑗 The car was belting along the motorway at over 100 miles an hour. 2. 왍 to belt out to sing very loudly 쑗 The fans were belting out football songs. belt up /belt p/ verb (informal ) 1. to stop talking 왍 belt up! be quiet! 2. to attach your seat belt 쑗 Make sure everyone in the car belts up. bemoan /b məυn/ verb to complain about something. Synonym lament. Antonym . applaud bemused /b mju zd/ adj puzzled and confused. Synonym confused ② bench /bentʃ/ noun 1. a long wooden seat 쑗 We sat down on one of the park benches. 왍 (work) bench table in a workshop at which someone works 쑗 The carpenter was standing at his bench. 2. 왍 the bench magistrates sitting in court 쑗 He was up before the bench for speeding. 3. (in Parliament ) the long seats in the House of Commons. 쒁 back benches, front bench benchmark / bentʃmɑ k/ noun a standard for testing against ② bend /bend/ noun 1. a curve, especially in a road, line, etc. 쑗 Don’t drive too fast, there’s a sudden bend in the road. 쑗 The pipe under the sink has an awkward S-bend. 2. 왍 round the bend insane, annoyed or upset (informal ) 쑗 He’s completely round the bend. 쑗 She’ll go round the bend when she hears that. 쑗 That music is driving me round the bend. 쐽 verb 1. to make something curve 쑗 You will have to bend the pipe to fit round the corner. 2. to move a jointed part of your body 쑗 to bend your knees slightly 쑗 Bend your arm to see if the coat fits. 3. to curve 쑗 The road bends sharply after the bridge. (NOTE: bending – bent /bent/) ② bend down / bend daυn/, bend over / əυvə/ verb to stoop, so that your head is lower than your waist. 쏡 backwards bendy / bendi/ adj 1. easily bent 쑗 a bendy toy. Synonym flexible. Antonym rigid 2. having many bends 쑗 a bendy road. Antonym straight (NOTE: bendy – bendier . . –bendiest) benzene ② beneath /b ni θ/ adv underneath (formal ) 쑗 From the bridge we watched the river flowing beneath. Synonym underneath. Antonym above 쐽 prep 1. under . There are dangerous rocks beneath the surface of the lake. 쑗 The river flows very fast beneath the bridge. 2. not suitable, not important enough 쑗 He thinks it is beneath him to make the coffee himself. benefactor / benfktə/, benefactress / benfktrəs/ noun a person who gives money to an organisation such as a charity. Synonym patron beneficent /bə nefsənt/ adj helping or showing kindness to others (literary) beneficial /ben fʃ(ə)l/ adj which helps. Synonym helpful. Antonym detrimental ③ beneficiary /ben fʃəri/ noun 1. a person who inherits something in a will 쑗 The main beneficiaries were his three children. 2. someone, or a group, who is helped by something 쑗 Who will be the main beneficiaries of this new law? (NOTE: The plural is benefi쑗 ciaries.) benefit / benft/ noun 1. an advantage What benefit would I get from joining the club? 왍 for someone’s benefit specially for someone 쑗 You are not doing it just for my benefit, are you? 2. payment by the state 쑗 unemployment benefit 쑗 maternity benefit 쐽 verb 1. to be useful to someone 쑗 The book will benefit anyone who is planning to do some house repairs. 2. 왍 to benefit from, by something to get an advantage from 쑗 British tourists will benefit from the strong pound. 쑗 Pensioners can benefit from free bus passes. Benelux / benlks/ noun Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg together as a group benevolence /b nevələns/ noun being good and kind. Antonym malevolence benevolent /bə nev(ə)lənt/ adj good and kind. Antonym malevolent benign /bə nan/ adj 1. kind and pleasant 2. 왍 a benign growth a harmless or non-cancerous growth 쑗 At first they thought the growth was benign, but in fact it was malignant. ② bent /bent/ adj 1. curved 쑗 These nails are bent so we can’t use them. 2. 왍 to be bent on to be very keen on doing something 쑗 He is bent on buying the car even if he can’t afford it. 3. dishonest 쑗 a bent police officer 쐽 noun a natural ability for doing a particular activity 쑗 a scientific bent 쑗 She discovered a bent for nursing. Synonym ① 쑗 aptitude bent /bent/ 쒁 bend benzene / benzi n/ noun a simple liquid hydrocarbon used in making plastic and petrol bequeath 64 bequeath /b kwi ð/ verb 왍 to bequeath something to someone to leave property to someone in a will 쑗 He bequeathed his shares to his son. Synonym leave. Antonym inherit bequest /b kwest/ noun the giving of property or money to someone in a will. Synonym inheritance berate /b ret/ verb to criticise in an angry tone (literary ). Synonym rebuke. Antonym . praise bereaved /b ri vd/ adj who has a close relative or friend who has died 쑗 We sent our condolences to the bereaved families. Synonym mourning 쐽 noun 왍 the bereaved the family and friends of a person who has died 쑗 The priest was trying to console the bereaved after the funeral. bereavement /b ri vmənt/ noun the loss of a friend or relative through death bereft /b reft/ adj 왍 bereft of without (formal ) 쑗 He was left bereft of all income when his business collapsed. 쑗 The children were bereft of medical care. 왍 bereft of hope without any hope for the future beret / bere/ noun a round cap without a peak, worn by men or women berry / beri/ noun a small fruit (NOTE: The . plural is berries. Do not confuse with bury.) berserk /bə z" k/ adj 왍 to go berserk to get angry and out of control 쑗 When he heard that she had sold his collection of stamps he went berserk. berth /b" θ/ noun 1. a place where a ship stays in a harbour 쑗 There are no berths free – the ferry will have to wait at anchor outside the harbour for a while. 2. 왍 to give someone or something a wide berth to avoid someone or something 쑗 Dad is in a bad mood – I’d give him a wide berth if I were you. 3. a bunk bed on a ship or train 쑗 Do you want the upper or lower berth? 쐽 verb (of a ship) to stay in a harbour 쑗 The ship won’t berth until late this evening. beseech /b si tʃ/ verb (literary) 왍 to beseech someone to do something to ask someone earnestly to do something (formal ) 쑗 She beseeched them to think again. 쑗 Do not do this, I beseech you. beset /b set/ adj 왍 beset with surrounded with difficulties or problems 쑗 The move to new offices was beset with problems. ② beside /b sad/ prep 1. at the side of someone or something 쑗 Come and sit down beside me. 쑗 The office is just beside the railway station. 왍 it’s beside the point it’s got nothing to do with the main subject 쑗 Whether or not the coat matches your hat is beside the point – it’s simply too big for you. 2. 왍 to be beside yourself with to be in a very agitated or excited state because of something 쑗 The parents were beside them. best man selves with worry when their daughter did not come home from school. 쑗 She was beside herself with grief. ② besides /b sadz/ prep as well as 쑗 They have two other cars besides the big Ford. 쑗 Besides the football team, our town also has a hockey team. 쑗 Besides managing the shop, he also teaches in the evening. 쐽 adv 1. as well 쑗 He paints, plays chess and has lots of other interests besides. 2. in any case 쑗 I don’t want to go for a picnic – besides, it’s starting to rain. besiege /b si dȢ/ verb to surround a building, or a town or city 왍 to be besieged with something to receive many demands, enquiries, letters, etc. 쑗 The bookshop was besieged with enquiries about the new dictionary. besotted /b sɒtd/ adj 왍 besotted with someone madly in love with someone 쑗 I don’t see what he sees in her, but he’s completely besotted. 쑗 She’s besotted with her new baby. ① best /best/ adj 1. very good, better than anything else 쑗 She’s my best friend. 쑗 He put on his best suit to go to the interview. 쑗 What is the best way of getting to London from here? 왍 best regards, best wishes a greeting sent to someone 쑗 Give my best wishes to your father. 2. 왍 for the best part of for most of 쑗 She’s been in bed for the best part of a week. 쐽 noun 1. the thing which is better than anything else 쑗 The picture shows her at her best. 왍 to do your best to do as well as you can 쑗 She did her best, but didn’t win. 왍 all the best best wishes for the future 쑗 We wished them all the best in their marriage. 2. 왍 to make the best of something to take any advantage you can from something 쑗 They say it will rain this afternoon, so we’d better make the best of the sunshine while it’s here. 왍 to make the best of a bad job to do something in spite of terrible conditions 쑗 It was raining when we stopped for a picnic, so we made the best of a bad job and had our sandwiches in the car. 왍 the best of it is that the most interesting or funniest part of the story is that 쑗 The best of it was that she didn’t recognise him in his Father Christmas outfit. 왍 to the best of my knowledge as far as I know 3. best clothes 쑗 The children were all in their Sunday best. 쐽 adv in the best way 쑗 The engine works best when it’s warm. 쑗 Oranges grow best in hot countries. 쑗 Which of you knows London best? 왍 as best you can in the best way you can, even though this may not be perfect 쑗 He repaired the dent in the car door as best he could. ① best man /best mn/ noun the man who helps the bridegroom at a wedding bestow 65 bestow /b stəυ/ verb to give (formal ). . Synonym confer bestseller /best selə/ noun an item, especially a book, which sells very well bestselling /best selŋ/ adj 1. which sells in very large numbers 쑗 These computer disks are our bestselling line. 쑗 This is the bestselling car in the range. 2. whose books sell very well 쑗 Our bestselling author left us for another publishing house. 왘 Synonym successful ① bet /bet/ noun a sum of money which is risked by trying to say which horse will come first in a race or which side will win a competition, etc. 쑗 He placed a bet on his friend’s horse but lost his bet when the horse came last. 쑗 I’ve got a bet on England to win the next World Cup. 왍 it is a safe bet it is very likely to happen 쑗 It’s a safe bet that if we decide to go camping it will rain. 쐽 verb 1. to risk money by saying which horse you think will come first in a race or which team will win, etc. 쑗 He bet me £10 the Prime Minister would lose the election. 2. to be sure of something 쑗 I bet you she’s going to be late. 왍 you bet! of course (informal ) 쑗 Do you want to go to the pub? – You bet! beta / bi tə/ noun the second letter of the Greek alphabet, or a mark showing a second level in a series. Symbol beta blocker / bi tə blɒkə/ noun a drug which reduces the heart’s activity betray /b tre/ verb 1. to harm someone by telling their secrets 쑗 He was betrayed by his best friend. 쑗 The scientist was accused of betraying secrets to the enemy. 2. to show a feeling which you want to keep hidden 쑗 The tears in her eyes betrayed her emotion. betrayal /b treəl/ noun the act of giving someone’s secrets to an enemy, or of not doing what you had promised to do. Synonym disloyalty. Antonym loyalty betrothed /b trəυðd/ noun a person you are engaged to marry (formal or humorous ) ① better / betə/ adj 1. good when compared to something else 쑗 The weather is better today than it was yesterday. 쑗 His latest book is better than the first one he wrote. 쑗 She’s better at maths than English. 쑗 Brown bread is better for you than white. 쑗 We will shop around to see if we can get a better price. 2. healthy again 쑗 I had a cold last week but I’m better now. 쑗 I hope your sister will be better soon. 쐽 adv more successfully than something else 쑗 She sings better than her sister. 쑗 My old knife cuts better than the new one. 왍 to think better of something to decide that something is not a good idea 쑗 He was going to drive to London, but thought better of it when he heard the traffic report on the news. 쐽 noun 1. a person who bets 쑗 One or two lucky betters won thousands of . . beyond pounds on the race. 2. 왍 to get the better of someone to beat someone 쑗 No one can get the better of him at poker. 왍 for the better which makes the situation better 쑗 He’s earning more money now, and his financial situation has changed for the better. 왍 he took a turn for the better his health began to improve 쐽 verb 왍 to better yourself to improve your social position 쑗 He studied hard because he wanted to better himself. better off /betər ɒf/ adj in a better position ③ betting / betŋ/ noun the placing of bets ① between /b twi n/ prep 1. placed with things on both sides 쑗 There’s only a thin wall between his office and mine, so I hear everything he says. 쑗 Don’t sit between him and his girlfriend. 2. connecting two places 쑗 The bus goes between Oxford and London. 3. in the interval separating two times 쑗 I’m have a meeting between 10 o’clock and 12. 쑗 Can you come to see me between now and next Monday? 4. in the space separating two amounts 쑗 The parcel weighs between four and five kilos. 쑗 Cherries cost between £2 and £3 per kilo. 왍 in between in the middle, with things on both sides 5. showing a difference 쑗 She’s colour-blind – she can’t tell the difference between red and green. 6. sharing 쑗 We only had £10 between the three of us. 7. among 쑗 She could choose between courses in German, Chinese or Russian. 8. 왍 between you and me speaking privately 쑗 Between you and me, I don’t think he’s very good at his job. beverage / bev(ə)rdȢ/ noun drink (formal ) bewail /b wel/ verb to complain about something (formal ). Synonym lament. Antonym applaud beware /b weə/ verb to watch out for bewilder /b wldə/ verb to puzzle someone. Synonym confuse bewildered /b wldəd/ adj confused or puzzled bewildering /b wld(ə)rŋ/ adj confusing or puzzling bewilderment /b wldəmənt/ noun a state of confusion or of being puzzled. Antonym clarity bewitch /b wtʃ/ verb 1. to charm someone 2. to cast a spell on someone ① beyond /b jɒnd/ prep 1. further away than 쑗 The post office is beyond the bank. 왍 it is beyond my means it is too expensive for me to buy it 쑗 I’d love to buy a sports car, but I think it would be beyond my means. 2. later than 쑗 The party went on till beyond midnight. 쐽 adv further away, on the other side 쑗 She stared through the window at the fields beyond. . . bhangra bhangra / bŋDZrə/ noun a style of dance music which mixes Punjabi folk music with western pop music biannual /ba njuəl/ adj which happens twice a year (NOTE: Do not confuse with biennial.) bias / baəs/ noun a fixed opinion in one di- rection only biased / baəst/ adj prejudiced. Antonym unbiased bib /bb/ noun 1. a little piece of cloth which is tied round a baby’s neck, under its chin 쑗 Don’t forget to put his bib on when he’s eating spinach. 2. the top part of an apron or dungarees, covering your chest ③ Bible / bab(ə)l/ noun 1. a Christian and Jewish book of scriptures 쑗 He reads from the Bible every evening. 2. an important and useful reference book 쑗 She keeps an old French cookery book in the kitchen – it’s her bible. COMMENT: The Christian Bible is made up of the Old Testament (the Jewish scriptures) and the New Testament, which are the writings concerned with the life and works of Christ and the early Christian Church. biblical / bblk(ə)l/ adj referring to the Bible bibliography /bbli ɒDZrəfi/ noun a list of publications about a special subject (NOTE: The plural is bibliographies.) bicarbonate of soda /ba kɑ bənət əv səυdə/ noun a chemical used as a medicine for stomach pains or as an ingredient in cakes and bread bicentenary /basen ti nəri/ noun an anniversary of 200 years (NOTE: The plural is bicentenaries.) bicentennial /basen teniəl/ adj referring to a bicentenary biceps / baseps/ noun a muscle formed of two parts, especially the muscle in the front of the upper arm (NOTE: The plural is biceps.) bicker / bkə/ verb to quarrel about something. Synonym argue. Antonym agree ③ bicycle / bask(ə)l/ noun a vehicle with two wheels which is ridden by one person who makes it go by pushing on the pedals and steers with the handlebars 쑗 He goes to school by bicycle every day. 쑗 She’s going to do the shopping on her bicycle. 쑗 He’s learning to ride a bicycle. Synonym bike 쐽 verb to ride on a bicycle 쑗 We bicycled all over the Netherlands. (NOTE: The person who rides a bicycle is a cyclist. To show the difference from a motorcycle, a bicycle is sometimes called a push bike.) ③ bid /bd/ noun 1. an offer to buy at an auction 쑗 His bid for the painting was too low. 2. an attempt to do something 왍 she 66 big business made a bid for power she tried to seize power 쐽 verb 1. to make an offer to buy something at an auction 쑗 He bid £500 for the car. (NOTE: bidding – bid) 2. to wish 쑗 He bade me farewell. (NOTE: bid or bade /bd/ - has bidden) bidder / bdə/ noun a person who makes an offer to buy something, especially at an auction. Synonym buyer 왍 to sell something to the highest bidder to sell something to the person who makes the best offer 쑗 The lot was sold to the highest bidder. bidding / bdŋ/ noun 1. a command 왍 I did it at his bidding I did it because he told me to do it 2. offers made at an auction 쑗 The bidding started at £200 and rose quickly. bide /bad/ verb 1. to wait for a good opportunity to do something 쑗 If I were you I wouldn’t do anything quickly, I’d bide my time. 2. (archaic) to stay, or wait bidet / bi de/ noun a small low bath for washing your bottom biennial /ba eniəl/ adj 1. (of a plant) which flowers in its second year of growth and then dies 2. (of an event) which happens every two years 쑗 The athletics competition is a biennial event. (NOTE: Do not confuse with biannual.) 쐽 noun a plant which flowers in its second year of growth and then dies 쑗 We plant biennials at the back of the flowerbed and annuals in front. bifocal /ba fəυk(ə)l/ adj, noun 왍 bifocal spectacles, bifocals spectacles with two types of lens in each frame, one for reading and one for seeing longer distances bifurcate / bafəket/ verb to split in two ① big /bDZ/ adj of a large size 쑗 I don’t want a small car – I want a big one. 쑗 His father has the biggest restaurant in town. 쑗 I’m not afraid of him – I’m bigger than he is. 쑗 We had a big order from Germany. 쐽 adv 왍 to talk big to pretend to be important (NOTE: bigger–biggest) bigamist / bDZəmst/ noun a person who is illegally married to two people at the same time bigamy / bDZəmi/ noun the crime of someone going through a ceremony of marriage to someone when they are already married to someone else Big Bang /bDZ bŋ/ noun a large explosion which some scientists think was the beginning of the universe ① Big Ben /bDZ ben/ noun a clock and bell at the top of St Stephen’s tower by the Houses of Parliament in London Big Brother /bDZ brðə/ noun an authority which controls and watches other people big business /bDZ bzns/ noun very large commercial companies, seen as a group (NOTE: no plural) big cheese 67 big cheese /bDZ tʃi z/ noun an important person. (informal ) Antonym nobody ① big deal /bDZ di l/ noun 1. an important business transaction 쑗 It’s one of the biggest deals we have ever signed. 2. 왍 big deal! that’s not a very good deal (used sarcastically) 쑗 He offered me £20 for the car – big deal! big game /bDZ DZem/ noun large animals such as lions and tigers which are hunted for sport (NOTE: no plural) bigheaded /bDZ hedd/ adj too proud of yourself (informal ). Synonym conceited big money /bDZ mni/ noun a lot of money (informal ) big name /bDZ nem/ noun an important person (informal ). Antonym unknown bigot / bDZət/ noun a person with a narrow-minded attitude to religion or politics bigoted / bDZətd/ adj with very strong and unreasonable ideas about something. Synonym prejudiced. Antonym open-minded bigotry / bDZətri/ noun an attitude where you dislike something strongly for no particular reason. Synonym prejudice big shot / bDZ ʃɒt/ noun an important person (informal ). Antonym nobody big time / bDZ tam/ noun being at the top level in show business (slang) 쑗 He toured the country doing conjuring tricks, and then suddenly hit the big time with a TV show. big toe /bDZ təυ/ noun the largest of the five toes bigwig / bDZwDZ/ noun an important person (informal ) ② bike /bak/ noun a bicycle (informal ) 쑗 He goes to school by bike. 쑗 She was knocked off her bike by a car. 쑗 Although he is over eighty he still rides a bike or goes for a bike ride every day. biker / bakə/ noun a person who rides a motorcycle. Synonym motorcyclist bikini /b ki ni/ noun a woman’s small two-piece swimsuit bilateral /ba lt(ə)rəl/ adj involving two sides. Antonym unilateral ③ bile /bal/ noun 1. a thick bitter brownish-yellow fluid produced by the liver, which helps to digest fatty substances 2. angry or bitter feelings (literary). Synonym . . . . . . . bitterness bilge /bldȢ/ noun 1. dirty water in the bottom of a ship 2. nonsense 쑗 He’s just talking bilge! bilingual /ba lŋDZwəl/ adj using two lan- guages 왍 a bilingual dictionary a dictionary which gives translations from one language into another 쑗 He carries a bilingual German-Spanish glossary with him. 왍 she is bilingual in French and Spanish she can speak French and Spanish equally well billow ① bill /bl/ noun 1. a piece of paper showing the amount of money you have to pay for something 쑗 The total bill came to more than £200. 쑗 Ask the waiter for the bill. 쑗 Don’t forget to pay the gas bill. 쑗 Does the bill include VAT ? (NOTE: The US term in a restaurant is check.) 2. the hard part of a bird’s mouth 쑗 The bird was picking up food with its bill. Synonym beak 3. US a piece of paper money 쑗 a 10-dollar bill (NOTE: The British term is note: a 10-pound note) 4. a proposed act of parliament which, if passed by parliament, becomes law 쑗 Parliament will consider two bills this week. 쑗 He has drafted a bill to ban the sale of guns. 5. 왍 to fit the bill to be suitable 쑗 Thanks – that will fit the bill perfectly. billboard / blbɔ d/ noun especially US a large outdoor panel for posters (NOTE: The British term is hoarding.) billfold / blfəυld/ noun US a small flat leather case for credit cards and banknotes, carried in your pocket (NOTE: The British term is wallet.) billiards / bliədz/ noun a game played on a table, where two players with long cues hit their own white ball against a red ball or the opponent’s ball, scoring points. Compare snooker (NOTE: billiards loses the ‘s’ when it is used before another noun: a billiard table.) billing / blŋ/ noun 1. the position a per- former has on an entertainment programme or advertisement 2. the advertising or promoting of a performance, event or product 3. the preparing and sending out of bills to customers billion / bljən/ noun 1. one thousand million 쑗 The government raises billions in taxes each year. 2. one million million (dated ) 3. a great many 쑗 Billions of Christmas cards are sent every year. (NOTE: In . American English billion has always meant one thousand million, but in British English it formerly meant one million million, and it is still sometimes used with this meaning. With figures it is usually written bn: $5bn say ‘five billion dollars’.) billionaire /bljə neə/ noun a person who is worth one billion pounds or dollars Bill of Rights /bl əv rats/ noun the first ten amendments to the constitution of the United States, which refer to the rights and privileges of individual citizens billow / bləυ/ noun 1. a very large wave 2. a mass of moving smoke 쑗 We could see billows of smoke rising from the volcano. 쐽 verb 1. to become full of air 쑗 The sails of the yachts billowed in the breeze. 2. to move in large waves 쑗 Smoke billowed out of the building. billy goat billy goat / bli DZəυt/ noun a male goat (NOTE: A female goat is a nanny goat.) biltong / bltɒŋ/ noun dried beef, eaten in South Africa bimbo / bmbəυ/ noun an attractive but rather stupid girl (informal, offensive) bimonthly /ba mnθli/ adj every two months; twice a month 쐽 noun a magazine appearing every two weeks ② bin /bn/ noun 1. a metal box for keeping things in 2. a container for putting rubbish in 쑗 Don’t throw your litter on the floor – pick it up and put it in the bin. 쐽 verb to throw something away into a rubbish bin 쑗 He just binned the demand for payment. Synonym throw away (NOTE: binning – binned) binary / banəri/ adj arranged in groups of two binary system / banəri sstəm/ noun a system for representing information which only uses the numbers 1 and 0 ② bind /band/ verb 1. to tie 쑗 They bound her to the tree with ropes. 2. to force someone to do something 쑗 The contract binds him to make regular payments. 3. to put a cover on a book 쑗 The book is bound in blue leather. 4. 왍 to bind someone over to make someone promise to obey the law for a period of time 쑗 He was bound over to keep the peace for two months. 쏡 bound (NOTE: binding – bound) binder / bandə/ noun 1. a person, a ma- chine or a company that puts the parts of a book together 쑗 The book has been printed and is now at the binder’s. 2. a stiff cover for papers 쑗 Write to the publisher to get a free binder for your magazines. binding / bandŋ/ adj (of a contract) that you must obey by law 쑗 This contract is binding on both parties. Synonym compulsory 쐽 noun the cover of a book 쑗 The book has a leather binding. binge /bndȢ/ noun a time when someone drinks too much alcohol, eats too much or does something else too much 쑗 After last night’s binge he had to stay in bed. 쑗 She went on a chocolate binge which lasted the whole summer. 쑗 Shopping binges are not uncommon during sales time. Synonym spree 쐽 verb 왍 to binge on something to eat or drink too much of something 쑗 I felt sick after bingeing on chocolate. bingo noun / bŋDZəυ/ a game of chance, where each player has a card with numbers on it. Numbers are called out, and when you have marked off a whole row of numbers, you win. 쑗 She goes to play bingo every Friday night. 쑗 He won quite a lot at bingo. 쐽 interj showing surprise 쑗 He opened the envelope and bingo! A key fell out. bin liner / bn lanə/ noun a plastic bag for putting inside a rubbish bin 68 bioterrorism binoculars /b nɒkjυləz/ plural noun powerful glasses for looking at things which are too far away to see clearly. Synonym ③ field glasses (NOTE: binoculars has no singular. If you want to indicate one item, say ‘a pair of binoculars’.) binocular vision /bnɒkjυlə vȢ(ə)n/ noun the use of both eyes to see things, and therefore to judge distance binomial /ba nəυmiəl/ adj having two parts separated by a + or a – sign binomial classification /banəυmiəl klsf keʃ(ə)n/ noun a way of classifying plants and animals, using two names biochemical /baəυ kemk(ə)l/ adj referring to the chemistry of living things biochemist /baəυ kemst/ noun a scientist who studies the chemistry of living things biochemistry /baəυ kemstri/ noun the science and study of the chemistry of living things biodegradable /baəυd DZredəb(ə)l/ adj which can easily be broken down by bacteria, the sun or sea water biodiversity /baəυda v" sti/ noun the number of species in a certain area bioengineering /baəυendȢ nərŋ/ noun the use of biochemical processes in industry to produce things such as drugs and food biographer /ba ɒDZrəfə/ noun a person who writes the story of someone’s life biographical /baə DZrfk(ə)l/ adj referring to the story of someone’s life. Synonym factual biography /ba ɒDZrəfi/ noun the story of life (NOTE: The plural is biographies.) biological /baə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj 1. refersomeone’s ring to living things 쑗 the biological balance in the North Sea 2. using harmful bacteria 쑗 biological warfare biological mother /baəlɒdȢk(ə)l mðə/ noun the woman who gave birth to a child biologist /ba ɒlədȢst/ noun a scientist who does research in biology ③ biology /ba ɒlədȢi/ noun the study of living things biopsy / baɒpsi/ noun an operation to remove a small piece from someone’s body for examination (NOTE: The plural is biopsies.) biosphere / baəυsfə/ noun the part of the earth and its atmosphere where living things exist biotechnology /baəυtek nɒlədȢi/ noun technology which uses different living materials such as cells for science or industry bioterrorism / baəυterərz(ə)m/ noun terrorism that uses biological or chemical weapons bipartisan 69 bipartisan /bapɑ t zn/ adj accepted by the Opposition as well as by the Government bipartite /ba pɑ tat/ adj with two sides taking part birch /b" tʃ/ noun a northern tree with small leaves and a white outer layer which comes off in strips 쑗 the birch forests of Russia (NOTE: The plural is birches.) 쐽 verb (dated ) to beat someone with thin sticks from a tree as a punishment 쑗 He was sentenced to be birched. ② bird /b" d/ noun 1. an animal with wings and feathers 쑗 Most birds can fly, but penguins can’t. 쑗 She keeps a little bird in a cage. 왍 a little bird told me someone told me the secret, but I can’t tell you who it was 왍 a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush be satisfied with what you have, rather than hoping for something better which may never come. 쏡 early 2. a person, especially a woman (informal ) 쑗 She’s a funny old bird. 3. a girl (offensive) 쑗 Who’s that new bird in the accounts department? 쑗 Did you see the bird he was with last night? birdie / b" di/ noun 1. a child’s way of referring to a bird 쑗 Look at the little birdies on the lawn! 2. (in golf ) using one less than the usual number of hits to get the ball into a hole 쑗 He got a birdie at the fifth hole. bird of prey /b" d əv pre/ noun a bird which kills animals and other birds for food . . . (NOTE: The plural is birds of prey.) bird’s-eye view /b" dz a vju / noun a view from high up looking down birdwatching / b" dwɒtʃŋ/ noun looking at birds for pleasure, or for scientific purposes Biro / barəυ/ trademark a ballpoint pen (NOTE: The plural is Biros.) birth /b" θ/ noun the act of being born 쑗 ② He was a big baby at birth. 왍 to give birth to to have a baby 쑗 She gave birth to a boy last week. 왍 he or she is French by birth he or she is French because his or her parents are French birth certificate / b" θ sətfkət/ noun an official paper showing the date on which someone was born, together with details of the parents birth control / b" θ kəntrəυl/ noun the practice of trying to avoid becoming pregnant ② birthday / b" θde/ noun the date on which you were born 쑗 April 23rd is Shakespeare’s birthday. 쑗 My birthday is on 25th June. 쑗 What do you want for your birthday? 왍 I’ll be 10 years old next birthday on my next birthday I will be 10 years old 왍 in your birthday suit with no clothes on bit birthday cake / b" θde kek/ noun a cake made specially for a birthday, usually decorated with icing and candles birthday card / b" θde kɑ d/ noun a card which you send someone to wish them a happy birthday birthday party / b" θde pɑ ti/ noun a party held for a birthday birthday present / b" θde prezənt/ noun a present given to someone for their birthday birthmark / b" θmɑ k/ noun a mark on the skin which a baby has from birth, and which usually cannot be removed birthplace / b" θples/ noun 1. the place where someone was born 쑗 They visited Shakespeare’s birthplace in Stratford. 2. the place where something was invented 쑗 China was the birthplace of gunpowder. birth rate / b" θ ret/ noun the number of children born per thousand of the population ③ biscuit / bskt/ noun a small, flat, usually sweet, hard cake (NOTE: The US term is cookie.) bisect /ba sekt/ verb to cut into two equal parts bisexual adj /ba sekʃuəl/ sexually attracted to both men and women 쐽 noun a bisexual person ③ bishop / bʃəp/ noun 1. a Christian church leader 쑗 the Bishop of London 2. in chess, a piece which moves diagonally 쑗 She took both his bishops in three moves. bison / bas(ə)n/ noun a large wild animal with long hair, which used to be common in Europe and North America (NOTE: The plural is bison. An North American bison is also called a buffalo.) bistro / bi strəυ/ noun a small restaurant (NOTE: The plural is bistros.) ① bit /bt/ noun 1. a little piece 쑗 He tied the bundle of sticks together with a bit of string. 쑗 Would you like another bit of cake? 왍 to come to bits to fall apart 쑗 The chair has come to bits. 왍 to take something to bits to take something apart in order to repair it 쑗 He’s taking my old clock to bits. 왍 thrilled to bits very pleased 왍 to love someone to bits to love someone very much 2. 왍 a bit a little 쑗 The painting is a bit too dark. 쑗 She always plays that tune a bit too fast. 쑗 Let him sleep a little bit longer. 쑗 Can you wait a bit, I’m not ready yet. 쑗 Have you got a piece of wood a bit bigger than this one? 왍 a bit much not fair 쑗 Being told it was my fault when I wasn’t even there is a bit much. 왍 bit by bit not all at the same time, little by little 쑗 He paid back the money he owed, bit by bit. 쑗 He inched forward, bit by bit, towards the edge of the cliff. 왍 not the slightest bit not at all 쑗 She didn’t sound the slightest bit bitch worried. 왍 he or she is a bit of a nuisance he or she is rather a nuisance 왍 not a bit of use of no use at all 왍 for a bit for a short period of time 쑗 Can you stop for a bit, I’m getting tired? 3. the smallest unit in a binary system, which has the value of 0 or 1. Compare byte 4. the smallest unit of information that a system can handle 5. a tool which fits into a drill, used for making holes 6. a piece of metal which is put in a horse’s mouth, in order to control it. 쏡 champ 쐽 verb 쒁 bite bitch /btʃ/ noun 1. a female animal, especially a female dog 쑗 They have two dogs – a male and a bitch. 쑗 The bitch has given birth to five puppies. 2. an unpleasant woman (offensive slang) 쑗 That bitch is going round spreading rumours about me. (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is bitches.) 쐽 verb to complain (slang) 쑗 What’s she bitching about now? bitchy / btʃi/ adj making unpleasant remarks about someone (slang). Synonym catty. Antonym kind (NOTE: bitchy – bitchier–bitchiest) ① bite /bat/ noun 1. a small amount of food that you eat 쑗 All I had for lunch was a bite of bread and cheese. 쑗 She took a big bite out of the sandwich. 2. a place where someone has been bitten (NOTE: Do not confuse with byte.) 쐽 verb 1. to cut someone or something with your teeth 쑗 The dog tried to bite the postman. 쑗 She bit a piece out of the pie. 2. (of an insect) to sting a person or animal 쑗 She’s been bitten by a mosquito. (NOTE: biting – bit /bt/ – has bitten / bt(ə)n/) bite-sized / bat sazd/ adj small enough to put in your mouth biting / batŋ/ adj 1. very cold 쑗 A biting wind blew across the valley. 2. (of a criticism) very severe 쑗 He ended his review with some biting remarks about the costumes. ① bitten / bt(ə)n/ 쒁 bite ③ bitter / btə/ adj 1. not sweet 쑗 This black coffee is too bitter. 2. angry because something is not fair 쑗 She was very bitter about the way the company treated her. 왍 to the bitter end to the very end 쑗 They resisted the changes to the bitter end. 3. very cold 쑗 a bitter December night 쑗 bitter weather coming from the Arctic 쐽 noun ordinary pale British beer which is not sweet 쑗 A pint of bitter, please. (NOTE: usually no plural; bitters means glasses of bitter: Two bitters and a packet of crisps, please.) bitterly / btəli/ adv 1. strongly 쑗 He bitterly regrets what he said. 2. 왍 bitterly cold very cold 쑗 It was bitterly cold in the tent. bitterness / btənəs/ noun 1. bitter taste 쑗 Add some more sugar if you want to hide the bitterness of the lemons. 2. angry feelings 쑗 70 black box His bitterness at being left out of the England team was very obvious. bitter-sweet / btə swi t/ adj 1. smelling or tasting both bitter and sweet 2. causing feelings of both happiness and sadness bitty / bti/ adj made up of unconnected parts (NOTE: bitty – bittier – bittiest) bitumen / btʃυmən/ noun a black substance which comes from petrol bivouac / bvuk/ noun a simple shelter made from branches and leaves 쐽 verb to camp out in the open without a tent (NOTE: bivouacking – bivouacked) bizarre /b zɑ / adj very strange. Synonym peculiar. Antonym ordinary blab /blb/ verb to tell someone a secret (informal ) (NOTE: blabbing – blabbed) ① black /blk/ adj 1. having a very dark . colour, the opposite to white 쑗 a black and white photograph 쑗 He was wearing a black suit. 왍 I’m in his or her black books he or she is annoyed with me 2. having dark-coloured skin, especially because of belonging to a race whose families are African in origin 쐽 noun 1. the colour of black 쑗 She likes to wear black. 왍 in the black not owing anything; in profit 쑗 The company went into the black last year. 쑗 My bank account is still in the black. 2. a person whose skin is dark coloured, especially someone who belongs to a family who came, at one time, from Africa 쐽 verb to prevent from doing business in certain goods or with certain people 쑗 Three firms were blacked by the government. black-and-white /blk ən wat/ adj 1. (of an image) not in colour 2. clear-cut and simple blackball / blkbɔ l/ verb to vote against someone who wants to join a club black belt / blk belt/ noun a person who has achieved the highest level of skill in an activity such as judo, or the belt which represents this achievement ③ blackberry / blkb(ə)ri/ noun 1. a small black fruit that grows on a bush 쑗 For dessert we’re having blackberry and apple pie. 2. the bush this fruit grows on 쑗 We had to struggle through blackberry bushes which had grown over the path. (NOTE: A wild blackberry is also called a bramble. The plural is blackberries.) ③ blackbird / blkb" d/ noun a common garden bird with black feathers and a yellow beak ③ blackboard / blkbɔ d/ noun a dark board which you can write on with chalk, especially on the wall of a classroom black box /blk bɒks/ noun a piece of equipment carried in an aircraft which records what happens during a flight, including black cab conversations between pilots and the control tower black cab /blk kb/ noun a London taxi ③ blackcurrant /blk krənt/ noun 1. a small black fruit which is usually eaten cooked 쑗 a jar of blackcurrant jam 쑗 The blackcurrants need more sugar – they’re very sour. 2. the small bush this fruit grows on 쑗 I planted six blackcurrants in the garden. black economy /blk  kɒnəmi/ noun the illegal buying and selling of goods and services which allows people to avoid paying taxes blacken / blkən/ verb to make black 왍 to blacken someone’s reputation to say things which harm someone’s reputation 쑗 In order to blacken his reputation, the newspapers said that he was having an affair with his secretary. black eye /blk a/ noun bruising and swelling around an eye, caused by a blow blackhead / blkhed/ noun a blocked area which shows up as a very small black dot on the skin black hole /blk həυl/ noun an area in space which pulls light into it black ice /blk as/ noun a dangerous layer of thin ice on a road blackleg / blkleDZ/ noun an employee who goes on working when there is a strike blacklist / blklst/ noun a list of things or people that are not approved of 쑗 His name is on the blacklist. 쐽 verb to put someone or something on a blacklist 쑗 The company has been blacklisted by the government. black magic /blk mdȢk/ noun magic used for evil purposes blackmail / blkmel/ verb 1. to threaten to do something harmful to someone unless they do what you want 쑗 They tried to blackmail the government into releasing prisoners of war. 2. to make someone give you money by threatening to tell people a secret that they have 쑗 Her former cook tried to blackmail her. 쐽 noun the act of blackmailing 쑗 The government will not give in to terrorist blackmail. Synonym extortion blackmailer / blkmelə/ noun a person who blackmails someone black mark /blk mɑ k/ noun a bad report black market /blk mɑ kt/ noun buying and selling goods in a way which is not allowed by law black marketeer /blk mɑ kə ti ə/ noun a person who sells things on the black market blackness / blknəs/ noun the state of being completely black or dark black out /blk aυt/ verb 1. to become unconscious 쑗 I suddenly blacked out and I 71 blame can’t remember anything more. 2. to make all the lights switch off over a large area 쑗 The storm blacked out half the town. blackout / blkaυt/ noun 1. an occasion on which you become unconscious 쑗 He must have had a blackout while driving. 2. a period when there is no electricity, or when there are no lights 쑗 The snowstorm caused a blackout. black pepper /blk pepə/ noun pepper from whole dried pepper seeds (NOTE: Pepper from berries which have had the outer layer removed is white pepper.) black sheep /blk ʃi p/ noun 왍 the black sheep of the family the member of the family who behaves badly 쑗 Everyone turned up for the funeral except Eugene, the black sheep of the family. blacksmith / blksmθ/ noun 1. a person who works with red-hot iron, making it into different shapes with a hammer 쑗 She asked the blacksmith to make her a new garden gate. 2. a person who repairs and fits horseshoes 쑗 The blacksmith was shoeing a horse. black spot / blk spɒt/ noun a place on a road where accidents often happen black tie /blk ta/ noun a formal style of dress for men that includes a smart black jacket and a black bow tie bladder / bldə/ noun 1. the bag-shaped organ inside the body where urine collects before being passed out of the body 쑗 She is taking antibiotics for a bladder infection. 2. any bag-shaped organ inside the body 3. a light bag full of air inside a football 쑗 The nail went right through the football and pierced the bladder. ③ blade /bled/ noun 1. a sharp cutting part 쑗 the blades of a pair of scissors 쑗 Be careful – that knife has a very sharp blade. 2. a thin leaf of grass 쑗 She sat in the shade of an apple tree, chewing a blade of grass. 3. the flat part at the end of a long piece of wood, used for pushing a boat along 4. one arm of a propeller 쑗 His arm was severed by a propeller blade. blah /blɑ / noun boring talk or writing (informal ) ② blame /blem/ noun criticism for having done something wrong 쑗 I’m not going to take the blame for something I didn’t do. 왍 to get the blame for to be accused of 쑗 Who got the blame for breaking the window? – Me, of course! 쐽 verb 왍 to blame someone for something, to blame something on someone to say that someone is responsible for something 쑗 Blame my sister for the awful food, not me. 쑗 He blamed the accident on the bad weather. 왍 I don’t blame you I think you’re right to do that 쑗 I don’t blame you for being annoyed, when everyone else got a present and you didn’t. 왍 you have . blameless only yourself to blame no one else is responsible for what happened 쑗 You have only yourself to blame if you missed the chance of a free ticket. 왍 to be to blame for to be responsible for something 쑗 The manager is to blame for the bad service. blameless / blemləs/ adj not guilty. Synonym innocent blameworthy / blemw" ði/ adj deserving to be blamed for something. Synonym responsible blanch /blɑ ntʃ/ verb 1. to cook for a short time in boiling water 쑗 Blanch the asparagus for two minutes. 2. to put fruit or vegetables in boiling water to remove the skin 쑗 Blanch the tomatoes first. 쑗 Almonds should be blanched before being roasted and salted. 3. to cover growing plants so that they become white 쑗 Celery needs to be blanched by covering it with earth to get really white stems. 4. to turn white with shock or worry 쑗 She blanched at the news. bland /blnd/ adj 1. dull and boring; and often not giving any information 쑗 He gave a bland reply. 2. without much flavour 쑗 Some people don’t like avocados because they find them too bland. 쑗 The sauce needs more herbs – it’s far too bland. blandishments / blndʃmənts/ plural noun nice things that people say to you to try and make you do what they want ③ blank /blŋk/ adj 1. (of paper) with no writing on it 쑗 She took a blank piece of paper and drew a map. 2. 왍 he looked blank he didn’t seem to know anything about it 쑗 When she mentioned the money he owed, he just looked blank. 왍 blank cassette or tape a cassette or tape which has nothing recorded on it 쐽 noun 1. an empty space on a piece of paper 쑗 Just fill in the blanks on the form. 2. 왍 my mind is a blank I can’t remember anything about it 왍 to draw a blank to get no result 쑗 When she tried to trace her father, she drew a blank. 3. same as blank cartridge 쑗 The police fired blanks into the crowd of protesters. 쏡 point-blank blank cartridge /blŋk kɑ trdȢ/ noun a cartridge from a gun which does not have a bullet in it blank cheque /blŋk tʃek/ noun 1. a cheque which has not been filled in 쑗 a book of blank cheques 2. a cheque which has been signed, but without any details 쑗 Her father gave her a blank cheque for her birthday and told her to fill in any amount she liked. 3. total freedom to do anything 쑗 The planners have been given a blank cheque to do what they like with the town centre. ③ blanket / blŋkt/ noun 1. a thick cover which you put over you to keep warm 쑗 He woke up when the blankets fell off the bed. 쑗 She wrapped the children up in blankets to 72 blaze keep them warm. 2. a thick layer 쑗 A blanket of snow covered the fields. 쑗 The motorway was covered in a blanket of fog. 쐽 verb to cover with something 쑗 The whole area was blanketed with snow. blanket refusal /blŋkt r fju z(ə)l/ noun a general refusal to accept various things blankly / blŋkli/ adv not showing any reaction blank out /blŋk aυt/ verb to cover up something which has been written or drawn blank verse /blŋk v" s/ noun poetry which does not rhyme blare /bleə/ noun a loud unpleasant noise 쑗 The blare of car horns in the street outside our hotel. 쐽 verb to make a loud unpleasant noise 쑗 The night club has music blaring away in the middle of the night. 쑗 He drives around with his radio blaring. blasé / blɑ ze/ adj with an attitude suggesting that you do not care. Synonym nonchalant. Antonym concerned blasphemy / blsfəmi/ noun being rude about God, religion or established principles blast /blɑ st/ noun 1. an explosion 쑗 Several windows were shattered by the blast. 2. a strong current of wind 쑗 an icy blast from the north 3. a sharp loud sound from a signal or whistle 쑗 Three blasts of the alarm means that passengers should go on deck. 4. 왍 going full blast going at full power 쑗 They kept the heating going full blast even in summer. 쐽 verb 1. to destroy with a bomb or bullets 쑗 The burglars blasted their way into the safe. 쑗 They blasted their way out of the police trap. 2. to spoil 쑗 The accident blasted his hopes of a sporting career. blasted / blɑ std/ adj used to express annoyance (dated ) blast furnace / blɑ st f" ns/ noun a large oven where hot air is blown onto rock containing iron until the iron melts and flows out blast off /blɑ st ɒf/ verb (of a spacecraft) to leave the ground 쑗 The rocket blasted off from Cape Canaveral yesterday morning. blast-off / blɑ st ɒf/ noun the time when a spacecraft takes off blatant / blet(ə)nt/ adj obviously bad blatantly / blet(ə)ntli/ adv in an obviously bad way blaze /blez/ noun 1. a large bright fire 쑗 Five fire engines were called to the blaze. 왍 a blaze of colour a mass of very bright colours 쑗 The garden is a blaze of colour. 2. 왍 to work like blazes to work very hard (dated ) 3. a white mark made by cutting away the outer layer of a tree 4. a white mark on the forehead of an animal 쐽 verb 1. to burn fiercely 쑗 The camp fire was blazing and ev. . blaze away 73 eryone sang songs. 2. 왍 to blaze a trail to mark a path by cutting the bark on trees; to be the first to do something blaze away /blez ə we/ verb to shoot at someone continuously for a period of time blazer / blezə/ noun a jacket, often with a badge to show that the person wearing it belongs to a particular school or club blazing / blezŋ/ adj 1. burning strongly 쑗 They sat around the blazing bonfire. 2. 왍 a blazing row a big argument 쑗 I walked into the middle of a blazing row between the MD and John. bleach /bli tʃ/ noun a chemical substance which cleans things and kills harmful bacteria 쑗 She poured bleach into the toilet. 쑗 Even a small drop of bleach will remove colour. 쑗 Do not use bleach on this material. 쐽 verb to remove colour from something 쑗 He’s bleached his hair. 쑗 Her hair was bleached by the sun. bleak /bli k/ adj 1. cold and unpleasant 쑗 The path led across bleak mountains. 2. showing no sign of hope 쑗 She gave him a bleak stare. 쑗 With no qualifications, his job prospects are bleak. bleary-eyed /blri ad/ adj with eyes half closed from lack of sleep bleat /bli t/ noun a sound made by a sheep or goat 쑗 We heard a faint bleat from the corner of the field and found an injured lamb. 쐽 verb 1. to make the sound that sheep and goats make 쑗 The lambs were bleating in the snow. 2. to complain in a annoying voice 쑗 What’s he bleating on about? bled /bled/ 쒁 bleed bleed /bli d/ verb to lose blood 쑗 His chin bled after he cut himself while shaving. 쑗 He was bleeding heavily from his wound. (NOTE: bleeding – bled /bled/) 쐽 noun 쒁 nosebleed bleeding / bli dŋ/ noun loss of blood from the body 쑗 The first thing was to try to stop the bleeding. 쐽 adj awful (informal ) 쑗 Stop that bleeding noise! bleep /bli p/ noun a short high electronic sound made by a computer, radio, etc. 쑗 The computer made a bleep and the screen went blank. 쑗 The printer will make a bleep when it runs out of paper. Synonym beep 쐽 verb 1. (of a machine) to make a short high electronic sound 쑗 Excuse me a moment, my pager has just bleeped. 2. to call someone on a mobile phone or bleeper 쑗 Doctor Jenkins has just been bleeped. 쏡 beep bleeper / bli pə/ noun a piece of equipment which makes a bleep to warn you of something. Synonym pager blemish / blemʃ/ noun an unwanted mark on something 쑗 There were no blemishes on her skin. 쑗 The fine for speeding is a blemish . blind on his otherwise clean driving licence. 쐽 verb to spoil something (formal ) 쑗 Being arrested for theft blemished his reputation. Synonym damage blend /blend/ noun a mixture 쑗 different blends of coffee 쐽 verb 1. to mix 쑗 Blend the eggs, milk and flour together. 2. (of colours ) to go well together 쑗 The grey curtains blend with the pale wallpaper. blender / blendə/ noun a piece of kitchen equipment for mixing different foods together thoroughly. Synonym mixer ③ bless /bles/ verb 1. to make holy by prayers, etc. 쑗 The church was blessed by the bishop. 2. to bring happiness or good things to someone or something 쑗 Their marriage was blessed with two fine sons. 왍 bless you said when someone sneezes 쑗 Bless you! 3. 왍 I’m blessed, I’ll be blessed showing surprise (dated ) (NOTE: [all senses] blessing – blessed /blest/) blessed / blesd/ adj 1. protected by God 쑗 the church of the Blessed Virgin Mary 2. annoying 쑗 The blessed engine won’t start! ③ blessing / blesŋ/ noun 1. a prayer which blesses people or things 쑗 The priest gave his blessing to the congregation. 2. 왍 to give your blessing to something to approve something officially 쑗 The chairman gave his blessing to the new design. 3. something which brings happiness 쑗 She enjoyed the blessings of good health and a happy family. 왍 it was a blessing in disguise it was a good thing, even if at first it seemed bad 쑗 Breaking his leg was a blessing in disguise – it meant he could spend more time studying. 왍 it’s a mixed blessing it has both advantages and disadvantages 쑗 Automation can be a mixed blessing – machines usually tend to be out of order when you need them most. ② blew /blu / 쒁 blow blight /blat/ noun a disease that attacks plants 쑗 You will need to spray your trees against apple blight. 쐽 verb to spoil 쑗 Knowing that she would have to go into hospital when she got back blighted her holiday. Synonym ruin ② blind /bland/ adj 1. not able to see 쑗 He went blind in his early forties. (NOTE: Some . . . people avoid this word as it can cause offence and prefer terms such as visually impaired or partially sighted.) 왍 to turn a blind eye to something not to pay any attention to something bad, even if you know it exists 쑗 We turn a blind eye to minor cases of theft in the office. 2. none at all 쑗 He didn’t pay a blind bit of notice to the regulations. 쑗 It didn’t make a blind bit of difference. 쐽 noun 1. a covering over a window that can be pulled up and down 쑗 They must still be asleep – their blinds are closed. 쑗 He pulled down the blind to keep out the sun. 2. 왍 the blind alley 74 blind people who cannot see 쑗 The town hall has excellent facilities for the blind. 쐽 verb to make someone unable to see 쑗 She was blinded by the bright lights of the oncoming cars. 쐽 adv 왍 flying blind flying an aircraft, using the instruments only blind alley /bland li/ noun 1. a path which is closed off at one end 2. a job or position with no opportunity for progress blind date /bland det/ noun a social meeting arranged with someone you do not know blindfold / blandfəυld/ noun a cloth put over someone’s eyes to prevent them from seeing 쑗 Her kidnappers did not let her take off the blindfold. 쐽 verb to put a blindfold over someone’s eyes to prevent them from seeing 쑗 He was blindfolded and bundled into the back of a car. 쐽 adv wearing a blindfold 쑗 I could find my way round London blindfold. blinding / blandŋ/ adj so bright or strong as to stop you seeing properly blindly / blandli/ adv without being able to see blind man’s buff /bland mnz blf/ noun a children’s game, where one person wears a blindfold and tries to catch the others blindness / blandnəs/ noun the state of not being able to see 쑗 The disease can cause blindness. (NOTE: Some people avoid this term as it can cause offence and prefer visual impairment.) blind spot / blanspɒt/ noun an area at the side of a vehicle which the driver cannot see in the mirrors ③ blink /blŋk/ noun 1. the action of quickly shutting and opening your eyes 쑗 He heard the news without a blink. 2. 왍 on the blink not working, out of action (informal ) 쑗 The telephone’s on the blink. 쐽 verb 1. to close your eyes very quickly 쑗 He blinked when the light was switched on. 쑗 She watched the bull come towards her without blinking. 2. (of lights) to go on and off 쑗 The alarm light is blinking. blinkered / blŋkəd/ adj 1. not interested in unusual things or ideas 2. with blinkers on blinkers / blŋkəz/ plural noun shades which cover the sides of a horse’s eyes, to prevent it looking sideways 쑗 Our horse seems less nervous if it has blinkers. (NOTE: . The US term is blinders.) blip /blp/ noun 1. a small flashing dot on a computer screen 쑗 A blip appeared on the radar screen. 2. a temporary bad result 쑗 We hope that this month’s bad export figures are only a blip. bliss /bls/ noun great happiness. Synonym ecstasy. Antonym despair (NOTE: no plural) blockbuster blissful / blsf(ə)l/ adj very pleasant or happy blister / blstə/ noun a swelling on the skin containing liquid, caused by rubbing or burning, or by a disease such as chickenpox 쑗 I can’t run – I’ve got a blister on my heel. 쐽 verb to make a swelling on a surface 쑗 The heat had blistered the paint. 쑗 His hands were blistered in the fire. blistering / blst(ə)rŋ/ adj 1. very hot 쑗 Walking in the blistering desert is impossible. 2. very fast 쑗 The defence could not keep up with blistering pace of the winger. 3. (of criticism) very strong 쑗 His blistering attack on his host bewildered everyone present. blithe /blað/ adj not worrying about anything blithely / blaðli/ adv without worrying about anything blitz /blts/ noun 1. bombing by planes 쑗 She was born during the London Blitz. 2. 왍 to have a blitz on something to make a sudden effort to do something (informal ) 쑗 We’ll have to have a blitz on this pile of orders. 쐽 verb to bomb something 쑗 The factories were blitzed by the enemy bombers. blizzard / blzəd/ noun a snowstorm with strong wind bloated / bləυtd/ adj 1. fatter or fuller than usual 쑗 After the Indian meal she felt bloated. 2. swollen with air 쑗 Bloated corpses lay in the streets. blob /blɒb/ noun a small spot of sticky stuff or thick liquid bloc /blɒk/ noun a political group of states. Synonym alliance ② block /blɒk/ noun 1. a large building 쑗 They live in a block of flats. 2. US a section of buildings surrounded by streets 쑗 He lives two blocks away. 3. a large piece 쑗 Blocks of ice were floating in the river. 4. a group of things together 쑗 They booked a block of seats in the middle of the plane. 쐽 verb to prevent something passing along something 쑗 The pipe is blocked with dead leaves. 쑗 The crash blocked the road for hours. 쑗 What can I take for my blocked nose? Synonym obstruct blockade /blɒ ked/ noun preventing supplies arriving 쑗 The fishermen decided that a blockade of their harbour would help them in their fight with the EU. 쐽 verb to prevent supplies coming in 쑗 The fleet blockaded the port for several months. blockage / blɒkdȢ/ noun something which blocks; the state of being blocked. Synonym obstruction blockbuster / blɒkbstə/ noun a very successful big book or film . block capitals 75 block capitals /blɒk kpt(ə)lz/ plural noun capital letters, e.g. letters written as A, B, C, or D rather than a, b, c or d block up /blɒk p/ verb to close a hole with something. Synonym stop up ③ bloke /bləυk/ noun a man (informal ) ③ blond /blɒnd/ adj fair, or with fair hair. Synonym fair-haired ③ blonde /blɒnd/ adj fair, or with fair hair 쑗 She has lovely long blonde hair. 쐽 noun a woman with fair hair 쑗 He came to the party with a gorgeous blonde. ① blood /bld/ noun the red liquid in the body, formed of red and white cells blood bank / bld bŋk/ noun a place where blood is stored until it is needed by hospitals bloodbath / bldbɑ θ/ noun an attack that leads to a lot of deaths and injuries. Synonym massacre blood clot / bld klɒt/ noun a soft mass of thick blood in a vein or an artery bloodcurdling / bldk" dlŋ/ adj very frightening. Synonym terrifying. Antonym comforting blood donor / bld dəυnə/ noun a person who gives his or her blood so that it can be used in medical operations blood group / bld DZru p/ noun one of the types into which all blood falls . COMMENT: Blood is classified in various ways. The most common classifications are by factors in the red blood corpuscles (factors A and B) and by the Rhesus factor. Blood can therefore have either factor (Group A and Group B), or both factors (Group AB) or neither factor (Group O), and each of these groups can be Rhesus negative or positive. bloodhound / bldhaυnd/ noun a large dog which can follow a trail by its sense of smell bloodless / bldləs/ adj 1. without violence 2. pale and unhealthy-looking 3. lacking in human emotion blood poisoning / bld pɔz(ə)nŋ/ noun a condition caused by bacteria in the blood. Also called septicaemia, toxaemia ② blood pressure / bld preʃə/ noun the pressure at which someone’s heart pumps blood bloodshed / bldʃed/ noun a situation which involves killing people. Synonym carnage (NOTE: no plural) bloodshot / bldʃɒt/ adj (of the eyes) red bloodsports / bldspɔ ts/ plural noun sports which involve killing animals bloodstain / bldsten/ noun a red mark of blood on a surface bloodstained / bldstend/ adj covered with bloodstains blossom bloodstream / bldstri m/ noun the flow of blood round the body bloodsucker / bldskə/ noun 1. an animal such as a leech which sucks blood 쑗 After walking through the jungle she found several bloodsuckers on her legs. 2. a person who tries to make you spend a lot of money 쑗 These banks are just bloodsuckers. blood test / bld test/ noun a laboratory test of a small amount of blood to see what it contains bloodthirsty / bldθ" sti/ adj 1. cruel 2. full of details about people killing or injuring each other. Synonym cruel blood transfusion / bld trnsfju Ȣ(ə)n/ noun an act of putting blood which has been given by another person into a patient’s body blood type / bld tap/ noun the grouping of blood into a certain type blood vessel / bld ves(ə)l/ noun 1. any tube, artery or vein, which carries blood round the body 쑗 The wound is bleeding profusely because a blood vessel has been cut. 2. 왍 to burst a blood vessel to get violently angry 쑗 The boss will burst a blood vessel when he hears the news. ③ bloody / bldi/ adj 1. with much blood 쑗 a bloody battle 2. covered with blood 쑗 After the fight his face was all bloody. 쐽 adj, adv used as a mild swear word to express anger and anoyance (informal ) 쑗 Stop that bloody noise! bloody-minded /bldi mandd/ adj deliberately unhelpful (informal ). Synonym . . uncooperative bloom /blu m/ noun 1. a flower 왍 the apple trees are in full bloom the apple trees are covered in flowers 2. the soft, smooth skin of a peach, or the dust on the skin of a grape 3. 왍 the bloom of youth the healthy appearance of a young person 쑗 She is not exactly in the first bloom of youth. 4. a layer of algae covering the surface of water 쐽 verb 1. to produce flowers 2. to be very healthy 쑗 The country’s economy is blooming. bloomer / blu mə/ noun a mistake bloomers / blu məz/ plural noun old-fashioned wide knickers blooming / blu mŋ/ adj 1. full of brightness and life 쑗 She’s positively blooming. 2. awful (informal ) 쑗 It’s a blooming shame that his mother won’t let him come out to play football! blossom / blɒs(ə)m/ noun the mass of flowers on trees 쑗 The hedges are covered with hawthorn blossom. 쑗 The trees are in full blossom. Synonym flower 쐽 verb 1. to flower 쑗 The roses were blossoming round the cottage door. 2. to be very healthy or . blot 76 happy 쑗 She’s blossomed since she got married. blot /blɒt/ noun a drop of ink 쑗 The boy with blots of ink on his shirt is my kid brother. 쑗 The painting he sent to the art show was just a series of coloured blots. 쐽 verb 1. to apply blotting paper to wet ink to dry it 2. 왍 he blotted his copybook he ruined his reputation 쑗 He blotted his copybook when he was found kissing the chairman’s wife. (NOTE: blotting – blotted) blotch /blɒtʃ/ noun a large area of colour. Synonym blot blotchy / blɒtʃi/ adj (of the face) covered with red marks (NOTE: blotchy – blotchier – blotchiest) blot out /blɒt aυt/ verb to hide something completely ③ blouse /blaυz/ noun a woman’s shirt ① blow /bləυ/ noun 1. a knock or punch 쑗 He received a blow to the head in the fight. 2. a shock, which comes from bad news 쑗 The election result was a blow to the government. 쐽 verb 1. to make air move 쑗 The wind had been blowing hard all day. 쑗 Blow on your soup if it’s too hot. 왍 to blow your nose to clear a blocked nose by blowing down it into a handkerchief 쑗 She has a cold and keeps having to blow her nose. 2. 왍 to blow a fuse to burn out a fuse by making too much electricity flow through it (NOTE: blowing – blew /blu / – has blown /bləυn/) ① blow away /bləυ ə we/ verb 1. to go away by blowing 쑗 His hat blew away. 2. to make something go away by blowing 쑗 The wind will blow the fog away. blow-by-blow /bləυ ba bləυ/ adj describing an event in great detail ① blow down /bləυ daυn/ verb 1. to make something fall down by blowing 쑗 Six trees were blown down in the storm. 2. to fall down by blowing 쑗 The school fence has blown down. blow-dry /bləυ dra/ verb to dry someone’s hair with a hair drier (NOTE: blow-dried) 쐽 noun the act of drying hair with a hair drier 쑗 I went to have a shampoo and blow-dry. blowlamp / bləυlmp/ noun a piece of equipment with a strong gas flame for removing old paint ② blown /bləυn/ 쒁 blow ① blow off /bləυ ɒf/ verb to make something go away by blowing ① blow out /bləυ aυt/ verb to make something go out by blowing 쑗 She blew out the candles on her birthday cake. Synonym extinguish blowout / bləυaυt/ noun 1. a very large meal (informal ) 2. the bursting of a tyre . blue chip shares blow over /bləυ əυvə/ verb 1. (of a storm or an argument ) to end 쑗 We hope the quarrel will soon blow over. 2. to knock something down by blowing 쑗 The gale blew over several trees. blowtorch / bləυtɔ tʃ/ noun same as blowlamp ① blow up /bləυ p/ verb 1. to make something get bigger by blowing into it 쑗 He blew up balloons for the party. 쑗 Your front tyre needs blowing up. 2. to destroy something with explosives 쑗 The soldiers blew up the railway bridge. 3. to make a photograph bigger 쑗 The article was illustrated with a blown-up picture of the little girl and her stepfather. 4. to make something seem more important than it really is 쑗 The story has been blown up by the papers. BLT abbr a bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich blubber / blbə/ noun the fat of a whale or seal 쑗 Whales were killed and their blubber melted down. 쐽 verb to cry noisily 쑗 Stop blubbering, it’s only a little scratch. bludgeon / bldȢən/ noun a heavy stick for hitting 쑗 Bands of rioters carrying bludgeons and axes roamed the streets. 쐽 verb 1. to beat with a heavy stick 쑗 The young student was bludgeoned and left for dead. 쑗 The rioters bludgeoned him to the ground. 2. 왍 to bludgeon someone into doing something to force someone to do something 쑗 He was bludgeoned into agreeing with the proposal. ① blue /blu / adj 1. coloured like the colour of the sky 쑗 He wore a pale blue shirt. 쑗 They live in the house with the dark blue door. 쑗 All their children have got blue eyes. 2. sad 쑗 When you’re feeling blue just sing a song and you’ll feel better. 쐽 noun 1. the colour of the sky 쑗 She was dressed all in blue. 쑗 Have you a cloth of a darker blue than this? 왍 the boys in blue the police (informal ) 2. 왍 out of the blue suddenly 쑗 Out of the blue came an offer of a job in Australia. 쏡 bolt bluebell / blu bel/ noun a wild plant with blue flowers like a series of little bells blueberry / blu b(ə)ri/ noun a wild fruit, which is dark blue when ripe, eaten raw with sugar and cream, or cooked in pies and jams (NOTE: The plural is blueberries.) blue-blooded /blu bldd/ adj from a royal or upper-class family bluebottle / blu bɒtl/ noun a large buzzing fly with a shiny dark blue body blue cheese /blu tʃi z/ noun a cheese with blue mould in it blue chip shares / blu tʃp ʃeəz/, blue chips / blu tʃps/ plural noun low-risk shares in good companies . . blue-eyed boy 77 blue-eyed boy /blu ad bɔ/ noun a person whom someone likes more than anyone else (informal ) blue jeans / blu dȢi nz/ plural noun popular blue trousers made of denim, a type of strong cotton (NOTE: usually called jeans) blue moon /blu mu n/ noun 왍 once in a blue moon very rarely 쑗 I only see them once in a blue moon. blueprint / blu prnt/ noun 1. a photographic print of a plan which consists of blue lines on a white background or white lines on a blue background 쑗 Here’s the blueprint of the new engine. 2. a plan for doing something 쑗 The deal will act as a blueprint for future cooperation. ③ blues /blu z/ plural noun sad songs from the southern US 쑗 Bessie Smith, the great blues singer. Synonym sadness. Antonym . happiness blue whale /blu wel/ noun a very large whale, the largest mammal that exists bluff /blf/ noun 1. a threat to do something which you know you will not carry out 쑗 Don’t believe what he says, it’s all just bluff. 왍 to call someone’s bluff to show that someone is lying 쑗 He said he would blow up the building but the police called his bluff. 2. a steep hill made of rock 쑗 The soldiers climbed the bluff and found the enemy waiting for them on top. 쐽 adj direct, and not very sensitive 쑗 He’s a bluff individual, but you can trust what he says. 쐽 verb to do something by tricking someone 쑗 He said he was a naval officer, but he was just bluffing. Synonym trick 왍 to bluff your way to get somewhere by pretending to be someone 쑗 He bluffed his way into the first-class cabin. bluish / blu ʃ/ adj of a colour that is close to blue blunder / blndə/ noun a careless or embarrassing mistake 쑗 A dreadful blunder by the goalkeeper allowed their opponents to equalise. 쑗 What a blunder, to ask her to dinner at the same time as her ex-husband! Synonym mistake 쐽 verb to make a careless or embarrassing mistake 쑗 He blundered badly when he made the deal with the Chinese company. blundering / blnd(ə)rŋ/ adj clumsy blunt /blnt/ adj 1. not sharp 쑗 He tried to cut the meat with a blunt knife. 2. almost rude 쑗 His blunt manner made people think he was being rude. 쐽 verb to make something blunt 쑗 Using the knife to open tins has blunted it. bluntly / blntli/ adv in a direct way that may upset people. Synonym frankly. Antonym indirectly 왍 to put it bluntly to say something clearly 쑗 To put it bluntly, you’re just no good at your job. board game blur /bl" / noun an unclear image 쑗 He was hit on the head, and everything became a blur. 쑗 You must have moved – the photograph is just a blur. 쐽 verb to become unclear, to make unclear 쑗 His vision became blurred. (NOTE: blurring – blurred) blurb /bl" b/ noun a short piece of text on something which is for sale, encouraging to you buy it blurred /bl" d/ adj not clear blurt out /bl" t aυt/ verb to give away a secret suddenly, without intending to blush /blʃ/ noun 1. a red colour of the skin 쑗 the blush of a peach 쑗 A blush tinged her cheeks pink. 2. 왍 at first blush at first sight 쑗 At first blush, the deal looks a good one. 쐽 verb to go red in the face because you are ashamed or embarrassed 쑗 She blushed when he spoke to her. blusher / blʃə/ noun pink or red colouring applied to the cheeks bluster / blstə/ noun 1. loud violent talk 쑗 His threat of legal action is just bluster. 2. a sudden strong wind 쐽 verb 1. to speak loudly and angrily 쑗 He went blustering on about taking us to court. 2. (of wind ) to blow hard blustery / blst(ə)ri/ adj (of wind ) blowing strongly. Synonym windy BO abbr body odour boa constrictor / bəυə kənstrktə/ noun a large snake found in South America, which kills animals by wrapping itself round them and squeezing them boar /bɔ / noun a male pig 쑗 We have a boar and two sows. (NOTE: Do not confuse . . with bore.) board /bɔ d/ noun 1. a long flat piece of ① something such as wood 쑗 The floor of the bedroom was just bare boards. 2. a blackboard 쑗 The teacher wrote on the board. 3. food 쑗 The price includes board and lodging. 4. a group of directors 쑗 She was asked to join the board. 쑗 The board meets every month. 5. 왍 to go on board to go on to a form of transport such as a ship, train or plane 쑗 We went on board at 9.30 and the ship sailed at 12.00. 쐽 verb to go on to a form of transport such as a ship, train or plane 쑗 Six passengers boarded at Belgrade. 쑗 Customs officials boarded the ship in the harbour. 쑗 The 16.50 train to Paris is now ready for boarding at platform 5. board and lodging /bɔ d ən lɒdȢŋ/ noun meals and a place to sleep boarder / bɔ də/ noun a pupil who lives at his or her school. (NOTE: Do not confuse with border.) board game / bɔ d DZem/ noun any game in which players move pieces on a board boarding card 78 boarding card / bɔ dŋ kɑ d/ noun a card which allows you to go on board a plane boarding house / bɔ dŋ haυs/ noun a house where you pay to live boarding pass / bɔ dŋ pɑ s/ noun same as boarding card boarding school / bɔ dŋ sku l/ noun a school where the children live during term time boardroom / bɔ dru m/ noun a room where directors meet board up /bɔ d p/ verb to cover things such as windows and doors with boards boast /bəυst/ noun the act of talking about things that you are proud of 쑗 Their proudest boast is that they never surrendered. 쐽 verb 1. to say how good or successful you are. Synonym brag 2. to have something good 쑗 The house boasts a conservatory and patio. 쑗 The town boasts an 18-hole golf course. boastful / bəυstf(ə)l/ adj saying how good or successful you are. Synonym arrogant ① boat /bəυt/ noun a small vehicle that people use for moving on water 쑗 They sailed their boat across the lake. 쑗 They went to Spain by boat. 쑗 When is the next boat to Calais? 왍 we’re all in the same boat we’re all in the same situation (informal ) 쑗 It’s a shame about the redundancies, but if the firm goes bust we’ll all be in the same boat. boater / bəυtə/ noun a flat straw hat boating / bəυtŋ/ noun the activity of going in small boats for pleasure bob /bɒb/ noun a woman’s or girl’s hair style, where the hair is cut fairly short so that it is the same length all round 쑗 She had her hair in a bob. 쐽 verb to move up and down 쑗 Pieces of wood were bobbing about on the water. (NOTE: bobbing – bobbed) bobby / bɒbi/ noun a male police officer (dated informal ) (NOTE: The plural is bob. . bies.) bobsleigh / bɒbsle/ noun a vehicle designed for travelling on snow, and used for racing down a special track (NOTE: The US term is bobsled.) bode /bəυd/ verb 왍 to bode ill or well to be a bad or good sign (formal ) 쑗 It bodes ill for . their project if the local council has refused them a grant. bodice / bɒds/ noun the top part of a dress bodily / bɒdli/ adj referring to the body 쑗 The main bodily functions are those of important organs such as the heart, the lungs, etc. Synonym physical 왍 to cause someone grievous bodily harm to attack someone, causing serious injury 쐽 adv moving the whole of someone’s body at the same time 왍 they carried him out bodily they lifted him up and carried him out boggle ① body / bɒdi/ noun 1. the whole of a person or of an animal 쑗 He had pains all over his body. 쑗 The dead man’s body was found in the river. 쑗 Bodies of infected cows were burnt in the fields. (NOTE: The plural is bodies.) 2. the main part of an animal or person, but not the head and arms and legs 쑗 She was beaten on the arms and the upper part of her body. (NOTE: The plural is bodies.) 3. the main part of anything 쑗 The car has an all aluminium body. 쑗 The body of the text is printed in black. (NOTE: The plural is bodies.) 4. a group of people 쑗 She is a member of several environmental bodies. (NOTE: The plural is bodies.) 5. strength of flavour 쑗 The wine has a good body. (NOTE: no plural) 6. a healthy appearance 쑗 The conditioner will give your hair body. (NOTE: no plural) body blow / bɒdi bləυ/ noun 1. a serious disappointment 2. a punch that falls between the neck and the waist body building / bɒdi bldŋ/ noun the practice of developing the muscles of the body through lifting heavy weights and eating particular foods ③ bodyguard / bɒdiDZɑ d/ noun 1. a person who guards someone 쑗 The attacker was overpowered by the president’s bodyguards. 2. a group of people who guard someone 쑗 He has a bodyguard of six people or a six-man bodyguard. body language / bɒdi lŋDZwdȢ/ noun movements of the body which show what someone is thinking bodywork / bɒdiw" k/ noun the metal outer covering of a car boffin / bɒfn/ noun a scientist or inventor (informal ) bog /bɒDZ/ noun a marshland. Synonym . swamp bog down /bɒDZ daυn/ verb (informal ) 왍 to get bogged down to get stuck 쑗 The negotiations are getting bogged down over the question of salaries. bogey / bəυDZi/ noun 1. same as bogeyman 2. (in golf ) using one more stroke than the usual number to get the ball into a hole 쑗 He had a bogey at the fifth hole. bogeyman / bəυDZimn/ noun an imaginary creature that frightens children. Also called bogey (NOTE: The plural is bogey. . men.) boggle / bɒDZ(ə)l/ verb (informal ) 왍 to boggle at something to be unsure about being able to do something 쑗 He boggled at the idea of crossing the Atlantic in such a small boat. 왍 the mind simply boggles I can’t imagine how this can be done 쑗 When I think how much work we have left to do by next Friday, my mind simply boggles or it makes the mind boggle. 쏡 mind-boggling . bog standard 79 bomb bog standard /bɒDZ stndəd/ adj ordi- bold /bəυld/ adj 1. strong in colour or de- nary, or lacking special features bogus / bəυDZəs/ adj pretending to be real. Synonym false. Antonym genuine bohemian /bəυ hi miən/ adj referring to a relaxed way of life, often considered typical of artists 쑗 He led a very bohemian existence in Paris as a young man. 쑗 She brought along some of her bohemian friends. Synonym unconventional. Antonym conformist 쐽 noun a person who lives a very relaxed way of life, often thought typical of artists 쑗 He’s a bohemian at heart, but he has to do a proper office job to feed his family. ③ boil /bɔl/ verb 1. (of water or other liquid ) to form bubbles and change into steam or gas because of being heated 쑗 Put the egg in when you see that the water’s boiling. 쑗 Don’t let the milk boil. 왍 bring the water to the boil to heat the water until it boils 2. to heat a liquid until it changes into steam 쑗 Can you boil some water so we can make tea? 3. to cook food such as vegetables or eggs in boiling water 쑗 Boil the potatoes in a large pan. 쐽 noun 1. an infected swelling 쑗 He has a boil on the back of his neck. 2. when water is boiling 앳 on the boil 1. continuing to boil 쑗 The kettle’s on the boil. 2. being considered actively 쑗 The papers kept the story on the boil for several weeks before losing interest. boil down /bɔl daυn/ verb 1. to be reduced through boiling 쑗 Let the sauce boil down until it is quite thick. 2. to be reduced to 쑗 It all boils down to whether he will accept the deal now or not. ③ boiler / bɔlə/ noun a piece of equipment for heating water for a building’s central heating system boiler suit / bɔlə su t/ noun a one-piece item of clothing, often worn over other clothes. Also called overalls ③ boiling / bɔlŋ/ adj 1. which has started to boil (i.e. for water, at 100°C) 쑗 Put the potatoes in a pan of boiling water. 2. very hot 쑗 It is boiling in this room. 쐽 adv same as boil- sign 쑗 She likes bold colours. 쑗 The wallpaper is a bold design of dark green leaves. 2. brave 쑗 She was bold enough to say ‘no’ to the Prime Minister. 쑗 May I be so bold as to ask if you are free for dinner this evening? 쐽 noun a printing type with thick black letters 쑗 The main words in this dictionary are set in bold. boldly / bəυldli/ adv in a brave way boldness / bəυldnəs/ noun daring or bravery bollard / bɒlɑ d/ noun 1. a low post for a ship’s rope to be tied to, or one in the road to indicate where traffic should go 쑗 The police have put bollards across the road. 2. a low post in the road showing where traffic should go Bollywood / bɒliwυd/ noun the Indian film industry (informal ) bolster / bəυlstə/ noun a long round pillow 쑗 You often find bolsters in French hotels. 쐽 verb to make something better or stronger 쑗 The money from the village fête has bolstered the church funds. 쑗 Learning that he will be out of hospital next week has bolstered his spirits. Synonym boost. Antonym . ing hot ③ boiling hot /bɔlŋ hɒt/ adv very hot 쑗 It was a boiling hot day. boiling point / bɔlŋ pɔnt/ noun 1. the temperature at which a liquid boils, i.e. when it turns into steam or gas 쑗 100°C is the boiling point of water. 2. a point at which a situation becomes very serious 쑗 The UN must do something quickly because the situation has reached boiling point. ③ boil over /bɔl əυvə/ verb (of liquid ) to rise up when boiling and run over the side of the pan boisterous / bɔst(ə)rəs/ adj energetic and noisy . . undermine bolt /bəυlt/ noun 1. a long piece of metal with a screw, fastened with a nut 쑗 The legs of the table are secured to the top with bolts. 2. a long piece of metal which is pushed into a hole to bar a door 쑗 She peered through the window and after a long pause pulled back the bolts. 3. a flash of lightning 쑗 He had taken shelter under a tree that was hit by a bolt of lightning. 왍 it came as a bolt from the blue it was a complete surprise 4. 왍 to make a bolt for to rush towards something 쑗 At the end of the show everyone made a bolt for the door. 왍 to make a bolt for it to run away 쑗 When the guards weren’t looking two prisoners tried to make a bolt for it. 쐽 verb 1. to run fast; to escape 쑗 the horse bolted 2. to fasten something with a bolt 쑗 He bolted the door when he went to bed. 쑗 The tables are bolted to the floor. 3. to eat quickly 쑗 Don’t bolt your food. bolt upright /bəυlt prat/ adv sitting with your back very straight ② bomb /bɒm/ noun 1. an explosive weapon, dropped from an aircraft or placed by hand 쑗 The bomb was left in a suitcase in the middle of the station. 쑗 They phoned to say that a bomb had been planted in the main street. 쑗 Enemy aircraft dropped bombs on the army base. 2. 왍 it went like a bomb it was very successful (informal ) 왍 it costs a bomb it costs a lot of money 쐽 verb 1. to drop bombs on something 쑗 Enemy aircraft bombed the power station. 2. to go very fast 쑗 We bombed down the motorway to Bristol. . bombard 80 bombard /bɒm bɑ d/ verb 1. to attack again and again with heavy guns or bombs 쑗 The town was bombarded for ten days before surrendering. 2. to send again and again 쑗 He was bombarded with offers of jobs. 쑗 She was bombarded with letters from the solicitors. bombardment /bɒm bɑ dmənt/ noun an attack by heavy guns or bombs bomber / bɒmə/ noun 1. a person who puts bombs in places in order to blow them up 쑗 The bombers managed to escape after planting the bomb. 2. an aircraft for dropping bombs 쑗 The bombers were out during the night, attacking enemy targets. bomb scare / bɒm skeə/ noun a frightening announcement that there might be a hidden bomb somewhere bombshell / bɒmʃel/ noun a very unpleasant surprise (informal ). Synonym shock bona fide /bəυnə fadi/ adj real or true; not deceiving. Synonym genuine. Antonym . bogus bona fides /bəυnə fadi z/ plural noun proof that someone is who they say they are bonanza /bə nnzə/ noun a situation where you can make a lot of money ③ bond /bɒnd/ noun 1. a document showing an investment in which someone lends money to the government 쑗 Government bonds are a very safe form of investment. 2. a link between two people 쑗 There is a close bond between her and her sister. 3. a contract 쑗 His word is his bond. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to bond with someone (of two people) to make a psychological link 쑗 Some mothers find it difficult to bond with their babies. 2. to stick together tightly 쑗 Cover the two surfaces with glue and hold them tightly until they bond. bondage / bɒnddȢ/ noun the state of being a slave. Synonym slavery bonded warehouse /bɒndd weəhaυs/ noun a place where goods are stored until duty is paid ② bone /bəυn/ noun one of the solid pieces in the body, which make up the skeleton 쑗 The bone in the thigh is called the femur. 쑗 Be careful when you’re eating fish – they have lots of little bones. 쑗 The two dogs were fighting over a bone. 왍 I’ve got a bone to pick with you I want to complain about something you have done 쐽 verb to remove bones from meat 쑗 a boned leg of lamb (NOTE: When taking the bones out of fish, it is more usual to say fillet.) bone dry /bəυn dra/ noun extremely dry bone idle /bəυn ad(ə)l/ noun com- pletely lazy bone marrow / bəυn mrəυ/ noun the soft substance inside a bone booby prize bonfire / bɒnfaə/ noun an outdoor fire Bonfire Night / bɒnfaə nat/ noun 5th November, when the attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 is remembered in Britain with fireworks bonkers / bɒŋkəz/ adj (informal ) appearing to be crazy or strange. Synonym irrational. Antonym rational 왍 to go bonkers to go crazy 쑗 They sold their big house and bought a little caravan – has the family gone bonkers? ③ bonnet / bɒnt/ noun 1. a metal cover for the front part of a car, covering the engine 쑗 He lifted up the bonnet and looked at the steam pouring out of the engine. (NOTE: The US term is hood.) 2. a close-fitting warm hat for a baby 쑗 Tie her bonnet under her chin. 3. a close-fitting hat for a woman 쑗 Old women in black bonnets and shawls sat knitting outside their houses. bonny / bɒni/ adj good-looking and healthy (mainly Scottish) (NOTE: bonnier – . bonniest) bonsai / bɒnsa/ noun 1. the art of growing trees in small pots so that they do not grow very large 2. a tree grown in this way 쑗 We have a little bonsai oak that is forty years old. ② bonus / bəυnəs/ noun 1. extra money 쑗 Salesmen earn a bonus if they sell more than their quota. 2. an advantage 쑗 It was an added bonus that the plane arrived early, as we were able to catch an earlier bus home. (NOTE: The plural is bonuses.) bony / bəυni/ adj 1. thin, with bones which you can see easily 쑗 She was riding a bony horse. 쑗 He grabbed her arm with his bony hand. 2. with many bones 쑗 I don’t like kippers, they’re usually too bony. (NOTE: bonier – boniest) boo interj showing that you do not like someone such as an actor, singer or politician 쑗 Everyone shouted ‘boo’ when he announced that taxes would have to go up. 쐽 noun an instance of making the sound ‘boo’ 쑗 The wicked pirate’s appearance was greeted with boos and hisses. 쐽 verb /bu / to make a ‘boo’ sound to show that you do not like someone such as an actor, singer or politician 쑗 The crowd booed the referee. Synonym jeer. Antonym applaud 왍 she was booed off the stage the audience shouted ‘boo’ so loudly that she had to leave the stage boob /bu b/ noun 1. a silly mistake 쑗 What a boob! 쑗 He’s made yet another boob! (NOTE: The US term is boo-boo.) 2. a woman’s breast (informal ) 쑗 She doesn’t like having big boobs. 쐽 verb to make a silly mistake (informal ) 쑗 We boobed badly when we said we didn’t want to do business with them. booby prize / bu bi praz/ noun a silly prize given to the last person in a competition . . boobytrap 81 boobytrap / bu bitrp/ noun a hidden boost bomb booklet / bυklət/ noun a book of information with only a few pages. Synonym boobytrapped / bu bitrpt/ adj full of brochure boobytraps bookmaker / bυkmekə/ noun a person boogie / bu DZi/ verb to dance to disco who takes money from people who want to bet on the result of races (NOTE: also often music book /bυk/ noun 1. sheets of printed paper attached together, usually with a stiff cover 쑗 I’m reading a book on the history of London. 쑗 He wrote a book about butterflies. 2. sheets of paper attached together 왍 a book of stamps several stamps attached inside a small paper cover 왍 a book of matches a set of cardboard matches attached together in a paper cover 쑗 He collects books of matches. 왍 book of tickets several tickets fastened together and sold as a unit 쑗 It is cheaper if you buy a book of ten tickets. 3. 왍 I’m in his bad books he is annoyed with me (informal ) 쑗 Try not to get into the teacher's bad books. 쐽 verb 1. to reserve a place, a seat, a table in a restaurant or a room in a hotel, or a holiday 쑗 We have booked a table for tomorrow evening at the Thai restaurant. 쑗 I want to book two seats for Friday evening. 쑗 I’m afraid the dentist is fully booked until the end of next week. 쑗 I’m sorry, the concert is sold out – all the seats have been booked. 왍 to book someone on or onto a flight to order a plane ticket for someone else 쑗 I’ve booked you on the 10 o’clock flight to New York. 2. to charge someone with an offence 쑗 The police officer booked him for speeding. ③ bookcase / bυkkes/ noun a cupboard with shelves for keeping books book club / bυk klb/ noun 1. a company which sells books by post, often at reduced prices 2. a group of people who meet to discuss books and related subjects booked up /bυkt p/ adj with all rooms or seats reserved bookie / bυki/ noun same as bookmaker (informal ) ② booking / bυkŋ/ noun an arrangement to reserve something such as a seat, hotel room or table 왍 to make a booking to reserve something such as a seat, hotel room or table 쑗 We tried to make a booking for the week beginning May 1st, but the hotel was full. ② booking office / bυkŋ ɒfs/ noun an office in a place such as a cinema or a theatre, where you can buy tickets book into /bυk ntu / verb to reserve a room in a hotel 왍 to book someone into a hotel to reserve a hotel room for someone else bookkeeper / bυkki pə/ noun a person who keeps the accounts of a company bookkeeping / bυkki pŋ/ noun the activity or job of keeping a company’s accounts ① . . ② called a bookie; the official term is turf accountant.) bookmark / bυkmɑ k/ noun 1. something that you put in a book to show the place where you stopped reading 2. the address of a website or web page, stored for easy access 쐽 verb to list the address of a website or web page bookseller / bυkselə/ noun a person who sells books, or who runs a bookshop ③ bookshelf / bυkʃelf/ noun a shelf for keeping books (NOTE: The plural is bookshelves.) ② bookshop / bυkʃɒp/ noun a shop where you can buy books (NOTE: The US term is bookstore.) book token / bυk təυkən/ noun a card with an amount of money written on it, which can only be used to buy books of that value bookworm / bυkw" m/ noun 1. someone who enjoys reading books, and reads a lot 2. an insect the larvae of which eat books ③ boom /bu m/ noun 1. an increase in wealth 쑗 The economy is improving and everyone is forecasting a boom for next year. 2. a loud deep noise, like a bang 쑗 There was such a loud boom that everyone jumped. 3. a long stick for holding a microphone over the heads of speakers 쐽 verb 1. to become richer; to increase 쑗 Sales to Europe are booming. 2. to make a loud deep noise 쑗 His voice boomed across the square. boomerang / bu mərŋ/ noun a curved piece of wood, invented in Australia, which twists as it flies and returns to you when you throw it in a special way 쐽 verb (of a plan) to go wrong or turn out exactly the opposite to what was expected 쑗 The plan boomeranged, and he ended up being sued for damages. Synonym rebound boon /bu n/ noun a very useful thing 쑗 The car has been a real boon to her since the bus company stopped the service to their village. Synonym advantage. Antonym disadvantage boor /bυə/ noun a rude and badly-behaved man (dated ). Synonym lout boorish / bυərʃ/ adj rude and badly behaved boost /bu st/ noun help or increase 쑗 It gave a boost to our sales. 쐽 verb to help to increase something or make something better 쑗 The TV commercial should boost our sales. . booster 82 born booster / bu stə/ noun 1. a thing which gives extra help or support 쑗 Winning the competition was a much needed morale booster for her. 2. same as booster Bordeaux /bɔ dəυ/ noun wine from the Bordeaux region in the west of France 쑗 Some Bordeaux would be excellent with the venison. 쑗 I’ve ordered a bottle of Bordeaux. injection (NOTE: There are both red and white Bordeaux wines. Red Bordeaux wine is also called claret.) ② border / bɔ də/ noun 1. an imaginary booster injection / bu stər ndȢekʃ(ə)n/ noun an extra injection of vaccine given some time after the first one so as to make sure it is still effective booster rocket / bu stə rɒkt/ noun a powerful engine which gives extra power to a spacecraft ② boot /bu t/ noun 1. a strong shoe which covers your foot and your ankle 쑗 The policemen were wearing long black boots. 쑗 Put on your boots if you’re going to dig the garden. 쑗 Bring walking boots with you as we will be climbing in the hills. 왍 ski boots boots to wear when skiing. 쏡 wellingtons 왍 the boot is on the other foot the situation is just the opposite 쑗 He used to terrorise the younger staff, but now he’s been demoted, the boot’s on the other foot. 2. 왍 to give someone the boot to make someone leave their job 쑗 If he carries on like that he’ll be given the boot. 3. the space at the back of a car where you can put luggage 쑗 Put the cases in the boot. 쑗 This packing case won’t fit into the boot. (NOTE: The US term is trunk.) 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to boot someone out to make someone leave (informal ) 쑗 He was booted out of the police force for taking bribes. 2. same as boot up ③ booth /bu ð/ noun 1. a small room or enclosed space for one person to stand or sit in 왍 ticket booth a place outdoors where a person sells tickets 2. US a section of a business fair where a company shows its products or services 쑗 The American publisher wants us to meet him at his booth. (NOTE: The British term is stand.) 3. US an enclosed area in a restaurant with a table in it 쑗 We sat in a booth by the bar and listened to the jazz. bootleg / bu tleDZ/ adj sold illegally. Synonym illegal bootlegger / bu tleDZə/ noun a person who makes or sells goods illegally boot up /bu t p/ verb to make a computer start working booty / bu ti/ noun treasure taken by soldiers, sailors, etc., during fighting (NOTE: no . plural) booze /bu z/ (informal ) noun an alcoholic drink 쑗 He’s too fond of (the) booze to work well. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to drink alcohol 쑗 He was out all night boozing with his friends. bop /bɒp/ verb 1. to hit with your hand or with something held in your hand 2. to dance to popular music 쑗 Some of the partygoers were still bopping at three o’clock in the morning. (NOTE: bopping – bopped) . line between countries or regions 쑗 They managed to cross the border into Switzerland. 쑗 The enemy shelled several border towns. 쑗 He was questioned by the border guards. 2. a pattern around the edge of something 쑗 I don’t like the pink border on the scarf. 쐽 verb to be along the edge of something 쑗 The path is bordered with rose bushes. borderline noun / bɔ dəlan/ a line between two things. Synonym frontier 쐽 adj just below or just above a limit 쑗 a borderline case borderline candidate /bɔ dəlan knd det/ noun a person who may have only just passed an exam borderline case / bɔ dəlan kes/ noun a person or thing that is on the dividing line between two things border on / bɔ dər ɒn/ verb to be almost bore /bɔ / noun 1. a person or thing that makes you bored 쑗 He went on talking non-stop and in the end it became a bit of a bore. 왍 what a bore! what a nuisance 2. a dull person who is not very interesting 쑗 I don’t want to sit next to him, he’s such a bore. 3. a measurement of the inside of a pipe or gun 쑗 a small-bore shotgun (NOTE: Do not confuse with boar.) 쐽 verb 1. to make a round hole in something 쑗 Bore three holes two centimetres apart. 2. to make someone bored by what you are saying or doing 쑗 I won’t bore you with the details of my operation. 3. 쏡 bear ② bored /bɔ d/ adj not interested in what is happening 쑗 You get very bored having to do the same work every day. 쑗 I’m bored – let’s go out to the club. Synonym uninterested. Antonym fascinated 왍 bored with fed up with something or someone 쑗 I’m bored with this programme, can’t we change to another channel? ③ boredom / bɔ dəm/ noun the state of being bored. Synonym tedium borehole / bɔ həυl/ noun a hole dug in the ground to see if there are any minerals or oil. Synonym well ② boring / bɔ rŋ/ adj dull, not interesting 쑗 I don’t want to watch that boring TV programme. Antonym exciting ① born /bɔ n/ verb 왍 to be born to begin to live 쑗 He’s American-born but was brought up in the UK. 쑗 He was born in Scotland. 쑗 She was born in 1956. 쑗 The baby was born born-again Christian last week. 왍 she’s a born comedian she has always been very good at telling jokes 왍 I wasn’t born yesterday I’m not as stupid as you think (informal ) 쏡 birth born-again Christian /bɔ n əDZen krstʃən/ noun a person who has been converted to Christianity, after not having been very religious before ③ borne /bɔ n/ 쒁 bear ② borough / brə/ noun a large town or district that is run by an elected council ② borrow / bɒrəυ/ verb 1. to take something for a short time, usually with the permission of the owner 쑗 She borrowed three books from the school library. 쑗 He wants to borrow one of my CDs. 쑗 Can I borrow your car to go to the shops? 2. to take money for a time, usually paying interest 쑗 He borrowed £10 from me and never paid it back. 쑗 Companies borrow from banks to finance their business. 쑗 She borrowed £100,000 from the bank to buy a flat. Compare lend borrower / bɒrəυə/ noun a person who borrows something, especially money borrowings / bɒrəυŋz/ plural noun money which is borrowed 쑗 The company has borrowings of over £200,000. bosom / bυz(ə)m/ noun 1. a woman’s breasts 2. 왍 in the bosom of among 쑗 He retired to live in the bosom of his family. bosom companion /bυz(ə)m kəmpnjən/, bosom friend / bυz(ə)m frend/ noun a great friend ② boss /bɒs/ noun the person in charge or the owner of a business 쑗 If you want a day off, ask the boss. 쑗 I left because I didn’t get on with my boss. Antonym subordinate (NOTE: The plural is bosses.) 쐽 verb 왍 to boss someone about, around to tell someone what to do all the time 쑗 She’s always bossing her little brother about. 쑗 Stop bossing me around! bossy / bɒsi/ adj always telling people what to do. Synonym domineering. Antonym meek (NOTE: bossier – bossiest) bosun / bəυs(ə)n/ noun (at sea) a person in charge of boats and sails (NOTE: more cor. rectly spelled boatswain) botanical /bə tnk(ə)l/ adj referring to plants botanical gardens /bətnk(ə)l DZɑ dnz/ plural noun gardens which are set up for the scientific study and display of plants botanical name /bə tnk(ə)l nem/ noun the scientific Latin name of a plant botanist / bɒt(ə)nst/ noun a scientist who studies plants botany / bɒt(ə)ni/ noun the science and study of plants 83 bottom botch /bɒtʃ/ verb to do or make something badly (informal ) ① both /bəυθ/ adj, pron 1. two people or things together 쑗 Hold on to the handle with both hands. 쑗 Both my shoes have holes in them. 쑗 Both her brothers are very tall. 쑗 She has two brothers, both of them in Canada. 쑗 She and her brother both go to the same school. 쑗 I’m talking to both of you. 2. for emphasis 쑗 She is both clever and modest. ① bother / bɒðə/ noun trouble or worry 쑗 We found the shop without any bother. 쑗 It was such a bother getting packed that we nearly didn’t go on holiday. 쐽 verb 1. to annoy or to cause trouble 쑗 Stop bothering me, I’m trying to read. 왍 to be hot and bothered to be annoyed and nervous about something 2. 왍 to bother to do something to take the time or trouble to do something 쑗 Don’t bother to come with me to the station – I can find my way easily. 쐽 interj used to show that you are annoyed 쑗 Bother! I’ve left my umbrella on the train. Botox / bəυtɒks/ trademark botulinum toxin type A, a substance that is injected under the skin to remove wrinkles from the face ① bottle / bɒt(ə)l/ noun 1. a tall plastic or glass container for liquids 쑗 He opened two bottles of red wine. 쑗 She drank the water straight out of the bottle. 쑗 He bought his wife a bottle of perfume on the plane. 2. 왍 hot water bottle a rubber bottle filled with hot water, for warming the bed 3. courage (informal ) 쑗 He hasn’t got the bottle to do it. 쐽 verb 1. to put in bottles 쑗 The wine is bottled in Germany. 쑗 Only bottled water is safe to drink. 쑗 She perfected a process for speeding up the bottling system. 2. 왍 to bottle out to decide not to do something because you are afraid (informal ) 쑗 He was ready to jump but bottled out at the last minute. ③ bottle bank / bɒt(ə)l bŋk/ noun a place where you can throw away empty bottles for recycling bottleneck / bɒt(ə)lnek/ noun 1. a narrow part of a road where traffic often gets stuck 쑗 The roadworks have created a bottleneck and caused jams all through the town. 2. a place where things such as production or supplies are held up 쑗 There’s a bottleneck in the invoicing department and this holds up our deliveries. bottle opener / bɒt(ə)l əυp(ə)nə/ noun a tool for taking the tops off bottles ① bottom / bɒtəm/ noun 1. the lowest point 쑗 The ship sank to the bottom of the sea. 쑗 Turn left at the bottom of the hill. 쑗 Is there any honey left in the bottom of the jar? 왍 he’s bottom of his class he gets the worst marks 왍 to get to the bottom of a problem to find the real cause of a problem 왍 prices . . . bottom gear 84 have touched rock bottom prices are at their lowest point ever 2. the far end 쑗 Go down to the bottom of the street and you will see the post office on your left. 쑗 The greenhouse is at the bottom of the garden. 3. the part of the body on which you sit 쑗 Does my bottom look big in these trousers? 쏡 behind 4. the lower part of two-piece clothing 쑗 He was wearing just his track suit bottom. 쑗 I can’t find my bikini bottom. 5. 왍 from the bottom of my heart deeply and sincerely 쑗 I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. 쐽 adj lowest 쑗 The jam is on the bottom shelf. 쑗 He was standing on the bottom rung of the ladder. bottom gear /bɒtəm DZə/ noun the lowest gear of a vehicle, used when going slowly, or when climbing hills bottomless / bɒtəmləs/ adj without any limit. Synonym unlimited. Antonym restricted bottom line /bɒtəm lan/ noun 1. the last line on a profit-and-loss account indicating the total profit or loss 쑗 The boss is interested only in the bottom line. 2. a fact which must be accepted 쑗 The bottom line is that we will have to sell our flat. botulism / bɒtjʃυlz(ə)m/ noun a type of food poisoning caused by bacteria in badly-preserved food boudoir / bu dwɑ / noun a small private room for a lady bouffant / bu fɒŋ/ adj (of hair ) brushed up and away from the head bough /baυ/ noun a branch of a tree (NOTE: . Do not confuse with bow.) ① bought /bɔ t/ 쒁 buy bought ledger / bɔ t ledȢə/ noun an ac- count book in which purchases are recorded. Also called purchase ledger boulder / bəυldə/ noun a large rock boulevard / bu ləvɑ d/ noun a wide road in a town, usually with trees along it ③ bounce /baυns/ noun 1. a movement up and down 쑗 He hit the ball on the second bounce. 2. energy 쑗 She’s always full of bounce. 쐽 verb 1. to spring up and down or off a surface 쑗 The ball bounced down the stairs. 쑗 He kicked the ball but it bounced off the post. 쑗 In this game you bounce the ball against the wall. 2. 왍 the cheque bounced there was not enough money in an account to pay the sum on the cheque (informal ) bouncer / baυnsə/ noun 1. (in cricket ) a fast ball which bounces very high 쑗 He was hit on the head by a bouncer. 2. a person whose job is to stop unwanted people getting in to a public place, or to make them leave 쑗 The bouncers wouldn’t let her in because she’d caused trouble before. . . bout bouncing / baυnsŋ/ adj 1. which bounces 2. (of a baby) healthy bouncy / baυnsi/ adj 1. which bounces 쑗 a big bouncy red ball 2. full of energy 쑗 It’s quite tiring working with her because she’s so bouncy. (NOTE: bouncy – bouncier – bounciest.) bound /baυnd/ noun a big jump 왍 in leaps and bounds very fast 쑗 The project is going forward in leaps and bounds. 쐽 adj 1. 왍 bound for on the way to 쑗 a ship bound for the Gulf 2. tied up 쑗 The boy was left bound to a tree. 쑗 The burglars left him bound hand and foot. 쑗 a bundle of old letters bound in pink ribbon 3. obliged 쑗 He felt bound to help her. 쑗 He is bound by the contract he signed last year. 4. very likely 쑗 They are bound to be late. 5. unable to move 쐽 verb to leap, or move fast 쑗 She bounded into the room. 쑗 He bounded out of his chair. 쑗 The dog bounded into the bushes. bound /baυnd/ 쒁 bind ② boundary / baυnd(ə)ri/ noun an imaginary line between two things 쑗 The white fence marks the boundary between our farm and his. 왍 the boundaries of knowledge, of science the furthest point in human knowledge 쑗 Scientists are trying to push back the boundaries of human knowledge. 왍 to hit a boundary (in cricket ) to hit the ball beyond the edge of the playing field and score four or six runs. Synonym border boundless / baυndləs/ adj which seems to have no limit bounds /baυndz/ plural noun limits 왍 out of bounds where people are not allowed to go 쑗 The bar is out of bounds to soldiers on duty. bountiful / baυntf(ə)l/ adj (of an amount ) very large (formal ) bounty / baυnti/ noun money given as a reward (NOTE: The plural is bounties.) bouquet /bu ke/ noun 1. a beautifully arranged bunch of flowers 쑗 He bought a bouquet of white roses. 쑗 A little girl presented the princess with a bouquet. 2. the particular smell of a wine 쑗 a wine with a delicate bouquet bourbon / b" bən/ noun US a type of American whisky, or a glass of this drink bourgeois / bυəȢwɑ / adj referring to the less pleasant aspects of middle-class people 쑗 They want to go on living their bourgeois existence. 쑗 He accuses his parents of being terribly bourgeois and swears he won’t be like them. 쐽 noun a middle-class person 쑗 The bourgeois refused to see their living standards fall. (NOTE: The plural is bour② . . . geois.) bout /baυt/ noun 1. a sporting fight or contest 쑗 Lewis won that bout. 2. an attack of ill- ness 쑗 She had a bout of flu. boutique 85 boutique /bu ti k/ noun 1. a small shop, especially for up-to-date fashionable clothes 쑗 a jeans boutique 쑗 a ski boutique 2. a section of a department store selling up-to-date clothes 쑗 You may find what you’re looking for in our dress boutique on the next floor. bovine / bəυvan/ adj 1. referring to cows 2. slow and stupid 왍 to have a bovine look to look stupid bovine spongiform encephalopathy / bəυvan spndȢfɔ m enkefə lɒpəθi/ noun a brain disease that kills cows. Abbr BSE bow1 /baυ/ noun 1. bending your body for- ward as a sign of respect 쑗 He made a deep bow to the audience. 왍 to take a bow to stand on a stage and bend forwards to thank the audience 쑗 The actors took their bows one after the other. 2. the front part of a ship 쑗 The captain posted a lookout in the bow or bows. 3. a rower who sits nearest to the bow of a boat 쑗 He rowed bow for Cambridge. Compare stroke (NOTE: Do not confuse with bough.) 쐽 verb to bend forward as a greeting 쑗 He bowed to the queen. 쑗 The congregation bowed to the altar. ③ bow2 /bəυ/ noun 1. a weapon used for shooting arrows 쑗 The archers drew their bows and shot arrows into the air. 2. a long piece of wood, used for playing a stringed instrument 쑗 He slowly drew the bow across the strings of his violin. 3. a ribbon knotted in a shape like a butterfly 쑗 The parcel was tied up with red bows. bowel movement / baυəl mu vmənt/ noun the action of getting rid of solid waste from the body bower / baυə/ noun a shelter made by plants and trees ② bowl /bəυl/ noun 1. a wide container for something such as food or water 쑗 Put the egg whites in a bowl and whisk them. 2. the food or liquid contained in a bowl 쑗 He was eating a bowl of rice. 쑗 Give the dog a bowl of water. 쑗 A bowl of hot thick soup is just what you need in this cold weather. 3. a large heavy ball used for rolling along the ground in certain games 쑗 She picked up the bowl and stepped up to take her turn. 쐽 verb 1. (especially in cricket ) to throw a ball to a batsman 왍 to bowl someone (out) to throw the ball to someone and hit his or her wicket 2. (in a game of bowls) to roll a bowl along the ground to try to get close to the target bow-legged /bəυ leDZd/ adj with legs which bend out at the knee bowler / bəυlə/ noun 1. a person who plays bowls 2. (especially in cricket ) a person who throws the ball to the batsman 쑗 a fast bowler 3. same as bowler hat bowler hat / bəυlə ht/ noun a hat with a rounded top . . box number bowling / bəυlŋ/ noun the game of bowls, or the indoor game of knocking down skittles with a large ball bowling alley / bəυlŋ li/ noun a large room for bowling. 쏡 ten-pin bowling bowling green / bəυlŋ DZri n/ noun a level area of closely-cut grass on which games of bowls are played bowl over /bəυl əυvə/ verb 1. to knock someone down 2. to surprise someone 쑗 He was completely bowled over by the news. ③ bowls /bəυlz/ noun a game where teams of players roll large balls towards a small ball (a jack), trying to get as close to it as possible (NOTE: takes a singular verb) bow tie /bəυ ta/ noun a tie which is tied in the shape of a butterfly bow window /bəυ wndəυ/ noun a curved window which sticks out from a wall ① box /bɒks/ noun 1. a container with a lid, made of wood, plastic, cardboard or metal 쑗 The baker put the cakes into a box. 2. a container and its contents 쑗 He took a box of matches from his pocket. 쑗 He gave her a box of chocolates for her birthday. 3. a line round a section of text or an illustration in a book 4. a small separate section in a theatre 쑗 They took a box for the performance of the ‘Magic Flute’. 5. a tree with very small leaves, used to make hedges 쑗 The beds of flowers are edged with box. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 쐽 verb 1. to fight with your fists 쑗 He learnt to box at a gym in the East End. 2. 왍 to box someone’s ears to strike someone on the ears boxed /bɒkst/ adj 1. packed in a box, sold in a box 쑗 a boxed set of knives, forks and spoons for four people 2. 왍 boxed in tightly enclosed, not able to move 쑗 We feel boxed in, with all the office blocks round our little shop. boxer / bɒksə/ noun 1. a person who fights with his fists 쑗 The two boxers came together in the ring. 2. a type of large dog with short hair boxer shorts / bɒksə ʃɔ ts/ plural noun men’s underwear shaped like shorts boxing / bɒksŋ/ noun a sport in which two opponents fight each other in a ring with special gloves on 왍 boxing gloves thick gloves, tied at the wrist, worn for boxing ② Boxing Day / bɒksŋ de/ noun 26th December, the day after Christmas Day boxing ring / bɒksŋ rŋ/ noun a square raised area, surrounded by a rope fence, in which boxing matches take place box number / bɒks nmbə/ noun a reference number used when asking for mail to be sent to a post office or to a newspaper’s offices box office box office / bɒks ɒfs/ noun an office where you buy tickets in a theatre ① boy /bɔ/ noun 1. a male child 쑗 A boy from our school won the tennis match. 쑗 I knew him when he was a boy. 2. a son 쑗 Her three boys are all at university. boy band / bɔ bnd/ noun an all-male pop group aimed at a teenage audience boycott / bɔkɒt/ noun the act of refusing to deal with someone 쑗 The boycott of the company lasted three months. 쐽 verb to refuse to deal with someone 쑗 We are boycotting all food imports from that country. ② boyfriend / bɔfrend/ noun a man or boy that someone is having a romantic relationship with 쑗 She’s got a new boyfriend. 쑗 She brought her boyfriend to the party. Antonym girlfriend boyhood / bɔhυd/ noun the time of life when someone is, or was, a boy. Synonym childhood boyish / bɔʃ/ adj looking or acting like a boy. Synonym youthful Boy Scout /bɔ skaυt/ noun 1. in the US, a member of the Boy Scouts of America, an organisation aiming to develop good character and physical fitness, often through community and outdoor activities 2. a man who is considered to be naive bra /brɑ / noun a brassiere; women’s underwear covering and supporting the breasts brace /bres/ noun 1. a support which helps your teeth to grow straight 쑗 She wears a brace on her teeth. 2. a support for part of the body which has been injured, for example 3. 왍 a brace of two, a pair of 쑗 a brace of grouse 쑗 We bought a brace of pheasants. 쐽 verb 왍 to brace yourself for to prepare yourself for something unpleasant 쑗 When the phone rang, she braced herself for the shock of hearing his voice again. 쑗 The pilot told us to brace ourselves for a crash landing. bracelet / breslət/ noun a piece of jewellery worn round your wrist or arm braces / bresz/ plural noun 1. straps over your shoulders to hold up your trousers 쑗 He wore bright red braces with his jeans. (NOTE: The US term is suspenders.) 2. a brace for the teeth bracing / bresŋ/ adj cool and making you feel healthy. Synonym invigorating bracken / brkən/ noun a plant with large wide leaves that grows in forests (NOTE: no plural) bracket / brkt/ noun 1. a piece of metal or wood which is attached to a wall to support a shelf 쑗 The shelf is held up by two solid brackets. 2. a printing sign usually used in pairs, [ ], ( ), < >, or {}, used to show that a piece of text is separated from the rest 쑗 The words in brackets can be deleted. 쑗 The ③ 86 brainwave four words underlined should be put in brackets. 3. a group of things or people considered together for administrative purposes 왍 people in the middle-income bracket people with average incomes, not high or low 왍 someone in the top tax bracket someone pays the highest level of tax 쐽 verb 1. to put brackets round something 쑗 Bracket the whole sentence. 2. to link together or treat several items together in the same way 쑗 His name has been bracketed with that of one of the local gang leaders. 쑗 In the sales report, all European countries are bracketed together. bract /brkt/ noun a part of a plant which is shaped like a leaf but is often coloured like a flower brag /brDZ/ verb to boast about something (NOTE: bragging – bragged) Brahmin / brɑ mn/ noun the highest rank according to the Hindu caste system braid /bred/ noun 1. a decoration made of twisted fibres 쑗 Admirals have gold braid on their caps. 2. plaited hair 쑗 This is a picture of her when she was ten and still had her hair in braids. 쐽 verb to plait, e.g. hair or ribbon 쑗 She braided her hair before going swimming. ③ Braille /brel/ noun a system of writing using raised dots on paper to represent letters, which allows a blind person to read by passing his or her fingers over the page ② brain /bren/ noun 1. the nerve centre in the head, which controls all the body 쑗 The brain is the most important part of the body. 2. intelligence 왍 use your brain think hard 왍 she’s got brains, she’s got a good brain she’s intelligent brainchild / brentʃald/ noun an original plan that someone has thought of (informal ). Synonym idea brainless / brenləs/ adj completely stupid (disapproving). Synonym foolish. Antonym . sensible brain scan / bren skn/ noun examining the inside of the brain by passing X-rays through the head brainstorm / brenstɔ m/ noun a sudden mad idea. Synonym aberration brainstorming / brenstɔ mŋ/ noun an intensive group discussion,, with no time allowed for thinking, in order to produce ideas or help solve problems brainwash / brenwɒʃ/ verb to make someone believe something is true by repeating it and forcing them to believe it. Synonym persuade brainwashing / brenwɒʃŋ/ noun the action of making people believe something brainwave / brenwev/ noun a sudden very good idea brainy brainy / breni/ adj very intelligent (informal ) (NOTE: brainier – brainiest) braise /brez/ verb to cook food in a pot with very little liquid ③ brake /brek/ noun a device for stopping a vehicle or making it go slower 쑗 Put the brake on when you go down a hill. 쑗 The brakes aren’t working! Synonym restraint. Antonym incentive 쐽 verb to slow down by pressing a vehicle’s brakes 쑗 The driver of the little white van braked, but too late to avoid the dog. Synonym decelerate brake lights / brek lats/ plural noun red lights at the back of a car which light up when you put the brakes on braking distance / brekŋ dstəns/ noun the distance a car travels after the driver puts on the brakes, before it stops completely (NOTE: Do not confuse with break.) bramble / brmbəl/ noun a wild blackberry bush bran /brn/ noun the outside part of wheat seeds (NOTE: no plural) ① branch /brɑ ntʃ/ noun 1. a thick part of a tree, growing out of the trunk 쑗 He hit his head against a low branch. 2. a local office of an organisation 쑗 He’s the manager of our local branch of Lloyds Bank. 쑗 The store has branches in most towns in the south of the country. 3. a section of river leading away from the main part 쑗 The town is built on a branch of the Nile. 쐽 verb to divide into two or more parts branch off /brɑ ntʃ ɒf/ verb to come off a main road branch out /brɑ ntʃ aυt/ verb to start to do something different, as well as what you normally do brand /brnd/ noun 1. a product with a name 쑗 a well-known brand of soap 2. a mark burnt with a hot iron on an animal to show who owns it 쐽 verb 1. to describe someone or something publicly as bad 쑗 He was branded as a thief. 쑗 The minister was publicly branded a liar in the newspaper. 2. to mark an animal with a hot iron 쑗 The cattle were corralled before being branded. branded / brndd/ adj sold with a company name or trademark, usually considered a mark of quality brandish / brndʃ/ verb to wave something about ③ brand name / brnd nem/ noun the name of a product ③ brand-new /brnd nju / adj completely new ③ brandy / brndi/ noun 1. an alcoholic drink made from wine 쑗 I was given a bottle of excellent brandy. 2. a glass of this drink 쑗 He ordered three brandies. . 87 breach brash /brʃ/ adj confident and loud (technical ) . brass /brɑ s/ noun 1. a mixture of copper and zinc 쑗 The doctor has a brass name plate on his door. 왍 to get down to brass tacks to discuss the basic problem 2. a medieval metal plate set in the floor of a church, showing where someone is buried brass band /brɑ s bnd/ noun a band of people playing brass instruments brassiere / brziə/ noun a woman’s undergarment covering the breasts (NOTE: usually called a bra) brat /brt/ noun a badly-behaved child bravado /brə vɑ dəυ/ noun confident ac- tions to show how brave you are. Synonym audacity. Antonym cowardice (NOTE: no plural) brave /brev/ adj full of courage 쑗 It was very brave of him to dive into the river to try to rescue the little girl. Synonym courageous. Antonym cowardly (NOTE: braver – bravest) 쐽 verb to be brave enough to do something dangerous 쑗 The ambulance braved the snowstorm to answer the 999 call. Synonym defy 쐽 noun a male Native American fighter (dated ) bravely / brevli/ adv with courage, in a brave way bravery / brevəri/ noun being brave when in a dangerous situation. Synonym courage. Antonym cowardice (NOTE: no plural) bravo /brɑ vəυ/ interj showing approval bravura /brə vjυərə/ noun showing great skill and confidence in performing. Synonym boldness. Antonym timidity brawl /brɔ l/ noun a wild fight 쑗 Coming out of the pub, he got into a brawl with some soldiers. Synonym scuffle 쐽 verb to fight wildly 쑗 After the match ended spectators were brawling on the terraces. Synonym ② . fight brawny / brɔ ni/ adj heavy and having very strong muscles. Synonym muscular bray /bre/ verb to make a loud noise like a donkey brazen / brez(ə)n/ adj 1. made of brass (old ) 2. with no shame 쑗 What you say is a brazen lie. 쐽 verb 왍 to brazen it out to get through a difficult situation by seeming to be sure of yourself 쑗 In spite of what the papers said, he managed to brazen it out. brazil nut /brə zl nt/ noun a large sweet nut from a tropical tree ③ breach /bri tʃ/ noun the act of breaking the law or a promise 쑗 This is a breach of the undertaking they made last year. 왍 in breach of without respecting 쑗 In breach of their agreement, they started negotiating with our rivals behind our backs. 쐽 verb 1. to go against rules 쑗 The pay settlement has . breach of contract 88 breached the government’s guidelines. 쑗 He was arrested for breaching the peace. 2. to make a hole 쑗 The enemy guns breached the town’s defences. 쑗 The flood waters have breached the dyke. breach of contract /bri tʃ əv kɒntrkt/ noun the breaking of the conditions of a contract 왍 the company is in breach of contract the company has failed to do what was agreed in the contract breach of the peace /bri tʃ əv ðə pi s/ noun an offence involving uncontrolled behaviour in public ① bread /bred/ noun food made from flour and water baked in an oven 쑗 Can you get a loaf of bread from the baker’s? 쑗 She cut thin slices of bread for sandwiches. bread and butter /bred ən btə/ noun slices of bread covered with butter (informal ) bread bin / bred bn/ noun a metal box for keeping bread in breadcrumbs / bredkrmz/ plural noun little pieces of dried bread 쑗 The fish is covered in breadcrumbs and then fried. breaded / bredd/ adj covered with breadcrumbs breadline / bredlan/ noun a very low standard of living breadth /bredθ/ noun 1. a measurement of how wide something is 쑗 The breadth of the vacant plot of land is over 300m. 쑗 We walked the length and breadth of the field and found no wild strawberries. 2. fullness or completeness 쑗 His answers show the breadth of his knowledge of the subject. breadwinner / bredwnə/ noun a person who earns money to feed the family. Antonym dependant ① break /brek/ noun 1. a space 쑗 You can see blue sky through a break in the clouds. 2. a short pause or rest 쑗 There will be a 15-minute break in the middle of the meeting. 왍 they worked for three hours without a break they worked without stopping for three hours 왍 to take a break to have a short rest 쑗 We’ll take a break now, and start again in fifteen minutes. 3. morning break, afternoon break (in schools) a short period for rest and play in the middle of the morning or afternoon 쑗 We couldn’t go out during the morning break because it was raining. 4. a short holiday 5. a move away from someone or something 쑗 I thought they were in love, so the break came as a surprise. 쑗 It’s not always easy to make a break with the past. 6. a crack in a hard substance such as bone 쑗 The break is clean so it should heal quite quickly. 7. a stop in something regular 쑗 There’s a break in the pattern which shouldn’t be there. 왍 a break in the weather a change in the weather 8. 왍 he had a lucky break his bad luck changed 9. a series of shots in . breakfast snooker 쑗 He had a break of 102. 쐽 verb 1. to make something come apart in pieces 쑗 He dropped the plate on the floor and broke it. 쑗 She broke her leg when she was skiing. 2. to come apart in pieces 쑗 The clock fell on the floor and broke. 3. to fail to obey a rule or law 왍 to break a record to do better than anyone has before 쑗 He broke the record for the 2000 metres. 4. 왍 to break your journey to stop for a while before going on 쑗 We’ll break our journey in Edinburgh. 5. to fail to carry out the duties of a contract 쑗 The company has broken its agreement. 왍 to break a promise not to do what you had promised to do 쑗 He broke his promise and wrote to her again. 왍 to break a contract to fail to respect a contract 6. to start 쑗 We woke up as day was breaking. 왍 the storm broke at noon the storm suddenly started at noon 7. 왍 to break it or to break the news to someone to tell someone bad news 쑗 We will have to break it to her as gently as possible. 8. (of a boy’s voice) to become deeper as the boy grows older (NOTE: Do not confuse with brake. Note also breaking – broke /brəυk/ - has broken / brəυkən/.) 왍 to break even not to make a loss or a profit 쑗 We are just about breaking even. 쑗 The business broke even in the first year. breakable / brekəb(ə)l/ adj that can break easily. Synonym fragile. Antonym robust breakaway / brekəwe/ adj which has become separated from a larger group. Antonym mainstream ① break down /brek daυn/ verb 1. (of a machine) to stop working 쑗 The lift has broken down again. 쑗 The car broke down and we had to push it. 2. to show all the items in a total list 쑗 Can you break down this invoice into travel costs and extras? ③ breakdown / brekdaυn/ noun 1. a failure of a system to work properly 쑗 There has been a breakdown in communications between them. 2. a physical collapse 3. (of a machine) a failure to continue working 쑗 We had a breakdown on the motorway. 쑗 A breakdown truck came to tow us to the garage. 4. a list showing details item by item 쑗 Give me a breakdown of the travel costs. breaker / brekə/ noun a person who buys old cars for their separate parts 쑗 The car was badly damaged and had to be sold to a breaker. 쑗 We went to a breaker’s yard to try to find some cheap spare parts. ② breakfast / brekfəst/ noun the first meal of the day 쑗 I had a boiled egg for breakfast. 쑗 She didn’t have any breakfast because she was in a hurry. 쑗 The hotel serves breakfast from 7.30 to 9.30 every day. 쐽 verb to eat your first meal of the day 쑗 We breakfasted on dried fruit and cheese. breakfast TV breakfast TV /brekfəst ti vi / noun television shown at breakfast time ① break in /brek n/ verb 왍 to break someone or an animal in to train someone or an animal 쑗 He rode a mustang which he’d broken in himself. break-in / brek n/ noun a burglary breaking and entering /brekŋ ənd entərŋ/ noun the crime of going into someone’s property to steal breaking point / brekŋ pɔnt/ noun the point at which a situation reaches a crisis breakneck / breknek/ adj 왍 at breakneck speed extremely fast break off /brek ɒf/ verb 1. to make something come off by breaking; to come off 쑗 He broke a piece off his pie and gave it to his dog. 쑗 The handle broke off the cup in the dishwasher. 쑗 Several branches broke off in the wind. 2. to stop something suddenly 쑗 He broke off in the middle of his story. 쑗 They broke off the discussions. 쑗 They were going to get married, but she broke it off. break out /brek aυt/ verb 1. to start 쑗 War broke out between the countries in the area. 왍 to break out into a rash to have a rash which starts suddenly 2. to escape 쑗 Three prisoners broke out of jail. breakout / brekaυt/ noun an escape from a prison breakthrough / brekθru / noun a sudden success ① break up /brek p/ verb 1. to come to pieces 쑗 The oil tanker was breaking up on the rocks. 2. to stop being together 쑗 We broke up last year. 쑗 Their marriage broke up after 25 years. 3. to stop being in a group 쑗 The meeting broke up at 3 p.m. 쑗 The group broke up when the lead singer started singing solo. 4. 왍 school breaks up next week the school holidays start next week breakup / brekp/ noun the process of coming to pieces or separating breakwater / brekwɔ tə/ noun a wall that is built into the sea as a protection against the action of strong waves ③ breast /brest/ noun 1. one of two parts on a woman’s chest which produce milk 2. the chest or front part of the top of the body 3. meat from the chest part of a bird 쑗 Do you want a wing or a slice of breast? 쑗 We bought some chicken breasts to make a stir-fry. breastbone / brestbəυn/ noun the bone which is in the centre of the front of the chest and to which most of the ribs are attached. Also called sternum breast cancer / brest knsə/ noun a disease that causes dangerous lumps to grow in the breast 89 breathing breastfeed / brestfi d/ verb to give a baby milk from the breast (NOTE: breastfeeding – breastfed) breastfeeding / brestfi dŋ/ noun the practice of giving milk from the breast to a baby, as opposed to giving milk from a bottle breast pocket /brest pɒkt/ noun a pocket on the inside of a jacket breast stroke / brest strəυk/ noun a style of swimming where the swimmer is face downwards, pushing the arms out in front and bringing them back to the sides while the feet are kicking ② breath /breθ/ noun 1. air which goes into and out of the body through the nose or mouth 쑗 You should smell his breath – he must have eaten garlic last night. 왍 out of breath, gasping for breath having difficulty in breathing 쑗 He ran all the way to the station, got there out of breath, and then saw the train leaving. 왍 to get your breath back to breathe normally again, after exercise 쑗 First get your breath back, then tell me all about it. 왍 to hold your breath to keep air in your lungs to go under water, as a test or because you are afraid that something will happen 쑗 She held her breath under water for a minute. 왍 we’re all holding our breath to see if he wins we’re all waiting anxiously to see if he wins 왍 to take a deep breath to breathe in as much air as you can 쑗 Take a deep breath for the X-ray. 왍 to take someone’s breath away to surprise someone very much 쑗 The huge size of the ruins took my breath away. 왍 under your breath quietly 쑗 He cursed under his breath. 2. 왍 a breath of wind a slight movement of air 쑗 There wasn’t a breath of wind all day. 앳 a breath of fresh air 1. fresh air after being enclosed in a room 쑗 I’m going out for a walk, I need a breath of fresh air. 2. something new and exciting 쑗 The new director is a welcome breath of fresh air. breathalyser / breθəlazə/ trademark a device which tests how much alcohol is in a driver’s blood ② breathe /bri ð/ verb to take air into the lungs or let it out 쑗 I want to listen to your chest, so breathe in and then out when I tell you to. 쑗 Do you know how fish breathe? 왍 breathe deeply to take in a lot of air 왍 he’s breathing down my neck all the time he’s always watching how I’m working 왍 to breathe a sigh of relief to breathe deeply because danger has passed 쑗 She breathed a sigh of relief when the police car drove away. breather / bri ðə/ noun a time when you can rest (informal ). Synonym rest ③ breathing /bri ðŋ/ noun the process of taking air in and out of the lungs. Synonym . inhalation breathing apparatus breathing apparatus / bri ðŋ pəretəs/ noun equipment such as a mask and oxygen cylinder which can help a person to breathe breathing space / bri ðŋ spes/ noun a period when you can rest between activities. Synonym respite breathless / breθləs/ adj out of breath; finding it difficult to breathe breathtaking / breθtekŋ/ adj very impressive. Antonym banal breath test / breθ test/ noun a test for a driver to see if he has been drinking alcohol ③ bred /bred/ 쒁 breed (NOTE: Do not confuse with bread.) breech birth / bri tʃ b" θ/, breech delivery / bri tʃ dlv(ə)ri/ noun a birth where the baby’s bottom appears first breeches / brtʃz/ plural noun knee-length trousers which fasten just below the knee 쑗 Have you got a pair of riding breeches to lend me? ③ breed /bri d/ noun a type of animal or plant 쑗 Alsatians and other large breeds of dog. 쐽 verb 1. to produce young animals 쑗 Rabbits breed very rapidly. 2. to keep animals which produce young ones 쑗 They breed sheep for the meat and the wool. 3. 왍 I was born and bred in the country I was born and grew up in the country 4. to raise new plants 쑗 They are breeding new strains of wheat. (NOTE: breeding – bred /bred/) breeder / bri də/ noun a person who breeds animals or plants ③ breeding / bri dŋ/ noun 1. the practice of raising animals or plants 쑗 Because of the smell, pig breeding is strictly controlled. 쑗 You can’t shoot pheasants during the breeding season. 2. good education, background and behaviour 쑗 It was obvious that his secretary was a girl of good breeding. breeding ground / bri dŋ DZraυnd/ noun 1. a place where an animal breeds 쑗 The area is the breeding ground of several rare birds. 쑗 Stagnant water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. 2. a place where something unpleasant develops 쑗 That amusement arcade is a breeding ground for drugs. breeze /bri z/ noun a slight wind 쑗 A cool breeze is welcome on a hot day like this. 왍 a stiff breeze a strong wind 쑗 There was a stiff breeze blowing from the south. 쐽 verb to walk around looking very pleased with yourself 쑗 He breezed into the meeting carrying a cup of coffee. breeze block / bri z blɒk/ noun a concrete building block, much larger than a brick breezy / bri zi/ adj 1. windy 쑗 It is very hot, but slightly breezy which makes it more comfortable. 쑗 It’s a little breezy in here, let’s shut the French windows. 2. 90 bridge happy-go-lucky 쑗 A breezy youth looking as if he didn’t have a care in the world. brethren / breðrən/ plural noun the members of a group, or only the male members of a group, especially a religious group (dated ) brevity / brevti/ noun (of time) the quality of being very short brew /bru / verb 1. to make beer 쑗 They’ve been brewing beer in this town for over two hundred years. 2. to make tea or coffee 쑗 Let’s brew some tea before we sit down and talk. 3. 왍 there’s a storm brewing a storm is coming 왍 there’s trouble brewing there will soon be trouble 쑗 The police moved in when they sensed trouble brewing in the crowd. 쐽 noun a cup of tea 쑗 He makes a good strong brew. 쑗 Do you fancy a brew? brewer / bru ə/ noun a person or company that makes beer brewery / bru əri/ noun a factory where beer is made (NOTE: The plural is brewer. ies.) briar / braə/ noun a wild rose bush bribe /brab/ noun an illegal payment to someone to get something done 쑗 He offered the witness a bribe to say nothing. Synonym inducement 쐽 verb to give an illegal payment to someone 쑗 She planned to bribe customs officials to get her case through customs. ③ bribery / brab(ə)ri/ noun the act of bribing bric-a-brac / brk ə brk/ noun attractive little objects which are not very valuable ② brick /brk/ noun 1. a hard block of baked clay used for building 쑗 You’ll need more than eighty bricks to build a wall. 2. 왍 to drop a brick to say something embarrassing 3. a good dependable person (old ) 쑗 He’s been a real brick over the whole business. bricklayer / brkleə/ noun a person who builds walls with bricks brick up /brk p/ verb to fill a hole with bricks bridal / brad(ə)l/ adj referring to a wedding (NOTE: Do not confuse with bridle.) bride /brad/ noun a woman who is getting married or has just got married. Synonym . wife bridegroom / bradDZru m/ noun a man who is getting married or has just got married. Synonym husband (NOTE: often just called the groom) bridesmaid / bradzmed/ noun a girl who is one of the bride’s attendants at a wedding ② bridge /brdȢ/ noun 1. a road or path built over a road or river so that you can walk or drive from one side to the other 쑗 There are a dozen bridges across the River Thames in London. 2. the part of a ship where the bridgehead captain can keep control 쑗 The captain was on the bridge when the accident occurred. 3. a card game for four people 쑗 They played bridge until midnight. 4. the top of your nose 쑗 Your spectacles are supposed to rest on the bridge of your nose. 5. (in a violin) a support for the strings 쐽 verb to put a bridge across a space such as a river or a road 쑗 This was the first time the estuary had been bridged. Synonym link bridgehead / brdȢhed/ noun the first position held by an attacking force who have crossed a stretch of water bridging loan / brdȢŋ ləυn/ noun a large amount of money lent to someone to pay for a new house when his old house has not yet been sold (NOTE: The US term is bridge loan.) bridle / brad(ə)l/ noun straps put round a horse’s head 쑗 She had some difficulty in putting the bridle on the horse. 쐽 verb 왍 to bridle your emotions to control your emotions (NOTE: Do not confuse with bridal.) bridle at / brad(ə)l t/ verb to take offence at something bridlepath / brad(ə)lpɑ θ/, bridleway /brad(ə)lwe/ noun a path for horseriders ② brief /bri f/ adj short 쑗 He wrote a brief note of thanks. 쑗 The meeting was very brief. 쑗 Tell me what happened, but be brief as we don’t have much time. 왍 in brief in a few words 쑗 We have food for only a few days, in brief, the situation is very serious. 쐽 noun instructions given to a professional person 쑗 His brief was to overhaul the accounts system. 쐽 verb 1. to give information or instructions to someone 쑗 He briefed the staff on the latest stage in the negotiations. 쑗 She was briefed to look for new office premises. 2. to give a case to a lawyer and explain the details 쑗 My solicitor will brief the barrister tomorrow morning. briefcase / bri fkes/ noun a thin case for carrying papers or documents briefing / bri fŋ/ noun a meeting where information is given ② briefly / bri fli/ adv for a short time briefs /bri fs/ plural noun short underwear for men or women 쑗 Before the medical, the doctor asked him to strip down to his briefs. (NOTE: plural; for one item say a pair of briefs) ③ brigade /br DZed/ noun a section of an army 쑗 The general sent an infantry brigade to the region. brigadier /brDZə də/ noun an army officer in charge of a brigade ② bright /brat/ adj 1. shining strongly 쑗 bright sunshine 2. with a very strong colour 쑗 They have painted their front door bright orange. 3. intelligent 쑗 He’s a bright little 91 bring down boy. 쑗 Both their children are very bright. 쑗 She’s the brightest of the class. 4. clear and sunny 쑗 There will be bright periods during the afternoon. 5. cheerful 쑗 She gave me a bright smile. 왍 to look on the bright side of things to be optimistic 쑗 However bad the situation is, she always tries to look on the bright side of things. brighten / brat(ə)n/ verb to make something bright, or to become bright brighten up /brat(ə)n p/ verb 1. (of a person) to become more cheerful 쑗 She brightened up when she saw him. 2. (of weather ) to become sunnier 쑗 The weather is brightening up. brightly / bratli/ adv 1. in a bright way 쑗 A children’s book with brightly painted pictures. 쑗 The streets were brightly lit for Christmas. 2. cheerfully 쑗 She smiled brightly as she went into the hospital. brill /brl/ noun a type of flat white sea fish which can be eaten (NOTE: The plural is brill.) 쐽 adj very good (informal ) 쑗 It was an absolutely brill evening. 쑗 Listen to this brill idea! brilliance / brljəns/ noun the fact of being very clever ③ brilliant / brljənt/ adj 1. extremely clever 쑗 He’s the most brilliant student of his year. 쑗 She had a brilliant idea. 2. very good 쑗 The graphics on this website are brilliant. 3. shining brightly 쑗 She stepped out into the brilliant sunshine. brilliantly / brljəntli/ adv in a brilliant way brim /brm/ noun 1. the edge 쑗 The glass was filled to the brim. 2. the flat part around a hat 쑗 A hat with a wide brim. brim over /brm əυvə/ verb to overflow . . (NOTE: brimming – brimmed) ① bring /brŋ/ verb to come with someone or something to this place 쑗 She brought the books to school with her. 쑗 He brought his girlfriend home for tea. 쑗 Are you bringing any friends to the party? (NOTE: bringing – brought /brɔ t/) bring about /brŋ ə baυt/ verb to make something happen. Synonym generate. Antonym prevent bring along /brŋ ə lɒŋ/ verb to bring someone or something with you bring-and-buy /brŋ ənd ba/, bring-and-buy sale /brŋ ənd ba sel/ noun a type of market where people bring or buy homemade or secondhand goods bring back /brŋ bk/ verb to carry something back bring down /brŋ daυn/ verb 1. to carry something down to here 쑗 Can you bring down the television from the bedroom? 2. to bring forward 92 make something less 쑗 We’ve brought down all our prices. bring forward /brŋ fɔ wəd/ verb to arrange something to be done at an earlier date than had been planned bring off /brŋ ɒf/ verb to succeed in doing something 왍 we finally brought it off we did it successfully in the end bring on /brŋ ɒn/ verb to produce something. Synonym cause 왍 you brought it on yourself you have yourself to blame for what happened to you bring out /brŋ əυt/ verb to make something come out 왍 to bring out the colour to make the colour more noticeable 쑗 The white background brought out the main colours in the painting. bring up /brŋ p/ verb 1. to look after and educate a child 쑗 He was born in the USA but brought up in England. 쑗 He was brought up by his uncle in Scotland. 2. to mention a problem 쑗 He brought up the question of the noise. 3. to vomit something 쑗 She’s got a stomach upset and brought up all her breakfast. brink /brŋk/ noun the edge 왍 on the brink of very close to 쑗 The company is on the brink of collapse. 쑗 She was on the brink of a nervous breakdown. brisk /brsk/ adj fairly fast (NOTE: brisker – briskest) brisket / brskt/ noun a piece of beef which comes from the breast of the animal briskly / brskli/ adv fairly fast and brightly bristle / brs(ə)l/ noun 1. one of the short stiff hairs on plants, or some animals such as pigs 쑗 You could see the bristles on the back of the sow’s neck. 2. 왍 bristles short stiff hairs on a brush 쑗 The bristles of my toothbrush are coming off – I must get a new one. 쐽 verb 왍 to bristle at to take offence at something 쑗 She bristled at the suggestion. bristly / brsli/ adj covered with short stiff hairs. Synonym spiky Brit /brt/ noun a person from the United Kingdom (informal ) ① Britain / brt(ə)n/ noun same as Great . Britain British / brtʃ/ adj referring to the United Kingdom 쑗 a British citizen 쑗 the British army 쑗 The British press reported a plane crash in Africa. 쑗 The ship was flying a British flag. 왍 the British government the government of the United Kingdom 쐽 plural noun 왍 the British the people of the United Kingdom Briton / brt(ə)n/ noun a person from the United Kingdom brittle / brt(ə)l/ adj hard and breaking easily into pieces ① broccoli broach /brəυtʃ/ verb to start talking about a problem ② broad /brɔ d/ adj 1. very wide 쑗 a broad river 2. (of a person’s accent) not standard and very noticeable 쑗 spoke with a broad northern accent broadband / brɔ dbnd/ adj able to manage large amounts of data quickly 쑗 a broadband connection ③ broadcast / brɔ dkɑ st/ noun a radio or TV programme 쑗 The broadcast came live from outside Buckingham Palace. Synonym transmission 쐽 verb 1. to send out a programme or message on radio or TV 쑗 The programme will be broadcast on Monday at 8 p.m. 쑗 The police broadcast an appeal for information. 2. to tell everyone 왍 don’t broadcast the fact keep the information secret 쐽 adj sent by radio or television 쑗 They were listening to enemy broadcast messages. broadcaster / brɔ dkɑ stə/ noun a person who works on radio or TV but is not an actor. Synonym presenter broadcasting / brɔ dkɑ stŋ/ noun the process of sending out programmes or messages on radio or TV broad daylight /brɔ d delat/ noun (as an emphasis) a time during the day when people can be seen clearly ③ broaden / brɔ dn/ verb 1. to make something wider; or to become wider 쑗 Part of their plan is to broaden the road. 쑗 The river broadens to form a small lake. 2. 왍 to broaden the mind to increase knowledge 쑗 Travel broadens the mind. broadly / brɔ dli/ adv widely. Synonym approximately 왍 broadly speaking in general, without going into specific details 쑗 Broadly speaking, boys are taller than girls at that age. broad-minded /brɔ d mandd/ adj not shocked by other people’s behaviour or words. Synonym tolerant. Antonym narrow-minded broadsheet / brɔ dʃi t/ noun a newspaper with large pages (NOTE: Small format newspapers are called tabloids.) broadside noun / brɔ dsad/ a strong spoken or written attack 쐽 adv 1. with one side facing towards something 2. generally Broadway / brɔ dwe/ noun a street in New York, where the major theatres are located 쑗 The play was a big hit on Broadway but flopped in London. 왍 off Broadway at smaller New York theatres brocade /brə ked/ noun a thick cloth with a raised pattern broccoli / brɒkəli/ noun a vegetable of which the green, purple or white flower buds are eaten (NOTE: no plural) brochure 93 brochure / brəυʃə/ noun a small thin book. Synonym booklet brogue /brəυDZ/ noun a heavy shoe with a patterned leather top 쑗 He bought himself a pair of heavy brogues to wear in the country. broil /brɔl/ verb to grill food broiler / brɔlə/ noun a chicken sold for roasting ② broke /brəυk/ adj with no money (informal ). Synonym bankrupt. Antonym wealthy 왍 to be flat broke to have no money at all. 쒁 break ① broken / brəυkən/ adj 1. in pieces 쑗 She tried to mend the broken vase. 2. not working 쑗 They came to mend the broken TV. 쑗 We can’t use the lift because it’s broken. 3. not complete 왍 broken home a family where the parents have separated 4. (of a foreign language) with hesitations and mistakes, and often in a foreign accent 쑗 He only spoke broken English when he arrived, but was soon speaking fluently. 5. with no confidence 쑗 He was pardoned, but came out of prison a broken man. 쒁 break broken-down /brəυkən daυn/ adj not working broken-hearted /brəυkən hɑ td/ adj very sad. Antonym overjoyed broker / brəυkə/ noun a dealer in shares or insurance. Synonym trader 왍 to play the honest broker to try to solve other people’s problems brokerage / brəυkərdȢ/, broker’s commission /brəυkəz kə mʃ(ə)n/ noun payment to a broker for a deal carried out brolly / brɒli/ noun an umbrella (informal ) . . (NOTE: The plural is brollies.) bronchial / brɒŋkiəl/ adj referring to the tubes which take air in and out of the lungs bronchitis /brɒŋ kats/ noun an illness caused by infection in the bronchial tubes bronzed /brɒnzd/ adj tanned from being in the sun bronze medal /brɒnz medl/ noun a medal given to someone who finishes third in a race or competition brooch /brəυtʃ/ noun a piece of women’s jewellery fastened to clothes with a pin (NOTE: The plural is brooches.) brood /bru d/ noun a family of young birds or small children 쑗 Some birds raise only one brood of chicks a year. 쑗 Simon and his brood came for lunch yesterday. 쐽 verb to think anxiously about something a lot 쑗 He’s in the garden, brooding as usual. 쑗 She’s brooding over the possibility that she might lose her job. brooding / bru dŋ/ adj threatening (literary). Synonym ominous brook /brυk/ noun a small river 쑗 They jumped over the brook and walked on up the brown bread hill. Synonym stream 쐽 verb 왍 to brook no interference not to allow anyone to interfere (formal ) ③ broom /bru m/ noun 1. a brush with a long handle, used to clean floors 쑗 She swept the kitchen with a broom. 2. a bush with yellow flowers, found in sandy places and grown in gardens 쑗 Broom flowers early in the summer. broomstick / bru mstk/ noun the long handle of a broom bros abbr brothers broth /brɒθ/ noun a light meat soup brothel / brɒθ(ə)l/ noun a house where prostitutes work ① brother / brðə/ noun 1. a boy or man who has the same mother and father as someone else 쑗 My brother John is three years older than me. 쑗 She came with her three brothers. 2. a man belonging to an order of monks 쑗 Brother John looks after the monastery garden. brotherhood / brðəhυd/ noun links between people brother-in-law / brðər n lɔ / noun a brother of your husband or wife, a husband of your sister, or a husband of a husband’s or wife’s sister (NOTE: The plural is broth. ers-in-law.) brotherly / brðəli/ adj kind or protective like a brother 쑗 She was expecting some brotherly advice, instead of which her brother told her she was a fool. ① brought /brɔ t/ 쒁 bring brow /braυ/ noun 1. the forehead 쑗 She wrinkled or knit her brow as she tried to understand the guidebook. 왍 by the sweat of your brow with a lot of hard work 쑗 He became a millionaire by the sweat of his brow. 2. an eyebrow, the line of hair above the eye 쑗 He’s instantly recognisable with those dark bushy brows. 3. the top of a hill 쑗 Having reached the brow of the hill they stopped to look at the view. browbeat / braυbi t/ verb to bully someone. Synonym intimidate (NOTE: browbeat – has browbeaten) ① brown /braυn/ adj with a colour like the earth or wood 쑗 She has brown hair and blue eyes. 쑗 It’s autumn and the leaves are turning brown. 쑗 He’s very brown – he must have been sitting in the sun. Synonym tanned (NOTE: browner – brownest) 쐽 noun the colour brown 쑗 I’d prefer a darker brown than this. 쐽 verb to cook food until it is brown 쑗 Brown the onions in a little butter. Synonym fry brown bear /braυn beə/ noun a large wild animal found in mountain areas brown bread /braυn bred/ noun bread made from brown flour brownfield 94 brownfield / braυnfi ld/ adj referring to land that previously had industrial building on it but is now available for housing brownie / braυni/ noun a small chocolate cake usually with nuts Brownie / braυni/ noun a member of the branch of the Guides for younger girls brownie points / braυni pɔnts/ plural noun an imaginary sign of approval for something good you have done (informal ) brown rice /braυn ras/ noun rice which still has its outer covering brown sugar /braυn ʃυDZə/ noun a type of sugar which has been processed so that it remains pale brown in colour ③ browse /braυz/ verb 1. (of animals) to eat grass 쑗 The snow has gone, and the cows are browsing in the fields again. 2. (of a person) to wander around looking at things for sale 쑗 Do you need any help? – No, I’m just browsing. 3. to look through a book, newspaper or magazine, without reading it properly 쑗 I browsed through several magazines at the doctor’s surgery. 왍 to browse on the Internet to go to various websites without looking for anything in particular browser / braυzə/ noun computer software which allows you to browse on the Internet bruise /bru z/ noun a dark, painful area on the skin, following a blow 쑗 She had bruises all over her arms. 쐽 verb 1. to make a bruise 쑗 She bruised her knee on the corner of the table. 2. 왍 to bruise easily to get bruises easily because your skin is delicate 쑗 She bruises easily, even a little blow gives her a bruise. 쑗 Peaches are delicate fruit – they bruise easily. bruising / bru zŋ/ noun an area of bruises 쑗 The baby has bruising on the back and legs. 쐽 adj painful or unpleasant 쑗 A bruising encounter with the police. brunch /brntʃ/ noun a meal taken from about 10 a.m., a combination of breakfast and lunch brunette /bru net/ noun a person, usually a woman, with dark brown hair brunt /brnt/ noun 왍 to bear the brunt of to suffer most effects of 쑗 The west coast bore the brunt of the storm. 쑗 She bore the brunt of the criticism. ② brush /brʃ/ noun 1. a tool made of a handle and hairs or wire, used for jobs such as cleaning or painting 쑗 You need a stiff brush to get the mud off your shoes. 쑗 She used a very fine brush to paint the details. 쑗 He was painting the front of the house with a large brush. (NOTE: The plural is brushes.) 2. the act of cleaning with a brush 쑗 She gave the coat a good brush. 3. land covered with bushes or low trees 쑗 They walked through . bubble the brush for several miles. 4. a near miss, when something nearly happens to harm you 쑗 They had a brush with death on the motorway. 5. a short argument or fight with someone 쑗 He’s had several brushes with the police recently. 6. the tail of a fox 쐽 verb 1. to clean with a brush 쑗 He brushed his shoes before going to the office. 쑗 Always remember to brush your teeth before you go to bed. 2. to go past something touching it gently 쑗 She brushed against me as she came into the café. brush off /brʃ ɒf/ verb 1. to clean something off with a brush 쑗 He brushed the mud off his boots. 2. to ignore something because it is not very important 쑗 So far he has managed to brush off all the complaints about his work. brush up /brʃ p/ verb to make your knowledge better brushwood / brʃwυd/ noun a mass of small bushes and broken wood. Synonym firewood brusque /brυsk/ adj using very few words and not being very polite. Synonym abrupt. Antonym friendly brusquely / brυskli/ adv rudely, using few words Brussels / brs(ə)lz/ noun the capital of Belgium Brussels sprout /brs(ə)lz spraυt/ noun 1. a green vegetable like a very small cabbage 2. the plant that Brussels sprouts grow on brutal / bru t(ə)l/ adj cruel and violent brutality /bru tlti/ noun violent actions. Synonym cruelty (NOTE: usually no plural; to indicate a plural you can say acts of brutality) brutally / bru t(ə)li/ adv in a cruel and vio- lent way brute /bru t/ noun 1. a violent person 쑗 Her husband’s such a brute, sometimes I fear for her safety. 2. a man who does not worry about upsetting peopleThe brute didn’t even ring me up to let me know he was getting married. 쑗 You brute! You could have given me a lift. 3. a large animal 쑗 Three bears came near our camp and one big brute tried to get into my tent. brutish / bru tʃ/ adj rude, dirty and violent BSc abbr bachelor of science 쑗 She has a BSc in Chemistry. (NOTE: written after the name: Jane Bushell BSc) BSE abbr bovine spongiform encephalo- pathy 쑗 The public has lost confidence in beef as a result of BSE. BTW abbr by the way ③ bubble / bb(ə)l/ noun air or gas contained in a liquid 쑗 Bubbles of gas rose to the bubble gum 95 surface of the lake. 쑗 He blew bubbles in his drink. 쐽 verb to make bubbles, to have bubbles inside 쑗 The porridge was bubbling in the pan. Synonym fizz bubble gum / bb(ə)l DZm/ noun 1. a type of chewing gum that can be blown from the mouth into large bubbles 2. pop music aimed at the younger teenage market and usually considered to be lacking in originality bubble up /bb(ə)l p/ verb to come to the surface as bubbles bubbly / bbli/ adj 1. with bubbles 쑗 For a really bubbly bath, pour the soap in under running hot water. 2. 왍 she has a bubbly personality she’s a lively person 쐽 noun champagne (informal ) 쑗 Come and have a glass of bubbly to celebrate the birth of our son. (NOTE: no plural) ③ buck /bk/ noun 1. a male of certain animals such as the hare, rabbit, deer or goat 쑗 a buck rabbit (NOTE: The females are called does.) 2. US a dollar 쑗 It’ll cost you ten bucks. 쑗 You couldn’t lend me 100 bucks, could you? 왍 to make a quick buck to get rich quickly 쑗 All he wants is to make a quick buck. 3. 왍 to pass the buck to pass responsibility to someone else (informal ) 쑗 The manager is a very weak character, he’s always passing the buck. 왍 the buck stops here I am the person who is responsible 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to buck the trend to behave in a surprisingly different way 쑗 Sales of health books have bucked the trend and risen sharply. 2. (of horses) to jump in the air 쑗 The horses bucked at the sound of gunfire. ② bucket / bkt/ noun 1. a round container with a handle but no lid, used mainly for liquids 쑗 Throw the water on the fire and pass the empty bucket back to me. 왍 to kick the bucket to die (informal ) 쑗 Don’t worry – I don’t intend to kick the bucket just yet! 왍 to come down in buckets to pour with rain 쑗 You should have seen the rain – it was coming down in buckets! 2. the contents of a bucket 쑗 He brought a bucket of water from the river. 쑗 They threw buckets of water on the fire. 쐽 verb to pour with rain (informal ) 쑗 It’s bucketing down outside. bucketful / bktfυl/ noun an amount contained in a bucket 왍 by the bucketful in large quantities (informal ) 쑗 They were drinking beer by the bucketful. buckle / bk(ə)l/ noun a metal or plastic fastener for a strap 쑗 She wore a black leather belt with a big gold buckle. 쑗 These shoes are fastened with buckles. 쐽 verb 1. to attach with a buckle 쑗 He buckled on his seat belt. 쑗 The little girl can buckle her sandals all by herself. 2. to bend and collapse 쑗 The whole bridge buckled under the weight of the . . . . . budgetary traffic. 3. to become bent 쑗 The front wheel of my bicycle has buckled. buckle down /bk(ə)l daυn/ verb to start to work hard (informal ) buck up /bk p/ verb 1. to hurry up 쑗 Buck up, or we’ll miss the train. 2. 왍 to buck someone up to make someone more lively 쑗 A hot drink will soon buck you up. 쑗 If you don’t buck your ideas up, you’ll be joining the dole queue! buckwheat / bkwi t/ noun a dark grain, which makes a brown flour used in pancakes bucolic /bju kɒlk/ adj referring to the countryside. Synonym rural bud /bd/ noun a place where a new shoot or flower comes on a plant 쑗 It was spring and the buds on the trees were beginning to open. 왍 in bud flower which has not yet opened 쑗 The roses are in bud. 왍 to nip something in the bud to stop something before it develops any further 쑗 We must try to nip the staff protests in the bud. 쐽 verb (of a shoot) to make buds 쑗 The trees are budding very early this year. Buddhism / bυdz(ə)m/ noun a religion based on the teaching of the Indian philosopher known as Buddha Buddhist / bυdst/ adj referring to Buddhism or the teaching of Buddha 쑗 a Buddhist temple 쑗 a Buddhist monk 쐽 noun a person who follows the teaching of Buddha 쑗 Life in Nepal suits him so much that he’s become a Buddhist. budding / bdŋ/ adj studying to be, hoping to be buddy / bdi/ noun mainly US a friend (informal ) (NOTE: The plural is buddies.) budge /bdȢ/ verb to move budgerigar / bdȢəriDZɑ / noun a small colourful tropical bird often kept as a pet . . (NOTE: often called a budgie) ② budget / bdȢt/ noun 1. an amount of money that can be spent on something 쑗 There isn’t enough money in the household budget to pay for a new carpet. 왍 publicity budget money allowed for spending on publicity 쑗 We’ve increased the publicity budget by 50%. 2. 왍 the Budget the government’s plans for spending and tax 쐽 adj costing less than usual. Synonym cheap. Antonym expensive 쐽 verb to plan how you will spend money in the future 쑗 It would be helpful if you learnt to budget. 쑗 They are having to budget carefully before going on holiday in Greece. 왍 to budget for to plan to spend money on something 쑗 We’re budgeting for a 10% increase in electricity prices. budgetary / bdȢt(ə)r/ adj referring to a budget. Synonym financial budget travel 96 built-up area budget travel /bdȢt trv(ə)l/ noun bugging device / bDZŋ dvas/ noun a cheap travel budgie / bdȢi/ noun same as budgerigar (informal ) buff /bf/ adj of a pale brown colour 쑗 The document you’re looking for is in a buff folder. 쐽 noun 1. a pale brown colour 쑗 This type of envelope comes in blue, green and buff only. 2. an enthusiast 쑗 This is the best dictionary for crossword buffs. 3. 왍 in the buff naked (informal ) 쑗 Give me time to dress, I’m in the buff just now. 쑗 They all stripped to the buff and plunged into the lake. 쐽 verb to make something shine 쑗 Young recruits have to spend hours buffing their boots. Synonym polish buffalo / bfələυ/ noun 1. same as water buffalo 쑗 The old man was walking behind a plough pulled by a pair of buffaloes. 2. a large wild animal with long hair, like a large bull, which used to be common in North America but is reduced in numbers. Also called bison (NOTE: The plural is buffaloes hidden microphone buggy / bDZi/ noun 1. a little electric car for one or two people 쑗 Beach buggies have very large tyres so that they can drive on sand. 쑗 Some people hire buggies when they play golf. 2. a light folding chair with wheels for pushing a baby in 쑗 She pushed the buggy across the busy road. bugle / bju DZ(ə)l/ noun a brass musical instrument similar to a trumpet, mainly used in the army ① build /bld/ noun the shape of the body 쑗 She’s a girl of slender build. 쑗 He has the same build as his father. Synonym shape 쐽 verb to make something by putting things together 쑗 The house was only built last year. 쑗 They are planning to build a motorway across the field. 쑗 The children built sand castles on the beach. 쑗 He built his business from scratch. (NOTE: building – built /blt/) ③ builder / bldə/ noun a person who builds buildings ① building / bldŋ/ noun 1. something which has been built, such as a house, railway station or factory 쑗 The flood washed away several buildings. 쑗 His office is on the top floor of the building. 2. used in names of large office blocks 쑗 the Shell Building 3. the action of constructing something 쑗 The building of the pyramids must have taken many years. building blocks / bldŋ blɒks/ plural noun 1. small pieces of wood, used by children to build structures such as castles 쑗 Most children like to play with building blocks. 2. one of the parts which form a whole 쑗 Printed books are the essential building blocks of a national library. building site / bldŋ sat/ noun a piece of land where a large building is being built ③ building society / bldŋ səsaəti/ noun an organisation which pays interest on people’s savings and lends money to people buying houses or flats build up /bld p/ verb to increase 쑗 The pressure is building up on him to resign. 쑗 Gas built up rapidly in the boiler until it exploded. build-up / bld p/ noun 1. the preparations for something 2. a gradual increase in something 쑗 a build-up of traffic 3. a flattering description of someone or something 쑗 We’d expected someone funnier after all the build-up. -built /blt/ suffix made or constructed built-in / blt n/ adj made as part of a room or machine built-up area /blt p eəriə/ noun area of a town where there are many buildings . . or buffalo; for a group, you say a herd of buffalo.) ③ buffer / bfə/ noun 1. a shock-absorbing pad 쑗 The cushion acts as a buffer between the two pieces of machinery. 쑗 The train failed to stop and crashed into the buffers. 2. something placed between two powerful forces, which prevents problems occurring between them 쑗 The UN tried to establish a buffer zone between the two factions. buffer state / bfə stet/ noun a small country between two large opposing states buffet / bft/ noun / bυfe/ 1. a meal where the food is in dishes on a table, and each person helps himself 쑗 The hotel serves a buffet breakfast. 2. a sideboard 쐽 verb to push someone or something around in an uncontrolled way 쑗 She stood on the deck, buffeted by the wind. buffet car / bυfe kɑ / noun the part of a train where you can buy drinks and snacks. Compare restaurant car buffoon /bə fu n/ noun someone who acts in a funny or stupid way (dated ). Synonym . clown ③ bug /bDZ/ noun 1. an insect 쑗 What are these bugs on the roses? 2. a germ 쑗 She got a stomach bug on holiday. 3. an error in a computer program 쑗 You need a special program to remove the bugs in the system. 쐽 verb 1. to plant a hidden microphone 쑗 They met in Hyde Park because he was afraid his flat had been bugged. 2. to annoy someone 쑗 What’s bugging him? (NOTE: bugging – bugged) bugbear / bDZbeə/ noun something that upsets or problem annoys someone. Synonym bulb 97 ③ bulb /blb/ noun 1. a fat underground part of some plants, from which leaves and flowers grow 쑗 She planted daffodil bulbs all round the house. 2. a glass ball which gives electric light 쑗 You’ll need a ladder to change the bulb. bulbous / blbəs/ adj fat and round. Synonym rounded bulge /bldȢ/ noun a swelling 쑗 There’s a little bulge in the carpet – I guess we’ll find the missing toy underneath. Synonym protuberance 쐽 verb 왍 to bulge with to be fat with 쑗 Her pockets were bulging with bundles of notes. 쑗 Father’s briefcase bulged not with important papers but with toys for his children. bulging / bldȢŋ/ adj sticking out bulimia /bju lmiə/ noun a psychological condition where the patient eats too much and is incapable of controlling their eating bulk /blk/ noun a large amount 왍 in bulk in large quantities 쑗 It is cheaper to buy stationery for the school in bulk. 왍 the bulk of most of 쑗 The bulk of our sales are in Europe. 쑗 She finished the bulk of the work before lunch. bulkhead / blkhed/ noun a wall inside a ship or aircraft bulky / blki/ adj awkwardly large (NOTE: bulkier – bulkiest) bull /bυl/ noun 1. a male of the cow family Be careful when you cross the field – there’s a bull in it. 왍 to take the bull by the horns to try to deal with a difficult problem (informal ) 쑗 He decided to take the bull by the horns and tell his father that he was leaving the family firm. 2. a male animal 쑗 a bull walrus 쑗 a bull elephant 3. a person who believes that stock market prices will rise bulldog / bυldɒDZ/ noun a short strong dog with a flat face bulldoze / bυldəυz/ verb 1. to knock down or to clear using a bulldozer 쑗 They bulldozed the old farm buildings. 2. to force 왍 he bulldozed his proposal through the committee he forced the committee to agree to his proposal bulldozer / bυldəυzə/ noun a large powerful tractor with a curved plate in front for pushing or moving earth bullet / bυlt/ noun a piece of metal fired from a hand gun 쑗 He loaded his gun with bullets. 쑗 Two bullets had been fired. bulletin / bυlətn/ noun information on a situation bulletin board / bυltn bɔ d/ noun 1. US a board on which notices can be placed 쑗 . (NOTE: The British term is noticeboard.) 2. (on the Internet) a system of sending mes- sages or advertising events 쑗 She advertised the concert on the bulletin board. bump bullet point / bυlt pɔnt/ noun a printed symbol before a word or other item in a list bullet-proof / bυltpru f/ adj made so that bullets cannot go through bullfight / bυlfat/ noun an entertainment in Spain, where a man fights a bull bullfighter / bυlfatə/ noun a man who fights bulls bullfinch / bυlfntʃ/ noun a small finch with red breast bullfrog / bυlfrɒDZ/ noun a large frog bullion / bυliən/ noun gold or silver bars bullish / bυlʃ/ adj feeling that the stock market is likely to rise bull market / bυl mɑ kt/ noun a period when prices on the stock market rise as people buy shares because they think share prices will rise still further. Antonym bear market bullock / bυlək/ noun a young castrated bull bull’s eye / bυlz a/ noun 1. the centre of the target which you try to hit in sports such as archery, darts or rifle shooting 쑗 This target is not easy, the bull’s eye is very small. 2. a direct hit in the centre of a target 쑗 No one scored a bull’s eye. 3. a large striped peppermint sweet 쑗 He bought a packet of bull’s eyes. bully / bυli/ noun a person who hurts or is unkind to weaker people (dated ) 쑗 He’s a bully and is always trying to frighten smaller children. Synonym tormentor (NOTE: The plural is bullies.) 쐽 verb to be unkind to someone who is weaker 쑗 She was bullied by the other children in school. Synonym intim. idate (NOTE: bullying – bullied) bum /bm/ (informal ) noun 1. a person’s . bottom 쑗 He just sits on his bum all day, doing nothing. 2. US a person who sits around doing nothing 쑗 Can’t you bums find something to do? 3. a person who is very keen on something 쑗 a ski bum 쐽 verb 왍 to bum something off someone to ask someone for something 쑗 He always trying to bum cigarettes off his friends. 쑗 Can I bum a cigarette? bum bag / bm bDZ/ noun a small bag attached to a belt for keeping valuables in bumblebee / bmb(ə)lbi / noun a large brown furry bee bumbling / bmblŋ/ adj confused and inefficient (informal ) bumf /bmf/ noun paper, usually useless documents 쑗 What’s all this pile of bumf on my desk? ③ bump /bmp/ noun 1. a slight knock 쑗 The boat hit the landing stage with a bump. 2. a raised place 쑗 Drive slowly, the road is full of bumps. 3. a raised place on your body, where something has hit it 쑗 He has a bump . bumper 98 on the back of his head. 쐽 verb to hit something or a part of the body 쑗 He’s crying because he bumped his head on the door. bumper / bmpə/ adj very large 쑗 a bumper crop of corn 쑗 We’re publishing a bumper edition of children’s stories. 쑗 Last year was a bumper year for sales of mobile phones. Synonym plentiful 쐽 noun a protective bar on the front and back of a car 쑗 He backed into a lamppost and dented the rear bumper. 쑗 There was a mile-long traffic jam with cars standing bumper-to-bumper. bump into /bmp ntu / verb 1. to hit slightly 쑗 Be careful not to bump into the wall when you’re reversing. 2. 왍 to bump into someone to meet someone by chance 쑗 I bumped into him at the station. bump off /bmp ɒf/ verb to murder someone (slang). Synonym kill bump start / bmp stɑ t/ verb to start a car engine when the battery is flat by putting it into gear and then pushing it 쑗 We bump started the car and drove to town to get a new battery. 쐽 noun the process of starting a car engine when the battery is flat by putting it into gear and then pushing it 쑗 Two passers-by gave me a bump start. Compare jump start bumpy / bmpi/ adj not smooth (NOTE: bumpier – bumpiest) ③ bun /bn/ noun 1. a little round bread or cake 쑗 Hamburgers are made of minced beef fried and served in a bun. 쑗 The icing on these buns is too sweet. 2. hair tied up in a knot 쑗 She wears her hair in a bun. ② bunch /bntʃ/ noun 1. a group of things taken together 쑗 He carries a bunch of keys attached to his belt. 쑗 He brought her a bunch of flowers. 쑗 I work with a nice bunch of people. 2. several small fruits on the same stem 쑗 a bunch of grapes 쑗 a bunch of bananas 왍 the pick of the bunch the best out of the group 3. a group of people taken together 쑗 They’re a nice bunch of people. 쑗 Bunches of people were waiting on street corners. 쑗 A bunch of racing cyclists came round the corner. (NOTE: The plural is bunches.) 쐽 verb to form a group 쑗 There were three candidates with excellent results, with the rest bunched together at the 50% mark. bundle / bnd(ə)l/ noun a parcel of things wrapped up or tied up together 쑗 A bundle of clothes was all she possessed. 쑗 He produced a bundle of papers tied up with green string. 쑗 She left her clothes in a bundle on the floor. 왍 bundle of nerves a very nervous person (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to put things somewhere quickly without being careful 쑗 He bundled the papers into a drawer. 쑗 She bundled the children off to school. 쑗 The police bundled him into the back of their van. 2. . buoyancy to sell a software programme at the same time as you sell hardware, both sold together at a special price 쑗 The word-processing package is bundled with the computer. bung /bŋ/ noun something which is used to block a hole, as in a wine cask 쐽 verb to throw (informal ) 쑗 Don’t keep that paper – just bung it in the wastepaper basket. ② bungalow / bŋDZələυ/ noun a house with only a ground floor bungee-jumping / bndȢi dȢmpŋ/ noun a sport which consists of jumping from a high point such as a bridge when attached by your ankles to a long elastic cable, so that instead of hitting the ground, you bounce up into the air bungle / bŋDZ(ə)l/ verb to do something badly (informal ) bungler / bŋDZlə/ noun a person who has done a job badly (informal ) bunion / bnjən/ noun a swelling of the first joint of the big toe bunk /bŋk/ noun 1. a bed attached to a wall, especially in a ship 쑗 He climbed up into his bunk and fell asleep. 쑗 Do you want the top bunk or the bottom one? 2. 왍 to do a bunk to run away (informal ) 쑗 As soon as they saw the police van, they did a bunk across some waste land. bunk beds / bŋk bedz/ plural noun two beds one on top of the other, with a ladder to climb to the top one 쑗 We put the children in bunk beds because they take up less space. bunker / bŋkə/ noun 1. a room with especially strong walls, often underground 쑗 The soldiers defended the bunker for several days. 쑗 As the enemy approached, the ministers hid in a bunker under the presidential palace. 2. an open pit filled with sand placed on a golf course to trap balls and make difficulties for the players ③ bunny / bni/ noun a child’s name for a rabbit (informal ) (NOTE: The plural is bun. . . . . nies.) Bunsen burner /bnsən b" nə/ noun a piece of equipment with a small gas flame, used in laboratories bunting / bntŋ/ noun 1. a type of small singing bird (NOTE: The plural is buntings.) 2. strings of small flags 쑗 They draped bunting across the front of the building. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) buoy /bɔ/ noun a floating marker in the sea, or in a lake or river 쑗 Light buoys show the harbour’s entrance at night. 쑗 The canoes will race around the buoys at the end of the lake. 쐽 verb 왍 to buoy someone up to cheer someone up 쑗 A win in the quarter-finals kept the fans buoyed up. buoyancy / bɔənsi/ noun the quality of being able to float buoyant buoyant / bɔənt/ adj 1. which can float easily, which helps something float easily 쑗 The raft became waterlogged and was no longer buoyant. 쑗 Salt water is more buoyant than fresh water. 2. full of confidence 쑗 She left the meeting in a very buoyant mood. burble / b" b(ə)l/ noun a low continuous sound 쑗 The burble of little children playing in the garden. 쐽 verb to make a low continuous sound 쑗 The brook burbled softly outside the window. ③ burden / b" dn/ noun 1. a heavy load 쑗 He relieved her of her burden. 2. something hard to bear 쑗 I think he finds running the office at his age something of a burden. 왍 to make someone’s life a burden to make someone’s life difficult bureau / bjυərəυ/ noun 1. an office 쑗 He filed the report from the New York bureau. 2. an antique desk 3. US a chest of drawers 쑗 My socks are in the bureau in the bedroom. 4. US a section of a government department (NOTE: The plural is bureaux / bjυərəυz/.) bureaucracy /bjυə rɒkrəsi/ noun 1. a group of officials working for central or local government, or for an international body 쑗 The investigation of complaints is in the hands of the local bureaucracy. 2. a complicated official system 쑗 Red tape and bureaucracy slow down charitable work. 쑗 I’m fed up with all this bureaucracy, just to get an export licence. bureaucrat / bjυərəkrt/ noun a person who runs an office or government department. Synonym official bureaucratic /bjυərə krtk/ adj referring to official systems and processes bureau de change /bjυərəυ də ʃɒnȢ/ noun an office where you can change foreign money (NOTE: The plural is bureaux de change.) burgeoning / b" dȢənŋ/ adj growing fast burgh / brə/ noun same as borough (Scotland ) . ③ burglar / b" DZlə/ noun a person who tries to get into a building to steal. Synonym thief burglar alarm / b" DZlər əlɑ m/ noun a piece of equipment which makes a loud noise if someone enters a building illegally burglary / b" DZləri/ noun a robbery by a burglar. Synonym break-in burgle / b" DZ(ə)l/ verb to enter a building and steal things from it. Synonym rob burgundy / b" DZəndi/ noun 1. red and white wine from Burgundy in the central part of France 쑗 Would you prefer a white or a red burgundy with your quails? 2. a dark red colour 쑗 Burgundy is not a colour I would choose for a car. 쐽 adj dark red 쑗 Is this burgundy sports car yours? 99 burnt-out burial / beriəl/ noun a ceremony of burying a dead person burial ground / beriəl DZraυnd/ noun a piece of land where people are buried when they are dead. Synonym cemetery burly / b" li/ adj (of a person) strong and solid. Synonym brawny (NOTE: burlier – ③ burliest) burn /b" n/ noun 1. a burnt area of the skin or a surface 쑗 She had burns on her face and hands. 쑗 There’s a burn on the edge of the table where he left his cigarette. 2. (in Scotland ) a small river 쐽 verb 1. to damage or destroy by fire or by heat 쑗 All our clothes were burnt in the hotel fire. 쑗 She burnt her finger on the hot frying pan. 쑗 The hotel was burnt to the ground last year. 쑗 The sun and wind burnt his face. 왍 look, you’ve burnt the bacon you’ve cooked the bacon so much that it is black 왍 to burn the candle at both ends to work much too hard (informal ) 쑗 He gets up early to go to the office, and comes home late – he’s burning the candle at both ends. 왍 to have or get your fingers burnt to suffer a loss 쑗 He got his fingers burnt in the American legal case. 왍 he’s burnt his boats or his bridges he can’t go back now 2. to be on fire 쑗 The firemen were called to the burning school. 3. to use as a fuel 쑗 The cooker burns gas. burn down /b" n daυn/ verb 1. to destroy something completely by fire 쑗 They were playing with matches and burnt the house down. 2. to be destroyed completely by fire 쑗 The building had burnt down before the firemen arrived. burner / b" nə/ noun a piece of equipment with a flame for heating something 왍 to put something on the back burner to delay dealing with something 쑗 All decisions about the project have been put on the back burner. burning / b" nŋ/ adj 1. very hot 쑗 The baby must have a temperature – his face is burning. 쑗 Careful, the pan is burning hot. 2. painful, as though being touched by something hot 쑗 She had a burning pain in her left eye. 3. very keen 쑗 He had a burning desire to go to Egypt. 4. 왍 burning question an important matter, which is likely to cause a lot of argument 쑗 Who will be the new mayor, that is the burning question at the moment. burn out /b" n aυt/ verb 1. to destroy the inside completely by fire 쑗 The restaurant was completely burnt out. 2. 왍 to burn yourself out to work so hard that you cannot work any more 쑗 She burnt herself out setting up her own business. ③ burnt /b" nt/ adj black with fire burnt-out /b" nt aυt/ adj completely tired physically or emotionally through too much hard work, stress, or fast living ① . . burp 100 burp /b" p/ noun the noise when bringing up air from the stomach 쑗 When the baby stops drinking, pat him gently on the back until he makes a burp. 쐽 verb 1. to make a burp 쑗 There is nothing like a fizzy drink to make you burp. 2. 왍 to burp a baby to make a baby burp by gently patting on the back 쑗 Have you burped the baby yet? burrow / brəυ/ noun a rabbit hole 쑗 The rabbits all popped down into their burrow when we came near. 쐽 verb to dig underground 쑗 Moles have burrowed under the lawn. bursar / b" sə/ noun a person in charge of the finances of a school or college bursary / b" s(ə)ri/ noun money given to some students to help them pay for their studies ① burst /b" st/ noun 1. a sudden loud sound 쑗 There was a burst of gunfire and then silence. 쑗 Bursts of laughter came from the office. 2. a sudden effort or activity 쑗 He put on a burst of speed. 쑗 In one of her periodical bursts of efficiency she sorted out the old stock. 쐽 verb to explode suddenly 쑗 A water main burst in the High Street. 쑗 When she picked up the balloon it burst. 왍 the river burst its banks the river flooded 왍 to be bursting at the seams to be very full, not to have any more space 쑗 The schools are bursting at the seams. bursting / b" stŋ/ adj 1. eager to say something 쑗 He was bursting to tell everyone the news. 2. full of an emotion 쑗 She was bursting with pride at her children’s success. burst into / b" st ntu / verb 1. to enter unexpectedly, in a rush 쑗 She burst into the meeting waving a bundle of papers. 2. to start to do something suddenly 쑗 She opened the letter and burst into tears. 쑗 The building burst into flames. burst out /b" st aυt/ verb 1. to suddenly start 쑗 She burst out laughing. 2. to say something loudly 쑗 He burst out into a string of insults. 3. to leave quickly 쑗 She burst out of the shop, and started running down the street. bury / beri/ verb to put into the ground 쑗 He was buried in the local cemetery. 쑗 Squirrels often bury nuts in the autumn. 왍 to bury your face in your hands to hide your face in your hands, because you are embarrassed or sad 왍 to bury your head in the sand to pretend that a danger or problem does not exist (informal ) 왍 to bury the hatchet to make peace with someone after an argument ① bus /bs/ noun a large motor vehicle which carries passengers 쑗 He goes to work by bus. 쑗 She takes the 8 o’clock bus to school every morning. 쑗 We missed the last bus and had to walk home. 쑗 The number 6 bus goes to Oxford Street. . busk busboy / bsbɔ/ noun US a boy or young man who helps a waiter in a restaurant by clearing dishes, bringing water, etc. ② bush /bυʃ/ noun 1. a small tree 쑗 An animal was moving in the bushes. 쑗 A holly bush with red berries. (NOTE: The plural is bushes.) 2. 왍 the bush (in Africa, India, etc.) land covered with bushes or low trees 쑗 They walked through the bush for several days before finding a village. bushel / bυʃ(ə)l/ noun a measure of dry goods, such as grain (equal to 56 pounds) bush telegraph /bυʃ telDZrɑ f/ noun information which is passed by people talking to each other, usually on the phone (informal ) bushy / bυʃi/ adj (of hair ) growing thickly. Synonym luxuriant. Antonym sparse . . (NOTE: bushier – bushiest) busily / bzli/ adv in a busy way. Synonym actively. Antonym lazily ① business / bzns/ noun 1. an occupa- tion or trade, the work of buying or selling things 쑗 She works in the electricity business. 쑗 They do a lot of business with France. 왍 on business working 쑗 The sales director is in Holland on business. 2. a company 쑗 She runs a photography business. 쑗 He runs a secondhand car business. (NOTE: The plural is businesses.) 3. an affair or concern 왍 it’s none of your business it’s nothing to do with you business card / bzns kɑ d/ noun a card showing a businessman’s name and the name and address of the company he works for business class / bzns klɑ s/ noun travel which is less expensive than first class business hours / bzns aυəz/ plural noun the time when a business is open, usually 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is businesses) businesslike / bznslak/ adj practical and efficient businessman / bznsmn/ noun a man who is engaged in business, or who runs a business (NOTE: The plural is businessmen.) business park / bzns pɑ k/ noun a group of small offices or small industrial buildings built together businessperson / bznəsp" s(ə)n/ noun a person who works in business, or who runs a business business plan / bzns pln/ noun a plan of the future development of a business business woman / bzns wυmən/ noun a woman who is engaged in business, or who runs a business (NOTE: The plural is businesswomen.) busk /bsk/ verb to entertain people in the street busker 101 busker / bskə/ noun a person who sings or plays a musical instrument, to entertain people in the street busking / bskŋ/ noun the practice of singing or playing a musical instrument to entertain people in the street bus lane / bs len/ noun a part of a road where only buses may go busman’s holiday /bsmənz hɒlde/ noun spare time which is spent doing something similar to your normal job (informal ) bus pass / bs pɑ s/ noun a special ticket allowing you to use a bus at a cheaper rate, or without paying at all bus shelter / bs ʃeltə/ noun a construction with a roof where you can wait for a bus bus station /bs steʃ(ə)n/, coach station /kəυtʃ steʃ(ə)n/ noun a place where coaches or buses begin or end their journeys ① bus stop / bs stɒp/ noun a place where a bus stops and passengers can get on or off bust /bst/ noun 1. a sculpture of the head and shoulders 쑗 Have you seen the bust of the Prime Minister ? 2. a woman’s breasts 쐽 adj (informal ) 1. broken 쑗 The washing machine’s bust. 2. 왍 to go bust to fail, to be bankrupt 쑗 Thousands of people lost their savings when the bank went bust. 쐽 verb to break (informal ) 쑗 She’s bust my precious vase! 쑗 He hit the ball hard and it bust a window. (NOTE: busting – busted or bust) bustle / bs(ə)l/ noun 1. a situation where people are hurrying around 쑗 It’s nice to sit quietly at home after the bustle of the office. 2. a pad at the back of a Victorian dress 쐽 verb to hurry around doing things 쑗 She bustled around the kitchen getting dinner ready. bustling / bs(ə)lŋ/ adj very busy bust-up /bst p/ noun (informal ) 1. the breaking up of something such as a relationship or an organisation 2. a fight or bad argument ① busy / bzi/ adj working on something, doing something 쑗 He was busy mending the dishwasher. 쑗 I was too busy to phone my aunt. 쑗 The busiest time for shops is the week before Christmas. 왍 the line’s busy at the moment someone is using the phone line 왍 the street is busy a street is full of pedestrians and traffic 쐽 verb 왍 to busy yourself with something to occupy yourself, to keep yourself busy doing something 쑗 My sister likes to busy herself with the garden now she’s retired. busybody / bzibɒdi/ noun a person who is too interested in what other people do (informal ) (NOTE: The plural is busybodies.) ① but /bət, bt/ conj coming before a contrast 쑗 He is very tall, but his wife is quite short. 쑗 We would like to come to your party, but we’re doing something else that evening. . . . . . butterfly stroke I’m sorry, but there are no seats left. 쐽 prep except 쑗 Everyone but me is allowed to go to the cinema. 쑗 They had eaten nothing but apples. 쐽 adv only 쑗 This is but one of his mistakes. 쑗 We can but try. butane / bju ten/ noun a gas made from petroleum, used for heating and cooking and sold in special containers butch /bυtʃ/ adj (of a woman) not appearing to be very feminine ③ butcher / bυtʃə/ noun a man who prepares and sells meat 쑗 Ask the butcher to prepare the pheasants for you. 쐽 verb to kill violently 쑗 The soldiers set fire to the village and butchered the inhabitants. butler / btlə/ noun the most important male servant in a house, who serves at table, especially dealing with wine butt /bt/ noun 1. a large container for water or wine 쑗 It has rained a lot lately and the rainwater butt is overflowing. 2. the end of a cigarette which has been smoked 쑗 He picked up old butts from the pavement. 3. the end of the handle of a gun which presses against the shoulder of the person firing it 쑗 The prisoners were beaten with rifle butts. 4. a person whom other people laugh at 쑗 He will always be the butt of their criticism if he doesn’t dress any better. 5. a push with the head 쑗 The goat came up behind him and gave him a butt with its head. 6. US buttocks 쑗 to give someone a kick in the butt 쐽 verb to push with the head 쑗 The goat lowered its head and butted him. ① butter / btə/ noun a yellow fat made from cream, used on bread or for cooking 쑗 Could you pass the butter, please? 쑗 Don’t spread the butter so thick. 쑗 Fry the mushrooms in butter. (NOTE: no plural: some butter; a knob of butter) 쐽 verb 1. to spread butter on something 쑗 She was busy buttering slices of bread for the sandwiches. 2. 왍 to butter someone up to flatter someone, to praise someone without really believing it to be true (informal ) 쑗 Just butter up the boss a bit – tell him how good his golf is. buttercup / btəkp/ noun a common yellow flower found in fields butter-fingers / btə fŋDZəz/ noun a person who often drops things (informal ) ③ butterfly / btəfla/ noun 1. an insect with large brightly-coloured wings which comes out in daylight 쑗 Butterflies come out in the sunshine. 2. 왍 to have butterflies in the stomach to feel very nervous (informal ) 쑗 She had butterflies in the stomach before the interview. butterfly stroke / btəfla strəυk/ noun a style of swimming where the two arms are lifted forwards at the same time and pushed down into the water while kicking the legs 쑗 . . . buttermilk 102 buttermilk / btəmlk/ noun the thin milk left after butter has been made from cream butterscotch / btəskɒtʃ/ noun a sweet made from butter and sugar butt in /bt n/ verb to interrupt buttock / btək/ noun one of the sides of someone’s buttocks buttocks / btəks/ plural noun the part of the body on which you sit ① button / bt(ə)n/ noun 1. a little round disc for fastening clothes that you push through a buttonhole 쑗 The wind is cold – do up the buttons on your coat. 쑗 A button’s come off my shirt. 2. a little round disc which you push to operate something such as a bell 쑗 Press the ‘up’ button to call the lift. 쑗 Push the red button to set off the alarm. 쐽 verb to fasten with buttons 쑗 He buttoned (up) his coat because it was cold. button-down collar /bt(ə)n daυn kɒlə/ noun a shirt collar held down with a button at each point buttonhole / bt(ə)nhəυl/ noun 1. a hole through which a button goes when it is fastened 쑗 You’ve put the button in the wrong buttonhole. 2. a flower worn in a little buttonhole on a collar 쑗 He wore a buttonhole to the office every day. 쐽 verb to stop someone and start talking to him (informal ) button mushroom / bt(ə)n mʃru m/ noun a small round white mushroom buttress / btrəs/ noun a wall or strong pillar built against another wall to support it 쑗 There are three buttresses on the side wall of the church. (NOTE: The plural is buttresses.) 쐽 verb to support 쑗 You’ll need more evidence than that to buttress your argument. Synonym strengthen buxom / bksəm/ adj (of a woman) plump and attractive (humorous) (NOTE: only used . of women) ① buy /ba/ verb to get something by paying money 쑗 I bought a newspaper on my way to the station. 쑗 She’s buying a flat. 쑗 She bought herself a pair of ski boots. 쑗 What did you buy your mother for her birthday? (NOTE: buying – bought /bɔ t/) 쐽 noun something bought. Synonym purchase 왍 a good buy something which you have bought which is worth the money spent 쑗 That camera you bought was a very good buy. ③ buyer / baə/ noun a person who buys. Synonym purchaser buyer’s market / baəz mɑ kt/ noun a market where products are sold cheaply because there are more sellers than buyers. Compare seller’s market buy off /ba ɒf/ verb 왍 to buy someone off to pay someone not to do something 쑗 They were going to print the story in the local newspaper but we managed to buy them off. bye buy out /ba aυt/ verb 왍 to buy someone out to buy a partner’s share in a business 쑗 The co-founder of the firm bought out the other shareholders. buyout / baaυt/ noun same as takeover buy up /ba p/ verb to buy a large quantity of something buzz /bz/ noun 1. a noise like the noise made by a bee 쑗 I can hear a buzz but I can’t see the bee. 쑗 The buzz of an electric saw in the garden next door. 2. a feeling of excitement 쑗 She gets a buzz from skiing fast downhill. 3. a telephone call 쑗 Give me a buzz tomorrow. (NOTE: The plural is buzzes.) 쐽 verb 1. to make a noise like a bee 쑗 Wasps were buzzing round the jam. 2. (of aircraft) to fly close to another aircraft to force it to go away 쑗 The plane was buzzed by enemy fighters and forced to land. buzzard / bzəd/ noun a large bird of prey buzzer / bzə/ noun a piece of equipment which buzzes as a signal of something buzz off /bz ɒf/ verb to go away (informal ) buzzword / bzw" d/ noun a word which is frequently used (informal ). Synonym . . slogan ① by /ba/ prep 1. near 쑗 The house is just by the bus stop. 쑗 Sit down here by me. 2. be- fore, not later than 쑗 They should have arrived by now. 쑗 You must be home by eleven o’clock. 쑗 It must be finished by Friday. 3. showing means or way 쑗 Send the parcel by airmail. 쑗 Get in touch with the office by phone. 쑗 They came by car. 쑗 She caught a cold by standing in the rain. 쑗 You make buck’s fizz by adding champagne to orange juice. 쑗 She paid by cheque, not by credit card. 4. showing the person or thing that did something 쑗 a painting by Van Gogh 쑗 ‘Hamlet’ is a play by Shakespeare. 쑗 A CD recorded by our local group. 쑗 The postman was bitten by the dog. 쑗 She was knocked down by a car. 5. 왍 by yourself alone 쑗 Don’t sit at home all by yourself. 쑗 She made the hat all by herself. 쑗 Can you find your way to the station by yourself? 6. showing how much 쑗 We sell tomatoes by the kilo. 쑗 Eggs are sold by the dozen. 쑗 Prices have been increased by 5%. 쑗 They won by 4 goals to 2. 7. showing the size of something 쑗 The table is 60cm long by 25 wide. 쐽 adv 1. past 쑗 She drove by without seeing us. 2. 왍 by and large in general 쑗 By and large, the trains run on time. 왍 by far very much 쑗 A bike is by far the cheapest way to travel round London. 쑗 Of all small cars, this one uses by far the least amount of petrol. Synonym considerably bye1 /ba/ noun (in cricket) a run scored without the batsman having hit the ball 왍 to have a bye (in sport) to pass to the next bye 103 round of a competition without having to play ① bye2 /ba/, bye-bye /ba ba/ interj goodbye byelaw / balɔ /, by-law noun 1. a rule or law made by a local authority or public body but not by central government 쑗 A local byelaw says that this path is a public right of way. 쑗 Byelaws must be made by bodies which have been authorised by Parliament. 2. one of a set of rules for running a club 쑗 According to the byelaws, the president is elected for three years only. by-election / ba lekʃən/ noun an election for Parliament when an MP has died or retired. Antonym general bygone / baDZɒn/ adj belonging to the past 쑗 A painting of a bygone age. Synonym past. Antonym future 쐽 noun 왍 to let bygones be bygones to ignore something unpleasant that happened in the past 쑗 After ten years of not speaking to each other they finally decided to let bygones be bygones. byword by-line / ba lan/ noun the line at the beginning or end of an article in a newspaper, giving the name of the journalist who wrote it bypass / bapɑ s/ noun a road round a town 쑗 Take the bypass if you want to avoid congestion in the town centre. 쐽 verb to go round a town, avoiding the centre 쑗 It would be better if you could bypass the town centre on market day. 쑗 The main road bypasses the town centre. by-product / ba prɒdkt/ noun a product made as a result of manufacturing a main product. Synonym side effect bystander / bastndə/ noun a person near where something is happening. Synonym onlooker. Antonym participant byte /bat/ noun a group of eight bits which a computer operates on as a single unit (NOTE: usually used in compounds kilobyte, megabyte, etc. Do not confuse with bite.) byway / bawe/ noun an unimportant road byword / baw" d/ noun 1. somebody or something well-known for representing a particular quality 2. a word or phrase which is in common use C c /si /, C noun the third letter of the alphabet, between B and D C symbol carbon 쐽 abbr Celsius cab /kb/ noun 1. a taxi, a car which takes people from one place to another for money 쑗 He took a cab to the airport. 쑗 She whistled for a cab. 쑗 Can you phone for a cab, please? 쑗 The office is only a short cab ride from the railway station. 쑗 Cab fares are very high in New York. 2. a separate part of a large vehicle for a driver 쑗 The truck driver climbed into his cab and started the engine. cabaret / kbəre/ noun entertainment given in a restaurant or club, with dancing and singing cabbage / kbdȢ/ noun a vegetable with large pale green or red leaves which you eat cab driver / kb dravə/, cabbie / kbi/ noun the driver of a taxi cabin / kbn/ noun 1. a small room on a ship 쑗 We booked a first-class cabin on the cruise. 쑗 She felt sick and went to lie down in her cabin. 2. a small hut 쑗 He has a cabin by a lake where he goes fishing. 3. the inside of an aircraft 쑗 The aircraft is divided into three separate cabins. 쑗 The first-class cabin is in the front of the plane. cabin crew / kbn kru / plural noun the people who look after the passengers on a plane ② cabinet / kbnət/ noun 1. a piece of furniture with shelves 쑗 a china cabinet 2. a committee formed of the most important members of a government 쑗 The cabinet met at 10 o’clock this morning. 쑗 There’s a cabinet meeting every Tuesday morning. cabinetmaker / kbnətmekə/ noun a woodworker who makes fine furniture cabinet minister / kbnət mnstə/ noun a minister who is also a member of the cabinet. 쏡 Prime Minister (NOTE: In the UK and USA, Ministers are also called secretaries: the Foreign Secretary, Secretary for Commerce.) ③ cable / keb(ə)l/ noun 1. a wire for carry- ing electricity 쑗 He ran a cable out into the garden so that he could use his lawnmower. 2. a thick rope or wire 쑗 The ship was attached to the quay by cables. 3. a wire for sending messages underground or under the sea 쑗 They’ve been digging up the pavements to lay cables. 4. a telegram 쑗 He sent a cable to his office asking for more money. 쐽 verb to send a telegram 쑗 He cabled his office to ask them to send more money. ③ cable car / keb(ə)l kɑ / noun 1. a vehicle which goes up a mountain, hanging from a wire 쑗 Ten people were killed when the cable car fell to the floor of the valley. 2. US (in San Francisco) a type of tram which is pulled by a metal cable set in a channel in the road 쑗 We took the cable car down to Fisherman’s Wharf. cable television /keb(ə)l tel vȢ(ə)n/, cable TV /keb(ə)l ti vi / noun a television system where the signals are sent along underground cables cacao /kə kaυ/ noun a tropical tree, whose seeds are used to make cocoa and chocolate cache /kʃ/ noun a hidden store 쑗 The police found a cache of explosives in the shed. 쐽 verb to file or store something 쑗 This program can cache any size of font. (NOTE: Do not confuse with cash.) cackle / kk(ə)l/ noun 1. the noise made by hens 왍 to cut the cackle to stop talking (slang) 쑗 Let’s cut the cackle and get down to business. 2. a little high-pitched laugh 쐽 verb 1. to chatter 2. to make a little high-pitched laugh cacophony /kə kɒfəni/ noun an unpleasant mixture of loud sounds. Synonym discord cactus / kktəs/ noun a plant which grows in the desert (NOTE: The plural is cactuses or cacti / kkta/.) CAD /kd/ abbr computer-aided design cadaverous /kə dv(ə)rəs/ adj looking like a dead body caddie / kdi/ noun a person who carries the clubs for a golfer 쑗 Some of the best golf professionals started as caddies. Synonym assistant 쐽 verb 왍 to caddie for someone to carry a golfer’s clubs 쑗 My nephew is going to caddie for me this weekend. caddy / kdi/ noun 1. a little box for keeping loose tea 2. same as caddie (NOTE: The plural is caddies.) cadenza 105 cadenza /kə denzə/ noun a complicated section for an instrument in the middle of concerto or symphony cadet /kə det/ noun a young person training for the armed services or the police force. Synonym trainee cadge /kdȢ/ verb to try to get something without having to pay for it (informal ) cadmium / kdmiəm/ noun a grey metal which can be poisonous to humans caesarean /s zeəriən/, caesarean section /s zeəriən sekʃən/ noun an operation to deliver a baby by cutting through the abdominal wall into the uterus café / kfe/ noun a small restaurant selling light meals 쑗 We had a snack in the station café. cafeteria /kfə təriə/ noun a self-service restaurant cafetiere /kfə tjeə/ noun a coffee pot where you push down a filter to make the coffee caffeine / kfi n/ noun an alkaloid found in coffee, chocolate and tea which acts as a stimulant. 쏡 decaffeinated ③ cage /kedȢ/ noun a box made of wire or with metal bars for keeping birds or animals so they cannot get out 쑗 The rabbit got out of its cage. 쐽 verb to keep in a cage 쑗 He’s pacing about like a caged lion. caged /kedȢd/ adj kept in a cage or prison cagey / kedȢi/ adj not wanting to share a secret (informal ). Synonym wary. Antonym . . reckless (NOTE: cagier – cagiest) cagoule /kə DZu l/ noun a lightweight wa- terproof anorak with a hood cahoots /kə hu ts/ noun (informal ) 왍 to be in cahoots with someone to work with someone against another person 쑗 I think she’s in cahoots with the drugs gang. cairn /keən/ noun a pile of stones to mark an important spot cajole /kə dȢəυl/ verb 왍 to cajole someone into doing something to persuade someone to do something 쑗 It is unbelievable – she managed to cajole him into paying for her trip to Bermuda. ② cake /kek/ noun 1. food made by mixing flour, eggs and sugar, and baking it 쑗 a piece of cherry cake 쑗 She had six candles on her birthday cake. 쑗 Have another slice of Christmas cake. 쑗 Would you like some chocolate cake? 왍 it’s a piece of cake it’s very easy (slang) 쑗 The exam was a piece of cake – I finished it in half-an-hour! 왍 you can’t have your cake and eat it you can’t benefit from two opposing things 2. a small piece of something 쑗 a cake of soap 3. food made by mixing ingredients together into small round pieces which are then fried 쑗 A . calf meal of fishcakes and chips. 쐽 verb to dry and form a hard crust on something caked /kekt/ adj covered with something that has become dry and hard 쑗 His boots were caked with mud. cake mix / kek mks/ noun the main ingredients for a cake which are bought ready mixed in a packet calamity /kə lmti/ noun a disaster (NOTE: The plural is calamities.) calcify / klsfa/ verb to turn something into calcium or lime ③ calcium / klsiəm/ noun a chemical element which is found in different forms, e.g. in chalk rocks, shells, bones and teeth, water, milk and some plants, and is an important part of a balanced diet 쑗 Their diet has a calcium deficiency or is deficient in calcium. ② calculate / klkjυlet/ verb to find the answer to a problem using numbers 쑗 The bank clerk calculated the rate of exchange for the dollar. 쑗 I calculate that we have enough money left for a meal. 쑗 He calculated that it would take us six hours to get to Madrid. Synonym work out calculated / klkjυletd/ adj deliberate. Synonym intended. Antonym spontaneous 왍 a calculated insult an insult which was made on purpose calculated risk /klkjυletd rsk/ noun a risk which you think you can take calculating / klkjυletŋ/ adj who makes clever plans in a careful way and thinks about all the possible results ② calculation /klkjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of calculating 쑗 According to my calculations, we have enough fuel left to do only twenty kilometres. 왍 rough calculation a quick calculation which may not give an exactly correct answer to a problem using numbers 쑗 I made some rough calculations on the back of an envelope. ③ calculator / klkjυletə/ noun a machine for doing calculations calculus / klkjυləs/ noun 1. a part of mathematics which is the way of calculating varying rates 쑗 Calculus is now taught in sixth forms. 2. a hard mass like a little piece of stone, which forms inside the body calendar / klndə/ noun a paper showing the days and months of the year calendar month / klndə mnθ/ noun a month from the first day to the last calendar year / klndə jə/ noun the twelve months from January 1st to December 31st ③ calf /kɑ f/ noun 1. a young cow or bull 쑗 The cow stood in a corner of the field with her two calves. 2. the young of some animals such as elephants or seals 쑗 The beach was covered with young seal calves. 3. (of a per- calibrate 106 son) the back part of the leg between the ankle and the knee (NOTE: The plural is calves /kɑ vz/. The meat from a calf is veal.) calibrate / klbret/ verb to mark the degrees or measurements on a scale. Synonym standardise calibre / klbə/ noun 1. the measurement across the inside of a gun barrel 쑗 The two bullets come from same calibre guns. 2. a quality or ability which something or someone has, particularly when it is of a high standard 쑗 It’s work which he thinks is beneath a person of his calibre. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is caliber.) ① call /kɔ l/ noun 1. a telephone conversation, or an attempt to get in touch with someone by telephone 쑗 Were there any calls for me while I was out? 왍 to make a call to dial and speak to someone on the telephone 쑗 She wants to make a (phone) call to Australia. 왍 to take a call to answer the telephone 2. a telephone call or shout to wake someone 쑗 He asked for an early morning call. 왍 I want a call at 7 o’clock I want someone to wake me at 7 o’clock 3. a visit 쑗 The doctor made three calls on patients this morning. 왍 on call available for duty 4. the song of a bird 쑗 That’s the call of the nightingale. 5. need 쑗 There’s no call for anyone to be alarmed. 쐽 verb 1. to say something loudly to someone who is some distance away, to tell someone to come 쑗 Call the children when it’s time for tea. 왍 call me at 7 o’clock wake me up at 7 왍 to call a taxi to shout to a taxi to come 2. to give someone or something a name 쑗 Our cat’s called Felix. 쑗 They’re going to call the baby Sam. 쑗 His name is John but everyone calls him Jack. 쑗 What do you call this computer programme? 3. to telephone 쑗 If he comes back, tell him I’ll call him when I’m in the office. 쑗 Mr Smith is out – shall I ask him to call you back? 쑗 Call the police – the shop has been burgled! 쑗 Can you call me a cab, please? 4. to visit 쑗 The doctor called at the house, but there was no one there. 쑗 The whole family called round to see if she was better. ③ callbox / kɔ lbɒks/ noun a public telephone box (NOTE: The plural is callboxes.) call centre / kɔ l sentə/ noun a business that deals with all the telephone calls that people make to a large organisation, e.g. a bank caller / kɔ lə/ noun 1. a person who comes to visit 쑗 She can’t see any callers today. 2. a person who telephones 쑗 I picked up the phone and the caller asked for my father. ③ call for / kɔ l fɔ / verb 1. 왍 to call for someone to go to someone’s house to meet them and then go somewhere together 쑗 He called for me to take me to the theatre. 2. to need a particular skill or ability 쑗 Rescuing calm people with a helicopter calls for particular flying skills. calligraphy /kə lDZrəfi/ noun the art of beautiful handwriting, using a special pen call in /kɔ l n/ verb 1. to ask somebody to come and give advice or help 2. to telephone a place of work in order to collect or leave a message 3. to ask for a sum of money to be paid back 4. to arrange for or request that something be returned, e.g. goods that are not suitable for sale 5. to make a short visit to somebody, especially without making an arrangement first calling / kɔ lŋ/ noun a job which someone does because they have a strong feeling that they should do it, especially because it will help other people. Synonym vocation ③ call off /kɔ l ɒf/ verb to decide not to do something which had been planned. Synonym cancel ③ call on / kɔ l ɒn/ verb 1. to visit someone 쑗 She called on her mother to see how she was. 2. to ask someone to do something 쑗 The police have called on everyone to watch out for the escaped prisoner. callous / kləs/ adj hard, unfeeling. Synonym heartless. Antonym warm-hearted call out /kɔ l aυt/ verb 1. to ask a person or an organisation to give help 2. to tell workers to stop work to show they have an official disagreement with the management of the business 3. to challenge somebody to a duel or fight 4. to ask somebody, e.g. a doctor or someone whose job is to repair things, to come to your house and deal with an emergency callow / kləυ/ adj young and with not much experience of life. Synonym inexperienced call sign / kɔ l san/ noun letters or words which identify a radio station ③ call up /kɔ l p/ verb to tell someone to join the army, navy or air force 쑗 Thousands of men were called up at the beginning of the war. call-up / kɔ l p/ noun an order to join the army. Synonym conscription callus / kləs/ noun a hard area of skin on your body (NOTE: The plural is calluses.) call waiting /kɔ l wetŋ/ noun a service offered by a telephone company that allows somebody to answer an additional call from someone without losing their connection to the current call ② calm /kɑ m/ adj quiet, not rough or excited 쑗 The sea was perfectly calm and no one was seasick. 쑗 Keep calm, everything will be all right. Synonym tranquil. Antonym agitated (NOTE: calmer – calmest) 쐽 noun a period of quiet 쑗 The calm of the Sunday afternoon was broken by the sound of calmly 107 jazz from the house next door. 쐽 verb to make someone, or a situation, more peaceful 왍 to calm down to make someone quieter; to become quieter and less annoyed 쑗 She stroked his hand to try to calm him down. 쑗 After shouting for some minutes he finally calmed down. calmly / kɑ mli/ adv quietly, in a way that is not excited calmness / kɑ mnəs/ noun the state of being quiet and calm. Synonym serenity. Antonym restlessness calorie / kləri/ noun 1. a unit of measurement of energy in food 쑗 She’s counting calories to try to lose weight. 쑗 There are 250 calories in a pint of beer. 2. same as joule calorific /klə rfk/ adj 1. of heat 2. containing many calories, and so likely to make you fat calyx / kelks/ noun the outer green covering of a flower, shaped like a cup, the part which covers a flower bud (NOTE: The plural is calyces or calyxes.) cam /km/ noun a moving part on a camshaft, which makes the pistons move up and down camber / kmbə/ noun a slope towards the side of a road or railway track (technical ) camcorder / kmkɔ də/ noun a small portable camera for taking video pictures with sound ① came /kem/ 쒁 come camel / km(ə)l/ noun a desert animal with long legs and one or two humps camellia /kə mi liə/ noun an evergreen bush with large pink or white flowers cameo / kmiəυ/ noun 1. a small stone with a design of a head which stands out against a darker background 쑗 For her birthday, she was given a pair of cameo earrings and a matching brooch. 2. a small but important part in a play or film 쑗 The film is worth seeing if only for the cameo role played by Gielgud. ② camera / km(ə)rə/ noun 1. a machine for taking photographs 쑗 He took a picture of the garden with his new camera. 쑗 They went on holiday and forgot to take their camera. 쑗 Did you remember to put a film in your camera? 2. 왍 in camera in private (legal ) 쑗 The court heard the evidence in camera. cameraman / km(ə)rəmn/ noun the main film camera operator who is in charge of the lighting and filming of a shot (NOTE: . . The plural is cameramen.) camomile / kməmal/ noun a sweet-smelling plant, of which the white and yellow flowers are used for making hot drinks camouflage / kməflɑ Ȣ/ noun 1. a method of using coloured shapes or things can such as branches or grass to hide something 쑗 We used camouflage to hide the guns. 2. the colours or patterns which some animals have on their skin and which makes them look similar to the area around them 쑗 A leopard’s spots are a form of camouflage which makes the animal less easy to see in long grass. 쐽 verb to hide the shape of something by using colours or patterns 쑗 The soldiers camouflaged the gun position with branches of trees. ② camp /kmp/ noun a place where people live in tents or small buildings in the open air 쑗 We set up camp halfway up the mountain. 쐽 verb to spend a holiday or a period of time in a tent 쑗 We go camping in Sweden every summer. 쑗 They had camped by the side of the lake. ① campaign /km pen/ noun 1. an organised military attack 쑗 Napoleon’s Russian campaign of 1812 2. an organised attempt to achieve something 쑗 A publicity campaign or an advertising campaign. 쑗 He’s organising a campaign against the new motorway. 쑗 The government’s anti-smoking campaign isn’t working. 쐽 verb 1. to take part in a war 쑗 The ladies stayed at home while the knights were away campaigning against the French. 2. to work in an organised way to achieve something 쑗 campaigning for the banning of landmines 쑗 to campaign against nuclear reactors campaigner /km penə/ noun a person who campaigns. Synonym activist camp bed /kmp bed/ noun a light folding bed (NOTE: The US term is cot.) camper / kmpə/ noun a person who goes camping camper van / kmpə vn/, camper / kmpə/ noun a motor vehicle which you can live in on holidays, smaller than a motor caravan camp fire / kmp faə/ noun a small outdoor fire at a camp ③ camping / kmpŋ/ noun the activity of going on holiday with a tent or caravan campsite / kmpsat/ noun an area for camping, often including buildings with toilets and showers campus / kmpəs/ noun land on which a university or college is built, and the buildings on it. Synonym grounds 왍 to live on campus to live in a students’ residence 쑗 All students live on campus during their first year at university. camshaft / kmʃɑ ft/ noun a metal bar with several cams on it, which lift pistons one by one ① can /kn/ noun 1. a round metal container for food or drink 쑗 He opened a can of lemonade. 쑗 Empty beer cans were all over the pavement. 쑗 Can you open a can of Canadian 108 beans? (NOTE: British English also uses tin to mean a container of food, but not of drink.) 2. 왍 to carry the can for something to take responsibility or blame for something (informal ) 쑗 They all ran away and left me to carry the can. 쐽 modal verb 1. to be able to do something 쑗 He can swim well but he can’t ride a bike. 쑗 She can’t run as fast as I can. 쑗 Can you remember what the doctor told us to do? 쑗 I can’t bear to watch any longer. 2. to be allowed to do something 쑗 Children under 18 can’t drive cars. 쑗 He says we can go in. 쑗 The policeman says we can’t park here. 3. to ask politely 쑗 Can we come in, please? 쑗 Can you shut the door, please? (NOTE: The negative is cannot, . usually can’t. The past tense is could, could not, usually couldn’t. Can and could are only used with other verbs, and are not followed by the word to.) 쐽 verb to put food in cans 쑗 The town has a factory where they can sardines. (NOTE: canning – canned) Canadian /kə nediən/ adj referring to Canada 쑗 His mother is Canadian and so is he. 쑗 She is a Canadian citizen. 쑗 The ticket costs 250 Canadian dollars. 쐽 noun a person from Canada 쑗 How many Canadians are there living in London? canal /kə nl/ noun 1. an artificial river made to allow boats to go from one place to another 쑗 You can take a boat trip round the canals of Amsterdam. 2. a tube in the body 쑗 He is studying the alimentary canal. canapé / knəpe/ noun a small piece of food such as bread with cheese or meat on top, often served with drinks canary /kə neəri/ noun a small yellow singing bird ② cancel / knsəl/ verb 1. to stop something which has been planned 쑗 The singer was ill, so the show had to be cancelled. 쑗 There is no refund if you cancel less than three weeks before the date of departure. 쑗 The trip was cancelled because the weather was too bad. 2. to mark a postage stamp with a rubber stamp to show that it has been used ① (NOTE: cancelling – cancelled but the US spelling is canceling – canceled) cancellation /knsə leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of cancelling something 쑗 Cancellations will be accepted until a week before departure. 쑗 A cancellation fee of £50 will be charged. 2. a seat, ticket or appointment which is available again because the person who bought it cannot use it 쑗 If we have a cancellation for next week I’ll call and let you know. ② cancer / knsə/ noun a serious disease in which cells grow in a way which is not normal cane Cancer / knsə/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like a crab, covering the period 22nd June to 22nd July cancerous / knsərəs/ adj referring to cancer candid / kndd/ adj (of a person) direct or open, saying exactly what you think or feel. Synonym frank. Antonym guarded 왍 to be candid about something to be open about something 쑗 He’s quite candid about his ambition to be president. 왍 to be candid to say exactly what you think or feel 쑗 To be candid, I don’t like his novels at all. candidacy / knddəsi/ noun the state of being a candidate ② candidate / knddet/ noun 1. a person who applies for a job 쑗 There are six candidates for the post of assistant manager. 쑗 We have asked three candidates to come for an interview. 2. a person who is standing for election 쑗 She accompanied the candidate round the constituency. 3. a person who has entered for an examination 쑗 All candidates should answer three questions. 쑗 Candidates are given three hours to complete the exam. candidature / knddətʃə/ noun the act of standing as a candidate candidly / knddli/ adv in a candid way ③ candle / knd(ə)l/ noun a stick of wax with a wick in the centre, which you light to make a flame. Synonym taper 왍 to burn the candle at both ends to work hard during the day and enjoy yourself late into the night candlelight / kndllat/ noun the light given by candles candlelit / knd(ə)llt/ adj lit by candles candlestick / knd(ə)lstk/ noun a holder for a candle can-do / kn du / adj keen to take on a job or challenge and confident of success candour / kndə/ noun the personal quality of being open and honest in your behaviour towards other people (NOTE: The US spelling is candor.) ③ candy / kndi/ noun US 1. a sweet food, made with sugar 쑗 a box of candies 쑗 Eating candy is bad for your teeth. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. one piece of this food 쑗 She bought a box of candies. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is candies. The British term is sweets.) candyfloss / kndiflɒs/ noun thin pieces of cooked sugar which are spun in a drum and sold as a mass attached to a stick (NOTE: The US term is cotton candy. No plural.) cane /ken/ noun 1. a strong stem of a plant, especially of tall thin plants like bamboo 쑗 a field of sugar cane 2. a walking stick cut from the stem of a plant 쑗 She was leaning heavily on a cane as she walked up the canine 109 path. 3. an occasion when someone is beaten with a stick 쑗 He often had the cane when he was at school. 쐽 verb to beat someone with a stick as a punishment 쑗 He was often caned when he was at school. canine / kenan/ adj referring to dogs 쑗 Dogs should be vaccinated against various canine illnesses. 쐽 noun a dog (humorous) canine tooth / kenan tu θ/, canine / kenan/ noun one of the round pointed teeth at the front of the mouth canister / knstə/ noun a round metal container for gas, etc. canker / kŋkə/ noun a disease which eats into the wood of trees cannabis / knəbs/ noun 1. a plant from whose leaves or flowers an addictive drug is produced 쑗 Someone told the police that he was growing cannabis plants on his balcony. 쏡 hemp 2. marijuana, an addictive drug made from the dried leaves or flowers of this plant 쑗 In some countries, the sale of cannabis has been legalised. canned /knd/ adj preserved in a tin or can canned music /knd mju zk/ noun recorded music cannelloni /knə ləυni/ noun a type of pasta with a meat or vegetable filling cannibal / knb(ə)l/ noun a person who eats people cannibalise / knbəlaz/, cannibalize verb to take pieces of old machines to repair another machine cannon / knən/ noun 1. a large gun 쑗 The sailors hauled a huge cannon across the ship’s deck. 2. a gun in an aircraft 쑗 The old Spitfire had eight cannon in its wings. (NOTE: The plural is cannon or sometimes cannons.) 쐽 verb 왍 to cannon into someone or something to knock against someone or something 쑗 The little boy rushed out of the sweet shop and cannoned straight into a policeman. ① cannot / knɒt/ 쒁 can ③ canoe /kə nu / noun a boat with two pointed ends, which is moved forward by one or more people using long pieces of wood 쑗 She paddled her canoe across the lake. 쐽 verb to travel in a canoe 쑗 They canoed down the river. canoeing /kə nu ŋ/ noun the sport of going in a canoe canon / knən/ noun 1. a religious rule or instructions 2. a priest who works in a cathedral 쑗 What are the special duties of a canon? canonisation /knəna zeʃ(ə)n/, canonization noun the act of officially stating that someone is a holy person canyon ③ can opener / kn əυp(ə)nə/ noun a tool for opening cans (NOTE: The British term is tin opener.) canopy / knəpi/ noun 1. a cloth cover or light roof over a small area such as a door, window or bed 쑗 The porch is covered with a glass canopy. 쑗 The Queen’s bedroom is furnished with a 17th century canopy bed. 2. the top parts of a group of trees when considered as a single mass 쑗 The trees join to form a canopy over the terrace of the restaurant. (NOTE: The plural is canopies.) cant /knt/ noun insincere language, especially about religion ① can’t /kɑ nt/ 쒁 can cantaloupe / kntəlu p/ noun a type of melon with pink flesh cantankerous /kn tŋk(ə)rəs/ adj behaving in a way which is extremely unfriendly and unpleasant. Synonym grumpy cantata /kn tɑ tə/ noun a musical piece for several singers and orchestra, usually on a religious subject ③ canteen /kn ti n/ noun 1. a self-service restaurant for the people who work in a building such as an office block or factory 쑗 The food in the office canteen is awful, I prefer to bring my own sandwiches. 2. a box containing knives, forks and spoons 쑗 As a wedding present they were given a canteen of silver. 3. a bottle for carrying water 쑗 This is the canteen used by my grandfather during World War I. canter / kntə/ noun the movement of a horse when it runs fairly fast 쑗 The horses were going through the park at a canter. Synonym trot 왍 to win at a canter to win easily (informal ) 쐽 verb to move at a canter 쑗 My horse doesn’t like cantering, it prefers to gallop. cantilever / kntli və/ noun a support which holds up a structure such as a bridge or balcony canto / kntəυ/ noun one section of a long poem. Synonym stanza (NOTE: The plural is . cantos.) canvas / knvəs/ noun 1. a thick cloth for making things such as tents or sails 쑗 He was wearing a pair of old canvas shoes. 2. a painting 쑗 three canvases by Picasso (NOTE: The plural is canvases. Do not confuse with canvass.) canvass / knvəs/ verb to visit people to ask them to buy goods or to vote or to say what they think (NOTE: Do not confuse with canvas.) canvasser / knvəsə/ noun a person who canvasses canyon / knjən/ noun a deep valley with steep sides usually in North America. Synonym ravine cap 110 cap /kp/ noun 1. a flat hat with a flat hard piece in front 쑗 The bus driver was wearing an old black cap. 쑗 An officer’s cap with a gold badge. 왍 England cap a cap worn by a sports player who has played for England in an international match 2. a top which covers something 쑗 Screw the cap back on the medicine bottle. 쑗 A red pen with a black cap. 3. an upper limit on the amount of money that can be spent or asked for 쐽 verb 1. to place an upper limit on something 쑗 to cap a local authority’s budget 2. to name someone to play for his country in an international match 쑗 He has been capped five times for Wales. 3. to put a cap on top of something; to fix a cover on something 쑗 They tried to cap the broken pipe. (NOTE: ② capping – capped) ③ capability /kepə blti/ noun being able to do something. Synonym ability 왍 be- yond your capabilities too difficult for you to do 쑗 I’m afraid this job is way beyond my capabilities. ② capable / kepəb(ə)l/ adj able to work well and to deal with problems 쑗 She’s an extremely capable secretary. 왍 capable of able to do something 쑗 The car is capable of very high speeds. 쑗 She isn’t capable of running the department on her own. capably / kepəbli/ adv in a capable way capacious /kə peʃəs/ adj very large, which can hold a lot capacitor /kə pstə/ noun the part of a piece of electronic equipment which stores an electrical charge ② capacity /kə psti/ noun 1. an amount which something can hold 쑗 This barrel has a larger capacity than that one. 쑗 The cinema was filled to capacity. 왍 capacity audience, capacity crowd an audience which fills a building such as a cinema or theatre 왍 to work at full capacity to do as much work as possible 2. 왍 engine capacity the output of an engine or electric motor 3. an ability to do something easily 쑗 He has a capacity for making friends with anyone he meets. 4. a position 왍 acting in his capacity as manager acting as a manager 왍 speaking in an official capacity speaking officially cape /kep/ noun 1. a long loose piece of clothing like a coat but without sleeves 쑗 She wrapped her cape more tightly around her. 2. a piece of high land which sticks out into the sea 쑗 We rounded the cape on June 21st at 8 a.m. caper / kepə/ noun a small green seed used in cooking 쑗 Cook the fish with butter and capers. 쐽 verb 왍 to caper about to jump about 쑗 The children capered about all over the stage. capsule capillary /kə pləri/ noun one of the very small tubes in the body which carry blood and other substances around the body capitalise / kpt(ə)laz/, capitalize verb 1. to write or print in capital letters or with a capital letter at the beginning of a word 2. to provide the money needed to operate a business capitalise on / kpt(ə)laz ɒn/ verb to take advantage of something capitalism / kpt(ə)lz(ə)m/ noun an economic system in which industries and businesses are owned by people or companies and not by the state capitalist / kpt(ə)lst/ noun 1. a person who supports the theory of capitalism 쑗 Capitalists are in favour of free enterprise. 2. a businessman who invests money in a business 쑗 He’s a young capitalist who is only twenty-one, but on the way to becoming a millionaire. 쐽 adj working according to the principles of capitalism 쑗 a capitalist economy 쑗 the capitalist system. capital outlay /kpt(ə)l aυtle/ noun money spent on fixed assets such as property or furniture capital punishment /kpt(ə)l pnʃmənt/ noun the act of killing someone as a punishment for a crime Capitol / kpt(ə)l/ noun a building in Washington where the US Senate and House of Representatives meet (NOTE: Do not confuse with capital.) Capitol Hill /kpt(ə)l hl/ noun the hill on which the Capitol stands, used to mean the US Legislature (informal ) capitulate /kə ptjυlet/ verb to say that you have lost in a situation such as a competition or a war. Synonym surrender capitulation /kəptjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of capitulating. Synonym surrender capping, capped / kpŋ, kpt/ 쒁 cap cappucino /kpυ tʃi nəυ/ noun an Italian coffee, with hot whipped milk and chocolate on top capricious /kə prʃəs/ adj not fixed or certain, likely to change. Synonym unpredictable. Antonym predictable Capricorn / kprkɔ n/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like a goat, covering the period 22nd December to 19th January capsize /kp saz/ verb (of boats) to overturn. Antonym right capstan / kpstən/ noun a machine, usually on a ship, which turns to pull in a rope or anchor capsule / kpsju l/ noun a small tube made from a substance that can be eaten and containing a medicine 쑗 She swallowed three capsules of painkiller. . Capt. 111 Capt. abbr captain (NOTE: used before a surname: Capt. Smith) ③ captain / kptn/ noun 1. a person in charge of a team 쑗 the England captain 쑗 The two captains shook hands at the beginning of the match. 2. a person in charge of a ship or of an aircraft 쑗 Go and see the captain if you want to use the radio phone. 쑗 Captain Smith is flying the plane. 3. a rank in the army above a lieutenant and below a major 쑗 A lieutenant has to report to his captain. (NOTE: also used as a title before a surname; often shortened to Capt.) 쐽 verb to be the captain of a team 쑗 He has captained England three times. captaincy / kptnsi/ noun 1. the position of being captain of a sports team 쑗 Because of the scandal, I don’t think he will get the England captaincy. 2. the rank of captain in the army or navy 쑗 Although he had twenty years of service, he never got his captaincy. caption / kpʃən/ noun a phrase printed under a picture captivate / kptvet/ verb to attract someone’s interest and attention captivating / kptvetŋ/ adj attracting and holding somebody’s attention captive / kptv/ noun a prisoner 쑗 The two captives were kept in total darkness for hours. 쐽 adj 왍 held captive held as a prisoner 왍 to take someone captive to take someone prisoner 쑗 They were held captive by the rebels for three months. captive audience /kptv ɔ diəns/ noun a group of people who have to listen to what someone is saying because they cannot leave captivity /kp tvti/ noun the situation of being kept in a place and not allowed to leave (NOTE: no plural) captor / kptə/ noun a person who captures someone capture / kptʃə/ noun being captured We must do everything to avoid capture. Synonym imprisonment 쐽 verb 1. to take someone or something as a prisoner 쑗 Four soldiers were captured in the attack. 쑗 They captured the enemy capital very quickly. 2. to take a share of sales from another company 쑗 They have captured 10% of the market. 3. to record something on film 쑗 The arrival of the train was captured on film. ① car /kɑ / noun 1. a small private motor vehicle for carrying people 쑗 She’s bought a new car. 쑗 My car was stolen while I was shopping. 쑗 He drove his car into the garage. 쑗 He goes to his office every morning by car. 2. US a carriage of a railway train 쑗 Is there a restaurant car on the train? carafe /kə rf/ noun a glass container, for serving wine or water ③ 쑗 card caramel / krəməl/ noun 1. a sweet made with sugar and butter 쑗 I’m a dentist, and I don’t like seeing children eating caramel. 2. burnt sugar 쑗 You can make caramel by heating sugar until it melts and burns. carat / krət/ noun 1. a measure of the quality of gold. Pure gold is 24 carats. 쑗 a 22-carat gold ring 2. a measure of the weight of precious stones 쑗 a 5-carat diamond (NOTE: Another US spelling is karat.) caravan / krəvn/ noun 1. a vehicle which you can live in, e.g. on holiday, and which can be attached to a car and pulled along 쑗 We got stuck behind a caravan on a narrow mountain road. 쑗 We rent a caravan in a caravan park. (NOTE: The US term is trailer or mobile home.) 2. a group of animals or vehicles travelling together, one behind the other 쑗 A caravan of camels crossing the desert. 쑗 We joined a caravan of lorries going to Romania. ③ carbohydrate /kɑ bəυ hadret/ noun a chemical substance containing carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, found in particular in sugar, potatoes and bread; it provides the body with energy carbon / kɑ bən/ noun a substance found in charcoal, soot or diamonds carbonated / kɑ bənetd/ adv (of a drink) containing small bubbles of air carbon copy /kɑ bən kɒpi/ noun 1. someone or something that is very similar to another person or thing 2. a copy made with carbon paper carbon emissions /kɑ bən  mʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun the carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide produced by motor vehicles and industrial processes carbon paper / kɑ bən pepə/ noun paper with a black substance on one side, used for making copies car boot sale / kɑ bυt sel/ noun an event organised in a large car park or sports field, where people bring things to sell in their cars carburettor /kɑ bə retə/ noun a part in a car engine which mixes fuel with air before it is put into the engine (NOTE: The US spelling is carburetor.) carcinogen /kɑ snədȢən/ noun a sub- stance which produces cancer carcinogenic /kɑ snə dȢenk/ adj which produces cancer ① card /kɑ d/ noun 1. a flat piece of stiff paper with a picture on one side, which you can send with a message 쑗 They sent us a card from Italy. 쑗 How much does it cost to send a card to Australia? 쏡 postcard 2. a piece of stiff paper, folded so that a message can be written inside 3. a piece of stiff paper with a picture or pattern on it, used to play cardboard 112 games 왍 to put your cards on the table to reveal what you intend to do 왍 to play your cards close to your chest not to reveal what you intend to do 왍 on the cards fairly likely to happen 4. a piece of stiff paper with your name and address printed on it 쑗 He gave me his business card. 5. a piece of stiff plastic used for payment 쑗 Do you want to pay cash or with a card? 왍 credit card a plastic card which allows you to buy goods without paying for them immediately 쑗 He paid for the hotel with his credit card. cardboard / kɑ dbɔ d/ noun thick card (NOTE: no plural: some cardboard, a piece of cardboard) cardiac / kɑ dik/ adj referring to the heart cardiac arrest /kɑ dik ə rest/ noun a serious medical condition in which the heart muscle stops working cardigan / kɑ dDZən/ noun a woollen jacket which buttons at the front cardinal / kɑ dnl/ adj very important 쑗 Her attendance at the meeting is of cardinal importance. 쐽 noun 1. one of the most important priests in the Catholic church, after the Pope 쑗 The cardinals meet in Rome to elect the Pope. 쑗 Cardinal Lamont has written an article in today’s paper. (NOTE: also used as a title before a surname: Cardinal Wolsey) 2. a bright red bird, which comes from the southern USA card index / kɑ d ndeks/ noun a series of cards with information written on them, kept in a special order so that the information can be found easily 왍 card-index file information kept on cards 쐽 verb to put information onto a card index cardiology /kɑ di ɒlədȢi/ noun the study of the heart and its diseases cardiovascular /kɑ diəυ vskjυlə/ adj referring to the heart and the movement of blood around the body 왍 the cardiovascular system the heart and the blood system 왍 cardiovascular disease a disease which affects the heart and the blood system 쑗 a cardiovascular disease such as hypertension card table / kɑ d teb(ə)l/ noun a usually square, folding table used to play cards ① care /keə/ noun 1. serious attention 쑗 He handled the glass with great care. 왍 to take care to be very careful 쑗 Take care when you cross the road. 쑗 He took great care with the box of glasses. 쑗 Take care not to be late. 2. 왍 care of (on a letter ) words to show that the person is living at the address, but only as a visitor 왍 Mr Brown, care of Mrs Green to Mr Brown at the address of Mrs Green 3. looking after someone 쑗 the care of the elderly 왍 to take care of someone to look after someone 쑗 Will you take care of mother while I’m away? 쐽 verb to be worried 쑗 I . cargo pants don’t care if my car is dirty. 쑗 She cares a lot about the environment. 왍 he couldn’t care less does not worry at all about something ② career /kə rə/ noun a life of professional work 쑗 She is starting her career as a librarian. 쑗 He gave up his career as a civil servant and bought a farm. 쐽 verb to move forward very fast and out of control 쑗 The car careered off the road into a ditch. career woman /kə rə wυmən/, career girl /kə rə DZ" l/ noun a woman who is working and does not plan to stop working to look after the house or children ① care for / keə fɔ / verb 1. to like 쑗 Would you care for another cup of coffee? 쑗 I don’t care for this music very much. 2. to look after 쑗 Nurses cared for the injured people after the accident. 쑗 People who have to care for their elderly relatives should get a grant from the state. carefree / keəfri / adj without any worries ① careful / keəf(ə)l/ adj taking care 쑗 Be careful not to make any noise, the baby is asleep. 쑗 Be careful when you’re packing those glasses, they’re very valuable! 쑗 She is very careful about what she eats. 쑗 The project needs very careful planning. ① carefully / keəf(ə)li/ adv with great care ② careless / keələs/ adj without taking care 쑗 He is careless about his work. 쑗 He made several careless mistakes when he took his driving test. carelessly / keələsli/ adv without taking care carelessness / keələsnəs/ noun the fact of being careless, not being careful carer / keərə/ noun someone who looks after an old or sick person or children caress /kə res/ noun a gentle touch 쑗 The child touched my cheek in a gentle caress. (NOTE: The plural is caresses.) 쐽 verb to touch gently 쑗 She gently caressed the baby’s head. Synonym stroke caretaker / keətekə/ noun a person who looks after a building 쑗 Go and ask the caretaker to put a new light bulb on the staircase. (NOTE: The US term is janitor.) caretaker government /keətekə DZv(ə)nmənt/ noun a government which runs a country temporarily until another one is elected car ferry / kɑ feri/ noun a boat which carries vehicles and passengers from one place to another cargo / kɑ DZəυ/ noun goods carried, especially on a ship 왍 cargo boat, cargo ship, cargo plane a ship or plane which carries only cargo and not passengers cargo pants / kɑ DZəυ pnts/ plural noun trousers with large pockets on the sides of the legs caricature 113 caricature / krkətjυə/ noun a funny drawing or description which exaggerates a person’s appearance 쑗 He drew a caricature of the Prime Minister. 쑗 Her description of the office is nothing less than a caricature of the system. 쐽 verb to draw a caricature of someone 쑗 The Prime Minister is easy to caricature. caries / keəri z/ noun a decayed place in a tooth or other bone (NOTE: The plural is caries.) caring / keərŋ/ adj loving and helping. Synonym kind carjacking / kɑ dȢkŋ/ noun the crime of attacking the driver of a car and stealing the car carnage / kɑ ndȢ/ noun a situation in which many people are killed. Synonym kill③ ing (NOTE: no plural) carnal / kɑ n(ə)l/ adj referring to the body (formal ). Synonym physical. Antonym spiritual carnation /kɑ neʃ(ə)n/ noun a red, pink . or white flower with a strong pleasant smell carnival / kɑ nv(ə)l/ noun a festival, often with music, dancing and eating in the open air carnivore / kɑ nvɔ / noun an animal which eats meat carnivorous /kɑ nv(ə)rəs/ adj meat-eating carol / krəl/ noun a traditional song, especially one sung at Christmas 쐽 verb to sing Christmas carols 쑗 In the week before Christmas we go carolling round the villages. (NOTE: carolling – carolled but the US spelling is caroling – caroled) carouse /kə raυz/ verb to enjoy yourself drinking alcohol (literary) carousel /krə sel/ noun 1. a circular ma- chine from which passengers collect their bags at an airport 쑗 Baggage from flight AC1 is on carousel number three. 2. US a roundabout (NOTE: The British term is merry-go-round.) carp /kɑ p/ noun a type of fish which you can eat 쑗 You can catch carp in this lake. (NOTE: The plural is carp.) 쐽 verb to keep on finding fault with things 쑗 My brother’s always carping about the office. 쑗 Stop carping and get on with your work! Synonym complain ① car park / kɑ pɑ k/ noun a special public place where you can leave a car when you are not using it (NOTE: The US term is park- ing lot.) carpenter / kɑ pntə/ noun a person who works with wood, especially in building (NOTE: Informally, a carpenter is called a chippy.) carry carpentry / kɑ pntri/ noun the art of working with wood. Synonym joinery (NOTE: no plural) ③ carpet / kɑ pt/ noun a thick material for covering the floor 쑗 He spilt his coffee on our new white dining-room carpet. 쐽 verb 1. to cover with a carpet 쑗 a thickly carpeted hotel room 2. to cover with something as if with a carpet 쑗 The path through the woods is carpeted with wild flowers. 쑗 We woke up to find the street carpeted with snow. carpetbagger / kɑ ptbDZə/ noun 1. a person who opens an account with a building society, hoping that it will change to a public company and so give him money or shares 2. a politician who tries to get elected in a part of the country which is not his home carpet-bomb / kɑ pt bɒm/ verb to destroy an area by dropping very many bombs on it carpeted / kɑ ptd/ adj covered with a carpet carpeting / kɑ ptŋ/ noun 1. covering with a carpet 쑗 We have been quoted £2000 for the carpeting of the office. 2. a wide piece of carpet 쑗 We bought a length of carpeting to cover the bedroom floor. car pool / kɑ pu l/ noun an arrangement where several people share cars carport / kɑ pɔ t/ noun a shelter for a car, built next to a house ③ carriage / krdȢ/ noun 1. the cost of carrying goods, or the action of carrying goods 쑗 Carriage is 15% of the total cost. 쑗 How much do they charge for carriage? 2. a way of walking carriageway / krdȢwe/ noun the surface of the road on which traffic moves carried / krd/, carries / kriz/ 쒁 carry carrier / kriə/ noun 1. a thing or person that carries 쑗 A procession of water carriers with jars on their heads. 2. a person who carries the germ of a disease without showing any signs of it, and who can infect others with it 쑗 a hepatitis carrier 쑗 Hepatitis A is transmitted by a carrier through food or drink. carrier bag / kriə bDZ/ noun a large paper or plastic bag with handles, for carrying shopping, often given by a shop, with the shop’s name on it carrion / kriən/ noun the decaying flesh of dead animals (NOTE: no plural) carrot / krət/ noun a vegetable with a long orange root which can be eaten ① carry / kri/ verb 1. to take something and move it to another place 쑗 There was no lift, so they had to carry the beds up the stairs. 쑗 The plane was carrying 120 passengers. 쑗 That suitcase is too heavy for me to carry. 2. to vote to approve 왍 the motion carry away 114 was carried the proposal was accepted after a vote 쑗 Her proposal was not carried. 3. to have available for customers to buy 쑗 A supermarket will carry about 5,000 different lines of goods. 4. (of sound ) to be heard at a distance 쑗 The sound of the bells carries for miles. carry away /kri ə we/ verb 1. to take away 쑗 The flood carried away whole houses. 2. 왍 to get carried away become extremely emotional or excited carrycot / krikɒt/ noun a small bed with handles for carrying a baby in carry forward /kri fɔ wəd/ verb (in book-keeping) to take an amount or total on to the next page or column ③ carry on /kri ɒn/ verb 1. to go on doing something 쑗 When the policeman came into the restaurant, they all carried on talking as if nothing had happened. 쑗 They carried on with their work even though the office was on fire. 2. to be very angry 쑗 He carried on like anything when he saw his car had been towed away. carry out /kri aυt/ verb to do something which has been planned. Synonym . accomplish carsick / kɑ sk/ adj feeling sick because of the movement of a motor vehicle carsickness / kɑ sknəs/ noun sickness caused by the movement of a motor vehicle ③ cart /kɑ t/ noun a vehicle pulled by a horse 쑗 A horse-drawn cart piled high with furniture. 왍 to put the cart before the horse to deal with things the wrong way round 쐽 verb to carry a bulky or heavy thing (informal ) 쑗 Why do we have to cart this folding bed around with us? 쑗 The police came and carted him off to jail. carte blanche /kɑ t blɑ ntʃ/ noun permission given to someone to do whatever he wants 쑗 We gave the architect carte blanche to design the bridge. 쑗 He has carte blanche to act on behalf of the government. cartel /kɑ tel/ noun a group of companies which try to fix the price of something cartilage / kɑ tldȢ/ noun the thick substance which lines the joints in your body or which forms part of the structure of an organ cartographer /kɑ tɒDZrəfə/ noun a person who draws maps cartography /kɑ tɒDZrəfi/ noun the art of drawing maps carton / kɑ t(ə)n/ noun a container made of cardboard. Synonym box ③ cartoon /kɑ tu n/ noun 1. a funny, often political, drawing in a newspaper 쑗 He draws a cartoon for the ‘Evening Standard’. 2. a film made of moving drawings 쑗 I like watching Tom and Jerry cartoons. . case cartoonist /kɑ tu nst/ noun a person who draws cartoons. Synonym artist cartridge / kɑ trdȢ/ noun 1. a tube packed with gunpowder and a bullet for firing from a gun 쑗 The ground was littered with empty cartridges. 2. a flat box containing a disk or tape 쑗 The handheld computer has no disk drive but instead uses a ROM cartridge. 3. the part of a record player which holds the stylus 쑗 A new cartridge for this record player will be quite expensive. 4. a tube of ink which fits into a pen 쑗 Most pens are now made to use ink cartridges. cartridge paper / kɑ trdȢ pepə/ noun good quality paper for drawing or printing cartwheel / kɑ twi l/ noun 1. a wheel of a cart 쑗 There are deep ruts in the mud left by cartwheels. 2. 왍 to turn cartwheels to turn over and over sideways, putting your hands on the ground and moving your legs through the air until your feet touch the ground carve /kɑ v/ verb 1. to cut up a large piece of meat at a meal 쑗 Who’s going to carve? 쑗 Father sat at the end of the table, carving a chicken. 2. to cut stone or wood to make a shape 쑗 He carved a bird out of wood. 쑗 Chips of stone flew all over the studio as he was carving the statue. carving / kɑ vŋ/ noun 1. the act of cutting up cooked meat 2. the art of cutting stone or wood into shapes 쑗 Stone carving is an option at art school. 3. an object which has been made by carving 쑗 He gave me a wood carving for my birthday. 쑗 The stone carvings in the old church date from the 15th century. carving knife / kɑ vŋ naf/ noun a large sharp knife, used for carving meat car wash / kɑ wɒʃ/ noun a place where cars are washed automatically cascade /k sked/ noun a waterfall 쑗 There are plants and trees and even a cascade in the atrium of the hotel. 쐽 verb to fall in large quantities 쑗 Pale pink roses cascading down the brick wall. ① case /kes/ noun 1. a suitcase, a box with a handle, for carrying things such as your clothes when travelling 쑗 She was still packing her case when the taxi came. 쑗 The customs made him open his case. 2. a special box for something 쑗 Put the gun back in its case. 쑗 I’ve lost my red spectacle case. 3. a large wooden box for goods 쑗 He bought a case of wine. 4. a situation, or a way in which something happens 쑗 Your case is very similar to mine. 쑗 It was a case of first come, first served. 왍 in case because something might happen 쑗 It’s still sunny, but I’ll take my umbrella just in case. 왍 in any case anyway, whatever may happen 왍 in case of fire, break the glass if there is a fire, break the glass 왍 in that case if that happens or if that casement 115 is the situation 쑗 There is a strike on the underground – in that case, you’ll have to take a bus. 5. 왍 court case a legal action or trial 왍 the case is being heard next week the case is coming to court next week casement / kesmənt/ noun a window that opens on hinges case study / kes std/ noun the study of a certain group or institution or person over a long period of time ① cash /kʃ/ noun money in coins and notes, not in cheques 쑗 We don’t keep much cash in the house. 쑗 I’d prefer to use up my spare cash, rather than pay with a credit card. 쐽 verb 왍 to cash a cheque to change a cheque into cash 쑗 He tried to cash a cheque for seven hundred pounds. cash and carry /kʃ ən kri/ noun a discount warehouse, selling items to the general public cashback / kʃbk/ noun money from your bank account which you can get from a shop when you use your bank card to pay for goods cash card / kʃ kɑ d/ noun a plastic card used to obtain money from a cash dispenser cash crop / kʃ krɒp/ noun a crop grown for sale ③ cash desk / kʃ desk/ noun a place in a store where you pay for the goods you are buying cash dispenser / kʃ dspensə/ noun a machine which gives out money when a special card is put in and instructions given cashew / kʃu / noun a type of nut which you can eat ③ cash flow / kʃ fləυ/ noun the rate at which money comes into and is paid out of a business 왍 the company is suffering from cash flow problems cash income is not coming in fast enough to pay the cash expenditure going out cashier /k ʃə/ noun a person who deals with money , e.g. in a bank or supermarket 쑗 Please pay the cashier. 쑗 Ask the cashier if she can give you change. 쐽 verb to force an officer to leave the armed forces 쑗 He was cashiered after he was found to have stolen money from other officers. cash in on /kʃ n ɒn/ verb to profit from cash machine / kʃ məʃi n/ noun same as cash dispenser cashmere / kʃmə/ noun a soft wool that comes from goats 쑗 Cashmere is soft, light and very warm. 쐽 adj made of cashmere wool 쑗 The price of cashmere jumpers has soared. cash on delivery /kʃ ɒn d lv(ə)ri/ noun payment in cash when goods are delivered. Abbr COD cast cashpoint / kʃpɔnt/ noun a place where there are cash dispensers (NOTE: The US term is automated teller machine or ATM.) cash register / kʃ redȢstə/ noun a machine which shows and adds the prices of things bought in a shop, with a drawer for keeping the money received casing / kesŋ/ noun a hard covering which protects something casino /kə si nəυ/ noun a building where you can gamble (NOTE: The plural is casinos.) cask /kɑ sk/ noun a large round container for storing liquid. Synonym barrel ③ casket / kɑ skt/ noun 1. a box for keep- ing jewels in 쑗 The thief stole a casket from beside her bed. 2. mainly US a long wooden box in which a dead person is buried or cremated (NOTE: The British term is coffin.) cassava /kə sɑ və/ noun a tropical plant, grown for its roots which are made into tapioca casserole / ksərəυl/ noun 1. a covered dish used for cooking food in the oven 2. food cooked in a covered dish in the oven 쑗 chicken casserole 쑗 casserole of lamb 쐽 verb to cook in a casserole 쑗 casseroled hare Synonym braise cassette /kə set/ noun 1. a magnetic tape in a plastic case which can fit directly into a playing or recording machine 쑗 Do you want it on cassette or CD? 쑗 He bought a cassette of folk songs. 2. a film in a plastic case which fits directly into a camera 쑗 She quickly put a new cassette into her camera. 쏡 videocassette cassette player /kə set pleə/ noun a machine which plays cassettes cassette recorder /kə set rkɔ də/ noun a machine which records and plays back cassettes cassock / ksək/ noun a long loose piece of clothing usually black, e.g. worn by priests or choirboys ③ cast /kɑ st/ noun all the actors in a play or film 쑗 The film has an all-star cast. 쑗 After the first night the cast went to celebrate in a restaurant. 쐽 verb 1. to make a metal or plaster object from a shaped container 쑗 He cast the statue in bronze. 2. to choose actors for a play or film 쑗 He was cast as a soldier in ‘Henry V’. 3. 왍 to cast a vote to vote 쑗 The process of counting all the votes cast in the election has just begun. 4. to throw 쑗 He has cast aside all his old acquaintances. 왍 to cast about for to look for 쑗 They hurriedly cast about for an excuse. 왍 to cast doubts on to be unsure about 쑗 He cast doubts on the whole proposal. 왍 to cast light on something to make something easier to under- castaway 116 stand 쑗 The papers cast some light on how the minister reached his decision. castaway / kɑ stəwe/ noun a person who has been shipwrecked caste /kɑ st/ noun (in Hindu society) a group of people who are born with the same social status. Synonym class caster sugar / kɑ stə ʃυDZə/ noun a white sugar which is used in making cakes castigate / kstDZet/ verb to punish, to criticise someone strongly (formal ). Synonym criticise. Antonym praise casting vote /kɑ stŋ vəυt/ noun a vote used by the person in charge of a meeting in a case where the votes for and against a proposal are equal cast iron /kɑ st aən/ noun 1. iron which is shaped in a mould, not bent, and so breaks easily 쑗 The pipes are made from cast iron, and are very solid. 쑗 Don’t let the cast-iron pan soak in water as it will rust. Compare wrought iron 2. 왍 cast-iron excuse a very good excuse, one that cannot be turned down 쑗 He has a cast-iron excuse and won’t get into trouble with the authorities. ③ castle / kɑ s(ə)l/ noun 1. a large building with strong walls 쑗 The Queen is spending the week at Windsor Castle. 쑗 The soldiers shut the castle gate. 쏡 sand castle 2. one of two pieces used in chess, shaped like a little castle tower 쑗 She took my last castle. Also called rook cast off /kɑ st ɒf/ verb 1. to untie the ropes holding a boat 쑗 The boat is ready to cast off. 2. (in knitting) to remove the stitches from the needles so that your work is finished 쑗 The scarf is long enough, all you have to do is to cast off. castor / kɑ stə/ noun a wheel screwed on to the bottom of a piece of furniture so that it can be moved easily castor oil /kɑ stər ɔl/ noun the oil from a palm tree, which is sometimes used in medicines castor sugar / kɑ stə ʃυDZə/ 쒁 caster . sugar castrate /k stret/ verb to remove the testicles from a male animal. Synonym neuter castration /k streʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of castrating casual / kȢuəl/ adj not formal casual labour /kȢuəl lebə/ noun temporary workers casually / kȢuəli/ adv in an informal way casualty / kȢuəlti/ noun 1. a person injured or killed in a battle or in an accident 쑗 Casualties were taken to hospital by ambulance and helicopter. 쑗 The radio reported that there had been heavy casualties. 2. the Accident and Emergency department in a catarrh hospital 쑗 The accident victim was rushed into casualty. casual work / kȢuəl w" k/ noun work for which people are employed just for a short period ① cat /kt/ noun an animal with soft fur and a long tail, kept as a pet 쑗 She asked her neighbours to feed her cat when she went on holiday. 쑗 Don’t forget to get some tins of cat food. 왍 to let the cat out of the bag to tell a secret (informal ) cataclysm / ktəklz(ə)m/ noun a sudden event which causes a lot of damage or violence. Synonym catastrophe cataclysmic /ktə klzmk/ adj suddenly causing a lot of damage or difficulty. Synonym catastrophic ③ catalogue / kt(ə)lɒDZ/ noun a list of things for sale or in a library or museum 쑗 an office equipment catalogue 쑗 Look up the title in the library catalogue. 쐽 verb to make a list of things that exist somewhere 쑗 She spent months cataloguing the novelist’s correspondence. (NOTE: [all senses] The US . spelling is catalog.) catalyst / ktəlst/ noun 1. a substance which produces or helps a chemical process without itself changing 쑗 An enzyme that acts as a catalyst in the digestive process. 2. anything which helps something to take place 쑗 She wasn’t responsible for the decision herself, but she reckons she acted as a catalyst. catalytic converter /ktəltk kənv" tə/ noun an object put on the exhaust pipe of a motor vehicle to reduce the amount of carbon monoxide that comes out catamaran /ktəmə rn/ noun a boat with two parallel hulls catapult / ktəplt/ noun a weapon consisting of a piece of strong material which can stretch attached to a stick shaped like the letter ‘Y’ , used for sending stones through the air 쑗 He tried to kill birds with his catapult. 쐽 verb 1. to send someone or something into the air suddenly and with a lot of force 쑗 The cyclist was hit by a bus and catapulted to the other side of the road. 2. to put someone into a new position quickly 쑗 Their team was catapulted to the top of the tennis league. cataract / ktərkt/ noun 1. a waterfall on a river 쑗 the cataracts on the Nile 2. a medical condition where the lens of the eye gradually becomes covered with a white layer and you lose the ability to see 쑗 He has developed a cataract in his right eye. 쑗 The operation to remove the cataract went smoothly. catarrh /kə tɑ / noun a medical condition which affects the inside of the nose and throat, producing a thick liquid substance. Synonym mucus catastrophe 117 ③ catastrophe /kə tstrəfi/ noun a sudden violent or harmful event. Synonym disaster catastrophic /ktə strɒfk/ adj disastrous. Antonym fortunate ① catch /ktʃ/ noun 1. an amount of fish which has been taken at one time 쑗 The boat brought back a huge catch of fish. 2. the action of taking and holding a ball as it moves through the air 쑗 He made a marvellous catch. 쑗 The wicket-keeper dropped an easy catch. 3. a hidden disadvantage 쑗 It seems such a good deal, there must be a catch in it somewhere. 4. a little hook which is part of the fastening on a door (NOTE: The plural is catches.) 쐽 verb 1. to take hold of something moving in the air 쑗 Can you catch a ball with your left hand? 쑗 When he knocked a glass off the table he managed to catch it before it hit the floor. 2. to take hold of something 쑗 She caught him by the sleeve as he turned away. 쑗 As he slipped, he caught the handrail to stop himself falling. 왍 to catch someone’s eye to look at someone who is looking at you 쑗 She caught his eye and nodded towards the door. 3. to get hold of an animal, especially to kill it 쑗 He sat by the river all day but didn’t catch anything. 쑗 Our cat is no good at catching mice: she’s too lazy. 4. to get on a vehicle such as a bus, plane or train before it leaves 쑗 You will have to run if you want to catch the last bus. 쑗 He caught the 10 o’clock train to Paris. 5. to get an illness 쑗 He caught a cold from standing watching the rugby match. 쑗 The baby has caught measles. 6. to find someone doing something wrong 쑗 She caught the boys stealing in her shop. 쑗 The police caught the burglar as he was climbing out of the window. 7. to arrest someone 쑗 After months of searching, the police finally caught the gang. 쏡 red-handed 8. to hear 쑗 I didn’t quite catch what you said. (NOTE: catching – caught /kɔ t/ – has caught) catch 22 /ktʃ twenti tu / noun a circle of events which you cannot escape from catch-all / ktʃ ɔ l/ noun something that covers a wide range of possibilities, meanings, ideas or situations catching / ktʃŋ/ adj (of an illness or an emotion such as fear ) which can spread from another person. Synonym contagious catchment area / ktʃmənt eəriə/ noun 1. land from which a river gets its water 2. an area round a school from which all students must come 쑗 We are moving to be in the catchment area of a good school. catch on /ktʃ ɒn/ verb 1. to understand 쑗 She caught on very quickly. 2. to become fashionable 쑗 I don’t see silver hair catching on here. . catholic catch phrase / ktʃ frez/ noun a popular phrase, usually connected with an entertainer or advertisement catch up /ktʃ p/ verb to move to the same level as someone who is in front of you. Antonym fall behind catchy / ktʃi/ adj 왍 catchy tune a tune which is easy to remember 쑗 The ad has a catchy tune that everyone is humming. catechism / ktəkz(ə)m/ noun a book of religious instruction categoric /ktə DZɒrk/, categorical /ktə DZɒrk(ə)l/ adj direct or definite adv categorically /ktə DZɒrkli/ definitely categorise / ktDZəraz/, categorize verb to put into classes or categories. Synonym classify ② category / ktDZ(ə)ri/ noun a group into which things or people can be divided on the basis of similarities (NOTE: The plural is categories.) caterer / ketərə/ noun a person who sup- plies food and drink, e.g. at an event cater for / ketə fɔ / verb 1. to supply food and drink at an event such as a party or for a particular amount of people 쑗 Our firm caters for receptions of up to 250 guests. 2. to provide for 쑗 The college caters mainly for older students. 쑗 We cater for private individuals as well as for groups. ③ catering / ketərŋ/ noun the act or practice of supplying of food and drink ③ caterpillar / ktəplə/ noun a small long insect with many legs, which develops into a moth or butterfly 쑗 Caterpillars have eaten most of the leaves on our trees. caterpillar track / ktəplə trk/ trademark a continuous metal belt around the wheels of a large vehicle such as a tank catfish / ktfʃ/ noun a fish with long hairs around its mouth (NOTE: The plural is catfish.) catharsis /kə θɑ ss/ noun a situation or occasion in which you get rid of strong emotional feelings, e.g. through a particular experience ③ cathedral /kə θi drəl/ noun a large church which is the seat of a bishop catheter / kθtə/ noun a very thin tube which can be put into the body to remove fluid such as blood or urine cathode / kθəυd/ noun a negative electric pole through which electricity leaves a piece of electric equipment cathode ray tube /kθəυd re tju b/ noun a TV tube in which a cathode produces the image on the screen. Compare anode ③ catholic / kθ(ə)lk/ adj having an interest in or liking for many different things 쑗 His interests have always been quite catholic. Catholic 118 Catholic / kθ(ə)lk/ adj referring to the Roman Catholic Church 쐽 noun a member of the Roman Catholic Church Catholicism /kə θɒlsz(ə)m/ noun the religion of the Roman Catholic Church catkin / ktkn/ noun a long flower head which hangs down from the branches of certain types of tree, such as hazel and birch cattle / ktl/ plural noun animals such as cows and bulls which farmers keep for milk or meat cattle grid / ktl DZrd/ noun bars in a road which cattle cannot cross, but which people or vehicles can catty / kti/ adj making unpleasant remarks about someone. Synonym spiteful. Antonym kind catwalk / ktwɔ k/ noun 1. a long raised area down which models walk to show off clothes 쑗 The model on the catwalk gave a twirl of her skirt. 쑗 Fashion editors stared at the models on the catwalk. 2. an open metal structure for people to walk on, built along the outside of a ship or tall building 쑗 He stepped confidently onto the catwalk. Caucasian adj describes people whose skin is white 쐽 noun somebody who has white skin or who is of European origin caucus / kɔ kəs/ noun a group of people in a political party who are strong enough to influence policy (NOTE: The plural is caucuses.) ① caught /kɔ t/ 쒁 catch cauldron / kɔ ldrən/ noun a large deep pan for cooking (NOTE: The US spelling is caldron.) cauliflower / kɒliflaυə/ noun a vegetable with hard white flowers, which are eaten cooked (NOTE: no plural when referring to the food: some cauliflower; They served cauliflower with the meat.) causal / kɔ z(ə)l/ adj referring to a cause ① cause /kɔ z/ noun 1. a thing which makes something happen 쑗 What is the chief cause of traffic accidents? 쑗 The police tried to find the cause of the fire. 왍 died from natural causes having died from old age or illness, and not killed in an accident or crime 2. an organisation which people support 쑗 She is fighting for the cause of working mothers. 쐽 verb to make something happen 쑗 The accident caused a traffic jam on the motorway. 쑗 The sudden noise caused her to drop the cup she was carrying. Antonym impede causeway / kɔ zwe/ noun a road or path built up on a bank above wet ground or water. Synonym walkway caustic / kɔ stk/ adj 1. of a substance which can burn 쑗 This liquid is caustic and you should wear gloves when using it. 2. sharp or unkind remarks or jokes 쑗 His caus- cavity tic remarks didn’t go down well with his employees. caustic soda /kɔ stk səυdə/ noun sodium hydroxide, a compound of sodium and water used to make soap and to clear blocked drains caution / kɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. care 쑗 The steps are very slippery – please proceed with great caution. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a warning not to do something again 쑗 The magistrate let him off with a caution. 쐽 verb to warn 쑗 He was cautioned by the police. 쑗 The doctor cautioned him against working too hard. cautionary / kɔ ʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj which warns. Synonym warning cautionary tale /kɔ ʃ(ə)n(ə)ri tel/ noun 1. a story written as a warning 쑗 It’s a cautionary tale specially written to warn children not to talk to strangers. 2. something which provides a good example 쑗 The whole sequence of events is a cautionary tale about what not to do when letting your house. cautious / kɔ ʃəs/ adj careful, not taking risks. Antonym reckless cautiously / kɔ ʃəsli/ adv in a cautious way cavalcade /kv(ə)l ked/ noun a long line of people riding on horses. Synonym procession cavalier /kvə lə/ adj with no respect for other people or customs 쑗 She showed a cavalier attitude to employment law. Cavalier /kvə lə/ noun a member of the King’s party during the English Civil War (NOTE: The opposing party, the supporters of Parliament, were called Roundheads.) cavalry / kv(ə)lri/ noun soldiers riding on horses (NOTE: can be followed by either a singular or plural verb) cave /kev/ noun a large underground hole in rock or earth 쑗 When the tide went out we could explore the cave. Synonym cavern 쐽 verb 왍 to cave in to fall down completely into the inside of something such as a building or cave 쑗 The beam cracked and the roof caved in. caveat / kvit/ noun a warning, especially against doing something caveman / kevmn/ noun one of the people who lived thousands of years ago in caves (NOTE: The plural is cavemen.) cavern / kvən/ noun a very large cave cavernous / kvənəs/ adj with a very large inside space, like a cavern cavity / kvti/ noun 1. a hole, space 쑗 The jewellery was discovered hidden in a cavity in the wall. 2. a hole in a tooth 쑗 There is a cavity in one of your back teeth which needs filling. cayenne pepper 119 cayenne pepper /keen pepə/ noun a type of hot red pepper, made from chillis CBI abbr Confederation of British Industry cc abbr cubic centimetre(s) CCTV / abbr closed-circuit television CD abbr compact disc 쑗 I don’t like his new CD – do you? 쑗 You can get it on CD or cassette. CD burner /si di b" nə/ noun alternative for CD writer CD player /si di pleə/ noun a machine which plays CDs. Synonym stereo ② CD-ROM /si di rɒm/ noun a small plastic disc used as a high capacity ROM storage device which can store 650Mb of data. Full form compact disc read only memory CD-RW abbr compact disc rewritable CD writer /si di ratə/ noun a piece of equipment used to record data permanently onto a compact disc ③ cease /si s/ verb to stop (formal ). Antonym start 왍 to cease to exist to stop being in existence 쑗 The pub on the corner ceased to exist some time ago. ceasefire / si sfaə/ noun an agreement to stop shooting in a war. Synonym truce ceaseless / si sləs/ adj without stopping. Synonym unending. Antonym sporadic ceaselessly / si sləsli/ adv without stopping cedar / si də/ noun 1. a large tree whose leaves do not fall off in winter 쑗 There is a large cedar in front of the house. 2. wood from this tree 쑗 a cedar chest 쑗 Cedar wood has a pleasant smell. cede /si d/ verb to give up something, especially power or land, to someone else (formal ) ③ ceiling / si lŋ/ noun 1. an inside roof over a room 쑗 He’s so tall, he can easily touch the ceiling. 쑗 Flies can walk on the ceiling. 쑗 He painted the kitchen ceiling. 쑗 Watch out when you go into the bedroom – it has a very low ceiling. 2. the highest point that something or someone reaches or is allowed to reach 쑗 Output has reached its ceiling. 쑗 There is a ceiling of £20,000 on the amount you can hold in premium bonds. 쑗 They set a ceiling of £1000 on the price of their washing machines. celeb /sə leb/ noun a celebrity ③ celebrate / selbret/ verb 1. to have a party or do special things because something good has taken place, or because of something that happened in the past 쑗 Our team won, so we’re all going out to celebrate. 쑗 They celebrated their wedding anniversary quietly at home with their children. 2. to perform a religious ceremony 쑗 The priest was celebrating Mass. . . cellulite celebrated / selbretd/ adj very famous. Synonym famous. Antonym unknown ③ celebration /sel breʃ(ə)n/ noun a party or festival 쑗 We had my birthday celebration in the local pub. 쑗 After our team won, the celebrations went on late into the night. ③ celebrity /s lebrəti/ noun a famous person 쑗 The theatre was packed with celebrities from the acting world. 쑗 We hope the new supermarket is going to be opened by a TV celebrity. (NOTE: The plural is celebrities.) celery / seləri/ noun a plant with a white or green stem, eaten as a vegetable or raw as a salad 왍 a stick of celery a piece of the stem of the celery plant, often served raw with cheese celestial /sə lestiəl/ adj referring to the sky celestial body /səlestiəl bɒdi/ noun a star, planet, moon or other natural body in the sky. Also called heavenly body celibacy / selbəsi/ noun the state of being celibate celibate / seləbət/ adj not having sex, e.g. for religious reasons ① cell /sel/ noun 1. a small room in a building such as a prison or monastery 쑗 He was arrested in the centre of town and spent the night in the police cells. 2. the basic unit of a living creature or plant 쑗 You can see the cancer cells under a microscope. 3. a small political group 쑗 She formed part of a cell of activists. 4. a part of an electric battery (NOTE: Do not confuse with sell.) ③ cellar / selə/ noun an underground room or rooms under a house (NOTE: Do not confuse with seller.) cellist / tʃelst/ noun a person who plays the cello cello / tʃeləυ/ noun a large stringed musical instrument smaller than a double bass (NOTE: The plural is cellos.) cellophane / seləfen/ trademark a trans- parent film used for wrapping or covering things cellphone / selfəυn/ same as cellular phone cellular / seljυlə/ adj 1. made up of many small cells 쑗 Cellular tissue is connective tissue with large spaces. 2. made of a type of cloth with open holes in it 쑗 Cellular blankets are light and warm – they look as if they’ve been knitted with very big needles. cellular phone /seljυlə fəυn/ noun a mobile phone that works from a series of radio stations all over the country cellulite / seljυlat/ noun deposits of fat under the skin, especially in the thighs and buttocks celluloid 120 celluloid / seljυlɔd/ noun the thin plastic film which was used in the past for making films cellulose / seljυləυs/ noun a chemical substance found in plants, used for making paper and paint ③ Celsius / selsiəs/ adj, noun a scale of temperature where the freezing point of water is 0° and the boiling point is 100° 쑗 The temperature outside is only 6°C (say ‘six degrees Celsius’). 쑗 What is 75° Fahrenheit in Celsius? (NOTE: used in many countries, but not in the USA, where the Fahrenheit system is still preferred. It is usually written as a C after the degree sign: 32° C (say: ‘thirty-two degrees Celsius’). It was formerly called centigrade.) Celt /kelt/ noun one of an ancient people who lived in parts of Western Europe, e.g. in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Brittany Celtic / keltk/ adj referring to ancient or modern Celts cement /s ment/ noun 1. powder made from lime and clay, which is mixed with water and dries hard 쑗 He was mixing cement to make a path round the house. 2. a strong glue 쑗 She used china cement to stick the handle back on the cup. 쐽 verb to attach strongly 쑗 He cemented some stones on the top of the wall. 쑗 The two halves should be cemented together. cement mixer /s ment mksə/ noun a machine for mixing cement ③ cemetery / semət(ə)ri/ noun an area of ground where the bodies of dead people are buried. Synonym graveyard (NOTE: The plural is cemeteries.) Cenotaph / senətɑ f/ noun a war memo- rial in Whitehall in London censor / sensə/ noun a person who reads documents or looks at films to see if they are fit to be published or shown 쑗 The censor has refused permission for the film to be shown. 쑗 During wartime, military censors read all letters from soldiers to their families. 쐽 verb to read books or plays, to watch films, videos or TV programmes to see if they are fit to be published or shown, or to change them, or to say that they cannot be shown or published 쑗 The film was censored before being shown on TV. 쑗 He was accused of censoring the article. censorship / sensəʃp/ noun the action to prevent books or newspapers from being published or remove parts of them. Synonym restriction censure / senʃə/ noun criticism 쑗 There was widespread public censure of the government. Antonym approval 쐽 verb to criticise 쑗 The Opposition put forward a motion to censure the Government. 쑗 The borough centre architect was censured for failing to consult the engineers. Antonym praise census / sensəs/ noun an official count of a country’s population (NOTE: The plural is censuses.) ① cent /sent/ noun 1. a small coin, one-hundredth part of a dollar 쑗 The stores are only a 25-cent bus ride away. 쑗 They sell oranges at 99 cents each. (NOTE: Do not confuse with sent, scent. Cent is usually written c in prices: 25c, but not when a dollar price is mentioned: $1.25.) centenarian /sent neəriən/ noun a per- son who is 100 years old or more centenary /sen ti nəri/ noun a hundredth anniversary centennial /sen teniəl/ adj referring to a centenary 쑗 Our college is getting ready for the centennial celebrations next month. center / sentə/ 쒁 centre ③ centigrade / sentDZred/ noun a scale of temperature where the freezing point of water is 0° and the boiling point is 100° (dated ) 쏡 See note at Celsius centilitre / sentli tə/ noun a unit of volume equal to one hundredth of a litre (NOTE: . The US spelling is centiliter.) ③ centimetre / sentmi tə/ noun a mea- sure of length, one hundredth part of a metre (NOTE: The US spelling is centimeter.) centipede / sentpi d/ noun an insect with a large number of legs ① central / sentrəl/ adj in the centre 쑗 The hall has one central pillar. 쑗 His offices are very central. ③ Central America /sentrəl ə merkə/ noun the part of the American continent between North and South America, including the countries of Mexico and Costa Rica central government /sentrəl DZv(ə)nmənt/ noun the main government of a country, as opposed to local government central heating /sentrəl hi tŋ/ noun a system of providing heating for a whole house from one main heater and radiators in the various rooms centralise / sentrəlaz/, centralize verb to organise from a central point. Synonym unify. Antonym decentralise centrally / sentrəli/ adv in the centre, from the centre central nervous system /sentrəl n" vəs sstəm/ noun the brain and the spinal cord which link together all the nerves central reservation /sentrəl rezəveʃ(ə)n/ noun a section of road or plants such as grass and bushes between the two main parts of a major road ① centre / sentə/ noun 1. the middle of something 쑗 chocolates with coffee cream centres 쑗 They planted a rose bush in the centred 121 centre of the lawn. 쑗 The town centre is very old. 2. a large building containing several different sections 쑗 an army training centre 3. an important town 쑗 Nottingham is the centre for the shoe industry. 4. a group or political party between the left and right 쑗 The centre combined with the right to defeat the proposal. 쑗 The cabinet is formed of right-of-centre supporters of the Prime Minister. 5. a player in a sports team who plays in the middle of the field 쐽 verb 1. to put something in the middle 쑗 Make sure you centre the block of wood on the lathe. 2. to concentrate on 쑗 The opposition’s attack was centred on the government’s reorganisation of the social services. 쑗 Our report centres on some aspects of the sales team. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is center.) centred / sentəd/ adj 1. in the middle 쑗 Make sure the picture is centred in the frame. 2. based in 쑗 The shoe industry is centred on Nottingham. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is centered.) centre forward /sentə fɔ wəd/ noun (in football ) a player in the centre of the forward . line centre lane / sentə len/, middle lane / md(ə)l len/ noun the track in the centre of a three-lane carriageway centre of gravity /sentər əv DZrvti/ noun the point in an object at which it will balance centre party /sentə pɑ ti/ noun a political party in the centre, neither right nor left centrepiece / sentəpi s/ noun 1. the main part of a decoration on a table 쑗 A bowl of fruit will be fine as a centrepiece on the dining table. 2. the main part of a policy 쑗 The project is the centrepiece of the government’s policy on pensions. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is centerpiece.) centre stage / sentə stedȢ/ adv in the middle of the stage, in the middle of some action 쑗 She moved centre stage and started to sing. 쑗 The UN Secretary General has moved centre stage to try to defuse the crisis. centrifugal /sentr fju DZ(ə)l, sentrfjυDZ(ə)l/ adj which tends to go away from the centre centripetal /sentr pi tl, sen trptl/ adj which tends to go towards the centre centrist / sentrst/ adj in favour of the centre in politics 쑗 The group advocates a return to centrist politics. 쑗 They elected a centrist government. Synonym middle-of-the-road 쐽 noun a person who is in favour of the centre in politics 쑗 The centrists formed a coalition to influence government policy on education. ① century / sentʃəri/ noun 1. one hundred years 왍 the seventeenth century the period from 1600 to 1699 쑗 a 17th-century church ceremoniously 쑗 The church dates from the 17th century. 2. a score of 100, especially in cricket 쑗 He’s a powerful hitter and rapidly scored a century. 쑗 He scored a century, including four fours and two sixes. (NOTE: The plural is centu- ries. The number of a century is always one more than the date number, so the period from 1900 to 1999 is the 20th century, and the period starting in the year 2000 is the 21st century.) CEO abbr chief executive officer ceramic /sə rmk/ adj made from clay which has been baked at a high temperature. Synonym earthenware ceramics noun /sə rmks/ the art of making objects such as cups or plates from clay 쑗 She is taking a course in ceramics at the local art college. (NOTE: not plural in this meaning) 쐽 plural noun ceramic objects 쑗 Our next exhibition will be of ceramics by two local potters. ③ cereal / səriəl/ noun 1. a grain crop such as wheat, barley or maize 쑗 The plains of North America are the main cereal-producing areas. 2. a food made from cereal and eaten with milk for breakfast 쑗 Would you like some cereal for breakfast? (NOTE: Do not confuse with serial.) cerebellum /serə beləm/ noun the back part of the brain, which controls the ability to balance cerebral / serəbrəl/ adj 1. referring to the cerebrum or to the brain in general 쑗 A cerebral haemorrhage means bleeding inside the brain. 2. intellectual, rather than emotional 쑗 I need to take some exercise after all this cerebral work. cerebral hemisphere /serəbrəl hemsfə/ noun one of the two halves of the brain cerebral palsy /serəbrəl pɔ lzi/ noun a medical condition of the brain that makes it difficult to control speech and movements of the body cerebrum /sə ri brəm/ noun the main part of the brain, which contains the main mental processes including memory ceremonial /ser məυniəl/ adj referring to a ceremony 쑗 A guard of naval officers carrying their ceremonial swords. 쑗 The ceremonial coach is used in the Lord Mayor’s Parade. Synonym ritual 쐽 noun a way of performing a ceremony 쑗 The ceremonial for the burial of the dead is laid out in the prayer book. Synonym rite ceremonially /ser məυniəli/ adv with ceremony ceremonious /ser məυniəs/ adj with a lot of ceremony ceremoniously /ser məυniəsli/ adv with a lot of ceremony ceremony 122 ceremony / serməni/ noun an important official occasion when something special is done in public 쑗 They held a ceremony to remember the victims of the train crash. Synonym rite 왍 to stand on ceremony to be formal and not relaxed 쑗 Don’t stand on ceremony. cerise /sə ri s/ noun a bright pink colour ① certain / s" t(ə)n/ adj 1. having no doubts about something 쑗 Are you certain that you locked the door? 쑗 I’m not certain where she lives. 왍 to make certain that to do something in order that something else will definitely happen 쑗 He put the money in his safe to make certain that no one could steal it. 2. without any doubt 쑗 Our team is certain to win the prize. 3. 왍 a certain quantity, a certain amount some 쑗 The fire did a certain amount of damage. 쑗 Rebuilding the house took a certain amount of time. 쑗 You need to add a certain quantity of water to the paint. 4. which you do not know or are not definite about 쑗 The manager is a certain Mr Arbuthnot. 쑗 Certain fungi can make you ill if you eat them. ① certainly / s" t(ə)nli/ adv 1. of course (after a question or order ) 쑗 Can you give me a lift to the station? – Certainly. 쑗 Tell him to write to me immediately. – Certainly, sir. 쑗 Give me a kiss. – Certainly not! 2. definitely 쑗 She certainly impressed the judges. 쑗 He certainly knows how to score goals. ③ certainty / s" t(ə)nti/ noun 1. being certain 쑗 I can’t tell who won with any certainty – it was a photo-finish. 쑗 There is no certainty that the weather will stay fine for the whole of next week. 2. a sure or certain thing 쑗 Fine weather in November is not an absolute certainty. (NOTE: The plural is certain. ties.) ③ certificate /sə tfkət/ noun an official document which proves or shows something 쑗 She has been awarded a certificate for swimming. 쑗 He has a certificate of aptitude in English. certify / s" tfa/ verb 1. to make an official statement in writing 쑗 The document is certified as a true copy. 쑗 He was certified dead on arrival at hospital. 2. to send a patient to a mental hospital (old ) 쑗 His parents had him certified. certitude / s" ttju d/ noun certainty. Synonym conviction. Antonym uncertainty cervical / s" vk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to the neck 쑗 The bones in the neck are the seven cervical vertebrae. 2. referring to the cervix of the womb 쑗 What can be done to prevent cervical cancer? 쑗 In your case, you should have a cervical smear test every year. cervix / s" vks/ noun 1. any narrow neck of an organ 2. the neck of the womb, the narrow lower part of the uterus leading into the . chair vagina 쑗 Cancer of the cervix may not show any symptoms for a very long time. (NOTE: The plural is cervixes.) cessation /se seʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of stopping. Synonym end (NOTE: no plural) cession / seʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of giv- ing up possession of something, especially an area of land. 쏡 cede (NOTE: no plural. Do not confuse with session.) cesspit / sespt/, cesspool / sespu l/ noun an underground container for collecting household sewage cf. abbr used to refer to a footnote or to another part of the text CFC abbr chlorofluorocarbon, compound of fluorine and chlorine 쑗 CFCs contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer. 쑗 When CFCs are released into the atmosphere, they rise slowly taking about seven years to reach the stratosphere. chafe /tʃef/ verb to rub something and make it sore chaff /tʃɑ f, tʃf/ noun the dried stems of plants such as wheat which are left after the grain is collected chagrin / ʃDZrn/ noun a feeling of being annoyed or sad ② chain /tʃen/ noun 1. a series of metal rings joined together 쑗 She wore a gold chain round her neck. 쑗 He stopped when the chain came off his bike. 2. a series of businesses such as stores, restaurants or hotels which belong to the same company 쑗 a chain of hotels or a hotel chain 쑗 She runs a chain of shoe shops. 3. a group of large mountains 쑗 The Rockies are a chain of mountains running down from Canada through the western states. 4. a series of people, each buying another’s house 쑗 There is a chain of six families involved, so the sale will take some time. 쐽 verb to attach with a chain 쑗 I chained my bike to the lamppost. chain reaction /tʃen ri kʃən/ noun a series of reactions which follow on from an event chainsaw / tʃensɔ / noun a saw where the teeth are set in a continuous chain driven by a motor chain-smoke / tʃen sməυk/ verb to smoke cigarettes one after the other chain store / tʃen stɔ / noun one of a series of shops owned by the same company ① chair /tʃeə/ noun 1. a piece of furniture which you can sit on, with a back 쑗 He pulled up a chair and started to write. 쑗 These dining-room chairs are very hard. 2. the person who is in charge of a meeting 쑗 Please address all your comments to the chair. 왍 in the chair the position of being in charge of a meeting 쑗 Mrs Smith was in the chair. 왍 Mr Jones took the chair Mr Jones chairlift 123 was in charge of the meeting 3. the position of professor at a university 쑗 He has been appointed to the chair of English. 쐽 verb to take charge of a meeting 쑗 The meeting was chaired by Mrs Smith. chairlift / tʃeəlft/ noun a line of moving chairs which take people to the top of a mountain slope, especially people who are skiing ① chairman / tʃeəmən/ noun 1. a person who is in charge of a meeting 쑗 Mrs Jones was the chairman at the meeting. 2. a person who presides over a board of directors 쑗 the chairman of the bank (NOTE: The plural is chairmen.) chairmanship / tʃeəmənʃp/ noun the position of being a chairman chairperson / tʃeəp" s(ə)n/ noun a person who is in charge of a meeting chairwoman / tʃeəwυmən/ noun a woman who is in charge of a meeting (NOTE: The plural is chairwomen.) chaise longue /ʃez lɒŋ/ noun a com- fortable chair with a long seat, similar to a sofa with an arm at only one end chalet / ʃle/ noun a small house, usually made of wood, often one where people stay for a holiday chalice / tʃls/ noun a metal cup in which wine is offered at a communion service chalk /tʃɔ k/ noun 1. a type of soft white rock made of calcium 쑗 The white cliffs of Dover are formed of chalk. 왍 as different as chalk and cheese completely different (informal ) 2. a stick of a white or coloured used for writing on a blackboard, e.g. in a classroom 쑗 He wrote the dates on the board in coloured chalk. 쐽 verb to mark or write with chalk 쑗 She chalked the menu for the day on the blackboard. chalk up /tʃɔ k p/ verb to achieve a score or a victory chalky / tʃɔ ki/ adj 1. full of chalk 쑗 chalky soil 2. white like chalk 쑗 a chalky liquid 3. feeling powdery like crushed chalk 쑗 This bread has a chalky feel to it. ② challenge / tʃlndȢ/ noun 1. a difficult test of someone’s skill or strength etc. 쑗 The action by the union is another challenge to the authority of the government. 왍 to pose a challenge to someone to be extremely difficult to do 쑗 Getting the piano up the stairs will pose a challenge to the removal men. 2. an invitation to something such as a fight or competition 쑗 Our team accepted the challenge to play another game. 왍 to take up a challenge to agree to fight 쐽 verb 1. to ask someone to prove that he is right 쑗 When challenged, he admitted that he had seen her get into a car. 쑗 The committee’s conclusions have been challenged by other experts. 2. 왍 . chance to challenge someone to a fight to ask someone to fight you challenging / tʃlndȢŋ/ adj difficult, which is a challenge ③ chamber / tʃembə/ noun 1. an official room 2. an empty space inside the heart 쑗 Blood collects inside the chambers of the heart and is then pumped out. 3. a space in a piece of a machine, especially one of the spaces for bullets in a gun chambermaid / tʃembəmed/ noun a woman who cleans bedrooms in a hotel chamber music / tʃembə mju zk/ noun music for a few instruments which can be played in a small room Chamber of Commerce /tʃembər əv kɒm" s/ noun a group of local business people who meet to discuss problems which they have and to encourage business in their town chamber orchestra / tʃembər ɔ kstrə/ noun a small orchestra which plays chamber music chambers / tʃembəz/ plural noun the office of a judge or a lawyer chameleon /kə mi liən/ noun a type of lizard which changes its colour to match what is around it champ /tʃmp/ noun the winner of a competition, especially in sport (informal ) 쑗 He’s the champ! Synonym champion 쐽 verb to chew hard and noisily 왍 to champ at the bit to be impatient to do something 쑗 The sales staff are champing at the bit because the product is still not ready. champagne /ʃm pen/ noun sparkling white wine from the north-east of France champers / ʃmpəz/ noun same as champagne (informal ) ② champion / tʃmpiən/ noun the best one in a particular competition 쑗 She was champion two years running. 쑗 He’s the world champion in the 100 metres. 쐽 verb 왍 to champion a cause to support a cause strongly 쑗 They are championing the cause of women’s rights. ② championship / tʃmpiənʃp/ noun 1. a contest to find who is the champion 쑗 The schools’ tennis championship was won by a boy from Leeds. 2. support for a cause 쑗 Her constant championship of the homeless. ① chance /tʃɑ ns/ noun 1. a possibility, likelihood 쑗 There is no chance of rain in August. 쑗 What are their chances of survival in this weather? 2. opportunity 쑗 I’ve been waiting for a chance to speak to the Prime Minister. 쑗 I wish I had the chance to visit South Africa. 3. luck 쑗 It was pure chance or it was quite by chance that we were travelling on the same bus. (NOTE: the meanings: . . chance of + ing = possibility of doing something; chance to = opportunity to do chancel 124 something) 쐽 verb 1. to do something by chance 쑗 She chanced to look round as she came up to her. 쑗 The car in front of us chanced to turn right. 2. 왍 to chance it to try to do something which is risky 쑗 The sky looks grey, but I think I’ll chance it without an umbrella. chancel / tʃɑ nsəl/ noun a part of a church where a choir usually sits ③ chancellor / tʃɑ ns(ə)lə/ noun 1. an important official 쑗 He became chancellor of the university last year. 2. the head of the government, equivalent to Prime Minister) (in Germany or Austria) ③ Chancellor of the Exchequer / tʃɑ nsələr əv ði ks tʃekə/, Chancellor noun the chief finance minister in the British government (NOTE: In most countries, this is called the Minister of Finance; the American equivalent is the Secretary of the Treasury.) chancy / tʃɑ nsi/ adj risky, not very sure. Synonym risky (NOTE: chancier – chanciest) chandelier /ʃndə lə/ noun a light fit- ting which hangs from the ceiling, with several branches for holding electric bulbs ① change /tʃendȢ/ noun 1. the act of changing or being changed 쑗 There was a last-minute change of plan. 쑗 We’ve seen a lot of changes over the years. 왍 it’s a change for the better it has made things better than they were 2. something different 쑗 We usually go on holiday in summer, but this year we’re taking a winter holiday for a change. 쑗 A cup of tea is a nice change after all those glasses of orange juice. 쑗 A change of scenery will do you good. 왍 she took a change of clothes with her she took a set of clean clothes with her 3. money in coins or notes 쑗 I need some change for the parking meter. 쑗 Have you got change for a £5 note? 4. money which you get back when you have given more than the correct price 쑗 The book is £3.50, so if you give me £5, you should get £1.50 change. 쑗 The shopkeeper gave me the wrong change. 왍 keep the change keep the change as a tip (said to people such as waiters) 5. 왍 to ring the changes to try various things to see which is best 쑗 I don’t always buy the same newspaper, I prefer to ring the changes between ‘The Times’, ‘The Independent’ and ‘The Guardian’. 쐽 verb 1. to make something different; to become different 쑗 Living in the country has changed his attitude towards towns. 쑗 London has changed a lot since we used to live there. 쑗 He’s changed so much since I last saw him that I hardly recognised him. 쑗 The prince was changed into a frog. 왍 I’ve changed my mind I’ve decided to do something different 2. to put on different clothes 쑗 I’m just going channel upstairs to change or to get changed. 쑗 Go into the bathroom if you want to change your dress. 왍 to change a bed to put clean sheets on a bed 쑗 The cleaning staff came in to change the beds. 3. to use or have something in place of something else 쑗 You ought to change your car tyres if they are worn. 쑗 Can we change our room for one with a view of the sea? 쑗 She’s recently changed her job or changed jobs. 왍 to change trains or buses to get off one train or bus and onto another to continue your journey 쑗 To get to Stratford you will have to change (trains) at Birmingham. 4. 왍 to change gear to change from one gear to the next when driving a car 5. to give smaller coins or notes for a larger one 왍 can you change a £20 note? can you give me small change for a £20 note? 6. to give one type of currency for another 쑗 I had to change £1,000 into dollars. 쑗 We want to change some traveller’s cheques. changeable / tʃendȢəb(ə)l/ adj which changes often, which is likely to change often. Synonym variable changed /tʃendȢd/ adj different from before 쑗 When she returned from France she was a changed woman. change down /tʃendȢ daυn/ verb to move to a lower gear when driving a car change over /tʃendȢ əυvə/ verb 1. to exchange places, positions, or roles 2. (in sports such as football ) to move to opposite ends of a playing field, usually halfway through a match changeover / tʃendȢəυvə/ noun 1. a change from one thing to another 2. (in sports such as football ) the movement of teams to opposite ends of a playing field 3. the passing of a baton in a relay race change up /tʃendȢ p/ verb to move to a higher gear when driving a car changing of the guard /tʃendȢŋ əv ðə DZɑ d/ noun a military ceremony, where one shift of soldiers is replaced by another on guard duty at a palace, etc. changing room / tʃendȢŋ ru m/ noun a room in a public place where you can change into or out of clothes ② channel / tʃn(ə)l/ noun 1. a piece of water connecting two seas 2. a way in which information or goods are passed from one place to another 쑗 The matter was sorted out through the normal diplomatic channels. 3. a frequency band for radio or TV or a station using this band 쑗 We’re watching Channel 4. 쑗 The new chat show is scheduled to compete with the gardening programme on the other channel. 4. the bottom of a stream, ditch or gutter along which water can flow 쐽 verb to send something in a certain direction 쑗 They are channelling their funds into research. Synonym direct (NOTE: channelling – . . channel of communication 125 channelled. The US spelling is channeling – channeled.) channel of communication /tʃn(ə)l əv kəmjun
keʃ(ə)n/ noun a way of communicating Channel Tunnel /tʃn(ə)l
tn(ə)l/ noun a tunnel for trains under the English Channel between England and France chant /tʃɑnt/ noun a regular singing or shouting of a repeated song or phrase 쑗 She has a recording of chants by Buddhist monks. 쑗 The chants of ‘down with the police’ could be heard in the streets. 쐽 verb to sing or shout to a regular beat 쑗 The crowds chanted anti-government slogans. chaos /
keɒs/ noun confusion. Synonym disorder chaos theory /
keɒs θəri/ noun a theory that things happen at random, and one should plan for the unexpected to happen chaotic /ke
ɒtk/ adj confused, without order ③ chap /tʃp/ noun a man (informal ) 쑗 He’s a really nice chap. 쑗 I bought it from a chap at work. 쐽 verb (of the skin) to crack 쑗 Rub some ointment on your chapped lips. . (NOTE: chapping – chapped) chapel /
tʃp(ə)l/ noun 1. a part of a large church with a separate altar 쑗 There’s a chapel on the west side of the cathedral dedicated to St Teresa. 2. a small church attached to a special institution 쑗 They were buried in the prison chapel. chaplain /
tʃpln/ noun a priest attached to a private individual, to a prison or to one of the armed services chapped /tʃpt/ adj (especially of the skin) dry, cracked or sore ① chapter /
tʃptə/ noun 1. a division of a book 쑗 The first chapter is rather slow, but after that the story gets exciting. 쑗 Don’t tell me how it finishes – I’m only up to chapter three. 쏡 verse 2. a group of priests or monks who run a cathedral or monastery ① character /
krktə/ noun 1. the part of a person which makes him or her behave differently from all others 쑗 His character is quite different from yours. 왍 strong character a person with special qualities such as determination or the ability to influence others 2. a person in a play or novel 쑗 The leading character in the film is an old blind woman. 3. a letter or symbol used in writing or printing 쑗 The book is printed in Chinese characters. characterisation /krktəra
zeʃ(ə)n/, characterization noun an indication of character. Synonym description ③ characterise /
krktəraz/, characterize verb 1. to be a typical feature of something 쑗 The northern coast is characterised charge by tall cliffs and tiny beaches. 2. to describe someone or something as a particular type of person or thing 쑗 He didn’t like to be characterised as weak and inefficient. ② characteristic /krktə
rstk/ adj typical 쑗 You can recognise her by her characteristic way of walking. 쑗 That is characteristic of this type of flower. Antonym uncharacteristic (NOTE: something is characteristic of something) 쐽 noun a typical feature 쑗 The two cars have very similar characteristics. Synonym trait characteristically /krktə
rstkli/ adv in a typical way, typically. Antonym unusually characterless /
krktələs/ adj ordinary, with no special features. Synonym bland charade /ʃə
rɑd/ noun a situation which has no meaning or which is simply a pretence 쑗 Can you make any sense of this charade? 쑗 Why bother with this charade of consultation when we know that a decision has already been taken? charades /ʃə
rɑdz/ plural noun a game where people have to guess a word from a scene acted by others 쑗 We had a game of charades or we played charades. charcoal /
tʃɑkəυl/ noun a black fuel formed from wood which has been burnt slowly, used for barbecues and grills 쑗 We need a bag of charcoal for the barbecue. ① charge /tʃɑdȢ/ noun 1. money which you have to pay 쑗 There is no charge for delivery. 쑗 We make a small charge for rental. 왍 we will send the parcel free of charge we will send the parcel without asking you to pay for postage 2. a claim by the police that someone has done something wrong 쑗 He was kept in prison on a charge of trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. 3. 왍 in charge being in control of 쑗 He is in charge of the sales department. 쑗 Who’s in charge here? 왍 to take charge of something to start to be responsible for something 쑗 She took charge of the class while the teacher was out of the room. 4. an electric current 쑗 He was killed by an electric charge from the wires. 5. a running attack 쑗 The captain led the charge against the enemy camp. 쐽 verb 1. to ask someone to pay 쑗 The restaurant charged me £10 for two glasses of water. 쑗 How much did the garage charge for mending the car? 왍 to charge the packing to the customer to ask the customer to pay for the packing 2. (of the police) to say that someone has done something wrong 쑗 He was charged with stealing the jewels. 3. to attack someone while running 쑗 The police charged the rioters. 쑗 If the bull charges, run as fast as you can for the gate! 4. to run quickly and without care 쑗 The children charged into the kitchen. 5. to give someone responsibility 쑗 charge card 126 She was charged with organising the club’s dinner dance. 6. to put electricity into a battery 쑗 You can charge your phone battery by plugging it into the mains overnight. charge card / tʃɑ dȢ kɑ d/ noun a plastic card which you can use to buy things from a particular shop, and pay for them at a later date charged /tʃɑ dȢd/ adj full of a strong emotion. Antonym calm chargé d’affaires /ʃɑ Ȣe d feə/ noun an official in an embassy who takes the place of an ambassador charger / tʃɑ dȢə/ noun 1. a device which can be plugged into the mains and connected to a storage battery to restore the charge 쑗 How long do you have to connect the battery to the charger before it is recharged? 2. a heavy medieval battle horse 쑗 Knights in armour had to be lifted onto their chargers with cranes. chariot / tʃriət/ noun a two-wheeled vehicle pulled by horses charioteer /tʃriə tə/ noun a person who drives a chariot charisma /kə rzmə/ noun personal appeal. Synonym magnetism charismatic /krz mtk/ adj appealing to people. Synonym magnetic charitable / tʃrtəb(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to a charity 쑗 She was famous for her charitable work. 2. understanding, or less critical 쑗 Commuters ought to be more charitable towards railway staff – they’re only doing their best. charitably / tʃrtəbli/ adv in a charitable way ② charity / tʃrt/ noun 1. an organisation which collects money to help the poor or to support some cause 쑗 Charities do not pay tax. 2. help, usually money, given to the poor 쑗 She lost her job and her family have to rely on the charity of neighbours. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) charity shop / tʃrti ʃɒp/ noun a shop run by a charity where you can take things such as old clothes and ornaments, which are then sold and the money given to the charity (NOTE: The plural is charities.) charlatan / ʃɑ lətən/ noun a person who pretends to be an expert. Synonym fake charm /tʃɑ m/ noun 1. attractiveness 쑗 She has great personal charm. 쑗 The charm of the Devon countryside. 2. an object which is supposed to have magical powers 쑗 She wears a lucky charm round her neck. 쐽 verb 1. to put someone under a spell 쑗 The old man played a pipe and charmed a snake out of its basket. 2. to attract someone, or to make someone pleased 쑗 He always man- chasm ages to charm the girls at the office. 쑗 I was charmed by their tiny cottage in the country. charmed /tʃɑ md/ adj protected as if by magic ③ charming / tʃɑ mŋ/ adj attractive. Synonym delightful. Antonym unattractive charred /tʃɑ d/ adj burnt in a fire ③ chart /tʃɑ t/ noun 1. a map of the sea, a river or a lake 쑗 You will need an accurate chart of the entrance to the river. 2. a diagram showing statistics 쑗 A chart showing the increase in cases of lung cancer. 쐽 verb 1. to make a map of the sea, a river or lake 쑗 He charted the coast of southern Australia in the 18th century. 2. to describe or make a diagram of something to show information 쑗 The book charts the rise of the new political party. ③ charter / tʃɑ tə/ noun a legal document giving rights or privileges to a town or a university 쑗 The university received its charter in 1846. 쐽 verb to hire an aircraft, bus or boat for a particular trip 쑗 We chartered a boat for a day trip to the island. Synonym rent chartered / tʃɑ təd/ adj 1. (of an aircraft, bus or boat) which has been hired for a particular trip 쑗 A fleet of chartered coaches took the group to the beach. 2. (of someone such as an accountant) having passed the professional examinations 쑗 He is a chartered surveyor. chartered accountant /tʃɑ təd əkaυntənt/ noun a qualified accountant charter flight / tʃɑ tə flat/ noun a flight in an aircraft which has been hired by the airline for a special occasion charter plane / tʃɑ tə plen/ noun a plane which has been chartered charts /tʃɑ ts/ plural noun a list of the most popular records charwoman / tʃɑ wυmən/ noun a woman who does cleaning work in a private house (dated ) chary / tʃeəri/ adj cautious, reluctant to do something. Synonym wary. Antonym . reckless chase /tʃes/ noun a pursuit 쑗 He was caught after a three-hour chase along the motorway. 왍 to give chase to run after someone 쑗 The robbers escaped and the police gave chase. 쐽 verb 1. to run after someone in order to try to catch him or her 쑗 The police officer chased the burglars down the street. 쑗 The postman was chased by a dog. 2. to ask someone how work is progressing in order to try to speed it up 쑗 We are trying to chase the accounts department for your cheque. 쑗 I will chase up your order with the production department. chasm / kz(ə)m/ noun 1. a very big difference of opinion 쑗 How can we bridge the ③ chassis 127 chasm between the two sides in the dispute? 2. a very big crack in the ground 쑗 The mountaineers were forced to turn back when they reached a chasm in the glacier. chassis / ʃsi/ noun 1. the metal framework of a car 쑗 The car’s chassis was damaged in the accident. 2. the part on the underneath of an aircraft 쑗 The aircraft radioed to say that the chassis had failed. (NOTE: The plural is chassis / ʃsz/.) chaste /tʃest/ adj sexually pure. Antonym impure chastened / tʃes(ə)nd/ adj less proud chastise /tʃ staz/ verb to punish someone. Synonym reprimand. Antonym praise chastisement /tʃ stazmənt/ noun the act of punishing someone (formal ). Synonym reprimand. Antonym praise chastity / tʃstti/ noun the state or fact of being chaste. Synonym purity ② chat /tʃt/ noun casual friendly talk 쑗 . She likes to drop in for a cup of coffee and a chat. 쑗 I’d like to have a chat with you about your work. Synonym conversation 쐽 verb to talk in a casual and friendly way 쑗 They were chatting about their holidays when the bus arrived. 왍 to chat someone up to talk to someone with the intention of starting a sexual relationship with them (informal ) 쑗 He tried to chat up the girl he met in a bar. chat room / tʃt ru m/ noun a facility exchanging messages by computer in real time ② chat show / tʃt ʃəυ/ noun a TV show where famous people talk to the host chattels / tʃt(ə)lz/ plural noun same as . possessions chatter / tʃtə/ noun quick talking 쑗 The chatter of children in the corridor. 쐽 verb to talk quickly and not seriously 쑗 She went on chattering on the phone, not realising that the boss was standing behind her. 왍 his teeth were chattering his teeth were knocking together because he was shivering chatterbox / tʃtəbɒks/ noun a person who cannot stop talking (informal ). Synonym . talker chattering classes / tʃtərŋ klɑ sz/ plural noun middle-class people working e.g. in the media, who spend their time meeting and gossiping about events in the news (disapproving) chatty / tʃti/ adj 1. who likes to chat 쑗 She’s a very chatty person, always stopping to gossip with anyone she meets. 2. informal 쑗 He has a pleasant chatty style, which goes down well with readers of Saturday papers. chauffeur / ʃəυfə/ noun a person who is paid to drive a car for someone else 쑗 The chauffeur brought the Rolls round to the door. Synonym driver 쐽 verb to drive a car for someone else 쑗 My husband lost his driv- checked ing licence and I had to chauffeur him everywhere. chauvinism / ʃəυvnz(ə)m/ noun a strong feeling of pride in your native country 쑗 Chauvinism is a barrier to full integration into the European Union. chauvinist / ʃəυvnst/ noun a person who has a strong feeling of pride in his or her native country 쑗 Chauvinists insist that British cooking is better than French. chauvinistic /ʃəυv nstk/ adj feeling that your country is better than all others. Synonym bigoted ① cheap /tʃi p/ adj which does not cost a lot of money 쑗 If you want a cheap radio you ought to shop around. 쑗 Why do you go by bus? – Because it’s cheaper than the train. 쑗 Buses are by far the cheapest way to travel. 쐽 adv at a low price 쑗 I bought them cheap in the local market. 쐽 noun 왍 on the cheap in the cheapest possible way 쑗 We got these chairs on the cheap in an auction. cheapen / tʃi pən/ verb to reduce the value of something. Synonym denigrate. Antonym elevate ② cheaply / tʃi pli/ adv without paying much money cheapness / tʃi pnəs/ noun low cost ③ cheat /tʃi t/ noun a person who acts unfairly in order to win 쑗 I won’t play cards with him again, he’s a cheat. 쐽 verb 1. to act unfairly in order to be successful 쑗 They don’t let her play any more since they found she was cheating. 쑗 They are sure he cheated in his exam, but can’t find out how he did it. 2. 왍 to cheat someone out of something to get something by tricking someone 쑗 She was furious, saying that she had been cheated out of the first prize. ① check /tʃek/ noun 1. an examination or test 쑗 The police are carrying out checks on all cars. 쑗 A routine check of the fire equipment. 2. US (in a restaurant) a bill 쑗 I’ll ask for the check. 3. US spelling of cheque 4. US a mark on paper to show that something is correct 쑗 Make a check in the box marked ‘R’. (NOTE: The British term is tick.) 5. 왍 in check under control 쑗 We must keep our spending in check. 6. (in chess) a situation where your opponent has to move to protect his or her king 쐽 verb 1. to make sure 쑗 I’d better check with the office if there are any messages for me. 쑗 Did you lock the door? – I’ll go and check. 2. to examine 쑗 You must have your car checked every 10,000 miles. 3. US to mark with a sign to show that something is correct 쑗 Check the box marked ‘R’. (NOTE: The British term is tick.) 4. to bring someone or something to a halt 쑗 Bad weather checked the expedition’s progress. checked /tʃekt/ adj with a pattern of small squares. Synonym check checkers 128 checkers / tʃekəz/ noun US a game for two people played on a board with black and white squares and round pieces (NOTE: The British term is draughts.) check in /tʃek n/ verb 1. (at a hotel ) to . arrive at a hotel and sign for a room 쑗 He checked in at 12.15. 쑗 We checked into our hotel and then went on a tour of the town. 2. (at an airport) to give in your ticket to show you are ready to take the flight 쑗 Please check in two hours before your departure time. 3. 왍 to check baggage in to pass your baggage to the airline staff to put it on the plane for you 쑗 My bag hasn’t been checked in yet. ② check-in / tʃek n/ noun a place where passengers give in their tickets and baggage for a flight checklist / tʃeklst/ noun a list of things which have to be done or dealt with before something can be done checkmate / tʃekmet/ noun (in chess) a situation at the end of a game where the king cannot move 쑗 That’s checkmate! 쐽 verb 1. (in chess) to put your opponent’s king in a position from which he cannot escape 쑗 She managed to checkmate me for the second game running. (NOTE: also shortened simply to mate) 2. to put an opponent into an impossible situation 쑗 If the judiciary manages to checkmate the president, he will have to resign. ① check out /tʃek aυt/ verb 1. (at a hotel ) to leave and pay for a room 쑗 We will check out before breakfast. 2. to take luggage out of safe keeping 쑗 The ticket shows that he checked out his bag at 9.15. 3. to see if something is all right 쑗 I thought I heard a noise in a kitchen – I’ll just go and check it out. ② checkout / tʃekaυt/ noun 1. (in a supermarket) a cash desk where you pay for the goods you have bought 쑗 There were huge queues at the checkouts. 2. 왍 checkout time is 12.00 the time by which you have to leave your room is 12.00 checkpoint / tʃekpɔnt/ noun a place on a road where the police or army check cars and people passing. Synonym barrier checkroom / tʃekru m/ noun US a place where you leave your coat in a public building such as a restaurant or theatre (NOTE: The . British term is cloakroom.) ② checkup / tʃekp/ noun 1. a test to see if someone is fit 쑗 He had a heart checkup last week. 2. a general examination by a doctor or dentist 쑗 She made an appointment with the dentist for a checkup. 3. a general examination of a machine 쑗 I’m taking the car to the garage for its six-monthly checkup. cheeseburger check up on /tʃek p ɒn/ verb to make sure that something has been done correctly. Antonym ignore Cheddar / tʃedə/ noun a smooth hard light yellow cheese, originally from a village of this name in the west of England ② cheek /tʃi k/ noun 1. a fat part of the face on either side of the nose and below the eye 쑗 a baby with red cheeks 2. rudeness 쑗 He had the cheek to ask for more money. (NOTE: no plural in this sense) cheekbone / tʃi kbəυn/ noun a bone just below the eye which forms the prominent part of the cheek cheekily / tʃi kli/ adv in a cheeky way cheeky / tʃi ki/ adj rude. Synonym impudent. Antonym respectful (NOTE: cheekier – cheekiest) ③ cheer /tʃə/ noun a shout of praise or en- couragement 쑗 When he scored the goal a great cheer went up. 왍 three cheers three shouts of praise for someone 쑗 Three cheers for the goalkeeper! hip! hip! hooray! 쐽 verb to shout encouragement 쑗 The crowd cheered when the first marathon runners appeared. Synonym applaud. Antonym boo ② cheerful / tʃəf(ə)l/ adj happy cheerfully / tʃəf(ə)li/ adv in a happy way cheerfulness / tʃəf(ə)lnəs/ noun the state of being cheerful. Synonym happiness. Antonym sadness cheerily / tʃərli/ adv in a cheery way ③ cheerio /tʃəri əυ/ interj goodbye (informal ) cheerleader / tʃəli də/ noun a person who directs the cheering of a crowd cheerless / tʃələs/ adj unpleasant and unwelcoming. Synonym gloomy cheers! / tʃəz/ interj (when drinking) 1. thank you! 2. good health! 쑗 They all lifted their glasses and said ‘cheers!’. ③ cheer up /tʃər p/ verb to become happier 왍 cheer up! don’t be miserable! 왍 to cheer someone up to make someone happier 쑗 She made him a good meal to try to cheer him up. Synonym perk up. Antonym . depress cheery / tʃəri/ adj happy (NOTE: cheerier – cheeriest) ② cheese /tʃi z/ noun a solid food made from milk 쑗 She ordered a cheese omelette and chips. 쑗 At the end of the meal we’ll have biscuits and cheese. 쑗 Can I have a pound of Cheshire cheese, please? 왍 ‘say cheese!’ used when asking people to smile when their photo is being taken (informal ) 쑗 The photographer got us all in a line and then told us to ‘say cheese!’. cheeseburger / tʃi zb" DZə/ noun a hamburger with melted cheese on top . cheesecake 129 cheesecake / tʃi zkek/ noun a tart with a sweet pastry base and cooked cream cheese on top, often covered with fruit cheesed off /tʃi zd ɒf/ adj fed up, annoyed about something (informal ) cheesy / tʃi zi/ adj 1. like cheese in appearance, flavour or consistency 2. cheap and without style cheetah / tʃi tə/ noun an animal like a small leopard, with black spots on pale fur, which can run faster than any other animal ③ chef /ʃef/ noun a cook in a restaurant ③ chemical / kemk(ə)l/ adj referring to chemistry 쑗 If you add acid it sets off a chemical reaction. 쐽 noun a substance which is formed by reactions between elements 쑗 Rows of glass bottles containing chemicals. 쑗 Chemicals are widely used in agriculture. ③ chemist / kemst/ noun 1. a person who prepares and sells medicines 쑗 Ask the chemist to give you something for indigestion. 2. a scientist who studies chemical substances 쑗 She works as a chemist in a nuclear laboratory. ③ chemistry / kemstri/ noun 1. the science of chemical substances and their reactions 쑗 She’s studying chemistry at university. 쑗 He passed his chemistry exam. 2. 왍 personal chemistry reaction of one person to another 쑗 The personal chemistry of the two leaders was very good. chemotherapy /ki məυ θerəpi/ noun the process of using chemical drugs to fight a disease, especially using toxic chemicals to destroy rapidly developing cancer cells . (NOTE: no plural) ① cheque /tʃek/ noun a note to a bank ask- ing for money to be paid from one account to another 쑗 I paid for the jacket by cheque. 쑗 He made out the cheque to Mr Smith. 쑗 He’s forgotten to sign the cheque. (NOTE: The US spelling is check.) chequebook / tʃekbυk/ noun a set of blank cheques attached together in a cover ② (NOTE: The US spelling is checkbook.) cheque card / tʃek kɑ d/ noun a plastic bank card that guarantees that a cheque will be paid by the bank chequered / tʃekəd/ adj 1. laid out in a pattern of squares 2. varied, with good and bad parts 쑗 She had a chequered career in the police force. chequered flag /tʃekəd flDZ/ noun a black and white check flag used to show the end of a motor race cherish / tʃerʃ/ verb 1. to love 쑗 The two persons he cherished most died during the year. 쑗 She cherished the old ring given to her by her grandmother. 2. to cling on to a hope 쑗 She still cherishes the hope of living in a warmer country. chewy cherry / tʃeri/ noun a small sweet red fruit, which grows on a tree cherry tomato / tʃeri təmɑ təυ/ noun a variety of very small tomato cherub / tʃerəb/ noun 1. a small fat angel 2. a child who looks like an angel. Synonym ③ angel chess /tʃes/ noun a game for two people played on a board with sixteen pieces, often shaped like people, on each side (NOTE: no ③ plural) chessboard / tʃesbɔ d/ noun a board with black and white squares used to play chess on chessman / tʃesmn/ noun a piece used in the game of chess ② chest /tʃest/ noun 1. the top front part of the body, where the heart and lungs are 쑗 If you have pains in your chest or if you have chest pains, you ought to see a doctor. 쑗 The doctor listened to the patient’s chest. 쑗 She was rushed to hospital with chest wounds. 쑗 He has a 48-inch chest. 왍 to get something off your chest to speak honestly about a problem 2. a piece of furniture, like a large box 쑗 He keeps his old clothes in a chest under the bed. chest freezer / tʃest fri zə/ noun a horizontal freezer with a lid on top chestnut / tʃesnt/ noun 1. 쒁 horse chestnut, sweet chestnut (trees) 2. a large reddish-brown shiny nut, from a horse chestnut or sweet chestnut tree 3. the wood from a chestnut tree 쑗 a chestnut table 4. a red-brown colour 쑗 She has beautiful long chestnut hair. 5. a red-brown horse 쑗 Do you know the name of the chestnut that came last? 6. an old joke 쑗 His speech was just a series of not very amusing old chestnuts. chest of drawers /tʃest əv drɔ z/ plural noun a piece of furniture with several drawers for clothes chevron / ʃevrən/ noun 1. a V shape 쑗 A sign with a white chevron indicates a bend in the road. 2. a piece of braid, shaped like a V, sewn on the sleeve of a soldier’s uniform to show his or her rank 쑗 Now that he has been promoted he has two gold chevrons on his sleeve. chew /tʃu / verb to make something soft with your teeth 쑗 You must chew your meat well, or you will get pains in your stomach. 쑗 The dog was lying in front of the fire chewing a bone. ② chewing gum / tʃu ŋ DZm/ noun a sweet substance which you chew but do not swallow chew up /tʃu p/ verb to ruin something by chewing it a lot chewy / tʃu i/ adj which must be chewed for a long time before swallowing chic 130 chic /ʃi k/ adj elegant and fashionable 쑗 It’s very chic these days to have an all white sports car. 쑗 We took our visitors to a very chic restaurant in Mayfair. Synonym stylish. Antonym unfashionable 쐽 noun elegance 쑗 Her special brand of chic is like no one else’s. Synonym style chick /tʃk/ noun a baby bird, especially a baby hen ② chicken / tʃkn/ noun 1. a young hen 쑗 Chickens were running everywhere in the farmyard. (NOTE: The plural is chickens.) 2. meat from a hen 쑗 We’re having roast chicken for lunch. 쑗 Would you like another slice of chicken? 쑗 We bought some chicken sandwiches for lunch. (NOTE: no plural: some chicken; a piece of chicken; a slice of chicken) chicken out /tʃkn aυt/ verb to decide not to do something because you are scared (slang) chickenpox / tʃknpɒks/ noun an infectious disease of children, with fever and itchy red spots (NOTE: The scientific name is varicella.) chickpea / tʃkpi / noun 1. a yellow seed eaten mainly in salads 2. the plant that produces chickpeas chicory / tʃkəri/ noun a vegetable, the leaves of which are used for salads, and the roots dried and ground to mix with coffee to make it bitter chide /tʃad/ verb to criticise (literary). Synonym reproach. Antonym praise (NOTE: chided or chid /tʃd/ – has chided or chidden) ② chief /tʃi f/ adj most important 쑗 He’s the chief planner in the local authority. 쑗 What is the chief cause of air accidents? Synonym principal 쐽 noun 1. a person in charge in a group of people or in a business 쑗 He’s been made the new chief of our department. 쑗 The fire chief warned that the building was dangerous. 2. the leader of a tribe 쑗 All the chiefs came together at a meeting. Chief Constable /tʃi f knstəb(ə)l/ noun the person in charge of a police force Chief Executive /tʃi f DZ zekjυtv/ noun the main director who runs a company Chief Justice /tʃi f dȢsts/ noun US the main judge in a court, including the main judge in the Supreme Court chiefly / tʃi fli/ adv mainly. Synonym primarily Chief of Staff /tʃi f əv stɑ f/ noun 1. a high ranking officer who assists an officer who is in command 쑗 He was Chief of Staff to the general during the battle. 2. the main assistant or adviser to someone who has an important post 쑗 the president’s Chief of Staff chill chieftain / tʃi ftən/ noun the leader of a tribe chiffon / ʃfɒn/ noun a type of very thin light silk material chihuahua /tʃ wɑ wə/ noun a breed of very small dog ① child /tʃald/ noun 1. a young boy or girl 쑗 There was no TV when my mother was a child. 쑗 Here is a photograph of the Prime Minister as a child. 쑗 A group of children were playing on the beach. 2. the son or daughter 쑗 Whose child is that? 쑗 How many children have they got? 쑗 They have six children – two boys and four girls. (NOTE: The plural is children / tʃldrən/.) child abuse / tʃald əbju s/ noun bad treatment of a child by an adult child benefit /tʃald benft/ noun money given by the government to the parents of young children childbirth / tʃaldb" θ/ noun the act of giving birth to a child childcare / tʃaldkeə/ noun the care of young children ③ childhood / tʃaldhυd/ noun the time when someone is a child. Antonym adulthood childish / tʃaldʃ/ adj like a child; silly or foolish childless / tʃaldləs/ adj with no children childlike / tʃaldlak/ adj innocent like a child. Antonym jaded childminder / tʃaldmandə/ noun a person who looks after children in his or her own home while the parents are working childproof / tʃaldpru f/ adj 1. difficult for a child to open or operate 2. made safe for children to use 쐽 verb to make something safe for children or hard for them to open or operate children / tʃldrən/ plural of child children’s home / tʃldrənz həυm/ noun a home for children whose parents have died or for children whose parents are unable to look after them child’s play / tʃaldz ple/ noun something which is very easy child support / tʃald səpɔ t/ noun a sum of money paid by a divorced person to maintain the normal standard of living of his or her children ③ chill /tʃl/ noun 1. an illness caused by cold 쑗 You’ll catch a chill if you don’t wear a coat. 2. coldness 쑗 The sun came up and soon cleared away the morning chill. 3. an atmosphere of gloom 쑗 The death of the bride’s father cast a chill over the wedding. 쐽 verb to cool 쑗 He asked for a glass of chilled orange juice. 왍 chilled to the bone very cold (informal ) 쑗 They were chilled to . chilli 131 the bone when they came back from their walk over the moors. chilli / tʃli/ noun a dried seed pod of a type of pepper plant, used to make hot sauces (NOTE: The US spelling is chili.) chilli con carne /tʃli kɒn kɑ ni/ noun a Mexican dish of meat and beans cooked in a hot chilli sauce (NOTE: Do not confuse with chilly.) chilling / tʃlŋ/ adj frightening. Antonym reassuring chill out /tʃl aυt/ verb to relax chilly / tʃli/ adj quite cold (NOTE: chillier – chilliest) chime /tʃam/ noun the ringing of bells 쑗 The chimes of Big Ben start the BBC News. Synonym clang 쐽 verb (of bells, doorbells or clocks) to ring 쑗 The church clock has just chimed four. chimney / tʃmni/ noun a tall brick column for taking smoke away from a fire 왍 he smokes like a chimney he smokes cigarettes all the time (informal ) chimney stack / tʃmni stk/ noun a tall chimney rising above the roof of a factory or a house chimpanzee /tʃmpn zi /, chimp /tʃmp/ noun a type of African ape ② chin /tʃn/ noun the front part of the bottom jaw 쑗 She suddenly stood up and hit him on the chin. 왍 to keep your chin up to stay confident 쑗 Even if everything seems to be going wrong, try to keep your chin up! china / tʃanə/ noun things such as cups and plates made of decorated fine white clay . (NOTE: no plural) ① China / tʃanə/ noun a very large country in Asia (NOTE: capital: Beijing; people: the Chinese; language: Chinese; currency: renminbi or yuan) ① Chinese /tʃa ni z/ adj referring to China 쑗 Her husband is Chinese. 쑗 We often go to a Chinese restaurant in the evening. 쐽 noun 1. a person from China 쑗 The Chinese were not present at the conference. (NOTE: The plural is Chinese.) 2. the language spoken in China 쑗 She had been taking Chinese lessons for some weeks. 쑗 The book has been translated into Chinese. chink /tʃŋk/ noun 1. a very small hole or crack 쑗 Even a tiny chink in the curtains will let light into the darkroom. 2. a little noise of pieces of something hard hitting each other 쑗 The chink of glasses on the waiter’s tray. 쐽 verb to make a little noise 쑗 We could hear the ice cubes chinking as she carried the tray of drinks over to us. chinos / tʃi nəυz/ plural noun smart but casual thick cotton trousers chitchat chintz /tʃnts/ noun a thick cotton cloth with bright flower patterns, used, e.g., for curtains or for covering seats ② chip /tʃp/ noun 1. a long thin piece of potato fried in oil 쑗 He ordered chicken and chips and a glass of beer. 2. US a thin slice of potato, fried till crisp and eaten cold as a snack 쑗 He ordered a beer and a packet of chips. (NOTE: The British term is crisp.) 3. a small piece of something hard, such as wood or stone 쑗 Chips of stone flew all over the studio as he was carving the statue. 4. 왍 have a chip on your shoulder to feel constantly annoyed because you feel you have lost an advantage 쑗 He’s got a chip on his shoulder because his brother has a better job than he has. 5. a piece of plastic or metal which represents money in gambling 쑗 The croupier raked the chips across the board. 왍 when the chips are down when the situation is serious and important decisions have to be made (informal ) 쐽 verb to break a small piece off something hard 쑗 He banged the cup down on the plate and chipped it. (NOTE: . chipping – chipped) chipboard / tʃpbɔ d/ noun a thick board made of small chips of wood glued together, used in carpentry (NOTE: no plural; for one piece say a sheet of chipboard, a piece of chipboard) chip in /tʃp n/ verb 1. to contribute 쑗 We all chipped in for the present. 2. to inter- rupt 쑗 My assistant suddenly chipped in with a comment. chipmunk / tʃpmŋk/ noun a small North American animal, like a little striped squirrel chiropodist /k rɒpədst/ noun a person who specialises in looking after feet chirp /tʃ" p/ noun a sharp short call of birds or grasshoppers 쑗 Can you hear the chirp of the little birds in the nest? 쐽 verb (of birds or grasshoppers) to call 쑗 The little chicks were chirping in their box. chirpy / tʃ" pi/ adj bright and cheerful (informal ). Synonym lively chisel / tʃz(ə)l/ noun a metal tool which you hit with a hammer to cut small pieces off wood or stone 쑗 The stone carver tapped the chisel very carefully with his hammer. 쐽 verb 1. to cut wood or stone with a chisel 쑗 We watched the sculptor chiselling away at the piece of stone. 2. to swindle (old ) 쑗 He chiselled the old lady out of all her savings. . . (NOTE: chiselling – chiselled. The US spelling is chiseling – chiseled) chit /tʃt/ noun a note or small invoice (dated ) chitchat / tʃttʃt/ noun conversations about things which are not important (informal ). Synonym chatter . . chivalrous 132 chivalrous / ʃvəlrəs/ adj courteous, very polite chivalry / ʃvəlri/ noun politeness or courtesy chives /tʃavz/ plural noun a herb of which the leaves are used to decorate dishes or in soups or salads (NOTE: chives has no singular.) chloride / klɔ rad/ noun a compound of chlorine and another substance chlorinated / klɔ rnetd/ adj added to or treated with chlorine chlorine / klɔ ri n/ noun a powerful greenish gas, used to sterilise water and to bleach things chlorofluorocarbon /klɔ rəυflυərəυkɑ bən/ noun full form of CFC chlorophyll / klɒrəfl/ noun the green colouring in plants choc /tʃɒk/ noun a chocolate (informal ) choc-ice / tʃɒk as/ noun a hard block of ice cream covered with chocolate chock /tʃɒk/ noun a small block of wood which prevents wheels turning chock-a-block /tʃɒk ə blɒk/ adj completely full (informal ) ② chocolate / tʃɒklət/ noun 1. a sweet brown food made from the crushed seeds of a tropical tree 쑗 Can I buy a bar of chocolate? 쑗 Her mother made a chocolate cake. 2. a single sweet made from chocolate 쑗 There are only three chocolates left in the box. 쑗 Who’s eaten the last chocolate? 3. a drink made from chocolate powder and milk 쑗 I always have a cup of hot chocolate before I go to bed. 4. a dark brown colour, like chocolate 쑗 We have a chocolate-coloured carpet in the sitting room. (NOTE: no plural, except for . . meaning 2) chocolate chip /tʃɒklət tʃp/ noun a small piece of hard chocolate, used in ice cream, biscuits or cakes ① choice /tʃɔs/ noun 1. the thing which is chosen 쑗 Paris was our first choice for our honeymoon. 2. the act of choosing something 쑗 You must give the customer time to make his or her choice. 3. a range of items to choose from 쑗 The store has a huge choice of furniture. 왍 I hadn’t any choice, I had no choice there was nothing else I could do 쐽 adj (of food ) specially selected 쑗 choice meat 쑗 choice peaches. Synonym excellent choir /kwaə/ noun 1. a group of people who sing together 쑗 He sings in the church choir. 2. a part of a church where the choir sits 쑗 The nave was built in the 12th century, and the choir later. choke /tʃəυk/ noun 1. (in a car ) a valve which increases the flow of air to the engine 쑗 This model has an automatic choke. 2. a knob on the dashboard which makes this . . choral valve work 쑗 You need to pull out the choke to start the car. 쐽 verb 1. to block something such as a pipe 쑗 The canal was choked with weeds. 2. to stop breathing properly because a piece of food, e.g., is blocking your windpipe 쑗 Don’t talk with your mouth full or you’ll choke. 쑗 He choked on a piece of bread or a piece of bread made him choke. choked /tʃəυkt/ adj overcome by emotion such as sadness or anger cholera / kɒlərə/ noun a serious bacterial disease spread through infected food or water ③ cholesterol /kə lestərɒl/ noun a fatty substance found in fats and oils, also produced by the liver and forming an essential part of all cells. Excess amounts can cause blocked arteries. ① choose /tʃu z/ verb 1. to pick something which you like best 쑗 Have you chosen what you want to eat? 쑗 They chose him as team leader. 쑗 Don’t take too long choosing a book to read on holiday. 쑗 There were several good candidates to choose from. 쑗 You must give customers plenty of time to choose. 2. to decide to do one thing when there are several things you could do 쑗 In the end, they chose to go to the cinema. 쏡 choice (NOTE: choosing – chose /tʃəυz/ – has chosen / tʃəυz(ə)n/) choosy / tʃu zi/ adj difficult to please (informal ). Synonym particular ① chop /tʃɒp/ noun a piece of meat with a rib bone attached 쑗 We had lamb chops for dinner. 쐽 verb 1. to cut something into small pieces with an axe or knife 쑗 He spent the afternoon chopping wood for the fire. 2. 왍 to chop and change to do one thing, then another 쑗 He keeps chopping and changing and can’t make his mind up. ① chop down /tʃɒp daυn/ verb to cut down a tree, e.g., with an axe. Synonym . shorten chop off /tʃɒp ɒf/ verb to cut something off, e.g. with an axe or knife chopper / tʃɒpə/ noun 1. an axe, especially one for cutting meat 쑗 A butcher armed with a chopper was cutting up carcasses. 2. a helicopter 쑗 A chopper landed in the middle of the motorway to pick up the accident victims. choppy / tʃɒpi/ adj (of water ) quite rough. Antonym calm chopsticks / tʃɒpstks/ noun a pair of small sticks used in China, Japan, etc., to eat food or to stir food when cooking chop suey /tʃɒp su i/ noun a Chinese dish of fried meat and bean sprouts ① chop up /tʃɒp p/ verb to cut something roughly into pieces choral / kɔ rəl/ adj referring to a choir ① . chord 133 ③ chord /kɔ d/ noun 1. several notes played together in harmony 쑗 He sat down at the piano and played a few chords. 2. a line which joins two points on a curve 쑗 Draw a chord across this circle. (NOTE: Do not con- fuse with cord.) chore /tʃɔ / noun a piece of routine work, especially housework choreographer /kɒri ɒDZrəfə/ noun a person who works out the steps for a dance choreography /kɒri ɒDZrəfi/ noun the art of arranging the steps for a dance chorister / kɒrstə/ noun a person who sings in a church choir. Synonym singer chortle / tʃɔ tl/ verb to chuckle loudly ③ chorus / kɔ rəs/ noun 1. a group of people who sing together 쑗 All the members of the chorus were on the stage. 2. a part of a song which is repeated later in the song 쑗 I’ll sing the verses and everyone can join in the chorus. (NOTE: The plural is choruses.) 쐽 verb to say something all together 쑗 There was a knock at the door and they both chorused ‘come in’. chose /tʃəυz/ past tense of choose chosen adj / tʃəυz(ə)n/ who or which has been selected 쑗 Only the chosen few have the right to sit at the President’s table. 쐽 past participle of choose chowder / tʃaυdə/ noun soup made of fish, milk and vegetables ③ Christ /krast/ noun Jesus Christ, the person on whose life and teachings the Christian religion is based 쐽 interj used for showing you are annoyed (taboo) 쑗 Christ! It’s eight o’clock already and I haven’t started cooking dinner. christen / krs(ə)n/ verb 1. to give a name to a Christian baby in church 쑗 She was christened Natasha. 2. to give a name to something 쑗 She was christened the ‘Iron Lady’ by the press. 3. to use something for the first time 쑗 Come and help us christen our new set of champagne glasses. christening / krs(ə)nŋ/ noun a ceremony in church where a baby is given a name ③ Christian / krstʃən/ noun a person who believes in the teaching of Christ and in Christianity 쑗 The early Christians were victims of the Roman emperors. 쐽 adj referring to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ 쑗 There are several Christian churches in the town. 쑗 She practises all the Christian virtues. Christianity /krsti nti/ noun a religion based on the doctrine preached by Jesus Christ and followed by Christians ever since ③ Christian name / krstʃən nem/ noun the special name given to someone as a child after birth or at their christening. Synonym first name, given name chronological Christmas / krsməs/ noun a Christian festival on December 25th, the birthday of Jesus Christ 쑗 Have you opened your Christmas presents yet? 왍 what did you get for Christmas? what presents were you given for Christmas? 왍 Happy Christmas! a way of greeting someone on Christmas Day Christmas cake / krsməs kek/ noun a special fruit cake eaten at Christmas time Christmas card / krsməs kɑ d/ noun a card which is sent to someone at Christmas Christmas carol /krsməs krəl/ noun a special song sung at Christmas Christmas cracker /krsməs krkə/ noun a colourful paper tube which makes a little bang when it is pulled, given at Christmas parties Christmas Day /krsməs de/ noun December 25th, the day on which Christmas is celebrated ③ Christmas Eve /krsməs i v/ noun 1. 24th December, the day before Christmas Day 쑗 The office is closed on Christmas Eve. 2. the evening of the 24th December 쑗 a Christmas Eve party Christmas pudding /krsməs pυdŋ/ noun a special pudding eaten at Christmas time Christmas tree / krsməs tri / noun a fir tree which is brought into the house at Christmas and decorated with coloured lights and ornaments chrome /krəυm/ noun an alloy of chromium and other metals, used to give a shiny silver surface 쑗 A 1960s chair with chrome legs and a plastic seat. chromium / krəυmiəm/ noun a metallic trace element used to make alloys such as steel chromosome / krəυməsəυm/ noun a rod-shaped structure in the nucleus of a cell, formed of DNA which carries the genes chronic / krɒnk/ adj 1. (of illness or pain) serious and continuing for a long time 쑗 She has chronic bronchitis. 쑗 Chronic asthma sufferers need to use special drugs. Compare acute 2. referring to someone who does a particular activity, especially a harmful one, often 쑗 a chronic smoker 3. very bad (informal ) 쑗 We have a chronic shortage of skilled staff. chronicle / krɒnk(ə)l/ noun a record of things which take place 쑗 He wrote a chronicle of the war. 쐽 verb to write the history of events in the order in which they took place 쑗 He has started interviewing local old people to chronicle the history of the village. chronological /krɒnə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj 왍 chronological order the arrangement of things in order of their dates 쑗 Put the in① . chronologically 134 voices in chronological order. 쑗 The battles are listed in chronological order. chronologically /krɒnə lɒdȢkli/ adv in chronological order chronology /krə nɒlədȢi/ noun the order in which things happened chrysalis / krsəls/ noun an insect when it is covered with a hard case as it changes from a grub or caterpillar to a butterfly or moth. Also called pupa (NOTE: The plural is chrysalises.) chrysanthemum /kr snθməm/ noun a type of autumn flower with many small petals chubby / tʃbi/ adj pleasantly fat. Synonym plump (NOTE: chubbier – chubbiest) ② chuck /tʃk/ noun a part of a drill which holds the bit 쑗 He released the chuck and put in a bigger bit. Synonym chock 쐽 verb to throw 쑗 Chuck me that newspaper, can you? 쑗 She chucked the book out of the window. chuckle / tʃk(ə)l/ noun a quiet laugh 쑗 We all had a good chuckle over the chairman’s speech. Synonym laughter 쐽 verb to give a quiet laugh 쑗 He chuckled when she said she wanted a good steady job. chuffed /tʃft/ adj pleased or proud chug /tʃDZ/ verb to make a regular noise like an engine (informal ). Synonym con. tinue (NOTE: chugging – chugged) chum /tʃm/ noun a friend (informal ) chummy / tʃmi/ adj very friendly (informal ) chunk /tʃŋk/ noun a large thick piece chunky / tʃŋki/ adj made of large or thick pieces (NOTE: chunkier – chunkiest) ① church /tʃ" tʃ/ noun a building where . . Christians go to pray 쑗 We usually go to church on Sunday mornings. 쑗 The oldest building in the village is St Mary’s Church. 쑗 The times of the church services are given on the board outside. (NOTE: The plural is churches.) churchgoer / tʃ" tʃDZəυə/ noun a person who goes to church regularly churchman / tʃ" tʃmən/ noun a priest, especially in the Anglican Church (NOTE: The plural is churchmen.) Church of England / tʃ" tʃ əv ŋDZlənd/ noun the Protestant church which is the offi- cial religion of England, with the Queen as its head. Also called Anglican Church. Abbr C of E churchyard / tʃ" tʃjɑ d/ noun a cemetery next to a church. Synonym graveyard churlish / tʃ" lʃ/ adj unfriendly or unhelpful churn /tʃ" n/ noun a large metal container for milk 쑗 Churns of fresh milk were lined up at the farm entrance waiting to be picked up. circle 쐽 verb 1. to turn cream to make butter 쑗 Do you know of any farm where butter is still churned by hand? 2. to buy and sell shares on someone’s behalf, in order to earn commission for yourself 쑗 Few small investors realise how much money they lose through churning. churn out /tʃ" n aυt/ verb to produce something in a series chute /ʃu t/ noun 1. a slide into water in a swimming pool 쑗 The kids screamed as they slid down the chute into the pool. 2. a slide for sending things down to a lower level 쑗 The parcels are wrapped and labelled and then sent down a chute to where the delivery vans are waiting. chutney / tʃtni/ noun a highly-flavoured sauce usually made with tomatoes, onions, vinegar and spices cider / sadə/ noun an alcoholic drink made from fermented apple juice cigar /s DZɑ / noun a tight roll of dried tobacco leaves which you can light and smoke ② cigarette /sDZə ret/ noun chopped dried tobacco rolled in very thin paper which you can light and smoke 쑗 A packet or pack of cigarettes. 쑗 The room was full of cigarette smoke. cigarette holder /sDZə ret həυldə/ noun a plastic or metal holder into which you put cigarettes to smoke ciggy / sDZi/ abbr cigarette (informal ) cinch /sntʃ/ noun something which is very easy to do (informal ) cine-camera / sni km(ə)rə/ noun a camera for making moving films ③ cinema / snmə/ noun 1. a building where you go to watch films 쑗 We went to the cinema on Friday night. 왍 what’s on at the cinema this week? which film is being shown at the cinema this week? 2. the art of making moving pictures 쑗 He has written books about the French cinema of the 1960s. cinematic /sn mtk/ adj referring to films and the cinema cinematography /snmə tɒDZrəfi/ noun the art or practice of making films cinnamon / snəmən/ noun a spice made from the inner bark of a tropical tree cipher / safə/ noun 1. a code, or secret language for sending messages 쑗 They sent the message in cipher. 2. a monogram, the initials of a name linked together in an attractive way 쑗 The cipher H+A (for Henry and Anne) is used as decoration in parts of Hampton Court Palace. circa / s" kə/ prep about (formal ; used of dates) (NOTE: usually written ca.) ② circle / s" k(ə)l/ noun 1. a line forming a round shape 쑗 He drew a circle on the blackboard. 2. anything forming a round shape 쑗 . . circuit 135 The children sat in a circle round the teacher. 쑗 The soldiers formed a circle round the prisoner. 3. a group of people or a society 쑗 She went to live abroad and lost contact with her old circle of friends. 쑗 He moves in the highest government circles. 4. a row of seats above the stalls in a theatre 쑗 We got tickets for the upper circle. 쐽 verb to make circular movements 쑗 Vultures were circling above the dead antelope. Synonym encircle ③ circuit / s" kt/ noun 1. a trip around something 쑗 His first circuit of the track was very slow. 2. a path of electricity 쑗 He’s designed a circuit for a burglar alarm. circuit board / s" kt bɔ d/ noun a board composed of a printed circuit circuit breaker / s" kt brekə/ noun a safety device in an electrical circuit circuitous /s" kju təs/ adj 왍 circuitous route a way which takes much longer than usual 쑗 The taxi took me on some circuitous route through the East End. ② circular / s" kjυlə/ adj round in shape 쑗 a circular table Synonym spherical 쐽 noun a publicity leaflet 쑗 The restaurant sent round a circular offering a 10% discount. ③ circulate / s" kjυlet/ verb 1. to send something round to various people 쑗 They circulated a new list of prices to all their customers. 2. to move round 쑗 Blood circulates round the body. 쑗 Waiters circulated round the room carrying trays of drinks. 3. to talk to different people at a party 쑗 Let’s talk later – I’ve got to circulate. ③ circulation /s" kjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of circulating 쑗 The circulation of the new price list to all departments will take several days. 왍 banknotes which are in circulation banknotes which have been issued and are in use 2. the movement of blood around the body 쑗 Rub your hands together to get the circulation going. 쑗 He has poor circulation. 3. the number of copies of a magazine or newspaper which are sold 쑗 The new editor hopes to increase the circulation. circumcise / s" kəmsaz/ verb to remove the foreskin from a boy's or man’s penis circumcision /s" kəm sȢ(ə)n/ noun the act of removing the foreskin from a boy’s or man’s penis circumference /sə kmf(ə)rəns/ noun the distance round the outside edge of a circle. Synonym perimeter circumflex / s" kəmfleks/ noun an accent like an upside down ‘v’ placed over certain vowels circumnavigate /s" kəm nvDZet/ verb to sail round the world circumnavigation /s" kəmnvDZeʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of sailing round the world citrus fruit circumscribe / s" kəmskrab/ verb to set limits to something (formal ). Synonym limit . circumspect / s" kəmspekt/ adj very careful. Synonym cautious. Antonym reckless circumstance / s" kəmstəns/ noun 1. a fact or condition that affects a situation 2. events beyond someone’s control circumstantial /s" kəm stnʃəl/ adj giving details of circumstances 왍 circumstantial evidence evidence which suggests something but does not offer firm proof circumvent /s" kəm vent/ verb to avoid something circus / s" kəs/ noun 1. a travelling show, often given under a large tent, with animals, clowns and other performers 쑗 We went to the circus last night. 쑗 The circus is coming to town for the bank holiday weekend. 2. a busy road junction in the centre of a large town 쑗 Oxford Circus is where Oxford Street crosses Regent Street. (NOTE: The plural is circuses.) cirrus / srəs/ noun a small very high fleecy cloud cistern / sstən/ noun a large tank for water citadel / stəd(ə)l/ noun 1. a fort guarding a town 쑗 There is a magnificent view over the harbour from the ramparts of the citadel. 2. a place where something is kept safely 쑗 Rome is renowned as the citadel of Catholicism. citation /sa teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. words used in giving someone an award or honour, explaining why the award is being made 쑗 He received a posthumous citation for bravery. 2. a quotation from a text 쑗 The citation comes from a medical journal. 3. an official request asking someone to appear in court 쑗 He received a citation to appear before the court on May 10th. cite /sat/ verb 1. to quote a reference or a person as proof 쑗 She cited several passages from his latest book. 2. to call someone to appear in court 쑗 He was cited to appear before the magistrates. (NOTE: Do not confuse with sight, site.) ② citizen / stz(ə)n/ noun 1. a person who comes from a certain country or has the same right to live there as someone who was born there 쑗 All Australian citizens have a duty to vote. 쑗 He was born in Germany, but is now a British citizen. 2. a person who lives in a certain city 쑗 The citizens of London complained about their taxes. ③ citizenship / stz(ə)nʃp/ noun the state of being a citizen citrus fruit / strəs fru t/ noun an edible fruit such as an orange, lemon, grapefruit or lime city 136 city / st/ noun a large town, originally created by charter, often with a cathedral 쑗 Walking around the hot city streets can be very exhausting. 쑗 Which is the largest city in Germany? 쑗 Traffic is a problem in big cities. City / sti/ noun the main financial district in London 쑗 He works in the City. city centre /sti sentə/ noun the central part of a town (NOTE: The US term is down① town.) civic / svk/ adj referring to a city. Synonym public civic centre /svk sentə/ noun a building with social and sports facilities for a town ② civil / sv(ə)l/ adj 1. belonging to the general public and not to the armed forces 쑗 He left the air force and became a civil airline pilot. 2. referring to ordinary people 쑗 There have been civil disturbances in the provinces again today. 3. polite 쑗 She wasn’t very civil to the policeman. 왍 please keep a civil tongue in your head please be polite civil action /sv(ə)l kʃən/ noun a court action brought by one citizen against another, as opposed to a criminal action civil aviation /sv(ə)l evi eʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of flying commercial or passenger planes, not war planes civil engineer /sv(ə)l endȢ nə/ noun a person who designs and manages the building of things such as roads, bridges and railways civil engineering /sv(ə)l endȢ nərŋ/ noun the science of building, especially of roads, bridges and railways (NOTE: no plural) civilian /sə vliən/ adj not in the armed forces 쑗 Both the military and civilian personnel will be involved. 쑗 The civilian population was advised to take shelter in their cellars. 쐽 noun an ordinary citizen who is not in the armed forces 쑗 It is certain that ordinary civilians will be affected by the war. 쑗 Many civilians were killed in the air raids. Antonym martial ② civilisation /svla zeʃ(ə)n/, civilization noun a civilised society or civilised way of organising society civilise / svlaz/, civilize verb 1. to educate people to a higher level of society 쑗 Missionaries went out with the idea that they would civilise local tribes. 2. to make someone less rude or less uncouth 쑗 Their new life civilised them a little. civilised / svlazd/, civilized adj 1. organised to a high level of social behaviour 쑗 How can a civilised nation carry out such barbarous punishments. 2. pleasant and polite 쑗 We had a very civilised evening, chatting over a good meal. 쑗 Try to greet my claim parents in a civilised manner if you can. 쑗 It’s so good to be in civilised company again. civility /s vlti/ noun polite behaviour. Synonym politeness. Antonym rudeness (NOTE: The plural is civilities.) civil law /sv(ə)l lɔ / noun laws relating to people’s rights civil liberties /sv(ə)l lbətiz/ plural noun the rights of ordinary people to act freely within the law 쑗 a campaign to extend civil liberties 쑗 Security cameras on buildings can be seen as an infringement of civil liberties. (NOTE: Liberty of the press and liberty of the individual are examples of civil liberties.) civil rights /sv(ə)l rats/ plural noun rights of an ordinary citizen 쑗 She campaigned for civil rights in the 1980s. ③ civil servant /sv(ə)l s" vənt/ noun a person who works in a government department ③ civil service /sv(ə)l s" vs/ noun an organisation and the staff who administer a country ③ civil war /sv(ə)l wɔ / noun a war between citizens inside a country COMMENT: The English Civil War, from around 1642 to 1651, was fought between supporters of the King (Charles I) and the supporters of Parliament, one of whose leaders was Oliver Cromwell. The king was captured, tried and executed in 1649, and Cromwell took the title of Lord Protector. The members of the King’s party were called Cavaliers, and the supporters of the Parliament were called Roundheads because they wore their hair cut short. The American Civil war of 1861 to 1865 was fought when eleven Southern states seceded from the Union (i.e. from the United States) and fought against the North under President Lincoln. CJD abbr Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease clad /kld/ adj 1. dressed in a particular way 쑗 a group of leather-clad dancers 쑗 The soldiers were clad in winter greatcoats. 2. covered 쑗 the snow-clad fields 쑗 a white stucco-clad house ① claim /klem/ noun 1. asking for money 쑗 His claim for a pay increase was turned down. 2. a statement of something which you believe to be true but have no proof 쑗 His claim that the car belonged to him was correct. Synonym assertion 3. a demand for money against an insurance policy 쑗 After the floods, insurance companies received hundreds of claims. 왍 to put in or submit a claim to ask the insurance company officially to pay damages 쑗 I put in a claim for repairs to the car. 쑗 She submitted a claim for £250,000 damages against the driver of the other car. 쐽 verb 1. to demand something claimant 137 as a right 쑗 Steel workers have claimed huge pay rises. 쑗 If they charged you too much you must claim a refund. 2. to state, but without any proof 쑗 He claims he never received the letter. 쑗 She claims that the car belongs to her. 3. to say you own something which has been left behind or lost 쑗 No one has claimed the umbrella found in my office, so I am going to keep it. ③ claimant / klemənt/ noun 1. a person who claims something 쑗 Benefit claimants will be paid late because of the bank holiday. 2. a person who starts a legal action against someone in the civil courts 쑗 She’s the claimant in a libel action. 쑗 The court decided in favour of the claimant. (NOTE: The former term was plaintiff. The other party in an action is the defendant.) ③ claim back /klem bk/ verb to claim something which you owned before clairvoyant /kleə vɔənt/ noun a person who says he or she can see in his or her mind things which are happening elsewhere or can foretell the future. Synonym psychic clam /klm/ noun a large shellfish found in sand, which is dug out with a spade clamber / klmbə/ verb to climb with difficulty clammy / klmi/ adj damp and cold (NOTE: clammier – clammiest) clamour / klmə/ noun 1. noise such as shouting 쑗 The clamour of the crowd at the rugby ground could be heard for miles around. 2. a loud demand 쑗 a clamour for democratic elections 쐽 verb to shout or to demand loudly 쑗 People are clamouring for tickets. 쑗 The crowd clamoured to see the manager. (NOTE: [all verb senses] The US spelling is clamor.) clamp /klmp/ noun a device that holds something tightly together 쐽 verb 1. to hold something tight with a clamp 쑗 He spread glue over the two pieces of wood and then clamped them together. 2. to prevent an illegally parked car from moving by attaching a clamp to one wheel 쑗 I parked on a double yellow line and was clamped. clampdown / klmpdaυn/ noun a severe action to stop something from happening (informal ). Synonym restriction clam up /klm p/ verb to refuse to talk (informal ) (NOTE: clamming – clammed) clan /kln/ noun a family tribe, especially in Scotland clandestine /kln destn/ adj secret, undercover clang /klŋ/ noun a loud noise of metal ringing 쑗 Can you hear the clang of the bells? 쐽 verb to make a loud ringing noise 쑗 We were woken up by the bells clanging in the churches round us. Synonym clank . . clash clank /klŋk/ noun a noise of metal hitting metal 쑗 You could hear the clank of chains as the prisoners came into the court. Synonym clang 쐽 verb to make a noise of metal hitting other metal clansman / klnzmən/, clanswoman / klnzwυmən/ noun a member of a clan (NOTE: The plural is clansmen, clanswomen.) clap /klp/ verb 1. to beat your hands to- gether to show you are pleased 쑗 At the end of her speech the audience stood up and clapped. 쑗 He clapped his hands together in delight. 2. 왍 to clap someone into jail to put someone in jail 쑗 He was arrested and clapped into jail. 쐽 noun 1. the action of beating your hands together 쑗 He did very well – give him a big clap, everyone. 2. 왍 clap of thunder a sudden loud noise made by thunder 쑗 A thunderclap woke us up. 쑗 We were woken by a sudden clap of thunder. clapped out /klpt aυt/ adj worn out or broken down (informal ) claret / klrət/ noun a red wine from Bordeaux clarification /klrf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of making something clear. Synonym . explanation ③ clarify / klrfa/ verb 1. to make some- thing clear 쑗 We will have to clarify the situation before taking any further decisions. 2. to heat something, especially butter, until it becomes transparent 쑗 Pour clarified butter over the vegetables. clarinet /klr net/ noun a wind instrument in the woodwind group ③ clarity / klrti/ noun clearness. Antonym ambiguity (NOTE: no plural) clash /klʃ/ noun 1. a loud noise of metal things hitting each other 쑗 She heard a loud clash like two saucepans being banged together. 2. a battle or an argument 쑗 There were clashes outside the football ground between supporters of the two teams. 쑗 We are getting reports of clashes between government forces and rebel groups. 3. the shock of two colours seen close together 쑗 If you wear red tights with an orange dress there will be a colour clash. (NOTE: The plural is clashes.) 쐽 verb 1. to bang things together making a loud noise 쑗 She has to clash the cymbals at the end of the piece of music. 2. to argue violently 쑗 She clashed with her mother about wearing a ring in her nose. 쑗 The opposition deputies clashed with the government during the debate. 3. to fight 쑗 Rioting fans clashed with the police. 4. to happen at the same time as something else 쑗 The party clashes with a meeting I have to go to. 쑗 Unfortunately, the two meetings clash, so I’ll have to miss one. 5. (of colours) to clasp 138 shock when put side by side 쑗 That bright pink tie clashes with your green shirt. ③ clasp /klɑ sp/ noun 1. a device for holding something shut 쑗 My handbag won’t close properly – the clasp is broken. 2. a piece of women’s jewellery worn fastened to clothes 쑗 Her shawl was attached with a silver clasp. 3. the act of holding something in your hand 쑗 I could feel the firm clasp of his hand on my shoulder. 쐽 verb to hold something tight 쑗 The child clasped his hand anxiously. Synonym grasp ① class /klɑ s/ noun 1. a group of children or adults who go to school or college together 쑗 There are 30 children in my son’s class. 2. a group of people who were at the same school or college at the same time in the past 쑗 She’s organising a reunion for the class of ’76. 3. a lesson 4. people of the same group in society 쑗 People from different social classes mixed at the reception. 5. a certain level of quality 쑗 Always buy the best class of product. 쑗 These peaches are Class 1. 6. the quality of seats or service on a plane or train 왍 first class the best quality and most expensive option 쑗 If you travel first class on the train to France, you get free drinks. class act /klɑ s kt/ noun a person or thing considered to be an example of excellence Class A drug /klɑ s e drDZ/ noun an illegal drug such as heroin, which is considered to be one of the strongest and most dangerous drugs ③ classic / klsk/ noun a great book, play or piece of music 쑗 ‘The Maltese Falcon’ is a Hollywood classic. 쑗 We have to study several classics of English literature for our course. 쐽 adj 1. (of a style) elegant and traditional 쑗 The classic little black dress is always in fashion. 쑗 The style of the shopfront is classic, simple and elegant. 2. based on Ancient Greek or Roman architecture 쑗 The British Museum is built in classic Greek style. 3. typical 쑗 It was a classic example of his inability to take decisions. ③ classical / klsk(ə)l/ adj 1. elegant and based on the Ancient Greek or Roman style 쑗 a classical eighteenth century villa 2. referring to Ancient Greece and Rome 쑗 classical Greek literature 3. referring to traditional, serious music 쑗 a concert of classical music classical music /klsk(ə)l mju zk/ noun European music such as that written by Mozart or Bach, based on specific structures Classics / klsks/ plural noun the study of the languages, literature and philosophy of Ancient Greece and Rome 쑗 She studied Classics at Oxford. 쑗 He has a Classics degree from Edinburgh. clay classification /klsf keʃ(ə)n/ noun a way of arranging things into categories ③ classified / klsfad/ adj 1. which has been put into a category 2. secret classified ad /klsfad d/, classified advertisement /klsfad əd v" tsmənt/ noun an advertisement listed in a newspaper under special headings such as ‘property for sale’ or ‘jobs wanted’ ③ classify / klsfa/ verb to arrange things into groups. Synonym categorise classless / klɑ sləs/ adj with no division into social classes. Synonym egalitarian classmate / klɑ smet/ noun a person who is or was in the same class as you at school or college ③ classroom / klɑ sru m/ noun a room in a school where children are taught 쑗 When the teacher came into the classroom all the children were shouting. classy / klɑ si/ adj stylish and expensivelooking (informal ). Synonym chic (NOTE: . classier – classiest) clatter / kltə/ noun a noise of things hit- ting together 쑗 The clatter from the kitchen can be heard in the restaurant. 쑗 There’s a constant clatter of machines in the workshop. Synonym clang 쐽 verb to make a loud, harsh noise 쑗 The wooden cart clattered across the square. Synonym rattle ② clause /klɔ z/ noun 1. a paragraph in a treaty or legal document 쑗 According to clause six, payments will not be due until next year. 2. a part of a sentence 쑗 The sentence has two clauses, separated by the conjunction ‘and’. claustrophobia /klɔ strə fəυbiə/ noun a fear of being shut inside a closed place claustrophobic /klɔ strə fəυbk/ adj feeling or causing claustrophobia clavicle / klvk(ə)l/ noun the collarbone, one of two long thin bones joining the shoulders to the breastbone claw /klɔ / noun 1. a nail on the foot of an animal or bird 쑗 The dog dug a hole with its claws. 2. an arm of a crab or lobster, with pincers 쑗 I got a nasty nip from the lobster’s claws. 쐽 verb to scratch or pull someone or something with claws 쑗 The keeper was clawed by the tiger and had to have stitches in his arm. 쑗 The cat has clawed the leg of the kitchen table. Synonym scrape 왍 to claw your way up to go up with great difficulty 쑗 She clawed her way up the promotion ladder. ③ clay /kle/ noun 1. a stiff soil found in river valleys 쑗 The soil in our garden has a lot of clay in it. 2. a stiff soil used for making bricks or china 쑗 The potter threw a lump of clay onto his wheel and started to make a pot. clean 139 ① clean /kli n/ adj 1. not dirty 쑗 Wipe your glasses with a clean handkerchief. 쑗 The bedrooms must be spotlessly clean. 쑗 Tell the waitress these cups aren’t clean. 쑗 The maid forgot to put clean towels in the bathroom. 왍 to come clean to confess to, e.g. a crime (informal ) 쑗 He came clean and owned up to stealing the watch. 2. not used 쑗 Take a clean sheet of paper. 3. with no record of offences 쑗 Candidates should hold a clean driving licence. 4. fair, according to the rules 쑗 We played a good clean game of football. (NOTE: cleaner – cleanest) 쐽 verb to make something clean, by taking away dirt 쑗 Remember to clean your teeth every morning. 쑗 She was cleaning the kitchen when the telephone rang. 쑗 He cleans his car every Saturday morning. Antonym soil 쐽 adv completely 쑗 I clean forgot to send the letter. 쐽 noun the action of cleaning 쑗 The restaurant kitchen needs a good clean. clean-cut adv having a clear outline 쑗 a clean-cut photograph 쐽 adj neat and tidy 쑗 a man in a clean-cut suit ③ cleaner / kli nə/ noun 1. a machine which removes dirt 2. a substance which removes dirt 쑗 This new oven cleaner doesn’t get rid of the worst stains. 3. a person who cleans e.g. a house or an office 쑗 The cleaners didn’t empty my wastepaper basket. ③ cleaning / kli nŋ/ noun 1. the action of making something clean 쑗 Cleaning the house after the party took hours. 2. clothes which are ready to be sent for dry-cleaning or which have been returned after dry-cleaning 쑗 She ran through the rain to her car with an armful of cleaning. Also called dry-cleaning cleanly / kli nli/ adv in a clean way clean out /kli n aυt/ verb to make something empty and clean (informal ) cleanse /klenz/ verb to make something very clean. Synonym rinse. Antonym soil cleanser / klenzə/ noun a substance which removes dirt, especially from the face clean-shaven /kli n ʃev(ə)n/ adj with no beard or moustache. Antonym bearded ② clean up /kli n p/ verb 1. to make everything clean and tidy, e.g. after a party 쑗 It took us three hours to clean up after her birthday party. 2. to remove corruption from a place 쑗 The police are going to have a hard job cleaning up this town. 3. to make a lot of money 쑗 He cleaned up at the races. 쑗 In no time he’d cleaned up £50,000. clean-up / kli n p/ noun the act of making something clean ① clear /klə/ adj 1. with nothing in the way 쑗 You can cross the road – it’s clear now. 쑗 From the window, she had a clear view of the street. 2. with no clouds or mist 쑗 a clear blue sky 쑗 On a clear day, you can see the other side of the lake. 3. easily understood 쑗 . . clearly She made it clear that she wanted us to go. 쑗 The instructions on the computer screen are not very clear. 쑗 Will you give me a clear answer – yes or no? 4. which is not covered and which you can easily see through 쑗 a clear glass window 5. (of a period of time) complete 쑗 It will take a clear week to process the information. 왍 three clear days three whole working days 쑗 Allow three clear days for the cheque to be paid into the bank. 쐽 verb 1. to remove something which is in the way 쑗 Snowploughs cleared the railway line of snow or cleared the snow from the railway line. 쑗 We’ll get a plumber to clear the blocked pipe in the bathroom. 왍 to clear the table to take away things such as knives, forks and plates after a meal 왍 to clear your throat to cough slightly to get your voice ready for speaking 2. 왍 to clear a cheque to pass a cheque through the banking system, so that the money is transferred from one account to another 쑗 The cheque took ten days to clear or the bank took ten days to clear the cheque. 3. to sell cheaply in order to get rid of stock 쑗 ‘demonstration models to clear’ 쑗 If we reduce the price we’ll clear the stock in no time. 4. (of a court) to find that someone is not guilty 쑗 The court cleared him of all the charges. 5. to go over the top of something without touching it 쑗 She cleared 1.3m in the high jump. 쐽 adv not close 쑗 Stand clear of the doors, please. 쑗 I would advise you to stay clear of that dog. clearance / klərəns/ noun 1. the act of removing obstacles such as trees or old buildings from land 쑗 The clearance of the slums from the town centre will make land available for building. 쑗 The government has introduced a programme of slum clearance. 2. space for something to pass through 쑗 The lorry can get through the entrance with about twenty centimetres clearance on either side. 3. permission to do something 쑗 The control tower gave the plane clearance to land. (NOTE: no plural) clearance sale / klərəns sel/ noun a sale of items at low prices to get rid of the stock clear away /klər ə we/ verb to take something away completely clear-cut /klə kt/ adj definite or distinct. Synonym precise. Antonym ambiguous clearing / klərŋ/ noun 1. the act of removing obstacles 쑗 We don’t want the public to interfere with the clearing of the wreckage from the railway track. 2. an area in a wood where the trees have been cut down 쑗 They set up camp in a clearing in the middle of the forest. ① clearly / kləli/ adv 1. in a way which is easily understood or heard 쑗 He didn’t speak clear off 140 clearly, and I couldn’t catch the address he gave. 2. obviously 쑗 He clearly didn’t like being told he was too fat. clear off /klər ɒf/ verb to go away (informal ) clear out /klər aυt/ verb 1. to empty something completely 쑗 Can you clear out your bedroom cupboard? 2. to go away (informal ) 쑗 Clear out! I don’t want you here. clear-sighted /klə satd/ adj able to think clearly and understand a problem. Synonym perceptive. Antonym confused ③ clear up /klər p/ verb 1. to tidy and clean a place completely 쑗 The cleaners refused to clear up the mess after the office party. 2. to solve a problem 쑗 In the end, we cleared up the mystery of the missing computer disk. 3. (of weather ) to improve 쑗 I hope the weather clears up because we’re going on holiday tomorrow. 4. (of an illness) to get better 쑗 He has been resting, but his cold still hasn’t cleared up. clear-up / klər p/ noun the action of clearing up cleavage / kli vdȢ/ noun 1. the space between the breasts, especially if it can be seen with a low-cut dress 쑗 All the ladies were dressed in black and there was not a cleavage in sight. 2. a split, or difference of opinion 쑗 The cleavage between the two groups became more and more apparent. clef /klef/ noun a sign at the beginning of a written piece of music which shows how high the range of notes is cleft /kleft/ noun a crack in a rock 쑗 Small plants were growing in clefts in the rocks. Synonym fissure 쐽 adj split 왍 in a cleft stick in an awkward situation clemency / klemənsi/ noun forgiveness shown to someone who has done something wrong clementine / klemənti n/ noun a small sweet orange with a skin which is easily removed clench /klentʃ/ verb to close tightly. Synonym compress 왍 through clenched teeth with your teeth closed tight together 쑗 He muttered ‘I’m sorry’ through clenched teeth. ③ clergy / kl" dȢi/ plural noun priests. Synonym priesthood clergyman / kl" dȢmən/ noun a priest or minister, especially of the Anglican Church . . . (NOTE: The plural is clergymen. They are usually referred to by the title Reverend.) cleric / klerk/ noun a priest or other clergyman clerical / klerk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to office work 쑗 A clerical error made the invoice £300.00 when it should have been £3000.00. 쑗 He’s looking for part-time clerical work. 2. climb referring to clergy 쑗 The newspaper story has been talked about in clerical circles. clerk /klɑ k/ noun a person who works in an office ② clever / klevə/ adj intelligent, able to learn quickly 쑗 He’s the cleverest person in the family. 쑗 She’s very clever with money. 쑗 He is very clever at spotting bargains. 왍 he’s clever with his hands he’s good at making things with his hands cleverly / klevəli/ adv in a clever way cleverness / klevənəs/ noun being clever. Synonym skill cliché / kli ʃe/ noun a saying or phrase which is too frequently used ③ click /klk/ noun 1. a short sharp sound 쑗 She heard a click and saw the doorknob turn. 2. the act of pressing a key on a computer keyboard or a mouse button 쐽 verb 1. to make a short sharp sound 쑗 The cameras clicked as she came out of the church. 쑗 He clicked his fingers to attract the waiter’s attention. 2. to become clear and easily understood 왍 suddenly everything clicked suddenly it all became clear 3. to quickly press the button on a mouse to start a computer function 쑗 The pull-down menu is displayed by clicking on the menu bar at the top of the screen. 쑗 Click twice to start the program. ① client / klaənt/ noun a person to whom you give a service. Synonym customer clientele /kli ɒn tel/ noun all the customers of a shop or business cliff /klf/ noun a high rock face, usually by the sea. Synonym precipice cliffhanger / klfhŋə/ noun 1. an ending to a part of a story which makes you want to know what happens next 2. a situation in which people are tense because they do not know what will happen next climactic /kla mktk/ adj referring to a climax ③ climate / klamət/ noun 1. the general weather conditions in a certain place 쑗 The climate in the south of the country is milder than in the north. 2. a situation with certain features 쑗 The current economic climate makes an interest rate rise very likely. 쑗 She wants to change jobs – she thinks she could do with a change of climate. climatic /kla mtk/ adj referring to climate climax / klamks/ noun the most important and exciting point. Synonym peak (NOTE: The plural is climaxes.) climb /klam/ noun the act of going up 쑗 It’s a steep climb to the top of the hill. 쐽 verb 1. to go up or down something using arms ② and legs 쑗 The cat climbed up the apple tree. 쑗 The burglars climbed over the wall. 쑗 He climb down 141 escaped by climbing out of the window. 2. to go up 쑗 The road climbs up to 500m above sea level. 3. to go up mountains as a sport 쑗 When you have climbed Everest, there is no higher mountain left to climb. 쑗 He goes climbing every weekend. ② climb down /klam daυn/ verb 1. to come down, e.g. a mountain or a ladder 쑗 He climbed down from the roof. 쑗 The firemen helped the hotel guests climb down the ladder. 2. not to do what you had previously insisted on doing 쑗 In the end, the government had to climb down and admit that a mistake had been made. climber / klamə/ noun 1. a person who climbs mountains 쑗 The climbers roped themselves together and set off up the slope. 2. a plant which climbs 쑗 We need a colourful climber to cover that wall. climbing / klamŋ/ noun the sport of climbing mountains 쑗 Climbing is not a sport for young children. 쑗 We had a climbing holiday last Easter. 쑗 She brought her climbing equipment with her. climbing frame / klamŋ frem/ noun a framework of wooden bars and platforms for children to climb on ③ clinch /klntʃ/ noun 1. a position where two people hold each other tightly 쑗 He found his girlfriend in a clinch with another man. 2. (in boxing) a position where both boxers hold on to each other 쑗 The referee tried to separate the two boxers who were in a tight clinch. (NOTE: The plural is clinches.) 쐽 verb 1. (in boxing) to hold each other tight 쑗 The referee tried to stop the two boxers clinching. 2. to complete a deal 쑗 He offered an extra 5% to clinch the deal. cling /klŋ/ verb 왍 to cling onto something to hold on tight to something 쑗 She survived by clinging onto a piece of wood. 쑗 He clung tightly to his mother’s arm. clingfilm / klŋflm/ noun a thin transparent plastic sheet for covering food clingy / klŋi/ adj 1. emotionally dependent on someone 2. (of clothes) very tight ③ clinic / klnk/ noun a specialised medical centre or hospital ③ clinical / klnk(ə)l/ adj 1. medical 2. 왍 to look at things in a clinical way to look at something objectively, without any emotions clinician /kl nʃ(ə)n/ noun a doctor, usually not a surgeon, who has great experience in treating patients clink /klŋk/ noun 1. a noise of glasses or metal objects hitting each other 2. a prison 쐽 verb to make a little noise, like pieces of metal hitting each other. Synonym clank 왍 to clink glasses to touch your glass against someone else’s glass, to wish each other good luck or good health cloakroom clip /klp/ noun 1. especially US a piece of jewellery which clips onto your clothes 쑗 He wore a gold clip on his tie. 쑗 She has a diamond clip on her dress. 2. a short piece of film 쑗 Here is a clip of the president getting into the car. 3. 왍 a clip round the ear a smack on the side of the head (informal ) 쑗 Stop that noise or you’ll get a clip round the ear. 쐽 verb 1. to attach things together with a clip 쑗 She clipped the invoice and the cheque together and put them in an envelope. 쑗 These earrings are made to clip onto your ears. 2. to cut something with scissors 쑗 The dog has its fur clipped once a month. 쑗 He carefully clipped the article out of the newspaper. 3. to hit slightly 쑗 The wing of the plane clipped the top of the tree before it crashed. (NOTE: clipping – clipped) clipboard / klpbɔ d/ noun a stiff board with a clip at the top so that a piece of paper can be attached to it to allow you to write on it easily clipped /klpt/ adj 1. short and neat 쑗 He has a neatly clipped beard. 쑗 I was admiring your freshly clipped hedge. 2. 왍 clipped voice a way of speaking using short sharp sounds 쑗 He spoke the famous speech from ‘Henry V’ in clipped tones. clippers / klpəz/ plural noun shears or scissors used for clipping clipping / klpŋ/ noun 1. a reference to someone or something in a newspaper or magazine which is cut out 쑗 Can you file away all these newspaper clippings, please? 2. a small piece cut off, e.g. a hedge 쑗 Trim the hedge and put the clippings in a black bag. 쑗 Grass clippings can be piled on top of the compost heap. clique /kli k/ noun a small select group of people clitoris / kltərs/ noun the female sex organ at the top of the vulva cloak /kləυk/ noun 1. a long outer covering which hangs from the shoulders and has no sleeves 쑗 She wore a long cloak of black velvet. 2. 왍 a cloak of secrecy something that hides things so that they remain secret 쑗 The whole affair was shrouded in a cloak of secrecy. 왍 cloak and dagger referring to activities that suggest a mystery, or that someone is spying (informal ) 왍 under the cloak of darkness at night when everything is hidden 쑗 They left the city under the cloak of darkness. 쐽 verb to hide something in order to keep it secret 쑗 The whole project is cloaked in secrecy. Antonym reveal cloakroom / kləυkru m/ noun 1. a place where you leave your coat in a public place 쑗 I left my coat and briefcase in the cloakroom. (NOTE: The US term is checkroom.) 2. a room inside a public building with lavatories . . clobber 142 and washbasins 쑗 The ladies’ cloakroom is on the first floor. clobber / klɒbə/ noun 1. rubbish, useless items 쑗 Get rid of all the clobber in your cupboard. 2. belongings 쑗 All his tennis clobber was stolen. 쐽 verb to affect badly, especially financially (informal ) 쑗 The new tax will clobber the middle classes. (NOTE: . no plural) clock /klɒk/ noun an instrument which shows the time 쑗 The station clock is always right. 쑗 Your clock is 5 minutes slow. 쑗 The office clock is fast. 쑗 The clock has stopped – it needs winding up. 쐽 verb 왍 to clock in or on to arrive for work and register by putting a card into a timing machine 왍 to clock out or off to leave work and register by putting a card into a timing machine clockwise / klɒkwaz/ adj, adv in the same direction as the hands of a clock 쑗 Turn the lid clockwise to tighten it. 쑗 He was driving clockwise round the ring road when the accident took place. Antonym ① anticlockwise clockwork / klɒkw" k/ noun a mechanism in a toy, machine, clock, etc., which works using a spring which is wound up with a key 왍 like clockwork smoothly, with no problems 쑗 The whole evening went off like clockwork. clod /klɒd/ noun a large lump of earth clog /klɒDZ/ noun a wooden shoe 쑗 Clogs are very popular in Scandinavian countries. 쐽 verb to block 쑗 Trafalgar Square was clogged with traffic as the protest march arrived. 쑗 Dead leaves are clogging the drains. (NOTE: clogging – clogged) cloister / klɔstə/ noun a covered walk round a square courtyard, e.g. in a monastery or next to a cathedral cloistered / klɔstəd/ adj protected from the outside world and its problems. Synonym secluded clone /kləυn/ noun 1. an exact genetic copy of an animal or plant 쑗 A cutting produces a clone of a plant. 쑗 This sheep was the first mammal to survive as a clone. 2. a computer or circuit that behaves in the same way as the original it was copied from 쑗 They copied our laptop and brought out a cheaper clone. 쐽 verb to create an exact genetic copy of an individual animal or plant 쑗 Biologists have successfully cloned a sheep. Synonym duplicate ① close adj /kləυs/ 1. very near, or just next to something 쑗 Our office is close to the railway station. 쑗 This is the closest I’ve ever been to a film star! 2. where only a few votes separate the winner from the losers 쑗 The election was very close. 쑗 It was a close contest. 3. hot and airless 쑗 It’s very close in here, can someone open a window? 쐽 adv ③ closing /kləυs/ very near 쑗 Keep close by me if you don’t want to get lost. 쑗 Go further away – you’re getting too close. 쑗 They stood so close (together) that she felt his breath on her cheek. 쑗 The sound came closer and closer. (NOTE: closer – closest) 쐽 verb /kləυz/ 1. to shut 쑗 Would you mind closing the window? 쑗 He closed his book and turned on the TV. 2. to make something come to an end 쑗 She closed her letter by saying she was coming to see us. 3. to come to an end 쑗 The meeting closed with a vote of thanks. 4. 왍 to close an account to take all the money out of a bank account and stop the account 쑗 He closed his building society account. 쐽 noun 1. /kləυz/ an end, final part 쑗 The century was drawing to a close. 왍 at close of play when a cricket match stops for the day 2. /kləυs/ a short residential road 쑗 They live in Briar Close. 3. /kləυs/ an area round a cathedral 쑗 The dean has a house in the cathedral close. ① closed /kləυzd/ adj shut 쑗 The shop is closed on Sundays. 쑗 The office will be closed for the Christmas holidays. 쑗 There was a ‘closed’ sign hanging in the window. ③ close down /kləυz daυn/ verb to shut a business permanently closed shop /kləυzd ʃɒp/ noun a situation in which a company agrees to employ only union members in certain jobs close-knit /kləυs nt/ adv consisting of people who know and rely on each other ① closely / kləυsli/ adv 1. with a lot of attention 쑗 She studied the timetable very closely. 쑗 The prisoners were closely guarded by armed soldiers. 2. very close together 쑗 The photographers moved in closely around the car. close season / kləυs si z(ə)n/ noun a period when certain types of wild animal cannot be killed (NOTE: The US term is closed season.) closet / klɒzt/ noun US a cupboard 쑗 Will you get my coat from the closet, honey? 왍 to come out of the closet to say publicly that you are homosexual (informal ) 쐽 adj secret, not revealing something in public 쑗 He’s a closet racist. Synonym secret 쐽 verb 왍 to closet yourself with someone to shut yourself away in a room with someone 쑗 The directors have been closeted with the VAT inspectors for several hours. ③ close-up / kləυs p/ noun a photograph taken very close to the subject. Synonym . detail closing / kləυzŋ/ adj final, at the end 쑗 the closing days of the election campaign Synonym final. Antonym opening 쐽 noun the time when something such as a pub or shop closes closing date 143 closing date / kləυzŋ det/ noun the last date closing time / kləυzŋ tam/ noun the time when something such as a pub or shop closes ③ closure / kləυȢə/ noun the shutting of something, or the fact of being shut clot /klɒt/ noun 1. a soft mass of thickened blood in a vein or an artery 쑗 The doctor diagnosed a blood clot in the brain. 2. a fool 쑗 You stupid clot, you put the milk carton into the fridge upside down! 쐽 verb (of blood) to thicken, changing from semi-liquid to semi-solid 쑗 In people with haemophilia, blood clots very slowly. Synonym coagulate (NOTE: clotting – clotted) ① cloth /klɒθ/ noun 1. material 쑗 Her dress is made of cheap blue cloth. 쑗 This cloth is of a very high quality. 2. a piece of material for cleaning 쑗 He wiped up the spill with a damp cloth. 3. a piece of material which you put on a table to cover it 쑗 The waiter spread a white cloth over the table. 쑗 She split some red wine on the cloth. clothe /kləυð/ verb to dress someone. Antonym undress clothed /kləυðd/ adj dressed or covered in something ② clothes /kləυðz/ plural noun things which you wear to cover your body and keep you warm, e.g. trousers, socks, shirts and dresses 쑗 He walked down the street with no clothes on. 쑗 The doctor asked him to take his clothes off. 쑗 The children haven’t had any new clothes for years. clothes brush / kləυðz brʃ/ noun a brush for cleaning clothes clothes horse / kləυðz hɔ s/ noun a frame for hanging wet clothes on to dry clothes line / kləυðz lan/ noun a rope for hanging wet clothes on to dry clothes peg /əkləυðz peDZ/ noun a little wooden clip, used to attach wet clothes to a washing line (NOTE: The US term is clothes pin.) clothing / kləυðŋ/ noun clothes 쑗 an important clothing manufacturer 쑗 Take plenty of warm clothing on your trip to Iceland. (NOTE: no plural: some clothing; a piece of clothing) clotted cream /klɒtd kri m/ noun a type of cream which has been heated and has become more solid ① cloud /klaυd/ noun 1. a mass of white or grey vapour floating in the air 쑗 Do you think it’s going to rain? – Yes, look at those grey clouds. 쑗 The plane was flying above the clouds. 2. 왍 on cloud nine very happy (informal ) 쑗 They were on cloud nine when she won the lottery. 왍 under a cloud suspected of having done something wrong 쑗 He was . club under a cloud for some time after the thefts were discovered. 3. a mass of smoke floating in the air 쑗 Clouds of smoke poured out of the burning shop. cloudburst / klaυdb" st/ noun a sudden heavy shower of rain. Synonym rainstorm cloudless / klaυdləs/ adj with no clouds. Synonym clear cloud over /klaυd əυvə/ verb to become covered with clouds ② cloudy / klaυdi/ adj 1. with clouds 쑗 The weather was cloudy in the morning, but cleared up in the afternoon. 쑗 When it’s very cloudy it isn’t easy to take good photographs. 2. not clear, not transparent 쑗 This beer is cloudy. 쑗 The water in the aquarium turned cloudy. (NOTE: cloudier – cloudiest) clout /klaυt/ noun 1. a blow with the fist 쑗 He received a clout on the head. 2. power or influence 쑗 Because she owns so many shares, she wields a great deal of clout in company meetings. 쑗 Newspaper editors have a lot of political clout. 쐽 verb to give someone a blow with the hand 쑗 She clouts the children when they make a noise. clove /kləυv/ noun 1. a dried flower bud of a tree used for flavouring 쑗 A few cloves stuck into an onion can be used to flavour a stew. 2. one of the parts that make up a bulb of garlic 쑗 Rub round the salad bowl with a cut clove of garlic. cloven hoof /kləυv(ə)n hu f/ noun a hoof which is split into two parts clover / kləυvə/ noun a common weed, used as food for cattle 쑗 With so much clover in the fields, the bees produce excellent honey. 왍 to be or live in clover to live comfortably 쑗 After his lottery win he lived in clover. cloverleaf intersection /kləυvəli f ntə sekʃən/ noun crossroads which intersect with curving link roads, in a way which looks like the leaf of a clover clown /klaυn/ noun a man who makes people laugh in a circus (informal ) 쑗 The clown had a big red nose and baggy trousers. Synonym joker 쐽 verb 왍 to clown about or around to behave in a silly way which makes people laugh 쑗 Stop clowning around with that hat and sit down to have your meal. ① club /klb/ noun 1. a group of people who have the same interest or form a team 쑗 a youth club 쑗 I’m joining a tennis club. 쑗 Our town has one of the top football clubs in the country. 2. a place where a club meets 쑗 The sports club is near the river. 쑗 He goes to the golf club every Friday. 3. a large heavy stick 쑗 She was knocked to the ground by a blow from a club. 4. stick for playing golf . (NOTE: A golf club can either mean the place where you play golf, or the stick used to hit the ball.) 쐽 verb 1. to hit with a club 쑗 clubbing 144 She was clubbed to the ground. 2. 왍 to club together (of several people) to contribute money jointly 쑗 They clubbed together and bought a yacht. clubbing / klbŋ/ noun the activity of going out to discos and nightclubs club class / klb klɑ s/ noun a specially comfortable class of seating on a plane, though not as luxurious as first class clubhouse / klbhaυs/ noun the house where members of a club meet club sandwich /klb sndwdȢ/ noun a sandwich made of three slices of bread, with a filling of meat, salad, fish, etc., between them cluck /klk/ verb (of hens) to make a low noise in the throat ② clue /klu / noun information which helps you solve a mystery or puzzle 쑗 The detective had missed a vital clue. 쑗 I don’t understand the clues to this crossword. 왍 I haven’t a clue I don’t know at all 쑗 The police still haven’t a clue who did it. clued up /klu d p/ adj well informed about something clueless / klu ləs/ adj stupid (informal ). Antonym well-informed clump /klmp/ noun a group of trees or bushes 쑗 We’ll walk as far as that clump of trees and come back. 쐽 verb to move making a dull noise 쑗 He was clumping around the kitchen in his clogs. 쑗 The people in the flat upstairs started clumping about in the middle of the night. clumsily / klmzli/ adv in a clumsy way clumsiness / klmzinəs/ noun the quality of being clumsy clumsy / klmzi/ adj who frequently breaks things or knocks things over. Synonym awkward (NOTE: clumsier – . clumsiest) cluster / klstə/ noun a group of objects together 쑗 A brooch with a cluster of pearls. 쑗 He photographed a cluster of stars. 쐽 verb 왍 to cluster together to form a group 쑗 They clustered round the noticeboard to read their exam results. Synonym gather. Antonym disperse clutch /kltʃ/ noun 1. a tight clasp 쑗 She felt the clutch of his fingers on her sleeve. 왍 in the clutches of under the control of 쑗 If the company were to get into their clutches it would be a disaster. 2. a mechanism for changing the gears in a car 쑗 The car has just had a new clutch fitted. 왍 clutch pedal the pedal which works the clutch and allows the driver to change gear 왍 to let in the clutch to make the clutch engage 쑗 Let the clutch in slowly, or you’ll stall the car. 왍 to let out the clutch to disengage the engine from the gears 3. several eggs laid together in a nest 쑗 The coarse bird laid a clutch of seven eggs. 쐽 verb to grab hold of 쑗 She clutched my arm as we stood on the edge of the cliff. Synonym grasp clutter / kltə/ noun a mass of things left lying about 쑗 All this clutter will be cleared away by the weekend. Synonym mess (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to fill a room, etc., with a mass of things 쑗 Her desk is cluttered with papers and invoices. 쑗 Don’t clutter your mind with useless information. Synonym encumber ③ cm abbr centimetre CO abbr commanding officer ③ co. abbr company 쑗 J. Smith & Co. co- /kəυ/ prefix together ③ c/o abbr care of (used in addresses) 쑗 Jane Smith, c/o Mr & Mrs Jonas, 4 Willowbank Road. ② coach /kəυtʃ/ noun 1. a large bus for travelling long distances 쑗 There’s an hourly coach service to Oxford. 쑗 They went on a coach tour of southern Spain. 쑗 The coach driver fell asleep while driving. 2. a passenger carriage on a train 쑗 The first four coaches are for Waterloo. 3. US a category of seat on a plane which is cheaper than first class 쑗 We went coach to Washington. 4. a person who trains sportsmen, etc. 쑗 The coach told them that they needed to spend more time practising. 쑗 He’s a professional football coach. (NOTE: The plural is coaches.) 쐽 verb 1. to train sportsmen or sportswomen 쑗 She was coached by a former Olympic gold medallist. 2. to give private lessons to someone 쑗 All the actors had to be coached separately. coaching / kəυtʃŋ/ noun 1. the activity of training people to do sports 쑗 The England team have been having special coaching. 2. the activity of giving private lessons to someone 쑗 In spite of all the coaching he’d had, he still failed the exam. coagulate /kəυ DZjυlet/ verb to change and thicken from semi-liquid to semi-solid. Synonym clot ③ coal /kəυl/ noun a black rock formed from the remains of fossilised trees which produces heat when burnt coalesce /kəυə les/ verb to join together into one mass or group. Synonym merge ③ coalition /kəυə lʃ(ə)n/ noun a combination of several political parties to form a government. Synonym alliance coalmine / kəυlman/ noun a mine where coal is dug. Synonym colliery coalminer / kəυlmanə/ noun a person who mines coal coarse /kɔ s/ adj 1. not fine, not small 쑗 coarse grains of sand 쑗 a coarse net 2. rough, not refined 쑗 He gave a coarse laugh. coarsely 145 He could hear her coarse voice booming down the corridor. 3. (of words or gestures) rude 쑗 He made a coarse gesture and walked out. 쑗 Don’t make any coarse remarks in front of my mother. (NOTE: coarser – coars쑗 est. Do not confuse with course.) coarsely / kɔ sli/ adv in a coarse way coarseness / kɔ snəs/ noun the quality of being coarse ② coast /kəυst/ noun 1. land by the sea 쑗 After ten weeks at sea, Columbus saw the coast of America. 쑗 The south coast is the warmest part of the country. 쑗 Let’s drive down to the coast this weekend. 왍 from coast to coast from the sea on one side of a country to the sea on the other side 쑗 He crossed the USA from coast to coast. 2. 왍 when the coast is clear when there is no longer any danger 쑗 If the coast is clear, we can creep round the back of the house. 쐽 verb 1. to ride a vehicle without using the engine or the pedals 2. (of a boat) to sail along a coast coastal / kəυst(ə)l/ adj referring to the coast. Synonym seaside coaster / kəυstə/ noun 1. a flat dish or small mat for standing a bottle or glass on 쑗 He bought a set of 6 coasters in the museum. 2. a ship which sails from port to port along the coast 쑗 We sailed round Africa on a small coaster. coastguard / kəυstDZɑ d/ noun a person who guards a piece of coast, watching out for wrecks, smugglers, etc. coastline / kəυstlan/ noun an edge of land along a coast. Antonym interior ② coat /kəυt/ noun 1. a piece of clothing which you wear on top of other clothes when you go outside 쑗 You’ll need to put your winter coat on – it’s just started to snow. 쑗 She was wearing a black fur coat. 2. a layer of paint covering something 쑗 That window frame needs a coat of paint. 3. the fur of an animal 쑗 The polar bear has a thick coat to withstand cold. 쐽 verb to cover with a layer of something 쑗 We coated the metal disc with platinum. -coated /kəυtd/ suffix covered with coat-hanger / kəυthŋə/ noun a piece of wood, wire or plastic on which you hang a piece of clothing coating / kəυtŋ/ noun a covering of paint, etc. coat of arms /kəυt əv ɑ mz/ noun symbolic design on the shield of a family, town, etc. co-author /kəυ ɔ θə/ noun a person who writes a book together with another author 쑗 One of the co-authors died before the book was published. 쐽 verb to write a book with another author 쑗 She co-authored a book on Churchill. cockney coax /kəυks/ verb 왍 to coax someone into doing something to persuade someone to do something 쑗 He was finally coaxed into paying for two tickets. coaxial cable /kəυksiəl keb(ə)l/ noun an electric cable where several wires are laid parallel to each other cobalt / kəυbɔ lt/ noun 1. a metallic element used to make alloys 쑗 Cobalt 60 is used in radiotherapy. 2. a blue colour obtained from this metal 쑗 a tube of cobalt blue paint cobble / kɒb(ə)l/ noun same as cobblestone 쑗 The street is paved with cobbles. 쐽 verb 왍 to cobble something together to put things together roughly cobbled / kɒb(ə)ld/ adj covered with cobblestones cobbler / kɒblə/ noun a person who mends shoes 쑗 Ask the cobbler how much it will cost to put new heels on these shoes. cobblestone / kɒblstəυn/ noun a round stone set in cement to make the surface of a street cobra / kəυbrə/ noun a large tropical snake with a poisonous bite cobweb / kɒbweb/ noun a net of fine thread made by a spider to catch flies (NOTE: Another US term is spiderweb.) ③ Coca-Cola /kəυkə kəυlə/ trademark a trademark for a popular fizzy soft drink ③ cocaine /kəυ ken/ noun a painkilling drug, which is addictive. Compare coke (NOTE: no plural) coccyx / kɒksks/ noun the lowest bone in the backbone, formed of four bones which have fused together (NOTE: The plural is coccyges /kɒk sadȢi z/.) cock /kɒk/ noun a male bird, especially a male domestic chicken 쑗 We were woken by the cocks crowing. (NOTE: The US term is rooster.) 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to cock your ears to listen carefully for something 쑗 The dogs sat by the edge of the field, their ears cocked. 2. to set a gun ready for firing 쑗 He cocked his gun and waited. cock-a-doodle doo! /kɒk ə du dl du / interj the noise made by a cockerel cockatoo /kɒkə tu / noun a type of parrot with a large crest cockerel / kɒk(ə)rəl/ noun a young cock (NOTE: The US term is rooster.) cock-eyed /kɒk ad/ adj stupid or odd (informal ) cockle / kɒk(ə)l/ noun a small edible shell. fish 왍 to warm the cockles of your heart to make you happy and full of warm feelings (informal ) 쑗 The cheers from the audience would warm the cockles of your heart. cockney / kɒkni/ adj typical of the East End of London or the people who live there 쑗 He speaks with a real cockney accent. 쐽 . cockpit 146 noun 1. a person from the East End of London 쑗 He was born and brought up as a Cockney. 2. a form of English spoken in the East End of London 쑗 ‘Let’s have a butcher’s’ is cockney for ‘let’s have a look’. 쑗 She spoke in broad cockney. Compare rhyming slang cockpit / kɒkpt/ noun the place where the pilot sits in an aircraft, racing car or boat cockroach / kɒkrəυtʃ/ noun a black or brown beetle, a common household pest (NOTE: The plural is cockroaches.) cocksure /kɒk ʃɔ / adj referring to someone who is so self-confident that they are annoying. Synonym smug cocktail / kɒktel/ noun 1. a mixed alcoholic drink 쑗 A Bloody Mary is a cocktail of vodka and tomato juice. 2. a mixture of various things 쑗 She died after taking a cocktail of drugs. cocktail party / kɒktel pɑ ti/ noun a party where drinks and snacks are served, but not a full meal cock-up / kɒk p/ noun work which is badly carried out (informal, offensive) cocky / kɒki/ adj unpleasantly confident and conceited (informal ). Synonym smug ③ cocoa / kəυkəυ/ noun 1. a brown chocolate powder ground from the seeds of a tree, used for making a drink 쑗 There’s a tin of cocoa on the shelf next to the cooker. 쑗 Add cocoa powder to icing sugar to make chocolate icing. 2. a drink made with cocoa powder and hot water or milk 쑗 I’ll warm up some milk to make cocoa. 쑗 He always has a cup of cocoa before going to bed. (NOTE: no plural) coconut / kəυkənt/ noun 1. a large nut from a type of palm tree 쑗 I won a coconut at the fair. 2. the white flesh from a coconut 쑗 a coconut cake 쑗 I don’t like biscuits with coconut in them. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) coconut matting /kəυkənt mtŋ/ noun a floor covering made from coconut fibres coconut milk / kəυkənt mlk/ noun the white juice inside a coconut cocoon /kə ku n/ noun a case of thread made by a larva before it turns into a moth or butterfly 쑗 Silk is taken off the cocoons made by silk worms. 쐽 verb to wrap something up for protection 쑗 The baby was cocooned in blankets. cod /kɒd/ noun a large white sea fish (NOTE: The plural is cod.) c.o.d abbr cash on delivery ② code /kəυd/ noun 1. a set of laws or rules of behaviour 쑗 The hotel has a strict dress code, and people wearing jeans are not allowed in. 2. secret words or a system agreed in advance for sending messages 쑗 We’re . coffee cup trying to break the enemy’s code. 쑗 He sent the message in code. 3. a system of numbers or letters which mean something 쑗 The code for Heathrow Airport is LHR. 쑗 What is the code for phoning Edinburgh? coded / kəυdd/ adj written in code codeine / kəυdi n/ noun a drug taken to relieve headaches, flu, etc. code name / kəυd nem/ noun a special name or number used instead of a person’s or thing’s real name, in order to keep this secret codify / kəυdfa/ verb to write things such as laws or rules in a systematic way. Synonym organise cod liver oil /kɒd lvər ɔl/ noun an oil from the livers of cod, taken as a vitamin supplement coed / kəυed/ adj same as coeducational (informal ) 쑗 The college only became coed two years ago. 쐽 noun US a girl student at a coeducational school or college (dated ) coeducational /kəυedjυ keʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj (of a school ) where male and female students are taught together coefficient /kəυ fʃ(ə)nt/ noun a number written before a variable showing what the variable is to be multiplied by coerce /kəυ " s/ verb 왍 to coerce someone into doing something to force someone to do something 쑗 They coerced her into signing the contract. coercion /kəυ " ʃ(ə)n/ noun the act or practice of forcing someone to do something such as commit a crime. Synonym pressure . . . (NOTE: no plural) coexist /kəυDZ zst/ verb to exist or to live together (formal ) . coexistence /kəυDZ zstəns/ noun the fact of living together (formal ) C of E abbr Church of England ① coffee / kɒfi/ noun 1. a bitter drink made from the seeds of a tropical plant 쑗 Would you like a cup of coffee? 쑗 I always take sugar with my coffee. 쑗 The doctor told me to avoid tea and coffee. 2. a powder made from the seeds of the coffee plant 쑗 Put two spoons of coffee into each cup. 3. a cup of coffee 쑗 I’d like a white coffee, please. 쑗 Three coffees and two teas, please. 4. a pale brown colour, like white coffee 쑗 We have a coffee carpet in our sitting room. (NOTE: . usually no plural; coffees means cups of coffee) coffee bar / kɒfi bɑ / noun a small restau- rant which sells coffee, cakes and sandwiches coffee beans / kɒfi bi nz/ plural noun seeds of the coffee bush, which are roasted and ground to make coffee coffee cup / kɒfi kp/ noun a special small cup for coffee coffee machine 147 coffee machine / kɒfi məʃi n/ noun an automatic machine which gives a cup of coffee or other drink when you put in a coin and press a button coffee pot / kɒfi pɒt/ noun a special pot for making coffee in ③ coffee shop / kɒfi ʃɒp/ noun a small restaurant serving tea, coffee and snacks coffee table / kɒfi teb(ə)l/ noun a low table in a sitting room, for putting things such as cups, glasses and newspapers on coffee-table book / kɒfi teb(ə)l bυk/ noun a heavy expensive book with many illustrations, which can be left on a table for people to look at coffer / kɒfə/ noun a chest for holding money (dated ) coffers / kɒfəz/ plural noun financial resources 쑗 The company has millions of pounds in its coffers which it could use on publicity if it wanted to. ③ coffin / kɒfn/ noun a long wooden box in which a dead person is buried or cremated . (NOTE: The usual US term is casket.) cog /kɒDZ/ noun one of a series of little teeth sticking out from a wheel, which connect with teeth on another wheel to make it turn 왍 a cog in the machine a person who plays an unimportant part in a big organisation 쑗 I’m not a director or anything like that, just a cog in the machine. cogent / kəυdȢənt/ adj valid and powerful. Synonym forceful. Antonym unconvincing cognac / kɒnjk/ noun a brandy made in western France cognitive / kɒDZntv/ adj referring to the process of understanding. Synonym reasoning coke coherently /kəυ hərəntli/ adv clearly or logically cohesion /kəυ hi Ȣ(ə)n/ noun the fact or quality of sticking together cohesive /kəυ hi sv/ adj which sticks together cohort / kəυhɔ t/ noun 1. a large group of people 쑗 The Prince was followed by a cohort of journalists. 2. a group of people who are similar in a particular characteristic such as age or social backgound 쑗 This year’s cohort have a better pass rate than last year’s. 3. a comrade or classmate 쑗 my son and his dishevelled cohorts in Class 2 4. the division of a Roman army, one tenth of a legion 쑗 A cohort contained between three and six hundred men. coiffure /kwɑ fjυə/ noun a hairstyle (formal ) coil /kɔl/ noun 1. a roll of rope, or one loop in something twisted round and round 쑗 The sailors stacked the rope in coils on the deck. 쑗 They surrounded the camp with coils of barbed wire. 2. a device fitted into a woman’s uterus as a contraceptive 쐽 verb to twist around something or into a coil 쑗 The snake had coiled itself up in the basket. 쑗 The sailor coiled the ropes neatly. Synonym . wind coin /kɔn/ noun a piece of metal money I found a 50p coin in the street. 쑗 He hid the gold coins under his bed. 쑗 This machine only takes 10p coins. 쐽 verb to invent a new word or phrase 쑗 They coined the phrase ‘surfing the net’ to mean searching for information on the Internet. 왍 to coin a phrase used in order to emphasise that you are saying something which is a normal everyday expression (informal ) 쑗 ‘It never rains but it pours’ – to coin a phrase. coinage / kɔndȢ/ noun 1. the system of money used in a country 쑗 The old coinage will still be used alongside the new for a period of two years. 2. a new word or phrase which has been invented 쑗 ‘Surfing the net’ is a recent coinage. coincide /kəυn sad/ verb 왍 to coincide with something to happen by chance at the same time as something else 쑗 The conference doesn’t coincide with my birthday this year. 쑗 Do our trips to Frankfurt coincide? – If they do, we can meet while we’re both there. ③ coincidence /kəυ nsd(ə)ns/ noun two things happening at the same time by chance coincidental /kəυns dent(ə)l/ adj happening by chance coincidentally /kəυns dent(ə)li/ adv by coincidence. Synonym accidentally. Antonym intentionally ③ coke /kəυk/ noun 1. a fuel processed from coal, which produces a very strong heat ① 쑗 . cognisant / kɒDZnz(ə)nt/, cognizant adj 왍 cognisant of knowing, being aware of 쑗 The court is cognisant of this fact. cohabit /kəυ hbt/ verb to live together as man and wife, especially when not married. Synonym live together cohabitation /kəυhb teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. living together as man and wife, although not married 쑗 They had three years’ cohabitation before they got married. 2. a situation where different political parties hold power at the same time, especially in France, where the President and Parliament are elected for different periods of time and so may represent different parties 쑗 Following the election, we are in for a period of cohabitation. cohere /kəυ hə/ verb to stick together to form a whole (formal ) coherence /kəυ hərəns/ noun the state or quality of being coherent coherent /kəυ hərənt/ adj (of a statement) clear and logical (formal ) . . Coke 148 The steel is produced in coke ovens. 2. same as cocaine (informal ) (NOTE: [all 쑗 . senses] no plural) Coke /kəυk/ trademark a type of fizzy soft drink Col. abbr colonel cola / kəυlə/ noun a fizzy sweet drink colander / kɒləndə/ noun a bowl with holes in it for draining water from vegetables ① cold /kəυld/ adj 1. with a low temperature; not hot or not heated 쑗 He had a plate of cold beef and salad. 쑗 They say that cold showers are good for you. 쑗 The weather turned colder after Christmas. 쑗 It’s too cold to go for a walk. 쑗 If you’re hot, have a glass of cold water. 쑗 Start eating, or your soup will get cold. 왍 in cold blood deliberately, without feeling any pity 쑗 He killed the children in cold blood. 왍 to get cold feet to begin to feel afraid that a plan is too risky (informal ) 쑗 We wanted to buy an old house and start a hotel business, but my husband got cold feet. 2. not friendly 쑗 He got a very cold reception from the rest of the staff. 쑗 She gave him a cold nod. (NOTE: colder – coldest) 왍 to give someone the cold shoulder not to give someone a friendly welcome 쐽 noun 1. an illness when you sneeze and cough 쑗 He caught a cold by standing in the rain at a football match. 쑗 My sister’s in bed with a cold. 쑗 Don’t come near me – I’ve got a cold. 2. a cold outdoor temperature 쑗 He got ill from standing in the cold waiting for a bus. 쑗 House plants can’t stand the cold. 왍 to be left out in the cold not to be part of a group any more cold-blooded /kəυld bldd/ adj 1. 왍 cold-blooded animal an animal whose body temperature is the same as the temperature of its surroundings 쑗 Fish, tortoises and lizards are all cold-blooded animals. 2. with no pity 쑗 She’s a cold-blooded murderess. cold-hearted /kəυld hɑ td/ adj lacking kindness coldly / kəυldli/ adv in an unfriendly way cold-shoulder /kəυld ʃəυldə/ verb 왍 to cold-shoulder someone not to give someone a friendly welcome cold snap / kəυld snp/ noun a short period of sudden cold weather. Synonym . freeze cold sore / kəυld sɔ / noun an inflammation round the lips caused by the herpes virus cold storage /kəυld stɔ rdȢ/ noun the practice of keeping food in a cold store to prevent it going bad cold store / kəυld stɔ / noun a warehouse or room where supplies can be kept cold coleslaw / kəυlslɔ / noun a cabbage salad, made with sliced white cabbage and mayonnaise collateral colic / kɒlk/ noun a severe pain in the intestines ③ collaborate /kə lbəret/ verb to work together (NOTE: You collaborate with someone on something.) ③ collaboration /kəlbə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of working together on something. Synonym cooperation collaborative /kə lb(ə)rətv/ adj involving people working together. Synonym cooperative collaborator /kə lbəretə/ noun 1. a person who works together with someone else 쑗 We want to thank all the collaborators on this project. 2. a person who works with the enemy forces occupying a country 쑗 After the war, collaborators were hunted down and shot. collage / kɒlɑ Ȣ/ noun a picture made from small pieces of paper or other materials, stuck onto a backing collagen / kɒlədȢən/ noun bundles of protein fibres, which form connective tissue, bone and cartilage ③ collapse /kə lps/ noun 1. a sudden fall 쑗 The collapse of the old wall buried two workmen. 2. a sudden fall in price 쑗 the collapse of the dollar on the foreign exchange markets 3. the sudden failure of a company 쑗 Investors lost thousands of pounds in the collapse of the bank. 쐽 verb 1. to fall down suddenly 쑗 The roof collapsed under the weight of the snow. 2. to fail suddenly 쑗 The company collapsed with £25,000 in debts. 3. to fall down unconscious 쑗 He collapsed after the marathon. collapsible /kə lpsəb(ə)l/ adj which can be folded up. Synonym folding ② collar / kɒlə/ noun 1. the part of a piece of clothing which goes round your neck 쑗 I can’t do up the top button on my shirt – the collar’s too tight. 쑗 She turned up her coat collar because the wind was cold. 쑗 He has a winter coat with a fur collar. 왍 to get hot under the collar to get angry or worried about something 2. a leather ring round the neck of a dog or cat 쑗 The cat has a collar with her name and address on it. 쐽 verb to catch someone, especially in order to talk to them (slang) 쑗 I managed to collar him as he was leaving the hotel. collarbone / kɒləbəυn/ noun a clavicle, one of two long thin bones joining the shoulders to the breastbone collate /kə let/ verb 1. to check one text against another to make sure that it is all there 2. to check that the various parts of a book are gathered in the correct order before the book is bound collateral /kə lt(ə)rəl/ adj additional to something, but less important (formal ) 쑗 There will always be collateral damage to ci. colleague 149 vilian property during a war. 쑗 One collateral benefit from living in the centre of town will be cheaper travel costs. 쐽 noun a security used to provide a guarantee for a loan 쑗 He offered his house as collateral. ② colleague / kɒli DZ/ noun a person who works in the same company, office, school, etc. as you 쑗 His colleagues gave him a present when he got married. 쑗 I know Jane Gray – she was a colleague of mine at my last job. ① collect /kə lekt/ verb 1. to fetch something or bring things together 쑗 Your coat is ready for you to collect from the cleaner’s. 쑗 The mail is collected from the postbox twice a day. 쑗 I must collect the children from school. 2. to buy things or bring things together as a hobby 쑗 He collects stamps and old coins. 3. to gather money for charity 쑗 They’re collecting for Oxfam. 4. to come together 쑗 A crowd collected at the scene of the accident. 쐽 adv 왍 to call collect US to ask the person being phoned to pay for the call 쑗 If you don’t have any money you can always try calling collect. collected /kə lektd/ adj calm. Antonym flustered ① collection /kə lekʃən/ noun 1. a group of things that have been brought together 쑗 He allowed me to see his stamp collection. 쑗 The museum has a large collection of Italian paintings. 2. money which has been gathered 쑗 We’re making a collection for Oxfam. 3. the action of bringing things together 4. the fetching of goods 쑗 Your order is in the warehouse awaiting collection. 5. the taking of letters from a postbox or post office for dispatch 쑗 There are four collections a day from the postbox at the corner of the street. 쑗 The last collection is at 6 p.m. ③ collective /kə lektv/ adj done together 쑗 They had a meeting and soon reached a collective decision. 쐽 noun a business run by a group of workers 쑗 The owner of the garage sold out and the staff took it over as a workers’ collective. Synonym cooperative collective bargaining /kəlektv bɑ DZnŋ/ noun wage negotiations between management and unions collectively /kə lektvli/ adv all together as a group. Synonym en masse. Antonym individually collective noun /kəlektv naυn/ noun a noun which refers to a group of things or people, rather than to one single thing, e.g. ‘family’ or ‘staff’ ③ collector /kə lektə/ noun 1. a person who collects things as a hobby 쑗 It’s an important sale for collectors of 18th century porcelain. 2. a person who collects things as a job ① college / kɒldȢ/ noun 1. a teaching institution for adults and young people 쑗 She’s colonialism going on holiday with some friends from college. 쑗 He’s studying accountancy at the local college. 쑗 The college library has over 20,000 volumes. 2. US a teaching institution for adolescents and adults, which grants degrees at BA level (NOTE: The British term is university.) 3. a group of people who run a certain profession 쑗 He’s a member of the Royal College of Pharmacists. college of further education /kɒldȢ əv f" ðə edjυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun a teaching establishment for students after secondary school collegiate /kə li dȢiət/ adj made up of several colleges collide /kə lad/ verb 왍 to collide with something to bump into something 쑗 He lost control of the car and collided with a bus. collie / kɒli/ noun a type of sheepdog with long hair colliery / kɒljəri/ noun a coalmine (NOTE: The plural is collieries.) collision /kə lȢ(ə)n/ noun an event of bumping into something collocate / kɒləket/ verb (of a word ) to be used with another word collocation /kɒlə keʃ(ə)n/ noun a typical occurrence of a word with another word colloquial /kə ləυkwiəl/ adj used in common speech. Synonym informal colloquialism /kə ləυkwiəlz(ə)m/ noun an expression used in common speech colloquially /kə ləυkwiəli/ adv in conversational speech collude /kə lu d/ verb to work together secretly to cheat someone. Synonym conspire collusion /kə lu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun an illegal cooperation or agreement to cheat someone. Synonym conspiracy cologne /kə ləυn/ noun a type of light perfume. Synonym toilet water ③ colon / kəυlɒn/ noun 1. the main part of the large intestine, going from the small intestine to the rectum 쑗 The intestines are divided into two parts: the small intestine and the large intestine or colon. 2. a printing sign (:) 쑗 Use a colon before starting a list. 쑗 A colon is used after a letter to indicate one of the drives in a computer. colonel / k" n(ə)l/ noun the officer in charge of a regiment, an army rank above lieutenant-colonel (NOTE: also used as a title before a surname: Colonel Davis; often shortened to Col.: Col. Davis. Do not con. fuse with kernel.) colonial /kə ləυniəl/ adj referring to a colony colonialism /kə ləυniəlz(ə)m/ noun the practice of establishing colonies in other lands colonise 150 colonise / kɒlənaz/, colonize verb to take possession of an area or country and rule it as a colony. Synonym settle colonist / kɒlənst/ noun a person who goes to settle in a new colony. Synonym settler colonnade /kɒlə ned/ noun a row of columns. Synonym arcade colony / kɒləni/ noun 1. a territory ruled by another country 쑗 the former French colonies in Africa 쑗 Roman colonies were established in North Africa and along the shores of the Black Sea. 2. a group of animals or humans living together 쑗 a colony of ants 쑗 an artists’ colony (NOTE: The plural is colonies.) color / klə/ noun, verb US spelling of colour colossal /kə lɒs(ə)l/ adj very large, huge. Synonym huge. Antonym tiny colossus /kə lɒsəs/ noun a huge statue or man (NOTE: The plural is colossuses.) ① colour / klə/ noun 1. the shade which an object has in light (red, blue, yellow, etc.) 쑗 What colour is your bathroom? 쑗 I don’t like the colour of the carpet. 쑗 His socks are the same colour as his shirt. 2. not black or white 쑗 The book has pages of colour pictures. 3. the shade of a person’s skin 쑗 People must not be discriminated against on grounds of sex, religion or colour. 4. 왍 with flying colours with great success 쑗 She passed her test with flying colours. 쐽 verb to add colour to something 쑗 The children were given crayons and told to colour the trees green and the earth brown. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is color.) colour-blind / klə bland/ adj not able to tell the difference between certain colours, such as red and green (NOTE: The US spelling is color-blind.) ① coloured / kləd/ adj 1. in colour 쑗 a combat oured 쑗 the bright colouring of parrots 쑗 The brilliant colouring of woods in autumn. 2. complexion, the colour of your skin and hair 쑗 Choose a lipstick that goes with your dress and suits your colouring. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is coloring.) colourless / klələs/ adj 1. with no colour He offered me a glass of some colourless liquid. 2. uninteresting 쑗 The main character of the film is fairly colourless. (NOTE: [all 쑗 senses] The US spelling is colorless.) colour scheme / klə ski m/ noun dif- ferent colours chosen by a designer for a room, a shop, etc. colt /kəυlt/ noun a young male horse 쑗 The Irish colt won the race by two lengths. (NOTE: A young female horse is a filly.) ② column / kɒləm/ noun 1. a tall pillar 쑗 There is a row of huge columns at the entrance to the British Museum. 쑗 Nelson’s Column is in Trafalgar Square. 2. a thing which is tall and thin 쑗 A thin column of smoke rose from the bonfire. 3. a line of people, one after the other 쑗 A column of prisoners came into the camp. 쑗 Columns of refugees crossed the border. 4. (in the army) a line of soldiers, tanks, etc., moving forward 쑗 Two columns of infantry advanced towards the enemy positions. 쑗 An armoured column entered the town. 5. a thin block of printing going down a page 쑗 ‘Continued on page 7, column 4.’ 쑗 His article ran to three columns on the first page of the paper. 6. a series of numbers, one under the other 쑗 to add up a column of figures 쑗 Put the total at the bottom of the column. 7. a regular article in a newspaper 쑗 She writes a gardening column for the local newspaper. 쑗 Regular readers of this column will know about my problems with drains. columnist / kɒləmnst/ noun a journalist who writes regularly for a paper. Synonym coloured postcard 쑗 a book with coloured illustrations 2. with a skin that is not white (dated, offensive) (NOTE: [all senses] The writer com /kɒm/ noun a commercial organisation coma / kəυmə/ noun a state of uncon- US spelling is colored.) -coloured /kləd/ suffix with a certain col- sciousness from which a person cannot be awakened comatose / kəυmətəυs/ adj 1. in a coma 쑗 a comatose patient 2. sleepy, half-asleep 쑗 After the long meeting they all looked comatose. comb /kəυm/ noun 1. an instrument with long teeth used to make your hair straight 쑗 Her hair is in such a mess that you can’t get a comb through it. 2. the action of combing your hair 쑗 Your hair needs a good comb. 쐽 verb 1. to smooth your hair with a comb 쑗 She was combing her hair in front of the mirror. 2. to search a place 쑗 Police combed the woods for clues. combat / kɒmbt/ noun fighting 쑗 These young soldiers have no experience of combat our 쑗 a flame-coloured tie 쑗 She was wearing a cream-coloured shirt. (NOTE: The US spelling is -colored.) ② colourful / kləf(ə)l/ adj 1. brightly col- oured 쑗 I’m trying to create a flowerbed which will remain colourful all year round. 쑗 She tied a colourful silk scarf round her hair. 2. full of excitement and adventure 쑗 She lived a colourful existence as a dancer in an Egyptian nightclub. 쑗 A colourful account of life in Vienna before the First World War. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is colorful.) colouring / klərŋ/ noun 1. the way in which something or a plant or animal is col- combatant 151 in the field. 쐽 verb to fight against something They have set up a special police squad to combat drugs. combatant /
kɒmbətənt/ adj who is fighting 쐽 noun a person who is fighting combative /
kɒmbətv/ adj who likes to get into quarrels or arguments. Synonym argumentative. Antonym peaceable ② combination / kɒmb
neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. several things taken together 쑗 A combination of cold weather and problems with the car made our holiday in Germany a disaster. 2. a series of numbers which open a lock 쑗 The safe has a combination lock. 쑗 I’ve forgotten the combination to my briefcase. ② combine noun /
kɒmban/ 1. a large financial or commercial group 쑗 a German industrial combine 2. same as combine harvester 쐽 verb /kəm
ban/ 왍 to combine with to join together with 쑗 The cold weather combined with high winds has made it a dreadful harvest. combined /kəm
band/ adj taken together. Synonym joint combine harvester / kɒmban
hɑvstə/ noun a farm machine which cuts various types of cereal crops, and automatically separates the seeds from the straw combustible /kəm
bstb(ə)l/ adj which can easily catch fire 쑗 The warehouse was full of paint and other combustible substances. Synonym flammable. Antonym fireproof 쐽 noun a substance which can easily catch fire 쑗 Oil and other combustibles must be carefully stored. combustion /kəm
bstʃən/ noun 1. the fact of burning 2. the burning of fuel to create heat, power, etc. ① come /km/ verb 1. to move to or towards this place 쑗 Come and see us when you’re in London. 쑗 The doctor came to see him yesterday. 쑗 Some of the children come to school on foot. 쑗 Don’t make any noise – I can hear someone coming. 쑗 Come up to my room and we’ll talk about the problem. 2. to happen 쑗 How did the door come to be open? 왍 how come? why?, how? (informal ) 쑗 How come the front door was unlocked? 3. to occur 쑗 P comes before Q. 쑗 What comes after R in the alphabet? 쑗 What comes after the news on TV? (NOTE: coming – came /kem/ 쑗 . – has come) ③ come across /
km ə krɒs/ verb to find something by chance ③ come along / km ə
lɒŋ/ verb 1. to go with someone 쑗 If you walk, the children can come along with us in the car. 2. to hurry 쑗 Come along, or you’ll miss the bus. ③ come apart / km ə
pɑt/ verb to break into pieces ③ come out come back / km
bk/ verb to return They left the house in a hurry, and then had to come back to get their passports. 쑗 They started to walk away, but the policeman shouted at them to come back. Antonym go 쑗 away ③ comeback /
kmbk/ noun 1. a reaction 쑗 Despite the mistakes in the book there has been no comeback yet from the readers. 2. a return of someone such as a singer or sportsman after retirement 쑗 She is trying to make a comeback. comedian /kə
midiən/ noun a person who tells jokes to make people laugh. Synonym humorist come down / km
daυn/ verb 1. to get lower 쑗 The price of oranges has come down. 2. to come downstairs 쑗 She was in bed but had to come down to answer the phone. 3. to get a disease 쑗 The children have come down with measles. comedown /
kmdaυn/ noun a situation making you feel unimportant (informal ). Synonym disillusionment. Antonym boost comedy /
kɒmədi/ noun a play or film which is not very sad or serious, or which makes you laugh 쑗 ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ is one of Shakespeare’s comedies. . (NOTE: The plural is comedies.) in / km
n/ verb to enter come in for / km
n fɔ/ verb to get or ③ come receive something unpleasant come into /
km ntυ/ verb 1. to enter 쑗 Three people came into the restaurant. 2. 왍 to come into money to inherit money 쑗 She came into a fortune when she was twenty-one. comely /
kmli/ adj attractive (dated ) . (NOTE: used only of women) come of /
km ɒv/ verb to happen as a re- sult of ③ come off / km
ɒf/ verb 1. to stop being attached 쑗 The button has come off my coat. 쑗 I can’t use the kettle, the handle has come off. 2. to be removed 쑗 The paint won’t come off my coat. 3. to do well or badly 쑗 Our team came off badly in the competition. 쑗 She came off well in the exam. ③ come on / km
ɒn/ verb 1. to hurry 쑗 Come on, or we’ll miss the start of the film. 2. to arrive 쑗 A storm came on as we were fishing in the bay. 쑗 Night is coming on. 쑗 She thinks she has a cold coming on. come out / km
aυt/ verb 1. to move outside 쑗 Come out into the garden, it’s beautifully hot. 2. (of pictures and photographs) to appear 쑗 The church didn’t come out very well on the photo. 쑗 Something must be wrong with the camera – half my holiday pictures didn’t come out. 3. 왍 to come out (on strike) to strike 쑗 All the train drivers came comer 152 out on strike. 4. to be removed 쑗 The ink marks won’t come out of my white shirt. 쑗 Red wine stains don’t come out easily. 5. to appear for sale 쑗 The magazine comes out on Saturdays. 6. to state publicly that you are homosexual 쑗 He decided to come out before the newspapers started to print stories about him. 7. 왍 to come out in a rash to develop a rash (informal ) 왍 to come out with to say something unexpected 쑗 He came out with a really strange proposal. comer / kmə/ noun a person who comes (informal ) 왍 open to all comers used for describing something such as a competition which is open to anyone who comes comet / kɒmt/ noun an object which moves in space, and which you can see at night because of its bright tail come through /km θru / verb 1. to move through something to get to a place 쑗 Come through the kitchen into the dining room. 2. (of information) to arrive by phone, fax, etc. 쑗 The message came through this morning. 3. to recover from an illness 쑗 Do you think she’s going to come through? ③ come to / km tu , km tu / verb 1. to add up to a particular amount 쑗 The bill comes to £10. 2. to become conscious again 쑗 When he came to, he was in hospital. come up /km p/ verb 1. to come close to someone 쑗 The policeman came up to him and asked to see his passport. 2. 왍 to come up against something to find something in the way 쑗 We came up against a lot of opposition from the management. ③ comfort / kmfət/ noun 1. something which helps to make you feel happier 쑗 It was a comfort to know that the children were safe. 쑗 The long-awaited letter gave me some comfort. 2. the state of being comfortable 쑗 They live in great comfort. 쑗 You expect a certain amount of comfort on a luxury liner. 쑗 She complained about the lack of comfort in the second-class coaches. 쐽 verb to make someone happier, e.g. when they are in pain or miserable 쑗 She tried to comfort the little girl. 쑗 He felt comforted by the gentle words of the nurse. ① comfortable / kmf(ə)təb(ə)l/ adj 1. soft and relaxing 쑗 These shoes aren’t very comfortable. 쑗 There are more comfortable chairs in the lounge. 2. 왍 to make yourself comfortable to relax 쑗 She made herself comfortable in the chair by the fire. comfortably / kmftəbli/ adv in a soft, relaxed or relaxing way 쑗 If you’re sitting comfortably, I’ll explain to you what we have to do. 쑗 Make sure you’re comfortably dressed because it is rather cold outside. comfortably off /kmftəbli ɒf/ noun having plenty of money . . comforting commanding / kmfətŋ/ adj which comforts comfy / kmfi/ adj comfortable (informal ) . (NOTE: comfier – comfiest) comic / kɒmk/ noun 1. a children’s paper with cartoon stories 쑗 He spends his pocket money on comics and sweets. 2. a person who tells jokes to make people laugh 쑗 a well-known TV comic. Synonym comedian 쐽 adj funny. Synonym amusing comical / kɒmk(ə)l/ adj funny, which makes you laugh. Synonym amusing comic book / kɒmk bυk/ noun US a children’s book with cartoon stories comic strip / kɒmk strp/ noun a series of small pictures telling a story or joke, usually printed in a magazine or newspaper ③ coming / kmŋ/ adj which is approaching 쑗 their coming silver wedding anniversary 쑗 The newspaper tells you what will happen in the coming week in Parliament. Synonym forthcoming. Antonym past 쐽 noun an arrival. Synonym emergence. Antonym departure comings and goings /kmŋz ən DZəυŋz/ plural noun lots of movement comma / kɒmə/ noun 1. punctuation mark (,) showing a break in the meaning of a sentence 쑗 Use a comma between each item listed in this sentence. 2. a small brown butterfly with ragged wings, and a little white mark, like a comma, on the underside of each wing ② command /kə mɑ nd/ noun 1. an order 쑗 The general gave the command to attack. 왍 in command of in charge of 2. knowledge of a particular subject, especially a language 쑗 She has a good command of French. 쐽 verb 1. to order 쑗 He commanded the troops to open fire on the rebels. 2. to be in charge of 쑗 He commands a group of guerillas. commandant / kɒməndnt/ noun the officer in charge of something such as a military base. Synonym superior commandeer /kɒmən də/ verb to take over property to be used by the armed forces commander /kə mɑ ndə/ noun 1. the officer in charge of an a group of soldiers or a ship 쑗 The commander must make sure that all his soldiers know exactly what they must do. 2. a rank in the navy below captain commander-in-chief /kəmɑ ndər n tʃi f/ noun a person who is in charge of all the armed services of a country (NOTE: The plural is commanders-in-chief.) commanding /kə mɑ ndŋ/ adj 1. in authority, in command 2. full of authority 쑗 He spoke with a commanding voice and everyone listened. 3. 왍 to have a commanding lead to be in a position in which you are very likely to win 쑗 The Russian team has a com- commanding officer 153 manding lead in the tournament. 4. which dominates 쑗 The castle occupies a commanding position on the hill above the town. 쑗 The commanding presence of Henry VIII dominated the court. commanding officer /kəmɑ ndŋ ɒfsə/ noun the officer in command commandment /kə mɑ ndmənt/ noun a rule commando /kə mɑ ndəυ/ noun 1. a group of soldiers who are specially trained to attack under difficult circumstances 쑗 They planned a commando attack on the harbour. 2. a member of such a group of soldiers 쑗 Masked commandos burst in through the door. (NOTE: The plural is commandos.) ③ commemorate /kə meməret/ verb to celebrate the memory of someone, a special occasion, etc. commemorative /kə mem(ə)rətv/ adj which commemorates. Synonym memorial ③ commence /kə mens/ verb to begin. Synonym begin. Antonym terminate commencement /kə mensmənt/ noun the beginning 쑗 At the commencement of the service, the priest asked everyone to stand. Commencement /kə mensmənt/ noun US a day when degrees are awarded at a university or college (NOTE: The British term is degree day or degree ceremony.) commend /kə mend/ verb to praise commendable /kə mendəb(ə)l/ adj which should be praised. Synonym praiseworthy. Antonym lamentable commendably /kə mendəbli/ adv in a way which should be praised commensurate /kə menʃərət/ adj (formal ) 왍 commensurate with in proportion to ① comment / kɒment/ noun 1. words showing what you feel about something 쑗 His comments were widely reported in the newspapers. 쑗 The man made a rude comment accompanied by some very offensive gestures. 왍 ‘no comment’ I refuse to discuss it in public 2. the discussion of a question 쑗 The scandal aroused considerable comment in the press. 쑗 It is a sad comment on modern values that we spend more money on arms than on helping the poor. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 쐽 verb 왍 to comment on something to make a remark about something 쑗 He commented on the lack of towels in the bathroom. Synonym observe commentary / kɒmənt(ə)ri/ noun 1. a spoken report on a football match, horse race, etc. 쑗 The match is being shown on Channel 4 with live commentary also on the radio. 2. remarks about a book, a problem, etc. 쑗 For intelligent commentary on current events you should read the ‘Spectator’. (NOTE: The plu. ral is commentaries.) commission commentate / kɒməntet/ verb to describe on radio or TV what is happening at an event commentator / kɒməntetə/ noun a person who reports events as they happen, on the radio or TV commerce / kɒm" s/ noun the buying and selling of goods and services. Synonym trade commercial /kə m" ʃ(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to business 쑗 He is a specialist in commercial law. 2. used for business purposes, not private or military 쑗 He left the air force and became a commercial airline pilot. 쑗 The company makes commercial vehicles such as taxis and buses. 3. profitable 쑗 Our commercial future looks doubtful. 왍 not a commercial proposition not likely to make a profit 쐽 noun an advertisement on television 쑗 Our TV commercial attracted a lot of interest. commercial break /kəm" ʃ(ə)l brek/ noun a short period between TV programmes or parts of programmes when advertisements are shown commercialised /kə m" ʃəlazd/, commercialized adj dominated by businesses or by an emphasis on making profit commercialism /kə m" ʃ(ə)lz(ə)m/ noun 1. the principles and methods of buying and selling goods and services 2. emphasis on making a profit rather than on quality commercially /kə m" ʃ(ə)li/ adv from a business point of view 왍 not commercially viable not likely to make a profit commiserate /kə mzəret/ verb 왍 to commiserate with someone to sympathise with someone ① commission /kə mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a group of people which investigates problems of national importance 쑗 The government has appointed a commission to look into the problem of drugs in schools. 2. an order for something to be made or to be used 쑗 He received a commission to paint the portrait of the Prime Minister. 3. percentage of sales value given to the sales representative 쑗 She gets 15% commission on everything she sells. 쑗 He charges 10% commission. 4. an order making someone an officer 쑗 He has a commission in the Royal Marines. 5. 왍 out of commission not working 쑗 The lift’s out of commission so you’ll have to use the stairs. 쐽 verb 1. to authorise someone such as an artist or architect to do a piece of work; to authorise a piece of work to be done 쑗 The magazine commissioned him to write a series of articles on Germany. 쑗 The statue was commissioned by the veterans’ association. 2. to make someone an officer 쑗 He was commissioned into the guards. ② commissionaire 154 commissionaire /kəmʃə neə/ noun a man who stands at the door of a building such as a restaurant, hotel, or club, to welcome people in. Synonym doorman commissioner /kə mʃ(ə)nə/ noun a representative of authority 왍 commissioner of police the highest ranking police officer 왍 High Commissioner an ambassador of a Commonwealth country 쑗 The Indian High Commissioner made a speech. ② commit /kə mt/ verb 1. to carry out a crime 쑗 The gang committed six robberies before they were caught. 쑗 He said he was on holiday in Spain when the murder was committed. 2. 왍 to commit suicide to kill yourself ② commitment /kə mtmənt/ noun 1. a promise to pay money 쑗 He has difficulty in meeting his commitments. 2. an agreement to do something 쑗 She made a firm commitment to be more punctual in future. 쑗 We have the photocopier on one week’s trial, with no commitment to buy. committal /kə mt(ə)l/ noun the sending of a prisoner for trial committed /kə mtd/ adj firmly believing in. Synonym devoted ① committee /kə mti/ noun an official group of people who organise or discuss things for a larger body 쑗 The town council has set up a committee to look into sports facilities. 쑗 Committee members will be asked to vote on the proposal. 왍 to be on a committee to be a member of a committee 쑗 He’s on the finance committee. commodity /kə mɒdti/ noun a product sold in very large quantities, especially raw materials such as silver and tin and food such as corn or coffee commodore / kɒmədɔ / noun 1. a rank in the Navy above a captain 쑗 Several retired admirals and commodores attended his funeral. 2. a person who is in charge of a yacht club 쑗 The Commodore of the yacht club started the race. ① common / kɒmən/ adj 1. which happens often, or which you find everywhere 쑗 The plane tree is a very common tree in towns. 쑗 It’s very common for people to get colds in winter. 2. belonging to two or more people 쑗 The two countries have a common frontier. 쑗 Blue eyes are not common to all the members of our family. 왍 common ownership the ownership of a property by a group of people 왍 in common shared by two or more people 쑗 They have two things in common – they are both Welsh and they are both left-handed. 쐽 noun land which belongs to a community 쑗 We went walking on the common. (NOTE: now mainly used in names of places: Clapham Common, Wimbledon Common, etc.) communication common cold /kɒmən kəυld/ noun a minor illness which makes you sneeze and cough commoner / kɒmənə/ noun an ordinary citizen, not a nobleman common ground /kɒmən DZraυnd/ noun the things that two or more people or groups agree upon common knowledge /kɒmən nɒldȢ/ noun something that is generally known common law /kɒmən lɔ / noun a law as laid down in decisions of courts, rather than by statute 왍 common-law wife a woman who is living with a man as his wife without being married ③ commonly / kɒmənli/ adv often. Synonym usually. Antonym unusually common-or-garden /kɒmən ɔ DZɑ dn/ adj very ordinary commonplace / kɒmənples/ adj ordinary, or happening frequently common room / kɒmən ru m/ noun a room in which a particular group of people, e.g. senior students, can relax common sense /kɒmən sens/ noun ordinary good sense commonwealth / kɒmənwelθ/ noun 1. a group of states 2. a republic 쑗 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts commotion /kə məυʃ(ə)n/ noun confusion or trouble communal / kɒmjυnl, kə mju nl/ adj belonging to, or able to be used by, several people communally /kə mju n(ə)li/ adv done by several people together commune noun / kɒmju n/ a group of people who live together sharing everything 쑗 What is it like to live in a commune? Synonym community 쐽 verb /kə mju n/ 왍 to commune with someone or something to communicate with the spirit of someone or something (formal ) 쑗 She just wants to sit on the grassy hill, communing with nature. Synonym communicate ③ communicate /kə mju nket/ verb 1. to send or give information to someone 쑗 Although she is unable to speak, she can still communicate by using her hands. 쑗 He finds it impossible to communicate with his staff. 쑗 Communicating with our office in London has been quicker since we installed the fax. 2. to connect with 왍 communicating rooms two rooms with a connecting door between them 왍 communicating door a door between two rooms 쑗 The communicating door is kept locked at all times. ① communication /kəmju n keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the passing of information 쑗 Email is the most rapid means of communication. 쑗 It is not a happy school – there is no commu. communicative 155 nication between the head teacher and the other members of staff. 왍 to enter into communication with someone to start discussing something with someone, usually in writing 쑗 We have entered into communication with their solicitors. 2. an official message 쑗 We had a communication from the local tax inspector. communicative /kə mju nkətv/ adj 1. friendly and keen to communicate 2. relating to communication, or the ability to communicate ③ communion /kə mju niən/ noun 1. fellowship with someone 2. 왍 Holy Communion a Christian ceremony where bread is eaten and wine drunk in memory of Christ’s Last Supper 쑗 The communion service will be taken by the vicar. communion wafer /kə mju niən wefə/ noun a thin round piece of bread eaten at mass or communion communiqué /kə mju nke/ noun an official announcement communism / kɒmjυnz(ə)m/ noun a social system in which all property is owned and shared by the society as a whole and not by individual people communist / kɒmjυnst/ adj referring to communism 쑗 The Communist Party is holding its annual meeting this weekend. 쐽 noun a person who believes in communism, especially a member of the Communist Party 쑗 He was a Communist all his life. 쑗 The Communists have three seats on the city council. Synonym socialist ① community /kə mju nti/ noun a group of people living in one area 쑗 The local community is worried about the level of violence in the streets. community centre /kə mju nti sentə/ noun a building providing sports or arts facilities for a community community service /kəmju nti s" vs/ noun unpaid work for the benefit of the local community, usually done as a sentence for some minor crime ③ commute /kə mju t/ verb 1. to travel to work from home each day 쑗 He commutes from Oxford to his office in the centre of London. 2. to reduce a legal penalty 쑗 The prison sentence was commuted to a fine. 쑗 His death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. 3. to exchange one type of payment for another 쑗 His pension has been commuted to a lump sum payment. ③ commuter /kə mju tə/ noun a person who travels to work in town every day compact adj /kəm pkt/ small; close together 쑗 The computer system is small and very compact. 쐽 noun / kɒmpkt/ 1. a small family car 2. an agreement 쑗 The two compa- compare nies signed a compact to share their research findings. ③ companion /kəm pnjən/ noun a person or animal who lives with someone companionable /kəm pnjənəb(ə)l/ adj friendly companionship /kəm pnjənʃp/ noun friendship ① company / kmp(ə)ni/ noun 1. a commercial firm 쑗 It is company policy not to allow smoking anywhere in the offices. 쑗 The company has taken on three secretaries. 쑗 She runs an electrical company. 쑗 He set up a computer company. (NOTE: usually written Co. in names: Smith & Co. The plural is companies in this meaning.) 2. being together with other people 쑗 I enjoy the company of young people. 쑗 She went to Paris in company with or in the company of three other girls from college. 왍 he is good company he’s a very entertaining person to be with 왍 to keep someone company to be with someone to prevent them from feeling lonely 쑗 Would you like to come with me to keep me company? 왍 to part company to split up 쑗 We parted company when we couldn’t agree on how to develop the business. 왍 to get into bad company to start spending time with bad companions 3. a group of people who work together 왍 a ship’s company the crew of a ship 4. (in the army) a part of a battalion, a group of men commanded by a captain company car /kmp(ə)ni kɑ / noun a car which belongs to a company and is lent to an employee to use for business or other purposes company law /kmp(ə)ni lɔ / noun laws which refer to the way companies work comparable / kɒmp(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which are similar or which can be compared comparative /kəm prətv/ adj to a certain extent, when considered next to something else 쑗 Judged by last year’s performance it is a comparative improvement. Synonym relative. Antonym absolute 쐽 noun the form of an adjective or adverb showing an increase in level 쑗 ‘Happier’, ‘better’ and ‘more often’ are the comparatives of ‘happy’, ‘good’ and ‘often.’ COMMENT: Comparatives are usually formed by adding the suffix -er to the adjective: ‘quicker’ from ‘quick’, for example; in the case of long adjectives, they are formed by putting ‘more’ in front of the adjective: ‘more comfortable’, ‘more expensive’, and so on. ③ comparatively /kəm prətvli/ adv to a certain extent, more than something else ① compare /kəm peə/ verb 왍 to compare something with, to something else to look at two things side by side to see how they are compared 156 different 쑗 if you compare the situation in France with that in Britain ① compared /kəm peəd/ adj 왍 compared to or with when you compare it to 쑗 Compared with my Rolls Royce, your car is tiny. 쑗 Compared to last year, this summer was cold. ① comparison /kəm prs(ə)n/ noun the act of comparing 쑗 This year, July was cold in comparison with last year. 왍 there is no comparison between them one is much better than the other ③ compartment /kəm pɑ tmənt/ noun 1. a division inside something 쑗 the freezing compartment of a fridge 쑗 The box is divided into several compartments. 2. a separate section in a railway carriage, or in a ship 쑗 There are no compartments in these trains. 쑗 The hold is divided into watertight compartments. ③ compass / kmpəs/ noun 1. a device which indicates the north by means of a magnetic needle on a dial 쑗 They were lost in the mountains without a compass. 왍 the points of the compass the different directions, north, south, east and west 2. 왍 a pair of compasses a device for drawing a circle compassion /kəm pʃ(ə)n/ noun a feeling of sympathy for someone unfortunate. Synonym pity 왍 to have compassion on someone to feel sorry for someone 쑗 The president had compassion on the prisoners and had them released. compassionate /kəm pʃ(ə)nət/ adj showing sympathy with someone who is ill, etc. Synonym sympathetic compassionate leave /kəmpʃ(ə)nət li v/ noun permission to have time off work because someone has died, is ill, etc. compassionately /kəm pʃ(ə)nətli/ adv showing sympathy with someone compatibility /kəmpt blti/ noun the ability to fit together compatible /kəm ptb(ə)l/ adj 왍 compatible with something able to fit or work with something 쑗 Make sure the two computer systems are compatible. compatriot /kəm ptriət/ noun a person from the same country ③ compel /kəm pel/ verb to force (NOTE: compelling – compelled) compelling /kəm pelŋ/ adj 1. which forces you to do something 쑗 He used a very compelling argument against capital punishment. 2. very exciting or interesting compensate / kɒmpənset/ verb 왍 to compensate someone for something to pay for damage, for a loss 쑗 They agreed to compensate her for damage to her car. 쑗 The airline refused to compensate him when his baggage was lost. competitor ③ compensation /kɒmpən seʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. payment for damage or loss 쑗 The airline refused to pay any compensation for his lost luggage. 쑗 You must submit a claim for compensation to the insurance company within two weeks. 2. something that makes up for something bad 쑗 Working in the centre of London has its compensations. 쑗 Four weeks’ holiday is no compensation for a year’s work in that office. ③ compete /kəm pi t/ verb to try to win a race or a game 쑗 He is competing in both the 100 and 200 metre races. 왍 to compete with someone or something to try to beat someone or something in an activity such as sport or trade 쑗 We have to compete with cheap imports from the Far East. ③ competence / kɒmpt(ə)ns/ noun 1. the quality of being able or efficient at a job 쑗 Does she have the necessary competence in foreign languages? 쑗 After this latest disaster, his competence to handle the job seems doubtful. 2. the quality of being legally suitable or qualified to do something 쑗 The case falls within the competence of the tribunal. 쑗 This is outside the competence of this court. competent / kɒmpt(ə)nt/ adj 1. legally able to do something 쑗 The court is not competent to deal with this case. 2. efficient 쑗 She is a very competent manager. 3. quite good, but not brilliant 쑗 He’s quite competent at maths. 쑗 She’s a competent golfer. competing /kəm pi tŋ/ adj who or which are in competition ① competition /kɒmpə tʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a sport or game where several teams or people enter and each tries to win 쑗 France were winners of the competition. 쑗 He won first prize in the piano competition. 쑗 The competition is open to everybody. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is competitions.) 2. a situation in business in which one person or company is trying to do better than another 쑗 Our main competition comes from the big supermarkets. 쑗 We have to keep our prices low because of competition from cheap imports. 3. people or companies who are trying to do better than you 쑗 We have lowered our prices to try to beat the competition. 쑗 The competition is or are planning to reduce their prices. (NOTE: singular in this meaning, but can take a plural verb) ② competitive /kəm pettv/ adj 1. liking to win competitions 쑗 He’s very competitive. 2. involving competition 3. 왍 competitive prices prices which are lower or no higher than those of rival firms 쑗 We must keep our prices competitive if we want to stay in business. competitor /kəm pettə/ noun 1. a person who enters a competition 쑗 All the competi- compilation 157 tors lined up for the start of the marathon. 2. a company which competes 쑗 Two German firms are our main competitors. compilation /kɒmp leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of putting things together in a list or book 쑗 The compilation of a dictionary is a never-ending task. 2. a work which has been compiled 쑗 His compilation of jokes from 19th century magazines has just been published. ③ compile /kəm pal/ verb 1. to draw up a list 쑗 She compiled a list of all her friends whose names started with the letter ‘R’. 쑗 They have compiled a mass of data on space flights. 2. to write a dictionary 쑗 Dr Johnson used many helpers to compile his dictionary. complacency /kəm ples(ə)nsi/ noun the fact of being complacent complacent /kəm ples(ə)nt/ adj satisfied with yourself. Synonym satisfied ② complain /kəm plen/ verb to say that something is no good or does not work properly (formal ) 쑗 The shop is so cold the staff have started complaining. 쑗 She complained about the service. 쑗 They are complaining that our prices are too high. 쑗 She complained that no one spoke English in the hotel. (NOTE: You complain to someone complication which fits in with something by offering things which the other thing does not have stamps. 쑗 We have to study the complete works of Shakespeare. 2. total 쑗 The trip was a complete waste of money. 쐽 verb 1. to finish 쑗 The builders completed the whole job in two days. 2. to fill in a form 쑗 When you have completed the application form, send it to us in the envelope provided. ① completely /kəm pli tli/ adv totally 쑗 The town was completely destroyed in the earthquake. 쑗 I completely forgot about my dentist’s appointment. Synonym totally. Antonym partially completion /kəm pli ʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of finishing 쑗 With the completion of the Channel Tunnel, travel to France became much easier. 쑗 The bridge is nearing completion. 왍 the completion of a contract the signing of a contract. Synonym conclusion. Antonym start ② complex / kɒmpleks/ adj complicated 쑗 The committee is discussing the complex problem of the site for the new hospital. 쑗 The specifications for the machine are very complex. 쐽 noun 1. a series of buildings 쑗 The council has built a new sports complex. 쑗 An industrial complex is planned on the site of the old steel works. 2. (in psychiatry) a group of ideas which are based on an experience that you had in the past, and which influence the way you behave 쑗 He has a complex about going bald. 쑗 Stop talking about her height – you’ll give her a complex about it. complexion /kəm plekʃən/ noun the colour of the skin on your face ③ complexity /kəm pleksti/ noun being complex 쑗 The report was delayed because of the complexity of the problems. ③ compliance /kəm plaəns/ noun agreement to do what is ordered compliant /kəm plaənt/ adj agreeing to do something or to obey the rules ③ complicate / kɒmplket/ verb to make things complicated. Antonym simplify ① complicated / kɒmplketd/ adj with many small details; difficult to understand 쑗 It is a complicated subject. 쑗 It’s all getting too complicated – let’s try and keep it simple. 쑗 Chess has quite complicated rules. 쑗 The route to get to our house is rather complicated, so I’ll draw you a map. Synonym (NOTE: Do not confuse with complimentary.) complex complementary complication /kɒmpl keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a complicated situation 쑗 It all seems quite simple to me – what’s the complication? 2. an illness occurring because of or during another illness 쑗 She appeared to be getting better, but complications set in. 3. more trouble 쑗 All these forms which we have to fill in just create further complications. . about something or that something is no good.) ② complaint /kəm plent/ noun 1. an act of saying that something is wrong 쑗 She sent her letter of complaint to the managing director. 쑗 You must file your complaint with the relevant department. 2. an illness 쑗 She was admitted to hospital with a kidney complaint. ③ complement noun / kɒmplmənt/ 1. a thing which adds to or fits in with something else 쑗 Mint sauce is the perfect complement to roast lamb. 2. 왍 a ship’s complement the full crew of a ship 3. a noun or adjective which follows the verbs ‘be’ or ‘become’ 쑗 In the sentence ‘he’s a big boy’ the words ‘a big boy’ are the complement of the verb ‘is’. 쐽 verb / kɒmplment/ to fit in with something 쑗 The two colours complement each other perfectly. 쑗 Her jewellery complemented the colour of her hair. (NOTE: Do not confuse with compliment.) complementary /kɒmpl ment(ə)ri/ adj medicine /kɒmplment(ə)ri med(ə)sn/ noun a type of medicine such as homeopathy and acupuncture which can be used alongside traditional medicine ① complete /kəm pli t/ adj 1. with all its parts 쑗 He has a complete set of the new complicity 158 complicity /kəm plsti/ noun the fact of being involved in a crime as an accomplice. Synonym involvement ② compliment noun / kɒmplmənt/ 1. a remark which praises someone or something 쑗 She blushed when she read his compliments on her dancing. 왍 to be fishing for compliments to try to get someone to say nice things about you 왍 to pay someone a compliment to praise someone, or to do something which shows you appreciate someone 쑗 They paid her the compliment of asking her to speak to the meeting. 2. 왍 send him my compliments give him my good wishes 왍 with the compliments of with good wishes from 쑗 A box of chocolates with the compliments of the manager or with the manager’s compliments. 쑗 Please accept these flowers with my compliments. 쐽 verb / kɒmplment/ to praise 쑗 The management compliments the staff on an excellent turnover this year. 쑗 I would like to compliment the chef on an excellent meal. Synonym flatter. Antonym criticise (NOTE: Do not confuse with complement.) ② complimentary /kɒmpl ment(ə)ri/ adj 1. full of praise 쑗 He was very compli- mentary about her dress. 쑗 The reviews of his book are very complimentary. 2. 왍 complimentary ticket a free ticket, sent to a friend or business associate 쑗 Resale of complimentary tickets is not allowed by the club. compliments slip / kɒmplmənts slp/ noun a piece of paper with the name of the company printed on it, sent with documents, gifts, etc., instead of a letter ② component /kəm pəυnənt/ adj which forms part of a larger machine, etc. 쑗 They supply component parts for washing machines. 쐽 noun a small piece in a larger machine 쑗 a components manufacturer 쑗 The assembly line stopped because they ran out of components. Synonym part compose /kəm pəυz/ verb 1. to write something, using your intelligence 쑗 He sat down to compose a letter to his family. 쑗 It took Mozart only three days to compose his fifth piano concerto. 쑗 Who composed the music to ‘Doctor Zhivago’? 2. 왍 to compose yourself to make yourself calm (formal ) 쑗 She paused for a while to compose herself before going out on stage again. composed /kəm pəυzd/ adj 1. 왍 composed of made up of 쑗 a group composed of three girls and their boyfriends 2. not flustered 쑗 The accused man sat in the dock looking very calm and composed. composer /kəm pəυzə/ noun a person who writes music. Synonym creator composite / kɒmpəzt/ adj made of several different parts. Synonym compound . comprehensive school ③ composition /kɒmpə zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. how something is made up 쑗 Scientists are trying to establish the composition of the rock sample from the moon. 2. something which has been composed, e.g. a poem or piece of music 쑗 We will now play a well-known composition by Dowland. 3. an essay or piece of writing on a special subject 쑗 We had three hours to write a composition on ‘pollution’. compost / kɒmpɒst/ noun rotted leaves, etc., used as a fertiliser 왍 compost heap leaves and garden waste piled up in a garden and left to rot 쑗 Grass clippings can be piled on top of the compost heap. composure /kəm pəυȢə/ noun calmness. Synonym equanimity ③ compound adj / kɒmpaυnd/ made up of several parts 쐽 noun / kɒmpaυnd/ 1. a chemical made up of two or more elements 쑗 Water is a compound of hydrogen and oxygen. 2. buildings and land enclosed by a fence 쑗 Guard dogs patrol the compound at night. 쑗 Soldiers were guarding the embassy compound. 3. a word made from two or more separate words, e.g. ‘peace process’ 쐽 verb /kəm paυnd/ 1. to make something worse 2. to agree with creditors to pay part of the money owed compound fracture /kɒmpaυnd frktʃə/ noun a fracture where the broken bone has gone through the skin compound interest /kɒmpaυnd ntrəst/ noun interest calculated on the original total plus any previous interest. Compare simple interest comprehend /kɒmpr hend/ verb to understand (formal ) . comprehensible /kɒmpr hensəb(ə)l/ adj which can be understood. Synonym understandable. Antonym unintelligible ③ comprehension /kɒmpr henʃən/ noun understanding 왍 beyond someone’s comprehension quite impossible for someone to understand 쑗 His actions are beyond my comprehension. ③ comprehensive adj /kɒmpr hensv/ which includes everything. Synonym complete 쐽 noun same as comprehensive school comprehensive education /kɒmprhensv edjυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun an education system for all children without any selection according to ability comprehensive insurance /kɒmprhensv n ʃυərəns/ noun an insur- ance policy which covers you against all risks which are likely to happen comprehensive school /kɒmprhensv sku l/ noun a state school for children of all abilities compress 159 compress noun / kɒmpres/ a pad of cloth, sometimes soaked in hot or cold liquid, placed on the skin to relieve pain or to force pus out of an infected wound 쑗 She applied a cold compress to the bruise. 쑗 The nurse applied a dry compress to his bleeding knee. (NOTE: The plural is compresses.) 쐽 verb /kəm pres/ to squeeze into a small space 쑗 The garden centre sells peat compressed into large bags. 쑗 I tried to compress the data onto one page, but couldn’t do it. ③ comprise /kəm praz/ verb to be made up of. Synonym include 왍 to be comprised of to be made up of 쑗 The exam is comprised of two written papers and an oral. compromise / kɒmprəmaz/ noun an agreement between two opposing sides, where each side gives way a little 쑗 They reached a compromise after some discussion. 쑗 There is no question of a compromise with the terrorists. 쐽 verb 1. to come to an agreement by giving way a little 쑗 He asked £15 for it, I offered £7 and we compromised on £10. 쑗 The government has refused to compromise with the terrorists. 2. to put someone in a difficult position 쑗 Now that he has been compromised, he has had to withdraw as a candidate. 3. to do something which reveals a secret 쑗 The security code has been compromised. compromising / kɒmprəmazŋ/ adj embarrassing compulsion /kəm plʃən/ noun a force or urge compulsive /kəm plsv/ adj not able to stop yourself doing something compulsory /kəm plsəri/ adj which everyone is forced to do 쑗 a compulsory injection against cholera 쑗 It is compulsory to wear a crash helmet on a motorcycle. Antonym optional compunction /kəm pŋkʃən/ noun guilty and sad feelings about something you have done. Synonym regret ③ compute /kəm pju t/ verb to work out an amount. Synonym calculate ① computer /kəm pju tə/ noun an electronic machine which calculates and keeps information automatically 쑗 All the company’s records are on computer. computer-aided design /kəmpju tər edd d zan/ noun the use of computer software in designing things computer game /kəm pju tə DZem/ noun a game which you can play on a computer, using a special program computerise /kəm pju təraz/, computerize verb 1. to change from a manual system to one using computers 쑗 Our booking system has been completely computerised. 2. to calculate or work by a computer 쑗 We get computerised pay cheques. 3. to equip an or- conceive ganisation such as a business or school with computers 쑗 The school is becoming computerised, but we still have only one computer per class. 쑗 Supermarket checkouts are fully computerised. computer-literacy /kəmpju tə lt(ə)rəsi/ noun the fact of being able to use a computer computer-literate /kəmpju tə lt(ə)rət/ adj able to use a computer computing /kəm pju tŋ/ noun the use of computers comrade / kɒmred/ noun 1. a friend or companion, especially a soldier 쑗 We remember old comrades buried in foreign cemeteries. 2. a fellow member of a socialist or communist party 쑗 All comrades must attend the party meeting. 3. a form of address to a fellow member of a socialist or communist party 쑗 Comrades, we must fight to establish the right to union membership. comradeship / kɒmredʃp/ noun fellowship or friendliness ③ con /kɒn/ noun 1. a trick done to try to get money from someone 쑗 Trying to get us to pay him for ten hours’ work was just a con. 쏡 conman 2. 왍 the pros and cons the arguments for and against something 쑗 You have to weigh up all the pros and cons before coming to a decision. 쐽 verb to trick someone to try to get money 쑗 They conned the bank into lending them £25,000. 쑗 He conned the old lady out of all her savings. (NOTE: conning – conned) concave / kɒnkev/ adj (of a surface) rounded inwards like the inside of a spoon conceal /kən si l/ verb to hide something or put it where it cannot be seen concealed /kən si ld/ adj hidden or difficult to see concede /kən si d/ verb 1. to admit that you are wrong 쑗 She conceded that this time she had been mistaken. 2. 왍 to concede defeat to admit that you have lost 쑗 With half the votes counted, the presidential candidate conceded defeat. 쑗 After sixteen moves, the chess champion had to concede defeat. conceit /kən si t/ noun a high opinion of yourself conceited /kən si td/ adj thinking too much of yourself conceivable /kən si vəb(ə)l/ adj which can be imagined. Synonym imaginable conceivably /kən si vəbli/ adv in a conceivable way conceive /kən si v/ verb 1. to become pregnant 쑗 After two years of marriage she was beginning to think she would never conceive. 2. 왍 to be conceived (of a child ) to start existence in the womb 쑗 Our little girl was conceived during a power cut in New . concentrate 160 York. 3. to think up a plan 쑗 They conceived the idea for a self-cleaning oven. 4. to imagine 쑗 I can’t conceive of any occasion where I would wear a dress like that. 쑗 It is difficult to conceive how people can be so cruel. ② concentrate / kɒnsəntret/ verb 1. to be very attentive 쑗 The exam candidates were all concentrating hard when someone started to giggle. 왍 to concentrate on something to pay special attention to something 쑗 Don’t talk – he’s trying to concentrate on his homework. 쑗 The salesmen are supposed to concentrate on getting orders. 2. to put everything together in one place 쑗 The enemy guns are concentrated on top of that hill. 쐽 noun a substance which has been concentrated by extracting some of the water in it 쑗 lemon concentrate ② concentrated / kɒnsəntretd/ adj 1. from which water has been extracted, so giving a very strong taste 쑗 a bottle of concentrated orange juice 2. very determined to do something 쑗 With a little concentrated effort we should be able to do it. ② concentration /kɒnsən treʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. thinking carefully about something 쑗 A loud conversation in the next room disturbed my concentration. 쑗 His concentration slipped and he lost the next two games. 2. the grouping of a lot of things in one area 쑗 the concentration of computer companies in the south of Scotland 쑗 The concentration of wild animals round the water hole makes it easy for lions to catch their prey. concentration camp /kɒnsən treʃ(ə)n kmp/ noun a harsh camp, often for political prisoners concentric /kɒn sentrk/ adj used for describing circles and spheres of different sizes with the same centre ② concept / kɒnsept/ noun a philosophical idea 쑗 The concept of punctuation and grammar is completely foreign to her. 쑗 Our children have absolutely no concept of tidiness. ③ conception /kən sepʃən/ noun 1. the fact of becoming pregnant 쑗 Birth takes place about nine months after conception. 2. an idea 쑗 She has no conception of the time it takes to learn Russian. conceptual /kən septʃuəl/ adj referring to concepts ① concern /kən s" n/ noun 1. worry 쑗 She’s a cause of great concern to her family. 2. interest 쑗 My main concern is to ensure that we all enjoy ourselves. 쑗 The teachers showed no concern at all for the children’s safety. 왍 it is not someone’s concern it’s nothing to do with someone 쑗 I don’t care what they do with the money – it’s not my concern. 3. a company or business 쑗 a big German chemical concern 쐽 verb 1. to have concession a particular thing as a subject 왍 the letter concerns you the letter is about you 왍 that does not concern him it has nothing to do with him 왍 as far as something is concerned used for introducing the subject of a comment 왍 to concern yourself with to deal with 쑗 You needn’t concern yourself with cleaning the shop. 2. to make someone worry 쑗 It concerns me that he is always late for work. ① concerned /kən s" nd/ adj worried 쑗 She looked concerned. 쑗 I could tell something was wrong by the concerned look on her face. 쑗 We are concerned about her behaviour – do you think she is having problems at school? Synonym worried. Antonym carefree concerning /kən s" nŋ/ prep dealing with (formal ) 쑗 He filled in a questionnaire concerning holidays. 쑗 I’d like to speak to Mr Robinson concerning his application for insurance. 쑗 Anyone with information concerning this person should get in touch with the police. ② concert / kɒnsət/ noun 1. a programme of music played in public 쑗 I’m sorry, the concert is sold out. 쑗 I couldn’t go to the concert, so I gave my ticket to a friend. 2. 왍 in concert done or planned together with someone else 쑗 They acted in concert to prevent the takeover. concerted /kən s" td/ adj involving planning or working together in a determined way 쑗 Our success was the result of a concerted effort on the part of all the team. 쑗 We must make a concerted attack on the backlog of paperwork. Synonym concentrated concert hall / kɒnsət hɔ l/ noun a large building where concerts are given concertina /kɒnsə ti nə/ noun a musical instrument you can carry, with a middle part which you can squeeze and a set of keys at either end 쑗 He played the concertina in cafés in Paris. 쐽 verb to become crushed or squeezed 쑗 Three coaches of the train concertinaed. concerto /kən tʃeətəυ/ noun a piece of music for a single instrument and orchestra, or for a small group of instruments (NOTE: ① . The plural is concertos.) concession /kən seʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of allowing someone do something you do not really want them to do 쑗 We insist that the children are home by 8 p.m. on weekdays, but as a concession, we let them stay out until 11 on Saturdays. 2. 왍 to make concessions to someone to change your plans so as to please someone 쑗 The Prime Minister has said that no concessions will be made to the terrorists. 3. a licence to do something 쑗 an oil concession concessionary 161 concessionary /kən seʃ(ə)nəri/ noun given as a concession 쑗 Concessionary rates are offered to OAPs and students. concessionary fare /kən seʃ(ə)nəri feə/ noun a reduced cost for travelling on public transport for certain types of passenger (such as people who work for a transport company) conciliation /kənsli eʃ(ə)n/ noun the bringing together of the parties in a disagreement with a third party, so that the disagreement can be settled through a series of talks conciliatory /kən sliət(ə)ri/ adj which aims to make people agree to settle a disagreement concise /kən sas/ adj short, using only a few words. Synonym brief. Antonym verbose concisely /kən sasli/ adv in a concise way conclude /kən klu d/ verb 1. to end; to come to an end 쑗 He concluded by thanking all those who had helped arrange the exhibition. 쑗 The concert concluded with a piece by Mozart. 2. to come to an opinion 쑗 The police concluded that the thief had got into the building through the kitchen window. 3. 왍 to conclude an agreement with someone to arrange an agreement with someone concluding /kən klu dŋ/ adj last. Synonym final. Antonym opening ② conclusion /kən klu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun 1. the end 쑗 At the conclusion of the trial all the accused were found guilty. 2. an opinion which you reach after careful thought 쑗 She came to or reached the conclusion that he had found another girlfriend. 쑗 What conclusions can you draw from the evidence before you? conclusive /kən klu sv/ adj which offers firm proof. Antonym inconclusive conclusively /kən klu svli/ adv in a firm and definite way concoct /kən kɒkt/ verb 1. to make up or invent a story 쑗 However unbelievable the story is, it is not something which he has concocted. 2. to make a dish of food 쑗 I’m always a bit dubious about the dishes she concocts for us when she invites us to dinner. concoction /kən kɒkʃən/ noun an unusual mixture of food or drink concord / kɒŋkɔ d/ noun a state of agreement and peace concordance /kən kɔ dns/ noun an alphabetical list of words used in a book or by a writer concourse / kɒŋkɔ s/ noun a large entrance area in a railways station or airport ③ concrete / kɒŋkri t/ adj 1. made of cement and sand 쑗 a concrete path 2. real, important 쑗 He had no concrete proposals to offer. 쑗 The police are sure he is guilty, but ② condition they have no concrete evidence against him. 쐽 noun a mixture of cement and sand, used in building 쑗 Concrete was invented by the Romans. 쑗 The pavement is made of slabs of concrete. 쐽 verb 왍 to concrete something over to cover an area with concrete 쑗 We concreted over the patio. concrete noun /kɒŋkri t naυn/ noun a word which gives the name of a physical thing, e.g. ‘clock’ or ‘elephant’ concubine / kɒŋkjυban/ noun a woman who lives with a man as his second wife, but who is not married to him concur /kən k" / verb to agree (NOTE: concurring – concurred) concurrent /kən krənt/ adj taking place at the same time concussed /kən kst/ adj in a state of concussion concussion /kən kʃ(ə)n/ noun a shock to the brain caused by being hit on the head condemn /kən dem/ verb 1. to say that you do not approve of something 쑗 She condemned the council for the delay. 2. to sentence a criminal 쑗 She was condemned to death. 3. to state officially that a house is not suitable for people to live in 쑗 The whole block of flats has been condemned and will be pulled down. condemnation /kɒndem neʃ(ə)n/ noun saying that you do not approve of something condemned /kən demd/ adj (of a person) officially told that he or she is going to die, as a punishment for a crime condensation /kɒnden seʃ(ə)n/ noun steam which becomes a film of water on a cold surface condense /kən dens/ verb 1. to reduce the size of something 쑗 The article was sent back to the author with a note asking her to condense it. 2. to make a liquid become thicker 쑗 He opened a tin of condensed soup. 3. (of steam) to form drops of water 쑗 Vapour will condense when it is cooled. condensed milk /kəndenst mlk/ noun milk which has been made thicker and sweeter condescend /kɒnd send/ verb to speak or to act as if you are a better person than someone else condescending /kɒnd sendŋ/ adj behaving in a way which shows you think you are a better person than someone else condiment / kɒndmənt/ noun substances such as salt, pepper or mustard, used to give taste to food. Compare cruet ① condition /kən dʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a state that something or someone is in 쑗 The car is in very good condition considering it is over thirty years old. 쑗 He was taken to hospital when his condition got worse. 2. the state of conditional 162 the place in which someone is living or working 쑗 Conditions in the refugee camps are very bad. 쑗 The meterological office forecast poor weather conditions. 3. an illness 쑗 He is being treated for a heart condition. 4. an important part of a deal, something which has to be agreed before something else is done 쑗 They didn’t agree with some of the conditions of the contract. 쑗 One of conditions of the deal is that the company pays all travel costs. 왍 on condition that only if 쑗 I will come on condition that you pay my fare. conditional adj /kən dʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ 1. provided that certain things take place 왍 to give a conditional acceptance to accept something, provided that certain things happen or certain conditions apply 2. 왍 conditional on subject to certain conditions 쑗 The offer is conditional on the board’s acceptance. 쐽 noun a part of a verb which shows that something might happen 쑗 ‘I would come’ is a conditional form of ‘to come.’ conditionally /kən dʃ(ə)n(ə)li/ adv under certain conditions conditioner /kən dʃ(ə)nə/ noun a liquid which puts hair into good condition 쑗 The hairdresser asked me if I wanted some conditioner after the shampoo. 쑗 I always use a combined shampoo and conditioner. condo / kɒndəυ/ noun US same as condominium (informal ) condolences /kən dəυlənsz/ plural noun expressions of feeling sad, especially at the death of someone 쑗 He expressed his condolences to the company on the death of their founder. 쑗 We sent our condolences to his wife, whom we know very well. 쑗 Letters of condolence are still arriving at his house. condom / kɒndɒm/ noun a rubber covering put over the penis before sex as a protection against infection and also to prevent the woman from becoming pregnant condominium /kɒndə mniəm/ noun 1. a system of rule of an area by two countries together 2. US a building where each apartment is owned by the person who lives in it 쑗 They’re building a condominium on the site of the old hospital. 3. US an apartment in a condominium 쑗 His cousin has just bought an expensive condominium in Malibu. . (NOTE: [senses 2 and 3] often shortened to condo) condone /kən dəυn/ verb to excuse or for- give something such as a fault or crime condor / kɒndɔ / noun a large South American bird similar to a vulture ② conduct noun / kɒndkt/ a way of behaving 쑗 His conduct in class is becoming worse. 쑗 Her conduct during the trial was remarkably calm. 쑗 He was arrested for disorderly conduct in the High Street. 쐽 verb /kən dkt/ 1. to direct someone to a place or conference to direct the way in which someone does something 쑗 The VIPs were conducted to their seats. 쑗 The orchestra was conducted by a Russian conductor. 2. to allow something such as electricity or heat to pass through a substance 쑗 Copper conducts electricity very well. 3. to carry out 쑗 They are conducting an experiment into the effect of TV advertising. 쑗 The chairman conducted the negotiations very efficiently. conducted tour /kəndktd tυə/ noun something such as a walk or a journey around a place, led by a person who tells you about the place. Synonym guided tour ③ conductor /kən dktə/ noun 1. a metal, or other substance through which heat or electricity can pass 쑗 Copper is a good conductor but plastic is not. 2. the person who directs an orchestra 쑗 As the orchestra reached the grand finale, the conductor started to sing. 쑗 The conductor asked the horns to play more softly. 3. US a person in charge of a train (NOTE: The British term is railway guard.) conduit / kɒndjut/ noun a tube along which water or gas or electricity wires can be passed ③ cone /kəυn/ noun 1. a shape which is round at the base, rising to a point 쑗 He rolled the newspaper to form a cone. 2. a brightly coloured plastic cone, used to keep drivers away from an area of road 쑗 Part of the motorway has been marked off with cones. 쑗 Traffic cones were placed round the hole in the road. cone off /kəυn ɒf/ verb to cut off part of a road with cones confectionery /kən fekʃən(ə)ri/ noun sweets and cakes Confederacy /kən fed(ə)rəsi/ noun the group of eleven Southern states which separated from the Union and fought the North in the American Civil War (1861–65) confederate /kən fed(ə)rət/ noun a person who has joined with others, usually to commit a crime 쑗 All over Europe the police are looking for him and his confederates. 쐽 adj referring to the southern states which separated from the Union during the American Civil War 쑗 The Confederate Army moved towards Richmond. confederation /kənfedə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a group of states or organisations ③ confer /kən f" / verb 1. to discuss 쑗 The leader of the Council conferred with the Town Clerk. 2. to give something such as a responsibility, legal right or honour to someone 쑗 the discretionary powers conferred on the tribunal by statute. Synonym award ① conference / kɒnf(ə)rəns/ noun 1. a discussion 쑗 The managers had a quick conference to decide what action to take. 왍 to be conference call 163 in conference to be in a meeting 2. a meeting of a group or society 쑗 The annual conference of the Electricians’ Union. 쑗 2000 people attended the conference on genetic engineering. conference call / kɒnf(ə)rəns kɔ l/ noun a telephone conversation involving three or more people using special equipment so that they can all talk to each other confess /kən fes/ verb 1. to admit that you have done something wrong 쑗 He confessed to six burglaries. 쑗 She confessed that she had forgotten to lock the door. 2. to admit your sins to a priest 쑗 She went to church to confess to the priest. confession /kən feʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a statement in which someone admits they have done something wrong 쑗 The prisoner said his confession had been forced from him by the police. 2. 왍 to make your confession to admit your sins to a priest confessional /kən feʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ noun a small private room in a church where a priest hears confessions confetti /kən feti/ noun small pieces of coloured paper thrown over the bride and bridegroom after a wedding confidant / kɒnfdnt/ noun a person to whom someone tells secrets confidante / kɒnfdnt/ noun a woman to whom someone tells secrets ③ confide /kən fad/ verb 왍 to confide in someone to tell someone a secret 쑗 He has always confided in his mother. ② confidence / kɒnfd(ə)ns/ noun 1. the feeling of being sure 쑗 The staff do not have much confidence in their manager. 쑗 I have total confidence in the pilot. 2. the fact of being secret 왍 in confidence as a secret 쑗 He showed me the report in confidence. 왍 to take someone into your confidence to tell someone a secret confidence trick / kɒnfd(ə)ns trk/ noun a trick to get money by making someone believe something which is not true ② confident / kɒnfd(ə)nt/ adj sure that you or something will be successful 쑗 I am confident (that) the show will go off well. 쑗 She’s confident of doing well in the exam. ③ confidential /kɒnf denʃəl/ adj secret or private confidentiality /kɒnfdenʃi lti/ noun being secret or private confidentially /kɒnf denʃəli/ adv in a confidential way ③ configuration /kənfDZjə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the shape or design of something 쑗 Just looking at the configuration of the wires on a telephone exchange makes the mind boggle. 2. the way in which the hardware and software of a computer system are planned 쑗 conflict The machine uses RAM to store system configuration information. ③ confine /kən fan/ verb 1. to keep in one small place 쑗 The tigers were confined in a small cage with no room to move around. 왍 to confine someone to barracks to forced a soldier to stay in barracks when others are out 왍 to confine someone to bed to forced a sick or injured person to stay in bed 쑗 She wanted to get up, but the doctor has confined her to bed. 2. to limit 쑗 Make sure you confine your answer to the subject in the question. confined /kən fand/ adj 1. of limited range or use 2. kept in crowded conditions, or completely enclosed 3. giving birth, or about to give birth, to a child (dated ) confinement /kən fanmənt/ noun 1. the fact of being in prison 쑗 He was kept in solitary confinement for seven weeks. 2. a period when a woman gives birth to a baby (old ) confines / kɒnfanz/ plural noun 1. the borders or edges of a place 2. the limits of something such as an activity or topic of study ② confirm /kən f" m/ verb 1. to say that something is certain 쑗 The dates of the concerts have been confirmed by the pop group’s manager. 쑗 The photograph confirmed that the result of the race was a dead heat. 쑗 We have been told that she left the country last month – can you confirm that? 2. 왍 to confirm someone in a job to say that someone is now permanently in the job 왍 to be confirmed in office to be told by a new management that you can still have your job confirmation /kɒnfə meʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of making sure 쑗 We are awaiting official confirmation of the figures. 2. a document which confirms something 쑗 We have had confirmation from the bank that the payment has been made. 3. a ceremony where a person is made a full Christian by a bishop 쑗 When is your nephew’s confirmation? confirmed /kən f" md/ adj permanently in a certain state, and not wanting to change 왍 he’s a confirmed bachelor he will never marry confiscate / kɒnfsket/ verb to take away someone’s possessions as a punishment confiscation /kɒnfs keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of confiscating something. Synonym . . seizure conflagration /kɒnflə DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun an extremely large fire ② conflict noun / kɒnflkt/ fighting 쑗 The army is engaged in armed conflict with rebel forces. 왍 to come into conflict with someone to start to fight someone 쑗 The decision brought the union into conflict with the management. 쐽 verb /kən flkt/ 왍 to conflict with to start fighting with someone or to dis- conflict of interest 164 agree with someone or something 쑗 The defendant’s version of events conflicts with that of the witness. 왍 they gave conflicting advice different people gave pieces of advice which are the opposite of each other conflict of interest /kɒnflkt əv ntrəst/, conflict of interests /kɒnflkt əv ntrəsts/ noun a situation where a person may profit personally from decisions which he takes in his job ③ conform /kən fɔ m/ verb to act in the same way as other people 왍 refused to conform to the regulations refused to do what the regulations say 쑗 The machine conforms to EU regulations. conformist /kən fɔ mst/ noun a person who acts in the same way as other people conformity /kən fɔ mti/ noun 1. the action of conforming 쑗 It is their passive conformity that is so depressing. 2. 왍 in conformity with agreeing with 쑗 He has acted in conformity with the regulations. confound /kən faυnd/ verb to make someone feel surprised or confused confront /kən frnt/ verb 1. to threaten someone by approaching them 쑗 Don’t confront a burglar on your own – he may be armed. 2. to be willing to deal with a difficult situation 쑗 We need to confront these issues before they get out of control. 왍 to confront someone with the evidence to show the evidence to someone 쑗 When the police confronted him with the photographs he confessed. confrontation /kɒnfrn teʃ(ə)n/ noun an angry meeting between opposing sides confrontational /kɒnfrn teʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj always attacking someone confuse /kən fju z/ verb 1. to make someone feel that they cannot understand or control something 쑗 She was confused by all the journalists’ questions. 2. to mix up 쑗 The twins are so alike I am always confusing them. 쑗 I always confuse him with his brother – they are very alike. ③ confused /kən fju zd/ adj unable to understand or to think clearly 쑗 I’m a bit confused – did we say 8.00 p.m. or 8.30? 쑗 Grandmother used to get rather confused in her old age. confusedly /kən fju zdli/ adv in a confused way ③ confusing /kən fju zŋ/ adj difficult to understand 쑗 She found the instructions on the computer very confusing. Synonym unclear confusion /kən fju Ȣ(ə)n/ noun a situation in which things are not organised in the correct way or are not clear 쑗 There were scenes of confusion at the airport when the snowstorm stopped all flights. ③ coniferous congeal /kən dȢi l/ verb (of liquid ) to be. come solid (NOTE: When referring to blood, the usual word to use is clot.) congenial /kən dȢi niəl/ adj pleasant or friendly. Synonym agreeable congenital /kən dȢentl/ adj (of an illness or other medical problem) which exists at or before birth congested /kən dȢestd/ adj 1. blocked or crowded 쑗 Following the accident, all the roads round the station soon became congested. 쑗 Something has to be done about London’s congested road system. 2. with blood or liquid inside 쑗 With bronchitis and a congested nose, he has difficulty in breathing at night. congestion /kən dȢestʃən/ noun 1. a situation where a place is filled with people or traffic 2. a condition in which a part of your body such as your nose is blocked with mucus 쑗 This spray should clear bronchial and nasal congestion. 3. a condition in which a part of your body has too much blood collected in it 쑗 Congestion of the liver may be due to heart failure. conglomerate /kən DZlɒmərət/ noun a group of companies, each making very different types of products conglomeration /kənDZlɒmə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a mass of things collected together congratulate /kən DZrtʃυlet/ verb to give good wishes on a special occasion or for having done something 쑗 He congratulated them on their silver wedding anniversary. 쑗 I want to congratulate you on your promotion. ③ congratulations /kənDZrtʃυleʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun good wishes to someone who has done well 쑗 Congratulations – you’re our millionth customer! 쑗 Congratulations on passing your exam! 쑗 The office sent him their congratulations on his wedding. congregate / kɒŋDZrDZet/ verb to gather together. Synonym assemble ③ congregation /kɒŋDZr DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun the people who meet together in a church congress / kɒŋDZres/ noun a meeting of a group ③ Congress / kɒŋDZres/ noun the legislative body of the USA, formed of the House of Representatives and the Senate ③ congressional /kən DZreʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj referring to the US Congress conical / kɒnk(ə)l/ adj shaped like a cone conifer / kɒnfə/ noun a tree with long thin leaves called needles which stay green all year, and which produces fruit in the form of cones coniferous /kə nf(ə)rəs/ adj referring to conifers conjectural 165 conjectural /kən dȢektʃərəl/ adj which has been guessed at conjecture /kən dȢektʃə/ noun the process of guessing something when you do not have all the information you need 쑗 It was pure conjecture on my part. 쐽 verb to guess 쑗 They conjectured correctly that he would run out of money at some point. conjugal / kɒndȢυDZ(ə)l/ adj referring to marriage conjugate / kɒndȢυDZət/ verb 1. to state the forms of a verb 2. (of verbs) to have different grammatical forms conjunction /kən dȢŋkʃən/ noun 1. a word which connects different sections of a sentence 쑗 ‘And’ and ‘but’ are conjunctions. 2. 왍 in conjunction with together with something or someone 쑗 The icy road in conjunction with fog made driving conditions very difficult. conjunctivitis /kəndȢŋkt vats/ noun a medical condition which affects the eyes conjure / kndȢə/ verb 1. to do magic tricks with objects such as cards 쑗 Here is a picture of a magician conjuring a rabbit out of a hat. 2. to create something as if by magic 왍 to conjure up an image to bring an image into someone’s mind 쑗 His writing about the south of France conjures up scents of lavender and olive oil. 왍 a name to conjure with an important name 쑗 He’s a name to conjure with in the advertising industry. conjurer / kəndȢərə/, conjuror noun a person who does magic tricks with objects such as cards conk out /kɒŋk aυt/ verb to stop working conman / kɒnmn/ noun a person who tricks people in order to get money, by making them believe something (informal ) . (NOTE: The plural is conmen.) ② connect /kə nekt/ verb 1. to join 쑗 The computer should have been connected to the printer. 쑗 Has the telephone been connected yet? 쑗 Connect the two red wires together. 2. to link up with 왍 the flight from New York connects with a flight to Athens the plane from New York arrives in time for passengers to catch the plane to Athens 왍 this train connects with the 12.45 this train allows passengers to catch the 12.45 connected /kə nektd/ adj joined 왍 connected to the Williams family related to the Williams family ② connection /kə nekʃən/ noun 1. a relationship between things 쑗 There is a definite connection between smoking and lung cancer. 쑗 He said that there was no connection between how much he had had to drink and his falling over in the street. 왍 in connection with your visit referring to your visit 2. something such as a train or plane which you catch after getting off another train or plane conscript My train was late and I missed my connection to Birmingham. 3. a wire which connects pieces of equipment 쑗 There is a loose connection somewhere. connective tissue /kənektv tʃu / noun the parts inside your body which support and connect things such as your bones or organs connector /kə nektə/ noun something which connects things, especially two pieces of equipment, or parts of a single object or structure connivance /kə navəns/ noun the act of conniving at something connive /kə nav/ verb 왍 to connive at something to allow something to take place, especially something that is illegal or immoral connoisseur /kɒnə s" / noun an expert, a person who knows a lot about something connotation /kɒnə teʃ(ə)n/ noun an additional meaning conquer / kɒŋkə/ verb to defeat by force conqueror / kɒŋkərə/ noun a person who takes control of a country by force ③ conquest / kɒŋkwest/ noun 1. the act of taking control of a country or people by force 쑗 the Norman Conquest in 1066 2. a country or person that has been conquered ③ conscience / kɒnʃəns/ noun a feeling that you have done right or wrong conscientious /kɒnʃi enʃəs/ adj working carefully and well 쑗 She’s very conscientious about getting the invoices right. conscientious objector /kɒnʃienʃəs əb dȢektə/ noun a person who refuses to join the armed forces because he feels war is wrong ② conscious / kɒnʃəs/ adj awake and able to know what is happening around you 쑗 She had a local anaesthetic and was conscious during the operation. 왍 a conscious decision a decision which you have thought carefully about 쑗 Refusing the offer was a conscious decision on his part. 쑗 He made a conscious decision to try to avoid her in future. consciously / kɒnʃəsli/ adv in a conscious way ③ consciousness / kɒnʃəsnəs/ noun the fact of being conscious 왍 to lose consciousness to become unconscious 왍 to regain consciousness to become conscious again 쑗 He never regained consciousness after the accident. conscript noun / kɒnskrpt/ a person who is made to join the armed services 쑗 The conscripts had hardly any time to train before being sent to the front. 쐽 verb /kən skrpt/ to order someone to join the armed services 쑗 All men under 35 were conscripted into the armed forces. Synonym call up 쑗 conscription 166 conscription /kən skrpʃən/ noun a legal obligation to join the armed services (NOTE: The US term is draft.) consecrate / kɒnskret/ verb 1. to per- form a religious ceremony to make something such as a building or someone such as a king or priest is holy 쑗 The bishop was consecrated in the cathedral. 2. 왍 to consecrate your life to something to spend your life doing something which helps other people 쑗 She consecrated her life to helping the homeless. consecration /kɒns kreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an occasion when something or someone is consecrated 쑗 The consecration of the new cathedral. 2. the practice of consecrating your life to someone or something 쑗 The consecration of her life to helping the poor. consecutive /kən sekjυtv/ adj one after the other consecutively /kə sekjυtvli/ adv one after the other, in the right order consensual /kən sensjυəl/ adj with the agreement of all the people involved ③ consensus /kən sensəs/ noun an opinion which most people agree on ③ consent /kən sent/ noun agreement 쑗 Doctors must obtain a patient’s consent before operating. 왍 to withhold your consent to refuse to agree to something 쑗 Her parents withheld their consent to the marriage. 쐽 verb 왍 to consent to something to agree to something 쑗 The judge consented to the prosecution’s request. ② consequence / kɒnskwəns/ noun 1. something which happens because of something else 쑗 We walked all day in the rain, with the consequence that all of us got colds. Synonym result 2. importance 왍 of no consequence not important consequent / kɒnskwənt/ adj which follows as a result of something 왍 consequent on as a result of 쑗 The declaration of war was consequent on the country’s non-compliance with the UN resolutions. consequential /kɒns kwenʃəl/ adj as a result of ③ consequently / kɒnskwəntli/ adv because of this 쑗 We walked all day in the rain and consequently all caught colds. ③ conservation /kɒnsə veʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the careful use of things such as energy or natural resources 쑗 The company is spending more money on energy conservation. 2. the process of looking after old things such as buildings or items in a museum ③ conservationist /kɒnsə veʃ(ə)nst/ noun a person who encourages the preservation of the countryside and the careful management of natural resources consideration conservatism /kən s" vətz(ə)m/ noun 1. the fact that someone is conservative 쑗 The basic conservatism of British farmers. 2. the ideas and beliefs of the Conservative political party 쑗 Conservatism had a great effect on British society during the 1980s. ③ conservative /kən s" vətv/ adj 1. not wanting to change 쑗 He has very conservative views. 2. less than the actual amount or number of something, when making a guess 쑗 a conservative estimate of sales 쑗 At least two hundred people came to the flower show, and that is a conservative estimate. 쐽 noun a person who is opposed to social or political change. Synonym traditionalist. Antonym progressive Conservative /kən s" vətv/ noun a member of the Conservative Party Conservative Party /kən s" vətv pɑ ti/ noun a UK right-wing political party conservatoire /kən s" vətwɑ / noun a school or college where music is the only subject of study conservatory /kən s" vət(ə)ri/ noun 1. a room with large windows, where you keep tropical flowers and plants 쑗 With its glass roof and windows, our conservatory becomes very hot in the summer. 2. US same as conservatoire conserve verb /kən s" v/ 1. to keep, not to waste 쑗 A government programme to conserve energy. 2. to look after and keep in the same state 쑗 Our committee aims to conserve the wildlife in our area. 쐽 noun / kɒns" v/ pieces of fruit in a thick sweet liquid 쑗 peach conserve ① consider /kən sdə/ verb 1. to think carefully about something 쑗 Please consider seriously the offer which we are making. 쑗 We have to consider the position of the children after the divorce. 2. to think 쑗 Do you consider him the right man for the job? 쑗 She is considered (to be) one of the best lawyers in town. 3. 왍 all things considered on the whole 쑗 All things considered, the flower show went off quite well. ① considerable /kən sd(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj fairly large 쑗 He lost a considerable amount of money at the horse race. Synonym substantial. Antonym insignificant ① considerably /kən sd(ə)rəbli/ adv to a fairly large extent. Synonym significantly considerate /kən sd(ə)rət/ adj full of feeling or understanding towards someone. Antonym inconsiderate ① consideration /kənsdə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. careful thought 쑗 We are giving serious consideration to the possibility of moving the head office to Scotland. 왍 to take something into consideration to think about something when making a decision 쑗 The age of the children has to be taken into con- considered 167 sideration. 왍 under consideration being thought about 쑗 The matter is under consideration. 2. a thing which has an effect on a decision 쑗 The safety of the children outweighs all other considerations. 3. a small amount of money 왍 for a small consideration for a small payment considered /kən sdəd/ adj which has been thought through carefully ① considering /kən sd(ə)rŋ/ conj, prep when you think (of) 쑗 He plays the violin extremely well, considering he’s only five. 쑗 He ought to be more grateful, considering the amount of help you have given him. consign /kən san/ verb to hand something over to someone 왍 to consign goods to someone to send goods to someone for him to use or to sell or store for you consignment /kən sanmənt/ noun 1. the sending of goods to someone who will sell them for you 쑗 The consignment of books to our French distributor was easily organised. 2. a quantity of goods sent for sale 쑗 A consignment of goods has arrived. 쑗 We are expecting a consignment of cars from Japan. ③ consist /kən sst/ verb 왍 to consist of to be formed of 쑗 The package tour consists of air travel, six nights in a luxury hotel, all meals and visits to places of interest. ③ consistency /kən sstənsi/ noun 1. the fact of being the same throughout 쑗 I wish there was more consistency in his reports. 2. the degree to which a substance is, e.g., thick or smooth, 쑗 The consistency of the sauce should be that of thick syrup. 쑗 In order to obtain the desired consistency, it may be necessary to add a little water. ③ consistent /kən sstənt/ adj 1. 왍 consistent with something which agrees with something 쑗 The measures taken must be consistent with government policy. 2. always at the same level 쑗 Some of his work is very good, but he’s not consistent. consistently /kən sstəntli/ adv always consolation /kɒnsə leʃ(ə)n/ noun something which makes you feel less sad or annoyed, e.g. after a loss or a failure. Synonym comfort consolation prize /kɒnsə leʃ(ə)n praz/ noun a prize for making an effort in a competition, even though you did not win console noun / kɒnsəυl/ 1. a flat table with the keyboard of something such as a musical instrument or machine 쑗 The sound engineer at the console controls the sound coming from the stage. 2. a small with a television set inside 쑗 We have a console which contains both the TV and video. 쐽 verb /kənsəυl/ to help someone to feel less sad or annoyed 쑗 The priest wanted to console her for the loss of her father. 쑗 I tried to console her but she cried herself to sleep. Synonym com- constant fort 왍 to console yourself to do something to make yourself feel less sad or annoyed 쑗 After hearing he had failed some of his exams, he consoled himself with the thought that his brother had done even worse than he had. consolidate /kən sɒldet/ verb 1. to make firm or sure 쑗 Having entered the market, the company spent a year consolidating its position. 쑗 The team consolidated their lead with a second goal. 2. to join together to make one single unit 쑗 The two businesses consolidated to form one group. consolidation /kənsɒl deʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of making something firm 쑗 After a period of consolidation, the company is now ready to expand overseas. 2. the act of joining several companies together to make one single unit 쑗 The consolidation of the businesses went smoothly. consonant / kɒnsənənt/ noun a letter representing a sound which can only form a word when combined with a vowel COMMENT: The five vowels are ‘a’, ‘e’, ‘i’, ‘o’ and ‘u’. All the other letters of the alphabet are consonants. consort noun / kɒnsɔ t/ the husband or wife of a ruling queen or king 쑗 A Prince Consort has a difficult role since he has no real power. 쑗 The emperor and his consort waved to the crowd. 쐽 verb /kən sɔ t/ to go around with (formal ) 쑗 to consort with criminals consortium /kən sɔ tiəm/ noun a group of companies which work together (NOTE: . The plural is consortia.) conspicuous /kən spkjuəs/ adj very ob- vious 왍 they were conspicuous by their absence it was very obvious that they were not there conspicuously /kən spkjuəsli/ adv very obviously. Synonym noticeably. Antonym inconspicuously ③ conspiracy /kən sprəsi/ noun a secret plan, especially to do something illegal or bad. Synonym plot conspirator /kən sprətə/ noun a person who is part of a conspiracy conspiratorial /kənsprə tɔ riəl/ adj like someone who has a secret plan conspire /kən spaə/ verb to make secret plans or to take part in a conspiracy constable / knstəb(ə)l/ noun a police officer of the lowest rank (NOTE: The US term is police officer.) constabulary /kən stbjυləri/ noun the police force of a district ② constant / kɒnstənt/ adj 1. not changing or stopping 쑗 The constant noise of music from the bar next door drives me mad. 2. loyal to someone and always with them 쑗 His dog was his constant companion. 3. with constantly 168 a value which does not change 쑗 The calculations are in constant dollars. 쐽 noun a number or thing which does not change 쑗 The speed of light is a constant. 쑗 Death and taxes are the only constants in life. ② constantly / kɒnstəntli/ adv all the time. Synonym continually constellation /kɒnstə leʃ(ə)n/ noun a group of stars in the sky, often forming a pattern consternation /kɒnstə neʃ(ə)n/ noun a shock or surprise. Synonym dismay constipated / kɒnstpetd/ adj unable to pass solid waste out of your body easily constipation /kɒnst peʃ(ə)n/ noun the condition of being constipated ③ constituency /kən sttjυənsi/ noun an area of the country which elects a Member of Parliament (NOTE: The plural is constituencies.) constituent /kən sttjυənt/ adj (of a part) which goes to make up a whole 쑗 The constituent parts of that sentence are subject, verb, and object. 쑗 What are the constituent parts of an omelette? 쐽 noun 1. a part which goes to make up a whole 쑗 Before starting the experiment, make sure that all the chemical constituents are ready. 2. a person who may vote in a constituency 쑗 A good MP tries to represent the views of his constituents. 쑗 She has had a mass of letters from her constituents about airport noise. ③ constitute / kɒnsttju t/ verb to be or form a particular thing 쑗 Selling the photographs to a newspaper constitutes a serious breach of security. 쑗 Women now constitute the majority of the committee. ② constitution /kɒnst tju ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the ability of a person to stay healthy 쑗 She has a very strong constitution. 왍 to have the constitution of an elephant or an ox to be extremely healthy, to have a very strong constitution (informal ) 쑗 Aunt Maud has the constitution of an elephant. 2. the laws and principles under which a country is ruled, which give the people rights and duties, and which give the government powers and duties 쑗 Unlike most states, Britain does not have a written constitution. 쑗 Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the American Constitution. 3. the written rules of something such as a society or club 쑗 Under the society’s constitution, the chairman is elected for two years. ③ constitutional /kɒnst tju ʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj 1. according to a country’s constitution 쑗 Unilateral action by the Minister of Defence is not constitutional. 2. according to a society’s constitution 쑗 The reelection of the chairman is not constitutional. 쐽 noun a short walk which you think is good for your health 쑗 After a big lunch I went for a consti. consult tutional. 쑗 He always takes his early morning constitutional in the park. constitutionally /kɒnst tju ʃ(ə)n(ə)li/ adv according to a constitution constitutional monarchy /kɒnsttju ʃ(ə)n(ə)l mɒnəki/ noun a sys- tem of government where a king or queen is the head of state, but the country is ruled by an elected government ③ constrain /kən stren/ verb 1. to stop someone doing something which they want to do 쑗 His movements were constrained by his tight suit. 쑗 Entrepreneurs feel constrained by the mass of bureaucracy and red tape. 2. to force someone to do something 쑗 Her lack of cash constrained her to sell her house. 쑗 He felt constrained to attend every single meeting. ③ constraint /kən strent/ noun something which limits your ability to act. Synonym restriction constrict /kən strkt/ verb to make something tighter, smaller constriction /kən strkʃən/ noun the action of constricting ③ construct /kən strkt/ verb to build something 쑗 We have tendered for the contract to construct the new airport. 쑗 The wings are constructed of aluminium. ② construction /kən strkʃən/ noun 1. the act of building 쑗 The construction of the new stadium took three years. 왍 under construction being built 쑗 The airport is under construction. 2. a thing which has been built 쑗 The new stadium is a magnificent construction. 쑗 Planning regulations ban any construction more than 20m high in the old part of the town. 3. the meaning which you think something has, especially when other people think it has a different meaning 쑗 to put a different construction on the report construction site /kən strkʃən sat/ noun same as building site constructive /kən strktv/ adj which aims to help or improve. Synonym useful. Antonym unhelpful constructively /kən strktvli/ adv in a constructive way construe /kən stru / verb to understand the meaning of words or of a document in a particular way. Synonym interpret consul / kɒnsəl/ noun a person who represents a country in a foreign city, and helps his country’s citizens and business interests there consular / kɒnsjυlə/ adj referring to a consul consulate / kɒnsjυlət/ noun the house or office of a consul ③ consult /kən slt/ verb 1. to ask someone for advice 쑗 He consulted his accountant about his tax. 2. to look at something to get consultancy 169 information 쑗 After consulting the map they decided to go north. 쑗 He consulted his watch and said that they had enough time to catch the train. consultancy /kən sltənsi/ noun 1. the act of giving advice on a subject that you have a lot of knowledge about 쑗 He offers a consultancy service. 쑗 She runs a consultancy firm, offering advice on planning. 쑗 Since he’s been made redundant, he’s been doing consultancy work. 2. the post of consultant in a hospital 쑗 She was appointed to a consultancy with a London hospital. ③ consultant /kən sltənt/ noun 1. a senior hospital doctor who is an expert in a particular medical condition or illness 쑗 We’ll make an appointment for you to see a consultant. 2. an expert who gives advice 쑗 His tax consultant advised him to sell the shares. ③ consultation /kɒnsəl teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of consulting someone 쑗 After consultations with the police, the government has decided to ban the protest march. 쑗 A 30-minute consultation with my lawyer cost me more than I earn in a week! 2. an act of visiting a doctor for advice 쑗 She had a consultation with an eye surgeon. consultative /kən sltətv/ adj asked to give advice consulting room /kən sltŋ ru m/ noun a room where a doctor sees his patients consume /kən sju m/ verb 1. to eat or drink 쑗 The guests consumed over 100 hamburgers. 2. to use up 쑗 The world’s natural resources are being consumed at an alarming rate. 쑗 The new car consumes about half the amount of petrol of an ordinary car. ② consumer /kən sju mə/ noun a person or company that buys goods or services 쑗 Gas consumers are protesting at the increase in prices. 쑗 Consumers are buying more from supermarkets and less from small shops. Synonym buyer consumer durables /kənsju mə djυərəb(ə)lz/ plural noun goods bought by the public which will be used for a long time, e.g. washing machines or cars consumer goods /kənsju mə DZυdz/ plural noun goods bought by members of the public consuming /kən sju mŋ/ adj which takes up all your time and energy consummate adj /kən smət/ perfect, extremely skilled at something 쑗 She’s a consummate professional. 쑗 He was a consummate Japanese scholar. 쐽 verb / kɒnsəmet/ to complete something 왍 to consummate a marriage to have sex after marriage 쑗 The church would not grant an annulment because the marriage had been consummated. container consummation /kɒnsə meʃ(ə)n/ noun an act or occasion of consummating something ③ consumption /kən smpʃən/ noun 1. the act of eating or drinking something 쑗 The meat was condemned as unfit for human consumption. 쑗 The consumption of alcohol on the premises is not allowed. 2. the quantity of something that someone eats or drinks 쑗 Unless you reduce your consumption of fatty foods, you risk having a heart attack. ② contact / kɒntkt/ noun 1. a touch 쑗 Avoid any contact between the acid and the skin. 쑗 Anyone who has been in physical contact with the patient must consult their doctor immediately. 2. the act of communicating with someone 쑗 We don’t have much contact with our old friends in Australia. 왍 to get in contact with someone to communicate with someone you have not spoken to or written to previously 왍 was put in contact with a good lawyer was told the name and address of a good lawyer 왍 have lost contact with someone do not communicate with the person any longer 3. a person whom you know 쑗 He has a lot of contacts in the newspaper world. 쑗 Who is your contact in the ministry? 쐽 verb to get into communication with someone 쑗 He tried to contact his office by phone. 쑗 Can you contact the ticket office immediately? contact lens / kɒntkt lenz/ noun a small piece of glass or plastic which you wear in the eye to help you see more clearly contagion /kən tedȢən/ noun the spreading of a disease by touching an infected person or things which an infected person has touched contagious /kən tedȢəs/ adj 1. (of a disease) which can be spread to other people by touching an infected person or objects which an infected person has touched 쑗 Did you have any contagious diseases when you were a child? 쑗 Your child is no longer contagious and can go back to school. Compare infectious 2. which can be passed on to someone else 쑗 He’s a great music teacher and his enthusiasm for music is very contagious. ① contain /kən ten/ verb 1. to hold, to have inside 쑗 the bottle contains acid 쑗 The envelope contained a cheque for £1000. 쑗 A barrel contains 250 litres. 쑗 I have lost a briefcase containing important documents. 2. to limit or prevent something 쑗 The army tried to contain the advance of the enemy forces. 쑗 The party is attempting to contain the revolt among its members. ③ container /kən tenə/ noun 1. an object such as a box or bottle which holds something else 쑗 We need a container for all this rubbish. 쑗 The gas is shipped in strong metal containers. 2. a special very large case for easy loading onto a large vehicle or ship 쑗 containment 170 The crane was loading the containers onto the ship. 쑗 We had our furniture shipped out to Singapore in a container. containment /kən tenmənt/ noun the process or act of keeping something under control contaminate /kən tmnet/ verb to make something dirty by touching it or by adding something to it. Synonym pollute. Antonym purify contamination /kəntm neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of contaminating something. Synonym pollution ③ contemplate / kɒntəmplet/ verb 1. to look at something 쑗 He stood for several minutes contemplating the painting. 2. 왍 to contemplate doing something to plan to do something 쑗 He’s contemplating retiring from his job and buying a shop. contemplation /kɒntəm pleʃ(ə)n/ noun deep thought contemplative /kən templətv/ adj spending time thinking carefully about something, especially in connection with a religious belief contemporaneous /kəntempə reniəs/ adj happening at the same date or period ② contemporary /kən temp(ə)rəri/ adj 1. 왍 contemporary with someone or something existing at the same time as someone or something 쑗 Most of the people I was contemporary with at college have already got jobs. 2. modern, present-day 쑗 contemporary art 쐽 noun a person who lives at the same time as someone 쑗 Shakespeare and his contemporaries 쑗 He is one of my contemporaries from school. contempt /kən tempt/ noun the feeling of not respecting someone. Synonym disdain. Antonym admiration 왍 to hold someone in contempt not to respect someone 쑗 They hold all foreigners in contempt and won’t have anything to do with them. contemptible /kən temptəb(ə)l/ adj which deserves your contempt. Synonym despicable contempt of court /kəntempt əv kɔ t/ noun showing lack of respect to a court, e.g. by bad behaviour in court or by refusing to carry out a court order contemptuous /kən temptjυəs/ adj showing that you do not respect someone or that you do not believe they are important 왍 contemptuous of something or someone showing a lack of respect for something or someone 쑗 He was contemptuous of our attempts to sail the boat. ③ contend /kən tend/ verb 1. 왍 to contend with to be forced to deal with something unpleasant 쑗 We had to contend with rainstorms, floods, and mosquitoes, so the context holiday was not a great success. 쑗 Drugs are yet another problem that schools have to contend with. 2. to state that something is true 쑗 The witness contended that the injury to the head was consistent with being hit with a blunt instrument. contender /kən tendə/ noun a person who wants to win a competition ② content1 /kən tent/ adj 왍 content to happy to 쑗 She was content to sit in the sun and wait. 왍 content with satisfied with 쑗 If you are not content with the way the car runs, bring it back and we will look at it again. 쐽 noun a feeling of satisfaction 왍 to your heart’s content as much as you want 쑗 You can play billiards to your heart’s content. 쑗 Living by the sea, they can go sailing to their heart’s content. content2 / kɒntent/ noun the amount of something which is contained in a substance 쑗 Dried fruit has a higher sugar content than fresh fruit. 왍 the mineral content of water the percentages of different minerals contained in a particular amount of water contented /kən tentd/ adj satisfied, happy. Synonym happy. Antonym unhappy contentedly /kən tentdli/ adv in a contented way ③ contention /kən tenʃən/ noun 1. an argument 왍 bone of contention the cause of an argument 쑗 The fence between the houses has always been a bone of contention. 2. a statement of what you believe 쑗 It is his contention that they are trying to ruin our business. contentious /kən tenʃəs/ adj which is the cause of a disagreement contentment /kən tentmənt/ noun a feeling of being satisfied, happy. Synonym serenity contents / kɒntents/ plural noun things which are inside something, which are in a container contest noun / kɒntest/ a fight or a competition 쑗 Only two people entered the contest for the party leadership. 쐽 verb /kən test/ 1. to fight an election 쑗 There are four candidates contesting the seat. 2. to say that you disagree with what is written in a will, or argue that a will is not legal 쑗 When she died and left all her money to a cats’ home, her family contested the will. contestant /kən testənt/ noun a person who enters a contest. Synonym competitor ① context / kɒntekst/ noun the other words which surround a particular word in a piece of writing and which help to show its meaning 쑗 Even if you don’t know what a word means, you can sometimes guess its meaning from the context. 왍 taken out of context showing only part of what someone said or wrote, so that the meaning is changed ② contiguous 171 My words have been taken out of context – if you read the whole speech you will see that I meant something quite different. contiguous /kən tDZjυəs/ adj touching, next to something (formal ) continent / kɒntnənt/ noun 1. one of the major land areas in the world, which usually contain several countries, e.g. Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe) 2. 왍 the Continent (in Britain) the rest of Europe, as opposed to Britain itself which is an island 쐽 adj able to control the passing of liquid or solid waste from the body 쑗 The old lady is barely continent. Antonym incontinent Continent / kɒntnənt/ noun the mainland of Europe, as compared with the British Isles 쑗 They go to the Continent on holiday each year, sometimes to France, sometimes to Switzerland. 왍 on the Continent in mainland Europe continental /kɒnt nent(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to a continent 2. referring to Europe excluding the British Isles 쑗 We’ve decided to take a continental holiday this year. Continental /kɒnt nent(ə)l/ noun a European 쑗 The Continentals seem to play a different type of football from us. continental breakfast /kɒntnent(ə)l brekfəst/ noun a light breakfast of rolls, croissants, and coffee. Compare English 쑗 . breakfast continental climate /kɒntnent(ə)l klamət/ noun the type of weather that is typical of the continent of Europe: hot dry summers and very cold winters continental shelf /kɒntnent(ə)l ʃelf/ noun the area round the edges of a continent where the land slopes gradually into the sea, before the water suddenly becomes much deeper contingency /kən tndȢənsi/ noun a possible state of emergency when decisions will have to be taken quickly (NOTE: The plural is contingencies.) contingent /kən tndȢənt/ adj 왍 contingent on or upon something which depends on something 쑗 The launch of the space shuttle is contingent upon the weather. 쐽 noun a group of people such as soldiers 쑗 The army was formed of contingents of freedom fighters from various countries. 쑗 A large contingent of farmers marched to the Parliament building. ② continual /kən tnjuəl/ adj which goes on all the time continually /kən tnjuəli/ adv very often, almost all the time ③ continuation /kəntnju eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of going on without stopping 쑗 How can we ensure the continuation of the peace talks? 2. something which has been contract continued 쑗 Broad Street is in fact a continuation of the High Street. ① continue /kən tnju / verb to go on doing something or happening 쑗 He continued working, even though the house was on fire. 쑗 The engine continued to send out clouds of black smoke. 쑗 The meeting started at 10 a.m. and continued until 6 p.m. 쑗 The show continued with some children’s dances. continued /kən tnju d/ adj 1. without interruption or change from the beginning up to the present time 2. begun again after a break or interruption continuing /kən tnjuŋ/ adj which continues continuing education /kəntnjuŋ edjυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun education of adults after further or higher education ③ continuity /kɒnt nju ti/ noun the way in which the scenes in a film or television programme continue without a break. Antonym interruption ② continuous /kən tnjυəs/ adj with no break 쑗 She has been in continuous pain for three days. 쑗 A continuous white line means that you are not allowed to overtake. continuously /kən tnjυəsli/ adv without a break continuous tense /kən tnjυəs tens/ noun the form of a verb showing that something is going on and has not stopped continuum /kən tnjυəm/ noun a thing which continues and develops gradually, with no clear divisions between its parts contort /kən tɔ t/ verb to twist something into a position that is not natural contorted /kən tɔ td/ adj extremely or violently twisted out of shape contour / kɒntυə/, contour line / kɒntυə lan/ noun a line on a map to show ground of the same height above sea level. Synonym outline contraband / kɒntrəbnd/ noun, adj (goods) on which customs duty has not been paid (NOTE: no plural) contraception /kɒntrə sepʃən/ noun a way of preventing a woman from becoming pregnant by using a device such as a condom or a particular type of drug contraceptive /kɒntrə septv/ adj which prevents a woman from becoming pregant 쑗 a contraceptive device such as an IUD 쑗 The contraceptive pill is available from doctors and clinics. 쐽 noun a drug or condom which prevents pregnancy 쑗 The chemist sells various types of contraceptives. 쑗 an oral contraceptive such as the pill ① contract noun / kɒntrkt/ a legal agreement 쑗 I don’t agree with some of the conditions of the contract. 왍 under contract bound by the conditions of a contract 쑗 The contraction 172 company is under contract to a French supermarket. 쐽 verb /kən trkt/ 1. to make an official agreement to do some work 쑗 to contract to supply spare parts or to contract for the supply of spare parts 2. to sign an agreement with a contractor 쑗 The corporation has contracted the refuse collection service to a private company. 3. to become smaller 쑗 Metal contracts when it gets cold, and expands when it is hot. ③ contraction /kən trkʃən/ noun 1. an act of becoming shorter or smaller 쑗 Light will provoke the contraction of the pupil of the eye. 쑗 Cold will cause the contraction of metal rails. 2. the movement of the muscles of the womb, when a baby is being born 쑗 The first strong contractions will come about every twenty minutes. 쑗 She had two contractions in the car on the way to the maternity hospital. contractor /kən trktə/ noun a person who does work according to a signed agreement contractual /kən trktʃυəl/ adj according to a contract contradict /kɒntrə dkt/ verb 1. to say that what someone else says is not true 2. to be different from what has been said before contradiction /kɒntrə dkʃən/ noun stating or being the opposite 왍 a contradiction in terms a phrase which is formed of two parts which contradict each other, and so have no meaning 쑗 A truthful politician is a contradiction in terms. contradictory /kɒntrə dkt(ə)ri/ adj which states or is the opposite contraflow / kɒntrəfləυ/ noun a system where traffic on one lane of a motorway is made to go down one of the opposite lanes in the wrong direction, used when the road is being repaired contralto /kən trɑ ltəυ/ noun 1. a low-sounding singing or speaking voice 쑗 She spoke in a soft contralto. 2. a woman with a low-sounding voice 쑗 We need more contraltos in our choir. (NOTE: The plural is contraltos.) contraption /kən trpʃən/ noun an unusual machine or device. Synonym gadget contrary / kɒntrəri/ adj 1. opposite 쑗 Most people agreed with the speaker, but one or two expressed contrary views. 2. 왍 contrary to in opposition to 쑗 Contrary to what you would expect, the desert gets quite cold at night. 3. /kən treəri/ always doing the opposite of what you want 쑗 She’s such a contrary child. 쐽 noun 왍 the contrary the opposite 왍 on the contrary just the opposite 쑗 I’m not annoyed with her – on the contrary, I think she has done the right thing. 왍 to the contrary stating the opposite 쑗 We will go on with the plans for the exhibition control unless we hear to the contrary. 쑗 Smoking used to be considered harmless, but now the evidence is to the contrary. ② contrast noun / kɒntrɑ st/ a sharp difference between two things 쑗 the contrast in weather between the north and the south of the country 쑗 The two cities are in sharp contrast. Antonym similarity 왍 in contrast to as opposed to 쑗 He is quite short, in contrast to his sister who is very tall. 쑗 The north of the country is green and wooded in contrast to the south which is dry and sandy. 쐽 verb /kən trɑ st/ to be obviously different from 쑗 His formal letter contrasted with his friendly conversation on the telephone. contrasting /kən trɑ stŋ/ adj which are very different contravene /kɒntrə vi n/ verb to fail to obey a rule or law. Synonym break contravention /kɒntrə venʃən/ noun 왍 in contravention of something breaking something such as a rule or an official agreement 쑗 The restaurant is in contravention of the safety regulations. ② contribute /kən trbju t/ verb 1. to help towards something 쑗 The government’s policies have contributed to a feeling of dissatisfaction among teachers. 2. to give money to 쑗 We were asked to contribute to a charity. 쑗 Everyone was asked to contribute to the receptionist’s leaving present. 3. 왍 to contribute to a magazine to write articles for a magazine ② contribution /kɒntr bju ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. something, usually money, given to help something 쑗 She makes monthly contributions to the Red Cross. 2. an article sent to a newspaper or magazine for publication 쑗 The deadline for contributions is December 1st. contributor /kən trbjυtə/ noun a person or organisation that contributes contributory /kən trbjυt(ə)ri/ adj which contributes 왍 a contributory factor one of the things which have helped produce the situation contrite / kɒntrat/ adj (of a person) who regrets what has happened contrition /kən trʃ(ə)n/ noun a feeling of being sorry. Synonym remorse contrive /kən trav/ verb to manage to do something contrived /kən travd/ adj artificial, not natural. Antonym genuine ① control /kən trəυl/ noun 1. the fact of keeping someone or something in order or being able to direct them 쑗 The club is under the control of three shareholders. 쑗 He lost control of his business and resigned. 쑗 The teacher has no control over the class. 2. the fact or process of limiting something 왍 under control limited 쑗 We try to keep ex- control freak 173 penses under tight control. 왍 to bring something under control to reduce or limit something 쑗 The firemen quickly brought the fire under control. 왍 out of control not limited or kept in order 쑗 The car ran down the hill out of control. 쑗 Our spending has got out of control. 쑗 The fire started in the roof and quickly got out of control. 쑗 Football fans got out of control and started breaking windows in the centre of town. 쐽 verb 1. to keep something in order, to direct or limit something 쑗 The police couldn’t control the crowds. 쑗 There was nobody there to control the traffic. 쑗 We must try to control the sales of foreign cars. 쑗 The government controls the price of meat. 2. 왍 to control a business to have the power to direct the way a business is run 쑗 The business is controlled by a company based in Luxembourg. control freak /kən trəυl fri k/ noun a person who wants to be always in control of the situation (slang) control key /kən trəυl ki / noun the key on a computer which works part of a program controlled /kən trəυld/ adj which is kept under control controller /kən trəυlə/ noun a person who controls something controls /kən trəυlz/ plural noun the things such as switches by which you can control a machine 쑗 She took the controls of the aircraft. 쑗 He was at the controls of the spacecraft at the time. control tower /kən trəυl taυə/ noun a high building at an airport with the radio station which directs planes controversial /kɒntrə v" ʃ(ə)l/ adj which starts violent discussions 쑗 He made a highly controversial speech. 쑗 Legalisation of drugs is a very controversial issue. 쑗 She has controversial views on abortion. Synonym contentious controversy / kɒntrəv" si, kən trɒvəsi/ noun a sharp discussion conundrum /kə nndrəm/ noun a difficult problem conurbation /kɒn" beʃ(ə)n/ noun a very large built-up area convalesce /kɒnvə les/ verb to get back to good health after an illness or an operation convalescence /kɒnvə les(ə)ns/ noun a period of time when you are convalescing. Synonym recuperation convalescent /kɒnvə les(ə)nt/ adj referring to convalescence 쑗 Convalescent patients must have proper nourishment. 쑗 He’s much better but still convalescent. 쐽 noun a person who is convalescing after an illness or operation 쑗 Now that you’re not a convalescent any more, you can go back to work as normal. convergent convene /kən vi n/ verb to call a meeting convenience /kən vi niəns/ noun 1. the fact of being convenient 쑗 I like the convenience of working from home. 쑗 We bought the house because of the convenience of the area for shopping. 왍 at your earliest convenience as soon as you can easily do it 쑗 Please return this form at your earliest convenience. 2. 왍 all modern conveniences, all mod cons all modern facilities such as central heating, telephone or electricity 쑗 The flat is advertised for sale with all mod cons. convenience food /kən vi niəns fu d/ noun food which is prepared by the shop before it is sold, so that it needs only heating to be made ready to eat convenience shop /kən vi niəns ʃɒp/, convenience store /kən vi niəns stɔ / noun a small local shop which stays open long hours and sells a wide range of necessary goods ③ convenient /kən vi niənt/ adj which does not cause any practical problems 쑗 6.30 in the morning is not a very convenient time for a meeting. 쑗 A bank draft is a convenient way of sending money abroad. conveniently /kən vi niəntli/ adv in a convenient way convenor /kən vi nə/ noun a person who organises a meeting convent / kɒnvənt/ noun a religious establishment where nuns live; the buildings of such a place (NOTE: The equivalent establishment for men is a monastery.) ② convention /kən venʃən/ noun 1. the usual way of doing things 쑗 It is a convention that the bride wears white to her wedding. 2. a contract or agreement 쑗 an international convention on human rights 3. a general meeting of a group such as a political party 쑗 They are holding their annual convention in Chicago. ③ conventional /kən venʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj ordinary, usual 쑗 We are planning a conventional Christmas at home. 쑗 He arrived at the office wearing a very conventional grey suit. conventional weapon /kənvenʃ(ə)n(ə)l wepən/ noun an ordinary weapon such as a gun, not a nuclear weapon convention centre /kən venʃ(ə)n sentə/ noun a building with a series of meeting rooms, hotel bedrooms and restaurants, built especially for holding large meetings converge /kən v" dȢ/ verb to come together at a certain place or point convergence /kən v" dȢəns/ noun a coming together, a meeting convergent /kən v" dȢənt/ adj meeting at a certain point conversant 174 conversant /kən v" s(ə)nt/ adj having knowledge or experience of something ① conversation /kɒnvə seʃ(ə)n/ noun a talk 쑗 We had a long conversation with the bank manager. 쑗 Why did he suddenly change the subject of the conversation? 왍 to carry on a conversation with someone to talk to someone 쑗 She tried to carry on a conversation with him while he was working. 쑗 It’s difficult to carry on a conversation with Uncle Harry because he’s deaf. conversational /kɒnvə seʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj used in conversation converse noun / kɒnv" s/ (dated) 왍 the converse the opposite 쑗 If this is true then the converse must be false. 쐽 verb /kən v" s/ to talk 쑗 They were conversing seriously in French. conversely / kɒnv" sli/ adv in the opposite way conversion /kən v" ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act or process of changing one thing into another 쑗 the conversion of an old chapel into a modern house 쑗 I need a calculator to work out the conversion of £500 into pesetas. 2. the turning of a person to another set of ideas or religion 쑗 She underwent a sudden conversion to Islam. 3. the act of converting a try in the game of rugby 쑗 His attempted conversion failed, and the scores remained level. ③ convert noun / kɒnv" t/ a person who has changed his ideas or religion 쑗 He has become a convert to vegetarianism. 쐽 verb /kən v" t/ 1. to turn or to make someone turn from one set of ideas or religion to another 쑗 When she got married she converted to Islam. 쑗 She tried to convert her husband to becoming a vegetarian. 2. to change 쑗 We are converting the shed into a studio. 쑗 These panels convert the heat of the Sun into electricity. 3. 왍 to convert a try to earn extra points in a game of rugby by kicking the ball over the crossbar between the posts after a try has been scored 쑗 If he converts the try the scores will be level. 4. to change money of one country for money of another 쑗 We converted our pounds into Swiss francs. convertible /kən v" təb(ə)l/ adj (especially of a currency) which can easily be changed into the money of another country 쑗 the dollar, the yen and other convertible currencies 쐽 noun a car with a roof which folds back or can be removed 쑗 You can hire a small convertible for $100 a day. convex / kɒnveks/ adj which has a shape that curves outwards like the back of a spoon ③ convey /kən ve/ verb 1. to transport, to carry 쑗 The supplies were being conveyed in lorries. 2. to give a message or to express something 쑗 Please convey my congratulations to the team. coo conveyance /kən veəns/ noun 1. the act of transporting 쑗 The conveyance of goods is controlled by several Acts of Parliament. 2. a means of transport 쑗 Various rickety conveyances were waiting outside the station. 3. a document by which property is legally exchanged from one owner to another 쑗 The conveyance is being drawn up by the solicitor. conveyancing /kən veənsŋ/ noun the action of exchanging property from one owner to another conveyor belt /kən veə belt/ noun a moving surface in a factory, which takes something from one part of the factory to another convict noun / kɒnvkt/ a criminal who has been sent to prison 쑗 The police are searching for two escaped convicts. 쐽 verb /kən vkt/ to find someone guilty 쑗 She was convicted of theft. Antonym acquit ③ conviction /kən vkʃən/ noun 1. the fact of being found guilty 쑗 His lawyers are appealing against his conviction. 2. the fact of being certain that something is true 쑗 It was a common conviction in the Middle Ages that the earth was flat. 쑗 Her religious convictions do not allow her to eat shellfish. 3. the fact of being likely or being convincing 쑗 She gave a string of excuses which completely lacked conviction. ③ convince /kən vns/ verb 왍 to convince someone of something to persuade someone that something is true 쑗 The lawyer has to convince the jury of his client’s innocence. 쑗 At an interview, you have to convince the employer that you are the right person for the job. ③ convinced /kən vnst/ adj very certain convincing /kən vnsŋ/ adj which convinces convincingly /kən vnsŋli/ adv in a convincing way convivial /kən vviəl/ adj lively or friendly. Synonym pleasant. Antonym unfriendly conviviality /kənvvi lti/ noun the fact of being lively and friendly convoluted / kɒnvəlu td/ adj something such as a story which is very complicated. Synonym intricate convoy / kɒnvɔ/ noun a group of vehicles or ships travelling together in a line with armed protection convulse /kən vls/ verb to make something or someone shake convulsive /kən vlsv/ adj which causes violent shaking. Synonym jerky coo /ku / verb to make a soft noise like a pigeon (NOTE: Do not confuse with coup.) cook 175 ① cook /kυk/ noun a person who gets food ready 쑗 He worked as a cook in a pub during the summer. Synonym chef 왍 he’s a very good cook he makes very good food 쐽 verb 1. to get food ready for eating, especially by heating it 쑗 Don’t bother your mother when she’s cooking the dinner. 쑗 How do you cook cabbage? 2. to get food ready by heating 쑗 The chicken is cooking in the oven. 쑗 How long do these vegetables take to cook? 3. 왍 to cook the books, the accounts to deliberately write down the wrong amounts of money in account books (informal ) 쑗 The accountant had been cooking the books for years. cookbook / kυkbυk/ noun a book of recipes cooked /kυkt/ adj which has been heated to prepare it for eating cooked breakfast /kυkt brekfəst/ noun a breakfast which includes food such as bacon, eggs and sausages. Compare continen. tal breakfast ③ cooker / kυkə/ noun a piece of kitchen equipment, usually run on gas or electricity, for cooking food. Also called stove ③ cookery / kυk(ə)ri/ noun the art of cooking cookery book / kυk(ə)ri bυk/ noun a book of recipes ③ cookie / kυki/ noun 1. usually US a biscuit, a small flat hard sweet cake 쑗 She bought a packet of cookies. 2. a computer file sent to your computer by a website when you visit it. It stores information about you which can be used when you next visit the website. ③ cooking / kυkŋ/ noun 1. the action of getting food ready to eat, especially by heating it 쑗 He does the cooking, while his wife serves in the restaurant. 2. a particular style of preparing food 쑗 The restaurant specialises in French provincial cooking. cooking apple / kυkŋ p(ə)l/ noun a sour apple which is good for cooking, not for eating raw ① cool /ku l/ adj 1. quite cold 쑗 Blow on your soup to make it cool. 쑗 It was hot on deck but cool down below. 쑗 Wines should be stored in a cool cellar. 쑗 It gets cool in the evenings in September. 2. not enthusiastic 쑗 I got a cool reception when I arrived half an hour late. 쑗 The board was quite cool towards the proposal. 3. calm 쑗 The nurses remained cool and professional when dealing with all the accident victims. 4. fashionable, interesting 쑗 a cool party 쑗 It’s cool to wear white trainers. (NOTE: cooler – coolest) 쐽 verb to make something cool; to become cool 쑗 She boiled the jam for several hours and then put it aside to cool. 쐽 noun 1. a colder area which is pleasant 쑗 After the heat of the town centre, it is nice to sit in the cool of the coordinated garden. 2. the state of being calm 쑗 As soon as the reporters started to ask her questions she lost her cool. coolbox / ku lbɒks/ noun a container which you can carry and which is used for keeping food and drinks cool cool down /ku l daυn/ verb 1. to make something cool or to become cool 쑗 Although it is very hot in the desert during the daytime, it always cools down in the evening. 쑗 This coffee is too hot – I’m waiting for it to cool down a bit. 2. to calm someone, or to become calmer 쑗 He was furious with his secretary, but after a while he cooled down. 쑗 We tried to cool him down but it just made him more angry. cooling / ku lŋ/ adj which makes you feel cool coolly / ku lli/ adv in a cool, calm way coolness / ku lnəs/ noun 1. the fact of being cool 쑗 the coolness of the evening 2. the feeling of being calm 쑗 his coolness under fire 3. the act of behaving in a way that is not friendly or enthusiastic 쑗 I was surprised by the coolness of her greeting. coop /ku p/ verb 왍 to coop someone up to keep someone in a small place 쑗 I don’t like being cooped up in this little office. co-op / kəυ ɒp/ noun a cooperative store (informal ) cooperate /kəυ ɒpəret/ verb 왍 to cooperate with someone to work with someone 쑗 Several governments are cooperating in the fight against international drug smuggling. ② cooperation /kəυɒpə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of working together with someone else ③ cooperative /kəυ ɒp(ə)rətv/ adj 1. working with the profits shared between the workers 쑗 a cooperative farm 쑗 a cooperative store 2. helpful and willing to work with other people 쑗 The bank manager was not at all cooperative. 쐽 noun a business which works on a profit-sharing basis 쑗 a workers’ cooperative co-opt /kəυ ɒpt/ verb to ask someone to join a committee without being formally elected to it coordinate noun /kəυ ɔ dnət/ a set of numbers which fix a point on a map or graph 쑗 What are the coordinates for that hill? I don’t think it is marked on the map. 쑗 Draw the X–Y coordinates. 쐽 verb /kəυ ɔ dnet/ to make people or things work together or fit in with each other 쑗 His job is to coordinate the work of the various relief agencies. 쑗 The election campaign was coordinated by the party headquarters. coordinated /kəυ ɔ dnetd/ adj 1. bringing different or widespread groups or parts together 2. moving different parts, es. coordinates 176 pecially parts of your body, gracefully or skilfully, or in a specific way coordinates /kəυ ɔ dnəts/ plural noun matching pieces of women’s clothing coordination /kəυɔ d neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of coordinating 쑗 Better coordination between departments would have allowed everyone to know what was happening. 2. the ability to move parts of your body properly 쑗 She has excellent coordination for a little girl of 18 months. coordinator /kəυ ɔ dnetə/ noun a person who coordinates ③ cop /kɒp/ noun a policeman (informal ) ② cope /kəυp/ noun a long coloured cloak worn by a priest in church 쐽 verb 왍 to cope with something to manage to deal with something 쑗 She can cope perfectly well on her own. 쑗 We are trying to cope with the backlog of orders. copier / kɒpiə/ noun a machine which makes copies copilot / kəυpalət/ noun a pilot who helps the main pilot to fly an aircraft copious / kəυpiəs/ adj in large amounts, in good supply cop out / kɒp aυt/ verb to stop doing an activity, e.g. because of feeling afraid or not wanting to do it cop-out / kɒp aυt/ noun a poor excuse or explanation for refusing to face up to something copper / kɒpə/ noun 1. a reddish metal which turns green when exposed to air 쑗 Copper is a good conductor of electricity. 쑗 The end of the copper wire should be attached to the terminal. 2. a policeman 쑗 Watch out! there’s a copper coming. 3. a small coin made of copper or other brown metal 쑗 It only costs a few coppers. 쑗 The beggar was asking for any spare coppers. copse /kɒps/ noun a small area of young trees copulate / kɒpjυlet/ verb to have sex copulation /kɒpjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of having sex ① copy / kɒp/ noun 1. something made to look the same as something else 쑗 This is an exact copy of the painting by Picasso. (NOTE: The plural is copies.) 2. one book; one newspaper 쑗 Where’s my copy of today’s ‘Times’? 쑗 I lent my old copy of Shakespeare to my brother and he never gave it back. 쑗 Can I borrow your copy of the telephone directory? (NOTE: The plural is copies.) 3. text written to be used in a newspaper or advertisement 쑗 He sent in his copy three days late. 쑗 We need more copy for this page. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 쐽 verb to make or do something which looks like something else 쑗 To knit the pullover, just . core copy this pattern. 쑗 I get very annoyed because he copies everything I do. copycat / kɒpikt/ (informal ) noun a person who copies what someone else does 쐽 adj which copies something else 쑗 a copycat murder copyright / kɒpirat/ noun an author’s legal right to do something such as publish a book or put on a play and not to have it copied without permission 쑗 Who holds the copyright for the play? 쑗 She is being sued for breach of copyright. 왍 a book which is in copyright a book which is protected by the copyright laws 왍 a book which is out of copyright a book by a writer who has been dead for more than seventy years and which anyone can publish 쐽 verb to register something as your copyright 쑗 The title was copyrighted some years ago. coral / kɒrəl/ noun a rock-like substance formed of the bones of small animals in the sea cord /kɔ d/ noun a strong thin rope 쑗 Pull the cord to open the parachute. 쑗 In an emergency, pull the cord to stop the train. cordial / kɔ diəl/ adj friendly 쑗 His greeting was not very cordial. Synonym pleasant. Antonym unfriendly 쐽 noun the concentrated juice of a fruit to which water is added 쑗 Fruit cordials such as lemon, orange or lime are popular summer drinks. cordless / kɔ dləs/ adj not needing to be connected to an electricity supply cordon / kɔ d(ə)n/ noun 1. a barrier such as a rope or a line of police or soldiers surrounding an area to prevent people entering or leaving 쑗 Police formed a cordon round the referee to protect him from the fans. 쑗 There was a police cordon round the courthouse. 2. a fruit tree grown as a single stem, with little side shoots 쑗 We planted a cordon pear against the wall. 쐽 verb 왍 to cordon off a street to block a street to prevent anyone entering it 쑗 The police had cordoned off the side streets and forced the protesters to march down the main road. cords /kɔ dz/ plural noun corduroy trousers 쑗 Cords are warmer than jeans. corduroy / kɔ dərɔ/ noun 1. a cloth with raised lines on the surface 쑗 He was wearing a corduroy jacket. 2. 왍 a pair of corduroys a pair of trousers made of corduroy 쑗 He was wearing a pair of dirty old corduroys and green wellingtons. ③ core /kɔ / noun the central part 왍 the core of an apple, an apple core the hard part in the middle of an apple, containing the seeds 쑗 He threw the apple core into the lake. 왍 rotten to the core completely bad 쑗 The local police force is rotten to the core. 왍 to take a core sample to cut a long round piece of soil or rock for testing 쐽 verb to take . coriander 177 out the central part of a fruit such as an apple 쑗 Peel and core the apples before putting them in the oven. coriander /kɒri ndə/ noun a small herb, whose seeds and leaves are used for flavouring cork /kɔ k/ noun 1. a piece of light wood from the bark of a tree, which closes wine bottles 쑗 He pulled the cork out of the bottle. 쑗 The little boat bobbed up and down on the surface of the water like a cork. 2. material made from the very light bark of a type of tree 쑗 She placed little cork mats on the table to stop the wine glasses marking it. 쐽 verb to put a cork into a bottle 쑗 When they had drunk half the bottle, she corked it up to use the following day. corkscrew / kɔ kskru / noun a special tool for taking corks out of bottles corm /kɔ m/ noun the bottom part of the stem of a plant which can be planted and from which new shoots will grow cormorant / kɔ mərənt/ noun a black seabird which eats fish, often near fishing grounds but also on lakes and rivers ③ corn /kɔ n/ noun 1. cereal plants such as wheat or barley 쑗 a field of corn 2. maize, a cereal crop which is grown in many parts of the world 3. a hard painful lump of skin, usually on your foot, where something, such as a tight shoe, has rubbed it 쑗 He has a corn on his little toe. cornea / kɔ niə/ noun the transparent part of the front of the eyeball corned beef /kɔ nd bi f/ noun salted, preserved beef ① corner / kɔ nə/ noun 1. a place where two walls, sides or streets meet 쑗 The bank is on the corner of London Road and New Street. 쑗 Put the plant in the corner of the room nearest the window. 쑗 The number is in the top right-hand corner of the page. 쑗 The motorbike went round the corner at top speed. 왍 to paint yourself into a corner to get yourself into a situation that you cannot get out of 2. a free kick taken from the corner of the field near the opponents’ goal in games such as football 쐽 verb 1. to turn a corner 쑗 This new model corners very well. 2. to catch someone so that they cannot get away 쑗 The police cornered the escaped prisoners in an alleyway. 3. 왍 to corner the market to own most or all of the supply of a certain thing and so control the price 쑗 The syndicate tried to corner the market in silver. 앳 to turn the corner 1. to go round a corner 쑗 As she turned the corner she saw the bus coming. 2. to get better after being ill or in difficulties 쑗 He has been in bed for weeks, but he seems to have turned the corner. corporal corner shop / kɔ nə ʃɒp/ noun a small general store in a town, sometimes on a street corner cornerstone / kɔ nəstəυn/ noun 1. a stone at the bottom of a corner of a building, often with writing on it to show when it was put there 쑗 The mayor laid the cornerstone of the new library. 2. a strong foundation or basis 쑗 Taking a lot of exercise is still one of the cornerstones of a long life. cornet / kɔ nt/ 쒁 cone 쐽 noun a type of small trumpet 쑗 He plays the cornet in the brass band. cornfield / kɔ nfi ld/ noun a field in which corn is grown cornflakes / kɔ nfleks/ plural noun a breakfast food made of small dried pieces of maize 쑗 I’ll just have a bowl of cornflakes and a cup of coffee for breakfast. cornflour / kɔ nflaυə/ noun a very smooth type of flour made from maize, used in cooking to make sauces thicker (NOTE: The US term is cornstarch.) cornflower / kɔ nflaυə/ noun a wild flower with bright blue flowers cornice / kɔ ns/ noun a decorated narrow line of wood or stone round a ceiling (technical ) Cornish / kɔ nʃ/ adj referring to Cornwall corn on the cob /kɔ n ɒn ðə kɒb/ noun a head of maize, with seeds on it, served hot with butter corny / kɔ ni/ adj old or out-of-date (NOTE: . cornier – corniest) corollary /kə rɒləri/ noun a natural result, something which follows naturally. Synonym consequence corona /kə rəυnə/ noun a circle of light which appears as a ring round the Moon or Sun coronary / kɒrən(ə)ri/ noun a coronary thrombosis (informal ) 쑗 He had a coronary and was rushed to hospital. (NOTE: The plural is coronaries.) 쐽 adj referring to any structure shaped like a crown coronary thrombosis /kɒrən(ə)ri θrɒm bəυss/ noun a blood clot which blocks the supply of blood to the heart, leading to a heart attack coronation /kɒrə neʃ(ə)n/ noun the official ceremony at which a king, queen or emperor is crowned ③ coroner / kɒrənə/ noun a public official, either a doctor or a lawyer, who tries to find out the reason for a sudden or violent death corporal / kɔ p(ə)rəl/ adj referring to the body 쐽 noun a rank in the army below sergeant 쑗 The major ordered the corporal to take down the flag. (NOTE: can be used with the surname: Corporal Jones) . corporal punishment 178 corporal punishment /kɔ p(ə)rəl pnʃmənt/ noun an act of punishment by hitting someone ② corporate / kɔ p(ə)rət/ adj referring to a body such as a company 쑗 Corporate responsibility rests with the whole management. 쑗 Corporate profits are down this year. ② corporation /kɔ pə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a town council 쑗 The corporation has privatised the refuse collection service. 쑗 The corporation swimming pool is closed on Mondays. 2. a large firm 쑗 Working for a big corporation can be rather impersonal. corporation tax /kɔ pə reʃ(ə)n tks/ noun a tax on profits made by companies. Abbr CT ③ corps /kɔ / noun a military group or organised group 왍 the diplomatic corps all the diplomats living in a certain country (NOTE: The plural is corps /kɔ z/. Do not confuse with core.) corpse /kɔ ps/ noun a dead body corpulent / kɔ pjυlənt/ adj (of a person) extremely fat. Synonym obese corpus / kɔ pəs/ noun 1. all the works written by an author or about an author 쑗 The library has a huge Dickens corpus which is available to students. 쑗 She is studying references to food in the Shakespeare corpus. 2. the mass of text and words stored in a computer 쑗 None of the dictionaries in the list states where their corpus comes from. (NOTE: The plural is corpora.) corral /kə rɑ l/ noun an area surrounded by a fence to enclose animals such as cows or horses 쑗 The cattle were brought to the OK Corral. 쐽 verb to enclose animals or people in a limited space 쑗 The cattle were corralled before being branded and shipped out. 쑗 The police corralled the students into the area behind the university. ① correct /kə rekt/ adj right or without any mistakes 쑗 Would it be correct to say that the shop has not made a profit for several months? 쑗 Can you tell me the correct time? 쑗 You have to give correct answers to all the questions if you want to win first prize. 쑗 You are correct in thinking that the weather in Greece is hot. 쐽 verb to take away mistakes in something 쑗 You must try to correct your driving mistakes, or you will never pass the test. 쑗 The computer keeps switching itself off – can you correct this fault? correction /kə rekʃən/ noun showing a mistake in something, making something correct 쑗 He made a few small corrections to the letter. Synonym alteration corrective /kə rektv/ adj which corrects 쑗 Corrective surgery will be needed to prevent him having one leg shorter than the other. 쐽 noun a thing which corrects 쑗 These corrosive figures act as a welcome corrective to the government’s very optimistic forecast. ② correctly /kə rektli/ adv in a correct way ③ correlate / kɒrəlet/ verb 1. to match or be the same as something else 쑗 The figures in your report do not correlate with those I got from the warehouse. 쑗 The number of people affected by asthma appears to correlate to the amount of air pollution. 2. to check to see if something matches or is the same as something else 쑗 We need to correlate the data from the two sources. ③ correlation /kɒrə leʃ(ə)n/ noun a connection between things correspond /kɒr spɒnd/ verb 왍 to correspond to to fit with 쑗 The findings correspond to my own research. correspondence /kɒr spɒndəns/ noun 1. letters 쑗 They had been carrying on a correspondence for years. 쑗 She was told by her father to break off the correspondence. 왍 to be in correspondence with someone to write letters to someone and receive letters back 쑗 I have been in correspondence with the company about a refund but with no success. 2. the fact that one thing matches or is similar to another 쑗 There isn’t much correspondence between theory and practice. correspondence course /kɒrspɒndəns kɔ s/ noun lessons given by post correspondent /kɒr spɒndənt/ noun 1. a journalist who writes articles for newspapers or reports for television or radio on a particular subject 쑗 a report from our football correspondent 쑗 He is the Paris correspondent of the ‘Telegraph’. 2. a person who writes letters 쑗 A correspondent in Australia sent us an email. corresponding /kɒr spɒndŋ/ adj which relates to something correspondingly /kɒr spɒndŋli/ adv in a way which corresponds ② corridor / kɒrdɔ / noun a long narrow passage 쑗 The ladies’ room is straight ahead at the end of the corridor. 쑗 There is an underground corridor to the next building. corroborate /kə rɒbəret/ verb to support a statement, especially a statement made in court, by giving information that shows it is true. Synonym verify. Antonym contradict corrode /kə rəυd/ verb to damage or change a substance, e.g. by the effects of water, air or chemicals. Synonym rust corrosion /kə rəυȢ(ə)n/ noun the damage caused to metals by the effects of water, air or chemicals corrosive /kə rəυsv/ adj, noun which eats away metal, or a substance which does this corrugated 179 costs corrugated / kɒrəDZetd/ adj bent into cosmic / kɒzmk/ adj 1. referring to the folds like waves universe 쑗 Cosmic rays are radiation entering the Earth’s atmosphere from outer space. 2. very large, affecting the whole world 쑗 A war which might reach cosmic proportions. cosmopolitan /kɒzmə pɒlt(ə)n/ adj 1. made up of people from different parts of the world 쑗 Berlin is a very cosmopolitan city. 2. comfortable and confident in different cities or with people of different nationalities 쑗 Her cosmopolitan upbringing has made her a very interesting person. 쑗 Born in Canada, brought up in Hong Kong and in England, by the age of ten he was more cosmopolitan than other children. cosmos / kɒzmɒs/ noun the universe ① cost /kɒst/ noun 1. a price which you have to pay for something 쑗 What is the cost of a return ticket to London? 쑗 Computer costs are falling each year. 왍 at all costs at no matter what price 쑗 At all costs, we have to be in Trafalgar Square by 12 o’clock. 2. 왍 to pay costs to pay the expenses of a court case 쑗 He lost his case and was ordered to pay costs. 왍 the judge awarded costs to the defendant the judge said that the defendant would not have to pay the costs of the case 쐽 verb to have a price 쑗 Potatoes cost 20p a kilo. 쑗 Petrol seems to cost more all the time. 왍 what does it cost? how much is it? 왍 to cost the earth to be very expensive 쑗 Caviar costs the earth. 왍 to cost an arm and a leg to be very expensive 쑗 Don’t buy your kitchen there – it’ll cost you an arm and a leg. 쑗 The repairs to his car cost him an arm and a leg. corrugated iron /kɒrəDZetd aən/ noun sheets of metal which are folded into waves corrupt /kə rpt/ adj 1. (of a person) who is not honest or who takes bribes 쑗 The Prime Minister promised to sack any officials who were found to be corrupt. 2. (of a computer disk) with data which contains mistakes 쑗 Power loss can make the data corrupt. 쐽 verb 1. to make someone dishonest or lacking in morals 쑗 ‘Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ 쑗 He was accused of corrupting young people. 쑗 He was corrupted by his rich friends from college. 2. to cause mistakes in computer data 쑗 The data on this disk has been corrupted. corruption /kə rpʃən/ noun 1. the practice of paying money to someone, usually an official, so that he does what you want 쑗 Bribery and corruption are difficult to control. 쑗 Corruption in the civil service will be rooted out. 2. the process of damaging data 쑗 You have to watch out for corruption of data. corruptly /kə rptli/ adv in a corrupt way corset / kɔ st/ noun 1. a tight piece of underwear worn by women to support their bodies (dated ) 쑗 She was glad to get back home and remove her corset. 2. a stiff piece of underwear, worn around the waist or the chest to support the body after a back injury 쑗 Would an orthopaedic corset help him with his bad back? cortege /kɔ teȢ/, cortège noun a funeral procession cortex / kɔ teks/ noun the outer layer of an organ (NOTE: The plural is cortices.) cortisone / kɔ tzəυn/ noun an artificial hormone used against skin problems such as allergies, and arthritis cos /kəz/ short for because (informal ) 쑗 You’ve got to do what I say ’cos I’m bigger than you! cosh /kɒʃ/ noun a short stick for hitting (NOTE: The plural is coshes.) 쐽 verb to hit someone on the head 쑗 He coshed the security guard. cos lettuce /kɒs lets/ noun a type of tall lettuce cosmetic /kɒz metk/ adj which improves someone’s or something’s appearance cosmetics /kɒz metks/ plural noun substances which improve someone’s appearance 쑗 My wife keeps all her cosmetics in a little bag. cosmetic surgery /kɒzmetk s" dȢəri/ noun surgery to improve someone’s appearance. Synonym plastic surgery . . 쏡 fortune, small co-star / kəυ stɑ / noun the other leading actor or actress in a film or play 쑗 His co-star in the film was an Italian actress. 쐽 verb to act in a play or film as a co-star 쑗 She co-starred with James Dean. (NOTE: co-starring – co-starred) cost-cutting / kɒst ktŋ/ noun the pro- cess of reducing costs, especially in a business, or the actions taken to reduce costs cost-effective /kɒst fektv/ adj which gives value when compared with its cost. Synonym lucrative costing / kɒstŋ/ noun a calculation of a selling price, based on the costs of making a product costly / kɒstl/ adj very expensive 왍 a costly mistake a mistake which results in a lot of money being spent 쑗 Telling them we would pay all their expenses was a costly mistake. ③ cost of living /kɒst əv lvŋ/ noun money which has to be paid in order to live, e.g. for food, heating and rent costs /kɒsts/ plural noun the expenses involved in a court case costume 180 costume / kɒstju m/ noun a set of clothes worn by an actor or actress in a play or film or on TV 쑗 The costumes for ‘Henry V’ are magnificent. costume drama / kɒstju m drɑ mə/ noun a play set in a previous historical period costume jewellery / kɒstju m dȢu əlri/ noun jewellery that does not contain precious stones or metals cosy / kəυzi/ adj comfortable and warm 쑗 An open log fire always makes a room feel cosy. 쑗 She wrapped herself up in a blanket and made herself cosy on the sofa. (NOTE: cosier – cosiest. The US spelling is cozy.) 쐽 noun a cover put over something to keep it hot 쑗 She knitted a tea cosy for her mother. (NOTE: The plural is cosies.) cot /kɒt/ noun 1. a child’s bed with sides 쑗 The baby was fast asleep in her cot. 쑗 Jimmy’s getting too big for his cot – we’ll have to get him a proper bed soon. 2. US a folding bed for camping (NOTE: The British term is camp bed.) cot death / kɒt deθ/ noun an unexplained death of a sleeping baby (NOTE: The US term is crib death.) coterie / kəυtəri/ noun a small group of special people. Synonym clique cottage / kɒtdȢ/ noun a little house in the country 쑗 We have a weekend cottage in the mountains. 쑗 My mother lives in the little cottage next to the post office. cottage cheese /kɒtdȢ tʃi z/ noun a very soft, lumpy white cheese cottage industry /kɒtdȢ ndəstr/ noun the practice of making products in the workers’ homes cottage pie /kɒtdȢ pa/ noun minced meat cooked in a dish with potatoes on top cotton / kɒt(ə)n/ noun 1. fibres made into thread from the soft seed heads of a tropical plant 쑗 She put a new reel of cotton on the sewing machine. 2. a cloth made of cotton 쑗 He was wearing a pair of cotton trousers. 쑗 I bought some cotton material to make a skirt. cotton on /kɒt(ə)n ɒn/ verb (informal ) 왍 to cotton on to something to understand something 쑗 It was some time before he cottoned on to what I meant. ③ cotton wool /kɒt(ə)n wυl/ noun cotton fibres used to clean the skin or wounds or to apply lotion or disinfectant. Also called . absorbent cotton couch /kaυtʃ/ noun a low bed 쑗 She lay down on a couch in the lounge. Synonym sofa (NOTE: The plural is couches.) 쐽 verb to put something in words 쑗 His letter was couched in very formal language. Synonym express counsel couch potato / kaυtʃ pətetəυ/ noun a person who sits watching TV or videos all day (slang disapproving) cougar / ku DZə/ noun US a large brown wild cat from North and South America. Also called mountain lion, puma ③ cough /kɒf/ noun the act of sending the air out of your lungs suddenly, e.g. when you are ill 쑗 Take some cough medicine if your cough is bad. 쑗 He ought to see the doctor if his cough is no better. 쑗 He gave a little cough to attract the waitress’s attention. 쐽 verb to send air out of your lungs suddenly because your throat hurts 쑗 The smoke from the fire made everyone cough. 쑗 People with flu go around coughing and sneezing. cough mixture / kɒf mkstʃə/ noun a liquid medicine to cure a cough cough sweet / kɒf swi t/ noun a sweet with medicine in it against coughs cough up /kɒf p/ verb 1. to bring up matter from your throat when coughing 쑗 She became worried when the little girl coughed up blood. 2. to pay 쑗 When he was late with the rent, we sent some people round to get him to cough up. ① could /kəd, kυd/ modal verb 1. meaning ‘was’ or ‘would be able’ to do something 쑗 The old lady fell down and couldn’t get up. 쑗 You could still catch the train if you ran. 2. meaning ‘was allowed’ to do something 쑗 The policeman said we could go into the house. 3. used in asking 쑗 Could you pass me the salt, please? 쑗 Could you shut the window? 4. meaning ‘might happen’ 쑗 The new shopping centre could be finished by Christmas. 5. used in making a suggestion 쑗 You could always try borrowing money from the bank. (NOTE: The negative is could not, usually couldn’t. Note also that could is the past of can; could is only used in front of other verbs and is not followed by the word to.) couldn’t / kυdnt/ contraction an informal form of ‘could not’ ① council / kaυnsəl/ noun 1. an elected committee 2. an official group chosen to advise on a problem council estate / kaυnsəl stet/ noun an area where houses and flats have been built by the local council and are available at low rents ③ councillor / kaυns(ə)lə/ noun an elected member of a town council (NOTE: Do not confuse with counsellor.) council tax / kaυnsəl tks/ noun the tax charged by a local council to help pay for its services counsel / kaυnsəl/ noun 1. advice 쑗 I should have listened to his wise counsels. 2. a lawyer 쑗 counsel for the defence or defence counsel 쑗 counsel for the prosecution or counselling 181 prosecution counsel 쐽 verb to advise 쑗 She counselled us against buying the house. (NOTE: counselling – counselled. The US spelling is counseling – counseled.) counselling / kaυnsəlŋ/ noun the practice of giving advice about problems (NOTE: The US spelling is counseling.) counsellor / kaυnsələ/ noun an adviser (NOTE: The US spelling is counselor.) ① count /kaυnt/ noun 1. the action of counting or of adding 왍 to lose count to no longer have any idea of how many there are 쑗 I tried to add up all the sales figures but lost count and had to start again. 쑗 I’ve lost count of the number of times he’s left his umbrella on the train. 2. the process of adding up the votes after an election 쑗 The candidates paced up and down during the count. 3. a large amount of something, calculated scientifically 쑗 Today there is a high pollen count. 4. a noble title, used in many European countries, but not in England 쑗 Count Bismarck, the German Chancellor 5. a charge read out against someone in court 쑗 She was found guilty on two counts of embezzlement. 쐽 verb 1. to say numbers in order, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 쑗 She’s only two and she can count up to ten. 쑗 Count to five and then start running. 왍 to count backwards to say numbers in the opposite order, e.g. 9, 8, 7, 6 2. to find out a total 쑗 Did you count how many books there are in the library? 쑗 He counted up the sales for the twelve months. 쏡 hatch 3. to include when finding out a total 쑗 There were sixty people in the boat if you count the children. 쑗 Did you count my trip to New York as part of my expenses? 왍 not counting not including 쑗 There are three of us, not counting the baby. 쑗 We have three computers, not counting the old ones that don’t work any more. 4. to be important 쑗 Your appearance counts for a lot in an interview. 쑗 Every little bit of energy saved counts. countable / kaυntəb(ə)l/ adj 1. which is able to be counted 2. describing a noun that is able to form a plural count down /kaυnt daυn/ verb to count backwards, e.g. 9, 8, 7, 6 쑗 He counted down the seconds to the launch. countdown / kaυntdaυn/ noun the action of counting time backwards, especially before something takes place countenance / kaυntənəns/ noun an expression on someone’s face 쑗 The journalists were surprised by the furious countenance of the President. 쐽 verb to approve of an action (formal ) 쑗 My father would never countenance borrowing money from friends. ③ counter / kaυntə/ noun 1. a small round disc used in games 쑗 You’ve thrown a six – you can move your counter six places. 쑗 She placed a pile of counters on the board. 2. a . counter-revolutionary long flat surface in a shop for showing goods for sale, or in a bank for passing over money 쑗 The cheese counter is over there. 쑗 She put her bag down on the counter and took out her cheque book. 왍 sold over the counter sold without a prescription from a doctor 쑗 Some drugs are sold over the counter, but for most you need a prescription. 왍 sold under the counter sold illegally 쑗 He sold the videos under the counter. 쐽 verb to reply in an opposing way 쑗 He accused her of theft and she countered with an accusation of sexual harassment. counter- /kaυntə/ prefix against, in response counteract /kaυntər kt/ verb to stop the effects of something. Synonym counter counter-attack / kaυntər ətk/ noun an attack against someone who has just attacked you 쑗 24 hours after the enemy attack we launched a counter-attack. 쐽 verb to attack in return 쑗 the enemy counter-attacked fiercely counterbalance / kaυntəbləns/ verb to react against something by doing the opposite counterclockwise /kaυntə klɒkwaz/ adv US in the opposite direction to the hands of a clock (NOTE: The British term is anticlockwise.) counterfeit / kaυntəft/ adj (of money, art or documents) false, not real 쑗 The police have warned shopkeepers that counterfeit £20 notes are in circulation. 쑗 You can see stands in Oxford Street selling counterfeit jewellery. Synonym fake. Antonym genuine 쐽 verb to make imitation money 쑗 Are the new £10 notes more difficult to counterfeit than the old ones? 쑗 Only very sophisticated printing machines can be used to counterfeit banknotes. Synonym forge 쐽 noun a thing which has been forged 쑗 There is something wrong with this passport – in fact it may be a counterfeit. Synonym forgery counterfoil / kaυntəfɔl/ noun a slip of paper which you keep after giving someone a cheque countermand /kaυntə mɑ nd/ verb to say that an order or instruction should not be carried out counterpart / kaυntəpɑ t/ noun a person who has a similar job or who is in a similar situation. Synonym opposite number 왍 John is my counterpart at Smith’s John has the same post at Smith’s as I have here counter-productive /kaυntə prədktv/ adj which has the opposite effect to what you want counter-revolutionary /kaυntə revəlu ʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ noun a person who acts against a revolution. Synonym rebel countersign 182 countersign / kaυntəsan/ verb to sign a document which someone else has already signed, showing that you authorise it countess / kaυnts/ noun 1. (in European aristocracy) the wife of a count 2. (in the British aristocracy) the wife of an earl countless / kaυntləs/ adj very many. Antonym few count noun / kaυnt naυn/ noun a noun that can be used with ‘a’ or ‘an’ and has a plural form ③ count on / kaυnt ɒn/ verb to be sure that someone will do something ① country / kntri/ noun 1. a land which is separate and governs itself 쑗 the countries of the EU 쑗 Some African countries voted against the plan. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is countries.) 2. land which is not the town 쑗 He lives in the country. 쑗 We went walking in the hill country. 쑗 Road travel is difficult in country areas. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) country club /kntri klb/ noun a club in the country, usually offering special sports facilities such as golf or horse riding country house /kntri haυs/ noun a large house in the country, with gardens and a park, and sometimes a farm countryman / kntrimən/ noun 1. a person who lives in the country, not in the town 쑗 Countrymen are protesting about the new tax. 2. a person who comes from the same country as you 쑗 He felt ashamed of his countrymen when he saw them fighting at the football stadium. (NOTE: The plural is countrymen.) country music /kntri mju zk/, country and western /kntri ən westən/ noun a style of music popular in the southeastern United States, especially Tennessee ② countryside / kntrisad/ noun land away from towns 쑗 the beautiful English countryside in spring 쑗 The countryside is in danger of being covered in new houses. (NOTE: no plural) county / kaυnti/ noun an administrative district. Synonym region (NOTE: The plural is counties.) county council /kaυnti kaυnsəl/ noun ① a group of people elected to run a county county town / kaυnti taυn/ noun the main town of a county, where the administrative offices are coup /ku / noun 1. the act of taking over a government by force 쑗 The army took over after yesterday’s bloody coup. 쑗 The officers who planned the failed coup were all executed. Full form coup d’état 2. a great success, a successful move 쑗 Getting the Minister of Education to open the school exhibition was a coup for the organisers. court coupé / ku pe/ noun a car with two doors and a fixed roof ① couple / kp(ə)l/ noun 1. two things together 2. two people together 쑗 They are a charming couple. 쑗 Several couples strolled past hand in hand. 쐽 verb 1. to connect or combine 쑗 High tides coupled with strong winds caused flooding along the coast. 2. to join two machines together 쑗 Couple the trailer to the back of the truck. 앳 a couple of 1. two 쑗 I have a couple of jobs for you to do. 쑗 The film lasted a couple of hours. 2. a few 쑗 Can you move the chairs a couple of yards to the left? 쑗 Do you mind waiting a couple of minutes while I make a phone call? couplet / kplət/ noun two lines of poetry coupon / ku pɒn/ noun a piece of paper which is used in place of money or in place of a ticket. Synonym voucher courage / krdȢ/ noun being brave when in a dangerous situation 쑗 She showed great courage in attacking the burglar. Synonym bravery. Antonym cowardice (NOTE: no plural) courageous /kə redȢəs/ adj brave. Antonym cowardly courageously /kə redȢəsli/ adv bravely courgette /kɔ Ȣet/ noun the young fruit of the marrow (NOTE: The US term is zucchini.) courier / kυriə/ noun 1. a person who carries messages 쑗 a motorcycle courier 2. a guide for tourists on a package tour 쑗 We were met at the airport by a courier. 쑗 The courier tried hard to deal with all our complaints about the hotel. ① course /kɔ s/ noun 1. 왍 in due course after a certain amount of time 쑗 If you study for several years at college, in due course you will get a degree. 쑗 Put a coin in the slot and in due course the machine will produce a ticket. 왍 in the course of during 쑗 He’s got much richer in the course of the last few years. 2. a series of lessons 쑗 I’m taking a maths course. 쑗 She’s going on a painting course. 쑗 She has finished her secretarial course. 쑗 The hotel offers weekend courses in watercolour painting. 3. a series of treatments 쑗 He’s taking a course of antibiotics. 4. a separate part of a meal 쑗 a five-course meal 쑗 The first course is soup, and then you can have either fish or roast lamb. coursebook / kɔ sbυk/ noun a book used by students taking a certain course coursework / kɔ sw" k/ noun work which students must complete during an academic course ① court /kɔ t/ noun 1. a room with a judge who tries criminals, sometimes with a jury 쑗 The court was packed for the opening of the murder trial. 쑗 Please tell the court what you saw when you opened the door. 쑗 The defen- court card 183 dant was in court for three hours. 왍 to take someone to court to tell someone to appear in court to settle an argument 2. an area where sports such as tennis, basketball or squash are played 쑗 The tennis courts are behind the hotel. 왍 to be on court to be playing tennis 쑗 They were on court for over three hours. 3. a group of people living round a king or queen 쑗 The people at court were very cold towards the young princess. 쑗 It was dangerous to be a pretty young girl at the court of Henry VIII. 쐽 verb 1. to try to persuade a woman to marry you (dated ) 쑗 King Henry courted Anne Boleyn for some months. 2. to be often together before getting married 쑗 Do you remember when we were courting and you took me to see the sun setting over the sea at Brighton? 쑗 They’ve been courting for three years, and there are still no signs of them getting married. 3. to try to get someone to support you 쑗 He has been courting the shareholders to win their approval for the scheme. 4. 왍 to court disaster to risk disaster happening 쑗 You are courting disaster if you try to drive a sports car without a licence. court card / kɔ t kɑ d/ noun the king, queen or jack in a set of cards court case / kɔ t kes/ noun a legal action or trial courteous / k" tiəs/ adj polite. Antonym . rude courteously / k" tiəsli/ adv politely courtesy / k" təsi/ noun 1. politeness 쑗 The hotel staff showed us every courtesy. 쑗 She might have had the courtesy to apologise. 쑗 Children should show some courtesy towards their grandparents. 2. 왍 (by) courtesy of as a gift from, with the kind permission of 쑗 a box of chocolates by courtesy of the management 쑗 He arrived home two hours late, courtesy of the train service. courtesy bus / k" təsi bs/, courtesy car / k" təsi kɑ /, courtesy coach / k" təsi kəυtʃ/ noun a bus or car or coach which is provided for people free of charge as a service courthouse / kɔ thaυs/ noun especially US a building where trials are held courtier / kɔ tiə/ noun a member of a royal court court-martial /kɔ t mɑ ʃ(ə)l/ noun 1. a court which tries someone serving in the armed forces for offences against military discipline 쑗 He was found guilty by court-martial and sentenced to imprisonment. 2. the trial of someone serving in the armed forces by the armed forces authorities 쑗 The court-martial was held in the army headquarters. (NOTE: The plural is courts-martial.) 쐽 verb to try someone who is serving in the armed forces 쑗 He was cover court-martialled for leaving his post when the enemy attacked. (NOTE: courtmartialled. The US spelling is courtmartialed.) court of appeal /kɔ t əv ə pi l/ noun a court to which a person may go to ask for a decision or a sentence to be changed. Also called Appeal Court court order /kɔ t ɔ də/ noun an order issued by a judge courtroom / kɔ tru m/ noun a room where a judge holds a trial courtship / kɔ tʃp/ noun 1. a period when a man and a woman form a romantic relationship before getting married 쑗 Their courtship lasted no more than six months which was very short in those days. 2. a special display put on by animals to attract the opposite sex 쑗 Some birds perform very elaborate courtship dances. courtyard / kɔ tjɑ d/ noun a small square area surrounded by buildings. Synonym patio couscous / ku sku s/ noun 1. a food made of small grains of wheat 2. a dish of meat and couscous ③ cousin / kz(ə)n/ noun the son or daughter of your uncle or aunt 쑗 Our cousins from Canada are coming to stay with us for Christmas. 쑗 We didn’t have a Christmas card from Cousin Charles this year. couturier /ku tjυərie/ noun a person who designs expensive fashionable clothes for women cove /kəυv/ noun 1. a small bay 쑗 Do you remember the small cove where we loved to go swimming? 2. a man (old ) 쑗 He’s a strange cove. covenant / kvənənt/ noun a legal contract. Synonym agreement 쐽 verb to agree to pay an amount of money each year by contract 쑗 He covenanted £50 per annum for seven years. Coventry / kɒvəntri/ noun 왍 to send someone to Coventry to refuse to speak to someone 쑗 After he told the teacher who broke the window, the other children sent him to Coventry. ① cover / kvə/ noun 1. a thing put over something to keep it clean 쑗 Keep a cover over your computer when you are not using it. 쑗 Put a cover over the meat to keep the flies off. 2. the front and back of a book or magazine 쑗 She read the book from cover to cover. 3. a place where you can hide or shelter 쑗 They ran for cover when it started to rain. 왍 under cover under a roof, not in the open air 쑗 If it rains the buffet will be served under cover. 왍 under cover of night or darkness at night, when everything is hidden 쑗 The commandos attacked under cover of night. 쑗 They crept out of the city under . coverage 184 cover of darkness. 왍 to take cover to shelter 쑗 It started to rain and they took cover under a tree. 쑗 When the robbers started shooting, the policeman took cover behind a wall. 4. an envelope or wrapping paper 왍 to send something under separate cover to send something in a separate envelope 왍 to send a magazine under plain cover to send a magazine in an ordinary envelope with no company name printed on it 쐽 verb 1. to put something over something to keep it clean 쑗 You should cover the furniture with sheets before you start painting the ceiling. 2. to hide something 쑗 He covered the hole in the ground with leaves. 쑗 She covered her face with her hands. 3. to provide enough money to pay for something 쑗 The damage was covered by the insurance. 쑗 The prize covers all the costs of the holiday. 4. to deal with something completely 쑗 That covers all the points on the agenda. 5. to write a report on an event for a newspaper, radio or TV programme 쑗 The journalists covering the story were briefed by the police. 6. to travel a certain distance 쑗 They made good progress, covering twenty miles a day. coverage / kv(ə)rdȢ/ noun 왍 press coverage, media coverage the amount of space or time given to an event in newspapers or on TV 쑗 The company had good media coverage for the launch of its new car. 쑗 Coverage of Wimbledon continues on BBC2. cover charge / kvə tʃɑ dȢ/ noun (in a restaurant) a charge per person in addition to the charge for food covered / kvəd/ adj with a roof or lid over. Antonym exposed cover girl / kvə DZ" l/ noun a female model whose picture appears on the front cover of a magazine covering / kv(ə)rŋ/ noun a thing which covers covering letter /kvərŋ letə/ noun a letter explaining what is enclosed with it ③ cover note / kvə nəυt/ noun a letter giving agreement for an insurance sent before the policy is issued (NOTE: The US term is binder.) covert / kəυvət, kvət/ adj hidden or secret. Antonym overt cover up /kvər p/ verb to cover some- thing completely 쑗 He covered up the mark on the wall with white paint. 왍 to cover up for someone to try to hide a mistake that someone has made 쑗 The staff tried to cover up for their boss. cover-up / kvər p/ noun the hiding of a scandal. Synonym conspiracy cover version / kvə v" ʃ(ə)n/ noun a new version of a song, recorded by someone other than the original singer crack covet / kvət/ verb to want something which belongs to someone else coveted / kvətd/ adj which everyone wants. Synonym sought-after ② cow /kaυ/ noun 1. a large female farm animal, kept to give milk 쑗 a field of cows 쑗 The farmer was milking a cow. 왍 until the cows come home for a very long time (informal ) 쑗 You can wait until the cows come home before getting paid. 2. a female of other animals 쑗 a cow elephant 쑗 a cow whale 3. a woman (rude) 쑗 That stupid cow! 쐽 verb to frighten someone, to bully someone 쑗 He cowed all the others into doing what he wanted. Synonym intimidate coward / kaυəd/ noun a person who is not brave cowardice / kaυəds/ noun the state of not being brave. Synonym weakness. Antonym . courage cowardly / kaυədli/ adj not brave. Antonym brave cowboy / kaυbɔ/ noun 1. a man who looks after cows in the west of the United States 2. a workman who does bad work and charges a high price 쑗 a cowboy builder 쑗 The people we got in to paint the house were a bunch of cowboys. cowboy hat / kaυbɔ ht/ noun a large wide-brimmed hat worn by cowboys cower / kaυə/ verb to crouch down because you are afraid co-worker /kəυ w" kə/ noun someone who shares their work with one or more people cox /kɒks/ noun a person who steers a rowing boat 쑗 She’s the cox of the university crew. (NOTE: The plural is coxes.) 쐽 verb to steer a rowing boat 쑗 She coxed the boat to victory in the regatta. coy /kɔ/ adj timid or shy coyote /kɔ əυti/ noun an American wild animal, like a small wolf crab /krb/ noun 1. an edible sea animal with eight legs, which walks sideways 쑗 The children caught several little crabs in the rock pools. 2. the meat of this animal, used as food 쑗 He ordered a crab sandwich. 3. 왍 to catch a crab to miss a stroke when rowing 쑗 One of the rowers caught a crab and all the others stopped rowing. crabby / krbi/ adj bad-tempered ③ crack /krk/ noun 1. a sharp sound 쑗 the crack of a whip 쑗 The crack of a twig behind her made her turn round. 2. a long thin break in something hard 쑗 A crack appeared in the ceiling. 쑗 Her ring fell down a crack in the floorboards. 쑗 The field is so dry it is full of cracks. 3. 왍 to have a crack at something to try to do something (informal ) 쑗 I’ve never tried windsurfing before but I’m willing to ③ . crackdown 185 have a crack at it. 4. a joke 쑗 She made a nasty crack about his bald patch. 5. a highly addictive form of the drug cocaine 6. 왍 at (the) crack of dawn as soon as it starts to be light 쑗 If we want to miss the traffic we must set off at (the) crack of dawn. 쐽 verb 1. to make a sharp sound 쑗 A twig cracked as he stepped on it. 2. to make a long thin break in something 쑗 The stone cracked the glass. 3. 왍 to crack jokes to tell jokes 쑗 He spent the entire lunch break cracking jokes. 4. to find out how a code works 쑗 They spent months trying to crack the enemy codes. crackdown / krkdaυn/ noun a campaign against something (informal ) crack down on /krk daυn ɒn/ verb to work hard to reduce crime cracked /krkt/ adj with a crack in it cracker / krkə/ noun 1. a dry biscuit made of flour and water 쑗 After the main course they served cheese and crackers. 2. a little firework which makes a series of bangs 쑗 Crackers were going off all round the procession to the temple. 3. same as Christmas . cracker crackers / krkəz/ adj mad (informal ) cracking / krkŋ/ adj very fast 왍 a . cracking pace a fast speed (dated ) 쑗 The marathon leader set a cracking pace and no one else could keep up. crackle / krk(ə)l/ noun a small dry sound 쑗 He was woken by the crackle of flames. 쐽 verb to make little dry sounds, like something burning 쑗 The bonfire crackled away in a corner of the garden. crackling / krklŋ/ noun hard baked pork skin crackpot / krkpɒt/ adj eccentric or slightly odd (informal ) 쑗 It’s just one of his crackpot ideas for making money. 쐽 noun an eccentric person (informal insult) cradle / kred(ə)l/ noun 1. a baby’s bed which can be rocked 쑗 She rocked the baby to sleep in its cradle. 왍 from the cradle to the grave for the whole of your life 쑗 The government is abandoning the cradle-to-grave insurance scheme. 2. a support for a piece of machinery 3. a place where something started 쑗 Greece is the cradle of Western civilisation. 쐽 verb to hold something gently in your arms or hands 쑗 The little girl was cradling her doll. craft /krɑ ft/ noun 1. the skill of making something by hand 쑗 traditional rural crafts such as thatching 쑗 He learnt the craft of furniture-making as a boy. 2. something made skilfully by hand 쑗 local crafts for sale 쑗 a craft fair (NOTE: usually plural) 3. a ship 쑗 The sleek craft slipped out of harbour. 쑗 All sizes of craft took part in the rescue. (NOTE: . . The plural in this meaning is craft.) crank -craft /krɑ ft/ suffix 1. vehicle 쑗 aircraft 쑗 spacecraft (NOTE: In this meaning, words ending in -craft have the plural form -craft.) 2. art 쑗 Stagecraft is the art of writing plays and putting them on. 쑗 Witchcraft is the art of casting spells. (NOTE: In this meaning, words ending in -craft do not have a plural form.) craftily / krɑ ftli/ adv cunningly craftsman / krɑ ftsmən/ noun an artist who is expert at making things by hand (NOTE: The plural is craftsmen.) craftsmanship / krɑ ftsmənʃp/ noun the skill of a craftsman craftswoman / krɑ ftswυmən/ noun a woman who is expert at making things by hand (NOTE: The plural is craftswomen.) ③ crafty / krɑ fti/ adj sly, planning something in secret. Synonym cunning. Antonym forthright (NOTE: craftier – craftiest) crag /krDZ/ noun a steep cliff craggy / krDZi/ adj rough, with lines like a rock ③ cram /krm/ verb 1. to squeeze something into a small space 쑗 She crammed all her clothes into a little suitcase. 쑗 Don’t try to cram so many interviews into one day. 2. to learn facts hurriedly before an examination 쑗 Everybody’s at home cramming for their finals. (NOTE: cramming – crammed) crammed /krmd/ adj full of things or people squeezed tightly together. Antonym empty cramp /krmp/ noun a pain in a tight muscle which will not relax 쑗 He went swimming and got cramp in the cold water. 쑗 She woke up with cramp in her right leg. Synonym spasm 쐽 verb 왍 to cramp someone’s style to stop someone doing what he wants, or developing 쑗 Having my mother-in-law for Christmas tends to cramp our style a bit. cramped /krmpt/ adj too small. Synonym overcrowded. Antonym spacious crampons / krmpɒnz/ plural noun a set of metal hooks attached to boots for climbing in ice and snow cranberry / krnb(ə)ri/ noun a bitter wild red berry, used to make a sharp sweet sauce or drink crane /kren/ noun 1. a tall metal piece of equipment for lifting heavy weights 쑗 The container slipped as the crane was lifting it onto the ship. 쑗 They had to hire a crane to get the piano into the upstairs room. 2. a large bird with long legs 쐽 verb 왍 to crane your neck to stretch your neck 쑗 He craned his neck to try to see the procession. cranium / kreniəm/ noun the bones covering the top part of the head crank /krŋk/ noun 1. a metal arm with a right angle, often mounted on a shaft 쑗 You’ll crank out 186 need a crank to start the engine. 2. a very strange person 쑗 She’s a bit of a crank when it comes to food, because there are so many things she won’t eat. 쐽 verb to start an engine by turning it with a handle 쑗 Thank goodness I don’t have to crank the car every time I use it. crank out /krŋk aυt/ verb to produce a series of things as if by a machine (informal ) crankshaft / krŋkʃɑ ft/ noun a part of a car engine which converts the up-and-down motion of the pistons into a circular motion cranny / krni/ noun a small crack, a small gap. 쏡 nook. Synonym crevice crap /krp/ (slang offensive) noun 1. solid waste matter from the body 왍 I need a crap I must go to the toilet 2. rubbish 쑗 You’re talking crap. 쑗 That film was a load of crap. 쐽 adj no good, useless 쑗 Your team is just crap, ours is miles better. ③ crash /krʃ/ noun 1. an accident where vehicles are damaged 쑗 He was killed in a train crash. 쑗 None of the passengers was hurt in the coach crash. 쑗 His car was badly damaged in the crash. 2. a loud noise when something falls over 쑗 The ladder fell down with a crash. 쑗 He said he would go and do the washing up, and then there was a crash in the kitchen. 3. the collapse of a company 쑗 He lost all his savings in the bank crash. 4. the complete breakdown of a computer (NOTE: The plural is crashes.) 쐽 verb 1. (of vehicles) to hit something and be damaged 쑗 The bus crashed into a wall. 쑗 The plane crashed six kilometres from the airport. 2. to move, making a loud noise 쑗 The wall came crashing down. 쑗 The ladder crashed onto the floor. 3. (of a company) to collapse 쑗 He lost all his savings when the bank crashed. 4. (of a computer ) to stop working 쑗 The hard disk has crashed but we think the data can be retrieved. crash barrier / krʃ briə/ noun a strong fence to prevent cars from running off the road crash course / krʃ kɔ s/ noun a course of fast hard study crash helmet / krʃ helmt/ noun a hard hat worn by motorcyclists crash-land /krʃ lnd/ verb (of an aircraft) to land without using the wheels, so that the aircraft is damaged crash-landing /krʃ lndŋ/ noun the act of landing a plane heavily, without using the wheels crass /krs/ adj rude, stupid or coarse, not caring about what people think. Synonym . . cream every day. 쑗 They had a crate of beer in the back of their car. 쐽 verb to put something into a crate 쑗 Every piece of china was wrapped in paper, and the whole lot was then crated to be sent to the shipper. crater / kretə/ noun 1. a hole made by a bomb 쑗 Over the winter, the bomb craters filled up with rainwater. 2. a round hole at the top of a volcano 쑗 A group of scientists flew over the crater to monitor the activity of the volcano. 3. a round hole on the Moon or a planet, where a meteorite has hit it 쑗 A map of the craters of the Moon. cravat /krə vt/ noun a type of scarf worn by men round the neck inside the shirt collar (NOTE: The US term is ascot.) crave /krev/ verb to want something very much craving / krevŋ/ noun a strong desire. Synonym longing crawl /krɔ l/ noun 1. a very slow speed 쑗 The traffic on the motorway was reduced to a crawl. 2. a swimming style where each arm goes over your head in turn 쑗 He won the 100m crawl. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to move around on your hands and knees 쑗 The baby has just started to crawl. 2. to go along slowly 쑗 The traffic was crawling along. 3. 왍 to be crawling with to be covered with 쑗 The place was crawling with ants. 쑗 The streets were crawling with police. crayfish / krefʃ/ noun a freshwater animal like a little lobster (NOTE: The plural is crayfish. An alternative US term is crawfish.) crayon / kreɒn/ noun a coloured wax pencil craze /krez/ noun a new fashion. Synonym fad crazed /krezd/ adj mad, acting wildly. Synonym irrational. Antonym rational ③ crazy / krezi/ adj mad 쑗 It was a crazy idea to go mountain-climbing in sandals. 왍 to drive someone crazy to have an effect on someone so that they become very annoyed 쑗 The noise is driving me crazy. 쑗 All this work is driving her crazy. 왍 crazy about very enthusiastic about 쑗 He’s crazy about her. 쑗 She’s crazy about ballroom dancing. creak /kri k/ noun a noise like bending wood 쑗 She heard a creak on the stairs and sat up in bed. 쐽 verb to make a squeaky noise 쑗 The front gate creaks, which means that we hear when anyone comes into the garden. 쑗 The shed door creaked and banged all night in the high wind. (NOTE: Do not insensitive crate /kret/ noun 1. a large rough wooden confuse with creek.) creaky / kri ki/ adj which makes a creaking box 쑗 The dinner set arrived safely, carefully packed in a wooden crate. 2. a container for bottles 쑗 The school orders a crate of milk ② cream /kri m/ noun 1. the rich top part of noise milk, full of fat 쑗 I like strawberries and cream cake 187 cream. 왍 whipped cream cream, beaten until it is stiff and often flavoured with sugar and vanilla 2. a soft substance used, e.g. for cleaning 쑗 face cream 쑗 shaving cream 쑗 shoe cream 3. the top few 쑗 the cream of the medical students 쐽 adj coloured like cream, a very pale brown 쑗 He was wearing a cream shirt. 쑗 Do you like our new cream carpet? 쐽 verb to beat into a smooth paste 쑗 Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl. Synonym blend cream cake /kri m kek/ noun any cake or pastry filled with whipped cream cream cheese /kri m tʃi z/ noun a soft white cheese cream tea /kri m ti / noun afternoon tea, with scones, thick cream and jam creamy / kri mi/ adj 1. full of cream 쑗 Because of my diet, rich creamy puddings are a thing of the past. 2. smooth and liquid like cream 쑗 a tempting piece of creamy cheese oozing onto the plate 쑗 The chocolate pudding is too solid, it is nicer when it is a little creamier. (NOTE: creamier – creamiest) crease /kri s/ noun 1. a fold made by ironing 쑗 Trousers should have a crease in front. 2. a fold made accidentally 쑗 She ironed his shirts to remove the creases. 3. (in cricket) a line marking the place where a batsman stands in front of the wicket 쐽 verb to make folds accidentally in something 쑗 After two hours in the car, my skirt was badly creased and had to be pressed. creased /kri st/ adj showing creases from having been crushed or folded 쑗 Hang up your clothes as soon as you arrive otherwise everything will stay creased. ① create /kri et/ verb 1. to make, to invent something 쑗 Do you believe that God created the world? 쑗 A government scheme which aims at creating new jobs for young people. 2. to make a fuss (dated ) 쑗 Tim’s creating again: he hates having to get dressed. ① creation /kri eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a thing which has been made 쑗 For dessert they served some sort of chocolate and cream creation. 쑗 The model appeared on the catwalk wearing a pink and blue creation. 2. the act of creating 쑗 The aim is the creation of new jobs for young unemployed people. ③ creative /kri etv/ adj full of ideas, always making something 쑗 He’s a very creative child. creative writing /krietv ratŋ/ noun the writing of stories, poems, and other works of the imagination ③ creativity /kri e tvti/ noun being full of ideas, always creating things creator /kri etə/ noun a person who makes or invents something. Synonym maker. Antonym destroyer . credit rating ③ creature / kri tʃə/ noun an animal 쑗 Lift any stone and you’ll find all sorts of little creatures underneath. 쑗 We try not to harm any living creature. 쑗 Some sea creatures live in holes in the sand. crèche /kreʃ/ noun a special room or building where babies and small children can be looked after, often on a company’s premises. Synonym playgroup credence / kri dns/ noun a belief that something is correct or true (NOTE: no plural) credentials /kr denʃəlz/ plural noun letters or documents which describe a person’s qualities and skills 쑗 The new production manager has very impressive credentials. Synonym identification ③ credibility /kred blti/ noun the quality of being able to be believed. Synonym trustworthiness credible / kredb(ə)l/ adj which can be believed credit / kredt/ noun 1. praise for something which is well deserved 쑗 To his credit, he owned up immediately. 쑗 The professor took all the credit for the invention. 왍 it does you credit you must be proud of it 쑗 Your daughter does you both credit. 왍 he’s a credit to the school he’s done well and this gives honour to the school where he studied 2. the time given to pay 쑗 We give purchasers six months’ interest-free credit. 왍 on credit without paying immediately 쑗 We bought the dining room furniture on credit. 3. the side of an account showing money in hand or which is owed to you 쑗 We paid in £100 to the credit of Mr Smith. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to credit someone with to say that someone has done something good 쑗 He has been credited with making the company profitable again. 2. to believe 쑗 I find that hard to credit. 쑗 Would you credit it? – She’s got married again! 3. to pay money into an account 쑗 to credit an account with £100 or to credit £100 to an account creditable / kredtəb(ə)l/ adj which does you credit, which should be praised. Synonym admirable. Antonym shameful credit card / kredt kɑ d/ noun a plastic card which allows you to borrow money and to buy goods without paying for them immediately credit limit / kredt lmt/ noun the maximum amount of money that a customer is allowed to spend on credit or charge to their credit card credit note / kredt nəυt/ noun a note showing that money is owed ② creditor / kredtə/ noun a person who is owed money credit rating / kredt retŋ/ noun an amount which a bank feels a customer should be allowed to borrow ② credits 188 credits / kredts/ plural noun the list of people who helped to make a film or TV programme creditworthy / kredtw" ði/ adj able to buy goods on credit credulous / kredjυləs/ adj believing anything easily. Synonym gullible. Antonym astute creed /kri d/ noun a statement of what you believe 쑗 Retraining for the unemployed is one of the government’s creeds. creek /kri k/ noun 1. a little inlet of the sea 쑗 We sailed along the coast exploring all the little creeks. 쑗 That creek looks too shallow for us to go up. 2. US a small river 왍 up the creek in a difficult situation (informal ) 쑗 If we don’t get any money by tomorrow evening we’ll all be up the creek. creep /kri p/ verb 1. to move around quietly 쑗 They crept softly down the stairs. 왍 to creep up on someone to come up close behind someone without making any noise 쑗 The idea is to creep up on the gang as they are loading the stolen goods into the lorry. 2. to go along slowly 쑗 The traffic was creeping along the motorway because of the fog. 쐽 noun 1. an unpleasant person who does things in secret 2. 왍 to give someone the creeps to make someone shiver with disgust 쑗 I don’t like that bank manager – he gives me the creeps. (NOTE: creeping – crept) creeper / kri pə/ noun a plant which grows close to the ground or climbs up walls. Synonym climber creepy / kri pi/ adj which makes you feel strangely uncomfortable (informal ). Synonym eerie (NOTE: creepier – creepiest) cremate /kr met/ verb to burn a dead body. Synonym incinerate cremation /kr meʃ(ə)n/ noun the burning of a dead body crematorium /kremə tɔ riəm/ noun a place where the bodies of dead people are burnt (NOTE: The plural is crematoria. The . . US term is crematory.) Creole / kri əυl/ noun 1. a person of mixed African and European family from the West Indies or from the southern states of the United States 쑗 Thousands of Creoles form the civil service of the country. 2. a person who is a descendant of one of the original French settlers in the West Indies or the southern states of the United States, especially Louisiana 쑗 She comes from an old Creole family. 3. the language based on English, with additions from other languages, spoken in the West Indies and the southern states of the United States 쑗 Chicken gumbo is a Creole term for chicken stew. 쐽 adj cooked with tomatoes and red peppers, served with rice 쑗 a dish of chicken creole as a main course crib creosote / kri əsəυt/ noun a dark brown oily liquid, used to paint fences to stop the decay of wood 쐽 verb to paint with creosote 쑗 a newly creosoted fence crepe paper /krep pepə/ noun slightly crinkly coloured paper crept /krept/ 쒁 creep crescendo /kr ʃendəυ/ noun 1. an increase in sound, especially in music 왍 to rise to or reach a crescendo to become much louder 쑗 The music suddenly rose to a crescendo. 2. a rising to reach a high point 쑗 A crescendo of complaints came into the office. 쑗 Protests from the public reached a crescendo with a march on Downing Street. crescent / krez(ə)nt/ noun 1. a curved shape, like a new moon 쑗 The new moon hung like a silver crescent over the lake. 2. a street which forms a semicircle 쑗 the beautiful 18th-century houses in Bath’s famous crescents cress /kres/ noun a plant whose seedlings are used for salads, especially together with seedlings of mustard. 쏡 watercress crest /krest/ noun 1. the highest point along the length of a mountain or a wave 쑗 Follow the path along the crest of the hill – the view is splendid. 쑗 The crests of some of the waves reached 30 feet. 2. the highest point of something 쑗 When the president was elected he was at the crest of his popularity. 3. the feathers on the head of a bird 쑗 A peacock has a tall coloured crest. 쑗 A striking black cockerel with a red crest. 4. a coat of arms 쑗 His family crest is a red lion. 쑗 His college crest is still hanging on his bedroom wall. crested / krestd/ adj with a crest crestfallen / krestfɔ lən/ adj depressed. Synonym downcast. Antonym confident crevasse /krə vs/ noun a deep crack in hard ground. Synonym fissure crevice / krevs/ noun a small crack in a rock or wall ② crew /kru / noun the people who work on a vehicle such as boat, aircraft or bus 쑗 The lifeboat rescued the crew of the sinking ship. 쑗 The plane was carrying 125 passengers and a crew of six. 쐽 verb to be a member of a crew 쑗 She crewed on the transatlantic yacht. crewcut / kru kt/ noun a very short haircut crewman / kru mən/ noun a man who is a member of a ship’s crew (NOTE: The plural is crewmen.) crew neck / kru nek/ noun 1. a garment’s round neckline 2. a sweater with a tight round neck crib /krb/ noun 1. US a baby’s bed 2. a model of the scene of the first Christmas dis- crick 189 played in a church at Christmastime 3. a word-for-word translation or list of answers to help a student with homework 쐽 verb to copy something (informal ) Synonym cheat . (NOTE: cribbing – cribbed) crick noun a pain in the neck or back 쐽 verb to cause a pain in the neck or back ③ cricket /
krkt/ noun 1. a game played between two teams of eleven players using bats and a hard ball 쑗 We haven’t played much cricket this year – the weather has been too bad. 쑗 We are going to a cricket match this afternoon. 2. 왍 it’s not cricket it is not fair (informal ) 3. a little insect which makes a singing noise cricketer /
krktə/ noun a person who plays cricket cried /krad/, cries /kraz/ 쒁 cry ② crime /kram/ noun 1. illegal acts in general 쑗 We must try to reduce the levels of crime in the inner cities. 쑗 The government is trying to deal with the problem of teenage crime or with the teenage crime problem. 2. an illegal act 쑗 More crimes are committed at night than during the daytime. crime prevention /
kram pr venʃ(ə)n/ noun actions such as fitting burglar alarms and lights to stop opportunities for crime to be committed crime wave /
kram wev/ noun an increase in the number of crimes ② criminal /
krmn(ə)l/ adj referring to illegal acts 쑗 the criminal justice system 쑗 He has a criminal record. 쑗 Stealing is a criminal offence. 쐽 noun a person who commits a crime 쑗 The police think two well-known criminals did it. Synonym offender criminalise /
krmnəlaz/, criminalize verb 1. to make something illegal 2. to make someone into a criminal criminal law / krmn(ə)l
lɔ/ noun laws which deal with crimes against the law of the land, which are punished by the state. Compare civil law criminally /
krmnəli/ adv so bad as to be against the law criminal negligence / krmn(ə)l
neDZldȢəns/ noun acting with the result that harm is done to other people criminal record / krmn(ə)l
rekɔd/ noun a police record that lists any crimes that a person has been arrested for criminologist / krm
nɒlədȢst/ noun a person who makes a study of crime and criminals criminology / krm
nɒlədȢi/ noun the academic study of crime and criminals crimson /
krmzən/ adj deep red 쑗 The shop had a large crimson heart in the window on Valentine’s Day. 쑗 She was so embarrassed, she turned bright crimson. 쐽 . critic noun a deep red colour 쑗 According to the Sunday paper, crimson will be the colour to wear next winter. cringe /krndȢ/ verb 1. to bend to avoid a blow 쑗 The little boy cringed when he heard his father shouting. 2. to be embarrassed 쑗 Seeing the boss trying to make jokes just makes me cringe. 쑗 She cringed when her son started to play the violin. crinkle /
krŋk(ə)l/ verb to fold or crush something, making many small creases crinkly /
krŋkli/ adj with many creases or curls. Synonym wrinkled (NOTE: crinklier – crinkliest) cripple /
krp(ə)l/ noun a person who is disabled or has difficulty in walking (offensive) 쑗 Cripples sat outside the hotel, begging for money from tourists. 쐽 verb 1. to disable someone 쑗 He was crippled in a mining accident. 2. to prevent something from working 쑗 The explosion crippled the supertanker and she drifted towards the rocks. 쑗 The bus and rail strike has crippled the capital’s transport system. crippling /
krplŋ/ adj which prevents someone from doing something ② crisis /
krass/ noun a serious situation where decisions have to be taken very quickly 쑗 an international crisis 쑗 a banking crisis 왍 to take crisis measures to take measures quickly to stop a crisis developing 쑗 The government had to take crisis measures to stop the collapse of the currency. crisp /krsp/ adj 1. hard, which can be broken into pieces or crunched 쑗 These biscuits are not crisp any more, they have gone soft. 쑗 Pick an apple off the tree, they’re really very crisp. 2. sharp and cold 쑗 It was a beautiful crisp morning, with frost glinting on the grass. 쑗 She could see her breath in the crisp mountain air. (NOTE: crisper – crispest) crispy /
krspi/ adj very crisp. Synonym crunchy. Antonym soggy criss-cross /
krs krɒs/ adj with lines crossing 쑗 What is the meaning of the criss-cross pattern of yellow lines at a road junction? 쐽 verb to go backwards and forwards in different directions 쑗 We dodged through the cars, bicycles, carts and pedestrians criss-crossing the street. criteria /kra
təriə/ plural of criterion ② criterion /kra
təriən/ noun the standard by which things are judged (NOTE: The plural is criteria.) ③ critic /
krtk/ noun 1. a person who examines something and comments on it, especially a person who writes comments on new plays and films for a newspaper 쑗 She’s the TV critic of the ‘Times’. 쑗 The film was praised by all the critics. 2. a person who says that something is bad or wrong 쑗 The critical 190 chairman tried to answer his critics at the meeting. ② critical /
krtk(ə)l/ adj 1. dangerous and difficult 쑗 With the enemy attacking on all sides, our position was becoming critical. 2. extremely important 쑗 He made a critical decision to break off the negotiations. 쑗 Critical relief supplies have been held up at customs. 3. very serious 쑗 The pilot of the crashed plane was in a critical condition last night. 쑗 The hospital said that her condition was critical. 4. which criticises 쑗 The report was highly critical of the minister. critically /
krtkli/ adv in a critical way. Synonym seriously. Antonym mildly critical mass / krtk(ə)l
ms/ noun 1. the smallest amount of material required for a nuclear chain reaction 2. a point or situation which must be reached before a change occurs 3. the number of customers or size of market share that allows a business to begin to make money 4. the point in software development at which a piece of software acquires so many features that it stops being useful ③ criticise /
krtsaz/, criticize verb to say that something or someone is bad or wrong 쑗 She criticised the sales assistant for not being polite. 쑗 The design of the new car has been criticised. ② criticism /
krtsz(ə)m/ noun 1. a comment 쑗 If you have any constructive criticisms to make, I shall be glad to hear them. 2. an unfavourable comment 쑗 There was a lot of criticism of the government’s plan. ③ critique /kr
tik/ noun a piece of careful literary criticism. Synonym analysis croak /krəυk/ noun a deep sound, like the call of a frog or crow 쐽 verb to make a deep sound 쑗 The frogs started croaking in the pond. crochet /
krəυʃe/ noun a type of knitting using one needle with a hook at the end 쑗 The baby was wrapped in a blue crochet shawl. 쐽 verb to make something out of wool, using a hooked needle 쑗 Who crocheted the beautiful jumper you are wearing? (NOTE: crocheted /
krəυʃed/ - crocheting /
krəυʃeŋ/) crockery /
krɒkəri/ noun cups, saucers and plates made from pottery (NOTE: no plural) crocodile /
krɒkədal/ noun 1. a large reptile which lives in or near rivers and lakes and eats other animals 쑗 Crocodiles lay on the banks of the river waiting for the antelope to come to drink. 2. a long line of children walking in pairs 쑗 A crocodile of schoolchildren crossed the road to the swimming pool. crocus /
krəυkəs/ noun a little spring flower, in various colours, especially yellow and purple (NOTE: The plural is crocuses.) cross croissant /
kwsɒŋ/ noun a rolled pastry, made in a curved shape crony /
krəυni/ noun an old friend (disapproving) Synonym associate (NOTE: The plural is cronies.) cronyism /
krəυniz(ə)m/ noun giving jobs to your old friends (disapproving) crook /krυk/ noun 1. a dishonest dealer 쑗 I don’t trust the government – they’re a bunch of crooks. 쑗 That secondhand car dealer is a bit of a crook. 2. a bend 쑗 She held the baby in the crook of her arm. 3. a long stick with a bent top, used by shepherds 쐽 adj (in Australia) ill crooked /
krυkd/ adj 1. bent, not straight 쑗 That picture is crooked. 쑗 I don’t think the wallpaper is straight – it looks crooked to me. 2. dishonest 쑗 The police commissioner promised to remove any crooked officers in his force. crookedly /
krυkdli/ adv in a bent way; not straight croon /krun/ verb to sing in a soft voice ③ crop /krɒp/ noun plants, such as vegetables or cereals, grown for food 쑗 The bad weather has set the crops back by three weeks. 쑗 We had a wonderful crop of potatoes or a wonderful potato crop this year. Synonym harvest 쐽 verb 1. to cut something short 쑗 The photograph had to be cropped to fit the space on the page. 2. (of sheep) to eat grass so that it is very short 쑗 The field has been cropped short by sheep. 3. (of plant) to have fruit 쑗 The pear trees cropped heavily this year. (NOTE: cropping – cropped) cropped /krɒpt/ adj cut short ③ crop up / krɒp
p/ verb to happen suddenly (informal ) croquet /
krəυki/ noun a game played on grass croquette /krɒ
ket/ noun a small ball of potato, covered with breadcrumbs and fried ② cross /krɒs/ adj 1. angry 쑗 The teacher will be cross with you for missing school. 쑗 Don’t be cross – the children were only trying to help. 2. opposed 왍 they were at cross purposes they thought they understood each other but were in fact in total disagreement 쐽 noun 1. a shape made where one line has another going across it, especially one which forms the symbol of the Christian Church 쑗 Write your name where I have put a cross. 쑗 There is a cross on the top of the church tower. 2. a breed of plant or animal which comes from two different varieties 쑗 A cross between two types of cattle. (NOTE: The plural is crosses.) 쐽 verb 1. to go across something to the other side 쑗 She just crossed the road without looking to see if there was any traffic coming. 쑗 The road crosses the railway line about 10 km from . crossbar 191 here. 쑗 Concorde only takes three hours to cross the Atlantic. 2. to put one thing across another 쑗 He crossed his arms and looked annoyed. 쑗 She sat down and crossed her legs. 3. to breed a new animal or plant, etc., from two varieties 쑗 He crossed two strains of rice to produce a variety which is resistant to disease. crossbar / krɒsbɑ / noun 1. a bar which goes across a space, especially a bar which goes between the posts forming a goal 쑗 He kicked the ball over the crossbar and converted the try. 쑗 He almost scored, but the ball hit the crossbar. 2. a bar which crosses the frame of a man’s bicycle, from the seat to the steering column 쑗 She sat on his crossbar. 쑗 Girls’ bicycles normally don’t have crossbars. crossbow / krɒsbəυ/ noun a weapon which fires bolts crosscheck / krɒstʃek/ verb to check again to be sure cross-country /krɒs kntri/ noun a race across fields and along paths, not on a running track 쑗 The cross-country champion is a favourite to win the marathon. crossed cheque /krɒst tʃek/ noun a cheque which has two lines drawn across it and can only be paid into a bank cross-examination /krɒs DZzmneʃ(ə)n/ noun the questioning of witnesses called by the other side in a case cross-examine /krɒs DZ zmn/ verb to question witnesses called by the other side in a case, in the hope that you can destroy their evidence cross-eyed /krɒs ad/ adj with eyes that do not face forwards, but look inwards towards the nose (offensive) crossfire / krɒsfaə/ noun gunfire from two directions, so that the fire crosses ③ crossing / krɒsŋ/ noun 1. the action of going across to the other side of an area of water 쑗 How long is the crossing from England to Germany? 왍 they had a rough crossing the sea was rough when they travelled across it 2. a place where you go across safely 쑗 Cars have to take care at the railway crossing. 왍 level crossing a place where a road crosses a railway line without a bridge or tunnel 쑗 The level crossing gates opened when the train had passed. cross-legged /krɒs leDZd/ adj, adv with one ankle over the other 쑗 He was sitting cross-legged on the floor. ③ cross off /krɒs ɒf/, cross out /krɒs aυt/ verb to draw a line through something which has been written to show that it should not be there crossover / krɒsəυvə/ noun 1. a bridge which takes a road or railway over another crow road, railway or river 쑗 How would a crossover help relieve traffic congestion? 2. a change from one type of artistic work to another 쑗 He made the crossover from pianist to conductor without any difficulty. cross-question /krɒs kwestʃən/ verb to cross-examine someone, to ask someone a lot of questions cross-refer /krɒs r f" / verb to tell the reader to look up something in another part of a book cross-reference /krɒs ref(ə)rəns/ noun a note in a reference book telling the reader to look in another part of the book for further information 쑗 Please check all crossreferences for accuracy. 쑗 Cross-references are not only useful to readers but also save time. 쐽 verb to refer to something in another part of a text crossroads / krɒsrəυdz/ noun a place where one road crosses another cross-section / krɒs sekʃən/ noun 1. a diagram made to show the inside of something, as if it had been cut through 쑗 The picture shows a cross-section of the Channel Tunnel. 쑗 Diagram 4 is a cross-section of a diesel engine. 2. a typical group of people 쑗 The team consulted a cross-section of the public in the shopping centre. cross-trainer /krɒs trenə/ noun 1. an athlete who trains for more than one sport at a time 2. a shoe designed for more than one sporting activity 3. an exercise machine intended to develop many different groups of muscles cross-training noun training in different sports such as running and weightlifting, usually in order to improve performance in one of the sports 쐽 adj designed to be used for more than one kind of sport crosswalk / krɒswɔ k/ noun US a place where you can walk safely across a street (NOTE: The British term is pedestrian crossing or zebra crossing.) crossword / krɒsw" d/ noun a puzzle where small squares have to be filled with letters to spell words crotch /krɒtʃ/ noun a place between the tops of your legs (NOTE: The plural is crotches.) crotchet / krɒtʃt/ noun a note in music half as long as a minim and twice as long as a quaver crotchety / krɒtʃti/ adj irritable ③ crouch /kraυtʃ/ verb to bend down low. Synonym squat crouton / kru tɒn/ noun a crunchy cube of fried bread used as a garnish crow /krəυ/ noun a large black bird 쑗 The crows make such a noise in the trees that it wakes us up. 왍 as the crow flies in a straight crowbar 192 line 쑗 It’s only a couple of miles as the crow flies, but since there’s no bridge over the river, it takes over half an hour to drive there. 쐽 verb 1. (of a cock) to make a loud call 쑗 The sound of the cock crowing woke them all up. 2. 왍 to crow about something to boast about something 쑗 He’s always crowing about his success with women. 쑗 Stop crowing – just because you’ve won one game doesn’t mean you’re going to win the competition. 왍 to crow over someone to be happy because you have beaten someone or because someone has made a mistake crowbar / krəυbɑ / noun a heavy metal bar for opening boxes and lifting things ② crowd /kraυd/ noun a mass of people 쑗 She was cut off from her friends by a crowd of schoolchildren. 쑗 After the election, the crowds were dancing in the streets. 쑗 Someone in the crowd threw an egg at the speaker on the platform. 쑗 If you travel early, you will avoid the crowds of Christmas shoppers. 쐽 verb to group together 쑗 All the rugby fans crowded into the pub. 쑗 The children were crowding round their teacher. ② crowded / kraυdd/ adj with a large number of people 쑗 The town gets very crowded during the holiday season. 쑗 The stands were crowded before the game started. Synonym overcrowded. Antonym deserted ③ crown /kraυn/ noun 1. a jewelled metal headdress for an emperor, king or queen 쑗 The archbishop placed the crown on the head of the young king. 쑗 The queen received the ambassadors wearing a heavy gold crown. 2. (in Britain) the king or queen representing the state 쑗 In England, all swans belong to the crown. 쑗 The Crown Jewels are kept in the Tower of London. 왍 counsel for the Crown a lawyer representing the state in a trial 3. a false top attached to a broken tooth 쑗 I’m going to the dentist to have a crown fitted. 쐽 verb 1. to make someone king or queen by placing a crown on his or her head 쑗 The Queen was crowned in Westminster Abbey. 2. to be a splendid or dreadful end to something 쑗 To crown it all, he won the lottery. 쑗 To crown it all, the car caught fire on the level crossing. 3. to attach a false top to a broken tooth 쑗 The dentist said that the tooth was so badly broken that he would have to crown it instead of trying to fill it. crowning / kraυnŋ/ noun the act or occasion of a coronation 쐽 adj 1. representing outstanding achievement 2. forming a high point ② crucial / kru ʃ(ə)l/ adj extremely important 쑗 It is crucial that the story be kept out of the papers. Synonym vital. Antonym trivial crucially crumble / kru ʃəli/ adv seriously, extremely crucible / kru sb(ə)l/ noun a pot used for heating metals crucifix / kru sfks/ noun a cross with a figure of Jesus Christ on it (NOTE: The plural is crucifixes.) crucifixion /kru s fkʃən/ noun the act of killing a person by nailing him to a cross crucify / kru sfa/ verb 1. to nail someone to a cross as a punishment 쑗 Christ was crucified between two thieves. 2. to criticise someone sharply 쑗 My brother would crucify me if he knew I had used his car without asking him. 쑗 I can’t call her now, she’d crucify me if I woke her up. crude /kru d/ adj 1. untreated 쑗 Beaches were covered in crude oil from the tanker. 2. rude, with no manners 쑗 He made some crude gestures at the fans. (NOTE: cruder – crudest) 쐽 noun raw petroleum, taken from the ground 쑗 The price of Arabian crude has fallen. ① cruel / kru əl/ adj causing pain, making a person or animal suffer 쑗 You must not be cruel to your new puppy. 쑗 It was cruel of him to mention her weight problem. (NOTE: crueller – cruellest. The US spelling is crueler – cruelest.) ② cruelty / kru əlti/ noun the act of being cruel cruet / kru t/ noun a set of containers for salt and pepper, which is put on the table cruise /kru z/ noun a long journey in a ship calling at different places 쑗 When he retired they went on a cruise round the Mediterranean. Synonym voyage 쐽 verb 1. to go in a boat from place to place 쑗 They spent May cruising in the Aegean. 쑗 The ship cruised from island to island. 2. to travel at an even speed 쑗 The car cruises very comfortably at 160 kilometres an hour. 3. to win without much difficulty 쑗 He cruised to victory in the race. cruise liner / kru z lanə/, cruise ship /kru z ʃp/ noun a large passenger ship which takes people on cruises cruise missile /kru z msal/ noun a long-range guided missile cruiser / kru zə/ noun a large warship, smaller than a battleship 쑗 How many cruisers can the Navy send to the war zone? crumb /krm/ noun a small piece of dry food such as bread, cake or biscuits. Synonym morsel crumble / krmbəl/ noun a hot cooked dessert made of fruit covered with a mixture of flour, fat and sugar 쑗 We are having apple crumble and custard for pudding. 쐽 verb 1. to break something up into small pieces 쑗 He picked up a lump of dry earth and crumbled crummy 193 it between his fingers. 쑗 As the waves battered the cliff it began to crumble away. 2. to collapse 쑗 As the witness said what he had seen, the defendant’s case crumbled. 쑗 All her confidence began to crumble. crummy / krmi/ adj no good (informal ) . (NOTE: crummier – crummiest) crumpet / krmpt/ noun a type of round flat bread, with holes on one side, toasted and covered with butter crumple / krmpəl/ verb 1. to crush or to screw something up into a ball 쑗 I heard him crumple up the paper and throw it into the wastepaper basket. 2. to become full of lines or folds 쑗 Her shirt was crumpled because she had been lying on the grass. 쑗 The box was full of crumpled bits of paper. crunch /krntʃ/ noun 1. the sound of something dry being crushed 쑗 the crunch of dry snow under his boots 2. a crisis point 쑗 The crunch will come when the firm has no cash to pay the wages. 왍 if it comes to the crunch if crisis point is reached 쑗 When it came to the crunch, the other side backed down. 쐽 verb 1. to crush something dry 쑗 The snow crunched under his boots. 2. to chew something hard which makes a noise when you are eating 쑗 She was crunching an apple when the phone rang. crunchy / krntʃi/ adj which makes a noise when you are eating. Synonym crispy. Antonym soggy crusade /kru sed/ noun a strong action to stop or change something 쑗 The government has launched a crusade against drugs. 쐽 verb to take part in a crusade 쑗 He has been crusading for more government action to reduce unemployment. Synonym campaign crusader /kru sedə/ noun a person who takes part in a crusade. Synonym campaigner Crusades /kru sedz/ plural noun medieval wars against Muslims in the Middle East, led by Christian kings (history) crush /krʃ/ verb 1. to press something flat 쑗 She was crushed against the wall by the car. 쑗 Crush a piece of garlic and add it to the soup. 2. to end something completely 쑗 Government troops crushed the student rebellion. 쑗 All her hopes of getting a better job were crushed by the report of the interview board. 쐽 noun 1. a mass of people 쑗 She was hurt in the crush of people trying to get to the exit. 쑗 He lost his briefcase in the crush on the train. 2. 왍 to have a crush on someone to have a feeling of love for someone you do not know very well (informal ) 쑗 She had a crush on her tennis coach. crushing / krʃŋ/ adj which takes away all hope. Synonym devastating . cub crust /krst/ noun the hard outside layer of something such as bread or the earth. Synonym coating crustacean /kr steʃ(ə)n/ noun an animal with a hard shell, usually living in the sea, such as a lobster or crab crusty / krsti/ adj 1. with a hard outside layer 쑗 We had an excellent salad with a glass of wine and a piece of fresh crusty bread. 2. getting angry easily 쑗 The club is full of crusty old men nodding in leather armchairs. (NOTE: crustier – crustiest) crutch /krtʃ/ noun a strong support for a patient with an injured leg, formed of a stick with a holding bar or a T-bar which fits under the shoulder (NOTE: The plural is crutches.) crux /krks/ noun the central point of a problem ① cry /kra/ noun 1. a loud shout 쑗 No one heard her cries for help. 2. a sharp sound made by a bird or animal 쑗 The cry of the eagles overhead. 쑗 We could hear the cries of monkeys in the trees. (NOTE: The plural is cries.) 쐽 verb 1. to have tears coming out of your eyes 쑗 The baby cried when her mother took away her toys. 쑗 Cutting up onions makes me cry. 쑗 Many people were crying when they left the cinema. 왍 to cry over spilt milk to be upset because of something which you couldn’t prevent (informal ) 쑗 It’s no use crying over spilt milk – what’s happened has happened. 2. to call out 쑗 ‘Hello there’, she cried. crypt /krpt/ noun a cellar under a church cryptic / krptk/ adj secret and mysterious. Antonym obvious crystal / krstəl/ noun 1. a solid chemical substance with a regular shape 쑗 The salt formed crystals at the bottom of the jar. 2. a very clear bright glass 쑗 a crystal wineglass crystal ball /krstəl bɔ l/ noun 1. a fortune teller’s glass ball 2. a means of predicting what will happen in the future crystal clear /krstəl kli ə/ adj very clear, simple to understand crystalline / krstəlan/ adj 1. made of crystals, shaped like a crystal 쑗 Crystalline materials do not always form single regular crystals. 2. clear and pure like a crystal 쑗 The crystalline water of the mountain stream. crystallise / krstəlaz/, crystallize verb 1. to form crystals 쑗 Water crystallises to form snow. 2. to preserve fruit in sugar 쑗 We had a box of crystallised fruit for Christmas. 3. to take shape 쑗 Following the meeting, our ideas began to crystallise. cub /kb/ noun a young animal, especially a bear or fox 쑗 The cubs played in the sun while the vixen stood guard. 쑗 The bear led her cubs down to the river. . Cub 194 Cub /kb/, Cub Scout / kb skaυt/ noun a member of the young section of the Boy Scouts cubby-hole / kbi həυl/ noun a little dark cupboard cube /kju b/ noun 1. a shape where all six sides are square and join each other at right angles (geometry) 쑗 The design for the library is nothing more than a series of cubes. 2. something shaped like a cube 쑗 He put two cubes of sugar in his tea. 쑗 The ice cubes chinked in the glasses. 3. the result when a number is multiplied by itself twice (mathematics) 쑗 27 is the cube of 3. 쐽 verb 1. to cut something into little cubes 쑗 Wash, peel and then cube the potatoes. 2. to multiply a number twice by itself 쑗 If you cube 6 the result is 216 (6 x 6 x 6). cubed /kju bd/ adj 1. made in little cubes 쑗 a pack of cubed sugar 쑗 Put the cubed vegetables into the soup. 2. which is multiplied by itself twice (mathematics) 쑗 27 is 3 cubed. cube root /kju b ru t/ noun a number which if multiplied by itself twice gives the number you have (NOTE: Do not confuse with route.) ③ cubic / kju bk/ adj measured in volume by multiplying length, depth and width (NOTE: Cubic is written in figures as 3: 6m3 = six cubic metres; 10ft3 = ten cubic feet.) cubicle / kju bk(ə)l/ noun 1. a changing room in a shop, at the swimming baths 쑗 Look for an empty cubicle and change there. 2. a small room which is part of a larger room, such as a dormitory 쑗 The scout leader sleeps in a little cubicle off the main dormitory. cubism / kju bz(ə)m/ noun an art movement where colours and shapes are very important cuckoo / kυku / noun a bird which has a cry that sounds like its name and which lays its eggs in other birds’ nests 쑗 When you hear the first cuckoo you know that winter is over. 쑗 The cuckoo lays its eggs in the nests of other birds. 왍 a cuckoo in the nest someone who comes into a family or organisation and gradually takes control 쐽 adj mad (informal ) 쑗 They must be cuckoo! Synonym eccentric. Antonym ordinary cuckoo clock / kυku klɒk/ noun a clock where a model of a small bird comes out at each hour and makes a noise like a cuckoo cucumber / kju kmbə/ noun a long dark green vegetable used in salads or for pickling 왍 as cool as a cucumber very calm and relaxed (informal ) 쑗 He walked out of the prison as cool as a cucumber. cud /kd/ noun food chewed by an animal a second time . . cull cuddle / kdl/ noun a hug 쑗 She picked up her daughter and gave her a cuddle. Synonym embrace 쐽 verb to hug someone 쑗 The little girl was cuddling her teddy bear. 쑗 There was a last chance to cuddle in the taxi that took them to the airport. cuddle up /kdl p/ verb 왍 to cuddle up to someone to hug someone 쑗 The children cuddled up to each other in the big armchair. cuddly / kdli/ adj soft and pleasant to hold or hug cudgel / kdȢəl/ noun a large stick for hitting people 쑗 Policemen carrying cudgels broke up the demonstration. 왍 to take up the cudgels on someone’s behalf to start to defend someone (informal ) 쑗 Who’s going to take up the cudgels on behalf of these abandoned children? 쐽 verb 왍 to cudgel your brains to think hard 쑗 He cudgelled his brains to remember the author of the book. cue /kju / noun 1. (in a play) words after which you have to speak or act 쑗 He missed his cue and had to be prompted. 쑗 The gunshot is your cue to rush onto the stage screaming. 왍 to take your cue from someone to do as someone else does 쑗 Watch the managing director during the negotiations and take your cue from him. 2. a long stick for playing billiards or snooker 쑗 Before playing his shot, he put some chalk on the tip of his cue. cuff /kf/ noun 1. the end of the sleeve round the wrist 쑗 The collar and cuffs of his shirt were dirty and frayed. 왍 speaking off the cuff, an off-the-cuff speech a speech made without notes 쑗 He was only asked to speak at the last minute, and, for an off-the-cuff speech, it was excellent. 2. US a folded part at the bottom of each leg of a pair of trousers 쑗 This year, slacks with cuffs are back in fashion. (NOTE: The British term is turnup.) 3. a hit with an open hand 쑗 She gave him a cuff on the back of the head to shut him up. 쐽 verb to hit someone 쑗 The parents said he had cuffed the child on the head. Synonym buffet cuff-links / kf lŋks/ plural noun little objects, usually linked with a chain, which hold shirt cuffs together cuisine /kw zi n/ noun a style of cooking (meaning ‘kitchen’) 쑗 Chinese cuisine is very different from European. 쑗 French cuisine is more and more popular in England. Synonym food cul-de-sac / kl də sk/ noun a small street which is only open at one end (NOTE: . The plural is cul-de-sacs.) culinary / kln(ə)ri/ adj referring to cooking cull /kl/ noun the practice of killing a certain number of animals in order to keep the population under control 쑗 The deer cull culminate 195 takes place in early October. Synonym reject 쐽 verb to kill a certain number of animals in order to keep the population under control 쑗 About 10% of the deer population is culled each autumn. culminate / klmnet/ verb 왍 to culminate in to reach a climax 쑗 The race culminated in a win for the Canadian driver. culmination /klm neʃ(ə)n/ noun a final point, grand ending. Synonym conclusion. Antonym inception culpable / klpəb(ə)l/ adj likely to attract blame. Synonym guilty culpable homicide /klpəb(ə)l hɒmsad/ noun murder or manslaughter culprit / klprt/ noun a person or thing that is responsible for a crime, for something which has gone wrong. Synonym offender cult /klt/ noun a small religious group cultivate / kltvet/ verb 1. to dig and water the land to grow plants 쑗 Fields are cultivated in early spring, ready for sowing corn. 2. to grow plants 쑗 This field is used to cultivate new strains of wheat. 3. to do everything to get someone’s friendship 쑗 We are cultivating the new director to try to make sure we get the contract. cultivated / kltvetd/ adj 1. who has been well educated in subjects such as music, art and literature 쑗 A really cultivated person wouldn’t be seen dead in a karaoke bar. 2. (of a plant ) which is specially grown and is not wild 쑗 Wild strawberries have a more intense flavour than cultivated ones. 3. (of land ) prepared for growing crops 쑗 From the air, the cultivated fields were like a brown and green quilt. cultivation /klt veʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of preparing the soil and growing plants 쑗 The cultivation of soft fruit is very dependent on the weather. 왍 under cultivation (of land ) which is being cultivated 쑗 He has sixty acres under cultivation. 2. a good education 쑗 His lack of cultivation was apparent as soon as he began to speak. ② cultural / kltʃ(ə)rəl/ adj referring to culture 쑗 The French cultural attaché opened the exhibition. 쑗 His cultural interests are very wide-ranging – from Mexican art to 12th-century Greek paintings. ① culture / kltʃə/ noun 1. a country’s civilisation, including music, art and literature 쑗 He is taking a course in Russian culture. 쑗 Is a TV in every home really the peak of Western culture? 2. the cultivation of plants 쑗 The culture of orchids must be done in warm damp conditions. 3. bacteria grown in a laboratory 쑗 The first part of the experiment is to grow a culture in the lab. cultured / kltʃəd/ adj 1. civilised, well educated 쑗 Our guide was a very cultured lady from Vienna. 쑗 Such behaviour is not . . . curative acceptable in cultured society. 2. which has been grown artificially 쑗 Only an expert can tell the difference between a cultured pearl and a real one. culture shock / kltʃə ʃɒk/ noun the shock which you feel when moving from one type of society to another which is very different cumbersome / kmbəs(ə)m/ adj large and heavy. Synonym unwieldy. Antonym manageable cumulative / kju mjυlətv/ adj 1. which is added gradually, especially each year 쑗 The interest on this account is cumulative. 쑗 The cumulative effect of a series of late nights finally caught up with him and he fell asleep during the dinner. 2. which grows by adding new parts 쑗 A cumulative index is made up of several different indexes put together. cunning / knŋ/ noun cleverness and trickery 쑗 He showed cunning in his attempts to get tickets for the concert. 쐽 adj clever and full of tricks 쑗 They had a cunning plan to get into the exhibition free. cunningly / knŋli/ adv in a cunning way ① cup /kp/ noun 1. a small bowl with a handle, used for drinking from 쑗 She put out a cup and saucer for everyone. 2. the liquid in a cup 쑗 He drank two cups of coffee. 쑗 Can I have a cup of tea? 왍 to make a cup of tea to prepare tea, usually in a pot 쑗 I’ll make you all a cup of tea. 왍 it’s not my cup of tea it’s not something I like very much (informal ) 쑗 Modern art isn’t really my cup of tea. 3. a tall silver bowl given as a prize for winning a competition 쑗 He has won three cups for golf. 쐽 verb to put your hands into the shape of a cup 쑗 He cupped his hands under the trickle of water. (NOTE: cupping — . cupped) ① cupboard / kbəd/ noun a piece of furniture with shelves and doors 쑗 Put the jam in the kitchen cupboard. 쑗 The best plates are in the dining room cupboard. 쑗 She painted the cupboard doors white. cup final /kp fan(ə)l/ noun the last game in a football or rugby competition, where the winning side is given the silver cup cupful / kpfυl/ noun the quantity which a cup can hold cuppa / kpə/ noun a cup of tea (informal ) cup tie / kp ta/ noun a sports match between two teams as a result of which one must leave the competition curable / kjυərəb(ə)l/ adj (of a disease) which can be cured curate / kjυərət/ noun a priest who helps a parish priest curative / kjυərətv/ adj which can cure. Synonym healing. Antonym injurious . curator 196 curator /kjυ retə/ noun a person in charge of a museum curb /k" b/ noun 1. something which holds something back 쑗 The company needs to put a curb on its spending. 2. US the stone edge to a pavement 쑗 He sat on the curb and watched the cars go past. 쑗 Try not to hit the curb when you park. (NOTE: The British spelling is kerb.) 쐽 verb to hold something back 쑗 She needs to curb her enthusiasm to spend money. Synonym restrain curd /k" d/ noun a solid food made from sour milk curdle / k" d(ə)l/ verb 1. to become or make something become solid and sour 쑗 If you add lemon juice to milk it will curdle it. 쑗 Milk will curdle in hot weather. 2. 왍 to make your blood curdle to make you very frightened 쑗 a story frightening enough to make their blood curdle 쑗 One’s blood curdles at the mere thought of it. 쒁 bloodcurdling cure /kjυə/ noun something which makes a disease better 쑗 Doctors are still trying to find a cure for colds. 쐽 verb 1. to make a patient or a disease better 쑗 I don’t know what’s in the medicine, but it cured my cough very fast. 2. to preserve meat, by putting it in salt 쑗 a piece of cured ham 쑗 This bacon has been cured in salt water. curfew / k" fju / noun a period when no one is allowed out into the street. Synonym restriction curiosity /kjυəri ɒsti/ noun 1. wanting to know about something 쑗 I just asked out of sheer curiosity. 2. a strange object 쑗 The vase is a real curiosity – I’ve never seen anything like it before. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is curiosities.) curious / kjυəriəs/ adj 1. strange 쑗 She has a curious high-pitched voice. 2. wanting ③ to know 쑗 I’m curious to know if anything happened at the party. curiously / kjυəriəsli/ adv 1. strangely 쑗 The meat has a curiously fishy smell. 쑗 Curiously enough, nobody noticed that he had dyed his hair green. 2. wanting to know 쑗 She peeped curiously into the box. ③ curl /k" l/ noun 1. a lock of hair which twists 쑗 The little girl looked so sweet with her golden curls. 2. a twist in the hair 쑗 My hair has a natural curl. 쐽 verb 1. to make hair twist round 쑗 She curled her hair round her finger. 쑗 She went to the hairdresser’s to have her hair curled. 2. to twist 쑗 my hair curls naturally 쑗 Some creepers curl round other plants. 3. 왍 to curl up to bend your body into a round shape 쑗 She curled up on the sofa and went to sleep. curler / k" lə/ noun 1. a roller for curling hair 2. a player of the sport of curling curry curling / k" lŋ/ noun a Winter Olympic sport for two teams of four, similar to bowls on ice ③ curly / k" li/ adj (of hair ) with natural waves. Synonym wavy 왍 curly hair hair with natural waves in it 쑗 She has naturally curly hair. currant / krənt/ noun 1. a small round fruit 쑗 I have planted some currant bushes. 쒁 blackcurrant, redcurrant 2. a small dried black grape 쑗 a currant bun 쑗 fruit cake with currants, sultanas and raisins in it (NOTE: Do . not confuse with current.) ② currency / krəns/ noun 1. the money used in a certain country 쑗 I want to change my pounds into French currency. 2. the state of being known or accepted 왍 to gain currency to become better known or more accepted 쑗 The idea that the world was round began to gain currency in the later Middle Ages. ① current / krənt/ noun 1. a flow of water or air 쑗 Don’t go swimming in the river – the current is very strong. 쑗 A warm westerly current of air is flowing across the country. 쑗 Vultures circle in rising currents of warm air. 2. a flow of electricity 쑗 Switch the current off at the mains. (NOTE: Do not confuse with currant.) 쐽 adj 1. referring to the present time 쑗 What is your current position? 쑗 Who is the current prime minister of Japan? 쑗 Do you have a current timetable? – mine is out-of-date. 왍 what is the current rate of exchange? what is today’s rate of exchange? 2. widely believed 쑗 The idea that the world was flat was current in the Middle Ages. ③ current account / krənt əkaυnt/ noun a bank account from which you can take money at any time (NOTE: The US term is checking account.) current affairs /krənt ə feəz/ plural noun the political situation as it is now 쑗 We are studying current affairs as part of our politics course. ③ currently / krəntli/ adv at the present time 쑗 He is currently the manager of our Paris office. 쑗 We are currently in the process of buying a house. ② curriculum /kə rkjυləm/ noun the subjects studied in school 쑗 I am very glad that music and drama have been added to the curriculum. 쑗 The National Curriculum is followed by all British schools. (NOTE: The plural is curriculums or curricula.) curriculum vitae /kərkjυləm vi ta/ noun a summary of someone’s qualifications and experience ③ curry / kri/ noun an Indian food prepared with spices 쑗 I would like a mild curry, please. 쑗 We ordered chicken curry and rice. (NOTE: The plural is curries.) 쐽 verb 왍 to curry favour with someone to try to please curry powder 197 someone 쑗 He’s just trying to curry favour with the boss by coming in at seven o’clock in the morning. curry powder / kri paυdə/, curry paste / kri pest/ noun a hot spicy powder or paste, used in Indian cooking ③ curse /k" s/ noun 1. a swearword 쑗 He threw the letter down with a curse. 2. a magic word to make something unpleasant happen to someone 쑗 The witch put a curse on the whole family. 3. something which causes you problems 쑗 Being on call 24 hours a day is the curse of being a doctor. 쑗 Pollution is the curse of industrialised societies. 쐽 verb 1. to swear 쑗 He cursed under his breath and marched out of the room. 2. to wish that something bad should happen to someone cursed /k" st/ adj 왍 cursed with having a problem which is embarrassing or difficult to deal with 쑗 He’s cursed with bad breath. 쑗 They’re cursed with noisy neighbours. cursor / k" sə/ noun a little arrow or a bright spot on a computer screen which shows where the next character will appear cursory / k" səri/ adj quick and not very careful. Synonym superficial curt /k" t/ adj abrupt in speaking curtail /k" tel/ verb to shorten something; to reduce something. Synonym limit curtailment /k" telmənt/ noun the act of curtailing ② curtain / k" t(ə)n/ noun 1. a long piece of cloth hanging in front of a window 쑗 Can you close the curtains, please? 2. a long piece of cloth hanging in front of the stage at a theatre 왍 the curtain will go up at 8.30 the play begins at 8.30 왍 it will be curtains for him he will be finished 앳 to draw the curtains 1. to open the curtains 쑗 Draw the curtains – it’s getting cold. 2. to close the curtains curtain call / k" t(ə)n kɔ l/ noun the time when actors or dancers come out in front of the curtain to take a bow after the end of a performance curtly / k" tli/ adv abruptly curtsy / k" tsi/ noun a respectful movement made by women or girls, by bending the knees and putting one foot forward 쑗 She made a curtsy to the queen. 쏡 bow 쐽 verb 왍 to curtsy to someone to make a curtsy to someone curvature / k" vətʃə/ noun being bent into a curve ③ curve /k" v/ noun 1. a round shape like part of a circle 쑗 The road makes a sharp curve to the left. 2. a rounded shape on a graph 왍 a steep learning curve the process of having to learn new skills fast 쐽 verb to make a rounded shape 쑗 The road curves custom-built round the side of the mountain. Synonym bend. Antonym straighten curved /k" vd/ adj with a rounded shape. Synonym rounded. Antonym angular ② cushion / kυʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a bag filled with something soft, e.g. feathers, for sitting or leaning on 쑗 Feel how soft this cushion is. 쑗 Put a cushion behind your back if you find your chair is too hard. 2. money which allows you to get through a difficult period 쑗 We have a little money in the bank which is a useful cushion when cash is tight. 쐽 verb to make soft something which could be hard or painful 쑗 Luckily when he fell off the ladder there was a hedge underneath to cushion his fall. 쑗 She made no attempt to cushion the blow, but just told them straight out that they were all being sacked. cushy / kυʃi/ adj (of a job) easy (informal ) Antonym difficult (NOTE: cushier – . cushiest) custard / kstəd/ noun 1. 왍 (egg) custard a sweet sauce, made with eggs and milk, flavoured with vanilla, baked until set and eaten warm or cold 2. (in the UK) a sweet yellow sauce made with milk and a powder containing cornflour 쑗 stewed rhubarb and custard 쑗 Would you like some custard with your crumble? custodial sentence /kstəυdiəl sentəns/ noun the fact of being legally sentenced to prison custodian /k stəυdiən/ noun 1. a person who is legally entrusted to look after someone or something 2. a person who guards a museum or other public building 쑗 The museum custodian was sound asleep and didn’t hear any noise. custody / kstədi/ noun 1. keeping 쑗 The jewels were in the custody of the manager, and he had placed them in the hotel safe. 왍 to take someone into custody to arrest someone 쑗 The three fans were taken into police custody. 2. the right of keeping and looking after a child 쑗 When they were divorced, she was granted custody of the children. (NOTE: no plural) custom / kstəm/ noun 1. a habit, a thing which is usually done 쑗 It’s a local custom in this part of the world. 2. the use of a shop 쑗 If the assistants are rude to me again I will take my custom elsewhere. 왍 to lose someone’s custom to do something which makes a regular customer go to another place of business, e.g. a restaurant or shop 쑗 The little corner shops will lose a lot of custom when the new supermarket is built. customary / kstəməri/ adj usual custom-built / kstəm blt/, custom-made /kstəm med/ adj made to order for a customer ③ customer 198 customer / kstəmə/ noun 1. a person who buys something in a shop 쑗 The shops are lowering their prices to attract customers. 쑗 She was locking up the shop when a customer came in. 쑗 His shop is always full of customers. 2. a person who uses a service such as a train 쑗 We apologise to customers waiting on Platform 5 for the late arrival of their train. customise / kstəmaz/, customize verb to have something changed to fit your special needs custom-made /kstəm med/ adj alternative for custom-built ② customs / kstəmz/ noun 1. 왍 H.M. Customs and Excise the British government department which organises the collection of taxes on goods coming into the country and also collects VAT 쑗 He was stopped by customs. 쑗 Her car was searched by customs. 쑗 The customs officer asked her to open her bag. 2. an office of this department at a port or airport 왍 to go through customs to pass through the area of a port or airport where customs officials examine goods 쑗 When you come into the country, you have to go through customs. 왍 to take something through customs to carry something through the customs area without always declaring it 쑗 She said that her boyfriend had asked her to take the case through customs for him. ① cut /kt/ verb 1. to make an opening or to remove something using a sharp tool, e.g. a knife or scissors 쑗 The meat is very tough – I can’t cut it with my knife. 쑗 He needs to get his hair cut. 쑗 There were six children, so she cut the cake into six pieces. 2. to hurt yourself by making a wound in the skin 쑗 She cut her finger on the broken glass. 쑗 He cut himself while shaving. 3. to reduce the size of something 쑗 We are trying to cut the number of staff. 쑗 Accidents have been cut by 10%. 쑗 The article is too long, so I asked the author to cut 500 words. 4. 왍 to cut a corner to try to go round a corner quickly, by driving on the pavement 쑗 He was trying to cut the corner and hit a fence. 왍 to cut corners to do things rapidly and cheaply 쑗 She tried to cut corners and the result was that the whole job had to be redone. 5. to look at someone and pretend not to recognise him or her 쑗 When I held out my hand she cut me dead. (NOTE: cutting – cut – has cut) 쐽 noun 1. a place which bleeds when your skin has been broken 쑗 She had a bad cut on her leg. 쑗 Put some sticking plaster on your cut. 2. a mark made in a surface by something sharp 3. the sudden lowering of something, e.g. a price or salary 쑗 price cuts 쑗 cuts in prices 왍 he took a cut in salary or a salary cut he accepted a lower salary 4. the act of stopping the supply of something, e.g. water ① cut off or electricity 쑗 There were power cuts again during the night. 5. a piece of meat 쑗 You can use a cheaper cut of meat if you’re making stew. 6. a share of something such as profits 쑗 Each salesperson gets a cut of what he or she can sell for cash. cut across /kt ə krɒs/, cut through /kt θru / verb to take a short cut to get somewhere cut and paste /kt ən pest/ noun the act of taking a section of text from one point and inserting it at another ③ cut back /kt bk/ verb to reduce spending 쑗 We are having to cut back on staff costs. cutback / ktbk/ noun a reduction in spending ③ cut down /kt daυn/ verb 1. to make a tree fall down with a tool such as a saw 쑗 He cut the tree down or cut down the tree. 2. 왍 to cut down (on) to reduce something 쑗 We are trying to get him to cut down the number of cigarettes he smokes each day. 쑗 I’m trying to cut down on chocolate. ③ cute /kju t/ adj nice. Antonym ugly cuteness / kju tnəs/ noun niceness, the fact of being cute. Antonym ugliness cuticle / kju tk(ə)l/ noun the hard skin at the base of a fingernail or toenail cut in /kt n/ verb 1. to interrupt someone or something 쑗 He would keep on cutting in while I was telling the story. 2. to drive suddenly in front of another car 쑗 Did you see how the little white car cut in in front of the black one? cutlass / ktləs/ noun a short curved sword, used in the navy and by cavalry (NOTE: The plural is cutlasses.) cutlery / ktləri/ noun knives, forks and spoons (NOTE: no plural) cutlet / ktlət/ noun 1. a slice of meat, usually with a bone attached 쑗 We were served veal cutlets with mushroom sauce. 2. a fried dish made with minced meat, fish or vegetables formed into the shape of a piece of meat 쑗 She makes delicious fish cutlets. ③ cut off /kt ɒf/ verb 1. to take away a small part of something using a sharp tool such as a knife 쑗 She cut off a little piece of string. 쑗 He cut off two slices of ham. 2. to stop someone from being with someone or reaching a place 쑗 She was cut off from her friends by a crowd of policemen. 쑗 The village was cut off by the snow. 쑗 The tide came in and cut off a party of schoolchildren. 3. to stop a phone call before it is finished 쑗 We were cut off in the middle of our conversation. 4. to stop electricity or water from reaching someone 쑗 He didn’t pay the bill, so the company cut off his electricity. 쑗 The cutoff 199 lightning hit the generator and caused the power to be cut off. cutoff / ktɒf/ something which marks the end of something 쑗 The cutoff point for students going to the next level is 80% marks in the exam. 쑗 What is the cutoff date for applications? ③ cut out /kt aυt/ verb 1. to remove a small piece of something such as paper by cutting it from a larger piece 쑗 She cut an advertisement out of the newspaper. 쑗 He used a pair of scissors to cut out the picture. 2. to stop doing or eating something 쑗 She’s decided to cut out sweet things so as to lose weight. 왍 cut it out! stop doing that! 3. 왍 to be cut out for something to be ideally suited for something 쑗 I don’t think he’s cut out for a job in the post office. cut-price /kt pras/ adj very cheap cutter / ktə/ noun 1. a person who cuts something 쑗 The cutter said he could cut my piece of glass to any size I wanted. 2. a machine which cuts something 쑗 You need a tile cutter to cut your tiles to fit the corners. 3. a small fast boat 쑗 The pilot arrived in a cutter. cutters / ktəz/ plural noun 왍 a pair of cutters a pair of sharp scissors used for cutting something 쑗 A pair of wire cutters will be useful if we need to get through the fence. cut-throat / kt θrəυt/ adj vicious or intense cutting / ktŋ/ noun 1. a small piece of paper cut out of a newspaper 왍 a file of press cuttings a collection of references to a person or thing cut out of newspapers or magazines 쑗 She has a file of press cuttings about her son. 2. a little piece of a plant which will take root if stuck in the ground 쑗 The cuttings I took from your lavender plant are all growing well. 쐽 adj 왍 a cutting remark a sharply critical remark cutting edge /ktŋ edȢ/ noun 1. the sharp edge of a knife 쑗 The cutting edge is blunt and needs sharpening. 2. 왍 at the cutting edge of something right at the front of something 쑗 The company is at the cutting edge of new technology. ③ cut up /kt p/ verb 1. to make something into small pieces by cutting it 쑗 She cut the old towel up into little pieces. 쑗 Can you cut up the meat for the children? 2. to drive suddenly in front of another car 쑗 Did you see how the little white car cut up the black one? 쐽 adj upset or annoyed (informal ) 쑗 She’s rather cut up because her cat has disappeared. Synonym distressed CV abbr curriculum vitae cwt abbr hundredweight cyanide / saənad/ noun a strong poison cybercafé / sabəkfe/ noun a café where you can pay to use the Internet . cyst cyberspace / sabəspes/ noun an imaginary place which electronic information such as emails passes through ③ cycle / sak(ə)l/ noun 1. a bicycle 쑗 If your bike’s got a flat tyre, take it to the cycle shop. 2. a period during which something develops and then returns to its starting point 쑗 Global warming is starting to affect the natural cycle of the seasons. 쑗 The washing machine broke down in the middle of the spin cycle. 왍 a business or economic or trade cycle a period during which trade expands, then slows down, then expands again 쐽 verb to go on a bicycle 쑗 It’s hard cycling against the wind. 쑗 She thinks nothing of cycling ten miles to work every day. cycle path / sak(ə)l pɑ θ/ noun a special path for cyclists ③ cyclist / saklst/ noun a person who rides a bicycle cyclone / sakləυn/ noun 1. an area of low pressure, usually associated with bad weather. Compare anticyclone 2. a tropical storm in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, where the air moves very fast in a circle round a central area 쑗 According to the shipping forecasts, a cyclone is approaching Sri Lanka. (NOTE: In the Far East this is called a typhoon; in the Caribbean a hurricane.) cygnet / sDZnət/ noun a baby swan cylinder / slndə/ noun 1. an object shaped like a round tube closed at both ends 2. a part of an engine, in which a piston moves 쑗 The car has a six-cylinder engine. 쑗 The engine seems to lack power – maybe it’s not firing on all six cylinders. cylindrical /s lndrk(ə)l/ adj shaped like a cylinder cymbals / smbəlz/ plural noun a pair of round metal plates which are banged together to make a loud noise (NOTE: Do not confuse with symbols.) cynic / snk/ noun a person who doubts that anyone has any good points cynical / snk(ə)l/ adj doubting that anyone has any good points cynically / snkli/ adv in a cynical, mocking way cynicism / snsz(ə)m/ noun the fact of being cynical cypher / safə/ noun another spelling of cipher cypress / saprəs/ noun a type of evergreen tree of the Mediterranean region (NOTE: The plural is cypresses.) Cypriot / spriət/ adj referring to Cyprus 쐽 noun a person from Cyprus cyst /sst/ noun an unusual growth in the body containing liquid. Synonym swelling cystic fibrosis 200 czar cystic fibrosis /sstk fa brəυss/ noun czar /zɑ / noun 1. the title of the former em- a disease of the pancreas, a hereditary disease in which breathing and digestion are difficult cystitis /s stats/ noun an infection of the bladder which gives a burning feeling when you pass water peror of Russia 쑗 a photograph of the Czar and his family (NOTE: The British spelling is tsar.) 2. the person in overall charge of some official organisation 쑗 He’s the new drugs czar, with complete responsibility for fighting drug traffickers and dealing with drug problems. D d /di /, D noun the fourth letter of the alphabet, between C and E ③ DA abbr district attorney dab /db/ verb to give something a light tap 쑗 She dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. 쑗 She dabbed the cut with cotton wool soaked in antiseptic. Synonym pat 왍 to dab something on to apply something by pressing lightly 쑗 You can dab the paint on with a little brush. 쐽 noun 1. a small quantity 쑗 She put a dab of glue on each corner of the poster. 2. a little tap 쑗 The nurse gave the cut a dab with some cotton wool. 3. a type of small flat fish dabble / db(ə)l/ verb 1. 왍 to dabble with or in something to be slightly involved in something 쑗 As a young man he dabbled in politics. 2. to play around with your hands or feet in water 쑗 The children dabbled their toes in the brook. dachshund / dksənd/ noun a breed of small long low dog, originally from Germany daddy / ddi/ noun a father 왍 the daddy of them all the best example of something daddy-long-legs /ddi lɒŋ leDZz/ noun an insect with very long legs daffodil / dfədl/ noun a bright yellow spring flower daft /dɑ ft/ adj silly (informal ) Antonym . sensible (NOTE: dafter – daftest) dagger / dDZə/ noun a short knife 왍 they are at daggers drawn they are very hostile to each other 쑗 The MD is at daggers drawn with the rest of the directors. 왍 to look daggers at someone to look angrily at someone ② daily / deli/ adj happening every day 쑗 daily newspapers such as ‘The Times’ and the ‘Daily Mail’ 쑗 The cooker has been in daily use for ten years. 쑗 There’s a daily flight to Washington. Synonym everyday 왍 daily life the things that happen to you every day 왍 daily routine the things which you do every day 쑗 Buying a newspaper on his way to work and a bar of chocolate on his way home is all part of his daily routine. 쐽 noun a newspaper published every weekday 쑗 The story was carried on the front page of most of the dailies. (NOTE: The plural is dailies.) 쐽 adv every day 왍 twice daily two times a day dainty / denti/ adj delicate and small. Synonym pretty. Antonym clumsy (NOTE: daintier – daintiest) dairy / deəri/ noun a place where milk, cream and butter are processed or sold dairy farm / deəri fɑ m/ noun a farm which produces milk, cheese, etc. dairy produce / deəri prɒdju s/ noun milk, butter, cream, etc. (NOTE: The plural is dairies.) dais / deəs/ noun a raised area at the end of a large hall. Synonym platform daisy / dezi/ noun a small white flower with a yellow centre 왍 as fresh as a daisy very fresh, not tired (informal ) 쑗 She was at a party all night, but still came into the office this morning as fresh as a daisy. dale /del/ noun (in the North of England ) a valley. Antonym hill dally / dli/ verb to spend a long time doing something. Synonym linger dalmatian /dl meʃ(ə)n/ noun a large white dog with black spots dam /dm/ noun a wall of earth or concrete which blocks a river to make a lake 쑗 After the rainstorm people were afraid the dam would burst. Synonym barrier 쐽 verb to block a river with a wall of earth or concrete 쑗 When they built the power station, the river had to be dammed. (NOTE: damming – . . dammed) ② damage / dmdȢ/ noun 1. the breaking or physical spoiling of something 쑗 The storm did a lot of damage. 쑗 It will take us months to repair the damage to the restaurant. 쑗 The fire caused damage estimated at £100,000. 왍 to suffer damage to be harmed 쑗 The car suffered serious damage in the collision. 2. emotional harm done to a person 쑗 I hope the experience won’t cause the children lasting damage. 쐽 verb to harm something 쑗 A large number of shops were damaged in the fire. 쑗 Glasses need to be packed carefully as they are easily damaged. Synonym injure. Antonym repair damage limitation / dmdȢ lmteʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of limiting the amount of damage which will occur damages 202 damages / dmdȢz/ plural noun payment to someone who has been hurt or whose property has been damaged damaging / dmdȢŋ/ adj causing harm to someone or something damask / dməsk/ noun a kind of material with a pattern woven into it, often used for tablecloths dame /dem/ noun 1. (in a pantomime) an old woman played by a male actor 쑗 The dame was played by a famous boxer. 2. US a woman (informal ) 쑗 Who’s that dame I saw you with last night? 3. a title given to some women (NOTE: Dame is the equivalent to . ‘Sir’ for men. As a title, it is written before the woman’s Christian name, followed by the surname: Dame Judy Dench.) dammit / dmt/ noun 왍 as near as dammit very near (informal ) 쑗 He made . £10,000, or as near as dammit. damn /dm/ noun 왍 I don’t give a damn used to say emphatically that you do not care at all (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. used to show annoyance 쑗 Damn it, we’re going to be late. 쑗 Damn him, he’s left the front door open! 2. to severely criticise someone or something 쑗 The new film was damned by the Sunday papers. 3. to condemn someone or something in a religious situation 쑗 Galileo was damned by the Church for saying that the Earth turned round the Sun. 쐽 interj used as a mild swear word to show annoyance 쑗 Damn! I’ve left my umbrella on the train. damned /dmd/ adj, adv used as a mild swear word to express annoyance (informal ) 왍 I’ll be damned if I’ll allow her to do that I will certainly never let her do that 왍 I’ll try my damnedest to get to the meeting I will do everything I can to get to the meeting damning / dmŋ/ adj which clearly proves that someone has done something wrong ③ damp /dmp/ adj rather wet 쑗 She’d just had a shower and her hair was still damp. 쑗 The cellar has cold damp walls. (NOTE: damper – dampest) 쐽 noun moisture in the air or on a surface 쑗 The damp makes my rheumatism worse. 쐽 verb to wet something slightly 쑗 The dew has damped the grass. dampen / dmpən/ verb 1. to make something slightly wet 쑗 Dampen the cloth before you wipe the floor. 쑗 She dampened the shirts before ironing them. 2. 왍 to dampen someone’s enthusiasm to do something to make someone less enthusiastic 쑗 The bad weather dampened his enthusiasm for sailing. damper / dmpə/ noun 1. something which discourages you 쑗 Having just been sacked put a damper on his birthday party. 2. a plate at the back of a fireplace which regu. . dangle lates the draught 3. (in Australia) a flat bread made from flour and water cooked on a fire dampness / dmpnəs/ noun the fact of being damp. Synonym humidity damson / dmzən/ noun 1. a small purple plum 쑗 a pot of damson jam 2. a tree which bears this fruit 쑗 We planted a damson in our garden. ② dance /dɑ ns/ noun 1. a way of moving in time to music 쑗 She teaches dance or is a dance teacher. 쑗 We learnt a new dance today. 쑗 Scottish dances are very lively. 2. an evening entertainment for a group of people where you can dance 쑗 The club is holding a New Year’s dance. 쑗 They met at a youth club dance. 쐽 verb 1. to move in time to music 쑗 There he is – he’s dancing with that tall girl. 쑗 She often goes to discos but never dances. 2. to move or jump around happily 쑗 She danced into the room and announced she’d got the job. 쑗 The football fans were dancing in the streets. dance floor / dɑ ns flɔ / noun a specially polished floor for dancing on ③ dancer / dɑ nsə/ noun a person who dances ② dancing / dɑ nsŋ/ noun the action of moving to music (NOTE: no plural) dandelion / dndlaən/ noun a wild plant, with yellow flowers which have a mass of little narrow petals dandruff / dndrəf/ noun small pieces of dry skin which come off your head dandy / dndi/ noun a man who is very interested in clothes (dated ) (NOTE: The plural . is dandies.) Dane /den/ noun a person from Denmark. 쏡 Great Dane ② danger / dendȢə/ noun the possibility of something bad happening, e.g. damage, failure or getting hurt 쑗 When it rains, there’s a danger of flooding. 쑗 The broken window is a danger to office security. 쑗 There’s a danger we won’t get there in time. 쑗 We were warned of the dangers of travelling alone in the desert. 왍 out of danger, off the danger list not likely to die 쑗 She was very ill, but she’s off the danger list now. danger money / dendȢə mni/ noun a payment for a dangerous job ② dangerous / dendȢərəs/ adj which can cause injury or damage 쑗 Be careful – that old staircase is dangerous! 쑗 Those electric wires are dangerous. 쑗 Children are warned that it is dangerous to go out alone at night. dangerously / dendȢərəsli/ adv in a dangerous way 왍 to be dangerously ill to be very ill dangle / dŋDZəl/ verb 1. to hang freely 쑗 The fish dangled at the end of his line. 쑗 Dirty sheets were dangling over the balcony. Danish 203 2. to make something hang freely 쑗 She dangled the puppet in front of the baby. ① Danish /
denʃ/ adj referring to Denmark 쐽 noun the language spoken in Denmark Danish pastry /denʃ
pestri/ noun a sweet pastry cake with jam or fruit folded in it (NOTE: also called simply a Danish: an apple Danish) dank /d ŋk/ adj cold and damp. Synonym damp. Antonym humid dappled /
d p(ə)ld/ adj covered with patches of light and dark colour. Synonym speckled ② dare /deə/ verb 1. to be brave enough to do something 쑗 I bet you wouldn’t dare put your hand into the cage and stroke that tiger. 왍 I dare say very probably 쑗 I dare say you’re right. 왍 to dare not do something to not be brave enough to do something 쑗 I daren’t go out or I don’t dare go out or I dare not go out into the street while that man is standing there. 2. to challenge someone to do something by suggesting it is cowardly not to do it 쑗 I dared him to go the meeting in his pink tracksuit. 3. used for telling someone how angry you are 쑗 Don’t you dare do that again! 쑗 How dare you look in my desk drawers! 쐽 noun the act of challenging someone to do something 쑗 He only climbed on the roof for a dare. daredevil /
deədev(ə)l/ adj not worrying about danger 쑗 His daredevil act on the tightrope. Synonym reckless. Antonym staid 쐽 noun a brave person who does not worry about danger 쑗 He’s a daredevil – he flew his plane under Tower Bridge. Antonym stick-in-the-mud daring /
deərŋ/ adj brave, but foolish at the same time 쑗 That was a very daring thing to do. 쑗 It was very daring of you to ask the boss for the day off. 쐽 noun bravery 쑗 The helicopter pilot showed great daring in trying to rescue the boy from the cliff. Synonym bravery. Antonym cowardice (NOTE: no plural) ① dark /dɑk/ adj 1. with little or no light 쑗 The sky turned dark and it started to rain. 쑗 Can you switch the light on – it’s getting too dark to see. 쑗 In Scotland in the summer it gets dark very late. 2. not a light colour 쑗 Her eyes are dark. 쑗 She was wearing a dark blue coat. 3. with black or brown hair 쑗 He’s quite dark, but his sister has red hair. 4. 왍 to keep something dark to keep something a secret 쑗 They kept their plans dark from the rest of the family. 쑗 Keep it dark! – I don’t want anyone to know about it. 쐽 noun 1. the absence of light 쑗 Little children are afraid of the dark. 쑗 They say cats can see in the dark. 쑗 In the dark, everything looks different. 왍 after dark at night-time 쑗 You must dash put on your car lights after dark. 2. 왍 in the dark not knowing anything about something 쑗 I’m completely in the dark about the whole business. 쑗 We want to keep everyone in the dark about our plans. dark chocolate /dɑk
tʃɒklət/ noun dark brown chocolate which is quite bitter. Synonym plain chocolate darken /
dɑkən/ verb to become dark. Synonym blacken. Antonym brighten darkened /
dɑkənd/ adj which has been made dark dark glasses /dɑk
DZlɑsz/ plural noun glasses with lenses made of dark glass, for wearing in sunshine. Also called shades dark horse /dɑk
hɔs/ noun a person you know nothing about and who may win something such as an election or a race darkly /
dɑkli/ adv in a threatening or frightening way ③ darkness /
dɑknəs/ noun the fact of not having any light. Synonym dark 왍 the building was in complete or total darkness there were no electric lights on in the building darling /
dɑlŋ/ adj lovable, which you can love 쑗 What a darling little car! Synonym wonderful. Antonym horrible 쐽 noun 1. a name used to talk to someone you love 쑗 Darling! I’m back from the shops. 2. a lovable person 쑗 She’s an absolute darling! 쑗 Be a darling and fetch me the newspaper. darn /dɑn/ verb to mend holes in clothes 쑗 She hates darning socks. Synonym sew 쐽 noun a place where clothes have been mended 쑗 You can easily see the darns because you used a different colour wool. dart /dɑt/ noun a small heavy arrow with plastic feathers, used for playing the game of darts 쑗 Each player takes a turn to throw his or her three darts. 쐽 verb to rush somewhere 쑗 The little boy darted across the street. 쑗 We sat by the river and watched the dragonflies darting about in the rushes. Antonym saunter darts /dɑts/ noun a game for two or more people, played by each player throwing three darts in turn at a round board (NOTE: not plural, and takes a singular verb) Darwinism /
dɑwnz(ə)m/ noun a theory of evolution developed by the scientist Charles Darwin dash /d ʃ/ noun 1. a small amount 쑗 tomato juice with a dash of sauce 2. a little line in writing or printing, showing a space or to separate items 쑗 The reference number is one four six dash seven (146–7). 3. a sudden rush 쑗 There was a mad dash to buy tickets. 쑗 While the policeman wasn’t looking she made a dash for the door. (NOTE: The plural is dashes.) 쐽 verb to rush somewhere 쑗 I dashboard 204 can’t stop now – I must dash to catch the last post. 쑗 I dashed home to watch the football on television. 쑗 She dashed into a shop so that he wouldn’t see her. dashboard /
d ʃbɔd/ noun the instrument panel in a car dashing /
d ʃŋ/ adj very smart and forceful ① data /
detə/ noun statistical information 쑗 The data is stored in our main computer. 쑗 We spent months gathering data on hospital waiting times. 쑗 The data shows that, on average, germination takes place after two weeks. (NOTE: Data is often used with a singular verb, except in scientific contexts: The data is easily available.) data bank /
detə b ŋk/ noun a store of computerised information ② database /
detəbes/ noun data stored in a computer, which can be used to provide information of various kinds. Synonym data bank data processing /detə
prəυsesŋ/ noun the selecting and examining of data in a computer to produce information in a special form. Also called information processing data protection /
detə prətekʃən/ noun the practice of making sure that computerised information about people does not get into the wrong hands data retrieval /
detə r
triv(ə)l/ noun the act of getting back data which is stored in a computer ① date /det/ noun 1. the number of a day in a month or year, or a day when something will happen or happened in the past 쑗 Put today’s date on the cheque. 쑗 What’s the date next Wednesday? 쑗 The dates of the exhibition have been changed. 쑗 The date of the next meeting has been fixed for Wednesday, June 10th. 쑗 Do you remember the date of your girlfriend’s birthday? 왍 departure date, date of departure the day on which you leave somewhere 2. a time agreed for a meeting, usually between romantic partners 쑗 We made a date to meet at the Italian restaurant. 쑗 He asked her out on a date. 왍 a blind date a meeting arranged between two people who have never met before 3. a small sweet brown fruit of the date palm 쐽 verb 1. to write the date on something 쑗 The cheque was dated the 15th of June. 쑗 You forgot to date the cheque. 2. 왍 to date from or back to to exist since 쑗 This house dates from or dates back to the 17th century. 3. to give the date of something, e.g. an old piece of wood, a monument or an antique 쑗 The bowl has been dated to 1500 BC. 4. especially US to agree to meet someone regularly as a romantic partner 쑗 He’s dating my sister. 5. to become old-fashioned 쑗 Little black dresses don’t date. ③ day dated /
detd/ adj 1. with a date written on it 쑗 Thank you for your letter dated June 15th. 2. old-fashioned 쑗 That advertisement looks a bit dated now. date line /
det lan/ noun an imaginary line in the Pacific Ocean which marks the change in date from east to west dateline /
detlan/ noun (in a newspaper ) a heading with the date and place showing where a report from a foreign correspondent has come from ③ date of birth /det əv
bθ/ noun the date on which someone was born date rape noun the act of raping someone you know, especially on a date 쐽 verb to rape someone you know, especially on a date date stamp /
det st mp/ noun a device with rubber figures which can be moved, used for marking the date on documents or for marking the sell-by date on goods daub verb to put a substance such as paint on a surface in a careless way 쐽 noun a small amount of a substance such as paint put on a surface in a careless way ① daughter /
dɔtə/ noun a female child of a parent 쑗 They have two sons and one daughter. 쑗 My daughter Mary goes to the local school. daughter-in-law /
dɔtər n lɔ/ noun the wife of a son (NOTE: The plural is daugh. ters-in-law.) daunt /dɔnt/ verb to discourage or frighten someone. Antonym encourage 왍 nothing daunted not discouraged at all 쑗 He saw the crocodile and, nothing daunted, continued to walk along the river bank. daunting /
dɔntŋ/ adj which seems very difficult. Synonym intimidating dawdle /
dɔd(ə)l/ verb to do something slowly dawn /dɔn/ noun 1. the beginning of a day, when the sun rises 쑗 We must set off for the Pyramids at dawn, so you’ll have to get up very early. 왍 at the crack of dawn as soon as it starts to be light 쑗 The plane leaves at 6.30 a.m. – it means I’ll have to get up at the crack of dawn. 2. the beginning of something 쑗 the dawn of civilisation 쐽 verb 1. (of day) to begin 쑗 The day of the cricket match dawned wet and windy. 2. 왍 it dawned on him that he began to realise that 쑗 It gradually dawned on him that someone else was opening his letters. ① day /de/ noun 1. a period of time lasting 24 hours 쑗 There are 365 days in a year and 366 in a leap year. 쑗 New Year’s Day is January 1st. 쑗 They went on a ten-day tour of southern Spain. 쑗 I spoke to him on the phone the day before yesterday. 쑗 We are planning to meet the day after tomorrow. 왍 what day is it today? is it Monday, Tuesday, daybreak 205 etc.? 2. 왍 every other day every two days (i.e., on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, etc.) 쑗 He phones his mother every other day. 왍 the other day quite recently 쑗 The other day I went for a walk by the river. 왍 one or some day at some time in the future 쑗 One day we’ll have enough money to go on holiday. 3. the period from morning until night, when it is light 쑗 She works all day in the office, and then looks after the children in the evening. 쑗 It took the workmen four days to build the wall. 4. the work period from morning to night 왍 she took two days off she did not come to work for two days 왍 he works three days on, two days off he works for three days, then has two days’ holiday 왍 to work an eight-hour day to spend eight hours at work each day 왍 to work a four-day week to work four days each week 5. 왍 those were the days they were good times we had in the past 쑗 Do you remember spending all night going round the bars in Hamburg? – Ah! those were the days! 왍 these days at the present time 쑗 These days the bus service seems to get slower and slower. daybreak / debrek/ noun a time in the very early morning, when the sun is about to rise. Synonym dawn. Antonym dusk day care / de keə/ noun the practice of looking after people, e.g. small children or old people during the daytime in a special centre day centre / de sentə/ noun a place where old or disabled people can meet and be looked after during the day daydream / dedri m/ noun a dream which you have during the day when you are not asleep 쑗 He was sitting in a daydream, with the guidebook on his lap. Synonym reverie 쐽 verb to think about other things; not to concentrate 쑗 He was sitting at his desk daydreaming about holidays in Greece. Synonym dream daylight / delat/ noun light during the daytime 왍 to arrive in daylight to arrive before it gets dark 왍 in broad daylight openly, in the middle of the day 쑗 Three men robbed the bank in broad daylight. daylight robbery /delat rɒbəri/ noun the practice of charging very high prices (informal ) Daylight Saving Time /delat sevŋ tam/ noun same as Summer Time (NOTE: . no plural) day nursery / de n" s(ə)ri/ noun a nursery which is open during the daytime day of reckoning /de əv rekənŋ/ noun a time when you have to pay for your mistakes day release /de r li s/ noun a system by which an employee is allowed time from work to attend a course of study dead ③ daytime / detam/ noun a period of light between morning and night. Synonym day 왍 during or in the daytime when it is light 쑗 He sleeps during the daytime because he works at night. day-to-day /de tə de/ adj taking place as part of normal life; which goes on all the time. Synonym everyday. Antonym unusual day trip / de trp/ noun a journey lasting one day. Synonym excursion daze /dez/ noun 왍 in a daze confused, not mentally alert 쑗 He stumbled out of the room in a daze. 쑗 He was wandering around in an alcoholic daze. 쐽 verb to make someone confused 쑗 He was dazed by the news that he had won the lottery. dazed /dezd/ adj confused in the mind. Synonym confused dazzle / dz(ə)l/ noun a bright light 쑗 The dazzle of the headlights on the wet road caused the driver to swerve. Synonym glare (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to blind someone for a moment 쑗 She was dazzled by the lights of the cars coming towards her. dazzling / dzlŋ/ adj (of a light) very bright dble abbr double DC abbr direct current deacon / di kən/ noun a priest who is lower in rank than a parish priest deactivate /di ktvet/ verb to make something such as a bomb not active any more ① dead /ded/ adj 1. not alive any more 쑗 His parents are both dead. 쑗 Dead fish were floating in the water. 쑗 He brushed the dead leaves into piles. 쑗 Six people were dead as a result of the accident. 왍 wouldn’t be seen dead in would not ever want to be seen in (informal ) 쑗 I wouldn’t be seen dead in a hat like that. 쑗 A really cultivated person wouldn’t be seen dead in a karaoke bar. 왍 as dead as a dodo completely dead or no longer able to function (informal ) 쑗 The plan is as dead as a dodo now that the banks have refused their support. 왍 to drop dead to die suddenly 쑗 He dropped dead in the middle of the High Street. 2. complete 쑗 There was dead silence in the exam room. 쑗 The train came to a dead stop. 3. not working 왍 the line went dead the telephone line suddenly stopped working 쑗 I was talking on the phone when suddenly the line went dead. 4. not lively, not exciting 쑗 Seaside towns can be quite dead in winter. 쐽 adv 1. completely 쑗 He was dead tired after his long walk. 2. exactly 쑗 You’re dead right. 쑗 The train arrived dead on time. 쐽 noun 왍 the dead dead people 쑗 a memorial to the dead of the two World Wars . . dead beat 206 dead beat /ded bi t/ adj tired out (informal ) 쑗 I was dead beat after moving all those boxes of books. Synonym spent 쐽 noun a lazy unsuccessful person, who has no money (slang insult) deaden / dedn/ verb to make something less intense, e.g. to make a sound quieter or a pain less painful. Synonym soften dead end /ded end/ noun 1. a street or way which leads nowhere 쑗 We drove into a little street and found it was a dead end. 2. a point at which you can go no further 쑗 All their research has come to a dead end. dead-end job /ded end dȢɒb/ noun a job where there is no hope of promotion dead heat /ded hi t/ noun a race where two people arrive first together deadline / dedlan/ noun a date by which something has to be done. Synonym time limit 왍 to meet a deadline to finish something in time 쑗 I don’t think we can meet the deadline. 왍 to miss a deadline not to finish something in time 쑗 They worked as fast as they could but missed the deadline by two days. deadlock / dedlɒk/ noun a point at which two sides in a dispute cannot agree 쑗 The negotiations have reached a deadlock. Synonym impasse 왍 to break a deadlock to find a way to start discussions again after being at a point at which no agreement was possible 쐽 verb to be unable to agree to continue negotiations 쑗 Talks have been deadlocked for ten days. ③ deadly / dedli/ adj, adv 1. which will kill 쑗 Don’t eat those mushrooms – they’re deadly poisonous. 쑗 The female spider is deadlier than the male. 2. very serious or bitter 쑗 They are deadly rivals. 쑗 He was deadly serious. (NOTE: deadlier – deadliest) deadpan adj, adv not showing your feelings in your face dead wood /ded wυd/ noun people or things that are considered to be of no worth ② deaf /def/ adj not able to hear, or having difficulty in hearing 쑗 My grandma is going deaf. 쑗 He’s deafer than he used to be. (NOTE: Some people avoid this term as it can cause offence and prefer hearing-impaired.) 왍 to be stone deaf to be completely deaf 왍 to turn a deaf ear to something not to agree to what someone is asking for 쐽 noun 왍 the deaf people who cannot hear 쑗 Their son goes to a school for the deaf. deaf-and-dumb /def ən dm/ adj not able to hear or speak (dated ) (NOTE: Some people avoid this term as it can cause offence.) deafen / def(ə)n/ verb to make someone deaf for a time . . dear deafening / def(ə)nŋ/ adj so loud as to make you unable to hear. Antonym noiseless deaf mute /def mju t/ noun a person who cannot hear or speak (dated offensive) deafness / defnəs/ noun the state of being deaf (NOTE: no plural) ① deal /di l/ noun 1. 왍 a good or great deal much 쑗 He’s feeling a good deal better after two days off work. 쑗 She didn’t say a great deal. 왍 a good deal or great deal of a lot of 쑗 He made a good deal of money from his business. 쑗 There’s a great deal of work still to be done. 2. a business affair, an agreement or contract 쑗 We’ve signed a deal with a German firm. 쑗 They did a deal to supply envelopes. 쑗 The sales director set up a deal with a Russian bank. 왍 a bad or rough or raw deal bad treatment 쑗 She got a rough deal from the firm. 3. wood from a pine tree 쑗 a deal table 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to deal in something to buy and sell something 쑗 She deals in carpets and rugs imported from India. 2. to hand out playing cards to players 쑗 It’s my turn to deal. 쑗 He dealt me two aces. (NOTE: dealing – dealt /delt/) ③ dealer / di lə/ noun a person who buys and sells things. Synonym trader dealership / di ləʃp/ noun 1. the authorisation to sell certain products or services 쑗 He was granted a dealership for Ford cars. 2. a business run by an authorised dealer 쑗 He has a large car dealership. dealing / di lŋ/ noun the practice of buying and selling things dealings / di lŋz/ plural noun business or affairs ③ deal with / di l wð/ verb 1. to concern yourself with or handle something or someone 쑗 The job involves dealing with the public. 쑗 Leave it to the filing clerk – he’ll deal with it. 쑗 We will deal with your order as soon as we can. 쑗 The government has to deal with the problem of teenage crime. 2. to be about a subject 쑗 The report deals with travel insurance. dean /di n/ noun 1. a person in charge of priests in a cathedral 쑗 He was appointed Dean of St Paul’s. 2. a person in charge of teachers at a university 쑗 the Dean of the Arts Faculty ① dear /də/ adj 1. well liked, loved 쑗 She’s a very dear friend of mine. 쑗 We had a letter from dear old Mrs Smith. 2. 왍 Dear Sir or Madam addressing a man or woman whom you do not know, or addressing a company (used at the beginning of a letter ) 왍 Dear Sirs addressing a company 왍 Dear Mr or Mrs or Miss or Ms Smith addressing a man or woman whom you know 왍 Dear James or Julia addressing a friend or a person you do business with 3. costing a lot of money 쑗 . dearest 207 Fresh fruit is always dearer in the winter. 쑗 That restaurant is too dear for me. (NOTE: dearer – dearest) 쐽 interj meaning how annoying 쑗 Oh dear! It’s started to rain. 쑗 Dear me! Is that how late it is! 쐽 noun a way of referring to someone you like 쑗 Be a dear, and pass me my glasses. 쑗 Did you have a good day at the office, dear? dearest / dərəst/ adj most loved (dated) dearly / dəli/ adv 1. very much 쑗 I’d dearly like to go to Cuba on holiday. 쑗 She loved her old cat dearly, and was very sad when he died. 2. at a high cost, especially in terms of pain or suffering 쑗 She became a highly paid executive, but paid dearly for the privilege. dearth /d" θ/ noun a shortage of something. Synonym lack. Antonym glut ① death /deθ/ noun 1. the act of dying or the state of being dead 쑗 She never got over her mother’s death. 쑗 Road accidents caused over 1,000 deaths last year. 왍 to put someone to death to execute someone 2. 왍 to death completely (informal ) 쑗 He was bored to death sitting watching football on television. 쑗 I am sick to death of always having to do the housework. deathbed / deθbed/ noun a bed on which someone is dying death certificate / deθ sətfkət/ noun a paper signed by a doctor which shows that someone has died and what was the cause of death death duty / deθ dju ti/ noun US a tax paid on the value of the things left by a dead person (NOTE: The British term is inheri. tance tax.) deathly / deθli/ adv as if dead 쑗 As she read the letter she turned deathly pale. Synonym extremely. Antonym slightly 쐽 adj like death 쑗 He gave a cheery ‘Hello there!’ as he walked in, only to be greeted by a deathly silence. Synonym deadly death penalty / deθ pen(ə)lti/ noun a legal sentence of a criminal to be executed death rate / deθ ret/ noun the percentage of deaths per thousand of population death sentence / deθ sentəns/ noun a punishment of a court by which a person is sentenced to be executed death squad / deθ skwɒd/ noun a group of soldiers or other armed people, who are sent to kill enemies of the people in power death throes / deθ θrəυz/ plural noun great suffering just before death death toll / deθ təυl/ noun the number of people who have been killed, e.g. in an accident or an earthquake deathtrap / deθtrp/ noun a dangerous place (informal ) . debt collector débâcle /de bɑ k(ə)l/ noun a sudden defeat or collapse debar /d bɑ / verb to prevent someone from doing something debase /d bes/ verb to reduce the worth or the quality of something debatable /d betəb(ə)l/ adj not absolutely certain. Synonym arguable. Antonym settled ① debate /d bet/ noun 1. a discussion 쑗 After his talk the professor had a lively debate with the students. 쑗 There has been some debate among experts about whether global warming is really taking place. 2. a formal discussion ending with a vote 쑗 a debate on increasing student fees 쐽 verb 1. to consider or discuss a subject 2. to discuss something carefully before coming to a decision 쑗 We sat in the rain and debated what to do next. debauched /d bɔ tʃt/ adj spending your life in wild living and sexual pleasure. Synonym decadent debauchery /d bɔ tʃəri/ noun the fact of living a wild life. Antonym morality debilitating /d bltetŋ/ adj which makes you weak debit / debt/ noun 1. money which is paid out or taken out of an account 쑗 Your bank statement gives a list of credits and debits at the end of each month. 2. money which is owed 쑗 a debit balance 쐽 verb 왍 to debit money to an account, to debit an account with money to deduct money from an account 쑗 The whole bill was debited to my account. 쑗 My account was debited with the whole bill. 앳 on the debit side 1. owing 2. reasons for not doing something debit card / debt kɑ d/ noun a plastic card, similar to a credit card, but which automatically debits your account when you buy something debrief verb to ask someone for information about an important job which he or she has just done 쐽 noun same as debriefing debriefing /di bri fŋ/ noun a meeting at which someone gives information about an important job which he or she has just done. Synonym debrief debris / debri / noun pieces of something, e.g. a demolished building or crashed aircraft. Synonym wreckage (NOTE: no plural) ② debt /det/ noun money owed to someone 쑗 Her debts are mounting up. 왍 to be in debt to owe money 쑗 He is in debt to the tune of £2,500. 왍 to get into debt to start to owe money 왍 to be out of debt not to owe money any more. 쏡 in the red debt collector / det kəlektə/ noun a person who collects money owed to other people debtor 208 ③ debtor / detə/ noun a person who owes money. Synonym borrower debt relief / det rli f/ noun the practice of a rich country allowing a poor country not to pay back its debt debug /di bDZ/ verb 1. to remove hidden microphones from a place 2. to remove errors from a computer program (NOTE: debugged) debunk /di bŋk/ verb to show that some- thing is not true debut / debju / noun the first public appearance of someone such as an actor ② decade / deked/ noun a period of ten years 쑗 during the last decade of the 20th century decadent / dekəd(ə)nt/ adj which is declining in moral values. Synonym debauched decaf, decaff noun / di kf/ a drink, e.g. coffee or cola, which has had the caffeine removed 쐽 adj which has had the caffeine removed decaffeinated /di kfnetd/ adj with all caffeine removed decamp /d kmp/ verb to go away unexpectedly. Synonym run away decant /d knt/ verb to pour wine from a bottle into another container, so as to remove the sediment. Antonym fill decanter /d kntə/ noun a glass bottle in which an alcoholic drink such as whisky or sherry is stored for a time decapitate /d kptet/ verb to cut off someone’s head. Synonym behead decapitation /dkp teʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of cutting off someone’s head decathlete /dek θli t/ noun an athlete who competes in the decathlon decathlon /d kθlɒn/ noun an athletic contest for men, covering ten events, held over two days decay /d ke/ noun the process of rotting or of falling into ruin 쑗 The government has plans to deal with inner city decay. 쑗 Tooth decay is especially bad in children who eat sweets. 쑗 You must treat the wood to prevent decay. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to rot, to fall into ruin 쑗 Sugar makes your teeth decay. 쑗 The jungle path was blocked by decaying branches. deceased /d si st/ noun a person who has died (formal ) 쑗 The deceased’s will was read out by the solicitor. Synonym corpse deceit /d si t/ noun the practice of trying to trick someone into paying money or trying to make someone believe something which is not true. Synonym dishonesty (NOTE: no deciduous deceive /d si v/ verb to trick someone, to make someone believe something which is not true decelerate /di seləret/ verb (of a vehicle) to go more slowly. Synonym slow down deceleration /di selə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of going more slowly ① December /d sembə/ noun the twelfth and last month of the year, after November and before January 쑗 December 6 쑗 She was born in December. 쑗 His birthday is December 25th – Christmas Day! 쑗 They always go on a skiing holiday in December. 쑗 Today is December 6th. (NOTE: December 6th or December 6: say ‘the sixth of December’ or ‘December the sixth’ or in US English ‘December sixth’.) decency / di s(ə)nsi/ noun honour; good morals (NOTE: no plural) ② decent / di s(ə)nt/ adj 1. honest 쑗 The boss is a hard-working decent man. 2. quite good 쑗 She earns a decent salary. 3. prop- deceitful /d si tf(ə)l/ adj often tricking erly dressed, wearing clothes 쑗 You can’t come in yet – I’m not decent. decentralise /di sentrəlaz/, decentralize verb to move power, authority or action from a central point to local areas. Synonym devolve. Antonym centralise ③ deception /d sepʃən/ noun the practice of telling a lie in order to trick someone, especially into giving you money deceptive /d septv/ adj not as it seems. Antonym reliable 왍 appearances are deceptive things are not always what they appear to be on the surface deceptively /d septvli/ adv not as it seems decibel / desbel/ noun a unit for measuring the loudness of a sound ① decide /d sad/ verb to make up your mind to do something 쑗 Have you decided which restaurant to go to? 쑗 They decided to stay at home and watch TV. ① decide against /d sad əDZenst/ verb to make up your mind not to do something 쑗 She decided against spending her money on a new car. decided /d sadd/ adj 1. 왍 a decided tone or manner a firm tone or manner 2. certain or obvious 쑗 There’s a decided difference between French and Spanish wines. decidedly /d saddli/ adv 1. certainly 쑗 He’s decidedly fatter than he was before he went on holiday. 쑗 It’s decidedly colder this week. 2. in a firm manner 쑗 ‘I’m not going with you’, she said decidedly. deciduous /d sdjuəs/ adj (of a tree) losing its leaves in the winter. Compare people. Synonym dishonest evergreen . plural) decimal 209 decimal / desm(ə)l/ noun a fraction expressed as tenths, hundredths and thousandths 쑗 Three-quarters is 0.75 in decimals. 왍 to three places of decimals, to three decimal places with three figures shown after the decimal point 쑗 67 divided by 13 gives 5.154 to three places of decimals. decimal point / desm(ə)l pɔnt/ noun a dot used to show the division between whole numbers and parts of numbers in decimals, such as 2.05 COMMENT: The decimal point is used in the USA and Britain: 4.75%. In most European countries a comma is used to show the decimal: 4,75%. decimate / desmet/ verb 1. to kill people in large numbers. Synonym devastate 2. to reduce something by a large amount 쑗 German forests have been decimated by acid rain. 쑗 Our sales have been decimated by the rise in the value of the pound. decipher /d safə/ verb to read or make out something which has been badly written or written in code. Synonym decode. Antonym encode ① decision /d sȢ(ə)n/ noun the act of making up your mind to do something 왍 to come to or reach or take a decision to decide to do something 쑗 They talked for hours but didn’t come to any decision. 쑗 He thought about the job offer, but, in the end, took the decision to stay where he was. ③ decisive /d sasv/ adj 1. firm and confident 쑗 He was nervous but tried to sound decisive. 2. which brings about a result 쑗 The second and decisive round of voting takes place next Sunday. 쑗 Her action was decisive in obtaining the release of the hostages. deck /dek/ noun 1. a floor of a ship or bus 쑗 I’ll stay on deck because I’m feeling seasick. 쑗 Let’s go up to the top deck – you can see the sights better from there. 2. US a set of playing cards 쑗 She shuffled the deck. (NOTE: The British term is pack of cards.) 3. US a wooden platform on the outside of a house 쑗 We had drinks outside on the deck. 4. an apparatus for playing cassettes deckchair / dektʃeə/ noun a long folding canvas chair for sitting in the sun deckhand / dekhnd/ noun a sailor who does various jobs on the deck decking / dekŋ/ noun pieces of wood used to make a platform outside a house ③ declaration /deklə reʃ(ə)n/ noun an official statement ② declare /d kleə/ verb 1. to state something officially 쑗 The Senator declared his intention to run for President. 쑗 She was declared dead on arrival at hospital. 쑗 It was declared that Mrs Broom was elected chair by 46 votes. 2. to list the goods you are carry- decoration ing on which you may need to pay customs duty 쑗 The customs officials asked him if he had anything to declare. 쑗 Go through the green channel if you have nothing to declare. declassified /di klsfad/ adj (of information) which has been officially declared to be no longer secret ② decline /d klan/ noun the fact of going downwards 쑗 a welcome decline in the number of cases of pollution 쑗 Sales figures have gone into a sharp decline. Synonym deterioration 쐽 verb 1. to refuse or to turn down an invitation or offer 쑗 She declined their request. 쑗 He declined to come to lunch. 2. to become weaker 쑗 He declined rapidly after he went into hospital. 3. to become less in numbers or amount 쑗 Our sales declined over the last year. 쑗 The fish population has declined sharply. decode /di kəυd/ verb to translate a coded message into normal writing. Synonym decipher. Antonym encode decolonisation /di kɒləna zeʃ(ə)n/, decolonization noun the giving of independence to a state by the country that once controlled it decommission /di kə mʃ(ə)n/ verb to stop using something such as a weapon decompose /di kəm pəυz/ verb (of organic material ) to rot. Synonym rot decomposition /di kɒmpə zʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of rotting. Synonym decay . (NOTE: no plural) decompress /di kəm pres/ verb 1. to reduce the pressure in something 2. to expand a computer file that has been stored in a smaller space to its full size decongestant /di kən dȢestənt/ noun a medicine which makes something such as a blocked nose less congested deconstruct /di kən strkt/ verb to analyse the way language works in literary texts. Synonym critique ③ decorate / dekəret/ verb 1. to paint a room or a building or put new wallpaper in a room 쑗 She can’t come to the phone – she’s decorating the kitchen. 2. to cover something with pretty or colourful things to make it look attractive or to celebrate an occasion 쑗 The streets were decorated with flags. 3. to put icing on a cake 쑗 Christmas cakes are decorated with white icing. 4. to award someone a medal 쑗 He was decorated for bravery. ③ decoration /dekə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of decorating a place 쑗 She is in charge of the decoration of the church for the wedding. 2. the action of painting a room or building 쑗 The decoration of the town hall took over a year. 3. things added to make something more attractive 쑗 The only decoration allowed was a pattern of geometric shapes. 4. a medal 쑗 He went to Buckingham decorative 210 Palace to receive his decoration from the Queen. 쑗 Old soldiers were wearing their decorations for the November 11th parade. decorative / dek(ə)rətv/ adj pleasant to look at; serving as a decoration. Antonym ugly decorator / dekəretə/ noun a person who paints the inside and outside of buildings decorum /d kɔ rəm/ noun the practice of being well behaved. Synonym dignity. Antonym abandon (NOTE: no plural) decoy noun / di kɔ/ an object or a person that is placed to attract and trap something 쑗 When they go duck shooting, they use wooden duck decoys which they float on the water. 쑗 They used a woman police officer to act as a decoy to try to trap the mugger. Synonym lure 쐽 verb /d kɔ/ to attract and trap something or someone. Synonym entice decrease noun / di kri s/ the fact of falling or becoming less 쑗 a decrease in traffic 쑗 Sales show a 10% decrease on last year. 쑗 There has been a decrease of 20% in applications to join the club. Synonym reduction 왍 to be on the decrease to be falling 쑗 Road accidents are on the decrease. 쐽 verb /dkri s/ to fall or become less 쑗 The number of road accidents is decreasing. 쑗 Applications to join have decreased by 20%. decree /d kri / noun a legal order which has not been voted by a parliament 쑗 The President has issued a decree banning short dresses. Synonym ruling. Antonym request 왍 by royal decree by a decree from a king or queen 쐽 verb to state something as a legal order 쑗 The President has decreed that everyone must work on Saturdays. decrepit /d krept/ adj old, feeble and falling to pieces decriminalise /di krmnəlaz/, decriminalize verb to make something or an action no longer a crime decry /d kra/ verb to criticise something or say that something is bad. Synonym criticise. Antonym praise dedicate / dedket/ verb 1. to place a church under the patronage of a saint 쑗 The chapel was dedicated to St Christopher in the 13th century. 2. to offer a book to someone as a mark of respect or affection 쑗 He dedicated his collection of poems to his wife. 3. to spend all your life doing something 쑗 She dedicated her life to the service of the poor. dedicated / dedketd/ adj 1. giving a lot of time and effort to achieve something 쑗 Her life was saved by the dedicated surgical team at the hospital. 2. reserved for a particular task 쑗 There’s one dedicated graphics workstation in the network. ③ dedication /ded keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. spending your life doing something 쑗 Her dedication and hard work are admirable. 2. a deep end note printed at the beginning of a book or play, where the author offers his or her work to someone as a mark of respect or affection deduce /d dju s/ verb to conclude something from examining the evidence (formal ) deduct /d dkt/ verb to remove an amount from a sum of money. Synonym subtract 왍 tax deducted at source tax which is removed from something, e.g. wages or interest payments, before the money is paid deductible /d dktb(ə)l/ adj likely to be deducted deduction /d dkʃən/ noun 1. a conclusion reached 쑗 Their deduction was correct. 왍 by a process of deduction by looking at the evidence and reaching a conclusion 2. a sum of money which is taken away 쑗 There is an automatic deduction for insurance. 쑗 Net wages are wages after deduction of tax and social security payments. ③ deed /di d/ noun an act, especially a noble one 쑗 stories of great deeds performed during the war deed poll / di d pəυl/ noun a legal document, signed by one party only, used when someone changes his or her name ③ deem /di m/ verb to consider something or someone to be something (formal ) ① deep /di p/ adj 1. which goes a long way down 쑗 The water is very deep in the middle of the river. 쑗 This is the deepest lake in North America. 쑗 In the shallow end of the pool, the water is only a few centimetres deep. 쏡 depth 2. (of a colour) dark 쑗 a deep brown carpet 3. felt very strongly 쑗 We want to express our deepest admiration for what you have done. 4. 왍 deep in thought absorbed by thought 쑗 She sat in a corner, deep in thought. 5. (of a sound) low 쑗 Who’s been sitting on my chair? said Father Bear in his deep voice. (NOTE: deeper – deepest) 쐽 adv a long way down 쑗 The mine goes deep under the sea. deepen / di pən/ verb 1. to become deeper 쑗 The water deepened as he walked out into the lake. 2. to make something become deeper 쑗 They’re going to deepen the channel so that bigger boats can use the harbour.3. to become more difficult to understand 쑗 The mystery deepened. deep end / di p end/ noun the end of a swimming pool where the water is deep 왍 to throw someone in at the deep end to give someone a difficult job to start with, to start someone on a new job without any preparation (informal ) 쑗 When she started her teaching career she was thrown in at the deep end by having to teach a class of 15-year-old boys. 왍 to go off the deep end to get very annoyed (informal ) 쑗 He went off the deep end when he heard that his car had been stolen again. . . . . deep-freeze 211 deep-freeze /di p fri z/ noun a freezer, a refrigerator for freezing food and keeping it frozen 쑗 I’ll put the chicken in the deep-freeze until next week. 쐽 verb to freeze food and keep it frozen 쑗 We deep-freeze a lot of the vegetables from our garden. 쑗 He bought some deep-frozen shrimps. deep-fried /di p frad/ adj which has been cooked in a deep pan of boiling oil or fat deep-fry / di p fra/ verb to cook food in deep boiling oil or fat ③ deeply / di pli/ adv 1. very much 쑗 We deeply regret having to make so many people redundant. 2. 왍 to sleep deeply to sleep without waking 쑗 After taking the drug she slept deeply for ten hours. deep-rooted /di p ru td/ adj which you have had for a long time and which you feel strongly deep-sea / di p si / adj in the deepest part of the sea deep-seated /di p si td/ adj that has lasted a long time and will be difficult to change. Synonym innate deep-set /di p set/ adj (of eyes) which have deep sockets Deep South /di p saυθ/ noun the Southern States of the United States deer /də/ noun a wild animal of which the male has long horns or antlers, and which is often hunted (NOTE: Do not confuse with dear. The plural is deer; the female is a doe, the male is a stag, the young are fawns. Note also that the meat from a deer is called venison.) deface /d fes/ verb to damage the surface of something by writing on or scratching it. Synonym damage. Antonym renovate de facto /de fktəυ/ adj ‘in fact’, existing in fact, even though perhaps not legally. Compare de jure defamation /defə meʃ(ə)n/ noun 왍 defamation of character the act of ruining someone’s character by saying or writing rude things about him or her defamatory /d fmət(ə)ri/ adj which is done to ruin someone’s reputation. Synonym insulting. Antonym complimentary default /d fɔ lt/ noun 1. 왍 to be in default to have failed to carry out the terms of a contract 2. a set way of working 쐽 verb to fail to carry out the terms of a contract 왍 to default on payments not to make payments which are due 쑗 He paid his mortgage regularly for six months and then defaulted on the payments. defaulter /d fɒltə/ noun 1. a person who defaults 쑗 There are heavy penalties for defaulters. 2. (in the army) a soldier who is being punished defend defeat /d fi t/ noun the loss of a fight, vote or game 쑗 The government suffered a defeat in Parliament last night. 쑗 It was the team’s first defeat for two years. 쐽 verb to beat someone in a fight, game or vote 쑗 The proposal was defeated by 10 votes to 3. 쑗 The ruling party was heavily defeated in the presidential election. 쑗 Our team has not been defeated so far this season. defecate / defəket/ verb to pass waste matter from the bowels through the anus (formal ) Synonym excrete defecation /defə keʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of defecating defect noun / di fekt/ a fault 쑗 There must be a defect in the computer program. Synonym flaw 쐽 verb /d fekt/ 왍 to defect (to the enemy) to leave your country and join the enemy 쑗 She defected while on a tour of South East Asia. defection /d fekʃən/ noun the act of leaving your country or party and going over to the side of the enemy or opposition defective /d fektv/ adj faulty defector /d fektə/ noun a person who defects to the enemy. Synonym traitor. Antonym loyalist ① defence /d fens/ noun 1. protection against something, e.g attack or infection. 쑗 Several people ran to her defence when she was attacked by muggers. 쑗 These tablets offer a limited defence against the disease. 2. protection provided by the armed forces 쑗 Some countries spend more on defence than on education. 왍 the Ministry of Defence the government department dealing with the army, navy and air force 3. (in games) a part of a team whose job is to protect the goal 쑗 The England defence came under attack from the Brazilian forwards. 4. 왍 a defence counsel lawyer who represents the defendant in a lawsuit 5. (in a law court) the lawyers acting for the accused person (NOTE: [all senses] ③ . The US spelling is defense.) defenceless /d fensləs/ adj not able to protect yourself (NOTE: The US spelling is defenseless.) defences /d fensz/ plural noun walls, trenches, etc., which are made to protect something (NOTE: The US spelling is defenses.) 왍 when your defences are down when you are not prepared for an attack 쑗 Pickpockets often strike when you’re relaxing and your defences are down. ① defend /d fend/ verb 1. to protect someone who is being attacked 쑗 He jumped forward to defend his wife against the robbers. 쑗 She couldn’t defend herself against the assault. 2. (in a law court) to speak on behalf of an accused person 쑗 He hired the best lawyers to defend him. 쑗 the barrister who is defending my uncle 왍 to defend a lawsuit to defendant 212 appear in court to state your case when accused of something 3. to write or speak in support of something 쑗 There is no point in trying to defend the committee’s action. ② defendant /d fendənt/ noun (in a law court) a person who is accused of doing something illegal or a person who is sued in a civil case COMMENT: In a civil case, the defendant faces a complaint from the claimant. In a criminal case, the defendant (also called the accused) is being prosecuted for a crime by the prosecution. defender /d fendə/ noun 1. a person who defends a place, e.g. a castle or town 쑗 The defenders surrendered after 90 days, when they ran out of food. 2. a player who defends the goal 쑗 The defenders were continually passing the ball back to the goalkeeper. defensive /d fensv/ adj which protects someone or something 쑗 They built a defensive wall around the camp. 쐽 noun 왍 to be on the defensive about something to feel you need to give reasons for having done something 쑗 She’s always on the defensive about her decision to resign. defer /d f" / verb 1. to put something back to a later date, to postpone something 쑗 to defer payment 쑗 The decision has been deferred until the next meeting. 2. 왍 to defer to someone or someone’s opinion to accept someone’s advice 쑗 She defers to her husband in everything. deference / def(ə)rəns/ noun respect 왍 in deference to or out of deference to someone or something to show respect for someone 쑗 In deference to his wife, who is Muslim, he refused to allow alcohol in his house. 쑗 She put a shawl over her head out of deference to the monastery rules. defiance /d faəns/ noun a very proud action against an opponent. Synonym insubordination. Antonym compliance 왍 as an act of defiance to show that you are defying someone 쑗 He kept his hat on in church as an act of defiance. 왍 in defiance of someone or something acting proudly against someone or something 쑗 Their protest march took place in defiance of a police order. defiant /d faənt/ adj very bold in refusing to obey someone or something. Synonym disobedient. Antonym compliant deficiency /d fʃ(ə)nsi/ noun 1. a lack of something 쑗 Their diet has a deficiency in calcium or has a calcium deficiency. 2. money lacking 쑗 There is a £10 deficiency in the petty cash. 3. 왍 the deficiencies of a system faults which make a system work badly deficient /d fʃ(ə)nt/ adj 왍 to be deficient in something to lack something 쑗 The soil is ③ deflated deficient in important nutrients. 쑗 Their diet is deficient in calcium or they have a calcium-deficient diet. deficit / defst/ noun an amount by which expenditure is more than receipts in a company’s or a country’s accounts. Synonym shortfall. Antonym surplus 왍 to make good a deficit to put money into an account to balance it 왍 a country’s balance of payments or trade deficit a situation when a country imports more than it exports 쑗 The UK’s balance of payments deficit has fallen by £2 billion. defile noun / di fal/ a narrow path between mountains 쑗 They were ambushed in a mountain defile and killed. 쐽 verb /d fal/ to make something corrupt or no longer pure 쑗 Soldiers defiled the holy temple. ② define /d fan/ verb 1. to explain something clearly or to give the meaning of something 쑗 How would you define an environmentalist? 쑗 The memo tried to define the way in which the two departments should work together. 2. to indicate the limits of something 쑗 The police operate within limits that have been clearly defined. defined /d fand/ adj 1. which has been described exactly 쑗 The committee works within carefully defined terms of reference. 2. clear, not blurred 쑗 The trees stood sharply defined against the snow of the hills behind. ③ definite / def(ə)nət/ adj very clear or sure 쑗 I need a definite answer. 쑗 He was quite definite that he had seen the girl at the bus stop. definite article /def(ə)nət ɑ tk(ə)l/ noun the word ‘the’ in English, or a word with a similar use in another language ① definitely / def(ə)nətli/ adv certainly or surely 쑗 I’ll definitely be there by 7 o’clock. 쑗 Are you coming? – definitely not! ② definition /def nʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the clear explanation of a word 쑗 A bilingual dictionary doesn’t give definitions, only translations. 쑗 Look up the definition of ‘democracy’ in the dictionary. 2. (of a photograph) the quality of being clear and having sharp lines 쑗 The close-ups are clear, but your landscape photos lack definition. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) definitive /d fntv/ adj final, which cannot be improved on deflate /di flet/ verb 1. to let the air out of something, e.g. of a tyre or balloon 쑗 Their hot air balloon began to deflate. 2. 왍 to deflate the economy to reduce activity in the economy by cutting the supply of money 쑗 The government may be forced to deflate the economy because of rising imports. deflated /di fletd/ adj feeling unhappy and lacking confidence in yourself deflation 213 deflation /difleʃ(ə)n/ noun a reduction of economic activity. Antonym inflation deflect /dflekt/ verb to turn aside something, e.g. an arrow or a bullet, so that it goes in another direction deforestation /difɒrsteʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of cutting down trees from an area of land deform /dfɔm/ verb to change the shape of something in a way that is not attractive deformed /dfɔmd/ adj having a twisted or unattractive shape deformity /dfɔmti/ noun the fact of being deformed defragment /difrDZment/ verb to arrange the storage space in a computer defraud /dfrɔd/ verb 왍 to defraud someone of his money to cheat someone to get his money 쑗 He defrauded the old lady of £10,000. defray /dfre/ verb to provide money to pay someone’s costs defrost /difrɒst/ verb 1. to remove ice which has formed in a refrigerator or freezer 쑗 I must defrost the freezer. 2. (of frozen food ) to thaw out 쑗 A large turkey will take 24 hours to defrost. deft /deft/ adj very agile or clever with your hands. Antonym clumsy (NOTE: defter – . deftest) defunct /dfŋkt/ adj which is no longer used or in existence defuse /difjuz/ verb 1. to take the fuse out of a bomb so that it cannot explode 쑗 An army unit was brought in to defuse the bomb. 2. to make a situation less tense 쑗 The chairman made some jokes to try to defuse the situation. 쑗 The UN Secretary General has moved to try to defuse the crisis. defy /dfa/ verb 1. to refuse to obey the law 쑗 He should never have tried to defy the university authorities. 2. 왍 to defy someone to do something to challenge someone to do something (formal ) 쑗 I defy you to jump higher than that. degenerate adj /ddȢen(ə)rət/ which has become morally weak or bad 쑗 He was shocked by the student art exhibition which he termed ‘degenerate scribbling’. 쐽 verb /ddȢenəret/ to get worse 쑗 Her condition degenerated quickly once she went into hospital. 쑗 The celebrations rapidly degenerated into rioting. Synonym deteriorate 쐽 noun /ddȢen(ə)rət/ a person who is morally weak or bad 쑗 The people who did this are moral degenerates. degrade /dDZred/ verb 1. to make someone do something that is humiliating 쑗 She had no money but refused to degrade herself by making false social security claims. 2. to change a chemical compound into a simpler . delegate form, to decompose 쑗 Some plastics will degrade if left in the sun. degrading /dDZredŋ/ adj which makes a person like an animal. Synonym humiliating ① degree /dDZri/ noun 1. the division of a scale 쑗 an angle of 80° 쑗 The temperature of the water is above 20°. (NOTE: With figures, degree is usually written as the symbol °: 25° Celsius.) 2. a level 쑗 To what degree do you think the driver was to blame for the accident? 왍 to a certain degree partly 쑗 It’s his own fault to a certain degree. 3. a diploma from a university 쑗 She has a degree in mathematics from Oxford. 왍 to have a master’s degree to have gained a second, more advanced, degree from a university dehydrate /dihadret/ verb 1. to remove water from something 2. to lose water from the body dehydrated /dihadretd/ adj 1. (of food ) which has had all the water removed from it 2. (of a person) who has lost water from the body 쑗 After two days without food or drink, he became severely dehydrated. dehydration /dihadreʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of becoming dehydrated de-ice /di as/ verb to remove the ice from something. Antonym ice up deification /defkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of making someone into a god. Synonym elevation deign /den/ verb to be gracious enough to do something. Synonym condescend deity /deti/ noun a god. Synonym divin. ity (NOTE: The plural is deities.) déjà vu /deȢɑ vu/ adv a feeling that you have already seen something before 쑗 When he came into the room, he immediately had a feeling of déjà vu. dejected /ddȢektd/ adj very unhappy or discouraged de jure /de dȢυəri/ adj by law or as a matter of law, where the legal title is clear. Compare de facto ② delay /dle/ noun the length of time that something is late 쑗 There will be a delay of ten minutes before the meeting starts. 쑗 We are sorry for the delay in replying to your letter. 쐽 verb 1. to make someone or something late 쑗 The train has been delayed by fog. 쑗 He was delayed because his taxi had an accident. 2. to put something off until later 쑗 We will delay making a decision until we see the result of the election. 쑗 The company has delayed payment of all invoices. delegate noun /delDZət/ a person who represents others at a meeting 쑗 The minister met delegates from the union. 쐽 verb /deləDZet/ to pass authority or responsibility on to someone else 쑗 She finds it difficult to delegation 214 delegate. 쑗 He delegated the job of locking up the shop to the junior manager. delegation /delDZeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a group of representatives 쑗 The minister met a union delegation. 2. the act of passing authority or responsibility on to someone else 쑗 The secret of good management is delegation. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) delete /dlit/ verb to cut out part of ③ something, e.g. a document or a computer file. Synonym erase. Antonym insert deletion /dliʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of deleting something 쑗 The court asked for the deletion of several sentences from the magazine article. 쑗 She made several deletions to the original text. 2. a word or phrase which has been deleted 쑗 In spite of all the deletions, the article is still too long. deli /deli/ noun same as delicatessen (informal ) ③ deliberate adj /dlb(ə)rət/ 1. slow and thoughtful in speaking or doing something 쑗 She has a very deliberate way of signing her name. 2. done on purpose 쑗 It was a deliberate attempt to spoil her birthday party. 쐽 verb /dlbəret/ 1. to debate or discuss something 쑗 The council were deliberating all morning. 쑗 The jury left the courtroom to deliberate. 2. to think carefully about something 쑗 I’ll need some time to deliberate on the possible ways of solving the problem. ③ deliberately /dlb(ə)rətli/ adv 1. on purpose 쑗 It was an accident – I didn’t hit her deliberately. 쑗 He deliberately left the cage door open. 2. slowly and thoughtfully 쑗 She walked deliberately up the steps onto the platform. deliberation /dlbəreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. great care 쑗 He moved his king with great deliberation and leant back with a smile. 2. a discussion 쑗 After lengthy deliberations the meeting voted on the proposal. 쑗 Did their deliberations produce any result? delicacy /delkəsi/ noun 1. sensitivity 쑗 It is a question which has to be handled with great delicacy. 2. the state of being delicate 쑗 The delicacy of the glasses means that they have to be handled very carefully. (NOTE: no plural in meanings 1 and 2) 3. an unusual and tasty thing to eat 쑗 They bought all sorts of delicacies for the Christmas party. (NOTE: . The plural in this meaning is delicacies.) delicate /delkət/ adj 1. easily damaged 쑗 a delicate china vase 2. liable to get illnesses Little babies are very delicate. 쑗 She was a delicate child. 3. very soft and fine 쑗 a delicate silk blouse 4. possibly difficult 쑗 He is in a delicate situation. 5. very sensitive and precise 쑗 Only the most delicate instruments can register the sound. delicately /delkətli/ adv with great care 쑗 delta delicatessen /delkətes(ə)n/ noun a shop selling cold meats and imported food products delicious /dlʃəs/ adj which tastes very good 쑗 Can I have another piece of that delicious cake? delight /dlat/ noun pleasure 쑗 Their singing was a pure delight. 쑗 The news was greeted with delight by the waiting crowd. Synonym joy. Antonym displeasure 왍 to take great delight in something to take great pleasure in something 쐽 verb to give great pleasure to someone 쑗 His speech delighted the audience. 왍 to delight in something to take great pleasure in something 쑗 She delights in teasing her little brother. ② delighted /dlatd/ adj very pleased. Antonym unhappy ② delightful /dlatf(ə)l/ adj very pleasant delineate /dlniet/ verb 1. to draw something or someone 2. to describe something or someone in detail delinquency /dlŋkwənsi/ noun the act of committing a minor crime, or the number of such acts that are committed delinquent /dlŋkwənt/ noun 왍 a juvenile delinquent, a delinquent US a young criminal who commits crimes, especially against property delirious /dlriəs/ adj 1. suffering from delirium 쑗 She collapsed and became delirious. 2. very excited and happy 쑗 They were delirious when they won the lottery. delirium /dlriəm/ noun a mental state in which a person is confused, restless and very excited and has hallucinations ② deliver /dlvə/ verb 1. to bring something to someone 쑗 Has today’s newspaper been delivered? 쑗 He delivered the letter himself so as to save buying a stamp. 왍 to deliver the goods to do what you promised to do 쑗 You can always rely on him to deliver the goods. 2. 왍 to deliver a baby to help a mother when a baby is being born 쑗 The twins were delivered by the midwife. ② delivery /dlv(ə)ri/ noun 1. the act of bringing something to someone 쑗 There is no charge for delivery within the London area. 쑗 Use the rear entrance for deliveries. 쑗 The next delivery will be on Thursday. 왍 to take delivery of goods to receive goods which are delivered and sign for them 2. the birth of a child 쑗 The midwife will supervise the delivery. delphinium /delfniəm/ noun a popular garden plant with tall blue flowers delta /deltə/ noun 1. a triangular piece of land at the mouth of a large river, formed of silt carried by the river 쑗 the Mississippi Delta 쑗 Deltas are created by alluvial delude 215 deposits. 2. the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet. Symbol delude /dlud/ verb to make someone believe something which is wrong. Synonym deceive deluge /deljudȢ/ noun 1. a flood of something, e.g. questions or orders 쑗 We had a deluge of phone calls after our TV commercial. 2. a heavy rainfall 쑗 It had been dry for weeks and then last Saturday we had a deluge. 쐽 verb 1. to flood a place 2. to overwhelm someone with a flood of something 쑗 We were deluged with phone calls. delusion /dluȢ(ə)n/ noun a false belief which a person holds which cannot be changed by reason 왍 to be under a delusion to have a wrong idea 쑗 The boss is under the delusion that everyone really likes him. de luxe /d lks/ adj very expensive or of very high quality delve /delv/ verb to dig 왍 to delve into something to investigate something 쑗 He has been delving into the past history of the family. ① demand /dmɑnd/ noun 1. the act of asking for something 쑗 a demand for payment 쑗 Her latest demands are quite unreasonable. 2. the need for goods or services at a certain price 쑗 We cannot keep up with the demand for our services. 쑗 We can’t sell the book, because there is no demand for it.왍 to meet or fill a demand to supply what is needed 쑗 The factory had to increase production to meet the extra demand. 왍 there is not much demand for this item not many people want to buy this item 왍 this item is in great demand many people want to buy this item 왍 the law of supply and demand the general rule that the amount of a product which is available is linked to the amount which is wanted by customers 쐽 verb to ask firmly for something 쑗 She demanded a refund. 쑗 I demand an explanation. ③ demanding /dmɑndŋ/ adj which takes up much time and energy demarcate /dimɑket/ verb to fix the boundaries of something (formal ) demarcation /dimɑkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of showing boundaries demean /dmin/ verb 왍 to demean yourself to make yourself appear undignified 쑗 Don’t demean yourself by dressing up as a fairy. demeaning /dminŋ/ adj which makes you appear undignified demeanour /dminə/ noun a person's behaviour or manner (NOTE: The US spelling is . demeanor.) demented /dmentd/ adj mad (informal ) . Synonym irrational. Antonym rational demonstrably dementia /dmenʃə/ noun a loss of mental ability and memory, causing confusion and changes to the personality, due to a disease of the brain Demerara sugar /deməreərə ʃυDZə/ noun a light brown sugar with large crystals demilitarised zone /dimltərazd zəυn/ noun an area which is no longer occupied by soldiers demise /dmaz/ noun a death (formal ) demister /dimstə/ noun a fan of warm air in a car, used to prevent the windows misting up demo /deməυ/ noun same as demonstration. Synonym protest ② democracy /dmɒkrəsi/ noun 1. a country governed by freely elected representatives of the people 쑗 We live in a democracy. (NOTE: The plural is democracies.) 2. a system of government by freely elected representatives of the people 쑗 The people want democracy, not a dictatorship. ③ democrat /deməkrt/ noun a person who believes in democracy 쑗 All true democrats will unite against the dictator. ② democratic /deməkrtk/ adj referring to democracy 쑗 They promised to restore democratic government. democratically /deməkrtkli/ adv in a democratic way Democratic Party /deməkrtk pɑti/ noun one of the two main political parties in the United States, which is in favour of some social change and state help for poor people demographic /deməDZrfk/ adj referring to demography demographics /deməDZrfks/ plural noun the details of the population of a place demography /dmɒDZrəfi/ noun the study of populations, trends in birth rates, etc. ③ demolish /dmɒlʃ/ verb 1. to knock something down 쑗 We demolished the old church and built a new one. 2. to eat something completely 쑗 He demolished the whole chocolate cake. 3. to show that something is completely wrong 쑗 He wrote an article demolishing the professor’s theories. demolition /deməlʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of knocking down something such as a building. Synonym destruction demon /dimən/ noun 1. a devil 쑗 The picture shows red demons throwing people into a fire. 2. 왍 to be a demon for something to be very enthusiastic about something 쑗 He’s a demon for hard work. 쑗 She’s a real demon on the hockey pitch. demonic /dmɒnk/ adj like a demon demonstrable /dmɒnstrəb(ə)l/ adj which can be proved or demonstrated demonstrably /dmɒnstrəbli/ adv as can be demonstrated . demonstrate 216 ② demonstrate / demənstret/ verb 1. to show something 쑗 This demonstrates how little he has changed. 쑗 He demonstrated how the machine worked. 2. 왍 to demonstrate against something to protest against something in public 쑗 A group were demonstrating against the new motorway. ③ demonstration /demən streʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of showing how something works 쑗 Can you give me a demonstration of how it works? 2. a crowd of people who are protesting against something 쑗 We went shopping and got mixed up in a demonstration in Trafalgar Square. 쑗 They staged demonstrations against the government in several towns. demonstrative /d mɒnstrətv/ adj (of a person) who openly shows his or her feelings 쑗 She’s not very demonstrative, but I think she appreciated her gift all the same. demonstrative pronoun /dmɒnstrətv prəυnaυn/ noun a pronoun such as ‘this’ or ‘those’, which points out something ③ demonstrator / demənstretə/ noun 1. a person who shows how to do something or how pieces of equipment work 쑗 The demonstrator showed how to work the mixer. 2. a person who marches or who forms part of a crowd protesting against something 쑗 A crowd of demonstrators blocked the road. 쑗 The police used water cannon to clear demonstrators from in front of the Parliament building. demoralise /d mɒrəlaz/, demoralize verb to lower the morale or confidence of someone. Synonym dishearten demoralised /d mɒrəlazd/, demoralized adj unhappy and discouraged demoralising /d mɒrəlazŋ/, demoralizing adj which demoralises you or lowers your confidence. Antonym encouraging demote /d məυt/ verb to give someone a less important job or reduce an employee to a lower rank or grade. Synonym downgrade demotion /d məυʃn/ noun the act of giving someone a less important job demure /d mjυə/ adj quiet and serious den /den/ noun 1. a place where an animal hides away 쑗 a lion’s den 2. a small room where you can hide away to work 쑗 Father’s in his den, so don’t disturb him. 3. a meeting place for criminals 쑗 The bar is just a den of thieves. denial /d naəl/ noun a statement that something is not true denigrate / denDZret/ verb to say that someone or something is not very good denim / denm/ noun a thick cotton cloth, usually blue dentistry denims / denmz/ plural noun jeans, blue trousers made of thick cotton cloth denomination /dnɒm neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a unit of money written on a coin, banknote or stamp 쑗 Coins of all denominations are put in the church collection box. 쑗 The bank has run out of small denomination notes. 2. a religious grouping 쑗 The Protestant Church is divided into several denominations. 쑗 What denomination does he belong to? denominational /dnɒm neʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj referring to a particular religious denomination denote /d nəυt/ verb to mean or be a sign of something denouement /de nu mɒŋ/, dénouement noun the ending of something, e.g. a book, play or film, where everything is finally sorted out ③ denounce /d naυns/ verb 1. to blame or to accuse someone or something openly 쑗 Someone denounced him to the police. 쑗 He was denounced as a racist by a fellow professor. 2. to condemn something openly 쑗 She denounced the council’s policy as short-sighted. dense /dens/ adj 1. very thick 쑗 Dense fog closed the airport. 2. crowded together 쑗 They tried to find their way through dense forest. 쑗 I find it difficult to read through 100 pages of dense text. 3. stupid 쑗 How can anybody be so dense? (NOTE: denser – densest) densely / densli/ adv thickly density / densti/ noun 1. (in physics) ③ the amount of mass per unit of volume 쑗 heavy density oils 2. the number of things in a certain area 쑗 London suffers from high population density. 쑗 the high traffic density in the centre of Rome (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is densities.) dent /dent/ noun a slight hollow mark made by hitting something 쑗 Someone has made a dent in my car door. 쐽 verb to make a slight hollow mark in something 쑗 He backed into a tree and dented the wing. dental / dent(ə)l/ adj referring to teeth dental floss / dent(ə)l flɒs/ noun a thin waxed thread for pulling between your teeth to remove pieces of food dental hygienist /dent(ə)l hadȢi nst/ noun a dentist’s assistant, who cleans patients’ teeth, removes plaque and gives treatments with fluoride dental surgeon / dent(ə)l s" dȢən/ noun same as dentist ② dentist / dentst/ noun a person who looks after your teeth dentistry / dentstri/ noun 1. the profession of a dentist 2. the branch of medicine dentures 217 deploy dealing with teeth and gums (NOTE: no departures /d pɑ tʃəz/ plural noun 1. a plural) list of trains, planes, etc., which are leaving 2. the part of an airport terminal which deals with passengers who are leaving ① depend /d pend/ verb 1. to happen because of something or someone 쑗 The success of the book will depend on the publicity campaign. 쑗 I can’t be sure that we will come to lunch – it depends on what time we get home from the party the night before. 왍 it (all) depends it is not certain (informal ) 쑗 We may go to France on holiday, or Spain, it all depends. 2. 왍 to depend on someone or something to rely on or be sure of someone or something 쑗 You can’t depend on Jack – he’s always too busy to help. 쑗 You can depend on her to do her best. 쑗 The company depends on government grants. dependable /d pendəb(ə)l/ adj that can be relied on. Synonym reliable. Antonym dentures / dentʃəz/ plural noun artificial teeth which fit inside the mouth and are used in place of teeth which have been taken out denunciation /dnnsi eʃ(ə)n/ noun a public accusation or blame. Synonym condemnation ② deny /d na/ verb 1. to state that some- thing is not true 쑗 You were there, weren’t you? – Don’t deny it! 쑗 She denied that she had ever seen him. 쑗 He flatly denied stealing the car. 2. 왍 to deny someone something to prevent someone from having something 쑗 He was denied access to the secret government papers. 왍 to deny oneself not to eat or not to do something which you would like to do 쑗 She denied herself a holiday in order to earn enough to pay off her mortgage. deodorant /di əυd(ə)rənt/ noun a substance which hides and prevents unpleasant body smells deoxyribonucleic acid /di ɒksirabəυ nju klek sd/ noun full form of DNA depart /d pɑ t/ verb 1. to go away, to leave 쑗 The coach departs from Victoria Coach Station at 0900. 2. 왍 to depart from the normal procedure to act in a different way from the normal practice 왍 to depart from the truth to tell a lie ① department /d pɑ tmənt/ noun 1. a specialised section of a large company 쑗 He is in charge of the marketing department. 쑗 Write to the complaints department about the service. 2. one of the sections of the government 쑗 the Department for Education and Skills 쑗 the Department of Transport 3. a part of a large shop 쑗 If you want cheese you must go to the food department. 쑗 You will find beds in the furniture department. departmental /di pɑ t ment(ə)l/ adj referring to a department Department for Education and Skills /dpɑ tmənt fər edjυkeʃ(ə)n ən sklz/ noun the British government department which is concerned with education and training ③ department store /d pɑ tmənt stɔ / noun a large shop with many departments ③ departure /d pɑ tʃə/ noun 1. the act of leaving a place 쑗 The departure time is 3 o’clock. 쑗 The plane’s departure was delayed by two hours. 2. 왍 a departure from something the act of working in a different way from usual 왍 this is a departure from our usual practice we are doing something in a different way from the usual one departure lounge /d pɑ tʃə laυndȢ/ noun a room at an airport where passengers wait to board their planes . unreliable dependant /d pendənt/ noun a member of the family who is financially supported by another (NOTE: Do not confuse with dependent.) ③ dependence /d pendəns/ noun the fact of being dependent on someone or something (NOTE: no plural) dependency /d pendənsi/ noun 1. a country which is ruled by another 쑗 Britain and its former overseas dependencies (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is dependencies.) 2. the fact of being dependent on someone or something 쑗 drug dependency or dependency on drugs ③ dependent /d pendənt/ adj 1. financially supported by someone else 쑗 She has five dependent relatives. 2. relying on someone else 쑗 The patients become very dependent on the hospital staff. 3. caused or affected by something 쑗 The success of the project is dependent on getting a government grant. 4. US spelling of dependant (NOTE: [all senses] Do not confuse with dependant.) depict /d pkt/ verb to show or describe something. Synonym portray depiction /d pkʃən/ noun a way of showing something. Synonym representation deplete /d pli t/ verb to reduce available stocks or stores. Synonym use up depleted /d pli td/ adj containing less of ③ something than before deplorable /d plɔ rəb(ə)l/ adj very bad deplorably /d plɔ rəbli/ adv in a very bad way deplore /d plɔ / verb to say you dislike an action or an attitude or that you are sorry that something has happened (formal ) ③ deploy /d plɔ/ verb to spread out soldiers, etc., ready for action . deployment 218 deployment /d plɔmənt/ noun the act of deploying depopulate /di pɒpjυlet/ verb to reduce the number of people in an area deport /d pɔ t/ verb to expel someone from a country deportation /di pɔ teʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of making a foreigner leave a country depose /d pəυz/ verb to remove a king from the throne or a ruler from office. Synonym overthrow. Antonym install ③ deposit /d pɒzt/ noun 1. money placed in a bank 쑗 Her deposits in the bank had grown over the years. 왍 on deposit in a deposit account 쑗 The money is on deposit in his bank account. 2. money given in advance so that the thing which you want to buy will not be sold to someone else 쑗 She had to pay a deposit on the watch. 쑗 Can you leave £50 as deposit? 쑗 I paid a 30% deposit and don’t have to pay anything more for six months. 3. a layer of a mineral in the ground 쑗 Coal deposits occur in several parts of the country. 쑗 The North Sea oil deposits yield 100,000 barrels a month. 쐽 verb 1. to put money into a bank account 쑗 She deposited £100 in her current account. 쑗 The cheque arrived at long last, and I deposited it immediately. 2. to put something down 쑗 He deposited his hat on the armchair. deposit account /d pɒzt əkaυnt/ noun an account which pays interest but on which notice usually has to be given to withdraw money ③ depot / depəυ/ noun 1. a central warehouse for goods 쑗 a freight depot 쑗 a goods depot 쑗 an oil storage depot 2. a centre for transport 쑗 a bus depot 쑗 a tram depot 3. a central barracks for an army regiment 쑗 He joined the army and was sent to the Guards’ Depot. depraved /d prevd/ adj wicked or immoral. Synonym debauched. Antonym righteous depravity /d prvti/ noun wickednes or immoral behaviour. Synonym debauchery deprecate / deprket/ verb to disapprove of something (NOTE: Do not confuse with depreciate.) depreciate /d pri ʃiet/ verb 1. to lose value 쑗 The pound has depreciated by 5% against the dollar. 2. to reduce the value of assets in accounts 쑗 We depreciate our company cars over three years. (NOTE: Do not confuse with deprecate.) depreciation /dpri ʃi eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a loss of value 쑗 The pound has shown a depreciation of 5% against the dollar. 2. a reduction in the value of an asset such as property deputation depress /d pres/ verb 1. to make someone sad or miserable 쑗 Listening to that particular piece of music always depresses me. 2. to push down a button 쑗 To activate the alarm, depress both buttons simultaneously. ③ depressed /d prest/ adj 1. sad, miserable 쑗 She’s been feeling depressed since the accident. 2. 왍 depressed area a part of a country where many people are poor and unemployed and living conditions are bad 3. pushed down 쑗 If the button is depressed, switch off the electricity. ③ depressing /d presŋ/ adj gloomy ③ depression /d preʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a mental state where you feel miserable and hopeless 쑗 He was in a state of depression after the exams. 쑗 She is subject to fits of depression. 2. a low pressure area bringing bad weather 쑗 The depression coming from the Atlantic will bring rain to most parts of the country. 쑗 Winds move anticlockwise round a depression. 3. an economic crisis 쑗 Have many companies here been affected by the current world depression? 왍 the (Great) Depression the world economic crisis of 1929–33 쑗 All economies suffered during the Depression. 4. a place which is lower than the area round it 쑗 A pool of water had formed in a depression in the rocks. deprivation /depr veʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. s state of being deprived of something 2. a state of not having enough of the things necessary for a normal life, such as food and housing 쑗 They suffered dreadful deprivation(s) during the war. deprive /d prav/ verb 왍 to deprive someone of something to take something away from someone, not to let someone have something 쑗 As a writer, it was dreadful for him to be deprived of paper and pen in prison. deprived /d pravd/ adj not enjoying many of society’s benefits. Synonym disadvantaged. Antonym privileged ③ dept. abbr department ① depth /depθ/ noun 1. a measurement of how deep something is 쑗 The depth of the lake is 20m. 쑗 The submarine dived to a depth of 200m. 2. the deepest or most extreme point 쑗 In the depth of the Russian winter, temperatures can reach –45°C. 쑗 They have a house in the depths of rural Wales. 왍 the depths of despair complete lack of hope 쑗 When he was in the depths of despair he thought of committing suicide. 왍 in depth thoroughly 쑗 to study a subject in depth 쑗 to carry out an in-depth study of a problem deputation /depjυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun a group of people who speak on behalf of others ③ depute 219 depute verb /d pju t/ to give part of your responsibility to someone else 쑗 He was deputed to attend the meeting on my behalf. Synonym delegate 쐽 noun / depju t/ (in Scotland ) a deputy, a person who takes the place of someone else 쑗 the Depute Lord Provost deputise / depjυtaz/, deputize verb 왍 to deputise for someone to take the place of someone 쑗 She’s deputising for the chairman who has a cold. ② deputy / depjυti/ noun 1. a person who can take the place of someone else 쑗 She’s acting as deputy chair while the chair is in hospital. 2. an assistant to a person 쑗 He appointed her as his deputy. derail /di rel/ verb to make a train leave the rails derailment /d relmənt/ noun the action of a train leaving the rails deranged /d rendȢd/ adj behaving in an uncontrolled way because of mental illness derby / dɑ bi/ noun 1. 왍 the Derby an important horse race run each year in June at Epsom in Surrey 쑗 He won the Derby three times. 쑗 She’s the owner of the Derby winner. 2. a bowler hat 3. a sporting contest between local teams 쑗 There are always crowds at the local derby. (NOTE: The plural . is derbies.) deregulate /di reDZjυlet/ verb to remove government restrictions from an industry deregulation /di reDZjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun reducing government control over an industry derelict / derlkt/ adj ruined and abandoned 쑗 They plan to build the housing development on derelict land near the city centre. 쑗 They bought a derelict cottage to do it up. Synonym dilapidated 쐽 noun a tramp, a homeless person (formal ) 쑗 The Salvation Army looks after the derelicts living in shop doorways. dereliction of duty /derlkʃən əv dju ti/ noun a failure to do what you ought to do by law deride /d rad/ verb to laugh at someone or something. Synonym ridicule. Antonym . admire derision /d rȢ(ə)n/ noun the act of laughing at someone or something because you think they are stupid derisive /d rasv/ adj laughing at someone because you think they are stupid. Synonym mocking. Antonym admiring derisory /d rasəri/ adj ridiculously small derivation /der veʃ(ə)n/ noun the origin of a word derivative /d rvətv/ adj which is based on and copies something else 쑗 His prize-winning designs are really very deriva- desecrate tive. 쐽 noun a thing which is obtained from some other substance 쑗 petroleum derivatives derivatives /d rvətvz/ plural noun securities such as options to buy or sell, which are derived from ordinary bonds and shares (finance) derive /d rav/ verb 1. 왍 to derive or be derived from to come from originally 쑗 The name of the plant ‘fuchsia’ is derived from the name of the German botanist, Fuchs. 2. to get something 쑗 The local people derive a good deal of pleasure from watching the antics of the tourists. dermatologist /d" mə tɒlədȢst/ noun a doctor who specialises in the study and treatment of diseases of the skin dermatology /d" mə tɒlədȢi/ noun the study and treatment of diseases of the skin derogatory /d rɒDZət(ə)ri/ adj showing dislike for someone or something. Synonym disparaging. Antonym complimentary descend /d send/ verb 1. to go down something such as a ladder 쑗 The president seemed to stumble as he descended the steps from the plane. 2. 왍 to be descended from someone to have someone as an ancestor 쑗 On his mother’s side, he is descended from one of William the Conqueror’s knights. ③ descendant /d sendənt/ noun a member of a family with a particular ancestor. Synonym successor. Antonym ancestor descending /d sendŋ/ adj going down in steps 왍 in descending order listed with the highest first, and the lowest last 쑗 The towns are listed in descending order of their populations. ③ descent /d sent/ noun 1. going down 쑗 The descent into the mine takes just under three minutes. 2. family ancestry 쑗 He can trace his descent back to William I. 왍 she is of Irish descent her family is from Ireland 3. a downhill slope 쑗 She successfully completed a tricky descent. (NOTE: Do not confuse with dissent.) ① describe /d skrab/ verb 1. to say or write what something or someone is like 쑗 Can you describe the car which hit the old lady? 쑗 She described how the bus suddenly left the road. 쑗 He described the mugger as a tall man with a black beard. 쑗 The police asked him to describe what happened. 2. to form a figure or shape 쑗 The boat described a circle. ① description /d skrpʃən/ noun saying or writing what something or someone is like descriptive /d skrptv/ adj which says what something is like desecrate / deskret/ verb to treat a place such as a church or a grave in a disrespectful way. Synonym defile. Antonym consecrate desecration 220 desecration /des kreʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of desecrating. Synonym violation desegregate /di seDZrDZet/ verb to end the segregation of a group of people or an institution. Synonym integrate. Antonym segregate desegregation /di seDZr DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of desegregating. Synonym integration. Antonym segregation desert noun / dezət/ a very dry area of the world, usually covered with rocks or sand (NOTE: Do not confuse with dessert.) 쐽 verb /d z" t/ 1. to leave the armed forces without permission 쑗 The general ordered that all soldiers who had deserted should be captured and shot. 2. to leave someone all alone 쑗 He deserted his wife when she was expecting their second child. deserted /d z" td/ adj with no one in, with no people deserter /d z" tə/ noun a person who leaves the armed forces without permission desertification /dz" tf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the process by which an area of land becomes desert, through a change of climate or intensive farming desertion /d z" ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of leaving the armed forces without permission 쑗 During the war, soldiers were shot for desertion. 2. the act of leaving someone, especially your wife or husband 쑗 He is divorcing his wife because of her desertion. (NOTE: no plural) desert island /dezət alənd/ noun a tropical island with no inhabitants deserts /d z" ts/ plural noun what you deserve 왍 to get your just deserts to get a fair reward for what you have done 쑗 The muggers got their just deserts when they were caught and brought to justice. ② deserve /d z" v/ verb to earn something because of what you have done 쑗 He didn’t deserve to win because he cheated. 쑗 I’ve been on my feet all day – I think I deserve a sit-down. 쑗 He deserves a holiday. 쑗 I’m sure she deserved to be punished. Synonym merit deservedly /d z" vdli/ adv in a way which is deserved. Synonym justly deserving /d z" vŋ/ adj which should be supported or helped. Synonym worthy. Antonym unworthy desiccate / desket/ verb to make something completely dry ① design /d zan/ noun 1. a plan or drawing of something, before it is made or built 쑗 Here are the designs for the book cover. 쑗 The architect has produced the designs for the new opera house. 2. a pattern or motif 쑗 curtains with a floral design 3. 왍 to have designs on something to plan to try to get desktop something 쑗 I think he has designs on my job. 쐽 verb 1. to draw plans for the shape or appearance of something before it is made or built 쑗 He designed the new university library. 쑗 She designs garden furniture. 2. 왍 designed for intended for 쑗 information designed for tourists ③ designate verb / dezDZnet/ to appoint someone to a post 쑗 He has been designated as our representative at the meeting. 쐽 suffix / dezDZnət/ a person who has been appointed but has not started work 쑗 the ambassador-designate designation /dezDZ neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of designating 쑗 his designation as ambassador 2. the name, title or description given to someone or something 쑗 He has the official designation of Chief Medical Officer. ③ designer /d zanə/ noun an artist who plans the shape or appearance of things such as goods, clothes or rooms. Synonym creator designer clothes /d zanə kləυðz/ plural noun clothes designed by a famous designer designer label /dzanə leb(ə)l/ noun a label attached to clothes made by a famous designer desirable /d zaərəb(ə)l/ adj which a lot of people want ② desire /d zaə/ noun something that you want very much 쑗 It’s difficult to satisfy the public’s desire for information. 쑗 She had a sudden desire to lie down and go to sleep. Synonym wish 쐽 verb 1. to want 쑗 He will get you anything you desire. 2. 왍 to leave a lot to be desired not to be of the right standard, not to be acceptable 쑗 The bathrooms in the hotel leave a lot to be desired. desired /d zaəd/ adj wanted or required desist /d zst/ verb to stop doing something (formal ) 쑗 Would you kindly desist from smoking while we are eating? 쑗 The man next door persisted in practising the bagpipes until we asked him politely to desist. Synonym cease. Antonym continue ② desk /desk/ noun 1. a table, often with drawers, used for writing 쑗 He put the papers away in his desk drawer. 쑗 She was sitting at her desk when the telephone rang. 2. a section of a newspaper 쑗 He works on the City desk. 3. a government department 쑗 She works on the Central Europe desk in the Foreign Office. desk tidy / desk tadi/ noun a small container kept on a desk to keep things such as pens and paper clips tidy desktop / desktɒp/ noun 1. the top surface of a desk 2. a display on a computer screen that shows images representing available programs and files 쐽 adj that can be placed . desktop publishing 221 on top of a desk 쑗 I’m thinking of investing in a new desktop computer. desktop publishing /desktɒp pblʃŋ/ noun the production of publications using a personal computer desolate adj / desələt/ bleak and deserted 쑗 She crossed the desolate mountainside, carrying her baby. 쐽 verb / desəlet/ to make someeon very sad 쑗 She was desolated by the news. despair /d speə/ noun hopelessness, lack of hope 쑗 When he lost his job and his girlfriend left him, he was filled with despair. Synonym misery. Antonym joy 왍 the depths of despair a complete lack of hope 쐽 verb 왍 to despair of something to give up all hope of something 쑗 After two months in the jungle, he despaired of ever being rescued. despairing /d speərŋ/ adj feeling despair. Synonym hopeless. Antonym hopeful ③ despatch /d sptʃ/ 쒁 dispatch ③ desperate / desp(ə)rət/ adj 1. hopeless 쑗 Food ran out and the situation on the ship was becoming desperate. 2. urgent 쑗 There is a desperate need for medical supplies. 3. wild with despair 쑗 When he didn’t phone she became desperate with worry. 4. in need of something, wanting something very much 쑗 They are desperate for news. desperately / desp(ə)rətli/ adv 1. urgently 쑗 The hospital desperately needs medical supplies. 2. in a very anxious way 쑗 She was desperately worried when her daughter had still not come home at 11 p.m. desperation /despə reʃ(ə)n/ noun hopelessness that leads you to try anything in order to make things better 왍 in desperation because you are desperate 쑗 In desperation, she called the fire brigade. despicable /d spkəb(ə)l/ adj unpleasant, which you despise. Synonym appalling. Antonym admirable despise /d spaz/ verb to look down on someone, to think someone is not worth much. Synonym loathe. Antonym admire ① despite /d spat/ prep in spite of 쑗 Despite the wet weather we still enjoyed our holiday. despondent /d spɒndənt/ adj discouraged and unhappy. Synonym hopeless. Antonym cheerful despot / despɒt/ noun a dictator, a cruel ruler. Synonym dictator dessert /d z" t/ noun a sweet course at the end of a meal 쑗 The meal will end with a dessert of strawberries and cream. 쑗 What’s for dessert? Synonym sweet (NOTE: Do not confuse with desert. The word dessert is mainly used in restaurants. At home, this detail part of the meal is usually called the sweet or afters or pudding.) dessert spoon /d z" t spu n/ noun a medium-sized spoon, used for eating desserts destabilise /di steblaz/, destabilize verb to make a country or government less stable. Synonym undermine destination /dest neʃ(ə)n/ noun the place to which a person or vehicle is going 쑗 We reached our destination at eight o’clock. 쑗 The destination is shown on the front of the bus. destined / destnd/ adj 1. 왍 destined for being sent to 쑗 All mail destined for Canada is delayed because of the postal workers’ strike. 2. certain to have, do or experience something 쑗 She’s destined for a great career on TV. 쑗 They were destined to fail in their search for gold. destiny / destni/ noun 1. what will happen to you in the future 쑗 The war affected the destinies of many people. 2. a power that controls what happens to you in the future 쑗 You never know what destiny has in store for you. destitute / desttju t/ adj with very little money and very few belongings. Synonym poor. Antonym solvent ② destroy /d strɔ/ verb to ruin something completely 쑗 The bomb destroyed several buildings. 쑗 A lot of private property was destroyed in the war. destroyer /d strɔə/ noun a medium-sized naval ship ② destruction /d strkʃən/ noun the action of ruining completely 쑗 the destruction of the village by enemy bombs 쑗 The volcano caused enormous destruction. 쑗 After the bomb attack there was a scene of total destruction. Synonym obliteration (NOTE: no plural) destructive /d strktv/ adj which destroys ③ detach /d ttʃ/ verb to separate detachable /d ttʃəb(ə)l/ adj which you can detach detached /d ttʃt/ adj 1. 왍 detached house a house which stands alone, not attached to another. Compare semi-detached house 2. not under someone’s influence 쑗 He is a detached observer of the political scene. 쑗 He tries to take a detached view of each patient who comes to see him. detachment /d ttʃmənt/ noun 1. indifference, lack of particular interest 쑗 He glanced at the advancing policemen with an air of detachment. 2. a small group of soldiers 쑗 Detachments of marines have been sent to the island. ① detail / di tel/ noun 1. an item of information 쑗 Send in your CV including full de- detailed 222 tails of your past experience. 쑗 Can you give me further details of when the accident took place? 쑗 I can’t make out the details in the photo because the light is bad. 쑗 The policeman noted down the details of the incident. 2. 왍 in detail with plenty of details 쑗 The catalogue lists all the furniture in detail. 쑗 Please describe the circumstances of the accident in as much detail as possible. 쐽 verb 1. to list all the facts or items 쑗 He detailed the work which had to be done. 2. 왍 to detail someone to do something to tell someone to do a job 쑗 He was detailed to wash the kitchen floor. ② detailed / di teld/ adj in detail, giving a lot of details 쑗 We need a detailed list of the items which have been stolen. 쑗 The police issued detailed descriptions of the two men. Synonym full. Antonym sketchy detain /d ten/ verb 1. to keep someone in a police station or prison 쑗 The police have detained a man for questioning. 2. to stop someone from leaving 쑗 I’m sorry I’m late – I was detained by a phone call. detainee /di te ni / noun a person held in prison. Synonym prisoner ③ detect /d tekt/ verb 1. to discover something scientifically 쑗 If breast cancer is detected early enough, it can be cured. 2. to notice something 쑗 I detected some unwillingness to agree to the change. detectable /d tektəb(ə)l/ adj which can be detected. Synonym obvious detection /d tekʃən/ noun 1. the act of solving a crime 2. the action of detecting something 쑗 the detection of traces of poison in the cup 쑗 the early detection of breast cancer 쑗 He hid under the bed and managed to escape detection for three days. (NOTE: no plural) ③ detective /d tektv/ noun a police officer who investigates crimes 쑗 Detectives have interviewed four suspects. Synonym investigator detector /d tektə/ noun an instrument which checks whether something is present. Synonym sensor ③ detention /d tenʃən/ noun 1. imprisonment 쑗 After he was released from detention he committed the same offence again. 쑗 The internees were kept in detention camps. 2. keeping children at school as a punishment 쑗 The children were kept in detention after school. (NOTE: no plural) detention centre /d tenʃən sentə/ noun a place where young criminals are kept deter /d t" / verb 왍 to deter someone from doing something to discourage someone from doing something 쑗 The heavy rain didn’t deter us from visiting the town. 쑗 We have installed cameras to deter shoplifters. ③ detox detergent /d t" dȢənt/ noun a cleaning substance which removes grease and bacteria from things such as clothes or dishes deteriorate /d təriəret/ verb to go bad; to get worse deterioration /dtəriə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of getting worse determination /dt" m neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a strong wish to do something, and not to let anyone stop you doing it 쑗 his determination to win the prize 쑗 The government needs to show more determination in their fight against corruption. 2. the act of deciding something 쑗 Determination of deadlines will be crucial to the planning of the project. (NOTE: no plural) determine /d t" mn/ verb 1. to fix ① something such as a date 쑗 The meeting will be at a date still to be determined. 2. 왍 to determine to do something to make up your mind to do something (formal ) 쑗 I determined not to make the same mistake again. 3. to find out the details of something 쑗 The police have to determine what really happened. 4. to affect in a particular way 쑗 His exam results will determine his future. ③ determined /d t" mnd/ adj 1. decided 쑗 He had a very determined expression on his face as he entered the ring. 쑗 She is determined to win the prize. 2. strong minded 쑗 She’s a very determined young woman, and will go far. 왘 Antonym irresolute determiner /d t" mnə/ noun a pronoun or article which comes before an adjective or noun, and shows what is being referred to, such as ‘this’ in ‘this old car’ (grammar ) ③ deterrent /d terənt/ noun a thing which discourages people from doing something. Synonym restraint. Antonym incitement detest /d test/ verb to dislike intensely. Synonym hate detonate / detənet/ verb 1. to set off an explosive 쑗 The police detonated the package found under the car. 2. to explode 쑗 A shell landed in their garden but failed to detonate. detonation /detə neʃ(ə)n/ noun an explosion detonator / detənetə/ noun a small explosive charge which will set off a large explosion detox noun 1. medical treatment which helps people stop taking drugs or drinking too much alcohol 2. the process of stopping taking drugs or drinking alcohol 쐽 verb 1. to have treatment to help you stop taking drugs or drinking alcohol 2. to stop taking harmful substances in order to improve your health 쑗 No thanks, I’m detoxing after last week’s excesses. . . detract 223 detract /d trkt/ verb 왍 to detract from something to make something less useful, attractive or interesting 쑗 Her rudeness to the judges somehow detracted from the prize-giving ceremony. detractor /d trktə/ noun a person who criticises something. Synonym critic. Antonym supporter detriment / detrmənt/ noun damage. Synonym disadvantage. Antonym advantage 왍 to the detriment of which will damage 쑗 His long working hours have been to the detriment of their marriage. detrimental /detr ment(ə)l/ adj which can harm. Synonym harmful. Antonym beneficial detritus /d tratəs/ noun rubbish, waste matter. Synonym debris (NOTE: no plural) deuce /dju s/ noun a score of 40–40 in tennis. 쏡 tennis devaluation /di vlju eʃ(ə)n/ noun reducing the international value of a currency. Synonym deflation devalue /di vlju / verb to reduce the value of a currency in relation to that of other countries. Antonym overvalue ③ devastate / devəstet/ verb to wreck something completely devastated / devəstetd/ adj 1. badly damaged 쑗 Relief agencies are trying to help the devastated region. 2. upset by something such as bad news 쑗 She was devastated when she was made redundant. 쑗 When he read the report in the paper he was completely devastated. devastating / devəstetŋ/ adj 1. causing a lot of damage 쑗 The country has still not recovered from the devastating effects of the storm. 2. shocking, upsetting 쑗 The news from Paris was devastating. devastation /devə steʃ(ə)n/ noun widespread damage. Synonym destruction. Antonym preservation ① develop /d veləp/ verb 1. to grow and change 쑗 Eventually, a caterpillar will develop into a butterfly. 2. to make something larger 쑗 She cycles to develop her calf muscles. 3. to get an illness 쑗 She developed a cold at the weekend. 4. to produce and fix a photograph from film 쑗 We can develop your film in an hour. 5. to plan and produce something 쑗 to develop a new product 6. to plan and build 쑗 They are planning to develop the site as an industrial estate. 쑗 The company is developing a chain of motorway service stations. developed /d veləpt/ adj 왍 a developed area an area which has buildings on it 왍 the developed world those countries which are industrialised devil developer /d veləpə/ noun 1. a person or company that plans and builds roads, airports, houses, factories or office buildings 쑗 The land has been acquired by developers for a housing estate. 2. a liquid for developing photographs 쑗 She put the film into a bath of developer. ③ developing /d veləpŋ/ adj 1. growing 쑗 his rapidly developing network of contacts in government 쑗 her developing knowledge of the English language 2. 왍 developing countries countries which are becoming industrialised ① development /d veləpmənt/ noun 1. growth 쑗 The development of the embryo takes place rapidly. 왍 economic development the process by which a country’s economy changes and becomes more industrialised 왍 industrial development the planning and building of new industries in special areas 2. the planning and production of a new product 쑗 The development of new pesticides will take some time. 3. the act of planning and building on an area of land 쑗 the development of property on the site of the former docks developmental /dveləp ment(ə)l/ adj 왍 at a developmental stage being developed 쑗 The product is at an advanced developmental stage. developments /d veləpmənts/ plural noun things which happen deviant / di viənt/ adj different from normal 왍 deviant behaviour behaviour which is considered to be very wrong 쐽 noun a person who behaves in a way which most people consider to be wicked and immoral 쑗 The newspapers referred to them as ‘deviants’. deviate / di viet/ verb 왍 to deviate from to be different from what is normal or usual 쑗 The celebrations deviated from their normal pattern by being held on a Sunday. 쑗 He did not deviate from the written version of his speech. deviation /di vi eʃ(ə)n/ noun changing from what is usual ② device /d vas/ noun 1. a small useful machine 쑗 He invented a device for screwing tops on bottles. 쑗 The engineers brought in a device for taking samples of soil. 2. 왍 he was left to his own devices he was left to do whatever he wanted devil / dev(ə)l/ noun 1. an evil spirit 쑗 He believes in ghosts and devils and all that sort of thing. 2. 왍 what the devil? what…? (informal: showing surprise) 쑗 What the devil has been going on here while we’ve been away? 3. a person 쑗 He’s won the lottery, lucky devil! 쑗 Poor devil! I must go and see him in hospital. 왍 little devil a naughty child 쑗 That little devil has been pulling the cat’s tail. devil’s advocate 224 devil’s advocate /dev(ə)lz dvəkət/ noun a person who argues the opposite point of view, in order to stimulate discussion about a widely held opinion devious / di viəs/ adj 1. not honest or straightforward 쑗 It’s just a very devious plan to avoid paying the staff more money. 2. not going straight 쑗 The taxi took us on a very devious route to Piccadilly Circus. devise /d vaz/ verb to think up, to invent 쑗 We’ve devised a new timetable for the summer term. 쑗 He devised a plan for making more money out of the farm. Synonym think up devoid /d vɔd/ adj 왍 devoid of empty of, without 왍 the book is devoid of literary merit the book has no literary merit at all devolution /di və lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun the passing of power from a central government to a local or regional authority devolve /d vɒlv/ verb to pass to another authority. Antonym centralise devote /d vəυt/ verb 왍 to devote time to something to spend time on something 쑗 Don’t you think you’ve devoted enough time to your model planes? 왍 to devote yourself to to spend all your time on 쑗 She devoted herself to looking after refugee children. devoted /d vəυtd/ adj 1. loving 쑗 He died suddenly, leaving his devoted wife and six children. 왍 devoted to someone loving someone 쑗 He is devoted to his children. 2. 왍 devoted to something spending all your time on something 쑗 She’s devoted to her flower garden. devotee /devəυ ti / noun someone who likes something very much, an enthusiastic follower devotion /d vəυʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. love 쑗 her devotion to her father 쑗 his devotion to his stamp collection 쑗 Her devotion to duty is remarkable. 2. constant work on behalf of someone or something 쑗 She received an award for twenty years’ devotion to the needs of the handicapped. devour /d vaυə/ verb to eat something greedily devout /d vaυt/ adj deeply religious dew /dju / noun water which forms at night on objects in the open air (NOTE: Do not confuse with due.) dewdrop / dju drɒp/ noun 1. a drop of dew 2. a drop of mucus at the end of someone’s nose dewy-eyed /dju i ad/ adj with eyes that are full of emotion dexterity /dek sterti/ noun skill in using the hands or the mind dexterous / dekstrəs/, dextrous adj skilful, especially using the hands 2. quick-thinking dialogue dextrose / dekstrəυz/ noun a simple sugar found naturally in fruit and honey diabetes /daə bi ti z/ noun a condition where the body cannot control sugar absorption because the pancreas does not produce enough insulin (NOTE: no plural) diabetic /daə betk/ adj referring to diabetes 쑗 The hospital provides a special diet for diabetic patients. 쑗 He’s on a strict diabetic diet. 왍 diabetic food special food with a low sugar content which can be eaten by people with diabetes 쐽 noun a person with diabetes 쑗 She is a diabetic and has to have regular injections of insulin. diabolical /daə bɒlk(ə)l/ adj 1. evil and wicked 쑗 They devised a diabolical plot to assassinate the Prime Minister. 2. very bad 쑗 The food in the staff canteen is diabolical. diagnose / daəDZnəυz/ verb to identify a patient’s illness by examining him or her and noting symptoms diagnosis /daəDZ nəυss/ noun the identification of an illness (NOTE: The plural is diagnoses.) diagnostic /daəDZ nɒstk/ adj referring to diagnosis diagonal /da DZən(ə)l/ adj going from one corner to another 쑗 He drew a diagonal line on the floor. 쑗 Areas of the map shaded with diagonal lines indicate cultivated land. Synonym slanting 쐽 noun a diagonal line 쑗 Draw a diagonal from one corner of the square to the other. diagonally /da DZ(ə)nəli/ adv in a diagonal direction diagram / daəDZrm/ noun a sketch, plan or accurate drawing 쑗 She drew a diagram to show how to get to her house. 쑗 The book gives a diagram of the circulation of blood. ③ dial / daəl/ noun a round face of a telephone or a measuring instrument 쑗 Modern telephones don’t have dials – just buttons. 쐽 verb to call a telephone number 쑗 To call the police you must dial 999. 쑗 Dial 9 to get an outside line. 왍 to dial direct to contact a phone number yourself without asking the operator to do it for you 쑗 You can dial New York direct from London. ③ dialect / daəlekt/ noun a variety of a language spoken in a particular area. Synonym vernacular dialling code / daəlŋ kəυd/ noun a special phone number for a town or country dialling tone / daəlŋ təυn/ noun the noise made by a telephone to show that it is ready for you to dial a number dialog box / daəlɒDZ bɒks/ noun a small area on a computer screen that presents the user with a choice dialogue / daəlɒDZ/ noun 1. a conversation between two people 쑗 The next exercise on dial-up 225 the tape is a dialogue between a shopkeeper and a customer. 2. the spoken words in a film or TV drama 쑗 Turn the volume up so that we can hear the dialogue more clearly. 3. political talks or negotiations 쑗 The government is trying to encourage greater dialogue in the Middle East. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is dialog.) dial-up / daəl p/ adj of a connection be- tween computers that is made by means of a modem and a telephone line dialysis /da ləss/ noun the process of cleaning waste matter from blood by passing it through a filter diameter /da mtə/ noun the distance across the centre of a circle diametrically /daə metrkli/ adv 왍 diametrically opposite to or opposed totally the opposite of 쑗 What they did was diametrically opposite to what we had agreed. 쑗 Their views are diametrically opposed. ③ diamond / daəmənd/ noun 1. a very hard colourless precious stone 쑗 He gave her a diamond ring. 쑗 Diamonds sparkled on her crown. 2. one of the red suits in a pack of cards, shaped like a diamond 쑗 He held the ten of diamonds. (NOTE: The other red suit is hearts; clubs and spades are the black suits.) diamond wedding /daəmənd wedŋ/ noun the 60th anniversary of a wedding day ③ diaper / daəpə/ noun US a cloth or thick pad which is wrapped round a baby’s bottom (NOTE: The British term is nappy.) diaphragm / daəfrm/ noun 1. a thin sheet which vibrates with noise 쑗 the diaphragm in a hearing aid 2. a thin layer of tissue which separates the chest from the abdomen, and pulls air into the lungs when you breathe 쑗 The stomach lies in the left upper part of the abdomen, just under the diaphragm. 3. a contraceptive device for women diarist / daərst/ noun a person who writes a diary diarrhoea /daə ri ə/ noun a condition where a patient frequently passes liquid faeces (NOTE: The US spelling is diarrhea.) ③ diary / daəri/ noun 1. a description of what has happened in your life day by day 쑗 He kept a diary for years. 쑗 She kept a diary of the places she visited on holiday. 2. a small book in which you write notes or make appointments for each day of the week 쑗 I’ve noted the appointment in my desk diary. 쑗 I can’t fix the date immediately because I haven’t got my diary with me. (NOTE: The plural is diaries.) dice /das/ noun a small cube with one to six dots on each face, used for playing games 쑗 Shake the dice in the cup and then throw them onto the board. 쑗 He lost hundreds of pounds playing dice. (NOTE: The plural is die dice.) 쐽 verb 1. to cut food into small cubes diced potato 2. 왍 to dice with death to do something very risky (informal ) 쑗 Running 쑗 . across the main road is dicing with death. dicey / dasi/ adj dangerous (informal ) Synonym risky dichotomy /da kɒtəmi/ noun a difference between contradictory things dick /dk/ noun penis (informal ) dickens / dknz/ noun (informal ) 왍 the dickens of a lot of 쑗 It took the dickens of a lot of time. 왍 what the dickens? what …? 쑗 What the dickens is the matter with the heating pump? dictate /dk tet/ verb 1. to say something to someone who writes down your words 쑗 She dictated a letter to her secretary. 쑗 He dictated his address to me over the phone. 2. to tell someone what to do 쑗 The army commander dictated the terms of the surrender. 쑗 She’s always trying to dictate to us how to run the business. dictates / dktets/ plural noun ideas or feelings that strongly influence people ③ dictation /dk teʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of dictating something to be written down. Synonym transcription 왍 to take dictation to write down everything that someone is saying in special writing dictator /dk tetə/ noun a person who rules a country alone. Synonym tyrant. Antonym democrat dictatorial /dktə tɔ riəl/ adj behaving like a dictator. Synonym tyrannical. Antonym democratic dictatorship /dk tetəʃp/ noun the rule of a country by one person diction / dkʃən/ noun a clear and understandable way of speaking dictionary / dkʃən(ə)ri/ noun a book which lists words in alphabetical order, giving their meanings or translations into other languages 왍 a French dictionary a book which gives English words with their French translations, and French words with their English translations 쑗 If you want to find the French translation of this word, look it up in a French dictionary. 왍 a pocket dictionary a small dictionary which you can put in your pocket dictum / dktəm/ noun a well-known saying made by a famous person (formal ) Synonym pronouncement (NOTE: The plural is dicta / dktə/.) did /dd/ 쏡 do didactic /da dktk/ adj giving moral advice. Synonym educational didn’t / dd(ə)nt/ 쏡 do ① die /da/ noun a metal stamp for making coins 쐽 verb 1. to stop living 쑗 His mother died last year. 쑗 She died in a car crash. 쑗 If . . . . die away 226 you don’t water the plants they’ll die. 쏡 death 2. 왍 dying for or to wanting something very much 쑗 We’re dying for a cold drink. 쑗 I’m dying to read his book. 왍 to die laughing to laugh a lot (NOTE: dying – died) die away /da ə we/ verb to become less noisy. Synonym fade die down /da daυn/ verb 1. to get less strong 쑗 The wind began to die down. 쑗 The government is waiting for the street protests to die down. 2. (of plants) to die and lose their stems and leaves 쑗 Chrysanthemums will die down during the winter. diehard / dahɑ d/ adj very resistant to change 쐽 noun a person who resists change or persists in a particular belief or opinion ① die out /da aυt/ verb to disappear gradually ③ diesel / di z(ə)l/ noun 1. 왍 diesel (oil) engine fuel which is thicker than petrol 쑗 My new car runs on diesel. 쑗 London taxis have diesel engines. 2. a car with a diesel engine 쑗 His latest car is a diesel. ② diet / daət/ noun 1. the kind of food you eat 쑗 He lives on a diet of bread and beer. 쑗 These people are healthier than us because their diet is simple. 2. eating only certain types of food, either to become thinner or to cure an illness 쑗 The doctor told her to follow a strict diet. 왍 a salt-free diet a diet which does not contain salt 왍 to be on a diet to eat only certain types of food, especially in order to become thin or to deal with an illness 쑗 He’s been on a diet for some weeks, but still hasn’t lost enough weight. 왍 to go on a diet to start to eat less 쑗 She went on a diet before going on holiday. 쐽 verb to eat less food or only one sort of food 쑗 He dieted for two weeks before going on holiday. Synonym slim. Antonym binge dietary / daət(ə)ri/ adj referring to the food people eat in terms of how it affects their health. Synonym nutritional 왍 dietary fibre roughage, fibrous matter in food, which cannot be digested dietician /daə tʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who specialises in the study of diets and advises people on what they should eat ③ differ / dfə/ verb 1. not to be the same as something else 쑗 The two machines differ considerably – one has an electric motor, the other runs on oil. 왍 to differ from to be different from, not to be the same as 쑗 This car differs from the earlier model. 쑗 Their business differs from ours in one important aspect. 2. 왍 I beg to differ I do not agree ① difference / df(ə)rəns/ noun a way in which two things or amounts are not the same 쑗 Can you tell the difference between an apple and a pear with your eyes shut? 쑗 What is the difference in price between these two cars? 왍 it doesn’t make any difference diffidence it’s not important 쑗 You can use any colour you like – it doesn’t make any difference. 왍 to split the difference to agree on a figure which is halfway between two figures suggested 쑗 Twenty’s too many, ten’s not enough, let’s split the difference and say fifteen. differences / df(ə)rənsz/ plural noun arguments between people ① different / df(ə)rənt/ adj not the same 쑗 Living in London is very different from living in the country. 쑗 I went to three different clothes shops but I couldn’t find anything in my size. 쑗 He looks different now that he has a beard. 왍 that’s quite a different matter or kettle of fish it’s not at all the same thing differential /dfə renʃəl/ adj which shows a difference 쑗 The company has a differential system of pay for various levels of responsibility. 쐽 noun (in a motor ) the gears between two drive shafts that allow one shaft to turn at a different speed from the other, while still transmitting power ③ differentiate /dfə renʃiet/ verb 1. to recognise the difference between two things 쑗 I find it hard to differentiate between the two brands of butter. 쑗 They couldn’t differentiate between cheap champagne and really top-quality stuff. 2. to treat two things differently 쑗 In this school, we don’t differentiate between boys and girls. differentiation /dfərenʃi eʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of recognising or making a difference between things differently / df(ə)rəntli/ adv not in the same way. Antonym similarly ① difficult / dfk(ə)lt/ adj not easy; hard to do 쑗 The German examination was very difficult – half the class got low marks. 쑗 Finding a parking space is difficult on Saturday mornings. 쑗 The company is finding it difficult to sell their cars in the European market. 왍 to make things or life difficult for someone to create problems for someone 쑗 His main aim at the office seems to be to make life as difficult as possible for the secretaries. ① difficulty / dfk(ə)lti/ noun 1. 왍 to have difficulty with or in doing something to find it hard to do something 쑗 She has difficulty in paying the rent. 왍 with difficulty not easily 쑗 She walks with difficulty. 2. a problem 쑗 The difficulty is that nobody in the group can drive. 쑗 He is in financial difficulties. 쑗 She went swimming in the rough sea and got into difficulties. 왍 to create or make difficulties for someone to create problems for someone 쑗 She doesn’t realise that going on holiday now is going to make difficulties for everyone. diffidence / dfdəns/ noun shyness, being diffident . diffident 227 diffident / dfdənt/ adj shy; lacking confidence. Synonym shy. Antonym brash diffuse adj /d fju s/ 1. vague or unclear 쑗 His writing tends to be very diffuse. 쐽 verb /d fju z/ to spread something out or to send something out. Antonym concentrate 왍 diffused light(ing) soft light which is spread out and not concentrated in one spot 쑗 Diffused lighting is good for intimate conversations but it makes reading difficult. ② dig /dDZ/ verb to make a hole in the ground with a spade 쑗 She’s been digging in the garden all morning. 쑗 They dug a big hole in the ground. 쑗 The prisoners dug a tunnel to try to escape. 쐽 noun 1. an archaeological excavation, making holes in the ground to find something 쑗 They are working on a dig to uncover the remains of a Roman fort. 2. a funny attack in words 쑗 The song is a dig at the Prime Minister. digest verb /da dȢest/ 1. to break down food in the stomach and intestine, and convert it into elements which can be absorbed by the body 쑗 I find this meat difficult to digest. 2. to think about something and understand it fully 쑗 Give me time to digest the news. 쐽 noun / dadȢest/ a summary (formal ) 쑗 He published a digest of the conference proceedings. digestible /da dȢestb(ə)l/ adj which can be digested. Synonym edible. Antonym . indigestible digestion /da dȢestʃən/ noun the process by which food is broken down and elements absorbed into the body. Synonym assimilation digestive /da dȢestv/ adj which helps you to digest food digestive biscuit /dadȢestv bskt/ noun a sweet wholemeal biscuit digger / dDZə/ noun a person or machine that digs up mud or earth digit / ddȢt/ noun 1. a single number 쑗 a seven-digit phone number 2. a finger or toe digital / ddȢt(ə)l/ adj 1. involving figures 2. (of audio and video signals) converted into a form that can be processed by computers and accurately reproduced 쑗 A new digital recording of the symphony. 쑗 There will soon be hundreds of digital channels available on TV. digital camera /ddȢt(ə)l km(ə)rə/ noun a camera that stores photographs in digital form so that they can be processed by a computer digital clock /ddȢt(ə)l klɒk/ noun a clock where the time is shown by figures, such as 11:52:02, and not by hands on a dial digital TV /ddȢt(ə)l ti vi / noun a TV where the picture has been changed into a form which a computer can process dim dignified / dDZnfad/ adj solemn and important-looking. Synonym distinguished dignitary / dDZnt(ə)ri/ noun an important person. Synonym notable. Antonym nobody 왍 civic dignitaries the mayor and town council ③ dignity / dDZnti/ noun a solemn or serious way of behaving 왍 to be beneath your dignity to be too unimportant for you to bother with 쑗 It’s beneath his dignity to do the washing up. dig out /dDZ aυt/ verb 1. to take someone or something out by digging 쑗 He was dug out of the snow after the avalanche. 2. to find something after a lot of searching 쑗 They dug out some old photographs of the village. digress /da DZres/ verb to start to talk or write about something else. Antonym focus digression /da DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun starting to talk or write about something else. Synonym deviation digs /dDZz/ noun a furnished room or rooms let to people such as students (dated informal ) Synonym lodgings ③ dig up /dDZ p/ verb 1. to find some. thing by digging 쑗 We dug up a Roman coin in the garden. 2. to break a solid surface by digging 쑗 The workmen had to dig the road up to mend the water main. 3. to find information with difficulty 쑗 He managed to dig up some old government statistics. dilapidated /d lpdetd/ adj falling into ruin. Synonym decrepit. Antonym pristine dilate /da let/ verb to swell, to become larger dilemma /d lemə/ noun a difficult choice which has to be made 왍 in a dilemma not sure what action to take diligence / dldȢəns/ noun hard careful work. Antonym carelessness diligent / dldȢənt/ adj hard-working. Synonym industrious. Antonym lazy diligently / dldȢəntli/ adv in a hard-working way dill /dl/ noun a common herb used in cooking and in medicine dilute /da lu t/ verb 1. to add a liquid, usually water, to another liquid to make it weaker 쑗 Dilute the disinfectant with water. 2. to make something weaker and less effective 쑗 The proposals were thought too radical and were diluted before being announced to the press. 쐽 adj with water added 쑗 a solution of dilute antiseptic Antonym concentrated dilution /da lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of diluting dim /dm/ adj 1. (of light) weak 쑗 The lights grew dimmer. 왍 I have a dim recollection of it I can remember it vaguely 왍 to take a dim dime 228 dip view of something to disapprove of something 쑗 The boss takes a very dim view of people who arrive late for work. 2. rather stupid 쑗 Sorry, I’m feeling a bit dim today. (NOTE: dimmer – dimmest) 쐽 verb 1. to make a light less bright 쑗 They dimmed the cabin lights before takeoff. 2. to become less bright 쑗 The cinema lights dimmed before the programme started. (NOTE: dimming – dining room / danŋ ru m/ noun a room in a house or hotel where you usually eat dining table / danŋ teb(ə)l/ noun a table on which meals are served and eaten dimmed) dime /dam/ noun US a ten-cent coin ③ dimension /da menʃən/ noun the ex- the day (usually eaten in the evening) 쑗 We were having dinner when the telephone rang. 쑗 Would you like to come to dinner on Saturday? 쑗 What are we having for dinner? or What’s for dinner? 2. a formal evening meal 쑗 The club is organising a dinner and dance on Saturday. 3. the meal eaten in the middle of the day, especially at school 쑗 A small number of the children are entitled to free school dinners. (NOTE: If you call the meal in tent of a problem 쑗 the international dimension of the refugee problem 쑗 The task is taking on huge dimensions. dimensions /da menʃənz/ plural noun measurements such as length or height diminish /d mnʃ/ verb 1. to make something smaller or weaker 쑗 Nothing diminishes his enthusiasm for flying. 2. to become smaller or weaker 쑗 My income has diminished over the last few years. diminutive /d mnjυtv/ adj very small 쑗 They have a diminutive dog. Synonym tiny. Antonym huge 쐽 noun 1. a word showing that something is small 쑗 ‘Booklet’ is a diminutive of ‘book’. 2. a short form of a name 쑗 ‘Betty’ is a diminutive of ‘Elizabeth’. dimly / dmli/ adv not very clearly dimple / dmpəl/ noun a small hollow in a part of the body such as the chin or cheeks din /dn/ noun a loud noise 쑗 The children are making such a din I didn’t hear the phone ring. 쑗 What a din! Can’t you be a bit quieter, please? 쑗 I couldn’t make out what the guide was saying above the din of the machines. 쐽 verb 왍 to din something into someone’s head to force someone to learn something 쑗 The instructors dinned it into our heads that keeping detailed records is absolutely vital. dine /dan/ verb to have dinner (formal ) 왍 to dine out to have dinner away from home. . 쏡 wine diner / danə/ noun 1. a person who is eating an evening meal 쑗 When the restaurant caught fire, the diners ran into the street. 2. the dining car on a train 3. US a small restaurant selling simple hot food (NOTE: Originally, these were made from old dining cars from railway trains.) dinghy / dŋi/ noun a small boat, either with oars or sails (NOTE: The plural is dinghies.) dingo / dŋDZəυ/ noun an Australian wild dog (NOTE: The plural is dingoes.) dingy / dndȢi/ adj 1. gloomy and lacking light 2. dirty or old-looking dining car / danŋ kɑ / noun a railway carriage where meals are served ③ (NOTE: Dining table refers to the piece of furniture, but when you are sitting at it to eat, it is called the dinner table.) ① dinner / dnə/ noun 1. the main meal of the middle of the day dinner, then you call the evening meal tea or supper. If you call the evening meal dinner, then you call the meal in the middle of the day lunch.) dinner jacket / dnə dȢkt/ noun a man’s formal jacket dinner party / dnə pɑ ti/ noun a private dinner to which guests are invited dinner table / dnə teb(ə)l/ noun a table where people are eating ③ dinnertime / dnətam/ noun the time when you usually have dinner. Synonym mealtime dinosaur / danəsɔ / noun 1. a large prehistoric reptile 쑗 At the time when dinosaurs roamed the land, England was covered with tropical forests. 2. someone who seems to belong to a past age 쑗 He’s one of the dinosaurs of British politics. diocese / daəss/ noun an area under the charge of a bishop dioxide /da ɒksad/ noun a chemical compound with two atoms of oxygen to one atom of another substance ③ dip /dp/ noun 1. a sudden drop in a road, of land 쑗 Watch out – there’s a dip in the road which makes it difficult to see oncoming cars. 2. a savoury paste into which biscuits or raw vegetables can be dipped as snacks 쑗 a bowl of avocado dip 3. a short bathe or swim 쑗 We have time for a quick dip before lunch. 쑗 Are you coming for a dip in the pool? 4. a sudden small fall 쑗 Last year there was a dip in our sales. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to dip something into something to put something quickly into a liquid 쑗 She dipped the biscuit into her coffee. 쑗 She dipped her hand into the stream. 2. to fall suddenly 쑗 Shares dipped sharply on the stock exchange. 쑗 The bird flew overhead then dipped behind the trees. 3. 왍 to dip your headlights to lower the beam of the headlights of your car 쑗 Please drive with dipped headlights in the tunnel. diphtheria 229 diphtheria /df θəriə/ noun a serious infectious disease of children diphthong / dfθɒŋ/ noun two vowel sounds which are pronounced together diploma /d pləυmə/ noun a document which shows that a person has reached a certain level of skill in a subject. Synonym certificate diplomacy /d pləυməsi/ noun the art of negotiating, especially between different countries diplomat / dpləmt/ noun a person, such as an ambassador, who represents his country abroad diplomatic /dplə mtk/ adj 1. referring to diplomats or diplomacy 쑗 We are looking for a diplomatic solution to the crisis, rather than sending in troops. 2. careful not to give offence 쑗 It wouldn’t be very diplomatic to arrive late for the wedding. diplomatic corps /dplə mtk kɔ / noun all the foreign diplomats in a country dipped beam /dpt bi m/ noun the lowered headlights of a car dire / daə/ adj very serious. Synonym terrible. Antonym wonderful 왍 dire necessity urgent need 쑗 Only phone me at home in case of dire necessity. 왍 in dire straits in a very difficult situation 쑗 The company must be in dire straits – the staff haven’t been paid for weeks. ① direct /da rekt/ adj 1. straight, without any bends or stops 쑗 What’s the most direct way of getting to London? 왍 direct line a telephone line which takes you straight to the person you wish to contact 쑗 This phone number will give you a direct line to the minister. 왍 direct flight a flight without any stops 쑗 There are direct flights every day to London. 왍 direct hit a hit right on the target 쑗 We scored a direct hit on the enemy’s headquarters. 2. not involving another person or organisation 3. not trying to hide the meaning 쑗 I want a direct answer to a direct question. 쐽 verb 1. to manage or to organise something 쑗 He directs our London operations. 쑗 The policeman was directing the traffic. 2. to aim towards a point 쑗 He directed his remarks to the manager. 3. to tell someone how to get to a place 쑗 Can you direct me to the nearest post office? 4. to tell someone to do something 쑗 The insecticide has to be used as directed on the bottle. 쑗 He did as he had been directed, and took the plane to Birmingham. 쐽 adv 1. straight, without stopping 쑗 The plane flies direct to Anchorage. 2. without passing through an operator 쑗 You can telephone New York direct from here. 3. not involving other people 쑗 They sell insurance direct to the public. directory enquiries direct current /da rekt krənt/ noun an electric current which flows in one direction. Abbr DC. Compare alternating current direct debit /darekt debt/ noun a system where a customer allows a company to charge costs to his bank account automatically and where the amount charged can be increased or decreased with the agreement of the customer ① direction /da rekʃən/ noun 1. the point towards which you are going 쑗 You are going in the wrong direction if you want to get to the station. 쑗 The post office is in the opposite direction. 왍 in all directions everywhere 쑗 The wind was blowing bits of old newspapers in all directions. 쏡 sense of direction 2. 왍 directions for use instructions on how to use something 3. organising or managing 쑗 He took over the direction of the group. directions /da rekʃənz/ plural noun instructions on how to do something ③ directive /da rektv/ noun an official instruction. Synonym order ② directly /da rektl/ adv 1. straight, without anything or anyone between 쑗 This door opens directly into the kitchen. 쑗 She reports directly to the managing director himself. 2. soon 쑗 I’ll be with you directly. 쐽 conj as soon as 쑗 I will write the letter directly I get home. direct mail /darekt mel/ noun selling something by sending publicity material to possible buyers through the post direct object /darekt ɒbdȢkt/ noun a noun or pronoun in a sentence representing the person or thing affected directly by the action of the verb ① director /da rektə/ noun 1. a person who is appointed by the shareholders to help run a firm 쑗 The sales director gave a report on sales to date. 쑗 There are four directors on the board of the company. 2. a person in charge of an organisation or a project 쑗 She’s just started her job as director of an international charity. 3. a person who organises the making of a film or play, giving instructions to the actors, dealing with the lighting, sound, etc. 쑗 Who was the first female director to win an Oscar? Compare producer directorate /da rekt(ə)rət/ noun 1. a group of directors 쑗 The directorate will meet next week to discuss the issue. 2. an official government body which directs something 쑗 a government examinations directorate ③ directory /da rekt(ə)ri/ noun a book giving lists of professional people, organisations or businesses with their addresses and telephone numbers. Synonym listing directory enquiries /darekt(ə)ri nkwaəriz/ noun a telephone service which direct speech 230 finds phone numbers which you do not know or cannot find direct speech /darekt spi tʃ/ noun what someone actually says direct tax /darekt tks/ noun a tax based on income direct taxation /darekt tk seʃ(ə)n/ noun a tax, such as income tax, which is paid straight to the government ③ dirt /d" t/ noun mud; earth 쑗 Children were playing in the dirt. 쑗 His clothes were covered with dirt from handling potatoes. dirt cheap /d" t tʃi p/ adj, adv very cheap ① dirty / d" ti/ adj 1. not clean 쑗 After the party, someone has to wash all the dirty plates. 쑗 Don’t come into the kitchen with your dirty boots on. 2. not honest, not done according to the rules 쑗 He never uses violence himself, he just gets other people to do his dirty work for him. 쑗 There was some dirty play from the other team. 쑗 He’s one of the dirtiest players in Football League. 3. pornographic, about sex 쑗 He keeps the dirty magazines on the top shelf. 쑗 He makes his money selling dirty postcards to tourists. 4. 왍 dirty look an annoyed or disapproving look 쑗 He got some dirty looks from the traffic wardens. 쐽 verb to make something dirty, or to cover something in dirt 쑗 Look – you’ve dirtied the clean kitchen floor! Synonym soil. Antonym clean (NOTE: dirtier – dirtiest) dirty old man /d" ti əυld mn/ noun an old man who shows a lot of interest in sex (informal insult) ③ dirty trick /d" ti trk/ noun 1. a nasty action that upsets someone 쑗 That was a dirty trick to play on an old lady. 2. a dishonest method of spoiling someone’s plans or of ruining his or her reputation by spreading rumours 쑗 They mounted a dirty tricks campaign against the rival company. disability /dsə blti/ noun a condition in which a person is unable to use a part of their body because of some permanent injury or illness disable /ds eb(ə)l/ verb to make someone or something unable to function normally. Synonym incapacitate ③ disabled /ds eb(ə)ld/ adj 1. not able to use part of your body, e.g. because of illness 쑗 a hospital for disabled ex-servicemen 쑗 The car crash left him permanently disabled. 2. not able to work properly 쑗 A tug went to the help of the disabled cruise ship. 쐽 noun 왍 the disabled disabled people disablement /ds eb(ə)lmənt/ noun a condition where a person has a physical or mental disability disabling /ds eblŋ/ adj which disables disappointed disadvantage /dsəd vɑ ntdȢ/ noun a drawback or a factor which makes someone or something less likely to succeed 쑗 Her main disadvantage is her lack of experience. 쑗 It was a disadvantage not to be able to get to the airport quickly. 쑗 There are certain disadvantages to leaving at 5.30 in the morning. Synonym difficulty. Antonym advantage 왍 at a disadvantage handicapped by something, suffering from a disadvantage 쑗 We are at a disadvantage compared with our competitors because we have no sales force. disadvantaged /dsəd vɑ ntdȢd/ adj 1. suffering a disadvantage 쑗 She was disadvantaged by her lack of experience. 2. living in a poor environment, without any facilities 쑗 state help for schools in disadvantaged areas disadvantageous /dsdvən tedȢəs/ adj which does not give an advantage; unfavourable. Synonym detrimental. Antonym advantageous disaffected /dsə fektd/ adj discontented or rebellious. Synonym disillusioned. Antonym enthusiastic ② disagree /dsə DZri / verb 1. not to agree, to say that you do not think the same way as someone 쑗 We all disagreed with the chairperson. 쑗 They all disagreed about what to do next. 2. 왍 to disagree with someone to make someone feel ill 쑗 Raw onions disagree with me. ③ disagreeable /dsə DZri əb(ə)l/ adj unpleasant disagreeably /dsə DZri əbli/ adv in an unpleasant way ② disagreement /dsə DZri mənt/ noun an argument 쑗 They had a disagreement about who should sit in the front row. 쑗 Nothing could be decided because of the disagreement between the chair and the treasurer. disallow /dsə laυ/ verb to reject something, not to accept something 왍 the goal was disallowed the goal was not counted in the score ② disappear /dsə pə/ verb 1. to vanish, not to be seen any more 쑗 He hit the ball hard and it disappeared into the bushes. 쑗 The two boys disappeared on their way home from school. 2. to stop existing 쑗 The dinosaurs disappeared millions of years ago. disappearance /dsə pərəns/ noun vanishing ③ disappoint /dsə pɔnt/ verb to make someone sad, because things did not turn out as expected ③ disappointed /dsə pɔntd/ adj sad, because things did not turn out as expected 쑗 She is disappointed with her exam results. 쑗 He was disappointed because his ticket didn’t win a prize. 쑗 You should have seen the disappointing 231 disappointed expression on his face. Synonym let down. Antonym satisfied ③ disappointing /dsə pɔntŋ/ adj which makes you sad because it does not turn out as expected. Synonym unsatisfactory. Antonym satisfactory ③ disappointment /dsə pɔntmənt/ noun 1. sadness because what was expected did not take place 쑗 To his great disappointment, he didn’t win anything on the lottery. 쑗 She tried hard not to show her disappointment. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. something that disappoints someone 쑗 It was a disappointment to his parents when he failed his exam. 쑗 After many disappointments she finally won a prize. disapproval /dsə pru v(ə)l/ noun the act of disapproving. Synonym condemnation. Antonym approval disapprove /dsə pru v/ verb 왍 to disapprove of something to show that you do not approve of something, that you do not think something is good 쑗 The junta openly disapproves of the judicial system. 쑗 The head teacher disapproves of members of staff wearing jeans to school. disarm /ds ɑ m/ verb to remove weapons from someone disarmament /ds ɑ məmənt/ noun reducing the number of arms held by a country disarming /ds ɑ mŋ/ adj charming, in such a way that you cannot be annoyed. Antonym unattractive disarray /dsə re/ noun a lack of order ② disaster /d zɑ stə/ noun 1. a catastrophe, a very bad accident 쑗 We’re insured against natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. 쑗 The disaster was caused by fog or was due to fog. 쑗 Ten people died in the air disaster. 2. something that is completely unsuccessful 쑗 The advertising campaign was a disaster – our sales went down. 쑗 If it rains the village fete will be a complete disaster. 3. financial collapse 왍 the company is heading for or is on a disaster course the company is going to collapse disaster area /d zɑ stər eəriə/ noun 1. a place that has recently undergone a natural disaster 2. a very untidy or disorganised place, person or situation disastrous /d zɑ strəs/ adj very bad, catastrophic disastrously /d zɑ strəsli/ adv very badly disband /ds bnd/ verb 1. to split up an organised group and end their activities 쑗 After the successful coup, the former army was disbanded. 쑗 We are disbanding our door-to-door sales team and relying on mail order selling in future. 2. to stop working to- disciplinary gether 쑗 The group disbanded and its members started to go solo. disbelief /dsb li f/ noun extreme surprise, not being able to believe something. Synonym incredulity disbelieve /dsb li v/ verb 1. to not believe someone or something 2. to have no religious belief ② disc /dsk/ noun 1. a round flat object; a music record 쑗 The setting sun was a huge orange disc on the horizon. 2. a flat round bone which links with others to make the backbone discard /ds kɑ d/ verb to put something or someone on one side because they are no longer useful, to throw something away. Synonym throw away. Antonym keep discern /d s" n/ verb 1. to see something, to make something out with difficulty 쑗 In the fog, we could barely discern the traffic coming in the opposite direction. 쑗 Can you discern any improvement in her pulse rate? 2. to understand something, to find out about something 쑗 It’s hard to discern what her motives might be. discernible /d s" nəb(ə)l/ adj which can be seen. Synonym visible discerning /d s" nŋ/ adj with good judgement. Synonym discriminating. Antonym indiscriminate discharge noun / dstʃɑ dȢ/ 1. a liquid which comes out of something such as a pipe 쑗 The discharge from the factory flows into the river. 2. pus which comes out of a wound 쑗 The wound healed well with no further discharge. 3. the payment of a debt 쑗 Discharge of the debt must take place within thirty days. 4. the release of a prisoner 쑗 He was arrested again within a month of his discharge from prison. 쐽 verb /ds tʃɑ dȢ/ 1. to get rid of waste 쑗 The factory is discharging waste water into the river. 2. to send someone away 쑗 The judge discharged the jury. 왍 he was discharged from hospital he was sent home from hospital 3. to let a prisoner go free 쑗 The prisoners were discharged by the judge. 쑗 He was discharged after having served eleven months in jail. 4. to pay a debt 쑗 How will she discharge this debt if she has no income? 5. to remove a load from a vehicle 쑗 Several trucks were waiting to discharge their loads. 6. to dismiss someone, to sack someone 쑗 He was discharged for being late. disciple /d sap(ə)l/ noun a follower, especially of a religious leader disciplinarian /dspl neəriən/ noun a person who believes in strict discipline. Synonym tyrant disciplinary /ds plnəri/ adj which keeps someone under control or which punishes someone. Synonym punitive discipline 232 discipline / dspln/ noun 1. keeping people under control 쑗 The tour leaders are trying to keep discipline among the teenagers. 쑗 We need to enforce stricter discipline in the school. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a branch of learning 쑗 biology and other related disciplines 쐽 verb to control someone, to punish someone 쑗 As a result of the investigation, one employee was dismissed and three were disciplined. 쑗 She was disciplined for swearing at her supervisor. disciplined / dsplnd/ adj trained and well controlled disc jockey / dsk dȢɒki/ noun a person who plays music at a disco or on radio. Abbr ② DJ disclaim /ds klem/ verb not to admit, to deny. Synonym deny 왍 he disclaims all knowledge of the payment he says he knows nothing about the payment disclaimer /ds klemə/ noun 1. a denial of responsibility 2. a statement in which a legal right is renounced disclose /ds kləυz/ verb to reveal a secret. Antonym conceal ③ disclosure /ds kləυȢə/ noun 1. a piece of information that had been kept secret before 쑗 The newspaper carried sensational disclosures about the pop star’s private life. 2. the action of revealing a secret 쑗 He resigned after the disclosure of his corrupt past. disco / dskəυ/ noun a place where people dance to recorded music; a party where people dance to pop music (NOTE: short for disotheque. The plural is discos.) discolour /ds klə/ verb to change a colour (NOTE: The US spelling is discolor.) discoloured /ds kləd/ adj which has changed colour (NOTE: The US spelling is discolored.) discomfort /ds kmfət/ noun a lack of comfort disconcert /dskən s" t/ verb to surprise and worry someone. Synonym unsettle disconcerted /dskən s" td/ adj uneasy, or confused disconcerting /dskən s" tŋ/ adj worrying or surprising. Synonym disturbing disconnect /dskə nekt/ verb to remove the connection to a mechanical or electrical device. Antonym connect discontent /dskən tent/ noun a state of not being satisfied. Synonym dissatisfaction. Antonym contentment discontented /dskən tentd/ adj not satisfied. Synonym dissatisfied. Antonym contented discontinue /dskən tnju / verb to stop stocking, selling or making a product. Antonym continue discovery discord / dskɔ d/ noun a lack of agreement discordant /ds kɔ dnt/ adj 1. not in agreement 쑗 Anyone wanting to express discordant opinions was prevented from doing so by the chair. 왍 to strike a discordant note to say something that other people will not like or agree with 쑗 I don’t wish to strike a discordant note, but your suggestions don’t seem at all helpful to me. 2. out of harmony 쑗 The discordant chords of the music sound odd to our ears. discotheque / dskətek/ noun full form of disco ③ discount noun / dskaυnt/ an amount by which a full price is reduced 쑗 The store gives a discount on bulk purchases. 쑗 We give a discount on summer holidays booked before Christmas. Synonym reduction 왍 to sell goods at a discount or discount price to sell goods below the usual price 왍 10% discount for cash, 10% cash discount you pay 10% less if you pay in cash 쐽 verb /dskaυnt/ 1. to reduce the price of goods 쑗 We are discounting many items in our January sales. 2. not to pay any attention to something 쑗 Don’t discount all his advice – he is very experienced. discourage /ds krdȢ/ verb 1. not to encourage 쑗 We try to discourage people from coming in without tickets. 2. to take away all hope 쑗 They were completely discouraged by their results. 쑗 Don’t be discouraged by the small number of people in the audience. discouraged /ds krdȢd/ adj feeling less confident or optimistic discouragement /ds krdȢmənt/ noun 1. feeling or being discouraged 쑗 He gave up in discouragement after failing his exam for the fifth time. 2. a thing which discourages you from doing something 쑗 In spite of various discouragements, she continued studying and got her degree. discouraging /ds krdȢŋ/ adj not encouraging ③ discourse / dskɔ s/ noun a talk, a speech discourteous /ds k" tiəs/ adj rude. Antonym polite ① discover /d skvə/ verb to find something new or to learn something for the first time 쑗 Who discovered penicillin? 쑗 We discovered that the estate agent had sold the house twice. 쑗 The auditors discovered some errors in the accounts. discoverer /d skvərə/ noun a person who discovers something. Synonym inventor ③ discovery /d skv(ə)ri/ noun 1. the act of finding something new or learning something for the first time 쑗 her discovery that someone had been in her house while she was away 쑗 They congratulated him on his discredit 233 discovery of a new planet. 2. a new thing which has been found 쑗 The first discovery they made was that the lake contained salt water. 쑗 Look at his latest discovery – an antique oak table which he found in a barn. discredit /ds kredt/ noun loss of respect 쑗 She brought discredit on the whole family. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to make people doubt or lose respect for someone or something 쑗 When stories about his private life appeared in the press he was totally discredited as a minister. 쑗 They set out to discredit his research. discreet /d skri t/ adj 1. not giving away or trying to find out private information about other people 쑗 She never gossips – she is very discreet. 2. not intending to attract attention 쑗 I had a discreet word with the vicar before the service. discreetly /ds kri tli/ adv quietly, without anyone noticing discrepancy /d skrepənsi/ noun a lack of agreement between figures or stories. Synonym inconsistency (NOTE: The plural is discrepancies.) discretion /d skreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the power to decide or choose what to do 쑗 at your discretion 왍 I leave it to your discretion I will let you decide what to do 쑗 Gratuities are left to the discretion of the customer. 2. wisdom, tact, or good sense 쑗 He showed great discretion in his handling of the family crisis. 3. the ability to keep a secret, not to give information about someone 쑗 You can rely on her – she’s known for her discretion. (NOTE: no plural) discretionary /d skreʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj which can be done if someone wants it. Synonym optional. Antonym mandatory 왍 the tribunal has wide discretionary powers the tribunal can act in various ways when it decides it is necessary ③ discriminate /d skrmnet/ verb 1. to distinguish 왍 to discriminate between two things to treat two things in different ways 쑗 The selectors must not discriminate between men and women applicants. 쑗 We discriminate between part-time and full-time staff. 2. 왍 to discriminate against to be biased against 쑗 She accused the management of discriminating against her. discriminating /d skrmnetŋ/ adj able to tell the difference between two things, able to tell the value of something. Synonym discerning discrimination /dskrm neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. treating people in different ways because of class, religion, race, language, colour or sex 쑗 We try to avoid discrimination against older applicants. 왍 sexual or sex discrimination, discrimination on grounds of sex treating men and women in different ways 2. disengage good taste 쑗 The shop sells gifts which appeal to people with discrimination. (NOTE: no plural) discriminatory /d skrmnət(ə)ri/ adj which shows discrimination. Synonym biased discursive /d sk" sv/ adj which does not keep to the point, which changes from one subject to another. Antonym concise discus / dskəs/ noun a flat round disc which is thrown as a sport (NOTE: Do not confuse with discuss. The plural is discuses.) ① discuss /d sks/ verb to talk about a se- rious matter or problem 쑗 The point of the meeting is to discuss how to save money. 쑗 They spent hours discussing the details of the wedding. Synonym talk over ① discussion /d skʃ(ə)n/ noun talking about a serious matter or problem 쑗 Most problems can be solved by discussion. 쑗 The next programme will feature a discussion between environmental experts. 쑗 She had a heated discussion with the bus driver. Synonym conversation 왍 the question under discussion the question we are talking about disdain /ds den/ noun a feeling that someone or something is inferior 쑗 She showed her disdain by refusing to shake his hand. Synonym scorn. Antonym respect (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to look down on something 쑗 She disdains all modern appliances like computers and mobile phones. 2. 왍 to disdain to do something to refuse to do something because it is beneath you 쑗 He disdained to carry his own luggage, but got a porter to do it for him. disdainful /ds denf(ə)l/ adj superior, showing disdain. Antonym respectful ① disease /d zi z/ noun a serious illness 쑗 Hundreds of people caught the disease. 쑗 It is a disease that can be treated with antibiotics. diseased /d zi zd/ adj 1. affected by an illness 2. not whole or normal disembark /dsm bɑ k/ verb to get off a ship or a plane, etc. Antonym embark disembarkation /dsmbɑ keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of getting off a ship or a plane etc. disembodied /dsm bɒdid/ adj without physical presence disenchanted /dsn tʃɑ ntd/ adj 왍 to be disenchanted with something not to be as pleased as you used to be with something, to start to dislike something 쑗 She’s very disenchanted with her new job and is thinking of quitting. disengage /dsn DZedȢ/ verb 1. 왍 to disengage the clutch (in a car, etc.) to press down on the clutch pedal, so that the engine disengagement 234 is no longer connected with the gears 2. to break off a military action 왍 the troops disengaged the troops stopped fighting disengagement /dsn DZedȢmənt/ noun the act of stopping fighting disentangle /dsn tŋDZəl/ verb 1. to straighten out things that are tied or knotted together 2. to clarify something 3. to free someone from a complicated situation disfavour /ds fevə/ noun a lack of approval (NOTE: The US spelling is disfavor.) 왍 to fall into disfavour to stop being approved of 쑗 The minister fell into disfavour and was exiled. 쑗 The duke incurred the king’s disfavour. disfigure /ds fDZə/ verb to change someone’s appearance so as to make it less pleasant disfigurement /ds fDZəmənt/ noun a mark that makes someone or something look less attractive. Synonym scar. Antonym enhancement disfiguring /ds fDZərŋ/ adj which disfigures ③ disgrace /ds DZres/ noun 1. the loss of someone’s respect because of errors, scandal or corruption 쑗 The minister’s disgrace followed the discovery of the papers in his office. 왍 the minister fell into disgrace the minister became out of favour 2. a thing which brings shame 쑗 He’s a disgrace to the teaching profession. 쑗 It was a disgrace to see her lying on the pavement like that. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to bring shame on someone 쑗 He disgraced all his family by arriving drunk at the tea party. 왍 to disgrace yourself to do something which brings shame on you 쑗 He disgraced himself by throwing sandwiches at the speakers. disgraced /ds DZrest/ adj no longer in a position of authority because of errors, corruption or scandal disgraceful /ds DZresf(ə)l/ adj which people should be ashamed of, terrible. Synonym shameful disgruntled /ds DZrntld/ adj annoyed or discontented. Antonym contented disguise /ds DZaz/ noun a costume or wig, e.g., to make a person look like someone else 쑗 I didn’t recognise him as he was wearing a disguise. Synonym mask 왍 in disguise dressed to look like someone else 쑗 The tramp turned out to be a policeman in disguise. 쐽 verb 1. to dress someone or yourself so as to look like someone else 쑗 He entered the country disguised as a fisherman. 쑗 She wore a wig to disguise her hair. 2. to make something look or sound different 왍 there is no disguising the fact you cannot hide the fact disgust /ds DZst/ noun 1. a strong dislike, feeling sick 쑗 The sight of the dead cat filled dishwasher her with disgust. 2. a strong feeling of annoyance 쑗 To my disgust, the examiner passed my friend and failed me. 왍 in disgust showing that you are upset and annoyed 쑗 She walked out of the interview in disgust. 쐽 verb to give someone a strong feeling of dislike or disapproval 쑗 The smell of cooking disgusted her. 쑗 The greediness of these people disgusts me. Synonym sicken. Antonym please disgusted /ds DZstd/ adj feeling shocked. Antonym charmed ② disgusting /ds DZstŋ/ adj that fills you with disgust. Synonym revolting ② dish /dʃ/ noun 1. a large plate for serving food 쑗 She carefully arranged the slices of meat on a dish. 2. 왍 to wash or do the dishes to wash plates, glasses, cutlery after a meal 쑗 He’s offered to do the dishes. 3. a plate of prepared food 쑗 We are trying a new Mexican dish. 4. a round aerial, shaped like a plate, used to get signals from satellites 쑗 Almost every house in the street has a satellite dish on the roof. (NOTE: The plural is dishes.) dishcloth / dʃklɒθ/ noun a cloth for washing dishes dishearten /ds hɑ t(ə)n/ verb to discourage someone disheartened /ds hɑ t(ə)nd/ adj feeling discouraged disheartening /ds hɑ t(ə)nŋ/ adj making somebody lose hope or enthusiasm dishes / dʃz/ plural noun things you use for eating from, such as plates and cups dishevelled /d ʃevld/ adj (of hair ) wild, which has not been combed (NOTE: The US . spelling is disheveled.) dishonest /ds ɒnst/ adj not honest dishonestly /ds ɒnstli/ adv not honestly dishonesty /ds ɒnsti/ noun a lack of honesty. Synonym deceit (NOTE: no plural) dishonour /ds ɒnə/ noun losing your honour 쑗 His actions brought dishonour to the school. 쐽 verb not to honour something (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is dishonor.) dishonourable /ds ɒn(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj with dishonour (NOTE: The US spelling is dishonorable.) dishonourably /ds ɒnərəbli/ adv in a dishonourable way (NOTE: The US spelling is dishonorable.) ③ dish out /dʃ aυt/ verb to hand something out, especially in large quantities (informal ) Synonym distribute ③ dish up /dʃ p/ verb to serve food ③ dishwasher / dʃwɒʃə/ noun a machine for washing dishes 왍 dishwasher-proof (of dishes) not harmed by being washed in a . dishwasher dishwater 235 dishwater / dʃwɔ tə/ noun water which has been used for washing dishes disillusion /ds lu Ȣ(ə)n/ verb to make someone feel let down, or sad that something has not turned out as expected. Antonym inspire disillusioned /ds lu Ȣ(ə)nd/ adj feeling that something has not turned out as expected disillusionment /ds lu Ȣ(ə)nmənt/ noun a feeling of being let down because something has not turned out as expected disinclined /dsn kland/ adj 왍 to be disinclined to do something to feel you do not want to do something (formal ) 쑗 I’m disinclined to lend them any more money. disinfect /dsn fekt/ verb to remove germs or bacteria from something. Synonym sterilise. Antonym contaminate disinfectant /dsn fektənt/ noun a substance used to kill germs and bacteria. Synonym antiseptic disinformation /dsnfə meʃ(ə)n/ noun false information that is intended to confuse an enemy or an opponent. Synonym deception. Antonym truth disingenuous /dsn dȢenjuəs/ adj pretending to be sincere while trying to hide something. Synonym dishonest disintegrate /ds ntDZret/ verb to fall to pieces. Synonym crumble. Antonym . reconstitute disinterested /ds ntrəstd/ adj 1. quite impartial, not in favour of one side or the other 쑗 a totally disinterested observer 2. not interested 쑗 She seemed quite disinterested in what was going on. (NOTE: This use is common, but regarded as wrong. Tthe correct word to use in this meaning is uninterested.) disjointed /ds dȢɔntd/ adj without any links; unconnected. Antonym coherent disk drive / dsk drav/ noun a device which holds a disk in a computer and controls the access of information ③ dislike /ds lak/ noun 1. not liking something or someone 쑗 She had never felt such a dislike for someone before. 왍 to take a dislike to to hate 쑗 Their dog took a hearty dislike to the postman. 2. a thing which you do not like 쑗 We try to take account of the likes and dislikes of individual customers. 쐽 verb not to like something or someone 쑗 I dislike him intensely. 쑗 I dislike it when the people behind me at the cinema start whispering. 쑗 My father dislikes having to get up early on Monday mornings. Synonym hate 왍 I don’t dislike Mozart I quite like Mozart dislocate / dsləket/ verb 1. to displace a bone from its normal position at a joint 쑗 He fell and dislocated his elbow. 쑗 The shoulder joint dislocates easily. 2. to disorganise disobedient something 쑗 Train services have been dislocated by the strike. dislocation /dslə keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a condition where a bone is displaced from its normal position at a joint 쑗 The dislocation of his elbow means that he can’t drive. 2. disorganisation 쑗 The fog will lead to some dislocation of services. dislodge /ds lɒdȢ/ verb to move something which is stuck. Synonym remove disloyal /ds lɔəl/ adj not loyal. Synonym unfaithful. Antonym loyal disloyalty /ds lɔəlti/ noun a lack of loyalty, not being loyal. Antonym loyalty dismal / dzm(ə)l/ adj miserable dismally / dzməli/ adv miserably 왍 to fail dismally to fail very badly 쑗 He failed his test dismally. dismantle /ds mnt(ə)l/ verb to take something to pieces dismay /ds me/ noun great disappointment 쑗 To her great dismay she couldn’t find her passport. 쑗 To the dismay of the supporters, the team played extremely badly. 쐽 verb to strike someone with horror 쑗 His reaction to her letter dismayed her. 쑗 She was dismayed to find that her passport had been stolen. dismayed /ds med/ adj shocked and upset dismember /ds membə/ verb to cut something up into pieces ③ dismiss /ds ms/ verb 1. to remove an employee from a job 쑗 He was dismissed for being late. 쑗 When they found him taking money from the petty cash he was dismissed instantly. 2. to send someone away 쑗 At the end of the interview he dismissed her with a brief ‘good afternoon’. 3. to refuse to consider an idea 쑗 Her plan was dismissed as being quite impractical. 쑗 All his suggestions were dismissed by the MD. 4. to refuse a request 쑗 They dismissed my application for a loan. dismissal /ds ms(ə)l/ noun removal from a job 왍 unfair dismissal the removing of a person from his job for reasons which do not appear to be reasonable 쑗 He appealed to the tribunal on the grounds of unfair dismissal. dismissive /ds msv/ adj showing that you do not consider something or someone important dismount /ds maυnt/ verb to get off something such as a horse or bicycle. Synonym get down disobedience /dsə bi diəns/ noun an act of refusing to obey someone. Synonym defiance. Antonym obedience disobedient /dsə bi diənt/ adj not obeying. Synonym defiant. Antonym obedient disobey 236 disobey /dsə be/ verb not to obey. Synonym defy. Antonym obey ③ disorder /ds ɔ də/ noun 1. a lack of order 쑗 The whole office is in a state of disorder. 2. a riot, disturbance in the streets 쑗 Violent public disorders broke out in the streets. 3. an illness 쑗 She suffers from a stomach disorder. 쑗 a doctor who specialises in disorders of the kidneys or in kidney disorders disordered /ds ɔ dəd/ adj 1. untidy or confused 2. not working normally disorderly /ds ɔ dəli/ adj wild and out of order disorganised /ds ɔ DZənazd/, disorganized adj not well organised disorientate /ds ɔ riəntet/ verb to make someone feel confused, especially so that they do not know where they are (NOTE: The US term is disorient.) disown /ds əυn/ verb to refuse to accept that something is yours disparage /d sprdȢ/ verb to say that something is not very good. Synonym belittle. Antonym praise disparagement /d sprdȢmənt/ noun the act of disparaging. Antonym praise disparaging /d sprdȢŋ/ adj saying that something is not very good. Synonym critical disparate / dsp(ə)rət/ adj various or different disparity /d sprti/ noun difference (formal ). Antonym parity dispassionate /ds pʃ(ə)nət/ adj calm, with no emotion. Synonym calm dispatch /d sptʃ/ noun 1. sending 쑗 Dispatch of the goods will be delayed until Monday. 2. a message sent 쑗 The reporters send regular dispatches from the war zone. 쑗 We received a dispatch from our Calcutta office. (NOTE: The plural is dispatches.) 왍 with dispatch immediately and with as much speed as possible (formal ) 쐽 verb 1. to send something 쑗 They dispatched the message to all commanding officers. 쑗 The goods were dispatched to you first thing this morning. 2. to finish doing something quickly 쑗 She set to work on the files and dispatched most of them by lunchtime. dispatch box /d sptʃ bɒks/ noun a box with government papers dispel /d spel/ verb to clear something away (NOTE: dispelling – dispelled) dispensary /d spensəri/ noun a place where a chemist prepares medicines according to a doctor’s prescription dispensation /dspen seʃ(ə)n/ noun permission not to follow something such as a rule . . disposable dispense /d spens/ verb 1. to provide something 쑗 Local magistrates dispense justice in the villages. 쑗 He sits in his office dispensing good advice to anyone who asks him for it. 2. 왍 to dispense with something not to use something any more 쑗 We’ve dispensed with the services of an accountant. dispenser /d spensə/ noun a machine which automatically provides something when money is put in or a button is pushed dispensing chemist /d spensŋ kemst/ noun a chemist who prepares and sells medicine dispersal /d sp" s(ə)l/ noun the way in which people or things are spread over an area disperse /d sp" s/ verb 1. to clear something away 쑗 The sun will soon disperse the mist. 쑗 The police were called in to disperse the crowds of angry fans. 2. to move quickly in different directions 쑗 The crowd dispersed rapidly once the parade was over. dispersed /d sp" st/ adj spread across a wide area, not close together dispirited /d sprtd/ adj sad or unhappy; feeling disappointed. Antonym cheerful displace /ds ples/ verb to move something from its usual place displacement /ds plesmənt/ noun 1. the moving of something to a different place 쑗 The invasion resulted in the displacement of thousands of people from their homes. 2. an amount of water which is removed by a floating ship, used to show the size of the ship 쑗 A ship with a displacement of 20,000 tons. ② display /d sple/ noun 1. a show, exhibition 쑗 a display of local crafts 쑗 They have a fine display of Chinese porcelain. 2. 왍 on display shown in an exhibition or for sale 쑗 The shop has several car models on display. 쐽 verb 1. to put something on show 쑗 She is displaying her collection of Persian carpets at the antiques fair. 2. to show something 쑗 He displayed considerable courage in meeting the rebel troops. 쑗 Make sure your parking ticket is clearly displayed on the windscreen. displease /ds pli z/ verb to make someone angry or annoyed. Synonym anger. Antonym please displeased /ds pli zd/ adj annoyed or dissatisfied displeasure /ds pleȢə/ noun a feeling of being annoyed. Synonym anger. Antonym pleasure (NOTE: no plural) disposable /d spəυzəb(ə)l/ adj which can be used and then thrown away 쑗 disposable cups disposable income 237 disposable income /dspəυzəb(ə)l nkm/ noun an amount of income left after the tax has been taken away disposal /d spəυz(ə)l/ noun 1. the act of getting rid of something 쑗 The disposal of refuse is a problem for large cities. 2. 왍 my car is at your disposal you can use my car if you want to 왍 I am at your disposal I am ready to do anything you want dispose /d spəυz/ verb 왍 to dispose of something to get rid of something 쑗 How are we going to dispose of all this waste paper? 쑗 His objections are easily disposed of. disposed /d spəυzd/ adj 왍 he is well disposed towards us he approves of what we are doing 왍 to be disposed to do something to feel like doing something (formal ) 쑗 They are disposed to accept our terms. disposition /dspə zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. character, tendency 쑗 He has a pleasant easy-going disposition. 쑗 She has a disposition to argue with her husband. 2. the act of passing land or goods to another person, especially in a will 쑗 to make testamentary dispositions disproportionate /dsprə pɔ ʃ(ə)nət/ adj not of a suitable size or amount for a particular purpose disprove /ds pru v/ verb to prove something is wrong. Antonym prove ② dispute /d spju t, dspju t/ noun an argument 쑗 He tried to mediate in the dispute. 쑗 There was a little dispute over who would pay the bill. 왍 in dispute not agreed 쑗 The ownership of the land is in dispute. 쐽 verb to argue that something is not correct 쑗 I dispute her version of what happened. 쑗 There is no disputing the fact that Sarah is the best qualified of the candidates. disqualification /dskwɒlf keʃ(ə)n/ noun an action by which someone is disqualified. Antonym entitlement disqualify /ds kwɒlfa/ verb to make someone not able to do something. Synonym . ban disquiet /ds kwaət/ noun worry. Synonym unrest disquieting /ds kwaətŋ/ adj worrying disregard /dsr DZɑ d/ noun 왍 disregard for something not paying any attention to something 쑗 He showed a complete disregard for public safety. 쐽 verb to take no notice of 쑗 He disregarded the warning signs and went on along the road. Synonym ignore. Antonym heed disrepair /dsr peə/ noun 왍 in a state of disrepair needing to be repaired disreputable /ds repjυtəb(ə)l/ adj with a bad reputation, especially for criminal activity. Antonym reputable dissident disrepute /dsr pju t/ noun a bad reputa- tion 왍 to bring something into disrepute to give something a bad reputation 쑗 He was accused of bringing the club into disrepute by his extraordinary behaviour. disrespect /dsr spekt/ noun a lack of respect to someone. Antonym respect disrespectful /dsr spektf(ə)l/ adj lacking respect; rude. Synonym rude. Antonym respectful disrupt /ds rpt/ verb 1. to stop a service running normally 쑗 The snowstorm has disrupted bus services throughout the country. 2. to break up or to interrupt a meeting 쑗 We are not used to having our meetings disrupted by protesters. ③ disruption /ds rpʃən/ noun 1. stopping the normal working of something 쑗 The fog has caused disruption to rail timetables. 2. breaking up or interruption of a meeting 쑗 We locked the door so that there would be no more disruptions. disruptive /ds rptv/ adj which disrupts. Synonym troublesome dissatisfaction /dssts fkʃən/ noun a lack of satisfaction. Synonym displeasure dissatisfied /ds stsfad/ adj not satisfied. Synonym displeased. Antonym satisfied dissect /da sekt/ verb to cut up a body to examine it dissection /da sekʃən/ noun the process of cutting up something such as a body or plant, for scientific purposes disseminate /d semnet/ verb to spread something around dissemination /dsem neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of spreading news around dissent /d sent/ noun lack of agreement 쑗 The chairman wished to avoid dissent. 쑗 They received many letters of dissent. Antonym agreement (NOTE: Do not confuse with descent.) 쐽 verb 왍 to dissent from not to agree with 쑗 The sales director dissented from the majority view. 왍 there were two dissenting votes two people voted against dissenter /d sentə/ noun someone who strongly disagrees with something, especially with matters relating to the Church dissenting /d sentŋ/ adj disagreeing with the beliefs or opinions of a majority dissertation /dsə teʃ(ə)n/ noun a long essay written as part of a university course disservice /d s" vs/ noun an action which damages or harms 왍 to do somebody a disservice to do something which harms someone 왍 you do yourself a disservice you are harming your reputation dissident / dsdənt/ adj not in agreement with the state 쑗 a dissident writer Synonym rebel 쐽 noun a person who is not in agree- dissimilar 238 ment with the state 쑗 Several dissidents tried to set up an underground newspaper. 쑗 It was a time when dissidents were being arrested and thrown in jail. Synonym dissenter 왘 Antonym (all senses) conformist dissimilar /d smlə/ adj not the same. Synonym unlike. Antonym similar 왍 they are not dissimilar they are alike dissipate / dspet/ verb 1. to clear something away 쑗 The hot sun soon dissipated the morning mist. 쑗 His statement did a lot to dissipate the feeling of annoyance among the members. 2. to waste something such as money, time or skill 쑗 After winning the lottery he dissipated the lot on drink and expensive cars. dissipated / dspetd/ adj living in a way which many people do not approve of, e.g. by spending a lot of money on physical pleasure dissociate /d səυsiet/ verb 왍 to dissociate yourself from to say that you want nothing to do with 쑗 I wish to dissociate myself from the opinions expressed by my colleague. dissolution /dsə lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun the ending of a formal relationship, such as a marriage 왍 dissolution of Parliament the ending of a Parliament, so forcing a general election 쑗 The government lost the vote of no confidence, so the Prime Minister asked for a dissolution of Parliament. dissolve /d zɒlv/ verb 1. to make a solid substance become part of a liquid 쑗 Dissolve the sugar in half a litre of boiling water. 쑗 The powder should be completely dissolved in warm water. 2. to become part of a liquid 쑗 The sugar dissolved quite quickly. 쑗 Stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. 3. to bring something to an end 쑗 to dissolve a partnership or a company or a marriage 왍 to dissolve Parliament to close the Parliament, and call new elections 4. 왍 to dissolve in(to) tears to start to cry with a lack of control dissuade /d swed/ verb 왍 to dissuade someone from something to persuade someone not to do something 쑗 We tried to dissuade her from entering the beauty competition. dissuasion /d sweȢ(ə)n/ noun persuading someone not to do something. Synonym discouragement. Antonym encouragement ② distance / dstəns/ noun 1. a space from one point to another 쑗 What is the distance from London to Geneva? 쑗 The furthest distance I have travelled by train is 800 km. 쑗 The railway line goes underground for a short distance. 쑗 The hotel is only a short distance away. 왍 within walking distance near enough to walk to 쑗 The hotel is within walking distance of the town centre. 2. 왍 from a distance seen from some way away distinction From a distance, the mountain looks like a sleeping animal. 왍 in the distance a long way away 쑗 I caught sight of the mountain in the distance. 쑗 We could hear guns firing in the distance. 쐽 verb 왍 to distance yourself from to show that you are some distance away from 쑗 The police chief took pains to distance himself from the remarks made by the President. distance learning / dstəns l" nŋ/ noun studying in your own time away from the place where the course is organised, using radio or TV ③ distant / dstənt/ adj 1. far away 쑗 We could hear the sound of distant gunfire. 왍 distant relative a relative who is not a member of the immediate family 쑗 She’s a very distant relative – her grandfather was my grandmother’s cousin. 왍 in the not too distant future fairly soon 쑗 We expect to move house in the not too distant future. 왍 in the dim and distant past a long time ago 쑗 It all happened in the dim and distant past when I was at university. 2. not very friendly 쑗 The manager was quite helpful but distant. distaste /ds test/ noun a dislike distasteful /ds testf(ə)l/ adj unpleasant. Antonym pleasant distended /d stendd/ adj swollen distil /d stl/ verb to make pure water or alcohol by heating the liquid, and collecting the steam (NOTE: distilling – distilled. The 쑗 US spelling is distill.) distillation /dst leʃ(ə)n/ noun the pro- cess of distilling distilled water /d stld wɔ tə/ noun extremely pure water that has been distilled, used, e.g., to top up car batteries distillery /d stləri/ noun a factory for distilling alcohol (NOTE: The plural is distilleries.) ③ distinct /d stŋkt/ adj 1. separate 쑗 There are two distinct varieties of this plant. 쑗 They keep their printing works quite distinct from their publishing company. 2. clear 쑗 I got the distinct impression that he was carrying a gun. 쑗 Did you notice the distinct tone of anger in his voice? ② distinction /d stŋkʃən/ noun 1. a difference 쑗 There is a distinction between being interested in politics and joining a political party. 왍 to make a distinction between two things to notice that two things are different 쑗 You must try to make a distinction between the police and the secret service. 2. the highest mark 쑗 She got a distinction in her exam. 3. a special excellence 쑗 He served in the war with distinction. 쑗 She had the distinction of being the first woman pilot. distinctive 239 ③ distinctive /d stŋktv/ adj very notice- able, which makes one thing different from others. Synonym characteristic distinctively /ds tŋktvli/ adv in a distinctive way ③ distinctly /d stŋktli/ adv clearly. Synonym definitely ③ distinguish /d stŋDZwʃ/ verb 1. to see or hear clearly; to make out details 쑗 With the binoculars we could easily distinguish the houses on the other side of the lake. 쑗 I could distinguish at least two birds calling to each other. 2. 왍 to distinguish between two things to recognise the difference between two things 쑗 Children must be taught to distinguish between right and wrong. 쑗 It’s difficult to distinguish by sight between salt and caster sugar. 왍 to distinguish one thing from another to notice that two things are not the same 쑗 I find it difficult to distinguish the blue from the green in the design. distinguishable /d stŋDZwʃəb(ə)l/ adj which can be distinguished ③ distinguished /d stŋDZwʃt/ adj important and well known. Synonym illustrious distinguishing /d stŋDZwʃŋ/ adj which makes someone or something different. Synonym unique. Antonym typical distort /d stɔ t/ verb 1. to twist something 쑗 His face was distorted with pain. 왍 distorting mirrors mirrors made of bent glass, which change your appearance 2. to give a false impression of something 쑗 He distorted the meaning of my speech. ③ distortion /d stɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. bending and twisting out of shape 쑗 The accident was caused by the distortion of the rails in the hot weather. 2. something that gives a false impression 쑗 It is a complete distortion of the truth. distract /d strkt/ verb to attract someone’s attention when they should be doing something else 왍 to distract someone’s attention to make someone look at something different 쑗 If you distract her attention, I’ll try to snatch her handbag. distracted /d strktd/ adj feeling extremely worried and unable to think clearly ③ distraction /d strkʃən/ noun 1. an entertainment 쑗 We went to London to look for some distraction. 2. a thing which stops you from concentrating 쑗 How can I do my work properly with all the distractions of the family? 3. 왍 he loved her to distraction he was greatly in love with her distraught /d strɔ t/ adj feeling extremely worried and unable to think clearly distress /d stres/ noun 1. a great sad or painful feeling 쑗 I don’t want to cause the family any distress. 쑗 The whole family was disturb in distress at grandmother’s death. 2. difficulty 쑗 We knew the ship was in distress when we saw the flares. 왍 distress signal a signal sent when you are in difficulties 쐽 verb to make someone very sad and worried 쑗 The news of her grandmother’s death distressed her very much. Antonym soothe distressed /d strest/ adj very sad and worried distressing /d stresŋ/ adj very sad and worrying ③ distribute /d strbju t/ verb 1. to share something out, to give something to several people 쑗 She distributed part of her money to the poor. 쑗 The stewardesses came round, distributing immigration forms to non-EU passengers. 쑗 I’ll distribute the list to all the committee members. 2. to send out goods from a warehouse to shops 왍 we distribute Japanese cars we are the agents for Japanese cars ② distribution /dstr bju ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. giving to several people 쑗 The newspaper has a wide distribution. 쑗 The staff will organise the distribution of the timetable to the students. 2. the act or process of sending out goods from a warehouse to shops 쑗 Our distribution centre is in Oxfordshire. ② distributor /d strbjυtə/ noun 1. a company which sells goods for another company which makes them 쑗 Who is the local distributor for this make of lawnmower? 2. (in a car engine) a part of the engine which passes the electric spark to each sparking plug in turn 쑗 The distributor head needs cleaning. ② district / dstrkt/ noun 1. an area or region 쑗 It’s a district of the town well known for its Italian restaurants. 왍 the commercial or business district the part of a town where offices and shops are 쑗 The shop is well placed right in the main business district of the town. 2. an official administrative area of a town or country district attorney /dstrkt ə t" ni/ noun US a lawyer representing the government in a certain area. Abbr DA district council /dstrkt kaυnsəl/ noun a local council district nurse /dstrkt n" s/ noun same as community nurse distrust /ds trst/ noun a lack of trust 쑗 The dog showed his distrust of postmen. 쐽 verb not to trust someone 쑗 I distrust anyone who wears green shoes. 쑗 The police distrusted her motives in making the phone call. distrustful /ds trstf(ə)l/ adj not trusting. Synonym suspicious disturb /d st" b/ verb 1. to worry someone 쑗 It disturbed me to see that the wheel was wobbling. 2. to interrupt someone 쑗 Sorry to disturb you but there’s an urgent disturbance 240 email message just come in. 쑗 Don’t disturb your mother – she’s resting. 왍 ‘do not disturb’ a notice placed on a hotel room door, to ask the hotel staff not to come into the room 3. to change the order or arrangement of something 쑗 The police told us that nothing must be disturbed in the bedroom. ③ disturbance /d st" bəns/ noun 1. the action of disturbing someone 쑗 I need to work somewhere where there won’t be any disturbance. 2. a noisy riot 쑗 The fans caused a disturbance in the hotel bar. 쑗 There are always disturbances after the local derby. 쑗 There were several instances of looting during the disturbances. 3. 왍 mental disturbance being mentally ill disturbed /d st" bd/ adj 1. worried 쑗 We are disturbed to hear that the company may be forced to close. 2. mentally ill 쑗 In her disturbed state of mind, she may do anything. 쑗 Some of the patients are mentally disturbed. 쑗 Highly disturbed children are taught in this special school. ③ disturbing /d st" bŋ/ adj worrying. Antonym reassuring disuse /ds ju s/ noun 왍 to fall into disuse not to be used any more disused /ds ju zd/ adj not used. Synonym empty. Antonym occupied ditch /dtʃ/ noun a long narrow hole cut into the ground for taking away water 쑗 After the storm, the ditches were full of rainwater. 쑗 He fell into the ditch beside the road. Synonym channel (NOTE: The plural is ditches.) 쐽 verb 1. to leave something behind 쑗 When we ran out of petrol, we ditched the car and walked to the next town. 2. to leave someone who has been working for you or who you have been having a relationship with 쑗 The company decided to ditch its sales director. 쑗 She ditched her third husband and lived alone. 3. to land a plane on water 쑗 The pilot ran out of fuel and decided to ditch the plane. dither / dðə/ noun 왍 all of a dither agitated and worried 쑗 She was all of a dither after getting the letter from the solicitor. 쐽 verb not to be able to make up your mind 쑗 Stop dithering and tell me what you want to do. Synonym hesitate ditto / dtəυ/ noun 1. also; the same thing 쑗 I can’t stand oysters – me ditto! 2. a printer’s sign ( " ) meaning that the same thing is to be repeated diuretic /dajυ retk/ adj which makes the kidneys produce more urine 쑗 Some mineral waters have a diuretic effect. 쐽 noun a substance which produces urine 쑗 She was given diuretics. diurnal /da " n(ə)l/ adj happening during the day, awake during the day. Antonym nocturnal diversion diva / di və/ noun 1. an extremely famous woman opera star 2. a famous woman singer who is thought to behave badly and demand too much attention (disapproving) divan /d vn/ noun a low long chair or a bed with a solid base and no back. Synonym settee dive /dav/ noun 1. a jump downwards head first into water 쑗 He made a beautiful dive into the pool. 2. a bar that is dirty and not pleasant 쑗 He met her in some dive in Frankfurt. 쐽 verb 1. to jump into water head first 쑗 He dived in and swam across the pool under water. 2. to go rapidly into or behind something 쑗 When she saw him she dived into the bushes. 3. (of aircraft) to come down very fast 쑗 I heard a bang and saw the plane dive into the sea. dive-bomb / dav bɒm/ verb (of a plane) to attack by diving out of the sky and dropping a bomb ③ diver / davə/ noun 1. a person who jumps head first into water 쑗 the Australian Olympic diver 2. a person who swims and works underwater 쑗 Police divers searched the canal. diverge /da v" dȢ/ verb 1. to go in different directions 쑗 The road and the river diverge at the end of the valley. 쑗 They had shared a flat for some time, then their careers diverged and they saw much less of each other. 2. 왍 to diverge from to be different from 쑗 This diverges from the plan I was given originally. divergence /da v" dȢəns/ noun a difference divergent /da v" dȢənt/ adj different. Antonym similar divers / davəz/ adj various (literary) Antonym similar diverse /da v" s/ adj including many different types or things diversification /dav" sf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of diversifying. Antonym specialisation diversify /da v" sfa/ verb to do other types of work; to add new types of business to your existing one diversion /da v" ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a temporary road system that sends traffic another way 쑗 All traffic has to take a diversion and rejoin the motorway 10 km further on. 2. an entertainment or an activity that people do for enjoyment 쑗 Fishing is one of the most popular diversions for people at weekends. 쑗 It’s a quiet country town with very few diversions for teenagers. 3. 왍 to create a diversion to take someone’s attention away from what is happening, e.g. so that someone else can commit a crime 쑗 She created a diversion by screaming. diversity 241 diversity /da v" sti/ noun great variety. Antonym uniformity ③ divert /da v" t/ verb 1. to send something to another place or in another direction 쑗 Because of fog in London, flights have been diverted to Manchester. 쑗 Traffic has been diverted to avoid the town centre. 2. to entertain someone 쑗 A game of snakes and ladders diverted the children for a little while. 3. 왍 to divert someone’s attention to make someone look away 쑗 Try and divert his attention while I steal his keys. ① divide /d vad/ verb 1. to cut something into parts 쑗 The cake was divided among the children. 쑗 How can you divide the cake into thirteen pieces? 쑗 The two companies agreed to divide the market between them. 쑗 Our open-plan office is divided up with low partitions. 2. to calculate how many of one number there are in another 쑗 Ten divided by two gives five. (NOTE: Dividing is usually shown by the sign ÷ : 10 ÷ 2 = 5: say ‘ten divided by two equals five’.) 3. (in the House of Commons) to vote 쑗 MPs divided at 10 p.m. ③ dividend / dvdend/ noun a part of a company’s profits shared out among people who own shares in it 왍 to raise or increase the dividend to pay out a higher dividend than in the previous year dividers /d vadəz/ plural noun a pair of compasses for measuring dividing line /d vadŋ lan/ noun something acting as a boundary divine /d van/ adj referring to God 쑗 He prayed for divine help. 쐽 verb to search for hidden sources of water 쑗 In the middle of the drought, they called in someone to divine for water. Synonym discover diving / davŋ/ noun 1. the sport of jumping into water head first from a diving board, with points from 0 – 10 being awarded by a panel of judges 쑗 He won a gold medal for diving. 2. swimming underwater with special equipment 쑗 We went diving in the Red Sea. diving board / davŋ bɔ d/ noun a board from which people dive at a swimming pool divinity /d vnti/ noun 1. a god 쑗 Statues of Egyptian divinities were found in the tomb. 2. the state of being a god 쑗 the divinity of Christ 3. the study of religion divisible /d vzb(ə)l/ adj that can be divided ① division /d vȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. an important part of a large organisation 쑗 The sales division employs twenty people. 쑗 She is the head of the production division. 2. separation into parts 쑗 After his death, the family argued over the division of their father’s money. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 3. a calculation, where one figure is divided by another 쑗 My little sister is just learning how to do do division. 4. a difference of opinion between groups of people 쑗 The dispute has widened the divisions between the two wings of the party. 5. (in the House of Commons) voting 쑗 A division will take place in five minutes. 6. a large section of an army 쑗 They have three divisions stationed along the border. 쑗 The general ordered an infantry division to stand by. divisional /d vȢ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj referring to a division division sign /d vȢ(ə)n san/ noun a printed or written sign (÷) showing that one number is divided by another divisive /d vasv/ adj which produces disagreements divorce /d vɔ s/ noun a legal separation of a husband and wife where each is free to marry again 쑗 Her parents are getting a divorce. 쑗 Since their divorce, they have both remarried. 쐽 verb 1. to break off a marriage legally 쑗 They divorced last year. 2. to separate from your husband or wife 쑗 She divorced her husband and married the man next door. 쑗 He got divorced after only three years of marriage. 3. to separate two different things 쑗 It is difficult to divorce their financial problems from the problems they are having with the house. ③ divorced /d vɔ st/ adj no longer married 쑗 They’re both divorced, with children from their previous marriages. Synonym separated. Antonym together divorcee /dvɔ si / noun a divorced person, especially a woman who is divorced divulge /da vldȢ/ verb to give away a secret. Synonym reveal Diwali /d wɑ li/ noun an important Hindu festival of light, celebrated in the autumn ③ DIY abbr do it yourself ③ dizzy / dzi/ adj 1. feeling that everything seems to turn round 쑗 Can we stop the car, please, I feel dizzy. 쑗 After standing in the sun, he became dizzy and had to lie down. 쑗 She has started having dizzy spells. 2. wild, exciting 쑗 A dizzy round of parties and TV shows. (NOTE: dizzier – dizziest) DJ abbr 1. dinner jacket 2. disc jockey DNA /di en e/ noun the basic genetic material in a cell. Full form deoxyribonucleic acid. 쏡 RNA ① do /du / verb 1. used with other verbs to make questions 쑗 Does this train go to London? 쑗 Did the doctor give you any medicine for your cough? 쑗 Where do they live? 쑗 What did you find there? 2. used with other verbs and ‘not’ to make the negative 쑗 They didn’t laugh at the film. 쑗 It doesn’t matter any more. 쑗 His parents don’t live in London. 3. used to make a verb stronger 쑗 Can I sit down? – please do! 쑗 Why don’t you work do away with 242 harder? – I do work hard! 쑗 Why didn’t you tell me? – I did tell you! 4. used in place of another verb in short answers to questions using the word ‘do’ 쑗 Do you live in London? – Yes I do. 쑗 But your parents don’t live there, do they? – No they don’t. 쑗 Does the green colour show? – Yes it does. 쑗 Did you go to the concert after all? – Yes I did. 5. used in place of another verb at the end of a question or statement 쑗 The Russians live here, don’t they? 쑗 It looks very nice, doesn’t it? 쑗 It doesn’t rain a lot in Spain, does it? 쑗 Can you run as fast as he does? 쑗 He speaks German better than I do. 쑗 She asked me to close the door but I’d already done so. 쑗 They got to the pub before we did. 6. telling someone not to do something 쑗 Don’t throw away that letter! 쑗 Don’t put your coffee cups on the computer! 7. with nouns ending in -ing 쑗 She’s doing the shopping. 쑗 He always does the washing up. 쑗 She was doing the ironing. 8. to work at something or to arrange something or to clean something (followed by a noun) 쑗 She’s doing her hair. 쑗 Have you done the dishes yet? 쑗 I can’t do today’s crossword. 쑗 What have you been doing all day? 쑗 They’re a difficult company to do business with. 왍 what do you do for a living? what is your job? 9. to succeed, to continue 쑗 She’s doing very well in her new job. 쑗 He did badly in the interview. 쑗 How’s your business doing? 왍 well done! said to someone when they have achieved success in something 쑗 I passed my driving test – Well done! 10. to finish being cooked 쑗 The carrots aren’t done yet. 왍 the chicken is done to a turn the chicken is cooked and ready to eat 11. to be satisfactory 쑗 Will this size do? 왍 that will do that’s enough 왍 that won’t do at all that’s not at all satisfactory 12. 왍 to make do with to accept something which is not as good as you wanted 쑗 The ordinary plates are all dirty, so we will have to make do with paper ones. 13. to travel at a certain speed 쑗 The car was doing 100 miles an hour when it hit the tree. (NOTE: I do; you do; he/she/it does /dz/; they do; doing – did /dd/ - has done /dn/; negative:do not usually don’t /dəυnt/; does not usually doesn’t / dz(ə)nt/; did not usually didn’t / ddn(ə)t/) 쐽 noun 1. a party 쑗 We’ve been invited to a do at the Smiths. 2. 왍 the dos and don’ts things you should do and things you should not do 쑗 She told him all the dos and don’ts about working in the office. ③ do away with /du ə we wð/ verb to get rid of something Doc /dɒk/ abbr doctor docile / dəυsal/ adj quiet and well behaved dock /dɒk/ noun 1. 왍 my car is in dock my car is being repaired (informal ) 2. a box in a law court, where the prisoner sits 쑗 She was . document in the dock, facing charges of theft. 쐽 verb 1. (of ship) to arrive in a port 쑗 The ship docked at 17.00. 쑗 The cruise liner will dock in Bermuda. 2. to connect two spacecraft together 쑗 The spacecraft docked with the space station. 3. to remove money from someone’s pay 쑗 I will have to dock your pay if you are late for work again. 쑗 They’ve docked £20 from my pay! 앳 the ship is in dock 1. the ship is in the harbour 2. the ship is being repaired docker / dɒkə/ noun a man who works in a port, loading and unloading ships. Also called stevedore (NOTE: The US term is longshoreman.) docking station / dɒkŋ steʃ(ə)n/ noun a piece of hardware for recharging a portable computer dockland / dɒklənd/ noun a part of a town around docks docks /dɒks/ plural noun a harbour where ships are loaded and unloaded dockyard / dɒkjɑ d/ noun a place where ships are built or repaired. Synonym shipyard Doc Martens /dɒk mɑ t(ə)nz/ trademark a style of strong leather boots available in many colours ① doctor / dɒktə/ noun 1. a person who looks after people who are ill 쑗 I have a ten o’clock appointment to see the doctor. 쑗 If you have pains in your chest, you ought to see a doctor. 쑗 He went to the doctor’s last Friday. 왍 a doctor’s certificate a document written by a doctor to say that an employee is ill and cannot work 쑗 She has been off sick for ten days and has sent in a doctor’s certificate. 2. a person with the highest degree from a university 쑗 She has a doctor’s degree in physics. (NOTE: Doctor is written Dr with names: Dr Thorne is our local GP.) 쐽 verb to change something, so that it is false 쑗 We suspect that he had been doctoring his expenses. 쑗 She was accused of doctoring the test samples. doctorate / dɒkt(ə)rət/ noun the highest degree from a university Doctor of Philosophy / dɒktə əv flɒsəfi/ noun an advanced degree from a university in an arts subject. Abbr PhD doctrinaire /dɒktr neə/ adj very dogmatic. Synonym rigid ③ doctrine / dɒktrn/ noun a statement of what a group of people believe. Synonym policy ② document noun / dɒkjυmənt/ 1. a piece of paper with written text 쑗 File all the documents away carefully as we may need them again. 쑗 Please read this document carefully and sign at the bottom of page two. 2. a separate text in a computer 쑗 The letter was saved as a Word document. 쐽 verb documentary 243 / dɒkjυment/ to note something in official writing 쑗 Cases of this disease are well documented in Africa. 쑗 She sent in a fully documented claim for insurance. documentary /dɒkjυ ment(ə)ri/ noun a film which shows facts about a real subject 쑗 Did you see the documentary about hippos last night? (NOTE: The plural is documentaries.) 쐽 adj referring to documents 왍 documentary evidence evidence in the form of documents 쑗 They are searching in the archives for any documentary evidence that the meeting took place. ③ documentation /dɒkjυmen teʃ(ə)n/ noun all the papers referring to something (NOTE: no plural) doddle / dɒd(ə)l/ noun something that is easy to do dodge /dɒdȢ/ noun a clever trick 쑗 He told me a dodge to avoid paying on the Underground. 쐽 verb 1. to avoid something, to get out of the way 쑗 He ran across the street, dodging the traffic. 쑗 She dodged behind a parked car hoping he wouldn’t see her. 2. 왍 to dodge the issue to avoid answering questions about a problem or trying to do anything about a problem 쑗 We were very disappointed because the council simply dodged the issue. 3. to avoid doing something you should do, in a dishonest way 쑗 to dodge payment of your TV licence fee dodgems / dɒdȢəmz/ noun an amusement at a fairground where you drive small electric cars round and round, bumping into other cars as you do so dodger / dɒdȢə/ noun a person who avoids something dodgy / dɒdȢi/ adj 1. not safe, involving risk 쑗 The back wheel on your bike looks a bit dodgy to me. 쑗 I wouldn’t go hitch-hiking in Russia – it sounds very dodgy. 2. probably dishonest, or dishonestly obtained 쑗 He’s a bit of a dodgy customer. 쑗 She paid with a dodgy ten-pound note. doe /dəυ/ noun a female animal, such as deer or rabbit (NOTE: Do not confuse with dough. Male rabbits are called bucks, male deer are stags.) does /dz/ 쒁 do doesn’t / dz(ə)nt/ 쒁 do doff /dɒf/ verb to take off your hat (dated) Synonym remove. Antonym don ① dog /dɒDZ/ noun an animal kept as a pet, which barks, and wags its tail when it is pleased 쑗 Can you take the dog out for a walk? 쑗 Police with dogs were hunting the gang of escaped prisoners. 왍 to let sleeping dogs lie to leave things as they are 쑗 I wouldn’t investigate any further if I were you – better let sleeping dogs lie. 왍 to go to the dogs to get into a bad condition (informal ) 쑗 The whole place has gone to the dogs. 왍 it’s . dole a dog’s life life is difficult, with too much work and no play 쐽 verb to follow 쑗 All his life he has been dogged by ill health. 왍 to dog someone’s footsteps to follow behind someone closely 쑗 Failure seems to dog his footsteps. dog-collar / dɒDZ kɒlə/ noun 1. a leather band to go round a dog’s neck 2. a white collar worn by a clergyman dog-eared / dɒDZ əd/ adj (of a page or book) well used or torn. Antonym pristine dogfish / dɒDZfʃ/ noun a large sea fish. Also called huss dogged / dɒDZd/ adj not giving in easily, continuing to do something, even though people want you to stop. Synonym determined doggedly / dɒDZdli/ adv not giving in easily ③ doggy / dɒDZi/ noun a dog (children’s word ) . doggy bag / dɒDZi bDZ/ noun a bag in which you can put food which you have not finished eating in a restaurant to take home, to give to your dog dogma / dɒDZmə/ noun an official belief. Synonym creed dogmatic /dɒDZ mtk/ adj stating firmly that what you say is right. Synonym rigid do-gooder /du DZυdə/ noun a person who tries to do good and help others, but in a way that sometimes annoys people (informal ) . (NOTE: The plural is do-gooders.) dogsbody / dɒDZzbɒdi/ noun someone who is employed by other people to do boring and unpleasant jobs for them dog-tired /dɒDZ taəd/ adj very tired (informal ) Synonym exhausted ③ do in /du n/ verb 1. to kill someone 쑗 What happened to the gang boss? – He was done in and dumped in the river. 2. to hurt something 쑗 I did my back in by digging the garden. doing / du ŋ/ noun the action of doing something 왍 all someone’s own doing something which someone did without anyone else involved 왍 it takes some doing it is fairly difficult to do 쑗 Climbing up that wall must have taken some doing. doings / du ŋz/ plural noun things which are done 쑗 Police have been watching the doings of the gang for some time. 쐽 noun a tool or piece of equipment 쑗 Have you seen the doings for opening bottles anywhere? ③ dole /dəυl/ noun money given by the government to people without work (dated ) 왍 on the dole unemployed and receiving unemployment benefit 쑗 He’s been on the dole for four years. 쐽 verb 왍 to dole out to hand out or give out, without much ceremony 쑗 The guide doled out customs forms. . . doleful 244 doleful / dəυlf(ə)l/ adj feeling extremely sad ③ doll /dɒl/ noun a child’s toy which looks like a baby ① dollar / dɒlə/ noun 1. the money used in the United States 쑗 a 5-dollar bill 쑗 The country spends millions of dollars on defence. 쑗 There are two dollars to the pound. 2. a similar currency used in many other countries 쑗 What is the price in Australian dollars? (NOTE: usually written $ before figures: $250. The currencies used in different countries can be shown by the initial letters of the country: Can$ (Canadian dollar) Aus$ (Australian dollar).) dollop / dɒləp/ noun a large lump of something soft (informal ) Synonym blob doll’s house / dɒlz haυs/ noun a very . small house made as a toy dolly / dɒli/ noun 1. a doll (children’s speech, informal ) 쑗 Let’s put your dolly in her pram. 2. (of films) a stand on which a camera is fixed and which can move so that it can follow the action 쑗 The dolly followed the actors across the set. (NOTE: The plural is . dollies.) dolphin / dɒlfn/ noun a sea mammal like a very small whale (NOTE: A group of them is a school of dolphins.) dolt /dəυlt/ noun a silly person (dated informal insult) ③ domain /dəυ men/ noun 1. an area of responsibility 쑗 I don’t do the cooking – that’s my husband’s domain. 2. an area, a group of nodes in a network domain name /dəυ men nem/ noun the name of a service provider on the Internet dome /dəυm/ noun a round roof shaped like half of a ball domed /dəυmd/ adj with a dome; shaped like a dome ② domestic /də mestk/ adj 1. referring to the home 쑗 She hated having to do all the domestic work while her husband was out at his job. 왍 domestic animals farm animals and pets 왍 domestic help help in doing housework 2. inside a country 쑗 Sales in the domestic market have risen. 왍 domestic flights flights between airports inside the same country 쐽 noun a servant in a house (dated ) 쑗 When the fire broke out all the domestics ran into the house to rescue the furniture. domesticate /də mestket/ verb 1. 왍 to become domesticated to be used to doing housework 쑗 He’s become totally domesticated since he got married. 2. to breed wild animals so that they become tame and can be kept for food or as pets, or to grow wild plants as food or decoration 쑗 Early man rapidly domesticated the wild horse and buf. don falo. 쑗 Domesticated forms of wheat were developed by early farmers. domesticated /də mestketd/ adj 1. (of animals) kept or used for human requirements 2. (of a person) skilled in doing the work needed to keep a home clean domesticity /dəυme ststi/ noun life at home domestic science /dəmestk saəns/ noun cooking and housework as a subject studied at school (dated ) domestic service /dəmestk s" vs/ noun working as a servant in a house domicile / dɒmsal/ noun a place where someone lives or where a company is registered (formal ) Synonym home domiciled / dɒmsald/ adj living or resident or registered in a place (formal ) ③ dominance / dɒmnəns/ noun being dominant. Synonym supremacy. Antonym . . . weakness ③ dominant / dɒmnənt/ adj 1. most important 쑗 The dominant colour in the room is dark red. 쑗 Safety will be the dominant theme of the discussion. 2. very powerful, strong 쑗 He has a very dominant personality and his wife and children have to do what he says. 쑗 The President’s party is the dominant force in the country’s political system. dominant gene / dɒmnənt dȢi n/ noun the more important of a pair of genes, where the characteristic is passed on to the child ③ dominate / dɒmnet/ verb 1. to rule something or someone 쑗 He is dominated by his wife. 쑗 The Union party dominates the country’s political system. 2. to be very important 쑗 The conversation was dominated by the subject of the president’s wife. 3. to be very clearly seen 쑗 The volcano dominates the town. domination /dɒm neʃ(ə)n/ noun control, power, or authority over others or another domineering /dɒm nərŋ/ adj forcing your ideas on someone. Synonym bossy. Antonym meek dominion /də mnjən/ noun the power of control 쑗 to exercise dominion over a country Dominion /də mnjən/ noun an independent state, part of the British Commonwealth domino / dɒmnəυ/ noun one of a set of small flat blocks used to play a game, each block being divided into two sections, with up to six dots in each section domino effect / dɒmnəυ fekt/ noun the collapse of something, which triggers the collapse of something else don /dɒn/ noun a university teacher, especially at Oxford or Cambridge 쑗 His father was an Oxford don. 쐽 verb to put on a piece donate 245 of clothing 쑗 Instructions for donning the life jacket are in the pocket in front of your seat. 쑗 Visitors to the factory have to don protective clothing. (NOTE: donning – donned) donate /dəυ net/ verb to give something donation /dəυ neʃ(ə)n/ noun a present, especially of money. Synonym contribution ① done /dn/ 쒁 do ③ donkey / dɒŋki/ noun a grey farm animal with long ears, used for riding or pulling carts donkey jacket / dɒŋki dȢkt/ noun a thick woollen coat worn by workmen donkey’s years / dɒŋkiz jəz/ noun a very long time (informal ) donkey work / dɒŋki w" k/ noun heavy unpleasant work donor / dəυnə/ noun a person who gives. Synonym giver 왍 a blood donor a person who gives blood regularly for use in transfusions ① don’t /dəυnt/ 쒁 do doodle / du d(ə)l/ noun a drawing or pattern which has no real meaning 쑗 His doodles on scraps of paper have become very valuable. 쐽 verb to draw shapes on paper, usually because you are bored or thinking of something else 쑗 She sat at the back of the meeting, doodling on the agenda. doom /du m/ noun an unhappy fate that cannot be avoided doomed /du md/ adj condemned to end in ruin Doomsday / du mzde/ noun the end of the world ① door /dɔ / noun 1. a solid piece of something such as wood or metalwhich closes an entrance 쑗 He went into his office and locked the door behind him. 쑗 She opened the car door and hit a passing cyclist. 왍 he answered the door he opened the door when someone rang the bell 왍 front door the main door to a building 쑗 She gave him a key to the front door or a front door key. 왍 back door a door at the back of a building 쑗 The back door leads out into the garden. 2. used to show where a building is in a street 쑗 They live a few doors away from us. 왍 he lives three doors down the street he lives three houses further along the street. 쏡 next door doorbell / dɔ bel/ noun a bell by a door which you ring to get someone inside to open the door doorkeeper / dɔ ki pə/ noun a person who is on guard at the main door to a building doorkey / dɔ ki / noun a key to a door doorknob / dɔ nɒb/ noun a round handle for opening and shutting a door doorman / dɔ mən/ noun a man who stands at the door of a building such as a res. dosh taurant or hotel (NOTE: The plural is doormen.) doormat / dɔ mt/ noun a small rough carpet placed in front of or behind a door, on which you wipe your shoes if they are dirty or wet doorstep / dɔ step/ noun a block of a hard substance such as stone or wood at the bottom of a door on the outside of a house. Synonym entrance 왍 on your doorstep very close to where you live 쑗 There’s a big supermarket right on our doorstep. door-to-door /dɔ tə dɔ / adj going from one house to the next, asking people to buy something, to vote for someone, or asking them questions door-to-door salesman /dɔ tə dɔ selzmən/ noun a salesman who goes from one house to the next, asking people to buy something doorway / dɔ we/ noun a space where there is a door. Synonym entrance dope /dəυp/ noun 1. a drug 쑗 a dope peddler 왍 to take a dope test to take a test to see if you have been taking drugs 2. information 쑗 Come on, let’s have the dope on the divorce case! 3. a stupid fool 쑗 He’s a dope, he should have asked for twice as much! dopey / dəυpi/ adj 1. stupid, silly 2. half-asleep 쑗 He’s feeling dopey after his injection. dork /dɔ k/ noun someone who other people think is not intelligent or does not dress in fashionable clothes dormant / dɔ mənt/ adj not active 쑗 The volcano has been dormant for many years, but has suddenly started to send out clouds of smoke. 왍 to lie dormant to remain hidden and not active 쑗 Some viruses lie dormant for years. 왍 dormant volcano a volcano which is not sending out hot gas or smoke at the moment, but which may do in the future. Compare extinct dormitory / dɔ mtri/ noun a long room full of beds (NOTE: The plural is dormitories.) dormouse / dɔ maυs/ noun a small animal which looks like a mouse, with a furry tail (NOTE: The plural is dormice.) dosage / dəυsdȢ/ noun the amount of a drug calculated by a doctor to be necessary for a patient dose /dəυs/ noun 1. a quantity of medicine 쑗 Normal daily dose: three tablets. 쑗 Do not exceed the prescribed dose. 2. an attack of a disease 쑗 I’ve had a dose of bronchitis. 쐽 verb 왍 to dose someone with something to give someone medicine 쑗 He dosed himself with hot lemon juice and aspirin. dosh /dɒʃ/ noun money (informal ) . doss 246 doss /dɒs/ verb to sleep on something such as a chair or on the floor, because there is no bed available 쐽 noun a job or activity that is extremely easy to do doss down /dɒs daυn/ verb to sleep somewhere where there is no bed available, e.g. on the floor dosshouse / dɒshaυs/ noun a house offering a cheap place to stay to people who do not have a home (slang) Synonym hostel dossier / dɒsie/ noun a file of documents ② dot /dɒt/ noun 1. a small round spot 쑗 A blue tie with white dots. 2. a printing sign (.) used in decimals and email addresses 쑗 My email address is [email protected] (say ‘peter at petercollin dot com’). 3. 왍 on the dot of exactly at a particular time 쑗 The train left on the dot of four. 쐽 verb to mark with small spots. Synonym speckle (NOTE: dotted) dot.com /dɒt kɒm/ noun a company that does business on the Internet or that provides Internet services 쐽 adj relating to the Internet or Internet business dote on / dəυt ɒn/ verb to be very fond of someone doting / dəυtŋ/ adj very fond of someone dotted / dɒtd/ adj with things here and there. Synonym scattered dotted line /dɒtd lan/ noun a line made of a series of dots dotty / dɒti/ adj slightly crazy (informal ) . (NOTE: dottier – dottiest) ① double / db(ə)l/ adj 1. twice the size 쑗 She asked for a double portion of ice cream. 2. repeated twice 쑗 The word ‘immeasurable’ is spelt with a double ‘m’. 쑗 The invoice number is six double five double one (65511). 왍 in double figures with two figures, the numbers from 10 to 99 3. with two parts, for two people 쐽 adv twice the amount 쑗 It takes double the time. 쑗 Her salary is double mine. 왍 to see double to see two things when there is only one there 쐽 noun 1. 왍 at the double (in the army) running 쑗 The soldiers crossed the square at the double. 2. a person who looks exactly like someone else 쑗 It was either him or his double we saw at the cinema. 3. 왍 men’s or women’s doubles two men against two other men or two women against two other women 쐽 verb 1. to multiply something by two 쑗 Think of a number and then double it. 2. 왍 to double back to turn round and go back along the same way 쑗 The escaped prisoner doubled back towards the village. double-barrelled /db(ə)l brəld/ adj 1. used to describe a gun which has two barrels 2. formed from two names, usually with a hyphen between them doubt doublebass /db(ə)l bes/ noun a musical instrument like a very large violin. Also called bass double bed /db(ə)l bed/ noun a bed for two people double-breasted /db(ə)l brestd/ adj describes a coat or jacket which has two rows of buttons down the front double-check /db(ə)l tʃek/ verb to check something carefully, twice double chin /db(ə)l tʃn/ noun a chin with a second fold underneath double-click /db(ə)l klk/ verb to press a mouse button twice quickly, e.g. to give an instruction to a computer double cream /db(ə)l kri m/ noun thick cream with a high fat content double-cross /db(ə)l krɒs/ verb to trick someone so that that person thinks that you are working on the same side when in fact you are working against them. Synonym betray double-decker /db(ə)l dekə/ noun 1. a bus with two levels of seats 쑗 Double-decker buses are common in London. 2. a sandwich made of three slices of bread, with a filling, e.g. meat, salad, or fish, between each of them. 쑗 This double-decker is so thick I can’t bite into it. double-glazed /db(ə)l DZlezd/ adj with windows made of double panes of glass double-glazing /db(ə)l DZlezŋ/ noun windows made of two pieces of glass, used to keep out noise or to keep heat inside double life /db(ə)l laf/ noun a situation in which someone has a separate way of life for some of the time, which they keep secret from other people double-park /db(ə)l pɑ k/ verb to park beside a car which is already parked at the side of the street double room /db(ə)l ru m/ noun a room for two people with a double bed doubles / db(ə)lz/ noun a tennis game for two people on either side double-sided /db(ə)l sadd/ adj having two sides, both of which can be used double spacing /db(ə)l spesŋ/ noun typing where a white line is left between lines of text double take /db(ə)l tek/ noun a reaction of surprise, after a slight pause double up /db(ə)l p/ verb 1. to bend because of pain 쑗 She doubled up in pain when he hit her in the stomach. 2. to perform two jobs 쑗 The waiter is doubling up as chef because the chef is on holiday. doubly / dbli/ adv twice ① doubt /daυt/ noun 1. not being sure 쑗 Even the staunchest believer sometimes has doubts. 왍 to have doubts about to say that doubtful 247 you are doubtful about 쑗 I have my doubts about the accuracy of the figures. 왍 to cast doubt on to be unsure about 쑗 He cast doubt on the whole proposal. 왍 to give someone the benefit of the doubt to allow someone to continue doing something, because you are not sure that accusations made against him are correct 쑗 The referee gave him the benefit of the doubt. 2. 왍 no doubt certainly 쑗 No doubt they will be suing for damages. 왍 there’s no doubt about it is a certain fact 쑗 There’s no doubt about it – France is the best place for a holiday. 쑗 There’s no doubt about his guilt. 왍 in doubt not sure 쑗 The result of the game was in doubt until the last minute. 쐽 verb not to be sure of something 쑗 I doubt whether he will want to go to the funeral. 쑗 I doubt her honesty. 쑗 Did you ever doubt that we would win? ② doubtful / daυtf(ə)l/ adj not sure doubtless / daυtləs/ adv certainly dough /dəυ/ noun 1. a mixture of water and flour for making a food such as bread, before it is cooked 쑗 The chef was kneading the dough for the pizza. 2. money 쑗 Hurry up, give me the dough! (NOTE: Do not confuse with doe.) doughnut / dəυnt/ noun a small round or ring-shaped cake cooked by frying in oil ① do up /du p/ verb 1. to attach something 쑗 He’s still a baby and he can’t do his buttons up properly. 쑗 Can you do up the zip at the back of my dress? 2. to repair something and make like new 쑗 They bought an old cottage and did it up. 쑗 He’s looking for an old sports car to do up. dour /dυə/ adj dark or silent douse /daυs/ verb to throw water on something dove1 /dv/ noun 1. a white domesticated pigeon 쑗 To celebrate the peace treaty they released hundreds of doves. 2. a person who prefers diplomacy and tries to achieve peace 쑗 Curiously, it’s the military commanders who are the doves while the president and his advisers are the hawks. Antonym hawk dove2 /dəυv/ verb US 쒁 dive dovetail / dvtel/ noun a joint made where a V-shaped piece of wood fits into a V-shaped hole in another piece 쐽 verb 1. to join pieces of wood together with a V-shaped joint 2. to fit together neatly dowdy / daυdi/ adj old-fashioned and badly dressed. Antonym fashionable (NOTE: dowdier – dowdiest) ① do with / du wð/ verb 1. to be related or connected to 쑗 It has nothing to do with us. 쑗 It is something to do with my new book. 2. to put something somewhere 쑗 What have you done with the newspaper? 3. to need 쑗 After that long walk I could do with a cup of tea. 쑗 The car could do with a wash. downhill do without /du wð aυt/ verb not to have something, to manage without something Dow Jones Index /daυ dȢəυnz ndeks/ noun the index of share prices on the New York Stock Exchange ① down /daυn/ prep 1. towards the bottom of 쑗 He fell down the stairs and broke his leg. 쑗 The ball ran down the hill. 2. away from where the person speaking is standing 쑗 He went down the road to the shop. 쑗 The police station is just down the street. 쐽 adv 1. towards the bottom, towards a lower position 쑗 Put the box down in the corner. 쑗 I looked in the cellar, but there’s no one down there. ① (NOTE: Down is often used with verbs, e.g. to go down; to fall down, to sit down; to lie down.) 2. at a lower level 쑗 Inflation is down again. 3. in writing 쑗 Did you note down the number of the car? 쑗 The policeman took down her address. 4. towards the south 쑗 I’m going down to Brighton tomorrow (from London). 쑗 They live down on the south coast. 5. sick 쑗 She is down with flu. 6. out of action 쑗 All our computers are down at the moment. 7. gloomy 쑗 He’s feeling a bit down. 8. showing criticism 쑗 Down with the government! 쑗 Down with exams! 쐽 noun the soft small feathers of a bird 쑗 a duvet filled with duck down (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 쐽 verb 1. to swallow something quickly 쑗 He downed three pints of beer. 2. 왍 to down tools to stop work, to go on strike down-and-out /daυn ən aυt/ noun a person with no money who lives on the streets (informal ) downbeat / daυnbi t/ adj feeling unhappy 쑗 He was very downbeat when he heard the results. 쐽 noun the beat of a conductor’s baton to show that the music should begin. Antonym upbeat downcast / daυnkɑ st/ adj gloomy, depressed. Antonym cheerful downer / daυnə/ noun 1. someone or something that makes you feel depressed 2. a drug which makes you feel calm downfall / daυnfɔ l/ noun a situation in which someone or something fails or is destroyed downgrade / daυnDZred/ verb to reduce the importance of a person or of a job. Synonym demote downhearted /daυn hɑ td/ adj feeling unhappy downhill /daυn hl/ adv 1. towards the bottom of a hill 쑗 The road goes downhill for a while and then crosses the river. 2. 왍 to go downhill to get worse 쑗 The economy is going downhill. 쑗 The business started to go downhill when the old manager left. 쐽 adj 왍 downhill (skiing) competition a skiing com. Downing Street 248 petition which involves going down a hill as fast as you can, more or less in a straight line Downing Street / daυnŋ stri t/ noun 1. a street in London with the houses of the British Prime Minister (No. 10) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer (No. 11) 쑗 They took the petition to Downing Street. 2. the office of the Prime Minister 쑗 Downing Street denied the report. download verb /daυn ləυd/ to load data or a program into a computer 쐽 noun a computer file that can be downloaded down-market / daυn mɑ kt/ adj cheaper, appealing to a less wealthy section of the population down payment /daυn pemənt/ noun a part of a total payment made in advance downplay /daυn ple/ verb to make something seem less important. Synonym tone down (NOTE: can also be to play down) downpour / daυnpɔ / noun a heavy fall of rain downright / daυnrat/ adj complete or clear 쑗 That’s a downright lie. 쑗 The newspaper story was a downright fabrication. 쐽 adv completely or extremely 쑗 The waitress wasn’t just unpleasant, she was downright rude. Synonym positively downs /daυnz/ plural noun grass-covered hills with low bushes and very few trees (NOTE: usually used in names of areas: the North Downs, the South Downs) downside / daυnsad/ noun the disadvantages of a situation. Antonym advantage downsize / daυnsaz/ verb to make a business smaller by reducing the number of people who work there downsizing / daυnsazŋ/ noun making a company smaller by reducing the number of people who work there Down’s syndrome / daυnz sndrəυm/ noun a condition caused by the existence of an extra chromosome that affects the physical and mental development downstage /daυn stedȢ/ adv to or at the front of the stage. Antonym upstage ② downstairs /daυn steəz/ adv on or to the lower part of a building 쑗 He heard a noise in the kitchen and went downstairs to see what it was. 쑗 I left my cup of coffee downstairs. Synonym below 쐽 adj on the ground floor of a building 쑗 The house has a downstairs bedroom. 쑗 You can use the downstairs loo. 쐽 noun the ground floor of a building 쑗 The downstairs has three rooms. 쑗 The downstairs of the house is larger than the upstairs. Compare upstairs downstream adj / daυnstri m/ towards the mouth of a river 쑗 Downstream communities have not yet been affected. 쐽 adv draft /daυn stri m/ towards the mouth of a river 쑗 The silt is carried downstream and deposited in the delta. down-to-earth /daυn tυ " θ/ adj sensible or matter-of-fact. Antonym fanciful ② downtown / daυntaυn/ adv to the town centre 쑗 You can take the bus to go downtown. 쐽 adj in the town centre 쑗 the downtown department stores 쑗 Her office is in downtown New York. 쐽 noun the central district of a town 쑗 Downtown will be very crowded at this time of day. downtrodden / daυntrɒdn/ adj oppressed, badly treated downturn / daυnt" n/ noun a movement towards lower prices, sales or profits. Antonym upturn down under /daυn ndə/ noun in Australia and New Zealand (informal ) ③ downward / daυnwəd/ adj towards the bottom 쑗 a downward trend in the unemployment figures. Synonym descending. Antonym upward 쐽 adv US same as . downwards downwards / daυnwədz/ adv towards the bottom (NOTE: The US term is down- ③ ward.) downwind adv, adj in the direction in which the wind is blowing downy / daυni/ adj 1. soft and fluffy 2. covered with soft hairs dowry / daυri/ noun money or goods which a bride brings to her husband ③ doz abbr dozen doze /dəυz/ noun a short sleep 쑗 She had a little doze after feeding the baby. 쐽 verb to sleep a little, to sleep lightly (slang) 쑗 She dozed off for a while after lunch. Synonym nap dozen / dz(ə)n/ noun 1. twelve 쑗 We ordered two dozen chairs. 왍 they’re cheaper by the dozen they are cheaper if you buy twelve at a time 왍 half a dozen six 쑗 half a dozen apples 2. 왍 nineteen to the dozen very fast 쑗 They chattered away nineteen to the dozen. dozy / dəυzi/ adj 1. sleepy 쑗 The children were dozy after their walk, so we put them to bed early. 2. stupid ② ① Dr 쒁 doctor drab /drb/ adj lacking bright colours; brown, grey (NOTE: drabber – drabbest) draconian /drə kəυniən/ adj (of a law) extremely severe. Synonym harsh ② draft /drɑ ft/ noun 1. a rough plan of a document 쑗 He quickly wrote out a draft of the agreement. 쑗 It’s not the final version, it’s just a draft. 2. US formerly, military service which most young men had to do 쑗 He left the USA to avoid the draft. 3. an order for money to be paid by a bank 쑗 She sent me a draftsman 249 draft for one thousand pounds. 4. US same as draught 쐽 adj in preparation and not final 쑗 They brought the draft agreement with them. 쑗 She wrote out the draft letter on the back of an envelope. 쑗 The lawyers were working on the draft contract. 쐽 verb 1. to draw up a rough plan of something 쑗 We drafted a sales forecast on a piece of paper. 2. US to call someone for military service 쑗 At the age of eighteen he was drafted into the Marines. 3. to ask someone to do something 쑗 The Boy Scouts were drafted in to dig the garden. Compare draught draftsman / drɑ ftsmən/ noun US same as draughtsman ③ drag /drDZ/ verb 1. to pull something heavy along 쑗 She dragged her suitcase across the platform. 쑗 The police dragged the protesters away from the gate. 2. to hang back, to stay behind 쑗 Tom was dragging along at the end of the line. 3. to force someone to do something 쑗 They had to drag her to the party. 4. to pull a net along the bottom of an area of water to try to find something 쑗 The police dragged the lake to try to find the body of the missing boy. 쐽 noun 1. a boring thing, which stops you doing things you really want to do 쑗 It’s a drag, having to write all the Christmas cards. 2. 왍 in drag (of a man) wearing women’s clothes 3. smoking a cigarette; one puff on a cigarette 쑗 I’ll just pop out for a drag. drag and drop /drDZ ən drɒp/ verb to move an icon or section of text or object from one area of the screen of a computer to another ③ drag on /drDZ ɒn/ verb to go on slowly 쑗 The dinner party seemed to drag on for hours. dragon / drDZən/ noun 1. a mythological animal which breathes fire 쑗 The national emblem of Wales is a red dragon. 2. an unfriendly woman who seems frightening dragonfly / drDZənfla/ noun a long insect with bright transparent wings which often flies near water (NOTE: The plural is dragonflies.) dragoon /drə DZu n/ noun an armed soldier on a horse (dated ) 쑗 The dragoons attacked the French cavalry. 쐽 verb to force someone . 쑗 Mother dragooned us all into helping move the furniture. drain /dren/ noun 1. a pipe for carrying waste water away 쑗 In the autumn the drains get blocked by leaves. 쑗 We had to phone the council to come and clear the blocked drain. 왍 it’s just like pouring money down the drain it’s a waste of money (informal ) 쏡 laugh 2. a gradual loss 쑗 The office in Paris is a continual drain on our resources. 쐽 verb 1. to remove a liquid 쑗 Boil the potatoes for ten minutes, drain and leave to cool. 2. to . drape drink all the liquid that is in something such as a cup or a glass 쑗 He drained his glass and asked for some more. drainage / drendȢ/ noun the process of removing water by means of drains drained /drend/ adj 왍 to look drained to look pale and tired out 쑗 After the interview she looked completely drained. draining board / drenŋ bɔ d/ noun a slightly sloping surface next to a sink drainpipe / drenpap/ noun a pipe on the outside of a house which takes water down to the drains drake /drek/ noun a male duck (NOTE: A female duck is called a duck; the young are ducklings.) ③ drama / drɑ mə/ noun 1. a serious per- formance in a theatre 쑗 The ‘Globe’ has put on an unknown Elizabethan drama. 쑗 I’m reading a book on 19th-century French drama. 쑗 a new TV drama series about life in the Lake District 쑗 She’s a drama student or she’s studying drama. 왍 drama department a department in a college which teaches serious theatre 2. a series of serious and exciting events 쑗 He always makes a drama out of everything. 쑗 a day of high drama in the court 쑗 the drama of the rescue of the children by helicopter ③ dramatic /drə mtk/ adj 1. sudden, unexpected and very noticeable 쑗 The door was flung open and she made a dramatic entrance. 쑗 The TV news showed dramatic pictures of the rescue of the children. 쑗 the dramatic moment in the film, when the dinosaurs start to attack children 2. referring to drama 쑗 a dramatic performance which begins at 7.30 쑗 his latest dramatic work for radio dramatically /drə mtkli/ adv in a very dramatic way dramatics /drə mtks/ noun the practice of performing plays, usually by people who are not paid to act dramatisation /drməta zeʃ(ə)n/, dramatization noun the adaptation of something for TV or the theatre dramatise / drmətaz/, dramatize verb 1. to adapt a novel for TV or the theatre 쑗 The novel was dramatised by J. Smith. 2. to make something seem much more dramatic than it really is 쑗 There’s no need to dramatise the situation, it’s bad enough as it is. dramatist / drmətst/ noun a person who writes plays. Synonym playwright ③ drank /drŋk/ 쒁 drink drape /drep/ verb 1. to hang cloth around something 쑗 The statue was draped in a white cloth ready to be unveiled. 쑗 He wore a long scarf draped over his shoulders. 2. to drapery 250 hang something long over something 쑗 He draped his legs over the back of the seat. drapery / drepəri/ noun a thin cloth which is draped around something 쑗 She was clothed in thin draperies. (NOTE: The plural is draperies.) drapes /dreps/ plural noun US curtains 쑗 Open the drapes – it’s light outside. drastic / drstk/ adj severe, which has a sharp effect drastically / drstkli/ adv severely, with a sharp effect ③ draught /drɑ ft/ noun 1. a flow of cool air into a room 쑗 Don’t sit in a draught. 2. 왍 draught beer, beer on draught beer which is served from a barrel, and not in a bottle or can 쑗 I’ll have a pint of draught, please. 3. the depth of water which a ship needs to float and not touch the bottom (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is draft.) draughts /drɑ fts/ noun a board game played with black and white round pieces 쑗 Would you like a game of draughts or to play draughts? 쑗 Draughts is a much simpler game than chess. (NOTE: not plural, and takes a singular verb. The US term is checkers.) draughtsman / drɑ ftsmən/ noun a per- son who draws plans for machines or buildings (NOTE: The plural is draughtsmen. The US spelling is draftsman.) draughty / drɑ fti/ adj with cool air flowing into it (NOTE: draughtier – draughtiest. The US spelling is drafty.) ① draw /drɔ / noun 1. the act of choosing ③ the winner in a lottery 쑗 The draw is held on Saturdays. 쑗 We are holding a draw to raise money for the local hospital. 2. a game where there is no winner 쑗 The game ended in a draw, 2 – 2. 3. an attraction 쑗 The zoo is a great draw for children. 쑗 The new safari park will be the biggest draw in the area. 4. 왍 he is quick on the draw he reacts very quickly 쐽 verb 1. to make a picture with a pen or pencil 쑗 He drew a picture of the house. 쑗 She’s drawing a pot of flowers. 2. not to have a winner in a game 쑗 The teams drew 2 – 2. 왍 the match was drawn neither side won 3. to pull open or to close 쑗 Can you draw the curtains – it’s getting dark. 쑗 She drew the curtains and let in the sun. 4. to pull out 쑗 He drew a notepad out of his pocket. 쑗 She was drawing water from a well. 왍 to draw lots to take pieces of paper from a box to decide something. The person who has the marked piece wins. 쑗 We drew lots to decide who would go first. 쑗 They drew lots for the bottle of whisky. 5. to receive money 쑗 He doesn’t draw a salary, but charges us for his expenses. 쑗 Next year I’ll be drawing my old age pension. 6. 왍 he drew a blank he was unsuccessful in his search 왍 draw up to draw the line at something to refuse to do something 쑗 I draw the line at inviting your sister to my birthday party. drawback / drɔ bk/ noun a thing which is not convenient or which causes a problem. Synonym disadvantage. Antonym advantage drawbridge / drɔ brdȢ/ noun a bridge which can be raised or moved down so that people can move across an area water ③ drawer / drɔ ə/ noun 1. a part of a desk or cupboard like an open box which slides in and out and which you pull with a handle 쑗 I keep my cheque book in the top drawer of my desk. 2. a person who writes a cheque or a bill asking for money to be paid to someone 왍 the bank returned the cheque to drawer the bank would not pay the cheque because the person who wrote it did not have enough money in the account to pay it draw in /drɔ n/ verb 왍 the nights or days are drawing in it is becoming darker earlier because winter is approaching ② drawing / drɔ ŋ/ noun 1. the art of making pictures with pencil or pen 쑗 He studied drawing in Rome. 2. a picture done with pencil or pen 쑗 I’ve bought an old drawing of the church. 왍 it’s back to the drawing board we’ll have to start planning all over again drawing board / drɔ ŋ bɔ d/ noun a large board used by designers to work on drawing pin / drɔ ŋ pn/ noun a pin with a large flat head, used for fixing papers to a surface such as a wall (NOTE: The US term is thumbtack.) drawing room / drɔ ŋ ru m/ noun a sitting room, a room for sitting and talking in, but not eating drawl /drɔ l/ noun a slow way of speaking 쑗 He spoke with a southern drawl. 쐽 verb to speak slowly, making the words seem long 쑗 ‘Come up and see me some time’, she drawled. ③ drawn /drɔ n/ adj 1. tired and ill 쑗 She looked drawn after spending all night with her sick baby. 2. 쒁 draw drawn-out /drɔ n aυt/ adj 왍 long drawn-out taking a very long time 쑗 There was long drawn-out argument about who was going to pay the bill. ③ draw up /drɔ p/ verb 1. to come close and stop 쑗 As I was standing at the bus stop, a car drew up and the driver asked if I wanted a lift. 2. to write down something, e.g. a plan 쑗 They have drawn up a plan to save money. 쑗 Have you drawn up a list of people you want to invite to the party? 3. to move something closer 쑗 Draw your chairs up to the table. dread 251 dread /dred/ noun great fear 쑗 The sound of his voice filled her with dread. 쑗 She has a dread of being touched. 왍 in dread of being very afraid of 쑗 They lived in constant dread of being arrested by the secret police. 쐽 verb to fear something greatly 쑗 I’m dreading taking my driving test. 쑗 She dreads her weekly visit to the doctor. Antonym look forward to dreaded / dredd/ adj awful, frightening (humorous) ② dreadful / dredf(ə)l/ adj very bad or unpleasant. Antonym lovely ② dreadfully / dredf(ə)li/ adv extremely¸ in a way that is not good or pleasant dreadlocks / dredlɒks/ plural noun a hairstyle where your hair is plaited into thick strands 쑗 He had his hair in dreadlocks. ② dream /dri m/ noun 1. things which you think you see happening while you are asleep 쑗 She had a dream about big pink elephants. 2. things which you imagine and hope will happen in the future 쑗 All his dreams of wealth collapsed when he lost his job. 쑗 The results surpassed our wildest dreams. 쑗 Never in your wildest dreams did you imagine you would end up in such an important job. 3. something you would really like to do or to see happen 쑗 His dream is to appear on Broadway. 쑗 They finally realised their dream of owning a cottage in the country. 4. something very pleasant or delicious 쑗 That chocolate mousse was a dream. 쐽 verb 1. to think you see things happening while you are asleep 쑗 He was dreaming of white sand and a blue tropical sea. 쑗 I dreamt about you last night. 쑗 Last night I dreamt I was drowning. 2. to think about something 왍 not to dream of doing something not to consider doing something 쑗 She wouldn’t dream of wearing a big hat like that. 3. to imagine something which does not exist 쑗 I never said that – you must have been dreaming! (NOTE: he dreamed or he dreamt /dremt/) 쐽 adj best possible, what you really want 쑗 They found their dream house in a small town by the sea. 쑗 The game is to select your dream team for the World Cup. dreamer / dri mə/ noun a person who is out of touch with practical things. Synonym visionary dreamt /dremt/ 쒁 dream dreamy / dri mi/ adj as if you are dreaming (NOTE: dreamier – dreamiest) dreary / drəri/ adj sad or gloomy; not interesting (NOTE: drearier – dreariest) dredge /dredȢ/ verb 1. to remove dirt or sand from the bottom of a river or lake 쑗 They had to spend weeks dredging the channel so that boats can still get to the harbour. 2. to cover something with a substance such dressing room as sugar or flour 쑗 When the pie is cooked, dredge it with icing sugar. dredger / dredȢə/ noun a boat with a crane and large scoop, used for dredging dregs /dreDZz/ plural noun the parts of a drink which are left in a cup or glass when you have finished drinking 쑗 He poured the dregs down the sink. 왍 the dregs of society the worst people in society drench /drentʃ/ verb to soak something ② dress /dres/ noun 1. a piece of a woman’s or girl’s clothing, covering more or less all the body 쑗 She was wearing a blue dress. (NOTE: The plural is dresses.) 2. special clothes 쐽 verb 1. to put clothes on 쑗 He got up, dressed and left home. 쑗 She dressed her little girl all in blue. 2. to clean and put a bandage on a wound 쑗 The nurse will dress the cut on your knee. 3. to prepare food 쑗 She dressed the salad with slices of cucumber and tomatoes. 4. 왍 to dress a window to arrange the display in a shop window dressage / dresɑ Ȣ/ noun a competition in which horses show how well trained they are ③ dressed /drest/ adj 1. wearing clothes 쑗 I can’t come down to see the visitors – I’m not dressed yet. 쑗 She was dressed all in black. 왍 to get dressed to dress yourself 쑗 Get dressed and come downstairs. 쑗 He got up, got dressed and then had breakfast. 왍 dressed to kill wearing your best clothes 2. 왍 dressed (up) as wearing the costume of 쑗 He went to the party dressed (up) as a policeman. 왍 dressed up to the nines wearing your very best clothes 쑗 I saw her going out all dressed up to the nines. dresser / dresə/ noun 1. a piece of kitchen furniture with open shelves above and cupboards below 쑗 Put the plates back in the kitchen dresser. 2. a person who dresses in a certain way 쑗 He’s a very smart dresser. 3. a person who helps someone dress, in a theatre the person who helps the actors with their costumes dressing / dresŋ/ noun 1. putting on clothes 쑗 Dressing the baby takes ages. 2. a sauce for salad 왍 French dressing a mixture of oil and vinegar 3. a bandage for a wound 쑗 The dressings need to be changed every hour. dressing-down /dresŋ daυn/ noun the action of telling someone that you do not approve of what they have done (informal ) dressing gown / dresŋ DZaυn/ noun a long robe worn over pyjamas or a nightdress dressing room / dresŋ ru m/ noun a room in which you change your clothes, especially a room in a theatre where actors or actresses get dressed in costume, or a room in a sports club where people change into their sports clothes . dressing table 252 dressing table / dresŋ teb(ə)l/ noun a piece of bedroom furniture with a mirror or mirrors (NOTE: The US term is dresser.) dressmaker / dresmekə/ noun a person who makes women’s clothes dress rehearsal /dres r h" s(ə)l/ noun 1. the last rehearsal for a play, where the actors wear costumes, and the scenery is ready 쑗 The dress rehearsal was excellent, I hope they perform as well as that on the first night. 2. the final practice for something 쑗 The attack on the police station was only a dress rehearsal for the coup d’état which took place the following week. dress up /dres p/ verb 1. to put on costumes 쑗 The children love dressing up as doctors and nurses. 2. to wear your best elegant clothes 쑗 Don’t dress up – come just as you are. dressy / dresi/ adj (of person) wearing formal and fashionable clothes dribble / drb(ə)l/ verb 1. to let liquid flow slowly out of an opening, especially out of your mouth 쑗 The baby dribbled over her dress. 쑗 Ketchup dribbled onto the tablecloth. 2. to kick a football along as you are running or to move a ball along with one hand as you are running dribs and drabs /drbz ən drbzs/ plural noun little bits 왍 in dribs and drabs a little at a time 쑗 We finally pieced together what had happened in dribs and drabs. dried, drier, dries, driest /drad, draə, draz, draəst/ 쒁 dry drier / draə/, dryer noun a machine which dries drift /drft/ noun 1. a general meaning 쑗 Did you follow the drift of the conversation? 쑗 My Italian isn’t very good, but I got the drift of what they were saying. 쑗 I think she got the general drift of my argument. 2. a pile of snow blown by the wind 쑗 Snow lay in drifts around the farmhouse. 쐽 verb 1. to move with the flow of water, without steering 쑗 The boat drifted down the river for two miles. 2. to move aimlessly 쑗 After the match, the spectators drifted towards the exits. 3. (of snow) to pile up 쑗 The snow began to drift in the high wind. 4. to behave aimlessly, to avoid taking any decisions 쑗 The government lost its sense of purpose and started to drift. 왍 to let things drift to avoid taking any decisions 5. to move slowly in a certain direction 쑗 Prices drifted downwards. drift apart /drft ə pɑ t/ verb to move away from each other gradually drifter / drftə/ noun a person with no set plan in life, or a person who moves from job to job without staying anywhere very long. Synonym wanderer drip driftwood / drftwυd/ noun wood which floats and is blown onto the seashore. Synonym flotsam (NOTE: no plural) ③ drill /drl/ noun 1. a tool for making holes in a hard substance such as wood or metal 쑗 He used an electric drill to make the holes in the wall. 2. the action of practising marching, especially in the armed forces 쑗 New recruits spend hours practising their drill. 왍 what’s the drill? what’s the next thing to do now? (informal ) 쑗 I’ve never been to a board meeting before so you’ll have to tell me what’s the drill. 쐽 verb 1. to make holes with a drill 쑗 He drilled two holes for the screws. 쑗 They are drilling for oil. 2. to do military practice 쑗 Recruits were drilling on the parade ground. ① drink /drŋk/ noun 1. a liquid which you swallow 쑗 If you’re thirsty, have a drink of water. 쑗 She always has a hot drink before she goes to bed. 2. an alcoholic drink 쑗 Would you like a drink? 쑗 Come and have a drink. 쑗 I’ll order some drinks from the bar. 쐽 verb 1. to swallow liquid 쑗 He drank two glasses of water. 쑗 What would you like to drink? 쑗 Do you want something to drink with your meal? 2. to drink alcoholic drinks 쑗 She doesn’t drink or she never drinks. 왍 he drinks like a fish he drinks a lot of alcohol 3. 왍 to drink a toast to someone to drink and wish someone well 쑗 We all drank a toast to the future success of the company. drinkable / drŋkəb(ə)l/ adj good enough to drink drink-driver /drŋk dravə/ noun a person who drives a car when drunk drink-driving /drŋk dravŋ/ noun driving a car when drunk drinker / drŋkə/ noun a person who usually drinks a particular quantity or type of alcohol, or a person who drinks too much alcohol regularly 쑗 She’s only a light drinker. 쑗 They’re all beer drinkers. 쑗 Her father was drinker. drinking / drŋkŋ/ noun the act or process of drinking a lot of alcohol, especially frequently and over a period of time drinking chocolate / drŋkŋ tʃɒklət/ noun powdered chocolate used to make a milk drink drinking fountain / drŋkŋ faυntn/ noun a public tap where you can drink water drinking water / drŋkŋ wɔ tə/ noun water which is safe to drink drink to / drŋk tu / verb to give someone good wishes for success or happiness in the future, especially by having a drink drink up /drŋk p/ verb to drink all of a liquid drip /drp/ noun 1. a small drop of water 쑗 There’s a hole in the tent – a drip just fell on . drip-dry 253 my nose. 2. a liquid given to a patient directly into the body, or the tube used to put a liquid into a patient’s body 쐽 verb to fall in drops, or to let a liquid fall in drops 쑗 The tap is dripping. 쑗 His nose is dripping because he has a cold. 쑗 Water was dripping from the roof. Synonym dribble 왍 dripping wet very wet drip-dry / drp dra/ adj 왍 drip-dry shirt a shirt which does not crease if hung to dry while wet dripping noun fat that comes out of a piece of beef when you cook it 쐽 adj extremely wet ① drive /drav/ noun 1. a journey, especially in a car 쑗 Let’s go for a drive into the country. 쑗 The baby gets sick on long drives. 쑗 It’s a four-hour drive to the coast. 2. the way in which power gets from the engine to a car’s wheels 쑗 a car with front-wheel drive 쑗 a four-wheel-drive car 3. the place where the driver sits 쑗 a car with left-hand drive (NOTE: British cars are right-hand drive.) 4. a part of a computer which works a disk 쑗 The computer has a CD-ROM drive. 5. an energetic way of working 쑗 We need someone with plenty of drive to run the sales department. 6. a little road leading to a house 쑗 Visitors can park in the drive. 7. (in golf or cricket) hitting the ball hard and far 쐽 verb 1. to make a motor vehicle travel in a certain direction 쑗 He can swim, but he can’t drive. 쑗 He was driving a lorry when the accident happened. 쑗 She was driving to work when she heard the news on the car radio. 왍 I’ll drive your aunt to the airport I’ll take her to the airport in my car 2. to force something 쑗 He drove the nail into the wall. 3. 왍 to drive someone crazy or mad to have an effect on someone so that they become very annoyed (informal ) 쑗 The noise is driving me mad. 쑗 All this work is driving her crazy. 4. (in golf or cricket) to hit the ball hard and far (NOTE: driving – drove /drəυv/ – has driven / drv(ə)n/) drive at / drav t/ verb (informal ) 왍 what is he driving at? what is he trying to say? 쑗 I don’t know what he’s driving at. ③ drive away /drav ə we/ verb 1. to ride away in a motor vehicle 쑗 The bank robbers leapt into a car and drove away at top speed. 2. to take someone away in a motor vehicle 쑗 The children were driven away in a police car. 3. to force something or someone to go away 쑗 The smell of the drains is driving our customers away. ③ drive back /drav bk/ verb 1. to go back or to come back in a motor vehicle 쑗 We were driving back to London after a day out. 2. to force someone or something back 쑗 The police drove the demonstrators back into the square. . . drizzle drive-by / drav ba/ noun the firing of a gun at somebody from a moving vehicle 쐽 adj performed very quickly and with a lack of care or purpose drive in /drav n/ verb 1. to go in by car 쑗 Each car that drives in is issued with a ticket. 2. to force in 쑗 The shepherd stood by the gate, waiting for the dogs to drive the sheep in. drive-in / drav n/ adj, noun bank, cinema, restaurant, etc. where cars drive up for service 쑗 We went to see the movie at the local drive-in. 쑗 We got a Chinese takeaway at a drive-in restaurant. drivel / drv(ə)l/ noun rubbish. Synonym nonsense ③ driven / drv(ə)n/ 쒁 drive ③ drive off /drav ɒf/ verb 1. to ride away in a motor vehicle 쑗 The bank robbers leapt into a car and drove off at top speed. 2. to force someone or something to go away 쑗 They drove off the attackers with shotguns. ① driver / dravə/ noun a person who drives a vehicle such as a car or train 쑗 He’s got a job as a bus driver. 쑗 The drivers of both cars were injured in the accident. Synonym chauffeur driver’s license / dravəz las(ə)ns/ noun US same as driving licence drive-through / drav θru / noun a business that serves people who wait by a special window in their cars driveway / dravwe/ noun a short private road leading to a house ③ driving / dravŋ/ adj (of rain or snow) blown horizontally by the wind 쑗 They were forced to turn back because of the driving rain. 쐽 noun the action of driving a motor vehicle 쑗 Driving in the centre of London can be very frustrating. 쑗 She’s taking driving lessons. 왍 careless driving driving in such a way that other people or vehicles may be harmed 쑗 He was charged with careless driving. 왍 drunken driving the offence of driving a car when drunk. 쏡 drink-driving ② driving licence / dravŋ las(ə)ns/ noun a permit which allows someone to drive a vehicle on public roads (NOTE: The US term is driver’s license.) driving mirror / dravŋ mrə/, rear-view mirror /rə vju mrə/ noun a mirror inside a car which allows the driver to see what is behind without turning his head driving school / dravŋ sku l/ noun a school where you can learn to drive a car, truck, etc. ③ driving test / dravŋ test/ noun a test which you have to pass to get a driving licence drizzle / drz(ə)l/ noun light rain 쑗 A thin drizzle was falling so we took our umbrellas. drizzly 254 Antonym downpour 쐽 verb to rain a little 쑗 It’s drizzling outside, so you need a raincoat. drizzly / drzli/ adj when it is raining lightly. Synonym damp dromedary / drɒməd(ə)ri/ noun a camel with only one hump. Also called Arabian camel (NOTE: The camel with two humps is a Bactrian camel.) drone /drəυn/ noun 1. a male bee 쑗 The workers are busy getting pollen, while the drones do nothing. (NOTE: In a bee colony, the females are workers.) 2. a buzz of an insect, of an engine 쑗 I could hear the drone of a small aircraft in the distance. 3. a monotonous sound 쑗 The drone of the bagpipes sounded across the lake. 쐽 verb 1. to buzz 쑗 We could hear a small aircraft droning overhead. 2. to talk slowly and in a monotonous voice 쑗 The lecturer droned on and on about population statistics. drool /dru l/ verb 1. to slobber 쑗 A baby drooling in his high chair. 2. to show excessive pleasure about something 쑗 I absolutely drooled over the painting. droop /dru p/ verb to hang down 왍 his spirits drooped he felt miserable ① drop /drɒp/ noun 1. a small amount of liquid which falls 쑗 The roof leaks and we have placed a bucket to catch the drops. 쑗 Drops of rain ran down the windows. 2. a small amount of liquid 왍 would you like a drop of whisky? would you like a small glass of whisky? 3. a liquid medicine to be given in small quantities 쑗 I was given some drops for my eyes. 4. a distance which you might fall 쑗 There is a drop of three metres from the bathroom window to the ground. 5. a decrease 쑗 Sales show a drop of 10%. 6. 왍 at the drop of a hat immediately 쑗 If you phone him he’ll come at the drop of a hat. 쐽 verb 1. to fall or let something fall 쑗 He dropped the glass and it broke. 쑗 The plate dropped onto the floor. 2. to decrease 쑗 Prices are dropping. 쑗 Take a warm pullover, because at night the temperature can drop quite sharply. 왍 the wind has dropped the wind has stopped blowing 3. to let someone get off a bus or car at a place 쑗 I’ll drop you at your house. 쑗 The bus dropped her at the school. 4. 왍 to drop someone a line to send someone a note (informal ) 쑗 Drop me a line when you are back from the USA. 5. to give up 쑗 They have dropped the idea of going to settle in Australia. 쑗 The whole plan has been dropped because of the cost. drop by / drɒp ba/, drop in / drɒp n/, drop round / drɒp raυnd/ verb to call on someone, to visit someone drop-down menu /drɒp daυn menju / noun a list of choices which appears on a computer screen, and stays there until you click on one of them . drugstore drop-in centre / drɒp n sentə/ noun a place which people can visit without arranging a time, to get advice or information, or to meet other people droplet / drɒplət/ noun a very small drop of liquid ③ drop off /drɒp ɒf/ verb 1. to fall asleep 쑗 She dropped off in front of the TV. 쑗 It took me ages to drop off. 2. 왍 to drop someone off to let someone who is a passenger in a car get out somewhere 쑗 Can you drop me off at the post office? drop out /drɒp aυt/ verb 1. to stop competing 쑗 He got as far as the semi-finals but dropped out because of a shoulder injury. 2. to decide to give up your ordinary job or studies, usually because you want to live a more simple life 쑗 He dropped out and went to live on a beach in India. dropout / drɒpaυt/ noun a person who has stopped studying or stopped living conventionally droppings / drɒpŋz/ plural noun solid waste matter from animals 쑗 The grass was covered with rabbit and sheep droppings. Synonym dung ③ drought /draυt/ noun a long period when there is no rain and when the land is dry. Synonym lack. Antonym abundance ① drove /drəυv/ 쒁 drive droves /drəυvz/ plural noun large numbers ③ drown /draυn/ verb 1. to die by being unable to breathe in water 쑗 He drowned in a shallow pool. 2. to cover up a sound 쑗 The shouting drowned his speech. drowsily / draυzli/ adv sleepily drowsiness / draυzinəs/ noun a feeling of wanting to go to sleep drowsy / draυzi/ adj sleepy. Antonym awake (NOTE: drowsier – drowsiest) drudge /drdȢ/ noun a person who does hard boring work drudgery / drdȢəri/ noun hard boring work ① drug /drDZ/ noun 1. medicine 쑗 They have found a new drug for people with arthritis. 2. a substance which affects the nerves, and which can be habit-forming 쑗 The customs are looking for such things as drugs or alcohol. 왍 drug addict a person who takes drugs as a habit 왍 drug dealer a person who sells illegal drugs to other people 쐽 verb to give someone a drug 쑗 They drugged him and took him away in a car. (NOTE: drugging – drugged) drugstore / drDZstɔ / noun US a shop ③ where medicines can be bought, as well as many other goods such as shampoo, writing paper, etc. (NOTE: The British term is a chemist’s, though many chemists do not drum 255 sell the same variety of goods as an American drugstore.) drum /drm/ noun 1. a large round musical instrument which is hit with a stick 쑗 He plays the drums in the band. 2. a large barrel or container shaped like a cylinder 쑗 Oil drums were piled up in the corner of the yard. 쐽 verb 1. to play on a drum 2. to hit something frequently 쑗 He drummed his fingers on the table. 왍 to drum something into someone to make someone learn something 쑗 My grandfather drummed it into me that I had to be polite to customers. drummer / drmə/ noun a person who plays the drums drumming / drmŋ/ noun a sound like a drum being hit over and over again drumstick / drmstk/ noun 1. a wooden stick for playing a drum 쑗 He threw his drumstick in the air between beating time on the bass drum. 2. the lower part of the leg of a cooked bird such as a chicken or turkey 쑗 Who wants the drumstick? 쑗 He had a cold turkey drumstick for his lunch. ① drunk /drŋk/ adj excited or ill because of drinking too much alcohol 쑗 When he’s drunk, he shouts at his children. 쒁 drink. Synonym inebriated 쐽 noun a person who is drunk 쑗 A drunk came up to me and asked for money. drunkard / drŋkəd/ noun a person who has a habit of drinking too much alcohol drunken / drŋkən/ adj who has drunk too much alcohol. 쒁 driving ① dry /dra/ adj 1. not wet 쑗 Don’t touch the door – the paint isn’t dry yet. 쑗 The soil is dry because it hasn’t rained for weeks. 2. with no rain 쑗 They are forecasting dry sunny periods. 3. (of wine) not sweet 쑗 A dry white wine is served with fish. 4. amusing by pretending to be serious 왍 to have a dry sense of humour to make jokes by pretending not to know they are funny 쑗 He has a wonderfully dry sense of humour. 5. without tears 왍 at the end of the film there wasn’t a dry eye in the house the film made all the audience cry (NOTE: drier – driest) 쐽 verb 1. to stop being wet 쑗 The clothes are drying in the sun. 쑗 Leave the dishes on the draining board to dry. 2. to wipe something until it is dry 쑗 If I wash up, can you dry or dry the dishes for me? (NOTE: drying – dried) dry-clean /dra kli n/ verb to clean clothes or other fabric items with chemicals dry-cleaner’s /dra kli nəz/ noun a shop where clothes are dry-cleaned dry dock /dra dɒk/ noun a section of a harbour from which the water can be removed, so that the underside of a ship can be repaired dryer / draə/ noun 쒁 drier duck dry ice /dra as/ noun frozen carbon dioxide used to produce very cold temperatures dryer / draŋ/ 쒁 dry dry land /dra lnd/ noun 1. the land, not the sea 2. areas of land prone to severe drought, e.g. deserts and savannas dry out /dra aυt/ verb 1. to become completely dry 쑗 Hang up your coat to dry out in front of the fire. 2. to try to stop drinking alcohol 쑗 He went to a clinic in London to dry out. dry rot /dra rɒt/ noun a decay in the wooden parts of a house caused by a fungus dry run /dra rn/ noun a practice (informal ) dry season / dra si z(ə)n/ noun a period of the year when it does not rain much. Compare rainy season ③ dry up /dra p/ verb 1. to stop flowing 쑗 The heat wave has made the rivers dry up. 쑗 The government grants have dried up and it looks as though the theatre will have to close. 2. to stop talking, because you can’t remember what you were going to say 쑗 He dried up in the middle of his speech, and sat down hurriedly. 쑗 As soon as she got on the stage she dried up. dual / dju əl/ adj existing as a pair. Synonym double 왍 she has dual nationality she is a citizen of two countries. 쒁 . carriageway dual carriageway /dju əl krdȢwe/ noun a road with two lanes in each direction, with a barrier between the two sides (NOTE: The US term is two-lane highway.) ③ dub /db/ verb 1. to give someone a nickname 쑗 At college he was dubbed Tom ‘Pigpen’ Smith because his room was so dirty. 2. to add dialogue to a film in a different language from the original 쑗 The film has been dubbed into Swedish. (NOTE: dubbing – dubbed) dubious / dju biəs/ adj 1. suspicious 쑗 There were some dubious characters hanging around outside the off-licence. 쑗 Have you heard about his dubious past in South America? 2. doubtful, hesitating 쑗 I’m dubious about getting involved. 쑗 Everyone else seems to believe her story, but personally I’m dubious about it. duchess / dtʃs/ noun the wife of a duke (NOTE: The plural is duchesses.) duchy / dtʃi/ noun a territory ruled by a duke or duchess ③ duck /dk/ noun 1. a common water bird 쑗 Let’s go and feed the ducks in St James’ Park. 쒁 water (NOTE: The male is a drake, the female a duck and the young are ducklings.) 2. the meat of this bird 쑗 We’re having roast duck for dinner. 3. (in cricket) a score of zero 쑗 He scored a duck in his last duck-billed platypus 256 two matches. 쐽 verb to lower your head quickly to avoid hitting something 쑗 She didn’t duck in time and the ball hit her on the head. 쑗 He ducked as he went through the low doorway. duck-billed platypus /dk bld pltpəs/ noun an Australian mammal which lives in water and lays eggs (NOTE: The plural is platypuses.) duckling /dklŋ/ noun 1. a baby duck 쑗 A duck with six little ducklings. 2. a small dump duff /df/ adj which doesn’t work, which is no good duffel bag /df(ə)l bDZ/ noun a thick cloth bag closed by a string duffel coat /df(ə)l kəυt/ noun a thick woollen coat, with a hood (NOTE: sometimes also spelt duffle) duff up /df p/ verb to beat someone up (slang) ③ dug /dDZ/ verb 쒁 dig dugout /dDZaυt/ noun 1. a hole in the ground which is a shelter for soldiers 쑗 They sat in a dugout for hours, waiting for the order to advance. 2. a bench by the side of a football pitch where the managers and extra team members sit 쑗 The manager was yelling instructions from the dugout. 3. 왍 dugout canoe a canoe made from a tree trunk 쑗 Natives came down the river in dugout canoes. duke /djuk/ noun a nobleman of the highest rank. 쏡 duchess ③ dull /dl/ adj 1. not exciting, not interesting 쑗 The story is rather dull. 쑗 What’s so interesting about old churches? – I find them dull. 2. (of weather ) grey and miserable 쑗 a dull cloudy day 3. (of colours) not bright 쑗 They painted the sitting room a dull green. duck 쑗 We had roast duckling and orange sauce. duct /dkt/ noun 1. a tube which carries liquids in the body 왍 tear duct a duct which brings tears into the nose and eyes 2. a tube which carries air or wires in a building 쑗 The central heating ducts caught fire. dud /dd/ adj false (informal ) 쑗 He paid me with a dud £10 note. Synonym useless. Antonym usable 쐽 noun 1. a false banknote 쑗 The £50 note was a dud. 2. something which does not work properly 쑗 Most of the fireworks in the box were duds. dude /djud/ noun US 1. a man who is very interested in clothes 쑗 that dude, with his stiff collar and wide pink tie 2. a visitor from a city on the East coast to a ranch in the Midwest dude ranch /djud rɑntʃ/ noun US a ranch where city people can come for vacations ① due /dju/ adj 1. expected 쑗 When is the baby due? 쑗 We are due to leave London Airport at 5 o’clock. 쑗 The plane is due to arrive at 10.30 or is due at 10.30. 2. 왍 in due course later 쑗 In due course you will have to pass an exam. 3. owed 왍 to fall due, to become due to be ready for payment 왍 balance due to us an amount owed to us which should be paid 4. 왍 due for likely to get 쑗 We’re due for a thunderstorm after all this hot weather. 쑗 She must be due for retirement this year. 쐽 adv straight 쑗 The plane flew due west. 쑗 Go due east for ten miles and you will see the church on your left. Synonym directly. Antonym indirectly 쐽 noun what is deserved 왍 to give him his due he works very hard to be fair to him, you must see that he works very hard duel /djuəl/ noun a fight between two people with weapons such as swords or guns 쑗 They fought a duel over a girl. 쑗 He challenged the doctor to a duel. Synonym con- He duly returned the form to the tax office. I declare Mrs Bond duly elected president. 2. as was expected 쑗 We duly received a letter from the police. ③ dumb /dm/ adj 1. unable to speak test (NOTE: Do not confuse with dual.) 쐽 verb to fight a duel dues /djuz/ plural noun money owed as a dummies.) . fee or regular payment duet /djuet/ noun a piece of music played or sung by two people due to /dju tu/ adj because of 쑗 The trains are late due to fog. . (NOTE: duller – dullest) duly /djuli/ adv 1. properly, as one should 쑗 쑗 (NOTE: Some people avoid this term because it causes offence and prefer to say speech impaired.) 왍 to be struck dumb to be so surprised that you cannot say anything 쑗 He was struck dumb by the news. 2. stupid (informal ) dumbfound /dmfaυnd/ verb to surprise someone greatly. Synonym astonish dumbfounded /dmfaυndd/ adj greatly surprised dummy /dmi/ noun 1. a plastic object shaped like a nipple, given to a baby to suck, to prevent it from crying 쑗 The baby sat in its pram sucking a dummy. (NOTE: The US term is pacifier.) 2. an imitation product to prevent theft, or to test the reaction of possible customers to its design 쑗 That big bottle of whisky isn’t real, it’s just a dummy. 3. US a stupid fool 쑗 You dummy! You put the box the wrong way up! (NOTE: The plural is . dummy run /dmi rn/ noun a practice, before the real thing takes place. Synonym rehearsal ③ dump /dmp/ noun 1. a place for rubbish 쑗 2. Take your rubbish to the municipal dump. 왍 what a dump! what an awful place! 쐽 dumpling 257 verb 1. to put something heavily on the ground 쑗 She just dumped her suitcases in the hall. 2. to throw something away, to get rid of something 쑗 Someone has dumped an old pram in the car park. 왍 to dump goods on a market to sell surplus goods at a very cheap price, usually in another country 3. 왍 to dump someone to end a relationship with someone 쑗 She’s been dumped by her boyfriend. dumpling / dmplŋ/ noun a small ball of dough served with hot meat dumps /dmps/ plural noun (informal ) 왍 down in the dumps miserable dumpy / dmpi/ adj short and rather fat (informal disapproving) dune /dju n/ noun a hill of sand dung /dŋ/ noun solid waste from animals, especially cattle, often used as fertiliser. Synonym manure (NOTE: no plural) dungarees /dŋDZə ri z/ plural noun working clothes, formed of a pair of trousers and a bib covering the chest, usually of thick blue cloth, and worn over ordinary clothes 쑗 The workmen came into the café in their dungarees. dungeon / dndȢən/ noun a dark and unpleasant underground prison dunk /dŋk/ verb to dip a biscuit or other food into a liquid dunno /də nəυ/ contr don't know (informal ) 쑗 Whose car is that? – I dunno. duo / dju əυ/ noun 1. two people, usually two performers 쑗 a TV comedy duo 2. same as duet dupe /dju p/ noun a person who has been tricked 쑗 He was the dupe of a Russian businessman. Synonym victim 쐽 verb 왍 to dupe someone into doing something to trick someone into doing something 쑗 They duped him into giving them all the cash he had in his wallet. duplex / dju pleks/ noun US a house for two families 왍 duplex apartment an apartment on two floors 쑗 They live in a duplex on E56th Street. duplicate adj / dju plkət/ which is a copy 쑗 Put the duplicate invoices in the file. Synonym identical 쐽 noun / dju plkət/ a copy 쑗 She sent the invoice and filed the duplicate. Antonym original 쐽 verb / dju plket/ to make a copy of a document such as a letter 쑗 She duplicated the letter and put the copy into a file. 왍 you are just duplicating his work you are just doing the same work as he did earlier duplication /dju pl keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of copying or repeating something exactly 2. an exact copy or repeat . . duty duplicity /dju plsti/ noun the action of tricking someone. Synonym deceit (NOTE: no plural) durable / djυərəb(ə)l/ adj 1. which lasts, which does not wear away 쑗 You need a really durable floor covering in a kitchen. 쑗 They’ve signed a peace agreement but will it be more durable than the last one? 2. which will be felt for a long time 쑗 The strike will have durable effects on the economy. ③ duration /djυ reʃ(ə)n/ noun the period of time for which something lasts duress /djυ res/ noun force or illegal threats of force used to make someone do something ① during / djυərŋ/ prep 1. while something is going on 쑗 Conditions were bad during the war. 2. at a point when something is going on 쑗 He went to sleep during the concert. dusk /dsk/ noun the period in the evening just before it gets dark. Synonym twilight dusky / dski/ adj with fairly dark skin ③ dust /dst/ noun a thin layer of dry dirt 쑗 The room had never been cleaned – there was dust everywhere. 쑗 A tiny speck of dust got in my eye. Synonym powder (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to remove dust from something 쑗 Don’t forget to dust the Chinese bowls carefully. 2. to sprinkle a powder on something 쑗 She dusted the cake with icing sugar. ③ dustbin / dstbn/ noun a large container for rubbish (NOTE: The US term is trashcan.) duster / dstə/ noun a cloth for removing dust dust jacket / dst dȢkt/ noun a paper cover round a book ③ dustman / dstmən/ noun a person employed by a town to collect rubbish (NOTE: The plural is dustmen.) dustpan / dstpn/ noun a small flat con- tainer for brushing dirt into dusty / dsti/ adj covered with dust. Synonym dirty. Antonym spotless (NOTE: dustier – dustiest) ① Dutch /dtʃ/ adj 1. referring to the Neth- erlands 쑗 We are going on a tour to visit the Dutch bulb fields. 2. 왍 to go Dutch to share the cost of a meal equally between everyone 쐽 noun 1. the language spoken in the Netherlands 쑗 You will need to practise your Dutch if you’re going to live in Amsterdam. 2. 왍 the Dutch the people living in the Netherlands 쑗 The Dutch are great travellers. dutiful / dju tf(ə)l/ adj who does what should be done. Synonym obedient. Antonym disobedient ① duty / dju ti/ noun 1. work which you have to do 쑗 One of his duties is to see that duty-free 258 the main doors are locked at night. 왍 to be duty bound to do something to be obliged to do something 쑗 If you have any information relating to this case, you are duty bound to pass it to the police. 2. 왍 on duty doing official work which you have to do in a job 쑗 He’s on duty from 9.00 to 6.00. 쑗 She’s been on duty all day. 3. a tax which has to be paid duty-free /dju ti fri / adj, adv sold with no tax to be paid 쑗 He bought a duty-free watch at the airport or he bought the watch duty-free. 왍 duty-free allowance the amount of goods which you are allowed to take into a country without paying tax on them duty officer / dju ti ɒfsə/ noun an officer who is on duty at a certain time duvet / du ve/ noun a bag full of feathers, used as the only covering for a bed DVD /di vi di / noun an optical disc that can hold images and sound. Full form digital video disc dwarf /dwɔ f/ noun 1. in fairy stories, a very small imaginary person 쑗 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. (NOTE: The plural is dwarfs or dwarves.) 2. a person of smaller than normal height (NOTE: Some people avoid this term as it can cause offence and prefer person of short stature or person of restricted growth.) 쐽 adj (of plants) low-growing 쑗 dwarf beans 쐽 verb to make something look very small 쑗 His house is dwarfed by the office block next door. dwell /dwel/ verb 1. 왍 to dwell on a problem to keep thinking or talking about a problem 쑗 It’s best not to dwell too much on your financial situation. 2. to live (dated ) 쑗 There dwelt a beautiful princess in a castle by the edge of the forest. (NOTE: dwelling – dwelled or dwelt /dwelt/) dweller / dwelə/ noun, suffix a person who lives in a place 쑗 Many city-dwellers have cottages in the country where they go for weekends. 쑗 Prehistoric man was a cave-dweller. ② dwelling / dwelŋ/ noun a place to live (formal ) Synonym home dwindle / dwnd(ə)l/ verb to get less gradually. Synonym decrease dwindling / dwndlŋ/ adj which is getting less. Antonym burgeoning dye /da/ noun a substance used to colour cloth 쑗 synthetic dyes 쑗 vegetable dyes 왍 fast dye a colour which will not fade when washed 쐽 verb to stain with a colour 쑗 She . . dystrophy dyed her hair green. (NOTE: Do not confuse with die.) ③ dying / daŋ/ 쒁 die dyke /dak/, dike noun 1. a long wall of earth to keep water from flooding land 쑗 They built dykes along the river. 쑗 With this storm blowing from the east, do you think the dykes will hold? 2. a long ditch for rainwater 쑗 It rained all month, and the dykes were full. 3. a lesbian (offensive) dynamic /da nmk/ adj very energetic and with a strong personality. Antonym lethargic dynamism / danəmz(ə)m/ noun being dynamic. Synonym vitality. Antonym lethargy dynamite / danəmat/ noun 1. a powerful explosive 쑗 They used dynamite to blow up the old building. 2. something or someone that has a very powerful effect 쑗 This news is dynamite! 쐽 verb to blow something up with dynamite 쑗 Guerrillas have dynamited stretches of railway line. dynamo / danəməυ/ noun 1. a small piece of equipment for making electricity 쑗 The electric light works by a dynamo attached to the back wheel. 2. a very energetic person (NOTE: The plural is dynamos.) dynastic /d nstk/ adj referring to a dynasty. Synonym hereditary dynasty / dnəsti/ noun 1. a family of rulers, following one after the other 쑗 The Ming dynasty ruled China from 1368 to 1644. 쑗 Henry VII founded the Tudor dynasty in 1487. 2. a period of rule by members of the same family 쑗 The Great Wall of China was built during the Tsin dynasty. (NOTE: The plural is dynasties.) dysentery / ds(ə)ntri/ noun an infection of the intestines, causing bleeding and diarrhoea dysfunctional /ds fŋkʃən(ə)l/ adj 1. unable to relate to other people emotionally and socially 2. failing to work properly dyslexia /ds leksiə/ noun a medical condition in which a person is not able to read and spell correctly dyslexic /ds leksk/ adj affected by dyslexia 쑗 Their daughter is dyslexic. 쐽 noun a person who has dyslexia 쑗 There are several dyslexics in the family. dyspepsia /ds pepsiə/ noun pains in the stomach caused by not digesting food properly (technical ) Synonym indigestion dystrophy / dstrəfi/ noun 쒁 muscular . E e /i /, E noun the fifth letter of the alphabet, between D and F E abbr east ① each /i tʃ/ adj every person or thing 쑗 Each five pound note has a number. 쑗 He was holding a towel in each hand. 쑗 Each one of us has a separate office. 쐽 pron 1. every person 쑗 They have two houses each or each of them has two houses. 쑗 She gave them each five pounds or She gave them five pounds each or She gave each of them five pounds. 2. every thing 쑗 Each of the books has three hundred pages or the books have three hundred pages each. ① each other /i tʃ ðə/ pron the other one of two people or of two things 쑗 They were shouting at each other. 쑗 We always send each other presents on our birthdays. 쑗 The boxes fit into each other. eager / i DZə/ adj wanting to do something very much. Synonym keen eagerly / i DZəli/ adv in a way that shows that you want something very much eagerness / i DZənəs/ noun a state of wanting to do something very much. Synonym keenness. Antonym apathy ③ eagle / i DZ(ə)l/ noun a large bird of prey eagle-eyed /i DZ(ə)l ad/ adj with very good eyesight. Synonym observant ① ear /ə/ noun 1. a part of your head which you hear with 쑗 Rabbits have long ears. 쑗 Have you washed behind your ears? 왍 to be up to your ears in to be very busy with (informal ) 쑗 He’s up to his ears in work. 왍 to have or keep your ear to the ground to follow what is happening and know all about something 2. an ability to sense sound 쑗 He has a good ear for music. 왍 to play an instrument by ear to play without reading the printed notes of music 쑗 She can play the piano by ear. 왍 to play it by ear to do what you think is right at the time (informal ) 쑗 We won’t make a plan, we’ll just play it by ear and see how it goes. 3. 왍 an ear of corn a head of corn with the seeds earache / ərek/ noun a pain in your ear eardrum / ədrm/ noun a part of the ear which vibrates with sound and passes the vibrations to the inner ear . . earl /" l/ noun a nobleman of middle rank, below a marquess and above a viscount. 쏡 countess COMMENT: The title of earl is followed di- rectly by the family name; they are addressed as ‘Lord’ followed by the family name; their wives are addressed as ‘Lady’ followed by the family name. earlier / " liə/ adj referring to a time before now or a time being mentioned 쑗 an earlier edition of the book 쑗 I’ll try to catch an earlier train. 쐽 adv before now or a time being mentioned 쑗 Can’t you come any earlier than Tuesday? 쑗 I tried to phone earlier but you were out. earliest / " liəst/ adj soonest, first earlobe / ələυb/ noun the lower part of the outside of the ear ① early / " l/ adv 1. before the usual time 쑗 The plane arrived five minutes early. 쑗 We must get up early tomorrow morning if we want to catch the first boat to France. 2. at the beginning of a period of time 쑗 We went out early in the evening. 쑗 The snow came early in the year. 쐽 adj which happens at the beginning of a period of time, or which happens before the proper time 쑗 We picked some early vegetables. 쑗 I caught an early flight to Paris. 쑗 These flowers open in early summer. 왍 at an early date soon 쑗 The meeting must be held at the earliest date possible. 왍 to take early retirement to leave a job with a pension before the usual age for retirement (NOTE: earlier – earliest) early bird / " li b" d/ noun someone who likes to get up early and work before breakfast, and who does not stay up late at night. Compare night owl early warning /" li wɔ nŋ/ noun something which gives advance warning of danger earmark / əmɑ k/ verb to reserve for a special purpose. Synonym allocate ② earn /" n/ verb 1. to be paid money for working 쑗 He earns £20,000 a year. 쑗 How much does a bus driver earn? 2. to deserve something or to be given something 쑗 You can all take a rest now – you’ve earned it! 쑗 His cheeky remarks earned him a reprimand from the teacher. (NOTE: Do not confuse with urn.) earner 260 earner / " nə/ noun a thing or person that earns 왍 nice little earner a small business or clever scheme which gives an easy income (informal ) 쑗 The corner shop must be a nice little earner – it’s in a prime position. earnest / " nst/ adj serious 쑗 They were engaged in earnest conversation. 쐽 noun 왍 in earnest seriously 쑗 The discussions began in earnest. earnestly / " nstli/ adv seriously. Synonym sincerely earnings / " nŋz/ plural noun a salary, the money which you earn from work 쑗 His earnings are not enough to pay the rent. earphones / əfəυnz/ plural noun a piece of equipment which you put on your ears to listen to sounds from a machine such as a radio or telephone 쑗 She took off her earphones when I asked her a question. earplug / əplDZ/ noun a piece of plastic, rubber or other material which you put in your ears to stop you hearing loud sounds earring / ərŋ/ noun a piece of jewellery worn attached to part of the ear as an ornament 왍 a pair of earrings two similar rings, one worn in each ear 쑗 She was wearing a pair of old earrings which belonged to her mother. earshot / əʃɒt/ noun 왍 within earshot near enough to hear something 쑗 Everyone within earshot heard the details of her divorce. 왍 out of earshot not near enough to hear something 쑗 Now that she’s out of earshot, you can tell me what really happened. ear-splitting / ə spltŋ/ adj extremely loud ② earth /" θ/ noun 1. also Earth the planet on which we live 쑗 The earth goes round the sun once in twenty-four hours. 쑗 The space shuttle came back to earth safely. 왍 it costs the earth it costs a great deal of money (informal ) 쑗 It wouldn’t cost the earth to have the house repainted. 2. soil, a soft material made up of minerals and rotting vegetable matter, which plants grow in 쑗 Put some earth in the plant pot and then sow your cucumber seeds. 3. a hole where a fox lives 왍 to run someone to earth to find someone after a difficult search 쑗 We finally ran him to earth in Mexico. 쐽 verb to connect an electrical appliance to the earth 쑗 Household appliances should be properly earthed. (NOTE: . . The US term is to ground.) earthenware / " θ(ə)nweə/ noun objects such as pots and dishes, made of clay earthly / " θli/ adj 왍 he hasn’t an earthly (chance) he has no possibility of succeeding (informal ) 쑗 Realistically, he hasn’t an earthly against the champion, but I’m sure he’ll still give it a go. earthquake / " θkwek/ noun the shaking of the earth caused by movement of the . Easter egg earth’s surface. Synonym tremor (NOTE: also called simply a quake) earth science /" θ saəns/ noun geology or a similar science earth tremor / " θ tremə/ noun a slight earthquake ③ earthworm / " θw" m/ noun a little animal which looks like a very small snake and lives in soil earthy / " θi/ adj (of humour ) coarse or rude (NOTE: earthier – earthiest) earwig / əwDZ/ noun a small insect with curved pincers on its tail ease /i z/ noun 1. 왍 to put someone at their ease to make someone feel relaxed and confident 쑗 The policewoman offered the children sweets to put them at their ease. 2. a lack of difficulty 쑗 He won the first round with the greatest of ease. 쑗 The bottle has a wide mouth for ease of use. 3. 왍 at ease! (in the army) a command to stand in a relaxed position, with the feet apart, after standing to attention 쐽 verb 1. to make less painful 쑗 A couple of aspirins should ease the pain. 2. to make easy 쑗 An introduction from his uncle eased his entry into the firm. easel / i z(ə)l/ noun a vertical frame on legs to support a blackboard or painting. Synonym stand easier, easiest / i ziə, i ziəst/ 쒁 easy ① easily / i zli/ adv 1. without any difficulty 쑗 I passed my driving test easily. 쑗 I can get there easily by 9 o’clock. 2. a lot (compared to something else) (for emphasis before comparatives or superlatives) 쑗 Her work was easily better than yours. 쑗 He is easily the tallest man in the team. 쑗 Our shop is easily the biggest in the High Street. ① east /i st/ noun 1. the direction of where the sun rises 쑗 The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. 쑗 Germany is to the east of France. 쑗 The wind is blowing from the east. 2. the part of a country which is to the east of the rest 쑗 The east of the country is drier than the west. 3. 왍 the Far East countries to the east of Pakistan and India 왍 the Middle East the countries to the east of Egypt and west of Pakistan 왍 the Near East the countries to the east of the Mediterranean 쐽 adj referring to the east 쑗 The east coast is the coldest part of the country. 쐽 adv towards the east 쑗 The kitchen windows face east, so we get the morning sun. 쑗 Drive east along the motorway for twenty miles. eastbound / i stbaυnd/ adj travelling towards the east ③ Easter / i stə/ noun an important Christian festival, in March or April, celebrating Christ’s death and resurrection Easter egg / i stər eDZ/ noun a chocolate or sugar egg eaten at Easter . easterly 261 echo easterly / i stəli/ adj 1. (of a wind ) from eating apple / i tŋ p(ə)l/ noun a sweet the east 쑗 There was a light easterly breeze. 쑗 the prevailing easterly airflow across the country 2. towards the east 쑗 They are heading in a easterly direction. 쐽 noun a wind from the east (NOTE: The plural is apple which you can eat raw eating disorder / i tŋ dsɔ də/ noun an emotional disorder manifesting as an obsessive attitude to food eat out /i t aυt/ verb to have a meal in a restaurant eat up /i t p/ verb to eat everything eau de cologne /əυ də kə ləυn/ noun a type of light perfume eaves /i vz/ plural noun the edge of a roof which sticks out over the wall beneath it eavesdrop / i vzdrɒp/ verb 왍 to eavesdrop on a conversation to listen to a conversation which you are not supposed to hear 쑗 She stood outside the door to eavesdrop on the interview her son had with the manager. eavesdropper / i vzdrɒpə/ noun a person who eavesdrops. Synonym listener ebb /eb/ noun (of tides) going down 쑗 If we leave at 3.00 p.m. the tide will be on the ebb. Antonym flow 왍 to be at a low ebb to be in a bad state 쑗 After his interview, his morale was at a low ebb. 쑗 The manager asked them to try harder, just when their energy was at its lowest ebb. 쐽 verb 1. (of tides) to go down 쑗 Boats at anchor swing round to point upstream when the tide starts to ebb. 2. 왍 to ebb away to become weaker gradually 쑗 He couldn’t hold on to the life-raft any longer; his strength was ebbing away. ebb tide /eb tad/ noun a tide that is going down ebony / ebəni/ noun a black tropical wood ebullient / bliənt/ adj very excited or full of life. Synonym jovial e-business / i bznəs/ noun 1. business that is conducted on the Internet 2. a company that uses Internet technology eccentric /k sentrk/ adj strange, odd 쑗 an eccentric old lady who wears boots all the year round. Antonym conventional 쐽 noun a strange or odd person 쑗 In his old age, he became something of an eccentric. eccentricity /eksen trsti/ noun strange habits, odd behaviour ecclesiastical /kli zi stk(ə)l/ adj referring to the Christian church. Antonym . easterlies.) ② eastern / i st(ə)n/ adj from, of or in the east 쑗 Bulgaria is part of Eastern Europe. 쑗 The best snow is in the eastern part of the mountains. easterner / i stənə/ noun a person from the east of a country or region easternmost / i st(ə)nməυst/ adj furthest east eastward / i stwəd/ adj, adv towards the east eastwards / i stwədz/ adv towards the east ① easy / i zi/ adj not difficult, not needing a lot of effort 쑗 The driving test isn’t very easy – lots of people fail it. 쑗 It’s easy to see why the shop closed – a big supermarket has opened next door. 쑗 The office is within easy reach of the airport. 쑗 My boss is very easy to get on with. 쐽 adv 왍 to take things easy to rest, not to do any hard work 쑗 The doctor told him to take things easy for a time after his operation. 왍 easy now!, easy does it! be careful! 왍 go easy on or with the jam! don’t take too much jam! 왍 it’s easier said than done it’s more difficult than you think (NOTE: easy – easier – easiest) easy chair / i zi tʃeə/ noun a large com- fortable armchair easy-going /i zi DZəυŋ/ adj friendly and not very critical easy listening /i zi ls(ə)nŋ/ noun slow or quiet popular music ① eat /i t/ verb 1. to chew and swallow food 쑗 I’m hungry – is there anything to eat? 쑗 We haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. 쑗 The children ate all the sandwiches. 쑗 Eat as much as you like for £5.95! 쑗 You’ll get thin if you don’t eat. 왍 I had him eating out of my hand he did everything I told him to do 왍 he had to eat his words he had to take back what he had said 2. to have a meal 쑗 He was still eating his breakfast when I arrived. 쑗 We are eating at home tonight. 쑗 Have you eaten yet? (NOTE: eating – ate /et/ - has eaten / i t(ə)n/) eatable / i təb(ə)l/ adj which is good enough to eat. Antonym uneatable eat away /i t ə we/ verb to destroy by gradually wearing away. Synonym erode eater / i tə/ noun a person who eats eatery / i təri/ noun US a restaurant, a place where you can eat (informal ) (NOTE: . The plural is eateries.) secular echelon / eʃəlɒn/ noun 1. a group of people at a certain level in an organisation 쑗 the upper echelons of management 쑗 the lower echelons of village society 2. an arrangement of separate things in steps, each behind the other and to one side, and not in a straight line 쑗 The tanks moved forward in echelon. echo / ekəυ/ noun a sound which is repeated (as when you shout in a place such as a cave) 쑗 We could hear the echo of voices in the tunnel. 쑗 If you go to the Whispering Gallery in the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral you éclair 262 can hear the echo very clearly. (NOTE: The plural is echoes.) 쐽 verb 1. (of sound ) to . make an echo 쑗 Their voices echoed down the tunnel. 2. to repeat 쑗 The newspaper article echoed the opinions put forward in the minister’s speech. éclair /e kleə/ noun a long light cake filled with cream and with chocolate on top eclectic / klektk/ adj taking ideas from several different sources. Synonym heterogeneous. Antonym narrow eclipse / klps/ noun a time when part of the sun or moon disappears, because either the earth’s shadow passes over the moon, or the moon passes between the earth and the sun 쑗 There will be a partial eclipse of the moon tonight. 쐽 verb 1. to hide the sun or moon by passing in front of it 쑗 The sun is eclipsed by the moon. 2. to be more successful than someone 쑗 She was eclipsed by her younger sister. eco-friendly / i kəυ frendli/ adj intended to have no harmful effect on the natural environment and its inhabitants ecological /i kə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to ecology. Synonym environmental 왍 ecological disaster a disaster which seriously disturbs the balance of the environment 쑗 The oil from the tanker caused an ecological disaster. ecologist / kɒlədȢst/ noun a person who studies ecology. Synonym environmentalist ecology / kɒlədȢi/ noun the study of the relationship between plants and animals and their environment e-commerce / i kɒm" s/ noun business which is done online, especially over the Internet ① economic /i kə nɒmk/ adj 1. referring to the economy 쑗 I don’t agree with the government’s economic policy. 쑗 The government has introduced controls to solve the current economic crisis. 쑗 The country enjoyed a period of economic growth in the 1980s. 왍 economic growth the rate at which a country’s national income grows 2. which provides enough money 쑗 The flat is let at an economic rent. 쑗 It is hardly economic for us to run two cars. economical /i kə nɒmk(ə)l/ adj which saves money or resources 왍 economical car a car which does not use much petrol economically /i kə nɒmkli/ adv 1. referring to economics 쑗 Scrapping the power station is economically justifiable. 2. saving money, without waste 쑗 We use electricity as economically as possible. economic migrant /i kənɒmk maDZrənt/ noun a person who moves to live in another country where living conditions are better eddy ③ economics /i kə nɒmks/ noun 1. the scientific study of how money functions in trade, society and politics 쑗 She is studying for an economics degree. 2. the way money is used in a particular activity 쑗 The economics of town planning must be taken very seriously. 쑗 Have you worked out the economics of starting your own business? economies of scale /kɒnəmiz əv skel/ plural noun the practice of making more money by making a product in larger quantities economise / kɒnəmaz/, economize verb 왍 to economise (on) to save, not to waste 쑗 The office has been told to economise on electricity. economist / kɒnəmst/ noun a person who specialises in the study of money and its uses ① economy / kɒnəm/ noun 1. the way in which a country makes and uses money, or the financial state of a country 쑗 The country’s economy is in ruins. 쑗 When will the upturn in the economy come about? 2. something you do to avoid wasting money or materials 쑗 She tried to make a few economies like buying cheaper brands of washing-up liquid. economy class / kɒnəmi klɑ s/ noun an air fare which is cheaper than first class or business class economy drive / kɒnəmi drav/ noun an effort to save money or materials economy pack / kɒnəmi pk/, economy size / kɒnəmi saz/ noun a pack which is cheaper than the regular size ecosystem / i kəυsstəm/ noun a system which includes all the organisms of an area and the environment in which they live ecotourism / i kəυtυərz(ə)m/ noun tourism that tries to avoid ecological damage to places visited ecstasy / ekstəsi/ noun 1. great happiness 쑗 She was in sheer ecstasy over her engagement. 쑗 These chocolates are pure ecstasy. 2. a dangerous drug which makes you have hallucinations ecstatic /k sttk/ adj very happy or enthusiastic ecstatically /k sttkli/ adv extremely happily ecumenical /i kjυ menk(ə)l/ adj concerned with uniting different Christian groups eczema / eksmə/ noun an uncomfortable skin condition with an itchy rash and blisters, but which is not contagious ed. abbr editor eddy / edi/ noun a circular movement of water or dust 쑗 Dust eddies were being raised by the wind. 쑗 He got into an eddy un- edge 263 der the waterfall. Synonym whirlpool (NOTE: The plural is eddies.) 쐽 verb to twist round in a circle 쑗 Water eddied round the rocks. ① edge /edȢ/ noun 1. a side of something flat 쑗 He put his plate down on the edge of the table. 쑗 She lay down on the roof and looked over the edge. 쑗 You can stand a £1 coin on its edge. 쑗 The axe has a very sharp edge. 2. a line between two quite different things 쑗 He lived in a house at the edge of the forest. 쑗 The factory is built right on the edge of the town. 3. an advantage 왍 to have the edge on a rival company to have a slightly larger share of the market than another company 4. 왍 on edge nervous or jumpy 쑗 Everyone was on edge, waiting for the telephone call. 쐽 verb to move in a slow, careful way 쑗 He started edging towards the door. edgeways adv, adj with the edge first edging / edȢŋ/ noun a decoration along the edge of something. Synonym border edgy / edȢi/ adj nervous or anxious. Antonym relaxed (NOTE: edgy – edgier – edgiest.) ③ edible / edb(ə)l/ adj which can be safely eaten. Antonym poisonous edict / i dkt/ noun a public announcement of a law. Synonym proclamation edifice / edfs/ noun a large building (formal ) edit / edt/ verb 1. to be in charge of a newspaper or magazine 쑗 He edited the ‘Sunday Express’ for more than twenty years. 2. to change a text to make it better 쑗 The edited text is now ready. 쑗 It took me two hours to edit the first chapter. 3. to get a text ready to be published 쑗 I am editing a volume of 20th-century poetry. 4. to cut up a film or tape and stick it together in correct order to make it ready to be shown or played 쑗 Once the film has been edited it will run for about 90 minutes. ③ edition / dʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a number of copies of a book or newspaper printed at the same time 쑗 The book of poems was published in an edition of one thousand copies. 2. the form in which a book is published 쑗 She bought the hardback edition for her father. ② editor / edtə/ noun 1. a journalist in charge of a newspaper or part of a newspaper 쑗 He wrote to the editor of ‘The Times’ asking for a job. 쑗 She is the sports editor of the local paper. 2. a person who gets a text, a radio or TV programme, etc. ready to be published 쑗 He worked as a dictionary editor all his life. 쑗 the editor of a TV series on French cooking 3. a computer program for editing text 쑗 The software contains a basic text editor. . effect editorial /ed tɔ riəl/ adj referring to editors or to editing 쑗 He has overall editorial control of the series. 왍 editorial board a group of editors who work together 쐽 noun a main article written by the editor of a newspaper 쑗 Did you read today’s editorial in ‘The Times’? Also called leading article, leader educate / edjυket/ verb to teach someone 쑗 She was educated privately in Switzerland. 쑗 We need to educate young people about the dangers of alcohol. educated / edjυketd/ adj having been to school and university ① education /edjυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun the system of teaching, or of being taught 쑗 Our children deserve the best education. 쑗 We spent a lot of money on his education, and he’s got a job as a dustman! ① educational /edjυ keʃ(ə)nəl/ adj referring to education, teaching and schools 쑗 This game for 3 to 5 year-olds is very educational. 쑗 a campaign to improve educational standards. Synonym instructive 왍 educational publisher a company that publishes school books educationalist /edjυ keʃn(ə)lst/, educationist /edju keʃ(ə)nst/ noun a person who specialises in the study of teaching methods educative / edju kətv/ adj which teaches educator / edjυketə/ noun a person who teaches, especially someone who teaches people how to teach. Synonym teacher Edwardian /ed wɔ diən/ adj referring to the time of King Edward VII (1901 – 1910) EEC abbr European Economic Community, now the European Union eel /i l/ noun a long thin fish which looks like a snake eerie / əri/ adj strange and frightening. Synonym unnerving (NOTE: eerier – eeriest) eerily / ərli/ adv in an eerie way ① effect / fekt/ noun 1. a result or influ- ence 쑗 The cuts in spending will have a serious effect on the hospital. 쑗 The cream has had no effect on her rash. 쑗 The effects of the anaesthetic took some time to wear off. 왍 the order comes into or takes effect from January 1st the order starts to have to be obeyed on January 1st 왍 in effect actually 쑗 In effect, he gave up trying. 왍 with effect from starting from 쑗 Prices will be increased by 10% with effect from January 1st. 2. an approximate meaning 쑗 The notice said something to the effect that the shop had closed. 왍 or words to that effect or something with that meaning 쑗 She said she wouldn’t pay, or words to that effect. 쐽 verb to make, to carry out (formal ) 쑗 She was able to effect a num. effective 264 ber of changes during her time in charge. Synonym achieve 왍 to effect a payment to make a payment ① effective / fektv/ adj 1. which produces the required result 쑗 His method of keeping the children quiet is very effective. 쑗 Advertising on TV is a very effective way of selling. 2. which takes effect 쑗 an order which is effective from January 1st ① effectively / fektvli/ adv in a way which produces a good result 쑗 The floodlighting worked very effectively. effectiveness / fektvnəs/ noun the ability to produce an effective result. Synonym efficiency effeminate / femnət/ adj referring to a man who behaves in a feminine way (disapproving) effervesce /efə ves/ verb (of a liquid or substance) to make bubbles effervescence /efə ves(ə)ns/ noun the making of bubbles effervescent /efə ves(ə)nt/ adj 1. which makes bubbles 쑗 The water will become effervescent if you put this tablet into the glass. 2. lively and excited 쑗 Her effervescent good humour made the party go with a swing. efficacy / efkəsi/ noun effectiveness; the power to produce the correct result. Synonym effectiveness efficiency / fʃ(ə)nsi/ noun being able to produce a good result without wasting time, money or effort 쑗 How can we improve the efficiency of our working methods? 쑗 She is known for her extreme efficiency. Synonym competence. Antonym inefficiency ② efficient / fʃ(ə)nt/ adj able to work well and do what is necessary without wasting time, money or effort 쑗 He needs an efficient assistant to look after him. 쑗 The system of printing invoices is very efficient. 왍 a fuel-efficient car a car which does not use much petrol efficiently / fʃ(ə)ntli/ adv in an efficient way effigy / efdȢi / noun a rough model of a person, usually someone unpopular. Synonym image (NOTE: The plural is effigies.) effluent / efluənt/ noun sewage, especially liquid waste from a factory ① effort / efət/ noun the use of the mind or body to do something 쑗 He’s made great efforts to learn Spanish. 쑗 Thanks to her efforts, we have collected more than £10,000 for the children’s home. 쑗 If we make one more effort, we should get all that rubbish cleared away. effortless / efətləs/ adj without needing to use any energy. Synonym easy. Antonym ③ strenuous egocentric effortlessly / efətləsli/ adv without needing to use any energy effrontery / frntəri/ noun rudeness. Synonym impudence effusive / fju sv/ adj showing too much emotion when talking about something effusively / fju svli/ adv with too much emotion EFL abbr English as a Foreign Language 쑗 She is an EFL teacher. 쑗 He’s taking an EFL course. egalitarian /DZl teəriən/ adj believing in equality or treating all people equally. Synonym equal egalitarianism /DZl teəriənz(ə)m/ noun the political theory that all members of society have equal rights and should have equal treatment ① egg /eDZ/ noun 1. an oval object with a hard shell, produced by a female bird or reptile, from which a baby comes 쑗 The owl laid three eggs in the nest. 쑗 Turtles lay their eggs in the sand. 2. a chicken’s egg, used as food 쑗 You need three eggs to make this cake. 왍 boiled egg an egg which has been cooked by boiling in water 왍 poached egg an egg which is taken out of its shell, cooked whole in hot water and often eaten on toast at breakfast 왍 don’t put all your eggs in one basket don’t risk everything on only one project 3. a reproductive cell produced by a female, which is fertilised by sperm from a male 쑗 Doctors implanted a fertilised egg in her womb. eggcup / eDZkp/ noun a little cup for a boiled egg egghead / eDZhed/ noun a very intellectual person (informal ) egg noodles /eDZ nu dlz/ plural noun noodles made with flour, water and egg ③ egg on /eDZ ɒn/ verb to encourage someone to do something, especially something naughty eggplant / eDZplɑ nt/ noun a dark purple shiny fruit of a small plant, used as a vegetable (NOTE: used mainly in US English. The . more common British term is aubergine.) eggshell / eDZʃel/ noun the hard outside part of an egg 왍 eggshell finish a slightly shiny finish to paintwork egg timer / eDZ tamə/ noun a device which is used to time how long an egg boils egg white / eDZ wat/ noun the clear liquid found in an egg, which turns solid and white when cooked ego / i DZəυ/ noun your high opinion of yourself egocentric /i DZəυ sentrk/ adj interested only in yourself, not thinking of anyone else egoism 265 egoism / i DZəυz(ə)m/ noun thinking only about yourself, and not bothering about anyone else egoist / i DZəυst/ noun a person who only thinks about himself or herself egotism / i DZəυtz(ə)m/ noun thinking that you are better than anyone else egotist / i DZətst/ noun a person who thinks he or she is better than everyone else egotistic /eDZə tstk/, egotistical /eDZətstk(ə)l/ adj thinking you are better than everyone else ego trip / i DZəυ trp/ noun an activity designed to improve your good opinion of yourself (informal ) egregious / DZri dȢəs/ adj very bad (formal ) ③ eh /e/ interj used when asking questions 쑗 What a laugh, eh? 쑗 What about a drink, eh? 쑗 Eh? What did he say? eiderdown / adədaυn/ noun a large bag full of feathers, used on top of sheets and blankets as a bed covering. Synonym quilt ① eight /et/ noun 1. the number 8 쑗 He ate eight chocolates. 쑗 The little girl is eight (years old). 쑗 I usually have breakfast before eight (o’clock). 2. a crew of eight people rowing a boat 쑗 Our college eight won the race. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is . . eights) ① eighteen /e ti n/ noun the number 18 쑗 There are eighteen people in our dance class. 쑗 He will be eighteen (years old) next week. 쑗 The train leaves at eighteen twenty (18:20). 왍 the eighteen hundreds the years between 1800 and 1899 18 /e ti n/ noun a classification of films considered not suitable for people under 18 ① eighteenth /e ti nθ/, 18th adj, noun referring to 18 쑗 The eighteenth of April or April the eighteenth (April 18th). 쑗 Today’s the seventeenth, so tomorrow must be the eighteenth. 쑗 That’s the eighteenth invoice we’ve sent out today. 쑗 It’s his eighteenth birthday next week. 18-wheeler /eti n wi lə/ noun a large lorry with 18 wheels eighth /etθ/, 8th adj, noun referring to 8 쑗 The eighth of February or February the eighth (February 8th). 쑗 King Henry the Eighth (Henry VIII) had six wives. 쑗 His eighth birthday is next Monday. (NOTE: eighth is usually written 8th in dates: April 8th, 1999; September 8th, 1866 (American style is September 8, 1866), say ‘the eighth of September’ or ‘September the eighth’ (American style is ‘September eighth’); with names of kings and queens, eighth is usually written VIII: King Henry VIII, say: ‘King Henry the Eighth’.) elasticity ① eighty / eti/ noun the number 80 쑗 It’s about eighty miles from London to Dover. 쑗 She’s eighty (years old). 왍 she’s in her eighties she is between 80 and 89 years old 왍 the (nineteen) eighties (1980s) the period from 1980 to 1989 ① either / aðə, i ðə/ adj, pron 1. one or the other 쑗 You can use either computer – it doesn’t matter which. 쑗 I don’t like either of them. 2. each of two; both 쑗 There are trees on either side of the road. 쑗 Some people don’t take sugar in their coffee, some don’t take milk, and some don’t take either. 왍 they sat on either side of him one sat on each side of him 쐽 conj 왍 either … or showing one of two possibilities 쑗 Either you come here or I’ll come to see you. 쑗 It’s either a fox or a wolf. 쑗 You must do it either today or tomorrow. 쐽 adv with a negative, or to make a statement stronger 쑗 He isn’t Irish and he isn’t Scottish either. 쑗 She doesn’t want to go, and I don’t want to go either. 쑗 The report wasn’t on the TV news, and it wasn’t on the radio either. ejaculate / dȢkjυlet/ verb 1. to send out semen from the penis 2. to exclaim (literary) ejaculation /dȢkjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the sending out of semen from the penis eject / dȢekt/ verb 1. to throw out 쑗 The chairman called in the police to eject the troublemakers from the meeting. 2. to escape from an aircraft using an ejector seat 쑗 The pilot ejected safely. ejection / dȢekʃən/ noun the action of throwing out (NOTE: no plural) eke out /i k əυt/ verb to use something a little bit at a time, in order to make it last longer 왍 to eke out a living to earn or live on very little money 쑗 She ekes out a miserable existence as a cleaner. elaborate adj / lb(ə)rət/ very detailed, very complicated 쑗 an elaborate dessert of cream, fruit and cake 쐽 verb / lbəret/ to go into details 쑗 It’s a very complicated plan so I won’t elaborate. 쑗 He refused to elaborate any further on her reasons for leaving. elaboration /lbə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of giving a detailed explanation. Synonym amplification (NOTE: no plural) elapse / lps/ verb (of time) to pass elastic / lstk/ adj which can stretch and contract 쑗 She was wearing cycling shorts made of some elastic material. 쐽 noun a type of rubber which can stretch 쑗 She threaded a piece of elastic through her waistband. elastic band / lstk bnd/ noun a thin circle of rubber for holding things together elasticity /l ststi/ noun the condition of being elastic Elastoplast 266 Elastoplast / lstəplɑ st/ trademark a small strip of cloth which can be stuck to the skin to cover a wound elated / letd/ adj very excited and pleased. Synonym ecstatic elation / leʃ(ə)n/ noun a strong feeling of excitement and pleasure. Synonym ecstasy. Antonym despair (NOTE: no plural) ③ elbow / elbəυ/ noun the joint in the middle of your arm 쑗 He sat with his elbows on the table. 쑗 She nudged him with her elbow. 왍 to give someone the elbow to tell someone that you do not want to see them any more (informal ) 쑗 They had been going out together for some time, and then she suddenly gave him the elbow. 왍 more power to your elbow! keep on doing the good work 쐽 verb to push with your elbows 쑗 He elbowed his way to the front of the crowd. elbow-room / elbəυ ru m/ noun space to move about (informal ) elder / eldə/ adj older 쑗 I have two elder brothers. 쑗 She brought her elder sister. . . (NOTE: elder is a comparative adjective, used mainly of brothers or sisters. It is never followed by than, when older should be used.) 쐽 noun 1. an older person 쑗 Mary is the elder of the two. 쑗 Which brother is the elder? 쑗 The village elders met to discuss the plan. 쑗 Children should have respect for their elders and betters. 2. a common tree with white flowers and bunches of small purple berries 쑗 There’s an elder growing in the hedge by the field. elderberry / eldəb(ə)ri/ noun 1. an elder tree 쑗 An elderberry was in flower at the corner of the field. 2. the little black fruit of an elder tree 쑗 Some people make wine from elderberries. (NOTE: The plural is elderberries.) elderly adj / eldəli/ old 쑗 An elderly man sat down beside her. 쑗 My mother is now rather elderly and doesn’t drive any more. Antonym young (NOTE: used as a polite way of saying old) 쐽 plural noun 왍 the elderly old people elder statesman /eldə stetsmən/ noun an older and wiser politician eldest / eldəst/ adj the oldest of a series of people 쑗 This is John, my eldest son. 쐽 noun the oldest person of a series of people (informal ) 쑗 He is the eldest of the three brothers. ② elect / lekt/ verb 1. to choose by voting 쑗 She was elected MP for the town. 쑗 The president is elected for a term of four years. 쑗 The chairman is elected by the members of the committee. 2. 왍 to elect to do something to choose to do something (formal ) 쑗 We all went to the pub, but she elected to stay at home and watch TV. -elect /lekt/ suffix a person who has been elected but has not yet started the job 쑗 She is ② . . electric shock the president-elect. (NOTE: The plural is presidents-elect.) ① election / lekʃən/ noun 1. the process of choosing by voting 쑗 After the election, the crowds were dancing in the streets. 쑗 The next item on the agenda is the election of a new treasurer for the club. 2. an occasion when someone is chosen by voting 쑗 Elections are being held throughout the country next week. electioneering /lekʃə nərŋ/ noun the process of working for an election campaign, making speeches, writing pamphlets and meeting voters elective / lektv/ adj 1. requiring to be elected 2. not obligatory elector / lektə/ noun a person who votes or who is able to vote in an election. Synonym voter electoral / lekt(ə)rəl/ adj referring to an election. Synonym democratic electoral college /lekt(ə)rəl kɒldȢ/ noun a group who elect someone such as a president electorate / lekt(ə)rət/ noun all the people in an area who are able to vote ② electric / lektrk/ adj 1. worked by electricity 쑗 Is your cooker electric or gas? 쑗 He plays an electric guitar. 쑗 He cut the wood with an electric saw. 쑗 She gave me an electric toothbrush for Christmas. 2. making or carrying electricity 쑗 Don’t touch those electric wires. 쑗 Electric plugs in the USA are different from those in Britain. 3. full of excitement 쑗 The atmosphere was electric as the votes were being counted. ③ electrical / lektrk(ə)l/ adj referring to electricity 쑗 a shop selling electrical appliances 쑗 The college offers courses in electrical engineering. 쑗 They are trying to repair an electrical fault. electric chair /lektrk tʃeə/ noun a chair attached to a powerful electric current, used in some states of the United States to kill criminals as a punishment electrician /lek trʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who works on electrical repairs ② electricity /lek trsti/ noun energy used to make light, heat, or power 쑗 We haven’t paid the electricity bill this month. 쑗 The electricity was cut off this morning. 쑗 The heating is run by electricity. 쑗 The cottage is in the mountains and doesn’t have any electricity. (NOTE: no plural) electrics / lektrks/ plural noun the wires and electrical connections in a building or piece of equipment electric shock /lektrk ʃɒk/ noun a sudden pain when an electric current goes through your body electrify 267 electrify / lektrfa/ verb 1. to connect to an electric source of power 쑗 All the most modern railway lines are electrified. 2. to startle and excite 쑗 She gave an electrifying performance. electrocardiogram /lektrəυ kɑ diə DZrm/ noun a chart which shows the electrical impulses of the heart as it is beating electrocute / lektrəkju t/ verb to hurt or kill someone with an electric shock electrocution /lektrə kju ʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of killing someone by an electric shock electrode / lektrəυd/ noun one of two points on an electric circuit where the current enters or leaves a battery electromagnet /lektrəυ mDZnət/ noun a magnet made of a substance with wire round it, through which an electric current passes electromagnetic /lektrəυmDZ netk/ adj generating a magnetic field or magnetic effect when supplied with electrical power electron / lektrɒn/ noun a basic negative particle in an atom ② electronic /elek trɒnk/ adj using devices such as silicon chips which affect the electric current which passes through them 쑗 My car has electronic ignition. electronic engineer /elektrɒnk endȢ nə/ noun an engineer who specialises in electronic devices electronic mail /elktrɒnk mel/ noun e-mail, the system of sending messages from one computer to another, via telephone lines electronics /elek trɒnks/ noun the science of the movement of electricity in electronic devices 왍 the electronics industry the industry which makes TV sets, radios, calculators, etc. electronic tag /elektrɒnk tDZ/ noun an electronic device attached to someone such as a convicted criminal, so as to be sure where he or she is elegance / elDZəns/ noun the state of being elegant elegant / elDZənt/ adj very fashionable and stylish elegantly / elDZəntli/ adv in an elegant style elegy / elədȢi/ noun a sad poem or piece of music about someone who is dead (NOTE: The plural is elegies.) ① element / elmənt/ noun 1. a basic chemical substance 쑗 Magnesium is a metallic element. 2. a basic part of something 쑗 I think we have all the elements of a settlement. 3. a natural environment 쑗 The vicar is in his element when he’s talking about cricket. 4. a wire which heats in a piece of eligible equipment such as an electric heater or cooker 쑗 I think the element has burnt out. elemental /el ment(ə)l/ adj wild and uncivilised. Synonym rudimentary elementary /el ment(ə)ri/ adj basic or simple. Synonym basic elementary school /el mentri sku l/ noun US the first school for children up to around eleven years old (NOTE: The British term is primary school.) elements / elmənts/ plural noun the weather, usually bad weather elephant / elfənt/ noun a very large African or Indian animal, with large ears, a trunk and two long teeth called ‘tusks’. 쒁 white elephant elevate / elvet/ verb to lift something or someone up elevated railway /eləvetd relwe/ noun a form of local railway system which runs along rails placed high above the street elevation /elə veʃ(ə)n/ noun height above sea level ③ elevator / elvetə/ noun 1. US a device for lifting people from floor to floor inside a building 쑗 Take the elevator to the 26th floor. (NOTE: The British term is lift.) 2. a part of the tail of an aircraft which helps the aircraft lift off the ground ① eleven / lev(ə)n/ noun 1. the number 11 쑗 When you’re eleven (years old) you will go to secondary school. 쑗 Come and see me at eleven (o’clock). 왍 the eleven hundreds the years from 1100 to 1199 2. eleven people, as in a football team or cricket team 쑗 the England eleven (NOTE: In this meaning, usually written XI: the England XI.) elevenses / lev(ə)nzz/ noun a snack served in the middle of the morning at about 11 o’clock (NOTE: no plural) ① eleventh / lev(ə)nθ/ , 11th adj, noun referring to 11 쑗 The eleventh of July or July the eleventh (July 11th). 쑗 Today’s the tenth, so tomorrow must be the eleventh. 쑗 That’s the eleventh complaint we’ve received this week. 쑗 It’s his eleventh birthday next month. elf /elf/ noun a little person in fairy stories (NOTE: The plural is elves /elvz/.) elicit / lst/ verb to obtain (NOTE: Do not confuse with illicit.) eligibility /eldȢ blti/ noun the state of being eligible. Synonym suitability eligible / eldȢb(ə)l/ adj 왍 eligible to do something able to do something because you are old enough or have the right qualifications 쑗 You aren’t eligible to vote until you are eighteen. 쑗 She’s not eligible to enter the competition because she works for the company running it. 왍 eligible bachelor an unmarried man who is thought to be a good person for a woman to marry eliminate 268 eliminate / lmnet/ verb 1. to remove mistakes or waste 쑗 Using a computer should eliminate all possibility of error. 쑗 Smallpox has been eliminated in most parts of the world. 2. to remove someone from a competition 쑗 He came last and so was eliminated from the next round of the contest. elimination /lm neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of eliminating. Antonym preservation elision / lȢ(ə)n/ noun the omission of an element of a word or phrase elite noun a group of people with more privileges than most others 쐽 adj 1. more talented, privileged or highly trained than others 2. limited to the rich or privileged elitism / li tz(ə)m/ noun rule by an elite elitist / li tst/ adj believing that an elite should run a group or society Elizabethan /lzə bi θ(ə)n/ adj referring to the time of Queen Elizabeth I (1558 – 1603) elk /elk/ noun a large European deer with flat antlers (NOTE: similar to the American moose. The plural is elk.) ellipse / lps/ noun an oval shape elliptical / lptk(ə)l/ adj 1. oval 쑗 The comet follows an elliptical orbit round the sun. 2. difficult to understand because of a missing word or phrase elm /elm/ noun a large hardwood tree which grows in temperate areas elocution /elə kju ʃ(ə)n/ noun the art of speaking in a clear and elegant way. Synonym diction elongated / i lɒŋDZetd/ adj longer than normal elope / ləυp/ verb to run away to get married elopement / ləυpmənt/ noun the act of eloping eloquence / eləkwəns/ noun the art of making speeches which persuade and convince (NOTE: no plural) eloquent / eləkwənt/ adj convincing and persuasive. Synonym expressive eloquently / eləkwəntli/ adv in an eloquent way ① else /els/ adv 1. other (used after pronouns) 쑗 What else can I say? 쑗 Everyone else had already left. 쑗 Who else was at the meeting? 2. 왍 or else or if not 쑗 Come in right now, or else stay outside. 쑗 You must have a ticket, or else you will be thrown off the train by the inspector. 왍 you’d better pay, or else if you don’t pay, I’ll hurt you (as informal threat) ② elsewhere /els weə/ adv somewhere else, in another place 쑗 This shop doesn’t stock maps, so you’ll have to try elsewhere. ELT abbr English Language Teaching 쑗 She’s an ELT specialist. embark elucidate / lu sdet/ verb to make something clear or easy to understand. Synonym explain elude / lu d/ verb 1. (of a fact or word ) to . be difficult to remember 쑗 Her name eludes me. 2. to be unable to achieve something 쑗 International recognition eluded him for many years. 3. to avoid being caught 쑗 The protestors managed to elude the security guards. elusive / lu sv/ adj difficult to find. Synonym indefinable. Antonym obvious ’em /əm/ contraction same as them (informal ) emaciated / meʃietd/ adj extremely thin. Antonym plump emaciation /mesi eʃ(ə)n/ noun being emaciated emanate / emənet/ verb 왍 to emanate from to come from 쑗 the smell of onions emanating from the kitchen 쑗 Some of these ideas emanate from the government’s own think tank. emancipate / mnspet/ verb 1. to make someone free 쑗 They passed a law to emancipate all slaves. 2. to give someone the right to equal treatment 쑗 In the 19th century, women fought to be emancipated. emancipation /mns peʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of making someone free or giving someone the right to equal status. Synonym . liberation (NOTE: no plural) emasculate / mskjυlet/ verb to make more weak (formal ). Synonym weaken. Antonym empower embalm /m bɑ m/ verb to treat a dead . body with chemicals to preserve it embankment /m bŋkmənt/ noun 1. a wall made along a river bank to prevent the river from overflowing 쑗 Entire fields were flooded when the river embankment collapsed. 2. a road running along the wall along a river 쑗 The Victoria Embankment in London runs along the side of the Thames. embargo /m bɑ DZəυ/ noun an official ban on trade 쑗 The oil embargo is still in place. 왍 to place or put an embargo on to forbid something officially 쑗 They placed an embargo on trade with our country. 왍 to lift an embargo to allow trade to start again 쑗 The government has lifted the embargo on the export of weapons. 왍 to be under an embargo to be forbidden 쐽 verb 1. to forbid something officially 쑗 The government has embargoed the sale of arms to Middle Eastern countries. 2. not to allow publication of information for a period of time 쑗 The news has been embargoed until next Wednesday. ③ embark /m bɑ k/ verb 1. to go onto a ship or aircraft 쑗 The passengers embarked at Southampton. 2. 왍 to embark on some- embarkation 269 thing to start a project 쑗 The council has embarked on the redevelopment of the town centre. 쑗 We’d better not embark on something new until we have finished this job. embarkation /embɑ keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of going onto a ship or aircraft ③ embarrass /mbrəs/ verb to make someone feel uncomfortable in front of other people, especially by being rude or indecent ③ embarrassed /mbrəst/ adj uncomfortable or ashamed, and not knowing what to do 쑗 She gave an embarrassed laugh, and said she had forgotten to bring the present. 쑗 He was so embarrassed that he turned bright red. ③ embarrassing /mbrəsŋ/ adj, adv making a person feel embarrassed 쑗 It was very embarrassing to find that the bride’s mother was wearing exactly the same dress as me. Synonym awkward ③ embarrassment /mbrəsmənt/ noun a feeling of being worried and ashamed embassy /embəsi/ noun the home or offices of an ambassador (NOTE: The plural is embassies.) embattled /mbtld/ adj constantly criticised embed /mbed/ verb to fix something into a mass such as concrete or flesh. Synonym implant (NOTE: embedding – embedded) embedded /mbedd/ adj fixed in a mass of something embellish /mbelʃ/ verb 1. to add details which are not true 쑗 He embellished the story of the rescue with details of how he had climbed down the cliff. 2. to decorate or to make beautiful 쑗 The ceiling was embellished with gold leaf. embellishment /mbelʃmənt/ noun a decoration, an improvement to make something look beautiful embers /embəz/ plural noun red hot pieces of wood or coal 쑗 She poured water on the embers of the bonfire. embezzle /mbez(ə)l/ verb to use money which is not yours, or which you are looking after for someone embezzlement /mbez(ə)lmənt/ noun the act of embezzling (NOTE: no plural) embezzler /mbez(ə)lə/ noun a person who embezzles. Synonym swindler embittered /mbtəd/ adj made bitter. Synonym disillusioned emblazoned /mblez(ə)nd/ adj decorated in a very noticeable way emblem /embləm/ noun a design which is used as the symbol of a country, team or town. Synonym symbol embodiment /mbɒdmənt/ noun a physical expression of an idea emergence embody /mbɒdi/ verb 1. to include 쑗 The latest model embodies several new safety features. 2. to show an idea in a physical form 쑗 She embodies all the best qualities of a children’s doctor. embolism /embəlz(ə)m/ noun the blocking of a blood vessel by a blood clot or a bubble of air emboss /mbɒs/ verb to raise a design above a flat surface by pressing 왍 embossed letterhead an address pressed on writing paper so that it stands above the surface embrace /mbres/ verb 1. to hold and kiss someone to show affection 쑗 They embraced for several minutes before he got on the train. 2. to become a convert to a belief (formal ) 쑗 He embraced communism when he was at university. 쐽 noun the act of holding someone tightly and kissing them (literary) 쑗 She shrank from his embraces. 쑗 They lay on the grass in a close embrace. embroider /mbrɔdə/ verb 1. to make artistic patterns by sewing with coloured threads on cloth 쑗 She embroidered a tablecloth for her mother. 2. to invent extra details and add them to a story 쑗 He embroidered the story of his escape from prison with details of how he overpowered three guards and stole their guns. embroidery /mbrɔdəri/ noun 1. the art of sewing decorations on cloth 쑗 She went to embroidery classes. 2. sewn decorations 쑗 We admired the delicate embroidery on the tablecloth. 쒁 needlework embroiled /mbrɔld/ adj involved in an awkward situation embryo /embriəυ/ noun 1. the first state of a living organism 쑗 a human embryo 2. 왍 in embryo in its early stages 쑗 The plan was presented to us in embryo. embryology /embriɒlədȢi/ noun the study of the development of embryos embryonic /embriɒnk/ adj at a very early stage of development. Synonym . developing emerald /em(ə)rəld/ adj bright green 쑗 She was wearing an emerald silk dress. 쐽 noun a green precious stone 쑗 Her crown was studded with emeralds. ② emerge /m! dȢ/ verb 1. 왍 to emerge from inside something to come out from inside 쑗 They blinked as they emerged into the sunlight from the tunnel. 2. to come into existence as something 쑗 It was only after the election that he emerged as party leader. 3. to become known 쑗 It soon emerged that the Prime Minister knew nothing about what was happening. ③ emergence /m! dȢəns/ noun the act of emerging. Antonym decline emergency 270 ② emergency / m" dȢənsi/ noun a dangerous situation such as a fire, an accident or a breakdown of law and order, where decisions have to be taken quickly 쑗 Phone for an ambulance – this is an emergency! Synonym crisis 왍 emergency operation an operation done immediately on a seriously ill patient 왍 in case of emergency, in an emergency if a dangerous situation develops 쑗 In an emergency or In case of emergency, press the red button. (NOTE: The plural is emergencies.) emergency exit / m" dȢ(ə)nsi eDZzt/ noun a door used in an emergency emergency room / m" dȢənsi ru m/ noun the department of a hospital which treats emergency cases emergency services / m" dȢənsi s" vsz/ plural noun the police, fire service and ambulance service emergent / m" dȢənt/ adj in a very early stage of development. Synonym developing. Antonym established 왍 emergent nations nations that are becoming economically independent emerging / m" dȢŋ/ adj starting to appear, occur or develop emigrant / emDZrənt/ noun a person who emigrates. Compare immigrant emigrate / emDZret/ verb to leave your country to live in another. Compare immigrate emigration /em DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of leaving your country to live in another emigré / emDZre/ noun a person who has emigrated for political reasons eminence / emnəns/ noun (formal ) 1. a high place 쑗 The castle stands on an eminence overlooking the river. 2. high rank 쑗 He owed his position of eminence in the government entirely to his friend the Prime Minister. 쑗 She was met by several persons of great eminence in the university hierarchy. 3. used as a form of address to a cardinal 쑗 His Eminence, the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster (NOTE: When speaking directly to a cardinal, say Your Eminence.) eminent / emnənt/ adj important and very highly respected. Synonym well-known. Antonym unknown eminently / emnəntli/ adv remarkably, particularly (formal ) emir /e mə/ noun a Muslim ruler emirate / emərət/ noun a country ruled by an emir. Synonym principality emissary / emsəri/ noun a person sent with a message or to act on someone’s behalf (NOTE: The plural is emissaries.) emission / mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of emitting 쑗 They are trying to reduce the emission of carbon monoxide from vehicles. . . empire (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a sub- stance which is emitted 쑗 Gas emissions can cause acid rain. emit / mt/ verb to send out something such as a sound, a signal or smoke (NOTE: emitting – emitted) emoticon / məυtkɒn/ noun a symbolic picture representing an emotion, made from computer keyboard characters such as :( ③ emotion / məυʃ(ə)n/ noun a strong feeling 쑗 Hatred and love are two of the most powerful emotions. 쑗 He tried to hide his emotions when he made his speech. ③ emotional / məυʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj which shows emotion 쑗 We bade an emotional farewell to our son and his family. 쑗 The music made her feel very emotional and she started to cry. emotionally / məυʃ(ə)n(ə)li/ adv 1. in an emotional way 쑗 He spoke emotionally of his time as a hostage. 2. in a sexual way 쑗 He became emotionally entangled with his secretary. emotive / məυtv/ adj likely to cause strong feeling empathise / empəθaz/, empathize verb to feel empathy empathy / empəθi/ noun the ability to share the feelings of another person, by imagining yourself as that person. Antonym indifference emperor / emp(ə)rə/ noun the ruler of an empire ② emphasis / emfəss/ noun 1. showing the importance of something, usually in speech 쑗 Don’t put too much emphasis on his age. 쑗 She banged the table for emphasis as she spoke. 2. the loudness of your voice when you pronounce a word or phrase 쑗 Everyone noticed the emphasis he put on the word ‘peace’. (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is emphases.) emphasise / emfəsaz/, emphasize verb to show that you feel something is important, by saying it more loudly or slowly 쑗 Please emphasise that the meeting must start on time. 쑗 He emphasised the importance of everyone working together. 쑗 She kept on emphasising the same point over and over again. Synonym underline. Antonym understate emphatic /m ftk/ adj using emphasis emphatically /m ftkli/ adv in a forceful way emphysema /emf si mə/ noun a condition where the surface of the lungs is reduced, making it difficult to breathe ③ empire / empaə/ noun several separate territories ruled by a central government 쑗 We’re studying the history of the British Empire. 쑗 The Soviet empire covered a huge ② empirical 271 area from the Pacific Ocean to the middle of Europe. empirical /m prk(ə)l/ adj based on practical experiment and not on theory ② employ /m plɔ/ verb 1. to give someone regular paid work 쑗 He is employed as a gardener by the duke. 쑗 She is employed in the textile industry. 2. to use (formal ) 쑗 If we were to employ more up-to-date methods, would we make more money? 쑗 How can we best employ our free time on Sunday? employed /m plɔd/ adj in regular paid work 쑗 Please state the occupations of the employed members of your household. Synonym working. Antonym unemployed 쐽 noun 왍 the employed people who are working 쑗 the employers and the employed ① employee /m plɔi / noun a person who is employed 쑗 The company has decided to take on twenty new employees. Antonym . employer employer /m plɔə/ noun a person or organisation that gives work to people and pays them 쑗 Her employer was a Hong Kong businessman. 쑗 The car factory is the biggest employer in the area. Synonym boss. Antonym employee ① employment /m plɔmənt/ noun regular paid work 왍 in employment working 쑗 Are you still in employment? 쑗 Everyone in paid employment has to pay tax. 왍 full-time employment work for all of a working day 쑗 He is looking for full-time employment. 왍 part-time employment work for part of a working day 쑗 She is in part-time employment. 왍 temporary employment work which does not last for more than a few months 왍 a new contract of employment or employment contract a new contract between management and an employee showing all the conditions of work emporium /m pɔ riəm/ noun a large shop (humorous) (NOTE: The plural is empori- ① ums or emporia.) empower /m paυə/ verb to give someone the power to do something empowerment /m paυəmənt/ noun the act of giving power to someone empress / emprs/ noun 1. a woman who rules an empire 쑗 Queen Victoria was Empress of India. 2. the wife or widow of an emperor 쑗 When the emperor died, the empress decided to rule the country. (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is empresses.) emptiness / emptinəs/ noun the state of being empty (NOTE: no plural) ① empty / empti/ adj with nothing inside 쑗 When we opened it, the box was empty. 쑗 Take an empty pot and fill it with soil. 쑗 The fridge is empty – we’ll have to go out to eat. 쑗 The ski resorts are empty because there is no snow. (NOTE: emptier – emptiest) 쐽 enchant noun something, usually a bottle, which has nothing in it 쑗 You can take the empties back to the shop. (NOTE: The plural is empties.) 쐽 verb to make something empty 쑗 She emptied the clothes out of the suitcase. 쑗 He emptied the bottle into the sink. 쑗 They emptied the contents of the petty cash box into a bag. Antonym fill empty-handed /empti hndd/ adj having obtained nothing. Synonym unsuccessful. Antonym successful emu / i mju / noun a large Australian bird which cannot fly emulate / emjυlet/ verb to try to do as well as or better than someone emulation /emjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of emulating. Synonym imitation emulsify / mlsfa/ verb to mix two liquids which cannot unite completely, such as oil and water emulsion / mlʃən/ noun a mixture of two liquids which do not unite completely, such as oil and water emulsion paint / mlʃ(ə)n pent/ noun paint made from colour added to oil and water, used for painting walls and ceilings ① enable /n eb(ə)l/ verb to make it possible for someone to do something 쑗 The dictionary should enable you to understand English better. Antonym prevent enact /n kt/ verb to make a law enactment / nktmənt/ noun 1. the process of making a law 쑗 The enactment of this Bill is likely to take several months. (NOTE: no plural in this sense) 2. an Act of Parliament 쑗 This particular enactment dates back to 1824 and is really no longer applicable. enamel / nm(ə)l/ noun 1. a very hard covering of colour 쑗 The enamel of the painting had begun to crack. 2. a hard coloured coating fixed to metal by heating 3. the hard coating on the teeth 쑗 If the enamel of a tooth gets damaged the tooth will soon start to discolour. 쐽 verb to cover with enamel 쑗 This must have taken a long time to enamel. Synonym coat (NOTE: enamelling – enamelled. The US spelling is enameling – enameled.) enamoured / nməd/ adj liking something a lot (NOTE: The US spelling is enamored.) en bloc /ɒŋ blɒk/ adv all together as a group. Antonym separately encampment /n kmpmənt/ noun a large camp encapsulate /n kpsjυlet/ verb to summarise, to put in a shorter form encase /n kes/ verb to completely surround with a substance 쑗 encased in concrete enchant /n tʃɑ nt/ verb 1. to delight and attract someone. Synonym charm. Antonym enchanted 272 end disgust 2. to use magic on someone or encouragement /n krdȢmənt/ noun something the act of giving someone the confidence to do something ② encouraging /n krdȢŋ/ adj which encourages. Synonym hopeful. Antonym enchanted /n tʃɑ ntd/ adj very pleased. Synonym charmed. Antonym disgusted enchanting /n tʃɑ ntŋ/ adj very beautiful or magical. Synonym charming. Antonym disgusting enchantment /n tʃɑ ntmənt/ noun a mysterious and magic feeling. Synonym charm encircle /n s" k(ə)l/ verb to surround completely enclave / eŋklev/ noun a small group of people or small area completely surrounded by another quite different and larger group or area ③ enclose /n kləυz/ verb 1. to put something inside an envelope with a letter 쑗 I am enclosing a copy of our current catalogue. 쑗 Please find our cheque enclosed herewith. 2. to put a wall or fence round an area of land 쑗 The garden is enclosed with high brick walls. enclosure /n kləυȢə/ noun 1. a document enclosed with a letter 쑗 Please find details in the accompanying enclosure. 2. a piece of land which is enclosed 쑗 Only ticket-holders can enter the enclosure. 3. the removal of land from common use, by putting fences round it 쑗 Much enclosure of common land took place in the 18th and 19th centuries. ③ encode /n kəυd/ verb to write something in a code so that it cannot be read or used by other people. Antonym decode encompass /n kmpəs/ verb (formal ) 1. to include 2. to surround 쑗 a flower garden encompassed by high brick walls 3. to cover 쑗 The city encompasses about ten square kilometres. encore / ɒŋkɔ / noun 1. a call by the audience for a performer to repeat a song or a piece of music 쑗 The crowd’s cries of ‘Encore’ were simply deafening. 2. a song or piece of music repeated at the request of the audience 쑗 At the end of the concert she played or sang two encores. ③ encounter /n kaυntə/ noun 1. a meeting 쑗 I had an unexpected encounter with my former boss at the London Book Fair. 쑗 She told him about her encounter with the bull. 2. a short fight 쑗 The encounter only lasted a few minutes. 쐽 verb to meet 쑗 On the journey we encountered several amusing people. 쑗 I have never encountered such hospitality anywhere else. ① encourage /n krdȢ/ verb 1. to make it easier for something to happen 쑗 Leaving your credit cards on your desk encourages people to steal or encourages stealing. 2. to help someone to do something by giving them confidence 쑗 He encouraged me to apply for the job. 쑗 I always felt encouraged by his interest in what I was doing. . discouraging encroach /n krəυtʃ/ verb 왍 to encroach (up)on to take over someone else’s space 쑗 Their new wall had encroached on our land. 쑗 She accused the professor of encroaching upon her area of study. encroaching /n krəυtʃŋ/ adj which encroaches encrusted /n krstd/ adj covered with a hard substance encumber /n kmbə/ verb to prevent someone from moving or doing something (formal ). Synonym burden. Antonym . facilitate encumbrance /n kmbrəns/ noun a thing which prevents you from moving or doing something encyclopedia /nsaklə pi diə/, encyclopaedia noun 1. a reference book containing articles on all subjects of human knowledge, usually presented in alphabetical order 쑗 If you need to know something about planets look up the ‘Astronomy’ article in the encyclopaedia. 2. a reference book containing articles on a single subject, arranged usually in alphabetical order 쑗 a gardening encyclopedia 쑗 the encyclopedia of sport encyclopedic /nsaklə pi dk/, encyclopaedic adj like an encyclopaedia ① end /end/ noun 1. the last part of something 쑗 She tied the two ends of the ribbon together. 쑗 The telephone rang and I missed the end of the TV programme. 쑗 Go down to the end of the road and then turn right. 왍 in the end finally, at last 쑗 In the end the teacher let him go home. 쑗 In the end the shop had to call in the police. 왍 on end with no breaks 쑗 He worked for hours on end. 왍 no end of very many (informal ) 쑗 The car’s caused us no end of problems. 왍 to come to an end to be finished 쑗 The work should come to an end next month. 왍 to throw someone in at the deep end to give someone a difficult job to start with 쑗 He was really thrown in at the deep end when he started his new job. 왍 to be at a loose end to have nothing to do 쑗 I was at a loose end so I decided to go to the cinema. 왍 to make ends meet to have enough money to live on 쑗 I'm having trouble making ends meet. 2. the final part of a period of time 쑗 Can you wait until the end of the week? 3. an aim or an intended result 왍 the end justifies the means you can do anything to achieve your aim 왍 to this end, with this end in mind in order to do this 쑗 We have decided to sell the house and to this . endanger 273 end have put it in the hands of an estate agent. 쐽 verb to be finished, to come to an end 쑗 The film ends with a wedding. 쑗 The meeting ended with everyone fighting on the floor. 쑗 The concert should end at about 10 o’clock. 쑗 The game ended in a draw. endanger /n dendȢə/ verb to put in danger. Antonym protect endangered species /ndendȢəd spi ʃi z/ noun a species of animal or plant at risk of dying completely endear /n də/ verb 왍 to endear someone to someone to make someone loved 쑗 The old teacher endeared herself to generations of children. endearing /n dərŋ/ adj which makes you like someone. Synonym appealing endeavour /n devə/ noun an attempt (formal ) 쑗 All our endeavours to get the car to start were in vain. 쑗 In spite of all his endeavours, he could not avoid bankruptcy. 쐽 verb to try hard 쑗 He endeavoured to contact her by phone and fax. (NOTE: [all . senses] The US spelling is endeavor.) endemic /en demk/ adj 1. (of a pest or disease) which is very common in certain places 쑗 This disease is endemic to Mediterranean countries. 2. (of a plants or animal) that exists in a certain area ③ ending / endŋ/ noun the way a story finishes 쑗 I like films which have a happy ending. 쑗 He told us so much of the story that we could guess the ending. Antonym beginning endive / endv/ noun a salad vegetable with curly leaves ③ endless / endləs/ adj with no apparent end endlessly / endləsli/ adv with no apparent end endocrine gland / endəυkran DZlnd/ noun a gland which produces hormones endorse /n dɔ s/ verb 1. to officially mark or sign the back of a document 왍 to endorse a cheque to sign a cheque on the back to show that you accept it 쑗 The cashier asked him to endorse the cheque before depositing it. 왍 his driving licence was endorsed his licence was marked to show that he had committed a traffic offence 2. to show approval of 쑗 I heartily endorse what has just been said. 쑗 They asked us to endorse Mrs Martin as the local candidate. endorsement /n dɔ smənt/ noun 1. approval 쑗 We received a letter inviting our endorsement of his application. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a note which endorses a driving licence endow /n daυ/ verb 1. to give money which will provide a regular income for an organisation such as a school or hospital 쑗 In energy her will, she left money to endow a new ward in the children’s hospital. 2. 왍 endowed with having certain qualities 쑗 He is richly endowed with musical talent. 쑗 She is not endowed with a sense of humour. endowment /n daυmənt/ noun the giving of money to an organisation such as a school or hospital 쑗 He made an endowment to the local animal sanctuary. end product /end prɒdkt/ noun 1. a product, made at the end of a production process 쑗 After six months’ trial production, the end product has still not reached an acceptable standard. 2. the result at the end of a process or discussion 쑗 He works hard, but the end product isn’t always satisfactory. end result /end r zlt/ noun the result at the end of a process or discussion. Synonym outcome end up /end p/ verb to finish in a particular situation. Synonym finish up endurance /n djυərəns/ noun the ability to accept and live with something difficult or unpleasant endure /n djυə/ verb 1. to accept and live with something difficult and unpleasant 쑗 The prisoners had to endure great hardship. 쑗 The pain was more than she could endure. 2. to last 쑗 The memory of that day will endure for ever in my mind. enduring /n djυərŋ/ adj which continues for a long time. Synonym lasting ② enemy / enəmi/ noun 1. a person who hates you 쑗 Did your husband have many enemies? (NOTE: The plural is enemies.) 2. the country or people fighting against you in a war 쑗 They attacked enemy airfields with bombs. 쑗 The enemy has or have advanced to three kilometres from the city. (NOTE: The ③ plural is enemies. In this meaning the singular form enemy can take a singular or plural verb.) energetic /enə dȢetk/ adj active and lively energetically /enə dȢetkli/ adv using much force energise / enədȢaz/, energize verb to make someone more energetic. Synonym invigorate energy / enədȢi/ noun 1. the force or strength of a person 쑗 He used up a lot of energy rushing around doing the Christmas shopping. 쑗 She put all her energies into her art gallery. (NOTE: The plural is energies.) 2. a power which makes something work 쑗 the use of atomic energy or nuclear energy to make electricity 쑗 We try to save energy by switching off the lights when the rooms are empty. 쑗 Trams are an energy-efficient method of public transport. (NOTE: no plural) ① energy-saving 274 energy-saving / enədȢi sevŋ/ adj which saves energy enfold /n fəυld/ verb to wrap something up in something. Synonym envelop enforce /n fɔ s/ verb to make sure a rule is obeyed enforceable /n fɔ səb(ə)l/ adj which can be enforced ③ enforcement /n fɔ smənt/ noun the act of enforcing. Synonym implementation enfranchise /n frntʃaz/ verb to give someone the right to vote in elections ③ engage /n DZedȢ/ verb 1. to employ a worker (formal ) 쑗 We have engaged a lawyer to represent us. 쑗 The company has engaged twenty new salesmen. 2. to make parts of a machine fit into each other 쑗 The gears aren’t properly engaged. 왍 to engage a low gear to put your car into a low gear 3. 왍 to be engaged in to be busy with 쑗 The whole family was engaged in cleaning the car. 쑗 The general is engaged in high-level talks. ③ engaged /n DZedȢd/ adj 1. having officially stated your intention to marry 쑗 She was engaged to Tom and then broke it off. 쑗 John and Sue are engaged: they got engaged last week. 2. busy or occupied 쑗 You can’t speak to the manager – his line is engaged. ③ engagement /n DZedȢmənt/ noun 1. a statement that you intend to get married 쑗 My son has announced his engagement to Pam. 쑗 Their engagement was announced in the local paper. 2. an appointment 쑗 I have no engagements for the rest of the day. 쑗 She noted the appointment in her engagements diary. 왍 to have a prior engagement to already have an appointment 쑗 I can’t meet you tonight – I have a prior engagement. 3. an agreement to do something 왍 to break an engagement to do something not to do what you have legally agreed to do engagement ring /n DZedȢmənt rŋ/ noun a ring given by a man to a woman at their engagement engaging /n DZedȢŋ/ adj charming engender /n dȢendə/ verb to produce something such as a feeling (formal ) ① engine / endȢn/ noun 1. a machine which powers or drives something 쑗 The lift engine has broken down again – we shall just have to walk up to the 4th floor. 쑗 Early industrial equipment was powered by steam engines. 2. a vehicle which pulls a train 쑗 The engine broke down and the train was stuck in the tunnel. engine driver / endȢn dravə/ noun a person who drives an engine that pulls a train . . (NOTE: The US term is engineer.) ③ engineer /endȢ nə/ noun 1. a person who looks after technical equipment, especially engines 쑗 There are not enough tele- engrave phone engineers in the area. 쑗 The photocopier’s broken down again – we’ll have to call the engineer. 2. a person whose profession is designing mechanical, electrical or industrial equipment 3. US a person who drives an engine that pulls a train (NOTE: The British term is engine driver.) 4. (in the army) a soldier who specialises in construction of things such as bridges or defences 쐽 verb to arrange something secretly 쑗 She engineered the dismissal of one of her colleagues. Synonym bring about ② engineering /endȢ nərŋ/ noun the science or study of the design of technical equipment 쑗 The college offers courses in electrical engineering. engine room / endȢn ru m/ noun 1. a part of a ship where the engines are 쑗 The Chief Engineer emerged from the heat of the engine room. 2. a part of a team or organisation that does the most work 쑗 The midfield is the engine room of a football team. ① English / ŋDZlʃ/ adj referring to England 쑗 the beautiful English countryside 쑗 Is the English weather really as bad as it is made out to be? 쑗 I think she is English, although she speaks with an Australian accent. (NOTE: English is often used instead of British. This is a mistake as England is only one part of Great Britain. Do not say the English Prime Minister, say the British Prime Minister.) 쐽 noun 1. the language of the United Kingdom, the USA, Australia, and many other countries 쑗 Can she speak English? 쑗 What’s the English for ‘Autobahn’? 쑗 English is not my first language. 쑗 We managed to make ourselves understood, even though no one in the hotel spoke English. 쑗 Several of her books have been translated into English. 2. English language as a subject taught in school or university 쑗 She’s good at maths but not so good at English. 쑗 As well as teaching English, he also teaches drama. 쑗 Mr Smith is our English teacher. 쑗 She gives English lessons at home in the evenings. 쑗 There are twenty students in my English class. 3. 왍 the English the people of England 쑗 The English on the whole are not a very emotional people. English breakfast /ŋDZlʃ brekfəst/ noun a cooked breakfast with bacon, eggs, sausages, mushrooms and tomatoes. Compare continental breakfast English Channel /ŋDZlʃ tʃn(ə)l/ noun the sea between England and France Englishman / ŋDZlʃmən/, Englishwoman / ŋDZlʃwυmən/ noun a person from England (NOTE: The plural is Englishmen, Englishwomen.) engrave /n DZrev/ verb to cut a pattern or letters onto a hard surface. Synonym etch 왍 to be engraved on your memory to be engraver 275 something that you will never forget 쑗 The scene at the accident is engraved on my memory. engraver /n DZrevə/ noun an artist who engraves engraving /n DZrevŋ/ noun a picture made by printing from a plate that has been engraved engrossed /n DZrəυst/ adj totally interested in something engrossing /n DZrəυsŋ/ adj very interesting engulf /n DZlf/ verb 1. to swallow up 쑗 Two villages were engulfed in mud. 2. to overwhelm 쑗 She was engulfed by feelings of remorse. ③ enhance /n hɑ ns/ verb 1. to increase the beauty or value of something 쑗 Her makeup enhanced the beauty of her dark brown eyes. 2. to increase the value or power of something 쑗 Slot in this new memory board to enhance your computer memory. 쑗 He took steroids to enhance his performance as an athlete. enhancement /n hɑ nsmənt/ noun an improvement in something such as quality or value enigma / nDZmə/ noun a mystery or puzzle. Synonym paradox enigmatic /enDZ mtk/ adj mysterious and difficult to understand enigmatically /enDZ mtkli/ adv in an enigmatic way ① enjoy /n dȢɔ/ verb to take pleasure in something 쑗 Have you enjoyed the holiday so far? 쑗 When he asked them if they had enjoyed the film they all answered ‘no’. 쑗 She didn’t enjoy the boat trip because she felt seasick all the time. 왍 to enjoy yourself to have a good time 쑗 Is everyone enjoying themselves? 쑗 We enjoyed ourselves so much that we’re going to the same place for our holiday next year. ② enjoyable /n dȢɔəb(ə)l/ adj which pleases. Synonym pleasant. Antonym boring enjoyment /n dȢɔmənt/ noun pleasure. Antonym boredom enlarge /n lɑ dȢ/ verb 1. to make something bigger 쑗 We could enlarge the vegetable plot and grow more potatoes. 2. to make a bigger photograph 쑗 I like this photo best: I’ll get it enlarged. 3. 왍 to enlarge on or upon something to give details of something 쑗 Even though we asked him twice, he refused to enlarge upon his meeting with the principal. enlargement /n lɑ dȢmənt/ noun 1. the process of making something bigger 2. a bigger photograph than the original ③ enrich enlighten /n lat(ə)n/ verb 왍 to enlighten someone on or about something to make someone understand something 쑗 Will someone please enlighten me about or on what is happening? enlightened /n lat(ə)nd/ adj without any prejudice; holding modern ideas enlightenment /n lat(ə)nmənt/ noun knowledge, or the absence of ignorance 쑗 In his search for enlightenment he visited the Buddhist monks of the Himalayas. Enlightenment /n lat(ə)nmənt/ noun the 18th century in Europe, the period when people did scientific experiments, studied classical literature and planned democracy enlist /n lst/ verb 1. to join up voluntarily as a member of the armed forces 쑗 He left school at 18 and enlisted as a soldier for five years. 2. 왍 to enlist someone or someone’s help to get someone to help 쑗 We enlisted our neighbour’s help to cut down the tree. enliven /n lav(ə)n/ verb to make someone or something more lively. Synonym liven up en masse /ɒn ms/ adv all together in a crowd enmity / enmti/ noun hatred towards someone. Synonym hostility (NOTE: You experience enmity towards someone.) enormity / nɔ mti/ noun the large size of something which is bad or wrong ② enormous / nɔ məs/ adj very large 쑗 The ballroom is absolutely enormous. 쑗 He ate an enormous lunch. Synonym huge. Antonym tiny ③ enormously / nɔ məsli/ adv very much. Synonym extremely. Antonym slightly enough / nf/ adj as much as is needed Have you got enough money for your fare or to pay your fare? 쑗 There isn’t enough light to take photographs. Synonym sufficient. Antonym insufficient 쐽 pron as much of something as is needed 쑗 I had £20 in my purse to pay the taxi, but it wasn’t enough. 쑗 Have you all had enough to eat? 쐽 adv as much as is needed 쑗 This box isn’t big enough for all these books. 쑗 He doesn’t work fast enough and so gets behind the others. enquire /ŋ kwaə/ verb another spelling of inquire enquiry /ŋ kwari/ noun another spelling of inquiry enrage /n redȢ/ verb to make someone very angry. Synonym infuriate. Antonym ① 쑗 calm enrich /n rtʃ/ verb 1. to make richer 쑗 He has no scruples about enriching himself at other people’s expense. 2. to benefit, to make more fertile 쑗 Learning French has enriched enriched 276 his life. 쑗 Some crops, such as beans, enrich the soil. enriched /n rtʃt/ adj made richer enrichment /n rtʃmənt/ noun making richer. Synonym enhancement enrol /n rəυl/ verb to admit or be admitted as a new member or new student (NOTE: enrolling – enrolled. The US spelling is enroll.) enrolment /n rəυlmənt/ noun 1. the ac- tion of admitting new members or new students 쑗 Enrolment starts next Saturday. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning. The US spelling is enrollment.) 2. the number of students who have enrolled 쑗 Student enrolments have increased enormously over the past three years. (NOTE: The US spelling is enrollment.) en route /ɒn ru t/ noun on the way 쑗 The tanker sank when she was en route to the Gulf. ensemble /ɒn sɒmbəl/ noun 1. a small group of musicians or singers 쑗 a jazz ensemble 쑗 An ensemble played music by Mozart. 2. a set of women’s clothes which match 쑗 She lost the hat that went with her ensemble and couldn’t find another one to match. 3. a group of things which go together to form a whole 쑗 The whole ensemble of church, cottages and pub looks just like a postcard. enshrine /n ʃran/ verb to make something a legal right that cannot be taken away. Synonym protect ensign / ensan/ noun a national flag used by a ship enslave /n slev/ verb 1. make someone into a slave 2. to control someone, taking away their freedom ensue /n sju / verb to follow, or happen after something 왍 to ensue from to happen as a result of 쑗 Several important developments will ensue from the committee’s decision. ensuing /n sju ŋ/ adj which follows. Synonym resultant. Antonym preceding ③ en-suite /ɒn swi t/ adj, adv attached 쑗 a bedroom with an en-suite shower room ① ensure /n ʃυə/ verb to make sure of something 쑗 When taking a shower, please ensure that the shower curtain is inside the bath. (NOTE: Do not confuse with insure.) entail /n tel/ verb to involve having or doing something (formal ) entangle /n tŋDZəl/ verb 1. to catch or tie up in 쑗 Her dress became entangled in the machinery. 쑗 The propeller was entangled in seaweed. 2. to put in a difficult situation from which it is difficult to escape 쑗 He became emotionally entangled with a colleague. 쑗 . enthralling The country is in danger of getting entangled in the war. ① enter / entə/ verb 1. to go in or to come in 쑗 He took off his hat as he entered the church. 쑗 Did they stamp your passport when you entered the country? 2. to write something in a record 쑗 to enter a name on a list 3. to decide to take part in a race or competition 쑗 She has entered the 2000 metres. 4. to type information on a keyboard, and put it into a computer system 쑗 We will just enter your name and address on the computer. 5. 왍 to enter into something to begin something 쑗 to enter into negotiations with a company 쑗 to enter into an agreement or a contract 쐽 noun the key on a keyboard which you press when you have finished keying something, or when you want to start a new line 쑗 To log on to the system, type your password and press enter. 쏡 entrance, entry ② enterprise / entəpraz/ noun 1. a business venture, especially something that involves some risk 쑗 Their latest enterprise is importing carpets from Turkey. 2. a method of organising business 쑗 The state should not interfere with free enterprise. 왍 private enterprise all businesses which are not state-owned 3. a commercial firm, a business organisation 쑗 They have merged with another huge industrial enterprise. 왍 a small-scale enterprise a small business enterprising / entəprazŋ/ adj using initiative. Synonym innovative entertain /entə ten/ verb 1. to amuse someone 쑗 He entertained us with stories of his life in the army. 쑗 We hired a clown to entertain the children. 쑗 The tourists were entertained by the local dance troupe. 2. to offer meals, accommodation and visits to someone 쑗 They’re entertaining some Swedish friends this evening. 3. to be ready to consider a proposal (formal ) 쑗 They said they would entertain any suggestions we might like to make. ③ entertainer /entə tenə/ noun a person who entertains people. Synonym performer ③ entertaining /entə tenŋ/ adj amusing ③ entertainment /entə tenmənt/ noun 1. a public amusement 쑗 She sang for their entertainment. 쑗 There’s not much entertainment in the village – the nearest cinema is 25km away. 2. offering someone accommodation, meals and visits 쑗 The entertainment of the visiting managing director and his wife cost us a fortune. enthral /n θrɔ l/ verb to keep someone’s attention (NOTE: enthralling – enthralled. . The US spelling is enthrall.) enthralling /n θrɔ lŋ/ adj extremely interesting. Synonym fascinating. Antonym boring enthuse 277 enthuse /n θju z/ verb 왍 to enthuse about or over something to show great interest in something (informal ) 쑗 He spent the evening enthusing over his new car. 쑗 She came away from the meeting enthused by the speaker’s vision of the future. ③ enthusiasm /n θju ziz(ə)m/ noun great interest and liking 쑗 We succeeded, thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of a small group of members. 쑗 She showed a lot of enthusiasm for our new project. enthusiast /n θju zist/ noun a person who shows great interest in something. Synonym fan ③ enthusiastic /nθju zi stk/ adj showing great interest and approval 쑗 The editor was very enthusiastic about my book. 쑗 There were enthusiastic cheers at the end of the performance. Synonym eager. Antonym apathetic enthusiastically /nθju zi stkli/ adv with enthusiasm entice /n tas/ verb to attract or to tempt someone to do something. Synonym lure enticing /n tasŋ/ adj which attracts or tempts someone to do something. Synonym . tempting ② entire /n taə/ adj whole 쑗 We spent the entire day gardening. 쑗 The entire cast came on the stage and bowed to the audience. ② entirely /n taəli/ adv completely 쑗 I agree with you entirely. 쑗 This is an entirely separate problem. entirety /n taərti/ noun a full amount 왍 in its entirety completely 쑗 He read the book in its entirety. ② entitle /n tat(ə)l/ verb 1. to give someone the right to 쑗 I am entitled to five weeks’ holiday a year. 2. to give a title to something 쑗 Tolstoy wrote a book entitled ‘War and Peace’. entitlement /n tat(ə)lmənt/ noun a right to have something ③ entity / entti/ noun a thing which exists as a separate unit entomologist /entə mɒlədȢst/ noun a scientist who studies insects entomology /entə mɒlədȢi/ noun the study of insects entourage / ɒntυrɑ Ȣ/ noun a group of people such as secretaries, assistants and advisers surrounding an important person entrails / entrelz/ plural noun the intestines of animals. Synonym guts ③ entrance noun / entrəns/ 1. a door for going in 쑗 She was sitting at the entrance to the museum. 쑗 We will meet at the Oxford Street entrance of Selfridges. 왍 back entrance a back doorway 왍 main entrance a main doorway 쑗 The taxi will drop you at the main entrance. 2. 왍 entrance (charge) or entryphone entrance fee money which you have to pay to go in 쑗 Entrance is £1.50 for adults and £1 for children. 쐽 verb /n trɑ ns/ to make someone very happy 쑗 The audience was entranced by his singing. Synonym captivate entrance fee / entrəns fi / noun a fee paid to go into a place such as a museum or a sports stadium entrancing /n trɑ nsŋ/ adj which makes you very happy. Antonym boring entrant / entrənt/ noun a person who enters a race or a competition. Synonym applicant entreat /n tri t/ verb to ask again and again. Antonym demand entreaty /n tri ti/ noun a plea. Synonym appeal entrée / ɒntre/ noun 1. the main dish in a meal 쑗 You have the choice of three starters and four entrées. 2. a right to be part of something 쑗 Becoming director of the National Theatre gave him the entrée to the highest artistic circles. entrench /n trentʃ/ verb 1. 왍 to entrench yourself to establish yourself very firmly 쑗 She rapidly entrenched herself as the key figure in the sales department. 2. (of soldiers) to dig trenches as a protection 쑗 The enemy forces are entrenched on the top of the hill. entrenched /n trentʃt/ adj 왍 firmly entrenched firmly established 쑗 It takes time to change firmly entrenched attitudes. entrepreneur /ɒntrəprə n" / noun a person who directs a company and takes risks commercially entrepreneurial /ɒntrəprə n" riəl/ adj taking risks in business entrust /n trst/ verb 왍 to entrust something to someone or to entrust someone with something to give someone the responsibility for looking after something 쑗 She entrusted the care of her children to her brother. 쑗 He was entrusted with the keys to the office safe. 쑗 Why did she entrust him with all her money? ② entry / entri/ noun 1. going in 쑗 The sign on the door said ‘No Entry’. 왍 entry charge or entry fee an amount of money to be paid before going into a place such as a musuem 쑗 The entry charge is £5. 2. written information in a reference book, an accounts ledger or computer system 쑗 She looked up the entry on ‘roses’ in the gardening encyclopaedia. 왍 to make an entry in to write details in a book 쑗 No one had made any entries in the register yet that day. entryphone / entrifəυn/ noun a telephone or intercom at the entrance of a house or block of flats, through which visitors speak to someone inside before entering entry visa 278 episode entry visa / entri vi zə/ noun a pass al- envision /n vȢ(ə)n/ verb US same as lowing someone to enter a country entwine /n twan/ verb to twist two things together E number / i nmbə/ noun a classification number for food additives, used in the European Union enumerate / nju məret/ verb to make a list of things one after another (formal ) enunciate / nnsiet/ verb to pronounce words clearly enunciation /nns eʃ(ə)n/ noun clear pronunciation envelop /n veləp/ verb to cover something; to surround something with a covering. Synonym enfold ③ envelope / envələυp/ noun a folded paper cover for sending letters 쑗 She wrote the address on the envelope and sealed it. 쑗 The shopkeeper wrote down all the information on the back of an envelope. 왍 a stamped addressed envelope (s.a.e.) an envelope with your own address written on it and a stamp stuck on it to pay for return postage 쑗 Please send a stamped addressed envelope for further details and our latest catalogue. enviable / enviəb(ə)l/ adj which one can envy. Synonym desirable envious / enviəs/ adj feeling or showing envy. Synonym jealous ① environment /n varənmənt/ noun 1. the surroundings in which we live 쑗 The environment in the office is not good for concentrated work. 왍 the working environment the general surroundings in which a person works 2. the earth, its natural features and resources, seen as the place where humans exist 쑗 They are trying to protect the environment. 왍 environment protection the act of protecting the environment against pollution ① environmental /nvarən ment(ə)l/ adj referring to the environment 쑗 measures taken to protect against environmental pollution 쑗 She’s joined an environmental group. Synonym ecological 왍 Environmental Health Officer (EHO) an official of a local authority who examines the environment and tests for things such as air pollution environmentalist /nvarən mentlst/ noun a person who is concerned with protecting the environment. Synonym ecologist environmentally friendly /nvarən ment(ə)li frendli/ adj minimising harm to the natural environment environs /n varənz/ plural noun the area around a place. Synonym vicinity ③ envisage /n vzdȢ/ verb to imagine something in your mind which could possibly happen in the future envisage . ③ envoy / envɔ/ noun a person sent officially by one country to another envy / envi/ noun a feeling that you would like to have something which someone else has 쑗 Her beautiful long blonde hair filled us all with envy. Synonym jealousy 쐽 verb to feel you would like to be someone else 쑗 I don’t envy him with a job like that! 왍 to envy someone something to want to have something which someone else has 쑗 We all envy Sue her new car. ③ enzyme / enzam/ noun a protein produced by living cells which makes other substances change, as when digestion takes place epaulette / epəlet/ noun a decorative strip on the shoulder of a soldier’s uniform (NOTE: The US spelling is epaulet.) ephemera / femərə/ plural noun things which do not normally exist for a long time, but which people keep and collect ephemeral / femərəl/ adj which does not last long. Antonym lasting epic / epk/ noun a long poem or film, especially about war 쑗 There’s an old Hollywood epic on TV this afternoon. 쑗 The reading was an extract from Homer’s epic, the ‘Iliad’. Synonym classic. Antonym short story 쐽 adj long and difficult 쑗 his epic struggle against the local planning authority. Synonym marathon. Antonym minuscule epicentre / epsentə/ noun a point on the earth’s surface above the centre of an earthquake (NOTE: The US spelling is epicenter.) epicure / epkjυə/ noun a person who is fond of food and drink, and who knows a lot about it. Synonym gourmet epidemic /ep demk/ noun the spread of an infectious disease quickly through a large number of people epidermis /ep d" ms/ noun the outer layer of skin epigram / epDZrm/ noun a short witty saying epilepsy / eplepsi/ noun a disorder of the nervous system in which there are convulsions and loss of consciousness epileptic /ep leptk/ adj referring to epilepsy 쑗 He had an epileptic fit. 쐽 noun a person who has epilepsy (NOTE: Many people avoid using this word, as it causes offence, and prefer to say a person with epilepsy.) epilogue / eplɒDZ/ noun a short text at the end of a long book or play. Compare prologue (NOTE: The US spelling is epilog.) episode / epsəυd/ noun 1. a short section of a longer story, especially one part of a TV series 쑗 Do you remember the episode where the ghost appears? 쑗 The hero’s father returns in the third episode. 2. a short period of episodic 279 your life 쑗 It’s an episode in his marriage which he would rather forget. episodic /ep sɒdk/ adj which is described in episodes epistle / ps(ə)l/ noun a long letter epitaph / eptɑ f/ noun words written on a gravestone. Synonym inscription epithet / epθet/ noun a phrase used to describe a person, such as ‘Ivan the Terrible’. epitome / ptəmi/ noun a person who shows a particular quality very strongly. Antonym antithesis epitomise / ptəmaz/, epitomize verb to show a quality very strongly. Synonym typify epoch / i pɒk/ noun a major period of time. Synonym era epoch-making / i pɒk mekŋ/ adj very important from a historical point of view. Synonym historic. Antonym insignificant eponymous / pɒnməs/ adj who has given his or her name to something epoxy resin /pɒksi rezn/ noun a strong synthetic substance, used especially to make glue equable / ekwəb(ə)l/ adj calm, not easily worried. Synonym composed. Antonym jumpy equal / i kwəl/ adj with exactly the same amount as 쑗 His share is equal to mine. 쑗 Male and female employees must have equal pay. 쑗 The two sticks are of equal length or are equal in length. 왍 all things being equal assuming nothing else has changed 쑗 All things being equal, I’d prefer to go on holiday in June. 왍 equal to the task able to carry out the task 쑗 He was put in charge of the prison, but was quickly found not to be equal to the task. 쐽 verb 1. to be exactly the same as 쑗 His time for the 100 metres equals the existing record. 2. to give a particular result 쑗 Two plus two equals four. 쑗 Ten take away four equals six. (NOTE: equalling – ① equalled. The US spelling is equaling – equaled) 쐽 noun a person who is on the same level as someone else 쑗 I don’t consider him your equal. 쑗 We’re all equals here. equalise / i kwəlaz/, equalize verb 1. (in a game) to make a score equal 쑗 They equalised just before half-time. 2. to make things equal 쑗 We are trying to equalise the availability of medical supplies throughout the region. equaliser / i kwəlazə/ noun a goal or point which makes the score equal equality / kwɒlti/ noun a situation where people are equal 쑗 policies to ensure equality in the workplace. Synonym parity. Antonym inequality equinox equally / i kwəli/ adv in exactly the same way 쑗 They are all equally guilty. 쑗 Here men and women are paid equally badly. 쑗 They were both equally responsible for the mistake. equal opportunities /i kwəl ɒpətju ntiz/ plural noun equal chances to be employed, regardless of age, race, sex, etc. equal opportunity /i kwəl ɒpə tju nti/ noun a situation where everyone, regardless of sex, race, class, etc., has the same opportunity to get a job equals sign / i kwəlz san/ noun a printed or written sign (=) showing that one thing is the same as another equanimity /ekwə nmti/ noun being calm, not getting flustered. Synonym com① posure (NOTE: no plural) equate / kwet/ verb 왍 to equate one thing with another to see two things as equal or the same 쑗 In his mind, he equates a high salary with a stressful life. ③ equation / kweȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. a mathematical or chemical formula showing that two parts are equal 쑗 Let me show you how this equation can be solved. 쑗 He formulated the equation for converting mass to energy. 2. a situation where various factors have to be considered 쑗 Making a profit is difficult enough, but when higher interest rates are brought into the equation it becomes impossible. equator / kwetə/ noun the imaginary line running round the circumference of the earth at an equal distance from the North and South Poles equatorial /ekwə tɔ riəl/ adj referring to the equator equestrian / kwestriən/ adj referring to horse-riding 쑗 The Olympic equestrian events have been postponed because of an outbreak of flu amongst the horses. 쐽 noun a horse rider 쑗 Only experienced equestrians should attempt this highly demanding course. equidistant /i kw dstənt/ adj at an equal distance from something equilateral /i kw lt(ə)rəl/ adj with all sides the same length. Synonym symmetrical ③ equilibrium /i kw lbriəm/ noun 1. the state of being perfectly balanced 쑗 The electromagnetic forces are in a state of equilibrium. 쑗 We do not want to disturb the present political equilibrium in the region. 2. the state of being calm 쑗 During the argument, she struggled to retain her equilibrium. equine / ekwan/ adj referring to horses equinox / i kwnɒks/ noun one of the two occasions in the year when the day and night are of equal length, occurring on about equip 280 March 21st and September 22nd (NOTE: The plural is equinoxes.) equip / kwp/ verb 왍 to equip someone or something with something to provide someone or something with something 쑗 a holiday flat equipped with a washing machine and dishwasher 쑗 The course will equip you with all the skills you need to practise scuba-diving. ② equipment / kwpmənt/ noun all the things such as tools, arms and machinery which are needed 쑗 He brought all his camera equipment with him. 쑗 Do you really need all this fire-fighting equipment on a ship? (NOTE: no plural: for one item say a piece of equipment) equitable / ekwtəb(ə)l/ adj fair or just (formal ). Antonym unfair equitably / ekwtəbli/ adv in an equitable way equities / ekwtiz/ plural noun ordinary shares equity / ekwti/ noun a fair system of justice 쑗 She complained about the lack of equity in the company’s pay structure. 왍 in equity being fair ③ equivalent / kwvələnt/ noun a thing which has the same value, strength or importance as something else 쑗 What is the American equivalent of the Chancellor of the Exchequer? 쑗 I gave him $2000 and he paid me the equivalent in euros. 쐽 adj having the same value or the same strength as something else 쑗 Two pints and a litre are roughly equivalent. 쑗 She handed me the equivalent amount in Swiss francs. Synonym equal. Antonym different 왍 to be equivalent to to have the same value as, or to be the same as 쑗 A litre is roughly equivalent to two pints. equivocal / kwvək(ə)l/ adj ambiguous; which misleads on purpose. Synonym vague. Antonym unambiguous ① er /" / interj showing that you are hesitating era / ərə/ noun a long period of history eradicate / rdket/ verb to wipe out or to remove completely. Synonym eliminate eradication /rd keʃ(ə)n/ noun the complete removal of something. Synonym . abolition (NOTE: no plural) ③ erase verb / rez/ to rub out writing 쐽 to remove recorded material from a tape, or data from a disk 쑗 I’ve erased your recording of the concert by mistake. ③ eraser / rezə/ noun US a piece of rubber for removing writing in pencil (NOTE: The British term is rubber.) erect / rekt/ adj standing vertical or sticking up straight 쑗 She held herself erect as she walked down the aisle. Synonym upright. Antonym prone 쐽 verb to put up something eruption vertical, such as a mast or a building 쑗 They are planning to erect a monument to the princess. 쑗 The civilians rushed to hide in hastily-erected bomb shelters. erection / rekʃən/ noun 1. the action of putting up (formal ) 쑗 The erection of the tent took about 5 minutes. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a state where the penis becomes stiff and swollen from sexual excitement ergonomics /" DZə nɒmks/ noun the study of how tools or furniture can be best designed to make them easy and comfortable to use erode / rəυd/ verb to wear away gradually. Synonym wear away ③ erosion / rəυȢ(ə)n/ noun the act of wearing away (NOTE: no plural) erotic / rɒtk/ adj strongly sexual. Synonym sexy err /" / verb to make a mistake; to be at fault (formal ) Synonym go wrong 왍 to err on the side of something to use more of something than is necessary, as a precaution 왍 she erred on the side of caution she was more cautious than she needed to be errand / erənd/ noun a short trip out to buy something. Synonym task 왍 to run errands for someone to do things such as shopping or taking messages for someone 쑗 The old lady asked him to run an errand for her. erratic / rtk/ adj irregular or wild. Synonym unpredictable. Antonym consistent erratically / rtkli/ adv in a wild manner erratum /e rɑ təm/ noun a mistake in a printed book (NOTE: The plural is errata.) erroneous / rəυniəs/ adj wrong (formal ). Synonym mistaken. Antonym correct erroneously / rəυniəsli/ adv by mistake ② error / erə/ noun a mistake 쑗 The waiter made an error in calculating the total. 쑗 She must have made a typing error. 쑗 There isn’t a single error in the whole document. 왍 computer error a mistake made by a computer 왍 in error by mistake 쑗 The parcel was sent to our Edinburgh office in error. erstwhile / " stwal/ adj former (formal ) erudite / erυdat/ adj well educated and very knowledgeable (formal ) erudition /erυ dʃ(ə)n/ noun great learning. Antonym ignorance erupt / rpt/ verb 1. (of a volcano) to throw out lava and ash 쑗 The volcano last erupted in 1968. 2. to start to become violent suddenly 쑗 A row erupted over the closure of the station walkway. 3. (of a person) to become angry suddenly 쑗 He listened to the discussion for a while and then erupted angrily. eruption / rpʃən/ noun 1. the throwing out of lava and ash by a volcano 쑗 Several villages were destroyed in the volcanic erup. . . . . ESC 281 tion of 1978. 2. breaking through the skin, as in the appearance of spots on the face 쑗 an eruption of pimples on his neck ESC abbr ESCAPE key escalate / eskəlet/ verb 1. to get worse or more violent 쑗 Our financial problems have escalated. 쑗 The conflict escalated into an all-out war. 2. to increase steadily 쑗 Prices escalated during the year. escalation /eskə leʃ(ə)n/ noun an increase. Synonym rise. Antonym reduction escalator / eskəletə/ noun a moving staircase escapade / eskəped/ noun an exciting adventure ② escape / skep/ noun the action of getting away from prison or from a difficult situation 쑗 There were three escapes from this jail last year. 쑗 A weekend by the sea was a wonderful escape from the office. 왍 we had a narrow escape we were almost killed 쐽 verb 1. to get away from prison or from a difficult situation 쑗 He escaped from the prison by sawing through the bars. 쑗 A panther has escaped from the zoo and is roaming the countryside. 2. to get out of a container 쑗 the hiss of escaping gas 3. to be difficult to think of or remember 왍 the name of the restaurant escapes me I can’t remember the name of the restaurant ESCAPE key / skep ki / noun the key which stops what is happening on a computer and returns to the main program. Abbr ESC escapism / skepz(ə)m/ noun thinking about something marvellous or fantastic in order to forget about your ordinary daily existence escapist / skepst/ adj, noun a person who thinks about something marvellous or fantastic in order to forget about his or her ordinary daily existence escarpment / skɑ pmənt/ noun a steep slope. Synonym cliff eschew /s tʃu / verb to avoid something escort noun / eskɔ t/ 1. a person or group of people accompanying someone 쑗 The president had a police escort to the airport. 2. a person who accompanies someone else to a social event 쑗 She wore red silk and her escort wore a kilt. 쐽 verb / skɔ t/ to accompany someone 쑗 The police escorted the group into the hotel. 쑗 I was escorted around by our local MP. 쑗 The liner entered harbour escorted by a flotilla of yachts. Eskimo / eskməυ/ adj referring to the native people living in the north of Canada and Greenland 쑗 He collects Eskimo carvings of whales and polar bears. 쐽 noun one of a native people living in the north of Canada and Greenland 쑗 Eskimos hunt seals and polar bears. (NOTE: The plural is Eskimo or Eski- establish mos. Note also that they are generally called by the name they use themselves: the Inuit.) ESL abbr English as a Second Language ESOL / i sɒl/ abbr English for Speakers of Other Languages esoteric /esəυ terk/ adj understood by very few people ESP abbr 1. English for Special Purposes 2. extrasensory perception especial / speʃ(ə)l/ adj same as special ① especially / speʃ(ə)li/ adv particularly 쑗 The case is especially heavy. 왍 not especially not very, or not very much 쑗 Do you want to go out? – Not especially. espionage / espiənɑ Ȣ/ noun the practice of spying esplanade /esplə ned/ noun a long level road or path, especially one along the edge of a beach in a town espouse / spaυz/ verb to support a cause (archaic) espresso /e spresəυ/ noun strong black Italian coffee, served in very small cups Esq abbr esquire 왍 George Martin, Esq a very polite form of address written after a man’s name on an envelope ② essay / ese/ noun a piece of writing on a specific subject 쑗 a collection of the philosopher’s most famous essays 쑗 For our homework, we have to write an essay on pollution. Synonym paper essence / es(ə)ns/ noun 1. a pure extract taken from something 쑗 custard flavoured with vanilla essence 2. the central part of an argument 쑗 The essence of what she had to say was very clear. 3. 왍 in essence basically 쑗 His plan is in essence the same as the one which we discussed last year. ② essential / senʃəl/ adj which is very important or which you cannot do without 쑗 The refugees are lacking essential winter clothing. 쑗 You can survive without food for some time, but water is essential. 쑗 It is essential that we get the delivery on time. 쐽 noun a thing which is very important or which you cannot do without 쑗 Sun cream is an essential in the desert. 쑗 We’ve got all the basic essentials – food, water and fuel. 왍 the bare essentials the absolute necessities of life. Synonym necessity. Antonym extravagance essentially / senʃəli/ adv basically, for the most part 쑗 My new job is essentially not so very different from my old one. 쑗 Although he’s essentially a kind man, he does lose his temper sometimes. ① establish / stblʃ/ verb 1. to create something, to set something up 쑗 The business was established in Scotland in 1823. 쑗 We need to establish a good working rela- ② established 282 tionship with our colleagues. 2. to show something to be true 쑗 If only the police could establish where the car was parked that evening. 쑗 It’s difficult to establish what her reasons are for resigning. ③ established /
stblʃt/ adj which has been shown to be true. Synonym recognised ② establishment /
stblʃmənt/ noun 1. the creation of something 쑗 She helped them with the establishment of the local drama society. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a business; an organisation 쑗 It’s an establishment which imports radios from China. 쑗 He runs an important teaching establishment. 3. the number of people working in a company 왍 to be on the establishment to be a full-time employee Establishment /
stblʃmənt/ noun people who occupy influential positions in society or who are in authority 쑗 He spent a lot of his life fighting against the Establishment. ② estate /
stet/ noun 1. a large area of land belonging to one owner 쑗 He owns a 250-acre estate in Norfolk. 2. property owned by a person at the time of his or her death 쑗 The solicitor announced the value of grandfather’s estate. 왍 estate duty tax on property left by a dead person estate agency /
stet edȢənsi/ noun an office which arranges for the sale of buildings and land estate agent /
stet edȢənt/ noun a person who sells buildings and land estate car /
stet kɑ/ noun a large car with a flat space behind the seats where parcels or suitcases can be stored (NOTE: The US term is station wagon.) estate duty /
stet djuti/ noun tax paid on the property left by a dead person (NOTE: The US term is death duty.) esteem /
stim/ noun respect 쑗 The staff seem to have very little esteem for the directors. Antonym contempt 왍 to hold someone in (high) esteem to respect someone 쑗 She is someone whose work we hold in the highest esteem. 쐽 verb to admire someone esteemed /
stimd/ adj admired and respected ② estimate noun /
estmət/ 1. a calculation which shows the approximate amount of something, or its worth or cost 쑗 I wasn’t in when they came to read the gas meter, so this bill is only an estimate. 쑗 Your estimate of two dozen visitors proved to be correct. 왍 she gave me a rough estimate she gave me an approximate calculation 2. a price quoted by a supplier for work to be done 쑗 Three firms put in estimates for the job. (NOTE: often called a quote) 쐽 verb /
estmet/ 1. to calculate approximately the cost or worth of ethos something 쑗 I estimate that it will cost £100,000. 쑗 He estimated costs at £50,000. 2. to calculate a price before supplying an item or doing a job 왍 to estimate for a job to state in writing the probable costs of carrying out a job estimation / est
meʃ(ə)n/ noun an opinion or judgement (formal ) estranged /
strendȢd/ adj no longer living with a husband or wife estuary /
estʃuəri/ noun a part of a river where it meets the sea, composed of fresh and salt water (NOTE: The plural is estuar. ies.) et al. /et
l/ adv and the others etch /etʃ/ verb to engrave on metal with acid 왍 the scene at the accident is etched in my mind I can remember the scene at the accident very clearly etching /
etʃŋ/ noun 1. the art of engraving on metal with acid 쑗 He started with oil colours and has now taken up etching. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a picture made by printing from metal engraved with acid 쑗 He has several etchings by Whistler. eternal /
tnl/ adj lasting for ever or for a long time. Synonym everlasting. Antonym transient eternally /
tn(ə)li/ adv 1. for ever 쑗 I shall be eternally grateful to you. 2. all the time 쑗 She’s eternally wanting to go the loo. eternity /
tnti/ noun a never-ending period of time 왍 it will take an eternity it will take a very long time (informal ) 쑗 If you insist on correcting every mistake by hand it will take an eternity. ethereal /
θəriəl/ adj very light and unreal (formal ) Ethernet /
iθənet/ trademark a system for exchanging messages between computers on a local area network ethic /
eθk/ noun a principle of good and moral behaviour 쑗 the Christian ethic ethical /
eθk(ə)l/ adj morally right ethically /
eθkli/ adv referring to ethics ethics /
eθks/ plural noun moral principles ③ ethnic /
eθnk/ adj relating to race 쑗 The census shows the ethnic makeup of the population. Synonym cultural ethnically /
eθnkli/ adv in a way which relates to race ethnic cleansing / eθnk
klenzŋ/ noun killing people, or removing people from an area, because of their race or religion ethnicity /eθ
nsti/ noun the fact of belonging to a particular ethnic group ethnic minority / eθnk ma
nɒrti/ noun a part of the population which is of different racial origin to the majority ethos /
iθɒs/ noun beliefs or characteristics, especially those of a group of people . . etiquette 283 etiquette / etket/ noun a correct way of behaving in society. Synonym manners 왍 professional etiquette the rules of behaviour in a profession 쑗 Passing the details of the client’s will to his brother was a breach of professional etiquette. etymological /etmə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to etymology etymology /et mɒlədȢi/ noun the study of the ways in which words and their meanings have developed (NOTE: The plural is etymologies.) EU abbr European Union (NOTE: formerly called the European Community) eucalyptus /ju kə lptəs/ noun an Aus- ③ tralian hardwood tree with strong-smelling resin Eucharist / ju kərst/ noun a Christian ceremony of taking bread and wine, in memory of Christ’s last supper eulogy / ju lədȢi/ noun a speech, especially one given at a funeral praising someone. Synonym tribute (NOTE: The plural is eulogies.) euphemism / ju fəmz(ə)m/ noun a word or phrase used in place of a more offensive or unpleasant word euphemistically /ju fə mstkli/ adv used as a euphemism euphoria /ju fɔ riə/ noun a burst of extreme happiness. Synonym elation. Antonym despair (NOTE: no plural) euphoric /ju fɒrk/ adj very happy. Synonym overjoyed. Antonym despairing ① euro / jυərəυ/ noun a monetary unit of the European Union 쑗 Many articles are priced in euros. 쑗 What’s the exchange rate for the euro? (NOTE: written € before numbers: €250: say: ‘two hundred and fifty euros’) Euro- /jυərəυ/ prefix referring to Europe or the European Union ① Europe / jυərəp/ proper noun 1. the continent of Europe, the part of the world to the west of Asia, from Russia to Ireland 쑗 Most of the countries of Western Europe are members of the EU. 쑗 Poland is in eastern Europe, and Greece, Spain and Portugal are in southern Europe. 2. the same area, but not including the UK 쑗 Holidays in Europe are less popular than last year. 3. the European Union 쑗 Canadian exports to Europe have risen by 25%. 4. other European Union countries but not including the UK 쑗 UK exports to Europe have increased this year. ① European /jυərə pi ən/ adj referring to Europe ① European Union /jυərəpi ən ju njən/ noun an organisation which links several European countries together based on evasively the four freedoms of movement: movement of goods, of capital, of people and of services Eurostar / jυərəυstɑ / trademark a train service from England to France and Belgium, through the Channel Tunnel Eurozone / jυərəυzəυn/ noun the countries in Europe which use the euro as currency Eustachian tube /ju steʃ(ə)n tju b/ noun the tube which connects the middle ear to the throat euthanasia /ju θə neziə/ noun mercy killing, the killing of a sick person in order to put an end to his or her suffering (NOTE: no plural) ③ evacuate / vkjuet/ verb to make people leave a dangerous place evacuation /vkju eʃ(ə)n/ noun the removal of people from a dangerous place. Antonym influx evacuee /vkju i / noun a person who has been evacuated. Synonym refugee evade / ved/ verb to avoid or escape something 왍 to evade tax to try illegally to avoid paying tax evaluate / vljuet/ verb to calculate the value of something ③ evaluation /vlju eʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of calculating a value (NOTE: no plural) evangelical /i vn dȢelk(ə)l/ adj referring to certain Protestant churches and their teaching of the Bible evangelism / vndȢəlz(ə)m/ noun 1. the act of spreading the teachings of Christ 2. the enthusiastic promotion of something evangelist / vndȢəlst/ noun 1. one of the four men who wrote the Christian Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke or John 2. someone who tries to persuade people to become Christians 쑗 The American evangelist is coming to England as part of his world tour. evaporate / vpəret/ verb 1. (of liquid ) to be converted into vapour by heat 쑗 Water gradually evaporates from the soil. 2. to disappear 쑗 As soon as he saw the light at the end of the tunnel, all his fears evaporated. evaporated milk /vpəretd mlk/ noun milk reduced by evaporation evaporation /vpə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of liquid turning into vapour. Synonym vaporisation (NOTE: no plural) evasion / veȢ(ə)n/ noun the act of avoiding something 왍 he was accused of tax evasion he was accused of illegally trying not to pay tax evasive / vesv/ adj which tries to avoid something 왍 to give evasive answers to try to avoid answering questions directly. Antonym direct evasively / vesvli/ adj in a way that tries to avoid a direct answer . evasiveness 284 evasiveness / vesvnəs/ noun the act of trying to avoid a direct answer (NOTE: no plural) eve /i v/ noun 1. the night or day before 쑗 On the eve of the election the ministers prepared to celebrate. 왍 Christmas Eve 24th December 왍 New Year’s Eve 31st December 2. a short time before an event 왍 on the eve of our departure just before we left ① even / i v(ə)n/ adj 1. flat, level 쑗 The road has a smooth even surface. 2. which does not change 쑗 They kept up an even pace for miles. 쑗 The temperature is an even 28° all through the day. 3. equal in a competition 쑗 At the end of the competition three teams were even with 96 points. 왍 to get even with someone to try to have your revenge on someone 4. 왍 to break even to make no profit, but no loss either 쑗 The company is just breaking even. 쐽 adv used for showing surprise or making an expression stronger 쑗 He doesn’t even like strawberries. 쑗 Even the cleverest businessperson can make mistakes. 쑗 She’s tall, but her sister is even taller. 왍 even now in spite of the passing of time 쑗 Even now, he won’t admit he was wrong. 왍 even then in spite of what has happened 왍 even worse worse than before 쑗 That film was bad, but this one is even worse. 왍 even if it doesn’t matter if 쑗 We’ll try and drive there, even if it’s snowing. 왍 even so in spite of something 쑗 It was pouring with rain, but even so they decided to go ahead with the village fête. 왍 even though in spite of the fact that 쑗 He didn’t take an umbrella, even though it was raining quite hard. even-handed /i v(ə)n hndd/ adj without any bias ① evening / i vnŋ/ noun the late part of the day, when it is getting dark 쑗 I saw her yesterday evening. 쑗 The accident took place at 8.30 in the evening. 쑗 We arrived in London at breakfast time, having left New York the previous evening. 쑗 We always go to a restaurant on Sunday evenings. 쑗 They took an evening flight to Madrid. 쑗 The evening meal is served from 7.30 to 10.30. 왍 this evening today in the evening 쑗 We’ll all meet this evening after work. evening class / i vnŋ klɑ s/ noun one of a series of lessons held in the evening, mainly for adults evening dress / i vnŋ dres/ noun clothes worn on special occasions in the evening, consisting of a long dress for women, and a black suit with a black or white bow tie for men (NOTE: no plural) evenly / i v(ə)nli/ adv in an equal way 왍 they are evenly matched they are equals in the competition even number /i v(ə)n nmbə/ noun a number which can be divided by 2 evergreen even out /i v(ə)n aυt/ verb to make something even or regular evens / i v(ə)nz/ noun an equal chance that something will happen or will not happen, such as a horse winning a race. Compare odds ① event / vent/ noun 1. a thing which happens 쑗 the events leading up to the war 쑗 A baby’s first birthday is always a very happy event. 2. 왍 in the event as it happened 쑗 In the event, the party went off very well. 왍 in the event of if something should happen 쑗 In the event of his refusing the job then we will advertise it again. 왍 in any event or at all events whatever may happen or may have happened 쑗 I don’t know exactly what happened – in any event, it doesn’t matter. 왍 in the normal course of events as things usually happen 쑗 In the normal course of events, the winner should get a silver cup. 3. a sporting competition 쑗 The last event was the 100 metres hurdles. 왍 field events jumping and throwing competitions even-tempered /i v(ə)n tempəd/ adj calm; never becoming angry. Synonym calm eventful / ventf(ə)l/ adj with a lot of events taking place eventual / ventʃuəl/ adj in the end. Synonym ultimate eventuality /ventʃu lti/ noun a thing which might happen (formal ). Synonym possibility 왍 in that eventuality if that should happen ① eventually / ventʃuəli/ adv in the end 쑗 After weeks of hesitation he eventually decided to sell the cottage. Synonym finally. Antonym immediately ③ even up /i v(ə)n p/ verb to make something balanced. Synonym equalise ① ever / evə/ adv 1. at any time (used with negatives, and in questions) 쑗 Nothing ever happens here. 쑗 Did you ever meet my brother? 쑗 Have you ever been to Germany? 왍 hardly ever almost never 쑗 I hardly ever go to the theatre. 2. 왍 than ever used for emphasis after comparatives 쑗 She is singing better than ever. 쑗 He went on playing the trumpet louder than ever. 3. always 쑗 Ever the optimist, he suggested we try once again. 왍 ever since or ever since then from that time on 쑗 She was knocked down by a car and ever since has been afraid to go out onto the main road. 왍 they lived happily ever after they lived happily from then on 4. 왍 ever so extremely (informal ) 쑗 She’s been ever so ill. 쑗 I’m ever so grateful. 쏡 however, what. . ever, whenever, wherever, whoever evergreen / evəDZri n/ adj 1. (of a plant) which keeps its leaves all winter 쑗 We need an evergreen climber to cover that wall. Compare deciduous 2. still popular and successful 쑗 He sang some of the evergreen everlasting 285 hits from his repertoire. 쐽 noun 1. a tree which keeps its leaves all winter 쑗 Holly and other evergreens can be used as decorations in winter. 2. a person or thing that is still popular and successful 쑗 ‘My Way’, one of the evergreens of Sinatra’s repertoire everlasting /evə lɑ stŋ/ adj going on for ever. Synonym eternal. Antonym transient evermore /evə mɔ / adv 왍 for evermore for ever; always 쑗 I will be yours for evermore. 쑗 His name will live on for evermore. ① every / evri/ adj 1. each 쑗 It rained every day during the holidays. 쑗 We have a party every New Year’s Day. 쑗 Every Wednesday, he goes for a swim in the local swimming pool. 쑗 Every house in the street has a garden. 2. with a particular amount of time or distance in between 쑗 The medicine is to be taken every four hours. 쑗 Have your car checked every 10,000 kilometres. 왍 every other each alternate one 쑗 I try to go for a jog every other day. everyday / evride/ adj ordinary or very common. Antonym extraordinary ③ everyplace / evriples/ adv US everywhere; in all places ① everything / evriθŋ/ pron 1. all things 쑗 Did you bring everything you need? 쑗 The burglars stole everything of value. 쑗 Everything he says annoys me. 2. things in general 쑗 Everything was dark in the street. 쑗 Everything is under control. ① everywhere adv / evriweə/ in all places 쑗 There were papers lying about everywhere. 쑗 We’ve looked everywhere for the key and can’t find it. 쐽 pron all places 쑗 Everywhere was white after the first snow fell. (NOTE: Another US term is everyplace.) evict / vkt/ verb to force someone, espe- cially a tenant, to leave a property. Antonym install eviction / vkʃən/ noun the act of forcing someone, especially a tenant, to leave a property ① evidence / evd(ə)ns/ noun 1. a fact which indicates that something really exists or has happened 쑗 The bloodstains on his coat were ample evidence of the crime. 쑗 Scientists are looking for evidence of life on Mars. 쑗 There is no evidence that he was ever there. 왍 there is no documentary evidence of its existence there is no evidence of its existence in the form of documents 2. a written or spoken report given by a witness at a trial 쑗 The victim gave evidence in court this morning. 왍 to give evidence for someone to be a witness, and suggest that someone is not guilty 왍 to give evidence against someone to be a witness, and suggest that someone is guilty 왍 to turn State’s evidence or Queen’s evidence to give information against other criminals 쑗 He hoped to get a exact reduced sentence by turning Queen’s evidence. 3. 왍 in evidence very visible 쑗 Her love of Italy was nowhere more in evidence than in her kitchen. evident / evd(ə)nt/ adj obvious evidently / evd(ə)ntli/ adv 1. obviously 쑗 You evidently care more about the football team than me. 2. presumably 쑗 Evidently his mobile phone is switched off. ③ evil / i v(ə)l/ adj very wicked 쑗 She’s considered to be an evil woman. 쑗 His evil intentions were evident as soon as he locked the door. 쐽 noun 1. great wickedness 쑗 The struggle between the government and the rebels was seen as a fight between good and evil. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a bad thing 쑗 We are committed to fighting social evils such as juvenile delinquency. 쏡 lesser evil spirit /i v(ə)l sprt/ noun a wicked devil which harms people evocative / vɒkətv/ adj which calls up a sensation in the mind. Synonym reminiscent evoke / vəυk/ verb to try to see something in your memory (formal ) ③ evolution /i və lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun a gradual development. Antonym regression evolutionary /i və lu ʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj re. ferring to evolution evolve / vɒlv/ verb 1. to work out gradually a scientific theory or a way of working 쑗 The research team has evolved its own methods of testing. 2. to develop gradually 쑗 Modern dance evolved from classical ballet. 쑗 Birds originally evolved from reptiles. ewe /ju / noun a female sheep (NOTE: Do not confuse with yew, you. The male sheep is a ram.) ex /eks/ noun a former boyfriend or girlfriend, or husband or wife (informal ) 쑗 She . won’t talk to her ex about money. 쑗 How do you get on with your ex? ex- /eks/ prefix former; who used to be 쑗 an ex-policeman 쑗 Tom’s my ex-boyfriend. exacerbate /DZ zsəbet/ verb to make something worse or more painful. Antonym soothe exacerbation /DZzsə beʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of making something worse ① exact /DZ zkt/ adj completely accurate 쑗 What is the exact time of arrival? 쑗 Could you repeat the exact words she used? 쑗 The salesgirl asked me if I had the exact sum, since she had no change. 쐽 verb 왍 to exact something from someone to force someone to give you something (formal ) 쑗 They stopped all the cars on the road and exacted payment from the drivers. . exacting 286 exacting /DZ zktŋ/ adj which demands a lot of effort. Synonym demanding. Antonym easy ① exactly /DZ zktli/ adv 1. not more, not less; not differing at all 쑗 That comes to exactly ten dollars and fifty cents. 쑗 The time is exactly 16.24. 2. completely 쑗 He looks exactly like his father. 3. quite right; I agree (used as an answer ) 쑗 It’s a pity the buses don’t run more frequently. – Exactly! exaggerate /DZ zdȢəret/ verb to make things seem worse, better, bigger, etc. than they really are 쑗 The wide black belt exaggerates her small waist. 쑗 She exaggerated the importance of my contribution. Antonym . understate exaggerated /DZ zdȢəretd/ adj bigger or more important than normal. Antonym understated exaggeration /DZzdȢə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a statement making things seem larger, worse, better, etc. than they really are. Antonym understatement 왍 without exaggeration quite truthfully 쑗 It was, without any exaggeration, the most perfect summer’s day. exalted /DZ zɔ ltd/ adj 1. in a high position in authority 쑗 In his exalted position he should be able to afford a larger car. 2. very happy in your mind 쑗 She came away from the religious meeting in an exalted frame of mind. ① exam /DZ zm/ noun same as examination2 쑗 The exam was very difficult – half the students failed. 쑗 She passed all her exams. ① examination /DZzm neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of looking at something to see if it works properly, or if something is wrong 쑗 He had to have an X-ray examination. 쑗 The examination of the car showed that its brakes were faulty. 왍 on examination when something is examined 쑗 On further examination, the newspaper report was shown to be quite untrue. 2. a written or spoken test 쑗 The examination was very difficult – half the students failed. 쑗 He did badly in his English examination. 쑗 She came first in the final examination for the course. (NOTE: often shortened to exam in this meaning) ① examine /DZ zmn/ verb 1. to inspect something to see if it is correct or healthy, that it works properly, etc. 쑗 The doctor examined her throat. 쑗 We will have to examine the shop’s scales to see if they show the correct weight. 쑗 The customs officials wanted to examine the inside of the car. 쑗 The water samples were examined in the laboratory. 2. to test a student 쑗 They examined everyone in mathematics and computer skills. examiner /DZ zmnə/ noun a person who conducts a test. Synonym inspector ① example /DZ zɑ mpəl/ noun 1. something chosen to show something 쑗 This is a excellent good example of French architecture of the eleventh century. 왍 to set an example to do things yourself, so that other people can copy you 쑗 He sets everyone a good example by getting into the office before 8.00 every morning. 왍 to make an example of someone to punish someone so that others will learn not to do what that person did 쑗 The magistrates made an example of her by sending her to prison for two weeks. 2. 왍 for example as a typical case 쑗 She is keen on getting her weight down – for example, she’s stopped eating bread. 쑗 Why don’t we sell anything to Eastern Europe – to Poland, for example? exasperate /DZ zɑ spəret/ verb to make someone furious. Synonym infuriate. Antonym placate exasperated /DZ zɑ spəretd/ adj 왍 exasperated at or with someone or something extremely annoyed with someone or something 쑗 He was exasperated at getting the engaged tone all the time. 쑗 They were exasperated with the waiter who kept bringing them the wrong dishes. exasperating /DZ zɑ spəretŋ/ adj very annoying. Synonym infuriating exasperation /DZzɑ spə reʃ(ə)n/ noun annoyance and frustration excavate / ekskəvet/ verb 1. to dig a hole in the ground 쑗 In order to reinforce the foundations they had to excavate to a depth of 10m. 2. to carry out an archaeological investigation of a place 쑗 Howard Carter excavated the tomb of Tutankhamen. excavation /ekskə veʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of digging a hole in the ground 2. an investigation made by archaeologists (NOTE: often simply called a dig) excavator / ekskəvetə/ noun a machine for making holes in the ground ③ exceed /k si d/ verb to go beyond something 쑗 The car was exceeding the speed limit. 쑗 Our expenses have exceeded our income for the first time. 쑗 Did the UN troops exceed their mandate? exceedingly /k si dŋli/ adv very (formal ). Antonym slightly excel /k sel/ verb 왍 to excel in or at something to be very good at something 쑗 At school, she excelled in mathematics. (NOTE: . excelling — excelled) ③ excellence / eksələns/ noun very good quality Excellency / eksələnsi/ noun used as a form of address to an ambassador (NOTE: The plural excellencies is used to refer to several ambassadors, or to an ambassador and his wife: Their Excellencies, Count and Countess Bismark.) ① excellent / eksələnt/ adj very good 쑗 We had an excellent meal in a Chinese res- except 287 taurant. 쑗 Her handwriting is excellent – it is much clearer than mine. ① except /k sept/ prep other than 쑗 She’s allowed to eat anything except milk products. 쑗 Everyone was sick on the boat, except (for) me. 쑗 VAT is levied on all goods except books, newspapers, food and children’s clothes. (NOTE: Do not confuse with accept.) 쐽 conj other than; apart from 쑗 He doesn’t do anything except sit and watch football on the TV. 쑗 Everything went well, except that James was sick. 쑗 Everyone enjoyed the birthday party, except (that) there wasn’t enough to eat. 쐽 verb not to include something (formal ) 쑗 Everyone was late, not excepting the teacher. ② exception /k sepʃən/ noun 1. something that is not included 쑗 All the students failed, with one exception. 쑗 Are there any exceptions to the rule? 2. 왍 to take exception to something to be annoyed by something 쑗 He took exception to what she said. exceptional /k sepʃən(ə)l/ adj 1. outstanding; very good 쑗 She’s an exceptional athlete. 쑗 His debating skills are really exceptional. 2. being an exception 쑗 In exceptional cases, the fee may be waived. exceptionally /k sepʃən(ə)li/ adv extremely. Synonym very. Antonym slightly excerpt / eks" pt/ noun a small part of a larger piece of music or writing. Synonym . extract excess noun too much of something 쑗 He had an excess of alcohol in his bloodstream. 왍 in excess of more than 쑗 quantities in excess of twenty-five kilos 왍 to excess too much 쑗 He drinks to excess. 쐽 adj more than necessary 쑗 The factory has excess capacity and may sell off some of its machines. Synonym extra excess baggage /ekses bDZdȢ/ noun suitcases which weigh more than you are allowed when travelling by air, and for which you must pay extra excessive /k sesv/ adj more than is usual. Antonym moderate ① exchange /ks tʃendȢ/ noun the act of giving one thing for another 쑗 the exchange of rings during the wedding ceremony 쐽 verb 1. to give something and get something back 쑗 During the meeting we exchanged ideas on new developments in international law. 왍 they exchanged addresses they each gave the other their address 2. 왍 to exchange something for something else to give one thing and get something else in return 쑗 If the trousers are too small you can take them back and exchange them for a larger pair. 쑗 Goods can be exchanged only on production of the sales slip. 3. to change money of one country for money of another 쑗 to exchange euros for pounds exclusion exchange rate /ks tʃendȢ ret/ noun the rate at which the money of one country can be changed for another excise /k saz/ verb to cut something out 쑗 The surgeon decided to excise the growth. Antonym insert excise duty / eksaz dju ti/ noun a tax on certain goods such as cigarettes or alcohol, produced in a particular country excitable /k satəb(ə)l/ adj easily excited excite /k sat/ verb 1. to make someone lively and happy 쑗 His speech excited the crowd. 2. to cause a particular feeling 쑗 The thought of going to work in Kuala Lumpur excited his imagination. 쑗 The case has excited a lot of interest in the press. excited /k satd/ adj lively and happy because you think something good is going to happen 쑗 She’s excited at or by the thought of going on holiday. 쑗 The children are excited because it’s the Christmas holidays. 쑗 What’s everyone so excited about? 쑗 Don’t get too excited – not everyone wins the lottery. 쑗 It was lovely to see the children’s happy and excited faces. excitedly /k satdli/ adv in an excited way ③ excitement /k satmənt/ noun the feeling of being excited 쑗 What’s all the excitement about? 쑗 The children are always in a state of excitement before the holidays. ② exciting /k satŋ/ adj which gives you a particular feeling 쑗 I couldn’t sleep after watching an exciting film on TV. 쑗 The news about the house is really exciting. Synonym thrilling. Antonym boring ③ exclaim /k sklem/ verb to say something loudly and suddenly. Antonym ③ whisper exclamation /eksklə meʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of shouting out. Synonym shout. Antonym whisper exclamation mark /eksklə meʃ(ə)n mɑ k/, exclamation point /ekskləmeʃ(ə)n pɔnt/ noun a written or printed sign (!) which shows surprise ② exclude /k sklu d/ verb 1. not to include someone or something 쑗 Damage by fire is excluded from the insurance policy. 쑗 Don’t exclude his name from your list. 2. 왍 to exclude something or someone from a place to shut something or someone out 쑗 Women are excluded from the monastery. 3. to send a child away from school 쑗 Ten children had to be excluded last term. Also called expel ③ excluding /k sklu dŋ/ prep not including ③ exclusion /k sklu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of shutting someone or something out 쑗 She was hurt at her exclusion from the guest exclusive 288 list. 2. the act of being sent away from school The school only considers exclusion as a last resort. 쏡 exclude exclusive /k sklu sv/ adj 1. not open to everyone 쑗 an exclusive Caribbean holiday resort 쑗 The new health club is very exclusive. 2. 왍 exclusive of not including 쑗 The bill was exclusive of service. 왍 exclusive of tax not including tax exclusively /k sklu svli/ adv solely; only excommunicate /ekskə mju nket/ verb to refuse communion to a member of a church excommunication /ekskəmju nkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of excommunicating someone excrement / ekskrmənt/ noun solid waste matter produced by the body (technical ) excreta /k skri tə/ plural noun faeces and urine; waste matter produced by the body (formal ) excrete /k skri t/ verb to produce waste matter (formal ) excruciating /k skru ʃietŋ/ adj extremely painful excursion /k sk" ʃ(ə)n/ noun a short pleasure trip ② excuse noun /k skju s/ a reason given for doing something wrong, or for not doing what was expected 쑗 His excuse for not coming was that he forgot the date. 쐽 verb /kskju z/ to forgive someone for making a small mistake 쑗 Please excuse my arriving late like this. 왍 excuse me used for attracting someone’s attention 쑗 Excuse me, is this the right bus for Oxford Circus? 왍 excuse me used meaning ‘please forgive me’ 쑗 Excuse me for arriving so late. 쑗 Excuse me for interrupting, but could you repeat what you have just said? execute / ekskju t/ verb 1. to kill someone who has been condemned to death 쑗 Murderers are no longer executed in this country. 2. to do something (formal ) 쑗 As part of the test, drivers are asked to execute an emergency stop. 3. to carry out instructions or wishes 쑗 Press ENTER to execute the program. 쑗 They did their best to execute his wishes. ③ execution /eks kju ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the legal killing of person sentenced to death 쑗 In the 19th century there were still public executions. 2. the carrying out of an order 쑗 The execution of the order was more complicated than we imagined. 왍 to put a plan into execution to carry out a plan 쑗 The new government wants its financial strategy to be put into execution as soon as possible. executioner /eks kju ʃ(ə)nə/ noun a public official who executes people 쑗 . . . . exert ② executive /DZ zekjυtv/ noun a businessperson who makes decisions 쑗 You can’t leave a decision like that to the junior executives. 쑗 Top executives usually earn very high salaries. 쐽 adj carrying out plans and putting things into practice 쑗 He has an executive position on the board of directors. Executive /DZ zekjυtv/ noun the part of Government which runs the state, as opposed to the Judiciary which applies the law, or the Legislature which creates laws 쑗 People are beginning to question the Executive’s ability to govern. executive committee /DZzekjυtv kəmti/ noun a committee which runs an organisation executor /DZ zekjυtə/ noun a person appointed in someone’s will to make sure that the terms of the will are carried out (NOTE: A woman executor is sometimes called an executrix /DZ zekjυtrks/.) exemplary /DZ zempləri/ adj excellent (formal ) exemplify /DZ zemplfa/ verb to show . something as an example; to be an example. Synonym demonstrate exempt /DZ zempt/ adj not forced to obey certain laws or rules 왍 exempt from tax or tax-exempt not required to pay tax, or not requiring tax to be paid 쑗 Children’s clothes are exempt from VAT. 쐽 verb 왍 to exempt someone from something or from doing something to say that someone does not have to do something 쑗 Pensioners are exempted from paying for medical prescriptions. exemption /DZ zempʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of exempting someone from something. Synonym exception 왍 exemption from tax or tax exemption being free from having to pay tax 쑗 You can claim tax exemption in this case. ① exercise / eksəsaz/ noun practice in using physical or mental powers 쑗 She does her piano exercises every morning. 왍 to take exercise to do physical things, like walking or jogging, to keep fit 쑗 You should take some exercise every day if you want to lose weight. 쐽 verb 1. to use a power or right 쑗 The United Kingdom exercised the right of veto. 2. to give an animal, person or part of the body exercise 쑗 She exercised her pony on the race track. 쑗 Do some sit-ups to exercise your stomach muscles. exercise bike / eksəsaz bak/ noun a machine like a bicycle, but which does not move, which you can pedal on as exercise exercise book / eksəsaz bυk/ noun a notebook which you can write school exercises in ③ exert /DZ z" t/ verb to use force or pressure exertion 289 exertion /DZ z" ʃ(ə)n/ noun an effort. 쏡 overexertion. Antonym ease exhalation /ekshə leʃ(ə)n/ noun breath which comes out; the action of breathing out exhale /eks hel/ verb to breathe out. Antonym inhale exhaust /DZ zɔ st/ noun gas which is produced by a car engine and is released into the air through the exhaust pipe 쑗 We live in the city centre and the children are breathing car exhaust all day. 쐽 verb 1. to wear someone out 쑗 The uphill climb had exhausted him. 2. to finish a supply of something 쑗 We’ve exhausted our supplies of food. exhausted /DZ zɔ std/ adj 1. very tired 쑗 I’m exhausted after running three miles. 쑗 They staggered back home very late, with three exhausted children. 2. completely used up 쑗 exhausted oxygen cylinders exhausting /DZ zɔ stŋ/ adj extremely tiring exhaustion /DZ zɔ stʃən/ noun the state of being very tired exhaustive /DZ zɔ stv/ adj very thorough adv exhaustively /DZ zɔ stvli/ thoroughly exhaust pipe /DZ zɔ st pap/ noun the tube at the back of a motor vehicle from which gases produced by the engine are sent out into the air (NOTE: The US term is tailpipe.) exhibit /DZ zbt/ noun an object displayed in court or at an exhibition 쑗 Exhibit A is the murder weapon. 쑗 The museum has loaned several exhibits to foreign galleries. 쑗 The buyers admired the exhibits on our stand. 쐽 verb to display something 쑗 They are exhibiting at the Motor Show. 쑗 They have rows of vases exhibited on the shelves of the shop. 쑗 She is exhibiting three paintings in the local art show. ② exhibition /eks bʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a display of things such as works of art or flowers 쑗 The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 쑗 We stood in line for half an hour waiting to get into the Picasso exhibition. 2. a show of goods that may be bought 쑗 We have a stand at the Ideal Home Exhibition. exhibition hall /eks bʃ(ə)n hɔ l/ noun a place where goods which may be bought are shown exhibitionist /eks bʃ(ə)nst/ noun a person who acts in a strange or extravagant way so that people will look at him or her exhibitor /DZ zbtə/ noun a person or company that displays something at an exhibition exhilarated /DZ zləretd/ adj extremely excited and happy. Synonym elated exhilarating /DZ zləretŋ/ adj which makes you full of energy ex officio exhilaration /DZzlə reʃ(ə)n/ noun extreme excitement and pleasure exhort /DZ zɔ t/ verb 왍 to exhort someone to do something to urge or to encourage someone to do something (formal ) 쑗 He exhorted his soldiers to stand firm. exhortation /eDZzɔ teʃ(ə)n/ noun a statement of strong encouragement (formal ) exhumation /ekshjυ meʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of digging up a dead body from a grave exhume /eks hju m/ verb to dig up a dead body from a grave. Antonym bury exile / eksal/ noun 1. the state of being sent away from your home country 쑗 The ex-president went into exile in Switzerland. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a person who is sent away from his or her own country 쑗 The former king is now an exile in New York. 쑗 The coup was mounted by exiles living across the border. 쐽 verb to send someone away from his or her home country as a punishment 쑗 The new government exiled the former dictator to Europe. Synonym banish ① exist /DZ zst/ verb 1. to be real or present 쑗 When I was a child, colour TV didn’t exist. 쑗 I don’t believe the document exists – I think it has been burnt. 2. to live; to survive 쑗 Dinosaurs existed on earth for a very long time. 쑗 They got lost in the jungle and managed to exist on berries and roots. ① existence /DZ zstəns/ noun 1. life; being 쑗 Is there anything which proves the existence of life on Mars? 쑗 They lived a miserable existence in a little coal mining town. 2. 왍 in existence which exists; which is actually present 쑗 The original painting is no longer in existence. 쑗 Only one version of this car is still in existence in a museum in Geneva. ① existing /DZ zstŋ/ adj current; which is in operation at this moment 쑗 Can we modify the existing structure in some way? 쑗 Existing regulations do not allow the sale of food in the street. ① exit / eDZzt/ noun 1. a way out of a building 쑗 The customers all rushed towards the exits when the fire alarm rang. 왍 No Exit! a sign showing that you must not go out this way 2. 왍 to make your exit to go out of a room 쑗 I apologised to my host and made my exit. 쐽 verb 1. to leave a computer system 쑗 Press ESC to exit the system. 2. to leave a place 쑗 He exited the room as fast as he could. exit visa / eDZst vi zə/ noun a visa allowing someone to leave a country exodus / eksədəs/ noun the departure of a crowd of people (NOTE: no plural) ex officio /eks ə fʃiəυ/ Latin phrase because of your position . . exonerate 290 exonerate /DZ zɒnəret/ verb to state that someone who was previously blamed for something was not responsible for it. Synonym clear. Antonym blame exoneration /DZzɒnə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a statement declaring that no blame is attached to someone exorbitant /DZ zɔ btənt/ adj (of prices) very high. Synonym excessive exorcise / eksɔ saz/, exorcize verb to say prayers to force evil spirits to leave someone’s body, or ghosts to leave a haunted house exorcism / eksɔ sz(ə)m/ noun the act of forcing an evil spirit or a ghost to leave a place exorcist / eksɔ sst/ noun a person who drives away evil spirits or ghosts exotic /DZ zɒtk/ adj unusual; referring to a strange, or foreign place ② expand /k spnd/ verb 1. to make something increase in size 쑗 We have had to expand our sales force. 2. to become larger 쑗 Water expands when it freezes. 쑗 Heat caused the metal rods to expand. 쑗 His waistline is expanding fast. expanse /k spns/ noun a large surface covered by something ② expansion /k spnʃən/ noun an increase in size. Synonym growth (NOTE: no plural) expansionist noun a person who supports a policy of expanding a country’s economy or territory 쐽 adj intending to bring about the expansion of something such as a country’s economy or territory expansive /k spnsv/ adj 1. (of a person) who wants to talk freely about things 쑗 She was in a very expansive mood when she met the TV reporters. 쑗 You would expect someone who works in public relations to be a bit more expansive than she is. 2. covering a wide area 쑗 He waved his arms in an expansive gesture of greeting. expatriate /eks ptriət/ noun a person who is not living in his or her home country (NOTE: often shortened to expat: expats living in the Far East) 쐽 adj referring to expatriates 쑗 The expatriate community feels threatened by the new laws. ① expect /k spekt/ verb 1. to think or hope that something is going to happen 쑗 I expect you are tired after your long train journey. 쑗 He expects me to do all the housework. 쑗 I can’t talk for long, we’re expecting visitors. 쑗 We expect him to arrive at any moment or he is expected at any moment. 2. to be pregnant with 쑗 My sister’s expecting twins. expectancy /k spektənsi/ noun the feeling that something exciting is going to hap- expense pen 쑗 There was an air of expectancy in the crowd as the procession approached. (NOTE: no plural) expectant /k spektənt/ adj expecting; hopeful expectant mother /kspektənt mðə/ noun a pregnant woman ② expectation /ekspek teʃ(ə)n/ noun hope; a feeling that something will happen 쑗 She lived up to all our expectations. 쑗 We thought our team would do well, but in the end they exceeded all our expectations. ② expected /k spektd/ adj which is thought will happen, or hoped will happen. Synonym likely. Antonym surprising expedient /k spi diənt/ noun a convenient way of doing something 쑗 Registering as a student was a simple expedient to avoid military service. 쐽 adj convenient 쑗 Colleges find it expedient to have students from other countries because they pay higher fees than local students. expedite / ekspdat/ verb to make something happen faster (formal ). Antonym impede expedition /eksp dʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a journey to explore a place 쑗 He set off on an expedition to the South Pole. 2. a short trip 쑗 They went on a shopping expedition in the West End. expeditionary force /eksp dʃ(ə)n(ə)ri fɔ s/ noun an army which travels to another country to fight expel /k spel/ verb 1. to throw someone out 쑗 As soon as the generals came to power they expelled all their former allies. 2. to send a child away from school 쑗 He was expelled for taking drugs. 쏡 expulsion (NOTE: expelling – expelled) expend /k spend/ verb to spend time or energy doing something (formal ) expendable /k spendəb(ə)l/ adj which is not worth keeping; which can be thrown away ② expenditure /k spendtʃə/ noun an amount of money spent. Synonym spending. Antonym income (NOTE: no plural in British English, but US English often uses expenditures) ② expense /k spens/ noun 1. an amount of money or cost 쑗 I can’t afford the expense of a holiday just now. 쑗 The expense of running a household seems to increase every week. 왍 regardless of expense without thinking how much it cost 왍 at great expense having spent a lot of money 쑗 The house has been redecorated at great expense. 2. 왍 at the expense of something in preference to something; giving something up 쑗 She brought up her three children at the expense of her career in the bank. . . expense account 291 expense account /k spens əkaυnt/ noun money which a businessperson is allowed to spend on entertainment, paid for by his or her company ① expenses /k spensz/ plural noun money spent doing something. Antonym income 왍 the salary offered is £25,000 plus expenses the company offers a salary of £25,000 and will repay any money spent by the employee in the course of his or her work 왍 all expenses paid with all costs paid by the company 쑗 The company sent him to San Francisco all expenses paid or He went on an all-expenses-paid trip to San Francisco. 왍 we can’t afford the legal expenses we don’t have the money to spend on fees paid to lawyers 왍 you must account for overhead expenses or general expenses or running expenses you must account for money spent on the day-to-day cost of a business ① expensive /k spensv/ adj, adv which costs a lot of money 쑗 Fresh vegetables are more expensive in winter. 쑗 Send your furniture to Australia by sea – it would be much too expensive by air. ① experience /k spəriəns/ noun 1. knowledge got by working or living in various situations 쑗 I have no experience of travelling in the desert. 쑗 You must write down the full details of your past experience in your CV. 쑗 Some experience of selling is required for this job. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. an event that happens to someone 쑗 Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower was a wonderful experience. 쑗 He wrote a book about his experiences in the desert. 쐽 verb to live through something 쑗 I’m surprised she’s so cheerful after all she experienced in hospital. 쑗 I have experienced a great deal of pleasure and frustration in my career. 쑗 He is experiencing sharp pains in his tooth. ① experienced /k spəriənst/ adj wise from plenty of practice 쑗 She’s a very experienced doctor. 쑗 He’s the most experienced member of our staff. 쑗 The police are experienced in crowd control. Synonym knowledgeable. Antonym inexperienced ② experiment noun a scientific test 쑗 to carry out experiments in genetic engineering 쑗 We’re offering our customers free samples as an experiment. 쐽 verb to carry out a scientific test 쑗 They are experimenting with a new treatment for asthma. 쑗 The laboratory does not experiment on live animals. ③ experimental /ksper mentl/ adj 1. used in experiments. Antonym proven 2. still being tested, still on trial 쑗 The experimental fighter plane crashed. experimentally /ksper ment(ə)li/ adv 1. by carrying out experiments 쑗 The new process has been tested experimentally. 2. as explode an experiment 쑗 The system has been introduced experimentally into a few schools. experimentation /kspermen teʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of carrying out experiments. Synonym testing (NOTE: no plural) ② expert / eksp" t/ adj 1. knowing a lot about a subject 쑗 They can give you expert advice on DIY. 2. 왍 expert at doing something good at doing something 쑗 I’m not very expert at making pastry. 쐽 noun 1. a person who knows a great deal about a subject 쑗 a leading expert in tropical medicine or on tropical diseases 쑗 A rose expert was the judge at the flower show. 2. a person who is very good at doing something 쑗 an expert plumber 쑗 He’s an expert at getting the children to go to bed. ③ expertise /ekspə ti z/ noun special knowledge. Synonym skill (NOTE: no plural) expertly / eksp" tli/ adv in an expert way expert system / eksp" t sstəm/ noun a computer program which has been created for a particular purpose expire /k spaə/ verb 1. to come to an end 쑗 The lease expires next year. 왍 my passport has expired my passport needs to be renewed 2. to die (formal ) 쑗 After a brief illness, he expired on 28th September. expiry /k spaəri/ noun the fact of coming to an end expiry date /k spaəri det/ noun the last date on which something can be used ① explain /k splen/ verb 1. to give reasons for something 쑗 Can you explain why the weather is cold in winter and warm in summer? 2. to make something clear 쑗 He tried to explain the new pension scheme to the staff. 쑗 She explained what had happened, but the manager still thought she had tried to steal the watch. explain away /ksplen ə we/ verb to give excuses for something ② explanation /eksplə neʃ(ə)n/ noun a reason for something 쑗 The police officer asked him for an explanation of why the stolen car was in his garage. 쑗 The company has given no explanation for the change of plan. explanatory /k splnət(ə)ri/ adj which explains; which makes clear. 쏡 self. explanatory expletive /k spli tv/ noun a swear word explicit /k splst/ adj 1. straightforward and clear 쑗 Could you please be more explicit? 쑗 Their intention to sell the shop was not explicit in the letter. 2. showing sex or violence very clearly 쑗 The film contains explicit sex scenes. explicitly /ek splstli/ adv clearly explode /k spləυd/ verb 1. (of bombs, etc.) to blow up 쑗 A bomb exploded in a exploit 292 crowded train. 2. to make a bomb go off 쑗 The army cleared the area and then exploded the bomb. ③ exploit noun / eksplɔt/ a great or daring achievement 쑗 He told us of his exploits during the war. Synonym feat 쐽 verb /k splɔt/ 1. to take commercial advantage of something 쑗 We are hoping to exploit the mineral resources of the North Sea. 2. to make unfair use of someone, usually by paying them very low wages 쑗 The company was accused of exploiting children by employing them in its shoe factories. ③ exploitation /eksplɔ teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of taking commercial advantage of something 쑗 There are plans for the exploitation of the mineral resources of the region. 2. an unfair use of certain groups of people to get work done cheaply 쑗 The company was accused of the exploitation of children in its shoe factories. ③ exploration /eksplə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of travelling and discovering unknown parts of the world 쑗 the exploration of Antarctica in the early 20th century 쑗 He is famous for his exploration of the Himalayas. 2. a careful investigation 쑗 We recommend further exploration of possible alternative solutions to the problem. exploratory /k splɒrət(ə)ri/ adj forming part of an exploration of something. Synonym investigative ② explore /k splɔ / verb 1. to travel and discover, especially places you have not visited before 쑗 It is a part of the jungle which has never been explored before. 쑗 We spent our holidays exploring Holland by canal. 2. to investigate something carefully 쑗 We are exploring the possibility of moving the office to London. 쑗 The minister has set up a group to explore this and other issues. explorer /k splɔ rə/ noun a person who explores unknown parts of the world explosion /k spləυȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of blowing something up, e.g. a bomb or a petrol tank 쑗 Several explosions were heard during the night as the army occupied the city. 2. a sudden increase 쑗 This summer there has been an explosion in the numbers of greenfly. explosive /k spləυsv/ adj 1. likely to blow up 쑗 The containers held an explosive mixture. 쑗 The police found an explosive device in the car. 2. tense; likely to be embarrassing 쑗 The situation in the office was explosive, with the clerical staff demanding to see the manager. 쑗 The paper is running an explosive story about the minister. 쐽 noun a material, such as gunpowder, which can blow up 쑗 Tests revealed traces of explosive on his hands. 쑗 The box contained explo- exposure sives. 쑗 Police explosives experts defused the bomb. exponent /k spəυnənt/ noun a person who practises a certain belief or a certain art ② export noun / ekspɔ t/ 왍 export(s) goods sent to a foreign country to be sold 쑗 The country’s major export is tea. 쑗 Exports to Africa have increased by 25%. 쐽 verb /kspɔ t/ to send goods to a foreign country for sale 쑗 The company exports half of what it produces. exporter /k spɔ tə/ noun a person or company that sells goods to foreign countries ③ expose /k spəυz/ verb 1. to show something which was hidden 쑗 He pulled off his shirt, exposing a huge scar across his chest. 쑗 The plastic coating had rubbed off to expose the metal beneath. 2. to let light go onto a photographic film 쑗 You didn’t expose the film for long enough. 3. to reveal a shocking fact 쑗 He was exposed as the person who wrote the letters. 쑗 The newspaper has exposed several government scandals. 4. 왍 to expose something or someone to something to place something or someone under the influence of something 쑗 Don’t expose these plants to direct sunlight. 쑗 She was exposed to a lethal dose of radiation. 쑗 He had inadvertently exposed his children to serious danger. exposé /k spəυze/ noun a report which exposes something wrong ③ exposed /k spəυzd/ adj open and not protected. Synonym unprotected. Antonym covered 왍 a very exposed position a position which is not protected from the wind exposition /ekspə zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. US a display, e.g. of works of art or goods for sale 쑗 The exposition is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 쑗 We stood in line for half an hour waiting to get into the book exposition. (NOTE: The British term is exhibition.) 2. a detailed explanation 쑗 She gave a clear exposition of the artist’s use of light and shade. expostulate /k spɒstʃυlet/ verb to protest to someone ③ exposure /k spəυȢə/ noun 1. the act of putting someone under the influence of something 쑗 the exposure of young children to violence on television 쑗 the exposure of some workers to radiation 2. the state of not being protected, e.g. from cold 쑗 The survivors of the crash were all suffering from exposure after spending a night in the snow. 3. the time and amount of light needed for a picture to be taken on film 쑗 You need a short exposure to photograph a racing car. 4. the act of revealing something, e.g. corruption 쑗 the newspaper’s exposure of the actor’s involvement in the scandal 쑗 The council was embarrassed by a string of exposures of irregular financial transactions. expound 293 expound /k spaυnd/ verb to explain something in detail ① express /k spres/ verb to put something into words, pictures or actions 쑗 He expressed his gratitude in a short speech. 쑗 The chart shows visitors to our stand expressed as a percentage of all visitors to the exhibition. 쑗 His grief was expressed in fierce anger and constant activity. 왍 to express yourself to make your thoughts or feelings known to other people 왍 to express itself to be shown 쑗 His grief expressed itself in fierce anger and constant activity. 쐽 adj 1. (of a train or a postal service) very fast 쑗 We have an express delivery service to all parts of the country. 2. clearly intended or planned (formal ) 쑗 They did it with the express intention of killing me. 쐽 noun a fast train 쑗 We took the express from London to Glasgow. ① expression /k spreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a word or group of words 쑗 ‘Until the cows come home’ is an expression which means ‘for a very long time’. 2. a look on a person’s face which shows a feeling 쑗 His expression showed how miserable he was. 쑗 Everyone noticed the expression of surprise on her face. expressionless /k spreʃ(ə)n(ə)ləs/ adj showing no feeling expressive /k spresv/ adj showing feeling expressly /k spresli/ adv clearly and definitely. Synonym specifically expresso /ek spresəυ/ noun another spelling of espresso expressway /k spreswe/ noun US a fast road with few junctions (NOTE: The British . term is motorway.) expropriate /eks prəυpriet/ verb (of the state or a local authority) to take away prop- erty from a private owner expropriation /ksprəυpr eʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of taking property away from a private owner expulsion /k splʃən/ noun the act of throwing someone out or sending someone away, e.g. from school. 쏡 expel. Synonym dismissal. Antonym admittance exquisite /k skwzt/ adj very finely made; very refined ext. abbr extension extant /ek stnt/ adj still in existence. Synonym existing ② extend /k stend/ verb 1. to stretch out 쑗 She extended both arms in welcome. 쑗 The grounds of the house extend over two hectares. 2. to make something longer or bigger 쑗 We are planning to extend our garden. 쑗 We have asked our landlord to extend the lease for another two years. 3. to give some- extinct thing to someone (formal ) 쑗 I want to extend a warm welcome to our guests from China. extended /k stendd/ adj longer than usual. Synonym lengthy extended family /kstendd fm(ə)li/ noun a family in which relatives outside the central family group, such as aunts and uncles, are included. Compare nuclear family ② extension /k stenʃən/ noun 1. the act of extending something 쑗 My visa has expired, so I have applied for an extension. 2. something which is added on 쑗 We added an extension at the back of the house. 쑗 I need an extension cable for the electric mower. 쑗 They are planning a further extension of the underground railway. 3. a telephone in an office which is connected to the company’s main line 쑗 Can you get me extension 21? 쑗 The manager is on extension 23. ③ extensive /k stensv/ adj covering a large area or amount 쑗 The grounds of the house are very extensive. 쑗 The church roof needs extensive repair work. extensively /k stensvli/ adv to a large degree ① extent /k stent/ noun the degree, size or area of something 쑗 The extent of the earthquake damage was only revealed later. 쑗 He opened up the map to its full extent. 왍 to some extent, to a certain extent partly; in some way 쑗 To some extent, the weather was the cause of the failure of the village fair. extenuating circumstances /kstenjuetŋ s" kəmstənsz/ plural noun events which can partly excuse a wrong action ③ exterior /k stəriə/ adj outside 쑗 The exterior walls are of stone. Synonym external 쐽 noun the outside parts 쑗 The exterior of the house is painted pink. 왘 Antonym (all senses) interior exterminate /k st" mnet/ verb 1. to kill all the living things in a place 2. to kill a person or a group of people extermination /kst" m neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of killing large numbers of living things. Antonym preservation (NOTE: no . plural) external /k st" n(ə)l/ adj outside 쑗 The external walls of the house are quite solid. 쑗 Her injuries were all external. Synonym outside. Antonym internal 왍 medicine for external use only medicine which is used on the skin and must not be drunk or eaten external line /kst" n(ə)l lan/ noun an office phone directly connected to an outside telephone line externally /k st" nəli/ adv outside. Synonym outwardly. Antonym internally extinct /k stŋkt/ adj 1. which has died out 쑗 Three species of butterfly have become ② extinction 294 extinct in the last year. 쑗 Several species of birds have become extinct since rats were introduced to the island. 2. (of a volcano) which no longer erupts 쑗 The mountain is an extinct volcano. Compare dormant ③ extinction /k stŋkʃən/ noun 1. (of a species) the process of dying out 쑗 The last remaining pairs of birds were taken to a zoo for breeding purposes, so as to save the species from extinction. 왍 to face extinction, to be threatened with extinction to be likely to die out 쑗 The tiger is facing extinction unless measures are taken to protect it. 2. the act of putting out a fire 쑗 The firefighters will stand by until the complete extinction of the blaze. (NOTE: no plural) extinguish /k stŋDZwʃ/ verb to put out a fire extinguisher /k stŋDZwʃə/ noun same as fire extinguisher extol /k stəυl/ verb to praise someone or something very highly (literary) (NOTE: extolling – extolled. The US spelling is extoll.) extort /k stɔ t/ verb 왍 to extort something from someone to get money or promises from someone by threats 쑗 The secret police extorted very valuable information from him. 쑗 The gang extorted money from small shopkeepers by threatening to burn down their shops. Synonym extract extortion /k stɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of getting money from someone by threats. Synonym coercion (NOTE: no plural) extortionate /k stɔ ʃ(ə)nət/ adj (of a price) very high or excessive. Synonym expensive ① extra / ekstrə/ adj more than usual; addi- tional 쑗 We need an extra four teachers or four extra teachers for this course. 쑗 The charge for delivery is extra. 쑗 Staff get extra pay for working on Sundays. Synonym additional 쐽 adv more than normal; in addition 쑗 I need some extra strong string to tie the parcel. 쑗 They charge extra for bulky items. 쑗 If you pay £50 extra you can travel first class. 쐽 noun 1. something more than usual 쑗 The price covers the hotels and transport but not extras like drinks and special trips. 쑗 Air-conditioning is an extra on this car. 2. an actor or actress who appears in a crowd scene in a film or play, but is not a star 쑗 The studio hired thousands of extras to make ‘Cleopatra’. extract noun / ekstrkt/ 1. a thing reduced from something larger 쑗 He will be reading extracts from his latest novel. 2. something which is reduced to a concentrated form 쑗 soup made from meat extract 쑗 Add a drop of vanilla extract to the custard. 쐽 verb /kstrkt/ 1. to pull something out 쑗 The dentist extracted two teeth. 쑗 We managed to ex- extravagant tract £10 from him. 쑗 The police extracted a confession from the accused. 2. to produce something from something else 쑗 It is no longer viable to extract tin from Cornish mines. 쑗 The oil is extracted from lavender flowers. extraction /k strkʃən/ noun 1. the act of pulling out a tooth 쑗 An extraction will cost you £40. 2. the production of something from something else 쑗 The extraction of iron ore from this mine is becoming too costly. 3. 왍 she is of German extraction her family originally came from Germany extractor fan /k strktə fn/ noun a fan which sucks air out of a room extracurricular /ekstrəkə rkjυlə/ adj outside the normal course of study extradite / ekstrədat/ verb to bring an arrested person back from another country to stand trial for a crime committed in his or her home country. Synonym deport extradition /ekstrə dʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of bringing a person back to his or her home country for trial extramarital /ekstrə mrt(ə)l/ adj referring to sexual relations outside marriage extraneous /k streniəs/ adj 1. not directly connected 쑗 He introduced some extraneous details into his argument. 2. coming from outside 쑗 Extraneous material in the blood sample made the test invalid. extraordinarily /k strɔ dnərəli/ adv 1. extremely 쑗 Her action was extraordinarily brave. 2. in a strange way 쑗 He behaved quite extraordinarily at the party. ① extraordinary /k strɔ d(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj 1. marvellous; strange and unusual 쑗 Seeing her again gave him an extraordinary thrill. 쑗 A peacock’s feathers are quite extraordinary. 쑗 It’s extraordinary weather for June. 2. completely different from everything else (formal ) 쑗 These are extraordinary costs which will not be charged again. 쑗 They called an extraordinary meeting of the club. extrapolate /k strpəlet/ verb to calculate something unknown on the basis of available information extrapolation /kstrpə leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of calculating something unknown on the basis of available information extraterrestrial adj from a planet other than Earth 쐽 noun a creature from a planet other than Earth extra time /ekstrə tam/ noun more time added at the end of a match in which the scores are level, so that the sides have time to try to score extravagance /k strvəDZəns/ noun unnecessary expense extravagant /k strvəDZənt/ adj 1. who spends a lot of money 쑗 They are extrava. extravagantly 295 gant when it comes to buying presents for their children. 2. expensive and not necessary 쑗 an extravagant way of life 3. unusual and wild 쑗 The company has made some extravagant claims for its new soap powder. extravagantly /kstrvəDZəntli/ adv in an extravagant way extravaganza /kstrvəDZnzə/ noun an expensive and luxurious party, show, film or event ③ extreme /kstrim/ adj 1. very great 쑗 The anorak is made to withstand extreme cold. 쑗 He showed extreme reluctance to get involved. 왍 at the extreme end right at the end 2. very unusual or serious 쑗 an extreme case 3. considered unreasonable by some people 쑗 He holds extreme views. 쐽 noun something very unusual or very great 쑗 You get extremes of temperature here – very hot summers and very cold winters. Synonym limit 왍 to go to extremes to do everything in an excessive way 왍 to go from one extreme to the other to change to something completely different 쑗 She can go from one extreme to the other – from being happy and excited one minute to being gloomy and depressed the next. ① extremely /kstrimli/ adv to a great degree 쑗 It was extremely hot in August. 쑗 The film is extremely long, and some people walked out before the end. 쑗 It is extremely difficult to spend less than $50.00 a day on meals in New York. Synonym very extreme sport /kstrim spɔt/ noun a sport which is very dangerous and exciting, e.g. snowboarding or skysurfing extremism /kstrimz(ə)m/ noun (as criticism) ideas and practices which favour very strong action such as the use of violence. Synonym radicalism. Antonym moderation extremist /kstrimst/ noun a person who has extreme views, usually about politics 쑗 left-wing extremists 쐽 adj having extreme views, usually about politics 쑗 Members of an extremist group have taken over the post office. 왘 Synonym (all senses) radical. Antonym (all senses) moderate extremities /kstremətiz/ plural noun the fingers, toes, nose and ears extremity /kstremti/ noun an end point 쑗 We set up our camp at the northern extremity of the island. (NOTE: The plural is extremities.) extricate /ekstrket/ verb 1. to get someone out of a difficult situation 쑗 She asked her father to help extricate her from the awkward situation she found herself in. 2. to remove something with difficulty 쑗 The surgeons extricated the bullet which had lodged itself behind her eye. eyeball extrovert /ekstrəvt/ noun a person who is very friendly and likes to be with other people. Antonym introvert exuberance /DZzjubərəns/ noun wild enthusiasm. Antonym apathy (NOTE: no plural) exuberant /DZzjubərənt/ adj lively and energetic. Synonym enthusiastic. Antonym lethargic exude /DZzjud/ verb to send out or to give off a strong smell or a strong feeling exult /DZz lt/ verb to be glad or happy about something. Synonym rejoice 왍 he exulted over his rivals he showed great pleasure at beating his rivals exultant /DZz ltənt/ adj happy to have won something. Synonym jubilant exultation /eDZz lteʃ(ə)n/ noun the fact of being happy, e.g. to have won something. Synonym joy. Antonym misery ① eye /a/ noun 1. the organ in the head with which you see 쑗 He has brown eyes. 쑗 Close your eyes and count to ten while we all hide. 쑗 I’ve got a bit of dust in my eye. 왍 as far as the eye can see for a very long distance 쑗 Grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see. 왍 to catch someone’s eye to look at someone who is looking at you 쑗 She caught his eye and nodded towards the door. 왍 to keep your eyes open for something to watch out for something 쑗 Keep your eyes open for burglars! 왍 to keep an eye on something to watch something carefully to see that it is safe 쑗 Can you keep an eye on the house while we are away? 왍 to keep an eye out for something to watch to see if something is near 쑗 I must keep an eye out for Seville oranges to make some marmalade. 쑗 Can you keep an eye out for the traffic warden while I go into the bank? 왍 I’m up to my eyes in work I have a lot of work to do (informal ) 왍 they don’t see eye to eye they do not agree 쑗 He doesn’t see eye to eye with the boss. 왍 to have your eye on someone to think someone is very good, very attractive or not to be trusted 쑗 She’s got her eye on her best friend’s brother. 쑗 The police have had their eye on him for ages. 2. 왍 a private eye a detective who is not a member of the police force and is employed by an ordinary person (informal ) 3. a small hole in the end of a needle, through which the thread goes 4. a bud on a potato from which shoots grow 쐽 verb 1. to look at something carefully 쑗 She sat in a corner, eyeing the arrivals indicator. 2. 왍 to eye someone up to look at someone showing that you think them attractive (informal ) 쑗 He was eyeing up one of the girls on the other side of the room. eyeball /abɔl/ noun 1. a part of the eye, the round ball of tissue through which light passes and which is controlled by various . . . eyebrow 296 muscles 쑗 The retina is a light-sensitive membrane at the back of the eyeball. 2. 왍 eyeball to eyeball facing each other closely 쑗 He had an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation with the referee. 쐽 verb to stare at someone closely (informal ) 쑗 The security guard eyeballed us as we came near the gate. ③ eyebrow / abraυ/ noun a small line of hair above your eye 왍 he raised his eyebrows he looked surprised eye-catching / a ktʃŋ/ adj very noticeable and attracting attention. Synonym . striking eye contact / a kɒntkt/ noun the act of looking at someone who is looking at you eyeful / afυl/ noun 1. an amount of something which gets in your eye 쑗 He got an eyeful of sand. 2. 왍 to get an eyeful of something to look at something unusual (informal ) eyelash / alʃ/ noun one of the hairs growing round the edge of the eyelids (NOTE: . The plural is eyelashes.) eyelet / alət/ noun a small hole, such as one in a shoe, for passing the lace through eye level / a lev(ə)l/ noun the height above the floor of the average person’s eyes e-zine eyelid / ald/ noun a piece of skin which covers the eye eyeliner / alanə/ noun a substance used for drawing a coloured line round your eye eye-opener / aəυp(ə)nə/ noun something which surprises you (informal ) eyepiece / api s/ noun the piece of glass which you look through in a telescope or microscope eyeshadow / aʃdəυ/ noun make-up for colouring the skin round your eye ③ eyesight / asat/ noun ability to see 왍 her eyesight is failing she can’t see as well as she used to eyesore / asɔ / noun an unpleasant sight eyewash / awɒʃ/ noun 1. a liquid for bathing the eyes 쑗 The doctor prescribed some eyewash. 2. 왍 it’s all eyewash it is rubbish (informal ) eyewitness / awtnəs/ noun a person who has seen something happen (NOTE: The ③ . . plural is eyewitnesses.) eyrie / əri/ noun 1. the nest of an eagle 쑗 The eagles come back to the same eyrie every year. 2. a high place 쑗 The general stood in his eyrie, looking at the advancing army through his binoculars. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is aerie.) e-zine / i zi n/ noun a magazine which ap- pears in a website on the Internet F f /ef/, F noun the sixth letter of the alphabet, between E and G F2 abbr Fahrenheit fab /fb/ adj fabulous (informal ) fable / feb(ə)l/ noun a moral story, usually about animals, making them seem like human beings. Synonym tale fabled / feb(ə)ld/ adj well-known in stories ③ fabric / fbrk/ noun 1. cloth or material 쑗 The curtains are made of some expensive fabric. 쑗 We need a fireproof fabric for the chairs. 2. the basic structure of society or an organisation 쑗 During the revolution, the basic fabric of society collapsed. fabricate / fbrket/ verb to invent an untrue story fabrication /fbr keʃ(ə)n/ noun an invented story that is not true fabric conditioner / fbrk kəndʃ(ə)nə/ noun a substance which makes clothes softer after washing or cleaning fabulous / fbjυləs/ adj 1. imaginary, as in fairy stories 쑗 unicorns and other fabulous animals 2. marvellous or wonderful 쑗 It was a fabulous party. ① face /fes/ noun 1. the front part of your head 쑗 Don’t forget to wash your face before you go to the party. 왍 to lose face to be embarrassed by being shown to be wrong or weak 쑗 She can’t bear being told off in front of the class – it makes her lose face. 왍 to make a face to make a strange expression 쑗 He made funny faces and all the children laughed. 왍 to try to keep a straight face to try not to laugh 왍 to show your face to come to a place 쑗 After what he said about my mother he doesn’t dare show his face here. 2. the front part of something 쑗 a clock face 쑗 She put the photograph face down on the desk. 왍 to vanish from the face of the earth to disappear completely 쐽 verb 1. to have the face or front towards 쑗 The house faces north. 쑗 Can everyone please face the camera? 2. to meet someone in an unpleasant situation 쑗 The thought of facing all those journalists frightens me. 쑗 She didn’t want to face the committee yet again. 3. 왍 to face or to be faced with something to be likely to have to deal with an unpleasant situation 쑗 . She faces a life of poverty. 쑗 Will they be able to cope with the problems they are faced with? 왍 not to be able to face something not to want to experience something which you expect will be unpleasant 쑗 I couldn’t face another meeting. 왍 to face the facts to look at things in a realistic way 쑗 You really ought to face the facts: you’ll never get a job if you don’t have any qualifications. 왍 let’s face it we must accept it 쑗 Let’s face it, I’ve failed my test five times and will probably never pass. 쏡 music facecloth / fesklɒθ/, face flannel / fes flnəl/ noun a small square of towelling for washing the face or body faceless / fesləs/ adj without a name or face; anonymous and threatening facelift / feslft/ noun 1. an operation to make your face look younger 2. the fact of working to make something appear newer 쑗 Our website needs a facelift. face pack / fes pk/ noun thick moist stuff which you put on your face to improve your skin face powder / fes paυdə/ noun powder for putting on your face to improve the appearance of your skin face-saving / fes sevŋ/ adj which avoids causing someone to feel embarrassed and ashamed. Synonym dignified. Antonym humiliating facet / fst/ noun 1. one of the flat sides on a cut gem 쑗 a diamond with forty-four facets 2. one of many aspects of something, e.g. a problem 쑗 The problem presents many different facets. 쑗 The film explores several fascinating facets of his life in Africa. facetious /fə si ʃəs/ adj funny or joking in an offensive way facetiousness /fə si ʃəsnəs/ noun the fact of being funny or joking face to face /fes tə fes/ adv looking at each other 쑗 He turned a corner and came face to face with a police officer. 쑗 I don’t like doing business on the phone – I prefer to make deals face to face. ③ face up to /fes p tu / verb to accept an unpleasant situation and try to deal with it. Antonym deny face value 298 face value /fes vlju / noun a value written on a coin or banknote 왍 to take something at its or at face value to believe that what something appears to mean is true 쑗 When we booked our holiday we took what the tour company said about the hotel at face value – but it turned out not to be true. facial / feʃ(ə)l/ adj referring to a face 쑗 Her facial expression reflected her feeling of happiness. 쐽 noun a beauty treatment in which your face is cleaned and massaged 쑗 She’s having a facial. facile / fsal/ adj 1. done very easily 쑗 He writes in a facile way which is easy to read, but isn’t great literature. 2. done without thinking carefully 쑗 The solution proposed by the town council is simply too facile. ③ facilitate /fə sltet/ verb to make something easy. Antonym impede facilities /fə sltiz/ plural noun equipment which can be used 왍 the museum has facilites for the disabled or handicapped the museum has things such as special ramps and lifts to allow disabled people to visit it ① facility /fə slti/ noun 1. an ability to do something easily 쑗 She has a facility for languages. (NOTE: no plural) 2. a large commercial building 쑗 We have opened our new warehouse facility. (NOTE: The plural is facilities.) facing / fesŋ/ adj which faces 쑗 Our side of the street is in the shade, but the facing side is in full sunlight. 쐽 noun material covering the surface of a building 쑗 The stone facing of the library has started to come off. facsimile /fk sml/ noun 1. a perfect copy 쑗 This is not the real Magna Carta – it is a facsimile. 쑗 They have published a facsimile edition of one of the earliest printed books. 2. a fax; a copy of a document or picture sent by telephone 쑗 Can you confirm the booking by facsimile? ① fact /fkt/ noun 1. a thing that is true 쑗 He faced up to the fact that he wasn’t fit enough for the race. 쑗 Did you check all the facts before you wrote the article? 2. 왍 in fact really 쑗 He told the police he had seen a man steal a car but in fact he made the whole story up. 쑗 It rained a lot last month — in fact it rained all month. fact-finding / fkt fandŋ/ adj which is searching for information 왍 a fact-finding mission a group of people who visit a place to search for information about a problem 쑗 They went on a fact-finding mission to Eastern Europe. faction / fkʃən/ noun a group of people linked together in opposition to a leader or to a government factional / fkʃən(ə)l/ adj referring to factions facto 쒁 de facto faff ① factor / fktə/ noun 1. a thing which has influence or importance 쑗 The key factor is the price. 쑗 The crucial factor for the success of the village fete is the weather. 왍 the deciding factor the most important factor which influences a decision 2. one of the numbers which produce a certain other number when multiplied 쑗 4 and 2 are factors of 8. 왍 by a factor of multiplied by 쑗 Reported cases of BSE have fallen by a factor of 3. 3. a number which shows the strength of something 왍 factor 8 or 20 suncream a cream which gives 8 or 20 times a standard amount of protection against the sun’s rays 4. a person who buys debts at a discount and then tries to get the full amount back from the debtor ① factory / fkt(ə)ri/ noun a building where things are made 쑗 She works in a shoe factory. 쑗 He owns a furniture factory. 쑗 The factory makes computer terminals. (NOTE: The plural is factories.) factory farm / fkt(ə)ri fɑ m/ noun a farm where large numbers of animals are kept in small spaces, using modern methods to produce food quickly factory hand / fkt(ə)ri hnd/ noun a person who works in a factory factory ship / fkt(ə)ri ʃp/ noun a ship which freezes or cans fish which are caught by smaller fishing boats factual / fktʃuəl/ adj referring to facts faculty / fk(ə)lti/ noun 1. a natural ability (NOTE: The plural is faculties.) 2. a main division of a university 쑗 the Faculty of Arts or the Arts Faculty (NOTE: The plural is faculties.) 3. US the teaching staff of a school, university or college 쑗 There is a meeting of the faculty tomorrow. (NOTE: no plural) fad /fd/ noun a strange temporary craze for something. Synonym fashion fade /fed/ verb 1. to lose colour 쑗 The more you wash your jeans, the more they’ll fade. 쑗 This T-shirt has faded. 2. to become less bright or light 쑗 As the light faded, bats came out in the garden. 쑗 The light from the torch began to fade as the batteries ran out. 쑗 The islands faded away into the distance. 3. to become less noisy 쑗 The sound of the music faded away. faded / fedd/ adj which has lost its colour faecal / fi k(ə)l/ adj referring to faeces (NOTE: The US spelling is fecal.) faeces / fi si z/ plural noun solid waste matter passed from the body 쑗 The patient’s faeces are not solid. (NOTE: The US spelling is feces.) faff /ff ə baυt/ verb 왍 to faff about or around to work in a disorganised way, without achieving any results (informal ) 쑗 We’d get more done if the sales people spent less time faffing around and actually sold something. . fag 299 fag /fDZ/ noun 1. tiring or boring work (informal ) 쑗 It’s such a fag, licking all these envelopes. 2. a cigarette 쑗 He cadged a fag off me. 쑗 I bought a packet of fags at the kiosk. faggot / fDZət/ noun 1. a bundle of sticks for lighting a fire 쑗 She brought in faggots from the wood shed. 2. a spiced meat ball 쑗 We had faggots in brown gravy. Fahrenheit / frənhat/ noun a scale of temperatures where the freezing and boiling points of water are 32° and 212°. Abbr F. Compare Celsius (NOTE: used in the USA, but less common in the UK and not usually used in other countries. It is usually written as F after the degree sign: 32° F : say: ‘thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit’.) ① fail /fel/ verb 1. not to do something which you were trying to do 쑗 The examination was very difficult – half the students failed. 쑗 He passed in maths, but failed his English exam. 쑗 She failed in her attempt to become an MP. 2. to decide that someone has not passed an examination 쑗 She was failed twice in her driving test. 3. not to do something 쑗 The car failed to stop at the red light. 쑗 She failed to notify the tax office of her change of address. 4. not to be able to do something 쑗 I fail to see why she can’t come to the meeting when everyone else can. 5. not to work properly 쑗 The brakes failed and he couldn’t stop the car. 왍 if all else fails if you can’t do anything else 쑗 If all else fails you can always borrow my car. 6. to become weaker 쑗 Her eyesight is beginning to fail. 쐽 noun 왍 without fail definitely (formal ) 쑗 I will be there without fail tomorrow morning. failed /feld/ adj not having succeeded in something failing / felŋ/ noun a weakness; bad point 쑗 She has only one failing – she goes to sleep in front of the TV every night. 쑗 In spite of his failings, we still think he is a wonderful father. Antonym forte 쐽 prep 왍 failing that if that does not work 쑗 Try some tape to seal the joint or, failing that, call a plumber. 쐽 adj becoming weak 쑗 The cricket match was stopped because of failing light. ② failure / feljə/ noun 1. a breakdown or stopping 쑗 The accident was caused by brake failure. 쑗 The failure of the plane’s engine caused the crash. 2. a person or thing that does not work well 쑗 His attempts to juggle were a complete failure. 쑗 I’m no good at anything – I’m a failure. 3. 왍 failure to do something the fact of not having done something 쑗 His failure to reach the final disappointed his fans. 쑗 Failure to pay the bill will mean we will have to take legal action. faint /fent/ adj difficult to see or hear 쑗 We could just see the faint outline of a man in the fog. 쑗 The rescuers could hear a faint tapping in the ruins. (NOTE: fainter – faintest) . . . fairy story 쐽 verb to become unconscious for a short time 쑗 She fainted when she saw the blood. Synonym pass out faintly / fent(ə)li/ adv 1. weakly 2. slightly 쑗 slightly ridiculous ① fair /feə/ adj 1. (of hair or skin) light-coloured 쑗 Her hair is quite fair. 쑗 She’s dark, but her brother is fair. 2. not very good 쑗 Her work is only fair. 3. right; giving someone what they deserve 쑗 That’s not fair – you must let other children play with the ball too. 쑗 It isn’t fair of you to go on holiday when we have so much work to do. 4. (of weather ) bright and warm 쑗 According to the TV it will be fair tomorrow. (NOTE: fairer – fairest) 쐽 noun 1. a group of machines for riding on and stalls where you can win things, set up in one place for a short time 쑗 The fair is coming to the village for the Easter Bank Holiday. 쑗 He went to the fair and won a goldfish at the shooting gallery. Synonym fairground 2. an exhibition for selling and advertising goods 쑗 We are going to the car fair tomorrow. 쐽 adv in a fair way 쑗 You play fair with me, and I’ll play fair with you. (NOTE: Do not confuse with fare.) fair game /feə DZem/ noun a person or thing which it is fair to criticise fairground / feəDZraυnd/ noun a place in the open air where a fair is held fair-haired /feə heəd/ adj with fair hair ① fairly / feəli/ adv 1. justly or correctly 쑗 She complained that she had not been treated fairly in the interview. 2. to some degree 쑗 I’m fairly certain I have seen this film before. 쑗 She had been working there a fairly short time. 쑗 The hotel is fairly close to the centre of town. Synonym quite (NOTE: The order of words for fairly and quite is different: He’s a fairly good worker. but He’s quite a good worker.) fairness / feənəs/ noun 1. light colouring 쑗 The fairness of her skin makes it difficult for her to stay in the sun for long periods. 2. honesty and correctness 쑗 Everyone acknowledged her fairness in dealing with staff complaints. fair play /feə ple/ noun obeying the rules of a game or the normal rules of behaviour fairway / feəwe/ noun a part of a golf course where the grass is cut, though it is not very short fairy / feəri/ noun a little creature who can work magic (NOTE: The plural is fairies.) fairy godmother /feəri DZɒdmðə/ noun a kind person who gives you magic presents fairy lights / feəri lats/ plural noun small electric lights, often used for decorating trees fairy story / feəri stɔ ri/ same as . fairytale fairytale 300 fairytale / feəritel/ noun a children’s story about fairies, princes, princesses and giants 왍 fairytale castle a romantic castle like those in fairytales 왍 fairytale wedding a romantic wedding like that of a prince and princess ② faith /feθ/ noun 1. belief or trust 왍 to have faith in someone or something to believe that someone or something is good and strong or will protect you 쑗 I have no faith in advice columns in newspapers. 쑗 You must have faith in the leader of the party. 쑗 I don’t have any faith in this new treatment. 왍 to have blind faith in someone to have complete trust in someone, however wicked they may seem to be to other people 2. a religious belief 쑗 We must respect people of other faiths. 3. 왍 in good faith honestly, even though perhaps wrongly 쑗 I sold him the car in good faith – I didn’t know it would break down the next day. faithful / feθf(ə)l/ adj 1. (of a person or an animal ) trusting or loyal 쑗 his faithful old dog 쑗 We must be faithful to father’s last wishes. 2. 왍 to be faithful (of husband or wife) not to have love affairs with someone else 3. completely correct 쑗 a faithful copy of a document 쐽 noun 왍 the party faithful the people who believe in a certain political party in an unreasonable way 왍 the faithful the people who believe in a certain religion ③ faithfully / feθf(ə)li/ adv loyally, in a trusting way 쑗 Her maid had worked faithfully for her for years. 쑗 He faithfully did what the instructor told him to do. faith healer / feθ hi lə/ noun a person who heals by the power of prayer faith healing / feθ hi lŋ/ noun healing by the power of prayer fake /fek/ noun an imitation or forgery, as opposed to the real thing 쑗 That picture isn’t by Picasso, it’s a fake. Antonym original 쐽 adj not real 쑗 She was wearing a fake fur coat. Synonym false. Antonym genuine 쐽 verb to make an imitation of something, or to imitate something 쑗 He faked mental illness to avoid appearing in court. 쑗 They think the laboratory faked the results of the test. falcon / fɔ lkən/ noun a small bird of prey, sometimes trained to catch other birds as a sport ① fall /fɔ l/ verb 1. to drop down to a lower level 쑗 Snow fell all night 쑗 The pound has fallen against the dollar. 쑗 She fell down the stairs. 쑗 He fell off the ladder. 쑗 Did he fall into the river or did someone push him? 2. 왍 her face fell she looked sad and disappointed 왍 to fall asleep to go to sleep 쑗 We all fell asleep after dinner. (NOTE: falling – fell /fel/ – has fallen / fɔ lən/.) 쐽 noun 1. an amount of something which has come down 쑗 There was a heavy fall of snow during the night. 2. the process of going to a lower level . fallow deer a welcome fall in the price of oil 쑗 the fall in the exchange rate 3. the act of losing your balance 쑗 He had a fall and hurt his back. 쑗 She had a bad fall while skiing. 4. 왍 the fall US the season of the year between summer and winter fallacious /fə leʃəs/ adj based on a false argument fallacy / fləsi/ noun a false argument (NOTE: The plural is fallacies.) fall apart /fɔ l ə pɑ t/ verb 1. to come to pieces 쑗 My shoes are falling apart. 쑗 The porcelain dish just fell apart in my hands. 2. to come to an end (in its present form) 쑗 When they showed him the letters, his life simply fell apart. 쑗 When our German partners withdrew, the deal fell apart. fall away /fɔ l ə we/ verb to become less ③ fall back on /fɔ l bk ɒn/ verb to use something which you were planning to use only if you had to ③ fall behind /fɔ l b hand/ verb to be late in doing something ③ fall down /fɔ l daυn/ verb 1. to drop to the ground 쑗 She fell down and hurt her knee. 2. to become a ruin 쑗 The place has been deserted for so long it’s falling down. ① fallen / fɔ lən/ 쒁 fall ③ fall for / fɔ l fɔ / verb 1. to fall in love with someone 쑗 She always falls for intelligent men. 2. to be tricked by something 쑗 Don’t fall for his sales talk. fall guy / fɔ l DZa/ noun a person who is made to take the blame for a crime committed by someone else (informal ) fallible / flb(ə)l/ adj capable of being wrong falling-off /fɔ lŋ ɒf/ noun the act of becoming less falling-out /fɔ lŋ aυt/ noun the act of having an argument with someone ③ fall off /fɔ l ɒf/ verb to become fewer. Synonym decline Fallopian tube /fə ləυpiən tju b/ noun one of two tubes in a woman, which connect the ovaries to the uterus ③ fall out /fɔ l aυt/ verb to have an argument 쑗 They fell out over the bill for drinks. Synonym quarrel fallout / fɔ laυt/ noun an unfortunate result 쑗 the fallout from the arrest of the party treasurer fall over /fɔ l əυvə/ verb to fall down from being upright fallow / fləυ/ adj (of land ) which is not used for growing crops for a time so that the soil can build up its strength again fallow deer / fləυ də/ noun a type of deer, slightly smaller than the red deer and with flat antlers 쑗 . . fall through 301 ③ fall through /fɔ l θru / verb not to take place as planned. Antonym go ahead ② false /fɔ ls/ adj 1. not true 쑗 The story he told was quite false. 2. not real 왍 false modesty the act of pretending to be modest, when really you are proud false alarm /fɔ ls ə lɑ m/ noun a signal for an emergency when there isn’t one falsehood / fɔ lshυd/ noun a lie; something which is not true false start /fɔ ls stɑ t/ noun a start of a race which is not allowed by the judge false teeth /fɔ ls ti θ/ plural noun dentures, artificial plastic teeth which fit inside the mouth and take the place of teeth which have been taken out falsification /fɔ lsf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of falsifying something. Synonym fabrication. Antonym correction falsify / fɔ lsfa/ verb to change something to make it wrong or not real. Synonym fabricate falter / fɔ ltə/ verb 1. to almost stop mov- ing 쑗 The engine faltered and then stopped. Progress in the talks faltered. 2. to speak nervously 쑗 She said ‘yes’ in a faltering voice. fame /fem/ noun the fact of being famous or well-known. Synonym renown. Antonym 쑗 obscurity famed /femd/ adj well-known. Synonym well-known. Antonym unknown ② familiar /fə mliə/ adj 1. heard or seen before 쑗 The dog wagged its tail as it heard its master’s familiar voice at the door. 쑗 He looked round the room, and saw a couple of familiar faces. 왍 are you familiar with that type of engine? do you know that type of engine well? 2. too informal or friendly in a way that suggests a lack of respect 쑗 Don’t try to get familiar with me! 쑗 She is getting too familiar with the customers. familiarise /fə mliəraz/, familiarize verb 왍 to familiarise yourself with something to get to know something well 쑗 Before starting to work the machine, you will need to familiarise yourself with the control system. familiarity /fəmli rti/ noun 1. 왍 familiarity with someone or something a good knowledge of someone or something 쑗 His familiarity with London makes him an excellent guide. 왍 familiarity breeds contempt if you know something too well, you stop respecting it 2. a very informal way of speaking to someone 쑗 The manager told him off for familiarity with the customers. ① family / fm(ə)li/ noun 1. a group of people who are related to each other, especially mother, father and children 쑗 The Jones family are going on holiday to Spain. 쑗 fancier They have a big family – three sons and two daughters. 2. a group of animals or plants which are closely related 쑗 Lions and tigers are members of the cat family. (NOTE: The plural is families. When family is used to mean a group of people it can take a singular or plural verb: The family were out.) family doctor /fm(ə)li dɒktə/ noun a general doctor, especially one who looks after all the members of a family family name / fm(ə)li nem/ noun the name of someone’s family, shared by all people in the family. Synonym surname family planning /fm(ə)li plnŋ/ noun the practice of controlling the number of children in a family by preventing unwanted pregnancies family room / fm(ə)li ru m/ noun a hotel room for a family, with a main bed for the parents and small beds or bunk beds for the children family tree /fm(ə)li tri / noun a table showing a family going back over many generations. Synonym ancestry famine / fmn/ noun a very serious lack of food. Antonym abundance famished / fmʃt/ adj very hungry ① famous / feməs/ adj known to a lot of people 쑗 a famous department store 쑗 He’s a famous footballer. 쑗 This tea shop is famous for its cakes. Synonym well-known. Antonym unknown famously / feməsli/ adv 1. as is well-known 쑗 Nelson is famously supposed to have put the telescope to his blind eye and said ‘I see no signal.’ 2. very well 쑗 They got on together famously. ② fan /fn/ noun 1. a device for moving air to make things cooler 쑗 We put electric fans in the office to try to keep cool. 2. an enthusiastic supporter of something or someone, e.g. a team or a band 쑗 There was a crowd of fans waiting for him outside the theatre. 왍 a Liverpool or Arsenal fan a supporter of Liverpool or Arsenal football team 쐽 verb 왍 to fan yourself to make yourself cool by making the air move 쑗 He fanned himself with his programme. fanatic /fə ntk/ noun a person who is extremely enthusiastic about something fanatical /fə ntk(ə)l/ adj very enthusiastic about something fanaticism /fə ntsz(ə)m/ noun the fact of being a fanatic. Synonym extremism. Antonym indifference fan belt / fn belt/ noun a loop of rubber which turns a fan to cool the engine of a car fancier / fnsiə/ noun a person who has an interest in a certain type of animal fanciful 302 fanciful / fnsf(ə)l/ adj imaginative or unlikely. imaginary. Synonym Antonym prosaic fan club / fn klb/ noun an organised group of supporters of someone, e.g. a pop star or an actor ③ fancy / fnsi/ verb 1. to want to have something (informal ) 쑗 I fancy an ice cream – anyone else want one? 쑗 Do you fancy sharing a taxi to the airport? 왍 I think she fancies you I think she is attracted to you (informal ) 2. to imagine or believe something 쑗 She fancied she saw a dark figure in the garden. 쐽 noun 1. imagination 쑗 The offer of a part in the film was just her fancy. 2. a desire 왍 it took his fancy he suddenly wanted it 쑗 The watch took her fancy, so she walked into the shop and bought it. 쐽 adj 1. attractive or decorated 쑗 He wore a fancy waistcoat to the wedding. 2. 왍 to charge fancy prices to sell goods at high prices 쑗 I don’t want to pay the fancy prices they charge in London shops. 쐽 interj showing surprise 쑗 Fancy meeting you here! fancy dress /fnsi dres/ noun an unusual costume worn to a party fancy dress party /fnsi dres pɑ ti/ noun a party where the guests have to wear costumes fanfare / fnfeə/ noun a short piece of music, played especially on trumpets, when an important person arrives or a show starts fang /fŋ/ noun an animal’s long tooth fanlight / fnlat/ noun a small window over a door or over a larger window fan mail / fn mel/ noun admiring letters received by a a famous person such as a pop star fantasise / fntəsaz/, fantasize verb to imagine. Synonym daydream ③ fantastic /fn tstk/ adj 1. strange; like a dream 쑗 His stories are full of fantastic creatures. 2. wonderful or amazing 쑗 A holiday surfing in Australia – that’s fantastic! 쑗 It’s fantastic working in TV! fantasy / fntəsi/ noun 1. an invented story 쑗 Her story of meeting a rich man in Paris was pure fantasy. 2. something you hope for but which cannot come true 쑗 He’s living in a fantasy world – one day he’ll wake up in the real world and it will be a shock. . . (NOTE: The plural is fantasies.) fanzine / fnzi n/ noun a magazine for a fan club FAO abbr for the attention of FAQ abbr frequently asked questions ① far /fɑ / adv 1. a certain distance away 쑗 The railway station lies not far from here. 쑗 How far away is Paris from London? 쑗 The road was blocked by cars as far as we could see. 왍 as far as I know or can tell I think, farmers’ market but I am not completely sure 쑗 As far as I know, the train is on time. 쑗 As far as I can tell, the engine is working normally. 왍 far out a long way away 2. a long time ago 쑗 As far back as 1995, he was making a lot of money. 3. much 쑗 It is far cheaper to go by bus than by train. 쑗 Restaurant food is far nicer than the food at college. 쐽 adj which is a long way away 쑗 The shop is at the far end of the High Street. Synonym distant. Antonym near (NOTE: far – farther or further / fɑ ðə, f" ðə/ - farthest or furthest / fɑ ðəst, f" ðəst/) faraway /fɑ rə we/ adj which is a long way away. Synonym distant farce /fɑ s/ noun 1. a funny play based on silly situations 쑗 We went to see a 19th-century French farce. 2. a silly situation 쑗 The meeting rapidly became a farce. farcical / fɑ sk(ə)l/ adj silly. Synonym absurd ③ fare /feə/ noun 1. a price which you have to pay for a journey 쑗 Rail fares have been increased by 10%. 쑗 The tourist-class fare is much less than the first class one. 쑗 If you walk to work, you will save £5 a week on bus fares. 왍 children over 12 must pay the full fare children over 12 must pay the same price as adults 2. a passenger in a taxi 쑗 He picked up a fare at the station. 3. (especially in publicity) food 쑗 ‘Good country fare’ 쐽 verb to perform in a particular way (formal ) 쑗 How did he fare in his driving test? 쑗 We need to assess regularly how well our students are faring. Synonym do (NOTE: Do not . confuse with fair.) Far East /fɑ r i st/ noun the countries to the east of Pakistan and India fare dodger / feə dɒdȢə/ noun a person who travels on public transport without a ticket farewell /feə wel/ interj, noun goodbye 쑗 It’s time to say farewell. 왍 to bid someone farewell to say goodbye to someone 쑗 He left without bidding us farewell. 쐽 adj at which you say goodbye 쑗 We gave a farewell party for our neighbours who were going to live in Canada. far-fetched /fɑ fetʃt/ adj difficult to believe. Synonym unbelievable. Antonym believable ② farm /fɑ m/ noun land used for growing crops and raising animals 쑗 He runs a pig farm. 쑗 We’re going to work on a farm during the holidays. 쑗 You can buy eggs and vegetables at the farm shop. 쐽 verb to grow crops or raise animals on a farm 쑗 He farms 250 acres in Devon. ② farmer / fɑ mə/ noun a person who manages or owns a farm farmers’ market / fɑ məz mɑ kt/ noun a market where local farmers sell goods such farmhouse 303 as fruit, vegetables and meat from their farms direct to the public farmhouse / fɑ mhaυs/ noun the house where a farmer and his or her family live farming / fɑ mŋ/ noun the work of managing a farm, e.g. growing crops or keeping animals for sale farmland / fɑ mlnd/ noun land which is used for growing crops or raising animals for food ③ farm out /fɑ m aυt/ verb 1. to hand over work to another person to do. Synonym delegate 2. to hand over a child for someone else to look after 쑗 The children were farmed out to their grandparents for a week. farmyard / fɑ mjɑ d/ noun an area around farm buildings, where tractors are sometimes kept ③ far off /fɑ r ɒf/ adv 1. a long way away 쑗 We could see the house far off beside the lake. 2. 왍 not far off almost correct 쑗 You weren’t far off in your estimate. far-off / fɑ r ɒf/ adj which is a long way away. Synonym distant. Antonym nearby far-reaching /fɑ ri tʃŋ/ adj which has wide effects or results. Synonym extensive. Antonym limited far-sighted /fɑ satd/ adj 1. having the ability to make wise plans for the future 쑗 They were far-sighted enough to save money for their children’s tuition fees. 2. US unable to see clearly things that are a short distance away fart /fɑ t/ (vulgar ) noun 1. the noise made when passing wind from the intestines through the anus 2. a stupid or foolish person 쑗 He said that the board was just a group of old farts. 쐽 verb to pass wind from the intestines through the anus 왍 to fart around to work badly and waste time (informal ) 쑗 Stop farting around and come and help me move this crate. farther / fɑ ðə/ adv at or to a longer way away 쐽 adj which is a longer way away farthest / fɑ ðəst/ adv at or to the longest way away 쐽 adj which is the longest way away ③ fascinate / fsnet/ verb to interest someone or to charm someone greatly. Synonym captivate fascinated / fsnetd/ adj very interested. Antonym uninterested ③ fascinating / fsnetŋ/ adj very interesting 쑗 A microscope gives you a fascinating glimpse of life in a drop of water. 쑗 The book gives a fascinating description of London in the 1930s. 쑗 It was fascinating to hear her talk about her travels in India. Antonym . . repellent fascination /fs neʃ(ə)n/ noun great interest or attraction fastener fascism / fʃz(ə)m/ noun an extreme right-wing political movement fascist / fʃst/ adj referring to fascism 쑗 Fascist gangs tried to break up the demonstration. 쑗 The military took power and set up a fascist dictatorship. 쐽 noun a person who supports fascism 쑗 when the fascists came to power ② fashion / fʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the most admired style at a particular moment 쑗 It was the fashion then to wear your hair very short. 쑗 She always follows the dictates of fashion. 왍 in fashion popular; following the current style 쑗 High heels are in fashion this year. 왍 out of fashion unpopular; not the current style 쑗 Red cars are out of fashion at the moment. 2. a manner or way 3. 왍 after a fashion not very well 쑗 He can speak French after a fashion. 쐽 verb to make something 쑗 He fashioned a raft out of old boxes. Synonym shape fashionable / fʃ(ə)nəb(ə)l/ adj in fashion 쑗 She lives in the fashionable West End of London. 쑗 It’s a fashionable restaurant for film stars and journalists. Synonym chic fashion show / fʃ(ə)n ʃəυ/ noun a display of new clothes by models fashion victim / fʃ(ə)n vktm/ noun a person who follows the current fashion whether or not it suits him or her (informal ) ② fast /fɑ st/ adj 1. quick 쑗 This is the fast train to London. 쑗 She was driving in the fast lane of the motorway. 2. (of a clock) to show a time which is later than the correct time 쑗 Your clock is fast. 왍 my watch is five minutes fast my watch is showing a time which is five minutes later than it really is, e.g. 6.15 instead of 6.10 3. tightly fixed 왍 fast colours colours in clothing which do not run when washed 쑗 You will have to wash this shirt by hand as the colour isn’t fast. 쐽 adv 1. quickly 쑗 Walk faster if you want to catch up with the children in front. 쑗 Don’t go so fast – you almost hit that man on the zebra crossing. 2. 왍 fast asleep sleeping so that it is difficult to wake up 쑗 She must have been tired – she’s fast asleep already. 3. tight fixed 쑗 The window was stuck fast and I couldn’t open it. 왍 to make something fast to attach something tightly 쑗 We made the boat fast to the quay. 쐽 noun a period during which you stop eating for religious or health reasons 쑗 He started a 24-hour fast. 쐽 verb to eat nothing for religious or health reasons 쑗 Many people fast during Lent. 쑗 He fasted for a week. fasten / fɑ s(ə)n/ verb to close or attach something tightly 쑗 Please fasten your seatbelts. 쑗 These shoes fasten with a buckle. fastener / fɑ s(ə)nə/ noun a device which fastens something such as a piece of clothing . fastening 304 fastening / fɑ s(ə)nŋ/ noun a device which fastens something ③ fast food /fɑ st fυd/ noun food which is prepared and served quickly fast-forward noun a button on a machine, e.g. a DVD player or a cassette recorder, which you press to make a disc or tape move forward quickly 쐽 verb to make something such as a DVD or a videotape move forward quickly fastidious /f stdiəs/ adj hard to please, careful about tidiness and cleanliness fast-track /fɑ st trk/ adj (of a process) which is faster than normal 쑗 They have started a fast-track application scheme. ① fat /ft/ adj 1. having too much flesh or weighing too much 쑗 Two fat men got out of the little white car. 쑗 You’ll have to eat less – you’re getting too fat. 쑗 He’s fatter than me. 2. thick 쑗 He pulled a fat wad of notes out of his pocket. 3. 왍 a fat lot of no amount (informal ) 쑗 He’s a fat lot of use on a farm – he can’t even drive a tractor! 쑗 She wrote complaining letters to the post office, but a fat lot of good it did her! (NOTE: fatter – fattest) 쐽 noun 1. a part of meat which is yellowish-white 쑗 If you don’t like the fat, cut it off. 2. fat obtained from plants, e.g. peanuts or sunflowers, which is used for cooking 쑗 Use vegetable fat. fatal / fet(ə)l/ adj 1. which causes death 쑗 There were three fatal accidents on this stretch of road last year. 2. which has bad results 쑗 It is fatal to ask him to help with the cooking. fatalism / fet(ə)lz(ə)m/ noun the belief that fate decides what happens to you and that you cannot change this fatality /fə tlti/ noun a death in an accident (NOTE: The plural is fatalities.) fatally / fet(ə)li/ adv causing death fat cat /ft kt/ noun a rich person (informal ) fate /fet/ noun 1. destiny; what is certain to happen to you 쑗 They met by chance in a bar in New Zealand, and got married – it must have been fate! 왍 to tempt fate to do something which could have bad results 쑗 It’s tempting fate to ask him to look after your girlfriend while you are away. 2. what happens to someone, especially in the end 쑗 The people of the country have the right to decide their own fate. (NOTE: Do not confuse with . . fête.) fated / fetd/ adj decided by fate fateful / fetf(ə)l/ adj important because of its serious results for the future ① father / fɑ ðə/ noun 1. a man who has a son or daughter 쑗 Ask your father if he will lend you his car. 쑗 She is coming to tea with her father and mother. 2. the title given to a faucet priest 쑗 Father Thomas is our parish priest. 쐽 verb to become the father of a child ③ Father Christmas /fɑ ðə krsməs/ noun a man in a long red coat, with a big white beard, who is supposed to bring presents to children on Christmas Day. Also called Santa Claus father figure / fɑ ðə fDZə/ noun a man who helps and advises a younger person who is not his child fatherhood / fɑ ðəhυd/ noun the fact of being a father father-in-law / fɑ ðər n lɔ / noun the father of your wife or husband (NOTE: The plural is fathers-in-law.) fatherland / fɑ ðəlnd/ noun 1. the coun- try which your family came from originally. Compare motherland. Synonym homeland 2. 왍 the Fatherland Germany during World War II fatherly / fɑ ðəli/ adj like a father fathom / fðəm/ noun a measure of depth of water, equal to 6 feet or 1.8 metres 쑗 The ship sank in fifty fathoms of water. 쐽 verb 왍 to fathom something or someone out to understand something or someone mysterious 쑗 I can’t fathom him out. 쑗 They can’t fathom out how the car came to be in the river. fatigue /fə ti DZ/ noun the fact of being tired 쑗 After a long day walking in the mountains, the group were showing signs of fatigue. 쐽 verb to tire someone out (formal ) 쑗 If you are ill, any physical work is fatiguing. fatigues /fə ti DZz/ plural noun 1. cleaning duty in the army 쑗 He was put on fatigues because he had been rude to the officer. 2. loose clothing worn by soldiers for doing fatigues fatten / ft(ə)n/ verb to give animals more food to make them fat for slaughter. Antonym starve fattening / ft(ə)nŋ/ adj which makes you fat fatten up /ft(ə)n p/ verb to give animals more food to make them fat for slaughter. Antonym starve ① fatter / ftə/ 쒁 fat ① fattest / ftəst/ 쒁 fat fatty / fti/ adj (of food or tissue) which has a lot of fat in it 쑗 I don’t like fatty bacon. Synonym greasy (NOTE: fattier – fattiest.) 쐽 noun a fat person (informal insult ) 쑗 Come on, fatty – move up and let me sit down. . . (NOTE: The plural is fatties.) fatuous / ftjuəs/ adj silly and thoughtless ③ faucet / fɔ st/ noun US a device with a knob which, when you twist it, lets liquid or gas come out (NOTE: The British term is tap.) fault 305 ② fault /fɔ lt/ noun 1. the fact of making a mistake; the fact of being to blame for something going wrong 쑗 It isn’t my fault if there’s nothing in the fridge. 쑗 It’s all your fault – if you hadn’t stayed in bed all morning we would be at the seaside by now. 왍 at fault having made a mistake 쑗 The shop is at fault if they sent you the wrong table. 2. 왍 to find fault with something to criticise something; to find something wrong 쑗 She’s always finding fault with my work. 3. the fact that something is not working properly 쑗 The invoice was wrong because of a computer fault. 쑗 The engineers are trying to mend an electrical fault. 4. a mistake in serving in tennis 쑗 He served two double faults. 5. the line of a crack in the earth’s crust along which movements can take place that lead to major earthquakes 쑗 San Francisco is built near the San Andreas Fault. 쐽 verb to find something wrong with someone or something 쑗 You can’t fault her work.Antonym praise faultless / fɔ ltləs/ adj perfect. Synonym flawless. Antonym imperfect ③ faulty / fɔ lti/ adj with mistakes; with something which does not work fauna / fɔ nə/ noun wild animals, or all the wild animals of a specific area. Compare flora (NOTE: The plural is fauna.) faux pas /fəυ pɑ / noun a piece of embarrassing behaviour (literary). Synonym gaffe ① favour / fevə/ noun 1. a friendly act or an act of kindness 쑗 Can I ask a favour – will you look after my bike while I’m in the post office? 왍 to do someone a favour to do something to help someone 쑗 He won’t charge for it – he did it as a favour. 쑗 Will you do me a favour and look after my cat when I’m away? 2. approval or popularity 쑗 She tried to win the favour of the committee. 왍 out of favour disliked 쐽 verb 1. to like or prefer something 쑗 The managers favour moving to a bigger office. 2. to make things easier for someone 쑗 The conditions favour Australian bowlers. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is favor.) favourable / fev(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj good (NOTE: The US spelling is favorable.) favourably / fevrəbli/ adv well (NOTE: The US spelling is favorably.) favoured / fevəd/ adj which is preferred (NOTE: The US spelling is favored.) ③ favourite / fev(ə)rət/ adj which you like best 쑗 Which is your favourite TV programme? 쐽 noun 1. the thing or person which you like best 쑗 Which ice cream is your favourite? 쑗 This chocolate is a favourite with the children. 2. a person or an animal that most people think is likely to win 쑗 He’s the favourite to win the election. 쑗 That horse is the favourite in the three o’clock feast race. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is favorite.) favouritism / fev(ə)rətz(ə)m/ noun the practice of showing support for one group or one person at the expense of others (NOTE: The US spelling is favoritism.) fawn /fɔ n/ noun 1. a young deer 쑗 a female deer with two little fawns 2. a brownish-cream colour 쑗 They painted the kitchen a pale fawn. 쐽 adj of a brownishcream colour 쑗 She was wearing a fawn coat and dark gloves. 쐽 verb 왍 to fawn on someone to try to get someone’s favour by doing everything he or she wants 쑗 I can’t stand all these young people fawning on him all the time. Synonym flatter ③ fax /fks/ noun a copy of a document or picture sent by telephone 쑗 Post it to me, or send a fax. 쑗 Can you confirm the booking by fax? 쐽 verb to send a document or picture by telephone 쑗 I will fax the design to you or I will fax you the design as soon as it is ready. fax machine / fks məʃi n/ noun a machine attached to the telephone line which sends faxes faze /fez/ verb to surprise or shock someone. Synonym fluster FDA abbr Food and Drug Administration ① fear /fə/ noun 1. the feeling of being afraid 쑗 Fear of the dark is common in small children. 쑗 She has no fear of heights. 2. 왍 no fear! certainly not! (informal ) 쑗 Go on, stroke that tiger! – No fear! 쐽 verb 1. to be afraid of something 쑗 What do you fear most? 2. to be afraid that something bad will happen 쑗 When the little girl had not come back home three days later, everyone began to fear the worst. 왍 to fear for something or someone to worry that something might happen 쑗 Most parents fear for their children’s safety. fearful / fəf(ə)l/ adj 1. 왍 fearful of afraid of (formal ) 2. terrible fearless / fələs/ adj with no feeling of fear. Synonym courageous. Antonym . . cowardly fearsome / fəs(ə)m/ adj frightening (literary) feasibility /fi zə blti/ noun the ability to be done. Antonym impossibility 왍 to carry out a feasibility study to study details such as costs to see if a project should be started 쑗 The department has produced a feasibility report on the proposed town centre development scheme. feasible / fi zb(ə)l/ adj which can be done feast /fi st/ noun 1. a special religious day 쑗 Today is the Feast of St Nicholas. 2. a very large meal 쑗 That wasn’t an ordinary meal – it was a feast! 쐽 verb to eat expensive food or a very large meal 쑗 You should be feat 306 ashamed of yourself – feasting like that when there are so many starving children in the world. Antonym fast feat /fi t/ noun an unusually difficult act. Synonym achievement 왍 no mean feat a great achievement 쑗 Getting the job done in record time was no mean feat. ③ feather / feðə/ noun one of many light soft parts which cover a bird’s body 왍 as light as a feather very light featherweight / feðəwet/ noun a weight in boxing between bantamweight and lightweight feathery / feðəri/ adj light and delicate like a feather ① feature / fi tʃə/ noun 1. a part of the face such as the nose or mouth 쑗 His distinctive features mean that we should find him quite quickly. 2. an important part or aspect 쑗 The main feature of the castle is its huge tower. 쑗 Fjords are a feature of the coastline of Norway. 3. an important story in a TV news programme 쑗 Did you see the feature on St Petersburg? 4. an important article on a special subject in a newspaper 쑗 a feature on nuclear power 쐽 verb 1. to have someone as the main performer of a film, a TV programme or a play 쑗 The film featured Charlie Chaplin as the tramp. 쑗 The circus features Russian clowns. 2. to show as the most important item 쑗 The tour features a visit to the Valley of the Kings. 쑗 The next programme will feature a discussion between environmental experts. 3. to appear as the main actor in, or as the subject of a film or a TV programme 쑗 She has featured in many TV series. feature film / fi tʃə flm/ noun a full-length film ① February / februəri/ noun the second month of the year, between January and March 쑗 My birthday is in February. 쑗 He died on February 17th. 쑗 We are moving to new offices next February. (NOTE: February 17th: say ‘the seventeenth of February’ or ‘February the seventeenth’, or in US English ‘February seventeenth’.) feckless / fekləs/ adj having no determina- tion or strength of character fecund / fekənd/ adj lively and full of ideas (formal ) ③ fed /fed/ 쒁 feed ③ federal / fed(ə)rəl/ adj 1. referring to the central government of the United States 쑗 Most federal offices are in Washington. 쑗 Federal law is more important than state law. 2. referring to a system where a group of provinces or states exist under a central government 쑗 the former Federal Republic of Germany federalism / fed(ə)rəlz(ə)m/ noun a type of government in which the state is a group . feel of provinces or states with a central government federalist / fed(ə)rəlst/ noun referring to federalism federate / fedəret/ verb to join provinces or states together to form a federation federation /fedə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a group of states or organisations which have joined together ③ fed up /fed p/ adj (informal ) bored 왍 fed up with unhappy because you have had enough of something 쑗 I’m fed up with watching the TV every evening, why can’t we go out for a change? 쑗 She went back to school last Tuesday and she’s already fed up. Antonym happy ② fee /fi / noun money paid to someone such as a doctor or lawyer for work done 쑗 Private school fees are very high. 쑗 The lawyer’s fee for two days’ work was more than I earn in a month! feeble / fi b(ə)l/ adj weak (NOTE: feebler – . feeblest) feebly / fi bli/ adv weakly ① feed /fi d/ verb 1. to give food to a person or an animal 쑗 Let’s go to the park and feed the ducks. 쑗 How can you feed your family when you haven’t any money? 2. to eat 쑗 The lambs are feeding. 3. 왍 to feed something into a machine to put something into a machine again and again 쑗 He fed the paper into the printer. 쑗 The grain is fed into the mill through a hopper. (NOTE: feeding – fed) 쐽 noun 1. food given to animals 쑗 a bag of cattle feed 2. a meal, especially given to a baby or animal 쑗 The poor little thing – she’s crying because she needs a feed. 3. a means of putting material into a machine ① feedback / fi dbk/ noun 1. information or comments about something which has been done 쑗 I don’t know what the sales are like because we haven’t had any feedback from our sales people. 2. the return of a signal in an electronic circuit, causing a high-pitched noise feeder / fi də/ noun 1. a container for farm animals’ food 쑗 Put the grain in the feeder for the pigs. 2. a baby’s bib (dated ) feed on / fi d ɒn/ verb 1. to eat something 쑗 Sheep feed on grass. 2. to grow because of an influence 쑗 The scandal just feeds on rumour. feedstuff / fi dstf/ noun food for farm animals ① feel /fi l/ verb 1. to touch something, usually with your fingers 쑗 Feel how soft the bed is. 2. to seem soft, cold, etc., when touched 쑗 The bed feels hard. 쑗 The stone floor felt cold. 3. to sense something with your body or mind 쑗 Did you feel the table move? 쑗 I felt the lift go down suddenly. 쑗 Do you feel . feel for 307 warmer now that you’ve had a cup of tea? 쑗 They felt happy when they saw that all was well. 쑗 By twelve o’clock she was feeling hungry. 4. 왍 not to feel yourself not to feel very well 쑗 She’s not coming to the office, she’s not feeling herself today. 5. to think something 쑗 He feels it would be wrong to leave the children alone in the house. 쑗 The police felt that the accident was due to fog. (NOTE: feeling – felt /felt/ – has felt) 쐽 noun how something seems when touched 쑗 Velvet has a soft feel. 쑗 the rough feel of the wooden floor 앳 to feel your way 1. to try to find the way forward in the dark by putting out your hands 쑗 When the lights went out we had to feel our way out of the cinema. 2. to act slowly and carefully until you have more experience 쑗 He hasn’t made any decisions yet – he’s still feeling his way. ③ feel for / fi l fɔ / verb to be sympathetic towards someone feel-good / fi l DZυd/ adj causing people to feel happy feelgood factor / fi lDZυd fktə/ noun a general feeling that everything is going well (informal ) ① feeling / fi lŋ/ noun 1. something which you feel 쑗 I had a feeling that this strange man knew who I was. 쑗 I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. 2. the ability to sense something by touching 쑗 My hands were so cold that I lost all feeling in my fingers. ③ feel up to /fi l p tu / verb to be strong enough to do something ③ feet /fi t/ 쒁 foot feign /fen/ verb to pretend to feel an emotion. Synonym pretend feisty / fasti/ adj energetic and brave (informal ). Synonym lively. Antonym feeble feline adj 1. of the cat family 2. like a cat 쐽 noun an animal belonging to the cat family ③ fell /fel/ verb to cut down a tree. 쏡 fall. Synonym cut down fella / felə/ noun another spelling of fellow (informal ) ③ fellow / feləυ/ noun 1. a man 쑗 A young fellow came up to me and asked me the time. 쑗 Who’s that fellow with a beard? 2. a person who belongs to the same group 쑗 I was OK on the boat, but several of my fellow passengers were sick. 3. a member of a college at Oxford or Cambridge University or of a research institute or academic society 쑗 He’s a fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford. ③ fellowship / feləυʃp/ noun 1. a friendly feeling 쑗 He developed a feeling of fellowship with the other hostages. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a grant to continue studying 쑗 She has a fellowship to research into the causes of skin cancer. 3. the position of fellow at Oxford or Cambridge University . . . fencing He got a first, and was immediately offered a fellowship. fellow-sufferer /feləυ sfərə/ noun a person who suffers from the same thing as you felony / feləni/ noun a serious crime (old ) 쑗 . (NOTE: The plural is felonies.) ③ felt /felt/ noun a thick material made of wool fibres pressed together 쐽 verb 쒁 feel felt-tip / felt tp/ noun 1. the tip of a pen which is made from felt 2. a pen which has a tip made from felt ② female / fi mel/ adj 1. referring to women or girls 쑗 a female athlete 2. referring to the sex of an animal, insect or bird which gives birth to young or lays eggs 쑗 a female kitten 3. referring to a flower which produces seeds 쐽 noun 1. a woman or girl 쑗 Three females went into the bar. 2. an animal, insect or bird which gives birth to young or lays eggs 쑗 The female of the species is larger than the male. Antonym male ③ feminine / femnn/ adj 1. like a woman or suitable for a woman 쑗 Her long white silk dress was very feminine. 2. (in grammar ) referring to words which have a particular form or behave in a different way, to show the female gender 쑗 ‘Actress’ is the feminine form of ‘actor’. 쑗 Is the French word for ‘table’ masculine or feminine? Antonym masculine femininity /fem nnti/ noun female qualities. Antonym masculinity feminism / femnz(ə)m/ noun the fact of being a feminist feminist / femnst/ noun a person who supports the right of women to equal status with men femur / fi mə/ noun the thigh bone, the long bone which goes from the hip to the knee (NOTE: The plural is femurs or femora / femərə/.) fen /fen/ noun a large area of marsh. Synonym marsh ③ fence /fens/ noun 1. a barrier of wood or wire, used to keep people or animals in or out of a place 쑗 The fence was blown down. 쑗 The boys looked through the hole in the fence. 쑗 The builders put up a fence round the construction site. 왍 to sit on the fence to avoid giving a definite answer to a question or giving support to one particular side 쑗 He never takes sides – he just sits on the fence. 2. a person who takes stolen goods to sell them (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to put a fence round something 쑗 The police fenced off the accident site. 2. to fight with swords as a sport fencing / fensŋ/ noun 1. material which makes a fence 쑗 The crowd surged forward and flattened the fencing around the football ground. 2. the sport of fighting with swords . . fend 308 쑗 Fencing is one of the sports in the pentathlon. fend /fend/ verb 왍 to fend for yourself to look after yourself 쑗 We went to Spain and left the children to fend for themselves. ③ fender / fendə/ noun 1. something such as a rope mat or rubber tyre hung against the side of a boat to protect it from bumps 쑗 The fender scraped along the side of the quay. 2. a low guard around a fireplace to stop coal or wood falling out into the room 쑗 She sat by the fender, poking the fire. 3. US a guard over the wheels of a car or bicycle, to prevent mud splashing 쑗 She ran into a tree and bent a fender. (NOTE: The British term is a wing for a car and a mudguard for a bicycle.) fend off /fend ɒf/ verb to push someone away 쑗 He spent the morning fending off newspaper reporters. feng shui /fŋ ʃwe/ noun a way of arranging buildings and the furniture in them to bring happiness and good luck, according to the principles of a Chinese system based on energy flow fennel / fenl/ noun a herb with a smell like aniseed feral / ferəl/ adj (of an animal ) which has become wild again, after once being tame (formal ) ferment noun / f" ment/ a disturbance or upset 쑗 The university was in a ferment. Synonym uproar 쐽 verb /fə ment/ to change into alcohol by the effect of yeast on sugar 쑗 Cider has to ferment for at least ten weeks before it is ready to drink. fermentation /f" men teʃ(ə)n/ noun a chemical change brought about in liquids, usually leading to the production of alcohol fermented /fə mentd/ adj which has been changed to alcohol fern /f" n/ noun a green plant with feathery leaves which does not have flowers or seeds ferocious /fə rəυʃəs/ adj fierce and angry ferocity /fə rɒsti/ noun the fact of being fierce ferret / fert/ noun a small animal similar to a weasel, which is half-tamed and used to drive rabbits or rats from holes 쑗 As boys we used to go rat-catching with ferrets. 쐽 verb to look for something 쑗 The police spent two hours ferreting around the office. Synonym hunt 왍 to ferret something out to find something out by thorough searching 쑗 He ferreted out some surprising facts about the murderer’s family. Ferris wheel / fers wi l/ noun a large vertical wheel in a funfair, with seats hanging from it ferrous / ferəs/ adj containing iron ③ ferry / feri/ noun a boat which carries cars and trucks or people to and fro across a . . fetch stretch of water 쑗 We are going to take the night ferry to Belgium. 쑗 There’s a ferry across the Rhine here. (NOTE: The plural is ferries.) 쐽 verb to take someone or something across by boat 쑗 Small boats ferried the refugees across the lake. Synonym transport ferryboat / feribəυt/ noun a ferry fertile / f" tal/ adj 1. rich enough to produce crops 쑗 The farm has rich black fertile soil. 2. (of a female or an egg) able to produce young 쑗 The zoo hopes the female panda is fertile, so that she can have cubs. 쑗 The eagle laid several eggs but only two were fertile. 3. which produces ideas 왍 he has a fertile imagination he imagines things very easily. Antonym sterile, infertile fertilisation /f" tla zeʃ(ə)n/, fertilization noun the act of joining male and female cells together fertilise / f" təlaz/, fertilize verb 1. to spread fertiliser on land 쑗 The soil is poor and needs to be heavily fertilised. 2. to join male and female cells together, so that a new animal or plant will be made 쑗 The sheep was fertilised in the laboratory. ③ fertiliser / f" təlazə/, fertilizer noun a chemical or organic material spread over the soil to make it richer and more able to produce crops ③ fertility /f" tlti/ noun the fact of being fertile, or of being able to produce crops or young. Antonym sterility fervour / f" və/ noun a strong enthusiasm (NOTE: The US spelling is fervor.) fester / festə/ verb 1. (of a wound ) to be. come infected 쑗 His legs were covered with festering sores. 2. to become worse and more bitter 쑗 The resentment of the staff continued to fester. ③ festival / festv(ə)l/ noun 1. a religious celebration which comes at the same time each year and usually is a public holiday 쑗 The tour will visit Hong Kong for the Lantern Festival. 2. an artistic celebration or entertainment which is put on at regular intervals 쑗 We saw some excellent plays at the Edinburgh Festival this year. festive / festv/ adj referring to a celebration 왍 the festive season the period of Christmas and the New Year festivity /fe stvti/ noun a celebration (NOTE: The plural is festivities.) festoon /fe stu n/ noun a long chain of hanging decorations 쑗 Girls put festoons of flowers round the necks of the visitors. Synonym garland 쐽 verb to hang a place with decorations 쑗 The streets were festooned with banners. ② fetch /fetʃ/ verb 1. to go and bring someone or something 쑗 It’s your turn to fetch the fetish 309 children from school. 쑗 Can you fetch me the atlas? 2. to be sold for a certain price 쑗 That car won’t fetch more than £200. 쑗 These CDs fetch very high prices on the black market. fetish /fetʃ/ noun 1. an object which is believed by some people to be magic 2. a strong sexual interest in a certain object or material 쑗 a rubber fetish 3. a very strong interest in or liking for something fetlock /fetlɒk/ noun the wide part of a horse’s leg feud /fjud/ noun a bitter quarrel 쑗 I don’t want to get involved in their family feud. Synonym dispute. Antonym friendship 쐽 verb to quarrel bitterly all the time 쑗 The sisters are feuding over their father’s will. Synonym fight feudal /fjudl/ adj referring to the feudal system. Antonym modern feudal system /fjudəl sstəm/, feudalism /fjudəlz(ə)m/ noun a medieval system by which land was granted by a king to his nobles and by the nobles to the peasants, on condition that each paid a service to his superior and fought for him fever /fivə/ noun 1. a state when the body’s temperature is higher than normal 쑗 You must stay in bed until the fever goes down. 2. an excited state 쑗 The crowd waited in a fever of anticipation. 왍 at fever pitch in a great state of excitement 쑗 The crowd waited at fever pitch for the band to arrive. fevered /fivəd/ adj 1. suffering from fever 쑗 The nurse wiped his fevered brow. 2. overactive 쑗 The book is the product of a fevered imagination. feverish /fivərʃ/ adj 1. suffering from fever 쑗 He felt feverish and took an aspirin. 2. nervously quick or excited 쑗 In a burst of feverish activity he finally finished writing the book on time. ① few /fju/ adj, noun 1. not many 쑗 She has very few friends at work. 쑗 We go to fewer concerts than last year. 쑗 I wonder why few of the staff stay with us more than six months. 왍 few and far between not very frequent 쑗 Trains are few and far between on Sundays. 2. 왍 a few some, not very many 쑗 I only took a few photographs because it rained all the time. 쑗 I’ll call you in a few minutes. 쑗 A few of the wedding guests were sitting playing cards. 왍 quite a few several, or many 쑗 Quite a few people on the boat were sick. fiancé /fɒnse/, fiancée noun a man or woman who is engaged to be married 쑗 Her fiancé is a French lawyer. 쑗 He brought his fiancée to the party. fiasco /fiskəυ/ noun a total failure (NOTE: The plural is fiascos.) fiddle fib /fb/ (informal ) noun a lie about something unimportant 쑗 That was a little fib, wasn’t it? 쐽 verb to tell a lie about something unimportant 쑗 Fibbing frantically, he said he had been to see the doctor. (NOTE: fibbing – . fibbed) fibre /fabə/ noun 1. a small thread of material 쑗 From the pieces of fibre left at the scene of the murder, the police could work out what the murderer had been wearing. 2. thin threads in food, which cannot be digested 왍 to eat a high-fibre diet to have a diet which contains a large amount of cereals, nuts, fruit and vegetables (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is fiber.) fibreglass /fabəDZlɑs/ noun 1. a material made from glass fibres, used to make boats and car bodies 쑗 He’s bought a new fibreglass boat. 2. glass fibre wool used to prevent heat escaping from a room or building 쑗 They pack layers of fibreglass under the roof. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is fiberglass.) fibre optics /fabə ɒptks/ noun the use of fine threads of glass or plastic for carrying light signals and data (NOTE: takes a singular verb) fibrous /fabrəs/ adj made of fibres fibula /fbjυlə/ noun the thin bone behind the tibia, between the knee and the ankle fickle /fk(ə)l/ adj likely to change often; not steady. Synonym inconsistent fiction /fkʃən/ noun 1. novels 쑗 fiction writers such as Graham Greene 쑗 To find the latest novels you must look in the fiction section of the library. 2. a story that is not true 쑗 His account of the accident was pure fiction. (NOTE: no plural) fictional /fkʃən(ə)l/ adj 1. (of a character ) who exists in fiction 쑗 Mr Pickwick, Sam Weller and other fictional characters from Dickens may have been based on real people. 2. written as a novel 쑗 The book is a fictional account of a real murder. fictitious /fktʃəs/ adj not true or not real. Synonym untrue. Antonym factual ③ fiddle /fd(ə)l/ verb 1. 왍 to fiddle with something to play idly with something 쑗 She was fiddling with her bracelet during the whole interview. 쑗 He fiddled with the radio and managed to get it to work. 2. to play the fiddle 쑗 He was fiddling away at an Irish dance. 3. to keep information about money in a dishonest way 쑗 The company caught him fiddling his expense account. 쑗 She tried to fiddle her tax return. 쐽 noun 1. a violin 쑗 He plays the fiddle at country dances. 왍 fit as a fiddle very fit 쑗 He’s over eighty and still as fit as a fiddle. 왍 to play second fiddle to someone to be in a weaker position than someone else 쑗 He always plays second fiddle to his wife. 2. dishonest or illegal dealings . fiddlesticks 310 (informal ) 쑗 The whole thing’s a fiddle to get . money from the EU. 왍 on the fiddle trying to make money illegally fiddlesticks / fd(ə)lstks/ noun nonsense (old ) fiddly / fdli/ adj small and awkward to use (informal ) fidelity /f delti/ noun 1. the fact of being faithful 쑗 He was rewarded for his fidelity to the president. 2. the quality of the sound produced by an electronic machine such as a CD player 쑗 a high fidelity CD player (NOTE: no . . plural) fidget / fdȢt/ verb to move all the time 쑗 After an hour he started to fidget in his seat. 쑗 Sit still and stop fidgeting! 쐽 noun 왍 the fidgets moving all the time; not being able to stay still (informal ) 쑗 The children got the fidgets after sitting still for a few moments. ① field /fi ld/ noun 1. a piece of ground on a farm, with a fence or hedge round it 쑗 a field of potatoes 쑗 The sheep are in the field. 2. a piece of ground for playing a game 쑗 a football field 쑗 The two teams ran onto the field. 3. a special area of interest or study 쑗 What’s your field? 쑗 His field is English language teaching. 4. a fighting area in a war 쑗 These young soldiers have no experience of combat in the field. 쐽 verb 1. to send out a team to play or to take part in talks 쑗 England are fielding their strongest side for some years. 쑗 The union fielded a strong negotiating team. 2. 왍 to field questions to deal with questions 쑗 He fielded questions from the journalists about his private life. field day / fi ld de/ noun a busy and exciting time fielder / fi ldə/ noun a member of a cricket side which is not batting field event / fi ld vent/ noun a sport involving throwing or jumping, e.g. the high jump or the javelin field glasses / fi ld DZlɑ sz/ plural noun same as binoculars (NOTE: field glasses . has no singular. If you want to indicate one item, say ‘a pair of field glasses’.) field hockey / fi ld hɒki/ noun US a team game played on grass, in which you try to hit a small ball into a goal with a curved stick (NOTE: simply called hockey in British English) field marshal /fi ld mɑ ʃ(ə)l/ noun an officer of the highest rank in the army (NOTE: can be used as a title with a name: Field Marshal Haig) fieldmouse / fi ldmaυs/ noun a small type of country mouse with a long tail (NOTE: The plural is fieldmice.) field of vision /fi ld əv vȢ(ə)n/ noun an area which you can see over clearly Fifth Amendment field sports / fi ld spɔ ts/ plural noun outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing field test / fi ld test/ noun a test of a new piece of equipment in a real environment field trip / fi ld trp/ noun a trip taken in order to study a subject fieldwork / fi ldw" k/ noun the practice of doing some work in a real environment as part of a course of study fiend /fi nd/ noun 1. an evil person 쑗 the fiend who attacked the old lady 2. a person who is very enthusiastic about something 쑗 He’s a car fiend. 쑗 She’s a health-food fiend. fiendish / fi ndʃ/ adj 1. very unpleasant 2. very difficult 쑗 You have to pass a fiendish exam to become an accountant. fiendishly / fi ndʃli/ adv terribly; very fierce /fəs/ adj 1. very angry and likely to attack 쑗 Watch out – that dog looks fierce. 2. violent or intense 쑗 A fierce storm broke out as they were leaving the harbour. 쑗 The mountains were the scene of fierce fighting. 쑗 He got into a fierce argument about working conditions. fiercely / fəsli/ adv 1. strongly 쑗 She is fiercely independent. 2. violently 쑗 The shop was blazing fiercely when the fire brigade arrived. 쑗 The storm blew fiercely during the night. fiery / faəri/ adj 1. burning 쑗 a fiery chariot 2. fierce or angry 쑗 She has a fiery temper. fiesta /f estə/ noun a Spanish festival ① fifteen /ff ti n/ noun 1. the number 15 쑗 There are fifteen players in a rugby side. 쑗 She’s fifteen (years old). 쑗 Come and see me in fifteen minutes. 쑗 The train leaves at nine fifteen (9.15). 왍 the fifteen hundreds (the 1500s) the years from 1500 to 1599 2. a group of fifteen people forming a rugby team 쑗 the England XV (NOTE: usually written XV in this meaning: the England XV, say ‘the England fifteen’) 15 /ff ti n/ noun a classification of films considered not suitable for people under 15 unless they are with an adult ① fifteenth /ff ti nθ/ adj, noun referring to 15 쑗 the fifteenth of July or July the fifteenth (July 15th) 쑗 That’s the fifteenth phone call I’ve made this morning. 쑗 It will be her fifteenth birthday next week. 왍 the fifteenth century the years from 1400 to 1499 ① fifth /ffθ/ adj referring to 5 쑗 the fifth of May or May the fifth (May 5th) 쑗 It’s his fifth birthday tomorrow. 쐽 noun one part of five equal parts Fifth Amendment /ffθ ə mendmənt/ noun the part of the US constitution which allows someone not to give evidence which might be used against themselves fiftieth 311 ① fiftieth / fftiəθ/ noun one of fifty equal parts of something ① fifty / ffti/ noun the number 50 쑗 My mother made fifty pots of jam. 쑗 He’s fifty (years old). 왍 she’s in her fifties she’s between 50 and 59 years old 왍 the (nineteen-) fifties (1950s) the period from 1950 to 1959 fifty-fifty /ffti ffti/ adj, adv divided into two equal amounts 왍 to go fifty-fifty with each paying half of the cost 쑗 We’ll go fifty-fifty on the bill. fig /fDZ/ noun 1. same as fig tree 2. the juicy sweet fruit of the fig tree 쑗 We sat under the tree and ate figs and goat’s cheese. ① fight /fat/ noun 1. a struggle against someone or something 쑗 He got into a fight with boys who were bigger than him. 쑗 Fights broke out between the demonstrators and the police. 왍 to pick a fight with someone to start a fight with someone 2. a boxing match 쑗 The fight only lasted three rounds. 쐽 verb 1. to struggle against someone or something using force 쑗 The two boys were fighting over a comic. 쑗 Rival gangs fought in the street. 쑗 We are committed to fighting crime. 쑗 Doctors are fighting to control the disease. 2. 왍 to fight for something to struggle in defence of something 쑗 They are fighting for the right to vote. (NOTE: fighting – fought /fɔ t/) ③ fighter / fatə/ noun 1. a person who fights 쑗 The referee stopped the fight when one of the fighters had a cut eye. 2. a person who is strong 쑗 She’s a real fighter – she’ll pull through this illness. 3. a fast attacking aircraft 쑗 Two fighters went up to attack the enemy bombers. fighting / faitŋ/ noun the action of struggling. Synonym combat fight off /fat ɒf/ verb to get rid of an attacker or an illness figment / fDZmənt/ noun 왍 a figment of someone’s imagination something which a person has imagined but which is not real fig tree / fDZ tri / noun a fruit tree which grows in warm countries figurative / fDZərətv/ adj 1. (of art ) which shows something as it really is 쑗 He’s a well-known figurative artist. Antonym abstract 2. which is not the literal meaning of a word 쑗 Calling him a ‘lump of jelly’ was a figurative use of the phrase. 쑗 You didn’t mean that literally, did you? – No, I was speaking in a figurative sense. ① figure / fDZə/ noun 1. a written number, e.g. 35 쑗 I can’t read the figure on the order – is it 250? 쑗 He added up the figures on the bill. 쑗 Cheques have to be made out in both words and figures. 2. a geometric shape such as a triangle or a circle 쑗 A six-sided figure is a hexagon. 3. the drawing in a book 쑗 See figure 2 on page 23. 4. the shape of a person . file server 쑗 We could see some figures through the mist. 쑗 the figures in the foreground of the painting 5. the attractive shape of a person’s body, especially a woman’s 쑗 She still has a great figure. 6. an important person 쑗 He’s a leading figure in the opposition movement. 7. a pattern of movement in skating or dancing 쐽 verb 1. US 왍 to figure something out to try to think of an answer or to understand something 쑗 Try to figure out the answer yourself, instead of asking someone else. 2. especially US to consider or think something 쑗 I figure the costs will be high. 쑗 We figured you’d be late because of the show. 쑗 Had you figured on being there before two o’clock? 왍 that figures that makes sense (informal ) 3. to appear in something, e.g. a novel or a painting 쑗 Fair-haired girls figure in many of his paintings. figurehead / fDZəhed/ noun 1. a piece of wood cut into the shape of a person and fixed on the front of an old ship 쑗 The museum has a collection of 19th century figureheads. 2. a person who seems important but who has no real power 쑗 The President is just a figurehead; the Minister of the Interior has the real power. figure of speech /fDZər əv spi tʃ/ noun a figurative expression figure skating / fDZə sketŋ/ noun international competitions for men and women involving solo skating and skating in pairs to music filament / fləmənt/ noun a thin wire ① file /fal/ noun 1. a metal tool used for making rough surfaces smooth 쑗 Use a file to round off the edges of the metal. 쏡 nail file 2. a container similar to an envelope, used for keeping documents in 쑗 When you have finished with the papers, put them back in the file. 쑗 The police have a file on him. 3. a section of data on a computer 쑗 Type the name of the file and then press ENTER. 4. a line of people 왍 in single file one behind the other 쑗 The children entered the hall in single file. 쐽 verb 1. to smooth a surface with a file 쑗 File down the rough edges. 2. to put papers away in a file 쑗 File that letter under SALES. 3. to walk in a line 쑗 They filed past the place where the boy had been shot. 4. to make an official request 쑗 He filed for divorce. 쑗 She filed a petition in bankruptcy. file extension / fal kstenʃən/ noun the second part of a computer file name,e.g. ‘.doc’, which shows what type of file it is. filename / falnem/ noun the name given to a computer file file server / fal s" və/ noun a computer connected to a network, providing information which people using other computers on the same network can use . filibuster 312 filibuster / flbstə/ noun an attempt to prevent a law being passed by speaking for a very long time in the debate filigree / flDZri / noun a pattern made with very thin pieces of metals such as gold or silver and used, e.g., in jewellery filing / falŋ/ noun 1. the action of putting documents away in the right place 쑗 Filing invoices is a job I detest. 2. documents which have to be put in order 쑗 There is a lot of filing waiting to be done at the end of the week. filing cabinet / falŋ kbnət/ noun a piece of office furniture; a tall box with drawers for putting files in filings / falŋz/ plural noun small pieces of metal removed by using a file 쑗 You can demonstrate magnetic fields with iron filings and a magnet. filing system / falŋ sstəm/ noun a way of putting documents in order for easy reference Filipino /fl pi nəυ/ noun, adj (a person) from the Philippines (NOTE: The plural is Filipinos.) ① fill /fl/ verb 1. to make something full; to become full 쑗 The bucket filled slowly. 쑗 He filled the bottle with water. 쑗 She was filling the boxes with presents. 2. 왍 to fill a tooth to put metal into a hole in a tooth to stop it going bad 쑗 I hate having my teeth filled but it has to be done. filler / flə/ noun 1. material used to fill holes and cracks in walls and in wood 쑗 They used plastic filler to repair the cracks in the ceiling. 2. a thing used to fill a space fillet / flt/ noun 1. a piece of good-quality meat, with no bones 쑗 She bought a fillet of lamb. 2. a piece of fish from which the bones have been taken out 쑗 We ordered fried fillet of sole. 쐽 verb to remove the bones from a fish 쑗 Ask the fishmonger to fillet the fish for you. ③ fill in /fl n/ verb 1. to fill up a hole 쑗 He dug a hole in the garden, put the box inside, and then filled it in. 2. to write in the empty spaces on a form 쑗 To win the prize you have to fill in the missing words. 쑗 Just fill in your name and address. 3. 왍 to fill in for someone to do something which someone else normally does but cannot do 쑗 I’m filling in for the manager who is on holiday. filling / flŋ/ adj which fills 쑗 A meal of salad and a glass of water is not very filling. Synonym satisfying 쐽 noun 1. metal put into a hole in your tooth by a dentist 쑗 I had to go to the dentist because one of my fillings came out. 2. food used to put into something such as a sandwich or cake 쑗 a cake with a jam filling filling station / flŋ steʃ(ə)n/ noun a place where you can buy petrol filthy fill out /fl aυt/ verb 1. to write in all the empty spaces on a form 2. (of a person) to become less thin fill up /fl p/ verb 1. to make something completely full 쑗 He filled the bottle up with fresh water. 왍 fill her or it up please fill the car with petrol 2. to write in all the empty spaces on a form 쑗 Fill up the form and send it back to this address. filly / fli/ noun a young female horse. Compare colt (NOTE: The plural is fillies.) ① film /flm/ noun 1. moving pictures shown at a cinema or on TV 쑗 Have you seen this old Laurel and Hardy film? 쑗 We’ve seen the film already on TV. 2. a roll of material which you put into a camera to take photographs or moving pictures 쑗 I must buy another film before the wedding. 쑗 Do you want a colour film or a black and white one? 3. a thin layer of something 쑗 A film of moisture formed on the cold metal surface. 쑗 Everywhere was covered with a film of dust. 쐽 verb to take pictures of something or someone with a camera 쑗 Security cameras filmed him robbing the bank. 쑗 ‘Star Wars’ was filmed in 1977. filming / flmŋ/ noun the action of making a film film-maker / flm mekə/ noun a person who makes films ③ film star / flm stɑ / noun a well-known film actor or actress filter / fltə/ noun 1. a piece of equipment or material through which liquids or air can pass in order to remove any substances which are not wanted 쑗 The filters in the swimming pool have to be cleaned regularly. 2. a piece of glass on a camera which allows only certain colours or levels of light to pass through 쑗 I use an orange filter to give a warm colour to the picture. 3. material at the end of a cigarette, used to remove nicotine 쐽 verb 1. to remove substances from something by passing it through a filter 쑗 Kidneys filter the blood. 2. to move gradually 쑗 Watch out for traffic filtering in from the left. 3. (of light or sound ) to move slowly and in small amounts through something or to somewhere filth /flθ/ noun 1. dirt 쑗 They were horrified at the filth in the streets. 2. offensive words or pictures, especially because they deal with sex in an unpleasant way (informal ) 쑗 I don’t want you to read any more of this filth. ③ filthy / flθi/ adj 1. very dirty 쑗 Where have you been playing – you’re filthy! 쑗 Don’t touch that filthy old carpet. 쑗 Filthy beggars followed the tourists wherever they went. 2. very unpleasant and angry (informal ) 쑗 Watch out – the boss is in a filthy temper. 3. offensive, usually because of dealing with sex in an unpleasant way (informal ) 쑗 He . . . . fin 313 tried to sell us some filthy postcards. (NOTE: filthier – filthiest) fin /fn/ noun 1. a thin part on the body of a fish which helps it to swim 쑗 From the beach they could see a shark’s fin in the sea. 2. a similar piece on an aircraft 쑗 The tail fin broke off when the plane crashed. ① final / fan(ə)l/ adj last; coming at the end 쑗 This is your final warning – if your work doesn’t improve you will be sacked. 쑗 The competition is in its final stages. 왍 my decision is final I will not change my decision 왍 final date for payment the last date by which payment should be made 쐽 noun the last competition in a series between several teams or competitors 쑗 I thought they would win a couple of rounds, but I never imagined they would get to the final. finale /f nɑ li/ noun the last part of a piece of music or of a show finalise / fanəlaz/, finalize verb to finish making plans for something finalist / fan(ə)lst/ noun a person taking part in the final of a competition ① finally / fan(ə)li/ adv at last; in the end 쑗 The police finally cleared up the mystery. 쑗 The little boy finally turned up in Edinburgh. finals / fan(ə)lz/ plural noun last examinations at the end of a university course, after which you get your degree ② finance / fanns/ noun money, especially money which belongs to the public or to a company 쑗 How are you going to raise the finance for the project? 쑗 My finances are in a poor state at the moment. 왍 Minister of Finance the government minister in charge of a country’s finances 쐽 verb to provide money for 쑗 How are you going to finance your course at university if you don’t have a grant? 쑗 The redevelopment of the city centre is being financed locally. ① financial /fa nnʃəl/ adj referring to money 쑗 What is our financial position? 쑗 The company has got into financial difficulties. Synonym monetary financial institution /fannʃəl nsttju ʃ(ə)n/ noun a bank or trust whose work involves lending or investing large amounts of money financially /fa nnʃəli/ adv referring to money; with money financial year /fannʃəl jə/ noun the 12-month period for which accounts are calculated financier /fa nnsiə/ noun a person who deals with money on a large scale. Synonym banker finch /fntʃ/ noun a small seed-eating bird (NOTE: The plural is finches.) ① find /fand/ verb 1. to discover something which has been hidden or lost 쑗 I found a £2 fine-tune coin behind the sofa. 쑗 Did she find the book she was looking for? 2. to discover something which was not known before 쑗 No one has found a cure for the common cold yet. 3. to have an opinion about something 쑗 I found the book very dull. 쑗 She finds her work too easy. 4. to make a legal decision in court 쑗 The tribunal found that both parties were at fault. 쑗 He was found guilty of murder. 왍 the judge found for the defendant the judge decided that the defendant was right 5. 왍 to be found to exist 쑗 Toadstools are found in woods in the autumn. (NOTE: finding – found /faυnd/) 쐽 noun a thing which you discover 쑗 A cheap hotel in the centre of Paris — What a lucky find! Synonym discovery ② findings / fandŋz/ plural noun 1. facts discovered 쑗 The two companies signed an agreement to share their research findings. 2. actions which someone suggests should be done 쑗 The findings of the committee of inquiry will be published next week. ③ find out /fand aυt/ verb to discover information ① fine /fan/ adj 1. (of the weather ) good 쑗 We’ll go for a walk tomorrow if it stays fine. 쑗 Let’s hope it’s fine for the village fete next week. 2. well; healthy 쑗 I was in bed with flu yesterday, but today I’m feeling fine. 3. good 쑗 How are things at home? – Fine! 쑗 It’s fine to wear a bikini when you’re young and slim, but not when you’re old and fat. 4. very thin or very small 쑗 Use a sharp pencil if you want to draw fine lines. 쑗 I can’t read the notice – the print is too fine. 쐽 adv in very small pieces 쑗 Chop up the orange peel very fine. (NOTE: finer – finest) 쐽 noun money which you have to pay for having done something wrong 쑗 I had to pay a £25 fine for parking in a No Parking area. 쑗 He was found guilty of embezzlement and got off with a fine. 쐽 verb to make someone pay money for having done something wrong 쑗 He was fined £25 for parking on double yellow lines. Synonym penalise 쐽 interj all right, agreed 쑗 Fine! We’ll all go to the beach tomorrow! fine art /fan ɑ t/ noun art such as painting or sculpture finely / fan(ə)li/ adv 1. in very small pieces 쑗 Cook some finely chopped onions in a little butter. 2. in a beautiful and delicate way 쑗 She bought some finely carved ivory figures. fine print /fan prnt/ noun the conditions on a contract, usually printed in very small letters finesse /f nes/ noun skill in dealing with awkward situations fine-tune /fan tju n/ verb 1. to make changes to the way an engine works, in order . finger 314 to improve its performance 2. to get something just right ① finger / fŋDZə/ noun 1. one of the parts at the end of your hand, but usually not including the thumb 쑗 He wears a ring on his little finger. 쑗 He pressed the button with his finger. 왍 to keep your fingers crossed to hope that something will happen as you want it to happen 쑗 Have you heard the exam results yet? — No, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. 왍 to put your finger on something to point something out correctly 쑗 You put your finger on it when you said that he’s afraid of appearing stupid. 왍 on the fingers of one hand five or fewer 쑗 The number of times she’s offered to buy me a drink can be counted on the fingers of one hand. 왍 to pull your finger out to work harder (informal ) 쑗 I told him to pull his finger out. 왍 not to lift or raise a (little) finger to help not to do anything to help 쑗 It’s unfair to expect her to do all the housework while her sisters don’t lift a finger to help. 2. the part of a glove into which a finger goes 쑗 I must mend my glove – there’s a hole in one of the fingers. 쑗 Gloves without fingers are called ‘mittens’. 3. a piece of food shaped like a finger 쑗 a box of chocolate fingers 쏡 fish finger 쐽 verb 1. to touch with your fingers 쑗 Don’t finger the apples. 2. to point out a criminal to the police (informal ) 쑗 He was fingered by someone else in the gang. fingernail / fŋDZənel/ noun the hard thin part covering the end of a finger fingerprint / fŋDZəprnt/ noun a mark left by a finger when you touch something fingertip / fŋDZətp/ noun the end of the finger 왍 to have information at your fingertips to know all about something finicky / fnki/ adj 1. (of a person) too concerned with details 2. (of an object ) too detailed ① finish / fnʃ/ verb to do something completely; to come to an end 쑗 Haven’t you finished your homework yet? 쑗 Tell me when you’ve finished reading the paper. 쑗 You can’t go out until you’ve finished doing the washing up. 쑗 The game will finish at about four o’clock. 쐽 noun 1. a final appearance 쑗 The table has an attractive finish. 2. a final appearance which is not real, which is only on the surface 쑗 kitchen cupboards with an oak finish 3. the end of a race 쑗 He ran well and came in second at the finish. finished / fnʃt/ adj which has been made; which has come to an end finishing line / fnʃŋ lan/ noun the line marking the end of a race ③ finish off /fnʃ ɒf/ verb to do something completely ③ finish up /fnʃ p/ verb 1. to be in the end 쑗 We got lost and finished up miles from . . . fire escape our hotel. 2. to eat something completely 쑗 You must finish up all your vegetables. finish with / fnʃ wð/ verb to finish using something finite / fanat/ adj with an end; with a limit 쑗 The world’s coal resources are finite and are forecast to run out soon. ① Finn /fn/ noun a person from Finland ① Finnish / fnʃ/ adj referring to Finland 쐽 noun the language spoken in Finland 쑗 I bought a Finnish phrase book before going to Helsinki. fiord / fi ɔ d/ noun another spelling of fjord fir /f" / noun 왍 fir (tree) evergreen tree with needle-shaped leaves 쑗 Fir trees are often used as Christmas trees. fir cone / f" kəυn/ noun the hard fruit of the fir tree ① fire /faə/ noun 1. something which is burning; something which heats 쑗 We have an electric fire in the living room. 쑗 They burnt the dead leaves on a fire in the garden. 왍 to catch fire to start to burn because of something else which is burning 쑗 The office block caught fire. 쑗 Take those papers away – they might catch fire. 왍 to set fire to to make something start burning 쑗 His cigarette set fire to the carpet. 왍 on fire burning 쑗 Call the fire brigade – the house is on fire! 2. shooting with guns 쑗 The soldiers came under fire from the guerrillas. 쏡 gunfire 쐽 verb 1. to shoot a gun 쑗 The gunmen fired at the police car. 쑗 We could hear guns firing in the distance. 2. to dismiss someone from a job 쑗 She was fired for being late. 3. to make excited 쑗 He was fired with the desire to make his fortune. 4. to bake; to heat 쑗 The pots are glazed and then fired. ③ fire alarm / faər əlɑ m/ noun a bell or siren which gives a warning that a fire has started fire away /faər ə we/ verb to ask someone questions (informal ) ③ fire brigade / faə brDZed/ noun a public service organisation for preventing or putting out fires firecracker / faəkrkə/ noun a small tube containing chemicals which explode with a loud noise and bright lights when you light it fire drill / faə drl/ noun a practice to escape from a burning building fired-up /faəd p/ adj feeling very excited or eager to do something ③ fire engine / faər endȢn/ noun the large red truck used by fire fighters, together with all the equipment they need fire escape / faər skep/ noun stairs or a ladder which can be used by people to get out of burning buildings . fire exit 315 fire exit / faər eDZzt/ noun a door used if there is a fire fire extinguisher / faər kstŋDZwʃə/ noun a large metal container, usually painted red, containing chemicals which can be sprayed onto a fire to put it out fire fighter / faə fatə/ noun someone whose job is to put out fires and save people from dangerous situations firefly / faəfla/ noun a type of little insect which glows in the dark fire hydrant / faə hadrənt/ noun a large pipe in a street which provides water for fighting fires firelight / faəlat/ noun the light which a fire makes ③ fireman / faəmən/ noun a man who tries to put out fires (NOTE: The plural is firemen.) fireplace / faəples/ noun a hole in the wall of a room where you can light a fire for heating. Synonym hearth fireproof / faəpru f/ adj which will not burn fire service / faə s" vs/ noun the organisation that deals with fires and other emergency situations fireside / faəsad/ noun the area around a fireplace in a room. Synonym hearth ③ fire station / faə steʃ(ə)n/ noun a centre where fire engines are based firewall / faəwɔ l/ noun 1. a piece of software that prevents unauthorised people from getting access to a computer system 2. a special type of wall that prevents a fire from spreading to another area 3. a legal barrier set up between sections of a company to prevent them from sharing information when this might cause problems firewood / faəwυd/ noun wood for making fires (NOTE: no plural) ③ firework / faəw" k/ noun a small tube holding chemicals which will shine brightly or explode when lit firing squad / faərŋ skwɒd/ noun a group of soldiers who kill someone by shooting ① firm /f" m/ adj 1. solid or fixed 쑗 Make sure that the ladder is firm before you climb up. 쑗 My back hurts – I think I need a firmer mattress. 2. not going to change 쑗 There is no firm evidence that he stole the money. 쑗 She is a firm believer in hard work. 왍 to stand firm not to give in 쑗 In spite of the offers from the motorway construction company he stood firm and refused to leave his house. 3. which cannot be changed 쑗 to place a firm order for two lorries 쑗 They are quoting a firm price of £1.22 per unit. 4. determined to show that you are in control 쑗 He’s not firm enough with his children. first edition (NOTE: firmer – firmest) 쐽 noun a business or company 쑗 When he retired, the firm presented him with a watch. 쑗 The firm I work for was taken over last year. firmly / f" mli/ adv in a firm way first /f" st/ adj referring to the thing that ① comes before all other things (as a number can be written 1st) 쑗 My birthday is on the first of July or July the first (July 1st). 쑗 King Charles the First (Charles I) 쑗 It’s our baby’s first birthday on Tuesday. 쑗 The bank is the first building on the left past the post office. 왍 the first century the period from the year 1 to 99 AD 쐽 adv 1. at the beginning 쑗 She came first in the exam. 왍 at first at the beginning 쑗 At first he didn’t like the work, but later he got used to it. 왍 first come, first served dealing with things such as requests in the order in which they are received 쑗 Applications will be dealt with on a first come, first served basis. 2. before doing anything else 쑗 Wash your hands first, and then you can eat. 3. for the first time 쑗 When did you first meet your girlfriend? 쐽 noun the thing or person coming before everything else 왍 in first in first gear 쑗 The car climbed the hill in first. 왍 a first in Physics a first-class degree in Physics ③ first aid /f" st ed/ noun the help given to a person who is hurt before a doctor or ambulance arrives first aid kit /f" st ed kt/ noun a box with bandages and dressings kept to be used in an emergency first class /f" st klɑ s/ adj 1. very good quality 쑗 You can get a first-class meal in that hotel. 2. using the most expensive seats on a plane or train 쑗 Can I have a first-class return to Paris, please? 3. sent using the most expensive and quickest mail service 쑗 A first-class letter should arrive the next day. (NOTE: as an adjective, usually written first-class) 쐽 adv 1. in the most expensive seats in a train or plane 쑗 He always travels first class. 2. using the most expensive and quickest way of sending a letter 쑗 Send that letter first class – I want it to arrive quickly. 쐽 noun travel in the most expensive seats in a train or plane 쑗 First class is always much more comfortable than tourist or business class. first cousin /f" st kz(ə)n/ noun someone who is the child of your uncle or aunt first-degree /f" st d DZri / adj 왍 first degree burn the least serious type of burn first-degree murder /f" st dDZri m" də/ noun in the USA, the most serious type of murder first edition /f" st  dʃ(ə)n/ noun a copy of the first printing of a book first gear 316 first gear /f" st DZə/ noun the lowest gear, used when going slowly, or when climbing hills first generation /f" st dȢenə reʃ(ə)n/ adj relating to or being the children of parents who have left one country to settle in another ③ first half /f" st hɑ f/ noun 1. the first of two parts, as of a football match 쑗 They scored three goals in the first half. 2. the first part of a financial year, usually from January to June 쑗 The figures for the first half are up on those for the second part of last year. firsthand / f" sthnd/ adj which comes directly from someone who has experienced something 쑗 We have some firsthand reports of the coup from our reporter in the capital. 쐽 adv directly 쑗 I heard the news of the accident firsthand from his widow. First Lady / f" st ledi/ noun the wife of a president, especially the wife of the President of the USA first language /f" st lŋDZwdȢ/ noun 1. the first language that you learn to speak 2. a country’s main language ② firstly / f" stli/ adv to start with. Antonym lastly first mate /f" st met/ noun the main officer, next in rank to the captain, on a ship that is not part of the navy ③ first name / f" st nem/ noun someone’s personal name, as opposed to their surname or family name. Synonym given name, Christian name 왍 they are on first name terms they call each other by their first names first night /f" st nat/ noun the first official performance of a play first offender /f" st ə fendə/ noun someone who commits an offence for the first time first person /f" st p" s(ə)n/ noun in English, the words ‘I’ or ‘we’ which refer to the speaker first-rate /f" st ret/ adj excellent fiscal / fskəl/ adj referring to tax or to government revenues fiscal year /fskəl jə/ noun a 12-month period used for tax purposes. In Britain it is from 6th April of one year to 5th April of the next year. ① fish /fʃ/ noun an animal with fins and no legs, which lives in water and which you can usually eat 쑗 I sat by the river all day and only caught two little fish. 왍 there are plenty more fish in the sea there are lots of other people you could be friends with (informal ) 왍 I’ve got other fish to fry I have other more important business to deal with 쐽 verb 1. to try to catch a fish 쑗 We often go fishing in the lake. 쑗 They fished all day but didn’t catch anything. 2. to try to find something 쑗 He . fit fished around in his suitcase and after some delay produced his passport. 왍 to fish out to take out 쑗 He fished out a dirty handkerchief from his pocket. ③ fish and chips /fʃ ən tʃps/ plural noun a traditional British food, obtained from special shops, where portions of fish fried in batter are sold with chips ③ fish-and-chip shop /fʃ ən tʃp ʃɒp/ noun a shop selling cooked fish and chips, and usually other food, such as pies (NOTE: can also be called a chip shop or, informally, a chippy) fishcake / fʃkek/ noun a round cake of fish and potato mixed together, then cooked fisherman / fʃəmən/ noun a man who catches fish, either as his job or for sport (NOTE: The plural is fishermen.) fishery / fʃəri/ noun a part of the sea where fish are usually found (NOTE: The plural is fisheries.) ③ fish finger /fʃ fŋDZə/ noun a frozen finger-shaped piece of fish covered in breadcrumbs (NOTE: The US term is fish stick.) fish-hook / fʃ hυk/ noun a metal hook at the end of a line which catches in the mouth of the fish ③ fishing / fʃŋ/ noun the sport or business where you try to catch fish. Synonym angling fishing line / fʃŋ lan/ noun a long string used with a hook to catch fish fishing net / fʃŋ net/ noun a large piece of material with holes, used for catching fish fishing rod / fʃŋ rɒd/ noun a long stick with a line attached, used for fishing (NOTE: The US term is fishing pole.) fishmonger / fʃmŋDZə/ noun a person who sells fish in a shop fishy / fʃi/ adj 1. like a fish 쑗 These eggs have a fishy taste. 2. strange or unusual 쑗 There’s something fishy about the whole business. 쑗 What was she doing there at 2 o’clock in the morning? – It’s very fishy if you ask me. (NOTE: fishier – fishiest) fission / fʃ(ə)n/ noun splitting into parts 왍 nuclear fission splitting a hydrogen atom to create energy. Compare fusion fissure / fʃə/ noun a crack or split, especially in a rock or in the ground fist /fst/ noun a tightly closed hand. 쏡 clench ① fit /ft/ noun a sudden sharp attack of ill- ness, or of an emotion such as anger 쑗 She had a coughing fit or a fit of coughing. 쑗 In a fit of anger he threw the plate across the kitchen. 쑗 She’s having one of her periodic fits of efficiency. 왍 by fits and starts at odd moments, with continual stoppages 쑗 Something has gone wrong with the printer – it fitful 317 only prints out by fits and starts. 쐽 adj 1. healthy 쑗 He isn’t fit enough to go back to work. 쑗 You’ll have to get fit if you’re going to run the marathon. 2. 왍 fit to do something in good enough condition to do something 쑗 Is he fit to drive? 쑗 That car isn’t fit to be driven – its brakes don’t work and the tyres are worn. 3. suitable 쑗 Is she a fit person to look after small children? (NOTE: fitter – fittest) 쐽 verb 1. to be the right size or shape 쑗 He’s grown so tall that his jackets don’t fit him any more. 쑗 These shoes don’t fit me – they’re a size too small. 2. to put in place 쑗 I want to fit a new fridge in the kitchen. 쑗 Can you fit a new shelf on this wall? (NOTE: fitting – fitted) fitful / ftf(ə)l/ adj happening several times, but only for short periods of time fit in /ft n/, fit into /ft ntυ/ verb 1. to find room or time for someone or something 쑗 We can’t fit a holiday in this year as we have too much work. 쑗 How can you fit six people into that little car? 쑗 Fitting the furniture into the new house was quite a problem. 2. to be able to go into a space 쑗 How will the bed fit into that room? 3. to be comfortable as part of a group 쑗 He joined the firm two years ago but has never really fitted in. ③ fitness / ftnəs/ noun 1. being physically fit 쑗 She does fitness exercises every morning. 쑗 Physical fitness is important in the marines. 2. being suitable 쑗 Doubts were expressed about her fitness for the job. fitness centre / ftnəs sentə/ noun a gym; a place where you can do exercises to increase your physical fitness ③ fitted / ftd/ adj made to fit into a certain space 왍 fitted carpet a carpet cut to the exact size of the room and fixed to the floor fitted kitchen /ftd ktʃn/ noun a set of kitchen cupboards which are attached to the walls fitter / ftə/ noun 1. someone whose job is to repair machines and their parts 쑗 He has trained as an electrical fitter. 2. a person who makes sure clothes or carpets fit 쑗 The carpet fitters came to put down the carpet on the stairs. fitting / ftŋ/ adj suitable; right 쑗 It’s fitting that grandmother should sit at the head of the table – it’s her birthday party, after all. Synonym suitable. Antonym inappropriate 쐽 noun 1. the action of making something fit; the action of trying on a new piece of clothing 쑗 She’s having the first fitting of her wedding dress this afternoon. 2. the size and shape of something such as a shoe 쑗 Do you take a wide or narrow fitting? 3. a thing which is fixed in a building but which could be removed 쑗 an electric light fitting 쑗 The shop is being sold with all its fixtures and fittings. fizzy fitting room / ftŋ ru m/ noun a small room in a shop where you can try on clothes before you buy them ① five /fav/ noun the number 5 쐽 쑗 She drank five cups of tea. 쑗 He’s five (years old) next week. 쑗 The meeting has been arranged for five (o’clock). five o’clock shadow /fav ə klɒk ʃdəυ/ noun the dark appearance of a man’s chin, because the small hairs which grow there have not been cut fiver / favə/ noun a five pound note (informal ) five-star /fav stɑ / adj of the highest quality ① fix /fks/ verb 1. to fasten or to attach one thing to another 쑗 Fix one end of the cord to the tree and the other to the fence. 2. to arrange something 쑗 We’ll try to fix a time for the meeting. 3. to repair something 쑗 The telephone people are coming to fix the telephone. 쑗 Can you fix the dishwasher? 쑗 Does anyone know how to fix the photocopier? 4. US to prepare a drink or some food for someone 쑗 Let me fix you something to drink. 쑗 She fixed them some tuna sandwiches. 쐽 noun a difficult position (informal ) 쑗 He’s in a bit of a fix – he’s got no cash and can’t pay for the taxi. 쑗 That’s a nice fix you’ve got us into! (NOTE: The plural is . . fixes.) fixated /fk setd/ adj always thinking about one thing fixation /fk seʃ(ə)n/ noun a state of only thinking about one thing ③ fixed /fkst/ adj 1. attached firmly 쑗 The sign is fixed to the post with six-inch nails. 2. (of a price or an amount ) arranged or agreed on and not possible to change 쑗 We have a fixed scale of charges. fixedly / fksdli/ adv with eyes fixed on someone or something fixture / fkstʃə/ noun a sports match 쑗 Their next fixture is against Liverpool on Saturday. 쑗 Season ticket holders are sent a list of fixtures at the beginning of the season. fizz /fz/ noun 1. a sound like that made by bubbles 쑗 the fizz of the rocket as it went up into the air 2. champagne 쑗 Let’s have a drink, there’s a bottle of fizz in the fridge. 쐽 verb to bubble up 쑗 The cider fizzed in the glasses. Synonym effervesce fizzle / fz(ə)l/ verb 1. to make a hissing sound 2. to gradually become less strong or successful after a good start fizzle out /fz(ə)l aυt/ verb to come to nothing fizzy / fzi/ adj full of little gas bubbles. Synonym effervescent (NOTE: fizzier – . fizziest. Drinks which are not fizzy are still. fjord 318 If they used to be fizzy but are not any longer, they are flat.) fjord / fi ɔ d/ noun a long arm of the sea among mountains in Norway flab /flb/ noun excess flesh on your body (informal ) flabbergasted / flbəDZɑ std/ adj extremely surprised (informal ). Synonym . . amazed flabby / flbi/ adj soft and fat (informal ) . (NOTE: flabbier – flabbiest) flag /flDZ/ noun 1. a piece of brightly mate- rial with the symbol of a country or an organisation such as a club on it 쑗 The French flag has blue, red and white stripes. 쑗 The ship was flying the British flag. 쑗 The flags were blowing in the wind. 2. a small paper badge sold to raise money for a charity 쑗 Pin the flag to your coat to show that you have given something. 3. a large flat stone, e.g. used in making a path at the side of a road 쑗 The terrace is being laid with stone flags. 4. the iris, a plant which grows in wet ground and has long fat leaves and purple flowers 5. a mark put into a computer text 쐽 verb 1. to grow tired 쑗 We’ve been travelling all day – no wonder the children are starting to flag. 2. 왍 to flag down to wave to make a taxi stop 쑗 He stepped out into the street and flagged down a passing taxi. 3. to put a marker in a computer file 쑗 Don’t forget to flag the addresses so that we can find them again easily. (NOTE: flagging – flagged) flag day / flDZ de/ noun a day on which small paper flags are sold to raise money for a particular charity flagpole / flDZpəυl/ noun a tall pole on which large flags are flown flagrant / fleDZrənt/ adj clear, obvious and shocking. Synonym blatant. Antonym covert flagrantly / fleDZrəntli/ adv in a flagrant way flagship / flDZʃp/ noun 1. the ship on which the most important officer of a navy sails, and which therefore flies his special flag 2. the most important part of a group of businesses 쑗 the company’s flagship store in Regent Street flagstone / flDZstəυn/ noun a large flat stone used for making paths or floors. Synonym paving stone flail /flel/ noun a hand tool for removing the hard outside part of plants such as wheat 쐽 verb to wave your arms about 쑗 He lay on his back flailing with his arms at his opponent. flair /fleə/ noun 왍 a flair for something a natural ability to do something 쑗 She has a distinct flair for dress design. 쑗 He has a flair for languages. flannel flak /flk/ noun 1. the firing of guns against aircraft 쑗 We ran into a lot of flak as we approached the enemy stronghold. 2. a sharp criticism 쑗 He’s taken a lot of flak from the reviewers. 쑗 The programme came in for a lot of flak from the TV critics. (NOTE: no plural) flake /flek/ noun 1. a very small, thin piece The paint came off in little flakes. 2. a small piece of snow which falls from the sky 쑗 Snow fell in large soft flakes all night. 쐽 verb 왍 to flake off or away to fall off in little pieces 쑗 The plaster on the wall of the church had flaked away, revealing the old carvings. 쑗 The paint is beginning to flake off and needs redoing. flaky / fleki/ adj made up of thin pieces flaky pastry /fleki pestri/ noun a mixture of flour, butter and water which breaks into flakes when cooked flamboyant /flm bɔənt/ adj 1. brightly coloured 쑗 She wore a flamboyant red cape. 2. very impressive 쑗 In a flamboyant gesture, he ordered all the trees in the park to be covered with little lights. flame /flem/ noun a brightly burning part of a fire or candle 쑗 Flames could be seen coming out of the upstairs windows. 왍 in flames burning 쑗 The building was already in flames when the fire engine arrived. flamenco /flə meŋkəυ/ noun a fast Spanish dance, to guitar music flameproof / flempru f/, flame-resistant / flem rzstənt/ adj treated with a special substance so that it will not catch fire or melt flaming / flemŋ/ adj 1. in flames 쑗 They ran away from the flaming wreckage. 2. 왍 in a flaming temper extremely angry 3. used to make what you say stronger (informal ) 쑗 What did you do with the flaming knife? flamingo /flə mŋDZəυ/ noun a tropical water bird with long legs and neck, often with pink feathers (NOTE: The plural is flamin쑗 . . gos.) flammable / flməb(ə)l/ adj easily set on fire. Antonym fireproof (NOTE: means the same as inflammable) flan /fln/ noun an open pastry case with a filling of food such as eggs and fruit flange /flndȢ/ noun an edge which sticks out on a pipe or wheel flank /flŋk/ noun a side, especially of an animal or of an army 쑗 He patted the horse’s flank. 쑗 The right flank of the army moved forward. 쐽 verb to be at the side of someone or something 쑗 The accused was flanked by two prison warders. flannel / fln(ə)l/ noun 1. a warm material made of wool 쑗 trousers made of grey flannel or grey flannel trousers 2. a small square of soft material for washing the face or body flannels 319 flat out 쑗 왍 to flash by or past to move or to pass by – flapped) flapjack / flpdȢk/ noun 1. a flat cake made of oats, butter and honey or syrup 2. US a pancake ③ flare /fleə/ noun an object which gives a quickly 쑗 The champion flashed past to win in record time. flashback / flʃbk/ noun a scene in a film, showing what happened at an earlier date flashcard / flʃkɑ d/ noun a card that has words or numbers printed on it, used to help someone to learn something flash flood /flʃ fld/ noun a sudden flood after heavy rain ③ flashlight / flʃlat/ noun a torch; a small electric light that you can carry flashpoint / flʃpɔnt/ noun 1. the stage in something such as a process or situation at which violence or some other serious problem is likely to develop 2. the temperature at which a vapour will burn in the air flashy / flʃi/ adj showy and bright but of poor quality. Antonym understated (NOTE: He put his flannel under the hot tap and wiped his face. flannels / fln(ə)lz/ plural noun flannel trousers flap /flp/ noun 1. a flat part which is attached to an object and has a special type of fastening allowing it to move up and down 쑗 The pilot tested the wing flaps before taking off. 2. a state of worried excitement (informal ) 쑗 They got into a flap about the new neighbours’ dog. 3. a movement of a bird’s wing 쑗 With a flap of its wings, the eagle flew off. 쐽 verb to move up and down like a bird’s wing 쑗 Flags were flapping in the breeze. 쑗 The swans stood by the edge of the water, flapping their wings. (NOTE: flapping . sudden burst of light, especially as a signal 쑗 The lifeboat sent up flares. 쑗 We knew the ship was in distress when we saw the flares. 쐽 verb 1. to burn brightly 쑗 The flames from the burning oil refinery flared in the distance. 2. (of a skirt or trousers) to become gradually wider at the bottom 쑗 She wore a long straight skirt which flared from the knees down. (NOTE: Do not confuse with flair.) flared /fleəd/ adj with a shape that becomes wider at one end flares / fleəz/ plural noun trousers which are wider at the bottom flare up /fleər p/ verb 1. to suddenly start burning 쑗 The bonfire flared up when he poured petrol on it. 쑗 The flames died down and then flared up again. 2. to get angry suddenly 쑗 She flared up when he suggested it was her fault. flare-up / fleər p/ noun a sudden return or a sudden beginning (informal ). Synonym . outbreak ③ flash /flʃ/ noun 1. a short sudden burst of light 쑗 Flashes of lightning lit up the sky. 왍 in a flash, quick as a flash very quickly 쑗 In a flash, she said ‘yes’. 2. an object used for making a bright light, allowing you to take photographs in the dark 쑗 People sometimes have red eyes in photos taken with a flash. 3. a bright light from a camera 쑗 The scene at the entrance to the film première was lit up with flashes from photographers’ cameras. 4. 왍 news flash a short piece of important news, broadcast at an unexpected time 쑗 There was a news flash about a bomb in central London. 쑗 We interrupt the programme for a news flash. (NOTE: The plural is flashes) 쐽 verb 1. to light up quickly and suddenly 쑗 Lightning flashed all around. 2. flashier – flashiest) flask /flɑ sk/ noun a small glass bottle for liquids flat /flt/ adj 1. level, not sloping or curved 쑗 a house with a flat roof 왍 as flat as a pancake very flat (informal ) 쑗 The country round Ely is as flat as a pancake. 2. (of drink) no longer fizzy 쑗 My lemonade’s gone flat. 3. with no electric charge left 쑗 The car wouldn’t start because the battery was flat. 4. (in music) playing at a lower pitch than it should be 쑗 That violin sounds flat. (NOTE: flatter – flattest) 쐽 adv 1. level; not sloping or curved 쑗 Lay your clothes out flat on the bed. 쑗 He tripped over and fell flat on his face. 2. completely; in a direct way 쑗 He turned down the offer flat. 왍 flat broke with no money at all 쑗 I can’t pay the rent – I’m flat broke. 3. exactly 쑗 He ran the mile in four minutes flat. 쐽 noun 1. a set of rooms on one floor, usually in a building with several similar sets of rooms 쑗 They live in the block of flats next to the underground station. 쑗 Their flat is on the ground floor. (NOTE: The US term is apartment.) 2. US a tyre which has lost its air 쑗 I asked the garage to fix the flat. (NOTE: The British term is flat tyre or puncture.) 3. (in music) a pitch which is one semitone lower 쑗 They played a Sonata in E flat. 쑗 He played D sharp instead of D flat. flatbed scanner /fltbed sknə/ noun a large scanner, where images are placed flat on a surface in order to be scanned flatly / fltli/ adv in a firm way flat-mate / flt met/ noun a person who shares a flat with you ③ flat out /flt aυt/ adv 1. at full speed 쑗 They drove flat out to get to the airport in time. 2. very hard 쑗 He worked flat out to finish his work on time. ② . flat-pack 320 flat-pack / flt pk/ noun furniture which is sold as a set of pieces packed flat for the customer to put it together flat racing / flt resŋ/ noun horse-racing over flat ground, without any fences to jump flat rate /flt ret/ noun a fixed charge which never changes flatten / flt(ə)n/ verb to make flat flatter / fltə/ verb 1. to praise someone although you do not really mean what you say 쑗 Just flatter the boss a bit, tell him how good his golf is, and he’ll give you a rise. 2. 왍 to flatter yourself to persuade yourself that something is true, when it is not 쑗 He’s flattering himself if he thinks everyone is going to do what he wants. flattered / fltəd/ adj feeling honoured flattering / flt(ə)rŋ/ adj which makes you look good or praises you flattery / fltəri/ noun praising someone too much flaunt /flɔ nt/ verb to show something in a deliberate way because you want to attract people’s attention flautist / flɔ tst/ noun a person who plays the flute (NOTE: Another US spelling is flutist.) flavour / flevə/ noun a particular taste 쑗 The tomato soup had an unusual flavour. 쑗 What flavour of ice cream do you want? 왍 the flavour of the month the most popular thing at the moment (informal ) 쑗 All-girl groups are the flavour of the month. 쐽 verb to add things such as salt or spices in cooking something, to give it a special taste 쑗 soup flavoured with herbs 쑗 Use rosemary to flavour lamb. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spell. ing is flavor.) flavoured / flevəd/ adj which tastes of something (NOTE: The US spelling is flavored.) flavouring / flevərŋ/ noun a substance added to food to give a particular taste (NOTE: The US spelling is flavoring.) flaw /flɔ / noun 1. a fault in something which makes it appear less attractive or causes a problem 쑗 The expert examined the Chinese vase, looking for flaws. 쑗 There must be a flaw in the computer program. 2. a mistake in an argument 쑗 There’s a flaw in your reasoning. 쑗 There was a fundamental flaw in their calculations. 쐽 verb to spoil 쑗 Her performance was flawed by her inability to hold the high notes. flawed /flɔ d/ adj with mistakes. Synonym faulty flawless / flɔ ləs/ adj perfect. Antonym flawed flax /flks/ noun a variety of linseed plant, of which the fibres are used for making into linen flew flea /fli / noun a very small insect that jumps and sucks blood (NOTE: Do not confuse with flee.) flea market / fli mɑ kt/ noun an open-air market for objects which have been owned by other people fleck /flek/ noun a small spot 쑗 She tried to brush the flecks of powder off her dress. 쑗 He had flecks of plaster in his hair. Synonym speck 쐽 verb to mark something with small spots 쑗 His hair is flecked with grey. 쑗 Dead grass flecked with snow. flecked /flekt/ adj marked with a pattern of small stripes or spots fledgling / fledȢlŋ/ noun a baby bird which is ready to fly from the nest 쑗 The fledglings were standing at the edge of the nest, flapping their wings. flee /fli / verb 왍 to flee (from something) to run away from something 쑗 As the fighting spread, the village people fled into the jungle. 쑗 She tried to flee but her foot was caught in the rope. (NOTE: fleeing – fled /fled/) fleece /fli s/ noun a coat of wool covering a sheep 쑗 After shearing, the fleeces are taken away to market. 쐽 verb to cheat someone and take their money (informal ) 쑗 The bars round the harbour are waiting to fleece the tourists. 쑗 He was fleeced by two girls he met in a bar. Synonym swindle fleecy / fli si/ adj 1. made of fleece 쑗 My overcoat has a fleecy lining. 2. looking like fleece 쑗 The blue sky was dotted with fleecy clouds. fleet /fli t/ noun 1. a group of ships belonging together 쑗 When the fleet is in port, the pubs are full of sailors. 2. a collection of vehicles 쑗 The company replaces its car fleet or fleet of cars every two years. 쑗 the airline’s fleet of Boeing 747s fleeting / fli tŋ/ adj short and very fast. Synonym brief Fleet Street / fli t stri t/ noun a street in London where many British newspapers formerly had their offices ③ flesh /fleʃ/ noun 1. a soft part of the body covering the bones 왍 in the flesh in person, not on TV or in photographs 쑗 It was strange to see the TV newsreader in the flesh. 왍 his own flesh and blood his relations; his family 쑗 Even his own flesh and blood refused to meet him. 2. a soft part of fruit 쑗 a melon with pink flesh 쑗 Some grapefruit have pink flesh. (NOTE: no plural) flesh wound / fleʃ wu nd/ noun a wound which is not very deep fleshy / fleʃi/ adj fat or soft and thick ③ flew /flu / 쒁 fly (NOTE: Do not confuse . with flu, flue.) flex 321 flex /fleks/ noun a plastic covered wire that bends easily, used for carrying electricity 쑗 He tripped over a flex. 쑗 We bought a roll of flex to rewire the office. 쐽 verb to bend 앳 to flex your muscles 1. to practise bending and relaxing the muscles as exercise 쑗 The union is flexing its muscles for a fight with the government. 2. to threaten someone ③ flexibility /fleks blti/ noun the ability to change when your situation changes (NOTE: no plural) flexible / fleksb(ə)l/ adj 1. easy to bend 쑗 Soft rubber soles are very flexible. 2. able to change easily 쑗 My timetable is very flexible – we can meet whenever you want. flick /flk/ noun a little sharp blow or movement (informal ) 쑗 He shook off the wasp with a flick of his hand. 쐽 verb to hit or move something gently, with a short quick movement 쑗 The horse flicked its tail to get rid of the flies. flicker / flkə/ noun 1. a movement of something such as a light which seems to shake or to burn for only a short time 쑗 They saw the flicker of a light in the forest. 2. a small amount 쑗 There is still a flicker of hope that someone may still be alive under the ruins. 쐽 verb to shake; to burn unsteadily 쑗 The candles flickered in the draught. 쑗 We could see the flickering lights of the old harbour in the distance. flick knife / flk naf/ noun a knife with a blade which fits inside the handle and which shoots out when a button is pressed (NOTE: . The plural is flick knives.) flick through / flk θru / verb to look quickly at the pages of a newspaper or book flier / flaə/ 쒁 flyer ③ flies /flaz/ 쒁 fly ② flight /flat/ noun 1. travel in a plane 쑗 Go to gate 25 for flight AB198. 쑗 All flights to Paris have been cancelled. 쑗 She sat next to me on a flight to Montreal. 2. the process of flying; travel through the air 쑗 The Wright brothers are important in the history of flight. 쑗 Young birds stay in the nest until they are ready for flight. 3. 왍 flight of stairs a set of stairs going in one direction flight attendant / flat ətendənt/ noun a person whose job is to look after passengers on a plane flight deck / flat dek/ noun 1. a section at the front of an aircraft where the pilots sit 2. a long flat deck on an aircraft carrier on which planes land and take off flight path / flat pɑ θ/ noun a route along which an aircraft flies flight recorder / flat rkɔ də/ noun a piece of equipment carried in an aircraft which records what happens during a flight, flippantly including conversations between pilots and the control tower. Also called black box flight simulator / flat smjυletə/ noun a computer program which allows a user to practise flying a plane, with controls which seem real and moving scenes flimsy / flmzi/ adj 1. (of material ) light and thin 쑗 He wore only a flimsy cotton jacket. 2. not strong 쑗 Their house was a flimsy construction of bamboo and leaves. 3. (of an excuse) poor 쑗 She could only offer the flimsiest of excuses. (NOTE: flimsier – . flimsiest) flinch /flntʃ/ verb 1. to move back in pain or fear 쑗 The reporters flinched at the sight of the corpses. 2. 왍 not to flinch from to do something, even though it is extremely difficult or painful 쑗 He didn’t flinch from his duty. fling /flŋ/ noun 1. a wild dance 2. 왍 to have a fling to relax, letting off your high spirits 쑗 The boys were having a last fling before joining the army the following morning. 왍 to have a fling with someone to have a short sexual relationship with someone (informal ) 쑗 She had a brief fling with one of the managers. 쐽 verb 1. to throw something carelessly and with a lot of force 쑗 He flung the empty bottle into the sea. 2. to move yourself or a part of your body quickly and with a lot of force 쑗 She flung herself into an armchair. Synonym throw (NOTE: flinging . – flung) flint /flnt/ noun 1. a very hard type of rock which was used to make tools in the past 쑗 Flints are found in chalky soil. 쑗 Prehistoric people used flints to make knives. 2. a small piece of metal which lights the flame on a cigarette lighter 쑗 I need a new flint for my lighter. flip /flp/ noun the act of turning over 쑗 a flip of a coin 쐽 verb 1. to hit something such as a control on a machine without using a lot of force 쑗 She flipped a switch and the lights went off. 왍 to flip a coin to throw a coin so that it turns over in the air 왍 to flip over to turn over quickly 쑗 Before he could do anything the canoe flipped over. 2. to get very angry (informal ) 쑗 He flipped when they told him how much the bill came to. (NOTE: flip. ping – flipped) flipchart / flptʃɑ t/ noun a stand with large sheets of paper fixed together at the top, used for showing pictures or writing when speaking to a group of people flip flops / flp flɒps/ plural noun flat rubber shoes held on by a strap between the toes flippant / flpənt/ adj not taking seriously things which should be taken seriously. Synonym facetious flippantly / flpəntli/ adv in a flippant way flipper 322 flipper / flpə/ noun 1. a long flat piece of rubber which you can attach to your foot to help you swim faster 쑗 You need flippers and a snorkel to go scuba diving. 2. the flat arm or leg of a sea animal, used for swimming 쑗 The seal walked across the rock on its flippers. flip side / flp sad/ noun 1. the disadvantages of a particular idea or situation 2. the side of a record which has the less popular piece of music on it flip through / flp θru / verb to look quickly at the pages of a newspaper or book flirt /fl" t/ noun a man or woman who often behaves in a way that shows sexual interest towards another person 쑗 His new secretary is a bit of a flirt. 쐽 verb to behave in a way that shows sexual interest towards another person 쑗 He flirted a lot at the office party. flirtation /fl" teʃ(ə)n/ noun a love affair which is not serious and lasts for only a short time flirtatious /fl" teʃəs/ adj who flirts a lot. Synonym playful flirt with / fl" t wð/ verb 1. to behave in a way that shows sexual interest towards another person 쑗 She flirted with all the boys at the party. 2. to consider a course of action in a way that is not serious 쑗 We’ve been flirting with the idea of going to live in the States. 3. to be close to something risky 쑗 She’s flirting with danger in standing so close to the fireworks. flit /flt/ noun 왍 to do a moonlight flit to escape quietly at night without paying your bills 쐽 verb to move quickly and quietly 쑗 A thought flitted through my mind. 쑗 Bats were flitting around the church tower. (NOTE: flitting – flitted) ③ float /fləυt/ noun 1. a piece of a sub- stance such as cork, attached to a fishing line, which floats on the surface of the water, allowing the line and hook to hang down below 쑗 If the float bobs up and down in the water it means you have caught a fish. 2. a decorated truck in a long line of trucks, e.g. as part of a festival 쑗 The long line of carnival floats went down the high street. 쐽 verb 1. to lie or put on the top of a liquid 쑗 Dead fish were floating in the river. 쑗 He floated a paper boat on the lake. 2. to stay in the air without any effort 쑗 little white clouds floating in the sky 3. to start selling shares in a new company 쑗 The company is to be floated on the stock exchange next week. 4. to let a currency find its own exchange rate on the international markets, and not fix it at a certain amount 쑗 The government decided that the best course would be to let the pound float. floating / fləυtŋ/ adj resting on the surface of a liquid or in the air floodlit floating voter /fləυtŋ vəυtə/ noun a person who is not sure which party to vote for in an election flock /flɒk/ noun 1. a group of similar animals together 쑗 a flock of sparrows 쑗 A flock of sheep were grazing on the hillside. (NOTE: flock is usually used with sheep, goats, and birds such as hens or geese. For cattle, the word to use is herd.) 2. a large group of people 쑗 flocks of tourists 3. a group of people belonging to a Christian church 쑗 the priest and his flock. Synonym congregation 쐽 verb to move in large numbers 쑗 Tourists flocked to see the changing of the guard. 쑗 Holidaymakers have been flocking to the resorts on the south coast. flog /flɒDZ/ verb 1. to sell (informal ) 쑗 I flogged my car to my brother. 쑗 They’ve been trying to flog the boat for months. 2. to beat hard, usually with a whip 쑗 When he was a little boy he was often flogged at school. 왍 to flog something to death to repeat a joke or story over and over again (informal ) 왍 it’s like flogging a dead horse it will never be successful 쑗 Trying to get him to change his mind is like flogging a dead horse. (NOTE: flogging – flogged) flogging / flɒDZŋ/ noun the act of beating someone as a punishment ③ flood /fld/ noun 1. a large amount of water over land which is usually dry 쑗 The floods were caused by heavy rain. 2. a large amount of something, e.g. tears or letters 쑗 The TV station received floods of complaints after the ad was shown. 쑗 She was in floods of tears when they told her that she had to leave her house. 쐽 verb 1. to cover with water 쑗 They are going to build a dam and flood the valley. 쑗 Fields were flooded after the river burst its banks. 쑗 He forgot to turn the tap off and flooded the bathroom. 2. to flow outside the normal area 쑗 The Nile floods each year. 3. to come in large numbers 쑗 The office was flooded with complaints or complaints came flooding into the office. Flood /fld/ noun a story in the Bible of the time when the earth was covered with water and only Noah and his family and animals were saved in the Ark floodgates / fldDZets/ plural noun 왍 open the floodgates to make it possible for something to suddenly start happening flooding / fldŋ/ noun a situation in which an area is covered with water floodlight / fldlat/ noun a strong electric light used to light an area in the open air 쑗 They switched on the floodlights for the evening match. 쐽 verb to light with floodlights 쑗 The castle is floodlit at night. (NOTE: flood. . lighting – floodlit) floodlit / fldlt/ adj lit by floodlights. Synonym illuminated floor 323 ① floor /flɔ / noun 1. the part of a room on which you walk 쑗 He put the books in a pile on the floor. 쑗 If there are no empty chairs left, you’ll have to sit on the floor. 왍 to take the floor to start speaking in a discussion 2. all the rooms on one level in a building 쑗 The bathroom is on the ground floor. 쑗 His office is on the fifth floor. 쑗 There is a good view of the town from the top floor. 쐽 verb 왍 to be floored to not be able to answer something 쑗 He was floored by one of the questions in the exam paper. COMMENT: The floors in American buildings are numbered differently from those in Britain: the ‘ground floor’ in Britain is the ‘first floor’ in the USA. The ‘first floor’ in Britain is the ‘second floor’ in the USA, and so on. floorboard / flɔ bɔ d/ noun a long flat piece of wood used for making wooden floors flooring / flɔ rŋ/ noun material used to make a floor floorshow / flɔ ʃəυ/ noun entertainment by performers in a nightclub floor space / flɔ spes/ noun an area of floor taken up by something flop /flɒp/ noun 1. a failure 쑗 His new play was a complete flop and closed after only ten performances. 쑗 The film was a big hit in New York but was a flop in London. 2. a noise made when something that is not made of metal falls onto something else 쐽 verb 1. to fall or sit heavily, with your body relaxed 쑗 The lions lay flopped out in the shade of the trees. 쑗 She got back from the sales and flopped down on the sofa. 2. to be unsuccessful 쑗 The play was a big hit on Broadway but flopped in London. (NOTE: flopping – flopped) floppy / flɒpi/ adj which hangs down loosely 쑗 a floppy red hat 쑗 a white rabbit with long floppy ears. Synonym limp (NOTE: floppier – floppiest) 쐽 noun a floppy disk (informal ) 쑗 The data is available on 3.5 inch floppies. (NOTE: The plural is floppies.) ③ floppy disk /flɒpi dsk/ noun a small disk which can be put into a computer and removed flora / flɔ rə/ noun the wild plants that grow in a particular area. Compare fauna (NOTE: . The plural is flora.) floral / flɔ rəl/ adj referring to flowers. Synonym flowery florid / flɒrd/ adj 1. reddish in colour 쑗 His florid complexion suggested he drank a lot. 2. with a complicated pattern or with too many details 쑗 I don’t like the florid style of Baroque architecture. 쑗 He writes in an unpleasantly florid style. florist / flɒrst/ noun a person who sells flowers 왍 a florist’s a shop which sells flow- flower ers 쑗 She bought some roses at the florist’s (shop). floss /flɒs/ noun a thin thread of silk flotation /fləυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of selling shares in a company on the stock exchange for the first time flotilla /flə tlə/ noun a group of small boats. Synonym fleet flotsam / flɒtsəm/ noun rubbish floating in the water. Synonym debris (NOTE: no plural) flounce /flaυns/ noun a border of cloth which has many small folds and is attached to the edge of something such as a piece of clothing or a curtain 쐽 verb 왍 to flounce out to go out of a room in a way which shows you are impatient and annoyed 쑗 ‘I’ll go all by myself,’ she said, and flounced out of the room. flounder1 / flaυndə/ noun a type of small flat fish flounder2 / flaυndə ə baυt/ verb 1. to move with difficulty 쑗 He saw her floundering about in the water and realised she couldn’t swim. 2. to not be sure of an answer to a question 쑗 She started to flounder as soon as they started to ask her more technical questions. ③ flour /flaυə/ noun wheat grain crushed to powder, used for making food such as bread or cakes flourish / flrʃ/ noun 1. a wide movement of the arm in the air 쑗 The conductor ended the concert with a flourish. 2. a large curve in handwriting 쑗 She signed her name with a flourish. (NOTE: The plural is flourishes.) 쐽 verb 1. to grow well; to do well 쑗 Palms flourish in hot countries. 2. to wave something in the air 쑗 She came in with a big smile, flourishing a cheque. flourishing / flrʃŋ/ adj which is doing well flout /flaυt/ verb to pay no attention to something such as a rule. Synonym disobey. Antonym obey ② flow /fləυ/ noun the movement of things such as liquid or air, or of people 쑗 She tried to stop the flow of blood with a tight bandage. 쑗 There was a steady flow of visitors to the exhibition. (NOTE: Do not confuse with floe.) 쐽 verb to move along smoothly 쑗 The river flows into the sea. 쑗 Traffic on the motorway is flowing smoothly. flow chart / fləυ tʃɑ t/ noun a drawing which shows all the different operations in a process ② flower / flaυə/ noun the colourful part of a plant, which attracts insects and then produces fruit or seeds 쑗 a plant with bright yellow flowers 왍 in flower covered with flowers 쑗 Go to Japan when the cherry trees are in flowerbed 324 flower. 쐽 verb to produce flowers 쑗 a plant which flowers in early summer 쑗 The cherry trees flowered very late this year. flowerbed / flaυəbed/ noun a piece of ground where flowers grow flowering / flaυərŋ/ adj which is grown for flowers rather than fruit flowerpot / flaυəpɒt/ noun a container to grow plants in flowery / flaυəri/ adj 1. decorated with a pattern of flowers 쑗 a flowery dress 쑗 She chose some very flowery wallpaper. 2. using literary or emotional language 쑗 He wrote the most flowery thank-you letter. (NOTE: Do not confuse with floury.) ③ flown /fləυn/ 쒁 fly fl. oz. abbr fluid ounces ③ flu /flu / noun a common illness like a bad cold, often with a high temperature (NOTE: Do not confuse with flew, flue. Note also that the full word is influenza.) fluctuate / flktʃuet/ verb to rise and fall fluctuation /flktʃu eʃ(ə)n/ noun a movement backwards and forwards or up and down. Synonym variation flue /flu / noun a pipe through which something such as a gas can flow out of a building (NOTE: Do not confuse with flew, flu.) fluency / flu ənsi/ noun the fact of being fluent fluent / flu ənt/ adj able to speak easily; spoken easily fluff /flf/ noun a soft mass of fibres or hair 쑗 She pulled the sofa away from the wall and saw all the fluff which had collected under it. Synonym fuzz 쐽 verb 1. to do something badly (informal ) 쑗 He fluffed his speech, and everyone laughed. 2. 왍 to fluff up cushions to shake cushions so that they become fat and full of air fluffy / flfi/ adj like fluff; covered with fluff fluid / flu d/ noun a liquid 쑗 You need to drink plenty of fluids in hot weather. 쐽 adj which is not fixed or settled 쑗 The situation is still fluid – nothing has been agreed yet. fluid ounce /flu d aυns/ noun 1. a US unit of liquid measurement equal to 1/16 of a US pint or 29.57 ml 2. a UK unit of liquid measurement equal to 1/20 of an imperial pint or 28.41 ml fluke /flu k/ noun 1. a chance; lucky event 쑗 It was a pure fluke that I happened to be there when the phone rang. 2. a type of flat worm which lives in the liver of some animals and cause illness 쑗 Their sheep were attacked by liver fluke. flung /flŋ/ 쒁 fling flunk /flŋk/ verb US to fail an examination or to make someone fail an examination (informal ) . . fly fluorescent /flυə res(ə)nt/ adj 1. giving off light when electric current is applied 쑗 We have fluorescent lighting in the office. 2. which seems to glow 쑗 She’s bought a fluorescent pink tracksuit. fluorescent light /flυə res(ə)nt lat/ noun a very bright light consisting of a long glass tube containing fluorescent gas fluoridation /flυər deʃ(ə)n/ noun adding fluoride to water to prevent tooth decay fluoride / flυərad/ noun a chemical substance which is sometimes added to water or to toothpaste because it can protect your teeth flurry / flri/ noun 1. hurried excitement 쑗 In his flurry to leave he forgot to take his keys. 2. a sudden small fall of snow when there is a strong wind blowing 쑗 There will be snow flurries during the morning. (NOTE: The plural is flurries.) flush /flʃ/ noun 1. a red colour on the face 쑗 a flush of anger 2. a quick flow of water 3. (at cards) a hand in which all the cards are of the same suit 쑗 She is holding a flush. (NOTE: The plural is flushes.) 쐽 verb 1. to go red in the face 쑗 She flushed with pleasure when she heard the results. 2. 왍 to flush out to drive out of hiding 쑗 The army brought in helicopters to flush the guerrillas out of their mountain bases. 쐽 adj 1. 왍 flush with level with 쑗 The door must be flush with the wall. 2. having plenty of money to spend (informal ) 쑗 I’ve just been paid, so I’m feeling very flush at the moment. flushed /flʃt/ adj red in the face fluster / flstə/ verb to make someone feel confused. Synonym disconcert flustered / flstəd/ adj confused. Synonym harassed. Antonym calm flute /flu t/ noun 1. a wind instrument held sideways, and played by blowing across a small hole near the end 쑗 She plays the flute in the local orchestra. 2. a tall narrow wine glass on a stem, used for serving champagne flutter / fltə/ noun 1. a light movement, especially of wings 쑗 With a flutter of wings, the robin landed on the bird-table. 2. a small gamble (informal ) 쑗 Sometimes I have a flutter at our local racetrack. 3. a very quick movement of the heart 쑗 We detected a slight heart flutter. 쐽 verb 1. to move wings quickly but with not a lot of force 쑗 The little bird fell out of its nest and fluttered to the ground. 2. to move softly and quickly 쑗 Dead leaves fluttered from the trees. 쑗 The flags fluttered in the breeze. flux /flks/ noun 1. a situation which is not settled 쑗 The company seems to be in a state of flux. 2. a metal substance used for joining metal objects (NOTE: no plural) ① fly /fla/ verb 1. to move through the air using wings or to travel in a plane 쑗 When the cat came into the garden, the birds flew . . fly-drive holiday 325 away. 쑗 Some birds fly to Africa for the winter. 쑗 I’m flying to China next week. 쑗 He flies across the Atlantic twice a month. 2. to make a plane move through the air 쑗 The king was flying his own plane. 3. to move people or goods by plane from one place to another 쑗 They flew the injured skier home early. 4. to travel fast 쑗 I must fly if I want to get home by 6 o’clock. 쑗 His daughter is already two – how time flies! 왍 to fly into a rage or temper to become suddenly very angry 5. to have a flag up 쑗 The ship was flying the Russian flag. (NOTE: flying – flew /flu / – has flown /fləυn/) 쐽 noun 1. a small insect which lays its eggs on food 쑗 He tried to kill the fly with a newspaper. 쑗 Waiter, there’s a fly in my soup! 2. the front fastening on a pair of trousers 쑗 Look out – your fly’s undone. (NOTE: also called flies) 3. an object made in the shape of an insect and used when fishing (NOTE: [all noun senses] The plural is flies.) fly-drive holiday / fla drav hɒlde/, fly-drive package / fla drav pkdȢ/ noun a holiday where the traveller flies to an airport and has a rented car waiting for him or her to drive flyer / flaə/ noun 1. a person who flies an aircraft 쑗 He was one of the first flyers to cross the Atlantic. 쏡 frequent flyer 2. a paper advertising something 쑗 They sent us a flyer about their home delivery service. fly fishing / fla fʃŋ/ noun the sport of fishing using an object which looks like a fly to attract the fish flyhalf / flahɑ f/ noun a player in the sport of rugby who runs fast and passes the ball ③ flying / flaŋ/ adj 1. which is flying in the air 쑗 a plague of flying ants 2. 왍 with flying colours with great success 쑗 He passed his test with flying colours. 쐽 noun the action of going in a plane 쑗 He has a fear of flying. flying saucer /flaŋ sɔ sə/ noun a flying object which people claim to see and which they think comes from another planet flying start /flaŋ stɑ t/ noun a good beginning to something such as a race, game or piece of work flying visit /flaŋ vzt/ noun a very short visit flyleaf / flali f/ noun an extra page with nothing printed on it at the beginning or end of a book, often used for writing notes fly-on-the-wall /fla ɒn ðə wɔ l/ adj filmed in a way that shows something as it really is or as it actually happens flyover / flaəυvə/ noun a road which passes over another flypaper / flapepə/ noun a long narrow piece of sticky paper for catching flies foe flypast / flapɑ st/ noun a flight of aircraft over a certain spot to celebrate something flyweight / flawet/ noun the lightest weight in boxing, below bantamweight ③ FM abbr frequency modulation 쑗 Radio 4 is on 93.5 FM. foal /fəυl/ noun a young horse 쑗 The mare gently nudged her foal. 쐽 verb to give birth to a foal 쑗 The mare foaled last night. foam /fəυm/ noun a mass of small bubbles 쑗 This detergent makes a huge amount of foam. 쐽 verb to make a mass of small bubbles 쑗 The waitress was carrying mugs of foaming beer. 쑗 The horse was foaming at the mouth after the race. 왍 to be foaming (at the mouth) (of a person) to be extremely angry 쑗 The MD was foaming (at the mouth) when he read the report in the paper. foam rubber /fəυm rbə/ noun rubber in blocks with many little holes in it, e.g. used for the seat of a chair fob /fɒb/ verb 왍 to fob someone off with something to persuade someone to accept something which they do not really want focal / fəυk(ə)l/ adj referring to a focus. Synonym principal. Antonym peripheral focal length /fəυk(ə)l leŋθ/ noun the distance between the centre of an optical lens and the focus focal point / fəυk(ə)l pɔnt/ noun a point which everything is focused on. Antonym periphery ② focus / fəυkəs/ noun 1. a point where rays of light from an object meet 쑗 The focus of the beam is a point 20 metres from the spotlight. 2. (of a photograph) a point where the details of the photograph are clear and sharp 쑗 Adjust the focus so as to get a clear picture. 왍 in focus clear 왍 out of focus not clear 3. the centre of attention 쑗 The director brought the star actress to the front of the stage, so that the focus of the audience’s attention would be on her. 쐽 verb 1. to change so as to be able to see clearly 쑗 He focused his telescope on a ship on the horizon. 2. 왍 to focus on something to look closely at something; to concentrate on something 쑗 The editorial focuses on the economic situation. 쑗 The paper is focusing on the problems of the TV star’s marriage. focused / fəυkəst/ adj concentrating on one thing and giving it all your attention focus group / fəυkəs DZru p/ noun a representative group of people who are questioned about their opinions as part of political or market research fodder / fɒdə/ noun plants such as grass which are grown and given to animals as food foe /fəυ/ noun an enemy or opponent (formal ) Synonym adversary. Antonym friend . foetal 326 foetal / fi t(ə)l/ adj referring to a foetus (NOTE: The US spelling is fetal.) foetal position / fi t(ə)l pəzʃ(ə)n/ noun the position of a person who is lying curled up on his or her side, like a baby inside the mother’s body foetus / fi təs/ noun a baby human or animal which has not been born but is developing from an embryo inside the womb (NOTE: The plural is foetuses. The US spelling is fetus.) ③ fog /fɒDZ/ noun a thick mist made up of millions of drops of water fogbound / fɒDZbaυnd/ adj prevented from travelling because of fog foggy / fɒDZi/ adj 1. covered in fog 쑗 It’s often foggier than this in November. 쑗 They drove slowly along the foggy streets. 쑗 It’s dangerous to drive fast when it’s foggy. 2. 왍 not to have the foggiest (idea) to know nothing at all (informal ) 쑗 She hadn’t the foggiest idea how to get to the airport. . (NOTE: foggier – foggiest) foghorn / fɒDZhɔ n/ noun an object which makes a loud noise in order to warn boats in fog foglamp / fɒDZlmp/, foglight / fɒDZlat/ noun a very bright car light used in fog foible / fɔb(ə)l/ noun a particular way of behaving which someone has and which may seem unusual or annoying to other people foil /fɔl/ noun 1. a thin metal sheet 2. a person who is quite different from another and so makes the other’s qualities stand out 쑗 Laurel and Hardy were perfect foils for each other. 쐽 verb to stop a plan from being put into effect 쑗 The bank robbery was foiled by the police. Synonym prevent foist /fɔst/ verb 왍 to foist something on someone to force someone to accept something which they do not want ① fold /fəυld/ noun 1. a bend or line in something such as paper or cloth, when two parts are pressed together 2. a part of a piece of paper which has been folded 쑗 The picture is printed on the inside fold. 3. a piece of something such as cloth or skin which hangs down loosely 쑗 She wanted the surgeon to remove the folds of skin under her chin. 쐽 verb 1. to bend something so that one part is on top of another 쑗 Fold the piece of paper in half. 쑗 He folded the newspaper and put it into his briefcase. 2. 왍 to fold your arms to cross your arms in front of your body 쑗 He sat on the stage with his arms folded, looking furious. 3. (of a business) to fail and have to close down 쑗 His business folded last December. 쑗 The company folded with debts of over £1m. -fold /fəυld/ suffix times 쑗 fourfold following folder / fəυldə/ noun 1. an envelope made of thin card or plastic and used for holding papers 2. a group of computer files stored together under the same name folding / fəυldŋ/ adj which can be folded fold up /fəυld p/ verb to bend something over to make it take up a smaller area than before foliage / fəυlidȢ/ noun leaves on a tree or plant ② folk /fəυk/ noun people (NOTE: Folk takes a plural verb. The plural form folks is also used.) folk dance / fəυk dɑ ns/ noun a tradi- tional dance folk dancing / fəυk dɑ nsŋ/ noun dancing traditional dances folklore / fəυklɔ / noun traditional stories and beliefs folk music / fəυk mju zk/ noun the traditional music of a people folks /fəυks/ noun people 왍 my folks my family 쑗 My folks come from Dorset. 쑗 Wait till I tell my folks about it! folk song / fəυk sɒŋ/ noun a traditional country song folk tale / fəυk tel/ noun a traditional story passed down from one generation to the next follicle / fɒlk(ə)l/ noun a small hole in the skin out of which a hair grows. Synonym sac ① follow / fɒləυ/ verb 1. to come after or behind 쑗 The group followed the guide round the town. 쑗 What follows B in the alphabet? 쑗 The dog followed the man across the field. 쑗 I had the impression I was being followed. 2. to do what someone tells you to do 쑗 She followed the instructions on the tin of paint. 쑗 He made the cake following a recipe in the newspaper. 왍 follow suit to do what everyone else does 쑗 She jumped into the pool and everyone else followed suit. 3. to be certain because of something 쑗 Just because I lent you money yesterday, it doesn’t follow that I will lend you some every time you ask. 쑗 If the owner of the shop is arrested by the police, it follows that his business is likely to close. 4. to understand 쑗 I can’t follow the instructions. 쑗 I don’t quite follow you – you want me to drive you all the way to Edinburgh? 5. to go along a certain route 쑗 Follow the path and turn left at the crossroads. 왍 to follow a career in medicine to train as a doctor 6. 왍 as follows … as in the following list 쑗 When you reach the centre of town, you should do as follows. follower / fɒləυə/ noun a supporter. Synonym supporter ① following / fɒləυŋ/ adj which comes next 쑗 They arrived on Friday and the following day she became ill. 쑗 Look at the fol- follow up 327 lowing picture. Antonym previous 쐽 prep after 쑗 Following his death, his son sold the family house. follow up / fɒləυ p/ verb to find out more about something or to research something further 쑗 The police followed up their enquiries by interviewing the woman’s husband. 쑗 That’s an interesting idea – it might be worth following it up. follow-up / fɒləυ p/ adj which follows something sent earlier folly / fɒli/ noun 1. silly behaviour 쑗 It was utter folly to go out in a small boat in a storm like that. 2. a strange building, built to create an effect and with no practical use 쑗 He built a gothic folly on the hill overlooking his house. (NOTE: The plural is follies.) ③ fond /fɒnd/ adj 1. liking someone or something very much 2. 왍 in the fond hope hoping very much that something will happen, although you do not think it will fondle / fɒnd(ə)l/ verb to stroke in a loving way. Synonym massage fondly / fɒndli/ adv in a way which shows you are fond of someone or something font /fɒnt/ noun 1. a bowl holding holy water for the ceremony of baptism in a church 쑗 The church has an 11th century font. 2. (in printing) a set of characters all of the same size and appearance ① food /fu d/ noun things which you eat 쑗 This hotel is famous for its food. 쑗 Do you like German food? 왍 to give someone food for thought to make someone think carefully food chain / fu d tʃen/ noun a series of living things which pass energy from one to another as each is eaten by the next. For example, grass is eaten by small animals, which are then eaten by larger animals, and so on food poisoning / fu d pɔz(ə)nŋ/ noun an illness caused by eating food which is contaminated with bacteria food processor / fu d prəυsesə/ noun a machine used in preparing food, e.g. for cutting or mixing it foodstuff / fu dstfs/ noun something which can be used as food fool /fu l/ noun 1. a stupid person 쑗 You fool! Why didn’t you put the brakes on? 쑗 I was a fool to think that I could make her change her mind. 왍 to make a fool of yourself to behave in a silly way 2. a type of sweet food made from fruit and cream 쑗 She made some gooseberry fool. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to fool about or around to play around in a silly way 쑗 Stop fooling around with that knife – you’re going to have an accident. 2. to trick someone 쑗 They fooled the old lady into letting them into her house. 쑗 You can’t fool me – I know you’re not really ill. 왍 you could have fooled me I find it hard to be- football lieve 쑗 She says she did her best – well, you could have fooled me! 쐽 adj stupid (informal ) foolhardy / fu lhɑ di/ adj brave, but taking unnecessary risks. Antonym sensible foolish / fu lʃ/ adj stupid. Synonym ridiculous. Antonym wise foolishly / fu lʃli/ adv stupidly foolishness / fu lʃnəs/ noun behaviour which is extremely foolish foolproof / fu lpru f/ adj extremely simple, so that anyone could use it safely and successfully ① foot /fυt/ noun 1. the end part of your leg on which you stand 쑗 She has very small feet. 쑗 Watch out, you trod on my foot! 왍 on foot walking 왍 to find your feet to become confident (informal ) 쑗 She’s been with us three months now and has really found her feet. 왍 to put your foot in it to say something embarrassing 쑗 He really put his foot in it when he said that the mayor’s wife was fat. 왍 to put your feet up to rest; to retire from work. 쏡 wrong 2. the bottom part; the end 쑗 There is a door at the foot of the stairs. 쑗 There are traffic lights at the foot of the hill. 쑗 Sign the document at the foot of the page. 3. a measurement of how long something is (= 12 inches or approximately 30 cm) 쑗 The table is four foot or four feet long. 쑗 She’s almost six foot tall. 쑗 I’m five foot seven (5’7). 쏡 . . inch (NOTE: The plural is feet. As a measurement foot often has no plural form: six foot tall; three foot wide. With numbers foot is also often written with the symbol ’: a 6’ ladder; he is 5’ 6: say ‘he’s five foot six’.) 쐽 verb 왍 to foot the bill to pay the bill 쑗 I found I had to foot the bill for the Christmas party. 앳 to put your foot down 1. to say firmly that something is not allowed 쑗 You must put your foot down and stop this habit of everyone arriving late. 2. to make a car go faster 쑗 The taxi driver put his foot down and got us to the airport in time. footage / fυtdȢ/ noun a piece of film showing an event (NOTE: no plural) foot and mouth disease /fυt ən maυθ dzi z/ noun a disease of cows, pigs, sheep and goats which spreads very easily from one animal to another ① football / fυtbɔ l/ noun 1. a ball used for kicking; the ball used in the various games of football 쑗 They were kicking a football around in the street. 2. a game played between two teams of eleven players with a round ball which can be kicked or headed, but not carried 쑗 They went to a football match. 쑗 The children were playing football in the street. 쑗 Let’s have a game of football. 쑗 He spends all his time watching football on TV. 쑗 He’s got a new pair of football boots. Also called soccer (NOTE: The footballer 328 US term is soccer to avoid confusion with American football.) footballer / fυtbɔ lə/ noun a person who plays football football supporter / fυtbɔ l səpɔ tə/ noun a person who encourages a football team footbrake / fυtbrek/ noun a part of a machine or car which you press with your foot in order to stop footbridge / fυtbrdȢ/ noun a small bridge for people to walk across, and not for vehicles footer / fυtə/ noun words or page numbers printed at the bottom of a page. Compare header foothills / fυthlz/ plural noun the lower slopes of a group of mountains 쑗 the foothills of the Alps foothold / fυthəυld/ noun 1. a place where you can put your foot when climbing 쑗 He hung in the air at the end of a rope, trying to get a foothold. 2. a small position on which you can build 쑗 They gained a foothold in the Spanish market. footie / fυti/ noun same as football 쑗 We had a game of footie on the beach. footing / fυtŋ/ noun 1. a safe place for your feet 쑗 She lost her footing on the cliff path, and fell fifty feet into the sea. 2. 왍 to be on an equal footing with someone to be at the same stage or level as someone 쑗 All applicants are on an equal footing. 왍 to put things on a firm footing to make things solid 쑗 We want to make sure the business is on a firm footing. footlights / fυtlats/ plural noun a row of lights along the front of the stage in a theatre footman / fυtmən/ noun a male servant (NOTE: The plural is footmen.) footnote / fυtnəυt/ noun an explanation at the bottom of a page, referring to something on the page foot passenger / fυt psndȢə/ noun a passenger on a ferry who is not travelling with a car footpath / fυtpɑ θ/ noun a path for people to walk on, but not to ride on footprint / fυtprnt/ noun 1. a mark left by the foot on the ground 쑗 They followed the footprints in the snow to the cave. 2. an area covered by something 쑗 The computer has a relatively small footprint. 쑗 A warehouse with a footprint of over 50,000 square feet. footrest / fυtrest/ noun a low bar on which you can rest your feet Footsie / fυtsi/ noun an index of prices on the London Stock Exchange, based on 100 leading shares. Full form Financial Times Stock Exchange 100 index forbidden footstep / fυtstep/ noun 1. a sound made by a foot touching the ground 쑗 We heard soft footsteps along the corridor. 2. 왍 to follow in someone’s footsteps to do what someone did before 쑗 He’s following in his father’s footsteps and going in for a legal career. footstool / fυtstu l/ noun a small piece of furniture in the shape of a box on which you can rest your feet. Synonym footrest footwear / fυtweə/ noun articles of clothing worn on your feet, such as boots or shoes (NOTE: no plural) footwork / fυtw" k/ noun a way of using your feet, especially in sports (NOTE: no plural) ① for /fə, fɔ / prep 1. showing the purpose or use of something 쑗 This plastic bag is for the apples. 쑗 What’s that key for? 왍 what did she say that for? why did she say that? 왍 for example, for instance to mention one thing among many 쑗 Some animals, for example polar bears, are not used to hot weather. 2. showing why something is given 쑗 What did you get for your birthday? 쑗 What shall we buy her for Christmas? 3. showing the person who receives something 쑗 There was no mail for you this morning. 쑗 I’m making a cup of tea for my mother. 4. showing how long something happens 쑗 He has gone to France for two days. 쑗 We’ve been waiting here for hours. 5. showing distance 쑗 You can see for miles from the top of the hill. 쑗 The motorway goes for kilometres without any service stations. 6. showing where someone or something is going 쑗 Is this the plane for Edinburgh? 쑗 When is the next bus for Oxford Circus? 7. in exchange for something 쑗 She gave me £10 for the silver spoon. 쑗 That old computer is no use – I wouldn’t give you anything for it. 8. in support of; in order to get 쑗 We’re striking for higher pay. 9. in the place of someone 쑗 Can you write this letter for me? 10. with the purpose of 쑗 to go for a walk 쑗 He was running for the bus. 쑗 All these items are for sale. forage / fɒrdȢ/ noun crops grown for food for animals such as horses and cattle 쑗 forage crops such as clover and hay 쐽 verb to search for food or supplies 쑗 They spent the day foraging for food in the jungle. Synonym look for foray / fɒre/ noun a sudden attack. Synonym raid forbid /fə bd/ verb to tell someone not to do something 쑗 The staff are forbidden to use the front entrance. Synonym prohibit (NOTE: forbidding – forbade /fə bd/ – forbidden /fə bd(ə)n/) forbidden /fə bd(ə)n/ adj which is not allowed 쑗 Father’s new rock garden is forbidden territory to the children. forbidding 329 forbidding /fə bdŋ/ adj which looks frightening or dangerous ① force /fɔ s/ noun 1. strength or power 쑗 The force of the wind blew some tiles off the roof. 쑗 The police had to use force to restrain the crowd. 2. an organised group of people 쑗 He served in the police force for twenty years. 3. 왍 to have the force of law to be required legally 쐽 verb to make someone do something 쑗 He was forced to stop smoking. 쑗 You can’t force me to go if I don’t want to. forced /fɔ st/ adj 1. done because someone made you do it 쑗 His lawyer said that his confession was forced. 2. artificial; not real 쑗 He gave a rather forced laugh. forced landing /fɔ st lndŋ/ noun a quick landing of an aircraft because something is wrong forceful / fɔ sf(ə)l/ adj strong or powerful forcefully / fɔ sf(ə)li/ adv strongly or with a lot of force forceps / fɔ seps/ plural noun a medical tool consisting of two long flat pieces joined together, used by doctors in medical operations 쑗 He needed forceps to deliver the baby. forcible / fɔ sb(ə)l/ adj done by or with force forcibly / fɔ sbli/ adv using force ford /fɔ d/ noun a part of a river where you can walk or drive across through the water because it is not deep 쑗 We drove slowly and carefully across the ford, as the water flow was quite strong. Synonym shallows 쐽 verb to cross a river at a ford 쑗 The army forded the river and advanced on the capital. fore /fɔ / noun 1. 왍 to come to the fore to become important 쑗 He first came to the fore during the student riots of 1968. 2. the front part of a ship or plane 쐽 adj, adv in the front part of a ship or plane 왍 fore and aft the front and back of a plane or ship 쑗 The toilets are located fore and aft. 쐽 prefix in front; before 쑗 forearmed 쑗 to foresee forearm noun / fɔ rɑ m/ the part of the arm between the hand and the elbow 쑗 The dog put his paw on her forearm. 쐽 verb /fɔ r ɑ m/ 왍 to be forearmed to be prepared before a difficult situation happens. 쒁 forewarned forebears / fɔ beəz/ plural noun all the people in your family who have lived before you (formal ) 쑗 His forebears came from Russia in the 18th century. foreboding /fɔ bəυdŋ/ noun a feeling that something bad will happen. Synonym . premonition forecast / fɔ kɑ st/ noun a description of what you think will happen in the future 쑗 His forecast of sales turned out to be completely accurate. Synonym prediction 쐽 Foreign Office verb to say what will happen in the future 쑗 They are forecasting storms for the south coast. 쑗 They forecast a rise in the number of tourists. Synonym predict (NOTE: forecasting – forecast) forecaster / fɔ kɑ stə/ noun a person who says what will happen in the future, especially what sort of weather there will be foreclose /fɔ kləυz/ verb to take away property because the owner cannot pay back money which he or she has borrowed to buy it (formal ) forecourt / fɔ kɔ t/ noun an open area in front of a building forefather / fɔ fɑ ðə/ noun an ancestor forefinger / fɔ fŋDZə/ noun the index finger; the first finger next to the thumb forefoot / fɔ fυt/ noun the front foot of an animal forefront / fɔ frnt/ noun the most advanced position 왍 to be in the forefront of a campaign to be a leader of a campaign 쑗 They are in the forefront of the campaign to save whales. forego /fɔ DZəυ/ verb to do without (formal ) (NOTE: forewent – has foregone) foregone conclusion /fɔ DZɒn kənklu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun something which will definitely happen as a result of something else foreground / fɔ DZraυnd/ noun a part of a picture which seems nearest the front. Synonym forefront forehand / fɔ hnd/ adj played with the palm of the hand facing forwards, in sports such as tennis. Antonym backhand forehead / fɒrd, fɔ hed/ noun the part of the front of the head between the eyes and the hair ① foreign / fɒrn/ adj 1. not from your own country 쑗 There are lots of foreign medical students at our college. 2. something which you are not used to or cannot understand 쑗 The concept of punctuation and grammar is completely foreign to her. foreign body /fɒrn bɒdi/ noun something which should not be there, such as a piece of dust in your eye foreigner / fɒrnə/ noun a person who does not come from the same country as you foreign exchange /fɒrən ks tʃendȢ/ noun the process or practice of changing the money of one country for money of another foreign language /fɒrn lŋDZwdȢ/ noun a language spoken by people in or from another country Foreign Office / fɒrn ɒfs/ noun the British government department dealing with relations with other countries (NOTE: In other countries this is the Foreign Ministry, and in the USA the State Department.) . . Foreign Secretary 330 Foreign Secretary /fɒrn sekrt(ə)ri/ noun the British government minister in charge of the Foreign Office (NOTE: In other countries this is the Foreign Minister, and in the USA the Secretary of State.) foreleg / fɔ leDZ/ noun the front leg of an animal foreman / fɔ mən/ noun 1. (in a factory) a skilled worker in charge of several other workers 쑗 The foreman came to make a complaint to the manager. 2. 왍 foreman of a jury the person elected by the other members of the jury to tell the court what they have decided 쑗 The foreman of the jury stood up and declared the prisoner ‘guilty’. foremost / fɔ məυst/ adj, adv first; most important 왍 first and foremost first of all, the most important thing is 쑗 First and foremost we need to get the costs under control. forensic /fə rensk/ adj referring to the scientific solving of crimes forensics /fə rensks/ noun scientific methods used for solving crimes forerunner / fɔ rnə/ noun a person or thing coming before another more important or advanced one foresee /fɔ si / verb to have a strong feeling that something will happen in the future although you cannot be sure that it will. Synonym anticipate (NOTE: foreseeing – foresaw /fɔ sɔ / – has foreseen) foreseeable /fɔ si əb(ə)l/ adj which can be foreseen 왍 for the foreseeable future as far in the future as you can imagine 쑗 I will certainly stay here for the foreseeable future. foreshadow /fɔ ʃdəυ/ verb to be a warning or sign of something that may happen foresight / fɔ sat/ noun the ability to see what will probably happen in the future; the ability to plan for emergencies foreskin / fɔ skn/ noun the fold of skin covering the tip of the penis ② forest / fɒrst/ noun a large area covered with trees 쑗 The country is covered with thick forests. 쑗 In dry weather there’s a danger of forest fires. 쑗 In winter bears come out of the forest to search for food. Synonym woods (NOTE: In Britain forest is now usually used with names: Sherwood Forest, the New Forest.) forestall /fɔ stɔ l/ verb to think about what someone may do and try to stop them. Synonym prevent forested / fɒrstd/ adj with many trees growing there forestry / fɒrstri/ noun the work of looking after a forest foretell /fɔ tel/ verb to say what will happen in the future (literary). Synonym predict (NOTE: foretelling – foretold /fɔ təυld/) forget forethought / fɔ θɔ t/ noun the practice of planning for the future; thinking ahead. Synonym anticipation for ever /fər evə/ adv 1. always 쑗 I will love you for ever and ever. 쑗 The good times have gone for ever. 2. something which you shout, e.g. to show support for a team. 쑗 Scotland for ever! forever /fɔ r evə/ adv 1. always 쑗 I will love you forever. 쑗 He’s forever making a noise. 2. a very long time 쑗 It took us forever to get to the hotel. forewarn /fɔ wɔ n/ verb to warn about something that is going to happen forewarned /fɔ wɔ nd/ adj warned about something before it happens 왍 forewarned is forearmed if you know that trouble is going to happen, then you can make preparations to deal with it foreword / fɔ w" d/ noun a short section at the beginning of a book, usually written by a person who is not the author, introducing the book and its author to the reader. Synonym preface forfeit / fɔ ft/ noun a thing taken away as a punishment 쑗 You have to pay a forfeit if you answer wrongly. 쐽 adj which is to be officially taken away 쑗 The goods were declared forfeit. 쐽 verb to lose something, especially as a punishment 쑗 She forfeited her deposit. ③ forgave /fə DZev/ 쒁 forgive forge /fɔ dȢ/ verb 1. to copy something illegally 쑗 He forged the signature on the cheque. 쑗 The new design of the banknotes makes them difficult to forge. 2. 왍 to forge ahead to go forward quickly; to progress 쑗 The wind blew harder and the yacht forged ahead. 쑗 We are forging ahead with our new project. 쐽 noun a place where metal objects are made by heating the metal until it is soft and then forming it into a shape, e.g. with a hammer 쑗 The blacksmith was hammering away in his forge. forger / fɔ dȢə/ noun a person who copies something illegally forgery / fɔ dȢəri/ noun 1. the action of making an illegal copy 쑗 He was sent to prison for forgery. (NOTE: no plural) 2. an illegal copy 쑗 The signature proved to be a forgery. (NOTE: The plural is forgeries) ① forget /fə DZet/ verb 1. not to remember 쑗 He’s forgotten the name of the restaurant. 쑗 I’ve forgotten how to play chess. 쑗 She forgot all about her doctor’s appointment. 쑗 Don’t forget we’re having lunch tomorrow. 쑗 Great scenes at home – I forgot my wife’s birthday! 2. to leave something behind 쑗 When he left the office he forgot his car keys. 3. 왍 forget about it! do not worry about it! (NOTE: forgetting – forgot /fə DZɒt/ – has forgotten /fə DZɒt(ə)n/) forgetful 331 forgetful /fə DZetf(ə)l/ adj often unable to remember forgetfulness /fə DZetf(ə)lnəs/ noun the characteristic of being forgetful forget-me-not /fə DZet mi nɒt/ noun a small blue flower ② forgive /fə DZv/ verb to stop being angry with someone 쑗 Don’t worry about it – I forgive you! 쑗 Will she ever forgive me for forgetting her birthday? Antonym blame (NOTE: forgiving – forgave /fə DZev/ – has forgiven) forgiveness /fə DZvnəs/ noun the act of forgiving forgiving /fə DZvŋ/ adj 1. having a tendency to forgive 2. allowing for some imperfection forgo /fɔ DZəυ/ verb to do without something for good /fə DZυd/ adv for ever forgotten /fə DZɒt(ə)n/ 쏡 forget ③ fork /fɔ k/ noun 1. an object with a handle at one end and several sharp points at the other, used for picking things up, especially when eating 쑗 Don’t try to eat Chinese food with a knife and fork. 쑗 It’s polite to use a fork to eat cake – don’t use your fingers. 2. a Y-shaped road junction, or one of the roads leading from it 쑗 Take the left fork towards the castle and our house is on the right. 3. a place where a branch joins a tree trunk 쐽 verb 1. to turn off a road 쑗 Fork left at the next crossroads. 2. to split into two parts 쑗 The railway line forks at Crewe and one branch goes to the coast. 3. 왍 to fork out to pay for something, usually unwillingly (informal ) 쑗 She didn’t bring any money, so I had to fork out for the whole meal. forked /fɔ kt/ adj divided, particularly into two branches fork-lift truck /fɔ k lft trk/ noun a type of small tractor with two metal arms in front, used in warehouses to lift and move pallets forlorn /fə lɔ n/ adj 1. left alone and feeling sad 쑗 She stood all forlorn on the platform, watching the train leave. 2. 왍 forlorn hope a very slight hope 쑗 We’ll try searching again, but I think it’s a forlorn hope. ① form /fɔ m/ noun 1. a shape 쑗 a decoration in the form of a ring 2. a paper with blank spaces which you have to write in 3. a state or condition 쑗 Their team wasn’t in top form and lost. 왍 in good form in a good mood; very amusing 쑗 She’s in good form today. 왍 off form or out of form not performing very well 쑗 He’s off form at the moment – he needs more practice. 4. a class, usually in a secondary school 쑗 She’s in the top form. 쐽 verb 1. to make 쑗 The children formed a circle. 쑗 Form a queue here, please. 2. 왍 . formula formed of made of 쑗 The team is formed of ex-students. 3. to organise or start something 쑗 The factory decided to form a football team. 쑗 They got together and formed a club. 4. to start to exist 쑗 Ice formed on the car windows. ② formal / fɔ m(ə)l/ adj 1. done according to certain rules 쑗 The formal opening ceremony was performed by the mayor. 2. using correct or official ways of doing things 쑗 We made a formal offer for the house yesterday. 3. serious and conventional in style; suitable for special or official occasions. Antonym informal formalise / fɔ məlaz/, formalize verb to make a situation official ③ formality /fɔ mlti/ noun a thing which has to be done to obey the law or because it is the custom (NOTE: The plural is formalities.) formally / fɔ məli/ adv according to rules; done with ceremony ③ format / fɔ mt/ noun 1. a shape or size that something is made in 쑗 What format do you want your invitations printed in? 2. the measurements of a page or book 쑗 Printers can handle all sorts of book formats. 3. the style of a computer disk 쑗 My computer can’t read that disk – it’s the wrong format. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to format a document to arrange text on a computer, so that it is ready for final printing 쑗 Style sheets are used to format documents. 2. to prepare a computer disk so that it is ready to receive data 쑗 You have to format the disk before you can save data on it. (NOTE: formatting – formatted) ② formation /fɔ meʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the forming of something 쑗 The formation of ice occurs at temperatures below zero. 2. a shape 쑗 a beautiful cloud formation 왍 in formation in a set pattern 쑗 The geese were flying in a V formation. formative / fɔ mətv/ adj important for the or development of something ① former / fɔ mə/ adj referring to a person’s or thing’s identity or role at an earlier time 쑗 a former army officer 쑗 The former champion came last in the race. Synonym previous 쐽 noun 왍 the former the first person or thing mentioned (of two) 쑗 Mr Smith and Mr Jones are both directors, but the former has been with the company longer. formerly / fɔ məli/ adv at an earlier time. Synonym previously formidable / fɔ mdəb(ə)l/ adj 1. frighteningly difficult 쑗 Climbing Everest is a formidable feat. 2. very strong 쑗 The town is protected by formidable walls and gates. 3. (of a person) very impressive 쑗 The college principal is a formidable woman. ③ formula / fɔ mjυlə/ noun 1. a statement of a scientific fact, often shown by means of formulaic 332 symbols 쑗 The chemical formula of carbon dioxide is CO2 . 쑗 The drug is made to a secret formula. 2. 왍 a formula for disaster something which will certainly lead to problems 쑗 The management’s approach is a formula for disaster. 3. a series of set words to express something 쑗 the formula to start a letter to the Queen (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is formulae / fɔ mjυli /.) formulaic /fɔ mjυ lek/ adj 1. expressed as, or having the nature of, a formula 2. created according to existing models or ideas, and therefore not very original or exciting ③ formulate / fɔ mjυlet/ verb 1. to express an idea clearly 쑗 He had some difficulty in formulating his ideas. 2. to develop something such as a plan or way of doing something carefully formulation /fɔ mjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of devising something, or expressing something clearly forsake /fə sek/ verb to leave someone or something behind. 쏡 god-forsaken. Synonym abandon. Antonym support (NOTE: forsook /fɔ sυk/ – has forsaken) fort /fɔ t/ noun 1. a strong army building which can be defended against enemy attacks 쑗 The soldiers rode out of the fort. 쑗 He was posted to a fort in the desert. 2. 왍 to hold the fort to be in charge while someone is away 쑗 They went away on holiday and left me holding the fort. forte / fɔ te/ noun a particular ability, or the subject you are best in 쑗 History is not my forte. Synonym strong point. Antonym failing 쐽 adv (of music) played loudly ② forth /fɔ θ/ adv 1. forwards 왍 back and forth backwards and forwards 쑗 I’m fed up with commuting back and forth across town every day. 2. 왍 to go forth or to set forth to go out and onwards 쑗 The expedition set forth in May. 왍 to hold forth about something to talk without stopping about something 쑗 My father was holding forth about the government. forthcoming /fɔ θ kmŋ/ adj 1. soon to come 쑗 His forthcoming novel will be about London. 쑗 No government grant is forthcoming. 2. talkative; full of information 쑗 She wasn’t very forthcoming about her plans. forthright / fɔ θrat/ adj direct and blunt. Antonym timid forthwith /fɔ θ wθ/ adv immediately. Antonym later fortification /fɔ tf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of making something strong 쑗 He drew up plans for the fortification of the presidential palace. fortifications /fɔ tf keʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun walls or towers built to defend a city 쑗 Archaeologists have uncovered remains of the Roman fortifications. . forward fortify / fɔ tfa/ verb 1. to make a place strong, so that it can be defended against attack 2. 왍 to fortify yourself with something to eat or drink something to make you able to continue fortitude / fɔ ttju d/ noun bravery and determination (formal ) ③ fortnight / fɔ tnat/ noun two weeks . (NOTE: not used in American English) fortnightly / fɔ tnatli/ adj, adv once every two weeks 쑗 a fortnightly visit to the doctor fortress / fɔ trəs/ noun a strong castle (NOTE: The plural is fortresses.) fortuitous /fɔ tju təs/ adj happening by chance and having a good result ③ fortunate / fɔ tʃənət/ adj lucky ② fortunately / fɔ tʃənətli/ adv by good luck 쑗 Fortunately, he had remembered to take an umbrella. 쑗 He was late getting to the airport, but fortunately the flight had been delayed. ③ fortune / fɔ tʃən/ noun 1. a large amount of money 쑗 He won a fortune on the lottery. 쑗 She made a fortune on the stock market. 쑗 She left her fortune to her three children. 왍 to cost a fortune to cost a lot of money 쑗 That shop has shoes that cost a fortune. 쏡 small 2. what will happen in the future 왍 to tell someone’s fortune to say what will happen to someone in the future 쑗 She tells fortunes from cards. 3. luck; chance 쑗 She had the good fortune to be picked for the England team. fortune-teller / fɔ tʃən telə/ noun a person who says what will happen in the future, e.g. by looking at cards or lines on your hand. Synonym clairvoyant fortune-telling / fɔ tʃən telŋ/ noun the activity of telling people what will happen in the future, e.g. by looking at cards, tea leaves or lines on the hand ① forty / fɔ ti/ noun the number 40 쑗 She’s forty (years old). 쑗 He has more than forty pairs of shoes. 왍 he’s in his forties he is between 40 and 49 years old 왍 the (nineteen) forties (1940s) the period from 1940 to 1949 forty winks /fɔ ti wŋks/ noun a very short sleep (informal ). Synonym nap ③ forum / fɔ rəm/ noun an occasion when matters of general interest can be discussed ① forward / fɔ wəd/ adj moving in the direction that someone or something is facing 쑗 She made a forward pass across the field to the winger. 쐽 adv 1. in the direction that someone or something is facing 쑗 She bent forward to hear what he had to say. 쑗 He took two steps forward. 쑗 The policeman made a sign with his hand and the cars began to go forward. 2. advanced 쑗 Unfortunately, we’re no further forward with our project. 3. . forwarding address 333 towards the future 왍 to look forward to something to think happily about something which is going to happen 쑗 I’m looking forward to my holidays. 쑗 He isn’t looking forward to his exams. 쑗 I’m looking forward to seeing her again. 4. 왍 from that day forward from that time on 쐽 verb to send a letter on to another address 쑗 The bank forwarded the cheque to his house in the country. 쐽 noun a player in a team whose job is to attack the other side 쑗 The England defence came under attack from the Brazilian forwards. forwarding address / fɔ wədŋ ədres/ noun an address to which mail can be sent forward-looking / fɔ wəd lυkŋ/ adj planning for or thinking about the future forwards / fɔ wədz/ adv in a forward direction (NOTE: The US term is forward.) forward slash / fɔ wəd slʃ/ noun an ordinary slash used in printing or writing text fossil / fɒs(ə)l/ noun the remains of a prehistoric animal or plant left in a rock fossil fuel / fɒs(ə)l fju əl/ noun a fuel made of fossilised plants or animals fossilised / fɒsəlazd/, fossilized adj referring to something which has become a fossil foster / fɒstə/ verb 1. to bring up a child who is not your own, without adopting it 쑗 They have fostered several children. 2. to encourage an idea, etc. 쑗 Tourism fosters interest in other countries. 쑗 We are trying to foster the children’s interest in the history of the village. foster-child / fɒstə tʃald/ noun a child brought up by parents who are not his or her own (NOTE: The plural is foster-children.) foster home / fɒstə həυm/ noun a family where a foster-child is brought up foster parent / fɒstə peərənt/ noun a parent who fosters a child ③ fought /fɔ t/ 쒁 fight foul /faυl/ adj 1. smelling or tasting unpleasant, or making an unpleasant impression 쑗 What foul weather we’re having! 쑗 The boss has been in a foul temper all day. 쑗 A foul-smelling drain ran down the centre of the street. 2. 왍 to fall foul of to get into trouble with a person or group of people 쑗 The boys fell foul of the police. 쑗 She fell foul of the income tax inspectors. 쐽 noun an action which is against the rules of a game 쑗 The referee gave a free kick for a foul on the goalkeeper. 쑗 Look at the action replay to see if it really was a foul. (NOTE: Do not confuse with fowl.) 쐽 verb 1. to do something to another player which is against the rules of a game 쑗 He was fouled inside the penalty box so the ref gave a penalty. 2. 왍 to foul something up to do something badly, make a four mess of something, or create problems (informal ) 쑗 Don’t ask John to do it – he’s sure to foul it up. 3. to make something dirty, particularly by leaving excrement there 쑗 Make sure that your dog does not foul the pavements. foul play /faυl ple/ noun unfair or illegal behaviour foul-up / faυl p/ noun a bad situation which has happened because of a mistake someone has made ① found /faυnd/ verb 1. to establish; to begin something 쑗 The business was founded in 1900. 2. 왍 to be founded on something to be based on something 쑗 The accusations against her are not founded on any definite facts. 3. 쏡 find ② foundation /faυn deʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. establishing; setting up 쑗 Ever since its foundation in 1892, the company has been a great success. 2. a charitable organisation which provides money for certain projects 쑗 a foundation for educational research 3. same as foundation cream foundation course /faυn deʃ(ə)n kɔ s/ noun a basic course at a university, which allows you to go on to a more advanced course foundation cream /faυn deʃ(ə)n kri m/ noun a skin-coloured cream which is put on the face under powder foundations /faυn deʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun a stone or concrete base below the ground on which a building is built founder / faυndə/ noun a person who establishes or sets up something 쑗 He was one of the founders of the National Trust. Synonym creator 쐽 verb 1. to collapse, to fail 쑗 The project foundered for lack of money. 2. to sink 쑗 The ship foundered in heavy seas. founder member /faυndə membə/ noun one of the first to establish a club, etc. founding / faυndŋ/ noun the action of setting up founding father /faυndŋ fɑ ðə/ noun a person who founded a state, especially one of those who signed the American Constitution of 1787 foundry / faυndri/ noun a place for melting and moulding metal or glass fountain / faυntn/ noun an ornamental jet of water in a street or garden fountain pen / faυntn pen/ noun a pen which can be filled with ink ① four /fɔ / noun 1. the number 4 쑗 A square has four corners. 쑗 He’s four (years old). 쑗 I have an appointment with the doctor at four (o’clock). 왍 on all fours on hands and knees 쑗 He was creeping around under the desk on all fours. 2. a crew of four rowers in a boat 쑗 Our college four won the race. 3. (in cricket ) a score of four runs for sending the . . four-by-four 334 ball over the boundary 쑗 He scored a century, including seven fours and two sixes. four-by-four /fɔ ba fɔ / noun a four-wheel-drive vehicle. Abbr 4x4 four-leaved clover /fɔ li vd kləυvə/ noun a lucky rare type of clover with four leaves instead of three four-poster /fɔ pəυstə/ noun an old-fashioned bed with a post at each corner, that can be used to support a canopy or curtains foursome / fɔ s(ə)m/ noun 1. a golf match played by four people, i.e. two pairs 쑗 They won the foursomes. 2. a group of four people 쑗 The foursome stole a car and drove to Las Vegas. ① fourteen /fɔ ti n/ noun the number 14 쑗 There are fourteen houses in our street. 쑗 He’s fourteen (years old) next week. 왍 the fourteen hundreds (1400s) the period from 1400 to 1499 ① fourteenth /fɔ ti nθ/ adj, noun referring to 14 쑗 She came fourteenth in the race. 쑗 The fourteenth of July or July the fourteenth (July 14th). 쑗 It was her fourteenth birthday yesterday. 왍 the fourteenth century the period from 1300 to 1399 ① fourth /fɔ θ/ adj referring to 4 쑗 This is the fourth time he’s had to go to hospital this year. 쑗 It’s her fourth birthday tomorrow. 쑗 the fourth of October or October the fourth (October 4th) 왍 the fourth century the period from 300 to 399 쐽 noun one part of four equal parts. Also called quarter Fourth of July /fɔ θ əv dȢυ la/ noun the national day in the United States 쑗 We’re having a Fourth of July party. four-wheel drive /fɔ wi l drav/ noun 1. a system in which engine power drives all four wheels of a vehicle 2. a vehicle working by this system. Abbr 4WD fowl /faυl/ noun a domestic bird which is kept for its eggs or to be killed for food, such as a chicken, duck, turkey or goose ③ fox /fɒks/ noun a wild animal with reddish fur and a bushy tail 쑗 Foxes attack lambs in this part of the world. Compare vixen (NOTE: The plural is foxes.) 쐽 verb to puzzle someone 쑗 To fox everyone, we used a French company to make the planning application. 쑗 Today’s crossword has got me completely foxed. foxglove / fɒksDZlv/ noun a tall purple and white flower found in woods fox hunting / fɒks hntŋ/ noun chasing foxes to catch and kill them, usually with dogs foyer / fɔe/ noun a large entrance hall at the front of a hotel, restaurant, or theatre fracas / frkɑ / noun a noisy disturbance frame fraction / frkʃən/ noun 1. a very small amount 쑗 Sales are up a fraction this month. 쑗 Move the camera a fraction to the right, and you’ll all get in the picture. 2. (in mathematics) less than a whole number 쑗 ¼ and ½ are fractions. 3. a small part of something 쑗 Only a fraction of the stolen money was ever found. fractional / frkʃənəl/ adj very small. Synonym slight fractionally / frkʃ(ə)nəli/ adv very slightly fracture / frktʃə/ noun a break, especially in a bone 쑗 The X-ray showed up the fracture clearly. 왍 simple fracture a fracture where the skin surface around the damaged bone has not been broken 쐽 verb to break a bone 쑗 He fractured his leg in the accident. 쑗 They put her fractured leg in plaster. fragile / frdȢal/ adj 1. easily broken 쑗 Be careful when packing the glasses – they’re very fragile. Synonym delicate 2. feeling weak and ill after an illness or operation, or after drinking too much alcohol 쑗 She’s still very fragile after her recent operation. 쑗 I don’t think I want any breakfast – I’m feeling a bit fragile this morning. fragility /frə dȢlti/ noun being easily broken ③ fragment noun / frDZmənt/ a small piece 쑗 When digging on the site of the old house they found fragments of glass. 쐽 verb /frDZ ment/ to separate into small pieces 쑗 As soon as the founder died the whole organisation fragmented. Synonym break up. Antonym fuse fragmentary / frDZmənt(ə)ri/ adj in pieces; not complete. Antonym entire fragmentation /frDZmən teʃ(ə)n/ noun breaking into small pieces fragrance / freDZrəns/ noun 1. a pleasant smell 2. a pleasant-smelling liquid which is put on the skin. Synonym perfume fragrant / freDZrənt/ adj with a sweet smell. Synonym perfumed. Antonym smelly frail /frel/ adj weak and thin frailty / frelti/ noun being weak 쑗 the frailty of human existence 쑗 the frailty of my father’s health ② frame /frem/ noun 1. a border around something such as a pair of glasses, a picture, a mirror, or a window 쑗 He has glasses with gold frames. 쑗 I think the frame is worth more than the painting. 2. one picture in a film 쑗 The book is illustrated with frames from some of his films. 3. a basic structure 쑗 The car has an aluminium frame. 쐽 verb 1. to put a frame round a picture 쑗 The photograph has been framed in red. 2. to make someone seem to be guilty 쑗 He says he was frame of mind 335 framed by the police. 쑗 It wasn’t me – I’ve been framed! 3. to put words together to make a sentence 쑗 He had some difficulty in framing his reply. 쑗 The note was framed in very formal language. ③ frame of mind /
frem əv mand/ noun a way of thinking or feeling; general mood ③ framework /fremw"k/ noun 1. the structure supporting a building, etc. 쑗 The framework of the shed is sound – it just needs some paint. 2. the basis of a plan 쑗 They are working within the framework of the United Nations resolution. 쑗 They are negotiating the framework of the agreement. ③ franchise /frntʃaz/ noun 1. a right to vote 쑗 In some countries women do not have the franchise. 2. a permit to sell a company’s products in a certain region or to trade using a well-known brand name 쑗 He bought a pizza franchise. 쐽 verb to sell licences for people to trade using a brand name and paying a fee for using it 쑗 His sandwich bar was so successful that he decided to franchise it. Synonym license frank /frŋk/ adj saying what you think 쑗 To be really frank with you – I think the plan stinks. 쑗 He gave her some frank advice. Synonym forthright. Antonym insincere (NOTE: Do not confuse with franc.) 쐽 verb to stamp a letter with a special machine, instead of using a postage stamp 쑗 The letters were all franked before they left the office. frankfurter /frŋkf"tə/ noun a long sausage which is boiled and sometimes eaten inside a roll. 쏡 hot dog (NOTE: Another US term is wiener.) ③ frankly /frŋkli/ adv telling the truth frankness /frŋknəs/ noun being honest; saying what you think. Synonym honesty. Antonym insincerity frantic /frntk/ adj wild, worried and do- ing things fast frantically /frntkli/ adv fast and in a worried way fraternal /frət"nəl/ adj brotherly 쑗 He started going out with his brother’s girlfriend – there’s fraternal feeling for you! fraternal twins /frə
t"nəl twnz/ plural noun twins who are not identical because they developed from two different ova at the same time. Compare identical twins fraternise /frtənaz/, fraternize verb 1. to spend time with other people socially, especially people who are considered unsuitable 2. to spend time with someone against military rules fraternity /frət"nti/ noun 1. a group of people with similar interests or occupations 쑗 Members of the banking fraternity have criticised the Chancellor of the Exchequer. 2. free a brotherly feeling 쑗 The slogan of the French state is ‘Liberty, Equality, Fraternity’. fraud /frɔd/ noun 1. making money by making people believe something which is not true 쑗 He is facing trial for fraud. 2. a person pretending to be something which he or she is not 쑗 She’s a fraud – she has no legal qualifications. 쑗 He’s an old fraud – he didn’t build that car himself. fraudulent /frɔdjυlənt/ adj dishonest. Synonym fake. Antonym genuine fraught /frɔt/ adj 1. full of problems or danger 쑗 The whole building project has been fraught with problems. 2. very worrying; very worried 쑗 The situation in the office is particularly fraught this week. 쑗 She’s a bit fraught today. ③ fray /fre/ 쐽 noun a competitive situation; a fight or argument 왍 to join or enter the fray to become involved in a situation, argument or fight 쑗 The government and opposition argued over the problem, and then the unions joined the fray. 왍 ready for the fray ready to fight or argue 쑗 Are we all ready for the fray? 쐽 verb (of material ) to become worn so that threads are loose 쑗 The carpet is fraying at the edges. 쑗 The cuffs on his shirt had frayed. frayed /fred/ adj having a worn edge, with loose threads freak /frik/ noun 1. an unusual type of person, animal or plant 쑗 A white whale is a freak of nature. 2. a person who is extremely interested in something (informal ) 쑗 My brother’s a computer freak. 쐽 adj referring to weather that is very unusual 쑗 The vineyards were hit by a freak snowstorm in June. freakish /frikʃ/ adj unusual or extraordinary freckled /frek(ə)ld/ adj covered in freckles freckles /frek(ə)lz/ plural noun small brown marks on the skin, often caused by the sun 쑗 You’ll recognise her at once, she’s tall with fair hair and freckles. 쑗 She was trying to get rid of the freckles on her arms. ① free /fri/ adj 1. not busy; not occupied 쑗 Will you be free next Tuesday? 쑗 There is a table free in the corner of the restaurant. 쑗 Do you have any free time next week? 2. not costing any money 쑗 Send in four tokens from cereal boxes and you can get a free toy. 쑗 I got a free ticket for the exhibition. 왍 free gift a present given by a shop to a customer who buys a certain amount of goods 쑗 There is a free gift worth £25 to any customer buying a washing machine. 3. able to do what you want; not forced to do anything 쑗 He’s free to do what he wants. 쑗 It’s a free country. 4. 왍 to be free from or of something to be without something unpleasant 쑗 The . . free agent 336 country has been declared free of disease. 왍 free of charge with no payment to be made. 쏡 duty free 5. not in prison, not in a cage 쑗 After six years in prison he’s a free man again. 왍 to set free to allow someone to leave prison, or to let an animal out of a cage 쑗 The young birds were raised in the zoo and then set free in the wild. 쐽 verb 1. to release someone who is trapped 쑗 It took the fire service some time to free the passengers in the bus. 2. to let someone out of prison, or an animal out of a cage 쑗 The crowd stormed the jail and freed the prisoners. 쐽 adv 1. without having to pay 쑗 Children are admitted free. 2. not in a cage; not attached 쑗 Lions roam free in the park. 왍 to pull something free to pull something so that it is no longer held tight free agent /fri edȢənt/ noun someone who is able to do what they want freebie / fri bi/ noun something supplied free of charge, especially as a gift to a customer or journalist (informal ) ② freedom / fri dəm/ noun 1. the state of being free, rather than trapped or in prison 쑗 She felt a sense of freedom being in the country after working all week in the city. 쑗 His lawyer pleaded for his client’s freedom. 2. the state of being free to do what you want 쑗 restricting our freedom of movement freedom fighter / fri dəm fatə/ noun a guerilla fighting against an oppressive government freedom of information /fri dəm əv nfə meʃ(ə)n/ noun a situation in which official information held by government departments is made available to everyone freedom of speech /fri dəm əv spi tʃ/ noun a situation in which people are able to say what they think without fear of being prosecuted freedom of the press /fri dəm əv ðə pres/ noun a situation in which people are able to write and publish in a newspaper what they want, without being afraid of prosecution unless they break the law free enterprise /fri entəpraz/ noun a system of business where there is no interference from the government free-for-all / fri fər ɔ l/ noun a general fight or argument among several people (informal ). Synonym brawl freehold / fri həυld/ noun a right to own a property for ever 왍 a freehold property a building which the owner can hold for ever free kick /fri kk/ noun a kick which a footballer is allowed to make without anyone opposing him, to punish the other side for something which they have done freelance / fri lɑ ns/ noun an independent worker, not employed by one particular company 쑗 He works as a freelance. 쐽 adj work. . freeze ing independently, rather than being employed by one particular company 쑗 She is a freelance journalist. 쐽 adv 왍 to work freelance to work independently; to be self-employed 쐽 verb to work independently 쑗 She freelances for several newspapers. freelancer / fri lɑ nsə/ noun a freelance worker freely / fri li/ adv in an open manner, without being forced free market /fri mɑ kt/ noun a situation in which trade takes place without government control Freemason / fri mes(ə)n/ noun a member of a secret society whose members help each other and protect each other (NOTE: also simply called Masons) freephone / fri fəυn/ noun GB a system where you can telephone to reply to an advertisement, to place an order or to ask for information, and the seller pays for the call freepost / fri pəυst/ noun GB a system where you can write to an advertiser to place an order or to ask for information to be sent, and the seller pays the postage free-range /fri rendȢ/ adj kept in the open, not in cages or boxes. Antonym battery free-range eggs /fri rendȢ/ noun eggs from free-range chickens free speech /fri spi tʃ/ noun the ability to say what you think without danger of being prosecuted freestyle / fri stal/ noun (in swimming) any stroke, but usually the crawl ③ free trade /fri tred/ noun a system where goods can go from one country to another without any restrictions freeware / fri weə/ noun free computer software ② freeway / fri we/ noun US a fast motorway with few junctions freewheel /fri wi l/ verb to go along, especially downhill, on a bicycle without pedalling free will /fri wl/ noun the ability to choose your own actions. Synonym autonomy. Antonym dependence 왍 of your own free will willingly; without being forced 쑗 He gave himself up to the police of his own free will. ③ freeze /fri z/ verb 1. to change from liquid to solid because of the cold 쑗 The winter was mild and for the first time ever the river did not freeze over. 쑗 It’s so cold that the lake has frozen solid. 2. to become very cold 쑗 The forecast is that it will freeze tonight. 3. to make food very cold so that it does not decay 쑗 We froze the raspberries we picked this morning. 4. 왍 to freeze to death to die of cold 쑗 She went out into the snow freezer 337 and froze to death. 5. to keep money or costs, etc., at their present level and not allow them to rise 쑗 We have frozen salaries at last year’s level. 6. 왍 to freeze a bank account to issue a court order stopping anyone from using their own bank account, especially preventing them from taking money out 7. to stay very still 쑗 When they heard the police car coming, they froze. (NOTE: freezing – froze /frəυz/ – has frozen) 쐽 noun 1. a period when it is very cold 쑗 Do you remember the great freeze in the winter of 1980? 2. 왍 wages and prices freeze or a freeze on wages and prices a period when wages and prices are not allowed to be increased ③ freezer / fri zə/ noun a refrigerator for freezing food and keeping it frozen ③ freezing / fri zŋ/ adj very cold freezing point / fri zŋ pɔnt/ noun a very low temperature at which a liquid becomes solid freight /fret/ noun 1. the action of transporting goods by air, sea or land 쑗 We sent the order (by) air freight. 2. goods transported 쑗 The government is encouraging firms to send freight by rail. 쐽 verb to transport goods 쑗 We freight goods to all parts of the world. freight car / fret kɑ / noun US a goods wagon on a train freighter / fretə/ noun an aircraft or ship which carries goods freight train / fret tren/ noun a train used for transporting goods ① French /frentʃ/ adj 1. referring to France 쑗 The French railways have a system of high speed trains covering the whole country. 2. 왍 to take French leave to go away without permission 쐽 noun 1. the language spoken in France 쑗 He speaks French very well. 쑗 They are learning French at school. 2. 왍 the French the people of France 쑗 The French are famous for their wines and their cooking. French bread /frentʃ bred/ noun bread in the form of a long thin stick French dressing /frentʃ dresŋ/ noun a salad dressing made of oil and vinegar, with salt, mustard and other flavourings French horn /frentʃ hɔ n/ noun a brass musical instrument with a tube which is coiled round Frenchman / frentʃmən/ noun a man from France (NOTE: The plural is Frenchmen.) French polish /frentʃ pɒlʃ/ noun a resin polish used on wood 쑗 She gave the table a coating of French polish. 쐽 verb to polish wood with French polish 쑗 The table needs to be French polished. freshen French toast /frentʃ təυst/ noun a slice of bread dipped in beaten egg and then fried, usually served with sugar Frenchwoman / frentʃwυmən/ noun a woman from France (NOTE: The plural is Frenchwomen.) frenetic /frə netk/ adj wildly excited. Synonym hectic. Antonym calm frenzied / frenzid/ adj wild and uncontrollable. Synonym frantic. Antonym calm frenzy / frenzi/ noun a wild excitement ③ frequency / fri kwənsi/ noun 1. the rate at which something happens 쑗 The government is becoming alarmed at the frequency of accidents in the construction industry. (NOTE: no plural) 2. the number of vibrations per second made by a radio wave 쑗 What frequency is Radio 3 on? (NOTE: The plural is frequencies.) ③ frequent adj / fri kwənt/ happening of- ten; often seen 쑗 He was a frequent visitor to the library. 쑗 Skin cancer is becoming more frequent. 쑗 How frequent are the planes to Birmingham? Antonym infrequent 쐽 verb /fr kwent/ to go somewhere very often 쑗 He frequents the bar at the corner of the street. Synonym visit frequent flyer /fri kwənt flaə/ noun a person who travels by a certain airline often ② frequently / fri kwəntli/ adv often 쑗 The ferries don’t run as frequently in the winter. 쑗 She could frequently be seen walking her dog in the park. fresco / freskəυ/ noun a painting done on wet plaster on a wall or ceiling (NOTE: The plural is frescoes. Do not confuse with alfresco.) ② fresh /freʃ/ adj 1. not used or not dirty 쑗 I’ll get you a fresh towel. 2. made quite re- cently 쑗 a basket of fresh rolls 쑗 Let’s ask for a pot of fresh coffee. 3. new 쑗 The police produced some fresh evidence. 4. not tinned or frozen 쑗 The fishmonger sells fresh fish. 쑗 Fresh fruit salad is better than tinned. 쑗 Fresh vegetables are difficult to get in winter. 5. bright and attractive 쑗 She has a fresh complexion. 쑗 The kitchen is painted a fresh green colour. 6. quite cool 쑗 fresh showery weather 7. quite strong 쑗 a fresh north wind 8. fit and awake 쑗 You’ll feel fresher after two hours’ sleep. (NOTE: fresher – freshest) fresh air /freʃ eə/ noun the open space outside buildings where the air flows freely 쑗 After ten hours in the office they were glad to come out into the fresh air. freshen / freʃ(ə)n/ verb 1. to make something fresh 쑗 The hot air in the valley was freshened by a mountain breeze. 2. to become cooler or fresher 쑗 The wind freshened as night came on. 3. 왍 to freshen (yourself ) up to wash your hands and face, and tidy . fresher 338 your hair 쑗 I must just go to freshen up before the guests arrive. fresher / freʃə/ noun a new student in his or her first year at college or university (informal ). Synonym freshman freshly / freʃli/ adv recently freshman / freʃmən/ noun a new student in his or her first year at college or university . (NOTE: In the USA, freshman is also applied to a student at high school. The plural is freshmen.) freshness / freʃnəs/ noun being fresh freshwater / freʃwɔ tə/ adj referring to river or lake water, not salt water fret /fret/ verb to worry or be unhappy 쑗 She’s fretting about her exams. (NOTE: fretting – fretted) 쐽 noun the raised metal strip crossing the neck of a guitar against which you press the strings 쑗 Place your fingers so that you can feel the fret. fretful / fretf(ə)l/ adj always complaining and unhappy. Synonym worried. Antonym calm Freudian / frɔdiən/ adj referring to Freud and his theories of psychoanalysis Freudian slip /frɔdiən slp/ noun a mistake in speaking which seems to show your real feelings, when you are trying to hide them Fri. abbr Friday friar / fraə/ noun a member of a Christian religious order who went out to collect money or to preach friction / frkʃən/ noun 1. one thing rubbing against another 쑗 You need more oil to reduce friction in the motor. 2. a disagreement between two or more people 쑗 There has been a good deal of friction between the members of the board. (NOTE: no plural) ① Friday / frade/ noun the fifth day of the week, the day between Thursday and Saturday 쑗 We all had a meal together last Friday. 쑗 We always go to the cinema on Friday evenings. 쑗 We normally have our meetings on Fridays. 쑗 Friday is a day of rest for Muslims. 쑗 Today is Friday, June 20th. ② fridge /frdȢ/ noun a kitchen machine for keeping things cold 쑗 The fridge is empty – we must buy some more food. 쑗 Shall I put the milk back in the fridge? Synonym refrigerator fridge-freezer /frdȢ fri zə/ noun a kitchen machine consisting of both a fridge and a freezer in a single unit ③ fried /frad/ adj cooked in oil or fat. 쏡 fry ① friend /frend/ noun a person whom you know well and like 쑗 She’s my best friend. 쑗 We’re going on holiday with some friends from work. 왍 to make friends with someone to get to know and like someone 쑗 We made friends with some French people on holiday. frilly ② friendly / frendli/ adj like a friend, want- ing to make friends 쑗 Don’t be frightened of the dog – he’s very friendly. 쑗 We’re not on friendly terms with the people who live next door. (NOTE: friendlier – friendliest) 쐽 noun a football match which is not part of a tournament 쑗 England is playing a friendly against Poland. ③ friendship / frendʃp/ noun the state of being friends 쑗 He formed several lasting friendships at school. frieze /fri z/ noun a decorated band around a room just below the ceiling frigate / frDZət/ noun a small fast-moving naval ship fright /frat/ noun 1. fear 2. a shock 왍 to give someone a fright to make someone jump with fear 쑗 The sudden noise gave her a fright. 쑗 Don’t creep up behind me like that – you gave me a real fright. 왍 to look a fright to look awful and not very attractive (dated ) frighten / frat(ə)n/ verb to make someone afraid 쑗 Take off that horrible mask – you’ll frighten the children. 쑗 The cat has frightened all the birds away. Synonym scare. Antonym soothe ② frightened / frat(ə)nd/ adj full of fear; scared 쑗 The frightened children ran out of the building. Synonym scared. Antonym calm 왍 frightened of something or someone afraid of someone or something 쑗 Don’t be frightened of the dog – he won’t hurt you. ③ frightening / frat(ə)nŋ/ adj which causes fear 쑗 a frightening sound of footsteps in the corridor 쑗 He had a frightening thought – what if no one heard his cries for help? Synonym terrifying. Antonym . soothing frighteningly / frat(ə)nŋli/ adv in a frightening way frightful / fratf(ə)l/ adj terrible or awful. Synonym appalling. Antonym pleasant frightfully / fratf(ə)li/ adv extremely (dated or humorous) frigid / frdȢd/ adj 1. very cold; icy 2. unfriendly, not showing any warm feelings 쑗 His frigid response did not give us much hope. 3. (of a woman) not responsive in sexual relations (insulting) 쑗 After his marriage he discovered that she was frigid. frigidity /fr dȢdti/ noun 1. great cold 2. coldness of feelings, especially lack of interest in sex frill /frl/ noun a piece of material gathered together and sewn on to a dress, etc. frills /frlz/ plural noun extra things, such as sauces with food 왍 no-frills air travel cheap air travel where no meals are served and the passengers have no particular comforts frilly / frli/ adj decorated with a frill fringe 339 fringe /frndȢ/ noun 1. the hair lying over the forehead 2. edging of a shawl, carpet, etc., consisting of loose threads hanging down 쑗 a lampshade with a yellow fringe 3. an outer edge of an area 쑗 Round the fringe of the crowd people were selling souvenirs. fringe benefit /frndȢ benft/ noun an additional advantage which someone gets from doing a particular job or activity fringed /frndȢd/ adj with things along the edge, like a fringe 왍 fringed with palm trees with palm trees growing along the side fringe theatre /frndȢ θətə/ noun usually experimental theatre, often not using a traditional theatre building (NOTE: The equivalent in New York is off Broadway.) frisk /frsk/ verb 1. to search someone by running your hands over his or her body 쑗 When they frisked him at the airport, they found a knife hidden under his shirt. 2. to jump about happily 쑗 little lambs frisking in the field frisky / frski/ adj feeling lively, or behaving in a lively way fritter / frtə/ noun a piece of meat, fruit or vegetable dipped in a mixture of flour, egg and milk, and fried 쑗 I love apple fritters. 쐽 verb 왍 to fritter something away to waste time, money, etc., on unimportant things 쑗 He inherited a fortune from his grandfather but had frittered it all away by the time he was thirty. frivolity /fr vɒlti/ noun silliness; lack of seriousness frivolous / frvələs/ adj silly; not serious 왍 a frivolous complaint a complaint which is not made for a serious reason 쑗 I’m fed up of listening to all these frivolous complaints about the bus service. frivolously / frvələsli/ adv in a frivolous way frizzy / frzi/ adj (of hair ) in a mass of tight curls frock /frɒk/ noun a dress; a piece of woman’s clothing covering more or less all the body (dated ) ③ frog /frɒDZ/ noun 1. a small greenish-brown animal with long legs, which hops, and lives both on land and in water 쑗 He kept some tadpoles in a jar hoping they would turn into frogs. 쑗 Can you hear the frogs croaking round the pond? 2. 왍 to have a frog in your throat to have something in your throat which stops you speaking clearly (informal ) frogman / frɒDZmən/ noun a diver working underwater (NOTE: The plural is frogmen.) frolic / frɒlk/ noun a happy game or party 쑗 He said that the game of running across the railway lines was just a harmless frolic which went tragically wrong. 쐽 verb to play . . . frontier happily 쑗 The lambs were frolicking in the fields. (NOTE: frolicking – frolicked) ① from /frəm, frɒm/ prep 1. showing the place where something starts or started 쑗 He comes from Germany. 쑗 The bees went from flower to flower. 쑗 We’ve had a letter from the bank. 쑗 He read the book from beginning to end or from cover to cover. 쑗 Take three from four and you get one. 쑗 I took a book from the pile on his desk. 2. showing the time when something starts or started 쑗 I’ll be at home from 8 o’clock onwards. 쑗 The hours of work are 9.30 to 5.30, from Monday to Friday. 쑗 From now on I’m going to get up early. 3. showing distance 쑗 It is more than 3 km from here to the railway station. 4. showing difference 쑗 Can you tell butter from margarine? 쑗 His job is totally different from mine. 5. showing a cause 쑗 He died from the injuries he received in the accident. 쑗 He suffers from angina. 쑗 She suffers from coughs every winter. 6. showing material 쑗 items made from aluminium frond /frɒnd/ noun a large leaf divided into many thin sections, as, e.g., on a palm tree ① front /frnt/ noun 1. a part of something which is furthest forward 쑗 The front of the house is on London Road. 쑗 She spilt coffee down the front of her dress. 2. a particular area of interest 쑗 Any more news on the health front? 3. a road or path along the edge of the sea 쑗 We went for a walk along the front. 쑗 a hotel on the sea front or a sea front hotel 4. a line marking the point where two masses of air meet 쐽 adj which is in front 쑗 She sat in the front seat, next to the driver. 앳 in front further forwards 쑗 Her mother sat in the back seat and she sat in front. 앳 in front of before or further forwards than something 쑗 Don’t stand in front of the car – it may start suddenly. 쑗 There are six people in front of me in the queue. 쑗 You can park your car in front of the shop. frontal / frnt(ə)l/ adj 1. of or in the front 쑗 a frontal attack on the enemy 2. referring to a cold or warm front of air front bench /frnt bentʃ/ noun the front row of seats on either side of the House of Commons where government ministers or members of the opposition shadow cabinet sit ③ front door /frnt dɔ / noun the main door to a house or building. Antonym back door frontier /frn tə/ noun 1. the boundary line between two countries 쑗 The customs men at the frontier didn’t even bother to look at our passports. 2. 왍 the frontiers of science the furthest point in human knowledge 쑗 Scientists are trying to push back the frontiers of science. frontispiece 340 frontispiece / frntspi s/ noun a picture opposite the title page of a book front line /frnt lan/ noun the line where two armies meet in war front page /frnt pedȢ/ noun the first page of a newspaper or magazine 왍 front-page story an important story which appears on the front page of a newspaper front room /frnt ru m/ noun a room at the front of a house, used for sitting in front-runner /frnt rnə/ noun the person who is currently first in a race or contest (informal ) frost /frɒst/ noun 1. a white covering on the ground, trees, etc., when the temperature is below freezing 쑗 The garden was white with frost. 2. cold weather, when the temperature is below freezing 쑗 There was a hard frost last night. 쑗 There’s a touch of frost in the air. 쑗 A late frost can damage young plants. 왍 ten degrees of frost ten degrees below zero 쐽 verb 1. to cover with frost; to be damaged by frost 왍 to frost over to become covered with frost 2. 왍 to frost a cake US to put icing on a cake frostbite / frɒstbat/ noun an injury caused by very severe cold which freezes your flesh frostbitten / frɒstbt(ə)n/ adj affected by frostbite frosted glass /frɒstd DZlɑ s/ noun glass with a rough or grainy surface which makes it opaque frosting / frɒstŋ/ noun icing on a cake frosty / frɒsti/ adj 1. very cold; covered with frost 쑗 a frosty night 쑗 They walked across the frosty fields. 2. cold or unfriendly 쑗 She gave him a frosty stare. 쑗 The minister got a very frosty reception at the meeting. . (NOTE: frostier – frostiest) froth /frɒθ/ noun a mass of bubbles on top of a liquid 쑗 Wait until the froth has settled before drinking your beer. 쐽 verb to make masses of bubbles 쑗 He was lying on the floor, frothing at the mouth. frothy / frɒθi/ adj 1. referring to foam 2. trivial frown /fraυn/ noun pulling your eyebrows together as a sign that you are angry or worried 쑗 Take that frown off your face – everything’s going to be all right. Synonym scowl 쐽 verb to pull your eyebrows together because you are concentrating or worried 쑗 He frowned as he tried to do the calculation. 왍 to frown on or upon something to disapprove of something 쑗 The teachers frown on singing in the corridors. 쑗 The company frowns on people who bring food into the office. 쑗 This type of behaviour is frowned upon by the municipal authorities. 왘 Antonym (all senses) smile frustrated ③ froze /frəυz/ verb 쒁 freeze ③ frozen / frəυz(ə)n/ adj 1. very cold 쑗 Come inside – you must be frozen out there. 2. at a temperature below freezing point 쑗 We went skating on the frozen lake. 3. not allowed to be changed or used. 쏡 freeze frugal / fru DZ(ə)l/ adj 1. small and plain 쑗 He had a frugal meal of bread and cheese. 2. careful when you spend money or use resources 쑗 He lived a frugal life and died a millionaire. 쑗 The frugal use of the heating system will cut down on your electricity bills. frugality /fru DZlti/ noun the quality or characteristic of being frugal (NOTE: no plural) ② fruit /fru t/ noun 1. the part of a plant (such as apples, cherries, pears, etc.) which has seeds, is often eaten raw and is usually sweet 쑗 You should eat five pieces of fruit every day. 쑗 He has six fruit trees in his garden. 2. 왍 the fruits of your labours the results of your hard work (literary) 쑗 He retired at sixty to enjoy the fruits of his labours. 쐽 verb to produce fruit 쑗 The raspberries have finished fruiting. 쑗 Some pears fruit quite late in the season. fruitcake / fru tkek/ noun a cake with a lot of dried fruit in it 왍 as nutty as a fruitcake completely mad (informal ) fruitful / fru tf(ə)l/ adj which produces good results. Synonym productive. Antonym fruitless fruition /fru ʃ(ə)n/ noun 왍 to come to fruition to be finished with good results 쑗 After ten years’ work, the project finally came to fruition. 왍 to bring something to fruition to finish something with good results ③ fruit juice / fru t dȢu s/ noun juice from fruit fruitless / fru tləs/ adj producing no result. Synonym unsuccessful. Antonym fruitful fruit machine / fru t məʃi n/ noun a gambling machine where pictures of different types of fruit appear when you press a button fruit salad /fru t sləd/ noun pieces of different fruit, cut up and mixed together fruity / fru ti/ adj 1. tasting of fruit 쑗 a dark fruity red wine 2. (of a voice or laugh) deep and attractive (NOTE: fruitier – fruitiest) frumpish / frmpʃ/, frumpy / frmp/ adj (of women) unattractive because of wearing old-fashioned clothes frustrate /fr stret/ verb 1. to make someone annoyed because they cannot do what they want to do 2. to prevent someone or something from being successful frustrated /fr stretd/ adj 1. annoyed because of not being able to do something 쑗 She’s frustrated at not being able to speak . frustrating 341 German. 2. having the desire to be something, but never having the talent or the opportunity 쑗 a frustrated artist 쑗 When he gets behind the wheel of his car you can see the frustrated Grand Prix driver coming out. frustrating /fr stretnDZ/ adj annoying, because someone or something stops you doing what you want to do. Antonym satisfying ③ frustration /fr streʃ(ə)n/ noun a feeling of anger and impatience when you cannot do what you want to do ③ fry /fra/ verb to cook in oil or fat in a shallow pan 쑗 Fry the onions over a low heat so that they don’t burn. 쑗 Fry the eggs in some fat. (NOTE: fries /fraz/ - frying – fried /frad/) ③ frying pan / fraŋ pn/ noun a shallow open pan used for frying 왍 to jump out of the frying pan into the fire to go from one difficult situation to something even worse ③ ft abbr foot or feet fuchsia / fju ʃə/ noun a garden plant with colourful bell-shaped hanging flowers fuddy-duddy / fdi ddi/ noun an old-fashioned person (informal ) fudge /fdȢ/ noun 1. a soft sweet made from butter, sugar and milk 쑗 She bought a packet of home made fudge. 2. avoiding making a tough decision 쑗 The report on the scandal was a fudge. 쐽 verb 왍 to fudge the issue to avoid making a tough decision on an issue (informal ) 쑗 For years, the government has been fudging the issue of legalising drugs. ② fuel / fju əl/ noun a substance such coal, gas, oil, petrol or wood which can be burnt to give heat or power 쑗 What fuel do you use to heat the house? 쑗 What’s the fuel consumption of your car? 쑗 We ran out of fuel on the motorway. 왍 to add fuel to the flames to make matters worse 쑗 Just to add fuel to the flames the union leader sent the minister’s letter to the newspapers. 쐽 verb 1. to provide fuel for 쑗 The power station is fuelled by coal. 2. to increase 쑗 Our money worries were fuelled by news of an increase in the mortgage rate. (NOTE: fuelling – fuelled. . . The US spelling is fueling – fueled) fugitive / fju dȢtv/ noun a person who is running away 쑗 The two fugitives were captured by the police. 왍 a fugitive from justice a person who is running away from the law 쐽 adj who is running away from the law fulcrum / fυlkrəm/ noun a point on which a lever rests or on which something balances. Synonym pivot ③ fulfil /fυl fl/ verb to complete something in a satisfactory way (NOTE: fulfilling – fulfilled. The US spelling is fulfill.) full-scale fulfilled /fυl fld/ adj satisfied with what you are doing, or happy because of the things you have achieved fulfilling /fυl flŋ/ adj which gives satisfaction. Synonym satisfying. Antonym frustrating fulfilment /fυl flmənt/ noun carrying something out in a satisfactory way (NOTE: The US spelling is fulfillment.) ① full /fυl/ adj 1. with as much inside as is possible 쑗 Is the box full? 쑗 The bag is full of potatoes. 쑗 We couldn’t get on the first bus because it was full. 쑗 All the hotels were full. 왍 I’m full up I’ve eaten so much that I can’t eat any more (informal ) 왍 to be full of yourself to think a lot of yourself, or to be always talking about how successful you are 2. complete 쑗 You must give the police full details of the accident. 쑗 Write your full name and address at the top of the paper. 쐽 noun 왍 to the full completely 쑗 He always wants to live his life to the full. 쐽 adv 1. completely; entirely 쑗 The story has never been told in full. 2. 왍 to know something full well to be very aware of something 3. straight; in the centre 쑗 The ball hit him full in the chest. fullback / fυlbk/ noun a player who plays at the back of a team near the goal full-blown /fυl bləυn/ adj 1. (of a flower ) completely open 쑗 a full-blown rose 2. fully qualified 왍 she is a full-blown doctor now she has passed all her examinations and is qualified 3. (of a disease) complete; with all the symptoms 쑗 He developed full-blown AIDS. full board /fυl bɔ d/ noun a rate for bedroom and all meals in a hotel full-fledged /fυl fledȢd/ adj US fullyfledged full-grown /fυl DZrəυn/ adj same as fully. . grown full house /fυl haυs/ noun an audience for a theatre or cinema performance that fills all the seats full-length /fυl leŋθ/ adj 1. covering or showing the whole of someone 쑗 a full-length evening gown 쑗 a full-length portrait 2. long film or novel 쑗 It was his first full-length film, made when he was 21. full marks /fυl mɑ ks/ plural noun 1. everything correct in a test 2. high praise full moon /fυl mu n/ noun the time when the moon appears as a complete circle full-on /fυl ɒn/ adj having a particular quality to the highest degree full-page / fυl pedȢ/ adj taking up a whole page ③ full-scale / fυl skel/ adj 1. the same size as in real life 쑗 a full-scale model of a dinosaur 2. complete 쑗 It started as a dispute full-size 342 over a few islands and soon developed into a full-scale war. full-size /fυl saz/ adj the same size as in real life ③ full stop /fυl stɒp/ noun 1. a punctuation mark like a small dot, showing the end of a sentence or an abbreviation 쑗 When reading, you can take a breath when you come to a full stop. (NOTE: The US term is period.) 2. meaning ‘there’s nothing more to say’ 쑗 She doesn’t like German food, full stop. (NOTE: The US term is period.) 3. a complete stop 쑗 The car skidded across the road and came to a full stop when it hit a wall. ③ full-time / fυl tam/ adj, adv working for all the usual working time, i.e. about seven hours a day, five days a week 쑗 She is in full-time work or She works full-time. 쑗 We have eight full-time and two part-time teachers at our school. Compare part-time ② fully / fυli/ adv completely or entirely 쑗 He was fully aware that he had made a mistake. 쑗 She still hasn’t fully recovered from her accident. 쑗 The hotel is fully booked for the Christmas week. 쑗 When fully grown, an elephant can weigh several tons. Synonym completely. Antonym partially fully-fledged /fυli fledȢd/ adj experienced or qualified (NOTE: The US term is full-fledged.) fully-grown /fυli DZrəυn/ adj adult-sized fumble / fmbəl/ verb to touch or feel clumsily ③ fume /fju m/ verb to be angry 쑗 After he had read the report he was absolutely fuming. fumes /fju mz/ plural noun smoke or gas 쑗 They must have inhaled the fumes from the gas cooker. fumigate / fju mDZet/ verb to clean a building or a room by burning chemicals to produce smoke which kills germs and insects. Synonym sterilise ② fun /fn/ noun enjoyable or amusing activity 쑗 Having to stay in bed on my birthday is not much fun. Synonym amusement. Antonym boredom 왍 to have fun to enjoy yourself 쑗 We had a lot of fun on the river. 왍 to make fun of someone or to poke fun at someone to laugh at someone 쑗 Don’t make fun of her – she’s trying her best. 쑗 He poked fun at the Prime Minister. 왍 for fun as a joke 쑗 She poured water down his neck for fun. 쑗 Just for fun, he drove the car through town dressed as a gorilla. 쑗 Why did you do that? – Just for the fun of it! 쐽 adj enjoyable, and probably involving games and laughter (informal ) 쑗 Sitting on the grass in St James’s Park is a fun way of passing a Sunday afternoon. Synonym amusing. Antonym boring . funeral ① function / fŋkʃən/ noun 1. a party, or a gathering of people 쑗 We have two wedding functions in the main restaurant this weekend. 쑗 The Prime Minister is tied up with official functions all week. 2. work done by someone or something 쑗 The function of a goalkeeper is to stop the ball going into the net. 쑗 What’s the function of that red switch? 쐽 verb 1. to work 쑗 The computer is still functioning well after months of constant use. 2. 왍 to function as to serve as 쑗 The sofa functions as a bed if we have visitors. functional / fŋkʃən(ə)l/ adj 1. useful but not decorative 쑗 These old saucepans are not works of art but they’re functional. 2. working properly 쑗 The heating system will be functional again in an hour or so. function key / fŋkʃən ki / noun one of a row of keys along the top of a computer keyboard which activates a set of instructions ① fund /fnd/ noun 1. a sum of money set aside for a special purpose 쑗 She contributes to a pension fund. 2. a collection 쑗 He has a fund of stories about his time at sea. 쐽 verb to provide money for a special purpose 쑗 We have asked the government to fund the building of the new library. 쑗 The company is funding her manager’s course. Synonym finance fundamental /fndə ment(ə)l/ adj basic; essential 쑗 The fundamental difference between us is that I apologise for my mistakes and you don’t. 쑗 Good air quality is fundamental for children’s health. fundamentalism /fndə ment(ə)lz(ə)m/ noun an approach to religion which involves following religious rules very strictly fundamentalist /fndə ment(ə)lst/ noun a person who follows religious rules very strictly fundamentally /fndə ment(ə)li/ adv basically. Antonym superficially fundamentals /fndə ment(ə)lz/ plural noun basic principles. Synonym basics ③ funding / fndŋ/ noun money for something. Synonym backing fundraiser / fndrezə/ noun 1. a person who raises money for a charity or voluntary group 2. a money-raising activity or event for a charity or voluntary group fund-raising / fndrezŋ/ adj aimed at getting more money, by asking people or organisations to give some 쑗 a fund-raising dinner 쑗 The mayor launched a fund-raising scheme for the children’s club. 쐽 noun the activity of raising money for a charity or voluntary group ③ funeral / fju n(ə)rəl/ noun 1. a ceremony when a dead person is buried or cremated 쑗 The church was packed for her funeral. 쑗 The funeral will take place on Friday morning. 2. 왍 it’s your funeral it is ② funeral director 343 something you alone are responsible for (informal ) 쑗 If he insists on riding his motorbike without a helmet, then that’s his funeral. funeral director / fju n(ə)rəl darektə/ noun a person who arranges funerals in return for payment funeral parlour / fju n(ə)rəl pɑ lə/ noun a shop where dead bodies are taken to be made ready to be buried funfair / fnfeə/ noun a group of amusements, sideshows, food stalls, etc., set up in one place for a short time fungal / fŋDZəl/ adj referring to fungus fungicide / fŋDZsad/ noun a chemical which kills fungus fungus / fŋDZəs/ noun a plant which has no green leaves or flowers and which lives on rotting matter or on other plants (NOTE: The plural is fungi / fŋDZa/.) funk /fŋk/ noun 1. a style of African dance music with a strong rhythm 쑗 The crowd of teenagers were dancing to funk music. 2. a state of fear (dated ) 쐽 verb not to do something because you are afraid to do it (informal dated ) funky / fŋki/ adj fashionable; modern (informal ) (NOTE: funkier – funkiest) funnel / fnl/ noun 1. a tube with a wide mouth and narrow bottom, used when pouring liquids from one container into another 2. a chimney on a ship through which the smoke escapes 쑗 The liner sailed away, with smoke billowing out of her funnel. 쐽 verb 1. to pass something through a funnel or through a narrow space 쑗 We funnelled the petrol into the tank. 2. to send something in a certain direction 쑗 The money was funnelled into the building project. (NOTE: funnelling – funnelled. The US spelling is funneling – funneled.) funnily / fnli/ adv 1. used to introduce a comment on something considered strange or unexpected 2. in a way that seems strange or unexpected 3. in a humorous or funny way ① funny / fni/ adj 1. which makes you laugh 쑗 We watched a funny programme on children’s TV. 쑗 He made funny faces and all the children laughed. 쑗 The clown was wearing a funny hat. 2. strange or odd 쑗 She’s been behaving in a funny way recently. 쑗 There’s a funny smell in the bathroom. 3. a little bit ill (informal ) 쑗 I’m feeling funny. (NOTE: funnier – funniest) funny bone / fni bəυn/ noun a part of the elbow which gives a painful tingling sensation when it is hit by accident (informal ) fur /f" / noun the soft covering of an animal’s body 쑗 This type of cat has very short fur. 쑗 She was wearing a fur coat. 쑗 Have you got any fur-lined boots? (NOTE: Do not confuse with fir.) 쐽 verb 왍 to fur up to be. . . . . . further come covered with a layer of a substance, especially a mineral 쑗 The element in the kettle has become furred up. furious / fjυəriəs/ adj very angry furl /f" l/ verb to roll up a flag or sail when it is out of use, or to become tightly rolled up furlong / f" lɒŋ/ noun a measure of length, equal to 220 yards (NOTE: It is only used when referring to the length of a track for horse-racing.) furnace / f" ns/ noun 1. a large brick or metal oven which can be heated to a very high temperature 왍 it's like a furnace it’s extremely hot (informal ) 2. a heater which warms the water for central heating furnish / f" nʃ/ verb 1. to put furniture into a house, office, etc. 쑗 His house is furnished with antiques. 2. to provide 쑗 He furnished the police with a complete list of addresses. 쑗 The town council furnished details of the improvement plan. furnished / f" nʃt/ adj (of a house for rent ) equipped with furniture. Antonym . . unfurnished furnishings / f" nʃŋz/ plural noun the furniture, carpets, curtains and fittings in a house 쑗 All the furnishings were removed before the house was demolished. ② furniture / f" ntʃə/ noun tables, chairs, beds, cupboards, etc. 쑗 The burglars stole all our office furniture. 쑗 You should cover up all the furniture before you start painting the ceiling. Compare furnishings (NOTE: no plural: some furniture; a lot of furniture; a piece of furniture) furore /fjυ rɔ ri/ noun an outburst of anger or excitement (NOTE: The US spelling is furor.) furrow / frəυ/ noun 1. a long trench cut in the soil by a plough 쑗 Seagulls followed the plough, looking for food in the furrows. 2. a deep line in the surface of something 쑗 As he grew older, the furrows on his face deepened. furrowed / frəυd/ adj with deep lines. Synonym wrinkled furry / f" ri/ adj covered with fur ① further / f" ðə/ adv at or to a greater distance 쑗 Can you all move further back — I can’t get you in the picture. 쑗 The police station is quite close, but the post office is further away. 쑗 Edinburgh is further from London than Paris. 쐽 adj 1. more 쑗 The bank needs further information about your salary. 쑗 Please send me further details of holidays in Greece. 2. (formal ) 왍 further to referring to something 왍 further to our letter of the 21st in addition to what we said in our letter 왍 further to your letter of the 21st in response to what you asked in your letter . further education 344 further education /f" ðər edjυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the system of teaching people who have left school ③ furthermore / f" ðərmɔ / adv also furthermost / f" ðəməυst/ adj the furthest; the most distant (formal ) ③ furthest / f" ðəst/ adv, adj at or to the greatest distance 쑗 Some of the staff live quite close to the office — James lives furthest away. 쑗 The furthest distance I have ever flown is to Hong Kong. furtive / f" tv/ adj as if trying not to be noticed. Synonym secretive furtively / f" tvli/ adv in a furtive way fury / fjυəri/ noun fierce anger ③ fuse /fju z/ noun 1. a small piece of wire in an electrical circuit which melts and breaks if the circuit is overloaded, and so prevents further damage 쑗 The plug has a 13-amp fuse. 쑗 If the lights go out, the first thing to do is to check the fuses. 2. a piece of flammable material, used to light a firework, a bomb, etc. 쑗 He struck a match and lit the fuse. 쑗 A long fuse gives you ten seconds to get out of the way. 쐽 verb 1. to break an electrical circuit 쑗 She plugged in her hair dryer and fused the lights. 2. 왍 to fuse together to join things such as wires together to form one single thing 쑗 The heat had fused the metal seats together. 앳 to blow a fuse 1. to overload an electric circuit and make the fuse break 쑗 The lights have gone out – I think we’ve blown a fuse. 2. to get very angry (informal ) 쑗 He’s going to blow a fuse when he sees the mess you’ve made of his car. fusebox / fju zbɒks/ noun a box where the fuses which protect the electrical circuits in a building are kept fuselage / fju zəlɑ Ȣ/ noun the body of an aircraft fusillade /fju z led/ noun a series of rapid gunshots or questions ③ fusion / fju Ȣ(ə)n/ noun 1. the melting together of two pieces of metal 쑗 The heat of the explosion was so great that it resulted in the fusion of metal plates. 2. the joining together of two or more groups, such as political parties 쑗 The new party has been formed by the fusion of two existing parties. ③ fuss /fs/ noun unnecessary excitement or complaints 쑗 What’s all the fuss about? 왍 to make a fuss or to kick up a fuss about something to complain for a long time about something which is not important 쑗 Don’t make such a fuss – it’s only a little scratch. 왍 to make a fuss of someone to pay great attention to someone 쑗 The children made a fuss of their mother on her birthday. 쐽 verb . . FYI 왍 to fuss over something to worry about something, or to pay too much attention to something 쑗 Don’t fuss over it – everything will be all right. 쑗 Stop fussing over your hair, you look fine. fussily / fsli/ adv unnecessarily careful about unimportant details fussiness / fsnəs/ noun the action of being unnecessarily careful about unimportant details fussy / fsi/ adj 1. too nervous and unnecessarily careful about little things 쑗 She’s fussy about what she eats or She’s a fussy eater. 쑗 The boss is so fussy about spelling – he’s made me do this letter three times. 2. with too many small decorations 쑗 I don’t like the fussy pattern on this carpet. (NOTE: fussier – fussiest) futile / fju tal/ adj certain to fail, and therefore not worth doing. Synonym useless. Antonym useful futility /fju tlti/ noun uselessness. Antonym usefulness futon / fu tɒn/ noun 1. a Japanese-style mattress used as a simple bed 2. a simple sofa bed with a futon mattress ① future / fju tʃə/ noun 1. a time which has not yet happened 쑗 What are his plans for the future? 쑗 You never know what the future will bring. 쑗 Can you imagine what London will be like in the future? 2. 왍 in future from now on 쑗 In future, try to get to the office on time. 쐽 adj which is coming; which has not happened yet 쑗 They are spending all their time preparing for their future retirement. 쑗 I try to save something each week for future expenses. Antonym past future perfect /fju tʃə p" fkt/ noun a tense of a verb which indicates that an action will be finished some time in the future, using the words ‘will have’ or ‘shall have’ future tense / fju tʃə tens/ noun a tense of a verb which indicates that an action will take place in the future, using the words ‘will’ or ‘shall’ or their contraction ‘’ll’ futuristic /fju tʃə rstk/ adj very modern, or relating to the future. Synonym innovative. Antonym antiquated fuzz /fz/ noun 1. a mass of short hair 2. 앳 the fuzz the police (dated slang offensive) fuzzy / fzi/ adj 1. fluffy and curly 쑗 She’s got dark fuzzy hair, which is difficult to comb. 2. blurred; not clear 쑗 The security camera produced a fuzzy photograph of the bank robbers. (NOTE: fuzzier – fuzziest) FYI abbr for your information G g1 /dȢi /, G noun the seventh letter of the alphabet, between F and H g2 abbr gram gab /DZb/ noun 왍 the gift of the gab a talent for talking a lot gabble / DZb(ə)l/ noun loud unintelligible talk. Synonym gibberish 쐽 verb to speak very quickly 쑗 He gabbled a few words in Spanish. Synonym jabber gable / DZeb(ə)l/ noun the top part of a wall where it forms a triangle with the roof gad /DZd/ verb (humorous) 왍 to gad about or gad around to be constantly going out somewhere enjoying yourself 쑗 He’s always gadding about. gadget / DZdȢt/ noun a small useful tool gadgetry / DZdȢtri/ noun gadgets Gaelic / DZelk/; in Scotland / DZlk/ noun a Celtic language spoken in some parts of Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man 쐽 adj referring to Gaelic-speaking people or areas 쑗 Gaelic football gaffe /DZf/ noun a remark or action in a public situation which embarrasses someone. Synonym blunder, faux pas gag /DZDZ/ noun 1. something put into or over a person’s mouth to stop him or her speaking 쑗 The burglars tied him up and put a gag in his mouth. 2. a joke 쑗 The audience laughed at most of his gags. 쐽 verb 1. to put something over a person’s mouth to try to stop him or her talking 쑗 He was gagged and put into the boot of the car. 2. to try to stop someone talking or writing 쑗 The government tried to gag the press. 3. to choke; to try to vomit but be unable to do so 쑗 Every time the doctor tries to examine her throat, she gags. 쑗 He gagged on the hamburger. (NOTE: gagging – gagged) gaga / DZɑ DZɑ / adj mentally incompetent (informal offensive) gaggle / DZDZ(ə)l/ noun a flock of geese, or a group of noisy people gaiety / DZeəti/ noun happiness or cheerfulness. Antonym misery gaily / DZeli/ adv happily. Antonym sadly ② gain /DZen/ verb 1. to get 쑗 The army gained control of the country. 쑗 She gained some useful experience working on a farm. 2. to increase in value 쑗 The pound gained six cents on the foreign exchange markets. 3. (of a clock or watch) to move ahead of the correct time 쑗 My watch gains five minutes a day. 4. 왍 to gain on someone or something, to gain ground to get closer to a person or thing you are chasing 쑗 With each lap he was gaining on the race leader. 쐽 noun 1. profit 쑗 He betrayed his country for financial gain. 2. an increase in weight, quantity, size, etc. 쑗 There was no gain in weight. 왍 gain in experience getting more experience gainful / DZenf(ə)l/ adj 왍 gainful employment employment which pays money gainfully / DZenf(ə)li/ adv 왍 gainfully employed working and earning money gait /DZet/ noun a way of walking (NOTE: Do not confuse with gate.) gal noun /DZl/ a girl or woman (dated or US slang) 쐽 abbr gallon gala / DZɑ lə/ noun a festive public occasion or performance. Synonym festival galactic /DZə lktk/ adj referring to a galaxy (informal ) galaxy / DZləksi/ noun 1. a huge group of . stars 쑗 There are vast numbers of galaxies. 쑗 The speed of stars near the centre of a galaxy may indicate the presence of black holes. 2. a large number of brilliant and famous people, such as film stars 쑗 There is a galaxy of singers on our show tonight. (NOTE: The plural is galaxies.) Galaxy / DZləksi/ noun the Milky Way, a band of what look like tiny stars, easily seen with the naked eye gale /DZel/ noun a very strong wind 왍 wintry gales gales with snow 왍 gale force winds winds which are strong enough to be called a gale gall /DZɔ l/ noun 1. a thick bitter brownishyellow liquid produced by the liver, which helps to digest fatty substances. Synonym bile 2. a growth on a plant, especially on an oak tree, caused by a parasitic insect 3. impudence 쑗 He had the gall to say I had cheated. 쐽 verb to annoy someone 쑗 What galls me is that he is so successful when I’m not. Synonym irritate. Antonym please gallant /DZə lnt, DZlənt/ adj 1. brave 2. polite to women 쑗 It was very gallant of him gallantly 346 to offer to take her home. (NOTE: Gallant is used only of men.) gallantly / DZləntli/ adv in a gallant way gallantry / DZləntri/ noun bravery gall bladder / DZɔ l bldə/ noun a sac underneath the liver, in which bile produced by the liver is stored galleon / DZliən/ noun a large 16th century sailing ship ③ gallery / DZləri/ noun 1. 왍 (art) gallery a place where objects such as pictures and sculptures are on show to the public 쑗 The National Gallery is in Trafalgar Square. 쑗 The Tate Gallery has a collection of modern paintings. 2. a balcony inside a church or hall 쑗 A group of musicians played in the gallery. 3. (in a theatre or cinema) the highest rows of seats 쑗 We managed to get seats in the gallery. 4. (in a mine) an underground passage or tunnel with walkways (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is galleries.) galley / DZli/ noun 1. a large ship rowed by slaves 2. a kitchen on a plane or ship 쑗 The stewardess will get you some water from the galley. galling / DZɔ lŋ/ adj annoying. Synonym frustrating. Antonym soothing gallon / DZlən/ noun a measure of quantity of liquid, equal to 4.55 litres 쑗 The car was empty and I had to put in seven gallons of petrol. 쑗 An economical car does 40 miles to the gallon. COMMENT: In Britain one gallon (the impe- rial gallon) equals 4.55 litres, but in the USA only 3.78 litres. gallop / DZləp/ noun 1. the fastest running pace of a horse 쑗 The horse went off at a gallop. 2. a fast ride on a horse 쑗 Let’s go for a gallop along the beach. 쐽 verb to go fast, especially on horseback 쑗 The riders galloped through the woods. 쑗 He galloped through his lecture. gallows / DZləυz/ noun a wooden support from which criminals are executed by hanging. Synonym scaffold (NOTE: The plural is ③ gallows.) galore /DZə lɔ / adj in large quantities 쑗 This autumn we had pears galore. (NOTE: always follows the noun) galvanise / DZlvənaz/, galvanize verb 1. to coat iron with zinc 쑗 The shed has a galvanised iron roof. 2. to give someone a shock so that he or she will act 쑗 She tried to galvanise him into action. gambit / DZmbt/ noun 1. something said or done which should give you an advantage in an argument 2. a series of moves which start a game of chess gamble / DZmbəl/ noun a risk 쑗 This investment is a bit of a gamble. 쑗 He took a gamble with the weather in planning his pic- gamut nic for the beginning of March. 쐽 verb to bet money on cards, horses, etc. 쑗 He lost all his money gambling on dog races. 왍 to gamble on something happening to do something, hoping that something will happen 쑗 We’re gambling on fine weather for the village fête. gambler / DZmblə/ noun a person who gambles gambling / DZmblŋ/ noun the activity of placing bets on cards, horses, etc., or of playing games of chance. 쏡 betting ① game /DZem/ noun 1. a sport which can be won with skill, strength or luck 쑗 She’s not very good at games. 2. a single match between two opponents or two opposing teams 쑗 Everyone wanted to watch the game of football. 쑗 Do you want a game of snooker? 쑗 Our team have won all their games this year. 3. 왍 to give the game away to reveal a secret plan 왍 so that’s his little game! now we know what his plans are 왍 the game’s up you’ve been found out 4. a single round in tennis, bridge, etc. 쑗 Game, set and match to Becker. 쑗 She’s winning by six games to three. 5. 왍 Games a large organised sports competition 쑗 the Olympic Games 쑗 the Commonwealth Games 6. wild animals and birds such as deer, rabbits and pheasants, which are killed for sport or food 쑗 Our cookery book has several recipes for game. 쐽 adj ready and willing (dated ) 쑗 I’m game to have a go. 쑗 She’s always game for anything. gamebird / DZemb" d/ noun a wild bird such as a pheasant or partridge which is killed for sport and food gamekeeper / DZemki pə/ noun a person working on a private estate who protects wild birds and animals so that they can be hunted gamely / DZemli/ adv bravely game of chance /DZem əv tʃ ɑns/ noun a game where players bet on the possibility of winning game reserve / DZem rz" v/, game park / DZem pɑ k/ noun a park where wild animals are allowed to live freely game show / DZem ʃəυ/ noun a TV show, where teams of people play games gaming / DZemŋ/ noun 1. same as gambling 2. the practice of playing computer games gamma / DZmə/ noun the third letter of the Greek alphabet, or a mark showing a third level in a series. Symbol gamma rays / DZmə rez/ plural noun rays which are shorter than X-rays and which are given off by radioactive substances gammon / DZmən/ noun meat from the lower part of a side of bacon gamut / DZmət/ noun the complete range of things of the same type . gander 347 gander / DZndə/ noun a male goose (NOTE: The females are geese and the young are goslings.) ③ gang /DZŋ/ noun 1. a band of people, e.g. criminals or youths 쑗 a notorious South American drugs gang 쑗 a gang of pickpockets 쑗 Gangs of football fans wandered round the streets breaking shop windows. 2. a group of workers 쑗 Gangs of men worked all night to repair the railway track. 쐽 verb 왍 to gang up with someone to join up with someone to do something 쑗 The different unions are ganging up to put in a joint pay claim. 왍 to gang up on someone to form a group to attack one person 쑗 She felt as if the rest of office staff were ganging up on her. gangland / DZŋlnd/ noun the gangs in an area taken as a group 쑗 The police are investigating a gangland murder. gangling / DZŋDZlŋ/ adj with long arms and legs. Synonym lanky. Antonym elegant gangplank / DZŋplŋk/ noun a plank from a quay to a boat to allow people to go on and off the boat. 쏡 gangway gangrene / DZŋDZri n/ noun a condition where tissues die and rot, because the blood supply has been lost through injury gangster / DZŋstə/ noun a criminal belonging to a violent gang gangway / DZŋwe/ noun 1. (in a theatre, cinema, etc.) a passage between rows of seats 쑗 Don’t block the gangway. 2. a little movable bridge for going on board a ship 쑗 We went up the gangway carrying our cases. gaol /dȢel/, gaoler / dȢelə/ another spelling of jail, jailer (NOTE: The US spelling is always jail or jailer.) ② gap /DZp/ noun 1. a space between two things or in the middle of something 쑗 There’s a gap between the two planks. 쑗 The sheep all rushed through the gap in the hedge. 왍 a gap in the market an opportunity to sell something 쑗 We’re trying to find a gap in the market. 2. the difference between two things 쑗 The gap is widening between rich and poor. 3. something or someone missing 쑗 His departure left a gap in our team. 쑗 We need someone to fill a gap in our sales force. gape /DZep/ verb to open your mouth wide in surprise or shock gaping / DZepŋ/ adj wide. Antonym narrow gap year / DZp jə/ noun a year between ending secondary school and going to university, when students often get work or travel experience before continuing their formal studies ② garage / DZrdȢ, DZrɑ Ȣ/ noun 1. a small building where you can keep a car 쑗 He put the car into the garage overnight. 쑗 gargle She drove the car out of the garage. 쑗 Don’t forget to lock the garage door. 쑗 The hotel has garage space for thirty cars. 2. a business where petrol is sold and where cars may be repaired or sold 쑗 Where’s the nearest garage? I need some petrol. 쑗 I can’t drive you to the station – my car is in the garage. 쑗 You can hire cars from the garage near the post office. Also called service station 쐽 verb to keep a vehicle in a garage 쑗 The car was garaged overnight in the hotel’s underground car park. garage sale / DZrdȢ sel, DZrɑ Ȣ sel/ noun a private sale of household goods which you do not want, held in your garage garb /DZɑ b/ noun clothes worn by a particular category of person. Synonym clothing (NOTE: no plural) ③ garbage / DZɑ bdȢ/ noun 1. rubbish 쑗 I don’t believe a word of what he said – it’s just garbage. 2. mainly US household waste 쑗 Don’t forget to put the garbage out. (NOTE: . no plural. The usual British term is rubbish.) garbed /DZɑ bd/ adj dressed in a particular way. Synonym clothed garbled / DZɑ b(ə)ld/ adj confusingly ex- pressed and difficult to understand ① garden / DZɑ d(ə)n/ noun a piece of ground near a house, used for growing such things as vegetables and flowers 쑗 We grow all the vegetables we need in the back garden. 쑗 Your sister’s outside, sitting in the garden. 쑗 He hurt his foot with a garden fork. (NOTE: The US term is yard.) garden centre / DZɑ d(ə)n sentə/ noun a place which sells things such as plants, seeds, and equipment for gardening gardener / DZɑ d(ə)nə/ noun a person who looks after a garden either as a hobby or as a job garden gnome /DZɑ d(ə)n nəυm/ noun a little coloured statue of a gnome, used as a garden decoration gardening / DZɑ d(ə)nŋ/ noun the activity of looking after a garden garden party / DZɑ d(ə)n pɑ ti/ noun a social occasion held in a garden or in a house’s grounds gardens / DZɑ d(ə)nz/ plural noun a large area made up of several sections of garden garden shed /DZɑ d(ə)n ʃed/ noun a small building where tools, equipment, and supplies for gardening are kept gargantuan /DZɑ DZntjuən/ adj extremely big. Synonym huge. Antonym tiny gargle / DZɑ DZ(ə)l/ verb to clean your mouth by taking liquid into your mouth and blowing air through it before spitting it out 쐽 noun the action of gargling 쑗 Have a good gargle with this mouthwash. gargoyle 348 gargoyle / DZɑ DZɔl/ noun a water spout on a medieval building, carved like a grotesque head garish / DZeərʃ/ adj too colourful. Synonym gaudy. Antonym tasteful garland / DZɑ lənd/ noun a circle of flowers or paper decorations 쑗 She wore a garland of flowers in her hair. 쑗 The room was decorated with paper garlands. 쐽 verb to decorate someone or something with garlands 쑗 The visitors were garlanded with flowers. ③ garlic / DZɑ lk/ noun a bulb of a plant with a strong smell, a little like an onion garlic bread /DZɑ lk bred/ noun French bread spread with butter and garlic and heated garlicky / DZɑ lki/ adj tasting or smelling of garlic garment / DZɑ mənt/ noun a piece of clothing (formal ) garner / DZɑ nə/ verb to collect something such as facts or data (formal ) garnish / DZɑ nʃ/ noun something used to decorate food 쑗 ham with a garnish of pickled cucumbers 쐽 verb to decorate food 쑗 The fish was garnished with slices of tomato. garret / DZrət/ noun a small room in an attic. Synonym attic garrison / DZrs(ə)n/ noun soldiers defending a castle or town 쑗 The attackers promised the garrison safe passage if they surrendered. 왍 garrison town a town where a regiment of soldiers is based 쐽 verb to put troops somewhere as a garrison 쑗 The town was garrisoned by the Scots Guards. garrulous / DZrυləs/ adj who always talks a lot. Synonym talkative. Antonym taciturn ① gas /DZs/ noun 1. a chemical substance which is not a liquid or a solid, and which becomes liquid if it is cooled 쑗 Decomposing rubbish gives off methane gas. 쑗 Air is formed of several gases, mainly nitrogen and oxygen. 왍 gas attack an attack on an enemy using poison gas 2. a chemical substance used for cooking or heating 쑗 I must go back home – I think I left the gas on. 쑗 There is a smell of gas or It smells of gas in the kitchen. 쑗 Turn down the gas or Turn the gas down – it’s too hot. 쑗 Can I borrow your lighter? – mine has run out of gas. 쑗 The hotel is heated by gas. 3. US same as gasoline 쑗 We ran out of gas on the freeway. 왍 to step on the gas to drive faster (informal ) 쑗 Step on the gas – we’ll miss the train! 쐽 verb to poison or kill someone using gas (informal ) 쑗 Millions of people were gassed during the war. (NOTE: gassing – gassed) gas chamber / DZs tʃembə/ noun a room where people are killed using poison gas . . . . gate gas cylinder / DZs slndə/ noun a metal tube containing gas gaseous / DZsiəs/ adj referring to gas gas fire /DZs faə/ noun a fire which heats with gas gash /DZʃ/ noun a deep cut 쑗 He received a gash on his forehead. Synonym wound (NOTE: The plural is gashes.) 쐽 verb to make a deep cut 쑗 The knife gashed his arm. 쑗 She gashed her hand on the broken glass. gasket / DZskt/ noun a thin piece of a material put between two surfaces to prevent liquid or gas escaping gasmask / DZsmɑ sk/ noun a mask which protects against poison gas gas meter / DZs mi tə/ noun a meter inside a house by which you pay for the gas which you use gasoline / DZsəli n/ noun US a liquid, made from petroleum, used to drive a car engine (NOTE: usually shortened to gas. The British term is petrol.) gasp /DZɑ sp/ noun 1. a sudden intake of breath showing surprise or pain 쑗 She gave a gasp when she saw the face at the window. 2. 왍 last gasp a final action, which marks the end of something 쑗 The executions were the last gasp of the army regime. 왍 he’s at his last gasp it is almost the end of his life, reign, etc. 쑗 The poor car is at its last gasp – we really must get a new one. 쐽 verb 1. to take a short deep breath 쑗 He gasped when he saw the bill. 2. to have difficulty in breathing 쑗 After the race he lay on the ground gasping for breath. gas station / DZs steʃ(ə)n/ noun US a place where you can buy gasoline (NOTE: The British term is petrol station.) gassy / DZsi/ adj (especially of carbonated drinks) full of gas gas tap / DZs tp/ noun a tap on an appli- ance which turns the gas on or off gastric / DZstrk/ adj referring to the stomach gastric flu /DZstrk flu / noun any mild stomach disorder (informal ) gastronomic /DZstrə nɒmk/ adj relating to good eating, or to styles of cooking gas turbine /DZs t" ban/ noun a unit in a car engine where the exhaust gases from the engine are used to drive a turbine and so increase engine power ② gate /DZet/ noun 1. a low door made of bars of wood or metal, in a wall or fence, not in a building 쑗 Shut the gate – if you leave it open the sheep will get out of the field. 쑗 There is a white gate leading into the garden. 2. a door which leads to an aircraft at an airport 쑗 Flight AZ270 is now boarding at Gate 23. 3. the number of people with tickets to watch a sports match 쑗 There was a gate of . gâteau 349 50,000 at the football final. (NOTE: Do not confuse with gait.) gâteau / DZtəυ/ noun a large cream cake (NOTE: The plural is gâteaux / DZtəυz/.) gatecrash / DZetkrʃ/ verb 왍 to gatecrash a party to get into a party without being invited 쑗 A group of students tried to gatecrash her party. gatecrasher / DZetkrʃə/ noun a person who gets into a party without being invited gatepost / DZetpəυst/ noun a vertical piece of wood to which a gate is attached with hinges 왍 between you, me and the gatepost let me tell you this in secret (informal ) 쑗 Between you, me and the gatepost, I think she’s pregnant. gateway / DZetwe/ noun 1. an opening where a gate is fitted 2. a place which leads to a larger area 쑗 Washington, gateway to the south ② gather / DZðə/ verb 1. to bring things or people together 쑗 He gathered his papers together after the lecture. 쑗 She has been gathering information on the history of the local school. 2. to come together 쑗 Groups of people gathered outside the Parliament building. 3. to understand 쑗 I gather that his father is in hospital. 쑗 We gather he has left the office. 4. to pick plants, flowers, fruit, etc. 쑗 The children were gathering blackberries. 쑗 The grape harvest has been gathered. 5. 왍 to gather speed to go faster 쑗 The bus gathered speed as it ran down the hill. 6. to bunch up material into little folds, by pulling a thread sewn along it ② gathering / DZðərŋ/ noun a group of people who have come together 쑗 A speaker from another association will address the gathering. 쐽 adj which is coming together 쑗 The gathering crowds did not realise that the president had already left the country. 왍 the gathering storm the storm or other unpleasant event which is coming gauche /DZəυʃ/ adj clumsy and shy when meeting people. Synonym awkward gaudily / DZɔ dli/ adv colourfully gaudy / DZɔ di/ adj very brightly coloured. Synonym bright. Antonym tasteful (NOTE: . gaudier – gaudiest) ② gauge /DZedȢ/ noun 1. an instrument to measure depth, pressure, etc. 2. the distance between the two rails in a railway line 쐽 verb to measure or to calculate 쑗 This is an instrument which gauges the speed of the wind. 쑗 The chairman tried to gauge the feeling of the meeting. Synonym evaluate gaunt /DZɔ nt/ adj very thin gauntlet / DZɔ ntlət/ noun a strong glove 왍 to throw down the gauntlet to issue a challenge 왍 to pick up the gauntlet to accept a challenge 왍 to run the gauntlet to go gear through a dangerous crowd 쑗 She ran the gauntlet of news photographers. gauze /DZɔ z/ noun a type of thin material ③ gave /DZev/ 쒁 give gawkiness / DZɔ kinəs/ noun the fact of being gawky (informal ) gawky / DZɔ ki/ adj clumsy and rather unattractive in appearance or movement (informal ) Synonym awkward (NOTE: gawkier . . – gawkiest) gawp /DZɔ p/ verb to gaze stupidly or rudely at something ③ gay /DZe/ adj 1. attracted to people of the same sex 쑗 It’s a club where gay men and women meet. 쑗 They met in a gay bar in Soho. 2. bright and lively (dated ) 쑗 The houses along the street are all painted in gay colours. (NOTE: gayer – gayest) 쐽 noun a person who is attracted to someone of the same sex 쑗 a club for gays gaze /DZez/ noun a steady look 쑗 She refused to meet his gaze. Synonym stare. Antonym glance 쐽 verb to look steadily 쑗 She gazed into his eyes. 쑗 He stood on the cliff, gazing out to sea. gazelle /DZə zel/ noun a type of small antelope which runs and leaps in the air (NOTE: The plural is usually gazelle: a herd of gazelle.) gazette /DZə zet/ noun 1. the official newspaper of a military, legal or government organisation 2. used in the name of some newspapers 쑗 the Evening Gazette gazetteer /DZzə tə/ noun a list of names of places gazump /DZə zmp/ verb to accept a higher price from a buyer for a house which someone else has already agreed to buy at a lower price (informal ) 왍 to gazump someone to accept a higher price for a house which someone has already agreed to buy GBH abbr grievous bodily harm GCSE noun a British school exam taken at the age of around 16. Full form General . . Certificate of Secondary Education g’day /DZ da/ Australia another spelling of good day GDP abbr gross domestic product ③ gear /DZə/ noun 1. equipment 쑗 He took all his climbing gear with him. 쑗 She was carrying her painting gear in a rucksack. 2. clothing 쑗 She was putting on her tennis gear. 3. a system of cogs in a vehicle that makes it possible to change the amount of work the engine has to do to turn the wheels 왍 to change gear to move from one gear into another 쑗 There was a loud noise as he tried to change gear. 왍 top gear or high gear the highest gear, used for fast speeds 쑗 The car is most economical in top gear. 왍 in gear with the gears engaged 쐽 verb 왍 to gear some- gearbox 350 thing to to fit something to 쑗 The ferry services are geared to the tourist season. 쑗 Lessons must be geared to the students’ ability. gearbox / DZəbɒks/ noun a case for gears in a car gear lever / DZə li və/, gear stick / DZə stk/ noun the handle in a car which is used to change gears gear up /DZər p/ verb to get ready gecko / DZekəυ/ noun a small tropical lizard (NOTE: The plural is geckos.) geek /DZi k/ noun a person who is a proud or enthusiastic user of computers or other technology, especially one who is interested in few other things or is socially awkward (informal ) ③ geese /DZi s/ 쒁 goose gee whizz / dȢi wz/ interj indicating surprise geezer / DZi zə/ noun a man (slang) Geiger counter / DZaDZə kaυntə/ noun a device for detecting and recording levels of radioactivity gel /dȢel/ noun a thick substance similar to a jelly 쐽 verb to become more certain or more clear 쑗 The details of the plan began to gel. . (NOTE: gelling – gelled) gelatin / dȢeləti n/, gelatine noun a sub- stance made from boiling animal bones, and used to make foods such as jelly gelatinous /dȢə ltnəs/ adj like jelly gelding / DZeldŋ/ noun a castrated male horse gelignite / dȢelDZnat/ noun an explosive made from nitroglycerine gem /dȢem/ noun 1. a precious stone 쑗 She wore a crown set with pearls and gems. 2. an amusing or interesting item 쑗 Here are some gems from yesterday’s paper. 3. a person who is very useful and important to you Gemini / dȢemna/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like twins, covering the period 21st May to 21st June gender / dȢendə/ noun 1. the fact of being male or female 쑗 Everyone has the same rights, regardless of race, religion or gender. 2. (in grammar ) a system where nouns and adjectives have different forms to show if they are masculine, feminine or neuter ② gene /dȢi n/ noun the part of a chromosome which carries characteristics from parent to child genealogical /dȢi niə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to genealogy. Synonym hereditary genealogy /dȢi ni lədȢi/ noun 1. the study of the history of families 쑗 He’s an expert in the genealogy of Scottish clans. 2. the history of a family, showing how different generations are related to each other 쑗 She’s . generation drawn up the genealogy of her father’s family. ① general / dȢen(ə)rəl/ adj 1. ordinary, not special 쑗 He had a good general education, but didn’t specialise in any particular field. 왍 in general normally 쑗 In general, the weather is warmer in the south. 2. referring to everything or everyone 쑗 They issued a general instruction to all the staff. 쐽 noun an army officer of high rank 쑗 He has only recently been promoted to general. general anaesthetic /dȢen(ə)rəl nəsθetk/ noun a substance given to make a patient lose consciousness so that a major surgical operation can be carried out general election /dȢen(ə)rəl  lekʃən/ noun an election where all voters can vote for a new government general hospital /dȢen(ə)rəl hɒsptl/ noun a hospital which deals with all types of injuries and illnesses generalisation /dȢen(ə)rəla zeʃ(ə)n/, generalization noun a general statement. Antonym detail generalise / dȢen(ə)rəlaz/, generalize verb to make a general statement about something. Synonym simplify. Antonym specify generalised / dȢen(ə)rəlazd/, generalized adj 1. concerning general ideas, not specific subjects 쑗 After talking about the recent floods, the discussion became more generalised. 2. affecting many areas throughout the body 쑗 The cancer became generalised. Antonym localised generalities /dȢenə rltiz/ plural noun general subjects for a conversation generality /dȢenə rlti/ noun the state of being general general knowledge /dȢen(ə)rəl nɒldȢ/ noun knowledge of a wide range of subjects ① generally / dȢen(ə)rəli/ adv normally 쑗 The office is generally closed between Christmas and the New Year. Synonym usually. Antonym rarely general store / dȢen(ə)rəl stɔ / noun a small shop which sells a wide range of goods general strike /dȢen(ə)rəl strak/ noun a strike of all or many of the workers in a country ② generate / dȢenəret/ verb to produce something such as power 쑗 We use wind to generate electricity. ② generation /dȢenə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the production of something such as power 쑗 the generation of electricity from waves 2. all people born at about the same time 쑗 The 1960s generation had an easier life than we did. 쑗 Many people of my father’s generation cannot understand computer technology. 3. generation gap 351 members of a family born about the same time 왍 that’s a matter for the younger generation that’s a matter for the younger members of a family 왍 much of our time is spent looking after the older generation much of our time is spent looking after the older members of our family 4. a series of machines made at about the same time 쑗 They are developing a new type of engine for the next generation of aircraft. generation gap /dȢenə reʃ(ə)n DZp/ noun a lack of understanding between generations ② generator / dȢenəretə/ noun a machine which makes electricity generic /dȢə nerk/ adj referring to a range or class of things. Antonym specific generosity /dȢenə rɒsti/ noun being glad to give money or your time to help someone generous / dȢen(ə)rəs/ adj 1. giving money or presents gladly 쑗 Thank you! You’re so generous! 2. very willing to give your time to help someone 쑗 He’s been very generous with his time. 3. large 쑗 a generous helping of pudding genesis / dȢenss/ noun the origin or beginning of something (formal ) gene therapy / dȢi n θerəpi/ noun a medical treatment for some types of disease in which genes that can improve a patient’s condition are put into their body ② genetic /dȢə netk/ adj referring to genes. Synonym hereditary. Antonym . learned ③ genetically /dȢə netkli/ adv using ge- netic engineering genetically modified /dȢənetkli mɒdfad/ noun with a genetic composition that has been altered through genetic engineering. Abbr GM genetic code /dȢənetk kəυd/ noun information stored in a cell’s DNA and passed on as the cell divides genetic engineering /dȢənetk endȢnərŋ/ noun techniques used to change the genetic composition of a cell so as to change certain characteristics geneticist /dȢə netsst/ noun a person who specialises in the study of genetics genetics /dȢə netks/ noun the science and study of genes and heredity genial / dȢi niəl/ adj cheerful and friendly genially / dȢi niəli/ adv in a cheerful and friendly way genital / dȢent(ə)l/ adj referring to the sex organs ③ genius / dȢi niəs/ noun 1. a very intelligent person; a person who has great ability 쑗 She’s a chess genius. 쑗 Napoleon was a military genius. 쑗 She came top of the class – geographical she’s a real genius. (NOTE: The plural is geniuses.) 2. great ability 쑗 He has a genius for keeping people amused. (NOTE: no plural) genocide / dȢenəsad/ noun the killing of an entire racial group genome / dȢi nəυm/ noun 1. all the genes in an individual 2. a set of genes which are inherited from one parent genre / Ȣɒnrə/ noun a type of something such as art, literature or theatre gent /dȢent/ noun same as gentleman (dated informal ) genteel /dȢen ti l/ adj refined and respectable gentile / dȢental/ noun, adj (a person) who is not a Jew ③ gentle / dȢent(ə)l/ adj 1. soft and kind 쑗 The nurse has gentle hands. 2. not very strong 쑗 After a little gentle persuasion, she agreed to the plan. 쑗 He gave the door a gentle push. 3. not very steep 쑗 There is a gentle slope down to the lake. (NOTE: gentler – . gentlest) gentleman / dȢent(ə)lmən/ noun 1. a man, especially a well-behaved or upperclass man 쑗 He’s such a gentleman; he always opens the door for me. 2. a polite way of referring to or addressing a man 쑗 This gentleman is waiting to be served. 쑗 Well, gentlemen, if everyone is here, the meeting can start. 왍 ‘ladies and gentlemen’ a polite way of starting to talk to a group of men and women (NOTE: The plural is gentlemen.) ③ gently / dȢentli/ adv 1. softly 쑗 He gently put the blanket over her. 쑗 She rocked the cradle gently. 왍 gently does it! be careful! 2. not strongly 쑗 The wind blew gently through the bushes. 3. not steeply 쑗 The path rises gently to the top of the hill. gentrification /dȢentrf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of making a poor part of a town more popular with rich people gentrify / dȢentrfa/ verb to make a poor part of town popular with rich people gentry / dȢentri/ plural noun people of high class, below the aristocracy. Antonym ② working class ③ genuine / dȢenjun/ adj 1. real; true 쑗 The painting was not a genuine Picasso. 쑗 A genuine leather purse will cost a lot more than that. 2. sincere and honest 쑗 She appeared to be an open, genuine person. genuinely / dȢenjunli/ adv 1. sincerely 2. very 쑗 a problem that is genuinely difficult to resolve genus / dȢi nəs/ noun a group of related species of animals or plants (NOTE: The plural is genera / dȢenərə/.) geographical /dȢi ə DZrfik(ə)l/ adj referring to geography geography 352 ③ geography /dȢi ɒDZrəfi/ noun the study of the Earth’s surface, its climate, plants and animals geological /dȢi ə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to geology geologist /dȢi ɒlədȢst/ noun a person who specialises in geology ③ geology /dȢi ɒlədȢi/ noun the science and study of the rocks that form the Earth’s crust geometrical /dȢi ə metrik(ə)l/ adj referring to geometry ③ geometry /dȢi ɒmətri/ noun the mathematical science of lines, surfaces and solids Georgian / dȢɔ dȢən/ adj referring to the architecture of the time of George I, George II and George III in the eighteenth century geranium /dȢə reniəm/ noun a brightly coloured summer flower, usually red or pink gerbil / dȢ" b(ə)l/ noun a small furry animal, often kept as a pet geriatric /dȢeri trk/ adj referring to old people, or old age 쑗 geriatric medicine. Synonym elderly. Antonym young geriatrics /dȢeri trks/ noun the study of old people and their health ③ germ /dȢ" m/ noun 1. something which causes disease 쑗 Wash your hands after emptying the dustbin so you don’t spread any germs. 2. an inside part of a seed 쑗 wheat germ 3. the beginning of something 쑗 He had the germ of an idea. ① German / dȢ" mən/ adj referring to Germany or its inhabitants 쑗 There are three German players in the team. 쑗 Do you like German food? 쐽 noun 1. the language spoken in Germany, Austria and parts of Switzerland and Italy 쑗 Do you know the German for ‘one – two – three’? 쑗 You must brush up your German if you are going to work in Germany. 쑗 He took a crash course in German. 쑗 He goes to German classes in the evening. 2. a person from Germany 쑗 Our next-door neighbours are Germans. germane /dȢ" men/ adj directly connected to a matter. Synonym relevant. Antonym irrelevant German measles /dȢ" mən mi z(ə)lz/ noun a usually mild disease which gives a red rash but which can affect an unborn child if caught by a pregnant woman. Also called rubella German shepherd /dȢ" mən ʃepəd/ noun a breed of large dog, often used as a guard dog (NOTE: The British term is Alsatian.) germicide / dȢ" msad/ noun a substance which kills germs germinate / dȢ" mnet/ verb (of a plant seed ) to start to grow. Synonym sprout . get across germination /dȢ" m neʃ(ə)n/ noun starting to grow gerund / dȢerənd/ noun a noun formed from the present participle of a verb (NOTE: In English, gerunds are formed from the ‘-ing’ form of verbs, as in Cycling is good exercise; Choral singing is very popular in Wales.) gestation /dȢe steʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a period when a baby is carried in its mother’s womb 2. a period when something such as a book is being worked on 쑗 The gestation period is almost over and the book should be published next month. gesticulate /dȢe stkjυlet/ verb to make signs with your hands or arms gesticulation /dȢestkjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun a sign made with your arms or hands ③ gesture / dȢestʃə/ noun 1. a movement of part of the body such as the hands to show feeling 쑗 She made a slight gesture of impatience with her hand. 2. an action which shows that you care about something 쑗 The gift of fruit was a kind gesture on her part. 쑗 As a gesture to the staff, the management has had the toilets repainted. 쐽 verb to make a movement with your hands 쑗 He gestured to the audience to sit down. ① get /DZet/ verb 1. to receive something 쑗 We got a letter from the bank this morning. 쑗 He will get £10 for washing the car. 쑗 She gets more money than I do. 2. 왍 to get to to arrive at a place; to reach a place 쑗 We only got to the hotel at midnight. 쑗 When does your train get to London? 쑗 The plane gets to New York at 4 p.m. 쑗 When you get to my age you’ll understand!. 3. to become a particular way 쑗 I’m getting too old for rugby. 쑗 He’s got much fatter over the last year or so. 쑗 The sun got hotter and hotter. 쑗 The carpet’s getting dirty. 4. to have something done 쑗 I must get my suit cleaned. 쑗 We got the car mended in time to go on holiday. 5. to make someone do something 쑗 Can you get the garage to mend the brakes? 쑗 I’ll try and get her to bring some CDs. 6. to catch an illness 쑗 I think I’m getting a cold. 쑗 He got measles just before the holiday started. 7. to make something become a certain way 쑗 He always gets his clothes dirty. 쑗 She’s busy getting the meal ready. 8. to start doing something 쑗 Let’s get going! 9. to understand something 쑗 Do you think he got my meaning? 왍 got it! I’ve solved the problem! (NOTE: getting – got /DZɒt/ – has got) ② get across /DZet ə krɒs/ verb 1. to manage to cross something 쑗 They got across the river on rafts. 2. to make someone understand something 쑗 I’m trying to get across to the people in the office that they all have to work harder. 쑗 We just can’t seem to get our message across. get along ② 353 get along /DZet ə lɒŋ/ verb 1. to manage She got along quite well when her mother was away on holiday. 쑗 We seem to get along very happily without the telephone. 쑗 How are you getting along? 2. 왍 to get along (with someone) to be friendly with someone; to work well with someone 쑗 I don’t think they get along. get around /DZet ə raυnd/ verb 1. to move from place to place 쑗 Since he had his accident he gets around on two sticks. 2. (of news) to be heard by a lot of people 쑗 The news soon got around that they were married. ③ get at / DZet t/ verb 1. to reach something 쑗 You’ll need to stand on a chair to get at the jam jar on the top shelf. 2. 왍 to get at someone to criticise someone all the time (informal ) 쑗 She thinks she’s being got at. 3. to mean something 쑗 What was he really getting at when he said that some people were not working hard enough? ② get away /DZet ə we/ verb 1. to escape 쑗 The robbers got away in a stolen car. 2. 왍 to get away with something not to be punished for having done something 쑗 He’s always rude to the customers, but gets away with it somehow. 왍 to get away with murder to do something really bad and still not be punished for it (informal ) 쑗 He’s the teacher’s favourite and she lets him get away with murder. getaway / DZetəwe/ noun an escape ① get back /DZet bk/ verb 1. to return 쑗 They got back home very late. 쑗 When did they get back from the cinema? 2. to get something again which you had before 쑗 I got my money back after I had complained to the manager. 왍 to get your breath back to breathe normally after being breathless 쑗 At my age, I can’t walk uphill very far without stopping to get my breath back. 3. to phone back or reply by post 쑗 I’ll find out what the situation is and get back to you as soon as I can. ③ get by /DZet ba/ verb 1. to manage to do something with difficulty 쑗 I can just get by in German. 쑗 How are you going to get by without a car? 2. to manage to live 쑗 It is difficult for them to get by in New York on only $30 a day. ② get down /DZet daυn/ verb 1. to go back down onto the ground 쑗 The cat climbed up the tree and couldn’t get down. 쑗 He got down off the ladder. 2. to bring down 쑗 Can you get my suitcase down for me? 3. to make someone sad 쑗 Rainy weather always gets me down. ② get down to /DZet daυn tu / verb 왍 to get down to (some hard) work to start working hard 쑗 He will have to get down to work if he wants to pass the test. 쑗 . . get out get in /DZet n/ verb 1. to go inside a vehicle such as a car 쑗 Get in! – the train’s going to leave. 쑗 The burglars must have got in through the bathroom window. 2. to arrive home or at the office 쑗 What time did you get in last night? 쑗 Because of the train strike, we didn’t get in until eleven o’clock. 3. to ask someone to come to do a job 쑗 We’ll get a builder in to mend the wall. ① get into /DZet ntu / verb 1. to go inside a vehicle such as a car 쑗 They got into the back of the car. 쑗 I was just getting into bed when the phone rang. 쑗 The burglars got into the building through a window on the ground floor. 2. 왍 to get into the habit of doing something to start to do something regularly 쑗 He got into the habit of calling his father ‘Boss’. 왍 to get into trouble or difficulties to start to have problems 쑗 He got into trouble with the police. 왍 to get into a conversation with someone to start a conversation with someone ③ get lost /DZet lɒst/ verb 1. not to know where you are 쑗 He’s hopeless, he got lost walking from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly. 쑗 They should be back by now – do you think they’ve got lost? 2. 왍 get lost! go away! (slang) 쑗 When she asked him for money he told her to get lost. ① get off /DZet ɒf/ verb 1. to come down from or out of a vehicle such as a car 쑗 She got off her bicycle at the red light. 쑗 If you want the post office, you should get off at the next stop. 쑗 You have to get off the Underground at South Kensington. 2. not to be punished, or only receive a light punishment 쑗 She was lucky to get off so lightly. 쑗 He was found guilty of embezzlement and got off with a fine. 3. 왍 to get off someone’s back to stop bothering someone (informal ) 쑗 How can I get him off my back? ① get on /DZet ɒn/ verb 1. to go inside or onto a vehicle such as a car 쑗 They got on the bus at the bank. 쑗 The policeman got on his bike and rode away. 2. to become old 쑗 He’s getting on and can’t work as hard as he used to. 3. 왍 to get on (well) to progress well 쑗 She’s getting on well at university. 쑗 My son is getting on well in his new job – he has just been promoted. 4. to manage 쑗 How’s your new assistant getting on? 5. to be friendly with someone 쑗 They don’t get on at all well. ① get on with /DZet ɒn wð/ verb 1. to be friendly with someone 쑗 He gets on very well with everyone. 쑗 She doesn’t get on with her new boss. 쑗 They don’t get on with one another. 2. to continue to do some work 쑗 He got on with his work and finished the job early. ① get out /DZet aυt/ verb 1. to take something out 쑗 I’ll get the book out of the library. 쑗 She’s getting the car out of the ① . get over 354 garage. 2. to go out of something 쑗 The bus stopped and the driver got out. 쑗 The burglars got out through the front door. 3. 왍 to get out of the habit of doing something not to do something any more 쑗 I’ve got out of the habit of eating meat. ② get over /DZet əυvə/ verb 1. to climb over 쑗 They got over the wall into the garden. 2. to become better 쑗 He’s got over his flu. 3. to recover from a shock 쑗 She never got over the death of her father. get round /DZet raυnd/ verb 1. 왍 to get round to (doing) something to do something at last 쑗 He only got round to sending his Christmas cards in the week before Christmas. 2. to persuade someone to like you or to do what you want 쑗 She got round the boss by giving him a bottle of wine. get set /DZet set/ verb be ready to run (instructions at the start of a race) ③ get through /DZet θru / verb 1. to manage to go through 쑗 The cows got through the hole in the fence. 2. to be successful 쑗 He got through his exams, so he is now a qualified engineer. ③ get through to /DZet θru tu / verb 1. to make someone understand 쑗 I could not get through to her that I had to be at the airport by 2.15. 2. to manage to speak to someone on the phone 쑗 I tried to get through to the complaints department but the line was always engaged. ③ get to / DZet tu / verb to arrive at; to reach a place get-together / DZet təDZeðə/ noun a meeting of friends (informal ) ① get up /DZet p/ verb 1. to get out of bed 쑗 He went to bed so late that he didn’t get up until 11 o’clock. 쑗 It is 9.30 and John still hasn’t got up. 2. to make someone get out of bed 쑗 You must get everyone up by 7.30 if we are going to leave on time. 3. to stand up 쑗 When he had finished his meal, he got up from the table and walked out of the room. get-up / DZet p/ noun the clothes being worn, especially if they are unusual or ridiculous (informal ) get-up-and-go /DZet p ən DZəυ/ noun energy and enthusiasm ③ get up to /DZet p tu / verb 1. to reach something 쑗 Stop reading when you get up to page 23. 2. 왍 to get up to something to do something you should not do 쑗 Look at the mess in here – whatever did you get up to last night? geyser / DZi zə/ noun 1. a natural spring of hot water 쑗 There are famous geysers in Yellowstone National Park. 2. a gas appliance for heating water ghastly / DZɑ stli/ adj horrible (NOTE: . . ghastlier – ghastliest) gibe gherkin / DZ" kn/ noun a small vegetable of the cucumber family used for pickling ghetto / DZetəυ/ noun a poor area in a city in which people of a particular race, religion or nationality live (NOTE: The plural is ghettos.) ghetto blaster / DZetəυ blɑ stə/ noun a large and loud portable radio (informal; sometimes offensive) ghost /DZəυst/ noun 1. an image of a dead person which appears 쑗 They say the house is haunted by the ghost of its former owner. 쑗 Her face is white – she looks as if she has seen a ghost. 왍 to give up the ghost to die 2. 왍 not to have a ghost of a chance to have no chance at all 쑗 She’s gone in for the competition, but she doesn’t have a ghost of a chance of winning. 쐽 verb to write a book for someone else whose name will appear on the book as the author 쑗 He’s ghosting the boxer’s memoirs. ghostly / DZəυstli/ adj like a ghost. Synonym ethereal ghost story / DZəυst stɔ ri/ noun a frightening story about ghosts ghost town / DZəυst taυn/ noun an abandoned town where no one lives ghost writer / DZəυst ratə/ noun a person who writes a book for a famous person whose name then appears on the book as if they were the author ghoul /DZu l/ noun 1. a person who is interested in unpleasant things 2. an evil and frightening spirit 3. in Islamic folklore, a demon which steals bodies from graves GI /dȢi a/ noun an American soldier giant / dȢaənt/ noun 1. (in fairy tales and myths) a very large man 쑗 a story about a giant who lived in a castle at the top of a mountain 2. any very large or important person or thing 쑗 He’s a giant of a man. 쑗 Shares in the computer giant have soared. 쐽 adj very large 쑗 He’s grown a giant cabbage. 쑗 They are planning a giant car factory in South Wales. Synonym huge. Antonym tiny giantess / dȢaəntes/ noun a female giant (NOTE: The plural is giantesses.) gibber / dȢbə/ verb to talk rapidly without making any sense. Synonym babble gibberish / dȢbərʃ/ noun nonsense; words that do not seem to mean anything. Synonym nonsense gibbon / DZbən/ noun a small ape with long legs and arms, native to Asia gibe /dȢab/ noun a nasty remark 쑗 He went on with his experiments, disregarding the gibes of the press. Synonym jeer 쐽 verb to jeer; to mock. Synonym taunt (NOTE: also spelled jibe) giblets 355 giblets / dȢbləts/ plural noun organs such as the liver and the heart of a bird which are taken out before it is cooked. Synonym guts giddy / DZdi/ adj dizzy; feeling that everything is turning round (NOTE: giddier – giddiest) ② gift /DZft/ noun 1. a present; something given to someone 쑗 The wedding gifts were displayed on a table. 쑗 She was wrapping up gifts to put under the Christmas tree. 2. a special ability for something 쑗 He has a gift for maths. 쑗 She has a gift for saying embarrassing things. gifted / DZftd/ adj with a special talent. Synonym talented gift shop / DZft ʃɒp/ noun a shop which sells the type of things which are often given as presents gift tag / DZft tDZ/ noun a little label put on a parcel to show who it is for and who it is from gift token / DZft təυkən/, gift voucher / DZft vaυtʃə/ noun a card bought in a shop which is given as a present and which must be exchanged in that shop for goods gift-wrap / DZft rp/ verb to wrap something in coloured paper to give as a present (NOTE: gift-wrapping – gift-wrapped) gift-wrapped / DZft rpt/ adj (of a gift) packaged in attractive paper ③ gig /DZDZ/ noun a performance of pop music (informal ) giga- /DZDZə/ prefix one thousand million gigabyte / DZDZəbat/ noun a unit of computer data equal to 1,024 megabytes gigantic /dȢa DZntk/ adj very large; huge. Synonym huge. Antonym tiny ② giggle / DZDZ(ə)l/ noun 1. a little laugh, often showing you are embarrassed 왍 fit of the giggles an attack of laughter which you cannot stop 쑗 When the singer came onto the stage, I had a fit of the giggles. 2. 왍 for a giggle for fun; as a joke (informal ) 쑗 We did it for a giggle. 쐽 verb to make a little laugh 쑗 When she saw her mother’s hat she started to giggle. 쑗 The class giggled at his accent. Synonym titter gild /DZld/ verb to cover with a layer of gold . . give gilt /DZlt/ adj covered with gold 쑗 a picture in a gilt frame (NOTE: Do not confuse with guilt.) gimmick / DZmk/ noun a thing which is intended to attract attention gin /dȢn/ noun 1. a colourless alcoholic drink, flavoured with juniper 쑗 a cocktail made with gin 2. a glass of gin 쑗 a gin and tonic 쑗 Two gins and a bitter lemon, please. ginger / dȢndȢə/ noun 1. a plant whose root has a sharp burning taste and is used in cooking 쑗 Fry the meat with spring onions and slices of ginger. 쑗 Add a pinch of powdered ginger to the cake mixture. 2. an informal name given to someone with orange hair 쑗 Hey, Ginger! Come and help with these boxes. 쐽 adj (of hair ) bright orange in colour 쑗 She has ginger hair and green eyes. 쑗 A ginger cat sat on the doorstep in the sun. 쐽 verb 왍 to ginger something up to make something more lively 쑗 We need something to ginger up the party conference. gingerly / dȢndȢəli/ adv carefully, in case you might get hurt. Synonym cautiously. Antonym boldly gipsy / dȢpsi/ another spelling of gypsy ③ giraffe /dȢ rɑ f/ noun a large African animal with a very long neck girder / DZ" də/ noun a strong metal beam to hold up a wall or roof girdle / DZ" d(ə)l/ noun 1. a belt round a dress 2. a tight piece of underwear worn by women in the past to support their bodies ① girl /DZ" l/ noun 1. a female child 쑗 a crowd of girls waiting at the bus stop 쑗 They have four children – two boys and two girls. 쑗 My sister goes to the local girls’ school. 2. a young woman ③ girlfriend / DZ" lfrend/ noun a girl or woman that someone is having a relationship with 쑗 He’s broken up with his girlfriend. 쑗 On Saturdays she always has lunch with a group of girlfriends. Antonym boyfriend Girl Guides / DZ" l DZadz/ noun 쒁 Guides 쑗 She’s joined the Girl Guides. 쑗 She was wearing her Girl Guide uniform. (NOTE: part . gill /dȢl/ noun a measure of liquids, equal to of the same organisation as the Boy Scouts. The American equivalent is Girl Scout.) girlish / DZ" lʃ/ adj like a young girl. Synonym youthful girth /DZ" θ/ noun 1. a measurement round a quarter of a pint gills /DZlz/ plural noun 1. openings on the sides of a fish’s head, through which it breathes 왍 green about the gills looking ill, as if you are going to be sick (informal ) 쑗 When she came out of the abattoir, she looked distinctly green about the gills. 2. the thin dark ridges on the underside of a mushroom something, especially round your stomach (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a leather band round a horse’s stomach 쑗 You need to tighten the girths. git /DZt/ noun an annoying person (informal insult) ① give /DZv/ verb 1. to pass something to someone 쑗 Give me another piece of cake, please. 쑗 Can you give me some information (NOTE: Do not confuse with guild.) . give away 356 about holidays in Greece? 2. to send or pass something to someone as a present 쑗 We gave her flowers for her birthday. 쑗 What are you going to give him when he gets married? 쑗 We gave ten pounds to the Red Cross. 3. to do something to someone or something 쑗 He gave me a broad smile. 쑗 He gave her a kiss. 쑗 She gave the ball a kick. 4. to organise something such as a party 쑗 They gave a reception for the visiting Foreign Minister. 쑗 We gave a party to celebrate her twenty-first birthday. 5. to do something in public 쑗 She gave a concert in aid of the Red Cross. 쑗 He will be giving the opening speech at the conference. 쑗 She has been asked to give a lecture on Shakespeare. 6. to bend or break 쑗 The plank gave as he stepped on it. (NOTE: giving – gave /DZev/ – has given / DZv(ə)n/) 쐽 noun 1. the ability to bend 쑗 The plank hasn’t enough give. 2. 왍 it’s a question of give and take you have to be prepared to make changes to what you want in order to get someone else to agree ① give away /DZv ə we/ verb 1. to give something as a present 쑗 We are giving away a pocket calculator with each £10 of purchases. 2. to throw things out by giving them to charity 3. to lead the bride to the bridegroom at a wedding 쑗 She was given away by her father. 4. to reveal something which you are trying to keep secret 쑗 His accent gave him away. 쑗 She gave herself away by saying that she had never been to France. giveaway / DZvəwe/ noun 1. a gift which is given to a customer 2. a thing which reveals something 쑗 Her beaming smile was an absolute giveaway that she’d got the job. ① give back /DZv bk/ verb to hand something back to someone ③ give in /DZv n/ verb to agree to do something that you had refused to do earlier ② given / DZv(ə)n/ adj 1. having the habit of 쑗 He is given to sitting at home drinking all by himself. 2. (of a specific time) already arranged or specified 쑗 There is no given time for departure. 왍 at a given point in time at a particular moment 왍 at any given time at any particular time 쐽 conj considering 쑗 He plays the violin very well given his age. 쑗 Given that it’s his birthday, it’s a shame he couldn’t get to the party. given name / DZv(ə)n nem/ noun someone’s personal name, as opposed to their surname or family name. Synonym first name give off /DZv ɒf/ verb to produce something such as steam or a smell. Synonym emit ③ give out /DZv aυt/ verb 1. to give something to everyone 쑗 She gave out presents to all the children. 2. to come to an end 쑗 The battery has given out so I can’t use my watch. glance giver / DZvə/ noun a person who gives something ① give up /DZv p/ verb 1. to stop doing something 쑗 She’s trying to give up smoking. 2. 왍 I give up I don’t know the answer; I can’t do it 왍 don’t give up keep trying; carry on doing what you started ③ give way /DZv we/ phrase 1. to let someone go first 쑗 Give way to traffic coming from the right. 2. to collapse 쑗 The chair gave way when he sat on it. 3. to stop objecting to something 쑗 In the end, our dad gave way and let us go camping by ourselves. gizmo / DZzməυ/ noun a useful little device (informal ). Synonym gadget glacial / DZleʃ(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to ice 2. very cold 쑗 The glacial arctic winds blow all winter. 3. emotionless 쑗 His expression was glacial. glacier / DZlsiə/ noun a mass of ice like a frozen river which moves slowly down a mountain ② glad /DZld/ adj pleased 쑗 Aunt Jane was glad to get your postcard. 쑗 After shopping all day, she was glad to find somewhere to sit down. 왍 I bring you glad tidings I bring you good news (dated ) gladden / DZld(ə)n/ verb to please someone (dated ) 왍 to gladden your heart to make you happy 쑗 The news will gladden the hearts of all gardeners. Synonym delight. Antonym sadden glade /DZled/ noun an open grassy place in a wood. Synonym clearing gladiator / DZldietə/ noun an ancient Roman fighter gladiolus /DZldi əυləs/ noun a tall garden plant with sword-shaped leaves and brightly-coloured flower spikes (NOTE: The plural is gladioli /DZld əυla/.) gladly / DZldli/ adv with great pleasure glamorise / DZlməraz/, glamorize verb 1. to make someone or something glamorous 2. to make something seem to be more attractive or glamorous than it really is glamorous / DZlmərəs/ adj attractive; enchanting. Synonym stylish. Antonym drab glamour / DZlmə/ noun an attractive, dazzling appearance (NOTE: no plural. Another . . . US spelling is glamor.) ③ glance /DZlɑ ns/ noun a quick look 쑗 She gave him an admiring glance. 쑗 She took a quick glance over her shoulder. Antonym gaze 왍 at a glance after a quick look at something 쑗 At a glance, I’d say these rugs are Chinese. 쐽 verb 1. to look quickly 쑗 He glanced over his shoulder to see who was following him. 쑗 She glanced suspiciously at the waiter. 2. 왍 to glance off something to slide off something instead of hitting it glancing 357 straight on 쑗 The ball glanced off the edge of her racket. glancing / DZlɑ nsŋ/ adj sliding off to the side. Synonym sideways gland /DZlnd/ noun an organ in the body which produces a chemical substance glandular fever /DZlndjυlə fi və/ noun an infectious disease, where the body has an excessive number of white blood cells glare /DZleə/ noun 1. a very bright light 쑗 The glare of the sun on the wet road blinded me. 왍 the glare of publicity attention from newspapers and television 쑗 Pop stars live their lives in the glare of publicity. 2. a fierce look 쑗 He gave her a glare and walked on. 쐽 verb 1. to shine very brightly 쑗 The sun was glaring down on the square. 2. to look angrily 쑗 She glared at me and went on reading her book. glaring / DZleərŋ/ adj 1. very bright 쑗 the glaring headlights of the cars 2. fierce 쑗 He gave me a glaring look. 3. obvious 쑗 The book is full of glaring mistakes. ① glass /DZlɑ s/ noun 1. material which you can see through, used to make things such as windows, vases and bowls 쑗 a bowl made of glass or a glass bowl 쑗 a car with dark glass windows (NOTE: no plural) 2. a container to drink out of, usually made of glass 쑗 She put the dirty glasses in the dishwasher. 쑗 We took plastic wine glasses on the picnic. (NOTE: The plural is glasses.) 3. the liquid contained in a glass 쑗 She asked for a glass of water. 쑗 He was so thirsty he drank three glasses. 쑗 Add a glass of red wine to the sauce. (NOTE: The plural is glasses.) glass ceiling /DZlɑ s si lŋ/ noun a system which prevents certain people, especially women, from progressing in their career ② glasses / DZlɑ sz/ plural noun two plastic or glass lenses in a frame which you wear in front of your eyes to help you see better 쑗 Have you seen my glasses anywhere? 쑗 She has to wear glasses to read. Synonym spectacles (NOTE: no singular: to show one item, say ‘a pair of glasses’.) glasshouse / DZlɑ shaυs/ noun a large greenhouse glassware / DZlɑ sweə/ noun things made of glass glassy / DZlɑ si/ adj 1. resembling glass 2. dull; not seeing 쑗 a glassy stare glaze /DZlez/ noun a shiny surface on pottery 쑗 The pot has a green-blue glaze. Synonym coating 쐽 verb 1. to put glass in a window 쑗 The framework of the greenhouse has been built and now it needs to be glazed. 2. to cover a cake or a piece of pottery, with a shiny coating 쑗 She glazed the cake and put six candles on it. glittering glazed /DZlezd/ adj 1. with a shiny surface a floor of glazed tiles 2. with glass windows 쑗 We have built a glazed porch. 3. 왍 he gave her a glazed look he looked at her without showing any expression 쑗 She stared at him with a glazed look on her face. glazing / DZlezŋ/ noun the glass in windows or doors gleam /DZli m/ noun 1. a small light 쑗 He saw the gleam of a flashlight in the distance. 2. a slight sign 쑗 He saw a gleam of recognition in the boy’s eyes. 쑗 There was a wild gleam in her eyes. 쐽 verb to shine as if polished 쑗 a line of gleaming black cars glean /DZli n/ verb to collect scraps of information glee /DZli / noun great happiness gleeful / DZli f(ə)l/ adj very happy gleefully / DZli fəli/ adv happily glen /DZlen/ noun (in Scotland ) a narrow valley glib /DZlb/ adj easily said, but insincere ③ glide /DZlad/ verb 1. to move in a smooth way 쑗 Skaters were gliding across the ice. 쑗 A bird went gliding past. 2. to fly a plane without using the engines glider / DZladə/ noun an aircraft which flies without a motor gliding / DZladŋ/ noun the sport of flying a glider. 쏡 hang-gliding glimmer / DZlmə/ noun 1. a small weak light 쑗 There was a glimmer of light in one of the upstairs windows. 2. a very small amount 쑗 The news brought a glimmer of hope to the families of the trapped miners. 쐽 verb to shine weakly 쑗 A light glimmered some distance away in the trees. Synonym twinkle glimpse /DZlmps/ noun a brief sight 쑗 We caught a glimpse of the princess as she drove past. 쑗 There was a brief glimpse of the sun during the afternoon. 쐽 verb to catch sight of someone or something 쑗 We only glimpsed the back of her head as she was leaving. glint /DZlnt/ noun a flash 쑗 a glint of sunlight on the waves 쐽 verb to flash 쑗 The soldiers’ swords glinted in the sunshine. glisten / DZls(ə)n/ verb to shine brightly, as if wet. Synonym gleam glitch /DZltʃ/ noun a small problem which suddenly arises glitter / DZltə/ noun a bright sparkle of light 쑗 the glitter of the sun on the sea 쑗 She was attracted by the glitter of the West End theatres. 쐽 verb to sparkle 쑗 The jewels in her crown were glittering in the light of the candles. 쑗 Her eyes glittered hopefully as she spoke. Synonym gleam 왍 all that glitters is not gold things which look very attractive on the surface often turn out not to be so glittering / DZltərŋ/ adj 1. which shines brightly 쑗 a glittering diamond crown 2. 쑗 . glitz 358 very brilliant; very successful 쑗 They threw a glittering reception at the golf club. 쑗 He had a glittering career in the Foreign Office. glitz /DZlts/ noun a quality which makes something seem to be very exciting and glamorous glitzy / DZltsi/ adj glamorous and exciting, but without real value gloat /DZləυt/ verb 왍 to gloat over something to be happy about something, especially someone else’s bad luck 쑗 She gloated over her brother’s misfortune in losing his well-paid job. 쑗 He gloated over the bag of gold he kept under his bed. ③ global / DZləυb(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to the whole world 쑗 We offer a global parcel delivery service. 2. referring to the whole of something 쑗 We are carrying out a global review of salaries. globalisation /DZləυbəla zeʃ(ə)n/, globalization noun the process by which world economy and culture merge, as a result of telecommunications and multinational companies globalise / DZləυbəlaz/, globalize verb to make or become global globally / DZləυbəli/ adv involving all parts of the world, or of an organisation ③ global warming /DZləυb(ə)l wɔ mŋ/ noun a gradual rise in temperature over the whole of the Earth’s surface, caused by the greenhouse effect globe /DZləυb/ noun 1. 왍 the globe the world 쑗 He is trying to be the first person to fly round the globe in a balloon. 2. a map of the world on a ball 쑗 He spun the globe round and pointed to Canada. globetrotter / DZləυbtrɒtə/ noun a person who travels all over the world (informal ) globetrotting / DZləυbtrɒtŋ/ adj who travels all over the world (informal ) globular / DZlɒbjυlə/ adj shaped like a globule. Synonym spherical globule / DZlɒbju l/ noun a small round drop, especially of oil or another thick liquid gloom /DZlu m/ noun 1. darkness 쑗 It was difficult to see in the gathering gloom. 2. deep despair 쑗 A feeling of deep gloom came down on the family. 쑗 When the exam results came out everyone sank into gloom. gloomily / DZlu mli/ adv in a gloomy way ③ gloomy / DZlu mi/ adj 1. miserable; unhappy 쑗 She was gloomy about her chances of passing the exam. 쑗 He’s very gloomy about his job prospects. 2. dark 쑗 a gloomy Sunday afternoon in November (NOTE: . . gloomier – gloomiest) glorification /DZlɔ rf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of making something seem more important or special than it really is glowing glorified / DZlɔ rfad/ adj seeming more important or special than it really is glorify / DZlɔ rfa/ verb to make something seem more important or special than it really is. Synonym praise. Antonym belittle glorious / DZlɔ riəs/ adj splendid. Synonym magnificent. Antonym shameful glory / DZlɔ ri/ noun 1. fame 쑗 I did it for the glory of the school, not for myself. 왍 the team covered themselves with glory the team had a marvellous win 2. a wonderful sight 쑗 It is one of the glories of ancient Rome. 쐽 verb 왍 to glory in something to take great pride in something 쑗 She glories in beating her brother at chess. gloss /DZlɒs/ noun 1. a shine on the surface of something 쑗 The metal is polished to give a brilliant gloss. (NOTE: no plural) 2. a note which explains or gives a meaning to a word, phrase or whole text 쑗 his glosses on the plays of Shakespeare (NOTE: The plural is glosses.) 쐽 verb 왍 to gloss over to try to cover up a mistake or fault 쑗 She tried to gloss over the fact that they had failed. 쑗 The report glosses over the mistakes made by officials. glossary / DZlɒsəri/ noun a list of specialist words and their meanings or translations (NOTE: The plural is glossaries.) gloss paint / DZlɒs pent/ noun a paint which is shiny when dry glossy / DZlɒsi/ adj shiny 쑗 the glossy coat of a horse (NOTE: glossier – glossiest) 쐽 noun a glossy magazine, a magazine printed on shiny paper, with bright fashionable photographs 쑗 Photographs of the wedding were in all the glossies. glottis / DZlɒts/ noun an opening in the larynx between the vocal cords, the entry to the main airway glove /DZlv/ noun a piece of clothing worn on your hand glove compartment / DZlv kəmpɑ tmənt/ noun a little cupboard with a door in front of the passenger’s seat in a car glove puppet / DZlv ppt/ noun a doll which fits over your hand glow /DZləυ/ noun 1. a soft bright light 쑗 the warm glow of the fire 2. the bright red colour of healthy cheeks 쑗 the glow of the children’s cheeks as they came back into the house 쐽 verb to shine dull red 쑗 The logs glowed in the fireplace. 쑗 Her face glowed with pride. glower / DZlaυə/ verb to look angrily 쐽 noun an angry stare glowing / DZləυŋ/ adj 1. bright; shining with fire 쑗 the glowing charcoal in the barbecue 2. full of praise or enthusiasm 쑗 He had a glowing report from his boss. glucose 359 glucose / DZlu kəυz/ noun a widely occurring simple sugar ③ glue /DZlu / noun a substance which sticks things together 쑗 She spread the glue carefully onto the back of the poster. 쑗 The glue on the envelope doesn’t stick very well. Synonym adhesive 쐽 verb 1. to stick things together 쑗 He glued the label to the box. 2. 왍 to be glued to something to sit in front of something without moving 쑗 The children sat glued to the TV set. glue sniffing / DZlu snfŋ/ noun a form of drug abuse where users inhale the fumes from a strong glue glum /DZlm/ adj miserable. Synonym gloomy. Antonym cheerful (NOTE: glummer – glummest) glumly / DZlmli/ adv in a glum way glut /DZlt/ noun too much of something 쑗 There’s a glut of poultry on the market. Synonym excess. Antonym shortage 쐽 verb 왍 to be glutted with something to have too much of something 쑗 The market is glutted with cheap cameras. glutinous / DZlu tnəs/ adj unpleasantly thick and sticky glutton / DZltn/ noun 1. a person who eats too much 쑗 He’s just a glutton – look at him finishing off that trifle! 2. 왍 a glutton for punishment a person who likes doing difficult things or working very hard gluttonous / DZlt(ə)nəs/ adj referring to eating too much. Synonym greedy gluttony / DZlt(ə)ni/ noun eating and drinking too much. Synonym greed glycerine / DZlsərn/ noun a colourless sweet liquid, used in medicine and explosives (NOTE: The US spelling is glycerin.) gm abbr gram GM abbr genetically modified GMO abbr genetically modified organism GMT abbr Greenwich Mean Time gnarled /nɑ ld/ adj twisted; covered with hard lumps gnash /nʃ/ verb to grind your teeth gnat /nt/ noun a small fly which bites. Synonym midge gnaw /nɔ / verb to chew something; to bite something again and again gnawing / nɔ ŋ/ adj (of worries) persistent and troubling gnome /nəυm/ noun a little man with a beard and pointed hat, in children’s fairy stories GNP abbr gross national product ① go /DZəυ/ verb 1. to move from one place to another 쑗 The plane goes to Frankfurt, then to Rome. 쑗 She is going to London for the weekend. 쑗 It’s time the children went to bed. 쑗 He has gone to work in Washington. 쑗 They are going on a tour of the south of go-ahead Spain. 쑗 She was going downstairs when she fell. 2. to work 쑗 Can you phone the garage? – the car won’t go. 쑗 He’s trying to get his motorbike to go. 3. to leave 쑗 Get your coat, it’s time to go. 쑗 The last bus goes at half past two. 4. to fit 쑗 It’s too big to go into the box. 쑗 This case won’t go into the back of the car. 5. to be placed 쑗 The date should go at the top of the letter. 쑗 That book goes on the top shelf. 6. to become 쑗 Her face went red from sitting in the sun. 쑗 He went pale and rushed out of the room. 쑗 You have to shout, my father’s going deaf. 쑗 She’s going grey, but it suits her. 7. to happen in a particular way 쑗 The party went very well. 쑗 Things are going badly at work. 8. to make a sound 쑗 The balloon landed on a candle and went ‘pop’. 쑗 Do you remember the song that goes: ‘there’s no place like home’? 9. to fail to work 쑗 As we were going down the hill, the brakes went. (NOTE: going – went /went/ – has gone /DZɒn/) 쐽 noun 1. 왍 on the go always busy 쑗 The shop is so busy before Christmas that we’re on the go from morning till night. 왍 to make a go of something to make something work successfully 쑗 They’re struggling to make a go of their business. 왍 she’s always full of go she always has plenty of energy 2. a try; an attempt 쑗 He won the lottery at the first go. 쑗 She had three goes at the test and still didn’t pass. 쑗 We’ll give it one more go, and if the car doesn’t start I’ll call the garage. (NOTE: The plural is goes.) 앳 to be going to 1. showing future 쑗 We’re going to win. 쑗 I hope it’s going to be fine tomorrow. 쑗 When are you going to wash your hair? 쑗 He’s going to be a great tennis player when he’s older. 쑗 Is she going to sing at the concert? 2. 왍 to be going to do something to be about to do something 쑗 I’m going to be late for the meeting. 쑗 Watch out – that tree is going to fall down! 쑗 I am going to sit in bed and read my newspaper. go about /DZəυ ə baυt/ verb to deal with something goad /DZəυd/ noun a stick used to make animals go forward 쑗 She drove the buffalo forward, poking it with a long goad. 쐽 verb 왍 to goad someone into doing something to push someone into doing something which he or she does not want to do 쑗 Her laughter goaded him into action. go ahead /DZəυ ə hed/ verb to take place as planned 쑗 The project went ahead even though there were not enough staff. Antonym fall through ② go-ahead / DZəυ əhed/ noun (informal.) 왍 to give something the go-ahead to give permission for something to start 쑗 We got the council’s go-ahead to build the new supermarket. 쐽 adj hard-working and enterprising goal 360 a go-ahead publicity firm 쑗 The company needs a go-ahead managing director. ① goal /DZəυl/ noun 1. (in games) two posts between which you have to send the ball to score a point 쑗 He was unlucky to miss the goal with that shot. 2. (in games) a point scored by sending the ball between the posts 쑗 He scored a goal before being sent off. 쑗 Our team scored three goals. 3. an aim 쑗 Our goal is to open a new pizza restaurant every month. 쑗 He achieved his goal of becoming a millionaire before he was thirty. goalie / DZəυli/ noun a goalkeeper (informal ) goalkeeper / DZəυlki pə/ noun a player who stands in front of the goal to stop the ball going in goalless / DZəυlləs/ adj with no goals being scored go along with /DZəυ ə lɒŋ wθ/ verb to agree with someone or something goalpost / DZəυlpəυst/ noun one of the two posts between which you have to send the ball to score a point 왍 to move the goalposts to change the way things are done to gain an advantage 쑗 Everyone thought the investment was tax-free, and then the government suddenly moved the goalposts. goat /DZəυt/ noun 1. a small farm animal with horns and a beard, giving milk and wool 쑗 a herd of goats 왍 to separate the sheep from the goats to divide the good from the bad 2. 왍 to get someone’s goat to annoy someone (informal ) 쑗 It really got my goat the way he turned up for work at lunchtime. goatee /DZəυ ti / noun a small pointed beard go away /DZəυ ə we/ verb to leave go back /DZəυ bk/ verb to return go back on /DZəυ bk ɒn/ verb not to do what has been promised gobble / DZɒb(ə)l/ verb 1. to eat greedily 쑗 He gobbled up his dinner. 2. to make a noise like a turkey 쑗 We could hear the turkeys gobbling away in the farmyard. gobbledegook / DZɒb(ə)ldiDZu k/ noun nonsense or technical language that you do not understand go-between / DZəυ btwi n/ noun a person who takes messages between two people goblet / DZɒblət/ noun a large wine glass with a long stem, or a similar container made of metal or pottery goblin / DZɒbln/ noun an ugly little man in fairy stories go-cart / DZəυ kɑ t/ noun another spelling of go-kart god /DZɒd/ noun a being with special powers that humans do not have, who is worshipped by some people 쑗 Bacchus was the Roman god of wine. 쑗 . . goggles ① God /DZɒd/ noun the spritual being that is worshipped by Christians, Jews and Muslims 쑗 Do you believe in God? 쑗 We pray to God that the children will be found alive. 쐽 interj used for showing surprise or annoyance, 쑗 God, what awful weather! 쑗 My God, have you seen how late it is? 왍 thank God used for showing relief 쑗 Thank God no one was hurt in the crash! 쑗 Thank God you’ve come! (NOTE: Using expressions that include the word God is offensive to some people.) godchild / DZɒdtʃald/ noun a child who has a godparent (NOTE: The plural is godchildren.) god-daughter / DZɒd dɔ tə/ noun a girl who has godparents goddess / DZɒdes/ noun a female god (NOTE: The plural is goddesses.) godfather / DZɒdfɑ ðə/ noun 1. a male godparent 쑗 He was godfather to four children. 2. the head of a mafia gang 쑗 The godfather’s word is law. god-forsaken / DZɒd fəsekən/ adj desolate godless / DZɒdləs/ adj 1. not believing in God 2. not following principles of morality godlike / DZɒdlak/ adj having the qualities of a god or of God godly / DZɒdli/ adj very religious; like a saint (dated ) godmother / DZɒdmðə/ noun a female godparent ① go down /DZəυ daυn/ verb 1. to go to a lower level 쑗 There are thirty-nine steps which go down to the beach. 쑗 Be careful when going down the hill. 쑗 After having a rest in her bedroom, she went down to the hotel bar. 쑗 Prices have gone down. 2. to catch a disease 쑗 Half the crew went down with flu. 3. 왍 to go down well to be accepted 쑗 The head teacher’s talk didn’t go down at all well with the parents. godown / DZəυdaυn/ noun (in the Far East and India) a warehouse godparent / DZɒdpeərənt/ noun a person who promises to take a special interest in a child at his or her baptism godsend / DZɒdsend/ noun a helpful thing which arrives just in time. Synonym . blessing godson / DZɒdsn/ noun a boy who has godparents goes /DZəυz/ 쒁 go gofer / DZəυfə/ noun US a person who does all types of work in an office, especially taking messages (informal ) (NOTE: Do not con. fuse with gopher.) go-getter /DZəυ DZetə/ noun a person who works hard and is determined to succeed plural noun goggles / DZɒDZ(ə)lz/ close-fitting glasses worn to protect your go in 361 eyes 쑗 You should wear goggles when you use a drill. 쑗 He wore goggles when going scuba diving. (NOTE: no singular: to show one item, say ‘a pair of goggles’.) go in /DZəυ n/ verb to enter go in for /DZəυ n fɔ / verb 1. to take an examination 쑗 She went in for her proficiency exam. 2. to take something up as a career 쑗 He’s going in for medicine. ① going / DZəυŋ/ adj normal; usual 쑗 You will be paid the going rate. 쐽 noun the surface of a race track 쑗 The going is soft after last night’s rain. 왍 do it while the going is good do it while it is still possible 쐽 verb 왍 to get going to start doing something 쑗 Come on, let’s get going! going concern /DZəυŋ kən s" n/ noun a business that is operating successfully and is likely to continue to do so 쑗 The business is being sold as a going concern. going-over /DZəυŋ əυvə/ noun a thorough check goings-on /DZəυŋz ɒn/ plural noun strange things that happen (informal ) ① go into /DZəυ ntu / verb 1. to enter 쑗 She went into the bedroom. 2. (in maths) to be able to divide a number to give a figure 쑗 Seven into three won’t go. 3. to examine something; to look at something carefully 쑗 The bank wants to go into the details of his account. 4. to explain something in detail 쑗 She said she had a job offer but wouldn’t go into any details. go-kart / DZəυ kɑ t/ noun a little racing car made of a simple metal frame with an engine ② gold /DZəυld/ noun a very valuable yellow-coloured metal 쑗 That ring isn’t made of gold. 쑗 Gold is worth more than silver. 쑗 He wears a gold ring on his little finger. (NOTE: no plural: some gold, a bar of gold ) 쐽 adj of the colour of gold 쑗 a gold carpet ③ gold card / DZəυld kɑ d/ noun a special credit card for people with relatively high salaries ③ golden / DZəυld(ə)n/ adj coloured like gold; made from gold 쑗 She has beautiful golden hair. golden age / DZəυld(ə)n edȢ/ noun a period of wealth or success golden boy / DZəυld(ə)n bɔ/ adj a young man who is popular and a great success golden goal /DZəυld(ə)n DZəυl/ noun (in World Cup football ) the first goal to be scored in extra time which decides the winner of a match golden handshake /DZəυld(ə)n hndʃek/ noun a large, usually tax-free, sum of money given to a director who retires from a company before the end of his or her service contract (informal ) . . . . gong golden jubilee /DZəυld(ə)n dȢu bli / noun a celebration 50 years after an event took place golden opportunity /DZəυld(ə)n ɒpətju nti/ noun a marvellous chance to do something which may not happen again golden rule /DZəυld(ə)n ru l/ noun an important rule that must be obeyed golden syrup /DZəυld(ə)n srəp/ noun a thick yellow liquid made from sugar golden wedding /DZəυld(ə)n wedŋ/ noun 1. a day when you have been married for fifty years 쑗 It’s my parents’ golden wedding next Tuesday. 2. same as golden wedding anniversary golden wedding anniversary /DZəυld(ə)n wedŋ nv" səri/ noun a cel- ebration when two people have been married for fifty years goldfish / DZəυldfʃ/ noun a small orange fish, kept as a pet (NOTE: The plural is goldfish.) gold medal /DZəυld med(ə)l/ noun the medal given to someone who finishes first in a race or competition gold medallist /DZəυld med(ə)lst/ noun the person who wins the gold medal in a race or competition goldmine / DZəυldman/ noun a mine which produces gold 왍 that shop is a little goldmine that shop is a very profitable business ② golf /DZɒlf/ noun a game played on a large open course, by hitting a small ball into 18 separate holes with a variety of clubs, using as few strokes as possible 쑗 He plays golf every Saturday. 쑗 Do you want a game of golf ? golf ball / DZɒlf bɔ l/ noun a small hard white ball used when playing golf ③ golf club / DZɒlf klb/ noun 1. a stick used to hit the ball in golf 쑗 She put her golf clubs into the back of the car. 2. an organisation for people who play golf together 쑗 He’s joined his local golf club. 3. a place with a golf course and a restaurant and bar, where people go to play golf and meet socially golf course / DZɒlf kɔ s/ noun a large area of ground for playing golf golfer / DZɒlfə/ noun a person who plays golf golfing noun / DZɒlfŋ/ the act of playing golf 쐽 adj relating to playing golf 쑗 a golfing holiday gondola / DZɒndələ/ noun 1. a narrow boat, used on the canals in Venice, pushed by a person with a long pole 2. a passenger compartment hanging on a cable or underneath a balloon ③ gone /DZɒn/ 쒁 go gong /DZɒŋ/ noun 1. a metal disc which is sounds like a bell when it is hit 쑗 They ③ . gonna 362 sounded a gong to warn visitors that the museum was closing. 2. a medal or award (informal ) 쑗 He got a gong for long service. gonna / DZɒnə/ another spelling of going to (informal ) 쑗 I’m gonna get you before you get me! gonorrhoea /DZɒnə ri ə/ noun a sexually transmitted disease which produces painful irritation of the vagina or penis goo /DZu / noun sticky stuff (informal ) . . . (NOTE: no plural) ① good /DZυd/ adj 1. of high quality; not bad 쑗 We had a good breakfast and then started work. 쑗 Did you have a good time at the party? 쑗 It would be a good idea to invest in these shares. 쑗 Her Spanish is better than his. 2. skilful; clever 쑗 He’s good at making things out of wood. 쑗 She’s good with her hands. 쑗 He is good at football. 3. well-behaved 쑗 Be a good girl and I’ll give you a sweet. 쑗 Have you been good while we’ve been away? 왍 as good as gold very well behaved 쑗 The children were as good as gold. 4. 왍 a good deal of, a good many a lot of 쑗 He won a good deal of money on the lottery. 쑗 A good many people saw the accident. (NOTE: good – better / betə/ – best /best/) 쐽 noun 1. an advantage or a benefit 쑗 The medicine didn’t do me any good. 쑗 He decided to give up smoking for the good of his health. 쑗 What’s the good of having a big garden if you don’t like gardening? 쑗 Governments should work for the good of the people. 2. the quality of being morally right 쑗 The play represents the struggle between the forces of good and evil. 3. 왍 for good for ever 쑗 He’s left the town for good. 쐽 interj 왍 Good! Excellent; I’m pleased! ① good afternoon /DZυd ɑ ftə nu n/ interj used when meeting or leaving someone in the afternoon ① goodbye /DZυd ba/ noun, interj used when leaving someone 쑗 Say goodbye to your teacher. 쑗 Goodbye! we’ll see you again on Thursday. (NOTE: often shortened to bye) good day /DZ da/; /DZυd de/ interj 1. mainly used in Australia, meaning ‘hello’ 쑗 Good day, everybody! (NOTE: often written g’day in this meaning) 2. used for saying hello or goodbye (dated ) 쑗 Good day to you! ① good evening /DZυd i vnŋ/ interj used when meeting or leaving someone in the evening good-for-nothing noun a lazy person 쐽 adj lazy ③ Good Friday /DZυd frade/ noun the Friday before Easter Day good guy / DZυd DZa/ noun a hero (informal ) ③ . . gooey good-humoured /DZυd hju məd/ adj cheerful and friendly (NOTE: The US spelling is good-humored.) goodies / DZυdiz/ plural noun 1. sweet food 쑗 The children looked at all the goodies on the table. 2. presents 쑗 What goodies did Father Christmas bring you? good-looking /DZυd lυkŋ/ adj (of a person) pleasant to look at. Synonym attractive. Antonym unattractive good looks /DZυd lυks/ plural noun pleasing and beautiful appearance 쑗 His good looks and charm attracted many women. ① good morning /DZυd mɔ nŋ/ interj used when meeting or leaving someone in the morning good-natured /DZυd netʃəd/ adj with a pleasant and cooperative character. Antonym disagreeable goodness / DZυdnəs/ noun 1. being good 쑗 She did it out of pure goodness of heart. 2. 왍 thank goodness! used for showing relief 쑗 Thank goodness the ambulance arrived quickly! 왍 for goodness’ sake used for showing you are annoyed, or that something is important 쑗 What are you screaming for? – It’s only a little mouse, for goodness’ sake. 쑗 For goodness’ sake try to be quiet, we don’t want the guards to hear us! 쐽 interj used for showing surprise 쑗 Goodness! is that the time? ① good night /DZυd nat/ interj used when leaving someone late in the evening ② goods /DZυdz/ plural noun 1. things that are produced for sale 쑗 The company sells goods from various European countries. 2. possessions; things which you own 쑗 She carried all her worldly goods in a bag. 3. 왍 to deliver the goods to do what you promised or what you were asked to do 쑗 The question is, can he deliver the goods? goods and chattels /DZυdz ən tʃt(ə)lz/ plural noun moveable objects which you possess, as opposed to buildings or land (formal ) goodwill /DZυd wl/ noun 1. a kind feeling 쑗 The charity relies on the goodwill of people who give money regularly. 2. a value given to things such as the customers of a business, its reputation and its site 쑗 He paid £10,000 for the goodwill of the restaurant and £40,000 for the fittings. goody / DZυdi/ interj I’m glad (dated informal ) 쐽 noun a hero (informal ) 쑗 The man with the white hat is a goody. Antonym . . . baddy goody-goody / DZυdi DZυdi/ adj a person who is not liked because they are always trying to please people such as their teacher or their boss gooey / DZu i/ adj soft and sticky goof 363 goof /DZu f/ (informal ) noun a stupid person . verb to make a stupid mistake 쑗 She really goofed this time! ① go off /DZəυ ɒf/ verb 1. to go to another place 쑗 He went off to look for a parking space. 쑗 She went off muttering something about buying cheese. 2. to start working suddenly 쑗 The burglar alarm went off in the middle of the night. 3. to explode 쑗 The bomb went off when there were still lots of people in the building. 쑗 Fireworks were going off everywhere on Bonfire Night. 4. to become rotten 쑗 Throw that meat away – it’s gone off. 쑗 Fish goes off quickly in hot weather. 5. not to like something any more 쑗 I’ve gone off modern music. 쑗 She went off her new boyfriend quite quickly. goofy / DZu fi/ adj stupid (informal ) ① go on /DZəυ ɒn/ verb 1. to continue 쑗 Please go on, I like hearing you sing. 쑗 They went on working in spite of the fire. 쑗 She went on speaking for two hours. 2. to happen 쑗 What’s been going on here? 3. to base your opinion and actions on something 쑗 The police investigating the murder don’t have much to go on. 쑗 We have to go on the assumption that the festival will start on time. 4. used for showing you do not believe someone 쑗 Go on! She’s not as old as that! 5. 왍 to go on about something to talk all the time about something 쑗 She will keep going on about her operation. ③ goose /DZu s/ noun a large bird, living near water, which can be eaten (NOTE: The plural is geese /DZi s/. The males are ganders, the young are goslings.) gooseberry / DZυzb(ə)ri/ noun a little green hairy fruit, with a sharp taste ① go out /DZəυ aυt/ verb 1. to leave a building 쑗 I don’t go out often at night. 쑗 He forgot to lock the door when he went out. 2. to go to parties 쑗 We used to go out every Friday and Saturday night. 3. not to be burning or lit any more 쑗 The fire went out and the room got cold. 쑗 All the lights in the building suddenly went out. 4. 왍 to go out of business to stop trading 쑗 The firm went out of business last week. go out with /DZəυ aυt wθ/ verb 1. to have regular meetings with someone as part of a relationship 쑗 He’s going out with a girl from work. 2. to go to a party, restaurant, etc., with someone 쑗 He’s been out with us a couple of times. go over /DZəυ əυvə/ verb 1. to cross to the other side 쑗 Go over the bridge and turn left. 2. to examine something carefully 쑗 She went over the contract with her solicitor. gopher / DZəυfə/ noun a fat American rat which lives in holes in the ground (NOTE: Do not confuse with gofer.) 쐽 . go through gore /DZɔ / noun blood 쑗 The final scene of the play was very violent, with lots of gore. 쐽 verb to wound with a horn 쑗 He was gored by a bull. gorge /DZɔ dȢ/ noun a rocky valley 쑗 The walkers climbed down into the gorge. 쐽 verb to eat too much 쑗 Look at her gorging herself on cakes. ③ gorgeous / DZɔ dȢəs/ adj magnificent. Synonym beautiful. Antonym unattractive gorilla /DZə rlə/ noun a large black African ape (NOTE: Do not confuse with guerrilla.) ① go round /DZəυ raυnd/ verb 1. to turn 쑗 The merry-go-round went round and round. 2. to turn round something 쑗 We went round the roundabout and took the third road on the left. 쑗 We didn’t go far, we just went round the block. 3. to visit a place 쑗 You’ll need at least two hours to go round the museum. 4. to be enough for 쑗 There wasn’t enough ice cream to go round all twelve of us. 5. to go to somewhere near 쑗 Let’s go round to your sister’s. 쑗 We all went round to the pub for a drink. gorse /DZɔ s/ noun a wild prickly shrub with bright yellow flowers (NOTE: no plural) gory / DZɔ ri/ adj 1. covered in blood 2. terrible; awful (humorous) 쑗 She told me all the gory details of her interview. gosh /DZɒʃ/ interj used for showing surprise (dated informal ) gosling / DZɒzlŋ/ noun a baby goose go-slow /DZəυ sləυ/ noun a slowing down of work as a protest against the management gospel / DZɒspəl/ noun the part of the Bible which tells the life of Jesus Christ 왍 it’s the gospel truth it’s absolutely true gospel music /DZɒsp(ə)l mju zk/ noun religious music which first became popular in the USA during the Depression ② gossip / DZɒsp/ noun 1. stories or news about someone, which may or may not be true 쑗 Have you heard the latest gossip about Sue? 왍 to spread gossip about someone to give information about someone which may or may not be true 2. a person who spreads gossip 쑗 Be careful what you say to him – he’s a great gossip. 쐽 verb to talk about people’s private lives 쑗 They spent hours gossiping about the people working in the office. gossip column / DZɒsp kɒləm/ noun a section in a newspaper which tells stories about famous people ③ got /DZɒt/ 쒁 get 왍 to have got to must or to be obliged to 쑗 I’ve got to see my father tomorrow. gothic / DZɒθk/ adj in a medieval architectural style, with tall pointed arches ③ go through /DZəυ θru / verb 왍 to go through something to look at or to discuss something thoroughly 쑗 They went through . gotta 364 each clause of the contract. 왍 to go through with something to continue with something 쑗 They decided not to go through with their planned pig farm because of the objections from their neighbours. gotta / DZɒtə/ another spelling of got to (informal ) 쑗 I’m sick – I’ve gotta go to the doctor. ③ gotten / DZɒt(ə)n/ US 쒁 get gouge /DZaυdȢ/ noun a chisel 쑗 The gouge bit into the wood. 쐽 verb to cut out 쑗 He gouged out a hole in the plank. 쑗 The waves have gouged out a cave in the cliff. goulash / DZu lʃ/ noun a Hungarian dish of meat and vegetables, flavoured with paprika ① go up /DZəυ p/ verb 1. to go to a higher place 쑗 Take the lift and go up to the fourth floor. 2. to increase; to rise to a higher level 쑗 The price of bread has gone up. gourd /DZυəd/ noun a round fruit of a climbing plant, dried and used as a bottle or as a decoration gourmet / DZυəme/ noun 1. a person who knows about and appreciates good food and drink 2. referring to good food 쑗 We had a gourmet dinner in a three-star restaurant. 쑗 This recipe comes from a gourmet cookbook. ③ govern / DZv(ə)n/ verb 1. to rule a country 쑗 The country is governed by three generals. 2. to influence; to have an effect on 쑗 Inflation is governed by interest rates and exchange rates. governance / DZv(ə)nəns/ noun the way in which a country or organisation is governed (formal ) governess / DZvənəs/ noun a private female teacher. Synonym tutor (NOTE: The . . plural is governesses.) governing / DZv(ə)nŋ/ adj which rules ① government / DZv(ə)nmənt/ noun 1. the people or a political party which governs 쑗 The president asked the leader of the largest party to form a new government. 쑗 The government controls the price of bread. 쑗 He has an important job in the government. 2. the system of ruling a country 쑗 a country struggling to achieve democratic government (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) governmental /DZv(ə)n ment(ə)l/ adj referring to a government ③ governor / DZv(ə)nə/ noun a person who runs a state, a colony or an institution 왍 the Governor of the Bank of England the person who is in charge of the Bank of England Governor-General /DZv(ə)nə dȢen(ə)rəl/ noun the official head of some Commonwealth countries, representing the monarch ① go with / DZəυ wð/ verb 1. to match 쑗 Blue shoes won’t go with a green dress. 쑗 gradation Red wine goes best with meat. 2. to be linked to 쑗 That remote control goes with the TV. 쑗 He has a big house that goes with his job. 3. to accompany 쑗 Who are you going to the party with? ① go without /DZəυ wð aυt/ verb not to have something which you usually have gown /DZaυn/ noun 1. a woman’s long formal dress 쑗 a ball gown 2. a robe worn by someone such as a judge or a person with degree 쑗 She wore her new gown to the degree ceremony. ③ go wrong /DZəυ rɒŋ/ verb to stop working properly ③ GP /dȢi pi / noun a family doctor who does not specialise in any particular branch of medicine. Full form general practitioner ③ grab /DZrb/ verb 1. to pick something up suddenly 쑗 He grabbed his suitcase and ran to the train. 2. to get something quickly (informal ) 쑗 Let’s grab some lunch in the canteen before the meeting starts. 3. 왍 how does it grab you? what do you think of it? (informal ) 쑗 A weekend in Paris – how does that grab you? (NOTE: grabbing – grabbed) 쐽 noun 왍 to make a grab for something to try to take something roughly 쑗 He made a grab for her wallet. 왍 up for grabs available to anyone who wants to get it (informal ) 쑗 The company is up for grabs. 쑗 Now the champion has retired the world title is up for grabs. grace /DZres/ noun 1. elegance and attractiveness 쑗 We admired the grace of the deer as they ran off into the woods. 왍 with good grace quite cheerfully 쑗 He accepted the criticisms with good grace. 2. a prayer before a meal 쑗 Father always says grace before dinner. 3. extra time to pay 쑗 We gave the creditors two weeks’ grace to pay. 쐽 verb to honour 쑗 She graced the ceremony with her presence. graceful / DZresf(ə)l/ adj 1. moving in a smooth and beautiful way 쑗 the swimmer’s graceful strokes across the pool 쑗 She crossed the stage with graceful steps. 2. behaving politely 쑗 He went into the ladies’ toilet by mistake and had to beat a graceful retreat. gracefully / DZresf(ə)li/ adv smoothly and beautifully graceless / DZresləs/ adj 1. not elegant 2. not dignified gracious / DZreʃəs/ adj 1. elegant 쑗 a gracious London square 쑗 The Edwardian era was a time of gracious living. 2. dignified and polite 쑗 She gave him a very gracious welcome. 쐽 interj used for showing surprise 쑗 Gracious! Is that the time? gradation /DZrə deʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a series of degrees or stages 2. one of a series of de. . . grade 365 grees or stages 3. the act of arranging things according to size or quality ③ grade /DZred/ noun 1. a level of quality 쑗 I always buy grade 2 eggs. 쑗 What grade of vegetables do you sell most of ? 왍 to make the grade to succeed; to do well 왍 high-grade, top-grade best quality 2. an examination mark 쑗 She got top grades in maths. 3. US a class in school 쑗 students in fifth grade 쑗 She’s a fifth grade student. 쐽 verb to sort according to size or quality 쑗 a machine for grading fruit 쑗 Hotels are graded with two, three, four or five stars. Synonym classify graded / DZredd/ adj consisting of a series of stages, each of which is more advanced than the previous one grade school / DZred sku l/ noun a school for children between the ages of about 5 and 11 gradient / DZrediənt/ noun a slope in a road or railway, ③ gradual / DZrdȢuəl/ adj which changes a little at a time. Antonym rapid ② gradually / DZrdȢuəli/ adv little by little 쑗 His condition improved gradually day by day. 쑗 She gradually learnt how to deal with customers’ complaints. ③ graduate noun / DZrdȢuət/ a person with a degree from a university or college 쑗 He’s a graduate of London University. 쑗 She’s a physics graduate. 쐽 verb / DZrdȢuet/ to get a degree 쑗 She graduated from Edinburgh university last year. graduated / DZrdȢuetd/ adj 1. rising in stages 쑗 graduated income tax 2. with quantities marked on it 쑗 a graduated measuring jar graduation /DZrdȢu eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the ceremony at which you get a degree from a university or college 쑗 Graduation will take place on June 10th. 2. US leaving high school or college with a diploma 3. a mark showing quantities graduation ceremony /DZrdȢu eʃ(ə)n serəməni/ noun a ceremony when degrees are given. 쏡 Commencement graffiti /DZrə fi ti/ noun writing on walls in public places graft /DZrɑ ft/ noun 1. (in surgery) the act of transplanting an organ (heart, lung or kidney) or tissue (bone or skin) to replace an organ or tissue which is not functioning or which is diseased 쑗 He had a skin graft. (NOTE: The plural is grafts.) 2. (in surgery) an organ or tissue which is transplanted (NOTE: The plural is grafts.) 3. a piece of a plant which is attached to another plant 쑗 The pear graft has taken. (NOTE: no plural) 4. the bribery and corruption of officials (informal ) 쑗 Graft is widespread at all levels of the civil service. 쑗 The minister was accused of graft. (NOTE: . . grandiose no plural) 쐽 verb 1. (in surgery) to take a healthy organ or tissue and transplant it into a patient in place of diseased or damaged organ or tissue 쑗 Surgeons grafted a section of bone. 쑗 They grafted skin from his arm onto his leg. 2. (in gardening) to take a piece of a plant and attach it to another plant 쑗 He grafted the apple onto the stock. grain /DZren/ noun 1. a cereal crop 쑗 a field of grain 쑗 the grain harvest 2. a very small piece 쑗 a grain of sand 3. the patterns of lines in wood 쑗 This old oak table has a beautiful grain. 왍 to go against the grain to go against your natural instincts 쑗 It goes against the grain to throw away all that good food. ③ gram /DZrm/, gramme noun a weight equal to one thousandth of a kilogram (NOTE: usually written g after figures: 50 g.) ③ grammar / DZrmə/ noun 1. the rules of a language 쑗 I’m finding Russian grammar very difficult. 쑗 He’s been learning English for years, and still makes basic grammar mistakes. 2. a book of rules of a language 쑗 I’ll look it up in my new German grammar. grammar school / DZrmə sku l/ noun a secondary school where students have to pass an exam to enter grammatical /DZrə mtk(ə)l/ adj referring to correct grammar gran /DZrn/ noun a grandmother (informal ) granary / DZrnəri/ noun a place where grain is stored ② grand /DZrnd/ adj 1. big and important 쑗 his grand plan for making a lot of money 2. impressive 쑗 We went to a very grand wedding. 3. very good 쑗 It’s grand weather for a picnic. (NOTE: grander – grandest) 쐽 noun 1. one thousand pounds or dollars (informal ) 쑗 The car cost me ten grand. 2. a grand piano 쑗 He plays a baby grand in the hotel foyer. grandad / DZrndd/ noun a grandfather (informal ) ③ grandchild / DZrntʃald/ noun a child of a son or daughter (NOTE: The plural is grandchildren / DZrntʃldrən/.) ③ granddaughter / DZrndɔ tə/ noun the daughter of a son or daughter grandeur / DZrndȢə/ noun splendour ③ grandfather / DZrndfɑ ðə/ noun the father of your mother or father 쑗 Tomorrow is grandfather’s hundredth birthday. 쑗 My grandfather always tells us fascinating stories about his childhood. (NOTE: often called . . . grandad or grandpa by children) grandfather clock / DZrnfɑ ðə klɒk/ noun a tall clock which stands on the floor grand finale /DZrnd f nɑ li/ noun a final very impressive part of an event grandiose / DZrndiəυs/ adj impressive, but too big and complicated grand jury 366 grand jury /DZrnd dȢυri/ noun US a group of between 12 and 24 jurors who meet as a preliminary to a trial to decide if an indictment should be issued to start criminal proceedings grandly / DZrndli/ adv in a grand way grandma / DZrnmɑ / noun a grandmother (informal ) ③ grandmother / DZrnmðə/ noun the mother of your mother or father 쑗 It will be grandmother’s ninetieth birthday next month. 쑗 My grandmother taught me how to make bread. (NOTE: often called gran or granny or grandma or nan by children) grandpa / DZrnpɑ / noun a grandfather (informal ) grandparent / DZrnpeərənt/ noun the mother or father of one of your parents grand piano /DZrnd pi nəυ/ noun a large horizontal piano (NOTE: A smaller pi. . ano, with a vertical body, is called an upright.) Grand Prix /DZrɒn pri / noun a race for large and powerful racing cars grand slam /DZrnd slm/ noun winning a series of competitions, such as all the main tennis competitions held in a year ③ grandson / DZrnsn/ noun the son of a son or daughter grandstand / DZrndstnd/ noun a stand with seats for spectators at games or races grand total /DZrnd təυt(ə)l/ noun a final total made by adding several items granite / DZrnt/ noun a hard grey stone granny / DZrni/ noun a grandmother (informal ) granny flat / DZrni flt/ noun a small separate flat in a large house, intended for a relative, not necessarily a grandmother ① grant /DZrɑ nt/ verb 1. to agree to give something 쑗 The government has granted them a loan or a subsidy. 왍 to take something for granted to assume that you will get something, or will keep something, and so not to appreciate it 쑗 The children seem to take it for granted that I will give them big presents every birthday. 2. to admit 쑗 I grant you it’s going to be difficult, but I’m sure you’ll do it well. 쐽 noun a sum of money to help 쑗 Not many students get a full grant. 쑗 My grant only pays for a few books. 쑗 We have applied for a grant to plant trees by the side of the road. Synonym funding granulated sugar /DZrnjυletd ʃυDZə/ noun white sugar in the form of granules granule / DZrnju l/ noun a very small particle. Synonym grain grape /DZrep/ noun a small green or red fruit which grows on vines, often used to make wine . grasshopper ③ grapefruit / DZrepfru t/ noun a large yellow citrus fruit, like an orange but not as sweet (NOTE: The plural is grapefruit.) grapevine / DZrepvan/ noun a plant on which grapes grow 왍 I heard it on the grapevine someone told me about it when gossiping graph /DZrɑ f/ noun a chart showing figures in the form of a line graphic / DZrfk/ adj 1. drawn in symbols or letters 쑗 The results are shown in graphic form. 2. vivid 쑗 He gave a graphic description of the accident. graphically / DZrfkli/ adv 1. using graphs and diagrams 2. in great detail 쑗 She described the accident graphically. graphic design /DZrfk d zan/ noun the art or practice of designing things involving images and text graphic designer /DZrfk d zanə/ noun a person who works in graphic design ③ graphics / DZrfks/ plural noun pictures on a computer screen or designed on a computer 쑗 The graphics on this game are brilliant. graphite / DZrfat/ noun natural carbon graph paper / DZrɑ f pepə/ noun paper with little squares, for drawing graphs grapple / DZrp(ə)l/ verb 1. to fight 쑗 The two men were grappling on the floor. 2. 왍 to grapple with something to struggle to solve something difficult 쑗 He’s grappling with the company accounts. grasp /DZrɑ sp/ noun 1. a tight hold 쑗 She forced him to loosen his grasp on her arm. 2. an understanding 쑗 She has a good grasp of physics. 쐽 verb 1. to hold tightly 쑗 She grasped the branch of the tree with both hands. 2. to understand 쑗 They didn’t seem to grasp my meaning. grasping / DZrɑ spŋ/ adj wanting to get money. Synonym greedy ② grass /DZrɑ s/ noun 1. a low green plant, which is eaten by sheep and cows in fields, or used in gardens to make lawns 쑗 The grass is getting too long – it needs cutting. 2. a lawn 쑗 Keep off the grass! 쑗 We’ll sit on the grass and have our picnic. 왍 not to let the grass grow under your feet to waste no time in doing something (informal ) 쑗 They don’t let the grass grow under their feet – they phoned immediately they saw the ad. 3. a person who gives information to the police (informal ) 쑗 The police gave the grass special protection. 4. marijuana in the form of leaves (slang) 쐽 verb 왍 to grass on someone to give information about someone to the police 쑗 He grassed on his pals. (slang) grasshopper / DZrɑ shɒpə/ noun a green insect which jumps and makes a rubbing noise . . grassland 367 grassland / DZrɑ slənd/ noun an area of land covered in wild grass grassroots /DZrɑ s ru ts/ plural noun ordinary members of a political party or of society in general grassy / DZrɑ si/ adj covered in grass grate /DZret/ noun a metal frame for holding coal in a fireplace 쑗 He put some more coal into the grate. 쐽 verb 1. to make into small pieces by rubbing against a grater 쑗 She grated nutmeg over the pudding. 쑗 Sprinkle grated cheese over your pasta. 쑗 We made a salad of grated carrots and spring onions. 2. to make a rough irritating noise 쑗 That door needs oiling – it grates on its hinges. 쑗 The sound of metal grating on stone makes me shudder. 3. to irritate someone; to make someone annoyed 쑗 The way he sings while he works is beginning to grate on my nerves. (NOTE: Do not confuse with great.) ③ grateful / DZretf(ə)l/ adj recognising and feeling thankful for something that someone has done for you 쑗 We are most grateful to you for your help. gratefully / DZretf(ə)li/ adv in a grateful way grater / DZretə/ noun a kitchen instrument with a rough surface and little holes for grating gratify / DZrtfa/ verb (formal ) 1. to satisfy someone 쑗 It gratifies her need for luxury. 2. to please someone 쑗 We were gratified to see that our work was prominently displayed. gratifying / DZrtfaŋ/ adj which satisfies someone. Synonym rewarding gratin / DZrtŋ/ noun a dish cooked with a crunchy crust, usually of cheese, on top grating / DZretŋ/ noun a metal frame which covers a hole 쑗 They lifted up the grating to look into the drain. Synonym grille 쐽 adj 왍 a grating sound a rough and unpleasant sound gratis / DZrɑ ts/ adv, adj free of charge gratitude / DZrttju d/ noun thankfulness. Synonym thanks. Antonym ingratitude gratuitous /DZrə tju təs/ adj unnecessary; unjustified gratuity /DZrə tju ti/ noun 1. money given to someone who has provided a service 쑗 The staff are instructed not to accept gratuities. Synonym tip 2. a sum of money given to someone who leaves a job 쑗 She received a tax-free gratuity of £10,000 when she retired. (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is gra. tuities.) grave /DZrɑ v/ noun a hole in the ground where a dead person is buried 쑗 At the funeral, the whole family stood by the grave. 왍 to have one foot in the grave to be old (in- grease formal ) 왍 he would turn in his grave (of a dead person) he would be annoyed 쑗 Father would turn in his grave if he saw what they have done to his house. 쐽 adj 1. important; serious 쑗 It is a very grave offence. 쑗 He is in court facing grave charges. 2. quietly serious 쑗 She looked at him with a grave expression. (NOTE: graver – gravest) grave accent /DZrɑ v ksənt/ noun an accent which slopes backwards over a vowel to show that the vowel is pronounced in a special way or is stressed, e.g. à or è. Compare acute accent gravel / DZrv(ə)l/ noun small stones (NOTE: no plural: a heap of gravel; for one piece say a bit of gravel: I’ve got a bit of gravel in my shoe) gravelly / DZrv(ə)li/ adj 1. (of a voice) rough 2. like gravel or covered with gravel gravely / DZrevli/ adv seriously gravestone / DZrevstəυn/ noun a large stone placed on a grave with the name of the dead person written on it. Also called headstone, tombstone graveyard / DZrevjɑ d/ noun a cemetery gravitate / DZrvtet/ verb (formal ) 왍 to gravitate towards something to move towards something 쑗 In the evening the students gravitate towards the bars. gravitation /DZrv teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. gradual and steady movement towards someone or something. Synonym movement 2. the force that causes objects to be attracted to each other gravitational /DZrv teʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj referring to gravity ③ gravity / DZrvti/ noun 1. the force which pulls things towards the ground 쑗 Apples fall to the ground because of the earth’s gravity. 2. great seriousness 쑗 No one seems to realise the gravity of the situation. 쑗 Due to the gravity of the crimes he is supposed to have committed, his trial will be held in a different town. gravy / DZrevi/ noun sauce made from the juices of cooked meat (NOTE: no plural) gravy train / DZrevi tren/ noun a way of getting money without doing much work (informal ) graze /DZrez/ noun a slight wound 쑗 He had a graze on his knee. 쐽 verb 1. to feed on grass 쑗 The sheep were grazing on the hillside. 2. to damage the skin slightly 쑗 He fell off his bicycle and grazed his knee. 3. to scrape for a short time when moving 쑗 The car grazed the garage door. grease /DZri s/ noun 1. thick oil 쑗 Put some grease on the hinge. 2. a soft animal fat 3. 왍 elbow grease hard work (informal ) 쑗 It doesn’t need any skill, just a lot of elbow grease. 쐽 verb 1. to cover with grease 쑗 Don’t forget . . . . greaseproof paper 368 to grease the wheels. 쑗 She greased the pan before cooking the eggs. 2. 왍 to grease someone’s palm to give someone a bribe (informal ) 쑗 We had to grease a few palms to get the contract signed. greaseproof paper /DZri spru f pepə/ noun paper which will not let oil through greasy / DZri si/ adj covered with oil or grease 쑗 He wiped his greasy hands on a piece of rag. 쑗 I don’t like the chips they serve here – they’re too greasy. (NOTE: . greasier – greasiest) greasy spoon /DZri si spu n/ noun a small cheap and often dirty café (informal ) ① great /DZret/ adj 1. large 쑗 We visited the . Great Wall of China. 쑗 She was carrying a great big pile of sandwiches. 왍 a great deal of, a great many a lot of 쑗 There’s a great deal of work to be done. 쑗 She earns a great deal of money. 쑗 A great many people will lose their jobs. 2. important or famous 쑗 New York is a great city. 쑗 Picasso was a great artist. 쑗 the greatest tennis player of all time 3. wonderful; very good 쑗 We had a great time at the party. 쑗 What did you think of the film? – It was great! 쑗 It was great of you to help. 쑗 It was great that they could all get to the picnic. 4. 왍 the great and the good people who occupy influential positions in society (humorous) 쑗 The government looked through the ranks of the great and the good to find someone to be chairman of the museum’s trustees. great- /DZret/ prefix referring to an older generation great-aunt / DZret ɑ nt/ noun the aunt of a father or mother ① Great Britain /DZret brt(ə)n/ noun the country formed of England, Scotland and Wales Great Dane /DZret den/ noun a breed of very large dog great-grandchild /DZret DZrntʃald/ noun the son or daughter of a grandchild great-grandfather /DZret DZrnfɑ ðə/ noun the father of a grandfather great-great-grandfather /DZret DZret DZrnfɑ ðə/ noun the grandfather of a grandfather ③ greatly / DZretli/ adv very much greatness / DZretnəs/ noun importance or respect great-uncle / DZret ŋkəl/ noun an uncle of a father or mother greed /DZri d/ noun too much love of food, money or power greedily / DZri dli/ adv in a greedy way greedy / DZri di/ adj wanting food or other things too much (NOTE: greedier – greediest) greengrocer Greek /DZri k/ adj referring to Greece or its inhabitants 쑗 the son of a Greek shipping tycoon 쑗 He’s opened a Greek restaurant near us. 쑗 The letters of the Greek alphabet are used in science. 쐽 noun 1. a person from Greece 쑗 The ancient Greeks lived many years before the Romans. 2. the language spoken in Greece 쑗 He reads Plato in the original Greek. 쑗 She bought a Greek phrase book before going on holiday. ① green /DZri n/ adj 1. of a colour like the colour of grass 쑗 He was wearing a bright green shirt. 쑗 They painted the door dark green. 쑗 Go on – the traffic lights are green. 2. relating to, interested in, or concerned about the environment 쑗 She’s very worried about green issues. 쑗 He’s a leading figure in the green movement. (NOTE: greener – greenest) 쐽 noun 1. a colour like grass 쑗 The door was painted a very dark green. 쑗 Have you any paint of a darker green than this? 2. a grassy piece of public land in the middle of a village 쑗 They were playing cricket on the village green. 3. a piece of smooth short grass for playing golf 쑗 The grass on the greens is cut very short. 쑗 His ball landed about two feet from the hole on the tenth green. 쏡 bowling green greenback / DZri nbk/ noun US a dollar bill (slang) green bean /DZri n bi n/ noun a long thin green vegetable green belt / DZri n belt/ noun an area of farming land or woods and parks, which surrounds a town, and on which building is restricted or completely banned green card / DZri n kɑ d/ noun 1. a work permit for someone who is going to live in the USA 2. an insurance certificate to insure a car which is being taken abroad green channel / DZri n tʃn(ə)l/ noun a way through customs for people who have nothing to declare greenery / DZri nəri/ noun the leaves of trees and plants. Synonym foliage (NOTE: no ① plural) greenfield site / DZri nfi ld sat/ noun a site for a factory which is in the country, and not surrounded by other factories green fingers /DZri n fŋDZəz/ plural noun skill at gardening (NOTE: The US term is green thumb.) greenfly / DZri nfla/ noun a small green in- sect which sucks sap from garden plants (NOTE: usually plural) greengage / DZri nDZedȢ/ noun a variety of small green plum greengrocer / DZri nDZrəυsə/ noun a person who sells fruit and vegetables greenhouse 369 ③ greenhouse / DZri nhaυs/ noun a glass building for growing plants (NOTE: The plu- ral is greenhouses.) greenhouse effect / DZri nhaυs fekt/ noun the accumulation of gases in the earth’s atmosphere which prevent heat loss green light /DZri n lat/ verb to give approval or permission for something to proceed Green Paper /DZri n pepə/ noun a report from the British government on proposals for a possible new law. Compare White Paper greens /DZri nz/ plural noun 1. green vegetables 쑗 You must eat plenty of greens. 2. US greenery green thumb /DZri n θm/ noun US skill at gardening (NOTE: The British term is green fingers.) Greenwich meridian /DZrentʃ mərdiən/ noun a line passing through Greenwich near London at longitude 0° from which all longitudes are calculated ② greet /DZri t/ verb to meet someone and say hello greeting / DZri tŋ/ noun words said when meeting or welcoming someone greetings / DZri tŋz/ plural noun good wishes gregarious /DZr DZeəriəs/ adj enjoying the company of other people. Antonym shy grenade /DZr ned/ noun a small bomb, usually thrown by hand ③ grew /DZru / 쒁 grow ② grey /DZre/ noun a colour that is a mixture of black and white 쑗 He was dressed all in grey. (NOTE: The US spelling is gray.) 쐽 adj of a colour that is a mixture of black and white 쑗 Her hair has turned quite grey. 쑗 She was wearing a light grey suit. 쑗 Look at the grey clouds – I think it is going to rain. (NOTE: greyer – greyest. The US spelling is gray.) grey area / DZre eəriə/ noun a situation, subject, or category of something that is unclear or hard to define grey-haired /DZre heəd/ adj with grey hair greyhound / DZrehaυnd/ noun a racing dog ③ grid /DZrd/ noun 1. a set of parallel bars 쑗 We have fitted a metal grid over the top of the well. 2. the numbered squares on a map 쑗 What’s the grid reference of the church? griddle / DZrdl/ noun a hot metal plate on the top of a stove, used for cooking gridiron / DZrdaən/ noun a metal frame for cooking over a fire gridlock / DZrdlɒk/ noun a traffic jam gridlocked / DZrdlɒkt/ adj blocked by a build-up of traffic grin ② grief /DZri f/ noun a feeling of great sadness. Synonym sorrow. Antonym joy 왍 to come to grief to have an accident; to fail 쑗 His horse came to grief at the first fence. 쑗 The project came to grief when the council refused to renew their grant. 왍 to give someone grief to criticise someone (informal ) grief-stricken / DZri f strkən/ adj very sad grievance / DZri v(ə)ns/ noun a reason for complaint 왍 to air your grievances to complain to everyone openly about something 왍 to nurse a grievance against someone to have a reason to complain about someone, and not be able to do anything about it 쑗 She’s been nursing a grievance against the boss for some weeks. grieve /DZri v/ verb 1. to be sad, especially because someone has died 쑗 She is grieving for her fiancé who was killed in the war. 2. to make sad (formal ) 쑗 It grieves me to say this, but we are going to arrest your daughter. grievous / DZri vəs/ adj severe; very bad (formal ) grievous bodily harm /DZri vəs bɒdli hɑ m/ noun the crime of causing serious physical injury to someone. Abbr GBH ③ grill /DZrl/ noun 1. a part of a cooker where food is cooked under the heat 쑗 Cook the chops under the grill. 2. a restaurant serving grilled food 쑗 We’ll meet up at the Mexican Grill. 쐽 verb 1. to cook under or over a grill 쑗 We’re having grilled sardines for dinner. 2. to ask someone lots of questions 쑗 The police grilled him about the missing money. grille /DZrl/ noun a structure of metal bars in front of a window or on the front of a car, with the radiator behind. Synonym grating ② grim /DZrm/ adj 1. stern and not smiling 쑗 His expression was grim. 쑗 He gave a grim laugh and went on working. 2. unpleasant, worrying 쑗 There is some grim news about the war. 3. grey and unpleasant 쑗 The town centre is really grim. 왍 like grim death in an extremely determined way (informal ) 쑗 She held on to the handrail like grim death. . . . . (NOTE: grimmer – grimmest) grimace / DZrməs/ noun a twisted expression 쑗 He made a grimace when he tasted the medicine. Synonym scowl 쐽 verb to make a grimace 쑗 She grimaced as the dentist started up his drill. Synonym frown 왘 Antonym (all senses) smile grime /DZram/ noun black dirt. Synonym filth grim-faced /DZrm fest/ adj with a serious unfriendly expression grimy / DZrami/ adj very dirty ② grin /DZrn/ noun a wide smile 쑗 She gave me a big grin. Synonym beam 쐽 verb to grind 370 smile widely 쑗 He grinned when we asked him if he liked his job. 왍 to grin and bear it to accept a difficult situation 쑗 No one likes doing all these rehearsals, but we’ve just got to grin and bear it. 왘 Antonym (all senses) frown ② grind /DZrand/ verb 1. to crush to powder to grind corn 쑗 a cup of freshly ground coffee 2. to rub surfaces together 왍 to grind a knife to sharpen a knife by rubbing it on a rough stone 왍 to grind your teeth to rub your teeth together and make a noise, especially because you are annoyed 왍 to grind to a halt to stop working gradually 쑗 The men went on strike, and the production line ground to a halt. 쑗 The driver put on the brakes and the train ground to a halt. 왍 to have an axe to grind to have a particular point of view which makes your judgement biased 쐽 noun 왍 the daily grind the boring work done every day (informal ) grinder / DZrandə/ noun a machine for grinding grinding / DZrandŋ/ adj 1. causing a feeling of boredom 2. (of a sound ) like two hard things rubbing together grindstone / DZrandstəυn/ noun a stone which turns to sharpen knives 왍 to keep someone’s nose to the grindstone to keep someone working very hard grip /DZrp/ noun 1. a firm hold 쑗 He has a strong firm grip. 쑗 Radial tyres give a better grip on the road surface. 왍 to lose your grip not to be as much in control as before 쑗 She simply doesn’t make any decisions – I think she’s losing her grip. 2. 왍 to get or come to grips with something to start to deal with something (informal ) 쑗 The president is having to come to grips with the failing economy. 왍 to get a grip on yourself to try to control yourself; to try to be less emotional 쑗 Get a grip on yourself – you’ve got an interview in half an hour. 3. a big soft bag for carrying clothes 쑗 He rolled up some T-shirts and underwear and squeezed them into his grip. 4. a piece of bent wire used to keep your hair in place 쑗 Use a grip to keep your hair off your face. (NOTE: The US term is bobby-pin.) 쐽 verb 1. to hold tight 쑗 She gripped the rail with both hands. 2. to be very interesting 쑗 The story gripped me from the first page. (NOTE: gripping – gripped) gripe /DZrap/ noun 1. a complaint 쑗 his list of gripes about the work 2. pains in the stomach (dated ) 쑗 The baby is suffering from gripe. 쐽 verb (informal ) 왍 to gripe about something to complain about something 쑗 She’s always griping about the weather. gripping / DZrpŋ/ adj which holds your interest or attention. Synonym fascinating. Antonym boring 쑗 . . . . . grooming grisly / DZrzli/ adj horrible. Synonym gruesome. Antonym pleasant (NOTE: grislier – grisliest. Do not confuse with grizzly or gristly.) gristle / DZrs(ə)l/ noun a hard substance found when chewing meat. Synonym cartilage (NOTE: no plural) gristly / DZrsli/ adj full of gristle (NOTE: Do not confuse with grisly, grizzly.) grit /DZrt/ noun 1. bits of sand 쑗 Grit seems to have got into the engine. 쑗 I have a piece of grit in my eye. 2. courage 쑗 He had the grit to go mountain climbing with his artificial leg. (NOTE: [all senses] no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to put sand on a road that is covered with ice 쑗 Lorries have been out all night, gritting the motorway. 2. 왍 to grit your teeth to be determined 쑗 He gritted his teeth and went on up the mountain. (NOTE: gritting – gritted) gritty / DZrti/ adj full of strength grizzled / DZrz(ə)ld/ adj with lots of grey hairs grizzly / DZrzli/, grizzly bear / DZrzli beə/ noun 왍 a North American brown and grey bear 쑗 Grizzly bears catch salmon in mountain rivers. (NOTE: The plural is grizzlies or grizzly bears.) groan /DZrəυn/ noun a deep cry 쑗 He uttered a groan and closed his eyes. 쐽 verb 1. to make a long low noise 쑗 She groaned when she saw how much work had to be done. 2. 왍 to groan under a weight to carry a heavy weight 쑗 The floor groaned under the weight of the gold bars. (NOTE: Do not confuse with grown.) grocer / DZrəυsə/ noun a person who sells goods such as sugar, butter and tins of food groceries / DZrəυsəriz/ plural noun things you buy at a grocer’s 쑗 a heavy bag of groceries. Synonym food grocery / DZrəυsəri/ noun a general food shop 쑗 He runs the grocery shop in the High Street. groggy / DZrɒDZi/ adj not having a clear head groin /DZrɔn/ noun the place where the legs join the body groom /DZru m/ noun 1. a person who looks after horses 쑗 She got down from the horse and handed him over to a groom to deal with. 2. a man who is getting married 쑗 The groom looked nervously over his shoulder, wondering where the best man was. 쐽 verb 1. to make someone or a horse look smart 쑗 a well-groomed young man 쑗 She was grooming her horse. 2. to train someone for a particular role 쑗 He is being groomed to take his father’s place in the family business. grooming / DZru mŋ/ noun 1. being smart and well-brought up 2. training someone for a particular role 3. developing the trust of a groove 371 young person or their family in order to undertake illegal sexual contact groove /DZru v/ noun a wide line cut into a surface. Synonym channel. Antonym ridge 왍 to be stuck in a groove to be leading a dull life with no excitement groovy / DZru vi/ adj fashionable (dated slang) (NOTE: groovier – grooviest) grope /DZrəυp/ verb to feel with your hands ③ gross /DZrəυs/ adj 1. total; with nothing taken away 2. very great and bad 쑗 a gross miscarriage of justice 쑗 It was a gross error on the part of the referee. 3. ugly and vulgar (informal ) 쑗 He’s such a horrible man – he’s gross. (NOTE: grosser – grossest) 쐽 adv with nothing taken away 쑗 His salary is paid gross. 쐽 verb to make as a total 쑗 The film grossed $25m in its first week. 쐽 noun twelve dozen, equal to 144 (NOTE: The plural is . gross.) gross domestic product /DZrəυs dəmestk prɒdkt/ noun the value of goods and services paid for inside a country. Abbr GDP grossly / DZrəυsli/ adv in a great bad way, greatly gross margin /DZrəυs mɑ dȢn/ noun the difference between the price received and the cost of manufacture gross misconduct /DZrəυs mskɒndkt/ noun an action such as being drunk at work or molesting women staff, which leads to instant dismissal gross national product /DZrəυs nʃ(ə)nəl prɒdkt/ noun the value of goods and services paid for in a country, including income earned in other countries. Abbr GNP gross negligence /DZrəυs neDZldȢəns/ noun an act showing a very serious failure to do your duty towards other people gross profit /DZrəυs prɒft/ noun a profit calculated as income from sales less the cost of the goods sold, before paying for any other expenses grotesque /DZrəυ tesk/ adj 1. strange and ugly 쑗 We got a really grotesque present from our Spanish landlady. 2. unnatural and unpleasant 쑗 It was grotesque to see her at the funeral. 쑗 Grotesque abuses of justice were commonplace during the civil war. grotto / DZrɒtəυ/ noun an attractive cave, especially one made as a garden decoration (NOTE: The plural is grottoes.) grouch /DZraυtʃ/ noun a person who complains all the time 쑗 She’s such an old grouch. 쐽 verb to complain unhappily (informal ) 쑗 He’s always grouching about his pay. ① ground /DZraυnd/ noun 1. soil or earth 쑗 You should dig the ground in the autumn. 쑗 The house is built on wet ground. 쑗 It has . ground zero been so dry that the ground is hard. 2. the surface of the earth 쑗 The factory was burnt to the ground. 쑗 There were no seats, so we had to sit on the ground. 쑗 She lay down on the ground and went to sleep. 왍 to get a project off the ground to get a project started 쑗 He played an important role in getting the project off the ground. 쏡 ear 3. land used for a special purpose 쑗 a football ground 쑗 a sports ground 쑗 a cricket ground 쑗 a show ground 쏡 fairground, grounds 쐽 verb 1. to put or keep on the ground 쑗 After the mechanical failure was discovered, the fleet of aircraft was grounded. 2. to base 쑗 Our teaching system is grounded on years of practice. 3. US to connect electrical equipment to the earth 쑗 Household appliances should be properly grounded. (NOTE: The British term is to earth.) 4. 쒁 grind 앳 to gain ground (on someone) 1. to get near to someone else in a competition 2. to be more successful than someone else 앳 to lose ground (to someone) 1. not to keep close to someone else in a competition 2. to be less successful than someone else ground beef /DZraυnd bi f/ noun US beef which has been cut into very small pieces (NOTE: The British term is mince or minced beef.) groundbreaking / DZraυndbrekŋ/ adj involving new ideas ③ ground floor /DZraυnd flɔ / noun a floor in a building which is level with the street groundhog / DZraυndhɒDZ/ noun a fat American rodent which lives in holes in the ground and hibernates in winter grounding / DZraυndŋ/ noun basic instruction. Synonym foundation groundless / DZraυndləs/ adj without any reason ground level / DZraυnd lev(ə)l/ noun a floor at the same level as the street ground rule / DZraυnd ru l/ noun a basic rule grounds /DZraυndz/ plural noun 1. a large area of land around a big house or institution 쑗 The police searched the school grounds for the weapon. 쑗 The village fete is held in the grounds of the hospital. 2. reasons 쑗 Does he have any grounds for complaint? 쑗 What grounds have you got for saying that? 쑗 Do they have sufficient grounds to sue us? groundswell / DZraυndswel/ noun 1. a general feeling 2. a deep movement of the sea groundwork / DZraυndw" k/ noun preliminary work. Synonym foundation (NOTE: no plural) ground zero /DZraυnd zərəυ/ noun 1. the point just above or below a nuclear explosion 2. the most basic possible level or starting group 372 point 3. the huge debris field left following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York City on 11 September 2001 ① group /DZru p/ noun 1. a number of people or things taken together 쑗 a group of houses in the valley 쑗 Groups of people gathered in the street. 쑗 She is leading a group of businessmen on a tour of Italian factories. 쑗 There are reduced prices for groups of 30 and over. 2. a way of classifying things 쑗 These drugs belong to the same group. 3. people playing music together 쑗 He plays in a jazz group. 쑗 She’s the lead singer in a pop group. 4. several different companies linked together 쑗 the Shell group of companies 쑗 a major travel group 쐽 verb 왍 to group (together) to form into groups groupie / DZru pi/ noun a girl follower of a singer or pop group (informal ) grouping / DZru pŋ/ noun the process of putting things or people together in a group group therapy /DZru p θerəpi/ noun a type of therapy where a group of people with the same type of problems meet together with a therapist to discuss their condition and try to help each other grouse /DZraυs/ noun 1. a complaint 쑗 All we heard at dinner were his grouses about the office. 2. a small dark game bird, found in the north of England and Scotland 쑗 We had grouse for supper. 쑗 They shot six brace of grouse yesterday. 쑗 Grouse shooting starts on August 12th. (NOTE: The plural is . grouse. Two of the birds are called a brace of grouse.) 쐽 verb (informal ) 왍 to grouse . about something to complain about something 쑗 He’s always grousing about the atmosphere in the office. grove /DZrəυv/ noun a small group of trees. Synonym copse grovel / DZrɒv(ə)l/ verb to behave towards someone in a way that shows respect or admiration too obviously (NOTE: grovelling – grovelled) ① grow /DZrəυ/ verb 1. (of plants) to live 쑗 There was grass growing in the middle of the road. 쑗 Roses grow well in our garden. 2. to make plants grow 쑗 He grows all his vegetables in his garden. 쑗 We are going to grow some cabbages this year. 3. to become taller or bigger or longer 쑗 He’s grown a lot taller since I last saw him. 쑗 The profit has grown to £1m. 쑗 The town’s population is growing very fast. 4. to become gradually 쑗 She grew weak with hunger. 쑗 The nights are growing colder now. 쑗 All the time he grew richer and richer. (NOTE: growing – grew /DZru / – grown /DZrəυn/) grower / DZrəυə/ noun a farmer who grows a particular type of plant grudgingly growing / DZrəυŋ/ adj 1. becoming bigger in size or amount 2. becoming stronger or more extreme grow into /DZrəυ ntυ/ verb to become growl /DZraυl/ noun an angry sound made by a dog, or by a person 쑗 As he opened the door he heard a growl. 쐽 verb to make an angry sound 쑗 The dog growled when he tried to take away its bone. 쑗 When we asked the doorman if we could go in, he just growled ‘yes’. ③ grown /DZrəυn/ adj full size. Synonym grown-up (NOTE: Do not confuse with groan.) ③ grown-up /DZrəυn p/ noun, adj adult 쑗 a grown-up taste in books 쑗 The family consists of three grown-ups and ten children. 쑗 She has a grown-up daughter. 쑗 The grown-ups had wine with their meal. grow out of /DZrəυ aυt ɒv/ verb 1. to become bigger so that something does not fit 쑗 He’s grown out of his coat. 2. to become older, and so stop some bad habit 쑗 He plays the drums all day long, but we hope it’s something he’ll grow out of. ② growth /DZrəυθ/ noun 1. an increase in size 쑗 the rapid growth of the population since 1980 쑗 They measured the tree’s growth over the last fifty years. 왍 the country’s economic growth the rate at which a country’s national income grows 2. a lump in the body which is not normal, such as a tumour 쑗 They found a growth in her throat. growth industry / DZrəυθ ndəstri/ noun an industry that is expanding ③ grow up /DZrəυ p/ verb to become an adult grub /DZrb/ noun 1. a little worm which is a young insect 쑗 Birds were searching for grubs under the bushes. 2. food (informal ) 쑗 The grub in the canteen is so awful that I take sandwiches to work. grubby / DZrbi/ adj dirty (NOTE: grubbier . – grubbiest) grudge /DZrdȢ/ noun 왍 to have or bear a grudge against someone to have bad feelings about someone because of something they did to you in the past 쑗 Since her bag was snatched in Rome, she has a grudge against Italians. 쑗 He has been nursing a grudge against his boss for the last six years. 쐽 verb 왍 to grudge someone something to be unwilling to give someone something or be angry that they have something 쑗 I grudge having to pay so much for so-called expert advice. 쑗 No one grudges him his success in the tennis championship. grudging / DZrdȢŋ/ adj unwilling. Antonym willing grudgingly / DZrdȢŋli/ adv unwillingly gruelling 373 gruelling / DZru əlŋ/ adj tiring. Synonym arduous. Antonym easy gruesome / DZru s(ə)m/ adj horrific and shocking in the way violence or death is shown. Synonym grisly. Antonym pleasant gruff /DZrf/ adj rough and unfriendly (NOTE: gruffer – gruffest) gruffly / DZrfli/ adv in a gruff way grumble / DZrmbəl/ noun a complaint about something 쑗 Do you have any grumbles about the food? 왍 she’s full of grumbles she is always complaining 쐽 verb 왍 to grumble about something to complain about something 쑗 He’s always grumbling about the noise from the flat above. adv in a grumpily / DZrmpli/ bad-tempered manner grumpy / DZrmpi/ adj bad-tempered. Antonym cheerful (NOTE: grumpier – grumpiest) grunge /DZrndȢ/ noun untidy and dirty-looking fashion (informal ) grunt /DZrnt/ noun a noise like a pig 쑗 He gave a grunt and went on reading his newspaper. 쐽 verb 1. (of a pig) to make a noise 쑗 The pigs were grunting and squealing in their pen. 2. to make a bad-tempered noise 쑗 I asked if we could have a glass of water and the waiter just grunted. 쑗 She grunted something and slammed the door. GSOH abbr good sense of humour ② guarantee /DZrən ti / noun 1. a legal document in which someone states that something is going to happen 쑗 The travel agent could not give a guarantee that we would be accommodated in the hotel mentioned in the brochure. 2. a legal document which promises that a machine is in good condition and will work without problems for a certain length of time 쑗 The fridge is sold with a twelve-month guarantee. 왍 under guarantee covered by a guarantee 쑗 The car is still under guarantee, so the manufacturers will pay for the repairs. 3. a firm promise that something will happen 쑗 We can’t give you a guarantee that the weather will be fine. 쑗 There is no guarantee that he will get a job even if he gets through the training course successfully. 쐽 verb 1. to give a legal promise that something will work, or that something will be done 쑗 The product is guaranteed for twelve months. 2. to make a firm promise that something will happen 쑗 I can guarantee that the car will give you no trouble. 쑗 We can almost guarantee good weather in the Caribbean at this time of year. ② guaranteed /DZrən ti d/ adj which has been promised legally. Synonym certain guarantor /DZrən tɔ / noun a person who promises to pay the debts of another person . guesstimate ② guard /DZɑ d/ noun 1. 왍 to be on guard, to keep guard to be looking out for danger 쑗 You must be on your guard against burglars at all times. 왍 to catch someone off guard to catch someone by surprise, when they are not expecting it 왍 to be on your guard to try to be ready for an unpleasant surprise 쑗 You always have to be on your guard against burglars. 2. a person who protects, often a soldier 쑗 Security guards patrol the factory at night. 쑗 Our squad is on guard duty tonight. 3. the man in charge of a train 쑗 The guard helped my put my bike into his van. (NOTE: The US term is conductor.) 4. a piece of equipment to protect against possible injury or accident 쑗 Attach the guard on the chain saw. 쐽 verb to protect 쑗 The prison is guarded at all times. 왍 to guard against something to try to prevent something happening guard dog / DZɑ d dɒDZ/ noun a dog used to guard a house or other buildings guarded / DZɑ dd/ adj careful ② guardian / DZɑ diən/ noun a person who protects, especially a person who legally looks after someone else’s child guardian angel /DZɑ diən endȢəl/ noun a person who looks after and protects someone guard of honour /DZɑ d əv ɒnə/ noun a group of soldiers standing or marching with an important person at a ceremony guardsman / DZɑ dzmən/ noun a soldier in a regiment of the Guards guard’s van / DZɑ dz vn/ noun the part at the end of a train, where the guard rides guerrilla /DZə rlə/, guerilla noun a soldier who is not part of a regular national army (NOTE: Do not confuse with gorilla.) guerrilla warfare /DZərlə wɔ feə/ noun a type of fighting when guerrillas attack in small groups in unexpected places ① guess /DZes/ noun an attempt to give the right answer or figure 쑗 Go on – make a guess! 쑗 At a guess, I’d say it weighs about 10 kilos. 왍 it is anyone’s guess no one really knows what is the right answer 쐽 verb 1. to try to give the right answer or figure 쑗 I would guess it’s about six o’clock. 쑗 Neither of them guessed the right answer. 쑗 He guessed right. 쑗 I’ve bought you a present – shut your eyes and guess what it is. 2. especially US to think 쑗 I guess the plane’s going to be late. guessing game / DZesŋ DZem/ noun 1. a game in which players must identify a thing or person by asking a series of questions to gain information 2. a situation which could end in different ways guesstimate noun / DZestmət/ an estimate based on a guess 쐽 verb / DZestmet/ to guesswork 374 make an estimate of something based on incomplete evidence or information guesswork / DZesw" k/ noun the process or end result of guessing ② guest /DZest/ noun 1. a person who is asked to come to your home or to an event 쑗 We had a very lively party with dozens of guests. 쑗 None of the guests left the party early. 왍 be my guest used to say that you will allow someone to do what they have asked to do or what you think they might like to do 쑗 If you want to borrow any of these books, be my guest. 2. a person staying in a hotel or guesthouse guesthouse / DZesthaυs/ noun a private house which takes several guests, like a small hotel guffaw /DZə fɔ / noun a loud laugh 쑗 Guffaws came from the audience as soon as she started to speak. 쒁 chuckle 쐽 verb to laugh loudly 쑗 The audience guffawed as she tried to ride the bicycle. ③ guidance / DZad(ə)ns/ noun advice ② guide /DZad/ noun 1. a person who shows the way 쑗 They used local farmers as guides through the forest. 2. a person who shows tourists round a place 쑗 The guide showed us over the castle or showed us round the castle. 쑗 The museum guide spoke so fast that we couldn’t understand what she was saying. 3. a book which gives information 쑗 a guide to Athens 쑗 a guide to the butterflies of Europe 쐽 verb to show the way; to show tourists round a place 쑗 She guided us up the steps in the dark. 쑗 He guided us round the castle. Guide /DZad/ noun a member of the Guides (NOTE: part of the same organisation as the Boy Scouts) ③ guidebook / DZadbυk/ noun a book with information about a place guided missile /DZadd msal/ noun a missile which can be controlled to hit a specific place guide dog / DZad dɒDZ/ noun a dog which has been trained to lead a blind person guided tour /DZadd tυə/ noun a visit to a place where people are led by a guide guidelines / DZadlanz/ plural noun general advice on what to do 쑗 If you follow the government guidelines, you should not have any trouble. 쑗 The minister has issued a new set of guidelines about city planning. Guides plural noun the Guides Association, an international youth organisation for girls 쑗 She’s joined the Guides. guild /DZld/ noun an association of craftsmen (NOTE: Do not confuse with gild.) guildhall / DZldhɔ l/ noun the main public hall in a town gullet guile /DZal/ noun the use of trickery to deceive people. Synonym cunning. Antonym frankness guillotine / DZləti n/ noun 1. a machine which was used in France for punishing criminals by cutting off their heads 2. a machine for cutting paper 3. a motion in the House of Commons to end a debate at a certain time 쐽 verb to cut someone’s head off as a punishment 쑗 Many aristocrats were guillotined during the French Revolution. Synonym behead guilt /DZlt/ noun 1. the state of having committed a crime 쑗 The prisoner admitted his guilt. 2. being or feeling responsible for doing something bad 쑗 The whole group bears the guilt for his death. (NOTE: Do not confuse with gilt.) ② guilty / DZlti/ adj 1. who has committed a crime 쑗 He was found guilty of murder. 쑗 The jury decided she was not guilty. 2. feeling unhappy because you have done something wrong 쑗 I feel very guilty about not having written to you. (NOTE: guiltier – guiltiest) guinea / DZni/ noun a former coin worth 21 shillings (£1.05 in modern currency), still used in auction prices and in names of prizes for horse races guinea fowl / DZni faυl/ noun a bird with black fathers and white spots, used for food guinea pig / DZni pDZ/ noun 1. a little furry animal, kept as a pet 쑗 She keeps guinea pigs in a hutch in the garden. 2. a person used in an experiment 쑗 The hospital is advertising for guinea pigs to test the new drug. 쑗 We’re using her as a guinea pig to see if the instructions for making the cake work. guise /DZaz/ noun an appearance, which is sometimes misleading 왍 in the guise of pretending to be 쑗 The drugs were sent in the guise of packets of sugar. ③ guitar /DZ tɑ / noun a musical instrument with six strings, played with the fingers 쑗 He plays the guitar in a pop group. gulch /DZltʃ/ noun US a narrow valley with a stream at the bottom (NOTE: The plural is gulches.) ③ gulf /DZlf/ noun 1. an area of sea partly surrounded by land 쑗 the Gulf of Mexico 2. a great distance between two points of view 쑗 The gulf that separates the two parties will be difficult to bridge. Gulf /DZlf/ noun the Persian Gulf gull /DZl/ noun a large common white sea bird. Also called seagull gullet / DZlt/ noun the tube down which food and drink passes from the mouth to the stomach. Also called oesophagus gullibility 375 gullibility /DZl blti/ noun a willingness to believe something or trust someone very easily gullible / DZlb(ə)l/ adj ready to believe anything. Synonym naive. Antonym discerning gully / DZli/ noun a small narrow valley (NOTE: The plural is gullies.) gulp /DZlp/ noun a quick swallow 쑗 He swallowed the glass of wine in one gulp. 쐽 verb to swallow fast 쑗 She gulped and went onto the stage. 쑗 He gulped down his drink and ran for the bus. 왘 Antonym (all senses) sip gum /DZm/ noun 1. glue 쑗 She spread gum on the back of the photo and stuck it onto a sheet of paper. 2. the flesh around the base of your teeth 쑗 Brushing your teeth every day is good for your gums. 쐽 verb to stick with glue 쑗 She gummed the pictures onto a sheet of paper. (NOTE: gumming – ③ gummed) gumboot / DZmbu t/ noun a rubber boot gummed /DZmd/ adj with glue on it gumption / DZmpʃən/ noun 1. good common sense 2. the courage to take action gum tree / DZm tri / noun a eucalyptus tree 왍 up a gum tree in a difficult situation (informal ) ② gun /DZn/ noun 1. a weapon which shoots bullets 쑗 The robber pulled out a gun. 쑗 She grabbed his gun and shot him dead. 왍 to jump the gun to start too quickly (informal ) 쑗 The law on Sunday opening starts in a month’s time, but some shops have already jumped the gun. 왍 to stick to your guns to keep to your point of view even if everyone says you are wrong 2. a large weapon which shoots shells 쑗 We heard the guns firing all night. 쑗 The ship trained its guns on the town. 3. a small device which you hold in your hand to spray a substance such as paint or glue 쑗 A spray gun gives an even coating of paint. 쐽 verb 왍 to gun someone down to shoot and kill someone 쑗 The policeman was gunned down in broad daylight. (NOTE: . . gunning – gunned) gunboat / DZnbəυt/ noun a small ship with guns on it gun control / DZn kəntrəυl/ noun legal measures to control the ownership of guns by members of the public gunfire / DZnfaə/ noun the shooting of guns 왍 under gunfire being shot at 쑗 He’s always very calm, even under gunfire. gunge /DZndȢ/ noun an unpleasant sticky substance ③ gunman / DZnmən/ noun a man armed with a gun (NOTE: The plural is gunmen.) gutted gunpoint / DZnpɔnt/ noun 왍 at gunpoint with a gun being pointed at you 쑗 He was held at gunpoint by robbers. gunpowder / DZnpaυdə/ noun a chemical substance used as an explosive and to make fireworks gunshot / DZnʃɒt/ noun the firing of a gun gurgle / DZ" DZ(ə)l/ noun a bubbling sound 쑗 the gurgle of the stream between the rocks 쐽 verb to make a bubbling sound 쑗 The water gurgled in the pipes. 쑗 The baby was gurgling in his pram. guru / DZυru / noun 1. a respected teacher, often a religious or spiritual teacher 쑗 He was the great guru of the civil disobedience movement. 2. a person who gives advice 쑗 She’s one of the Prime Minister’s media gurus. gush /DZʃ/ noun 1. a sudden fast flow of liquid 쑗 A sudden gush of water came out of the pipe. 2. lots of praise 쑗 I can’t stand all this gush about babies. 쐽 verb 1. to flow out very quickly and suddenly 쑗 Oil gushed from the hole in the pipeline. 2. to speak in a very enthusiastic way 쑗 She tends to gush over babies. gushing / DZʃŋ/ adj 1. flowing fast or in large quantities 2. speaking or behaving in an extremely enthusiastic or emotional way that embarrasses other people gust /DZst/ noun 왍 a gust of wind a sudden rush of wind 쑗 A sudden gust blew my hat off. 쐽 verb to blow in gusts 쑗 The wind was gusting at up to 70 miles an hour. gusto / DZstəυ/ noun energy and enthusiasm. Synonym enjoyment. Antonym apathy (NOTE: no plural) gusty / DZsti/ adj with the wind blowing in sudden bursts. Synonym windy. Antonym calm ③ gut /DZt/ noun the tube passing from the stomach in which food is digested as it passes through the body 쑗 He complained of pain in the gut. 쐽 verb 1. to remove the insides of an animal or fish before cooking 쑗 The pigeons have not been gutted. 쑗 Women stood in the market gutting sardines. 2. to destroy the inside of a building totally 쑗 The house was gutted by fire. (NOTE: gutting – gutted) gut reaction /DZt ri kʃən/ noun an instinctive reaction guts /DZts/ plural noun 1. courage (informal ) 쑗 She had the guts to tell the boss he was wrong. 2. the stomach and the area just below it (slang) 쑗 a pain in the guts 3. 왍 I hate his guts I dislike him a lot (informal ) gutsy / DZtsi/ adj 1. brave 2. done or performed with a great deal of passion, or emotion gutted / DZtd/ adj 1. with the insides taken out 2. very upset or disappointed 왍 to feel . . gutter 376 gutted to feel extremely upset (informal ) 쑗 When he missed the penalty kick we all felt gutted. gutter / DZtə/ noun 1. a channel by the side of a road to take away rainwater 쑗 Pieces of paper and leaves blowing about in the gutter. 왍 he was brought up in the gutter he was brought up in very poor conditions 2. an open pipe under the edge of a roof to catch rainwater 쑗 It rained so hard the gutters overflowed. guttering / DZtərŋ/ noun 1. the gutters at the edges of a roof 2. open metal or plastic pipes for use as gutters gutter press / DZtə pres/ noun newspapers which specialise in scandals guttural / DZt(ə)rəl/ adj 1. characterised by throaty speech sounds 2. pronounced with the tongue near the back of the mouth ① guy /DZa/ noun 1. a man 쑗 She married a guy from Texas. 쑗 The boss is a very friendly guy. 쑗 Hey, you guys, come and look at this! . (NOTE: In US English, you guys can be used when speaking to men or women.) 2. a rope which holds a tent 3. a model of a man gyratory system ③ gym /dȢm/ noun 1. a hall for indoor sports and athletics 쑗 Because it rained, we had to hold the school fete in the gym. Also called gymnasium 2. physical exercises. Also called gymnastics gymkhana /dȢm kɑ nə/ noun GB a horse riding competition gymnasium /dȢm neziəm/ noun a hall for indoor sports and athletics gymnast / dȢmnst/ noun an athlete who is expert at gymnastics gymnastic /dȢm nstk/ adj referring to gymnastics gymnastics /dȢm nstks/ noun physical exercises, as a competitive sport (NOTE: takes a singular verb) gynaecological /DZankə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to gynaecology (NOTE: The US spelling is gynecological.) gynaecologist /DZan kɒlədȢst/ noun a doctor who specialises in gynaecology (NOTE: The US spelling is gynecologist.) gynaecology /DZan kɒlədȢi/ noun the study of female sex organs and the treatment of diseases of women in general (NOTE: The burnt on Bonfire Night, 5th November 쑗 The children are collecting clothes to make a guy. 쑗 Penny for the guy! Guy Fawkes Night /DZa fɔ ks nat/ noun 5th November, when the attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the British Houses of Parliament in 1605 is remembered with bonfires and fireworks. Also called Bonfire round in a circle Night gyratory system /dȢa ret(ə)ri sstəm/ guzzle / DZz(ə)l/ verb to eat or drink greedily (informal ) . US spelling is gynecology.) gypsy / dȢpsi/ noun 1. same as Romany (offensive) 2. someone who travels a lot gyrate /dȢa ret/ verb to turn round and round fast. Synonym rotate gyratory /dȢa ret(ə)ri/ adj which goes noun an arrangement of roundabouts and one-way streets to take traffic round an area H h /etʃ/, H noun the eighth letter of the alphabet, between G and I ③ ha1 /hɑ / interj an expression showing surprise 쑗 Ha! There’s a mistake on page one of the book! ③ ha2 abbr hectare habeas corpus /hebiəs kɔ pəs/ noun an order to release someone who is being held by the police without being charged, or to bring a prisoner to answer a charge in court haberdasher / hbədʃə/ noun a person who sells things for sewing, such as buttons, needles, elastic, etc. (old ) haberdashery / hbədʃəri/ noun small articles for sewing, such as needles and thread, or the part of a department store that sells such items (NOTE: The US term is no. tions.) habit / hbt/ noun a regular way of acting 쑗 He has the habit of going to bed at 9 o’clock and reading until midnight. 왍 to develop or get into the habit of doing something to start to do something regularly 쑗 He’s getting into the habit of playing football every week. 왍 to break the habit to stop doing something which you used to do regularly 쑗 I haven’t had a cigarette for six months – I think I’ve broken the habit! 왍 pick up a bad or nasty habit to start to do something regularly which is not nice 쑗 She has the bad habit of biting her nails. 왍 from force of habit because this is what you do normally 쑗 He switched off all the lights from force of habit. habitable / hbtəb(ə)l/ adj fit to live in. Synonym inhabitable habitat / hbtt/ noun a place where an animal or plant lives habitation /hb teʃ(ə)n/ noun a place where someone lives habitual /hə btʃuəl/ adj 1. usual 쑗 She was sitting in her habitual place at the bar. 2. referring to someone who does something by habit 쑗 a habitual liar 쑗 a habitual offender habitually /hə btʃuəli/ adv in the usual way hack /hk/ noun a badly paid journalist 쑗 A bunch of hacks followed her everywhere. 쐽 verb 1. to cut roughly 쑗 He hacked at the ③ tree with an axe. 2. to enter a computer system illegally 쑗 He hacked into the bank’s computer. hacker / hkə/ noun a person who enters a computer system illegally hackles / hk(ə)lz/ plural noun the hairs on the back of the neck 앳 feel or make your hackles rise to begin to feel or to make you feel angry hackneyed / hknid/ adj used too often. Synonym trite hacksaw / hksɔ / noun a saw for cutting metal had /əd, həd, hd/ 쒁 have had better /həd betə/, ’d better phrase it would be a good thing if 쑗 You had better stay here instead of going to the hotel. 쑗 Hadn’t you better answer the phone? haddock / hdək/ noun a white sea fish hadn’t / hd(ə)nt/ short form had not haemoglobin /hi mə DZləυbn/ noun a protein in red blood cells which gives blood its red colour (NOTE: The US spelling is hemoglobin.) haemophilia /hi mə fliə/ noun a blood disorder usually of men that can lead to death from the smallest cut because the bleeding will not stop quickly enough (NOTE: The US spelling is hemophilia.) haemophiliac /hi mə flik/ noun a person who has haemophilia (NOTE: The US spelling is hemophiliac.) haemorrhage / hem(ə)rdȢ/ noun 1. bleeding where a large quantity of blood is lost, especially bleeding from a burst blood vessel 쑗 She had a haemorrhage and was rushed to hospital. 쑗 He died of a brain haemorrhage. 2. loss of money, members or other resources 쑗 We are trying to stem the haemorrhage of the company’s resources. 쐽 verb to lose a lot of blood 쑗 The injured man was haemorrhaging from the mouth. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is hemorrhage.) haemorrhoids / hemərɔdz/ plural noun swollen veins near the anus. Also called piles (NOTE: The US spelling is hemorrhoids.) hag /hDZ/ noun an ugly old woman (offensive) haggard 378 haggard / hDZəd/ adj thin and tired haggis / hDZs/ noun a Scottish dish, made of inner parts of a sheep cooked in a bag made from the sheep’s stomach haggle / hDZ(ə)l/ verb to argue about prices and terms to try to reduce them. Synonym bargain (NOTE: You haggle with someone over something.) ha ha interj /hɑ hɑ / 1. showing that you find something funny 쑗 Ha ha! What a funny hat! 2. showing that you find something surprising 쑗 Ha ha! I’ve caught you stealing from the cash box again! 쐽 noun / hɑ hɑ / a fence at the bottom of a ditch so as not to spoil the view of a landscape 쑗 The lawn in front of the house ends in a ha-ha. hail /hel/ noun 1. frozen rain 쑗 I thought the hail was going to break the windscreen. 2. a mass of small missiles 쑗 There was a hail of bullets and the soldiers hid behind a wall. 3. a call 왍 within hail near enough to be called 쐽 verb 1. to fall as frozen rain 쑗 It hailed for ten minutes and then the sun came out. 2. to wave or call to make a taxi stop 쑗 He whistled to hail a taxi. 3. 왍 to hail from to come from (formal ) 쑗 He hails from Montana. hailstone / helstəυn/ noun a piece of frozen rain hailstorm / helstɔ m/ noun a storm during which hail falls ① hair /heə/ noun 1. a mass of long fibres growing on your head 쑗 She has long brown hair or her hair is long and brown. 쑗 She always brushes her hair before washing it. 쑗 You must get your hair cut. 쑗 He’s had his hair cut short. 쑗 Use some hair spray to keep your hair in place. 왍 keep your hair on! don’t get annoyed (informal ) 왍 to let your hair down to relax and enjoy yourself 쑗 When the exams are finished we’re all going to let our hair down. 2. one of the long fibres growing on the body of a human or animal 쑗 Waiter, there’s a hair in my soup! 쑗 The cat has left hairs all over the cushion. 쑗 He’s beginning to get some grey hairs. 왍 to split hairs to try to find very small differences between things when arguing 쑗 Stop splitting hairs, you know you’re in the wrong. hairbrush / heəbrʃ/ noun a stiff brush for brushing your hair (NOTE: The plural is hair. . brushes.) ③ haircut / heəkt/ noun 1. the cutting of the hair on your head 쑗 You need a haircut. 쑗 He went to get a haircut. 2. a style of cutting hair 쑗 Have you seen his new haircut? hairdo / heədu / noun a style of hair (informal ) (NOTE: usually referring to a woman’s . hair) hairdresser / heədresə/ noun a person who cuts and washes your hair ③ half hairdressing / heədresŋ/ noun the action of cutting and washing hair hair gel / heə dȢel/ noun a gel spread on hair to keep it tidy hair grip / heə DZrp/ noun a small bent metal or plastic pin, used to keep the hair in place hairless / heələs/ adj with no hairs on the head or other parts. Compare bald. Antonym hairy hairline / heəlan/ noun 1. the line where your hair meets your forehead 쑗 He’s very worried about his receding hairline. 2. a very thin line or crack 쑗 Hairline cracks appeared in the metal. hairnet / heənet/ noun a net worn over your hair to keep it in place hairpiece / heəpi s/ noun a piece of false hair hairpin / heəpn/ noun a piece of bent wire used to keep your hair in place. Also called grip (NOTE: The US term is bobby-pin.) hairpin bend /heəpn bend/ noun a sharp bend on a mountain road hair-raising / heə rezŋ/ adj frightening. Synonym terrifying hair’s breadth / heəz bredθ/ noun a very small distance hairstyle / heəstal/ noun a way of cutting and styling hair hair stylist / heə stalst/ noun a hairdresser hairy / heəri/ adj 1. covered with hairs 쑗 a hairy dog 쑗 He’s got hairy arms. 2. frightening and dangerous (informal ) 쑗 Crossing the Alps in a snowstorm was the hairiest ride I’ve ever had. (NOTE: hairier – hairiest) hajj /hdȢ/, haj noun a pilgrimage made by Muslims to Mecca hake /hek/ noun a large white sea fish . (NOTE: The plural is hake.) halal /hə lɑ l/ adj describes meat from animals killed according to Islamic law 쐽 noun meat from an animal which has been killed according to Islamic law 쐽 verb to kill animals for food according to Islamic law halcyon / hlsiən/ adj beautiful and happy (literary) hale /hel/ adj 왍 hale and hearty fit and well 쑗 My grandmother is still hale and hearty at the grand old age of 92. Synonym healthy. Antonym unhealthy ① half /hɑ f/ noun 1. one of two parts which are the same in size 쑗 She cut the orange in half. 쑗 One half of the apple fell on the carpet. 쑗 Half of six is three. 2. (in sport ) one of two parts of a match 쑗 Our team scored a goal in the first half. 쑗 We thought we were going to win, and then they scored in the final minutes of the second half. 3. (in rugby) a midfield player 4. a part of a financial year 쑗 . half-and-half 379 The sales in the first half were down on last year. 5. half a pint, especially of beer 쑗 An orange juice and two halves of bitter, please. 6. a child’s ticket which costs half the price of an adult’s 쑗 one adult and two halves (NOTE: The plural is halves /hɑ vz/) 쐽 adj divided into two equal parts (informal ) 왍 half a bottle of wine half of a bottle of wine 쑗 We drank half a bottle of wine each. 왍 a half bottle of wine a small bottle of wine, containing half the amount of a normal bottle 쑗 He ordered his meal and a half bottle of Bordeaux. 쐽 adv 왍 half as big only 50 per cent of the size 쑗 This book is half as big as that one. 왍 half as big again 50 per cent bigger half-and-half /hɑ f ən hɑ f/ adv in two equal quantities half an hour /hɑ f ən aυə/, a half hour noun 30 minutes half-back / hɑ f bk/ noun a defending player in football or rugby half-baked /hɑ f bekd/ adj not properly planned and therefore not practical half board /hɑ f bɔ d/ noun a rate for breakfast and dinner at a hotel, but not lunch half-brother / hɑ f brðə/ noun a brother who has only one parent the same as another brother or sister half-day / hɑ f de/ adj half the day; morning or afternoon half-dollar /hɑ f dɒlə/ noun US fifty cents ② half-dozen /hɑ f dz(ə)n/, half a dozen /hɑ f ə dz(ə)n/ noun six half-hearted /hɑ f hɑ td/ adj not very enthusiastic. Antonym wholehearted ② half-hour /hɑ f aυə/ noun a period of thirty minutes half-hourly /hɑ f aυəli/ adj, adv every thirty minutes 쑗 We have a half-hourly bus service to town. half-mast /hɑ f mɑ st/ noun 왍 flying at half-mast (of a flag) raised only half-way up the flagpole, as a mark of respect 쑗 On the day of the King’s death flags flew at half-mast on all public buildings. half measures /hɑ f meȢəz/ plural noun an plan or action which is begun but not completed ② half past /hɑ f pɑ st/ phrase 30 minutes after an hour ② half price /hɑ f pras/ noun, adj 50 per cent of the price half-price sale /hɑ f pras sel/ noun a sale of all goods at 50 per cent of the usual price half-sister / hɑ f sstə/ noun a sister who has only one parent the same as another brother or sister . halo ② half-term /hɑ f t" m/ noun a short holiday in the middle of a school term. Compare midterm half-time /hɑ f tam/ noun a rest period in the middle of a game ③ halfway /hɑ f we/ adv in the middle 쑗 Come on, we’re more than halfway there! 쑗 The post office is about halfway between the station and our house. 왍 to meet someone halfway, to go halfway to meet someone to compromise 쑗 I’ll meet you halfway: I write the report and you present it at the meeting. half-yearly /hɑ f jəli/ adj, adv every six months halibut / hlbət/ noun a large flat white fish (NOTE: The plural is halibut.) halitosis /hl təυss/ noun a condition where someone has bad-smelling breath ① hall /hɔ l/ noun 1. a room just inside the entrance to a house, where you can leave your coat 쑗 Don’t wait in the hall, come straight into the dining room. 쑗 She left her umbrella in the hall. 2. a large room for meetings 쑗 The children have their dinner in the school hall. hallmark / hɔ lmɑ k/ noun 1. a mark put on gold or silver items to show that the metal is of the correct quality 쑗 The hallmark on this old silver spoon has almost been worn away. 2. 왍 it bears the hallmark of it is characteristic of 쑗 The murder bore all the hallmarks of a serial killing. 쐽 verb to put a hallmark on a piece of gold or silver 쑗 The spoon was hallmarked in London in 1790. ③ hallo /hə ləυ/ 쒁 hello hall of residence /hɔ l əv rezd(ə)ns/ noun a building where students live at university or college hallowed / hləυd/ adj 1. made holy 쑗 The cemetery is hallowed ground. 2. very much respected (humorous) 쑗 She entered the hallowed gates of the school. Halloween /hləυ i n/ noun 31st October, the day before All Saints’ Day, when children sometimes dress up as frightening spirits. 쏡 Trick or Treat hallucinate /hə lu snet/ verb to imagine seeing or hearing someone or something hallucination /həlu s neʃ(ə)n/ noun the belief that an imaginary scene or sound is really there hallway / hɔ lwe/ noun a hall; a passage at the entrance to a house or flat. Synonym corridor halo / heləυ/ noun 1. the ring of light round the head of a holy person in a painting 쑗 a painting of an archbishop with two saints, each with a golden halo 2. a ring round the moon or sun when seen through mist or in icy weather (NOTE: The plural is haloes.) halt 380 ③ halt /hɔ lt/ noun a complete stop. Synonym standstill 왍 to come to a halt to stop completely 쑗 The lorry came to a halt just before the wall. 왍 to call a halt to something to make something stop 쑗 He tried to call a halt to arguments inside the party. 왍 to grind to a halt to stop working gradually 쑗 The whole plan ground to a halt for lack of funds. 쐽 verb to stop 쑗 The cars halted when the traffic lights went red. 쑗 We are trying to halt experiments on live animals. Antonym start halter / hɔ ltə/ noun a rope put around an animal’s neck so that you can lead it halting / hɔ ltŋ/ adj not sure. Synonym hesitant halve /hɑ v/ verb 1. to cut into two equal parts 쑗 She halved the cake. 2. to reduce by half 쑗 Because the town has no cash, its budget has been halved. ③ halves /hɑ vz/ 쒁 half ham /hm/ noun 1. pork that has been preserved using salt or smoke 쑗 She cut three slices of ham. 쑗 We had a ham and tomato salad. 쑗 She had a ham sandwich for lunch. 2. a bad actor who uses too many gestures and speaks too loudly (dated ) 쐽 verb 왍 to ham it up to act a piece badly on purpose (informal ) ③ hamburger / hmb" DZə/ noun a piece of minced beef grilled and served in a toasted roll hamlet / hmlət/ noun a little village. Antonym city ③ hammer / hmə/ noun a tool with a heavy head for knocking nails 쑗 She hit the nail hard with the hammer. 왍 to go under the hammer to be sold by auction 쑗 All his furniture went under the hammer last week. 쐽 verb 1. to knock something into something with a hammer 쑗 It took him a few minutes to hammer the tent pegs into the ground. 2. to hit hard, as with a hammer 쑗 He hammered the table with his fist. 쑗 She hammered on the door with her stick. 왍 to hammer it into someone to try to make someone understand by repeating 쑗 They’re trying to hammer it into schoolchildren that drugs are dangerous. 3. to beat someone in a competition (informal ) hammering / hmərŋ/ noun a heavy defeat hammer out /hmər aυt/ verb 왍 to hammer out an agreement to go through long and difficult discussions in order to reach agreement on something hammock / hmək/ noun a bed made from a piece of fabric hanging between two hooks hamper / hmpə/ noun a large basket 쑗 We packed the hamper with food for the picnic. 쐽 verb to get in the way 쑗 Lack of funds . . . hand is hampering our development project. Synonym hinder. Antonym facilitate hamster / hmstə/ noun a small furry animal, kept as a pet hamstring / hmstrŋ/ noun the group of tendons behind the knee, which connects the thigh muscle to the bones in the lower leg hamstrung / hmstrŋ/ adj not able to do what you want to ① hand /hnd/ noun 1. the part of the body at the end of each arm, which you use for holding things 쑗 She was carrying a cup of tea in each hand. 쑗 She held out her hand, asking for money. 왍 to shake hands to hold someone’s hand to show you are pleased to meet them or to show that an agreement has been reached 쑗 The visitors shook hands and the meeting started. 왍 to shake hands on a deal to shake hands to show that a deal has been agreed 왍 to give or lend someone a hand with something to help with something 쑗 Can you lend a hand with moving the furniture? 쑗 He gave me a hand with the washing up. 왍 the shop has changed hands the shop has a new owner 왍 they walked along hand in hand they walked holding each other by the hand 2. 왍 to be hand in glove with someone to be working closely with someone 쑗 We discovered he was hand in glove with our main rivals. 왍 to have your hands full to be very busy 쑗 With three little children to look after she has her hands full. 왍 hand over fist in large quantities 쑗 They were making money hand over fist. 쒁 wash 3. one of the two pieces on a clock which turn round and show the time. The minute hand is longer than the hour hand. 4. 왍 at hand near 쑗 The fire extinguisher is kept close at hand. 왍 by hand using your hands and tools, but not using large machines 쑗 He made the table by hand. 왍 in hand kept ready 쑗 We have a supply of extra paper in hand for emergencies. 왍 on hand ready 쑗 There’s a doctor on hand if accidents occur. 왍 on the one hand showing the first part of a comparison 왍 on the other hand as the second part of a comparison; but 쑗 On the one hand he’s a good salesman, on the other hand he can’t work out discounts correctly. 왍 out of hand not controlled 쑗 Our expenses have got out of hand. 5. a worker 쑗 to take on ten more hands 왍 an old China hand a person who has had a lot of experience in doing business in China 6. the action of hitting your hands together 쑗 He did very well – give him a big hand, everyone. 7. cards which have been given to you as a player in a game 쑗 His hand contained three aces. 쐽 verb to pass something to someone 쑗 Can you hand me that box? 쑗 She handed me all her money. Synonym give 왍 you’ve got to hand it to him he has to be admired for (informal ) 쑗 . hand back 381 You’ve got to hand it to her, she’s a great manager! ① hand back /hnd bk/ verb to give something back ③ handbag / hndbDZ/ noun a small bag which a woman carries to hold small things such as money or make-up (NOTE: The US term is purse or pocketbook.) hand baggage / hnd bDZdȢ/ noun small cases carried by passengers onto a plane. Also called hand luggage handball / hndbɔ l/ noun a game played with a large ball, which you have to hit only with your hands handbill / hndbl/ noun a small piece of printed paper advertising something, given out by hand. Synonym leaflet handbook / hndbυk/ noun a book which gives instructions on how to use or repair something. Synonym manual handbrake / hndbrek/ noun a lever in a vehicle which works the brakes handcart / hndkɑ t/ noun a small vehicle which is pushed or pulled by hand handcrafted / hndkrɑ ftd/ adj made in an artistic way by hand handcuff / hndkf/ verb to attach with handcuffs. Synonym chain handcuffs / hndkfs/ plural noun two metal rings connected by a chain, which are locked round the wrists of someone who is being arrested 쑗 He came out of the court house in handcuffs. (NOTE: plural; for one item, say ‘a pair of handcuffs’) hand down /hnd daυn/ verb 1. to pass from one generation to a younger one 쑗 This is one of those folk tales which have been handed down over the centuries. 쑗 The house has been handed down from father to son since the sixteenth century. 2. to announce publicly 쑗 The judge handed down his verdict. ③ handful / hndfυl/ noun 1. as much as you can hold in your hand 쑗 She paid with a handful of loose change. 2. a very few 쑗 Only a handful of people came to the wedding. 3. a difficult child 쑗 Their son is a bit of a handful. hand grenade / hnd DZrned/ noun a small bomb usually thrown by hand handgun / hndDZn/ noun a small gun which is carried in the hand hand-held /hnd held/ adj / hnd held/ which can be held in the hand 쐽 noun a handheld computer ③ handicap / hndikp/ noun 1. a physical or mental disability (dated ) 2. something which puts you at a disadvantage 쑗 Not being able to drive is a handicap in this job. 3. a punishment given to a player to make it harder for him or her to win 쑗 He has a golf . hand luggage handicap of 7. 쐽 verb to cause someone difficulty 쑗 She was handicapped by not being able to speak Russian. (NOTE: handicapping – handicapped) ③ handicapped / hndikpt/ adj not able to use part of the body or mind because of a permanent illness or injury 쑗 a school for handicapped children (NOTE: Many people avoid this term as it can cause offence and prefer to say disabled.) handicraft / hndikrɑ ft/ noun artistic work done by hand handily / hndli/ adv 1. conveniently 2. in a skilful, clever way ① hand in /hnd n/ verb to give in something by hand 왍 he handed in his notice or resignation he resigned handiwork / hndiw" k/ noun work done or made by yourself ③ handkerchief / hŋkətʃf/ noun a piece of cloth or thin paper for wiping your nose. Also called hanky (NOTE: The plural is handkerchiefs or handkerchieves.) handle / hnd(ə)l/ noun 1. a part of ② something which you hold in your hand to carry or to use the object held 쑗 I turned the handle but the door didn’t open. 쑗 Be careful, the handle of the frying pan may be hot. 쑗 The handle has come off my suitcase. 쑗 He broke the handle off the cup. 2. 왍 to fly off the handle to become very angry (informal ) 쑗 Stop telling him what to do or he’ll fly off the handle. 쐽 verb 1. to move by hand 쑗 Be careful when you handle the bottles of acid. 2. to deal with something 쑗 His company handles most of the traffic through the port. 쑗 Leave it to me – I’ll handle it. 3. to sell or to trade in a type of service or product 쑗 We do not handle washing machines. handlebars / hnd(ə)lbɑ z/ plural noun a bar for steering a bicycle or motorcycle 쑗 The handlebars are too low, can you alter their height? handler / hndlə/ noun same as trainer handling / hndlŋ/ noun 1. the way in which a person deals with something 쑗 a situation that needs careful handling 2. the way in which something can be controlled or used 3. the act of touching or moving something with the hands 쑗 Handling this product without gloves is not recommended. 4. the act of dealing with something, or of managing someone 5. the transport and packaging of goods 6. the buying or selling of goods known to be stolen 쑗 convicted of handling stolen goods handling charge / hndlŋ tʃɑ dȢ/ noun a charge made for dealing with something hand luggage / hnd lDZdȢ/ noun same as hand baggage . handmade 382 handmade / hndmed/ adj made by hand, without using a machine hand out /hnd aυt/ verb to distribute 쑗 Protesters were handing out leaflets at the station. Synonym dispense handout / hndaυt/ noun 1. a gift such as clothes or money, given to poor people 쑗 The support group exists on handouts from the government. 2. a printed information sheet 쑗 You will all get handouts after the lecture. ① hand over /hnd əυvə/ verb to give something to someone 쑗 She handed over all the documents to the lawyers. Synonym give up. Antonym withhold handover / hndəυvə/ noun the passing of power to someone else handpicked /hnd pkt/ adj carefully chosen. Synonym select handrail / hndrel/ noun a bar which you hold on to for safety handset / hndset/ noun the part of a telephone which you hold in your hand hands-free /hndz fri / adj able to be used or operated without the use of the hands handshake / hndʃek/ noun the act of shaking hands when meeting someone handsome / hns(ə)m/ adj 1. goodlooking 쑗 Her boyfriend is very handsome – I’m jealous! (NOTE: usually used of men rather than women) 2. large 쑗 We made a handsome profit on the deal. hands-on /hndz ɒn/ adj practical and done by yourself handstand / hndstnd/ noun the position of holding yourself upright on your hands, upside down hand-to-hand /hnd tə hnd/ adj (of fighting) with soldiers very close to each other hand-to-mouth /hnd tə maυθ/ adv with only just enough money or food for what is necessary to live each day ③ handwriting / hndratŋ/ noun writing done by hand handwritten /hnd rt(ə)n/ adj written by hand ③ handy / hndi/ adj practical and useful 왍 to come in handy to be useful 쑗 The knife will come in handy when we are camping. handyman / hndimn/ noun someone who is skilled at doing small jobs such as repairs ① hang /hŋ/ verb 1. to attach something to something so that it does not touch the ground 쑗 Hang your coat on the hook behind the door. 쑗 He hung his umbrella over the back of his chair. 쑗 We hung the painting in the hall. 쑗 The boys were hanging upside down from a tree. (NOTE: hanging – hung /hŋ/) 2. to kill someone by tying a rope round their neck and hanging them off the hang up ground 쑗 He was sentenced to be hanged for murder. 왍 to hang yourself to commit suicide by hanging 쑗 He hanged himself in his prison cell. (NOTE: hanging – hanged) 쐽 noun 왍 to get the hang of something to understand how something works (informal ) 쑗 I don’t think I’ll ever get the hang of this software package. hang about /hŋ ə baυt/ same as hang . around hangar / hŋə/ noun a large shed for keeping aircraft in (NOTE: Do not confuse with hanger.) ③ hang around /hŋ ə raυnd/ verb to wait in a certain place without doing anything much ③ hang back /hŋ bk/ verb to stay behind when others go on. Synonym hesitate ③ hang down /hŋ daυn/ verb to hang in a long piece hanger / hŋə/ noun a device for hanging things on hanger-on /hŋər ɒn/ noun a person who stays near someone in the hope of getting something good 쑗 the president with his usual crowd of hangers-on Synonym fol- lower (NOTE: The plural is hangers-on.) hang-glider / hŋ DZladə/ noun 1. a large cloth wing stretched over a light frame, under which a person hangs, holding onto a bar which is used for steering 2. a person who flies a hang-glider hang-gliding / hŋ DZladŋ/ noun the sport of flying a hang-glider hanging / hŋŋ/ noun the act of killing someone by hanging 쑗 The hangings took place in front of the prison. ③ hang on /hŋ ɒn/ verb 1. to wait 쑗 If you hang on a few minutes you will be able to see her. 2. to think again 쑗 Hang on! Do you mean you’re not coming with us? 3. 왍 to hang on to something to hold something tight 쑗 Hang on to the ladder and don’t look down. 4. to keep 쑗 I’ve decided to hang on to my shares until the price goes up. ③ hang out /hŋ aυt/ verb 1. to hang things outside on a string 쑗 They hung out flags all around the square. 쑗 Mother’s hanging out her washing to dry. 2. to wait in a certain place without doing anything much (informal ) 쑗 Teenagers like to hang out round the internet café. hangover / hŋəυvə/ noun 1. an unpleasant feeling after having drunk too much alcohol 쑗 Last night’s party was good but I’ve got a dreadful hangover this morning. 2. a thing which is left over from the past 쑗 This is a hangover from the old days when inns always provided stables for horses. ③ hang up /hŋ p/ verb 1. to put something on a hanger or on a hook 쑗 Don’t leave . hang-up 383 your jacket on the back of your chair, hang it up! 2. to stop a telephone conversation by putting the telephone back on its hook 쑗 When I asked him when he was going to pay, he hung up. hang-up / hŋ p/ noun a worry or anxious feeling (informal ) 쒁 hung up (NOTE: . The plural is hang-ups.) hanker / hŋkə/ verb to want something over a long time hanky-panky /hŋki pŋki/ noun 1. activity which is strange or suspicious 2. sexual behaviour Hanukkah / hɑ nəkə/ noun a Jewish religious festival in November or December haphazard /hp hzəd/ adj done without any plan. Synonym random. Antonym systematic haphazardly /hp hzədli/ adv at random, without any plan hapless / hpləs/ adj unlucky; unfortunate (literary ). Antonym fortunate ① happen / hpən/ verb 1. to take place 쑗 The accident happened at the traffic lights. 쑗 How did the accident happen? 쑗 Something happened to make all the buses late. 쑗 He’s late – something must have happened to him. 2. 왍 what’s happened to his brother? what is his brother doing now? 3. to be somewhere by chance 쑗 The fire engine happened to be there when the fire started. 쑗 The shop happened to be empty at the time. 쑗 We happened to meet at the library. 쑗 Do you happen to have change for £10? 왍 it so happens or happened that, as it happens, as it happened quite by chance 쑗 As it happens I have the car today and can give you a lift. 쑗 It so happened that my wife bumped into her at the supermarket. ② happening / hp(ə)nŋ/ noun an event. Synonym occurrence happily / hpli/ adv in a happy way happiness / hpinəs/ noun a feeling of being happy. Synonym contentment. Antonym sadness ① happy / hpi/ adj 1. (of people) very pleased 쑗 I’m happy to say we’re getting married next month. 쑗 I’m so happy to hear that you are better. 쑗 She’s very happy in her job. 2. (of events) pleasant 쑗 It was the happiest day of my life. 쑗 By a happy coincidence, we both like Dutch painters and met at the exhibition. 3. 왍 to be happy to do something to do something very willingly 쑗 I’d be happy to lend you my car. 왍 to be happy with something to be satisfied with something 쑗 Are you happy with your new car? 쑗 No one is happy with the plans for the new town centre. (NOTE: . happier – happiest) hardboard Happy Birthday /hpi b" θde/ interj a greeting said to someone on their birthday 왍 ‘Happy Birthday to you!’ the first line of a song sung at a birthday party 쑗 We all sang ‘Happy Birthday to you’ and then she blew out the candles on her cake. happy-go-lucky /hpi DZəυ lki/ adj without any worries. Synonym carefree happy hour / hpi aυə/ noun a period when drinks are cheaper in a bar happy medium /hpi mi diəm/ noun an agreement that includes something for everyone harangue /hə rŋ/ noun a loud speech 쑗 I’m fed up listening to harangues from politicians. Synonym tirade 쐽 verb to make a loud speech to someone 쑗 The president harangued the crowd for three hours. Synonym berate harass / hrəs, hə rs/ verb to bother and worry someone. Synonym annoy harassed / hrəst/ adj bothered and worried harassment / hrəsmənt, hə rsmənt/ noun pestering and worrying harbour / hɑ bə/ noun a place where boats can come and tie up 쑗 The yacht moved away from the harbour. 쑗 The ship came into harbour last night. 쐽 verb 1. to protect someone, such as a criminal 쑗 He was arrested and charged with harbouring illegal immigrants. 2. 왍 to harbour a grudge against someone to keep remembering a bad feeling about someone (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is harbor.) ① hard /hɑ d/ adj 1. not soft 쑗 If you have back trouble, you ought to get a hard bed. 쑗 The ice cream is rock hard or hard as a rock. 쑗 The cake she made is so hard I can’t bite into it. 2. difficult 쑗 Today’s crossword is too hard – I can’t even begin to do it. 쑗 The exam was very hard, and most students failed. 쑗 She finds it hard to cope without any money. 왍 it’s hard to say it’s difficult to know (informal ) 쑗 It’s hard to say if it’s going to rain or not. 3. severe 쑗 There was a hard winter in 1962. 왍 hard lines!, hard luck! I’m sorry you didn’t win (informal ) 4. 왍 he’s rather hard of hearing he’s quite deaf 5. (of water ) containing calcium, which makes it difficult to wash with 쑗 The water in this area is very hard. (NOTE: harder – hardest) 쐽 adv strongly 쑗 He hit the nail hard. 쑗 It’s snowing very hard. 쑗 They worked hard to finish the order on time. 쑗 She always tries hard. hardback / hɑ dbk/ noun a book bound in a stiff card. Compare paperback hardboard / hɑ dbɔ d/ noun artificial board, made of little bits of wood mixed with glue and pressed together (NOTE: no plural) . . . hard-boiled 384 hard-boiled /hɑ d bɔld/ adj 1. (of an egg) which has been boiled until the inside is solid 쑗 Do you prefer your egg hard-boiled or soft-boiled? 2. tough; not showing any emotion 쑗 She’s pretty hard-boiled, that sort of thing doesn’t bother her. hard copy noun /hɑ d kɒpi/ computer data which has been printed on paper 쐽 adj on paper hard core / hɑ d kɔ / noun 1. pieces of brick and stones, used as the foundation for roads and buildings 쑗 They dug a hole and filled it with hard core. 2. a central group 쑗 Most of the guests left before eleven, but the hard core of drinkers stayed till two. (NOTE: [all senses] no plural) 쐽 adj referring to a central group 쑗 The hard-core members of the party were all for opposing the government. hardcover / hɑ dkvə/ noun same as hardback hard currency /hɑ d krənsi/ noun the currency of a country with a strong economy, which can be changed into other currencies easily. Compare soft currency hard disk /hɑ d dsk/ noun a disk which is fixed inside a computer hard drug /hɑ d drDZ/ noun a strong drug such as heroin, which people become addicted to harden / hɑ d(ə)n/ verb 1. to become hard 쑗 Leave the cement for a couple of days to harden. 쑗 Attitudes are hardening as the transport strike continues. 2. to make harder 쑗 We use specially hardened steel in the construction. 3. to make more experienced 쑗 a hardened criminal hardened / hɑ dənd/ adj 1. which has been made harder or stronger 2. so experienced that something that most people would find unpleasant or difficult seems ordinary hard graft /hɑ d DZrɑ ft/ noun hard work (informal ) hard hat /hɑ d ht/ noun same as safety helmet hard-headed /hɑ d hedd/ adj practical or sensible hard-hearted /hɑ d hɑ td/ adj cruel hard-hitting /hɑ d htŋ/ adj very critical hard labour /hɑ d lebə/ noun the former punishment of sending someone to prison to do hard work hard line /hɑ d lan/ noun 왍 to take a hard line to be severe; to follow the rules strictly 쑗 The courts are taking a hard line with football hooligans. hardline / hɑ dlan/ adj strict over policy. Synonym uncompromising hardliner /hɑ d lanə/ noun a strict person who takes a hard line . harm ② hardly / hɑ dli/ adv 1. almost not 쑗 Do you know her? – Hardly at all. 쑗 We hardly slept a wink last night. 쑗 She hardly eats anything at all. 2. 왍 hardly ever almost never 쑗 I hardly ever see her these days. 쑗 It hardly ever rains in September. hard-nosed / hɑ d nəυzd/ adj tough; determined hard porn /hɑ d pɔ n/ noun extremely indecent pornographic material hard-pressed /hɑ d prest/ adj acting under a lot of pressure hard put /hɑ d pυt/ adj in a difficult situation hard sell /hɑ d sel/ noun aggressive selling hardship / hɑ dʃp/ noun difficult conditions; suffering. Synonym adversity hard shoulder /hɑ d ʃəυldə/ noun a hard strip along the edge of a motorway, used for stopping in an emergency ③ hard up /hɑ d p/ adj with very little money (informal ). Antonym well-off hardware / hɑ dweə/ noun tools and pans used in the home 쑗 I bought the paint in a hardware shop. hard-wired /hɑ d waəd/ adj physically connected to a computer system or network hard-won / hɑ d wn/ adj achieved after a big effort hardwood / hɑ dwυd/ noun 1. a strong hard wood from trees such as oak or teak 2. a slow-growing tree, such as oak or teak, which produces a hard wood Compare . softwood hardworking /hɑ d w" kŋ/ adj who works hard hardy / hɑ di/ adj able to survive in cold weather. Antonym frail hare /heə/ noun a wild mammal like a large rabbit 쑗 In the spring mountain hares lose their white winter coats. 쐽 verb 왍 to hare after someone to run fast to try to catch someone 쑗 He went haring down the road after the bus. harebrained / heəbrend/ adj not serious; not concentrating on essential things harem / hɑ ri m/ noun 1. a group of women who are the wives of the same man in some Muslim societies, especially in the past 2. the part of a Muslim house where only women live hark /hɑ k/ interj listen (dated ) 쑗 Hark! Can you hear the bells? 앳 to hark back to 1. to go back to a subject talked about earlier 2. to be similar to something that happened earlier harlot / hɑ lət/ noun a woman who has sex for money (dated ) ③ harm /hɑ m/ noun damage done to people or animals 쑗 He didn’t mean to do any . . harmful 385 harm or He meant no harm. 쑗 There’s no harm in having a little drink before you go to bed. 왍 to do more harm than good not to be helpful at all 쑗 Talking to him now about the project will do more harm than good. 왍 out of harm’s way in a safe place 쑗 Better keep that gun out of harm’s way. 쐽 verb to damage 쑗 Luckily, the little girl was not harmed. 쑗 The bad publicity has harmed our reputation. Synonym hurt ③ harmful / hɑ mf(ə)l/ adj which causes damage. Antonym harmless ③ harmless / hɑ mləs/ adj which does not hurt. Antonym harmful 왍 harmless fun jokes which are not supposed to harm anyone 쑗 We were just having a bit of harmless fun. harmonic /hɑ mɒnk/ adj referring to harmony harmonica /hɑ mɒnkə/ noun a mouth-organ; a small musical instrument which you play by blowing and sucking, and moving across your mouth to get different notes harmonics /hɑ mɒnks/ plural noun fractions of tones which make up a musical tone harmonious /hɑ məυniəs/ adj 1. which sound well together 2. which agree together; which go together 쑗 a harmonious discussion between the heads of state 쑗 She chose colours and fabrics to create a harmonious scheme of decoration for the room. harmoniously /hɑ məυniəsli/ adv in agreement harmonise / hɑ mənaz/, harmonize verb 1. to make things similar; to standardise 쑗 to harmonise European VAT systems 2. to play notes which go with a main tune 쑗 He has taken the basic melody and harmonised it for the backing group. 3. to go well together 쑗 Make sure the colours of the curtains harmonise with the carpet. harmony / hɑ məni/ noun 1. agreeable musical sounds 쑗 The group sang in harmony. 2. agreeable colours, etc. 쑗 We are aiming to create a pleasant harmony in the decoration of the room. 3. a general peace 쑗 They want to live in harmony with their neighbours. harness / hɑ ns/ noun 1. straps used to hold a horse to a cart 왍 he is still in harness he is still working 2. straps used to attach something to a person 쑗 His parachute harness slipped and he fell to the ground. 쑗 Make sure that you buy a pushchair with a reliable baby harness. 쐽 verb 1. to attach a horse to a cart with straps 2. to use resources to make energy 쑗 to harness tidal power harp /hɑ p/ noun a musical instrument shaped like a large triangle, played by the fingers plucking the strings 쑗 She plays the harp in the local orchestra. 쐽 verb 왍 to harp on about to keep on talking about (informal ) . hasten Do you have to keep harping on about the mistake I made? harpoon /hɑ pu n/ noun a long sharp weapon used to kill whales 쐽 verb to kill with a harpoon 쑗 They harpooned three whales. harpsichord / hɑ pskɔ d/ noun a musical instrument like an early form of the piano in which the strings are plucked, not hit harrowing / hrəυŋ/ adj which causes mental pain. Synonym disturbing. Antonym 쑗 relaxing harry / hri/ verb 1. to keep attacking. Synonym harass 2. to keep asking questions harsh /hɑ ʃ/ adj 1. severe; cruel 쑗 The prosecutor asked for a harsh sentence to fit the crime. 2. rough 쑗 He shouted in a harsh voice. (NOTE: harsher – harshest) harshly / hɑ ʃli/ adv in a harsh way harvest / hɑ vst/ noun 1. picking crops 쑗 The corn harvest is in August. 2. ripe crops which have been picked 쑗 a bumper harvest of wheat 쐽 verb to pick crops 쑗 The corn will be ready to harvest next week. 쑗 They have started harvesting the grapes in the vineyard. Synonym reap. Antonym sow has /əz, həz, hz/ 쒁 have has-been / hz bi n/ noun a person no longer as well-known or important as before (informal ) (NOTE: The plural is has-beens.) hash /hʃ/ noun 1. a dish prepared from chopped meat and vegetables 2. 왍 to make a hash of something to make a bad job of something (informal ) 쑗 He was supposed to be the expert, and then he made a hash of it. 3. hashish hash browns /hʃ braυnz/ plural noun US boiled potatoes, diced or mashed and fried till crisp and brown hashish / hʃʃ/ noun a drug made from the hemp plant. Also called cannabis hasn’t / hz(ə)nt/ short for has not ③ hassle / hs(ə)l/ (informal ) noun irritating trouble 쑗 It was quite a hassle getting tickets. 쑗 I got to the station early to avoid all the hassle with the luggage. Synonym bother 쐽 verb to bother someone 쑗 Her boss is always hassling her to work faster. Synonym harass haste /hest/ noun the speed of doing something (formal ) 왍 to make haste to hurry 쑗 The ships made haste to get into harbour before the storm came. hasten / hes(ə)n/ verb 1. to go fast 쑗 The chief of police hastened into the room. 2. to do something fast 쑗 The government has hastened to deny the report in the paper. 왍 to hasten to add to add something as an explanation 쑗 ‘Someone must have left the keys on the table — and it wasn’t me,’ she hastened to add. 3. to make something go faster 쑗 Sev. . . . hastily 386 eral weeks’ rest after your operation will hasten your recovery. hastily / hestli/ adv carelessly and quickly hasty / hesti/ adj carelessly fast. Synonym quick (NOTE: hastier – hastiest) ② hat /ht/ noun 1. a piece of clothing which you wear on your head 쑗 Take your hat off when you go into a church. 쑗 He’s bought a Russian fur hat for the winter. 2. 왍 keep it under your hat keep it secret (informal ) 왍 to be talking through your hat to be talking nonsense 쑗 That’s rubbish – you’re talking through your hat. 쒁 pass round 앳 to take your hat off to someone 1. to salute someone, by lifting your hat up a little 2. to say that you admire someone 쑗 She’s made a great success of her business – I take my hat off to her. hatch /htʃ/ noun an opening in the deck of a ship, or a cover for this opening 쑗 He opened the hatch and went down into the cabin. 쐽 verb 1. (of a baby bird ) to break out of the egg 쑗 All the chicks hatched on the same day. 왍 don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched don’t be too sure that everything will be all right 쑗 He’s a very cautious man, he never counts his chickens before they’re hatched. 2. to plan 쑗 They hatched a plot to kidnap the Prime Minister’s daughter. hatchback / htʃbk/ noun a type of car where the back opens upwards as a door hatchet / htʃt/ noun a small axe 왍 to bury the hatchet to make peace with someone after an argument or fight (informal ) 쑗 After years of quarrelling, the two brothers decided to bury the hatchet. hatchet man / htʃt mn/ noun a manager whose job is to find ways of saving money in a business or company (informal ) ① hate /het/ verb to dislike very much 쑗 I think she hates me, but I don’t know why. 쑗 I hate going to the dentist. Synonym detest 쐽 noun strong dislike 쑗 Cucumber sandwiches are one of my pet hates. Synonym hatred hateful / hetf(ə)l/ adj which makes people dislike it. Synonym vile. Antonym lovable hate mail / het mel/ noun letters showing that the writer hates someone hatred / hetrd/ noun a great dislike. Synonym hate hatter / htə/ noun a person who makes hats hat trick / ht trk/ noun a score of three goals or wins by the same person in a sport haughtily / hɔ tli/ adv proudly haughtiness / hɔ tinəs/ noun being haughty. Synonym arrogance . . . . haven’t haughty / hɔ ti/ adj extremely proud and unpleasant. Synonym supercilious (NOTE: haughtier – haughtiest) haul /hɔ l/ noun 1. a large quantity of things which have been stolen 쑗 The burglars made off with their haul. 2. a distance travelled with difficulty 쑗 It’s a long haul up the hill. 쐽 verb to pull with difficulty 쑗 They hauled the boat up onto the beach. 쑗 The police hauled the body out of the water. Synonym drag. Antonym shove haunch /hɔ nʃ/ noun the top part of the leg, especially of an animal 왍 to sit on your haunches to sit in a squatting position haunt /hɔ nt/ noun a place which you visit frequently 쑗 I went back to some of my old haunts. 쑗 The pub is a favourite haunt of actors. Synonym meeting place 쐽 verb (of ghosts) to visit frequently 쑗 The castle is supposed to be haunted by the ghost of a soldier. haunted / hɔ ntd/ adj visited by ghosts haunting / hɔ ntŋ/ adj sad and wonderful. Synonym lingering haute couture /əυt ku tjυə/ noun the designing of expensive fashionable clothes for women ① have /həv, əv, hv/ verb 1. to possess or own something 쑗 She has a lot of money. 쑗 They have a new green car. 쑗 She has long dark hair. 쑗 The house has no telephone. 쑗 Do you have a table for three, please? 2. to take, to eat, to play, etc. 쑗 Have you had any tea? 쑗 She has sugar in her coffee. 쑗 They had a meal of bread and cheese. 쑗 She had her breakfast in bed. 쑗 They had a game of tennis. 쑗 I had a long walk. 3. to cause something to be done for you 쑗 I must have my hair cut. 쑗 She’s having the house painted. 4. used to form the past of verbs 쑗 Have they finished their work? 쑗 She has never been to Paris. 쑗 They had finished supper when we arrived. 쑗 I haven’t seen him for two days. 쑗 If she had asked me I would have said no. 5. used to introduce a wish that someone will enjoy something 쑗 Have a nice day! 쑗 Have a good trip! (NOTE: having – had) have got /həv DZɒt/ verb 1. to possess or own something 쑗 She’s got dark hair. 쑗 Have you got a table for three, please? 쑗 She’s got a lot of money. 쑗 They’ve got a new green car. 쑗 The house hasn’t got a telephone. 쑗 They haven’t got enough to eat. 2. used to mean ‘must’ 쑗 Why have you got to go so early? 쑗 She’s got to learn to drive. haven / hev(ə)n/ noun a safe port or safe place 왍 tax haven a country where taxes are low, encouraging financial companies to set up offices there 쑗 She put most of her money into an offshore tax haven. haven’t / hv(ə)nt/ short form have not have on 387 have on /hv ɒn/ verb 1. to wear 쑗 What did she have on when she left the party? 쑗 I can’t answer the door – I’ve got nothing on. 2. 왍 to have something on to have something planned (informal ) 쑗 I haven’t anything on tonight so I’ll be able to finish painting the bathroom. have out /hv aυt/ verb 왍 to have a tooth out to get a tooth removed by a dentist haversack / hvəsk/ noun a strong bag carried over your shoulder or on your back when walking (dated ) 쏡 rucksack, . . backpack have to / hv tu /, have got to /hv DZɒt tu / verb used with other verbs to mean ‘must’ 쑗 You have to go immediately or you’ll miss the train. have to do with /hv tə du wθ/, have got to do with /hv DZɒt tə du wθ/ verb to relate to something havoc / hvək/ noun damage. Synonym chaos 왍 to play havoc with to ruin 쑗 The snow has played havoc with the train timetables. hawk /hɔ k/ noun 1. a large bird of prey 쑗 The hawk was hovering over the motorway. 왍 she has eyes like a hawk she notices everything 2. a person who prefers military action to diplomacy 쑗 Curiously, it’s the military commanders who are the doves and the president and his advisers are the hawks. Antonym dove 쐽 verb to sell goods from door to door or in the street 왍 to hawk something round to take an idea or a project to various companies to see if anyone will accept it 쑗 He hawked his idea for a film round all the studios but no one wanted it. hawker / hɔ kə/ noun a person who sells goods from place to place hawser / hɔ zə/ noun a thick rope used on a ship. Synonym cable hawthorn / hɔ θɔ n/ noun a bush found in hedgerows with little white flowers ③ hay /he/ noun dried grass used to feed cattle 왍 to make hay while the sun shines to enjoy yourself while you can hayfever / hefi və/ noun an inflammation of the nose and eyes caused by an allergy to flowers, pollen, scent or dust haystack / hestk/ noun a construction made from piles of hay 왍 it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack it’s a hopeless task haywire / hewaə/ adj (informal ) 왍 to go haywire to stop working properly 쑗 Everything’s gone haywire. hazard / hzəd/ noun a dangerous situation 쑗 Don’t leave those cardboard boxes in the passage – they’re a fire hazard. Synonym danger. Antonym safeguard 왍 at hazard at risk 쐽 verb to risk 왍 to hazard a guess to . head risk making a guess 쑗 I wouldn’t hazard a guess at how many people will come to the concert. hazard lights / hzəd lats/ plural noun flashing lights which warn that there may be some danger hazardous / hzədəs/ adj risky or dangerous 왍 hazardous to health which can harm health 쑗 Environmentalists are convinced that the discharges are hazardous to the health of the local people. haze /hez/ noun 1. mist, smoke or dust suspended in the atmosphere, reducing visibility 2. not being able to think or remember clearly 쑗 He was in a haze when he came round after the operation. 쐽 verb US to play jokes, especially on a new student 쑗 Hazing has become so extreme that it has had to be banned in some colleges. hazel / hez(ə)l/ noun a small tree which produces small round nuts 쑗 The flowers of the hazel are called catkins. 쐽 adj, noun a light brownish-green colour 쑗 The little girl had beautiful hazel eyes. hazelnut / hez(ə)lnt/ noun a small brown round nut from the hazel tree hazy / hezi/ adj 1. misty 쑗 It was too hazy for us to get a good view from the top of the cliff. 2. vague 쑗 I have a hazy recollection of the party. 쑗 He reported the accident to the police but was very hazy about some of the details. (NOTE: hazier – haziest) ① he /i, hi / pron referring to a man or boy, and some animals 쑗 He’s my brother. 쑗 He and I met in Oxford Circus. 쑗 He’s eaten all my pudding. 쑗 Don’t be frightened of the dog – he won’t hurt you. 쏡 him, his (NOTE: When it is the object he becomes him: He hit the ball, but The ball hit him. When it follows the verb to be, he usually becomes him: Who’s that? – It’s him, the man who borrowed my knife.) ① head /hed/ noun 1. the top part of the body, which contains the eyes, nose, mouth and brain 쑗 He says he can relax by standing on his head. 쑗 She hit her head on the cupboard door. 왍 head over heels over and over 쑗 She rolled head over heels down the hill. 왍 to be head over heels in love to be very much in love 쑗 He’s head over heels in love with my sister. 왍 to shake your head to move your head from side to side to mean ‘no’ 쑗 She asked him if he wanted any more coffee and he shook his head. 왍 head and shoulders above much better than (informal ) 쑗 She’s head and shoulders above all the others in the class. 2. a brain; intelligence 쑗 She has a good head for figures. 쑗 He tried to do the sum in his head. 쑗 If we all put our heads together we might come up with a solution. 왍 to take it into your head to do something to decide to do something sud. headache 388 denly 쑗 He took it into his head to join the army. 3. first place, top part 쑗 An old lady was standing at the head of the queue. 쑗 His name comes at the head of the list. 4. the most important person 쑗 She’s the head of the sales department. 쑗 The head waiter showed us to our table. 5. the top side of a coin, usually with the head of a person on it 왍 to play heads or tails to spin a coin to see which side comes down on top, and so decide something 왍 heads I win if the coin falls with the top side up, then I will win 6. one person, or one animal, when counting 쑗 She counted heads as the party got onto the coach. 쑗 There are fifty head of sheep in the flock. 왍 a head, per head for each person 쑗 The trip costs £25.00 a head or per head. 7. 왍 to come to a head to reach a crisis point 쑗 Things came to a head when all the family met to discuss grandfather’s will. 8. a part of a machine which records or picks up data, such as on a tape recorder or computer 9. a head teacher 쑗 He went into the head’s study. 쑗 The head was very annoyed by the boys’ behaviour. 쐽 verb 1. to be the first; to lead 쑗 He heads the list of prize-winners. 2. to go towards 쑗 She headed immediately for the manager’s office. 쑗 The car headed east along the motorway. 쑗 He’s heading towards the Channel ports. 쑗 She’s heading for trouble. 3. to be the manager or the most important person in something 쑗 He heads our research department. 4. (in football ) to hit a ball with your head 쑗 He headed the ball into the goal. headache / hedek/ noun 1. a pain in your head, caused by changes in pressure in the blood vessels 쑗 I’ve got a bad headache. 2. a problem 쑗 The lack of resources in the education system is one of the government’s biggest headaches. headboard / hedbɔ d/ noun a flat upright piece at the top end of a bed headcount / hedkaυnt/ noun the process of counting the people in a group one by one headed / hedd/ adj 1. with a title 쑗 headed notepaper 2. with a particular kind of head or heads 쑗 a three-headed monster 3. with a particular colour or type of hair 쑗 a bald-headed man 4. with a particular character or ability 쑗 a level-headed young buinesswoman header / hedə/ noun 1. the act of hitting a ball with your head 쑗 He scored with a header. 2. a dive 쑗 He took a header into the waves. 3. words or page numbers at the top of a page of a book or document. Compare . footer head-first /hed f" st/ adv 1. with your head first 쑗 He tripped and fell head-first down the stairs. 2. hastily 쑗 Don’t rush head-on head-first into a deal with someone you hardly know. headgear / hedDZə/ noun something which is worn on the head headhunt / hedhnt/ verb 왍 to be headhunted to be approached by a headhunter and offered a job with another company 쑗 He was headhunted for the job at the German bank. headhunter / hedhntə/ noun a person or company that looks for top managers and offers them jobs in other companies heading / hedŋ/ noun words at the top of a piece of text. 쒁 subheading. Synonym title headlamp / hedlmp/ noun one of the main white lights on the front of a vehicle headland / hedlənd/ noun a piece of high land sticking into the sea. Synonym promontory ③ headline / hedlan/ noun words in large letters on the front page of a newspaper 쑗 Did you see the headlines about the accident? 쑗 The newspaper headline says TAXES TO GO UP. headlong / hedlɒŋ/ adj rushing 쑗 the headlong flight of the people of the villages in front of the advancing army 쐽 adv 1. rushing 쑗 The soldiers rushed headlong into the crowd. 2. with your head first 쑗 He fell headlong down the stairs. ③ headmaster /hed mɑ stə/ noun a man who is in charge of a school headmistress /hed mstrəs/ noun a woman who is in charge of a school (NOTE: The plural is headmistresses.) head off /hed ɒf/ verb 1. to prevent something from taking place 쑗 They offered the staff more pay in order to head off a strike. 2. to go away in a certain direction 쑗 They headed off into the jungle. head office /hed ɒfs/ noun the main office where the directors work and meet head of state /hed əv stet/ noun a king, queen, or president who is the official leader of a state COMMENT: The head of state is not neces- sarily the head of the government. In the United Kingdom, the Queen is head of state and the Prime Minister is head of government. In the United States, the President combines both roles. Most monarchies, such as Spain or Denmark, split the function of head of state and head of government; some republics, like Germany, do the same. head-on /hed ɒn/ adj, adv 1. with the front first; direct 쑗 We had a head-on confrontation with the police. 왍 a head-on collision a collision where two vehicles run into each other front to front 2. directly 쑗 He decided to meet the objections head-on. ② headphones 389 headphones / hedfəυnz/ plural noun equipment which you put on your ears to listen to sounds privately (NOTE: plural; for one item, say ‘a pair of headphones’) headquarters /hed kwɔ təz/ noun a mili- tary commander’s base or the main offices of a company or organisation headrest / hedrest/ noun a cushion on top of a car seat against which you can lean your head headroom / hedru m/ noun the amount of space needed to be able to sit or walk upright headscarf / hedskɑ f/ noun a square piece of cloth worn over the head and usually tied under the chin (NOTE: The plural is headscarves.) headset / hedset/ noun a set of headphones for listening to something such as the telephone, the radio or a CD, which fits over your ears with a band across the top of your head, and sometimes has a microphone attached head start /hed stɑ t/ noun 왍 to have a head start over someone to have an advantage over someone 쑗 They had a head start over some other companies because they had a local office. 쑗 His mother is Spanish, so that gave him a head start over the rest of the Spanish class. headstone / hedstəυn/ noun a piece of stone standing at the end of a grave with the name of the dead person written on it. Synonym gravestone, tombstone headstrong / hedstrɒŋ/ adj determined to do what you want. Antonym docile head teacher /hed ti tʃə/ noun a man or woman who is in charge of a school head-to-head /hed tə hed/ adv, adj competing directly with someone or something 쑗 a head-to-head contest 쑗 The winner of this game will go head-to-head with the reigning champion. head waiter /hed wetə/ noun a person in charge of other waiters headway / hedwe/ noun 앳 make headway 1. to have some success in trying to achieve something 2. to move forwards in difficult conditions headwind / hedwnd/ noun a wind blowing towards you. Synonym breeze heady / hedi/ adj strong and likely to affect your senses, such as making you drunk or excited (NOTE: headier – headiest) heal /hi l/ verb to mend; to become healthy again (NOTE: Do not confuse with heel.) healer / hi lə/ noun a person who heals people, often by touching them with their hands healing / hi lŋ/ noun the action of making something or someone healthy 쑗 The healing of the sick is her vocation. 쐽 adj which hear makes something or someone better 쑗 the healing power of salt water 쑗 the healing process ① health /helθ/ noun 1. the fact of being well or being free from any illness 쑗 He has enjoyed the best of health for years. 쑗 Smoking is bad for your health. 왍 to pose a health risk to be bad for people’s health 쑗 Sewage flowing directly into the river poses a health risk to the population. 2. 왍 your health!, good health! a greeting said to someone when drinking health care / helθ keə/ noun the services which take care of people’s health, e.g. doctors and dentists health centre / helθ sentə/ noun a building with various doctors and specialists health club / helθ klb/ noun a club for people who want to improve their health, e.g. by taking exercise and dieting health farm / helθ fɑ m/ noun a clinic in the country for people who want to improve their health and appearance, especially by taking exercise and by dieting health inspector / helθ nspektə/ noun an official who inspects restaurants, etc. to see if they are clean health insurance / helθ nʃυərəns/ noun insurance which pays the cost of medical treatment if you are ill health service / helθ s" vs/ noun an oganisation in a district or country which is in charge of providing health care to the public health visitor / helθ vztə/ noun a nurse who visits people in their homes to check their health health warning / helθ wɔ nŋ/ noun a warning that something may be bad for your health ③ healthy / helθi/ adj 1. not ill 쑗 He’s healthier than he has ever been. 2. which makes you well 쑗 the healthiest place in England 쑗 She’s keeping to a healthy diet. 3. good or strong 쑗 He has a healthy appetite. 쑗 He has a healthy contempt for politicians. 쑗 The company’s bank account is looking very healthy. (NOTE: healthier – healthiest) heap /hi p/ noun 1. a pile 쑗 a heap of coal 쑗 Step over that heap of rubbish. 2. 왍 heaps of lots of (informal ) 쑗 apple pie with heaps of cream 쑗 Don’t rush – we’ve heaps of time. 쐽 verb to pile things up 쑗 A pile of presents were heaped under the Christmas tree. 쑗 Boxes were heaped up on the station platform. heaped /hi pt/ adj piled full ① hear /hə/ verb 1. to notice sounds with your ears 쑗 He heard footsteps behind him. 쑗 You could hear the sound of church bells in the distance. 쑗 I heard her drive up in the . heard 390 car. 쑗 Can you hear him singing in the bath? 2. to listen to something 쑗 Did you hear the talk on the radio? 쑗 I heard it on the BBC news. 3. to get information 쑗 I hear he’s got a new job. 쑗 Have you heard that the manager has resigned? 쑗 We have not heard from them for some time. (NOTE: hearing – heard /h" d/) heard /h" d/ 쒁 hear ② hearing / hərŋ/ noun 1. the ability to hear 쑗 Bats have a very sharp sense of hearing. 쑗 She has hearing difficulties. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a session of a court 쑗 The hearing is expected to last three days. hearing aid / hərŋ ed/ noun an electric device put in your ear to make you hear better hearing-impaired /hərŋ m peəd/ adj not able to hear properly ③ hear of / hər ɒv/ verb 1. to know about something 쑗 I’ve heard of a new restaurant in the High Street. 쑗 She’s never heard of the Rolling Stones. 2. 왍 not to hear of it not to accept an offer (formal ) 쑗 I said I would replace the glass I broke, but she wouldn’t hear of it. hearsay / həse/ noun what people say, rather than what is true. Antonym fact hearse /h" s/ noun a vehicle for carrying a coffin ① heart /hɑ t/ noun 1. a main organ in the body, which pumps blood around the body 쑗 She isn’t dead – her heart’s still beating. 쑗 The doctor listened to his heart. 쑗 He has had heart trouble for years. 2. the centre of feelings 쑗 My heart sank when I realised that he hadn’t read my letter. 왍 with all my heart with all my love 왍 to know something by heart to know and remember something 쑗 I don’t know his phone number by heart, so I’ll just look it up for you. 왍 to learn something by heart to learn and remember something 쑗 She learnt the poem by heart. 왍 to lose heart to stop being interested in something 쑗 After all the delays she lost heart in the project. 왍 to take heart to be encouraged 쑗 He took heart at the news. 왍 don’t take it to heart don’t be too sad about it 왍 his heart isn’t in it he has lost interest in it 왍 to set your heart on something to want something very much 쑗 I have set my heart on buying a little sailing boat. 3. a centre or middle 쑗 The restaurant is in the heart of the old town. 4. one of the red suits in a game of cards, shaped like a heart 쑗 My last two cards were the ten and the ace of hearts. (NOTE: The other red suit . is diamonds; clubs and spades are the black suits.) heartache / hɑ tek/ noun great sadness and worry. Synonym sorrow. Antonym joy (NOTE: no plural) heat heart attack / hɑ t ətk/ noun a condition where the heart suffers from a reduced blood supply because an artery has become blocked heartbeat / hɑ tbi t/ noun a regular noise made by the heart as it pumps blood heartbreak / hɑ tbrek/ noun great sadness and worry. Synonym grief. Antonym ① joy (NOTE: no plural) heartbreaking / hɑ tbrekŋ/ adj very sad and worrying. Antonym uplifting heartbroken / hɑ tbrəυkən/ adj very sad and upset heartburn / hɑ tb" n/ noun indigestion causing a burning feeling in the stomach heart bypass /hɑ t bapɑ s/ noun an operation to help the blood flow freely in a person who has a blocked artery ③ heart disease / hɑ t dzi z/ noun any disease affecting the heart hearten / hɑ tn/ verb to make someone feel more positive and cheerful. Synonym encourage. Antonym dishearten heartened / hɑ tənd/ adj feeling more cheerful or encouraged heart failure / hɑ t feljə/ noun a dangerous condition when the heart has stopped beating heartfelt / hɑ tfelt/ adj sincere hearth /hɑ θ/ noun a hole in the wall of a room where you can light a fire for heating heartily / hɑ tli/ adv 1. with enthusiasm 쑗 Everyone ate heartily after the long walk. 2. completely 쑗 I’m heartily sick of listening to his complaints. heartland / hɑ tlnd/ noun a region where certain activities are concentrated. Antonym hinterland heartless / hɑ tləs/ adj cruel; not having any pity. Synonym callous. Antonym caring heartrending / hɑ trendŋ/ adj very sad and worrying. Synonym heartbreaking. Antonym uplifting heart-stopping / hɑ t stɒpŋ/ adj very frightening or shocking heartstrings / hɑ tstrŋz/ plural noun 왍 to tug at your heartstrings to make you feel sadness or sympathy heart-to-heart /hɑ t tə hɑ t/ adj serious and private 쑗 We had a heart-to-heart talk. Synonym frank 쐽 noun a serious private talk 쑗 I will have a heart-to-heart with him. heartwarming / hɑ twɔ mŋ/ adj which makes you feel happy hearty / hɑ ti/ adj big (NOTE: heartier – heartiest) ② heat /hi t/ noun 1. the fact of being hot 쑗 The heat of the sun made the ice cream melt. 쑗 Cook the vegetables over a low heat. 2. one part of a sports competition 쑗 There are heated 391 two heats before the final race. 쐽 verb to make something hot 쑗 Can you heat the soup while I’m getting the table ready? 쑗 The room was heated by a small electric fire. 쑗 Heat the milk to room temperature. Antonym cool heated / hi td/ adj 1. made warm 쑗 The car has a heated rear window. 왍 a heated swimming pool a pool where the water is kept warm 2. angry 쑗 There was a heated discussion after the meeting. 쑗 The students became very heated during the debate. ② heater / hi tə/ noun a machine for heating a room heath /hi θ/ noun an area of dry sandy acid soil with low plants such as heather and gorse growing on it heather / heðə/ noun a low plant with mainly purple or pink flowers, common in hilly areas ② heating / hi tŋ/ noun a way of warming a place, e.g. a house or an office heatwave / hi twev/ noun a period of very hot weather ③ heave /hi v/ noun a strong hard pull 쑗 One more heave, and we should pull down the tree. 쐽 verb 1. to pull something hard 쑗 They heaved on the anchor to pull it up. 왍 heave ho! pull hard! (said when pulling) 쑗 ‘All together now, heave ho!’ 왍 to get the old heave-ho to be sacked from your job (informal ) 2. to throw something 쑗 He heaved a brick through the window. 3. to breathe heavily 쑗 She heaved a sigh, and picked up the phone. 쑗 We all heaved a collective sigh of relief when he left. (NOTE: heaving – heaved) 4. 왍 to heave to (of a ship) to stop moving 쑗 The ship hove to and dropped anchor in the bay. 왍 to heave into sight to appear 쑗 The ship hove into sight round the headland. (NOTE: heaving – hove /həυv/) ③ heaven / hev(ə)n/ noun 1. a beautiful place believed by some people to be where good people go after death 쑗 She believes that when she dies she will go to heaven. 2. 왍 the heavens the sky above 왍 the heavens opened it poured with rain 왍 good heavens an expression showing you are surprised 쑗 Good heavens! It’s almost 10 o’clock! 왍 for heaven’s sake an expression showing you are annoyed, or that something is important 쑗 What are you screaming for? – It’s only a little mouse, for heaven’s sake. 쑗 For heaven’s sake try to be quiet, we don’t want the guards to hear us! heavenly / hev(ə)nli/ adj 1. belonging to heaven 쑗 heavenly choirs of angels singing 왍 the heavenly host a group of angels 2. very nice (dated ) 쑗 We had a heavenly holiday by the sea. 쑗 The food she served was simply heavenly. ② . . hectic heavenly body /hev(ə)nli bɒdi/ noun same as celestial body (old ) heavily / hevli/ adv 1. as if you are heavy 쑗 He sat down heavily on the little chair. 2. to a great extent; very much 쑗 The company was heavily criticised in the press. 쑗 She is heavily in debt. 쑗 It rained heavily during the night. 3. 왍 to sleep heavily to sleep without waking ① heavy / hevi/ adj 1. which weighs a lot 쑗 This suitcase is so heavy I can hardly lift it. 쑗 She’s heavier than I am. 2. 왍 to have a heavy meal to eat a meal which is filling and difficult to digest 쑗 Don’t go to bed just after you’ve had a heavy meal. 3. in large amounts 쑗 There has been a heavy demand for the book. 쑗 There was a heavy fall of snow during the night. 쑗 The radio says there is heavy traffic in the centre of town. 왍 to be a heavy smoker to smoke a lot of cigarettes 왍 to be a heavy drinker to drink a lot of alcohol 왍 to make heavy weather of something to make something you are doing more difficult and complicated to do than it needs to be 쑗 We asked him to sort out the invoices but he’s really making heavy weather of it. (NOTE: . ③ heavier – heaviest) heavy-duty /hevi dju ti/ adj made for rough work heavy goods vehicle / hev DZυdz vkl/ noun a very large truck. Abbr HGV heavy-handed /hevi hndd/ adj not delicate heavy industry /hevi ndəstri/ noun industry which makes large products such as steel bars, ships or railway lines (NOTE: no plural) heavy metal /hevi met(ə)l/ noun 1. a type of loud music with electric guitars 2. a metal with a high atomic number, e.g. lead, mercury or zinc heavyweight / heviwet/ noun 1. the largest and heaviest class of boxer 쑗 the heavyweight champion 쑗 a heavyweight title fight 2. a person who has a lot of influence 쑗 He’s the director of the National Theatre – a heavyweight in the theatre world. Hebrew / hi bru / noun 1. the official language of Israel 2. a Jewish person who lived in Israel in ancient times heckle / hek(ə)l/ verb to call out and interrupt a public speaker. Synonym jeer. Antonym cheer heckler / heklə/ noun a person who calls out and interrupts a public speaker ③ hectare / hekteə/ noun an area of land measuring 100 metres by 100 metres, i.e. 10,000 square metres, or 2.47 acres (NOTE: usually written ha after figures: 2,500 ha) hectic / hektk/ adj very active. Synonym frantic. Antonym calm he’d 392 he’d /id, hi d/ short form he had, he would hedge /hedȢ/ noun 1. a row of bushes planted and kept trimmed to form a screen round a field or garden 쑗 There is a thick yew hedge round the churchyard. 2. financial protection 쑗 a hedge against inflation 쐽 verb 왍 to hedge your bets to invest in several areas so as to be protected against loss in one of them hedgehog / hedȢhɒDZ/ noun a small animal with its back covered in spines hedgerow / hedȢrəυ/ noun a line of bushes forming a hedge round a field or along a country road hedonist / hi d(ə)nst/ noun a person who only lives for pleasure. Antonym ascetic heed /hi d/ noun 왍 to take heed of or pay heed to something to pay attention to something (formal ) 쑗 The company would be wise to take heed of public opinion on this issue. 쑗 He paid no heed at all to what his doctor said. 쐽 verb to pay attention to something 쑗 She didn’t heed the doctor’s warning. Antonym ignore heedless / hi dləs/ adj without paying attention. Synonym neglectful. Antonym . careful heel /hi l/ noun 1. the back part of the foot 쑗 After walking, she got a blister on her heel. 왍 she rolled head over heels down the hill she rolled over and over down the hill like a ball 왍 to take to your heels to run away 쑗 When they heard the police siren, they took to their heels and disappeared round the corner. 왍 hot on the heels of someone or something following immediately behind someone or something 쑗 With the police hot on his heels he fled to Argentina. 왍 to turn on your heel to turn suddenly and go in the opposite direction 쑗 She turned on her heel and walked out of the room. 2. the back part of a sock, stocking or shoe 쑗 He’s got a hole in the heel of his sock. 쑗 She always wears shoes with high heels or high-heeled shoes. 쐽 verb 1. to put a new heel on a shoe 쑗 I want these shoes soled and heeled, please. 2. 왍 to heel over (of a ship) to lean to one side hefty / hefti/ adj 1. strong 쑗 We need a couple of hefty lads to move the table. 2. large 쑗 He had a hefty pay increase. 쑗 You’ll pay a hefty fine if you get caught. (NOTE: heftier – heftiest) hegemony /h DZeməni/ noun leadership or control by one state over others heifer / hefə/ noun a young cow which has not had a calf ② height /hat/ noun 1. a measurement of how high something is 쑗 The height of the bridge is only three metres. 왍 he is of above average height he is taller than most men 2. the highest point 쑗 looking down on the city from the heights around 쑗 It is difficult to hello find hotel rooms at the height of the tourist season. 왍 I don’t like heights, I haven’t got a head for heights I get dizzy when I am high up heighten / hat(ə)n/ verb to increase heinous / henəs/ adj very bad (formal ) heir / eə/ noun 1. a man or woman who will inherit something from someone after that person’s death 쑗 He’s the heir to the banking fortune. 쑗 Her heirs divided the estate between them. 2. 왍 the heir to the throne the man or woman who will be king or queen when the present king or queen dies heir apparent /eər ə prənt/ noun a person who will certainly inherit a title heiress noun a woman who will inherit something from someone after that person’s death (NOTE: The plural is heiresses.) heirloom / eəlu m/ noun a valuable object which has belonged to a family for a long time ③ held /held/ 쒁 hold helicopter / helkɒptə/ noun an aircraft which can rise straight up in the air, with a large horizontal propeller helipad / helipd/ noun a small area such as one marked on the roof of a building or the deck of a ship where helicopters can land or take off heliport / helipɔ t/ noun an airport for helicopters helium / hi liəm/ noun a light inert gas, often used in balloons hell /hel/ noun 1. a place where devils are thought to live, to which bad people are sent after they die 쑗 Medieval pictures show hell as a burning place with red devils pushing wicked people into the fires with pitchforks. . (NOTE: Using expressions that include the word hell is offensive to some people.) 2. a very unpleasant place or experience 쑗 It’s hell working in the office these days. 왍 to give someone hell to treat someone very badly 3. used to emphasise what you are saying (informal ) 쑗 What the hell’s been going on here? 쑗 Am I going to lend you £50? Am I hell! 앳 a hell of a, one hell of a 1. used to emphasise what you are saying (informal ) 쑗 The car’s making a hell of a noise. 2. a marvellous thing 쑗 That was one hell of a party last night! he’ll /il, hi l/ short form he will hell-bent / hel bent/ adj very determined to do something that may have an unfortunate result hellish / helʃ/ adj very unpleasant (informal ) ① hello /hə ləυ/ interj used as a greeting 쑗 She called hello from the other side of the street. 쑗 Hello, Mary! I’m glad to see you. 쑗 . . . helm 393 herald When you see her, say hello to her from me. helplessness / helpləsnəs/ noun the feel- (NOTE: also spelt hallo, hullo) helm /helm/ noun 1. a wheel or bar with ing of being unable to do anything about a situation helpline / helplan/ noun a special phone number for people to call when they need help help out /help aυt/ verb to help someone in an emergency hem /hem/ noun the sewn edge of a piece of clothing, e.g. a skirt or dress, 쑗 She was wearing a long skirt, with the hem touching the floor. 쐽 verb 1. to make the hem of a piece of clothing, e.g. a skirt or dress 쑗 I’ve almost finished the skirt, it just needs to be hemmed. 2. 왍 to hem someone or something in to surround someone or something closely 쑗 The house is hemmed in by big factories. 쑗 The soldiers were hemmed in by guerrillas. hemisphere / hemsfə/ noun half of a sphere hemp /hemp/ noun a plant used to make ropes and sacks hen /hen/ noun 1. an adult female chicken 쑗 The hens were scared by the fox. 쑗 Look, one of the hens has laid an egg! 2. any female bird 쑗 a hen sparrow ② hence /hens/ adv 1. this being the reason for 쑗 He’s got flu, hence his not coming to work. 2. from now on 쑗 Five months hence, the situation should be better. henceforth /hens fɔ θ/, henceforward /hens fɔ wəd/ adv from now on henchman / hentʃmən/ noun a political assistant or bodyguard; a person who assists or protects an important person (NOTE: The which a ship or boat is steered 쑗 He put the helm hard to starboard as soon as he saw the iceberg. 2. 왍 at the helm in charge 왍 to take the helm to take charge 쑗 Now that Julia has taken the helm there shouldn’t be any more public relations disasters. helmet / helmt/ noun a solid hat used as a protection ① help /help/ noun 1. something which makes it easier for you to do something 쑗 She was washing the floor with the help of a big mop. 쑗 Do you need any help with moving the furniture? 쑗 She finds the word-processor a great help in writing her book. 쑗 Her assistant is not much help in the office – he can’t type or drive. 2. the act of providing aid and assistance to someone 쑗 People were calling for help from the ruins of the house. 쑗 The nurses offered help to people injured in the accident. 왍 to go to someone’s help to try to rescue someone 쑗 The rescue teams went to the help of the earthquake victims. 3. financial assistance 쑗 The government provides help to deprived areas. 4. a person who helps 쑗 She has a home help who comes in twice a week to do the housework. 쐽 verb 1. to make it easier for someone to do something 쑗 He helped the old lady up the steps. 쑗 The government wants to help small businesses. 쑗 Your father can help you with your homework. 쑗 One of my friends helped me move the piano into the bedroom. 2. 왍 to help yourself to something to steal something 쑗 She helped herself to my wallet. 쐽 interj meaning that you are in difficulties 쑗 Help! help! Call the police! 쑗 Help! I can’t stop the car! help desk / help desk/ noun a service which helps people with computer problems helper / helpə/ noun a person who helps someone. Synonym assistant ② helpful / helpf(ə)l/ adj useful or giving help to someone 쑗 She made some helpful suggestions. 쑗 They were very helpful when we moved house. helpfully / helpf(ə)li/ adv in a helpful way helpfulness / helpf(ə)lnəs/ noun the activity of being helpful ③ helping / helpŋ/ noun a portion of food 쑗 The helpings in this restaurant are very small. 쑗 Children’s helpings are not as large as those for adults. Synonym serving 쐽 adj which helps someone 왍 to give someone a helping hand to help someone with work 쑗 He gave me a helping hand with the cleaning. ② helpless / helpləs/ adj not able to do anything about a situation. Synonym powerless plural is henchmen.) henna / henə/ noun a red dye used to col- our hair hen night / hen nat/, hen party / hen pɑ ti/ noun a party for women only (NOTE: A party for men only, is a stag party or stag night.) henpecked / henpekt/ adj (of a man) who is continually told what to do by his wife hepatitis /hepə tats/ noun an infectious disease of the liver ① her /ə, hə, h" / object pron referring to a female 쑗 There’s a parcel for her in reception. 쑗 Did you see her? 쑗 He told her to go away. 쐽 adj belonging to a female, a ship or a country 쑗 Someone has stolen all her luggage. 쑗 Have you seen her father? 쑗 The dog doesn’t want to eat her food. 쑗 France is helping her businesses to sell more abroad. herald / herəld/ noun a person who brings a message 쑗 She is a herald of good tidings. 쑗 If the leaves fall early, that is a herald of cold weather to come. 쑗 Snowdrops are the herald of spring. 쐽 verb to be a sign of something coming 쑗 dark clouds that herald heraldry 394 stormy weather 쑗 The statistics seem to herald an end to the recession. heraldry / herəldri/ noun the science of coats of arms herb /h" b/ noun a plant used to give flavour to food, or as a medicine herbaceous /hə beʃəs/ adj (of a flowering plant ) which comes up every year, but does not have stems permanently above the ground herbaceous border /həbeʃəs bɔ də/ noun an area of herbaceous plants growing along the edge of a lawn herbal / h" b(ə)l/ adj using herbs herbalist / h" bəlst/ noun a person who sells herbs as medicines herbicide / h" bsad/ noun a chemical which kills plants, especially weeds herbivore / h" bvɔ / noun an animal which eats plants herbivorous /h" bvərəs/ adj (of an animal ) which eats plants herd /h" d/ noun a group of animals, especially cattle 쑗 Herds of cattle were grazing on the hillside. (NOTE: Do not confuse with . . heard. The word herd is usually used with cattle; for sheep, goats, and birds, the word to use is flock.) 쐽 verb to gather people or animals together into a group 쑗 The prisoners were herded together into a yard. ① here /hə/ adv 1. in this place 쑗 I’ll sit here in the shade and wait for you. 쑗 Here are the keys you lost. 쑗 I’ll put the book down here next to your computer. 쑗 They have been living here in England for a long time. 왍 here you are take this 쑗 Here you are, today’s newspaper! 2. to this place 쑗 Come here at once! 쑗 Can you bring the chairs here, please? 쑗 Here comes the bus! 3. 왍 here and there in various places 쑗 Weeds appeared here and there in the lawn. hereafter /hər ɑ ftə/ adv from this time on; from this place on (formal ) hereby /hə ba/ adv used to emphasise what you are saying (formal ) hereditary /hə redt(ə)ri/ adj 1. passed from parent to child biologically 2. passed from parent to child as a legal right 쑗 a hereditary title hereditary peer /həredt(ə)ri pə/ noun a member of the nobility whose title will be inherited by a child or other relative heredity /hə redti/ noun the occurrence of physical or mental characteristics in children which are inherited from their parents heresy / herəsi/ noun a wrong opinion or belief, especially wrong religious belief. Synonym dissent (NOTE: The plural is . . heresies.) heretic / herətk/ noun a person who holds wrong religious beliefs hers heretical /hə retk(ə)l/ adj referring to heresy. Synonym unorthodox heritage / hertdȢ/ noun the national treasure passed from one generation to the next. Synonym inheritance heritage attraction /hertdȢ ətrkʃ(ə)n/, heritage museum /hertdȢ mju zi əm/, heritage park / hertdȢ pɑ k/ noun a tourist facility which is based on a country’s historical or cultural background hermetic /h" metk/ adj which does not allow air to get in or out. Synonym airtight hermetically /h" metkli/ adv so as not to let air get in or out hermit / h" mt/ noun a person who chooses to live alone outside the community. Synonym recluse hermitage / h" mtdȢ/ noun a place where a hermit lives hermit crab / h" mt krb/ noun a crab that lives in empty sea shells hernia / h" niə/ noun a medical condition in which an organ bulges through a hole or weakness in the wall which surrounds it ③ hero / hərəυ/ noun 1. a brave man 쑗 The hero of the fire was the firefighter who managed to rescue the children from an upstairs room. 2. the main male character in something such as a book, play or film 쑗 The hero of the story is a little boy. Antonym villain (NOTE: The plural is heroes.) heroic /h rəυk/ adj like a hero. Synonym daring heroically /h rəυkli/ adv like a hero heroics /h rəυks/ plural noun very brave actions heroin / herəυn/ noun a strong addictive illegal drug made from poppies (NOTE: Do not confuse with heroine.) heroine / herəυn/ noun 1. a brave woman The heroine of the accident was a passing cyclist who pulled the children out of the burning car. 2. the main female character in something such as a book, play or film 쑗 The heroine of the film is a school teacher. 쑗 (NOTE: Do not confuse with heroin.) heroism / herəυz(ə)m/ noun bravery (NOTE: no plural) heron / herən/ noun a tall, usually grey, water bird with a long neck and long legs herpes / h" pi z/ noun a disease caused by a virus, which causes small blisters herring / herŋ/ noun a small silver sea fish 쑗 She had grilled herrings for dinner. (NOTE: The plural can be herrings or herring: a shoal of herring.) ① hers /h" z/ pron belonging to her 쑗 That watch is hers, not mine. 왍 she introduced me to a friend of hers she introduced me to one of her friends herself 395 herself /ə self, hə self/ pron referring to a female subject 쑗 The manageress wrote to me herself. 쑗 Did your sister enjoy herself? 쑗 She’s too young to be able to dress herself. 왍 she lives all by herself she lives all alone 왍 she did it all by herself she did it with no one to help her 쑗 Now she’s eight, we let her go to the shops all by herself. hertz /h" ts/ noun the standard unit of frequency of radio waves (NOTE: no plural) ③ he’s /iz, hi z/ short form he has, he is hesitant / hezt(ə)nt/ adj hesitating; not decided yet. Synonym cautious hesitate / heztet/ verb to be slow to speak, because you are unable to decide 쑗 She’s hesitating about whether to accept the job. 쑗 He hesitated for a moment and then said ‘no’. hesitation /hez teʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of waiting and not deciding heterogeneous /hetərəυ dȢi niəs/ adj of varied sorts. Antonym homogeneous heterosexual /hetərəυ sekʃuəl/ adj, noun attracted to people of the opposite sex heterosexuality /hetərəsekʃu lti/ noun the fact of being heterosexual het up /het p/ adj excited or nervous (informal ). Synonym agitated. Antonym laid① . back hew /hju / verb to chop something with an axe (literary) (NOTE: hewing – hewed – has hewn. Do not confuse with hue.) hexagon / heksəDZən/ noun (in geometry) a shape with six sides hexagonal /hek zDZənl/ adj with six sides hey /he/ interj showing a greeting or surprise 쑗 Hey, you! What are you doing there? 쑗 Hey! That’s my chair! heyday / hede/ noun a time of greatest success, popularity or power. Synonym prime hey presto /he prestəυ/ adv words used by magicians when carrying out magic tricks ③ HGV abbr heavy goods vehicle hi /ha/ interj showing a greeting 쑗 Hi! I’m your tour leader. 쑗 Hi, Mary! How are you today? 쑗 Say hi to her from me. hiatus /ha etəs/ noun a gap or interruption. Synonym pause (NOTE: The plural is hiatuses.) hibernate / habənet/ verb (of an animal ) . to sleep during the winter, either completely unconscious or semi-conscious hibernation /habə neʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of spending the winter asleep hick /hk/ noun a stupid person from the country (informal insult) 쑗 Some hick came up and asked me the way. 쐽 adj backward (informal ) 쑗 He comes from some hick town. hickory / hkəri/ noun an American tree like a walnut . hi-fi ① hid /hd/ 쒁 hide ① hidden / hd(ə)n/ adj which cannot be seen 쑗 There’s a hidden safe in the wall behind his desk. 쑗 They say there’s some hidden treasure in the castle. 쏡 hide. Synonym concealed hidden agenda /hd(ə)n ə dȢendə/ noun a secret reason for doing something which will be to your advantage ① hide /had/ verb 1. to put something where no one can see or find it 쑗 She hid the presents in the kitchen. 쑗 They kept some gold coins hidden under the bed. 쑗 Someone has hidden my car keys. 2. to put yourself where no one can see or find you 쑗 They hid in the bushes until the police car had gone past. 쑗 Quick! Hide behind the door! (NOTE: hiding – hid /hd/ – has hidden / hd(ə)n/) 쐽 noun 1. the thick skin of a large animal, treated to make leather 쑗 a real hide wallet 쑗 How many hides are needed to make that leather sofa? 2. a place where birdwatchers can sit to watch birds without being seen by them 쑗 Birdwatchers set up hides all round the lake. hide-and-seek /had ən si k/ noun a children’s game, in which one person hides and the others try to find him or her hide away /had ə we/ verb to go to a place where you can be away from other people hideaway / hadəwe/ noun a place where you can stay away from other people hideous / hdiəs/ adj very ugly hide-out / hadaυt/ noun a secret place where you cannot be found ② hiding / hadŋ/ noun 1. the action of putting yourself where no one can find you 쑗 He stayed in hiding for three days until the soldiers left the village. 쑗 They decided to go into hiding for a time until the police called off their search. 2. a beating 쑗 He’ll get a hiding from his father when he’s caught. hiding place / hadŋ ples/ noun a place where you can hide hierarchical /haə rɑ kk(ə)l/ adj arranged in ranks ③ hierarchy / haərɑ ki/ noun 1. arrangement in ranks 쑗 There is a strict hierarchy in the army. 2. the people in the upper ranks of an organisation 쑗 The party hierarchy met to elect a new leader. 쑗 The church hierarchy has condemned the attack. hi-fi /ha fa/ noun 1. a very accurate reproduction of sound by equipment such as a CD player and amplifier 쑗 The company is a leading manufacturer of hi-fi audio equipment. 2. a set of equipment for playing CDs or cassettes or for listening to the radio 쑗 He played the CD on his hi-fi. high 396 ① high /ha/ adj 1. reaching far above other things 쑗 Everest is the highest mountain in the world. 쑗 The new building is 20 storeys high. 쑗 The kitchen has a high ceiling. 쑗 The door is not high enough to let us get the wardrobe into the bedroom. 쏡 height (NOTE: High is used with figures: The mountain is 1000 metres high. High also refers to things that are a long way above the ground: a high mountain, high clouds. For people and thin things like trees use tall: a tall man.) 2. large in quantity 쑗 the high level of unemployment in the country 쑗 He earns a high income. 쑗 High prices put customers off. 쑗 The car shakes when going at high speeds. 쑗 The price of petrol is higher every year. 3. important 쑗 She’s a high official in the ministry. 쑗 He was quite high up in the police force when he retired. 4. (of meat ) which has been kept until it is beginning to rot and has a strong flavour 5. 왍 high on drugs intoxicated by drugs (informal ) 쑗 Some of the teenagers were high on drugs when they were arrested. 쐽 adv above; up in the air 쑗 The sun rose high in the sky. 쑗 The bird flew higher and higher. (NOTE: higher – highest) 쐽 noun 1. a high point 왍 sales have reached an all-time high sales are higher than they have ever been before 2. an area of high pressure in the atmosphere 3. a state of intoxication produced by a drug or by drinking alcohol highbrow / habraυ/ adj with a high intellectual content. Antonym lowbrow high chair /ha tʃeə/ noun a baby’s chair at a level with a table, sometimes with a tray in front of the baby high-class /ha klɑ s/ adj of very good quality High Commissioner /ha kə mʃ(ə)nə/ noun 1. an ambassador of a Commonwealth country 쑗 the Canadian High Commissioner in London 2. the top official of the United Nations 쑗 the High Commissioner for Refugees High Court /ha kɔ t/ noun the main civil court in England and Wales Higher / haə/ noun (in Scotland ) an examination in various subjects taken in fifth or sixth year at secondary school ③ higher education /haər edjυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun education in universities and colleges high fidelity /ha f delti/ adj full form of hi-fi high five /ha fav/ noun a greeting in which two people each raise an arm and slap palms high-flyer /ha flaə/ noun a person who has great potential and ambition high-flying /ha flaŋ/ adj 1. which is flying high in the sky 쑗 High-flying aircraft . . . highness leave trails of vapour. 2. who has great potential and ambition 쑗 a high-flying business executive high-grade / ha DZred/ adj of a very good quality high ground / ha DZraυnd/ noun an area of ground which is higher than the rest 왍 the moral high ground a position where one side in an argument feels that they are right in principle 쑗 By attacking corruption, the prime minister has tried to occupy the moral high ground. high-handed /ha hndd/ adj with no respect for other people or customs. Synonym bossy high heels /ha hi lz/ plural noun very high thin heels, on women’s shoes 쑗 You are not allowed to walk on the polished floor of the museum in high heels. Highland / halənd/ adj from the Scottish Highlands highlander / haləndə/ noun a person who comes from the Scottish Highlands Highland fling /halənd flŋ/ noun a wild Scottish dance highlands / haləndz/ plural noun a mountain region 쑗 the Malaysian Highlands 쑗 the Scottish Highlands. Antonym lowlands high-level / ha lev(ə)l/ adj important; composed of important people ③ highlight / halat/ noun the most important or interesting event 쑗 The highlight of our tour of Greece was our visit to the Parthenon. 쐽 verb 1. to draw attention to something 쑗 The report highlights various problems. 2. to make part of a text stand out from the rest 쑗 The headings are highlighted in bold. 쑗 The report highlights various problems. ③ highlighter / halatə/ noun a marker pen; a coloured felt pen used to highlight text highlights / halats/ plural noun 1. a selection of the best parts of a sporting event which are repeated on TV 쑗 highlights of this afternoon’s game 2. streaks in your hair which have been dyed a pale colour 3. characters which stand out from the text on a screen by being brighter than the rest ② highly / hali/ adv greatly 쑗 highly priced meals 쑗 The restaurant has been highly recommended. 쑗 Their employees are not very highly paid. 왍 he thinks highly of her he admires her very much high mass /ha ms/ noun a Roman Catholic mass with full ceremony highness / hanəs/ noun used as a form of address to a member of the royal family (NOTE: When speaking directly and formally to a member of the royal family, say Your Royal Highness. The plural highnesses is high-pitched 397 used to refer to several members of the royal family.) high-pitched /ha ptʃt/ adj making a shrill sound high point / ha pɒnt/ noun the best moment high-powered /ha paυəd/ adj very powerful. Synonym successful high-profile /ha prəυfal/ adj who is often in the news high-ranking /ha rŋkŋ/ adj with a high rank in an organisation high-rise / ha raz/ adj with many storeys high road / ha rəυd/ noun a main road high school / ha sku l/ noun 1. a secondary school for children aged from 11 to 18 2. US a secondary school, from grade 9 to grade 12 쑗 He’s in grade 10 or tenth grade at high school. high season /ha si z(ə)n/ noun a period when there are lots of travellers and when fares are high, usually the period from July to September. Compare low season, off season high-speed / ha spi d/ adj which runs or operates at a very high speed high-spirited /ha sprtd/ adj lively. Antonym lethargic high spot / ha spɒt/ noun the most enjoyable part of an entertainment ① high street / ha stri t/ noun the most important street in a village or town, where shops and banks are (NOTE: often written High St. The US term is Main Street.) high tea /ha ti / noun (in the North of England and Scotland ) an early evening . meal ③ high tech /ha tek/ adj referring to high technology high technology /ha tek nɒlədȢi/ noun advanced technology as used in industry, e.g. the use of electronics and robots high tide /ha tad/ noun the points when the level of the sea is at its highest or at its lowest. Antonym low tide high-up / ha p/ noun an important person (informal ). Synonym boss high water /ha wɔ tə/ noun a point when the level of the sea or of a river is at its highest high-water mark /ha wɔ tə mɑ k/ noun a line showing where the high tide reaches ② highway / hawe/ noun a main public road 쑗 A footbridge was built over the highway. Highway Code / hawe kəυd/ noun the rules for driving on the road hijack / hadȢk/ noun the act of taking control of a vehicle by force 쑗 The plane hijack was organised by a group of opponents to the government. 쐽 verb to take control of a . hind legs vehicle by force 쑗 The bandits hijacked the lorry and killed the driver. 쑗 They hijacked an aircraft and ordered the pilot to fly to Moscow. hijacker / hadȢkə/ noun a person who hijacks a vehicle hijacking / hadȢkŋ/ noun the act of taking control of a vehicle by force hike /hak/ noun 1. a vigorous walk 쑗 We went for a 10-mile hike in the mountains. 2. an increase 쑗 a price hike 쐽 verb 1. to go for a vigorous walk 쑗 They were hiking in the Pyrenees when the accident happened. 2. to increase prices 쑗 Petrol companies have hiked up their prices. hiker / hakə/ noun a person who goes for long walks in the country for pleasure. Synonym walker hiking / hakŋ/ noun the practice of going for long walks for pleasure hilarious /h leəriəs/ adj very funny hilarity /h lrti/ noun laughter and joking. Synonym amusement ② hill /hl/ noun a piece of high land, but lower than a mountain (informal ) 쑗 The hills are covered with spring flowers. 쑗 If you climb to the top of the hill you will get a good view of the valley. hillside / hlsad/ noun the sloping side of a hill hilltop / hltɒp/ noun the top of a hill. Synonym summit hilly / hli/ adj with many hills (NOTE: hill. ier – hilliest) hilt /hlt/ noun 1. a sword handle 쑗 He stood for the photograph with his hand on the hilt of his sword. 2. 왍 to the hilt completely or totally 쑗 We’re backing him to the hilt. 쑗 The company is up to the hilt in debt. ① him /m, hm/ object pron referring to a male 쑗 Tell him there’s a letter waiting for him. 쑗 Have you spoken to him today? 쑗 That’s him! – The man with the beard. ① himself /m self, hm self/ pron referring to a male subject 쑗 I was served by the manager himself. 쑗 The doctor has got flu himself. 쑗 Did your brother enjoy himself? 왍 he lives all by himself he lives all alone 왍 he did it all by himself he did it with no one to help him 쑗 Now he’s eight, we let him go to the shops all by himself. hind /hand/ adj referring to the back part of a four-legged animal. Antonym fore 쐽 noun a female deer 쑗 Hinds are very protective of their fawns. Also called doe hinder / hndə/ verb to make it difficult to do something. Synonym hold back. Antonym facilitate hind legs /hand leDZz/ plural noun the back legs of an animal hindquarters 398 hindquarters / handkwɔ təz/ plural noun the back part of a four-legged animal. Synonym back. Antonym front hindrance / hndrəns/ noun something which hinders 왍 without let or hindrance without any obstacle 쑗 The police have orders to let anyone through without let or hindrance. hindsight / handsat/ noun the act of realising something too late, after it has happened. Antonym foresight 왍 with (the benefit of ) hindsight knowing what we know now 쑗 With the benefit of hindsight, I see now that we made a disastrous decision. Hindu /hn du / adj referring to Hinduism 쑗 We visited the new Hindu temple in North London. 쐽 noun a person who follows Hinduism 쑗 The Hindus worship several gods. 쏡 Diwali Hinduism / hnduz(ə)m/ noun the main religion of India, in which people worship several gods hinge /hndȢ/ noun a piece of metal used to hold something, e.g. a door, window or lid, so that it can swing open and shut 쑗 That hinge squeaks and needs some oil. 쑗 They lifted the door off its hinges. 쐽 verb 왍 to hinge on something to depend on something 쑗 Everything hinges on her being free on Friday evening. hinged /hndȢd/ adj attached with hinges hint /hnt/ noun 1. a hidden suggestion or clue 쑗 He didn’t give a hint as to where he was going on holiday. 쑗 I don’t know what to give her for her birthday – have you any hints? 왍 to drop a hint to make a suggestion 쑗 She’s been dropping hints about what she wants for her birthday. 왍 to take a hint to accept a suggestion 쑗 He took the hint and offered to pay for the lamp he broke. 2. a very small quantity 쑗 There’s just a hint of garlic in the soup. 3. a piece of advice 쑗 She gave me some useful hints about painting furniture. 쐽 verb to say something in a way that makes people guess what you mean 쑗 She hinted that her sister was pregnant. Synonym suggest hinterland / hntəlnd/ noun an area inland from a sea port or around a large town. Synonym vicinity. Antonym heartland hip /hp/ noun 1. the part of the body at the top of your thighs 쑗 The tailor measured him round the hips. 2. the joint where the thigh bone pivots at the top of the leg 쐽 adj very up-to-date and fashionable (slang) 쑗 That’s a very hip shirt she’s wearing. hip hop / hp hɒp/ noun a kind of popular culture which started among African-Americans and which involves rap and graffiti art hippo / hpəυ/ noun same as hippopotamus (NOTE: The plural is hippos.) . historic hip pocket /hp pɒkt/ noun a pocket at the back of a pair of trousers hippopotamus /hpə pɒtəməs/ noun a large heavy African animal which spends most of its time submerged in water, but comes onto dry land to graze (NOTE: The plural is hippopotamuses or hippopotami /hpə pɒtəma/.) hipsters / hpstəz/ plural noun trousers which only reach to the hips and not the waist ③ hire / haə/ noun 1. the act of paying money to rent something., e.g. a car, boat or piece of equipment, for a period of time. 왍 boat or cycle or car hire the practice of lending boats, cycles or cars to people for money 2. 왍 ‘for hire’ a sign on a taxi showing it is empty and available for hire 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to hire out (of an owner ) to allow other people to take something and use it in return for a fee 쑗 He hires out boats on the river. 2. (of a borrower ) to pay money to use something for a time 쑗 She hired a car for the weekend. 쑗 He was driving a hired car when the accident happened. 3. to employ someone to work for you 쑗 We’ve hired three more sales assistants. 쑗 They hired a small company to paint their offices. hire car / haə kɑ / noun a car which has been hired ③ hire purchase /haə p" tʃs/ noun a system of buying something by paying a sum regularly each month. Abbr HP ① his /z, hz/ adj belonging to him 쑗 He’s lost all his money. 쑗 Have you met his mother? 쑗 Our dog wants his food. 쐽 pron belonging to him 쑗 That watch is his, not mine. 왍 he introduced me to a friend of his he introduced me to one of his friends ③ Hispanic /h spnk/ adj referring to countries where Spanish is spoken, especially South American countries 쑗 Hispanic communities in the southern States 쐽 noun a person whose native language is Spanish, especially one living in the United States 쑗 Hispanics form an important community in Florida. ③ hiss /hs/ noun 1. a whistling sound like an ‘s’ 쑗 We could hear the hiss of escaping gas. 2. saying ‘s’ to show you disapprove 쑗 He left the stage to hisses from the audience. 쑗 The wicked pirate’s appearance was greeted with boos and hisses. (NOTE: The plural is hisses.) 쐽 verb 1. to make a hissing sound 쑗 The snake hissed as we came nearer. 2. to show disapproval of someone or something by making an ‘s’ sound 쑗 The audience began to hiss. 쑗 She was hissed off the stage. ③ historian /h stɔ riən/ noun a person who studies or writes history ③ historic /h stɒrk/ adj famous in history . . (NOTE: can be preceded by an in formal style: It is an historic day for the town.) historical 399 historical /h stɒrk(ə)l/ adj referring to history 쑗 He likes books of historical interest. Synonym past. Antonym modern historically /h stɒrkli/ adv from a historical point of view; as happened in the past ① history / hst(ə)ri/ noun 1. the study of the past 쑗 He is studying Greek history. 쑗 She failed her history exam. 쑗 She teaches history at London University. 2. a book which tells the story of what happened in the past 쑗 He wrote a history of the French Revolution. ① hit /ht/ verb 1. to knock something or someone 쑗 The car hit the tree. 쑗 She hit him on the head with a bottle. 쑗 She hit the ball so hard that we can’t find it. 쑗 I hit my head on the cupboard door. 왍 to hit the town to go and have a night out (informal ) 쑗 Come on, let’s hit the town. 2. to damage someone or something; to affect someone or something badly 쑗 The company has been hit by the recession. 3. to cause someone to realise something 쑗 It suddenly hit her that now she was divorced she would have to live alone. 왍 to hit on an idea to get a good idea 쑗 We hit on the idea of taking him to a concert as a birthday present 4. to reach a figure or target 쑗 Our sales hit a record high last month. 쑗 New cases of asthma hit two thousand last week. (NOTE: hitting – hit) 쐽 noun 1. someone or something that is very popular, e.g. a song, film or performer 쑗 The song rapidly became a hit. 쑗 The play was a West End hit. 쑗 She was a hit with the old people’s club. 2. a blow or knock 쑗 Just one more hit on the nail and that will be enough. 3. the action of visiting a site on the Internet 쑗 How many hits did we have on our website last week? hit-and-miss /ht ən ms/ adj not carefully prepared; not properly planned. Synonym haphazard hit-and-run /ht ən rn/ noun an accident in which a driver knocks someone down and does not stop to give help hit-and-run driver /ht ən rn dravə/ noun a driver who knocks someone down and does not stop to give help ③ hit back /ht bk/ verb 1. to hit someone who has hit you 쑗 The muggers hit him so hard that he collapsed before he could hit them back. 2. to do something as a reaction to something 쑗 When the supermarket chain lowered their prices, the other chains hit back by lowering prices too. 쑗 He hit back at the inspectors, saying that their report was biased. hitch /htʃ/ noun an unexpected temporary problem 쑗 There’s a hitch, and the wedding has been postponed. 왍 without a hitch with no trouble or problems 쑗 The party went off without a hitch. Synonym snag 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to hitch something up to pull something up ② . hoard He hitched up his trousers. 2. to attach one thing to another 쑗 The caravan was hitched to the car. hitch-hike / htʃhak/ verb to stand by the road and signal to passing drivers, showing that you want a free ride to a place hitch-hiker / htʃhakə/ noun a person who hitch-hikes hitherto /hðə tu / adv until now (formal ) hit list / ht lst/ noun a list of people who deserve to be punished (informal ) hit man / ht mn/ noun a person employed to kill or to hurt someone. Synonym 쑗 . . assassin (NOTE: The plural is hit men.) hit off /ht ɒf/ verb 왍 to hit it off with someone to get on well with someone (informal ) hit-or-miss /ht ɔ ms/ adj same as hit-and-miss hit out at /ht aυt t/ verb to criticise . someone or something fiercely hit squad / ht skwɒd/ noun a group of gunmen who are ordered to kill people (slang). Synonym task force hitter / htə/ noun a person who hits a ball hard when playing a sport such as cricket HIV /etʃ a vi / noun the virus which causes AIDS. Full form human immunodeficiency virus hive /hav/ noun 1. a box for bees to make a nest in, which makes it easier for the beekeeper to gather the honey 쑗 Take the honeycomb carefully out of the hive. 쑗 The beekeeper opened one of the hives and took out a honeycomb. 2. 왍 to be a hive of activity to be a place where people come and go, or where people are very busy 쑗 The school was a hive of activity on Prize Day. 쐽 verb 왍 to hive something off to split off part of a large company to form a smaller company 쑗 The new managing director hived off the retail sections of the company. hives /havz/ plural noun a skin disorder which causes white, pink or red patches which itch or sting HIV positive /etʃ a vi pɒztv/ adj having the HIV virus hiya / haə/ interj showing a greeting hm /m/, hmm interj showing a pause while the speaker thinks about something HM abbr 1. Her Majesty 2. His Majesty hoard /hɔ d/ noun a store of something, e.g. food or money, which has been collected 쑗 They discovered a hoard of gold coins in the field. 쐽 verb to buy and store supplies in case of need 쑗 Squirrels hoard nuts for the winter. 쑗 Everyone has started hoarding fuel in case supplies run out. Synonym save. Antonym throw away (NOTE: Do not confuse with horde.) hoarding 400 hold hoarding / hɔ dŋ/ noun 1. the act of buy- hoe /həυ/ noun a garden tool with a long ing stocks of something, e.g. food or money, in case supply may be difficult 2. a fence made of rough planks, used to close a building site temporarily 3. a large advertising board in a street hoarfrost / hɔ frɒst/ noun a white frost, which covers things hoarse /hɔ s/ adj (of a voice) which sounds rough (NOTE: Do not confuse with horse.) hoary / hɔ ri/ adj very old 왍 a hoary old chestnut or joke an old joke that everyone knows hoax /həυks/ noun a trick played on someone as a joke or to annoy him or her 쑗 The police and fire brigade arrived but the bomb was just a hoax. 쑗 The ambulance answered a hoax telephone call. (NOTE: The plural is hoaxes.) 쐽 verb to trick someone as a joke 쑗 He hoaxed the inhabitants of the village into thinking he was a famous scientist. Synonym handle and small sharp blade, used to break up the surface of soil or cut off weeds 쑗 Use a sharp hoe to remove the weeds between your peas. 쐽 verb to cultivate land with a hoe 쑗 You must hoe the vegetable patch regularly to keep the weeds down. 쑗 The gardener was hoeing around the strawberries. hog /hɒDZ/ noun 1. a castrated male pig 2. US any pig 쑗 Hogs are traded on the Chicago exchange. 3. 왍 to go the whole hog to do something completely (informal ) 쑗 If we’re buying two armchairs we might as well go the whole hog and buy a sofa as well. 쐽 verb to monopolise something; to take more of something than you should (informal ) 쑗 He was hogging the middle of the road. 쑗 Stop hogging the biscuits – we’d like some too! 쑗 She’s always hogging the limelight. Synonym monopolise (NOTE: hogging – deceive hob /hɒb/ noun 1. a flat top on a cooker 쑗 Our new cooker has a ceramic hob. 쑗 Do not use abrasive cleaner on the hob. 2. a metal stand by a fire 쑗 Put the kettle on the hob. hobble / hɒb(ə)l/ verb 1. to walk with difficulty 쑗 He hobbled into the room on crutches. 2. to attach a horse’s legs together 쑗 The horses were hobbled so that they couldn’t run away. 3. 왍 to be hobbled by something to be prevented from doing your job by something 쑗 Companies cannot expand and are hobbled by government regulations. ③ hobby / hɒbi/ noun a favourite thing which you do in your spare time. Synonym pastime (NOTE: The plural is hobbies.) hobo / həυbəυ/ noun US a tramp; a person who wanders from place to place doing odd jobs, but with nowhere permanent to live (NOTE: The plural is hoboes.) hock /hɒk/ noun 1. the lower part of a pig’s leg, used as food 쑗 We had boiled hock for dinner 2. any white wine from the Rhine valley in Germany 쑗 We opened a bottle of hock. 3. 왍 in hock to someone in debt to or owing money to someone (informal ) 쑗 The company is in hock to the banks. 쐽 verb to pawn something (informal ) 쑗 I was so desperate that I hocked my watch. Synonym . . pawn hockey / hɒki/ noun a team game played on grass, where you try to hit a small ball into your opponents’ goal using a long stick which is curved at the end 쑗 He played in the hockey team at school. (NOTE: The US term is field hockey.) hodgepodge / hɒdȢpɒdȢ/ noun US a mixture of all sorts of items (NOTE: The British term is hotchpotch.) . . hogged) ③ Hogmanay / hɒDZməne/ noun a festival in Scotland on 31 December, celebrating the New Year hoist /hɔst/ noun a device for lifting 쑗 The firefighter rigged up a hoist to get the dog out of the well. Synonym winch 쐽 verb to lift something up 쑗 The box was hoisted up on a rope. 쑗 The defenders hoisted a white flag. ① hold /həυld/ verb 1. to keep something or someone tight, especially in your hand 쑗 She was holding the baby in her arms. 쑗 She held her ticket between her teeth as she was carrying suitcases in both hands. 쑗 Hold tight – the machine is going to start. 쑗 He held the bag close to his chest. 2. to contain things or people; to be large enough for something to fit inside 쑗 The bottle holds two litres. 쑗 The box will hold four pairs of shoes. 쑗 Will the car hold eight people? 쑗 The plane holds 250 passengers. 3. to make something happen 쑗 They are holding a party for their wedding anniversary. 쑗 The meeting will be held next Tuesday in the town hall. 쑗 We are holding the village fete next week. 4. to stay the same 쑗 Will the fine weather hold until Saturday? 5. to possess something 쑗 She holds a valid driving licence. 쑗 He holds the record for the 2000 metres. 6. 왍 hold the line, please (on the telephone) please wait a moment 쑗 The chairman is on the other line – will you hold? 7. to keep someone inside 쑗 The prisoners were held in police cells overnight. 왍 to hold water to be valid or true 쑗 His argument doesn’t hold water. 왍 to hold your breath to keep air in your lungs, to go under water, as a test or because you are afraid that something will happen 쑗 She held her breath under water for a minute. 쑗 We’re all holding our breath to see if he wins a gold medal. 8. to capture and control a place 쑗 The rebels are holding the airport. 쑗 Government forces holdall 401 still hold about half the country. (NOTE: holding – held /held/) 쐽 noun 1. the bottom part of a ship or an aircraft, in which cargo is stored 쑗 You can’t take all that luggage with you, it has to go in the hold. 2. the action of gripping something 쑗 He lost his hold on the ladder. 쑗 Keep tight hold of the bag, we don’t want it stolen. 왍 to get hold of someone to find someone you need by telephone 쑗 I tried to get hold of the doctor but he was out. 왍 to get hold of something to find something which you want to use 쑗 Do you know where I can get hold of a ladder? 왍 to take hold to take control of something 쑗 The fire took hold rapidly. 왍 to take hold of something to grip something 쑗 Take hold of my hand. 3. the action of having a strong influence over someone 쑗 She has some sort of hold over her husband. holdall / həυldɔ l/ noun a soft bag for carrying things such as clothes when travelling ③ hold back /həυld bk/ verb 1. not to tell someone something 쑗 She held back important information from the police. 2. not to go forward 쑗 Most of the crowd held back until they saw it was safe. ③ hold down /həυld daυn/ verb 1. to keep something at a low level 쑗 We are holding our prices down. 2. 왍 to hold down a job to manage to do a difficult job ② holder / həυldə/ noun 1. something which holds things 쑗 Put the pen back into its holder. 2. a person who holds something 쑗 She is a British passport holder or the holder of a British passport. 쑗 He is the world record holder in the javelin. ③ holding / həυldŋ/ noun an investment owned holding company / həυldŋ kmp(ə)ni/ noun a company which owns shares in other companies ① hold on /həυld ɒn/ verb 1. to hold something tightly 쑗 She held on to the rope with both hands. 쑗 Hold on to your purse in the crowd. 쑗 Hold on tight, we’re turning! 2. to wait 쑗 Hold on a moment, I’ll get my umbrella. 쑗 Do you want to speak to the manager? Hold on, I’ll find him for you. ③ hold out /həυld aυt/ verb 1. to move something towards someone 쑗 Hold out your plate to be served. 쑗 He held out his hand but she refused to shake it. 2. to resist against someone or something 쑗 The castle held out for ten weeks against a huge enemy army. ③ hold out for /həυld aυt fɔ / verb to wait and ask for more hold over /həυld əυvə/ verb to postpone something. Synonym defer. Antonym bring forward hold up /həυld p/ verb 1. to lift or support something or someone 쑗 He held up his hand. 쑗 He held the little boy up so that ① hollow out he could see the procession. 쑗 The roof is held up by those pillars. 2. to make someone or something late 쑗 The planes were held up by fog. 쑗 Government red tape is holding up the deal. 3. to attack and rob someone 쑗 Six gunmen held up the security van. ③ hold-up / həυld p/ noun 1. a delay; a time when something is later than planned 쑗 Long hold-ups are expected because of road works on the motorway. 쑗 There’s been a hold-up and the shipment won’t arrive till next week. 2. an armed attack 쑗 The gang carried out three hold-ups in the same day. ① hole /həυl/ noun an opening or a space in something 쑗 You’ve got a hole in your sock. 쑗 We all peeped through the hole in the fence. 쑗 Rabbits live in holes in the ground. hole-in-the-wall /həυl n ðə wɔ l/ noun a machine in the outside wall of a bank where customers can get money from their account hole up /həυl p/ verb to hide from someone (slang) ① holiday / hɒlde/ noun 1. a period when you do not work, but rest, go away and enjoy yourself 쑗 When are you taking your holiday or When are you planning to go on holiday? 쑗 He’s going to Spain on holiday. 쑗 We always spend our holidays in the mountains. 쑗 How many days’ holiday do you have each year? 왍 the job carries five weeks’ holiday one of the conditions of the job is that you have five weeks’ holiday each year (NOTE: The US term is vacation.) 2. a day on which no work is done because of laws or religious rules 쑗 The office is closed for the Christmas holiday. holidaymaker / hɒldemekə/ noun a person who is on holiday. Antonym resident holier / həυliə/ 쒁 holy holiness / həυlinəs/ noun 1. the state of being holy 2. used as a form of address to the Pope 쑗 His Holiness, the Pope holistic /həυ lstk/ adj dealing with a medical or social problem as a whole rather than only looking at one aspect of it 쑗 The committee has been calling for a more holistic approach to learning. hollandaise sauce /hɒləndez sɔ s/ noun a sauce for meat, fish or vegetables, made of egg yolks, butter, lemon juice and sometimes vinegar holler / hɒlə/ verb to shout (informal ). Antonym whisper hollow / hɒləυ/ adj with a hole inside 쑗 a hollow log 쑗 If you tap the box it sounds hollow. 쐽 noun a sunken part on a flat surface 쑗 They made a hollow in the ground for a camp fire. hollow out /hɒləυ əυt/ verb to remove the inside part of something so as to make it hollow . holly 402 holly / hɒli/ noun a small evergreen tree with shiny dark green prickly leaves and bright red berries Hollywood / hɒliwυd/ noun a town in California, the centre of the American film industry holocaust / hɒləkɔ st/ noun total destruction, especially by fire or nuclear war 쑗 A nuclear holocaust would cause unimaginable suffering. Holocaust / hɒləkɔ st/ noun the mass killing of the Jews during the Second World War (NOTE: always written with the) hologram / hɒləDZrm/ noun a three-dimensional picture made using laser beams holster / həυlstə/ noun a leather holder for a revolver ③ holy / həυli/ adj 1. sacred 쑗 They went to ask a holy man his advice. 2. 왍 the Holy See the office of Pope (NOTE: holier – holiest. Do not confuse with wholly.) Holy Communion /həυli kə mju njən/ noun a Christian ceremony where bread and wine are taken in memory of Christ’s Last Supper Holy Father /həυli fɑ ðə/ noun the Pope Holy Ghost /həυli DZəυst/, Holy Spirit /həυli sprt/ noun the third member of the Christian Trinity, God in the form of a spirit holy water /həυli wɔ tə/ noun consecrated water used when baptising babies homage / hɒmdȢ/ noun 1. respect for someone 왍 to pay homage to someone to show your respect for someone, especially someone who is dead 쑗 The children paid homage to their teacher who had been killed. 쑗 The nation observed a minute’s silence as a mark of homage to the dead of two world wars. 2. an action or work of art that is made to show respect to someone 쑗 This song is a homage to my parents. ① home /həυm/ noun 1. the place where you live 쑗 Their home is a flat in the centre of London. 쑗 Will you be at home tomorrow evening? 쑗 When do you leave home for work in the morning? 왍 to make yourself at home to do as if you were in your own home 쑗 He lay down on my sofa, opened a bottle of beer, and made himself at home. 왍 to be a home from home to be a comfortable and welcoming place, just like your home 쑗 The hotel is a real home from home. 왍 nothing to write home about nothing very exciting or special (informal ) 쑗 His new job is nothing to write home about. 2. an area where you come from 쑗 She lives in London but her home is the mountains of Wales. 쑗 His home is in the West Country. 3. a house 쑗 They are building fifty new homes on the outskirts of the village. 4. a house where people are looked after 쑗 My aunt has moved to an old people’s . Home Office home. 5. 왍 at home (in sports) on the local sports ground 쑗 Our team is playing at home next Saturday. 6. a family or household 쑗 She comes from a broken home. 쐽 adv towards the place where you usually live 쑗 We’ve got to go home now. 쑗 He usually gets home by 7 o’clock. 쑗 Don’t send it – I’ll take it home with me. 쑗 If you don’t want to walk, you can always take the bus home. (NOTE: used without a preposition: He went home or She’s coming home.) 쐽 adj 1. referring to where you live or where you were born 쑗 My home town is Birmingham. 쑗 Send the letter to my home address, not to my office. 2. (in sports) local 쑗 the home side won 쑗 Our team beat the home team 3–0. 쑗 We have a home game next Saturday. 3. in this country; not abroad 쑗 Home sales were better than exports last month. 쑗 They find it difficult selling into the home market. homecoming / həυmkmŋ/ noun the act of coming home home cooking /həυm kυkŋ/ noun the style of food as cooked at home, not in restaurants Home Counties /həυm kaυntiz/ plural noun the area formed of the counties round London (NOTE: always written with the) homegrown / həυmDZrəυn/ adj grown in your own garden home help /həυm help/ noun a person who helps an invalid or an elderly person with housework in the home home improvement /həυm mpru vmənt/ noun a change which you make to your home to make it better home in on /həυm n ɒn/ verb to aim at and go towards a target homeland / həυmlnd/ noun the home of a people home language /həυm lŋDZwdȢ/ noun US the language which you first learn to speak as a child homeless adj / həυmləs/ with nowhere to live 쑗 The council has a duty to house homeless families. 쐽 plural noun 왍 the homeless people with nowhere to live 쑗 The homeless sleep in parks or doorways. homely / həυmli/ adj 1. simple but pleasant 쑗 The accommodation was homely and unpretentious. 쑗 The pub serves good homely food. 2. US (of a person) plain and not very attractive 쑗 She’s a homely girl. homemade /həυm med/ adj made at home and not bought Home Office / həυm ɒfs/ noun the British Government department dealing with internal matters, such as the police and prisons (NOTE: The department is run by the Home Secretary. In other countries this department is usually called the Ministry of the homeopath 403 Interior; in the USA it is called the Department of the Interior.) homeopath / həυmiəpθ/ noun a person who practises homeopathy homeopathic /həυmiə pθk/ adj referring to homeopathy homeopathy /həυmi ɒpəθi/ noun a treatment which involves giving very small amounts of a substance which would give a healthy person the symptoms of the condition being treated homeowner / həυməυnə/ noun a person who owns a flat or house ③ home page / həυm pedȢ/ noun the first page of a website, which gives details of the person or organisation that the website belongs to home plate / həυm plet/ noun in baseball, the base where the batter stands to hit the ball home rule /həυm ru l/ noun a system of government in which a country is ruled by itself rather than by another country home run / həυm rn/ noun in baseball, a score made when a batter manages to touch all three bases and return to the home plate without stopping Home Secretary /həυm sekrət(ə)ri/ noun the British government minister in charge of the Home Office (NOTE: In other countries, this minister is usually called the Minister of the Interior. In the USA, he is the Secretary of the Interior.) homesick / həυmsk/ adj feeling sad be- cause you are away from home homesickness / həυmsknəs/ noun a feeling of being homesick homestead / həυmsted/ noun a farmhouse and land. Synonym farm home straight / həυm stret/ noun 1. (on a racetrack) the last straight part of the track before the finish 쑗 The runners are coming into the home straight. 2. the last part of a project, when it is almost finished 쑗 Cheer up, we’re in the home straight now! home town /həυm taυn/ noun the town where you live or where you were born home truths /həυm tru ðz/ plural noun unpleasant facts about someone, which someone else tells him or her 쑗 I had to tell her a few home truths. homeward / həυmwəd/ adj towards home 쑗 The homeward trip always seems shorter. 쐽 adv 왍 to be homeward bound heading towards your home 쑗 After many delays we were homeward bound at last. homewards / həυmwədz/ adv towards home (NOTE: The US term is homeward.) ② homework / həυmw" k/ noun work which you take home from school to do in the evening 쑗 Have you finished your maths honestly homework? 쑗 I haven’t got any homework today, so I can watch TV. (NOTE: no plural) homeworker / həυmw" kə/ noun a person who works at home for a company homicidal /hɒm sadl/ adj likely to kill someone. Synonym murderous. Antonym harmless homicide / hɒmsad/ noun murder; the killing of someone. Synonym killing homing device / həυmŋ dvas/ noun a device on a missile which guides it to the target homing pigeon / həυmŋ pdȢn/ noun a pigeon trained to return to the place where it usually lives hominy / hɒmni/ noun US cooked maize seeds homogeneous /həυməυ dȢi niəs/ adj all of the same type homogenisation /həmɒdȢəna zeʃ(ə)n/, homogenization noun a treatment of milk so that the cream does not separate homogenised milk /həmɒdȢənazd mlk/ noun milk which has been treated so that the cream is evenly mixed through the liquid homograph / hɒməυDZrɑ f/ noun a word which is spelt the same as another, but which has a different meaning or pronunciation homonym / hɒmənm/ noun a word spelt and pronounced the same as another but which has a different meaning homophobia /həυməυ fəυbiə/ noun a fear of and hostility towards homosexuals homophobic /həυməυ fəυbk/ adj showing fear of and hostility towards homosexuals homophone / hɒməfəυn/ noun a word which is pronounced the same as another, but which is spelt differently or has a different meaning homosexual /həυməυ sekʃuəl/ noun, adj (a person) who is attracted to people of the same sex homosexuality /həυməυsekʃu lti/ noun the fact of being homosexual Hon abbr Honourable hone /həυn/ verb 1. to sharpen and smooth something 쑗 Each arrowhead had been honed to a fine point. 2. to improve something over a long period 쑗 His technique has been honed through years of practice. ① honest / ɒnst/ adj 1. not telling lies and treating people fairly 쑗 I wouldn’t buy a car from that garage – I’m not sure they’re completely honest. 2. truthful 쑗 He was honest with the police and told them what he had done. ① honestly / ɒnstli/ adv 1. in an open and honest way 2. used to express a feeling of be- honesty 404 ing annoyed 쑗 Honestly, you might have told me sooner! honesty / ɒnsti/ noun 1. truthfulness 쑗 I admire him for his honesty in saying the job was too difficult for him. 왍 in all honesty speaking truthfully 쑗 In all honesty I don’t think we’ll be able to finish the job on time. 2. a garden plant with purple flowers, and silvery seed cases, used as a winter decoration ③ honey / hni/ noun 1. a sweet substance produced by bees 쑗 I like honey on toast. 쑗 Greek cakes are often made with honey. 2. a name used for a person you love 쑗 Hey, honey, come and look at this! 쑗 Honey, don’t get mad at me! honeycomb / hnikəυm/ noun wax cells inside a beehive that contain honey ③ honeymoon / hnimu n/ noun 1. a holiday taken immediately after a wedding 쑗 They went on honeymoon to Corsica. 2. a period after an election when the new government is popular 쑗 The president’s honeymoon period has come to an end. 쐽 verb to go on a honeymoon 쑗 They plan to honeymoon in Florida. honeysuckle / hnisk(ə)l/ noun a climbing plant with scented white, pink, yellow or cream flowers honk /hɒŋk/ noun the noise made by a goose or by a car horn. Synonym hoot 쐽 verb to make a noise like a goose or with a car horn 쑗 Geese flew overhead, honking loudly. 쑗 He honked as he drove past. honorary / ɒnərəri/ adj 1. not paid a salary 쑗 She’s the honorary secretary of the society. 2. a title which shows respect 쑗 He’s the honorary president of the company. ③ honour / ɒnə/ noun 1. the practice of acting according to what you think is right 쑗 He’s a man of honour. 2. a sign of respect 쑗 It is an honour for me to be invited here today. 3. 왍 Your Honour a way of addressing a judge 쐽 verb 1. to respect or pay respect to someone 쑗 to honour the dead 2. to give someone an award as a mark of respect 쑗 He was honoured by the university. 3. to do what you promised 쑗 He honoured the agreement and gave the staff a pay rise. 4. 왍 to honour a cheque (of a bank) to pay the sum written on the cheque (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is honor.) honourable / ɒn(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj 1. who or which can be respected 쑗 He lived the rest of his life in honourable retirement. 쑗 He did the honourable thing and resigned. (NOTE: The US spelling is honorable.) 2. a title used when one MP addresses another in Parliament 쑗 The honourable Member for Putney would do well to remember the conditions in his constituency. (NOTE: usually shortened to Hon. in this meaning) hooky honourably / ɒnrəbli/ adv in a way which you can respect (NOTE: The US spelling is honorably.) honoured / ɒnəd/ adj pleased and proud (NOTE: The US spelling is honored.) honours degree / ɒnəz dDZri / noun a university degree, showing a high level of study. Abbr Hons Hons abbr honours degree hood /hυd/ noun 1. a loose piece of clothing to cover your head 쑗 He has a blue anorak with a hood. 2. a folding roof on something, e.g. a car or pram 쑗 Let’s put down the hood, it’s very hot. 3. US a metal cover for the front part of a car, covering the engine 쑗 He lifted the hood to see what was wrong with the motor. (NOTE: The British term is bonnet.) hooded / hυdd/ adj wearing a hood hoodlum / hu dləm/ noun a violent gangster. Synonym gangster hoodwink / hυdwŋk/ verb to trick someone hoof /hu f/ noun the horny part of the foot of a horse, cow and many other animals (NOTE: The plural is hooves.) 쐽 verb 왍 to hoof it to walk (informal ) 쑗 I am afraid we’ll just have to hoof it back to the camp site. hoo-ha / hu hɑ / noun a fuss or bother about something which is not very important (informal ) ③ hook /hυk/ noun 1. a bent piece of metal for hanging things on 쑗 Hang your coat on the hook behind the door. 2. a very small piece of bent metal, attached to a line for catching fish 쑗 The fish ate the worm but didn’t swallow the hook. 왍 to get someone off the hook to get someone out of a difficult situation 쑗 She got him off the hook by lying to his boss. 3. (in boxing or cricket ) a blow or stroke made with your arm bent 쐽 verb 1. to hang something on a hook or attach something with a hook 쑗 She hooked the curtains back to let in more light. 2. (in cricket ) to hit the ball with your arm bent 쑗 He hooked the next ball over the heads of the fielders. hooked /hυkt/ adj 1. shaped like a hook 쑗 He had dark eyes and a hooked nose. 2. 왍 hooked on something very fond of something (informal ) 쑗 He’s hooked on science fiction. hooker / hυkə/ noun 1. a player in the centre of a rugby scrum, who has to try to kick the ball backwards 쑗 The English hooker got the ball and from there they scored a try. 2. a prostitute; a woman who receives money for sexual intercourse 쑗 hookers standing on street corners hooky / hυki/ noun (informal ) 왍 to play hooky US not to go to school 쑗 They didn’t . . . . . . hooligan 405 go to school, but played hooky and went fishing instead. hooligan / hu lDZən/ noun a wild young man (informal ). Synonym criminal hooliganism / hu lDZənz(ə)m/ noun violent behaviour hoop /hu p/ noun a ring, often a large one . (NOTE: Do not confuse with whoop.) hooray! /hυ re/ interj showing enthusiasm Hooray, it’s the first day of the holidays! 쑗 Hip, hip, hooray! hoot /hu t/ noun 1. a call made by an owl 쑗 the ghostly hoot of the owl in the night 왍 hoots of laughter loud laughter 쑗 His imitation of Elvis provoked hoots of laughter. 2. the sound of a car horn 쑗 The sudden hoot of a car horn made her jump. 3. 왍 not to care a hoot or not to give a hoot about something not to worry about something at all (informal ) 쑗 I don’t care a hoot about the meeting – I’m staying in to watch TV. 쐽 verb 1. (of an owl ) to make a loud cry 쑗 An owl hooted in the distance. 왍 to hoot with laughter to laugh wildly 쑗 He had the audience hooting with laughter. 2. to sound a car horn 쑗 He hooted at the sheep to get them to move. hooter / hu tə/ noun a device which makes a loud warning noise Hoover / hu və/ trademark a type of vacuum cleaner 쑗 We need a bigger Hoover – this one isn’t powerful enough. 쐽 verb to clean something such as a carpet with a vacuum cleaner 쑗 She was hoovering the dining-room. hooves /hu vz/ 쒁 hoof ③ hop /hɒp/ verb 1. to jump on one leg 쑗 He hurt his toe and had to hop around on one foot. 왍 to be hopping mad very angry (informal ) 쑗 He was hopping mad when they told him his car had been stolen. 2. (of a bird or animals) to jump with both feet together 쑗 Magpies were hopping across the grass. 쑗 The frog hopped onto the lily pad. 왍 hop it! go away! (informal ) 3. 왍 to hop in to get in (informal ) 쑗 I stopped the car and told him to hop in. 왍 to hop on or off to get on or off 쑗 With the old London buses, you can hop on and off anywhere along the street, although it can be dangerous. (NOTE: hopping – hopped) 쐽 noun 1. a little jump 쑗 Magpies walk in a series of little hops. 왍 to catch someone on the hop to catch someone unexpectedly (informal ) 2. a short flight 쑗 It’s only a short hop from London to Paris. 3. the bitter dead flower of a climbing plant, used in making beer 쑗 Hops are used to give the bitter flavour to British beer. ① hope /həυp/ verb 1. to want and expect something to happen 쑗 We all hope our team wins. 쑗 She’s hoping she will soon be able to drive a car. 쑗 I hope it doesn’t rain. 왍 I hope so I want it to happen 쑗 Are you coming to 쑗 . . . . . . hormone the party? – Yes, I hope so. 왍 I hope not I don’t want it to happen 쑗 It’s going to rain tomorrow, isn’t it? – I hope not! 왍 to hope for something to want something to happen 쑗 We are hoping for a change in the weather, it’s rained every day this week so far. 2. to expect to do something 쑗 The chairman hopes to be at the meeting tomorrow. 쑗 They said they hoped to be back home by 6 o’clock. 쑗 I had hoped to go to the party but in the end I couldn’t. 쐽 noun the fact of wanting and expecting something to happen 쑗 Our only hope is that she will get better soon. 쑗 They have given up all hope of rescuing any more earthquake victims. 왍 in the hope that something happens wanting something to happen 쑗 I rang in the hope that you might have a table free for tonight. hoped-for / həυpt fɔ / adj needed and expected ② hopeful / həυpf(ə)l/ adj confident that something will happen 쑗 We are hopeful that the company will accept our offer. 쐽 noun a person who hopes to get something, e.g. a job or a place in a team 쑗 We are looking at six young hopefuls for the England team. ① hopefully / həυpf(ə)li/ adv 1. confidently 쑗 He looked hopefully at the list of lottery winners. 2. let us hope 쑗 Hopefully, the rain will stop in time for the picnic. ② hopeless / həυpləs/ adj 1. with no hope 쑗 The invoices are in a hopeless mess. 왍 to be a hopeless case to be unlikely to get any better 2. no good 쑗 She’s hopeless at tennis. 쑗 He’s hopeless when it comes to mending cars. hopelessly adv / həυpləsli/ with no hope 쑗 We got hopelessly lost looking for the British Museum. 쐽 adj very much 쑗 The company is hopelessly in debt. hopper / hɒpə/ noun a large funnel for channelling something, e.g. flour or sand horde /hɔ d/ noun a large crowd. Synonym throng (NOTE: Do not confuse with hoard.) horizon /hə raz(ə)n/ noun the line ③ where the earth and the sky meet. Synonym skyline horizons /hə raz(ə)nz/ plural noun 왍 to broaden someone’s horizons to increase someone’s range of interests and experiences 쑗 Travel broadens your horizons ③ horizontal /hɒr zɒnt(ə)l/ adj flat; level with the ground. Antonym vertical horizontally /hɒr zɒnt(ə)li/ adv lying flat hormonal /hɔ məυn(ə)l/ adj referring to hormones hormone / hɔ məυn/ noun a substance produced by glands in the body and carried to other parts of the body by the bloodstream to stimulate certain cells into action hormone replacement therapy hormone replacement 406 therapy /hɔ məυn r plesmənt θerəpi/ noun a treatment to relieve the symptoms of the menopause by supplying oestrogen and thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Abbr HRT ③ horn /hɔ n/ noun 1. a sharp pointed bone growing out of an animal’s head 쑗 That bull’s horns look very dangerous. 2. a warning device on a car 왍 to sound a horn to make a warning noise with a horn 쑗 Sound your horn when you come to the corner. 3. a metal musical instrument which is blown into to make a note 쑗 a concerto for horn and orchestra hornet / hɔ nt/ noun a large reddish-brown wasp horny / hɔ ni/ adj hard, like horn (informal ) horoscope / hɒrəskəυp/ noun a forecast of what will happen, according to the stars horrendous /hɒ rendəs/ adj horrible and unpleasant ② horrible / hɒrb(ə)l/ adj awful or terrible 쑗 The victims of the fire had horrible injuries. 쑗 He’s a horrible little boy. 쑗 We had a horrible meal at the restaurant. Synonym unpleasant. Antonym pleasant horribly / hɒrbli/ adv very badly horrid / hɒrd/ adj bad and unpleasant ③ horrific /hɒ rfk/ adj which makes you shocked. Synonym appalling. Antonym . wonderful ③ horrified / hɒrfad/ adj frightened or shocked horrify / hɒrfa/ verb to frighten or shock someone horrifying / hɒrfaŋ/ adj frightening or shocking ③ horror / hɒrə/ noun 1. the fact of feeling of being very frightened 쑗 He couldn’t hide his horror at hearing the news. 쑗 She has a horror of spiders. 쑗 Everyone watched in horror as the planes collided. 2. a naughty child 쑗 That boy is a little horror! horror film / hɒrə flm/, horror movie / hɒrə mu vi/ noun a frightening film, with ghosts, dead bodies, etc. horror-stricken / hɒrə strkən/, horrorstruck / hɒrə strk/ adj very frightened ① horse /hɔ s/ noun a large animal used for riding or for pulling vehicles 쑗 She was riding a black horse. 쑗 The coach was pulled by six white horses. 쑗 He’s out on his horse every morning. 왍 straight from the horse’s mouth from a very reliable source (informal ) 쑗 It’s straight from the horse’s mouth – the manager told me so himself. 쏡 look horse around /hɔ s ə raυnd/, horse about /hɔ s ə baυt/ verb to play roughly horseback / hɔ sbk/ noun 왍 on horseback riding on a horse 쑗 There were ten po. hospitality lice officers on horseback outside the football ground. horse chestnut /hɔ s tʃesnt/ noun 1. a tree with large leaves and upright white or pink flowers that produces large shiny brown seeds 2. a large shiny brown nut from a horse chestnut tree which is not edible. Also called conker horse-drawn / hɔ sdrɔ n/ adj pulled by a horse horsepower / hɔ spaυə/ noun a unit for measuring the power of a motor engine horse-racing / hɔ s resŋ/ noun the sport of racing horses and betting on the result horseradish / hɔ srdʃ/ noun a plant with a large root which is grated to make a sharp sauce horse-riding / hɔ sradŋ/ noun the practice of riding horses for pleasure horseshoe / hɔ sʃu / noun an iron shoe nailed to the hard part of a horse’s hoof, also used as a sign of luck horticultural /hɔ t kltʃərəl/ adj referring to horticulture. Synonym gardening horticulture / hɔ tkltʃə/ noun the practice of growing fruit, flowers and vegetables for food or decoration. Synonym gardening hose /həυz/ noun 1. a long flexible tube, either rubber or plastic 쑗 There is a ban on using garden hoses during the summer. 쑗 The firefighters turned their hoses on the burning building. 2. stockings 쐽 verb 왍 to hose something (down) to wash something with water from a hose 쑗 The sailors were hosing down the decks. hosepipe / həυzpap/ noun a long hose hosepipe ban / həυzpap bn/ noun a ban on using hosepipes and sprinklers to water your garden hosiery / həυziəri/ noun (in a shop) stockings, socks and tights hospice / hɒsps/ noun a hospital which cares for terminally ill patients hospitable /hɒ sptəb(ə)l/ adj welcoming and friendly to guests. Synonym welcoming. Antonym uninviting hospitably /hɒ sptəbli/ adv in a welcoming way ① hospital / hɒspt(ə)l/ noun a place where sick or hurt people are looked after 쑗 She was taken ill at work and sent to hospital. 쑗 When is she due to go into hospital? 쑗 He was in hospital for several days after the accident. hospitalisation /hɒspt(ə)la zeʃ(ə)n/, hospitalization noun the act of sending someone to hospital hospitalise / hɒspt(ə)laz/, hospitalize verb to put someone in hospital ③ hospitality /hɒsp tlti/ noun a welcome to guests host 407 ③ host /həυst/ noun 1. a person who has invited guests 쑗 The host asked his guests what they wanted to drink. 2. the landlord of a hotel or inn, also sometimes of a restaurant 쑗 the host of the ‘King’s Head’ 3. the person who introduces and talks to the guests on a TV or radio show 쑗 He was a chat show host on Saturday evening TV. 4. a person or animal that parasites live on 5. 왍 a host of a large number of 쑗 We face a host of problems. 쐽 verb 1. to act as host at a party 쑗 The company hosted a reception for two hundred guests. 쑗 She hosted a party for the visiting diplomats. 2. to be the centre where something takes place 쑗 Barcelona hosted the Olympic Games. 3. to organise and manage websites for other people hostage / hɒstdȢ/ noun a person who is captured and held by someone or an organisation, which threatens to kill him or her unless certain demands are met. Synonym captive hostel / hɒst(ə)l/ noun a cheap place where people can live hostelry / hɒst(ə)lri/ noun an inn (humorous or old ) (NOTE: The plural is hostelries.) hostess / həυsts/ noun a woman who has invited guests (NOTE: The plural is . hostesses.) hostile / hɒstal/ adj 1. referring to an en- emy 쑗 Hostile forces are moving towards the airport. 2. showing a dislike of someone 쑗 The crowd seemed hostile, so the President decided not to go on his planned walkabout. 왍 hostile questioning asking questions which attack the person being asked hostilities /hɒ stltiz/ plural noun war ③ hostility /hɒ stlti/ noun opposition 쑗 The board’s hostility towards the plan. (NOTE: no plural) hot /hɒt/ adj 1. very warm; with a high ① temperature 쑗 The weather is very hot in June, but August is the hottest month. 쑗 If you’re too hot, take your coat off. 쑗 Plates should be kept hot before serving the meal. 쏡 heat 2. (of food ) very highly spiced 쑗 This curry is particularly hot. 쑗 He chose the hottest dish on the menu. Antonym mild 3. 왍 to make things hot for someone to make difficulties for someone (informal ) 왍 to be hot and bothered to be annoyed and nervous about something 왍 to sell like hot cakes to sell very fast (informal ) 쑗 This new toy is selling like hot cakes. 왍 to get into hot water to get into trouble 쑗 He got into hot water with the local authority after he built a garage without permission. 왍 in the hot seat having to take decisions 쑗 I pity the club treasurer – he’s really in the hot seat. 4. vigorous and energetic 왍 in hot pursuit chasing someone actively 쑗 The rebels retreated into . . . hotplate the mountains with the government forces in hot pursuit. 쏡 hotly (NOTE: hotter – hottest) hot air /hɒt eə/ noun useless talk (informal ). Synonym nonsense hot-air balloon /hɒt eə bəlu n/ noun a very large balloon which rises into the air as the air inside it is heated, with people travelling in a basket attached underneath hotbed / hɒtbed/ noun a place where a lot of some activity takes place 쑗 a hotbed of crime hot-blooded /hɒt bldd/ adj with a violent temper; easily excited. Synonym passionate. Antonym cold-blooded hot chocolate /hɒt tʃɒklət/ noun a drink made from chocolate powder and hot milk hotchpotch / hɒtʃpɒtʃ/ noun a mixture of all sorts of items (NOTE: The US term is . hodgepodge.) hot cross bun /hɒt krɒs bn/ noun a small spicy cake with a cross on it, eaten at Easter ③ hot dog /hɒt dɒDZ/ noun a snack made of a hot frankfurter sausage eaten in a roll of bread ① hotel /həυ tel/ noun a building where travellers can rent a room for the night, eat in a restaurant or drink in a bar 쑗 They are staying at the Grand Hotel, which is the only five-star hotel in town. 쑗 I’ll meet you in the hotel lobby. 쑗 All the hotel rooms in the town are booked. hotelier /həυ telie/ noun a person who owns or manages a hotel hot flush /hɒt flʃ/ noun a sudden hot feeling in the upper body which is a typical symptom of the menopause in women hotfoot /hɒt fυt/ adv running fast. Synonym immediately. Antonym slowly hothead / hɒthed/ noun a person who acts without thinking of the consequences hothouse / hɒthaυs/ noun a heated greenhouse hot key / hɒt ki / noun a computer key that you press as a quick way to peform a set of actions hotline / hɒtlan/ noun 1. a direct emergency phone line between two heads of government 쑗 The President called the Prime Minister on the hotline. 2. a phone line for giving urgent messages or for placing urgent orders 쑗 We get thousands of orders on our Christmas hotline. 쑗 Call the ticket hotline for reservations. hotly / hɒtli/ adv 1. angrily 쑗 He hotly denied the reports which had been published in the newspapers. 2. close behind 쑗 The enemy fled, hotly pursued by government troops. hotplate / hɒtplet/ noun a flat heated surface on a cooker hotpot 408 hotpot / hɒtpɒt/ noun meat stew with sliced potatoes on top, cooked in the oven hot potato /hɒt pə tetəυ/ noun a subject which is difficult to deal with hot spot / hɒt spɒt/ noun 1. a place which is exciting 쑗 This café is one of the hottest spots in town. 2. a place where fighting is taking place 쑗 He was sent to report from one of the hot spots in the Middle East. hot-tempered /hɒt tempəd/ adj with a violent temper. Synonym excitable. Antonym relaxed hot-water bottle /hɒt wɑ tə bɒt(ə)l/ noun a container filled with hot water which is placed in a bed to warm it hound /haυnd/ noun a dog used for hunting 쑗 He has a pack of hounds for hunting. 쐽 verb to attack or victimise someone 쑗 When he came out of prison he was hounded by the press. 왍 the minister was hounded out of office the minister had to resign because of attacks on him in the press ① hour /aυə/ noun 1. a period of time which lasts sixty minutes 쑗 The train journey takes two hours. 쑗 It’s a three-hour flight to Greece. 쑗 The train travels at over 150 miles an hour. 쑗 The pay is £10 an hour. 쑗 The hours of work are from 9.30 to 5.30. 쑗 The lunch hour is from 12.30 to 1.30. 쑗 She works a thirty-five hour week. 왍 a quarter of an hour 15 minutes 쑗 I’ll be ready in a quarter of an hour. 왍 to be paid by the hour to be paid for each hour you work 2. 왍 hours a very long time (informal ) 쑗 They took hours to serve us. 쑗 We waited hours for the bus. hourglass / aυəDZlɑ s/ noun a device for timing, with two glass containers joined with a narrow neck, one full of sand, which takes exactly one hour to trickle down to fill the other hourly / aυəli/ adj happening every hour 왍 hourly-paid workers workers paid at a fixed rate for each hour worked 왍 an hourly rate the amount of money paid for an hour worked 쑗 The minimum hourly rate is £5.60. ① house noun /haυs/ 1. a building in which someone lives 쑗 He has bought a house in London. 쑗 He has a small flat in town and a large house in the country. 쑗 All the houses in our street look the same. 2. 왍 they get on like a house on fire they like each other very much (informal ) 3. business 쑗 She runs a publishing house. 쑗 An important finance house has financed the deal. 4. a part of a Parliament 쑗 The British Parliament is formed of the House of Commons and the House of Lords. 쑗 The American Congress is formed of the House of Representatives and the Senate. 5. a bar, pub or restaurant 왍 drinks are on the house drinks are free to . . House of Commons customers 6. the showing of a film, play, etc. (NOTE: The plural is houses / haυzz/.) 쐽 verb /haυz/ to provide accommodation for someone or something 쑗 His collection of old cars is housed in a barn. 쑗 We have been asked if we can house three students for the summer term. house arrest / haυs ərest/ noun 왍 to be under house arrest to be under police guard in your own home, without being allowed to leave it 쑗 The opposition leader has been under house arrest for six years. houseboat / haυsbəυt/ noun a boat moored on a river, arranged for living in, not for travelling housebound / haυsbaυnd/ adj not able to leave your house house fly / haυs fla/ noun a common insect which lives in houses and lays its eggs in food ② household / haυshəυld/ noun the people living together in a house householder / haυshəυldə/ noun a person who owns a private house household goods /haυshəυld DZυdz/ plural noun goods which are used in a house household linen /haυshəυld lnn/ noun all the things such as sheets, towels, pillowcases and tablecloths which you use in the home household name /haυshəυld nem/ noun a well-known brand house husband /haυz hzbənd/ noun a man who does not go out to work but stays at home to look after his house and family housekeeper / haυski pə/ noun 1. a person who looks after a house 쑗 He employs a housekeeper, a chauffeur and two gardeners. 2. a person employed to look after the rooms in a hotel, being responsible for the people who do the cleaning, and for providing clean sheets, etc. 쑗 The housekeeper is responsible for the cleanliness of the rooms. housekeeping / haυski pŋ/ noun the work of looking after a house. Synonym housework (NOTE: no plural) house magazine / haυs mDZəzi n/ noun a magazine produced for the employees or shareholders in a company to give them news about the company houseman / haυsmən/ noun GB a young doctor who works in a hospital during his or her final year of training (NOTE: The US term is intern.) housemate / haυsmet/ noun a person who is not a member of your family, but who shares a house with you House of Commons /haυs əv kɒmənz/ noun the lower house of the British Parliament (NOTE: Members of the House of Lords 409 House of Commons are called Members of Parliament or MPs.) House of Lords /haυs əv lɔ dz/ noun the upper house of the British Parliament House of Representatives /haυs əv repr zentətvz/ noun the lower house of the US Congress (NOTE: Members of the House of Representatives are called Congressmen.) house plant / haυs plɑ nt/ noun a plant that is grown indoors and not in a garden houseproud / haυspraυd/ adj taking great pride in the appearance of your house, and very concerned with keeping it tidy ③ Houses of Parliament /haυzz əv pɑ ləmənt/ noun a building in London where Parliament meets house-to-house /haυs tə haυs/ adj going from one house to the next, in order to ask people to buy something or vote for someone, or to ask them questions 쑗 The police carried out house-to-house checks to try to find the gunman. 쑗 He has a job selling cleaning products house-to-house. house-trained /haυz trend/ adj (of animals) having been taught not to urinate or defecate on the floor in houses housewarming / haυswɔ mŋ/ noun a party that people have when they move into a new house ③ housewife / haυswaf/ noun a woman who does not go out to work but stays at home to look after her house and family (NOTE: The / haυswavz/.) plural is housewives house wine / haυs wan/ noun a special wine selected by a restaurant, cheaper than other wines on the wine list housework / haυsw" k/ noun the work of keeping a house or flat clean (NOTE: no plural) ② housing / haυzŋ/ noun 1. the activity of providing places where people can live 쑗 The local council is responsible for the housing of homeless people. 2. houses 쑗 Public housing has to conform to certain standards. housing benefit / haυzŋ benft/ noun money paid by the government to unemployed people, to help them pay their rent housing development / haυzŋ dveləpmənt/ noun a group of houses built at the same time housing estate / haυzŋ stet/ noun 1. a group of new flats or houses 쑗 She lives on the Bellevue Estate. Synonym estate 2. a group of houses and flats belonging to a local authority, and rented to tenants for a cheap price housing project / haυzŋ prɒdȢekt/ noun US a series of houses or flats built by a local municipality hr hovel / hɒv(ə)l/ noun a small dirty house. Synonym slum hover / hɒvə/ verb 1. to hang in the air without moving forward 쑗 flies hovering over the surface of a pool 2. 왍 to hover around someone to stay near someone 쑗 He hovered around her for the whole evening. hovercraft / hɒvəkrɑ ft/ noun a type of boat which moves over the surface of the water on a cushion of air ① how /haυ/ adv 1. showing or asking the way in which something is done 쑗 How do you switch off the cooker? 쑗 Can you tell me how to get to the railway station from here? 쑗 I don’t know how he does it. 2. showing or asking about the extent or quantity of something 쑗 How big is their house? 쑗 How many people are there in your family? 쑗 She showed us how good she was at skiing. 쑗 How old is your little boy? 쑗 How far is it to the church? 3. showing surprise 쑗 How cold it is outside! 쑗 How different it is from what I remember! 4. 왍 how about? would you like? (informal ) 쑗 How about a swim before breakfast? 쑗 How about a cup of coffee? 왍 how come? why 쑗 How come you’re late? 쑗 How come the front door was left open? 왍 how do you mean? what do you mean? 쑗 How do you mean, the payment won’t be made until next week? how are you? /haυ ɑ ju /, how are you doing? / haυ djə du / interj 1. a general greeting 쑗 Hi Robert! How are you doing? — Fine, thanks!’ (NOTE: In this meaning a detailed reply is not expected.) 2. used for asking someone about the state of their health 쑗 How are you today? 쑗 The doctor asked me how I was. how do you do? /haυ ə jυ du ŋ/ interj a greeting (formal ) (NOTE: This expression . . is usually used while shaking hands when meeting someone formally. The expected response is ‘How do you do?’ rather than a detailed reply.) ① however /haυ evə/ adv 1. to whatever degree or amount 쑗 However many times she tried, she couldn’t pass the driving test. 쑗 I must have the house painted, however expensive it’s going to be. 쑗 However hard he tried, he still couldn’t swim. 2. used for emphasising ‘how’ 쑗 However did you manage to get in? 3. but 쑗 We never go out on Saturdays – however, this week we’re going to a wedding. 쐽 conj in whatever way 쑗 Do it however you like. howl /haυl/ verb to make a long loud cry 쑗 The wolves howled outside the cabin. 쑗 The wind howled in the chimney. 쐽 noun a long loud cry 쑗 Howls of disappointment came from the fans. Synonym wail HQ abbr headquarters hr abbr hour hrs 410 hrs abbr hours HRT abbr hormone replacement therapy HTML noun a system of codes used to prepare a document for the World Wide Web hub /hb/ noun 1. the centre of a wheel 쑗 The spokes of a wheel meet at the hub. 2. the centre of some activity, especially business activity 쑗 Frankfurt is hoping to take the place of the City of London as the financial hub of Europe. 3. a central airport, where domestic flights connect with international flights 쑗 Chicago is the airline’s American hub. hubbub / hbb/ noun the confused sound of voices. Antonym silence hub cap / hb kp/ noun a metal or plastic plate covering the hub of a car’s wheel huddle / hd(ə)l/ verb to crowd together, or to be crowded together 쑗 The refugees huddled in the shade of some trees. 쑗 The children were huddled together in one room. 쐽 noun 왍 to go into a huddle to get together to discuss something 쑗 The players went into a huddle to discuss tactics. hue /hju / noun a colour (formal ) 쑗 The garden is filled with flowers of every hue. . (NOTE: Do not confuse with hew.) hue and cry /hju ən kra/ noun 1. an excited chase after someone 2. a loud protest. Synonym uproar huff /hf/ noun 왍 in a huff in a bad temper (informal ) 쑗 She went off in a huff. huffy / hfi/ adj bad-tempered hug /hDZ/ noun an action of throwing your arms around someone 쑗 She ran to the little girl and gave her a hug. 쐽 verb 1. to throw your arms around someone 쑗 The players hugged each other when the goal was scored. 2. to hold something very tightly 쑗 The little girl was hugging a blue blanket. 3. to keep very close to something 쑗 The road hugs the foot of the mountain. 쑗 She drove along slowly, hugging the pavement. (NOTE: hug. ging – hugged) ② huge /hju dȢ/ adj very large 쑗 Huge waves battered the ship. 쑗 The concert was a huge success. 쑗 Failing the test was a huge disappointment for him. hugely / hju dȢli/ adv enormously. Synonym enormously. Antonym slightly huh /h, hə/ interj 1. used for showing that you did not hear or understand what someone has just said 2. used for showing a reaction such as surprise or disgust 쑗 Huh, you think you can sneak out without paying, do you? hulk /hlk/ noun 1. a big and awkward person or thing 쑗 Watch where you’re treading, you lumbering great hulk! 2. a rotten old ship 쑗 Rusting hulks blocked the approaches to the harbour. human rights hulking / hlkŋ/ adj big and awkward (informal ). Synonym bulky. Antonym dainty hull /hl/ noun the main body of a ship 쑗 The liner is in dry dock for repairs to her hull. 쐽 verb to take peas out of their pods, or take the green leafy tops off strawberries 쑗 If you hull the peas I’ll get the potatoes ready. hum /hm/ noun a low buzz 쑗 A loud hum came out of the beehive. Synonym whine 쐽 verb 1. to make a low buzz 쑗 Bees were humming around the hive. 2. to sing without words 쑗 If you don’t know the words of the national anthem, you can always hum the tune. (NOTE: humming – hummed) ① human / hju mən/ adj referring to people 왍 he’s only human he can make mistakes like anyone else 쑗 I know there’s a mistake in the exam question – examiners are only human, after all! human being /hju mən bi ŋ/, human / hju mən/ noun a person humane /hju men/ adj kind to people or animals. Synonym compassionate. Antonym cruel humanely /hju menli/ adv in a humane way human error /hju mən erə/ noun a mistake made by a person, and not by a machine human interest /hju mən ntrəst/ noun the power to make people interested or sympathetic humanism / hju mənz(ə)m/ noun a concern with humans as opposed to religious ideas humanist / hju mənst/ noun a person who is concerned with humans as opposed to religious ideas humanitarian /hju mn teəriən/ adj helping other human beings humanity /hju mnti/ noun 1. all people 쑗 a crime against humanity 2. great kindness 쑗 She showed great humanity to the refugees. humankind /hju mən kand/ noun all human beings humanly / hju mənli/ adv 왍 humanly possible possible with the maximum effort 쑗 We did everything humanly possible to rescue the survivors. human nature /hju mən netʃə/ noun natural feelings which are found in all people human race /hju mən res/ noun all human beings, regarded as a group human resources /hju mən r sɔ sz/ plural noun the employees of a company, seen as a group ① human rights /hju mən rats/ plural noun rights which each member of society should enjoy, such as freedom of speech and freedom of movement 쑗 Demonstrators are protesting against abuses of human rights in various parts of the world. . humble 411 humble / hmbəl/ adj 1. modest; feeling you are not important 쑗 Seeing how much work she does for charity makes me feel very humble. 2. poor and ordinary 쑗 He comes from a humble family. 쑗 They live in a humble little house in the mountains. (NOTE: humbler – humblest) humdrum / hmdrm/ adj dull and boring. Synonym routine. Antonym exciting humerus / hju mərəs/ noun a bone in the arm, running from the shoulder to the elbow (NOTE: Do not confuse with humorous.) humid / hju md/ adj (of the air ) warm and . damp. Synonym moist. Antonym arid humidifier /hju mdfaə/ noun a device which makes the air in a room or house less dry humidify /hju mdfa/ verb to make the air in a room or house less dry. Synonym moisten humidity /hju mdti/ noun a measurement of how much water vapour is contained in the air. Synonym moisture humiliate /hju mliet/ verb to make someone feel unimportant or stupid humiliating /hju mlietŋ/ adj which makes you feel embarrassed, unimportant or stupid humiliation /hju mli eʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of making someone feel unimportant or stupid, or the feeling of being made to look like this. Synonym disgrace humility /hju mlti/ noun the quality of being humble. Antonym arrogance humorist / hju mərst/ noun a person who makes jokes or writes funny stories or articles humorous / hju mərəs/ adj funny humour / hju mə/ noun 1. the characteristic of finding particular things funny 쑗 He has a good sense of humour. 쑗 She has absolutely no sense of humour. 쑗 Want to meet male, aged 30 – 35, with a good sense of humour (GSOH). 2. a general feeling or mood 쑗 I am in no humour to talk about holidays just now. 쑗 His good humour lasted until the end of the party. 쐽 verb 왍 to humour someone to say you agree with someone in order to please them 쑗 When he starts shouting and cursing, you to have to try to humour him to keep him happy. (NOTE: [all senses] The US ③ spelling is humor.) humourless / hju mələs/ adj lacking an ability to find things funny (NOTE: The US spelling is humorless.) hump /hmp/ noun 1. a raised part on the back of a person or animal 쑗 Arabian camels have only one hump, while Bactrian camels have two. 2. a small raised part in the ground 쑗 They have built humps in the road to slow down the traffic. 3. an awkward situation 쑗 hunk Now that we are over the hump we can perhaps discuss discounts again. 쐽 verb to carry something on your shoulder (informal ) 쑗 We spent all morning humping sacks of sand. hump-backed bridge /hmp bkt brdȢ/ noun a little bridge which rises and falls very steeply humus / hju məs/ noun decomposed organic matter in good soil which makes soil dark and makes it bond together hunch /hntʃ/ noun a feeling that something is going to happen 쑗 I’ve got a hunch that we will win. 쑗 The detective acted purely on a hunch. Synonym feeling (NOTE: The plural is hunches.) 쐽 verb to bend forward 쑗 We hunched down behind the wall to get out of the wind. Antonym straighten hunchback / hntʃbk/ noun a person with a hunched back (offensive) hunched / hntʃt/ adj bent forward ① hundred / hndrəd/ noun the number 100 쑗 The church is over a hundred years old. 쑗 My grandfather will be a hundred next month. 쑗 Do I have to tell you a hundred times to stop that noise? 쐽 왍 hundreds of very many 쑗 Hundreds of birds were killed by the cold weather. 쑗 Hundreds of people caught flu last winter. 쑗 They came in their hundreds to visit the grave. hundredweight / hndrədwet/ noun a weight of dry goods, equal to 112 pounds or approximately 50 kilos ① hung /hŋ/ 쒁 hang hunger / hŋDZə/ noun the state of wanting or needing to eat 왍 to die of hunger to die because you do not have enough to eat 쑗 He was dying of hunger when they found him. hunger strike / hŋDZə strak/ noun a continuing refusal to eat, as a form of protest hung jury /hŋ dȢυəri/ noun a jury which cannot reach a majority decision hungover /hŋ əυvə/ adj feeling ill as a result of having been drunk a few hours earlier ② hungry / hŋDZri/ adj wanting to eat 쑗 You must be hungry after that game of football. 쑗 I’m not very hungry – I had a big lunch. 쑗 Hurry up with the food – we’re getting hungry. 왍 to go hungry not to have enough to eat 쑗 Students had to go hungry when their grants were not paid. (NOTE: . hungrier – hungriest) ③ hung up /hŋ p/ adj worried or bothered about something. 쏡 hang-up. Synonym anxious hunk /hŋk/ noun 1. a rough piece of some- thing 쑗 We each had a hunk of bread and a bowl of soup. 2. a strong athletic man (informal ) 쑗 Sophie came to the party with that gorgeous hunk of hers. . hunky 412 hunky / hŋki/ adj attractively strong and athletic (informal ) hunt /hnt/ verb 1. 왍 to hunt for something to search for something 쑗 We’re hunting for a cheap flat. 쑗 They came to London in the week after Christmas, hunting for bargains. 2. to chase wild animals for food or sport 쑗 We took the dogs out hunting rats. 쑗 Our cat is not very good at hunting mice. 쑗 They go to Scotland to hunt deer. (NOTE: You . hunt animals, but you hunt for things.) 쐽 noun 1. a search 쑗 The hunt for new offices has just started. 2. a group of people who meet together with dogs to hunt foxes 쑗 The hunt will assemble at 10.00 a.m. hunter / hntə/ noun a person who hunts 왍 bargain hunter a person who looks for bargains 쑗 Bargain hunters were queuing outside the shop on the first day of the sales. ③ hunting / hntŋ/ noun 1. the sport of chasing wild animals and killing them 쑗 Many people are opposed to fox hunting. 2. the action of looking for something hunting ground / hntŋ DZraυnd/ noun 1. a place where wild animals are hunted 쑗 The island is a fabulous hunting ground for butterfly collectors. 2. a place where things are often found 쑗 Secondhand shops are a good hunting ground for old designer clothes. huntsman / hntsmən/ noun a man who hunts animals, especially foxes (NOTE: The plural is huntsmen.) hurdle / h" d(ə)l/ noun 1. a small fence which you have to jump over in a race 쑗 She fell at the first hurdle. 2. an obstacle in the way of something 쑗 Only one more hurdle to clear and the house will be ours. hurdles / h" d(ə)lz/ plural noun a race in which you run and jump over fences hurl /h" l/ verb to throw something hurly-burly / h" li b" li/ noun a situation of rough activity. Synonym commotion hurricane / hrkən/ noun a tropical storm with strong winds and rain in the Caribbean or Eastern Pacific Ocean (NOTE: In the Far East called a typhoon; in the Indian Ocean called a cyclone.) ③ hurried / hrid/ adj done in a rush, or too quickly hurriedly / hrdli/ adv in a rush, or too quickly hurry / hri/ noun 왍 in a hurry doing things fast 쑗 The waiters are always in a hurry. 쑗 Can’t you drive any faster? – We’re in a hurry to catch our plane! 쑗 He wants the report in a hurry. 왍 what’s the hurry? why are you going so fast? 쑗 What’s the hurry? It’s only two o’clock and the plane doesn’t leave until nine. 왍 there’s no hurry you do not need to do it fast 쑗 There’s no hurry for ③ hushed the figures – we do not need them until next week. 쐽 verb 1. to go, do or make something fast 쑗 She hurried across the room. 쑗 You’ll have to hurry if you want to catch the last post. 쑗 There’s no need to hurry – we’ve got plenty of time. 2. to make someone go faster 쑗 Don’t hurry me, I like to take my time. ③ hurry up /hri p/ verb 1. to go or do something faster 쑗 Hurry up – we’ll be late for the film. 쑗 Can’t you get the cook to hurry up? I’m getting hungry! 2. to make someone do something faster, or to make something happen faster 쑗 Can you hurry up that order? The customer wants it tomorrow. ② hurt /h" t/ verb 1. to have or give pain 쑗 My tooth hurts. 쑗 No one was badly hurt in the accident. 쑗 Where did you hurt yourself? 쑗 Is he badly hurt? 쑗 Two players got hurt in the game. 2. to harm; to damage 쑗 The bad publicity did not hurt our sales. 쑗 This news report will surely hurt his reputation. 왍 it wouldn’t hurt to, it never hurts to it would be a good thing to 쑗 It wouldn’t hurt to complain to the local council. 쑗 It never hurts to be polite to customers. 왍 to hurt someone’s feelings to make someone upset 쑗 Be gentle when you tell her the news – we don’t want to hurt her feelings. 쐽 noun 1. a place where you have a pain (children’s language) 쑗 He has a hurt on his toe. 2. a feeling of sadness because you have been badly treated 쑗 She feels resentful towards him because of the hurt to her pride. hurtful / h" tf(ə)l/ adj which is upsetting, and which makes someone sad. Antonym kind hurtle / h" t(ə)l/ verb to go dangerously fast ① husband / hzbənd/ noun a man to whom a woman is married 쑗 Her husband is Scottish. 쑗 He’s the doctor’s husband. Synonym spouse. Antonym wife 왍 to live as husband and wife to live together as if you were married without being married 쑗 They lived together as husband and wife for twenty years. 쐽 verb not to waste money, supplies, etc. (formal ) 쑗 We must learn to husband our resources. husbandry / hzbəndri/ noun farming, looking after crops and animals hush /hʃ/ noun a time of silence 쑗 A hush fell over the people in the hall as the speaker stood up. 쐽 verb 1. to make someone quiet 쑗 She eventually managed to hush the children to sleep. 2. 왍 to hush something up to hide something so that no one knows about it 쑗 They tried to hush up the scandal. 왍 to hush someone up to make someone keep quiet about something 쑗 We hushed him up with a bribe. hushed /hʃt/ adj quiet, so as not to make too much noise . hush-hush 413 hush-hush /hʃ hʃ/ adj secret (informal ) hush money / hʃ mni/ noun money . paid as a bribe to prevent someone talking about something (informal ) husk /hsk/ noun the dry outside coating of cereals or nuts 쑗 Take the husks off peanuts before you roast them. 쐽 verb to remove the husk from seeds or nuts 쑗 We all sat in front of the house husking corn. husky / hski/ adj 1. hoarse, but in an attractive way 쑗 She spoke in a low husky voice. 2. (of a young man) tall and strongly built 쑗 A group of husky students cheered when they saw her. (NOTE: huskier – huskiest) 쐽 noun a dog used to pull sledges 쑗 Each sled was pulled by a team of huskies. . (NOTE: The plural is huskies.) hussy / hsi/ noun an immoral and indecent woman (dated, insulting ) (NOTE: The plural is hussies.) hustle / hs(ə)l/ noun a movement of peo. ple 쑗 the hustle of the commuters trying to get home on the Underground 쐽 verb to hurry someone along roughly 쑗 The police tried to hustle the crowd of protesters away. 쑗 Don’t hustle me – I’m going as fast as I can! hustle and bustle /hs(ə)l ən bs(ə)l/ noun great activity hustler / hslə/ noun a person who works energetically to achieve something ③ hut /ht/ noun a small rough wooden house hutch /htʃ/ noun a box or cage for animals such as rabbits hyacinth / haəsnθ/ noun a bulb which produces spikes of bright pink, white or blue scented flowers hybrid / habrd/ adj, noun a cross between two varieties of plant or animal 쑗 She is well known for growing hybrid roses. hydraulic /ha drɔ lk/ adj worked by fluid pressure hydroelectric /hadrəυ lektrk/ adj referring to hydroelectricity 왍 a hydroelectric power station a power station producing electricity by water power hydroelectricity /hadrəυlek trsti/ noun electricity from water power hydrofoil / hadrəυfɔl/ noun a type of boat which skims fast over the surface of the water hydrogen / hadrədȢən/ noun a common gas which combines with oxygen to form water hyena /ha i nə/ noun an African animal like a large wild dog ③ hygiene / hadȢi n/ noun the science of being and keeping things clean hygienic /ha dȢi nk/ adj clean and free of germs hypnotise hymn /hm/ noun a religious song, usually sung in church hype /hap/ noun an excessive claim in advertising 쑗 No one really believes all the hype surrounding the pop group. 쑗 There was a lot of hype about the festival and in the end it turned out to be very small. Synonym publicity 쐽 verb to make excessive claims in publicity 쑗 The show was hyped (up) in all the newspapers. Synonym publicise hyper- /hapə/ prefix higher, or to a greater degree hyperactive /hapər ktv/ adj very active hyperbole /ha p" bəli/ noun an exaggerated statement. Synonym exaggeration. Antonym understatement hyperlink / hapəlŋk/ noun a link in hypertext hypermarket / hapəmɑ kt/ noun a very large supermarket, usually on the outskirts of a large town hypersensitive /hapə sensətv/ adj 1. very easily upset or insulted 2. having a strong physical reaction to a drug or other substance hypertension /hapə tenʃən/ noun high blood pressure; a condition where the pressure of the blood in the arteries is too high hypertext / hapətekst/ noun a system of storing computer files that gives the user direct access to related electronic information hyperventilate /hapə ventlet/ verb to breathe so fast or deeply that you start to feel dizzy ③ hyphen / haf(ə)n/ noun a printing sign (-) used to show that two words are joined or that a word has been split hyphenate / hafənet/ verb to put a hyphen between two words; to divide a long word into two parts with a hyphen, or to show that a word has been split at the end of a line hyphenated / hafənetd/ adj (of a word ) spelled with one or more hyphens hyphenation /hafə neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of putting hyphens between words or between parts of a word hypnosis /hp nəυss/ noun a state like sleep, but caused artificially, where the patient can remember forgotten events in the past or will do whatever the hypnotist tells him or her to do hypnotherapy /hpnəυ θerəpi/ noun the treatment of a patient by hypnosis hypnotic /hp nɒtk/ adj referring to hypnotism 쑗 Hypnotic treatment can be successful for deeply traumatised patients. hypnotise / hpnətaz/, hypnotize verb to make someone go into a state where he or . hypnotism 414 she appears to be asleep and will do anything the hypnotist suggests. Synonym fascinate hypnotism / hpnətz(ə)m/ noun the act of hypnotising people hypnotist / hpnətst/ noun a person who practises hypnosis hypoallergenic /hapəυələ dȢenk/ adj unlikely to start off an allergic reaction hypochondriac /hapəυ kɒndrik/ noun a person who is always worried about his or her health hypocrisy /h pɒkrsi/ noun pretending to be what you are not. Synonym insincerity. Antonym sincerity hypocrite / hpəkrt/ noun a person who says one thing and acts in a different way hypocritical /hpə krtk(ə)l/ adj referring to hypocrisy. Synonym insincere. Antonym genuine hypodermic needle /hapəd" mk ni d(ə)l/, hypodermic syringe /hapəd" mk s rnȢ/ noun a needle or syringe for injecting liquid under the skin hypotenuse /ha pɒtənju z/ noun the long side of a right-angled triangle hypothermia /hapəυ θ" miə/ noun a state where the temperature of the body is dangerously low hysterics hypothesis /ha pɒθəss/ noun something which is probably true, though it cannot be proved (NOTE: The plural is hypotheses /ha pɒθəsi z/.) hypothetical /hapə θetk(ə)l/ adj suggested as possible, but not an actual happening hysterectomy /hstə rektəmi/ noun the surgical removal of a woman’s womb, either to treat cancer or because of some other problem hysteria /h stəriə/ noun a neurotic state, where the patient is in a fit of panic or excitement. Antonym calm 왍 mass hysteria nervous excitement which affects crowds of people at the same time 쑗 Amid scenes of mass hysteria the pop group came onto the stage. hysterical /h sterk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to hysteria 쑗 He burst into hysterical laughter. 쑗 Hysterical fans tried to climb onto the stage. 2. very funny 쑗 The video of the wedding was hysterical. hysterically /h sterkli/ adv in a hysterical way hysterics /h sterks/ plural noun 1. an attack of hysteria 쑗 He went into hysterics when he saw his daughter covered in blood. 2. laughter which you cannot control 쑗 The children were in hysterics as they watched the clown tearing up pieces of paper. ③ I i /a/, I noun the ninth letter of the alphabet, between H and J 왍 to dot one’s i’s and cross one’s t’s to be very careful to get the final details right ① I1 /a/ pron used by a speaker when talking about himself or herself 쑗 She said, ‘I can do it’, and she did it. 쑗 He told me I could go home early. 쑗 She and I come from the same town. 쑗 I said I was going to be late. (NOTE: When it is the object of a verb, I becomes me: I gave it to him – he gave it to me; I hit him – he hit me. When it follows the verb be, I usually becomes me: Who is it? – It’s me!) ① I2 /a/ noun the Roman numeral for one or first 쑗 King Charles I ibid / bd/ adv used in references to mean ‘from the text previously referred to’ ibis / abs/ noun a tropical water bird with long legs and a curved bill ② ice /as/ noun 1. water which is frozen and has become solid 쑗 When water freezes, it turns into ice. 쑗 Would you like ice in your drink? (NOTE: no plural: some ice, a lump of ice) 왍 her hands are like ice her hands are very cold. 쏡 dry ice 2. 왍 to break the ice to make people feel more relaxed 쑗 The party started quietly, but a few games soon broke the ice. 왍 to keep or put something on ice to not do anything about something for the moment 3. an ice cream 쑗 We had ices during the interval. 쑗 Two coffee ices, please. 쐽 verb to put a layer of icing on a cake. 쏡 iced iceberg / asb" DZ/ noun a huge block of ice floating on the sea 왍 the tip of the iceberg a small noticeable part of something much bigger, especially something unpleasant that is mostly hidden 쑗 These errors in the accounts were just the tip of the iceberg – the staff had been stealing money and stock for years. icebox / asbɒks/ noun 1. a box containing ice to keep food or drink cool 쑗 We took the drinks to the picnic in an icebox. 2. US same as refrigerator (dated ) ice-breaker / as brekə/ noun 1. a specially strengthened boat used to break up ice in the sea 2. a game at the start of a party or other event with a lot of people, to help everyone to get to know one another . ice cap /as kp/ noun a thick layer of ice and snow that never melts, such as at the North and South Poles or on the top of some high mountains ice-cold /as kəυld/ adj extremely cold ② ice cream /as kri m/ noun a frozen dessert made from cream and flavouring such as fruit ice cream cone /as kri m kəυn/ noun a hollow cone of biscuit, inside which ice cream is served. Also called ice cream cornet ice cream soda /as kri m səυdə/ noun a sweet fizzy drink mixed with ice cream ice cube / as kju b/ noun a little block of ice, used to cool a drink iced /ast/ adj cold; with ice in it ice floe / as fləυ/ noun a thick sheet of ice floating on the sea ice hockey / as hɒki/ noun a form of hockey played on ice using a hard rubber disc called a puck (NOTE: The US term is hockey.) ice lolly / as lɒli/ noun a mixture of water and flavouring, frozen until solid with a stick in it (NOTE: The plural is ice lollies. The US term is popsicle.) ice pack / as pk/ noun a bag of ice placed on your forehead to cure a headache, etc. ice rink / as rŋk/ noun a special area for ice skating, or for playing ice hockey, etc. ice skate / as sket/ noun a boot with a steel blade fitted to the bottom for skating on ice 쐽 verb to glide over ice on ice skates ice skating / as sketŋ/ noun the activity of skating on ice, as opposed to roller skating ③ ice up /as p/ verb to become covered with ice icicle / ask(ə)l/ noun a long piece of ice hanging from a roof, etc., formed by water dripping in freezing weather icily / asli/ adv in a cold and unfriendly way ③ icing / asŋ/ noun a covering of sugar and flavouring, spread over a cake or biscuits ③ icon / akɒn/ noun 1. a little picture used as a symbol on a computer screen 쑗 Click iconoclast 416 twice on the icon of a key to enter the program. 쑗 To print your text, point your cursor at the printer icon and click twice. 2. a picture of Christ or a saint in the Eastern Christian church 쑗 There is an exhibition of Russian icons in the British Museum. 쑗 The icon of the Virgin Mary is carried in procession round the church. 3. a person who is admired as a good example of a certain type 쑗 She has become something of a feminist icon. iconoclast /a kɒnəklst/ noun a person who goes against a tradition that many people believe in. Synonym revolutionary. Antonym conservative icy / asi/ adj 1. covered with ice 쑗 Be careful, the pavement is icy. 2. very cold, like ice 쑗 Icy rain fell as we started our walk. 3. very cold or unwelcoming 쑗 The police commissioner received an icy reception at the meeting. (NOTE: icier – iciest) I'd /ad/ short form I would, I did ID card / a di kɑ d/ noun an identity card; a card which shows a photograph of the holder, with their name, date of birth and other details, carried by citizens of a country or members of a group to prove who they are. Also called identity card ① idea /a də/ noun 1. something which you think of 왍 to have an idea that to think that 쑗 I have an idea that the buses don’t run on Sundays. 왍 to have no idea, not to have the faintest idea not to know 쑗 Where’s your brother? – I’ve no idea or I haven’t the faintest idea. 쑗 I had no idea it was as late as that. 2. a plan which you make in your mind 쑗 Some of his ideas were really original. 쑗 I’ve had an idea – let’s all go for a picnic! 쑗 That’s a good idea! ② ideal /a dəl/ noun the highest point of perfection, which people try to reach 쑗 My ideal would be to work hard and get rich. 왍 man or woman of ideals a person who has standards of perfection 쐽 adj perfect; extremely suitable 쑗 This is the ideal site for a factory. 쑗 The cottage is an ideal place for birdwatching. idealisation /adəla zeʃ(ə)n/, idealization noun the process of making someone seem perfect in your mind idealise /a dəlaz/, idealize verb to make someone or something seem perfect idealism /a dəlz(ə)m/ noun aiming at achieving an ideal idealist /a dəlst/ noun 1. a person who aims at achieving an ideal 쑗 She’s an idealist, and is upset when anyone suggests a solution which is less than perfect. 2. an impractical person 쑗 He’s too much of an idealist to be a government minister. idealistic /adə lstk/ adj aiming at an ideal; too perfect idiom ③ ideally /a dəli/ adv 1. in an ideal way 쑗 She is ideally suited to the job of chef. 2. if everything were perfect 쑗 Ideally, I’d take three weeks holiday, but there’s too much work at the office. identical /a dentk(ə)l/ adj exactly the same 쑗 The twins wore identical clothes for the party. 쑗 Their political opinions are identical. Antonym different 왍 identical to exactly the same as 쑗 Her political opinions are identical to mine. identically /a dentkli/ adv in exactly the same way identical twins /a dentk(ə)l twnz/ plural noun twins who look exactly alike, because they developed from the same egg. Compare fraternal twins identifiable /a dentfaəb(ə)l/ adj which can be identified identification /adentf keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of saying who someone is by giving their name, personal details, etc. 쑗 The formal identification of the body was made by the victim’s sister. 2. a document which shows who someone is 쑗 The bank manager asked him for identification. ① identify /a dentfa/ verb 1. to say who someone is or what something is 쑗 Can you identify what sort of rock this is? 쑗 She was able to identify her attacker. 2. to state that something belongs to you 쑗 Each person was asked to identify his or her baggage. 3. 왍 to identify with someone or something to have the same feelings as someone, or to have a feeling of sympathy for someone or something 쑗 I can identify with the heroine who spends her life trapped in a small rural town. ② identity /a dentti/ noun someone’s name, personal details, etc. 쑗 He changed his identity when he went to work for the secret services. (NOTE: The plural is identities.) identity card /a dentti kɑ d/ noun a card which shows a photograph of the holder, with the name, date of birth and other details, carried by citizens of a country or members of a group to prove who they are. Synonym ID card ideological /adiə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to ideology ③ ideology /adi ɒlədȢi/ noun a theory of life based not on religious belief, but on political or economic philosophy (NOTE: The plural is ideologies.) idiocy / diəsi/ noun total stupidity (offensive) ③ idiom / diəm/ noun 1. an expression which means something different as a whole from what the individual parts of it usually mean 쑗 ‘It’s raining cats and dogs’ is an idiom meaning ‘it is raining hard’. 2. a characteristic way of speaking or of writing 쑗 ‘How idiomatic 417 now, what news?’ was a common greeting in the idiom of Shakespeare’s England. idiomatic /diə mtk/ adj referring to a natural colloquial way of speaking a language idiosyncrasy /diəυ sŋkrəsi/ noun a particularly odd way of behaving. Synonym quirk (NOTE: The plural is ideosyncrasies.) idiosyncratic /diəυsŋ krtk/ adj odd or peculiar; particular to one person. Synonym characteristic ③ idiot / diət/ noun 1. a person who behaves in a stupid way (insult ) 2. a person with low intelligence (dated offensive) idiotic /di ɒtk/ adj stupid idle / ad(ə)l/ adj 1. lazy 쑗 He’s the idlest man I know – he never does any work at all. 2. not working 쑗 The machines stood idle during the strike. 쑗 2,000 employees were made idle by the recession. (NOTE: idler – idlest. Do not confuse with idol.) 쐽 verb (of a machine) to run at a low speed 쑗 He waited for her in the car with the engine idling. idly / adli/ adv 1. lazily 쑗 He sat idly turning over the pages of the magazine. 2. without being involved 쑗 You can’t stand idly by and watch him making a mess of his life. idol / ad(ə)l/ noun 1. the statue of a god which is worshipped 쑗 The tribesmen danced in front of their idols. 2. a star performer who is worshipped by fans 쑗 The England captain is many boys’ footballing idol. 3. a favourite person 쑗 My cousin Jimmy was my great idol when I was small. (NOTE: Do not confuse . with idle.) idolatry /a dɒlətri/ noun the practice of worshipping idols idolise / adəlaz/, idolize verb to admire someone very much. Synonym worship. Antonym disdain idyll / d(ə)l/ noun a scene of peace and happiness in the country (literary) idyllic / dlk/ adj happy and pleasant in a romantic way ① if /f/ conj 1. showing what might happen 쑗 If he’s going to be late, he should send me a text to warn me. 쑗 If it freezes tonight, the paths will be slippery tomorrow. 쑗 If I’m in London, I’ll come and see you. 쑗 If he had told me you were ill, I’d have come to see you in hospital. 쑗 If I won the lottery, I would take a long holiday. 2. asking questions 쑗 Do you know if the plane is late? 쑗 I was wondering if you would like to have some tea. 3. although 쑗 He is nice, if rather lazy. 쐽 noun a question which is not certain 쑗 He’ll catch the plane if he gets up in time – and that’s a very big if ! iffy / fi/ adj doubtful, not at all certain . illegitimate if only /f əυnli/ interj showing regret igloo / DZlu / noun a dome-shaped shelter built out of blocks of snow igneous rock /DZniəs rɒk/ noun a rock originally formed from lava ignite /DZ nat/ verb 1. to light; to set fire to 쑗 The teacher showed us how to ignite the Bunsen burner. 2. to catch fire 쑗 There was a loud explosion as the gas ignited. ignition /DZ nʃ(ə)n/ noun (in a car ) the process which starts the burning of the compressed air-fuel mixture (NOTE: no plural) ignition key /DZ nʃ(ə)n ki / noun a key used to switch on the ignition ignominious /DZnə mniəs/ adj shameful (formal ). Synonym humiliating ignominy / DZnəmni/ noun disgrace (formal ). Synonym humiliation ignorance / DZnərəns/ noun a state of not knowing 왍 to keep someone in ignorance of something not to tell someone about something 쑗 The soldiers were deliberately kept in ignorance of the dangers facing them. ignorant / DZnərənt/ adj 1. not knowing anything 2. stupid ② ignore /DZ nɔ / verb not to notice someone or something on purpose 쑗 She ignored the red light and just drove straight through. 쑗 When we met he just ignored me. Antonym . . . notice iguana /DZ wɑ nə/ noun a large type of plant-eating lizard I’ll /al/ short form I will ① ill adj /l/ sick; not well 쑗 Stress can make you ill. 쑗 If you’re feeling ill you ought to see a doctor. 왍 to fall ill to become ill 쑗 She fell seriously ill and we thought she was going to die. 왍 to be taken ill to become ill suddenly 쑗 He was taken ill while on holiday in Greece. 쐽 adv not sufficiently or very well 쑗 He was ill prepared for the journey. 왍 ill at ease embarrassed, not comfortable 쑗 She seemed ill at ease when we started talking about the missing money. 쑗 He felt ill at ease in his new suit. ill-advised /l əd vazd/ adj not sensible, or not a good idea. Synonym foolish ill-conceived /l kən si vd/ adj foolish or badly planned illegal / li DZ(ə)l/ adj against the law 쑗 It is illegal to serve alcohol to people under 16. illegal immigrant /li DZ(ə)l mDZrənt/ noun a person who has entered a country illegally and wants to settle there illegality /li DZlti/ noun the quality of being illegal illegally / li DZəli/ adv against the law illegible / ledȢb(ə)l/ adj (of writing) which cannot be read. Antonym legible illegitimate /l dȢtmət/ adj 1. born to parents who are not married to each other 쑗 ill-equipped 418 He failed in his attempt to hide his illegitimate child from the press. 2. forbidden by certain rules; against the law 쑗 We should all be concerned at the illegitimate use of certain prescription drugs. 쑗 The government is cracking down on the illegitimate ownership of firearms. ill-equipped /l  kwpt/ adj not having the right equipment or preparation ill-fated /l fetd/ adj unlucky and bound to fail. Synonym doomed ill-fitting /l ftŋ/ adj which fits badly ill-gotten gains /l DZɒtn DZenz/ plural noun money made illegally or dishonestly (humorous) 쑗 Thinking of them sitting there with their ill-gotten gains makes me envious. ill health /l helθ/ noun the state of not being well illicit / lst/ adj against the law; not legal. Synonym illegal (NOTE: Do not confuse with elicit.) ill-informed /l n fɔ md/ adj having a lack of knowledge in a particular area illiteracy / lt(ə)rəsi/ noun the state of being unable to read or write illiterate / lt(ə)rət/ adj not able to read or write 쑗 With so few schools or teachers it is hardly surprising so many children are illiterate. 쐽 noun a person who cannot read or write (offensive) ill-mannered /l mnəd/ adj rude ② illness / lnəs/ noun a medical condition which makes you unwell 쑗 She developed a serious illness. 쑗 A lot of the staff are absent because of illness. (NOTE: The plural is illnesses.) illogical / lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj not sensible; not reasonable illogicality /lɒdȢ klti/ noun the quality of being illogical ill-treat /l tri t/ verb to treat animals, children, etc. badly. Synonym abuse. Antonym look after illuminate / lu mnet/ verb 1. to make something bright with lights 쑗 The pitch was illuminated by giant floodlights. 쑗 The town looked magical, illuminated with strings of lights along the edge of the sea. 2. to explain something to make it clearer 쑗 His talk illuminated several points which I hadn’t understood before. 3. to draw coloured pictures in a manuscript 쑗 The manuscript was illuminated with pictures from the Bible. illuminated / lu mnetd/ adj 1. lit up with bright lights 쑗 a brightly illuminated football pitch 2. with small coloured illustrations 쑗 The library has several illuminated manuscripts of the twelfth century. illuminating / lu mnetŋ/ adj interesting and educational, particularly in the case of something that explains or emphasises imagery facts that were previously difficult to understand illumination /lu m neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the state of being brightly lit, or the act of lighting something brightly 2. the action of giving information about something 쑗 I turned to the encyclopaedia for illumination. 3. a coloured illustration in a manuscript 쑗 The chapter illuminations are real works of art. illusion / lu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun an impression which is not true 왍 to have no illusions about something to know the real unpleasant facts about something, rather than having fantasies about it 쑗 She has no illusions about her abilities. 왍 to be under the illusion that to think that something is true when it is not 쑗 He seems to be under the illusion that he is indispensable. illusory / lu səri/ adj not real; which is an illusion. Synonym deceptive ② illustrate / ləstret/ verb 1. to put pictures into a book 쑗 The book is illustrated with colour photographs of birds. 2. to show examples of something 쑗 The article illustrates his views on the way the company should develop. 3. to be an example of 쑗 This poem illustrates the sort of style I prefer. ③ illustration /lə streʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a picture in a book 쑗 The book has 25 colour illustrations. 2. an example 쑗 His daughter’s birthday party is a good illustration of the way he likes to spend money. illustrative / ləstrətv,  lstrətv/ adj which illustrates; which is an example. Synonym descriptive illustrator / ləstretə/ noun a person who draws the pictures for a book illustrious / lstriəs/ adj very famous (formal ). Synonym distinguished ill will /l wl/ noun dislike and unpleasantness towards someone I’m/am/ short form I am ① image / mdȢ/ noun 1. a portrait or picture of someone or something 쑗 I want the portrait to be a faithful image of my mother. 2. the idea which other people have of a person or of an organisation 쑗 In an attempt to change his image he bought a lot of trendy clothes. 쑗 They are spending a lot of advertising money to improve the company’s image. 3. a picture produced by a lens, mirror or computer 쑗 The mirror throws an image onto the paper. 쑗 Can this software handle images in that format? 쑗 Can you adjust the projector? The image on the screen is out of focus. ③ imagery / mdȢəri/ noun the use of comparisons or symbols in writing as a way of making people imagine things . imaginable 419 imaginable / mdȢnəb(ə)l/ adj which you can imagine. Synonym conceivable. Antonym unimaginable imaginary / mdȢn(ə)ri/ adj false; not real. Synonym fantasy ③ imagination /mdȢ neʃ(ə)n/ noun the ability to picture things in your mind 쑗 She let her imagination run riot in her stories for children. 왍 to use your imagination to imagine what is possible 쑗 Try and use your imagination – think of the money we could make. 왍 to let your imagination get the better of or run away with you to think things are possible when they are not 쑗 He let his imagination get the better of him and saw himself as a future Prime Minister. imaginative / mdȢnətv/ adj having or showing a lot of imagination. Synonym creative imaginatively / mdȢnətvli/ adv in an imaginative way ② imagine / mdȢn/ verb to picture something in your mind 쑗 Imagine yourself sitting on a beach in the hot sun. 쑗 She thought she had heard footsteps, and then decided she had imagined it. imaging / mdȢŋ/ noun a technique for creating pictures using scanners attached to computers imam / mɑ m/ noun a Muslim religious leader imbalance /m bləns/ noun a lack of balance. Synonym inequity imbecile / mbəsi l/ noun 1. a person who behaves in a stupid way (insult ) 쑗 You imbecile, you threw the envelope with the cheque in it into the rubbish! 2. a person with low intelligence (dated offensive) imbibe /m bab/ verb to drink (formal or humorous) imbue /m bju / verb to fill someone with a feeling imitate / mtet/ verb to copy something or someone; to do as someone does imitation /m teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of imitating 쑗 She does a very good imitation of the Queen. 2. a copy made of something 왍 beware of imitations be careful not to buy low quality goods which are made to look like other more expensive items 쐽 adj copied; not genuine 쑗 It’s not real leather, just imitation. 쑗 The bag is made of imitation leather. Synonym mock immaculate / mkjυlət/ adj 1. extremely clean or tidy 쑗 The car looked absolutely immaculate – there wasn’t a spot of dirt on it. 쑗 The nurses all wore immaculate white uniforms. 쑗 The last house we visited was in immaculate condition, while all the others needed a lot of repairs. 2. perfect; . immigrate with no errors 쑗 She did an immaculate driving test. immaculately / mkjυlətli/ adv 1. extremely tidily 쑗 It suddenly started to rain, and the immaculately dressed guests had to run from the garden into the house. 2. perfectly 쑗 She danced her solo immaculately. immaterial /mə təriəl/ adj not relevant. Synonym irrelevant. Antonym relevant immature /mə tjυə/ adj 1. not mature; still developing 쑗 Two immature swans followed their parents across the lake. 2. not sensible; not adult 쑗 I wish she would grow up and stop being so immature! immeasurable / meȢ(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj too enormous to be measured immediacy / mi diəsi/ noun the quality of being immediately present ② immediate / mi diət/ adj 1. very soon 쑗 He wrote an immediate letter of complaint. 쑗 You didn’t expect an immediate reply, did you? 쑗 Your order will receive immediate attention. 2. closest, or right next to you 쑗 He had to share his programme with his immediate neighbour. ① immediately /  mi dətli/ adv very soon afterwards 쑗 He got my letter, and wrote back immediately. 쑗 As soon as he heard the news he immediately phoned his wife. immense / mens/ adj very big; enormous. Synonym huge. Antonym tiny immensely / mensli/ adv very much. Synonym hugely immensity / mensti/ noun a huge size (NOTE: no plural) immerse / m" s/ verb 1. to plunge something in a liquid 쑗 To sterilise the bottle, immerse in water and boil for four minutes. 쑗 He lowered the box into the water until it was completely immersed. 2. 왍 to immerse yourself in something to concentrate on, or get fully involved in, something 쑗 He immersed himself in the study of Latin literature. immersed / m" st/ adj 왍 immersed in fully involved in 쑗 The whole family is immersed in politics. 쑗 He’s immersed in his job. immersion / m" ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of plunging something into a liquid 쑗 Total immersion in the acid bath will remove all traces of paint. 2. 왍 immersion, immersion heater a heater inside a water tank 쑗 If you want a bath you’ll have to switch the immersion on. immigrant / mDZrənt/ noun a person who comes to a country to live. Synonym settler. Antonym emigrant immigrate / mDZret/ verb to come to live in a new country. Synonym settle. Antonym emigrate immigration 420 immigration /m DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of settling in a new country 쑗 The government is encouraging immigration because of the shortage of workers in key industries. 2. 왍 Immigration the section of an airport where new arrivals have to show their passports 쑗 He was stopped at Immigration. 쑗 You will need to show these documents when you go through Immigration. Compare emigration immigration controls /mDZreʃ(ə)n kən trəυls/ plural noun restrictions placed by a country on the numbers of immigrants who can come into the country imminence / mnəns/ noun the state of being about to happen imminent / mnənt/ adj which is about to happen. Synonym impending immobile / məυbal/ adj not moving; not able to move immobilise / məυblaz/, immobilize verb to stop something moving. Synonym restrain immobility /mə blti/ noun the state of not moving. Antonym mobility immobiliser / məυblazə/ noun an electronic device that prevents a vehicle from being stolen by stopping the engine from working immoral / mɒrəl/ adj not following the usual principles of good behaviour immortal / mɔ t(ə)l/ adj 1. who never dies 쑗 Roman emperors were believed to be immortal. 2. very famous; which will always be remembered 쑗 that immortal line from ‘Casablanca’: ‘play it again, Sam’ 쑗 And now, another song from the immortal Frank Sinatra. 쐽 noun a famous person who will always be remembered 쑗 W.G. Grace, and other cricket immortals immortalise / mɔ t(ə)laz/, immortalize verb to make someone or something be remembered for ever. Synonym commemorate immortality /mɔ tlti/ noun the state of being immortal immovable / mu vəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be moved immune / mju n/ adj 1. protected against infection 쑗 I seem to be immune to colds – I just never have any. 쑗 This injection should make you immune to yellow fever. 2. legally protected against, or not liable to something 쑗 She believed she would be immune from prosecution. (NOTE: You are immune to a disease, and from prosecution.) immune system / mju n sstəm/ noun a complex network of cells which protects the body from disease immunisation /mjυna zeʃ(ə)n/, immunization noun injections, etc., to make a impassive person immune to a disease. Synonym vaccination immunise / mjυnaz/, immunize verb to give someone immunity to a disease (NOTE: You immunise someone against a disease.) ③ immunity / mju nti/ noun 1. the ability to resist attacks of a disease because of antibodies produced in your body 쑗 The injection will give immunity to malaria for six months. 2. 왍 immunity from or against arrest protection against being arrested 쑗 When he offered to give information to the police, he was granted immunity from prosecution. immutable / mju təb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be changed, or which does not change (formal ). Antonym mercurial imp /mp/ noun 1. a naughty child 쑗 The little imp – he’s put glue on my chair! 2. a small devil 쑗 When you go into the cathedral, look out for the little imp carved high up near the choir. ② impact noun / mpkt/ 1. a forceful effect 쑗 The TV documentary had an strong impact on the viewers. 2. a forceful bump 쑗 The car was totally crushed by the impact of the collision. 왍 on impact as soon as it hit 쑗 The plane burst into flames on impact with the ground. 쐽 verb /m pkt/ 왍 to impact on something to have a strong effect on something 쑗 The fall in the value of the currency will impact strongly on the stock market. impair /m peə/ verb to damage something so that it does not work properly impaired /m peəd/ adj damaged or not very good, either temporarily or permanently impairment /m peəmənt/ noun damage to or poor functioning of something, particularly a physical or mental ability impale /m pel/ verb to jab a sharp object through the body. Synonym spear impart /m pɑ t/ verb to pass on information; to communicate something to someone 쑗 The news imparted a sense of excitement to the meeting. impartial /m pɑ ʃ(ə)l/ adj not biased impartiality /mpɑ ʃi lti/ noun the state of being impartial. Synonym neutrality. Antonym bias impassable /m pɑ səb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot go through or across impasse /m pɑ s/ noun a state where two sides cannot agree impassioned /m pʃ(ə)nd/ adj showing very deep feelings. Synonym emotional. Antonym impassive impassive /m psv/ adj showing no expression of feelings . impassively 421 impassively /m psvli/ adv in an impassive way impatience /m peʃ(ə)ns/ noun a lack of patience impatient /m peʃ(ə)nt/ adj unable to wait for something; always in a hurry to do something 쑗 We were all impatient for the film to start. 쑗 He’s very impatient with anyone who works slowly. impatiently /m peʃ(ə)ntli/ adv in a hurried way; not patiently impeccable /m pekəb(ə)l/ adj perfect. Antonym flawed impecunious /mp kju niəs/ adj poor; not having any money (formal ). Antonym . wealthy impede /m pi d/ verb to stop someone or something going forwards. Antonym facilitate impediment /m pedmənt/ noun an obstacle; a situation which stops something happening 쑗 Is there any just impediment why these two people should not be joined together in matrimony? 쑗 He finds that not having a car is no impediment to his job as a salesman. impel /m pel/ verb to force someone to do something (formal ) (NOTE: impelling – . impelled) impending /m pendŋ/ adj which will happen soon. Synonym imminent. Antonym far-off impenetrable /m pentrəb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot go through or into, or see through imperative /m perətv/ adj urgent; which has to be done 쑗 It is imperative that a reply be given immediately. 쐽 noun 1. a thing which has to be done 쑗 Profitability is an imperative with most companies. 2. (in grammar ) the form of a verb when used as a command 쑗 ‘Come here!’ is an example of a verb used in the imperative. imperceptible /mpə septb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot notice. Antonym obvious imperceptibly /mpə septbli/ adv in a way which is impossible to notice. Synonym slightly. Antonym obviously imperfect /m p" fkt/ adj not perfect or not complete 쑗 It’s an imperfect world we live in. 쑗 We only have an imperfect understanding of the origins of the universe. Synonym faulty 쐽 noun (in grammar ) the form of a verb which shows that something was not finished in the past 쑗 ‘He was cycling’ is the imperfect past of ‘to cycle’. imperfection /mpə fekʃən/ noun a fault or flaw imperial /m pəriəl/ adj referring to an empire 쑗 the power of imperial Rome 쑗 Im. . impetus perial Russia ended with the Russian Revolution. imperialism /m pəriəlz(ə)m/ noun 1. (often as a criticism) the idea or practice of having an empire formed of colonies 2. control of other countries as if they were part of an empire 쑗 Multinational businesses are accused of economic imperialism. (NOTE: [all senses] no plural) imperialist /m pəriəlst/ adj referring to imperialism 쑗 They were criticised for their imperialist attitude towards neighbouring countries. 쐽 noun a person who builds or favours empires and imperialism 쑗 The nineteenth century Russian tsars were imperialists. imperil /m perəl/ verb to put someone or something in danger (formal ). Synonym endanger. Antonym protect (NOTE: imper. illing – imperilled. The US spelling is imperiling – imperiled.) imperious /m pəriəs/ adj like a com- mander, expecting people to obey. Synonym domineering impersonal /m p" s(ə)n(ə)l/ adj not personal; without any personal character 쑗 Just stick to the facts and keep the interview impersonal. 쑗 The waiting-room was cold and impersonal. impersonal verb /m p" s(ə)nəl v" b/ noun a verb used without a subject referring to a particular person or thing impersonate /m p" sənet/ verb to dress like someone, or to pretend to be that person impersonation /mp" sə neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of impersonating someone impertinence /m p" tnəns/ noun rudeness and lack of respect. Synonym impudence. Antonym respect impertinent /m p" tnənt/ adj rude and lacking respect. Synonym impudent. Antonym respectful imperturbable /mpə t" bəb(ə)l/ adj calm; not flustered. Synonym calm. Antonym excitable impervious /m p" viəs/ adj 1. (of a person) not bothered by something 쑗 She seems quite impervious to the noise of children all around her. 쑗 Not all authors are as impervious to criticism as she is. 2. (of a substance) which does not allow liquids to go through 쑗 These rocks are impervious to water. impetuous /m petʃuəs/ adj acting without thinking, or referring to an action of this type. Synonym impulsive. Antonym considered impetus / mptəs/ noun energy which en- courages rapid progress forward impinge 422 impinge /m pndȢ/ verb 왍 to impinge on something to affect something, usually badly (formal ) impish / mpʃ/ adj wicked, like a naughty imp. Synonym mischievous implacable /m plkəb(ə)l/ adj strong; which cannot be satisfied or changed. Antonym kind implacably /m plkəbli/ adv in an implacable way implant noun / mplɑ nt/ a thing which has been fixed inside a person’s body 쑗 She has had silicone breast implants. 쐽 verb /mplɑ nt/ 1. to fix something inside a person’s mind very deeply 쑗 A love of his native country was implanted in him from a very early age. 2. to fix something inside a person’s body 쑗 Surgeons implanted a pacemaker in his chest. implausible /m plɔ zb(ə)l/ adj difficult or impossible to believe ③ implement noun / mplmənt/ a tool or instrument 쑗 The plumber brought an implement for bending pipes. 쐽 verb / mplment/ to put something into effect 쑗 The changes must be implemented immediately. Synonym carry out ③ implementation /mplmen teʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of putting something into effect implicate / mplket/ verb 왍 to implicate someone in something to suggest that someone is connected with a crime or something morally wrong 쑗 The documents seemed to implicate his boss in the scandal. ② implication /mpl keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the possible effect of an action 쑗 What will be the implications of the election results for public spending? 2. an involvement with a crime or something that is morally wrong 쑗 The newspaper revealed his implication in the affair of the stolen diamonds. 3. a suggestion that something such as a criticism is true although it has not been expressed directly 쑗 I resent the implication that I knew anything about the report in advance. implicit /m plst/ adj 1. which is not definitely said, but is suggested 쑗 It was implicit in his tone of voice that he wasn’t going to agree. 쑗 Implicit in the inspectors’ report was the possibility that the restaurant might have to close permanently. 2. complete and unquestioning 쑗 He has implicit faith in his teacher’s advice. implicitly /m plstli/ adv without asking questions implied /m plad/ adj which has been suggested. Synonym indirect implode /m pləυd/ verb to burst inwards implore /m plɔ / verb to ask someone in an emotional way to do something (formal ). Synonym beg . . imposing imply /m pla/ verb to suggest something without actually saying it 쑗 He implied that he knew where the papers had been hidden. 쑗 The lawyer implied that the witness had not in fact seen the accident take place. impolite /mpə lat/ adj rude; not polite. Synonym rude. Antonym polite import noun / mpɔ t/ 왍 import controls rules limiting goods which can be brought into a country 쑗 Import controls on foreign makes of car have been lifted. 쐽 verb /mpɔ t/ to bring goods into a country 쑗 The company imports television sets from Japan. 쑗 This car was imported from France. Antonym export ① importance /m pɔ tns/ noun seriousness; a serious effect or influence 쑗 Do not attach too much importance to what he says. 쑗 The bank attaches great importance to the deal. ① important /m pɔ tənt/ adj 1. which matters very much 쑗 It’s important to be in time for the interview. 쑗 I have to go to London for an important meeting. 쑗 He left a file containing important papers in the taxi. 2. (of a person) in a high position 쑗 He has an important job. 쑗 She’s an important government official. 쑗 He was promoted to a more important position. importantly /m pɔ təntli/ adv in an important way 쑗 She strutted around importantly. 쐽 referring to something that is important 쑗 He understood the facts, and, more importantly for a teacher, he was able to explain them. importation /mpɔ teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of importing something 쑗 The importation of certain wild animals is prohibited. 2. goods imported 쑗 Importations from Africa are subject to customs checks. import duty / mpɔ t dju ti/ noun tax paid on goods brought into a country importer /m pɔ tə/ noun a person or company that imports goods. Synonym trader import licence / mpɔ t las(ə)ns/, import permit / mpɔ t p" mt/ noun an official document which allows goods to be imported imports / mpɔ ts/ plural noun goods which are brought into a country for sale ② impose /m pəυz/ verb 1. to ask someone to pay a fine or tax 쑗 The judge imposed a fine on the shoplifter. 쑗 The government imposed a 10% tax increase on electrical items. 2. to put something into action 쑗 They have tried to impose a ban on smoking. 3. 왍 to impose on someone to cause someone trouble or inconvenience 쑗 I hope it’s not imposing on you too much, but I need to have the report today. ③ imposing /m pəυzŋ/ adj grand or solemn. Synonym impressive ② imposition 423 imposition /mpə zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of making people pay a tax or of laying down conditions 쑗 the imposition of a tax on tea 2. an unfair duty or punishment 쑗 She felt it was something of an imposition. impossibility /mpɒsə blti/ noun the quality of being impossible. Antonym possibility impossible /m pɒsb(ə)l/ adj 1. which cannot be done 쑗 It’s impossible to do all this work in two hours. 쑗 Getting skilled staff is becoming impossible. 2. (of a person or situation) awkward and difficult 쑗 That child is completely impossible. impossibly /m pɒsbli/ adv to such an extent that something is impossible imposture /m pɒstʃə/ noun the act of pretending to be someone else (formal ). Synonym deception impotence / mpət(ə)ns/ noun 1. the state of being unable to do anything when faced with a problem 쑗 the impotence of the authorities in the face of widespread looting 2. (of a man) the physical inability to have sexual intercourse impotent / mpət(ə)nt/ adj 1. not able to do anything 쑗 We were impotent in the face of the typhoon. 2. (of a man) physically unable to have sexual intercourse impound /m paυnd/ verb to take something away and keep it until the owner claims it. Synonym confiscate impoverish /m pɒvərʃ/ verb to make someone or something poor impoverished /m pɒvərʃt/ adj made poor impracticable /m prktkəb(ə)l/ adj (of a plan or idea) which cannot work 쑗 The plan was written off as completely impracticable. impractical /m prktk(ə)l/ adj 1. which is not easy to put into practice 쑗 It is quite impractical to expect three people to move all the furniture in two hours. 2. not good at doing things with your hands 쑗 He’s totally impractical – he can’t even change a light bulb. imprecise /mpr sas/ adj not precise; not accurate. Synonym sketchy. Antonym ② . precise impregnable /m preDZnəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be captured. Antonym vulnerable impregnate / mpreDZnet/ verb 1. to soak with something, usually with a liquid 쑗 She wiped the floor with a cloth impregnated with insecticide. 2. (of a male animal ) to make a female animal pregnant impresario /mprə sɑ riəυ/ noun a person who organises concerts, shows and operas (NOTE: The plural is impresarios.) . imprison ③ impress /m pres/ verb 1. to make someone admire or respect someone or something 쑗 Her rapid response to the request impressed her boss. 쑗 She was impressed by his skill with the paintbrush. 쑗 The military government organised the display to impress the neighbouring states. 2. 왍 to impress something on someone to make someone understand something 쑗 I must impress on you just how urgent this is. ③ impressed /m prest/ adj full of admiration ② impression /m preʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an effect on someone’s mind 쑗 Blue walls create an impression of coldness. 쑗 The exhibition made a strong impression on her. 2. 왍 to be or labour under an impression to have a wrong impression; to assume something which is not the case 쑗 He was labouring under the impression that air fares were cheaper in Europe than in the USA. 왍 to get the impression that to sense that; to have a feeling that 쑗 I got the impression that she wanted us to leave. impressionable /m preʃ(ə)nəb(ə)l/ adj easily influenced by others. Synonym susceptible Impressionism /m preʃ(ə)nz(ə)m/ noun a French art movement, where painters tried to create an impression of how something really looked, using light and colour but without painting it in exact detail Impressionist /m preʃ(ə)nst/ adj referring to Impressionism 쑗 Renoir and Monet were Impressionist painters. 쑗 The Impressionist movement flourished in the latter half of the 19th century. 쐽 noun a painter in the Impressionist movement 쑗 The Impressionists worked mainly in Paris in the late nineteenth century. impressionistic /mpreʃ(ə) nstk/ adj 1. giving a general rather than a detailed idea of something 2. (of art or music) in, or having elements of, the Impressionist style ③ impressive /m presv/ adj which impresses people 쑗 He had a series of impressive wins in the chess tournament. 쑗 The government staged an impressive display of military hardware. impressively /m presvli/ adv in an impressive way imprint noun / mprnt/ 1. a mark made by something pressed down 2. the name and address of the publisher or printer, which must appear on most printed matter 쐽 verb /mprnt/ to stamp; to mark 쑗 The outline of a child’s hand was left imprinted on the door. 쑗 The scene of devastation remained indelibly imprinted on her memory. imprison /m prz(ə)n/ verb to put or to keep someone in prison. Synonym confine imprisonment 424 imprisonment /m prz(ə)nmənt/ noun the act of putting or keeping someone in prison. Synonym custody 왍 term of imprisonment the period of time which a prisoner has to spend in prison 쑗 He was sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment. improbable /m prɒbəb(ə)l/ adj not probable, not likely. Antonym likely impromptu /m prɒmptju / adj done without any rehearsal or practice 쑗 He gave an impromptu interview on his doorstep. Synonym unprepared. Antonym prepared 쐽 adv without any rehearsal or practice 쑗 They gave her five minutes’ notice to speak impromptu in front of six hundred delegates. improper /m prɒpə/ adj 1. not according to the normal rules of society or of an organisation 쑗 It was a quite improper use of our company name. 2. rude or shocking 쑗 The old man made some very improper suggestions to the girl. 3. used in a wrong way 쑗 The improper use of a drug can cause serious damage to health. improperly /m prɒpərli/ adv not done in the correct way impropriety /mprə praəti/ noun the quality of being socially wrong, or an act which is socially wrong ① improve /m pru v/ verb 1. to make something better 쑗 We are trying to improve our image with a series of TV commercials. 왍 to improve on something to try to do better than something 쑗 She tried to improve on her previous performance. 2. to get better 쑗 The general manager has promised that the bus service will improve. 쑗 It poured down all morning, but in the afternoon the weather improved a little. ① improvement /m pru vmənt/ noun 1. a process of making something better or becoming better 쑗 There has been no improvement in the train service since we complained. 2. a thing which is better 쑗 They carried out some improvements to the house. 쑗 We are planning some home improvements such as a new kitchen. 쑗 The new software is a great improvement on the old version. improvisation /mprəva zeʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of making something without any proper preparation improvise / mprəvaz/ verb 1. to do or to make something without any proper planning 쑗 Without a tent, we improvised a shelter using leaves and branches. 2. to speak without having any text to read from 쑗 Having forgotten the notes for her speech she had to improvise as best as she could. impudence / mpjυd(ə)ns/ noun the quality of being rude or cheeky. Synonym impertinence. Antonym respect inability impudent / mpjυd(ə)nt/ adj rude and without showing respect. Synonym bold. Antonym respectful impulse / mpls/ noun 1. a sudden feeling or decision 쑗 He had a sudden impulse to take the car and drive to France. 왍 to do something on impulse to do something because you have just thought of it, not because it was planned 2. a shock which makes something move or work 쑗 Electrodes attached to his head measure brain impulses. 쑗 Neurons are cells in the nervous system which transmit nerve impulses. impulse buying / mpls baŋ/ noun the act of buying goods which you have just seen, not because you had planned to buy them impulsive /m plsv/ adj acting because of a sudden decision, without thinking. Antonym cautious impulsively /m plsvli/ adv without thinking impunity /m pju nti/ noun 왍 with impunity without risk of punishment 쑗 No one can flout the law with impunity. impure /m pjυə/ adj which is not pure, having another substance mixed with it impurity /m pjυərti/ noun a substance which is impure. Antonym purity (NOTE: The plural is impurities.) ① in /n/ prep, adv 1. showing place 쑗 He lives in the country. 쑗 In Japan it snows a lot during the winter. 쑗 She’s in the kitchen. 쑗 He’s still in bed. 쑗 Don’t stand outside in the pouring rain. 2. at home, in an office, at a station 쑗 Is the boss in? 쑗 He isn’t in yet. 쑗 My husband usually gets in from work about now. 쑗 The train from Birmingham is due in at 6.30. 3. showing time 쑗 In autumn the leaves turn brown. 쑗 On holiday there was nothing to do in the evenings. 쑗 She was born in 1999. 쑗 He ate his meal in five minutes. 쑗 We went for a skiing holiday in January. 4. showing time in the future 쑗 I’ll be back home in about two hours. 쑗 She should arrive in twenty minutes’ time. 5. showing a proportion or ratio 쑗 One in ten of the children wears glasses. 쐽 noun 왍 the ins and outs of something the complicated details 쑗 He knows all the ins and outs of trading on the Internet. 쐽 adj fashionable 쑗 Round dark glasses are the in thing this summer. Antonym out 앳 to be in for something / n fɔ / to be about to get something 쑗 I think we’re in for some bad weather. 쑗 She’s in for a nasty shock. 앳 to be in on something 1. to know something such as a secret 쑗 Who else was in on the secret? 2. to be involved in planning or discussing something inability /nə blti/ noun being unable to do something inaccessible 425 inaccessible /nək sesb(ə)l/ adj 1. impossible to reach or to get to 쑗 They live in a farm which is inaccessible by car. 쑗 The explorers were lost in an inaccessible mountain region. 쑗 The valley is inaccessible to motorists. 2. difficult to read or understand 쑗 He writes in a rather inaccessible style. inaccuracy /n kjυrəsi/ noun 1. the state of not being exact 쑗 the inaccuracy of the data 2. a thing which is inaccurate 쑗 I found several inaccuracies in the report. inaccurate /n kjυrət/ adj not accurate, not exact. Synonym imprecise. Antonym precise inaccurately /n kjərətli/ adv not accurately inaction /n kʃən/ noun 1. a failure to do something in a situation 2. a lack of activity inactive /n ktv/ adj not active or not doing anything inactivity /nk tvti/ noun a state of not being active inadequacy /n dkwəsi/ noun 1. a feeling of being inadequate 쑗 Being compared with his brother all the time gave him feelings of inadequacy. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a feature of something which is not good enough or which does not work well enough 쑗 The report mentions inadequacies in the system used for counting votes. (NOTE: The plural is inadequacies.) inadequate /n dkwət/ adj 1. not enough 쑗 The island has inadequate supplies of water in the summer months. 2. not good enough compared with what is expected 쑗 Being compared to his brother made him feel quite inadequate. inadmissible /nəd msb(ə)l/ adj 왍 inadmissible evidence evidence which is not allowed to be presented in a court inadvertent /nəd v" t(ə)nt/ adj said or done by mistake and not on purpose. Synonym unintentional. Antonym intentional inadvertently /nəd v" t(ə)ntli/ adv said or done by mistake and not on purpose inadvisable /nəd vazəb(ə)l/ adj (of a plan or idea) unwise or foolish inalienable /n eliənəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be taken away or refused (formal ) inane / nen/ adj silly, senseless. Synonym silly. Antonym sensible inanimate /n nmət/ adj not alive inapplicable /nə plkəb(ə)l/ adj not relevant. Synonym unsuitable. Antonym . appropriate inappropriate /nə prəυpriət/ adj not suitable, not fitting the circumstances. Synonym unsuitable. Antonym fitting inarticulate /nɑ tkjυlət/ adj 1. not speaking clearly 쑗 an inarticulate exam can- incapacity didate 2. unable to speak 쑗 She was so shocked, she became inarticulate. inasmuch as /nəz mtʃ əz/ conj seeing that, owing to the fact that inaudible /n ɔ db(ə)l/ adj which cannot be heard. Antonym perceptible inaugural / nɔ DZjυrəl/ adj 1. being the first of a series 2. referring to an official beginning inaugural address /nɔ DZjυrəl ə dres/ noun a speech given at an inauguration or opening ceremony inaugurate / nɔ DZjυret/ verb 1. to open officially a new building or a festival, etc. 쑗 The Minister was invited to inaugurate the new computer system. 2. 왍 to inaugurate someone something to swear in someone as the new holder of a particular post 쑗 Each new US president is inaugurated on January 20th. inauguration /nɔ DZjυ reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an official opening 쑗 Invitations to the inauguration of the new computer system will be sent out next week. 2. the swearing in of a new president 쑗 The inauguration of the president will take place on January 20th. 쑗 Security was extremely tight during the inauguration. inauspicious /nɔ spʃəs/ adj unlucky, not very promising. Antonym auspicious inborn /n bɔ n/ adj which you have since birth. Synonym innate inbox / nbɒks/ noun (computers) the folder in an email package into which mail is delivered inbred /n bred/ adj existing from birth or since a very young age. Synonym congenital inbreeding / nbri dŋ/ noun breeding between closely related persons or animals, etc. in-built /n blt/ adj 1. constructed as part of something 쑗 an in-built clock 2. part of a person’s character 쑗 She has an in-built dislike of horses. ③ Inc abbr US incorporated 쑗 We’re dealing with a company called John Doe, Inc. incalculable /n klkjυləb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be calculated, so large that it cannot be measured incandescent /nkn des(ə)nt/ adj 1. shining brightly 2. showing extreme emotion, especially anger incapable /n kepəb(ə)l/ adj not able to do something incapacitate /ŋkə pstet/ verb to make someone unable to do something. Antonym enable incapacity /nkə psti/ noun 1. a lack of ability to do something 2. a physical or mental disability incarcerate 426 incarcerate /n kɑ səret/ verb to put someone in prison (formal ). Synonym . imprison incarnate /n kɑ nət/ adj in the form of a human being incarnation /nkɑ neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an appearance in human form 쑗 To many people, he was the incarnation of evil. 2. 왍 previous incarnation what you were in a previous life 쑗 He thinks he was a ballet dancer in a previous incarnation. incendiary /n sendiəri/ adj which causes fire 쑗 Terrorists left incendiary devices in the shopping centre. 쐽 noun a bomb which causes fire (formal ) 쑗 Many thousands of incendiaries were dropped on London during the Blitz. Synonym troublemaker (NOTE: . The plural is incendiaries.) incense noun / nsens/ powder which when burnt gives a strong smell 쑗 The priests burnt incense round the shrine. 쐽 verb /nsens/ to make someone angry 쑗 His speech incensed the crowd who went on the rampage in the centre of the town. Synonym enrage. Antonym calm incensed /n senst/ adj very angry. Antonym calm ③ incentive /n sentv/ noun a thing which encourages someone 쑗 The possibility of a bonus is an incentive to the sales force. Synonym inducement inception /n sepʃən/ noun the start of something (formal ). Synonym beginning. Antonym culmination incessant /n ses(ə)nt/ adj continuous, not stopping. Antonym sporadic incessantly /n ses(ə)ntli/ adv continuously, without stopping incest / nsest/ noun the offence of a person’s having sexual intercourse with a close relative, e.g., their daughter, son, mother, or father incestuous /n sestjuəs/ adj referring to incest ② inch /ntʃ/ noun a measure of length (= 2.54cm) 쑗 a three and a half inch floppy disk 쑗 Snow lay six inches deep on the ground. 쑗 She is five foot six inches tall (5’6’’). 쏡 foot . (NOTE: The plural is inches. With numbers inch is usually written with the symbol ": a 3½’’ disk; He is 5’ 9’’; say: ‘a three and a half inch disk’, ‘He’s five foot nine.’.) 쐽 verb 왍 to inch forward to go forward little by little 쑗 The queue inched forward slowly. 쑗 The project is inching forward, but it’s hard work getting things moving. ③ incidence / nsd(ə)ns/ noun 왍 the incidence of something how often something happens 쑗 They reported a high incidence of accidents relating to drunken drivers. incline ② incident / nsd(ə)nt/ noun 1. something which happens 쑗 Last year six hundred incidents of oil pollution were reported. 2. a usually violent action or disturbance 쑗 There were several incidents during the demonstration. incidental /ns dent(ə)l/ adj 1. happening in connection with something else, but not important 쑗 Breaking the Olympic record was almost incidental – winning the gold medal was the important thing. 2. 왍 incidental to something resulting from something by chance 쑗 The discovery of penicillin was incidental to research on moulds. 쐽 noun an unimportant expense which happens in connection with something else 쑗 Take some cash to cover incidentals. ② incidentally /ns dent(ə)li/ adv by the way incidental music /nsdent(ə)l mju zk/ noun background music which accompanies a film incinerate /n snəret/ verb to destroy something by burning. Synonym burn incinerator /n snəretə/ noun a furnace for burning rubbish incipient /n spiənt/ adj which is beginning or starting. Antonym final incision /n sȢ(ə)n/ noun a cut in a patient’s body made by a surgeon incisive /n sasv/ adj very perceptive, sharp or cutting. Synonym keen incisor /n sazə/ noun a sharp front tooth used for cutting food incite /n sat/ verb to encourage something 왍 to incite someone to something to encourage or persuade someone to do something bad 쑗 He was accused of inciting racial hatred. incitement /n satmənt/ noun a crime of encouraging, persuading or advising someone to commit a crime. Synonym provocation. Antonym deterrent 왍 incitement to racial hatred the offence of encouraging people, by words or actions or writing, to attack others because of their race ③ inclination /ŋkl neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a tendency 쑗 After a big lunch he had a strong inclination to go to sleep. 2. a slope, or angle of a slope 쑗 The hill has an inclination of 1 in 15. 3. a slight movement forwards 쑗 She acknowledged my presence with a slight inclination of her head. incline noun / nklan/ a slope 쑗 A steep incline leads to the garage. 쐽 verb /n klan/ 1. to slope 쑗 The garden inclines gradually down to the river. 2. to encourage someone to do something 쑗 The results of the poll inclined newspaper reporters to try to forecast the result of the general election. 3. 왍 to be inclined to do something to be likely to do inclined 427 something 쑗 She is inclined to try to excuse everything her son does. 쑗 Our washing machine is inclined to overheat. 4. to bend or to bow 쑗 He inclined his head and murmured a greeting. ③ inclined /n kland/ adj 1. sloping 쑗 An inclined plane gives easy access to the warehouse. 2. likely to do something 쑗 She is inclined to get very annoyed when anyone criticises her golf strokes. ① include /n klu d/ verb to count someone or something along with others 쑗 The waiter did not include service in the bill. 쑗 The total is £140, not including insurance and handling charges. 쑗 There were 120 people at the wedding if you include the children. ① included /n klu dd/ adj taken together with something else ① including /n klu dŋ/ prep taking something together with something else 쑗 The total comes to £25.00 including VAT. 왍 not including not counting 쑗 There were thirty people at the lunch, not including the children. ③ inclusion /n klu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun the act of counting someone or something in among others inclusive /n klu sv/ adj 1. which counts something in with other things 쑗 The bill is not inclusive of VAT. 2. (giving figures or dates) referring to a period of time or a passage of writing that includes the first and last items mentioned 쑗 The conference runs from the 12th to the 16th inclusive. 쑗 For the next lesson, you need to study pages 23 to 31 inclusive. incognito /nkɒDZ ni təυ/ adv, noun 왍 to travel incognito to travel using a false name or identity incoherent /nkəυ hərənt/ adj not able to speak in a way which makes sense ① income / nkm/ noun money which you receive, especially as pay for your work, or as interest on savings 쑗 Their weekly income is not really enough to live on. Antonym expenditure ③ income tax / nkm tks/ noun a tax on money earned as wages or salary incoming / nkmŋ/ adj 1. arriving or coming in 2. recently elected or appointed 쑗 The chairman welcomed the incoming committee. 쑗 The incoming government has the job of trying to deal with the worsening economic situation. Antonym outgoing incoming call / nkmŋ kɔ l/ noun a phone call that someone receives from someone outside the building incoming mail / nkmŋ mel/ noun mail which comes into an office incomings / nkmŋz/ plural noun money which is received inconspicuous incomparable /n kɒmp(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be compared to anything else. Synonym unequalled. Antonym ordinary incompatibility /nkəmpt blti/ noun the quality of being incompatible with another person or thing incompatible /nkəm ptb(ə)l/ adj 왍 incompatible with something not able to live, work, or fit together, or with something else 쑗 The two computer systems are incompatible. 쑗 John and Susan are quite incompatible: I don’t know how they can stay married. 쑗 His behaviour is quite incompatible with his position as a manager. incompetence /n kɒmpt(ə)ns/ noun a lack of competence. Synonym ineptitude incompetent /n kɒmpt(ə)nt/ adj 1. who cannot work well, who is not able to do something 쑗 She was dismissed for being incompetent. 2. not legally able to do something 쑗 He is incompetent to sign the contract because he is not a director of the company. incomplete /nkəm pli t/ adj not complete, not finished incomprehensible /nkɒmpr hensb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be understood. Synonym unintelligible. Antonym understandable inconceivable /nkən si vəb(ə)l/ adj very unlikely, which cannot be imagined. Synonym unimaginable. Antonym imaginable inconclusive /nkən klu sv/ adj without any definite result. Synonym indecisive incongruous /n kɒŋDZruəs/ adj which does not fit with the rest, which seems out of place. Antonym consistent inconsequential /nkɒns kwenʃəl/ adj not important. Synonym unimportant inconsiderate /nkən sdərət/ adj not thinking of other people. Synonym selfish. Antonym caring inconsistency /nkən sstənsi/ noun 1. a lack of consistency 쑗 the inconsistency in the way the results are measured 2. something which is not consistent 쑗 His evidence was full of inconsistencies. (NOTE: The plural is inconsistencies.) inconsistent /nkən sstənt/ adj 1. 왍 inconsistent with which does not follow from or agree with something else 쑗 His evidence in court was inconsistent with his earlier statement to the police. 쑗 Owning a night club is inconsistent with being a priest. 2. whose behaviour changes often and is unpredictable 쑗 He’s inconsistent – sometimes he works hard, sometimes he doesn’t. 쑗 The team’s form has been inconsistent of late. inconspicuous /nkən spkjuəs/ adj not at all obvious. Synonym unobtrusive. Antonym obvious inconspicuously inconspicuously 428 /nkən spkjυəsli/ adv without being noticed incontinence /n kɒntnəns/ noun being unable to control the waste products from your body incontinent /n kɒntnənt/ adj unable to control the body’s waste products incontrovertible /nkɒntrə v" tb(ə)l/ adj which is true and cannot be disproved. Synonym undeniable. Antonym questionable inconvenience /nkən vi niəns/ noun awkwardness 쑗 The inconvenience of the date of the business conference, on the day before Christmas Day, meant that few people turned up. 왍 to cause someone an inconvenience to make difficulties for someone 쐽 verb to bother someone 쑗 I don’t want to inconvenience you. inconvenient /nkən vi niənt/ adj awkward, causing difficulties. Synonym troublesome. Antonym beneficial ③ incorporate /n kɔ pəret/ verb 1. to bring something into something else to make one main whole 쑗 We are trying to incorporate the suggestions from the committees into the main proposal. 2. to form an official body or a registered company 쑗 The company was incorporated three years ago. incorporated /n kɔ pəretd/ adj US showing that a company has been officially registered. Synonym combined. Antonym separate (NOTE: The British term is Ltd or Plc.) incorporation /nkɔ pə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of incorporating a company incorrect /nkə rekt/ adj wrong, not correct incorrectly /nkə rektli/ adv not correctly incorrigible /n kɒrdȢb(ə)l/ adj naughty in a way that cannot be changed ① increase noun / nkri s/ 1. the process of becoming larger 쑗 An increase in tax or a tax increase. 쑗 An increase in the cost of living. 2. a rise in salary 쑗 She went to her boss and asked for an increase. 3. 왍 on the increase becoming more frequent 쑗 Stealing from shops is on the increase. 쐽 verb /nkri s/ 1. to rise, to grow, to expand 쑗 The price of oil has increased twice in the past year. 왍 to increase in price to become more expensive 왍 to increase in size or value to become larger or more valuable 2. to make something become bigger 쑗 The boss increased her salary. 쑗 Rail fares have been increased by 10%. ① increased /n kri st/ adj which has become bigger 쑗 These increased rail fares mean that we cannot afford to travel so much. incumbent increasing /ŋ kri sŋ/ adj which is growing increasingly /n kri sŋli/ adv more and more 쑗 He found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the workload at the office. 쑗 His future with the company looks increasingly doubtful. incredible /n kredb(ə)l/ adj 1. which you find difficult to believe 쑗 It is absolutely incredible that anyone as rich as he is can avoid paying tax. 2. of remarkable size, quantity, etc. 쑗 Over the years he has amassed an incredible fortune. 쑗 You should go to see ‘Jaws’ – it’s an incredible film. ③ incredibly /n kredbli/ adv 1. difficult to believe 쑗 Incredibly, he passed his driving test first time. 2. very, extremely 쑗 She’s incredibly tall. 쑗 It is incredibly difficult to find a parking space near my office in the middle of the day. incredulity /nkrə dju lti/ noun a lack of belief in what someone says. Synonym disbelief. Antonym belief incredulous /n kredjυləs/ adj who does not believe what someone says or what is happening increment / ŋkrmənt/ noun a regular automatic addition to salary incremental /ŋkr ment(ə)l/ adj gradually increasing incriminate /n krmnet/ verb to show that a person has committed a criminal act. Antonym exonerate 왍 to incriminate yourself to say something which makes you seem to be guilty 쑗 He refused to testify in case he incriminated himself. incubate / ŋkjυbet/ verb 1. to make eggs hatch, either because a bird sits on them or because they are heated in an incubator 쑗 The male penguin incubates the egg standing up for sixty days. 2. to make bacteria grow 쑗 In order for the experiment to be acceptable, the bacteria must be incubated in a sterile environment. incubation period /ŋkjυ beʃ(ə)n pəriəd/ noun a period during which a virus develops in your body after infection, before the disease appears incubator / ŋkjυbetə/ noun 1. a piece of equipment for hatching eggs and raising very small birds 2. a specially controlled container in which very small babies can be kept in ideal conditions 쑗 She was born five weeks premature and is in an incubator. incumbent /n kmbənt/ noun 1. a person who holds an official post 쑗 Mrs Jones is our new librarian – she is taking over from the present incumbent next month. 쑗 There will be no changes in the governor’s staff while the present incumbent is still in office. 2. the priest in charge of a parish 쑗 The former priest was much older than the new incum② incur 429 bent. 쐽 adj (formal ) 왍 it is incumbent on you it is your responsibility 쑗 It is incumbent on you to seek advice before you buy a house. 쑗 It is incumbent on everyone to check the facts before making an accusation. ③ incur /n k" / verb 1. to get into a position where you have to pay or are in danger 쑗 The company has incurred considerable losses in the USA. 쑗 He incurred many debts during his time at college. 2. 왍 to incur the anger or wrath of someone to make someone very annoyed 쑗 She incurred the anger of the authorities by demonstrating outside the parliament building. 왍 to incur a risk to run a risk 쑗 If you put all your money into doubtful investments, you incur the risk of losing everything. incurable /n kjυərəb(ə)l/ adj 1. (of a patient ) who will never be cured 2. (of an illness) which cannot be cured 쑗 He has an incurable disease of the blood. 쑗 Treatment in a hospice is often better for patients with incurable illnesses. 3. who cannot change 쑗 He’s an incurable optimist – he always thinks everything will turn out fine. 쐽 noun a person who will never be cured 쑗 a hospital for incurables incurably /n kjυərəbli/ adv in a way which cannot be changed incursion /n k" ʃ(ə)n/ noun an attack on another country’s territory indebted /n detd/ adj owing something to someone. Antonym ungrateful indecent /n di s(ə)nt/ adj 1. rude, offensive 쑗 He was prosecuted for indecent exposure. 2. not polite 쑗 As soon as the speeches ended, there was an indecent rush to find something to eat. indecision /nd sȢ(ə)n/ noun hesitating, not being able to decide indecisive /nd sasv/ adj 1. without any positive result 쑗 The result of the election was indecisive as no party had a majority. 2. who cannot decide anything 쑗 He was criticised for being indecisive. ① indeed adv /n di d/ 1. (for emphasis) greatly, really 쑗 Thank you very much indeed for inviting me to stay. 쑗 They have been very kind indeed to their daughter. 2. in fact 쑗 They are very poor – indeed they have no money at all. 쐽 interj a word showing indignation 쑗 She called me stupid. – Indeed! The cheek of it! 쑗 It wasn’t you who scratched my car was it? – Indeed not! indefatigable /nd ftDZəb(ə)l/ adj who does not become tired indefensible /nd fensb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be defended or excused indefinable /nd fanəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be defined or explained. Synonym . . indescribable independent school indefinite /n def(ə)nət/ adj without a definite end 쑗 He has been suspended for an indefinite period, pending an inquiry. indefinite article /ndef(ə)nət ɑ tk(ə)l/ noun the word ‘a’ or ‘an’ in English, or a word with a similar use in another language indefinitely /n def(ə)nətli/ adv for an indefinite period indelible /n delb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be removed indelibly /n delbli/ adv in a way which cannot be removed. Synonym permanently. Antonym temporarily indelicate /n delkət/ adj rude and embarrassing. Synonym tactless. Antonym polite indemnify /n demnfa/ verb to pay someone for damage caused indemnity /n demnti/ noun compensation for a loss or a wrong (NOTE: The plural ③ is indemnities.) indent /n dent/ verb to start a line several spaces in from the left-hand side of the page indentation /nden teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a mark or hole in a surface 2. an inward cut in a straight edge 3. a space at the beginning of a line 4. the act of indenting something ② independence /nd pendəns/ noun 1. freedom 쑗 The colony achieved independence ten years ago. 쑗 Scotland is aiming for independence in the next few years. 2. not needing or not relying on anyone else 쑗 She’s eighteen and is looking forward to a life of independence from her family. Independence Day /nd pendəns de/ noun July 4th, the National Day of the USA, which commemorates the country’s independence ② independent /nd pendənt/ adj 1. free, not ruled by anyone else 쑗 Slovenia has been independent since 1991. 2. not owned by a group, not run by the state 쑗 The big chains are squeezing the independent bookshops out of the market. 3. 왍 of independent means with enough income to be able to live without working 쑗 a man of independent means 4. not needing or not relying on anyone else 쑗 She’s eighteen and wants to be independent of her family. 쐽 noun 1. a candidate who does not belong to a political party 쑗 He stood in the general election as an independent. 2. a shop which is owned by a person and is not part of a chain 쑗 Supermarkets have a bad effect on the small independents. independently /nd pendəntli/ adv separately independent school /nd pendənt sku l/ noun a private school, not run by the state in-depth 430 in-depth / n depθ/ adj very serious and thorough indescribable /nd skrabəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be described indestructible /nd strktəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be destroyed indeterminate /nd t" mnət/ adj 1. not exact or clear 2. not having a predictable result ③ index / ndeks/ noun 1. a list, usually in alphabetical order, showing the references in a book 쑗 Look up the references to London in the index. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is indexes) 2. a regular report which shows rises and falls in prices, unemployment, etc. 쑗 The economic indices look very promising at the moment. 쐽 verb to relate something such as pensions or wages to the cost-of-living index 쑗 The government is considering indexing pensions. index card / ndeks kɑ d/ noun a card used to make a card index index finger / ndeks fŋDZə/ noun the first finger, next to the thumb index-linked /ndeks lŋkt/ adj calculated according to the cost-of-living index ③ Indian / ndiən/ adj 1. referring to India 쑗 Indian cooking is famous for its curries. 2. referring to one of the original peoples of America 쑗 The traditional Indian skills of hunting and tracking. 왍 in Indian file in line, one behind the other 쑗 The children walked into the assembly in Indian file. 쐽 noun 1. a person from India 쑗 Many Indians and Pakistanis emigrated to Britain in the 1960s. 2. a person from one of the peoples who lived in North, Central and South America before the arrival of Europeans (NOTE: now usually called Native Americans) 3. an ordinary worker, as opposed to a manager 왍 the company suffers from having too many chiefs and not enough Indians the situation in the company is that there are lots of managers, but not enough people to do the actual work Indian elephant /ndiən elfənt/ noun an elephant found in India and South-East Asia, slightly smaller than the African elephant, and used as a working animal in forests Indian subcontinent /ndiən sbkɒntnənt/ noun the land area occupied by Bangladesh, India and Pakistan Indian summer /ndiən smə/ noun a period of hot weather in autumn ① indicate / ndket/ verb to show 쑗 Can you indicate the position of the enemy camp on this map? 쑗 The latest figures indicate a fall in the number of unemployed men. ③ indication /nd keʃ(ə)n/ noun a sign indicative /n dkətv/ adj that shows or indicates something 쑗 Repeated attacks on indigo tourists are indicative of a general breakdown of law and order in the country. Synonym revealing 쐽 noun the form of a verb showing that the action actually took place or is taking place 쑗 The indicative is used chiefly to make statements of fact. indicator / ndketə/ noun 1. something which indicates how good or bad, hot or cold, etc. something is 쑗 The inflation rate is a good indicator of the strength of the economy. 2. a flashing light on a car which shows which way the driver is going to turn 쑗 His left indicator was flashing and then he turned right! 3. same as indicator panel indicator panel / ndketə pn(ə)l/ noun a large board which shows details of plane or train departures and arrivals indict /n dat/ verb to charge someone with a crime (formal ). Synonym accuse. Antonym exonerate indictable /n datəb(ə)l/ adj being, or causing someone to be, charged with a crime (formal ) indictment /n datmənt/ noun a written statement of the details of the crime with which someone is charged (formal ) indifference /n df(ə)rəns/ noun a lack of interest in something indifferent /n df(ə)rənt/ adj 1. not caring, not interested 쑗 The world cannot remain indifferent to the problems of the starving refugees in central Africa. 2. not particularly good, not special 쑗 In view of the school’s indifferent exam results, the governors have set up a review of teaching practices. 쑗 They served us a bottle of very indifferent champagne. indigenous /n ddȢnəs/ adj born in or belonging to a place. Synonym native. Antonym immigrant indigent / nddȢənt/ adj very poor (formal ). Antonym wealthy indigestible /nd dȢestb(ə)l/ adj which causes pain because the stomach cannot digest it indigestion /nd dȢestʃən/ noun a pain caused when your stomach has difficulty in digesting food. Synonym heartburn indignant /n dDZnənt/ adj feeling offended or angry because of an unfair situation indignation /ndDZ neʃ(ə)n/ noun the state or feeling of being indignant. Synonym anger. Antonym delight indignity /n dDZnti/ noun a shameful action which causes embarrassment. Synonym . . . . humiliation indigo / ndDZəυ/ noun 1. a blue dye 2. a deep blue colour 쑗 My denim shirt started off indigo but has faded to light blue. indirect 431 indirect /nda rekt/ adj not direct 쑗 The taxi took us to the airport by a very indirect route. indirectly /nd rektli/ adv not directly indirect object /ndrekt ɒbdȢkt/ noun a person or thing to whom or which an action is done indirect speech /ndrekt spi tʃ/ noun the reporting of what someone has said indirect tax /ndarekt tks/ noun a tax, such as VAT or a sales tax, that is added to the price of goods and not paid directly to the government indirect taxation /ndarekt tkseʃ(ə)n/ noun taxes such as VAT, which are added to the price of goods and not paid directly to the government indiscreet /nd skri t/ adj very obvious, not discreet indiscretion /nd skreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. being careless about what you do or say 쑗 the minister’s indiscretion in talking to the journalist 2. doing something mildly immoral 쑗 We must forget his youthful indiscretions. indiscriminate /nd skrmnət/ adj widespread, not choosing carefully indispensable /nd spensəb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot do without indisposed /nd spəυzd/ adj slightly ill indisposition /ndspə zʃ(ə)n/ noun a slight illness (formal ) indisputable /nd spju təb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be argued about (formal ). Antonym debatable indistinct /nd stŋkt/ adj vague or unclear indistinguishable /nd stŋDZwʃəb(ə)l/ adj 왍 indistinguishable from something which cannot be told apart from something 쑗 To some people margarine is indistinguishable from butter. ① individual /nd vdȢuəl/ noun 1. one single person 쑗 We cater for private individuals as well as for groups. 2. a person 쑗 The police would like to talk to the individual who was responsible for this. 쐽 adj 1. single, for a particular person 쑗 We treat each individual case on its merits. 쑗 We provide each member of the tour group with an individual itinerary. 2. enough for one person 쑗 I want three individual portions of ice cream, please. individualism /nd vdȢuəlz(ə)m/ noun a liking for doing things in your own way, not as other people do. Synonym uniqueness. Antonym conformity individuality /ndvdȢu lti/ noun the quality which makes each person different from all others. Synonym independence. Antonym conformity . . industrial dispute individually /nd vdȢuəli/ adv separately, singly. Synonym separately indoctrinate /n dɒktrnet/ verb to teach political or religious ideas and force someone to accept them. Synonym instruct indoctrination /ndɒktr neʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of indoctrinating someone indolence / ndələns/ noun laziness indolent / ndələnt/ adj lazy. Antonym energetic indomitable /n dɒmtəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be beaten. Antonym submissive indoor / ndɔ / adj inside a building. Antonym outdoor ③ indoors /n dɔ z/ adv inside a building. Antonym outside indubitably /n dju btəbli/ adv certainly, without any doubt ③ induce /n dju s/ verb 1. to persuade someone to do something 쑗 Do you think an extra 10% will induce them to sign the contract? 쑗 They induced him to steal the plans by offering him a large amount of money. 2. to make something, such as the birth of a child, happen 쑗 The baby was ten days late, so had to be induced. inducement /n dju smənt/ noun a thing which helps to persuade someone to do something. Synonym stimulus induction /n dkʃən/ noun 1. the process of starting a new person in a new job 쑗 Induction for all trainees will take place over two weeks in May. 2. the installation of a new priest 쑗 His induction into the church will take place next Sunday. 3. the creation of electricity in an object by placing it near a magnet or near something which is electrically charged 쑗 An induction coil is made of coils of wire and changes the voltage passing through it. indulge /n dldȢ/ verb 1. 왍 to indulge in to enjoy yourself doing something 쑗 I like to indulge in a sauna once in a while. 2. to give someone little luxuries 쑗 She always indulges her little grandson with sweets and presents. 왍 to indulge yourself to give yourself a little luxury 쑗 I love Greek cakes, but I don’t often get the chance to indulge myself. indulgence /n dldȢəns/ noun a pleasant activitiy, especially eating or drinking indulgent /n dldȢənt/ adj kind, too generous towards someone. Synonym permissive ① industrial /n dstriəl/ adj referring to the production of goods 쑗 The Midlands is the main industrial region in Britain. industrial action /ndstriəl kʃən/ noun a strike or protest by workers industrial dispute /ndstriəl d spju t/ noun an argument between management and workers industrial espionage 432 industrial espionage /ndstriəl espiənɑ Ȣ/ noun the practice of spying on another company (NOTE: no plural) industrial estate /n dstriəl stet/ noun an area of land near a town specially for factories and warehouses industrialisation /ndstriəla zeʃ(ə)n/, industrialization noun the changing of an economy from being based on agriculture to being based on industry industrialise /n dstriəlaz/, industrialize verb to set up industries in a country where there were none before industrialised /n dstriəlazd/, industrialized adj heavily affected by industrial development industrialist /n dstriəlst/ noun an owner or director of a factory. Synonym manufacturer industrially /n dstriəli/ adv by an indus- trial process industrial park /n dstriəl pɑ k/ noun an area especially for factories and businesses industrial relations /ndstriəl rleʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun the relations between management and workers 쑗 He carried out a study of industrial relations over the last 10 years. 쑗 We aim to promote good industrial relations. Industrial Revolution /ndstriəl revəlu ʃ(ə)n/ noun the development of industry during the 19th century in western Europe and the United States industrial tribunal /ndstriəl trabju n(ə)l/ noun a court which decides in disputes between employers and workers industrious /n dstriəs/ adj who works steadily and hard. Synonym diligent. Antonym indolent ① industry / ndəstri/ noun production companies, or other types of commercial activity 쑗 Oil is a key industry. 쑗 The car industry has had a good year. 쑗 The government is helping industry to sell more products abroad. 쑗 The tourist industry brings in a lot of foreign currency. (NOTE: The plural is industries.) inebriated / ni brietd/ adj drunk inedible /n edb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot eat. Synonym uneatable. Antonym edible ineffective /n fektv/ adj which does not have any effect. Synonym unsuccessful. Antonym successful ineffectual /n fektʃuəl/ adj 1. which does not have the right effect 쑗 Her ineffectual attempts to open the door. 2. weak, unable to show any authority 쑗 He’s a nice man but quite ineffectual as a salesman. inefficiency /n fʃ(ə)nsi/ noun an inefficient way of working inexperienced inefficient /n fʃ(ə)nt/ adj not efficient ineligible /n eldȢb(ə)l/ adj who is not qualified for something or to do something ineluctable /n lktəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be avoided (literary). Synonym unavoidable. Antonym avoidable inept / nept/ adj not able to do much; lacking any skill. Synonym incompetent ineptitude / nepttju d/ noun stupidity or silliness; being unable to do something. Synonym incompetence ③ inequality /n kwɒlti/ noun the state of not being equal. Synonym disparity. Antonym parity inequity /n ekwti/ noun unfairness (formal ) inert / n" t/ adj not able to move 쑗 The fallen jockey lay inert on the ground. inertia / n" ʃə/ noun 1. a lack of wanting to move, lack of being able to do anything 쑗 A feeling of inertia came over the committee as the meeting continued. 2. a physical force which makes a stationary body remain still, or a moving body remain moving 쑗 An astronaut who pushes himself away from his spaceship will continue to drift away into space under inertia if he is not attached to a safety line. 3. a lack of energy, laziness 쑗 He became manager of the shop through sheer inertia on the part of everyone else. inescapable /n skepəb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot avoid. Synonym inevitable. Antonym avoidable inevitability /nevtə blti/ noun the state of being inevitable ③ inevitable /n evtəb(ə)l/ adj which must happen, which cannot be avoided 쑗 It was inevitable that the younger children would want to leave home. Synonym unavoidable. Antonym avoidable ③ inevitably /n evtəbli/ adv naturally, of course inexact /nDZ zkt/ adj not exact, not correct. Synonym imprecise. Antonym . precise inexcusable /nk skju zəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be excused or forgiven inexhaustible /nDZ zɔ stb(ə)l/ adj 1. impossible to finish or use up 2. never becoming tired inexorable /n eksərəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be stopped (formal ). Synonym . unstoppable inexpensive /nk spensv/ adj cheap. Antonym costly inexperience /nk spəriəns/ noun a lack of experience inexperienced /nk spəriənst/ adj who does not have much experience inexplicable 433 inexplicable /nk splkəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be explained. Synonym un- accountable inexplicably /nk splkəbli/ adv in a way which cannot be explained inextricable /nk strkəb(ə)l/ adj which is very complicated, very closely connected inextricably /nk strkəbli/ adv in an inextricable way infallible /n flb(ə)l/ adj 1. always correct, which always works 쑗 No one has yet invented an infallible testing system. 2. who never makes mistakes 쑗 The children soon realised that their teacher wasn’t infallible. infamous / nfəməs/ adj 1. famously bad 쑗 Tourists were warned not to go near the infamous back street moneychangers. 2. very wicked 쑗 She complained of infamous treatment by her bank. infamy / nfəmi/ noun great wickedness infancy / nfənsi/ noun 1. young childhood 쑗 Two of her children died in infancy. 2. 왍 in its infancy in the very early stages of development 쑗 In 1910, the aircraft industry was still in its infancy. ③ infant / nfənt/ noun a very young child infantile / nfəntal/ adj referring to a small child; childish infantry / nfəntri/ noun soldiers who fight on foot (NOTE: no plural) infant school / nfənt sku l/ noun a school for little children from 4 years old infatuated /n ftjuetd/ adj wildly in love with infatuation /n ftjueʃ(ə)n/ noun a great passion for someone or something new infect /n fekt/ verb to pass on a disease or infection ③ infection /n fekʃən/ noun a disease which spreads from one person to another 쑗 Her throat infection keeps coming back. 쑗 He was sneezing and spreading infection to other people in the office. 쑗 She seems to catch every little infection there is. ③ infectious /n fekʃəs/ adj 1. (of a disease) which can be passed from one person to another 쑗 This strain of flu is highly infectious. 쑗 Chickenpox is infectious, so children who have it must be kept away from others. Compare contagious 2. which can be passed on to someone else 쑗 He’s a great music teacher and his enthusiasm for choral music is very infectious. ③ infer /n f" / verb 1. to reach an opinion about something from facts 쑗 He inferred from the letter that the accused knew the murder victim. 쑗 Counsel inferred that the witness had not been present at the time of the accident. 2. to imply, to hint 쑗 The newspaper article infers that we should not sign the treaty. (NOTE: inferring – inferred) infinitesimal inference / nf(ə)rəns/ noun an understanding or conclusion 왍 to draw an inference from to infer, to deduce that something is probably true 쑗 What inference can we draw from his reaction? inferior /n fəriə/ adj 1. not as large as 쑗 The enemy’s inferior numbers meant they could not attack the castle. 2. 왍 inferior to not as good as something or someone else 쑗 This camera is inferior to that one, although they are both the same price. 쑗 The shop was accused of selling cheap inferior goods at inflated prices. 쐽 noun a person of a lower rank 쑗 He always addressed his inferiors in a very abrupt way. Synonym junior. Antonym ③ superior inferiority /nfəri ɒrti/ noun the state of being less important, less intelligent, not as good as something or someone else inferiority complex /nfəri ɒrti kɒmpleks/ noun a feeling that you are not as good as others. Synonym inadequacy infernal /n f" n(ə)l/ adj 1. very annoying 쑗 That infernal bank manager keeps phoning me about the overdraft. 쑗 Can’t you make them stop that infernal noise? 2. referring to hell 쑗 They believe that after death sinners are sent to the infernal regions. inferno /n f" nəυ/ noun a very great fire. Synonym conflagration. Antonym heaven (NOTE: The plural is infernos.) infertile /n f" tal/ adj 1. (of living things) not able to reproduce 쑗 Over the last few years there has been an alarming increase in the number of infertile couples. 2. (of soil ) barren, not able to produce good crops 쑗 Without water, the desert will remain infertile. Antonym fertile infest /n fest/ verb (of parasites) to be present in large numbers infestation /nfe steʃ(ə)n/ noun the presence of large numbers of parasites or vermin infidel / nfd(ə)l/ noun a person who does not believe in the true religion (dated ) infidelity /nf delti/ noun being unfaithful infield / nfi ld/ noun the part of a cricket pitch or baseball pitch near where the players are batting. Antonym outfield infighting / nfatŋ/ noun bitter arguments between members of a group. Synonym rivalry infiltrate / nfltret/ verb to become, or to make someone become, a member of an organisation secretly, without the officials knowing. Synonym penetrate infinite / nfnət/ adj with no end infinitely / nfnətli/ adv very much more. Synonym markedly. Antonym slightly infinitesimal /nfn tesm(ə)l/ adj tiny, very small. Synonym tiny. Antonym huge . . infinitive 434 ③ infinitive /n fntv/ noun the basic form of a verb, usually shown by using ‘to’ COMMENT: Some people feel that to use ‘to seriously consider a proposal’ is wrong, especially in writing, and that you should use ‘to consider a proposal seriously’ or ‘seriously to consider a proposal’. In speech, avoiding a split infinitive can sound clumsy or too formal: ‘I used to really enjoy it’ is more usual than ‘I used really to enjoy it’. infinity /n fnti/ noun a space or quantity that never ends. Synonym eternity infirm /n f" m/ adj old and weak. Synonym unwell infirmary /n f" məri/ noun 1. a room in a school or factory where people can go if they are ill 쑗 He cut his knee in the playground and was taken to the school infirmary. 쑗 She was sent to the infirmary to have her hand bandaged. 2. an old word for a hospital, now used in names 쑗 the Glasgow Royal Infirmary (NOTE: The plural is infirmaries.) inflame /n flem/ verb 1. to make more violent 쑗 His speech was calculated to inflame public opinion. 2. to make part of the body react by becoming red and sore 쑗 His eyes had become inflamed from the chlorine in the water. inflamed /n flemd/ adj red and sore inflammable /n flməb(ə)l/ adj which can easily catch fire. Synonym flammable inflammation /nflə meʃ(ə)n/ noun the process or state of being sore, red and swollen as a reaction to an infection, an irritation, an injury inflammatory /n flmət(ə)ri/ adj 1. which makes people behave violently 쑗 His inflammatory speeches caused riots. 2. which makes an organ or a tissue become sore, red and swollen 쑗 an anti-inflammatory drug 쑗 The ointment produced an inflammatory reaction. inflatable /n fletəb(ə)l/ adj which can be inflated or blown up inflate /n flet/ verb 1. to fill with air 쑗 He used a small pump to inflate the dinghy. 2. 왍 to inflate prices to make prices rise 쑗 The rise in interest rates has had the effect of inflating prices in the shops. inflated /n fletd/ adj greatly increased. Synonym exaggerated. Antonym understated ② inflation /n fleʃ(ə)n/ noun a state of the economy where prices and wages are rising to keep up with each other 쑗 The government is trying to keep inflation down below 3%. 쑗 We have 15% inflation or inflation is running at 15%. Antonym deflation inflationary /n fleʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj which tends to increase inflation inform inflected /n flektd/ adj (of words) whose endings change to indicate the plural, the gender, etc. inflection /n flekʃən/ noun the ending of a word which changes to indicate the plural, the gender, etc. inflexible /n fleksb(ə)l/ adj 1. which cannot be bent or changed 쑗 The rules on this point are quite inflexible. 쑗 Negotiation is pointless if everyone maintains an inflexible position. 2. determined not to change your mind 쑗 She had a reputation for being totally inflexible in her talks with her EU counterparts. ③ inflict /n flkt/ verb 왍 to inflict pain or damage on someone to cause pain or damage to someone 쑗 Drugs can inflict serious harm on young people. 쑗 The bombs inflicted heavy damage on the capital. in-flight / n flat/ adj during a flight 왍 in-flight catering the preparation of food to be served during a flight 왍 in-flight entertainment a film shown during a flight inflow / nfləυ/ noun the action of flowing in. Synonym influx. Antonym outflow ① influence / nfluəns/ noun being able to change someone or something 쑗 He has had a good influence on the other staff in the department. 쑗 The influence of the moon on the tides. 쑗 He was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. 쐽 verb to make someone or something change 쑗 She was deeply influenced by her old teacher. 쑗 The moon influences the tides. 쑗 The price of oil has influenced the price of industrial goods. ③ influential /nflu enʃəl/ adj 1. which causes change 쑗 Her speech was influential in changing the opinion of the other members of the committee. 2. powerful 쑗 She has influential friends who got the police to drop the charges. ③ influenza /nflu enzə/ noun an infectious disease like a bad cold, with fever and aching muscles (NOTE: usually shortened to flu) influx / nflks/ noun a sudden flow into (NOTE: The plural is influxes.) info / nfəυ/ abbr information in force /n fɔ s/ phrase 1. in large numbers 쑗 The police were there in force. 2. 왍 to be in force to be operating or working 쑗 The rules have been in force since 1986. 왍 to come into force to start to operate or work 쑗 The new regulations will come into force on January 1st. ② inform /n fɔ m/ verb 1. to tell someone officially 쑗 Have you informed the police that your watch has been stolen? 쑗 I regret to inform you that your father has died. 쑗 We are pleased to inform you that your offer has been accepted. 2. 왍 to inform on or against someone to tell the authorities that someone informal 435 has done something wrong 쑗 He met the police secretly and informed on his colleagues. ② informal /n fɔ m(ə)l/ adj 1. relaxed, not formal 쑗 Dress casually – the party will be informal. 쑗 The guide gave us an informal talk on the history of the castle. 2. (of language) used when talking to friends, but not used on formal occasions informality /nfɔ mlti/ noun the lack of any special ceremony. Antonym formality informally /n fɔ məli/ adv unofficially, not formally informant /n fɔ mənt/ noun a person who informs or who gives information to someone ① information /nfə meʃ(ə)n/ noun facts about something 쑗 Can you send me information about holidays in Greece? 쑗 She couldn’t give the police any information about how the accident happened. 쑗 She gave me a very useful piece or bit of information. 쑗 For further information, please write to Department 27. information processing /nfəmeʃ(ə)n prəυsesŋ/ noun same as data processing information retrieval /nfəmeʃ(ə)n rtri v(ə)l/ noun the process of storing and then finding data in a computer informative /n fɔ mətv/ adj which tells you a lot, which provides a lot of information. Synonym educational informed /n fɔ md/ adj having the latest information. Synonym knowledgeable. Antonym ignorant informer /n fɔ mə/ noun a person who gives information to the police about a crime or criminals, sometimes someone who is himself a criminal. Synonym informant infraction /n frkʃən/ noun the act of breaking the law. Synonym breach ③ infrastructure / nfrəstrktʃə/ noun the basic structure of roads, railways and other connections in a country infrequent /n fri kwənt/ adj not frequent, not happening very often. Antonym frequent infrequently /n fri kwəntli/ adv not hap- pening very often 왍 not infrequently quite often 쑗 She not infrequently has to work on Saturdays. infringe /n frndȢ/ verb to break a law or a right 왍 to infringe a copyright to copy a published text illegally 쑗 We reserve the right to prosecute people who infringe our copyrights. infringement /n frndȢmənt/ noun the breaking of a law or a right infuriate /n fjυəriet/ verb to make someone very angry. Synonym enrage. Antonym calm inhale infuriated / nfjυərietd/ adj furious, very annoyed. Antonym calm infuriating /n fjυərietŋ/ adj which makes you very annoyed. Synonym maddening infuse /n fju z/ verb 1. to soak in hot wa- ter to make a drink 쑗 Leave the lime flowers to infuse for five minutes. 2. to pour hot water on tea, flowers, etc., to make a drink 쑗 Put a pinch of China tea in the cup and infuse it in hot water for four or five minutes. 3. 왍 to infuse something into someone or something to fill someone or something with a certain feeling (formal ) 쑗 His speech infused the meeting with great enthusiasm. infusion /n fju Ȣ(ə)n/ noun 1. an addition of something new which will help 쑗 The football club needs an infusion of capital to buy new players. 쑗 What we need is an infusion of original ideas. 2. a drink made by pouring boiling water onto a dry substance such as tea or flowers 쑗 My grandmother drinks a herbal infusion every evening before bed to help her get to sleep. ingenious /n dȢi niəs/ adj very clever . (NOTE: Do not confuse with ingenuous.) ingeniously /n dȢi niəsli/ adv in a very ingenious way ingenuity /ndȢ nju ti/ noun skill in inventing new things ingenuous /n dȢenjuəs/ adj naive, not trying to hide anything (NOTE: Do not confuse with ingenious.) ingest /n dȢest/ verb to take into the body as if it were food. Antonym vomit ingot / ŋDZət/ noun a bar of gold or silver. Synonym slab ingrained /n DZrend/ adj deeply fixed. Synonym deep-seated ingratiate /n DZreʃiet/ verb 왍 to ingrati- ate yourself with someone to make yourself liked by someone ingratiating /n DZreʃietŋ/ adj which will help make someone like you ingratitude /n DZrttju d/ noun not being grateful. Synonym rudeness. Antonym gratitude ingredient /n DZri diənt/ noun a material which goes to make something inhabit /n hbt/ verb to live in a place inhabitable /n hbtəb(ə)l/ adj which can be lived in. Synonym habitable inhabitant /n hbt(ə)nt/ noun a person who lives in a place. Synonym occupant inhabited /n hbtd/ adj lived in, especially by humans inhalation /nhə leʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of breathing in inhale /n hel/ verb to breathe in, to draw something into your lungs when breathing. Antonym exhale inhaler 436 inhaler /n helə/ noun a small device for administering medicine which can be inhaled inherent /n hərənt/ adj natural, which belongs to someone or something naturally. Synonym characteristic inherently /n hərəntli/ adv naturally part of something inherit /n hert/ verb 1. to receive money or property from a person who has died 쑗 She inherited a small fortune from her father. 쑗 When her grandfather died she inherited the shop. 2. to have characteristics passed on from a parent 쑗 I think she has inherited her father’s grumpy character. 3. to take over a client or a problem from someone 쑗 When they bought the shop they inherited a lot of ancient equipment. 쑗 The new manager had inherited a lot of financial problems. ③ inheritance /n hert(ə)ns/ noun property which is received from a dead person inheritor /n hertə/ noun a person who receives something from a person who has died (NOTE: usually called an heir) inhibit /n hbt/ verb to prevent an ac- ③ tion happening 왍 to have an inhibiting effect on someone or something to stop something happening 쑗 If the teacher keeps looking over my shoulder at what I’m doing it has an inhibiting effect on my work. inhibited /n hbtd/ adj not being able to express yourself freely or to do what you want to do. Synonym self-conscious. Antonym uninhibited ③ inhibition /nh bʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of some mental influence which prevents normal reactions. Antonym spontaneity inhospitable /nhɒ sptəb(ə)l/ adj not welcoming in-house /n haυs/ adv, adj working inside a company’s building 왍 in-house training training given to staff at their place of work inhuman /n hju mən/ adj cruel, not human inhumane /nhju men/ adj not humane; barbarous. Antonym humane inhumanity /nhju mnti/ noun the cruel treatment of people or animals. Synonym cruelty inimical / nmk(ə)l/ adj unfriendly, which does not encourage inimitable / nmtəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be imitated. Synonym unique ② initial / nʃ(ə)l/ adj first 쑗 The initial stage of the project went off smoothly. 쑗 My initial reaction was to say ‘no’. 쑗 He started the business with an initial investment of £500. Antonym final 쐽 verb to write the first letters of your name on a document to show you have read and approved it 쑗 Can you initial each page of the contract to show that injure you have approved it? 쑗 Please initial the agreement at the place marked with an X. (NOTE: initialling – initialled. The US spelling is initialing – initialed.) ③ initially / nʃ(ə)li/ adv at the beginning Initially we didn’t like the new flat, but we have got used to it now. initials / nʃ(ə)lz/ plural noun the first letters of a person’s names initiate / nʃiet/ verb 1. to start something 쑗 He initiated the new project last year. 2. to introduce someone into something secret, to show someone the basic information about something 쑗 He initiated her into the secrets of digging for gold. initiation /nʃi eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an introduction to a new group of people 쑗 New members of the society have to undergo an initiation. 쑗 Freshmen protested at the initiation ceremony they had to go through. 2. the act of starting to put something into practice 쑗 The initiation of the new project has been delayed. ② initiative / nʃətv/ noun a decision which you hope will get something moving 쑗 The government has proposed various initiatives to get the negotiations moving again. 왍 to take the initiative to decide to do something which other people are reluctant to do 쑗 The manager decided to take the initiative and ask for a meeting with the boss. 쑗 The president took the initiative in asking the rebel leader to come for talks. inject /n dȢekt/ verb 1. to force a liquid into something under pressure 쑗 The nurse injected the drug using a needle and syringe. 쑗 He injected himself with a drug. 2. to put something new into something 쑗 to inject some cash into a company 쑗 Come on, let’s try to inject some life into these rehearsals! ③ injection /n dȢekʃən/ noun 1. the act of injecting a liquid into the body 쑗 The doctor gave him a cholera injection. 2. a liquid which is to be injected 쑗 The clinic has ordered another batch of flu injections. injunction /n dȢŋkʃən/ noun 1. a court order forcing someone to stop doing something or not to do something 쑗 He got an injunction preventing his ex-wife from selling his car. 쑗 The company applied for an injunction to stop their rivals marketing a product which was similar to theirs. 2. an instruction, order 쑗 The children were given strict injunctions not to open the door. 쑗 Most people ignored the government’s injunction to spend less and save more. injure / ndȢə/ verb to hurt 쑗 He injured his spine playing rugby. 쑗 Two people were injured in the bank hold-up. 쑗 When the goalkeeper was injured they sent on a substitute. 쑗 He was badly injured in a motorway accident. Synonym damage. Antonym heal 쑗 injured 437 ③ injured / ndȢəd/ noun 왍 the injured people who have been hurt 쑗 The badly injured were taken to hospital by helicopter. injurious /n dȢυəriəs/ adj which can harm. Synonym harmful. Antonym beneficial ② injury / ndȢəri/ noun 1. a place where your body has been hurt 쑗 He never really recovered from his football injury. 쑗 She received severe back injuries in the accident. 2. a hurt to your feelings 쑗 Not getting first prize was a severe injury to his pride. (NOTE: The plural is injuries.) injustice /n dȢsts/ noun a lack of justice. Antonym justice ink /ŋk/ noun a liquid for writing with a pen 쑗 He has ink marks on his shirt. 쑗 The ink won’t come off the tablecloth. 쑗 She wrote comments on his work in red ink. 쐽 verb 왍 to ink in to write or draw using ink on top of something which was written or drawn in pencil ink-jet printer / nk dȢet prntə/ noun a computer printer that prints characters by sending out little jets of ink inkling / ŋklŋ/ noun a small idea inland / nlənd/ adv to the interior of a country 쑗 If you go inland from the port, you soon get into the forest. 쐽 adj in the interior of a country 쑗 They spent a holiday on the inland waterways of Holland. Antonym coastal -in-law /n lɔ / suffix showing a relationship by marriage in-laws / n lɔ z/ plural noun the parents of your wife or husband 쑗 He visited his in-laws while his wife was in hospital. inlet / nlet/ noun a small branch of water off a large stretch of water 쑗 The smugglers could have used any one of the numerous inlets along this stretch of coastline. in-line skating /n lan sketŋ/ noun same as rollerblading inmate / nmet/ noun a person living in a home or in a prison. Synonym prisoner in memoriam /n m mɔ riəm/ phrase phrase meaning ‘in memory of’ written on a gravestone to show who is buried inmost / nməυst/ adj deepest, most private inn /n/ noun a small hotel innards / nədz/ plural noun 1. the stomach and intestines 2. the inside of a machine 쑗 He spent the whole morning fiddling around with the innards of his car. innate / net/ adj which is present in someone from birth ② inner / nə/ adj inside 쑗 Go through that archway and you will come to the inner courtyard. 쑗 Heat is conducted from the inner to the outer layer of the material. inoculate inner circle /nə s" k(ə)l/ noun a small group of people closely associated with an important person such as a president ③ inner city /nə sti/ noun the central part of a city. Synonym city centre inner ear /nər ə/ noun a space inside the head, beyond the middle ear, which controls balance and hearing innermost / nəməυst/ adj 1. furthest inside 쑗 A long dark corridor led to the innermost part of the bank vault. 2. deepest, most private 쑗 His poems reveal his innermost feelings. inner tube / nə tju b/ noun a thin rubber tube containing air inside a tyre innings / nŋz/ noun (in cricket) the time when a team or a player is batting (NOTE: The plural is innings. In US English, in baseball, the singular inning is used.) 앳 he’s had a good innings 1. he’s been in his job a long time 2. he has lived a long time innocence / nəs(ə)ns/ noun 1. not being guilty 쑗 The lawyers tried to prove his innocence. 2. not having any experience or particular knowledge 쑗 In my innocence, I believed them when they said they were police officers. innocent / nəs(ə)nt/ adj 1. not guilty 쑗 He was found to be innocent of the crime. 쑗 In English law, the accused is always presumed to be innocent until he is proved to be guilty. 2. not having any experience or knowledge 쑗 She’s quite innocent when dealing with TV reporters. 쐽 noun a person who has no experience or knowledge 쑗 He’s a total innocent when it comes to dealing with car salesmen. innocently / nəs(ə)ntli/ adv in a way which shows that you do not know something, or have any experience or knowledge innocuous / nɒkjuəs/ adj harmless. Synonym inoffensive. Antonym offensive innovate / nəυvet/ verb to introduce changes or new methods ③ innovation /nə veʃ(ə)n/ noun a new invention, a new way of doing something innovative / nəvetv/ adj which is a new way of doing something. Antonym outdated innovator / nəvetə/ noun a person who brings in new ideas or new methods innuendo /nju endəυ/ noun a remark that suggests someone has done something wrong, but without giving direct details. Synonym insinuation (NOTE: The plural is innuendoes.) innumerable / nju m(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj very many, which cannot be counted. Synonym countless inoculate / nɒkjυlet/ verb 왍 to inoculate someone against a disease to stop someone catching a disease by injecting him inoculation 438 or her with a vaccine 쑗 The baby was inoculated against diphtheria. inoculation /nɒkjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun 왍 inoculation against a disease an injection to stop you catching a disease 쑗 Has the baby had a diphtheria inoculation? 쑗 Make sure you have the right inoculations before you go to the Far East. inoffensive /nə fensv/ adj harmless. Synonym innocuous. Antonym offensive inopportune /n ɒpətju n/ adj at the wrong time, at an awkward moment. Antonym opportune inordinate /n ɔ dnət/ adj more than is usual. Synonym excessive. Antonym moderate inordinately / nɔ dnətli/ adv much too much in-patient / n peʃ(ə)nt/ noun a person who stays in hospital for treatment. Antonym outpatient ③ input / npυt/ noun 1. an electric current which goes into a piece of equipment 쑗 Plug the input cable into the computer. 2. data fed into a computer 쑗 The input from the various branches is fed automatically into the head office computer. 3. a contribution to a discussion 쑗 Thank you very much for your input during the seminar. 쐽 verb to put data into a computer 쑗 Have you inputted or input the addresses into the database? Synonym enter (NOTE: inputting – inputted or input) inquest / ŋkwest/ noun a legal inquiry into how someone died. Synonym investigation ③ inquire /n kwaə/ verb 1. to ask ques- tions about something 쑗 The chef inquired if anything was wrong with the meal. 쑗 She phoned the travel agent to inquire about air fares to Australia. 쑗 She inquired about my mother’s health. 왍 ‘inquire within’ ask for more details inside the office or shop 2. to investigate, to try to find out about something 쑗 The police are inquiring into his background. 쑗 The social services are inquiring about the missing girl. (NOTE: also spelt enquire) inquiring /n kwaərŋ/ adj interested in finding out information ③ inquiry /n kwaəri/ noun 1. a formal investigation into a problem 쑗 A government inquiry into bribery in the police force. 쑗 A public inquiry will be held about plans to build another airport. 2. a question about something 쑗 I refer to your inquiry of May 25th. 쑗 All inquiries should be addressed to this department. 쑗 He made an inquiry about trains to Edinburgh. (NOTE: also spelt enquiry. The plural is inquiries.) inquisition /ŋkw zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. ask- ing very thorough questions, usually using threats or force 쑗 They were put through an insecurity inquisition by the detectives. 2. a Roman Catholic organisation in the 15th to 17th centuries that punished people whose beliefs were different from those that were expected inquisitive /n kwztv/ adj asking a lot of questions adv inquisitively /ŋ kwztvli/ inquiringly inquisitiveness /ŋ kwztvnəs/ noun being inquisitive inroads / nrəυdz/ noun 왍 to make inroads into something to use up or deal with a large part of something 쑗 Defending the court case has made considerable inroads into our funds. 쑗 I’ve finished painting the kitchen and I hope to start making inroads into the bathroom tomorrow. 쑗 She finished writing Chapter 3 last week and is making good inroads into Chapter 4. insane /n sen/ adj with a mental disorder insanitary /n snt(ə)ri/ adj not clean. Antonym hygienic insanity /n snti/ noun a severe mental disorder or illness. Synonym foolishness. Antonym common sense insatiable /n seʃəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be satisfied inscribe /n skrab/ verb 1. to write, especially to write a note inside a book when giving it to someone 쑗 The book is inscribed ‘with best wishes to John, from the author’. 2. to write permanently, as on stone 쑗 The names of the dead soldiers are inscribed on the walls of the cemetery. inscription /n skrpʃən/ noun 1. words cut on a surface such as stone 쑗 The tomb has an inscription in Latin. 2. a note written in a book which is given to someone 쑗 The inscription in the front of the book is by the author who gave it to his mother. inscrutable /n skru təb(ə)l/ adj mysterious, which you cannot understand. Synonym enigmatic insect / nsekt/ noun a small animal with six legs and a body in three parts 쑗 A butterfly is a kind of insect. 쑗 Insects have eaten the leaves of the cabbages. 쑗 She was stung by an insect. insect bite / nsekt bat/ noun a sting caused by an insect which goes through the skin and irritates insecticide /n sektsad/ noun a liquid or powder which kills insects insect repellent / nsekt rpelənt/ noun a chemical which keeps insects away insecure /ns kjυə/ adj 1. not safe 쑗 She felt insecure when walking down the High Street alone at night. 2. not firmly fixed 쑗 Be careful! that scaffolding looks insecure. insecurity /ns kjυrti/ noun a feeling of not being safe insemination 439 insemination /nsem neʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of making a woman or female animal pregnant insensible /n sensb(ə)l/ adj 1. not conscious 2. with no feeling insensitive /n senstv/ adj not worrying how other people feel, not sensitive to other people’s feelings inseparable /n sep(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj 1. which cannot be separated 쑗 In my experience, discos are inseparable from noise and drugs. 2. (of people) always together 쑗 The twins are absolutely inseparable, they do everything together. insert verb /n s" t/ to put something inside 쑗 She inserted another sentence into the letter. 쑗 He inserted each leaflet into an envelope. 쑗 Insert a coin into the slot. 쐽 noun / ns" t/ a paper which is put inside something 쑗 The wedding invitation card had an insert with a map showing how to get to the church. insertion /n s" ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of putting something in 쑗 The insertion of the words ‘not likely’ changes the meaning of the phrase completely. 2. words added to a text 쑗 The editors have made so many insertions that the book is a lot longer. 3. the action of putting an advertisement into a magazine or newspaper 쑗 The ad is charged at £50 per insertion. inset / nset/ noun a small piece which is put into something larger, such as a small picture inside a larger one 쐽 adj with something fixed into it inshore /n ʃɔ / adj, adv on the water, but near the coast ① inside /n sad/ adv indoors (informal ) 쑗 Come on inside – it’s cold in the street. 쑗 It rained all afternoon, so we just sat inside and watched TV. 쑗 Is there anyone there? – The house seems quite dark inside. Antonym outside 쐽 prep 1. in 쑗 There was nothing inside the bottle. 쑗 She was sitting inside the car, reading a book. 쑗 I’ve never been inside his office. 2. within 왍 inside two hours in less than two hours 쐽 noun a part which is in something 쑗 I know their office from the outside, but what is the inside like? 쑗 The meat isn’t cooked – the inside is still quite red. Synonym interior. Antonym outside 쐽 adj 1. which is inside something 쑗 He put his wallet into his inside pocket. 2. which is indoors 쑗 The office has an inside garage. inside lane /nsad len/ noun a track nearest the side of the road, used by slowmoving vehicles, or by vehicles planning to turn off the road inside leg / nsad leDZ/ noun the measurement of an inside trouser leg seam inside out /nsad aυt/ adv 1. turned with the inner part facing outwards 쑗 He put . insistently his pyjamas on inside out. 2. 왍 to know something inside out to know something very well 쑗 She knows Central London inside out. insider /n sadə/ noun a person who works in an organisation and therefore knows secret information insider dealing /nsadə di lŋ/ noun the illegal buying or selling of shares by people who have inside information about a company ③ insides /n sadz/ plural noun the interior of something, especially your stomach insidious /n sdiəs/ adj working secretly to do harm. Synonym sinister. Antonym harmless insight / nsat/ noun clear ideas or knowledge insignia /n sDZniə/ plural noun badges, chains or other decorations which symbolise the special position someone holds 쑗 He wore the insignia of a chief magistrate. insignificance /nsDZ nfkəns/ noun being insignificant insignificant /nsDZ nfkənt/ adj very small and unimportant. Antonym significant insincere /nsn sə/ adj not sincere. Synonym dishonest. Antonym sincere insincerity /nsn serti/ noun a lack of honesty. Synonym dishonesty. Antonym sincerity insinuate /n snjuet/ verb 1. to suggest by hinting at something in an unpleasant way 쑗 The finance director seemed to be insinuating that the boss was incompetent. 2. 왍 to insinuate yourself to work your way gradually into a favourable position 쑗 He managed to insinuate himself into the MD’s good books. insinuation /nsnju eʃ(ə)n/ noun an indirect and unpleasant comment (NOTE: usually used in the plural) insipid /n spd/ adj 1. with no particular taste 쑗 They served us some insipid tomato soup. 2. with no excitement 쑗 Her fiancé is a very insipid young man. 쑗 The film is beautifully shot, but it’s a pity the story is so insipid. ② insist /n sst/ verb to state firmly 쑗 He insisted that he had never touched the car. 쑗 She insisted that she should be paid compensation for the delay. 왍 to insist on something to state firmly that something must be done or given 쑗 She insisted on (being given) a refund. 쑗 I insist on an immediate explanation. insistence /n sstəns/ noun firm demands for something. Synonym persistence insistent /n sstənt/ adj stating or demanding something firmly insistently /n sstəntli/ adv in a firm or demanding way in so far as 440 in so far as /n səυ fɑ z/, insofar as conj to the extent that insolence / nsələns/ noun rudeness and lack of respect. Synonym impudence. Antonym respect insolent / nsələnt/ adj rude and lacking in respect. Synonym impudent. Antonym respectful insoluble /n sɒljυb(ə)l/ adj 1. (of a substance) which will not dissolve in water 2. (of a problem) which cannot be solved insolvency /n sɒlvənsi/ noun not able to pay debts. Synonym bankruptcy. Antonym solvency insolvent /n sɒlvənt/ adj (especially of a business) not able to pay debts. Antonym solvent 왍 the company was declared insol③ vent the company was officially stated to be unable to pay its debts COMMENT: ‘Insolvency’ and ‘insolvent’ are usually applied to companies and ‘bankruptcy’ and ‘bankrupt’ are applied to people. A company is insolvent when its debts are higher than its assets; if this happens it should stop trading insomnia /n sɒmniə/ noun the condition of not being able to sleep. Synonym sleeplessness (NOTE: no plural) insomniac /n sɒmnik/ noun a person who suffers from insomnia ③ inspect /n spekt/ verb to look at something closely. Antonym ignore ③ inspection /n spekʃən/ noun the process of examining something closely 쑗 They carried out an inspection of the drains. ③ inspector /n spektə/ noun a senior official who examines something closely. Synonym examiner inspectorate /n spekt(ə)rət/ noun all inspectors 왍 to join the factory inspectorate to become one of the inspectors of factories inspiration /nsp reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a sudden urge to create something 쑗 Her inspiration comes from the countryside of her native Cornwall. 2. a sudden good idea 쑗 We had run out of sugar and all the shops were closed, but she had an inspiration and tried the railway station snack bar. inspirational /nspə reʃ(ə)nl/ adj which inspires. Antonym boring ③ inspire /n spaə/ verb to make someone feel a wish to do something. Synonym stimulate inspired /n spaəd/ adj filled with a desire to do something inspiring /n spaərŋ/ adj who or which inspires. Synonym inspirational instability /nstə blti/ noun the condition of not being steady. Antonym stability (NOTE: The adjective is unstable.) instep install /n stɔ l/ verb to put a person into a job, a machine into a workshop, etc. 쑗 It took the plumber a week to install the new central heating system. ③ installation /nstə leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. putting a machine in place 쑗 The installation of the central heating took six days. 2. a group of machines which have been put in place 쑗 The harbour installations are very modern. 쑗 The fire seriously damaged the oil installations. installment plan /n stɔ lmənt pln/ noun US the system of buying something by paying money regularly each month until the whole price has been paid (NOTE: The British ③ term is hire purchase.) ③ instalment /n stɔ lmənt/ noun 1. a payment of part of a total amount of money, which is made regularly 쑗 They are paying for the kitchen by monthly instalments. 쑗 You pay £25 down and twelve monthly instalments of £20. 2. a part of something which is being broadcast or delivered in parts 쑗 The next instalment of the thriller will be shown on Monday evening. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is installment.) ② instance / nstəns/ noun an example 쑗 There have been several instances of bullying in our local school. 쑗 In this instance, we will pay for the damage. 왍 for instance as an example 쑗 Why don’t you take up a new sport – golf, for instance? ② instant / nstənt/ noun a moment or second 쑗 For an instant, he stood still and watched the policemen. 쐽 adj immediate 쑗 A savings account can give you instant access to your money. instantaneous /nstən teniəs/ adj immediate. Synonym prompt. Antonym gradual instantaneously /nstən teniəsli/ adv immediately instant coffee /nstənt kɒfi/ noun coffee powder to which you add hot water to make a fast cup of coffee instantly / nstəntli/ adv immediately, at once. Synonym promptly. Antonym gradually instant messaging /nstənt mesdȢŋ/ noun a system for communicating directly by electronic means such as e-mail instead /n sted/, instead of adv in place of 쑗 Since he’s ill, I’m going instead of him. 쑗 Instead of stopping when the policeman shouted, he ran away. 쑗 Why don’t you help me with the housework, instead of sitting and watching TV all day? 쑗 We haven’t any coffee – would you like some tea instead? 쑗 If you can’t go, can I go instead? instep / nstep/ noun the arched middle part of your foot (NOTE: Do not confuse with in step.) instigate 441 instigate / nstDZet/ verb to make something happen. Synonym bring about instigation /nst DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of making something happen 쑗 We await the instigation of criminal proceedings against those responsible for the violence. 2. 왍 at someone’s instigation when someone suggests it 쑗 At the instigation of the store manager, the opening times were changed. instigator / nstDZetə/ noun a person who stirs up trouble or who makes something happen instil /n stl/ verb to put an idea into someone’s mind gradually (NOTE: instilling – instilled. The US spelling is instill.) instinct / nstŋkt/ noun something which you have from birth and have not learnt 쑗 Many animals have a hunting instinct. 왍 by instinct from a feeling which you have inside you 쑗 She seems to know by instinct if we have bought any chocolates. 쑗 He seemed to feel by instinct that the plane was dangerous. instinctive /n stŋktv/ adj (of a reaction) natural instinctively /n stŋktvli/ adv because of something which you feel inside you. Synonym impulsively ② institute / nsttju t/ noun an organisation set up for a special purpose 쑗 They are proposing to set up a new institute of education. 쑗 She goes to the research institute’s library every week. 쐽 verb to set up or to start 쑗 to institute a lawsuit against someone. ① institution /nst tju ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an organisation, society set up for a special purpose 쑗 A prison is an institution which houses criminals. 2. a permanent custom 쑗 The lottery has rapidly become a national institution. 쑗 British institutions such as cream teas and the royal family. 3. the process of setting something up 쑗 The institution of legal proceedings against the president. institutional /nst tju ʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj referring to institutions. Synonym utilitarian. Antonym unique institutionalise /nst tju ʃ(ə)nəlaz/, institutionalize verb 1. to make something into an institution 쑗 The 1970s rock group have been around for so long that they have become institutionalised. 2. to put a person into an institution 쑗 She was declared insane and institutionalised. ③ instruct /n strkt/ verb 1. 왍 to instruct someone to do something to tell someone officially to do something 쑗 The inspectors instructed the restaurant to replace its kitchen equipment. 쑗 The firemen instructed us to leave the building. 2. to show someone how to do something 쑗 The stewardess will instruct you in ways of evacuating the aircraft if a fire breaks out. 3. 왍 to instruct a solicitor to give information to a lawyer and insular to ask him to start working for you 왍 to instruct a barrister (of a solicitor ) to give a barrister all the details of a case which he will need in court instruction /n strkʃən/ noun 1. the process of teaching, or the facts and skills taught 2. the profession of teaching 3. an order or a command instructional /n strkʃənl/ adj which teaches (formal ) instruction manual /n strkʃən mnjuəl/ noun a book which tells you how something should be used instructive /n strktv/ adj which gives a lot of information. Synonym informative instructor /n strktə/ noun a teacher, especially of a sport. Synonym teacher ② instrument / nstrυmənt/ noun a piece of equipment 쑗 The technical staff have instruments which measure the output of electricity. instrumental /nstrυ mentl/ adj 1. 왍 instrumental in doing something responsible, playing an important part in getting something done 쑗 The mayor was instrumental in getting our building proposals passed by the planning committee. 2. referring to a musical instrument 쑗 I prefer instrumental music to choral music. instrumentalist /nstrυ ment(ə)lst/ noun a person who plays a musical instrument. Compare vocalist. Synonym . . musician instrumentation /nstrυmen teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of arranging a piece of music for several instruments 쑗 Tim wrote the lyrics and Andrew was responsible for the instrumentation. 2. technical equipment 쑗 We were impressed by the advanced instrumentation of the new fighter. instrument panel / nstrυmənt pn(ə)l/ noun a flat part of a car in front of the driver, with dials which show speed, etc. insubordinate /nsə bɔ dnət/ adj not obeying orders. Synonym disobedient. Antonym obedient insubordination /nsəbɔ d neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of not obeying orders. Synonym disobedience. Antonym obedience insubstantial /nsəb stnʃəl/ adj 1. not very solid or strong 2. not seeming real insufferable /n sf(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot bear. Synonym excruciating insufficient /nsə fʃ(ə)nt/ adj not enough. Synonym inadequate. Antonym surplus insufficiently /ns fʃ(ə)ntli/ adv not enough insular / nsjυlə/ adj 1. thinking only of your own local interests 쑗 Opponents of the UK joining the euro were accused of being insularity 442 insular. 2. referring to an island 쑗 The insular flora and fauna of the Galapagos are unique. insularity /nsjυ lrti/ noun a lack of interest in anything other than your own local interests insulate / nsjυlet/ verb to prevent heat or cold or sound escaping or entering insulation /nsjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of preventing heat or cold or sound escaping or entering 쑗 Good insulation saves energy. 2. materials used to insulate something 쑗 The previous owners had used straw in the roof for insulation. insulator / nsjυletə/ noun 1. a material which insulates something 쑗 Rubber is a good insulator. 2. a device which insulates something 쑗 The high voltage electric cables must have good insulators. insulin / nsjυln/ noun a hormone which controls the way in which the body converts sugar into energy and controls the level of sugar in the blood insult noun / nslt/ a rude word said to or about a person 쑗 That is an insult to the government. 쑗 The crowd shouted insults at the police. Synonym affront. Antonym compliment 왍 an insult to someone’s intelligence something which is so obvious or easy that anyone could understand it 쑗 That TV quiz is an insult to the intelligence of the viewers. 쐽 verb /n slt/ to say rude things about someone 쑗 He was accused of insulting the president’s wife. Antonym praise ③ insulting /n sltŋ/ adj rude. Synonym abusive. Antonym polite insultingly /n sltŋli/ adv in an insulting way insuperable /n su p(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be solved or dealt with successfully. Synonym insurmountable. Antonym easy ② insurance /n ʃυərəns/ noun an agreement with a company by which you are paid compensation for loss or damage in return for regular payments of money 쑗 Do you have insurance for your travel? Synonym cover 왍 to take out an insurance against fire to pay money, so that if a fire happens, you will get some money insure /n ʃυə/ verb to agree with a company that if you pay them a regular amount of money, they will pay you for loss or damage to property or persons. Synonym protect (NOTE: Do not confuse with ensure.) insurer /n ʃυərə/ noun a person or com- pany which insures insurgency /n s" dȢənsi/ noun a situation where many groups fight to try to bring down a government over a long period of time. Synonym uprising intellectual insurgent /n s" dȢənt/ adj fighting to bring down a government by force 쑗 The insurgent army is within ten kilometres of the capital. Synonym mutinous 쐽 noun a person who fights to bring down a government by force 쑗 The army tried to capture the leader of the insurgents. Synonym rebel insurmountable /nsə maυntəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be solved or dealt with successfully. Synonym unbeatable. Antonym easy insurrection /nsə rekʃən/ noun a rebellion against a government. Synonym uprising intact /n tkt/ adj in one piece, not broken. Synonym complete intake / ntek/ noun 1. a thing or things which are taken in 쑗 She is trying to reduce her calorie intake or her intake of calories. 2. a group of new students, soldiers, etc. 쑗 We are increasing our intake of mature students again this year. 쑗 This year’s intake of recruits has more potential officers than usual. intangible /n tndȢb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be defined integer / ntdȢə/ noun a whole number, not a fraction integral / ntDZrəl/ adj which forms part of something integrate / ntDZret/ verb to link up to form a whole integrated circuit /ntDZretd s" kt/ noun an electronic circuit on a microchip ③ integration /nt DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of integrating integrity /n teDZrti/ noun 1. honesty, moral principles 쑗 His integrity is in doubt since the report on the company loan scandal. 2. an existence as a single thing or group 쑗 We must try to maintain the integrity of the association by avoiding a split among the members. intellect / ntlekt/ noun 1. the power of the brain to think or reason 쑗 You could see at once that she was a person of superior intellect. 2. a very intelligent person 쑗 Erasmus was one of the great intellects of the sixteenth century. ③ intellectual /nt lektʃuəl/ adj 1. referring to the way you use your brain 쑗 ‘The Times’ crossword requires considerable intellectual effort. 쑗 She has great intellectual capacity. 2. (of a person) who is good at using their brain 쑗 She is more intellectual than her husband. 쐽 noun 1. a person who believes that the brain is very important 2. a person who uses his or her brain to make a living 쑗 Left-wing intellectuals have criticised the Prime Minister. Synonym philosopher intellectual property 443 intellectual property /ntlektjυəl prɒpəti/ noun original creative work or ideas which can be protected by law ③ intelligence /n teldȢəns/ noun 1. the ability to think and understand 쑗 His intelligence is well above average. 2. information provided by the secret services 쑗 Intelligence gathered by our network of agents is very useful to us in planning future strategy. intelligence quotient /n teldȢəns kwəυʃ(ə)nt/ noun a number believed to show how intelligent a person is compared to others. Abbr IQ ③ intelligent /n teldȢənt/ adj 1. clever, able to understand things very well 쑗 She is more intelligent than her brother. 쑗 He’s the most intelligent child in his class. 2. able to think and reason 쑗 an intelligent computer terminal 쑗 Is there intelligent life on Mars? intelligentsia /ntel dȢentsiə/ noun the intellectual, artistic and educated people in a society intelligible /n teldȢb(ə)l/ adj which can be understood. Synonym comprehensible. Antonym unintelligible ① intend /n tend/ verb 왍 to intend to do something to plan to do something 쑗 We intended to get up early but we all overslept. 쑗 The company intends to sue for damages. 왍 I intended no insult I did not mean my words to be taken as an insult ③ intended /n tendd/ adj 1. planned or chosen deliberately 쑗 They never reached their intended destination. 쑗 The murderer followed his intended victim. 2. provided for a special purpose 쑗 The big plate is intended to be used for serving meat. ③ intense /n tens/ adj 1. very strong or energetic 쑗 There was a period of intense diplomatic activity to try to get the hostages released. 쑗 She had an intense period of study before the exams. 2. extremely serious and showing feelings strongly 쑗 She is a very intense young woman. intensely /n tensli/ adv strongly. Synonym forcefully. Antonym mildly intensification /ntensf keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of making something stronger 2. the process of becoming stronger 쑗 the intensification of the paper’s attacks on the government 왘 Antonym reduction intensify /n tensfa/ verb 1. to become stronger 쑗 The rain intensified and continued all night. 2. to make something stronger 쑗 He intensified his attacks on the government. intensity /n tensti/ noun strength or violence. Antonym moderation (NOTE: no plural) intensive /n tensv/ adj with a lot of effort 쑗 He took a two-week intensive course in German. intercity intensive care /ntensv keə/ noun the close care and treatment of patients who are very ill or badly injured so that essential action can be taken with a minimum of delay if it is needed intensively /n tensvli/ adv with a lot of effort intent /n tent/ adj determined 쑗 She’s intent on becoming a manager. 쐽 noun an aim. Synonym intention 왍 with intent to defraud with the aim of deceiving 왍 to all intents and purposes in almost every way 쑗 He is to all intents and purposes the boss of the business. ② intention /n tenʃən/ noun an aim or plan to do something 쑗 I can assure you that I have no intention of going to the party. 쑗 The fans came with the deliberate intention of stirring up trouble. Synonym aim intentional /n tenʃən(ə)l/ adj done on purpose. Synonym deliberate. Antonym accidental intentionally /n tenʃən(ə)li/ adv on purpose intently /n tentli/ adv with a lot of concentration. Synonym closely inter /n t" / verb to bury (NOTE: interring – interred) inter- /ntə/ prefix between interact /ntər kt/ verb 왍 to interact with someone to work in a friendly way with someone 쑗 She is interacting well with her teachers. 왍 to interact with something to have an effect on something ③ interaction /ntər kʃən/ noun an effect of two things on each other interactive /ntər ktv/ adj each having an effect on the others 쑗 We teach drama through interactive groups. intercept /ntə sept/ verb to stop something as it is passing. Synonym cut off interception /ntə sepʃən/ noun the process of stopping something which is passing. Synonym capture interchange noun / ntətʃendȢ/ 1. an exchange 쑗 an interchange of ideas 쑗 The conference was organised to promote an interchange of ideas in the field of robotics. 2. a large road junction where motorways cross 쑗 There was a massive pile-up at the interchange. 쐽 verb /ntə tʃendȢ/ to exchange one thing for another 쑗 The four wheels can be interchanged (with each other). 쑗 The players are constantly interchanging positions on the field. interchangeable /ntə tʃendȢəb(ə)l/ adj which can be exchanged for each other intercity /ntə sti/ adj (of trains or planes) travelling between two cities intercom 444 intercom / ntəkɒm/ noun a radio for speaking to people over a short distance inside a building intercontinental /ntəkɒnt nent(ə)l/ adj from one continent to another, between continents intercourse / ntəkɔ s/ noun 1. same as sexual intercourse 쑗 They had intercourse on the first night they met. 2. communication between people 쑗 ‘How do you do?’ is a polite expression used in normal social intercourse. interdependent /ntəd pendənt/ adj 1. needing each other to exist 2. relying on each other’s help or support interdict / ntədkt/ noun an official order telling someone not to do something. Synonym order ① interest / ntrəst/ noun 1. special attention to something 쑗 She takes a lot of interest in politics. 쑗 He has no interest in what his sister is doing. 쑗 Why doesn’t he take more interest in local affairs? 2. a thing which you pay attention to 쑗 Her main interest is canoeing. 쑗 List your special interests on your CV. 3. a percentage which is paid to someone who lends money 쑗 Deposit accounts pay more interest. 쑗 How much interest do I have to pay if I borrow £1000? 4. a financial share in something 왍 he has a controlling interest in the company he owns more than 50% of the shares and so can direct how the company is run 왍 to acquire a substantial interest in the company to buy a large number of shares in a company 쐽 verb to attract someone 쑗 He’s particularly interested in old cars. 쑗 Nothing seems to interest him very much. 쑗 The book didn’t interest me at all. 쑗 He tried to interest several companies in his new invention. ① interested / ntrəstd/ adj with a personal interest in something 쑗 He’s interested in old churches. 쑗 She’s interested in crime fiction. ① interesting / ntrəstŋ/ adj which attracts your attention 쑗 There’s an interesting article in the newspaper on European football. 쑗 She didn’t find the TV programme very interesting. 쑗 What’s so interesting about old cars? – I find them dull. Antonym boring interestingly / ntrəstŋli/ adv it is interesting that interest rate / ntrəst ret/ noun a percentage charged for borrowing money interface / ntəfes/ noun 1. a point where two computer systems connect, or a program which allows two computer systems to be connected 2. an area where two different systems meet and interact 쑗 Great progress is being made at the interface between medical science and genetic engineering. 쐽 verb 왍 to intermediary interface with (of a computer device) to communicate with 쑗 My laptop can interface with any other computer in the building. interfere /ntə fə/ verb 왍 to interfere in or with something to get in the way of something, to be involved in something in such a way that it does not work well 쑗 His mother is always interfering in his private life. 쑗 Stop interfering with the TV controls. ③ interference /ntə fərəns/ noun 1. an involvement with someone else’s life or business 쑗 His aunt’s interference in his wedding preparations made him very annoyed. 2. a noise which affects radio or TV programmes 쑗 The reception isn’t good tonight – there’s a lot of interference. (NOTE: no plural) interim / ntərm/ adj (of a report) given halfway through a period, before the final result is known 쑗 Please send us an interim report on the first year of your research project. Synonym temporary. Antonym permanent 쐽 noun 왍 in the interim meanwhile 쑗 We are still redecorating the offices: in the interim you will have to share an office with your boss. interior /n təriə/ adj inside. Synonym internal. Antonym peripheral 쐽 noun an inner part of a building, car, etc. 쑗 She cautiously walked into the interior of the cave. 쑗 The interior of the building is fine, but the exterior needs repainting. interior decorator /ntəriə dekəretə/ noun a person who paints and decorates the interior of buildings interior design /ntəriə d zan/ noun the planning of the appearance of the inside of a building ③ interior designer /ntəriə d zanə/ noun a person who designs the inside of a building, including wall coverings, paint colours, furniture, fabrics, etc. interject /ntə dȢekt/ verb to interrupt with a comment ③ interjection /ntə dȢekʃən/ noun an exclamation, a word used to show surprise interlock /ntə lɒk/ verb to fit together so as not to come apart easily. Synonym mesh interlude / ntəlu d/ noun 1. a pause for a dance or piece of music between parts of a performance 쑗 There will now be a short musical interlude. 2. a quiet time between two lively periods 쑗 There was a short interlude, then the noise started again. 쑗 During an interlude in the street battle, ambulancemen went to find wounded demonstrators. intermarry /ntə mri/ verb to marry within the same family group intermediary /ntə mi diəri/ adj between two parties 쑗 She played an intermediary role in the negotiations between the two sides. Synonym intermediate 쐽 noun a per- intermediate 445 son who is the link between parties who do not agree or who are negotiating 쑗 He refused to act as an intermediary between the two directors. (NOTE: The plural is intermediaries.) intermediate /ntə mi diət/ adj 1. between two points 쑗 We are at an intermediate stage in our research work. 2. between beginners and advanced 쑗 She has passed her intermediate level English. interminable /n t" mnəb(ə)l/ adj which never ends, which is boring. Synonym endless. Antonym finite interminably /n t" mnəbli/ adv without coming to an end intermission /ntə mʃ(ə)n/ noun especially US an interval in a performance intermittent /ntə mt(ə)nt/ adj stopping and starting at intervals. Synonym spasmodic intern noun / nt" n/ US a medical school graduate who is working in a hospital while at the same time finishing his studies 쑗 Hospital interns work very long hours. (NOTE: The British term is houseman.) 쐽 verb /nt" n/ to put someone in a prison or in a camp without trial, usually for political reasons 쑗 Many intellectuals and opponents of the military regime have been interned. Synonym imprison ② internal /n t" n(ə)l/ adj inside internal combustion engine /nt" n(ə)l km bstʃən endȢn/ noun a type of engine in which petrol is burned inside the cylinders of the engine, so forcing the pistons to move internal flight /nt" n(ə)l flat/ noun a flight inside a country internally /n t" n(ə)l/ adv inside ① international /ntə nʃ(ə)nəl/ adj between countries 쑗 an important international company 쑗 An international conference on the environment. Synonym global 쐽 noun 1. a sportsman who has played for his country’s team against another country 쑗 There are three England internationals in our local team. 2. a game between two countries 쑗 The Rugby international will be held next Saturday at Twickenham. internationalist /ntə nʃ(ə)nəlst/ noun a person who believes in the need for countries to work together internationally /ntə nʃ(ə)nəli/ adv between countries internee /nt" ni / noun a person who has been interned, usually a political prisoner who has not been tried Internet / ntənet/ noun an international network linking thousands of computers using telephone links 쑗 We send messages over the Internet to hundreds of users of our prod- interrogate ucts. 쑗 He searched the Internet for information on cheap tickets to Alaska. (NOTE: also called simply the Net) COMMENT: Internet addresses (or ‘domain names’) of companies and other organisations are made up of two or three parts. The first part is the name of the organisation (often abbreviated); the second can be .co (for a company), .com (for companies based in the USA), .edu (for educational establishments), .net (for Internet suppliers), .gov for US government organisations and .mil (for military). With the exception of the USA, all countries add a further two-character country of origin name, such as .au for Australia, .cn for China, .uk for the United Kingdom, or .de for Germany. internment /n t" nmənt/ noun the action of interning, of putting someone into a prison or camp without trial. Synonym imprisonment interpersonal /ntə p" s(ə)n(ə)l/ adj between people interpersonal skills /ntəp" s(ə)n(ə)l sklz/ plural noun skills used when communicating with other people, especially when negotiating interplay / ntəple/ noun a reaction between two things. Synonym chemistry interpose /ntə pəυz/ verb to place something in between ③ interpret /n t" prt/ verb 1. to translate what someone is saying into a different language 쑗 The courier knows Greek, so he will interpret for us. 2. to explain the meaning of something 쑗 His letter was interpreted as meaning that he refused the offer. 쑗 Her fit of giggles was interpreted as ‘yes’. ② interpretation /nt" pr teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a meaning 쑗 A poem can have many interpretations. 쑗 The book puts quite a different interpretation on the meaning of the rule. 2. the act of translating what someone is saying into a different language 쑗 She is taking a course in simultaneous interpretation. 3. a way of playing a piece of music 쑗 Two of the young musicians were praised for their interpretations of Bach. interpretative /n t" rprtətv/ adj referring to interpretation. Synonym explanatory ③ interpreter /n t" prtə/ noun a person who translates what someone is saying into a different language interrelate /ntər let/ verb to be closely connected with something else interrelated /ntər letd/ adj in a relationship in which each depends on or is affected by the other or others interrogate /n terəDZet/ verb to question someone severely, often for a long period of time interrogation 446 interrogation /nterə DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun a severe questioning interrogative /ntə rɒDZətv/ adj which asks a question interrogative pronoun /ntərɒDZətv prəυnaυn/ noun a pronoun which asks a question interrupt /ntə rpt/ verb 1. to start talking when someone else is talking 쑗 Excuse me for interrupting, but have you seen the office keys anywhere? 2. to stop something which is taking place 쑗 They interrupted their tour of Europe. 쑗 The strike interrupted the flow of spare parts to our factory. ③ interruption /ntə rpʃən/ noun something that interrupts or stops you from working intersect /ntə sekt/ verb to cut across each other. Synonym cross intersection / ntəsekʃən/ noun 1. a place where two or more roads cross 쑗 The accident occurred at one of the busiest intersections in the city. 2. a place where lines cut across each other 쑗 The intersection on the graph shows when the pound became weaker than the dollar. intersperse /ntə sp" s/ verb 1. to interrupt one activity with another for short periods of time 2. to put various things in or among something else interspersed /ntə sp" st/ adj 왍 interspersed with among or between other things 쑗 The play consisted of short conversations interspersed with long periods of silence. interstate adj /ntə stet/ 1. between two countries 쑗 Interstate negotiations are continuing to decide on the expansion of the EU. 2. US between two states 쑗 We took the interstate freeway to San Diego. 쐽 noun / ntəstet/ US a road between two states 쑗 They took Interstate 80 to Nevada. intertwine /ntə twan/ verb to twist things together; to be twisted together. Synonym interweave ③ interval / ntəv(ə)l/ noun 1. a period of time between two points 쑗 There will be bright intervals during the morning, but it will rain in the afternoon. 쑗 There will be a short interval during which the table will be cleared. 2. a period of time between two acts in a play 쑗 Anyone arriving late won’t be allowed in until the first interval. 3. 왍 at intervals from time to time 쑗 At intervals, he almost seems sane. 왍 at regular intervals fairly often 쑗 At regular intervals during my interview, the phone would ring and the man interviewing me would take down messages. 4. (in music) a difference in pitch 쑗 The interval between D and A is a fifth. ③ intervene /ntə vi n/ verb to come between 왍 to intervene in a dispute to try to intimate settle a disagreement 쑗 The government refused to intervene in the dispute. intervening /ntə vi nŋ/ adj which comes between ③ intervention /ntə venʃən/ noun an act of intervening between two things, or an action to make a change in a system interventionist /ntə venʃənst/ adj referring to a policy of intervention ② interview / ntəvju / noun 1. a conversation between an important or interesting person and a journalist, broadcast on radio, TV or printed in a newspaper 쑗 She gave an interview to the Sunday magazine. 2. a formal meeting in which one or more people ask you questions to find out if you are suitable for something such as a particular job or a course at university 쑗 We asked six candidates for interview. 쑗 He’s had six interviews, but still no job offers. 쑗 When will you attend your first interview? 쐽 verb 1. to ask a famous or interesting person questions about themselves and their work in order to publish or broadcast what they say 쑗 The journalist interviewed the Prime Minister. 2. to meet a person who is applying for something such as a job or a place on a university course, to see if he or she is suitable 쑗 We interviewed ten candidates, but did not find anyone we liked. interviewee /ntəvju i / noun a person who is being or who is going to be interviewed. Synonym applicant. Antonym interviewer ③ interviewer / ntəvju ə/ noun a person who asks the questions at an interview interweave /ntə wi v/ verb to weave together. Synonym intertwine (NOTE: interweaving – interwove /ntə wəυv/ – inter- woven) intestate /n testet/ adj not having made a will intestinal /n testn(ə)l/ adj referring to the intestine intestine /n testn/ noun 왍 the small intestine the top section of the intestines, leading down from the stomach intestines /n testnz/ plural noun the tube inside your body which passes from the stomach to the anus, and in which food is digested as it passes through intimacy / ntməsi/ noun a sexual relationship with someone intimate adj / ntmət/ 1. very close 쑗 She is an intimate friend from my schooldays. 쑗 They had intimate knowledge of the layout of the house. 2. sexual 쑗 an intimate relationship 3. very detailed 쑗 They had intimate knowledge of the layout of the house. 쐽 verb / ntmet/ to announce or to suggest 쑗 He intimated that he was going to resign and go to work in Australia. intimately 447 intimately / ntmətli/ adv closely intimation /nt meʃ(ə)n/ noun the suggestion that you will do something. Synonym hint intimidate /n tmdet/ verb to frighten someone by threatening them or appearing to threaten them intimidated /n tmdetd/ adj feeling frightened or feeling that someone is better than you at doing something intimidating /n tmdetŋ/ adj frightening. Synonym threatening. Antonym approachable intimidation /ntm deʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of frightening someone with threats. Synonym coercion ① into / ntə, ntυ, ntu / prep 1. showing movement towards the inside 쑗 She went into the shop. 쑗 He fell into the lake. 쑗 Put the cards back into their box. 쑗 You can’t get ten people into a taxi. 쑗 We all stopped talking when he came into the room. 쑗 The bus is going into the town centre. 2. hitting against something 쑗 The bus drove into a lamppost. 3. showing a change 쑗 The tadpole changed into a frog. 쑗 Water turns into steam when it is heated. 쑗 She changed into an evening dress for the party. 왍 to burst into tears to start crying suddenly 쑗 When she opened the box she burst into tears. 4. showing that you are dividing 쑗 Try to cut the cake into ten equal pieces. 왍 six into four won’t go you cannot divide four by six 5. liking something very much 쑗 He’s into reggae. intolerable /n tɒlərəb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot bear. Synonym unbearable. Antonym bearable intolerably /n tɒlərəbli/ adv in a way that you cannot bear intolerance /n tɒlərəns/ noun a refusal to accept the points of view of other people intolerant /n tɒlərənt/ adj refusing to accept the points of view of other people. Synonym bigoted. Antonym tolerant ③ intonation /ntə neʃ(ə)n/ noun a rise or fall of the voice in speech or singing intone /n təυn/ verb to speak something in a slow singing voice intoxicant /n tɒkskənt/ noun a substance such as alcohol, which makes you drunk intoxicated /n tɒksketd/ adj 1. drunk, under the effects of alcohol 쑗 He was charged with driving while intoxicated. 2. extremely excited 쑗 Intoxicated with their success, they decided to go out to celebrate. intoxicating /n tɒksketŋ/ adj 1. which makes you drunk 쑗 It is illegal to sell intoxicating liquor to people under the age of 18. 2. which makes you excited 쑗 Excited by the introduction intoxicating atmosphere of the football crowd she stood on her seat and cheered. intoxication /ntɒks keʃ(ə)n/ noun the state of being drunk. Synonym alcoholism intractable /n trktəb(ə)l/ adj very difficult to deal with; which is impossible to solve intranet / ntrənet/ noun a computer network within an organisation intransigence /n trnsdȢəns/ noun the quality of being determined not to change your mind. Antonym flexibility intransigent /n trnsdȢənt/ adj determined not to change your mind. Synonym inflexible intransitive /n trnstv/ adj describes a verb that does not need a direct object to complete its meaning intravenous /ntrə vi nəs/ adj put into a vein in-tray / n tre/ noun a file or basket on your desk for papers that you have to deal with (NOTE: The file for outgoing letters is the out-tray and that for letters which are waiting for a decision is the pending tray.) intrepid /n trepd/ adj without fear, very brave (literary or humorous). Synonym fearless. Antonym cowardly intricacy / ntrkəsi/ noun the state of being very complicated. Synonym complexity intricate / ntrkət/ adj very complicated, made of many different parts intrigue / ntri DZ/ noun a secret plan 쑗 The story is one of intrigues at the court of Mary Queen of Scots. 쐽 verb 1. to make secret plans, especially to harm someone 쑗 She intrigued to get the ambassador assassinated. 2. to make someone interested 쑗 The girl’s story intrigued him. intrigued /n tri DZd/ adj interested in something because it is unusual intriguing /n tri DZŋ/ adj which makes you interested. Synonym interesting intrinsic /n trnsk/ adj forming a basic part of something. Synonym basic intrinsically /n trnzkli/ adv basically intro / ntrəυ/ noun an introduction, especially to a piece of music ① introduce /ntrə dju s/ verb 1. to present someone to another person or to people who did not know him or her previously 쑗 He introduced me to a friend of his called Anne. 쑗 She introduced me to her new teacher. 2. to announce a TV or radio programme, etc. 쑗 He introduced the start of the cricket commentary. 3. to bring something to a new place 쑗 Several species of plant now common in Britain were introduced by the Romans. 쑗 Starlings were introduced to the USA in 1891. ① introduction /ntrə dkʃən/ noun 1. the act of meeting someone or something for introductory 448 the first time 쑗 The Fair in Chicago was his introduction to the American business scene. 2. a letter making someone known to other people who did not know him previously 쑗 I’m going to Moscow next week – can you give me an introduction to anyone there? 쑗 I’ll give you an introduction to Mike Smith – he is an old friend of mine. 3. a piece at the beginning of a book which explains the rest of the book 쑗 Read the introduction which gives an explanation of the book’s layout. 4. a book which gives basic information about a subject 쑗 He’s the author of an introduction to mathematics. 5. bringing into use 왍 the introduction of new technology the process of putting new computers into a business or industry 6. the act of bringing something to a new place 쑗 Before the introduction of grey squirrels, the red squirrel was widespread. introductory /ntrə dkt(ə)ri/ adj which introduce introspection /ntrə spekʃən/ noun looking inwards at yourself introspective /ntrə spektv/ adj thinking a lot about yourself introvert / ntrəv" t/ noun a person who does not like to be with other people. Synonym recluse. Antonym extrovert intrude /n tru d/ verb to go in or become involved where you are not wanted ③ intruder /n tru də/ noun a person who has got into a place, usually illegally ③ intrusion /n tru Ȣ(ə)n/ noun the act of intruding. Synonym disturbance intrusive /n tru sv/ adj which intrudes and is not wanted. Synonym invasive intuition /ntju ʃ(ə)n/ noun thinking of something or knowing something naturally, without it being explained intuitive /n tju tv/ adj based on intuition Inuit / nut/ noun a member of a group of people living in the north of Canada and Greenland (NOTE: also called Eskimo or Eskimos, though this may be offensive) inundate / nndet/ verb 1. to have more things or people than you can deal with 쑗 We have been inundated with requests for tickets. 쑗 The relief camps were inundated with refugees. 2. to flood a place 쑗 Acres of farmland were inundated when the banks of the river gave way. invade /n ved/ verb 1. to attack and enter a country with an army 쑗 William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066. 2. 왍 to invade someone’s privacy when people such as journalists try to find out details of someone’s private life 쑗 She claimed that the photographers had invaded her privacy by climbing over the wall. inventive invader /n vedə/ noun a person who enters a country by force with an army. Synonym attacker invalid1 /n vld/ adj not officially accepted, not legal 쑗 She was stopped at the frontier because her passport was invalid. 쑗 Your library card is invalid, so you need to renew it. ③ invalid2 / nvəld/ adj sick or disabled 쑗 Her invalid mother lives in a nursing home. 쐽 noun a sick or disabled person 쑗 She’s been an invalid since her operation. 쐽 verb 왍 to invalid someone out to make someone leave their job because of ill health 쑗 He was invalided out of the navy. invalidate /n vldet/ verb to make something no longer officially accepted or legal invalidity /nvə ldti/ noun 1. the fact of being an invalid 쑗 She receives an invalidity pension. 2. the state of being not legal or not officially accepted 쑗 The invalidity of the contract was discussed. (NOTE: no plural) invaluable /n vljuəb(ə)l/ adj extremely valuable. Antonym worthless invariable /n veəriəb(ə)l/ adj always the same, never changing invariably /n veəriəbli/ adv always invasion /n veȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. entering a country by force with an army 쑗 The invasion took place in early June. 2. 왍 invasion of privacy the behaviour of people such as journalists when they try to find out details of someone’s private life 쑗 The photographers climbing over the wall constituted an invasion of privacy. invasive /n vesv/ adj 1. which tends to spread throughout the body 쑗 A malignant tumour is an invasive growth. 2. which involves cutting open and entering the patient’s body 쑗 Invasive surgery will only be used as a last resort. invective /n vektv/ noun insulting speech or swearing (formal ) ③ invent /n vent/ verb 1. to create a new process or a new machine 쑗 She invented a new type of computer terminal. 쑗 Who invented shorthand? 2. to think up an excuse 쑗 When she asked him why he was late he invented some excuse. ③ invention /n venʃən/ noun 1. the act of creating a new process or a new machine 쑗 The invention of computers was made possible by developments in electronics. 2. a new machine or piece of equipment 쑗 He tried to sell his latest invention to a US car manufacturer. inventive /n ventv/ adj which creates something in a way that shows imagination. Synonym creative . inventor 449 ③ inventor /n ventə/ noun a person who invents new processes or new machines ③ inventory / nvənt(ə)ri/ noun 1. a list of all the things in a place such as a house 쑗 The landlord checked the inventory when the tenants left. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is inventories.) 2. US all the goods in a warehouse 쑗 Our whole inventory was destroyed by fire. 쑗 We are carrying a high inventory. (NOTE: The British term is stock.) inverse /n v" s/ noun the opposite of something 쑗 Actually, the inverse is true. 쐽 adj completely opposite 쑗 Their value is in inverse proportion to their weights. invert /n v" t/ verb to turn something upside down or back to front 쑗 Invert the mould and ease the jelly onto the dish. invertebrate /n v" tbrət/ noun an animal which has no backbone 쑗 Fish are vertebrates but worms are invertebrates. 쐽 adj with no backbone 쑗 Can you name any other invertebrate animals besides worms? Compare vertebrate inverted commas /nv" td kɒməz/ plural noun printed or written marks (‘ ’ or “ ”) showing that a quotation starts or finishes inverted snobbery /nv" td snɒbəri/ noun the idea that people and things connected with the working class are better than those of a higher social class ③ invest /n vest/ verb 1. to use your money for buying things such as property or shares in a company, so that you will make a profit 쑗 She was advised to invest in government bonds. 쑗 He invested all his money in a fish-and-chip restaurant. 2. to spend money on something which you believe will be useful 쑗 We have invested in a new fridge. ② investigate /n vestDZet/ verb to try to find out about something 쑗 The detective is investigating the details of the case. 쑗 We are investigating the possibility of going to live in Costa Rica. ② investigation /nvest DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun a close examination 쑗 A police investigation into the causes of the crash. 왍 on investigation when it was examined 쑗 On further investigation, the newspaper report was shown to be quite untrue. investigative /n vestDZətv/ adj who or which investigates investigative journalism /nvestDZətv dȢ" nəlz(ə)m/ noun a type of journalism where journalists try to find out and publish new details or facts about something ③ investigator /n vestDZetə/ noun a person who investigates, e.g. a police officer ① investment /n vestmənt/ noun 1. money which has been invested, e.g. in shares or property, and is expected to make a invoice profit 쑗 He has been very successful with his investments. 왍 long- or short-term investments investments such as shares which are likely to increase in value over a long or short period 쑗 Buying a house is considered a good long-term investment. 2. money spent by a government or a company to improve it or make it more successful 쑗 The economy is suffering from a lack of investment in training. 쑗 Investment always declines during a recession. ③ investor /n vestə/ noun a person who invests money inveterate /n vet(ə)rət/ adj always doing something and not likely to change invigilate /n vdȢlet/ verb to watch students who are taking an examination in order to see that they do not cheat invigilator /n vdȢletə/ noun a person who invigilates an examination invigorate /n vDZəret/ verb to make someone feel healthy and full of energy. Synonym energise invigorating /n vDZəretŋ/ adj which makes you feel healthy. Synonym bracing invincible /n vnsb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be defeated. Synonym unbeatable invisible /n vzb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be seen 쑗 The message was written in invisible ink and hidden inside the pages of the telephone directory. invisible earnings /nvzb(ə)l " nŋz/ plural noun foreign currency earned by a country by providing services such as banking, insurance or tourism but not selling goods. Compare visible ③ invitation /nv teʃ(ə)n/ noun a letter or card, asking someone to do something 쑗 He received an invitation to his sister’s wedding. 쑗 She had an invitation to dinner. 왍 at someone’s invitation invited by someone 쑗 She spoke to the meeting at the invitation of the committee. ② invite /n vat/ verb to ask someone to do something, especially to come to a social event such as a party 쑗 We invited two hundred people to the party. 쑗 She invited us to come in. 쑗 She’s been invited to talk to the club. ③ inviting /n vatŋ/ adj which attracts in vitro /n vi trəυ/ adj relating to an experiment which is carried out in a laboratory ② invoice / nvɔs/ noun a note sent to ask for payment for services or goods 쑗 Our invoice dated November 10th has still not been paid. 쑗 They sent in their invoice six weeks late. 쑗 Ask the sales assistant to make out an invoice for £250. Synonym bill 쐽 verb to send a note asking for payment for services or goods 왍 we invoiced you on November invoke 450 10th we sent you an invoice on November 10th invoke /n vəυk/ verb to call on someone or something for help or support involuntary /n vɒlənt(ə)ri/ adj 1. done suddenly in a way that you cannot control 쑗 His leg gave an involuntary jerk when the doctor tapped his knee. 쑗 Her cry was the involuntary reaction of a mother protecting her young. 2. not done willingly 쑗 Does the travel insurance cover the involuntary cancellation of the holiday? ① involve /n vɒlv/ verb 1. to bring someone or something into an activity or situation 쑗 a competition involving teams from ten different countries 쑗 We want to involve the local community in the decision about the bypass. 쑗 Members of the local council are involved in the company which has won the contract for the new road. 2. to make necessary 쑗 Going to Oxford Circus from here involves taking a bus and then the Underground. ② involved /n vɒlvd/ adj complicated ③ involvement /n vɒlvmənt/ noun the fact of being connected with someone, or involved in something 쑗 Did she have any involvement with the music festival? 쑗 The police were unable to prove his involvement in the crime. invulnerable /n vlnərəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be harmed by something. Antonym vulnerable inward / nwəd/ adj on the inside inward investment /nwəd nvestmənt/ noun money invested in a coun- try by foreign companies inwardly / nwədli/ adv 1. to or inside yourself 2. on or to the inside of something inwards / nwədz/ adv towards the inside (NOTE: The US term is inward.) in-your-face /n jə/ adj direct or obvious in a way that is designed to attract attention iodine / aədi n/ noun 1. a chemical element which is essential to the body 쑗 The nurse dabbed the cut with iodine. 2. a chemical put on cuts in the skin to prevent infection ion / aən/ noun an electrically charged atom iota /a əυtə/ noun a very small piece or amount. Synonym jot IOU /a əυ ju / noun a paper promising that you will pay back money which you have borrowed (NOTE: It spells the words I owe you.) IPA abbr International Phonetic Alphabet ③ IQ abbr intelligence quotient 쑗 She has an IQ of 110. irascible / rsb(ə)l/ adj easily made annoyed irony irate /a ret/ adj very angry. Antonym calm iridescence /r des(ə)ns/ noun the state or quality of being iridescent iridescent /r des(ə)nt/ adj with colours which seem to change in different types of light iris / ars/ noun 1. a plant with tall flat leaves and usually yellow or purple flowers 쑗 Irises grow well in damp soil. 2. a coloured ring in the eye, with the pupil at its centre 쑗 The iris has muscles that adjust the size of the pupil. (NOTE: The plural is irises.) ① Irish / arʃ/ adj referring to Ireland 쑗 The Irish Sea lies between Ireland and Britain. 쐽 noun 1. a Celtic language still spoken in parts of Ireland 쑗 Eire is the Irish name for the Republic of Ireland. 2. 왍 the Irish the people who live in Ireland 쑗 The Irish are famous for their folk music. Irish coffee /arʃ kɒfi/ noun hot coffee, served in a glass, with Irish whiskey added to it and whipped cream poured on top irk /" k/ verb to annoy someone irksome / " ks(ə)m/ adj annoying ② iron / aən/ noun 1. a common grey metal 쑗 The old gates are made of iron. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning: some iron, lumps of iron, pieces of iron) 2. a heavy object with a flat bottom, which is heated and used to make clothes smooth after washing 쑗 Don’t leave the iron plugged in, it will burn the clothes. 쑗 If your iron is not hot enough it won’t take the creases out. 3. a golf club with a metal head 4. 왍 in irons with iron chains tied around the ankles to prevent escape 쐽 verb 1. to make cloth smooth, using an iron 쑗 She was ironing shirts when the telephone rang. 쑗 Her skirt doesn’t look as though it has been ironed. 2. 왍 to iron out to deal with a problem 쑗 We had a very productive morning – all the remaining problems were ironed out. ironically /a rɒnkli/ adv 1. in a way which means the opposite 쑗 ‘It’s no trouble at all,’ he said ironically. 2. at the wrong time, as if deliberately planned 쑗 Ironically, although they had lost both his suitcases, the airline claimed that he owed them for excess baggage. ③ ironing / aənŋ/ noun clothes which have been washed and are ready to be ironed ③ ironing board / aənŋ bɔ d/ noun a special narrow table used when ironing clothes irony / arəni/ noun 1. a way of referring to something where you say the opposite of what you mean 쑗 Do I detect a note of irony in his letter? 2. a situation when something happens at the wrong moment, as if deliberately planned 쑗 The irony of it was that the irradiate 451 rain finally stopped on the last day of our holiday. irradiate / rediet/ verb 1. to subject something to radiation 쑗 In South Africa male mosquitoes have been irradiated to make them sterile and then released back into the environment. 2. to treat food with radiation to prevent it going bad 쑗 Some people wonder whether irradiated food is safe to eat. irradiation /red eʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of radiation to kill bacteria in food irrational / rʃ(ə)nl/ adj not sensible or reasonable. Synonym illogical. Antonym rational irreconcilable /rekən saləb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be made to agree irregular / reDZjυlə/ adj 1. not happening in a regular way 쑗 An irregular pattern of lines and circles. 쑗 His heart had an irregular beat. 2. not level 쑗 An irregular stone path leads across the garden. 3. not happening always at the same time 쑗 His payments are very irregular. 쑗 He makes irregular visits to his mother in hospital. 4. not according to rules or a usual way of doing something 쑗 This procedure is highly irregular. irregularity /reDZjυ lrti/ noun a thing which goes against the rules or the law irregularly / reDZjυləli/ adv not regularly irregular verb /reDZjυlə v" b/ noun a verb such as ‘to run’ which has forms which do not fit the usual patterns of grammar irrelevance / reləvəns/ noun the fact of not having any connection with the subject irrelevant / reləvənt/ adj with no connection to the present subject. Synonym immaterial. Antonym relevant irreparable / rep(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be repaired irreparably / rep(ə)rəbli/ adv in a way which cannot be repaired irreplaceable /r plesəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be replaced. Synonym unique irrepressible /r presəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be held back. Synonym uncontrollable irreproachable /r prəυtʃəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be criticised. Synonym blameless. Antonym blameworthy irresistible /r zstəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be controlled, which you cannot refuse irresolute / rezəlu t/ adj who cannot decide what to do. Synonym indecisive irrespective /r spektv/ prep 왍 irrespective of taking no account of 쑗 Anyone parking on a double yellow line will be fined, irrespective of who they are. 쑗 The appointment will be made on merit, irrespective of age or sex. isle irresponsible /r spɒnsb(ə)l/ adj in a way that is not sensible, not responsible. Synonym reckless irreverence / rev(ə)rəns/ noun a lack of respect. Synonym disrespect. Antonym respect irreverent / rev(ə)rənt/ adj not showing respect, often in a humorous way. Synonym disrespectful. Antonym respectful irreversible /r v" sb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be changed back to how it was before. Synonym irreparable irrevocable / revəkəb(ə)l/ adj which cannot be changed irrigate / rDZet/ verb to supply water to land to allow plants to grow, usually through a system of little channels irrigation /r DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of irrigating an area of land irritability /rtə blti/ noun the fact of being irritable irritable / rtəb(ə)l/ adj easily annoyed. Synonym bad-tempered irritably / rtəbli/ adv in an annoying way irritant / rt(ə)nt/ noun 1. a thing which annoys 쑗 The mosquitoes were a minor irritant, the big problem was the alligators. 2. a substance which can irritate 쑗 Irritants like chlorine in swimming pool water can make the eyes inflamed. irritate / rtet/ verb 1. to annoy 쑗 It irritates me when the trains run late. 2. (of a substance) to make something sore or to cause a burning feeling 쑗 Some plants irritate the skin. irritated / rtetd/ adj annoyed irritating / rtetŋ/ adj which annoys. Synonym annoying. Antonym soothing ③ irritation /r teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. something which annoys you 쑗 The irritation of having bad weather every day of the holiday made him quite unbearable. 2. spots on your skin which cause a burning feeling 쑗 The irritation on his chest got worse during the day. ③ is /z/ 쒁 be -ish /ʃ/ suffix 1. having the quality of, like, tending to 2. almost, nearly Islam / zlɑ m/ noun the religion of the Muslims, founded by the prophet Muhammad Islamic /z lmk/ adj referring to Islam ② island / alənd/ noun a piece of land with water all round it 쑗 They live on a little island in the middle of the river. 쑗 The Greek islands are favourite holiday destinations. islander / aləndə/ noun a person who lives on an island. Synonym inhabitant isle /al/ noun an island (literary) 왍 the British Isles the islands which make up Great Britain and Ireland isn’t 452 ③ isn’t / z(ə)nt/ 쒁 be isobar / asəυbɑ / noun a line on a weather map linking places of equal barometric pressure ③ isolate / asəlet/ verb 1. to put something or someone in a place alone 쑗 Violent prisoners are usually isolated from the others. 2. to separate a chemical substance from a compound, to identify a single virus or bacterium among many 쑗 Doctors have isolated a new form of the flu virus. 쑗 Scientists have been able to isolate the substance which causes the disease. ③ isolated / asəletd/ adj 1. separated from others 쑗 They live in an isolated village in the hills. 2. one only 왍 isolated attack a single attack, which has not been repeated ③ isolation /asə leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the state of being cut off from communication with other people 쑗 He lived for six months on the island in complete isolation. 2. 왍 in isolation all alone 쑗 The plans for the new bus station should not be seen in isolation – they are part of a major redevelopment scheme for the town centre. isolationism /asə leʃ(ə)nz(ə)m/ noun a country’s policy of deliberately not becoming involved in international relations isosceles triangle /asɒsəli z traŋDZ(ə)l/ noun a triangle with two sides which are the same length isotope / asətəυp/ noun a form of a chemical element which has the same chemical properties as other forms, but a different atomic mass ISP abbr Internet service provider ① issue / ʃu / noun 1. a problem 쑗 The main issues will be discussed at the meeting. 왍 to make an issue of something to have a big discussion about something 쑗 She’s apologised so don’t try to make an issue of it. 왍 the point at issue the question which is being discussed 쑗 The point at issue is whether the government is prepared to compromise. 왍 to take issue with someone to disagree with someone 2. an occasion when new stamps are put on sale or new coins or banknotes start to be used 쑗 There will be a new issue of stamps this month. 3. an occasion when something is officially given out 쑗 The issue of ration cards has been delayed. 4. a newspaper or magazine which is published at a particular time 쑗 We bought the January issue of the magazine. 5. the act of giving out new shares 쐽 verb 1. to make something available for use 쑗 The new set of stamps will be issued next week. 쑗 Initially the euro was issued alongside the former national currencies. 2. to give something out officially 쑗 We issued a writ against the company. 쑗 The government issued a report on London’s traffic. 쑗 The Secretary of State issued guide- itemise lines for expenditure. 3. to come out 쑗 Smoke began to issue from the hole in the ground. isthmus / sməs/ noun a narrow piece of land with water on both sides of it, connecting two larger pieces of land (NOTE: The plural is isthmuses.) ① it /t/ pron 1. used to show something which has just been mentioned 쑗 What do you want me to do with the box? – Put it down. 쑗 Where’s the box? – It’s here. 쑗 She picked up a potato and then dropped it on the ground. 쑗 I put my book down somewhere and now I can’t find it. 쑗 Where’s the newspaper? – It’s on the chair. 쑗 The dog’s thirsty, give it something to drink. 2. referring to no particular thing 쑗 Look! – it’s snowing. 쑗 It’s miles from here to the railway station. 쑗 Is it the 30th today? 쑗 It’s almost impossible to get a ticket at this time of year. 쑗 What time is it? – It’s ten o’clock. 쑗 It’s dangerous to use an electric saw when it’s wet. (NOTE: It’s = it is or it has. Do not confuse with its.) ③ IT abbr information technology italic / tlk/ adj (of letters) sloping 쑗 The text under the illustrations is printed in italic type. italicise / tlsaz/, italicize verb to put a word into italics italics / tlks/ plural noun sloping letters 쑗 This example is printed in italics. Compare Roman itch /tʃ/ noun a place on the skin where you want to scratch 쑗 I’ve got an itch in the middle of my back which I just can’t reach – it’s driving me mad! (NOTE: The plural is itches.) 쐽 verb 1. to make someone want to scratch 쑗 The cream made his skin itch more than before. 2. 왍 to be itching to do something to be very keen to do something (informal ) 쑗 I am itching to have a go at hang-gliding but my wife won’t let me. itchy / tʃi/ adj 1. which makes a person want to scratch 쑗 The main symptom of the disease is an itchy red rash. 2. 왍 itchy feet a desire to change jobs or to travel (informal ) 쑗 I’m starting to get itchy feet again – I’ve been in the same job for too long. it’d / təd/ short form it had, it would ① item / atəm/ noun 1. something shown in a list 쑗 I couldn’t buy several items on the shopping list because the shop had sold out. 쑗 We are discussing item four on the agenda. 쑗 Please find enclosed an order for the following items from your catalogue. 2. a piece of information, e.g. on a news programme 쑗 Here is a summary of the main items of news or the main news items. itemise / atəmaz/, itemize verb to make a detailed list of things . . itinerant 453 itinerant /a tnərənt/ adj moving from place to place, without settling. Synonym peripatetic. Antonym settled itinerary /a tnərəri/ noun a list of places to be visited on one journey. Synonym route (NOTE: The plural is itineraries.) ① its /ts/ adj referring to ‘it’ 쑗 I can’t use the car – one of its tyres is flat. 쑗 The company pays its staff very badly. (NOTE: Do not confuse with it’s.) ① it’s /ts/ short form it is, it has ① itself /t self/ pron 1. referring to an ob- ject 쑗 The dog seems to have hurt itself. 쑗 The screw had worked itself loose. 왍 all by itself alone, with no one helping 쑗 The church stands all by itself in the middle of the street. 쑗 The bus started to move all by itself. 2. for emphasis 쑗 If the plug is all right there ivy must be something wrong with the computer itself. IUD abbr intrauterine device IV noun the Roman numeral for four or fourth ③ I’ve /av/ short form I have IVF abbr in vitro fertilisation ivory / avəri/ noun a hard whitish substance from an elephant’s tusk 쑗 She bought some finely carved ivory chessmen. 쑗 Trade in ivory has been banned. ivory tower /avəri taυə/ noun an imaginary place where an intellectual can live, isolated from the ordinary world. Synonym seclusion. Antonym real world ivy / avi/ noun an evergreen plant which climbs up walls and trees (NOTE: The plural is ivies.) J j /dȢe/, J noun the tenth letter of the alphabet, between I and K jab /dȢb/ noun 1. a sudden push with something pointed 쑗 He felt a jab in the back from someone’s umbrella. 2. an injection 쑗 Have you had your cholera jabs yet? 쐽 verb to push with something sharp 쑗 He jabbed the piece of meat with his fork. 쑗 She jabbed me in the back with her umbrella. Synonym stab (NOTE: jabbing – jabbed) jabber / dȢbə/ verb to speak fast and not very clearly. Synonym chatter jack /dȢk/ noun 1. a tool for raising some- thing heavy, especially a car 쑗 I used the jack to lift the car up and take the wheel off. 2. (in playing cards) the card with the face of a young man, with a value between the queen and the ten 쑗 I won because I had the jack of hearts. 3. (in bowls) a small white or black ball for players to aim at 쑗 You need a lot of skill to hit the jack. 4. an electric or telephone plug with a single pin 쑗 When he had plugged the jack in he could use the modem. jackal / dȢk(ə)l/ noun an African wild animal, similar to a dog, which feeds mainly on dead flesh ② jacket / dȢkt/ noun 1. a short coat worn with trousers 쑗 He was wearing a blue jacket and brown trousers. 쑗 Take your jacket off if you are hot. 쑗 This orange jacket shows up in the dark when I ride my bike. 2. a paper cover wrapped round a book 쑗 The design of a book jacket has to be very attractive to make people want to buy the book. jacket potato /dȢkt pə tetəυ/ noun a potato cooked in an oven with its skin on jack in /dȢk n/ verb 왍 to jack it in to stop doing something such as a job, a piece of work or a course (informal ) 쑗 I’m fed up with this accounting course, I’m going to jack it in. jack-in-the-box / dȢk n ðə bɒks/ noun a toy in which a doll jumps up out of a box when the lid is opened jackknife / dȢknaf/ noun a large folding knife 쑗 He pulled out a jackknife and cut the rope. (NOTE: The plural is jackknives.) 쐽 verb (of an articulated vehicle) to go out of control, when the two parts bend in half so that they are pointing in different directions . 쑗 The section of the motorway is closed where a lorry has jackknifed. jackpot / dȢkpɒt/ noun 왍 to win or hit the jackpot to win the highest prize in a lottery 쑗 He won the jackpot and bought himself a new car. 쑗 Last week’s lottery jackpot was the highest ever. jack up /dȢk p/ verb 1. to lift up something heavy with a jack 쑗 They jacked up the car to remove the exhaust pipe. 2. to raise profits or prices 쑗 The newspaper article alleged that dealers had jacked up prices to make bigger profits. Jacobean /dȢkə bi ən/ adj referring to the time of James I, the early seventeenth century Jacuzzi /dȢə ku zi/ trademark a type of bath which has bubbly water 쑗 The health club has two Jacuzzis and a whirlpool. jade /dȢed/ noun a hard green stone used for making jewellery and other attractive objects jaded / dȢedd/ adj worn out, tired jagged / dȢDZd/ adj ith edges which are rough and not even jaguar / dȢDZjuə/ noun a large wild cat with marks like spots on its skin, which lives in Central and South America ③ jail /dȢel/ noun a prison 쑗 She was sent to jail for three months. 쐽 verb to put someone in prison 쑗 He was jailed for six years. Synonym imprison jailer / dȢelə/ noun a person who guards prisoners in a jail (dated ) Jain /dȢan/ noun a member of a Hindu group which believes that people should have deep respect for any living creature jalopy /dȢə lɒpi/ noun an old car which is in a poor condition (dated informal ). Synonym wreck ③ jam /dȢm/ noun 1. a sweet food made by boiling fruit and sugar together 쑗 a pot of apricot jam 쑗 Do you want jam or honey on your bread? 쑗 We made jam with the fruit in the garden. 쑗 Have you any more jam – the jar is empty? 왍 money for jam a profit which is easy to make 2. a condition in which too many things block something such as a space or a machine 쑗 There is a paper jam in the printer. 3. a difficult situation 쑗 He’s got . . jamboree 455 himself into a jam. 쐽 verb 1. (of machines) to stick and not to be able to move 쑗 Hold on – the paper has jammed in the printer. 2. to force things into a small space 쑗 Don’t try to jam all those boxes into the car boot. 쑗 The switchboard was jammed with calls. 3. 왍 to jam on the brakes to stop a vehicle or machine suddenly 쑗 He jammed on the brakes and the car went into a spin. 4. to make a radio broadcast impossible to understand by broadcasting noise on the same wavelength 쑗 They jammed all the enemy radio frequencies. (NOTE: jamming – jammed) jamboree /dȢmbə ri / noun 1. a big outdoor party 쑗 Are you going to the jamboree in the public gardens tonight? 2. a large gathering of people, especially of scouts and guides 쑗 The next world jamboree will be held in Japan. jam jar / dȢm dȢɑ / noun a glass container for putting jam in jam-packed /dȢm pkt/ adj extremely full (informal ). Synonym crowded. Antonym empty Jan. abbr January jangle / dȢŋDZəl/ noun a harsh noise of pieces of metal hitting together 쑗 She heard the jangle of keys on the other side of the door. 쐽 verb 1. to make a noise of pieces of metal hitting together 쑗 He jangled the keys in his pocket. 2. 왍 to jangle (on) someone’s nerves to make someone feel nervous 쑗 The sound of the dentist’s drill started to jangle my nerves. janitor / dȢntə/ noun especially US a person who looks after a building, e.g. by making sure it is clean and that the rubbish is cleared away (NOTE: The British term is . caretaker.) ① January / dȢnjuəri/ noun the first month of the year, followed by February 쑗 on January 26 쑗 He was born on January 26th. 쑗 We never go on holiday in January because it’s too cold. 쑗 We all went skiing last January. (NOTE: January 26th or Janu- ary 26: say ‘the twenty-sixth of January’ or ‘January the twenty-sixth’; American English: ‘January twenty-sixth’.) ① Japanese /dȢpə ni z/ adj referring to Japan 쑗 A typical Japanese meal can include rice and raw fish. 쐽 noun 1. 왍 the Japanese people from Japan 쑗 The Japanese are very formal people. 2. the language spoken in Japan 쑗 He has lived in Japan for some time and speaks quite good Japanese. 쑗 We bought a Japanese phrase book before we went to Japan. ③ jar /dȢɑ / noun a container for food such as jam, usually made of glass 쑗 There was some honey left in the bottom of the jar. 쑗 Open another jar of jam – this one is empty. 쐽 verb to produce an unpleasant effect 쑗 He jeans tripped over the step, jarring his knee. 쑗 The drilling sound jarred on my ears. 쑗 Orange curtains will jar with purple cushions. jargon / dȢɑ DZən/ noun a special type of language used by a trade or profession or particular group of people jasmine / dȢzmn/ noun a plant with little white or yellow flowers which have a sweet smell jaundice / dȢɔ nds/ noun a condition where there is too much bile in the blood, and the skin and the whites of the eyes become yellow jaundiced / dȢɔ ndst/ adj negative and tending to criticise things. Synonym cynical jaunt /dȢɔ nt/ noun a short journey, especially for pleasure. Synonym outing jauntily / dȢɔ ntli/ adv in a happy way jaunty / dȢɔ nti/ adj happy and confident. Synonym carefree (NOTE: jauntier – jauntiest) javelin / dȢv(ə)ln/ noun a long spear used in battle or in sport jaw /dȢɔ / noun the bones in the face which hold the teeth and form the mouth 왍 upper jaw the part of the skull holding the top set of teeth jawbone / dȢɔ bəυn/ noun one of the two bones forming your jaw, usually the lower jaw jay /dȢe/ noun a brightly coloured bird, one of the crow family jaywalker / dȢewɔ kə/ noun a pedestrian who crosses a street without paying any attention to the traffic, or who does not cross a street at a pedestrian crossing jaywalking / dȢewɔ kŋ/ noun crossing a street without paying attention to the traffic jazz /dȢz/ noun a type of music with a strong rhythm, and solo improvisations, first played in the southern United States jazz up /dȢz p/ verb to make bright and attractive (informal ) jazzy / dȢzi/ adj of a bright colour (slang). Synonym showy jealous / dȢeləs/ adj feeling annoyed because you want something which belongs to someone else 쑗 John was jealous of Mark because all the girls fancied him. 쑗 She was jealous of his new car. 쑗 Her new boyfriend is very handsome – I’m jealous! jealously / dȢeləsli/ adv in a jealous way, keeping something so that no one else can get it jealousy / dȢeləsi/ noun the feeling of being annoyed because someone has something which you want but do not have ② jeans /dȢi nz/ plural noun trousers made of a type of strong cotton, often blue 쑗 I like wearing jeans better than wearing a skirt. 쑗 . jeep 456 She came into the restaurant in her jeans. 쑗 He bought a new pair of jeans. jeep /dȢi p/ trademark a strong four-wheel drive vehicle used for travelling over rough ground, especially used by the army 쑗 The convoy of jeeps and tanks crossed slowly over the bridge. jeer /dȢə/ noun an unpleasant joke or criticism about someone 쑗 She left the stage in tears with the jeers of the audience ringing in her ears. 쐽 verb 왍 to jeer at someone to laugh at someone in a unpleasant way 쑗 Because he was fat he was often jeered at and bullied at school. jell /dȢel/ verb (of liquid ) to become a jelly ③ jelly / dȢeli/ noun 1. a type of sweet food which shakes, made with fruit flavouring 쑗 The children had fish fingers and chips followed by jelly and ice-cream. (NOTE: The . plural is jellies. In the USA this is often referred to by the trademark Jell-O.) 2. 왍 to turn to jelly to shake and become weak 쑗 When he heard the sound of the bell his legs turned to jelly. 3. a type of jam made of fruit juice boiled with sugar 쑗 She loves peanut butter and blackcurrant jelly sandwiches. ③ jelly baby / dȢeli bebi/ noun a sweet of coloured jelly, shaped like a little person jelly bean / dȢeli bi n/ noun a sweet of coloured jelly, shaped like a bean jellyfish / dȢelifʃ/ noun an animal with a body like jelly, which lives in the sea (NOTE: The plural is jellyfish.) jeopardise / dȢepədaz/, jeopardize verb to be likely to harm jeopardy / dȢepədi/ noun 왍 to be in jeopardy to be in danger 쑗 The management’s attitude to safety has put us all in jeopardy. 쑗 The sale of the company has put thousands of jobs in jeopardy. 왍 his driving licence is in jeopardy he may lose his driving licence jerk /dȢ" k/ noun 1. a sudden sharp pull 쑗 He felt a jerk on the fishing line. 2. a stupid person 쑗 Don’t ask that jerk anything! 쐽 verb to give something a sudden sharp pull 쑗 He jerked the rope. jerkily / dȢ" kli/ adv with sudden sharp movements jerkin / dȢ" kn/ noun a short coat with no sleeves jerky / dȢ" ki/ adj abrupt, sudden. Synonym irregular jerry-built / dȢeri blt/ adj which has been badly built at a low cost jersey / dȢ" zi/ noun 1. a close-fitting woollen sweater 쑗 She was knitting a pink jersey for the new baby. 2. a special shirt worn by a member of a sports team 쑗 After every game the players swapped jerseys with the other team. jibe Jerusalem artichoke /dȢəru sələm ɑ ttʃəυk/ noun a tall plant which develops tubers like lumpy potatoes jest /dȢest/ (literary) noun something done or said to make people laugh 쑗 It started off as a jest but turned into something more serious. Synonym joke 왍 said in jest said as a joke 쑗 The remark was said half in jest, but I think he really meant it. 쐽 verb to make jokes 쑗 One should not jest about that sort of thing – it’s very serious. jet /dȢet/ noun 1. a long narrow stream of liquid or gas 쑗 A jet of water put out the flames. 2. an aircraft with jet engines 쑗 Jets flew low overhead. 쐽 verb to travel by jet plane 쑗 She jetted off to Los Angeles for a short holiday. 쑗 Nice airport was busy with stars jetting in for the Cannes Film Festival. (NOTE: jetting – jetted) jet black /dȢet blk/ adj very black and shiny jet engine /dȢet endȢn/ noun an engine which gets its power from a jet of gas jet lag / dȢet lDZ/ noun the feeling of being extremely tired after a long journey by plane jetsam / dȢetsəm/ noun things which have been thrown into the water from a boat. Synonym odds and ends (NOTE: no plural) jet set / dȢet set/ noun rich people from all round the world (informal ) jet setter / dȢet setə/ noun a person who belongs to the jet set jet setting / dȢet setŋ/ adj referring to the jet set Jet Ski / dȢet ski / trademark a jet-propelled vehicle for one person which travels across water jettison / dȢets(ə)n/ verb to throw fuel from a plane, or goods from a ship into the sea to make it lighter. Synonym throw away jetty / dȢeti/ noun a small structure, e.g. at the side of a river, where boats can tie up ③ . (NOTE: The plural is jetties.) Jew /dȢu / noun a member of the group of people who lived in Israel in ancient times or who believe in Judaism jewel / dȢu əl/ noun a precious stone, such as a diamond jeweller / dȢu ələ/ noun a person who makes or sells jewellery, and usually watches as well (NOTE: The US spelling is jeweler.) ② jewellery / dȢu əlri/ noun ornaments to be worn, made from precious stones, gold, silver, etc. 쑗 The burglar stole all her jewellery. (NOTE: no plural. The US spelling is jewelery.) Jewish / dȢu ʃ/ adj 1. of Judaism 2. of Jews jibe /dȢab/ noun an unpleasant remark (NOTE: The US spelling is gibe.) jiffy 457 jiffy / dȢfi/ noun a very short time (informal ). Synonym moment jig /dȢDZ/ noun 1. a type of fast lively dance 쑗 When he heard the news he did a little jig around the office. 2. music for this dance 쑗 The band started to play an Irish jig and everyone got up to dance. 3. a piece of equipment which helps to control a tool and holds the material being worked on 쑗 Set up the jig so that the holes will be drilled in exactly the same place in each piece of wood. 쐽 verb to jump up and down or to move about with quick nervous movements 쑗 The head teacher told the children to stop jigging about and to stand still. (NOTE: jigging – jigged) jiggery-pokery /dȢDZəri pəυkəri/ noun dishonest behaviour (informal ) jiggle / dȢDZ(ə)l/ verb 1. to move quickly or nervously 2. to move something a little 쑗 If you jiggle the top a bit, it should come off fairly easily. jigsaw / dȢDZsɔ / noun 1. 왍 jigsaw (puzzle) a puzzle of odd-shaped pieces of wood or cardboard which when fitted together form a picture 쑗 As it’s raining, let’s stay indoors and try to do this huge jigsaw of the Houses of Parliament. 2. a saw with a thin blade for cutting designs out of wood 쑗 His electric drill has a jigsaw attachment. jihad /dȢ hd/ noun a holy war by Muslims against people who do not believe in Islam jilt /dȢlt/ verb suddenly to end a romantic or sexual relationship jingle / dȢŋDZ(ə)l/ noun 1. a sound made when little pieces of metal knock together 쑗 The jingle of tiny bells on the horse’s harness. 2. a song with simple words or tune 쐽 verb to make a sound like pieces of metal knocking together 쑗 The doorbell jingled as he went into the shop. jingoism / dȢŋDZəυz(ə)m/ noun a strong feeling that your country is best,. Synonym chauvinism jingoistic /dȢŋDZəυ stk/ adj showing jingoism. Synonym chauvinistic jinx /dȢŋks/ noun something which brings bad luck. Synonym curse (NOTE: The plural is jinxes.) jinxed /dȢŋkst/ adj affected by bad luck. Synonym unlucky jitters / dȢtəz/ noun (informal ) 왍 to get or have the jitters to be nervous and unable to concentrate 쑗 I always get the jitters before an exam. 왍 to give someone the jitters to make someone nervous 쑗 All this talk of bombs gives me the jitters. 쑗 It was a day of jitters on the stock market as the news from Japan began to come in. . . . jobseeker jittery / dȢtəri/ adj nervous and unable to concentrate. Antonym calm jive /dȢav/ noun a type of fast dance or music for this dance 쐽 verb to dance to jive music ③ Jnr / dȢu niə/ abbr junior (NOTE: The US spelling is Jr.) ① job /dȢɒb/ noun 1. regular work which you get paid for 쑗 She’s got a job in the supermarket. 쑗 He’s finding it difficult getting a job because he can’t drive. 쑗 When the factory closed, hundreds of people lost their jobs. 왍 to be out of a job to lose your employment 왍 jobs for the boys the unfair practice of giving work to your friends or supporters (informal ) 쑗 There’ll be plenty of jobs for the boys when the new government comes in. 2. a piece of work 쑗 Don’t sit down, there are a couple of jobs I want you to do. 쑗 He does all sorts of little electrical jobs around the house. 왍 to make a good job of something to do something well 쑗 They made a very good job of mending the table. 3. 왍 it’s a good job that it’s lucky that (informal ) 쑗 It’s a good job he can drive. 쑗 What a good job you brought your umbrella! 쑗 It’s a good job you’re not hungry, as there’s nothing in the fridge. 왍 to give something up as a bad job to stop trying to do something 쑗 He tried to get the car to go, and in the end had to give it up as a bad job. 왍 just the job just the right thing, exactly what we need 쑗 That heavy hammer is just the job for breaking up concrete. 4. difficulty 쑗 I had a job trying to find your house. 쑗 What a job it was getting a hotel room at the time of the music festival! 5. a crime, especially stealing something 쑗 He was one of the gang who did the Italian job. jobbing / dȢɒbŋ/ adj (of a workman) doing small jobs which are paid for separately. Synonym casual ③ jobcentre / dȢɒbsentə/ noun an official office which helps people to find work, e.g. by telling them about jobs which are available job description / dȢɒb dskrpʃən/ noun an official document from a company which says what a job involves ③ jobless / dȢɒbləs/ adj with no job. Synonym unemployed. Antonym employed 쐽 plural noun 왍 the jobless people who have no jobs job satisfaction / dȢɒb stsfkʃən/ noun a feeling that you are happy in your work and pleased with the work you do job security / dȢɒb skjυərti/ noun a situation in which an employee is likely to keep his or her job until he retires jobseeker / dȢɒbsi kə/ noun an unemployed person who is looking for a job . . job-share 458 job-share / dȢɒb ʃeə/ verb to share a single job with another person so that each of you works for part of the day or week job-sharing / dȢɒb ʃeərŋ/ noun a situation where a job is shared by more than one person, each working part-time job specification / dȢɒb spesfkeʃ(ə)n/ noun a very detailed description of what is involved in a job jockey / dȢɒki/ noun a person who rides horses in races 쑗 He’s an experienced jockey and knows how to handle a horse over a muddy racecourse. 쑗 He’s the youngest jockey to ride in the Grand National. 쐽 verb 왍 to jockey for position to try to improve your position in relation to other people 쑗 There’s a vacancy for managing director, and the sales director and the production director are jockeying for position. jockstrap / dȢɒkstrp/ noun a tight piece of underwear which male athletes wear to support the genitals, when playing sport jocular / dȢɒkjυlə/ adj in a humorous way, treating things as a joke jocularity /dȢɒkjυ lrti/ noun good humour. Antonym solemnity jodhpurs / dȢɒdpəz/ plural noun trousers for wearing when horse riding, which are wide above the knee and narrow below it joey / dȢəυi/ noun (in Australia) a young kangaroo ③ jog /dȢɒDZ/ noun 1. a rather slow run, especially when taken for exercise 쑗 She goes for a jog every morning. 2. a fairly slow running movement 쑗 He ran at a jog round the park. 쐽 verb 1. to run fairly slowly, especially for exercise 쑗 He jogged along the river bank for two miles. 쑗 She was listening to her personal stereo as she was jogging. 2. to move at a steady, but rather slow run 쑗 The train jogged through the suburbs, stopping at every station. 3. to push slightly 쑗 Someone jogged my elbow and I spilt my drink. 왍 to jog someone’s memory to make someone remember 쑗 The police are hoping that the film from the security camera will jog people’s memories. jogger / dȢɒDZə/ noun a person who jogs for exercise ③ jogging / dȢɒDZŋ/ noun the practice of running in slow steady way for exercise 왍 to go jogging to run gently for exercise 쑗 They went jogging in the streets near their home. john /dȢɒn/ noun US a toilet (informal ) ① join /dȢɔn/ verb 1. to put things together 쑗 You have to join the two pieces of wood together. 쑗 The rooms were joined together by making a door in the wall. 2. to come together 쑗 Go on for about two hundred metres, until a road joins this one. 쑗 The two rivers join about four kilometres beyond the . joke town. 3. to become a member of a club, group, etc. 쑗 After university, he is going to join the police. 쑗 She joined the army because she wanted to travel. 4. 왍 to join a firm to start work with a company 왍 he joined on January 1st he started work on the January 1st 5. to do something with someone 쑗 We’re going to have a cup of coffee – would you like to join us? 쑗 Won’t you join us for a game of golf? 쐽 noun a place where pieces are joined 쑗 Can you see the join where I added an extra piece of cloth? joined-up / dȢɔnd p/ adj 1. used to describe handwriting in which each letter of a word is joined to the next, especially by children learning to write in this way 2. well-planned or with all its separate parts working well together, e.g. of government or a policy joiner / dȢɔnə/ noun a person who builds things out of wood, especially windows and doors for houses joinery / dȢɔnəri/ noun the work done by a joiner ③ join in /dȢɔn n/ verb to take part in something done as a group. Synonym participate ① joint /dȢɔnt/ noun 1. a place where sev- eral pieces are attached, especially in building or woodwork 쑗 The joints of the drawer have worked loose. 2. a place where bones come together and can move, such as the knee or elbow 쑗 Her elbow joint hurt after her game of tennis. 3. a large piece of meat, especially for roasting 쑗 The joint of lamb was very tender. 쑗 We all sat round the table while Father carved the Sunday joint. 4. a club or restaurant 쑗 Let’s go to Rick’s joint. 5. a cigarette with marijuana 쑗 He smoked a couple of joints during the evening. 쐽 adj combined, with two or more things connected together. Synonym combined jointly / dȢɔntli/ adv together with one or more other people ③ join up /dȢɔn p/ verb 1. to link things together 쑗 She’s getting better at writing, and can do joined-up letters. 2. to join the army, navy or air force 쑗 He joined up when he was 18 and soon rose to become an officer. joist /dȢɔst/ noun a horizontal beam which supports a ceiling or floorboards ② joke /dȢəυk/ noun a thing said or done to make people laugh 쑗 She poured water down his neck as a joke. 쑗 They all laughed at his jokes. 쑗 He told jokes all evening. 쐽 verb 1. to tell jokes 2. to say or do something to make people laugh 쑗 He used to joke about always being late for the office. Synonym kid 왍 he was only joking he did not mean it seriously 왍 you’re joking!, you must be joking! you are not being serious, are you? 쑗 joker 459 He’s just bought a new Rolls Royce – You must be joking, he’s only the office boy! joker / dȢəυkə/ noun an extra card, with the picture of a clown on it, used as a bonus in some card games jokingly / dȢəυkŋli/ adv in a joking way ③ jolly / dȢɒli/ adj happy, pleasant, enjoyable 쑗 It was marvellous to see all the jolly faces of the children. 쑗 Her birthday party was a very jolly affair. Synonym cheerful (NOTE: jollier – jolliest) 쐽 adv 1. very (used for emphasis) 쑗 It’s jolly hard work carrying all those boxes up to the attic. 2. 쑗 If you don’t want to pay the proper rate for the job, then you can jolly well do it yourself. 쐽 verb (informal ) 왍 to jolly someone along to encourage someone by keeping him happy 쑗 We tried to jolly the children along, but they just walked slower and slower. jolt /dȢəυlt/ noun a sudden shake or shock, or violent push 쑗 The train stopped with a jolt. 쐽 verb 1. to move with sudden movements 쑗 The train jolted twice before moving off. 2. to push or to shake suddenly 쑗 The people in the back of the truck were jolted about from side to side as we bumped over the rocky track. 3. to give a sudden shock to 쑗 The sound of the whistle jolted her into action. 왍 to jolt someone out of to make someone stop doing something 쑗 Getting married it will jolt him out of his lazy bachelor habits. Joneses / dȢəυnzz/ plural noun an expression used to refer to somebody’s next-door neighbours, especially with the idea that they own things which other people would like or live in a way which other people want to copy joss stick / dȢɒs stk/ noun a stick with a special substance on it, which burns slowly giving off a pleasant smell jostle / dȢɒs(ə)l/ verb to push or to knock into people, especially in a crowd 왍 to jostle for position to push others so as to get into a good position 쑗 The cars on the starting line were jostling for position. jot /dȢɒt/ noun a very small amount (dated ) 쑗 Don’t worry, it doesn’t make a jot of difference. 쑗 There wasn’t a jot of truth in the article. Synonym iota 쐽 verb 왍 to jot something down to make quick notes about something 쑗 He jotted down her phone number. jotter / dȢɒtə/ noun a small pad of paper for making notes jottings / dȢɒtŋz/ plural noun notes written down at random joule /dȢu l/ noun a unit of measurement of heat or energy, equal to the heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 g of water by 1° C journal / dȢ" n(ə)l/ noun 1. a book where you write details of things that you want to remember 쑗 He kept a journal during his . . judder visit to China. 쑗 She wrote a journal of the gradual progress of her illness. 2. a magazine, especially one on a learned subject 쑗 She edits the journal of the Historical Society. 3. a book for recording each day’s business 쑗 She wrote the day’s sales in the sales journal. ③ journalism / dȢ" n(ə)lz(ə)m/ noun the profession of writing for newspapers or magazines, or reporting on events for radio or TV ③ journalist / dȢ" n(ə)lst/ noun a person who writes for newspapers or magazines, or reports on events for radio or TV 쑗 Journalists asked the policeman some very awkward questions. 쑗 Film stars were greeted by journalists from around the world at the première of the new film. journalistic /dȢ" nə lstk/ adj referring to journalism. Synonym reporting ② journey / dȢ" ni/ noun an occasion when you travel somewhere, usually a long distance 쑗 It’s at least two days’ journey from here. 쑗 They went on a train journey across China. 쑗 She has a difficult journey to work every day – she has to change buses twice. 쐽 verb to travel 쑗 They journeyed many miles to find the treasure. 쑗 The book tells the story of a man who journeyed from Italy to China in the 13th century. jovial / dȢəυviəl/ adj good-humoured, happy. Synonym cheerful. Antonym glum ③ joy /dȢɔ/ noun very great happiness joyful / dȢɔf(ə)l/ adj very happy joyfully / dȢɔf(ə)li/ adv very happily joyous / dȢɔəs/ adj very happy joypad / dȢɔpd/ noun a control for a computer game which you hold in your hand joyriding / dȢɔradŋ/ noun the crime of high-speed driving in a stolen car joystick / dȢɔstk/ noun 1. a rod which controls the movements of an aircraft 쑗 Pull on the joystick to make the plane rise. 2. a device that allows the user to move the cursor round the screen by moving an upright arm JP abbr justice of the peace ③ Jr abbr junior jubilant / dȢu blənt/ adj full of happiness, e.g. because of winning something. Synonym triumphant. Antonym disappointed jubilation /dȢu b leʃ(ə)n/ noun a show of great happiness. Synonym elation jubilee / dȢu bli / noun a celebration on the date of an important event which happened in the past. Synonym anniversary Judaism / dȢu dez(ə)m/ noun 1. the religion of the Jewish people, which is based on the texts called the Torah and Talmud 2. the Jewish way of life judder / dȢdə/ noun (of a machine) a shaking movement 쑗 For some reason, there’s a judder when I put the car into third judge 460 gear. Synonym shudder 쐽 verb (of a machine) to shake 쑗 The ferry juddered as it slowed down and reached the pier. 쑗 He brought the car to a juddering halt. ② judge /dȢdȢ/ noun 1. a person whose job is to make legal decisions in a court of law 쑗 He was convicted for stealing, but the judge let him off with a small fine. 2. a person who decides which person or thing should win a competition 쑗 The three judges of the beauty contest couldn’t agree. 3. a person who makes sensible judgments 쑗 He’s a good judge of character. 쐽 verb 1. to make decisions in situations such as a court of law or a competition 쑗 He was judged guilty. 쑗 Her painting was judged the best and she won first prize. 2. to guess at a value or to make a judgment about a situation 쑗 To be a good driver you need to be able to judge distances well. 쑗 The Senator judged it would be impossible for him to win the Presidency so he dropped out of the race. Judgement Day / dȢdȢmənt de/ noun a day when dead people are judged by God judgmental /dȢdȢ mənt(ə)l/ adj tending to judge or criticise people judicial /dȢu dʃ(ə)l/ adj referring to a legal process or to a court of law judicious /dȢu dʃəs/ adj based on good judgment. Synonym sensible. Antonym foolish judo / dȢu dəυ/ noun an Olympic sport, de- rived from the traditional Japanese art of fighting without weapons between two people ③ jug /dȢDZ/ noun a container with a handle, used for pouring liquids juggernaut / dȢDZənɔ t/ noun a very large truck juggle / dȢDZ(ə)l/ verb 1. to throw and catch several things such as balls, so that most of them are in the air at the same time 쑗 Try and juggle four balls at once. 2. to keep changing things or arrange them in a complicated way 쑗 I will have to juggle my meetings so that I can fit everyone in. 쑗 She’s trying to juggle her investments to get the best interest rate. juggler / dȢDZlə/ noun a person who juggles juggling / dȢDZlŋ/ noun the art of throwing things in the air and catching them, so that several are in the air at the same time jugular2 noun one of the veins running down the side of the neck ② juice /dȢu s/ noun 1. a liquid from fruit, vegetables or meat 쑗 They charged me £1 for two glasses of orange juice. 쑗 She had a glass of grapefruit juice for breakfast. 2. 왍 to stew in your own juice to suffer because of your own mistakes 쑗 Don’t bother about him jump at – just let him stew in his own juice for a while. juicy / dȢu si/ adj full of juice (NOTE: juicier – juiciest) jukebox / dȢu kbɒks/ noun a coin-operated machine which plays records or CDs ① July /dȢυ la/ noun the seventh month of the year, between June and August 쑗 July 23 쑗 She was born in July – her birthday is July 23rd. 쑗 We went to Spain last July. 쑗 July is always one of the busiest months for holidays. (NOTE: July 23rd or July 23: say ‘July the twenty-third’ or ‘the twenty-third of July’; American English: ‘July twenty-third’.) jumble / dȢmbəl/ noun a confused mess His clothes were lying in a jumble on the floor. 쑗 A jumble of thoughts raced through my mind. 쐽 verb 왍 to jumble up to mix; to confuse 쑗 The books are all jumbled up – can you sort them out? 쑗 I wish he spent more time on his reports – the details are always rather jumbled up. 쑗 His thoughts were all jumbled up in his head. jumble sale / dȢmbəl sel/ noun a sale of old clothes and other things which people no longer want, organised by a club or organisation to raise money (NOTE: The US 쑗 term is rummage sale.) jumbo / dȢmbəυ/ noun a child’s name for an elephant 쑗 Let’s go to the zoo to see the jumbos. 쐽 adj very large 쑗 He ordered jumbo sausages and chips. 쑗 She bought a jumbo box of fireworks. Antonym tiny jumbo jet / dȢmbəυ dȢet/, jumbo / dȢmbəυ/ noun the Boeing 747, a very large jet aircraft ① jump /dȢmp/ noun a sudden movement into the air 쑗 The jump was higher than she thought and she hurt her leg. 왍 long or high jump a sports competition where you see who can jump the furthest or highest 쑗 She won a gold medal in the high jump. 쐽 verb 1. to go suddenly into the air off the ground 쑗 Quick, jump on that bus – it’s going to Oxford Circus! 쑗 The horse jumped over the fence. 쑗 She jumped down from the chair. 2. 왍 to jump the gun to start before it is your turn, before it is the right time 왍 to jump the queue to go in front of someone who has been waiting longer than you have 3. to move upwards suddenly 쑗 The price of oil has jumped from $15.50 to $30.00. 4. to make a sudden movement because you are frightened 쑗 She jumped when I came up behind her quietly and said ‘Boo!’. 쑗 When they fired the gun, it made me jump. 5. to miss something 쑗 I think I jumped a page in my book. ③ jump at / dȢmp t/ verb to accept enthusiastically jumper 461 ③ jumper / dȢmpə/ noun a warm woollen knitted sweater jump start / dȢmp stɑ t/ verb to start a car engine when the battery is flat by connecting the battery to the battery of another car. Compare bump start jumpsuit / dȢmpsu t/ noun a piece of clothing made of trousers and top joined together jumpy / dȢmpi/ adj nervous and excited (NOTE: jumpier – jumpiest) Jun. abbr junior ③ junction / dȢŋkʃən/ noun a place where railway lines or roads meet 쑗 Go as far as the next junction and you will see the library on your right. 쑗 Leave the motorway at Junction 5. juncture / dȢŋktʃə/ noun a point in time ① June /dȢu n/ noun the sixth month of the year, between May and July 쑗 June 17 쑗 She was born in June: her birthday is June 17th. 쑗 Last June we had a holiday in Canada. (NOTE: June 17th or June 17: say ‘June the seventeenth’ or ‘the seventeenth of June’ or in US English: ‘June seventeenth’.) jungle / dȢŋDZəl/ noun thick tropical forest which is difficult to travel through ③ junior / dȢu niə/ adj 1. younger, less important 쑗 He was the junior member of the team. 2. for younger children 쑗 She sings in the junior choir. 쑗 He plays for the junior hockey team. 쐽 noun 1. US a student in his or her third year at college 2. a son in a family who has the same name as his father 쑗 John Smith, Junior junior high school / dȢu niə ha/ noun a school in the US for children from 12 to 15 years old junior school / dȢu niə sku l/ noun a school for children from 7 to 11 years old juniper / dȢu npə/ noun a small evergreen tree of the Northern Hemisphere, with berries which are used as a flavouring ③ junk /dȢŋk/ noun 1. useless articles, rubbish 쑗 Don’t keep that – it’s junk. 쑗 You should throw away all that junk you keep under your bed. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a large Chinese sailing boat 쑗 Hong Kong harbour was full of junks. junk food / dȢŋk fu d/ noun prepared food which is not healthy, e.g. because it contains a lot of fat or sugar junkie / dȢŋki/ noun (slang) 1. a person who is addicted to an illegal drug 쑗 The park is full of junkies and dossers at night. 2. a person who is very enthusiastic about something and cannot get enough of it 쑗 I’m something of a crossword junkie. 쑗 Some Internet junkies spend a fortune on telephone bills. just junk mail / dȢŋk mel/ noun advertising material sent through the post, often thrown away immediately by the people who receive it because they do not want it ③ junk shop / dȢŋk ʃɒp/ noun a shop selling useless old articles junta / dȢntə/ noun a ruling group of ministers, a government which has taken power by force (NOTE: used mainly of military governments. The word is correctly pronounced as / hυntə/ but this pronunciation is not often used in English.) Jupiter / dȢυptə/ noun the largest planet in the solar system, more than eleven times the size of the earth juridical /dȢυ rdk(ə)l/ adj referring to the law and judges jurisdiction /dȢυərs dkʃən/ noun legal power over someone or something 왍 within the jurisdiction of the court in the legal power of the court 왍 outside the jurisdiction of the court not covered by the legal power of the court 쑗 The matter is outside the jurisdiction of the court. jurist / dȢυərst/ noun a person who specialises in the study of law juror / dȢυərə/ noun a member of a jury jury / dȢυəri/ noun 1. a group of twelve citizens who are sworn to decide whether someone is guilty or innocent after hearing the evidence given in a court of law 쑗 The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty. 2. 왍 the jury is still out on this no one is sure what the result will be 3. a group of judges in a competition 쑗 He’s been chosen to serve on the jury for the literary prize. jury service / dȢυəri s" vs/ noun a service which all citizens may be asked to perform, to sit on a jury ① just /dȢst/ adv 1. exactly 쑗 Is that too much sugar? – No, it’s just right. 쑗 Thank you, that’s just what I was looking for. 쑗 Just how many of students have got computers? 쑗 What time is it? – It’s just seven o’clock. 쑗 He’s just fifteen – his birthday was yesterday. 2. 왍 just enough enough but no more 쑗 She had just enough money to pay the bill. 쑗 He had just enough time to get dressed before the police arrived. 왍 just so exactly as it should be (informal ) 쑗 She always wants everything to be just so. 3. showing a very small quantity in space or time 쑗 Your umbrella is just by the door. 쑗 Don’t come in just yet – we’re not ready. 쑗 Can you wait just a minute? 4. showing the immediate past or future 쑗 The train has just arrived from Paris. 쑗 She had just got into her bath when the phone rang. 쑗 I don’t want any coffee, thank you, I’m just going out. 쑗 Thanks for calling – I was just going to phone you. 5. only 쑗 We’re just good friends, nothing more. 쑗 I’ve been to Berlin just once. 쐽 adj . just about 462 fair, without giving anyone an unfair advantage 쑗 The decision of the court was just. just about /dȢst ə baυt/ adv nearly, more or less 쑗 I’ve just about finished my homework. 쑗 The meal’s just about ready. 쐽 왍 just about to do something going to do something very soon 쑗 We were just about to leave. 쑗 They were just about to go to bed when someone knocked on the door. just as / dȢst əz/ adv 1. at the same time 쑗 Just as I got into the car there was a loud bang. 2. in exactly the same way 쑗 The film is just as good as the book. 쑗 It is just as hot inside the house as it is outside. 쑗 She loves her cats just as other people love their children. ② justice / dȢsts/ noun fair treatment in law 쑗 Justice must always be seen to be done. 왍 to bring someone to justice to start a legal case against someone 왍 rough justice judging someone in a rough and unfair way justifiable / dȢstfaəb(ə)l/ adj which can be justified. Antonym indefensible justifiably / dȢstfaəbli/ adv in a justifiable way ② justification /dȢstf keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a reason which shows that something has been done correctly 쑗 What was his justification for doing that? 쑗 They tried to find some justification for what they had done. 2. (in typing and printing) arranging the words in the lines so that the right-hand edge is straight 쑗 An American hyphenation and justification program will not work with British English spellings. justified / dȢstfad/ adj shown to be right ② justify / dȢstfa/ verb 1. to show that something is fair, to prove that something is right 쑗 How can you justify spending all that money? 쑗 How can you justify your behaviour? 2. 왍 the end justifies the means if juxtaposition your final aim is good or honourable, you are right to do anything that is necessary to achieve it 3. (in printing) to space letters and numbers on the page so that the ends of lines are straight 쑗 The text should be fully justified. justly / dȢstli/ adv 1. with justice 쑗 She was justly punished for her crime. 2. with good reason 쑗 He is justly seen as the best British Chancellor this century. just now /dȢst naυ/ adv 1. at the present time 쑗 We’re very busy in the office just now. 2. a short time ago 쑗 I saw her just now in the post office. jut /dȢt/ verb 왍 to jut (out) to stick out, usually horizontally 쑗 My hotel room has a balcony jutting out over a busy main road. 쑗 The cliff juts out into the lake. jute /dȢu t/ noun a substance which comes from tropical plants and is used for making rope or cloth ③ juvenile / dȢu vənal/ adj 1. referring to young people 쑗 Young offenders are tried before a juvenile court. 2. silly, like a young person 쑗 The new comedy series on TV is really juvenile. 쐽 noun a young person, officially, one under seventeen years of age 쑗 The police entered the club and arrested four people, two of them juveniles. juvenile delinquency /dȢu vənal dlŋkwənsi/ noun crimes commited by young people juvenile delinquent /dȢu vənal dlŋkwənt/ noun a young person who commits minor crimes, especially crimes against property juxtapose /dȢkstə pəυz/ verb to place side by side, so as to show a difference juxtaposition /dȢkstəpə zʃ(ə)n/ noun being side by side or very close together K k /ke/, K noun the eleventh letter of the alphabet, between J and L ③ K abbr one thousand 왍 £20K twenty thousand pounds kaleidoscope /kə ladəskəυp/ noun 1. a toy formed of a tube with mirrors which reflect small pieces of coloured material and make patterns when you move it while looking into it 2. something which has a series of patterns and colours 쑗 The kaleidoscope of autumn colours which you only see in parts of North America. kaleidoscopic /kəladə skɒpk/ adj like a kaleidoscope, with bright colours which change all the time kangaroo /kŋDZə ru / noun a large Australian animal, of which the female carries its young in a pouch kangaroo court /kŋDZə ru kɔ t/ noun a court that is not official, set up by a group of people to judge one of their members karaoke /kri əυki/ noun entertainment, coming originally from Japan, in which people sing to recorded music karat / krət/ noun US a measure of the quality of gold. Pure gold is 24 karats. (NOTE: The British spelling is carat.) karate /kə rɑ ti/ noun a Japanese style of fighting, where you hit sharp, quick blows with the side of the hand or kicks with the feet karma / kɑ mə/ noun 1. the Hindu and Buddhist belief that the quality of people’s current and future lives is determined by their behaviour in this and past lives 2. the atmosphere which some people can feel is present in a place, situation, person, or object 3. destiny or fate kayak / kak/ noun a type of small boat which is pointed at both ends, and almost completely covered, with only a narrow opening for one person to sit in kebab /k bb/ noun small pieces of meat or vegetables, cooked on a long metal stick keel /ki l/ noun 1. a long beam in the bottom of a ship, on which the framework is built 쑗 The dolphins swam under the keel and came up on the other side of the ship. 2. 왍 on an even keel steady and not likely to change suddenly 쑗 After the huge fluctua- tions in the exchange rate in recent weeks, the pound is back on an even keel now. 쐽 verb 왍 to keel over to fall over (informal ) 쑗 One minute she was sitting and talking happily, the next minute she keeled over onto the floor. ② keen /ki n/ adj 1. 왍 keen on something or someone liking something or someone, enthusiastic about something 쑗 He’s keen on keeping fit – he goes running every morning. 쑗 I am not very keen on classical music. 쑗 I don’t think she’s very keen on her new maths teacher. 왍 keen as mustard very keen (informal ) 쑗 The new group of trainees are good to work with, they’re keen as mustard. 2. very sensitive 쑗 Bats have a keen sense of hearing. (NOTE: keener – keenest) keenly / ki nli/ adv sharply, to a great degree keenness / ki nnəs/ noun the fact of being keen ① keep /ki p/ verb 1. to have for a long time or for ever 쑗 Can I keep the newspaper I borrowed from you? 쑗 I don’t want that book any more, you can keep it. 쑗 The police kept my gun and won’t give it back. 2. to continue to do something 쑗 The clock kept going even after I dropped it on the floor. 쑗 He had to keep smiling so that people would think he was pleased. 쑗 Keep quiet or they’ll hear you. 쑗 Luckily the weather kept fine for the fair. 쑗 The food will keep warm in the oven. 3. to have or put something in a particular place 쑗 I keep my car keys in my pocket. 쑗 Where do you keep the paper for the laser printer? 4. to make someone or something stay in a place or state 쑗 It’s cruel to keep animals in cages. 쑗 I was kept late at the office. 쑗 They kept us waiting for half an hour. 쑗 We put the plates in the oven to keep them warm. 5. to prevent someone from doing something or from going somewhere 쑗 She kept him from going out and playing football. 쑗 He kept her from seeing her friends. 왍 what kept you? why are you so late? (informal ) 6. to stay 왍 let’s keep in touch we should continue to meet or write to each other 왍 kept someone company stayed with someone 왍 to keep an eye on to watch carefully 쑗 He’s keeping an eye on the shop . . . keep back 464 while I’m away. 왍 to keep your ear to the ground to follow what is happening and know all about something 7. 왍 to keep a diary to write notes every day about what has happened 쑗 She kept a diary of her holiday in Spain. 8. (of food ) to stay in good condition and not to go bad 쑗 Raspberries don’t keep. (NOTE: keeps – keeping – kept /kept/) 쐽 noun 1. a central tower, the strongest part of a medieval castle 2. the amount of money that you need to live on 왍 she doesn’t earn her keep she doesn’t earn enough money to pay for her food and lodging 3. 왍 for keeps for ever (informal ) ③ keep back /ki p bk/ verb 1. to hold on to something which you should give to someone 쑗 They kept back £20 from the deposit to cover damage to the carpet. 2. 왍 to keep something back from someone not to tell someone information which you could give to them 쑗 I have the feeling that she’s keeping something back from us. ③ keep down /ki p daυn/ verb 1. to keep at a low level 쑗 Keep your voice down, the police will hear us! 2. to bend down in order to hide from someone 쑗 Keep down behind the wall so that they won’t see us. keeper / ki pə/ noun 1. a person in charge of a certain type of animal in a zoo 쑗 an elephant keeper 2. a person in charge of a section of a museum 쑗 The keeper of Roman coins in the British Museum. 3. same as goalkeeper (sport) 4. a fruit which can be kept in good condition for a long time 쑗 You should eat those pears immediately as they are not good keepers. keep-fit /ki p ft/ adj using exercises to keep you fit keeping / ki pŋ/ noun 왍 in keeping with fitting in with, matching 쑗 The dinner plates are antiques, in keeping with the furniture in the dining room. ③ keep off /ki p ɒf/ verb 1. not to walk on 쑗 Keep off the grass! 2. not to use 쑗 If he can keep off drink, his health will improve. ① keep on /ki p ɒn/ verb to continue to do something. Antonym stop 왍 to keep on about something to talk all the time about something ③ keep on at /ki p ɒn ət/ verb to criticise someone all the time (informal ). Synonym nag 왍 she keeps on at me about getting a job she tells me all the time that I should get a job ① keep out /ki p aυt/ verb 1. to stop someone going in 쑗 There were ‘Keep Out!’ notices round the building site. 쑗 We put up notices telling people to keep their dogs out of the field where the lambs are. 2. not to get involved 쑗 He kept out of the quarrel. 쑗 Try to keep out of trouble with the police. 왍 to keep out of the way of someone to make . . . kettle sure you avoid someone 쑗 It would be best to keep out of her way while she’s angry. keepsake / ki psek/ noun an object which you keep because it reminds you of the person who gave it to you. Synonym memento ③ keep to / ki p tu / verb 1. to stay in a position 쑗 When you drive in France, remember to keep to the right. 2. not to move away from a subject 쑗 Let’s keep to the subject of widening the motorway. 3. 왍 to keep something to yourself to keep something secret, not to talk about something 쑗 He doesn’t want to talk about his illness, he’d rather keep it to himself. 왍 to keep yourself to yourself to avoid other people 쑗 They were a quiet couple and kept themselves to themselves. ① keep up /ki p p/ verb 1. to make something stay at the same high level 쑗 He finds it very difficult to keep up his German. 쑗 They won’t be able to keep up that speed for very long. 왍 keep it up! continue doing what you doing! 쑗 You’re doing very well – keep it up! 2. to prevent someone from going to sleep or to bed 쑗 The noise from the street kept us up all night. ① keep up with /ki p p wð/ verb 1. to go at the same speed 쑗 My foot hurts, that’s why I can’t keep up with the others. 쑗 His salary hasn’t kept up with the cost of living. 왍 to keep up with the Joneses to try to do the same things as your neighbours or friends to show that you have as much money as they have 2. to keep yourself informed about 쑗 Have you been keeping up with the news from Russia? keg /keDZ/ noun a small round container for liquid, especially alcohol. Synonym barrel kennel / ken(ə)l/ noun a small house for a dog ③ kept /kept/ 쒁 keep kerb /k" b/ noun the stone edge of a path along the side of a road (NOTE: The US spelling is curb.) kerbstone / k" bstəυn/ noun one of the stones forming a kerb kernel / k" n(ə)l/ noun 1. the softer inside part of a nut which you can eat 쑗 Squirrels bite into nuts to get at the kernel. 2. the centre, the essential part 쑗 At the heart of every classical myth is a kernel of truth. (NOTE: Do not confuse with colonel.) kerosene / kerəsi n/ noun especially US a type of thin oil, e.g. used in lights or heaters kestrel / kestrəl/ noun a type of bird similar to a small falcon ketchup / ketʃəp/ noun a tomato sauce (NOTE: Another US spelling is catsup.) kettle / ket(ə)l/ noun a container with a lid and a spout, used for boiling water 왍 to put key 465 the kettle on to start heating the water in a kettle 쑗 I’ve just put the kettle on so we can all have a cup of tea. 왍 the kettle’s boiling the water in the kettle is boiling. 쏡 different ① key /ki / noun 1. a piece of metal used to open a lock 쑗 I can’t start the car, I’ve lost the key. 쑗 Where did you put the front door key? 2. one of the moving parts which you push down with your fingers on something such as a computer or piano 쑗 The ‘F’ key always sticks. 쑗 There are sixty-four keys on the keyboard. 3. an explanation of a problem 쑗 The key to the signs is written under the diagram. 4. a system of musical tones 쑗 The symphony is written in the key of F major. 쐽 adj most important 쑗 The key person in the team is the goalkeeper. 쑗 The key person in the company is the sales manager. 쑗 Oil is a key industry. 쐽 verb to type letters or numbers on a keyboard 쑗 She keyed in the data. Synonym input ③ keyboard / ki bɔ d/ noun a set of keys on something such as a computer or piano 쑗 She spilled her coffee on the computer keyboard. 쑗 He practises on the keyboard every day. 쐽 verb to put data into a computer, using a keyboard 쑗 She was keyboarding the figures. Synonym type keyboarder / ki bɔ də/ noun a person who keyboards data into a computer keyed up /ki d p/ adj nervous and tense (informal ). Antonym relaxed keyhole / ki həυl/ noun a hole in a lock which you put a key into keyhole surgery / ki həυl s" dȢəri/ noun a type of medical operation where very small medical instruments are sent into the body through a thin tube keynote / ki nəυt/ noun a main subject 쑗 The keynote of the meeting was the need for political compromise. keynote speech / ki nəυt spi tʃ/ noun the main speech at a large meeting such as a conference keypad / ki pd/ noun a set of special keys on a computer keyboard, e.g. the number keys key ring / ki rŋ/ noun a ring on which you can put several keys to keep them together 쑗 The garage gave me a key ring with their telephone number on it. keyword / ki w" d/ noun 1. a word used as a reference point for further information or as a guide to show you what is contained in a document 2. a series of letters and numbers, often in the form of a common word, which has a special meaning for a computer database or programming or command language ③ kg abbr kilogram khaki / kɑ ki/ noun a dull yellow-brown cloth used for soldiers’ uniforms 쑗 The . kid troops wore khaki uniforms. 쐽 adj of a dull yellow-brown colour 쑗 I don’t like those dull khaki cushions in the living room. kibbutz /k bυts/ noun a type of farm in Israel (NOTE: The plural is kibbutzim /kbυtsi m/.) ② kick /kk/ noun 1. the act of hitting with your foot 쑗 The goalkeeper gave the ball a kick. 2. a feeling of excitement 쑗 He gets a kick out of watching a football match on TV. 왍 did it for kicks did it to get some excitement 3. a strong effect 쑗 My! This drink has a kick in it! 4. the strong backward movement of a gun when you fire it 쑗 Watch out, this rifle has a powerful kick and can hurt your shoulder. 쐽 verb 1. to hit something with your foot 쑗 He kicked the ball into the net. 쑗 She kicked her little brother. 2. 왍 to kick the habit to get rid of a bad habit (informal ) 쑗 I wish he’d kick the habit of whistling while he works. 쑗 He doesn’t smoke any more – he kicked the habit a couple of months ago. 쏡 bucket kickback / kkbk/ noun an amount of money paid illegally to someone who helps a business deal. Synonym bribe kick in /kk n/ verb 1. to make something open by kicking it 쑗 The police kicked the door in. 2. to start to have an effect 쑗 The car really moves when the turbocharger kicks in. ③ kick off /kk ɒf/ verb 1. to start a game of football 쑗 They kicked off at 3.00 and by half-time there was still no score. 2. to start 쑗 Let’s kick off with a discussion about modern painters. kick-off / kk ɒf/ noun the start of a football game ③ kick out /kk aυt/ verb to get rid of someone (informal ) kick start / kk stɑ t/ noun a pedal on a motorbike that you press down with your foot in order to start the engine 쑗 You’ll need the kick start on cold mornings. 쐽 verb 1. to start a motorbike by pressing down on the pedal 쑗 He kick started the engine. 2. to make something start or start again 쑗 The government’s plans to kick start the economy. ③ kick up /kk p/ verb (informal ) 왍 to kick up a fuss to make a noisy protest about something or to have an argument 쑗 The kids are only messing about – there’s no need to kick up a fuss by calling the police. ① kid /kd/ noun 1. a child 쑗 There were a few school kids on their bicycles. 쑗 I saw your kids going off on the bus this morning. 쑗 They’ve been married a few years, and have got a couple of kids. 2. a young goat 쑗 A mother goat and two little white kids. 3. a very soft leather made from the skin of a goat 쑗 He wore a pair of kid gloves. 왍 to treat someone with kid gloves to treat someone . . . kiddie 466 very carefully (informal ) 쑗 He needs to be treated with kid gloves so as not to upset him. 쐽 verb to make someone believe something which is not true 왍 I was only kidding I did not mean it 왍 no kidding? is it really true? kiddie / kdi/ noun a small child (informal ) ③ kidnap / kdnp/ verb to take someone away illegally and keep them prisoner. Synonym abduct (NOTE: kidnapping – . . kidnapped) kidnapper / kdnpə/ noun a person who kidnaps someone ③ kidney / kdni/ noun 1. one of a pair of organs in animals that clean the blood and remove waste from it 2. this organ from an animal such as a lamb or pig, used as food 쑗 steak and kidney pie kidney bean / kdni bi n/ noun a type of bean with reddish seeds which look a little like kidneys ① kill /kl/ verb 1. to make someone or something die 쑗 He was sentenced to death for killing his wife. 쑗 The drought has killed all the crops. 쑗 The car hit a cat and killed it. 쑗 Six people were killed in the plane crash. 2. 왍 to kill time to spend time while waiting for something important 쑗 I killed some time waiting for the train by having a coffee. 왍 to kill two birds with one stone to get two successful results from one action 쑗 While I’m in London for the conference I could kill two birds with one stone and visit my parents. 왍 my feet are killing me my feet are hurting very much (informal ) 왍 he was killing himself laughing he was laughing very much (informal ) killer / klə/ noun 1. a person who kills 쑗 The police are still hunting for the killer. 2. which kills 쑗 a killer flu virus killer whale / klə wel/ noun a mediumsized black and white whale which eats fish and seals killing / klŋ/ noun 1. the process of putting a person or animal to death 쑗 The police are investigating the killing of the tourists. 쑗 There have been reports of killings in the villages. 쑗 The killing of rhinos has been banned. 2. 왍 to make a killing to make a very large profit 쑗 He made a killing on the stock market. 쐽 adj very funny 쑗 I thought it was killing, but no one else laughed at all. killjoy / kldȢɔ/ noun a person who stops other people from enjoying themselves. Synonym spoilsport kiln /kln/ noun an oven for making objects from clay hard enough to last ③ kilo / ki ləυ/ abbr kilogram (NOTE: The . . plural is kilos.) kilobyte / kləυbat/ noun a unit of storage for a computer equal to 1,024 bytes king ③ kilogram / kləDZrm/ noun a measure of weight equal to one thousand grams (NOTE: written kg after figures: 20kg) ③ kilometre / kləmi tə/ noun one thousand metres 왍 the car has just had its 100,000 kilometre service the car has been checked by the garage after having travelled 100,000 kilometres (NOTE: The US spelling is kilometer.) kilt /klt/ noun a skirt, usually of tartan cloth, worn by men in Scotland, and also by women kimono /k məυnəυ/ noun a long, loose dress or coat traditionally worn by Japanese people (NOTE: The plural is kimonos.) kin /kn/ noun 왍 next of kin a person’s nearest relative 쑗 After the fatal accident, the police informed the next of kin. 쑗 Names of the victims will not be released until their next of kin have been informed. 쏡 kith and kin ① kind /kand/ adj friendly, helpful, thinking about other people 쑗 It’s very kind of you to offer to help. 쑗 How kind of you to invite him to your party! 쑗 You should always be kind to little children. 쑗 He’s a kind old gentleman. Synonym caring. Antonym inhumane (NOTE: kinder – kindest) 쐽 noun 1. a type 쑗 A butterfly is a kind of insect. 쑗 We have several kinds of apples in our garden. 쑗 We discussed all kinds of things. 2. 왍 kind of in a certain way (informal ) 쑗 I was kind of annoyed when she told me that. kindergarten / kndəDZɑ tn/ noun a school for little children kindhearted /kand hɑ td/ adj kind and thoughtful towards other people kindle / knd(ə)l/ verb 1. to make something catch fire 쑗 A cigarette end must have kindled the dead leaves. 2. to make someone start to feel something 쑗 The aim of the class is to kindle an interest in art. kindling / kndlŋ/ noun material such as small pieces of wood, used for starting a fire kindly / kandli/ adj thoughtful and pleasant 쑗 A kindly neighbour brought him soup when he was ill. Synonym friendly 쐽 adv 1. in a thoughtful or pleasant way 쑗 He behaved very kindly towards me. 왍 not to take kindly to not to like 쑗 She doesn’t take kindly to being told she’s fat. 2. please, if you don’t mind 쑗 Kindly shut the door. 쑗 Customers are kindly requested to pay at the cash desk. ③ kindness / kandnəs/ noun 1. the quality of being kind 쑗 She was touched by his kindness. Synonym compassion. Antonym cruelty 2. a kind act kindred spirit /kndrəd sprt/ noun a person who thinks in the same way as you do ① king /kŋ/ noun 1. a man who governs a country by right of birth 쑗 The king and . kingdom 467 queen came to visit the town. (NOTE: king is spelt with a capital letter when used with a name or when referring to a particular person: King Henry VIII.) 2. the main piece in chess 쑗 She moved her knight to place his king in check. 3. (in cards) the card with the face of a bearded man, coming after the ace and before the queen in value 쑗 He knew he could win when he drew the king of spades. 4. a person in the top position 쑗 He’s king of the pop music scene. 쑗 The lion is king of the jungle. ③ kingdom / kŋdəm/ noun 1. the land ruled over by a king or queen 쑗 England is part of the United Kingdom. 쑗 He gave her a book of fairy stories about a magic kingdom. 2. a part of the world of nature 쑗 the animal kingdom 3. 왍 till kingdom come for ever, for a very long time (informal ) 쑗 On Saturday mornings you can wait till kingdom come to be served. kingfisher / kŋfʃə/ noun a small bright blue bird that dives for fish kingpin / kŋpn/ noun the main person in an organisation (informal ) king-size / kŋ saz/ adj bigger than the usual size kink /kŋk/ noun 1. a twist in something that should be straight 쑗 Can you straighten the flex, it’s got a kink in it. 2. a peculiar mental state 쑗 He has a kink about women’s underwear. kinky / kŋki/ adj sexually odd or strange kinship / knʃp/ noun 1. the relationship that exists between people in the same family 2. a connection through common characteristics or a common origin kiosk / ki ɒsk/ noun a small shelter, for selling goods out of doors. Synonym booth kip /kp/ (informal ) noun a short sleep 쑗 I was so tired I lay down on the sofa and had a kip. 쐽 verb to lie down to go to sleep 쑗 You can kip down on the sofa if you want. 쑗 Can we kip here tonight? – We’ve missed the last bus. (NOTE: kipped) kipper / kpə/ noun a split herring, salted and smoked kirk /k" k/ noun (in Scotland ) a church ③ kiss /ks/ noun the act of touching someone with your lips to show love 쑗 She gave the baby a kiss. 왍 to blow someone a kiss to show your love for someone by touching your lips with your hands and making a gesture to the person at a distance 쑗 As the train left, she blew him a kiss. 쐽 verb to touch someone with your lips to show that you love them 쑗 She kissed her daughter and walked away. 쑗 They kissed each other goodbye. kiss of death /ks əv deθ/ noun something which ruins a project (NOTE: The plural . . . . is kisses.) Kleenex kiss of life /ks əv laf/ noun the act of bringing someone back to life by breathing into his or her mouth ③ kit /kt/ noun 1. clothes and personal equipment, usually packed for carrying 쑗 Did you bring your tennis kit? 2. a box containing pieces which can be put together to make something such as a piece of furniture or a model 쑗 He spent the afternoon building a model aircraft from a kit. 쑗 The new garden furniture arrived as a kit and we had to put it together ourselves. 쐽 verb 왍 to kit out to supply with clothes and equipment 쑗 They kitted themselves out with skis and boots. kitbag / ktbDZ/ noun a long round bag which a soldier uses for carrying clothes and equipment ① kitchen / ktʃn/ noun a room where you cook food 쑗 She put the meat down on the kitchen table. 쑗 If you’re hungry, have a look in the kitchen to see if there’s anything to eat. 쒁 fitted kitchenette /ktʃ net/ noun a small kitchen in a corner of a living room kitchen garden /ktʃn DZɑ dn/ noun a part of a garden where fruit and vegetables are grown ③ kite /kat/ noun 1. a toy made of light wood and paper or cloth which is flown in a strong wind on the end of a string 쑗 He was flying his kite from the top of the hill. 쑗 The wind nearly blew the kite away. 2. a shape in mathematics like a kite, with two short sides and two long sides, and no right angles 3. a large bird of prey 쑗 Red kites have started nesting in the cliffs. kith and kin /kθ ən kn/ plural noun friends and relatives kitsch /ktʃ/ noun popular works of art or decorative objects that are brightly coloured but lack artistic taste (NOTE: no plural) ③ kitten / kt(ə)n/ noun 1. a baby cat 쑗 The kittens are playing in their basket. 쑗 The cat carefully picked up her kitten by the scruff of its neck. 2. 왍 to have kittens to be very nervous (informal ) 쑗 She was having kittens, waiting for her interview. kitty / kti/ noun 1. money which has been collected from each member of a group of people to be used for everyone later 쑗 We each put £5 into the kitty for the office party. 2. a child’s name for a cat 쑗 She called out ‘kitty, kitty, kitty’ but the cat didn’t come. kiwi / ki wi/ noun 1. a bird which cannot fly, native to New Zealand 2. a New Zealander kiwi fruit / ki wi fru t/ noun a small tropical fruit, with a hairy skin and green flesh . (NOTE: no plural) Kleenex / kli neks/ trademark the trademark for a paper handkerchief (NOTE: The km 468 plural is Kleenexes or Kleenex: a box of Kleenex.) ③ km abbr kilometre knack /nk/ noun a natural ability, or a skill (informal ) 쑗 She has a knack of making people feel at home. 쑗 There’s a special knack to getting this machine to work. knackered / nkəd/ adj very tired (slang). Synonym exhausted knapsack / npsk/ noun a bag carried on the back of a walker (dated ) knave /nev/ noun (in cards) a jack, the card with the face of a young man, with a value between the queen and the ten knead /ni d/ verb to press and fold dough before it is cooked to make bread. Synonym massage ② knee /ni / noun 1. the joint above the lower leg, where your leg bends 쑗 She sat the child on her knee. 쑗 He was on his knees looking under the bed. 2. the part of a pair of trousers that covers the knee 쑗 My jeans have holes in both knees. kneecap / ni kp/ noun the little bone in front of the knee 쑗 He hurt his kneecap when he fell. 쐽 verb to punish someone by shooting him in the knees (informal ) 쑗 The terrorists kneecapped the young man. knee-deep /ni di p/ adv 왍 knee-deep in up to your knees in 쑗 They had to walk knee-deep in snow for several miles. knee-high /ni ha/ adj reaching up to your knees 왍 knee-high to a grasshopper (of a child ) very small (informal ) 쑗 When I saw him last he was just knee-high to a grasshopper. knee-jerk / ni dȢ" k/ noun a movement of the thigh muscle that suddenly stretches the leg, usually in response to a light tap on the tendon below the kneecap 쐽 adj tending to react without thinking, or happening as a result of such a reaction ② kneel /ni l/ verb to go down on your knees (NOTE: kneeling – kneeled or knelt /nelt/) knelt /nelt/ 쒁 kneel ③ knew /nju / 쒁 know knickers / nkəz/ plural noun a piece of woman’s or girl’s underwear for the lower body 쑗 She bought a pair of blue knickers. (NOTE: plural; for one item say a pair of knickers) knick-knack / nk nk/ noun a small, light article. Synonym trinket ① knife /naf/ noun an instrument used for cutting, with a sharp metal blade fixed in a handle 쑗 Put out a knife, fork and spoon for each person. 쑗 You need a sharp knife to cut meat. 왍 on a knife edge in a difficult position, where you are not sure what will happen 쐽 verb to stab someone with a knife 쑗 He . . . . . knock was knifed in the back during the fight. (NOTE: knifes – knifing – knifed) knight /nat/ noun 1. a man honoured by a king for services to his country (and taking the title ‘Sir’) 쑗 He was made a knight. 쒁 baronet 2. (in medieval times) a brave soldier often devoted to the service of a lady 쑗 King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. 쑗 Many knights were killed in the Wars of the Roses. 3. one of two pieces in a chess set with a horse’s head 쑗 With a clever move she took his knight. 쐽 verb to make someone a knight 쑗 He was knighted for services to education. ③ COMMENT: Knights are addressed as ‘Sir’, followed by their Christian name and family name; their wives are addressed as ‘Lady’ followed by the family name (hence Sir John Smith’s wife is addressed as ‘Lady Smith’). knighthood / nathυd/ noun the position of being a knight ③ knit /nt/ verb 1. to make a piece of clothing out of wool by linking threads together with two long needles 쑗 My mother is knitting me a pullover. 쑗 She was wearing a blue knitted hat. (NOTE: knitting – knitted) 2. 왍 to knit your brow to wrinkle your forehead as you try to do something difficult 쑗 She knit her brow as she tried to understand the guidebook. ③ knitting / ntŋ/ noun 1. the action of making something out of wool with knitting needles 쑗 Her great hobby is knitting. 2. a piece of work which is in the process of being made by knitting 쑗 She brought her knitting with her to the conference. knitwear / ntweə/ noun knitted clothes such as jumpers and pullovers (NOTE: no plural) knob /nɒb/ noun 1. a rounded handle such as on a door or drawer 쑗 To open the door, just turn the knob. 2. a round button which you turn to operate a radio or TV etc. 쑗 Turn the knob to increase the volume. 3. a round lump 쑗 Put a knob of butter in the frying pan. knobbly / nɒbli/ adj bumpy; covered with knobs. Synonym lumpy ① knock /nɒk/ noun 1. a sound made by hitting something 쑗 Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. 2. the act of hitting 쑗 She received a knock on the head with a brick. 3. an unfortunate event 쑗 He’s taken some knocks during his career. 쐽 verb 1. to hit something 쑗 Knock twice before going in. 쑗 You’ll need a heavy hammer to knock that nail in. 2. to criticise 쑗 She wrote an article knocking the Prime Minister. 3. (of a car engine) to ignite badly in the cylinder and make a knocking sound 쑗 The car has started to knock, so the timing needs adjusting. knock about 469 knock about /nɒk ə baυt/ verb 1. to wander about doing nothing 쑗 He spent several years knocking about the back streets of New Orleans. 2. 왍 to knock someone about to beat someone 쑗 He was badly knocked about in the fight. 왍 to knock something about to damage something 쑗 The cathedral was badly knocked about in the bombardment. 3. to be in a place (informal ) 쑗 Can you see my hammer knocking about anywhere? ③ knock back /nɒk bk/ verb 1. to drink a drink quickly 쑗 He knocked back his drink and ran outside. 2. 왍 to knock someone back a sum to cost someone an amount of money 쑗 It will knock me back a few hundred pounds. ③ knock down /nɒk daυn/ verb 1. to make something fall down 쑗 They are going to knock down the old house to build a factory. 2. to hit 쑗 She was knocked down by a car. 3. to reduce a price 쑗 They knocked the price down to £50. 4. to sell something to someone at an auction 쑗 It was knocked down to a German buyer for £250. knock-down / nɒk daυn/ noun a very low price knocker / nɒkə/ noun 1. a knob or ring attached to a door which can be hit against it to call attention 쑗 The bell on the front door doesn’t work, so you have to use the knocker. 2. a person who is always criticising something 쑗 The letter in the paper should silence the government’s knockers. knock-kneed /nɒk ni d/ adj with knees that touch each other when walking ③ knock off /nɒk ɒf/ verb 1. to make something fall off by hitting it 쑗 The cat knocked the glass off the shelf. 2. to stop work 쑗 The workmen all knocked off at 4.30. 3. to reduce the price of something by an amount 쑗 He knocked £1000 off the price of the car. knock-on effect / nɒk ɒn fekt/ adj effect which follows on from something 쑗 The airport strike had a knock-on effect on the tourist industry. ③ knock out /nɒk aυt/ verb 1. to hit someone so hard that he is no longer conscious 쑗 She was knocked out by a blow on the head. 쑗 The boxer was knocked out in the third round. 2. to make someone go to sleep 쑗 The doctor gave her something which knocked her out. knockout / nɒkaυt/ noun (in boxing) the action of hitting someone so hard that he loses consciousness 쑗 He won by a knockout (KO) in the third round. knockout competition /nɒkaυt kɒmpə tʃ(ə)n/ noun a contest where several teams or players compete against one another and each one that loses then leaves the competition ③ . know knock up /nɒk p/ verb 1. to wake someone up 쑗 Can you knock me up early tomorrow morning? 2. to put something together rapidly 쑗 She knocked up a dinner for six people at half an hour’s notice. 쑗 He knocked up a garden shed out of old pieces of timber. knock-up / nɒk p/ noun (in tennis) a practice time before a game when the players hit the ball backwards and forwards over the net ③ knot /nɒt/ noun 1. the ends of a piece of string or rope, etc., twisted and fastened together 쑗 Boy Scouts are supposed to be able to tie knots. 쑗 Is the knot of my tie straight? 왍 to tie the knot to get married 2. a small group 쑗 Knots of people stood and watched the firemen. 3. a measure of speed used to show the speed of a ship or of the wind 쑗 The ship was doing 22 knots when she hit the rocks. 쑗 There’s a wind speed of 60 knots. 4. a round place on a piece of wood where a branch or twig was originally growing 쑗 This piece of wood is no good – it is full of knots. 쐽 verb 1. to tie a knot in something 쑗 He knotted the end of the rope. 2. 왍 get knotted! go away, don’t bother me (showing annoyance and contempt) 쑗 If they ask for money again, tell them to get knotted. knotted / nɒtd/ adj tied in a knot, confused or tangled up in knots, or made using decorative knots knotty / nɒti/ adj difficult to solve (NOTE: knottier – knottiest) ① know /nəυ/ verb 1. to have learned some- thing, to have information about something 쑗 Do you know how to start the computer? 쑗 He didn’t know she had died. 쑗 How was I to know she wasn’t his wife? 쑗 You knew it would be expensive. 쑗 Do you know the Spanish for ‘one – two – three’? 쑗 His secretary doesn’t know where he is. 2. to have met someone 쑗 I know your sister – we were at school together. 쑗 I used to know a man called Jones who worked in your company. 왍 to know someone by sight to know who someone is, even though you have never spoken to him or her 3. to have been to a place often 쑗 I know Paris very well. 쑗 She doesn’t know Germany at all. 4. to experience 쑗 She knew years of poverty before she became famous. 쑗 He knows what it is like to be out of work. 5. 왍 you never know perhaps 쑗 You never know, she may still turn up. 왍 as far as I know all I know is that 쑗 As far as I know, he left by car at 6 p.m. 쑗 Is she in trouble? – Not as far as I know. 쐽 noun 왍 in the know knowing something that most people do not know (informal ) 쑗 Those in the know say that’s the best restaurant in town. 쑗 Someone in the know gave me the tip. . know-all 470 know-all / nəυ ɔ l/ noun a person who claims he knows everything (informal ) know-how / nəυ haυ/ noun knowledge about how something is made or is done (informal ) knowing / nəυŋ/ adj showing that you know about something knowingly / nəυŋli/ adv 1. deliberately, on purpose 쑗 He is accused of knowingly handling stolen goods. 2. showing that you know about something 쑗 He glanced knowingly in her direction. ① knowledge / nɒldȢ/ noun 1. what a particular person knows about something 쑗 To my knowledge, he left the house at 10 p.m. 쑗 The police have no knowledge of the accident. 왍 to the best of my knowledge as far as I know 쑗 To the best of my knowledge, no one else has seen this document. 왍 it is common knowledge that everyone knows that 쑗 It is common knowledge that his wife wants to emigrate. 2. the general facts or information that people know 쑗 An encyclopaedia is supposed to list all human knowledge. Knowledge / nɒldȢ/ noun the ability to remember the road map and street plan of London, which taxi drivers are tested on before getting their licence (informal ) knowledgeable / nɒldȢəb(ə)l/ adj who knows a lot about something. Synonym well-informed. Antonym ignorant . . . kung fu known /nəυn/ adj which is known. Synonym recognised. Antonym unknown 왍 a known quantity something, a fact or a situation, which you know about 쑗 When trading with American companies, at least you are dealing with a known quantity. knuckle / nk(ə)l/ noun a joint in your fingers. Synonym protuberance 왍 to rap someone over the knuckles to criticise someone 쑗 He was rapped over the knuckles for having overspent his budget. knuckle down /nk(ə)l daυn/ verb to start working hard (informal ) knuckle under /nk(ə)l ndə/ verb to give in to someone. Antonym continue KO abbr knockout kookaburra / kυkəbrə/ noun a large Australian kingfisher Koran /kɒ rɑ n/ noun the holy book of Islam kosher / kəυʃə/ adj (of food ) prepared according to Jewish law kowtow /kaυ taυ/ verb to do whatever someone tells you to do kph abbr kilometres per hour Kremlin / kremln/ noun the Russian government and its building in Moscow krypton / krptɒn/ noun an inert gas found in very small quantities in the atmosphere kudos / kju dɒs/ noun glory, fame. Antonym discredit (NOTE: no plural) kung fu /kŋ fu / noun a Chinese style of fighting, where you can kick as well as punch ③ . . L l1 /el/, L noun the twelfth letter of the alphabet, between K and M. 쒁 L-plates ③ l2 abbr litre ③ lab /lb/ noun same as laboratory (informal ) ③ label / leb(ə)l/ noun 1. a message attached to something to give information such as its price or contents or someone’s name and address, etc. 쑗 She stuck a label on the parcel. 쑗 The price on the label is £25.00. 왍 a tie-on label a label with a piece of string attached so that it can be tied on to an item 2. the name of a recording company on a record or CD 쑗 The group have made their first single on the Virgin label. 쐽 verb to put a label on something 쑗 All the goods are labelled with the correct price. . (NOTE: labelling – labelled. The US spelling is labeling – labeled.) ③ laboratory /lə bɒrət(ə)ri/ noun a place where scientific experiments, testing and research are carried out 쑗 She’s a chemist working in the university laboratories. 쑗 All our products are tested in our own laboratories. (NOTE: The plural is laboratories.) Labor Day / lebə de/ noun an American and Canadian national holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September laborious /lə bɔ riəs/ adj 1. involving a lot of work 쑗 I’m afraid it is a very laborious task, moving that pile of sand to the back of the house. 2. showing signs of a lot of effort 쑗 His laborious newspaper articles are difficult to read. laboriously /lə bɔ riəsli/ adv involving a lot of work or effort ③ labor union / lebə jυnjən/ noun US a trade union ① labour / lebə/ noun 1. hard work 쑗 After digging the garden, it is good to lie on the grass and rest from your labours. 왍 to charge for materials and labour to charge for both the materials used in a job and also the hours of work involved 2. all workers, the workforce 쑗 Cheap labour is difficult to find. 3. the process of childbirth 쑗 She went into labour at home, and her husband drove her to the hospital. 쑗 She was in labour for 12 hours. 쐽 verb 1. to work very hard 쑗 They laboured night and day to finish the project in time. 2. 왍 to labour under an impression or a delusion to have a wrong impression, to assume something which is quite wrong 쑗 He was labouring under the delusion that air fares were cheaper in Europe than in the USA. 왍 to labour the point to discuss something too long 쑗 I don’t want to labour the point, but may I raise the question for the third time? (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is labor.) labour dispute / lebə dspju t/ noun same as industrial dispute laboured / lebəd/ adj showing signs of too much effort (NOTE: The US spelling is labored.) labourer / lebərə/ noun a person who does heavy work with his hands (NOTE: The US spelling is laborer.) labour force / lebə fɔ s/ noun the total number of workers employed in a country, an industry or an organisation. Synonym workforce labour-intensive /lebər n tensv/ adj involving a high number of employees or greater costs for labour than for other areas such as materials, machines or design labour market / lebə mɑ kt/ noun a supply of workers ready and available for work labour movement / lebə mu vmənt/ noun organisations whose aims are to improve conditions for workers and get political power labour-saving / lebə sevŋ/ adj which saves you doing hard work (NOTE: The US spelling is labor-saving.) labrador / lbrədɔ / noun a type of large dog, usually black or pale brown labyrinth / lbərnθ/ noun a system of complicated paths, alleys or corridors which it is difficult to find your way out of lace /les/ noun 1. a thin strip of leather or cord for tying up a shoe or other piece of clothing 쑗 His laces kept coming undone. 쑗 She’s too little to be able to do up her laces herself. 2. decorative fabric with open patterns of threads like a net 쑗 a lace tablecloth 쑗 Her wedding dress was trimmed with lace. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 쐽 verb 1. to fasten with laces 쑗 He laced up his boots. lacerate 472 2. to add alcohol to a drink 쑗 Someone had laced her orange juice with gin. lacerate / lsəret/ verb to cut someone’s flesh laceration /lsə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a place where flesh has been torn. Synonym cut lace-ups / les ps/ plural noun shoes which are fastened with laces ② lack /lk/ noun not having enough of something 쑗 The children are suffering from a lack of food. 쑗 The project was cancelled because of lack of funds. Synonym shortage. Antonym surplus (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb not to have enough of something 쑗 The sales staff lack interest. 쑗 He doesn’t lack style – he puts on his sunglasses the moment the sun comes out. lackadaisical /lkə dezk(ə)l/ adj done without any effort or enthusiasm. Synonym apathetic. Antonym energetic lackey / lki/ noun a person who acts like a servant. Synonym minion ③ lacking / lkŋ/ adj 왍 lacking in without any 쑗 She’s completely lacking in business sense. lacklustre / lklstə/ adj dull, not brilliant (NOTE: The US spelling is lackluster.) laconic /lə kɒnk/ adj using only a few words. Synonym terse laconically /lə kɒnkli/ adv using only a few words lacquer / lkə/ noun 1. a type of hard shiny varnish or paint, often used on wood or metal 쑗 The coating of lacquer on the chest had begun to crack. 2. a spray for keeping hair in place (dated ) 쑗 Cover your eyes if you’re using hair lacquer anywhere near your face. 쐽 verb to coat with lacquer 쑗 It took a long time to lacquer the whole wardrobe. lactose / lktəυs/ noun a sugar contained in milk lacy / lesi/ adj made of a network of fine fibres like lace (NOTE: lacier – laciest) ③ lad /ld/ noun a boy or young man 왍 the lads a young man’s friends 쑗 I’m meeting the lads at the pub. 왍 he’s a bit of a lad he likes wild parties and drinking, etc. ③ ladder / ldə/ noun 1. a device made of horizontal bars between two uprights, used for climbing 쑗 The ladder was leaning against the wall. 쑗 He was climbing up a ladder. 쑗 She got down off the ladder. 2. a series of little holes in stockings or tights, when a stitch has come undone 쑗 Bother, I can’t wear these tights because they’ve got a ladder. (NOTE: The US term is run.) 쐽 verb (of stockings) to get a ladder 쑗 I laddered my stocking on the nail. laddie / ldi/ noun (in the North of England & Scotland ) a boy or young man (informal ). Compare lassie . . . laissez-faire laden / led(ə)n/ adj 왍 laden with containing a cargo, carrying something heavy 쑗 She was laden with shopping bags. 왍 heavily laden with carrying a heavy load of 쑗 The ship was heavily laden with coal. ladle / led(ə)l/ noun a large deep spoon for serving liquid foods such as soup 쑗 The cook stood by the soup bowl, with her ladle in her hand. 쐽 verb 왍 to ladle out to serve with a ladle 쑗 She ladled the soup out into bowls. ② lady / ledi/ noun 1. a polite way of referring to a woman 쑗 There are two ladies waiting to see you. 2. a name given to a female worker 쑗 The lollipop lady will see you across the road. 3. the title given to a woman, either the wife of a lord or knight, or because she is a peer in her own right (NOTE: As a title Lady is followed by the family name: Lord and Lady Forbes; Sir Peter and Lady Ross.) COMMENT: The wives of knights, barons, earls and viscounts are addressed as ‘Lady’ followed by the family name. ladybird / ledib" d/ noun a type of small beetle, usually red with black spots (NOTE: The US term is ladybug.) ladykiller / lediklə/ noun a man who is attractive to women (informal ) ladylike / ledilak/ adj (of behaviour of women) elegant, refined lag /lDZ/ noun an interval of time between . two linked happenings 쑗 There’s often a long time lag between setting up in business and seeing any results. 쒁 jet lag 쐽 verb 1. to be behind, to fall behind 쑗 She was lagging 10m behind the leaders. 2. to cover water pipes to prevent them losing heat or freezing 쑗 Make sure your pipes are lagged before the winter. (NOTE: lagging – lagged) lager / lɑ DZə/ noun 1. a type of light beer ③ 쑗 He came to the bar and ordered six pints of lager. 2. a glass of this beer 쑗 He came to the bar and ordered six lagers. lager lout / lɑ DZə laυt/ noun a young person who drinks a lot of beer and behaves badly (informal insult) lagoon /lə DZu n/ noun a shallow part of the sea in the tropics, surrounded by reefs ③ laid /led/ 쒁 lay laid-back /led bk/ adj relaxed, not in a hurry (informal ) ③ laid up /led p/ adj unable to work because of illness. Synonym unwell. Antonym . well ③ lain /len/ 쒁 lie lair /leə/ noun a place where a wild animal sleeps (informal ) . laissez-faire /lese feə/ French noun a political theory where a government does nothing to control the economy 쑗 Laissez- lake 473 faire policies resulted in increased economic activity, but contributed to a rise in imports. ② lake /lek/ noun an area of fresh water surrounded by land 쑗 Let’s take a boat out on the lake. 쑗 We can sail across the lake. 쑗 The hotel stands on the shores of Lake Windermere. Synonym pond lama / lɑ mə/ noun a Buddhist priest, especially in Tibet. Synonym monk (NOTE: Do not confuse the spelling with llama.) ③ lamb /lm/ noun 1. a young sheep 쑗 In spring, the fields are full of sheep and their tiny lambs. 2. meat from a lamb or sheep 쑗 a leg of lamb 쑗 roast lamb and mint sauce (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 3. a dear child or person 쑗 She’s such a lamb! lambast /lm bst/ verb to be very critical of someone or something lambing / lmŋ/ noun the process of giving birth to lambs lambswool / lmzwυl/ noun a very soft wool, from a young sheep (NOTE: no plural) lame /lem/ adj 1. not able to walk properly 쑗 He is lame in his left leg. 2. weak or unsatisfactory 쑗 He produced a very lame excuse for not coming to the meeting. (NOTE: lamer – lamest) 쐽 verb to injure someone so that he or she cannot walk properly lame duck /lem dk/ noun someone or something that is regarded as weak an unsuccessful lame-duck /lem dk/ adj regarded as weak and unsuccessful 왍 lame-duck company a company which is in financial difficulties 쑗 The government has promised a rescue package for lame-duck companies. 왍 lame-duck president a president in the last part of his term of office who cannot stand for re-election and so lacks political support 쑗 No foreign policy decisions will be made because of the lame-duck presidency. (NOTE: only used before a noun) lamely / lemli/ adv weakly lameness / lemnəs/ noun the state of be- ing lame lament /lə ment/ noun 1. a sad song or music 쑗 A lone piper played a lament at the funeral. 2. an expression of sadness 쑗 His lament at the demolition of the old church. 쐽 verb to be very sad about 쑗 We are still lamenting the closure of our local post office. Synonym mourn lamentable / lməntəb(ə)l/ adj very bad lamentably / lməntəbli/ adv very badly lamented /lə mentd/ adj missed because it has gone laminate verb / lmnet/ 1. to cover something with a thin protective sheet 2. to bond layers together 쐽 noun / lmnət/ a hard material made up of bonded layers 쐽 adj made from layers landing laminated / lmnetd/ adj covered with a layer, or with several layers glued together to form a thick surface ② lamp /lmp/ noun a device which makes light 쑗 The campsite is lit by large electric lamps. lamplight / lmplat/ noun the light from a lamp lampoon /lm pu n/ noun an attack in writing or verse that is supposed to be funny 쐽 verb to use humour as a way of attacking somebody or something in a piece of writing lamppost / lmppəυst/ noun a tall post by the side of a road, holding a lamp ③ lampshade / lmpʃed/ noun a cover put over a lamp LAN abbr local area network lance /lɑ ns/ noun a long pointed stick carried by a knight in armour. Synonym spear 쐽 verb to make a cut in a boil or abscess to remove the pus 쑗 The doctor decided to lance the abscess. ① land /lnd/ noun 1. earth, as opposed to water 쑗 They were glad to be back on (dry) land again after two weeks at sea. (NOTE: no plural) 2. a piece of ground 쑗 She owns some land in the north of the country. 쑗 We bought a piece of land to build a house. 쒁 farmland (NOTE: no plural) 3. a country 쑗 People from many lands visited the exhibition. 쑗 He wants to see his native land again before he is too old to travel. 쐽 verb 1. to arrive on the ground, or on another surface 쑗 The flight from Amsterdam has landed. 쑗 We will be landing at London Airport in five minutes. 쑗 The ducks tried to land on the ice. 왍 to land on one’s feet to be successful (informal ) 쑗 After being made redundant he joined the police force and has really landed on his feet. 2. to be successful in hitting someone 쑗 He landed several punches on his opponent’s head. 3. to put goods or passengers on to land after a voyage by sea or by air 쑗 The ship was landing goods at the port. 쑗 We landed several passengers at Heathrow Airport. 4. to catch a big fish 쑗 We landed three salmon. 5. to manage to get something 쑗 He landed a contract with a Chinese company. landed / lndd/ adj owning land landfill / lndfl/ noun a way of disposing of rubbish by putting it into holes in the ground and covering it with earth landfill site / lndfl sat/ noun an area of land where people’s rubbish is put into holes in the ground and covered with earth landing / lndŋ/ noun 1. (especially of aircraft) arriving on the ground or on a surface 쑗 The plane made a smooth landing. 쑗 Strong winds meant that landing on the aircraft carrier was difficult. 쒁 crash-landing 2. a flat place at the top of stairs 쑗 She was waiting for me on the landing. . landing stage 474 landing stage / lndŋ stedȢ/ noun a platform where passengers can get on or leave a boat. Synonym jetty landing strip / lndŋ strp/ noun a rough place for planes to land ③ landlady / lndledi/ noun 1. a woman from whom you rent somewhere to live 쑗 You must pay your rent to the landlady every month. 2. a woman who is in charge of a hotel or pub 쑗 The landlady sat behind the bar. (NOTE: The plural is landladies.) landline / ln(d)lan/ noun 1. a telecommunications line on land 2. a telephone which is not a mobile phone landlocked / lndlɒkt/ adj more or less surrounded by land. Antonym coastal ③ landlord / lndlɔ d/ noun 1. a man or company from whom you rent property such as a house, room or office 쑗 Tell the landlord if your roof leaks. 쑗 The landlord refused to make any repairs to the roof. 2. the man who is in charge of a hotel or pub 쑗 There’s a new landlord at the ‘Half Moon’. landmark / lndmɑ k/ noun 1. a building or large object on land which you can see easily 쑗 The Statue of Liberty is a famous New York landmark. 2. an outstanding or important event 쑗 The day when power was handed over to China was a landmark in the history of Hong Kong. landmass / lndms/ noun a large area of land. Synonym continent (NOTE: The plural is landmasses.) landmine / lndman/ noun a small bomb hidden under the surface of the soil, which explodes if disturbed landowner / lndəυnə/ noun a person who owns land, and may rent it out. Antonym tenant ③ landscape / lndskep/ noun 1. scenery, the appearance of the countryside 쑗 The beautiful landscape of the West Country. 2. a painting of a country scene 쑗 He collects 18th century English landscapes. 쐽 verb to improve the appearance of a garden by making artificial lakes, planting trees, etc. 쑗 He spent years landscaping his garden. Synonym design landslide / lndslad/ noun 1. a sudden fall of large amounts of soil and rocks down the side of a mountain 쑗 Landslides have blocked several roads through the mountains. 2. an large majority obtained in an election 쑗 The Socialists won in a landslide or won a landslide victory. ③ land up /lnd p/ verb to end in a place (informal ) ② lane /len/ noun 1. a narrow road, often in the country 쑗 A lane with hedges on both sides. 2. a way for traffic going in a particular direction or at a certain speed 쑗 Motorways . lapse usually have three lanes on either side. 쑗 One lane of the motorway has been closed for repairs. 3. a way for one runner in a race 쑗 She is coming up fast on the inside lane. ① language / lŋDZwdȢ/ noun a way of speaking or writing used in a country or by a group of people 쑗 His first language is German 쑗 Chinese is a very difficult language to learn, but it is the language spoken by most people in the world. 쑗 We go to English language classes twice a week. 쑗 I don’t like travelling in places where I don’t know the language. language laboratory / lŋDZwdȢ ləbɒrət(ə)ri/ noun a room with tape recorders and monitors where students listen to lessons in foreign languages in order to practise their language skills languid / lŋDZwd/ adj moving slowly, without any energy. Antonym vigorous languish / lŋDZwʃ/ verb to become weaker or more ill, to be in a bad situation languor / lŋDZə/ noun a pleasant lack of energy lank /lŋk/ adj (of hair ) straight and untidy, and possibly dirty. Synonym limp lanky / lŋki/ adj tall, thin and awkward. Synonym gangling. Antonym rotund . (NOTE: lankier – lankiest) lantern / lntən/ noun an oil or gas lamp which can be carried in the hand lap /lp/ noun 1. your body from your waist to your knees, when you are sitting 쑗 She listened to the story, sitting in her father’s lap. 2. a circuit, one turn round a racetrack 쑗 He’s finished lap 23 – only two laps to go! 3. a part of a long journey 쑗 The last lap of the tour was from Bangkok to Singapore. 4. 왍 it’s in the lap of the gods no one knows what will happen 쑗 I can’t predict the result of the election – it’s all in the lap of the gods. 왍 in the lap of luxury in great luxury 쑗 They live in the lap of luxury. 쐽 verb 1. (of animals) to drink with the tongue 쑗 The dog lapped the water in the pond. 2. (of waves) to wash against something 쑗 Little waves lapped against the side of the quay. 쑗 The water was lapping round his ankles. 3. to go so fast that you are one whole lap ahead of another competitor in a race 쑗 The winner had lapped three other runners. (NOTE: lapping – lapped) lapel /lə pel/ noun one of the two parts of a coat or jacket which are folded back, just above the top button that fastens it lapse /lps/ noun 1. an interval of time, especially when something does not take place 쑗 There is a lapse of two seconds between touching the switch and the screen lighting up. 쑗 They have started work on the motorway again after a considerable lapse of time. 2. a failure of something to work properly 쑗 I lapsed 475 must have had a lapse of memory. 쐽 verb 1. to stop 쑗 All rubbish collections lapsed during the strike. 2. to stop being valid 쑗 My parking permit has lapsed, I must get it renewed. 3. 왍 to lapse into something to fall into a worse state than before 쑗 The country lapsed into anarchy when the president was assassinated. 쑗 After the brain operation, she lapsed into a coma from which she never recovered. lapsed /lpst/ adj 왍 a lapsed Catholic a person who was baptised a Catholic, but no longer practises their religion ③ laptop / lptɒp/ noun a small computer which can be held on your knees ③ lap up /lp p/ verb 1. (of animals) to drink greedily with the tongue 쑗 The cat was lapping up the milk. 2. to accept something enthusiastically 쑗 She told him how good his book was, and he just sat there lapping it up. larch /lɑ tʃ/ noun a tree which has cones, but which loses its leaves in winter (NOTE: The plural is larches.) lard /lɑ d/ noun pork fat used in cooking larder / lɑ də/ noun a cool room or cupboard for storing food. Synonym pantry ① large /lɑ dȢ/ adj 1. big 쑗 She ordered a large cup of coffee. 쑗 Our house has one large bedroom and two very small ones. 쑗 How large is your garden? 쑗 Why has she got an office which is larger than mine? 2. 왍 by and large generally speaking 쑗 By and large, it is cheaper living in Madrid than in London. 앳 at large 1. illegally out of prison 2. in general large intestine /lɑ dȢ n testn/ noun the second section of the intestines, leading down to the rectum ② largely / lɑ dȢli/ adv mainly, mostly 쑗 The strange weather is largely due to El Niño. 쑗 His farm is largely grazing land. Antonym particularly ③ large-scale / lɑ dȢ skel/ adj involving large numbers of people or large amounts of money. Antonym small-scale largesse /lɑ dȢes/ noun the generous giving of money lark /lɑ k/ noun 1. a bird which sings and flies high in the sky 쑗 Larks were singing high up above the fields. 왍 to get up with the lark to get up very early in the morning 2. amusing and daring behaviour 쑗 We all jumped into the fountains at Trafalgar Square – what a lark! 쐽 verb 왍 to lark about to play around noisily like children (informal ) 쑗 The students were larking about in the snow. larva / lɑ və/ noun the early stage of development of an insect, like a fat worm and different in form from the adult (NOTE: The plural is larvae / lɑ vi /.) . last larval / lɑ v(ə)l/ adj referring to larvae laryngitis /lrn dȢats/ noun an inflammation of the larynx larynx / lrŋks/ noun the upper part of the windpipe, where sounds are made. Also called voice box (NOTE: The plural is larynxes.) lasagne /lə znjə/ noun a type of flat pasta, served cooked with meat or vegetable sauce lascivious /lə sviəs/ adj full of sexual desire laser / lezə/ noun an instrument which produces a highly concentrated beam of light laser printer / lezə prntə/ noun an office printing machine which prints using a laser beam laser surgery / lezə s" dȢəri/ noun surgery using lasers, such as the removal of tumours, etc. lash /lʃ/ verb 1. to beat something with a whip 쑗 She lashed at the horse to make it go faster. 2. to beat against something, as if with a whip 쑗 The rain was lashing against the windows. 3. to fasten or tie down tightly with rope 쑗 Containers carried on the deck of a ship must be securely lashed down. 쐽 noun 1. a stroke with a whip 쑗 He was sentenced to six lashes. 2. the part of a whip that bends easily 쑗 He hit the horse with the tip of his lash. 3. an eyelash 쑗 She has lovely long lashes. (NOTE: The plural is lashes.) lashings / lʃŋz/ noun a lot (dated informal ) lash out /lʃ aυt/ verb 왍 to lash out at to try to hit 쑗 He lashed out at the policeman. lass /ls/ noun (in the North of England & Scotland ) a girl or young woman. Antonym . . lad (NOTE: The plural is lasses.) lassie / lsi/ noun (in the North of England & Scotland ) a girl or young woman (informal ). Compare laddie lassitude / lstju d/ noun a feeling of . . being very tired, where you do not want to do anything. Antonym liveliness lasso /lə su / noun a rope with a loop at the end for catching animals such as cattle or horses 쑗 She caught the horse with a lasso. Synonym noose (NOTE: The plural is lassoes.) 쐽 verb to catch an animal with a lasso 쑗 He lassoed the horse. (NOTE: lassoes – lassoing – lassoed) ① last /lɑ st/ adj 1. which comes at the end of a list, line or period of time 쑗 The post office is the last building on the right. 쑗 The invoice must be paid by the last day of the month. 왍 at last, at long last in the end, after a long time 왍 she’s the last person I would want to take to a chic restaurant I would never go to a chic restaurant with her 왍 last thing at night at the very end of the day 쑗 last-ditch 476 latest We always have a drink of hot milk last thing at night. 왍 last but not least the last in a list, but by no means the least important 쑗 Last but not least, mother topped the cake with chocolate icing. 2. most recent 쑗 She’s been ill for the last ten days. 쑗 The last three books I read were rubbish. 왍 last but one the one before the last one 쑗 My last car but one was a Rolls Royce. 3. 왍 last night the evening and night of yesterday 쑗 We had dinner together last night. 왍 last Tuesday the Tuesday before today 쑗 I saw her last Tuesday. 쑗 Have you still got last Tuesday’s newspaper? 왍 last week the week before this one 쑗 The fair was in town last week – you’ve missed it! 왍 last month the month before this one 쑗 Last month it rained almost every day. 왍 last year the year before this one 쑗 Where did you go on holiday last year? 쐽 noun 1. the thing or person coming at the end 쑗 She was the last to arrive. 왍 that’s the last of the apples we have finished the apples 2. final words 쑗 That’s not the last they’ve heard from me. 3. 왍 before last the one before the most recent 왍 the Tuesday before last two Tuesdays ago 왍 the week before last two weeks ago 왍 the year before last two years ago 쑗 He changed his car the year before last. 쐽 adv 1. at the end 쑗 She came last in the competition. 쑗 Out of a queue of twenty people, I was served last. 2. most recently 쑗 When did you see her last? 쑗 She was looking ill when I saw her last or when I last saw her. 쐽 verb to continue for some time 쑗 The fine weather won’t last. 쑗 Our holidays never seem to last very long. 쑗 The storm lasted all night. 쑗 The meeting lasted for three hours. Synonym carry on last-ditch /lɑ st dtʃ/ adj final, last before something unpleasant happens last gasp /lɑ st DZɑ sp/ a final action, which marks the end of something lasting / lɑ stŋ/ adj which lasts for a long time. Synonym permanent. Antonym post as the general was buried. (NOTE: The US term is taps.) last rites /lɑ st rats/ plural noun a reli- temporary lastly / lɑ stli/ adv at the end. Synonym finally. Antonym firstly ③ last-minute /lɑ st mnt/ adj very late. Antonym prompt last name / lɑ st nem/ noun a person’s night surname last night /lɑ st nat/ noun on the previous day after dark last orders /lɑ st ɔ dəz/ plural noun, interj the final opportunity to buy drinks before a pub or bar closes last post /lɑ st pəυst/ noun 1. the last collection of mail from a letterbox 쑗 The last post goes at 5.30. 2. a bugle call played at military funerals, and at Remembrance Day ceremonies 쑗 A lone bugler played the last gious service for someone who is dying (NOTE: Do not confuse with right.) last straw /lɑ st strɔ / noun the final problem which makes everything seem hopeless last word /lɑ st w" d/ noun the very latest fashion latch /ltʃ/ noun the fastening for a door consisting of a small bar which fits into a catch 쑗 The burglars pushed on the door and broke the latch. Synonym fastener 왍 the door is on the latch the door is held shut by a latch but is not locked 쑗 Leave the door on the latch – I’ll be back in a minute. 쐽 verb 1. to close with a latch 쑗 It’s not enough just to latch the door, it must be locked at night. 2. 왍 to latch on to something to understand something or to take up something (informal ) 쑗 Children latch on to their parents’ bad habits very quickly. 쑗 The reporters quickly latched on to the fact that the Prime Minister did not applaud the Chancellor’s speech. ① late /let/ adj 1. after the usual time; after the time when it was expected 쑗 The plane is thirty minutes late. 쑗 It’s too late to change your ticket. 쑗 Hurry or you’ll be late for the show. 쑗 We apologise for the late arrival of the plane from Amsterdam. 2. at the end of a period of time 쑗 The traffic was bad in the late afternoon. 쑗 He moved to London in the late 1980s. 3. towards the end of the day 쑗 It’s late – I’m going to bed. 4. dead 쑗 His late father was a director of the company. 쑗 The late president was working on his memoirs when he died. (NOTE: only used before . a noun in this meaning) latecomer / letkmə/ noun a person who arrives late. Synonym straggler lately / letli/ adv during recent days or weeks. Synonym recently late-night / let nat/ adj happening late at latent / let(ə)nt/ adj present but not yet developed; hidden later / letə/ adv at a time after the present; after a time which has been mentioned 쑗 The family came to live in England and she was born a month later. 쑗 Can we meet later this evening? 왍 see you later! I hope to see you again later today 왍 later (on) afterwards, at a later time 쑗 I’ll do it later on. 쑗 We were only told later that she was very ill. lateral / lt(ə)rəl/ adj referring to the side lateral thinking /lt(ə)rəl θŋkŋ/ noun a way of thinking about problems by looking at them from an unusual point of view latest / letst/ adj the most recent (informal ) 쑗 Have you seen his latest film? 쑗 He . latex 477 always drives the latest model car. 쑗 The latest snow reports are published each day in the papers. 쐽 noun 왍 the latest the most recent news (informal ) 쑗 Have you heard the latest about Gina? 왍 at the latest no later than 쑗 I’ll ring back before 7 o’clock at the latest. latex / leteks/ noun 1. the milky juice from a rubber tree 쑗 The raw latex is collected and then heated to make rubber. 2. a soft plastic 쑗 The stair carpet is backed with foam latex. lather / lɑ ðə/ noun 1. a mass of soap bubbles 쑗 The barber covered my chin with lather. 2. (especially on horses) a sweat like froth 왍 to get in(to) a lather to get upset or flustered 쑗 He got into a terrible lather about the letter. 쐽 verb 1. to form a mass of bubbles 쑗 Hard water makes it difficult for soap to lather. 2. to cover with bubbles 쑗 The barber was just lathering my chin when the police rushed in. Latin / ltn/ noun the language spoken by the ancient Romans 쑗 We learnt Latin at school. 쑗 The inscription on the tomb is in Latin. 쐽 adj 1. referring to the language of ancient Rome 쑗 He was reading a book of Latin poetry. 2. referring to Italy, Spain, Portugal and South America 쑗 They always go to one of the Latin countries on holiday. latitude / lttju d/ noun 1. a position on the earth’s surface measured in degrees north or south of the equator 쑗 Pine trees grow in temperate latitudes. 쏡 longitude 2. freedom to do what you want to do 쑗 The management allows the heads of department considerable latitude in selecting staff. latte / lte/ noun a coffee made with hot milk ② latter / ltə/ adj coming at the end of a list 쑗 I’m busy on Monday and Tuesday, but I’ll be free during the latter part of the week. Antonym former 쐽 noun 왍 the latter the second person or thing mentioned of two people or things 쑗 Which do you prefer, apples or pears? – I prefer the latter. latter-day / ltə de/ adj of the present time. Synonym modern. Antonym former latterly / ltəli/ adv recently lattice / lts/ noun a pattern of crossing diagonal lines such as pieces of wood in a fence ② laugh /lɑ f/ noun 1. a sound you make when you think something is funny 쑗 He’s got a lovely deep laugh. 쑗 ‘That’s right,’ she said with a laugh. 왍 to do something for a laugh to do something as a joke or for fun 쑗 Don’t be angry – they only did it for a laugh. 2. 왍 to have the last laugh to be successful in the end, after people have laughed at you earlier on 쑗 Everyone told him a clockwork radio wouldn’t work, but he had the last laugh when it sold in millions. 쐽 verb 1. to . laundry bag make a sound to show you think something is funny 쑗 He was very good last night – he had everyone laughing at his jokes. 쑗 She fell off the ladder and everyone laughed. 왍 to laugh like a drain to laugh a lot 쑗 He laughed like a drain when he was told the story. 쒁 sleeve 2. 왍 to laugh at someone or something to make fun of someone or something 쑗 Don’t laugh at her because she’s so fat. 쑗 You mustn’t laugh at his hat – he’s very proud of it. laughable / lɑ fəb(ə)l/ adj which can only be laughed at. Antonym impressive laughing stock / lɑ fŋ stɒk/ noun a person who is laughed at by everyone laughter / lɑ ftə/ noun the sound or act of laughing 쑗 The clowns’ appearance in the ring was greeted by laughter. 쑗 As soon as he opened his mouth, the audience burst into laughter. Synonym happiness. Antonym sadness (NOTE: no plural) ② launch /lɔ ntʃ/ noun 1. the act of starting off a boat, a rocket, a new product, etc. 쑗 The launch of the new car went off successfully. 쑗 The rocket launch has been delayed by two weeks. 2. a type of small motor boat 쑗 He took the launch out on the lake. (NOTE: The plural is launches.) 쐽 verb 1. to put a boat into the water, especially for the first time and with a lot of ceremony 쑗 The Queen launched the new ship. 2. to send a rocket into the air 쑗 The spacecraft was launched from Cape Kennedy. 3. to put a new product on the market 쑗 They are launching their new car at the motor show. 4. to give something or someone a start 5. to begin 쑗 The enemy launched an attack on our headquarters. launching / lɔ ntʃŋ/ noun the act of starting off a boat, a rocket, a new product, etc. launching pad / lɔ ntʃŋ pd/ noun an area from which a rocket is launched launder / lɔ ndə/ verb 1. to wash clothes or bedclothes 쑗 He asked to have two shirts laundered. 2. to pass money from crime or drugs, or money which has not been taxed into the normal banking system in such a way that it is not possible to find out where it came from 쑗 The money was laundered through an offshore account. launderette /lɔ ndə ret/ noun a shop with washing machines which anyone can pay to use (NOTE: The US term is laundromat.) ③ laundry / lɔ ndri/ noun 1. a place where clothes and linens are washed 쑗 The hotel’s sheets and towels are sent to the laundry every day. (NOTE: The plural is laundries.) 2. dirty clothes to be sent for washing 쑗 Please put any laundry into the bag provided. (NOTE: no plural) laundry bag / lɔ ndri bDZ/ noun a special bag in a hotel room, into which you can put dirty clothes to be taken to be washed laundry basket 478 laundry basket / lɔ ndri bɑ skt/ noun a large basket in which you put dirty clothes or linen waiting to be washed laurel / lɒrəl/ noun a large bush with smooth shiny evergreen leaves 왍 to rest on your laurels to enjoy your past success, without trying to do any more 쑗 They’ve done very well so far but they can’t afford to rest on their laurels because their rivals will catch up with them. lav /lv/ noun a lavatory (informal ) lava / lɑ və/ noun the hot liquid rock flowing from a volcano which becomes solid when it cools lavatory / lvətri/ noun 1. a small room for getting rid of waste matter or water from the body 쑗 The gents’ lavatory is to the right. 쑗 The lavatories are situated at the rear of the plane. 2. a bowl with a seat and water flushing system, for getting rid of waste matter from the body 쑗 The drink was so awful that I poured it down the lavatory. (NOTE: . The plural is lavatories.) lavender / lvndə/ noun 1. a shrub with small lilac-coloured flowers and narrow leaves, grown for perfume 쑗 My grandmother puts bags filled with dried lavender flowers in her wardrobe to make her clothes smell nice. 2. a bluish-purple colour 쑗 The bedroom walls have been painted a soothing shade of lavender. lavish / lvʃ/ adj 1. very generous 쑗 He bought all the children lavish presents. 2. larger than necessary 쑗 Grandmother always gives us lavish portions. 쐽 verb 왍 to lavish something on someone to give lots of something to someone 쑗 He lavished presents on his grandchildren. 쑗 She lavishes a lot of care on her collection of orchids. lavishly / lvʃli/ adv in a lavish way ① law /lɔ / noun 1. 왍 the law the set of rules by which a country is governed 쑗 Everyone is supposed to obey the law. 왍 within the law obeying the laws of a country 왍 against the law not according to the laws of a country 쑗 It is against the law to drive at night without lights. 왍 to break the law to do something which is not allowed by law 쑗 He is breaking the law by selling cigarettes to children. 2. one single part of the rules governing a country, usually in the form of an act of parliament 쑗 Parliament has passed a law against the ownership of guns. 왍 to be a law unto yourself to do exactly what you want 3. all the laws of a country taken together 왍 maritime law, the law of the sea laws referring to ships and ports 4. 왍 the law the police and the courts (informal ) 쑗 The law will catch up with him in the end. 5. a general scientific rule or controlling force 쑗 Einstein’s Law of Relativity 쑗 The law of gravity can be demonstrated by showing how an apple falls . lay to the ground and not up into the air. 왍 the law of supply and demand a general rule that the amount of a product which is available is related to what possible customers need law-abiding / lɔ əbadŋ/ adj who obeys the law. Synonym honest law and order /lɔ ənd ɔ də/ noun a situation where the laws of the country are obeyed by most people law-breaking / lɔ brekŋ/ noun the act of doing something which is against the law lawcourt / lɔ kɔ t/ noun a court where cases are heard by a judge and jury, or by a magistrate law enforcement / lɔ nfɔ smənt/ noun the process of making sure that people obey the law lawful / lɔ f(ə)l/ adj acting within the law. Antonym unlawful lawfully / lɔ fəli/ adv in a lawful way lawless / lɔ ləs/ adj not controlled by the law or by the police. Synonym unruly. Antonym law-abiding lawlessness / lɔ ləsnəs/ noun being lawless. Synonym anarchy law-making / lɔ mekŋ/ noun the process of making laws lawman / lɔ mn/ noun US a policeman, a sheriff (NOTE: The plural is lawmen.) lawn /lɔ n/ noun a part of a garden covered with short grass lawnmower / lɔ nməυə/ noun a machine for cutting grass lawsuit / lɔ su t/ noun a case brought to a court 왍 to bring a lawsuit against someone to tell someone to appear in court because you think they have acted wrongly towards you 쑗 The parents of the victims brought a lawsuit against the tour company. ② lawyer / lɔ jə/ noun a person who has studied law and can advise you on legal matters 쑗 If you are arrested you have the right to speak to your lawyer. lax /lks/ adj not strict (NOTE: laxer – laxest) laxative / lksətv/ noun medicine which causes a bowel movement 쑗 The doctor prescribed a laxative to help his constipation. 쐽 adj which causes a bowel movement 쑗 The laxative properties of fresh fruit are well known. ① lay /le/ verb 1. to put something down flat 쑗 He laid the papers on the table. 쑗 A new carpet has been laid in the dining room. 왍 to lay claim to something to claim that something is yours 2. 왍 to lay the table to put knives, forks and spoons on the table ready for a meal 쑗 The table is laid for four people. 3. (of birds, turtles, etc.) to produce an egg 쑗 The hens laid three eggs. 4. 쒁 lie layabout 479 (NOTE: laying – laid) 쐽 adj not trained for a profession or to be a member of a religious order 쑗 Lay people often cannot understand doctors’ language. 쑗 Lay members of the church helped the priest to organise the Christmas party. 쒁 layman layabout / leəbaυt/ noun a person who doesn’t work (informal insult) layby / leba/ noun a place at the side of a road where vehicles can park ③ layer / leə/ noun a flat, usually horizontal, thickness of something 쑗 She put a layer of chocolate on the cake, then one of cream. 쒁 bricklayer. Synonym level 쐽 verb to make a new plant by attaching a shoot to the ground so that it makes roots 쑗 Now it the time to layer some shrubs. layered / leəd/ adj made in layers layman / lemən/ noun a person who does not belong to a particular profession, who is not an expert in something (NOTE: The plural is laymen) lay off /le ɒf/ verb 1. to dismiss employ- ees for a time, until more work is available 쑗 The factory has had to lay off half its workforce because of a temporary lack of orders. 2. to stop doing or using something 쑗 You should lay off bread and potatoes if you want to reduce weight. lay-off / le ɒf/ noun the action of dismissing an employee for a time lay on /le ɒn/ verb to provide lay out /le aυt/ verb 1. to put out in an organised way 쑗 The plans were laid out on the table. 쑗 They laid out the children’s presents under the Christmas tree. 2. to design a plan for a garden, a book, etc. 쑗 The grounds of the hotel are laid out with trees and flowerbeds. 3. to spend 쑗 She laid out thousands of pounds on her wedding dress. layout / leaυt/ noun a design, especially of a garden, a book, etc. laze /lez/ verb to relax, to do nothing or very little lazily / lezli/ adv in a lazy way laziness / lezinəs/ noun the state of being lazy ② lazy / lezi/ adj not wanting to do any work 쑗 She’s just lazy – that’s why the work never gets done on time. 쑗 He is so lazy he does not even bother to open his mail. Synonym indolent. Antonym energetic (NOTE: lazier – laziest) ③ lb abbr pounds 쑗 It weighs 26lb. 쑗 Take 6lb of sugar. LCD /el si di / noun a screen used in many watches, calculators and other small pieces of digital equipment. Full form liquid crystal display ① lead noun 1. /led/ a very heavy soft metal 쑗 Tie a piece of lead to your fishing line to leading article make it sink. 2. /led/ a black part in the middle of a pencil 쑗 If your lead’s broken then you need to sharpen the pencil. 3. /li d/ an electric wire which joins a machine to the electricity supply 쑗 The lead is too short to go across the room. 4. /li d/ first place in a race 쑗 He went into the lead or he took the lead. 쑗 Who’s in the lead at the halfway mark? 쑗 She has a lead of 20m over her nearest rival. 5. /li d/ a string or thin piece of leather to hold a dog 쑗 All dogs must be kept on a lead in the park. 6. /li d/ a main part in a play, opera or ballet 쑗 The understudy had to take over last night when the male lead fell and broke his arm. 7. /li d/ a piece of information which may solve a crime 쑗 He gave us our first lead in the case of the car thefts. 쐽 verb /li d/ 1. to be in first place, to have the most important place 쑗 Our side was leading at half time. 쑗 They were leading by three metres. 2. to go in front to show the way 쑗 She led us to the secret box. 쑗 The road leads you to the top of the hill. 3. to be the main person in a group 쑗 She is leading a group of businesswomen on a tour of Chinese factories. 4. 왍 to lead to to make something happen 쑗 The discussions led to an international treaty. 왍 it led me to think she was lying it made me think she was lying 쐽 adj who sings or plays the main tunes in a pop group 쑗 He’s the lead guitarist with a pop group. 쑗 She’s the lead singer of the group. Synonym principal leaden / led(ə)n/ adj like lead 왍 a leaden sky a dull grey sky ① leader / li də/ noun 1. a person who leads 쑗 He is the leader of the Labour Party. 쑗 The leader of the construction workers’ union. 왍 leader of a council, council leader the head of the majority party on a local council 왍 leader of an orchestra the chief violinist in an orchestra 2. a leading article, one of the main articles in a newspaper, giving the newspaper’s views on a topic of current interest 쑗 The rail disaster was featured in the leader. ② leadership / li dəʃp/ noun 1. the ability to be the person who manages or directs others 쑗 We think he has certain leadership qualities. 2. the position of a leader 쑗 Under his leadership the party went from strength to strength. 3. a group of leaders of an organisation 쑗 The leadership was weaker after the president’s resignation. ② leading / li dŋ/ adj most important. Antonym secondary leading article /li dŋ ɑ tk(ə)l/ noun a leader, one of the main articles in a newspaper, giving the newspaper’s views on a topic of current interest. Synonym editorial leading-edge 480 leading-edge / li dŋ edȢ/ noun the most modern developments in technology, science or some other field leading lady /li dŋ ledi/ noun an actress who plays the main part in a play or film leading light /li dŋ lat/ noun a person who plays an important part in a group. Synonym big name. Antonym unknown leading question /li dŋ kweʃtʃən/ noun a question which is worded in order to get a particular answer ③ lead on /li d ɒn/ verb 1. to go first 쑗 Lead on, we will all follow! 2. 왍 to lead someone on to mislead someone by promising something 쑗 He’s just leading you on. 쑗 They promised him a new car, but they were just leading him on. ③ lead up to /li d p tu / verb to prepare the way for something to happen ② leaf /li f/ noun 1. one of many flat green parts of a plant 쑗 The leaves of the trees turn brown or red in autumn. 쑗 Caterpillars have eaten the leaves of the roses. 2. a sheet of paper, especially a page of a book 왍 to turn over a new leaf to make a new start 쑗 After years of wild living he decided to turn over a new leaf and join the family firm. 3. a very thin sheet of a substance such as metal 쑗 The ceiling is covered in gold leaf. (NOTE: The plural is leaves /li vz/.) 쐽 verb 왍 to leaf through to turn the pages of a book quickly without reading properly 쑗 He leafed through the book, looking at the illustrations. ② leaflet / li flət/ noun a sheet of paper, often folded, giving information. Synonym booklet leafy / li fi/ adj 1. with lots of leaves 쑗 These lettuces are really leafy. 2. with lots of trees 쑗 We strolled along the leafy avenue. ② league /li DZ/ noun 1. an association of sports clubs which play against each other 쑗 He plays for one of the clubs in the local football league. 왍 not in the same league as not as good or as successful as 쑗 You can’t compare our little corner shop to the supermarket, they’re not in the same league. 2. a group joined together for a particular purpose 왍 to be in league with someone to work with someone against someone else 3. a measure of distance equal to about 5 km (dated ) 쑗 10,000 leagues under the sea 쐽 verb to join together 쑗 The opposition parties all leagued together to vote against the government. league table / li DZ teb(ə)l/ noun a list of things placed in order of quality ③ leak /li k/ noun 1. an escape of liquid or gas through a hole 쑗 I can smell gas – there must be a gas leak in the kitchen. 2. an escape of secret information 쑗 She was embarrassed by the leak of the news. 쑗 The leak of the report led to the minister’s resignation. (NOTE: Do not confuse with leek.) 쐽 verb 1. . leap at (of liquid or gas, etc.) to flow away, to escape 쑗 Water must have been leaking through the ceiling for days. 2. to pass on secret information 쑗 Governments don’t like their plans to be leaked to the press. 쑗 We found that the sales director was leaking information to a rival company. 3. (of a container ) to allow liquid or gas to escape 쑗 The drum was leaking acid all over the floor. leakage / li kdȢ/ noun 1. an escape of liquid or gas 쑗 There’s a smell of gas – there must a leakage somewhere. 2. the act of revealing a secret 쑗 The leakage of the report annoyed the minister. 쑗 After the leakage of the report, everyone was ringing up about it. leaky / li ki/ adj which leaks ② lean /li n/ adj 1. (of a person) thin 쑗 He’s a lean bearded man. 2. (of meat) with little fat 쑗 a slice of lean bacon (NOTE: leaner – leanest) 쐽 verb to be in or to put into a sloping position 쑗 The ladder was leaning against the shed. 쑗 She leant her bike against the wall. 쑗 He leaned over and picked up the cushion. 쑗 It’s dangerous to lean out of car windows. (NOTE: leaning – leaned or leant /lent/) leaning / li nŋ/ noun a tendency towards 쑗 She has socialist leanings. 쑗 He has a leaning towards a career in the church. Synonym inclination 쐽 adj which is leaning 쑗 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is one of the most famous buildings in Italy. ③ lean on / li n ɒn/ verb 1. to try to influence someone 쑗 They leant on him to get him to agree. 2. to depend on someone 쑗 If things get difficult she always has her father to lean on. lean over /li n əυvə/ verb to bend down in a particular direction 왍 to lean over backwards to help someone to make every effort to help someone 쑗 The landlady leant over backwards to make us feel at home. leant /lent/ 쒁 lean lean-to / li n tu / noun a small building, such as a shed, attached to a large building leap /li p/ noun 1. a jump 쑗 She took a leap forwards and fell into the water. 2. a great improvement or progress 왍 by leaps and bounds making fast progress 쑗 His German has improved by leaps and bounds. 3. 왍 a leap in the dark an action where you are not sure of what the consequences will be 쑗 The deal is something of a leap in the dark, but we hope it will pay off. 쐽 verb 1. to jump 쑗 He leapt over the ditch. 쑗 She leapt with joy when she heard the news. 쑗 He leapt into the train as it was leaving. 2. to go up suddenly 쑗 Sales leapt during March. (NOTE: leaping – leaped or leapt /lept/) ③ leap at / li p t/ verb to accept eagerly something which is suggested. Synonym . jump at leap-frog 481 leap-frog / li p frɒDZ/ noun a game where one person bends down, and others jump over his back 쐽 verb to advance more quickly than someone else 왍 leap-frogging pay demands pay demands where each group of workers asks for higher pay to do better than another group leapt /lept/ 쒁 leap ③ leap year / li p jə/ noun every fourth year, in which February has 29 days ① learn /l" n/ verb 1. to find out about something, or how to do something 쑗 He’s learning to ride a bicycle. 쑗 We learn French and German at school. 왍 to learn something by heart to learn and remember something 쑗 She learnt the poem by heart. 왍 to learn from your mistakes to make mistakes and because of them learn how something should be done 쑗 He doesn’t want to ask advice, so I only hope he learns from his mistakes. 2. to hear news 쑗 Her boss learned that she was planning to leave the company. 쑗 How did you come to learn about the product? 쑗 We learnt of his death only yesterday. (NOTE: learning – learnt /l" nt/ or learned) learned / l" nd/ adj who has a lot of knowledge 쑗 Learned professors have written to the paper contradicting the government’s calculations. ③ learner / l" nə/ noun a person who is learning. Synonym beginner ② learning / l" nŋ/ noun the process of gaining knowledge of something or of how to do something. Antonym ignorance 왍 a steep learning curve the need to learn new skills fast 쑗 Being promoted into a new department involved a steep learning curve. learning curve / l" nŋ k" v/ noun a gradual process of learning learning difficulties / l" nŋ dfkəltiz/ plural noun a condition of being unable to learn as fast as others ③ lease /li s/ noun 1. a written contract, allowing someone to use a building or piece of land for a particular period 쑗 We’re renting our offices on a twenty-year lease. 왍 the lease expires or runs out in 2020 the lease comes to an end in 2020 2. 왍 to give someone a new lease of life to make someone want to make a fresh start or to live life more fully 쑗 Alan’s retirement has given him a new lease of life. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to lease or lease out to give on a lease 쑗 He leased the shop to an Australian company. 쑗 My landlord leases out six other flats. 2. to take or hold on a lease 쑗 We’re leasing our offices at a good rent. 쑗 We lease our photocopier as it’s cheaper than buying one. leasehold / li shəυld/ noun the holding of property on a lease 쑗 The leasehold was sold last year. leave leash /li ʃ/ noun a strap for holding a dog. Synonym lead ① least /li st/ adj smallest or most unimpor- tant 쑗 This car uses by far the least amount of petrol. Antonym most 쐽 pron 왍 the least the smallest or the most unimportant amount 쑗 She was the one who spent the least during their trip round Holland. 왍 to say the least which was more than I expected 쑗 I thought he was in the office so when I saw him in the supermarket I was surprised to say the least. 왍 not in the least not at all 쑗 It doesn’t bother me in the least to work on Sundays. 쐽 adv less than everyone or everything else 쑗 I liked that part of the book least. 쑗 He was the least conceited man she had ever met. 왍 least of all absolutely less than everyone else 쑗 No one was interested in what I said, least of all my son. 앳 at least 1. mentioning one good thing in a bad situation 2. to correct a statement 3. as the smallest thing 4. not less than ③ leather / leðə/ noun a skin of certain animals used to make shoes, bags, etc. 쑗 a leather bag 쑗 My shoes have leather soles. 왍 synthetic leather a plastic material which looks like leather leathery / leðəri/ adj tough like leather ① leave /li v/ noun permission to be away from work 쑗 He has six weeks’ annual leave. 왍 to go on leave, to be on leave to go or be away from work 쑗 She is away on sick leave or on maternity leave. 쐽 verb 1. to go away from somewhere 쑗 She left home at 9 o’clock this morning. 쑗 When they couldn’t find what they wanted, they left the shop. 쑗 Eurostar leaves Waterloo for Brussels every day at 8.25. 쑗 When does the next bus leave for Oxford? 2. to forget to do something; to forget to take something with you 쑗 I packed in a rush and left my toothbrush at home. 3. to allow something to stay in a certain condition 쑗 The chickenpox didn’t leave any marks 쑗 Did you leave the light on when you locked up? 쑗 Yesterday she left the iron on, and burnt a hole in the ironing board. 쑗 Someone left the door open and the dog got out. 쑗 The coffee left a stain on the tablecloth. 4. not to take something 쑗 Leave some pizza for your brother. 5. to go away from someone 쑗 She’s left her husband. 왍 leave me alone don’t disturb me 6. not to do something, so that someone else has to do it 쑗 She went out leaving me all the washing up to do. 7. to give something to someone in your will 쑗 He left all his property to his grandson. 8. to have property or family at the time of your death 쑗 He left a widow and six little children. 9. 왍 leave it to me let me do it 쑗 Leave it to me, I’ll find out the address for you. 왍 I leave it to you to decide you are the one who has to decide, not me leave behind 482 ③ leave behind /li v b hand/ verb to forget to take something or someone with you; not to take something or someone with you leave of absence /li v əv bsəns/ noun permission to be away from work. Synonym sabbatical ③ leave off /li v ɒf/ verb 1. to stop doing something 왍 leave off! stop doing that 2. to forget to include 쑗 She left the postcode off the address. 쑗 The waitress left the drinks off the bill. ① leave out /li v aυt/ verb to forget something or someone; not to put something in. Synonym omit. Antonym include lecherous / letʃərəs/ adj only interested in sexual intercourse. Synonym lewd lectern / lekt" n/ noun a high desk with a sloping surface on which you put a book or the text of a speech which you are going to read aloud in public ③ lecture / lektʃə/ noun a talk to students or any other group of people on a particular subject 쑗 She gave a lecture on Chinese art. 쑗 Are you going to the lecture this evening? 쑗 The lecture lasted thirty minutes, and then there was time for questions. 쐽 verb 1. to give a lecture on something 쑗 He will lecture on Roman history next Thursday. 2. to teach a subject, by giving lectures 쑗 She lectures on history at Birmingham University. lecturer / lektʃərə/ noun 1. a person who gives a talk on a particular subject 쑗 This week’s lecturer is from Sweden. 2. an ordinary teacher in a university or college 쑗 He has been a lecturer for five years. ③ led /led/ 쒁 lead ledge /ledȢ/ noun a narrow flat part which sticks out from a cliff or building ledger / ledȢə/ noun a large book in which accounts are written lee /li / noun a side of a building, hill or ship, sheltered from the wind leech /li tʃ/ noun a type of parasitic worm which lives in water and sucks the blood of animals by attaching itself to the skin (NOTE: The plural is leeches.) leek /li k/ noun a vegetable of the onion family, with a white stem and long green leaves (NOTE: Do not confuse with leak.) leer /lə/ noun an unpleasant look, often expressing sexual desire 쑗 The leers of the men as she came into the bar made her turn round and walk straight out again. Synonym sneer 쐽 verb to look with a leer at someone 쑗 The men were sitting in the pavement café, leering at girls passing in the street. Synonym smirk leery / ləri/ adj suspicious (informal ). Ant. onym confident left-winger leeward / li wəd/ adj, adv, noun on the side sheltered from the wind leeway / li we/ noun the time or space available 왍 to make up leeway to make up for lost time or for a lost opportunity 쑗 You have a lot of leeway to make up after missing so much of the term through illness. ① left /left/ adj 1. not right, referring to the side of the body which usually has the hand you use less often 쑗 I can’t write with my left hand. 쑗 The post office is on the left side of the street as you go towards the church. 2. (in politics) referring to the socialists 쑗 His politics are left of centre. Compare right 3. 왍 left or left over still there, not used up 쑗 After paying for the food and drink, I’ve still got £3 left. 쑗 If you eat three of the sweets, there will be only two left for everyone else. 쑗 There was nobody left in the building. 쒁 leave 쐽 noun 1. the side towards the left 쑗 Remember to drive on the left when you are in Britain. 쑗 The school is on the left as you go towards the town centre. 쑗 She was sitting on the chairman’s left. 2. 왍 the left (in politics) the socialists and communists, the group supporting the rights of the workers 쑗 We support the left by campaigning for our local Labour candidate. 왍 swing to the left a movement of votes towards the left-wing candidates 쐽 adv towards the left 쑗 Go straight ahead and turn left at the traffic lights. 쐽 verb 쒁 leave left-click /left klk/ verb (in computing) to click with the left mouse button left-hand /left hnd/ adj on the left side. Antonym right-hand left-handed /left hndd/ adj using the left hand more often than the right for doing things. Synonym anticlockwise. Antonym right-handed leftist / leftst/ adj (usually as a criticism) socialist, referring to the left in politics 쑗 The Minister of Justice was accused of showing leftist tendencies. 쐽 noun a person with left-wing ideas 쑗 It is apparent that there is no place for traditional leftists in the new centre government. left-luggage office /left lDZdȢ ɒfs/ noun a place where suitcases can be left and collected later for a fee (NOTE: The US term is baggage room.) leftover / leftəυvə/ adj which is not used 쑗 I’ve finished painting the kitchen – what shall I do with the leftover paint? leftovers / leftəυvəz/ plural noun food which is left after a meal 쑗 The children will eat the leftovers tomorrow morning. ③ left-wing /left wŋ/ adj in politics, on the left. Antonym right-wing left-winger /left wŋə/ noun a person who is on the left of a political party. Synonym progressive. Antonym right-winger lefty 483 lefty / lefti/ noun a person with left-wing beliefs ① leg /leDZ/ noun 1. the part of the body with which a person or animal walks 쑗 The bird was standing on one leg, asleep. 쑗 Some animals can’t stand on their back legs. 쑗 She fell down the steps and broke her leg. 쒁 arm 2. 왍 to pull someone’s leg to tease someone, to try to make someone believe something that is not true 쑗 Don’t worry, she will get here on time – I was only pulling your leg. 왍 on its last legs almost worn out 쑗 The poor old car is on its last legs. 왍 not to have a leg to stand on to be in an awkward situation because you cannot prove what you say 쑗 The children produced a later will, so the claimants to the estate didn’t have a leg to stand on. 3. one of the parts of a chair or table which touch the floor 쑗 The table has four legs. 4. a leg of an animal used for food 쑗 roast leg of lamb 쑗 Would you like a chicken leg? 5. the part of a piece of clothing which covers your leg 쑗 I think this (trouser) leg is longer than the other one. 6. a stage of a journey, tour or race 쑗 The last leg of the trip goes from Paris to Amsterdam. 쑗 The first leg of the tour takes in London, Hampton Court and Windsor. 쐽 verb 왍 to leg it to run away (informal ) 쑗 They legged it round the corner when they saw the police coming. legacy / leDZəsi/ noun 1. what is left to a person after someone’s death 쑗 He received a large legacy from his uncle. 쑗 The legacy can be paid only to the rightful claimant. 2. what is left behind by someone 쑗 The company’s overdraft is a legacy of the previous finance director. (NOTE: The plural is lega. cies.) ① legal / li DZ(ə)l/ adj 1. according to the law, allowed by the law 쑗 It’s legal to drive at 17 if you have a provisional driving licence. 2. referring to the law 왍 to take legal action to sue someone, to take someone to court 왍 to take legal advice to ask a lawyer to advise about a legal problem legal aid /li DZ(ə)l ed/ noun free legal work done for people without enough money to pay lawyers’ fees legalisation /li DZəla zeʃ(ə)n/, legalization noun the action of making something legal. Synonym ratification legalise / li DZəlaz/, legalize verb to make something legal. Synonym decriminalise. Antonym prohibit legalistic /li DZə lstk/ adj too concerned with the law legality /l DZlti/ noun being allowed by law. Antonym illegality legally / li DZəli/ adv in accordance with the law legation /l DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a group of officials below the rank of ambassador, who legislature represent their government in a foreign country 2. a building where members of a legation work 쑗 He escaped from prison and hid in the Russian legation. legend / ledȢənd/ noun 1. a story, or group of stories, from the past which may not be based on fact 쑗 The legend of Jason and the Golden Fleece. 2. a famous person whose name often appears in the news 쑗 Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood legend 3. a key to the symbols used on a map or chart legendary / ledȢənd(ə)ri/ adj 1. famous, often talked about 쑗 His meanness is legendary. 쑗 Her legendary dislike of men with beards. 2. referring to legends 쑗 A legendary tale of witches and good fairies. -legged /leDZd, leDZd/ suffix with legs leggings / leDZŋz/ plural noun 1. tight-fitting trousers made from a stretchy material, worn by women and girls 쑗 When my daughter comes home from school she changes out of her uniform and puts on a pair of leggings. 쑗 A group of women exercising in tops and leggings. 2. thick coverings for the legs 쑗 The hunters wore thick leggings and boots. (NOTE: plural; for one item say ‘a pair of leggings’) leggy / leDZi/ adj with long legs legible / ledȢb(ə)l/ adj able to be read easily. Antonym illegible legibly / ledȢbli/ adv in a legible way legion / li dȢən/ noun 1. a group, especially of soldiers 2. a division of the Roman army 쑗 The Roman legions under Julius Caesar invaded Britain. 3. a very large number 쑗 Many of the legions of fans who support Manchester United will be unable to buy tickets for the Cup Final. legionary / li dȢən(ə)ri/ noun a member of a legion, especially the Foreign Legion (NOTE: The plural is legionaries.) legionnaire’s disease /li dȢə neəz dzi z/ noun a bacterial disease similar to pneumonia, which appears to be spread by drops of moisture in air-conditioning systems legislate / ledȢslet/ verb to make a law or laws. Synonym enact ② legislation /ledȢ sleʃ(ə)n/ noun laws, written rules which are passed by Parliament and applied in the courts ③ legislative / ledȢslətv/ adj referring to laws or to law-making legislator / ledȢsletə/ noun a member of a legislature, a person who makes or passes laws, such as an MP or Congressman ③ legislature / ledȢslətʃə/ noun 1. a body which makes laws 쑗 Members of the legislature voted against the proposal. 2. a building where a law-making body meets 쑗 The protesters marched towards the State Legislature. legitimacy 484 legitimacy /l dȢtməsi/ noun the quality of being in accordance with the law legitimate /l dȢtmət/ adj 1. according to the law 쑗 He acted in legitimate defence of his rights. 2. born to married parents 쑗 The old duke had no legitimate children, so the title passed to his brother. legitimate concern /ldȢtəmət kəns" n/ noun a reasonable and justifiable concern legitimise /l dȢtmaz/, legitimize verb to make someone or something legitimate legless / leDZləs/ adj 1. without any legs 2. drunk (informal ) legroom / leDZru m/ noun the amount of space available for the legs of a person sitting down, e.g. between the rows of seats in a cinema or aircraft, or inside a car (NOTE: no . plural) ③ leisure / leȢə/ noun 왍 leisure (time) free time when you can do what you want leisure centre / leȢə sentə/ noun a building where people can play sports, put on plays, dance, act, etc. Synonym sports centre leisurely / leȢəli/ adj without any hurry. Antonym frantic leitmotif / latməυti f/, leitmotiv noun a theme which reappears in a book or a piece of music lemming / lemŋ/ noun a small Scandinavian mammal which often travels in mass groups lemon / lemən/ noun 1. a pale yellow sour-tasting citrus fruit 쑗 Oranges are much sweeter than lemons. 2. a tree which produces these fruit 쑗 Lemons grow best in hot dry climates. 3. a yellow colour like that of a lemon ③ lemonade /lemə ned/ noun a usually fizzy lemon-flavoured drink lemur / li mə/ noun a small animal with a long tail, rather like a monkey ① lend /lend/ verb 1. to let someone use something for a certain period of time 쑗 He asked me if I would lend him £5 till Monday. 쑗 I lent her my dictionary and now she won’t give it back. Compare borrow 2. 왍 to lend a hand to help 쑗 Can you lend a hand with the cooking? 왍 to lend an ear to someone to listen sympathetically to what someone has to say 왍 to lend itself to to be able to be used for something special 쑗 The garden lends itself to landscaping. 쑗 The room lends itself to playing chamber music. 3. to make a certain effect 쑗 The Christmas decorations lend a festive air to the shopping centre. 쑗 Her new hairstyle lends her an air of authority. (NOTE: lending – lent /lent/) lender / lendə/ noun a person who lends money. Synonym giver leotard length /leŋθ/ noun 1. a measurement of how long something is from end to end 쑗 The table is at least twelve feet in length. 2. 왍 length of time the amount of time something takes or lasts 쑗 Can you estimate the length of time you need to do this? 왍 she was a bit vague about the length of her visit she was not certain how long she was going to stay 3. a long piece of something 쑗 She bought a length of curtain material in the sale. 쑗 We need two 3m lengths of copper piping for the new central heating system. 4. the distance from one end to the other of a swimming pool 쑗 He swam two lengths of the pool. 5. 왍 to go to great lengths to get something to do anything, even to commit a crime, to get something 쑗 He went to considerable lengths to get a signed photograph of David Beckham. 앳 at length 1. speaking for a long time and using many words 2. giving a lot of details 3. in the end lengthen / leŋθən/ verb 1. to make longer 쑗 You can lengthen the skirt by turning down the hem. 2. to become longer 쑗 The shadows began to lengthen across the lawn as the sun sank slowly down in the west. Antonym ② shorten lengthy / leŋθi/ adj very long. Antonym brief (NOTE: lengthier – lengthiest) leniency / li niənsi/ noun the quality of not being strict. Synonym clemency. Antonym severity lenient / li niənt/ adj not strict or severe. Synonym compassionate leniently / li niəntli/ adv in a lenient way lens /lenz/ noun 1. a piece of glass or plas③ tic, curved so as to cause light rays to join or spread out, and used in spectacles, telescopes, cameras, etc. 쑗 My eyesight is not very good, and I have to have glasses with strong lenses. 쑗 If the sun is strong enough you can set fire to a piece of paper using a lens. 쒁 contact lens 2. a part of the eye behind the iris and pupil which focuses light (NOTE: The plural is lenses.) ③ lent /lent/ 쒁 lend Lent /lent/ noun the period of forty days be- fore Easter 쑗 Many people try to give something up for Lent. lentil / lentl/ noun a small round dried seed, used especially in soups and stews Leo / li əυ/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like a lion, covering the period 23rd July to 22nd August leopard / lepəd/ noun a large wild spotted cat, living in Africa (NOTE: Black leopards live in America and are called panthers.) leotard / li ətɑ d/ noun a skin-tight one-piece costume covering the top of the body, worn by ballet dancers leper 485 leper / lepə/ noun a person who has leprosy. Synonym outcast leprosy / leprəsi/ noun a serious infectious disease which slowly destroys flesh and nerves lesbian / lezbiən/ adj who is sexually attracted to other women 쑗 They went to the Lesbian and Gay Pride march in London. 쐽 noun a woman who is lesbian lesion / li Ȣ(ə)n/ noun a wound or sore, or other damage to the body. Synonym wound ① less /les/ adj, pron a smaller amount (of) 쑗 You will get thinner if you eat less bread. 쑗 The total bill came to less than £10. 쑗 She finished her homework in less than an hour. 쑗 He sold it for less than he had paid for it. 쐽 adv 1. not as much 쑗 I like that one less than this one. 쑗 The second film was less interesting than the first. 쑗 I want a car which is less difficult to drive. 왍 less and less diminishing all the time 쑗 I enjoy my work less and less. 쑗 He’s less and less able to look after his garden. 왍 more or less almost 쑗 I’ve more or less finished painting the kitchen. 2. 왍 in less than no time very quickly 쑗 They repaired the car in less than no time. 왍 nothing less than absolutely no less than 쑗 She’ll be satisfied with nothing less than a husband who is a millionaire. 쐽 prep minus, with a certain amount taken away 쑗 We pay £10 an hour, less 50p for insurance. lessen / les(ə)n/ verb to become less, to make something become less, to reduce something (NOTE: Do not confuse with les- letter Will you let me see the papers? 쑗 Let me see what I can do for you. 2. 왍 to let someone know something to tell someone about something, to give someone information about something 쑗 Please let me know the result as soon as you can. 쑗 Can you let me know when the parcel arrives? 3. to allow someone to borrow a house or office for a while and pay for it 쑗 We’re letting our cottage to some friends for the weekend. 왍 the flat is to let at £1000 a month the flat can be rented for £1000 per month 4. 왍 let’s making a suggestion that you and someone else should do something together 쑗 Let’s go to the cinema. 쑗 Don’t let’s leave yet or let’s not leave yet. (NOTE: letting – has let) 쐽 noun the period of the lease of a property 쑗 They took the house on a short let. ③ let down /let daυn/ verb 1. to lower something or someone 쑗 They let him down into the mine on a rope. 2. to make the air go out of something such as a tyre or balloon 쑗 Someone had let down my front tyre. 3. not to help when someone expects you to help 쑗 I asked three people to speak at the meeting but they all let me down. letdown / letdaυn/ noun a disappointment ③ let go /let DZəυ/ verb to stop holding on to something lethal / li θ(ə)l/ adj which kills. Synonym deadly lethargic /l θɑ dȢk/ adj showing lethargy. Synonym sluggish. Antonym energetic son.) lethargy / leθədȢi/ noun a tired feeling, lesser / lesə/ adj smaller, not as large or when your movements are extremely slow and you are almost unable to do anything ③ let in /let n/ verb to allow to come in ③ let off /let ɒf/ verb 1. to make something such as a gun or bomb fire or explode 쑗 They let off fireworks in the town centre. 2. not to punish someone severely 쑗 He was charged with stealing, but the judge let him off with a fine. 3. to agree that someone need not do something 쑗 She let the class off their homework. ③ let on /let ɒn/ verb to tell a secret ① let out /let aυt/ verb 1. to allow to go out 쑗 The boys let the pigs out of the field. 쑗 We let the dogs out into the garden in the evening. 쑗 She let the air out of my front tyre. 왍 let out a piercing cry shout very loudly 2. to make a piece of clothing bigger 쑗 Can you let out these trousers, they’re getting too tight? (NOTE: In this meaning the opposite is important 왍 the lesser of two evils one of two things which is not quite as bad as the other 쑗 Faced with the choice of taking a taxi or waiting in the rain for a bus, we chose the lesser of two evils and decided to take the taxi. ② lesson / les(ə)n/ noun 1. a period of time, especially in school, when you are taught something 쑗 He went to sleep during the French lesson. 쑗 We have six lessons of history a week. 쑗 She’s taking or having driving lessons. 쑗 He gives Spanish lessons at home in the evenings. 2. something which you learn from experience and which makes you wiser 쑗 He’s learnt his lesson, he knows you shouldn’t be rude to policemen. 왍 to teach someone a lesson to punish someone for doing something wrong 쑗 I locked up her bike – that will teach her a lesson. lest /lest/ conj 1. in order to avoid 쑗 They had to speak in whispers, lest they be overheard. 2. for fear that 쑗 She is afraid to say what she thinks, lest she might offend someone. ① let /let/ verb 1. to allow someone to do something 쑗 He let her borrow his car. 쑗 to take in.) ① let’s /lets/ 쒁 let ① letter / letə/ noun 1. a piece of writing sent from one person or organisation to another to pass on information 쑗 There were two letters for you in the post. 쑗 Don’t forget to write a letter to your mother to tell her letterbox 486 what we are doing. 쑗 We’ve had a letter from the bank manager. 2. one of the signs which make up the alphabet, a sign used in writing which means a certain sound 쑗 Z is the last letter of the alphabet. 쑗 I’m trying to think of a word with ten letters beginning with A and ending with R. 왍 to the letter exactly as shown or stated 쑗 They followed his instructions to the letter. 쑗 The referee makes sure that the rules of the game are followed to the letter. 쏡 capital, red-letter day letterbox / letəbɒks/ noun 1. a box in the road where you post letters 쑗 There’s a letterbox at the corner of the street. 2. a hole in a front door through which letters are delivered 쑗 The Sunday paper is too big to go through the letterbox. letterhead / letəhed/ noun the name and address of a company printed at the top of a piece of writing paper lettering / letərŋ/ noun the style of letters in a piece of writing, e.g. on a sign or a notice lettuce / lets/ noun a plant with large green leaves which are used in salads (NOTE: no plural except when referring to several plants: a row of lettuces) ③ let up /let p/ verb to do less, to become less 쑗 The snow didn’t let up all day. 쑗 She’s working too hard – she ought to let up a bit. ③ let yourself in for /let jəself n fɔ / verb to allow yourself to get involved in something difficult or unpleasant leukaemia /lu ki miə/ noun any of several serious illnesses where an unusual number of white blood cells form in the blood (NOTE: The US spelling is leukemia.) level / lev(ə)l/ noun 1. a position relating ① to height or amount 쑗 I want to lower the level of our borrowings. 쑗 The floodwater has reached a level of 5m above normal. 2. a floor in a building 쑗 Go up to the next level. 쑗 The toilets are at street level. 3. 왍 on the level honest and not trying to trick anyone (informal ) 쑗 I don’t think the salesman is being on the level with us. 왍 to do your level best to do as well as you can (informal ) 쑗 I’ll do my level best to be there on time. 쐽 adj 1. flat, even 쑗 Are these shelves level, or do they slope to the left? 2. 왍 level with at the same level as 쑗 The ground floor is level with the street. 3. equal, the same 쑗 At half-time the scores were level. 쐽 verb 1. to make level 왍 levelled the house to the ground destroyed the house completely 2. 왍 to level off or out to stop going up or down 쑗 Price increases are starting to level off. 쑗 The road climbs for about two kilometres and then levels out. 3. to point or to aim a weapon at someone 왍 to level an accusation to accuse someone of doing something wrong ③ level crossing /lev(ə)l krɒsŋ/ noun a place where a road crosses a railway line . . liable without a bridge or tunnel (NOTE: The US term is grade crossing.) level-headed /lev(ə)l hedd/ adj sensible. Antonym rash level playing-field /lev(ə)l pleŋ/ noun a situation in which all the conditions are the same for everyone who is involved, so that nobody has an unfair advantage ③ lever / li və/ noun an instrument like a bar, which helps to lift a heavy object, or to move part of a machine 쑗 We used a pole as a lever to lift up the block of stone. Synonym handle 쐽 verb to move with a lever 쑗 They levered open the door with an iron bar. leverage / li vərdȢ/ noun 1. the power to move something heavy by using a lever 쑗 They used a longer bar to get better leverage. 쑗 You’ll need a longer pole to increase the leverage. 2. an influence which you can use to get what you want 쑗 His business contacts were useful leverage in discussing terms for the contract. 쑗 She has a majority of the shares in the company and therefore can exert a lot of leverage over the directors. levitate / levtet/ verb to rise into the air, as if by magic levity / levti/ noun a lack of respect when considering serious things levy / levi/ noun an official tax or other payment 쑗 I think the import levies on luxury goods are too high. 쑗 We paid the levy on time. (NOTE: The plural is levies.) 쐽 verb to order a person to pay a tax or other payment, or to collect it 쑗 The customs levied a large fine. Synonym impose lewd /lu d/ adj rude because of referring to sex in an unpleasant way (NOTE: lewder – lewdest) lexicographer /leks kɒDZrəfə/ noun a person whose job is to write dictionaries ② liability /laə blti/ noun 1. a legal responsibility 쑗 Make sure you understand your legal liabilities before you sign the contract. 왍 to accept liability for something to agree that you are responsible for something 왍 to refuse liability for something to refuse to agree that you are responsible for something 왍 couldn’t meet liabilities did not have enough money to pay debts. 쏡 limited 2. a tendency to do something 쑗 His unfortunate liability to burst into tears when criticised. 3. disadvantage 쑗 Bad eyesight is a liability if you want to be a pilot. 4. a person who causes problems or who makes you feel embarrassed 쑗 He has been arrested several times and is something of a liability to his parents. liable / laəb(ə)l/ adj 왍 liable for legally responsible for something 쑗 You will be liable for the payment of the fine. 쑗 Parents can be made liable for their children’s debts. liaise 487 liaise /li ez/ verb 왍 to liaise with someone to inform someone of what is being done or planned so that everyone who is involved can work together well 쑗 Can you liaise with each individual manager regarding the move to new offices? ③ liaison /li ez(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of keeping someone informed of what is happening 쑗 There has been a total lack of liaison between the police and the customs department on this case. 2. a sexual relationship 쑗 His liaison with the beautiful Hungarian was soon well-known in the embassy. liar / laə/ noun a person who tells lies lib /lb/ noun same as liberation (dated informal ) Lib Dem /lb dem/ abbr Liberal Democrat 쑗 Delegates at the Lib Dem party conference. (NOTE: The plural is the Lib Dems.) ③ libel / lab(ə)l/ noun a written statement about someone which is not true and may damage their reputation 쑗 I will sue you for libel. 쐽 verb 왍 to libel someone to damage someone’s reputation in writing 쑗 He accused the newspaper of libelling him. Compare slander libellous / labələs/ adj which libels someone (NOTE: The US spelling is libelous.) ② liberal / lb(ə)rəl/ adj 1. not strict, willing to accept other people’s views 쑗 The liberal view would be to let the teenagers run the club themselves. 2. generous 쑗 He left a very liberal tip. Liberal / lb(ə)rəl/ noun 1. (in politics) referring to or supporting the Liberal Party 2. (in politics) a member or supporter of a Liberal Party liberal arts /lb(ə)rəl ɑ ts/ noun US subjects other than science, such as English, history or languages liberalise / lb(ə)rəlaz/, liberalize verb to make things such as laws more liberal. Antonym tighten liberalism / lb(ə)rəlz(ə)m/ noun the ideals and beliefs of Liberals liberality /lbə rlti/ noun 1. the fact of being will to accept that other people have the right to hold opinions which you do not agree with 쑗 He was well known for the liberality of his views on divorce. 2. the quality of being extremely generous 쑗 The liberality of the sheikh’s presents astonished everyone. Liberal Party / lb(ə)rəl pɑ ti/ noun a political party which is in favour of some social change, some involvement of the state in industry and welfare, but less centralisation of government, with no fixed connections with either employees or employers liberate / lbəret/ verb to set someone or something free from something. Antonym . imprison licensee liberated / lbəretd/ adj 1. not influenced by a society’s traditional ideas about how people should behave e.g. the way women should behave 2. set free from enemy control liberating / lbəretŋ/ adj which liberates you liberation /lbə reʃ(ə)n/ noun setting free. Synonym freedom. Antonym captivity libertarian /lbə teəriən/ noun a person who believes in freedom of thought and action liberty / lbəti/ noun 1. freedom 쑗 When he was in prison he wrote poems about his lost liberty. 쑗 Anti-terrorist legislation can be seen as an infringement of the liberty of the individual. 2. 왍 at liberty free; not in prison 쑗 Two of the escaped prisoners are still at liberty. 왍 to be at liberty to do something to be free to do something 쑗 You are at liberty to go now. libido /l bi dəυ/ noun the feeling of wanting to have sex Libra / li brə/ noun one of the signs of the zodiac, shaped like a pair of scales, covering the period 22nd September to 23rd October librarian /la breəriən/ noun a person who works in a library ① library / labrəri/ noun 1. a place where books are kept which can be borrowed 쑗 He forgot to take his books back to the library. 쑗 You can’t sell it, it’s a library book. 2. a collection of things such as books or records 쑗 He has a big record library. (NOTE: The plural is libraries.) libretto /l bretəυ/ noun the words of an opera or musical (NOTE: The plural is librettos or libretti.) lice /las/ 쒁 louse ① licence / las(ə)ns/ noun 1. a document which gives official permission to own something or to do something 쑗 She has applied for an export licence for these paintings. 2. a freedom, especially when used wrongly 쑗 Designers should be given the licence to change the whole design whenever they want. 3. 왍 under licence with official permission from a owner 쑗 The cars are made in South America under licence. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is license.) ① license / las(ə)ns/ verb to give someone official permission to do something 쑗 The restaurant is licensed to serve beer, wines and spirits. 쑗 She is licensed to run an employment agency. Synonym certify 쐽 noun US 쒁 licence licensed / las(ə)nst/ adj which has a licence to do something licensee /las(ə)n si / noun a person who has a licence for a particular activity, especially a person who is in charge of a public house license plate 488 lifeguard license plate / las(ə)ns plet/ noun US a lieu /lju / noun (old ) 왍 in lieu of in place of number plate on a vehicle lichen / lakən, ltʃən/ noun a very small plant which grows on the surface of stones or trunks of trees ③ lick /lk/ noun 1. a gentle movement of the tongue across the surface of something 쑗 The dog gave him a friendly lick. 쑗 Can I have a lick of your ice cream? 2. a quick coat of paint 쑗 The door could do with a lick of paint. 3. 왍 a lick and a promise a quick wash (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to make a gentle movement with your tongue across the surface of something 쑗 You shouldn’t lick the plate when you’ve finished your pudding. 쑗 They licked their lips when they saw the cakes. 왍 to lick someone’s boots to do everything you can to please someone in authority 2. to beat, to hit 왍 to lick someone into shape to train someone to do something properly 쑗 A few weeks with the army and he’ll soon be licked into shape. licorice / lkərs/ noun US spelling of When she was sacked she was given four weeks’ pay in lieu of notice. 쑗 He accepted a car in lieu of payment. ③ lieutenant /lef tenənt/ noun 1. a rank in the armed forces below a captain 쑗 The lieutenant has to report to his captain. 2. someone whose job is to help an important person 쑗 The mayor came into the room with two of his lieutenants. ① life /laf/ noun 1. the time when you are alive 쑗 He spent his whole life working on the farm. 왍 in early life when you are a child 쑗 In early life he lived in the country. 왍 for life for as long as someone is alive 쑗 They put him behind bars for life. 쑗 His pension gives him a comfortable income for life. 왍 a matter of life and death a very serious matter 쑗 Call the hospital immediately – it’s a matter of life and death. 왍 not on your life! certainly not! (informal ) 쑗 Don’t you want to go camping? – Not on your life! 왍 I can’t for the life of me understand I can’t understand at all 2. the fact of being a living person 왍 to lose your life to die 쑗 Several lives were lost when the ship sank. 왍 saved my life saved me from dying 왍 to take your life or own life to kill yourself 쑗 In a fit of despair she took her life. 3. an experience 쑗 Life can be hard when you don’t have much money. 쑗 Being a miner is a hard life. 4. living things 쑗 Is there life on Mars? 왍 there’s no sign of life in the house it looks as though there is no one in it 5. enthusiasm or energy 쑗 The young actors injected some life into the old play. 쑗 The film comes to life when she appears on the screen. 쑗 She’s always full of life. 6. a biography, the written story of someone’s life 쑗 She has written a life of Henry VIII. lifebelt / lafbelt/ noun a large ring which helps to prevent you from sinking in water . liquorice ③ lid /ld/ noun a covering for a container, sometimes with a handle 쑗 Where’s the lid of the black saucepan? 쑗 He managed to get the lid off the jam jar. Synonym top ① lie /la/ verb 1. to say something which is not true 쑗 She was lying when she said she had been at home all evening. 쑗 He lied about the accident to the headmaster. (NOTE: in this meaning: lying – lied) 2. to be in a flat position; to be in a particular place 쑗 Six soldiers lay dead on the ground. 쑗 The dog spends the evening lying in front of the fire. 쑗 There were bits of paper and cigarette packets lying all over the pavement. 쑗 The city of Quito lies near the equator. (NOTE: lying – lay – lain) 왍 to lie in wait for someone to hide and wait for someone to come so as to attack him 쐽 noun something which is not true 쑗 That’s a lie! – don’t believe what he says. 쑗 Someone has been telling lies about her. Antonym truth lie detector /la d tektə/ noun a machine which is used to check if someone is telling the truth, e.g. when the police are questioning them ③ lie down /la daυn/ verb to put yourself in a flat position, especially on a bed lie-down / la daυn/ noun a short rest (informal ) ③ lie in /la n/ verb to stay in bed late in the morning (informal ) 쑗 I think I’ll lie in this morning. ③ lie-in / lan/ noun (informal ) 왍 to have a lie-in to stay in bed longer than usual 쑗 I can’t wait until Saturday comes, then I can have a lie-in. ③ lie low /la ləυ/ verb to keep hidden and quiet . . . . 쑗 . (NOTE: Another US term is life preserver.) lifeboat / lafbəυt/ noun a special boat used to save people from danger at sea lifebuoy / lafbɔ/ noun a float used in an emergency to keep somebody’s head and shoulders above water until help arrives life cycle / laf sak(ə)l/ noun all the changes which a living creature goes through during its life life expectancy /laf k spektənsi/ noun 1. the number of years that a person or animal is likely to live 쑗 Average life expectancy has increased to over 80 for women. 2. the length of time that something is expected to continue 쑗 The life expectancy of this government is short – it only has a majority of one in Parliament. lifeguard / lafDZɑ d/ noun a person who is on duty on a beach or at a swimming pool, life insurance 489 and who saves people who get into difficulty in the water life insurance / laf nʃυərəns/ noun a type of insurance paying an amount of money to your family if you die (NOTE: For life insurance, British English prefers to use the word assurance.) life jacket / laf dȢkt/ noun something which you wear when you are on a boat and which will prevent you from sinking if you fall into the water (NOTE: Another US term is life preserver.) lifeless / lafləs/ adj 1. not alive 쑗 Her lifeless body was washed up on the shore. 2. not lively 쑗 The dancers’ performance was lifeless and the audience booed them at the end of the ballet. lifelike / laflak/ adj just like a living person lifeline / laflan/ noun 1. a rope thrown to a person who is sinking in water 쑗 They threw him a lifeline from the boat. 2. the help given to someone in difficulties 쑗 The scholarship offers a lifeline to young writers. 쑗 The government grant is a lifeline which helps them put on exhibitions of young painters’ work at their gallery. lifelong / laflɒŋ/ adj lasting your whole life. Synonym enduring. Antonym temporary life raft / laf rɑ ft/ noun a small boat car- ried on a ship people to use if the ship sinks life saving / laf sevŋ/ noun the practice of saving people from sinking in water 쑗 He took a course in life saving before becoming a guard at the swimming pool. 쐽 adj which saves lives 쑗 The surgeon performed a life-saving operation on the little girl. life sciences /laf saənsz/ plural noun the sciences which involve the study of animals and plants life sentence /laf sentəns/ noun the punishment of being sent to prison for many years for committing murder life-size /laf saz/ adj the same size as the real thing life-sized / laf sazd/ adj an object such as a statue or painting which is the same size as the real thing or person ③ life-span / laf spn/ noun the length of time something exists life story /laf stɔ ri/ noun a detailed account of all the events of someone’s life ③ lifestyle / lafstal/ noun the way in which someone or a group of people live. Synonym way of life life-threatening / laf θret(ə)nŋ/ adj which may kill. Synonym dangerous lifetime / laftam/ noun the time when you are alive 왍 the chance of a lifetime the best chance you are ever likely to get 쑗 Take light the offer – it’s the chance of a lifetime. 왍 in my lifetime while I am alive 쑗 I don’t expect to see that happen in my lifetime. 쑗 I hope to see men on Mars in my lifetime. ② lift /lft/ noun 1. a machine which takes people up or down from one floor to another in a building 쑗 Take the lift to the tenth floor. 쑗 Push the button to call the lift. 쑗 Your room is on the fifteenth floor, so you had better use the lift. (NOTE: The US term is elevator.) 2. a ride in a car offered to someone 쑗 She gave me a lift to the station. 왍 to hitch a lift to ask a driver to take you as a passenger, usually by standing by the side of the road and holding up your thumb or a sign saying where you want to go 쑗 He hitched a lift to Birmingham. 쑗 Her car broke down and she hitched a lift from a passing motorist. 3. 왍 chair lift, ski lift chairs which take skiers to the top of a mountain slope 쑗 The chair lift takes about ten minutes to reach the top. 쐽 verb 1. to pick something up or move it to a higher position 쑗 My briefcase is so heavy I can hardly lift it off the floor. 쑗 He lifted the little girl up so that she could see the procession. 쑗 He hurt his back lifting the box down from the shelf. 2. to remove 쑗 The government has lifted the ban on selling guns. 3. to go away 쑗 The fog had lifted by lunchtime. 4. to copy 쑗 Whole sections of his book were lifted from one I wrote two years ago. lift-off / lft ɒf/ noun the act of sending a spacecraft up into the air lift shaft / lft ʃɑ ft/ noun a hole inside a building in which a lift moves up and down ligament / lDZəmənt/ noun a thick band of fibrous tissue which connects the bones at a joint ① light /lat/ noun 1. brightness, the opposite of darkness 쑗 I can’t read the map by the light of the moon. 쑗 There’s not enough light to take a photo. 왍 to stand in someone’s light to stand between someone and where the light is coming from 2. an electric bulb which gives light 쑗 Turn the light on – I can’t see to read. 쑗 It’s dangerous to ride a bicycle with no lights. 쑗 In the fog, I could just see the red lights of the car in front of me. 왍 there’s light at the end of the tunnel there is some hope that everything will be all right (informal ) 3. a way of making something such as a cigarette start to burn 쑗 Can you give me a light? or do you have a light? 4. 왍 to cast or throw light on something to make something easier to understand 쑗 The papers throw light on how the minister reached his decision. 왍 to come to light to be discovered 쑗 Documents have come to light which could help the police in their investigations. 왍 in the light of something when something is considered 쑗 In the light . light aircraft 490 of the reports in the press, can the minister explain his decision? 쐽 verb 1. to start to burn, to make something start to burn 쑗 He is trying to get the fire to light. 쑗 Can you light the candles on the birthday cake? 쑗 He couldn’t get the fire to light. 쑗 Light a candle – it’s dark in the cellar. 2. to give light to something 쑗 The full moon lit the village, so we could see the church clearly. 쑗 Floodlights were brought in to light the accident site. (NOTE: lighting – lit /lt/) 쐽 adj 1. not heavy 쑗 I can lift this box easily – it’s quite light or it’s as light as a feather. 쑗 You need light clothing for tropical countries. 쑗 She’s just been ill, and can only do light work. 2. pale 쑗 He was wearing a light green shirt. 쑗 I prefer a light carpet to a dark one. 3. having a lot of light so that you can see well 쑗 The big windows make the kitchen very light. 쑗 It was six o’clock in the morning and just getting light. 4. not very serious 쑗 I like to listen to light music when I am doing the cooking. 쑗 She took some detective novels as light reading on the train. (NOTE: lighter – lightest) 쐽 adv 왍 to travel light to travel with very little luggage 쑗 If you’re hitching across Australia, it’s best to travel light. light aircraft /lat eəkrɑ ft/ noun a small plane ③ light bulb / lat blb/ noun a glass ball which gives electric light lighten / latn/ verb 1. to make or become brighter, not so dark 쑗 You can lighten the room by painting it white. 쑗 The sky lightened as dawn broke. 2. to make or become lighter, not so heavy 쑗 I’ll have to lighten my backpack – it’s much too heavy. 3. to make someone happier, less gloomy 쑗 The news has lightened the gloom in the office considerably. light entertainment /lat entətenmənt/ noun entertainment that is not serious, usually involving things such as telling jokes, singing, dancing or popular music lighter / latə/ noun 1. a small object used for lighting things such as cigarettes 쑗 Can I borrow your lighter? – mine has run out of gas. 2. a boat for carrying goods from a large ship to land 쑗 Cranes were unloading the cargo into lighters. 쐽 adj 쒁 light light-fingered /lat fŋDZəd/ adj who tends to steal things light-headed /lat hedd/ adj with the feeling that you are going to fall down light-hearted /lat hɑ td/ adj happy, not very serious light heavyweight / lat hevwet/ noun the weight of boxer above middleweight and below heavyweight lighthouse / lathaυs/ noun a tall building near the sea containing a bright light to show like ships where there rocks (NOTE: The plural is lighthouses / lathaυzz/.) light industry /lat ndəstri/ noun an industry which makes small products, such as clothes, books or things you use in the home ③ lighting / latŋ/ noun the light in a place. Synonym illumination lightly / latli/ adv 1. gently, without force 쑗 She touched my arm lightly. 쑗 I always sleep lightly and wake up several times each night. 2. not severely 왍 she was lucky to get off so lightly she was lucky not to be punished 3. without much rich food 쑗 She always eats lightly at lunchtime. 4. not very much 쑗 some lightly cooked vegetables ② lightning / latnŋ/ noun 1. a flash of electricity in the sky, followed by thunder 쑗 The storm approached with thunder and lightning. 2. 왍 like lightning very fast 쑗 Deer can run like lightning. light-sensitive /lat senstv/ adj which reacts to light light socket / lat sɒkt/ noun the part of a lamp where the bulb is fitted ③ light up /lat p/ verb 1. to make something bright 쑗 The flames from the burning petrol store lit up the night sky. 쑗 The firework display lit up the gardens and the lake. 2. to become bright and happy 쑗 Her face lit up when she saw the presents under the Christmas tree. 3. to start to smoke 쑗 Please do not light up until coffee has been served. lightweight / latwet/ adj 1. made of light cloth 쑗 At last we have some hot weather and a chance to wear lightweight clothes. 2. without much influence or importance 쑗 He’s quite sensible, but only a lightweight member of the committee. 쐽 noun a weight of a boxer between featherweight and welterweight 쑗 the lightweight champion 쑗 a lightweight title fight ③ light year / lat jə/ noun 1. the distance travelled by light during one year,equal to about 9.3 billion kilometres 쑗 Stars are light years from earth. 2. 왍 light years apart very different 쑗 The new model is light years in advance of its competitors. ① like /lak/ adj similar, nearly the same 쑗 sociology, psychology and like subjects. Antonym dissimilar 쐽 prep 1. similar to, in the same way as 쑗 What’s that record? – it sounds like Elgar. 쑗 He’s like his mother in many ways, but he has his father’s nose. 쑗 Like you, I don’t get on with the new boss. 쑗 The picture doesn’t look like him at all. 쑗 He can swim like a fish. 쑗 It tastes like strawberries. 왍 it feels like snow it feels as if it is going to snow 왍 do you feel like a cup of coffee? do you want a cup of coffee? 2. asking someone to describe something 쑗 What was the weather like when you were on holiday? 쑗 What’s he like, her new boyfriend? 쐽 likeable 491 adv 왍 as like as not probably 쑗 As like as not, Dan will arrive late. 쐽 conj in the same way as 쑗 She looks just like I did at her age. 쐽 verb 1. to have pleasant feelings about something or someone 쑗 Do you like the new manager? 쑗 She doesn’t like eating meat. 쑗 How does he like his new job? 쑗 No one likes driving in rush hour traffic. 쑗 In the evening, I like to sit quietly and read the newspaper. 2. to want 쑗 I’d like you to meet one of our sales executives. 쑗 I’d like to go to Paris next week. 쑗 Take as many apples as you like. 쐽 noun 1. a thing which you like 쑗 We try to take account of the likes and dislikes of individual customers. 2. 왍 the likes of someone like 쑗 The likes of him should not be allowed in. likeable / lakəb(ə)l/ adj pleasant likelihood / laklihυd/ noun the chance of something happening. Synonym probability ① likely / lakli/ adj which you think is going to happen 쑗 It’s likely to snow this weekend. 쑗 He’s not likely to come to the party. 쑗 Is that at all likely? (NOTE: likelier – likeliest) 쐽 adv probably 쑗 Most likely he’s gone home. 왍 not likely! certainly not 쑗 Are you going to the office party? – Not likely! like-minded /lak mandd/ adj who has the same opinions liken / lakən/ verb 왍 to liken something to something to compare two things, by showing how one is similar to the other 쑗 Can I liken her to a ray of sunlight? 쑗 He likened being tackled by the South African forward to being hit by a rhino. likeness / laknəs/ noun 1. a picture or other object which looks like someone 쑗 The sketch is an astonishing likeness of grandmother. 2. the fact of being like someone else 쑗 There is a strong family likeness in all the children. (NOTE: The plural is likenesses.) likewise / lakwaz/ adv in the same way. Synonym similarly ③ liking / lakŋ/ noun a pleasant feeling towards someone or something 왍 to take a liking to someone to start to like someone 쑗 The manager has taken a liking to her. lilac / lalək/ noun 1. a tree with purple or white flowers 쑗 They have a pretty lilac in their front garden. 2. a pale purple colour 쑗 They painted the bathroom a deep lilac. 쐽 adj pale purple 쑗 She wore a lilac dress and gloves. lilt /llt/ noun a way of speaking or singing with a light well-marked rhythm. Synonym intonation lilting / lltŋ/ adj which has a lilt lily / lli/ noun a type of flower shaped like a trumpet, which grows from a bulb (NOTE: The plural is lilies.) limitation lily-of-the-valley /lli əv ðə vli/ noun a spring plant which has small bell-shaped white flowers and a pleasant smell (NOTE: The plural is lilies-of-the-valley or lily-of-the-valley.) ③ limb /lm/ noun 1. a leg or arm 쑗 He was lucky not to break a limb in the accident. 왍 danger to life and limb danger that someone may be hurt 쑗 When he’s on his motorbike he’s a danger to life and limb. 2. a branch of a tree 왍 out on a limb in a difficult situation 쑗 He feels out on a limb, with no one to share responsibility for running the company. limber / lmbə/ verb 왍 to limber up to do exercises to warm your muscles before playing a sport 쑗 The athletes were limbering up before the race. limbo / lmbəυ/ noun 1. a place between heaven and hell, where people who are not baptised are said to go when they die 쑗 In medieval times, some poor souls were condemned to wander in limbo for ever. 2. the position of being halfway between two stages 쑗 After losing his seat in the election he now finds himself in political limbo. limbo dancing / lmbəυ dɑ nsŋ/ noun a West Indian dance where the dancer bends his or her body backwards to pass under a low horizontal bar lime /lam/ noun 1. a white substance containing calcium, used in making cement 쑗 The builder ordered some bags of lime. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a small yellowish-green tropical fruit like a lemon or the tree which bears such fruit 쑗 You need the juice of two limes to make this recipe. lime green /lam DZri n/ adj, noun the bright green colour of lime, the fruit limelight / lamlat/ noun attention or publicity limerick / lmərk/ noun a type of funny poem with five lines limestone / lamstəυn/ noun a common white sedimentary rock lime tree /lam tri /, lime /lam/ noun a northern tree with yellowish flowers and smooth leaves which fall off in the winter ② limit / lmt/ noun the furthest point beyond which you cannot go 왍 over the limit with more alcohol in your blood than is allowed by law 쑗 The breath test showed he was way over the limit. 왍 within limits in a way which is not extreme 쑗 We’re prepared to help you within limits. 왍 that’s the limit! that’s too much, that’s more than I can stand! 쐽 verb not to allow something to go beyond a certain point 쑗 Her parents limited the number of evenings she could go out. 쑗 The treasurer wants to limit expenditure on flowers. Synonym control. Antonym deregulate ③ limitation /lm teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of limiting someone or something 2. a limited 492 thing which stops you going further 쑗 the limitations of a machine 왍 to know your limitations to know what you are capable of doing 쑗 I’d love to go hang-gliding but I know my limitations. 3. 왍 statute of limitations law which allows only a certain amount of time, usually six years, for someone to start a legal case to claim damages ② limited / lmtd/ adj which has been limited limited company /lmtd kmp(ə)ni/, limited liability company /lmtd laəblti kmp(ə)ni/ noun a private company in which the shareholders are only responsible for the company’s debts up to the amount of capital they have put in (NOTE: Limited companies are abbreviated to Ltd in the company name: Jones & Black, Ltd.) limited edition /lmtd  dʃ(ə)n/ noun something of which only a few copies are printed or made, usually no more than 1,000 limiting / lmtŋ/ adj which limits 왍 limiting factor something which sets a limit to something 쑗 The size of the room is a limiting factor – it will only hold fifty people. 쑗 The limiting factor is the amount of money we can allocate to the project. limitless / lmtləs/ adj without any limit. Antonym limited limousine /lmə zi n/, limo / lməυ/ noun a large expensive car, especially one that is longer than usual limp /lmp/ noun an uneven way of walking, when one leg hurts or is shorter than the other 쑗 His limp has improved since his operation. 쐽 verb to walk in a way which is affected by having an injured leg or foot 쑗 After the accident she limped badly. Synonym hobble 쐽 adj soft, not stiff 쑗 All we had as a salad was two limp lettuce leaves. 쑗 He gave me a limp handshake. 쑗 She went limp and we had to give her a glass of water. limpet / lmpt/ noun a small shellfish shaped like a flat cone, which attaches itself firmly to rocks limply / lmpli/ adv in a limp way linchpin / lntʃpn/ noun 1. a pin which goes through an axle to hold a wheel on 2. a person or part of a machine that is very important linctus / lŋktəs/ noun a sweet cough medicine ① line /lan/ noun 1. a long thin mark 쑗 She drew a straight line across the sheet of paper. 쑗 Parking isn’t allowed on yellow lines. 쑗 The tennis ball went over the line. 왍 to draw the line at to refuse to do 쑗 I don’t mind having a cup of coffee with the boss, but I draw the line at having to invite him for a meal at home. 2. a long string 쑗 She hung her washing on the (washing) line. 쑗 He sat with his fishing line in the river, waiting for a fish. linen 3. a wire along which telephone messages are sent 쑗 The snow brought down the telephone lines. 쑗 Can you speak louder – the line is bad. 왍 to be on the line to be talking to someone on the telephone 쑗 Don’t interrupt – I’m on the line to New York. 쑗 Do you want to speak to Charles while he’s on the line? 4. a long row of people or things 쑗 We had to stand in (a) line for half an hour to get into the exhibition. 쑗 The line of lorries stretched for miles at the frontier. 5. a row of written or printed words 쑗 He printed the first two lines and showed them to me. 쑗 Can you read the bottom line on the chart? 왍 to drop someone a line to send someone a short letter (informal ) 쑗 I’ll drop you a line when I get to New York. 6. 왍 lines words learnt and then spoken by an actor 쑗 He forgot his lines and had to be prompted. 7. a way of doing things 왍 in line with according to 쑗 We acted in line with the decision taken at the meeting. 왍 to take a hard line not to be weak 쑗 The headmaster takes a hard line with boys who sell drugs in the playground. 8. a type of work 쑗 What’s his line of business? 9. a series of different products, all sold or made by the same company 쑗 We sell several lines of refrigerators. 쑗 I’m afraid we don’t stock that line any more. 쐽 verb 1. to stand side by side in a line 쑗 Soldiers were lining the streets. 2. to put a lining inside something, especially a piece of clothing 쑗 His jacket is lined with red silk. lineage / landȢ/ noun all the people of someone’s family who lived before they did, used especially when you are referring to a family of high social status. Synonym . ancestry linear / lniə/ adj 1. referring to lines 쑗 a linear diagram 2. referring to length 쑗 A metre is a linear measurement. ③ lined /land/ adj 1. with lines on it 2. with people or things standing side by side 왍 an avenue lined with trees, a tree-lined avenue an street with trees along both sides 3. with a lining inside 쑗 You’ll need fur-lined boots in Canada. lined paper /land pepə/ noun paper with lines printed on it line drawing / lan drɔ ŋ/ noun a picture which has been drawn with a pen or pencil and shows only lines line manager / lan mndȢə/ noun a manager in a company who is involved in production or the central part of the business and who is in charge of the employees in that part of the company linen / lnn/ noun 1. a cloth made from flax 쑗 He bought a white linen suit. 2. underwear 쑗 You should change your linen more often in hot weather. 왍 to wash your dirty linen in public to tell personal secrets about your- liner 493 self and your family 쑗 Politicians try to be careful not to wash their dirty linen in public. liner / lanə/ noun 1. a thing used for lining 2. 왍 eye liner makeup for putting round the eyes 3. a large passenger ship 쑗 They went on a cruise round the Caribbean on an American liner. linesman / lanzmən/ noun 1. a man who looks after electric, telephone or railway lines 쑗 The linesmen struggled for days to restore power to the areas that had been cut off by the storm. (NOTE: The US term is lineman.) 2. an official who stays on the side of the playing area in a game to see if the ball goes over the line, and helps the referee to spot any breaking of the rules 쑗 After consulting with his linesman, the referee awarded a free kick. 쑗 The linesman flagged that the ball had gone out of play. (NOTE: The plural is linesmen.) line up /lan p/ verb to stand in a line Line up over there if you want to take the next boat. line-up / lan p/ noun a group or list of people ③ linger / lŋDZə/ verb to stay longer than necessary, longer than expected lingerie / lnȢəri/ noun women’s underwear lingering / lŋDZərŋ/ adj which remains for some time ③ linguist / lŋDZwst/ noun 1. a person who knows foreign languages well 쑗 Only the very best linguists can hope to become interpreters for the EU. 2. a person who studies linguistics 쑗 Linguists have discovered similarities between Sanskrit and ancient Greek. ③ linguistic /lŋ DZwstk/ adj referring to language or languages ③ linguistics /lŋ DZwstks/ noun the science of language lining / lanŋ/ noun material put on the inside of something, especially of a piece of clothing 쑗 You’ll need a coat with a warm lining if you’re going to Canada in winter. 쑗 She has a pair of boots with a fur lining. 왍 every cloud has a silver lining although a situation may seem bad there is always some aspect of it which is good ② link /lŋk/ noun 1. a thing which connects two things or places 쑗 The Channel Tunnel provides a fast rail link between England and France. 2. one of the rings in a chain 쑗 A chain with solid gold links. 쐽 verb to join together 쑗 They linked arms and walked down the street. 쑗 His salary is linked to the cost of living. 쑗 All the rooms are linked to the main switchboard. 쑗 Eurostar links London and Paris or Brussels. Synonym connect linking verb / lŋkŋ v" b/ noun same as ③ 쑗 copula liquidation link up /lŋk p/ verb to join two or more things together 쑗 We have been able to link up all our computers to form a network. link-up / lŋk p/ noun a connection between two things linoleum /l nəυliəm/ noun a hard smooth floor covering, made in large rolls lion / laən/ noun 1. a large wild animal of the cat family 쑗 Lions can be seen in African safari parks. (NOTE: The female is a lioness and the young are cubs.) 2. 왍 the lion’s share the biggest part 쑗 Pat took £750, the lion’s share of the £1000 prize. lioness / laənes/ noun a female lion ② lip /lp/ noun 1. one of the two fleshy parts forming the outside of the mouth 쑗 Put some cream on your lips to stop them getting chapped. 왍 to lick your lips to show that you expect something to be enjoyable 쑗 They licked their lips when they saw the cakes. 왍 my lips are sealed I have promised not to say anything 2. the edge of a round deep container such as a cup 쑗 There’s a chip on the lip of that cup. 3. the edge of a round deep hole in the ground 쑗 They stood on the lip of the crater and looked down into the volcano. lip-read / lp ri d/ verb (of a deaf person) to understand what someone says by watching the movements of his or her lips (NOTE: lip-reading – lip-read / lpred/) lip service / lp s" vs/ noun 왍 to pay lip service to something to appear to respect or obey something when in fact you do not 쑗 The management pays lip service to sexual equality, but none of the directors is a woman. 쑗 He pays lip service to the party’s ideas but in reality does very much what he wants. ② lipstick / lpstk/ noun a substance for colouring the lips liquefy / lkwfa/ verb to become liquid. Antonym solidify liqueur /l kjυə, l k" / noun strong sweet alcohol, made from fruit or herbs liquid / lkwd/ noun a substance like water, which flows easily and which is neither a gas nor a solid 쑗 You will need to drink more liquids in hot weather. Synonym fluid 쐽 adj which is neither gas nor solid, and which flows easily 쑗 a bottle of liquid soap liquid assets /lkwd sets/ plural noun cash, or items which can easily be changed into cash liquidate / lkwdet/ verb 왍 to liquidate a company to close a company and sell everything it owns 쑗 The bank has decided to liquidate the company rather than to try and sell it as a going concern. liquidation /lkw deʃ(ə)n/ noun the closing of a company and selling of everything it owns. Synonym insolvency 왍 the ③ liquidator 494 company went into liquidation the company was closed and everything which it owned was sold liquidator / lkwdetə/ noun a person named to be in charge of the closing of a company which is in liquidation liquidise / lkwdaz/, liquidize verb to crush food such as fruit or vegetables in a special machine so that they become liquid liquidity /l kwdti/ noun having cash or assets which can be changed into cash liquidiser / lkwdazə/, liquidizer noun a machine which makes food liquid liquor / lkə/ noun an alcoholic drink liquorice / lkərs/ noun a black substance from the root of a plant, used to make sweets and also in medicine (NOTE: The US spelling is licorice.) liquor licence / lkə las(ə)ns/ noun an official document which gives someone permission to sell alcohol liquor store / lkə stɔ / noun US a shop which sells alcohol (NOTE: The British term is off-licence.) lisp /lsp/ noun a speech difficulty in which ‘s’ is pronounced as ‘th’ 쑗 She speaks with a lisp. 쐽 verb to speak with a lisp 쑗 He lisps, which makes him difficult to understand. ① list /lst/ noun 1. a number of things such as names or addresses, written or said one after another 쑗 We’ve drawn up a list of people to invite to the party. 쑗 He was ill, so we crossed his name off the list. 쑗 The names on the list are in alphabetical order. 왍 to be on the sick list to be reported sick 왍 to be on the danger or critical list to be dangerously ill 쑗 After the accident, she was on the critical list for some hours. 2. a book or document containing information in the form of a list 3. a situation where a boat leans to one side 쑗 The trawler had taken in water and had developed a 5° list. 쐽 verb 1. to say or to write a number of things one after the other 쑗 The contents are listed on the label. 쑗 She listed the ingredients on the back of an envelope. 쑗 The catalogue lists twenty-three models of washing machine. 2. (of a ship) to lean to one side 쑗 The ship was listing badly and the crew had to be taken off by helicopter. listed building /lstd bldŋ/ noun GB a building which is considered important because of its architecture or history, and which cannot be taken down or changed without the permission of the local authority ① listen / ls(ə)n/ verb to pay attention to someone who is talking or to something which you can hear 쑗 Don’t make a noise – I’m trying to listen to a music programme. 쑗 Why don’t you listen to what I tell you? 왍 to listen out for to wait to see if something makes a noise 쑗 Can you listen out for the telephone while I’m in the garden? literature listener / ls(ə)nə/ noun a person who listens listing / lstŋ/ noun a published list of information listless / lst(ə)ləs/ adj with no energy, weak and tired. Synonym languid. Antonym energetic listlessly / lstləsli/ adv in a way which shows lack of energy listlessness / lstləsnəs/ noun being generally weak and tired list price / lst pras/ noun a price of something as shown in acatalogue listserv / lsts" v/ noun an Internet service allowing users to have online discussions ③ lit /lt/ 쒁 light -lit /lt/ suffix showing where light comes from litany / ltəni/ noun 1. a series of prayers with repeated responses, used in church 쑗 The priest and congregation recited the litany. 2. 왍 a litany of a long list of 쑗 She started on a litany of complaints about the service. litchi / latʃi /, lichee, lychee noun a small subtropical fruit with a hard red skin and a soft white flesh surrounding a hard shiny brown seed lite /lat/ adj low in calories, sugar, fat, or alcohol literacy / lt(ə)rəsi/ noun being able to read and write. Synonym knowledge ③ literal / lt(ə)rəl/ adj keeping to the exact meaning of the original words 쑗 A literal translation usually sounds odd. 쐽 noun a mistake made when typing or keyboarding, especially where one letter is put in place of another 쑗 The reviewer found hundreds of literals in the index – who was the proofreader? ② literally / lt(ə)rəli/ adv 1. in a literal way 쑗 She translated the text literally. 2. in a way that is extreme 쑗 She was literally horrified by the question. ② literary / lt(ə)rəri/ adj referring to literature literary criticism /lt(ə)rəri krtsz(ə)m/ noun assessment of the quality of works of literature literate / lt(ə)rət/ adj able to read and write 쑗 Most people in Britain are literate. 쑗 When he left school he was barely literate. ② literature / lt(ə)rətʃə/ noun 1. books or writing, especially when considered to be of high quality 쑗 She’s studying English and American literature. 2. what has been written on a particular subject 쑗 He knows the literature on Roman Britain very well. 3. written information about something 쑗 Do you have lithe 495 any literature on holidays in Greece? (NOTE: no plural) lithe /lað/ adj able to bend your body easily. Synonym supple lithograph / lθəDZrɑ f/ noun a print made by pressing paper onto a smooth surface where the design has been made in grease and ink has been put on it litigate / ltDZet/ verb to go to law, to bring a legal case against someone to have a disagreement settled litigation /lt DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun an act of bringing a legal case against someone in order to have a disagreement settled (NOTE: no plural) ③ litre / li tə/ noun a measurement for liquids, equal to about one and three-quarter pints (NOTE: usually written l or L after figures: 25 l, say ‘twenty-five litres’. The US spelling is liter.) litter / ltə/ noun 1. rubbish left on streets or in public places 쑗 The council tries to keep the main street clear of litter. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a group of young animals born at one time 쑗 She had a litter of eight puppies. 쐽 verb to drop rubbish in a place 쑗 The street was littered with bits of paper. litter bin / ltə bn/ noun a metal container in the street for putting litter in ① little / lt(ə)l/ adj 1. small, not big 쑗 They have two children – a baby boy and a little girl. (NOTE: no comparative or superlative forms in this sense) 2. not much 쑗 We drink very little milk. 쑗 A TV uses very little electricity. 쑗 He looked at it for a little while. (NOTE: little – less – least /li st/) 쐽 pron 왍 a little a small quantity 쑗 I’m not hungry – just give me a little of that soup. 쑗 Can I have a little more coffee please? 쐽 adv not much; not often 쑗 It’s little more than two miles from the sea. 쑗 We go to the cinema very little these days. little by little /lt(ə)l ba lt(ə)l/ adv gradually little finger / lt(ə)l fŋDZə/ noun the smallest of the five fingers 왍 she can twist him round her little finger she can get him to do whatever she wants little toe / lt(ə)l təυ/ noun the smallest of the five toes livable / lvəb(ə)l/ adj 1. comfortable to live in 2. which you can bear ① live adj /lav/ 1. living, not dead 쑗 There are strict rules about transporting live animals. 쑗 Guess who’s moved to the house next door? – a real live TV star. 2. carrying electricity 쑗 Don’t touch the live wires. 쑗 The boys were killed trying to jump over the live rail. 3. not recorded 쑗 a live radio show 쐽 adv /lav/ not recorded 쑗 The show was live wire broadcast live. 쐽 verb /lv/ 1. to have your home in a place 쑗 They have gone to live in France. 쑗 Do you prefer living in the country to the town? 쑗 He lives next door to a film star. 쑗 Where does your daughter live? 2. to be alive 쑗 King Henry VIII lived in the 16th century. 쑗 The doctor doesn’t think she will live much longer. live down /lv daυn/ verb to stop being embarrassed by something which has finally been forgotten by everyone 왍 he’ll never live it down it will never be forgotten ③ live in /lv n/ verb to live in the building where you work live-in / lv n/ adj who lives in the place of work livelihood / lavlihυd/ noun a way of earning your living liveliness / lavlinəs/ noun the state of being energetic and enthusiastic. Antonym lethargy ③ lively / lavli/ adj very active. Synonym energetic. Antonym lethargic (NOTE: livelier – liveliest) liven up /lav(ə)n p/ verb to make something more lively. Synonym enliven ③ live off / lv ɒf/ verb to earn money from ③ live on / lv ɒn/ verb to use food or money to stay alive liver / lvə/ noun 1. a large organ in the abdomen which helps your body to process food and cleans the blood 쑗 Her liver was damaged in the car crash. 2. animal’s liver used as food 쑗 I’ll start with chicken liver pâté. 쑗 He looked at the menu and ordered liver and bacon. live rail / lav rel/ noun a rail which carries electricity for electric trains livery / lvəri/ noun 1. special clothing of a group of servants or of an organisation 쑗 Every employee has to wear the hotel’s distinctive livery. 2. a special design used to show that something belongs to an organisation 쑗 British Airways have changed the livery of all their planes. 3. looking after horses for payment ③ lives /lavz/ 쒁 life livestock / lavstɒk/ noun farm animals, which are kept to produce meat, milk or other products (NOTE: no plural) ③ live through / lv θru / verb to experience something dangerous ③ live together / lv təDZeðə/ verb (of two people) to live in the same house and have a sexual relationship ③ live up /lv p/ verb 왍 to live up to expectations to succeed as was expected 쑗 The film didn’t live up to the hype that preceded it. live wire /lav waə/ noun a very lively person (informal ) . live with 496 ③ live with / lv wð/ verb 1. to put up with something 쑗 As for aircraft noise – you’ll just have to live with it. 2. 왍 to live with someone to live in the same house as someone else as if married 쑗 He lives with a writer of children’s books. livid / lvd/ adj 1. dark blue grey like the colour of lead 쑗 The livid bruise on her eye where he had hit her. 2. extremely angry 쑗 Her father was livid when he heard she had spent the night with her boyfriend. ② living / lvŋ/ adj alive 쑗 Does she have any living relatives? 왍 within living memory which can be remembered by people who are alive today 쑗 An old farmhouse stood near the church within living memory. 쐽 noun 1. money that you need for things such as food and clothes 쑗 He earns his living by selling postcards to tourists. 왍 what do you do for a living? what job do you do? 왍 not earn a living wage not earn enough to pay for the things you need such as food, heating and rent 2. 왍 cost of living money which a person has to pay for things such as food, heating and rent 쑗 Higher interest rates increase the cost of living. ② living room / lvŋ ru m/ noun (in a house or flat) a comfortable room for sitting in living standards / lvŋ stndədz/ plural noun the quality of personal home life, such as the amount and quality of food or clothes you can buy or the type of car you own 쑗 As long as living standards continue to improve, everyone is happy. (NOTE: also the standard of living) ③ lizard / lzəd/ noun a type of small reptile with four legs and a long tail llama / lɑ mə/ noun an animal of the camel family, with thick hair, found in South America (NOTE: Do not confuse the spelling with lama. Note also that it is usually pronounced / lɑ mə/ but that in South America it is / jɑ mə/.) lo /ləυ/ interj ‘look’ 왍 lo and behold! used to introduce something you think is surprising 쑗 We had been waiting for hours for a bus when, lo and behold, three came together. 쑗 I turned round, and lo and behold the keys had disappeared. ② load /ləυd/ noun 1. heavy objects which are carried in a vehicle such as truck 쑗 The lorry delivered a load of bricks. 2. a responsibility, thing which is difficult to live with 왍 that’s a load off my mind I feel much less worried 쑗 I’ve finished my exams – that’s a load off my mind. 3. 왍 loads of plenty, lots of (informal ) 쑗 It was a wonderful party – there was loads to eat. 쑗 You don’t need to rush – there’s loads of time before the train leaves. 쑗 John always has loads of good ideas. 쐽 verb 1. to put something, especially some. lob thing heavy, into or on to a vehicle such as a truck or van 쑗 They loaded the furniture into the van. 2. to put bullets into a gun, or a film into a camera 쑗 They loaded their guns and hid behind the wall. 3. to put a program into a computer 쑗 Load the word-processing program before you start keyboarding. loaded / ləυdd/ adj 1. having a lot of money 쑗 Chris is loaded – he won the lottery! 2. referring to a gun which contains bullets or a camera which contains a film 왍 loaded dice dice which have a secret weight in them loaded question /ləυdd kwestʃ(ə)n/ noun a question which is asked in such a way as to trick the person who answers loaf /ləυf/ noun 1. a large single piece of bread, which you can cut into slices before eating it 쑗 He bought a loaf of bread at the baker’s. 쑗 We eat about 10 loaves of bread per week. 2. a head, brains (informal ) 쑗 Use your loaf – it’s obvious what she wants. . (NOTE: From loaf of bread which means ‘head’ in rhyming slang; see also rhyming slang.) 쐽 verb 왍 to loaf around to hang around, doing nothing 쑗 He hasn’t any proper job and just loafs around Leicester Square all day. loafer / ləυfə/ trademark a type of light casual shoe which you slide your foot into 쑗 He wore jeans and a pair of brown loafers. 쐽 noun a person who does nothing all day 쑗 There was no one in the square except a couple of loafers sitting on benches. loam /ləυm/ noun good dark soil which is very good for growing plants in loamy / ləυmi/ adj (of soil ) which is like loam ② loan /ləυn/ noun 1. the act of lending 쑗 I had the loan of his car for three weeks. 왍 on loan being lent 쑗 The picture is on loan to the National Gallery. 2. a thing lent, especially an amount of money 쑗 He bought the house with a £100,000 loan from the bank. 쐽 verb to lend 쑗 The furniture for the exhibition has been loaned by the museum. loan shark / ləυn ʃɑ k/ noun a person who lends money at a very high interest rate loath /ləυθ/ adj 왍 to be loath to do something to be unwilling to do something 쑗 Personally, I’m very loath to get involved. loathe /ləυð/ verb to hate very much. Synonym detest. Antonym adore loathing / ləυðŋ/ noun a feeling of disgust. Synonym hate loathsome / ləυðs(ə)m/ adj disgusting and horrible. Synonym hateful. Antonym . delightful loaves /ləυvz/ 쒁 loaf lob /lɒb/ noun a ball which is hit or thrown high into the air 쑗 His lob fell just over the lobby 497 baseline. 쐽 verb to throw or hit a ball slowly high into the air 쑗 He lobbed a ball at his sister. (NOTE: lobbing – lobbed) lobby / lɒbi/ noun 1. an entrance hall 쑗 I’ll meet you in the hotel lobby in half an hour. 2. a group of people who try to influence important people, especially members of parliament 쑗 The MPs met members of the anti-abortion lobby. 3. the hall in the House of Commons used especially for interviews with members of the public 쐽 verb to try to influence someone, especially in order to get a bill through Parliament 쑗 She lobbied her MP with a detailed letter and other documents. Synonym petition (NOTE: lobbying – lobbied) lobby correspondent / lɒbi kɒrspɒndənt/ noun a journalist who reports on parliamentary matters, after speaking in private to ministers lobbyist / lɒbist/ noun a person who is paid to represent a pressure group lobe /ləυb/ noun 1. the soft fleshy part at the bottom of the ear 쑗 He has a ring in his right ear lobe. 2. a round section of an organ, such as the brain, lung or liver 쑗 The right lung has three lobes, the left only two. 쑗 The surgeon could see that the right frontal lobe of the brain was affected. lobster / lɒbstə/ noun a shellfish with a long body, two large claws, and eight legs; the flesh of this shellfish used as food ① local adj / ləυk(ə)l/ referring to a place or district near where you are 쑗 She works as a nurse in the local hospital. 쑗 The local paper comes out on Fridays. 쑗 She was formerly the headmistress of the local school. 쐽 noun 1. 왍 locals people who live in the area 쑗 The locals don’t like all the rich people who have weekend cottages in the village. 쑗 The restaurant caters for the tourist trade rather than for the locals. 2. a pub near where you live 쑗 You can find him in his local every evening. local anaesthetic /ləυk(ə)l nəs θetk/ noun a substance which removes the feeling in a certain part of the body only local area network /ləυk(ə)l eəriə/ noun a network of personal computers within a small area local authority /ləυk(ə)l ɔ θɒrti/ noun a section of elected government which runs a town or district local colour /ləυk(ə)l klə/ noun entertaining or unusual details which go with a certain place locale /ləυ kɑ l/ noun a place where something happens in a film or book ③ local government /ləυk(ə)l DZv(ə)nmənt/ noun organisations dealing with the matters of small areas of the country, such as towns and counties locket localised / ləυkəlazd/, localized adj which happens or shows in one part of the body only. Antonym generalised locality /ləυ klti/ noun an area of the country or district of a town (formal ) 왍 in the locality near by 쑗 There are two theatres and four cinemas in the locality. ② locally / ləυk(ə)li/ adv in the district near where you are. Synonym nearby local time / ləυk(ə)l tam/ noun the time of day in a particular place ③ locate /ləυ ket/ verb 1. to find the position of something 쑗 Divers are trying to locate the Spanish galleon. 2. 왍 to be located to be in a particular position 쑗 The heart is located in the left side of the body. 쑗 The warehouse is located near to the motorway. ② location /ləυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a place or position 쑗 The hotel is in a very central location. 2. 왍 on location (filming) in a real place, not in a studio 쑗 The film was shot on location in North Africa. 3. finding the position of something loch /lɒx/ noun (in Scotland ) an inland lake or arm of the sea ② lock /lɒk/ noun 1. an object which closes a door or closes a container such as a box, so that you can only open it with a key 쑗 She left the key in the lock, so the burglars got in easily. 쑗 We changed the locks on the doors after a set of keys were stolen. 왍 under lock and key locked up firmly 쑗 We keep our jewels safely under lock and key. 2. an amount by which the wheels of a car can turn left or right 쑗 The car has an excellent lock – it turns easily in a narrow road. 3. a section of a canal or river with gates which can be opened or closed to control the flow of water, and so allow boats to move up or down to different levels 쑗 They passed through dozens of locks on their trip down the Thames. 4. 왍 lock, stock and barrel everything all together 쐽 verb 1. to close a door or a container such as a box, so that you need to use a key to open it 쑗 I forgot to lock the safe. 쑗 We always lock the front door before we go to bed. 2. to fix or to become fixed in a certain position 쑗 The wheels suddenly locked as he went round the corner. lockable / lɒkəb(ə)l/ adj which can be locked ② locked /lɒkt/ adj which has been shut with a key ③ locker / lɒkə/ noun a small cupboard for personal things which you can close with a key locker-room / lɒkə ru m/ noun a room where people can change clothes before going to play a game locket / lɒkt/ noun a piece of jewellery which consists of a small case that you can . . lock in 498 keep a picture in, attached to a chain which is worn round the neck ③ lock in /lɒk n/ verb to make someone stay inside a place by locking the door ③ lock out /lɒk aυt/ verb to make someone stay outside a place by locking the door lockout / lɒkaυt/ noun a time where an employer locks the door of the factory and refuses to let the workers enter unless they agree to his conditions ③ lock up /lɒk p/ verb 1. to close a building by locking the doors 쑗 He always locks up before he goes home. 쑗 She was locking up the shop when a man walked in. 2. to keep a person or thing inside a place or container by locking the door or lid 쑗 Lock up the jewels in the safe or lock the jewels up in the safe. 3. to put someone in prison 쑗 They locked him up for a week. lockup / lɒkp/ noun a small prison cell (dated ) 쑗 The police arrested the three boys and put them in the lockup overnight. locomotive /ləυkə məυtv/ noun the engine of a train. Synonym engine locum / ləυkəm/ noun a person who does the work of a doctor who is away on holiday locust / ləυkəst/ noun a tropical insect, like a large grasshopper, which destroys crops lode /ləυd/ noun a band of metal ore in rocks lodge /lɒdȢ/ noun a small house at the gates of a large building 쑗 If the lodge is as big as that, just imagine the size of the main house! 쐽 verb 1. to rent a room in a house 쑗 He lodges with Mrs Bishop in London Road. 2. 왍 to lodge a complaint against someone to make an official complaint about someone (formal ) 쑗 They lodged a complaint with the local electricity company. 왍 to lodge something with someone to leave something with someone to look after for you 쑗 They lodged all the documents with the solicitor. 3. to become stuck 쑗 A piece of bread was lodged in her windpipe. 쑗 The bullet was lodged in his spine. lodger / lɒdȢə/ noun a person who pays to stay in a room in a house. Synonym tenant lodging / lɒdȢŋ/ noun a place where someone lodges lodgings / lɒdȢŋz/ plural noun rooms in a house where someone lodges 쑗 Are you still looking for lodgings or have you found somewhere to stay? ③ loft /lɒft/ noun 1. the top part of a house right under the roof 쑗 They converted their loft into a bedroom. Also called attic 2. a part of a large building, such as a warehouse which has been made suitable for people to live in 쑗 He’s bought a loft apartment in the centre of Soho. . . loin lofty / lɒfti/ adj 1. very high 쑗 From the lofty height of the church tower the boys could see for miles. 쑗 The lofty ceiling and wide windows gave the studio a wonderful feeling of space. 2. proud 쑗 Her lofty attitude towards her colleagues does not make her many friends. (NOTE: loftier – loftiest) ③ log /lɒDZ/ noun 1. a thick piece of a tree 쑗 He brought in a load of logs for the fire. 왍 to sleep like a log to sleep very deeply 쑗 After his 12-mile walk he slept like a log. 2. a record of details such as speed or position especially on a ship or plane 쑗 The ship’s log gave details of their position when the fire broke out. 쐽 verb to write down details of something which has happened in a book as a record 쑗 Have you logged your day’s activities into the book? loggerheads / lɒDZəhedz/ noun 왍 to be at loggerheads with someone to always arguing with someone 쑗 He has been at loggerheads with the town council for some months. logging / lɒDZŋ/ noun the practice of cutting down trees for use in industry or building logic / lɒdȢk/ noun 1. formal reasoning 쑗 Your logic is flawed – just because she’s an MA doesn’t mean she’s a good teacher. 2. sensible thinking, good reason 쑗 I don’t see the logic of owning two cars and not being able to drive. ③ logical / lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj 1. clearly reasoned 쑗 a logical conclusion 2. (of a person) able to reason clearly 쑗 She’s a very logical person and thinks everything through carefully. logically / lɒdȢkli/ adv in a logical or reasonable way log in /lɒDZ n/, log on /lɒDZ ɒn/ verb (in computing) to start to use a computer system, usually by typing a particular word login / lɒDZn/ noun the act of logging in to a computer system logistic /lə dȢstk/, logistical /lədȢstk(ə)l/ adj referring to logistics logistics /lə dȢstks/ noun the organisation of the movement of large numbers of people and things such as vehicles and supplies ③ logo / ləυDZəυ/ noun a symbol or design used by a company in order for people to recognise its products. Synonym symbol (NOTE: The plural is logos.) log off /lɒDZ ɒf/, log out /lɒDZ aυt/ verb to finish using a computer system, usually by typing a particular word (NOTE: logging – logged) loin /lɔn/ noun a cut of meat, taken from the back of the animal loincloth 499 loincloth / lɔnklɒθ/ noun a piece of clothing in the form of a long cloth worn round the waist loins /lɔnz/ plural noun the part of the body between the hips loiter / lɔtə/ verb to stand or walk slowly about doing nothing loll /lɒl/ verb 1. to sit or lie in a lazy way 쑗 They spent the afternoon lolling about in armchairs, watching the cricket. 2. 왍 to loll out (of an animal’s tongue) to hang out 쑗 The dogs were lying in the shade with their tongues lolling out. lollipop / lɒlipɒp/ noun a large sweet on the end of a stick 쑗 She bought the children a lollipop each. lolly / lɒli/ noun 1. a lollipop, a sweet on the end of a stick 왍 ice lolly a piece of flavoured ice on the end of a stick 2. money 쑗 What happened to the lolly, then? (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) lone /ləυn/ adj single, one alone. 쏡 wolf. Synonym solitary (NOTE: Do not confuse with loan.) loneliness / ləυnlinəs/ noun 1. a feeling of sadness because you are alone 쑗 After his wife died it took him a long time to get over his feelings of loneliness. 2. the state of being alone 쑗 He was attracted by the loneliness of the hotel, all by itself on the top of the cliff. ③ lonely / ləυnli/ adj 1. feeling sad because of being alone 쑗 It’s odd how lonely you can be in a big city full of people. 2. (of a place) with few or no people around 쑗 The cliff top is a lonely place at night. 쑗 We spent the weekend in a lonely cottage in the Welsh hills. (NOTE: lonelier – loneliest) loner / ləυnə/ noun a person who prefers to be alone. Synonym recluse lonesome / ləυns(ə)m/ adj especially US lonely, sad because of being alone lone wolf /ləυn wυlf/ noun a person who prefers to be alone, who has no friends ① long /lɒŋ/ adj 1. not short in length 쑗 a long piece of string 쑗 The Nile is the longest river in the world. 쑗 My hair needs cutting – it’s getting too long. 2. not short in time 쑗 What a long programme – it lasted almost three hours. 쑗 They’ve been waiting for the bus for a long time. 쑗 We don’t approve of long holidays in this job. 3. indicating measurement in time 쑗 How long is it before your holiday starts? 왍 long time no see! I haven’t seen you for a long time (said when meeting someone) 쏡 length 쐽 adv 1. for a long time 쑗 Have you been waiting long? 쑗 I didn’t want to wait any longer. 쑗 Long ago, before the war, this was a wealthy farming area. 왍 all night long for the whole night 쑗 It rained all night long. 2. 왍 as long as, so long as provided that 쑗 I like going on picnics as long as it doesn’t rain. 쐽 noun a long long-lost time 왍 before long in a short time 쑗 She’ll be boss of the company before long. 왍 for long for a long time 쑗 He wasn’t out of a job for long. 왍 the long and the short of it the basic facts 쑗 The long and the short of it is that his book isn’t very good. 쐽 verb to want something very much 쑗 I’m longing for a cup of tea. 쑗 Everyone was longing to be back home. long-awaited /lɒŋ ə wetd/ adj for which people have been waiting for a long time long-distance /lɒŋ dstəns/ adj 1. (of a sports race) between two places which are far apart 쑗 She was over fifty when she took up long-distance running. 쑗 You’ll have to get fit if you’re going to run a long-distance race. 2. made over a long distance 쑗 We spent three days walking along one of the long-distance paths in the hills. 쑗 Long-distance telephone calls cost less after 6 p.m. long-drawn-out /lɒŋ drɔ n aυt/ adj which continues for a long period of time longed-for / lɒŋd fɔ / adj which people have been hoping will come (literary) longevity /lɒn dȢevti/ noun a very long life longhand / lɒŋhnd/ noun ordinary writing, not shorthand or typing. Compare shorthand long-haul /lɒŋ hɔ l/ adj over a large distance, especially between continents long-haul flight / lɒŋhɔ l flat/ noun a long-distance flight such as across the Atlantic ③ longing / lɒŋŋ/ noun a strong wish to have something. Synonym desire longingly / lɒŋŋli/ adv showing that you want something very much longitude / lɒndȢtju d/ noun a position on the earth’s surface measured in degrees east or west of an imaginary line running north-south through Greenwich, a town just to the east of London. Antonym latitude COMMENT: Longitude and latitude are used to indicate the exact position of something on the earth’s surface. They are measured in degrees, minutes and seconds. London is latitude 51°30’N, longitude 0°5’W. long-lasting /lɒŋ lɑ stŋ/ adj which lasts a long time. Synonym long-term long-life /lɒŋ laf/ adj (of food and drink) treated with a special process so that it will stay fresh for a long time longlived /lɒŋ lvd/ adj which lives for a long time. Compare shortlived long-lost /lɒŋ lɒst/ adj who or which is not seen for a long time ③ long-range 500 ③ long-range /lɒŋ rendȢ/ adj which covers a long distance or a long time. 쏡 short-range. Synonym long-term long-running /lɒŋ rnŋ/ adj 1. which has been performed for several years without a break 쑗 a long-running musical 쑗 Which is the longest-running TV sitcom? 2. which has been going on for a long time 쑗 Our long-running dispute with our neighbours. longsighted /lɒŋ satd/ adj able to see things clearly things which are far away but not things which are close. 쏡 shortsighted long-sleeved / lɒŋ sli vd/ adj with long sleeves. 쏡 short-sleeved longstanding /lɒŋ stndŋ/ adj which has been in existence for a long time long-stay / lɒŋ ste/ adj referring to a stay of weeks or months 왍 long-stay car park a car park where you can leave your car for several days or weeks. Compare short-stay long-suffering /lɒŋ sf(ə)rŋ/ adj patient with problems caused by other people. Antonym intolerant ② long-term /lɒŋ t" m/ adj planned to last for a long time. Synonym lasting. Antonym short-term long-time / lɒŋ tam/ adj who has existed for a long time long vacation /lɒŋ və keʃ(ə)n/ noun the summer holiday in a British university ③ long wave / lɒŋ wev/ noun a radio wave with a wavelength longer than 1000 metres long weekend /lɒŋ wi k end/ noun a weekend, including Friday night long-winded /lɒŋ wndd/ adj 1. (of a person) who talks too much in a boring way 2. (of a talk) which lasts too long ③ loo /lu / noun a lavatory (informal ) ① look /lυk/ noun 1. the act of seeing something with your eyes 쑗 Have a good look at this photograph and tell me if you recognise anyone in it. 쑗 We only had time for a quick look round the town. 2. the way someone or something appears 쑗 There is a French look about her clothes. 3. a search for something 쑗 We had a good look for the ring and couldn’t find it anywhere. 쐽 verb 1. to turn your eyes towards something 쑗 I want you to look carefully at this photograph. 쑗 Look in the restaurant and see if there are any tables free. 쑗 If you look out of the office window you can see our house. 쑗 He opened the lid of the box and looked inside. 2. 왍 to look someone in the eye to look straight at someone in a confident way 쑗 He didn’t dare look me in the eye. 왍 don’t look a gift horse in the mouth don’t criticise something which someone has given you for free 3. to appear to be 쑗 Those pies look good. 쑗 I went to see her in hospital and she looks worse. 쑗 . look out Is he only forty? – he looks much older than that. 쑗 It looks as if it may snow. 4. used as an interjection 쑗 Look! if we don’t sort this out now, we’ll never do it. ① look after /lυk ɑ ftə/ verb to take care of ③ look ahead /lυk ə hed/ verb to make plans for the future. Antonym look back lookalike / lυkəlak/ noun a person who look like someone else, especially someone famous (informal ). Synonym double ③ look back /lυk bk/ verb 1. to turn your head to see what is behind you 쑗 He looked back and saw a police car was following him. 2. 왍 he never looked back he was very successful 쑗 The first year after starting the business was difficult, but after that they never looked back. ③ look back on /lυk bk ɒn/ verb to think about something which happened in the past ① look down /lυk daυn/ verb 왍 to look down on someone, to look down your nose at someone to think you are better than someone 쑗 He looks down on anyone who hasn’t been to university. ① look for / lυk fɔ / verb to search for, to try to find ① look forward to /lυk fɔ wəd tu / verb to think happily about something which is going to happen ③ look in /lυk n/, look in on /lυk n ɒn/ verb to pay a short visit look-in / lυk n/ noun the chance or opportunity to share in something (informal ) looking glass / lυkŋ DZlɑ s/ noun a mirror (dated ) ① look into / lυk ntυ/ verb to try to find out about a matter or problem. Synonym . . . investigate look like / lυk lak/ verb 1. to be similar to 쑗 He looks just like his father. 2. asking someone to describe something 쑗 What’s he look like, her new boyfriend? 쑗 Tell me what she looks like so that I can recognise her when she gets off the train. 3. to seem to be going to happen 쑗 Take an umbrella, it looks like rain. 쑗 The sky is dark, it looks like snow. look on /lυk ɒn/ verb 1. to watch without doing anything 쑗 The police beat up the demonstrators while the tourists just looked on. 2. to consider, to think of something as 쑗 We look on trade fairs as a bit of relaxation after the office. 쑗 He looks on his secretary as simply someone to make coffee and answer the phone. ① look out /lυk aυt/ verb 1. to be careful 쑗 Look out! – the car is going backwards! 2. 왍 to look out on or over to have a view to① lookout 501 wards 쑗 The windows of the office look out over a park. ③ lookout / lυkaυt/ noun 1. a careful watch 쑗 Keep a sharp lookout for pickpockets. 쑗 From their lookout post they could see across the square. 왍 to be on the lookout for to watch carefully for 쑗 She’s always on the lookout for bargains. 쑗 The police are on the lookout for car thieves. 2. a person who is on watch 쑗 The captain posted a lookout in the bows. 3. something which someone has to deal with 왍 that’s his lookout that is something he must deal with himself ③ look out for /lυk aυt fɔ / verb 1. to keep looking to try to find 쑗 We’re looking out for new offices because ours are too small. 쑗 I’ll look out for his sister at the party. 2. to be careful about 쑗 Look out for ice on the pavement. 3. 왍 to look out for someone US to protect someone 쑗 The falling rock missed us by inches – someone was obviously looking out for us! ③ look over /lυk əυvə/ verb 1. to examine quickly 쑗 She looked over the figures and said they seemed to be OK. 2. to have a view over something 쑗 The office looks over a disused warehouse. ③ look round /lυk raυnd/ verb 1. to turn to see what is behind you 쑗 She heard footsteps behind her and quickly looked round. 2. to go round looking at something 쑗 Did you have time to look round the town? 쑗 Can I help you? – No, I’m just looking round to see what is available. ① look up /lυk p/ verb 1. to turn your eyes upwards 쑗 She looked up and saw clouds in the sky. 2. to try to find some information in a book 쑗 I’ll look up his address in the telephone book. 쑗 Look up the word in the dictionary if you don’t know what it means. 3. to get in touch with 쑗 Look me up when you’re next in London. 4. to get better 쑗 Things are looking up. ③ look up to /lυk p tu / verb to admire or respect someone. Synonym admire loom /lu m/ noun a machine on which cloth is woven (literary) 쑗 She weaves cloth on a hand loom at home. 쐽 verb to appear in a rather threatening way 쑗 A storm loomed on the horizon. 쑗 A bus suddenly loomed out of the fog. looming / lu mŋ/ adj threatening. Synonym impending loony / lu ni/ adj silly or crazy (informal ) 쑗 He had this loony plan to cycle round Africa. 쑗 That’s the looniest idea I’ve heard yet! (NOTE: loonier – looniest) 쐽 noun a person who is regarded as silly or crazy (insult ) 쑗 Whoever invented bungee-jumping was a bit of a loony. (NOTE: The plural is loonies.) loop /lu p/ noun a curve formed by a piece of something such as string, which crosses . . lope over itself 쑗 To tie your laces, start by making a loop. 쐽 verb to attach with a loop 쑗 She looped the cord over the tent pole. loophole / lu phəυl/ noun a means of avoiding a law. Synonym dodge 왍 to find a tax loophole to find a means of legally not paying tax 쑗 He spends his time looking for tax loopholes. ③ loose /lu s/ adj 1. not attached 쑗 Watch out! – the sail is loose and swinging towards you! 쑗 The front wheel is loose and needs tightening. 쑗 The boat came loose and started to drift away. 쑗 Once he was let loose, the dog ran across the park. 2. 왍 to be at a loose end to have nothing special to do 쑗 We’re at a loose end this weekend. 3. (of a garment) wide, not tight-fitting (NOTE: looser – loosest) 쐽 verb to start something happening 쑗 The government’s proposals loosed off demonstrations in all parts of the country. loose cannon /lu s knən/ noun someone who is not easily controlled and may do or say things which are not officially approved (slang) loose change /lu s tʃendȢ/ noun money in coins only loose end /lu s end/ noun one of the details in something such as a problem or situation which has not yet been dealt with loosely / lu sli/ adv 1. not tightly 쑗 The skirt fits loosely round her waist. 쑗 He tied his horse loosely to the post. 2. in a way which is not completely accurate 쑗 The word can be loosely translated as ‘hanging down’. loosen / lu s(ə)n/ verb 1. to make something less tight 쑗 He loosened his shoelaces and relaxed. 2. 왍 to loosen your grip on something to hold something less tightly than before 쑗 The parliament forced the president to loosen his grip on the civil service. loot /lu t/ noun 1. things which have been stolen 쑗 The police discovered the rest of the loot under his bed. 2. money (informal ) 쑗 He’s got plenty of loot. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to steal, especially from shops and houses, during a riot or other emergency 쑗 Some houses were looted during the floods. looter / lu tə/ noun a person who steals, especially from houses and shops during a riot or other emergency looting / lu tŋ/ noun the act of stealing from shops and houses during a riot or other emergency (NOTE: no plural) lop /lɒp/ verb to cut branches off trees . (NOTE: lopping – lopped) lope /ləυp/ verb to run with long easy steps 쐽 noun a way of running with long steps lopsided 502 lopsided /lɒp sadd/ adj leaning to one side, with one side lower than the other. Synonym uneven loquacious /ləυ kweʃəs/ adj who talks a lot. Synonym talkative. Antonym silent ② lord /lɔ d/ noun 1. a man who has a high social rank 쑗 He was born a lord. 쑗 Powerful lords forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. 2. the title for certain peers 쑗 Lord Smith 3. an expression of surprise or shock 쑗 Good lord! I didn’t realise it was so late! 쐽 verb 왍 to lord it over someone to treat someone like a servant 쑗 She lords it over the junior staff in the office. Lord /lɔ d/ noun God or Jesus Christ Lord Mayor /lɔ d meə/ noun the title of a mayor in certain important cities lore /lɔ / noun traditional beliefs and knowledge. 쏡 folklore. Synonym wisdom (NOTE: no plural) ③ lorry / lɒri/ noun GB a large motor vehicle for carrying goods. 쏡 truck lorry driver / lɒri dravə/ noun GB a person whose job is to drive a lorry (NOTE: The US term is truck driver.) lorry-load / lɒri ləυd/, van-load / vn ləυd/ noun an amount of goods carried on a lorry or van 쑗 They delivered six lorry-loads of coal. ① lose /lu z/ verb 1. to put or drop something somewhere and not to know where it is 쑗 I can’t find my wallet – I think I lost it on the train. 쑗 If you lose your ticket you’ll have to buy another one. 2. not to have something any longer 쑗 We lost money on the lottery. 왍 to lose interest not to be interested in something any more 왍 to lose weight to get thinner 쑗 She doesn’t eat potatoes as she’s trying to lose weight. 왍 the clock loses 10 minutes every day it falls 10 minutes behind the correct time every day 왍 to lose sight of not to see something any longer 쑗 We lost sight of her in the crowd. 왍 to lose your temper to become angry 쑗 He lost his temper when they told him there was no room in the hotel. 왍 to lose time to waste time, not to do something quickly enough 쑗 Don’t lose any time in posting the letter. 왍 to lose your way to end up not knowing where you are 쑗 They lost their way in the fog on the mountain. 쏡 heart 3. not to win 쑗 We lost the match 10 – 0. 쑗 Did you win? – No, we lost. (NOTE: losing – lost /lɒst/) ③ loser / lu zə/ noun a person who does not win. Synonym failure 왍 a bad loser a person who behaves badly when he loses a game ① loss /lɒs/ noun 1. no longer having something 쑗 He was very despondent at the loss of his house. 쑗 The loss of a child is almost unbearable to a parent. 왍 it’s no great loss it does not matter now that we no longer have it 쑗 The map’s no great loss – I brought two loud along, just in case. 2. money which you have spent and have not got back 쑗 Companies often make losses in their first year of operations. 왍 they sold it at a loss they sold it for less than they paid for it 3. 왍 it’s a dead loss it’s no use at all (informal ) 쑗 The plan was a dead loss. loss leader / lɒs li də/ noun an article which is sold at a loss to attract customers loss of memory /lɒs əv mem(ə)ri/ noun the condition of not being able to remember anything ② lost /lɒst/ adj 왍 to be lost to end up not knowing where you are 쑗 Did you bring a map? I think we’re lost! 왍 to get lost not to know where you are 쑗 He’s hopeless, he got lost walking from Oxford Circus to Piccadilly. 쑗 They should be back by now – do you think they’ve got lost? 왍 get lost! go away! (slang) 쑗 When she asked him for money he told her to get lost. lost cause /lɒst kɔ z/ noun something such as a plan or activity which cannot succeed lost property office /lɒst prɒpəti ɒfs/ noun a place where articles which people have left somewhere, e.g. on a bus or train, are stored, and where they can be collected by their owners (NOTE: The US term is lost . and found office.) ① lot /lɒt/ noun 1. 왍 a lot of, lots of a large number or a large quantity 쑗 There’s lots of time before the train leaves. 쑗 What a lot of cars there are in the car park! 쑗 I’ve been to the cinema quite a lot recently. 쑗 She’s feeling a lot better now. 쑗 Lots of people are looking for jobs. 왍 a fat lot of not much (informal ) 왍 a fat lot of help you are! you are no help at all 왍 he’s a bad lot he’s a bad person, a criminal (informal ) 2. US a piece of land, especially one to be used for development 3. an item or group of items sold at an auction sale 쑗 Lot 23 is a collection of books and pictures. 4. 왍 to draw lots to take pieces of paper from a box to decide something. The person who has the marked piece wins. 쑗 We drew lots to decide who would go first. 쑗 They drew lots for the bottle of whisky. lotion / ləυʃ(ə)n/ noun a liquid used on the skin to make it smooth or to protect it ③ lottery / lɒtəri/ noun 1. a game of chance in which tickets with numbers on are sold with prizes given for certain numbers 2. a situation where anyone may win 쑗 Getting a government contract is something of a lottery. (NOTE: The plural is lotteries.) ② loud /laυd/ adj 1. which is very easily heard 쑗 Can’t you stop your watch making such a loud noise? 쑗 Turn down the radio – it’s too loud. 2. (of colours) too bright 쑗 He was wearing a particularly loud tie which didn’t go with his jacket at all. 쐽 adv loudly . . loudly 503 쑗 I can’t sing any louder. 쑗 She laughed out loud in church. (NOTE: louder – loudest) loudly / laυdli/ adv in a way which is easily heard loudness / laυdnəs/ noun being loud, being noisy. Antonym quietness loudspeaker /laυd spi kə/ noun the part of an object such as a radio or CD player which allows sound to be heard. 쏡 tannoy lounge /laυndȢ/ noun a comfortable room for sitting in 쑗 Let’s go and watch TV in the lounge. 쐽 verb 왍 to lounge about to sit or lie doing nothing or very little 쑗 He doesn’t do anything on Saturdays, he just lounges about waiting for the pubs to open. 쑗 It rained all the time, so we had to spend the day lounging about in the hotel. lounge bar / laυndȢ bɑ / noun a bar in a pub or hotel which has comfortable chairs louse /laυs/ noun a small insect which sucks blood and lives on the skin as a parasite on animals and humans (NOTE: The plural is lice /las/.) louse up /laυs p/ verb (informal ) 왍 to louse something up to spoil something completely 쑗 He loused up the whole deal by trying to increase his commission by 25%. lousy / laυzi/ adj extremely bad or unpleasant (NOTE: lousier – lousiest) lout /laυt/ noun a rude and badly behaved young man (insult) 쏡 lager. Synonym bully louvred / lu vəd/, louvered adj with louvres lovable / lvəb(ə)l/ adj pleasant, easy to love. Synonym endearing ① love /lv/ noun 1. a great liking for someone or something 쑗 Give my love to your wife. 쑗 Her great love is opera. 왍 to be in love to love each other 쑗 They seem to be very much in love. 왍 to fall in love with someone to start to like them very much 쑗 They fell in love at first sight. 2. 왍 to make love to have sex with someone 쑗 She swore on oath that he had never made love to her or that they had never made love. 3. (in games such as tennis) a score of zero points 쑗 She lost the first set six – love (6–0). 4. a person whom you love 쑗 She’s the love of his life. 5. a way of addressing, especially to a woman or child 쑗 Hallo, love, what can I do for you this morning? 쐽 verb 1. to have strong feelings for someone or something 쑗 ‘I love you!,’ he said. 쑗 She loves little children. 쑗 The children love their teacher. 쑗 His wife thinks he loves someone else. 2. to like something very much 쑗 We love going on holiday by the seaside. 쑗 I’d love to come with you, but I’ve got too much work to do. love affair / lv əfeə/ noun a sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other . lower loved ones /lvd wns/ plural noun your family and friends love-hate relationship /lv het rleʃ(ə)nʃp/ noun a situation where two people get on well together and then dislike each other in turn love life / lv laf/ noun someone’s sexual relationships ② lovely / lvli/ adj very pleasant (NOTE: lovelier – loveliest) ③ lover / lvə/ noun 1. a person, especially a man, who is having a sexual relationship with someone 쑗 Her lover was arrested when the woman’s body was found on the beach. 2. a person who loves something 쑗 a lover of French food love story / lv stɔ ri/ noun a story about two people in love loving / lvŋ/ adj affectionate, showing love. Synonym affectionate lovingly / lvŋli/ adv in a loving way ① low /ləυ/ adj 1. not high, with little height 쑗 She hit her head on the low branch. 쑗 The town is surrounded by low hills. 쑗 We shop around to find the lowest prices. 쑗 The engine works best at low speeds. 쑗 The temperature here is too low for oranges to grow. 쑗 Sales were lower in December than in November. 2. feeling extremely sad and unhappy 쑗 She was very low when I saw her last. 3. quiet 쑗 He said a few words in a low voice. 4. not favourable 쑗 He has a low opinion of the boss. (NOTE: lower – lowest) 쐽 adv towards the bottom; not high up 쑗 The plane was flying too low – it hit the trees. 왍 supplies are running low supplies are becoming scarce. 쏡 lie low 쐽 noun a point where something is very small 쑗 Sales have reached a new low. 쐽 prefix with not much of 왍 low-calorie diet food or drink containing very few calories 쑗 She’s on a low-calorie diet. 쐽 verb (of a cow) to make a noise 쑗 The cows were lowing in the field. lowbrow / ləυbraυ/ adj not difficult to understand and of a low quality. Antonym highbrow low-calorie /ləυ kləri/ adj containing few calories low-class /ləυ klɑ s/ adj not rich or middle-class (dated ) low-cut /ləυ kt/ adj used to describe women’s clothing which has a low neckline and shows the top part of the chest lowdown / ləυdaυn/ (informal ) noun 왍 to give someone the lowdown on something to tell someone the details, especially secret details, about something 쐽 adj mean, bad 쑗 ‘You lowdown crook,’ she shouted. ③ lower / laυə/ adj which is below something else of the same type. Synonym inferior 쐽 verb 1. to make something go down 쑗 . . lower case 504 They lowered the lifeboat into the water. 2. to reduce something 쑗 All the shops have lowered their prices to attract customers. 왍 to lower your voice to speak more quietly 3. 왍 to lower yourself to or by to do something of which you should be ashamed 쑗 Don’t lower yourself by going around with that gang. lower case /ləυə kes/ noun small letters such as a, b and c as opposed to capitals such as A, B and C lower class /ləυə klɑ s/ noun a group of people in society who are not rich, aristocratic or middle-class (dated ). Synonym . working class lower ground floor /ləυə DZraυnd flɔ / noun same as basement (NOTE: In America the ground floor is called the first floor.) low-fat /ləυ ft/ adj containing very little fat 쑗 Do you have any low-fat yoghurt? low-grade / ləυ DZred/ adj of the worst quality low-key /ləυ ki / adj quiet, without much excitement. Antonym elaborate lowland / ləυlənd/ adj referring to a region which is near sea level lowlands / ləυləndz/ plural noun a low-lying area of the country 쑗 the Lowlands of Scotland low-level /ləυ lev(ə)l/ adj 1. positioned or done at lower than the usual level 2. low in status or degree lowly / ləυli/ adj with a low status. Synonym humble (NOTE: lowlier – lowliest) low-lying /ləυ laŋ/ adj which is near to sea level, or to the level of a river low-paid /ləυ ped/ adj not being paid much for a job 쑗 She has a low-paid job as a cleaner or her job as a cleaner is very low-paid. 쐽 plural noun 왍 the low-paid people who do not get paid much for their job 쑗 The government has promised to reduce taxes for the low-paid. low point / ləυ pɔnt/ noun the least enjoyable or successful period of something low profile /ləυ prəυfal/ noun behaviour that avoids public attention 쐽 adj deliberately avoiding attention or publicity low-rise / ləυ raz/ adj (of buildings) consisting of only a few levels 쐽 noun a building consisting of only a few levels low season /ləυ si z(ə)n/ noun a time of year, usually during the winter, when few people go on holiday, and when air fares and hotel prices are cheaper. Also called off season. Antonym high season low-tech /ləυ tek/ noun simple and not highly developed technically 쑗 a low-tech solution luck low tide /ləυ tad/ noun the lowest level of the sea the land, or the time when the sea is at this level lox /lɒks/ noun US smoked salmon loyal / lɔəl/ adj who supports someone or something for along time without changing. Synonym faithful. Antonym disloyal loyalist / lɔəlst/ noun a person who is loyal to someone or something. Synonym stalwart. Antonym rebel loyally / lɔəli/ adv in a loyal way loyalties / lɔəltiz/ plural noun the strong feelings of support and friendship which you have for someone or something loyalty / lɔəlti/ noun being loyal. Antonym disloyalty lozenge / lɒzndȢ/ noun 1. a diamond shape, especially when used in heraldry 쑗 The shield has a pattern of red lozenges. 2. a sweet medicine in the form of a pill 쑗 She was sucking cough lozenges to get rid of her cough. LPG /el pi dȢi / noun petroleum gases such as propane or butane, stored in liquid form in special containers, and used as fuel. Full form liquid petroleum gas ③ L-plates / el plets/ plural noun two white plastic squares, each with a large red L on it, attached to a car driven by a learner driver 왍 green L plates similar plastic plates with a green L to show that the driver has passed the driving test recently LSD /el es di / noun an illegal drug which has a powerful effect, e.g. making people see things which are not real ① Ltd abbr limited company lubricant / lu brkənt/ noun a smooth liquid substance used to prevent the moving parts in a machine from rubbing against each other 쑗 If there is not enough lubricant, the engine will seize up. 쐽 adj which makes something run smoothly 쑗 The lubricant properties of oil are well-known. lubricate / lu brket/ verb to cover something with a lubricant to make it run smoothly. Synonym oil lubrication /lu br keʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of lubricating something lucid / lu sd/ adj 1. clear, easily understood 쑗 The old lady gave a clear and lucid account of the incident to the police. 2. able to think clearly 쑗 For most of the time he was delirious but in his few lucid moments he seemed to recognise me. lucidity /lu sdti/ noun the quality of being clear and easily understood ② luck /lk/ noun something, usually good, which happens to you 쑗 The bus is empty – that’s a bit of luck! 왍 good luck with your driving test! I hope you do well in your driving test 왍 I wear this ring for luck because I luckily 505 hope it will bring me luck 왍 bad luck!, hard luck! I am sorry you didn’t do well 쑗 You failed the driving test again? – Bad luck! 왍 to be down on your luck to be going through a period of bad luck 쑗 He was down on his luck and thought of emigrating. 왍 as luck would have it as it happened 쑗 As luck would have it, the bus was empty. ③ luckily / lkli/ adv which is a good thing ② lucky / lki/ adj 1. having good things happening to you 쑗 He’s lucky not to have been sent to prison. 쑗 How lucky you are to be going to Spain! 왍 you’ll be lucky! it will never happen (informal ) 쑗 She’s hoping to get an extra day off this week – she’ll be lucky! 2. which brings luck 쑗 15 is my lucky number. (NOTE: luckier – luckiest) lucrative / lu krətv/ adj bringing in a lot of money or profit. Synonym profitable ludicrous / lu dkrəs/ adj ridiculous, which makes you laugh. Synonym absurd. Antonym sensible lug /lDZ/ verb to carry or pull something heavy 쑗 I had to lug my cases up two flights of stairs. 쑗 Lugging those boxes up into the attic has worn me out. (NOTE: lugging – lugged) 쐽 noun a small projecting piece on the side of something such as a jar, for carrying it or for attaching something to it 쑗 One of the lugs on the vase has been knocked off. ② luggage / lDZdȢ/ noun suitcases or bags for carrying your belongings when travelling. Synonym baggage luggage rack / lDZdȢ rk/ noun a space for suitcases and bags, above the seats in a vehicle, e.g. a plane or train lukewarm /lu k wɔ m/ adj 1. not very hot 쑗 The soup was only lukewarm. 쑗 We sent back the coffee because it was lukewarm. 2. not enthusiastic 쑗 He was only lukewarm about our project. Synonym tepid lull /ll/ noun a quiet period 쑗 After last week’s hectic rushing around this week’s lull was welcome. Synonym quiet. Antonym storm 쐽 verb to make someone calmer, to soothe someone 쑗 She sang a song to lull the baby to sleep. 쑗 The report was not very critical and that lulled them into a false sense of security. Synonym soothe lullaby / lləba/ noun a song or piece of music designed to make a child sleep (NOTE: . The plural is lullabies.) lumbago /lm beDZəυ/ noun a pain in the lower part of the back. Synonym backache (NOTE: no plural) lumbar / lmbə/ adj referring to the lower part of the back (NOTE: Do not confuse with lumber.) lumber / lmbə/ noun 1. junk, old articles which you are not using at the moment 쑗 I am going to take some of this useless luncheon lumber to the jumble sale. 2. US trees which have been cut down 쑗 The lumber is tied together in rafts and floated down river to the sawmill. (NOTE: The British term is timber.) 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to lumber someone with something to give someone things he or she doesn’t want (informal ) 쑗 You always manage to lumber me with the worst jobs. 쑗 Why do I always get lumbered with doing the shopping? 2. to move slowly and heavily 쑗 The tractor lumbered across the field pulling a trailer full of hay. 쑗 Watch where you’re treading, you lumbering great hulk! (NOTE: . Do not confuse with lumbar.) lumberjack / lmbədȢk/ noun a person who cuts down trees luminary / lu mnəri/ noun an important or famous person. Synonym celebrity. Antonym nobody (NOTE: The plural is luminaries.) luminosity /lu m nɒsti/ noun the fact of being full of light luminous / lu mnəs/ adj which gives out light in the dark. Synonym luminous ② lump /lmp/ noun 1. a piece of something, often with no particular shape 쑗 a lump of coal 쑗 a lump of sugar 2. a hard or swollen part on the body 쑗 She went to the doctor because she had found a lump on her neck. 왍 she had a lump in her throat she could not speak because she was choking with emotion 쐽 verb 왍 to lump things or people together to bring several different things or people together 쑗 We lump all the cash purchases together under ‘other items’ in the account book. lump sum /lmp sm/ noun money paid in one payment, not in several small payments lumpy / lmpi/ adj with solid lumps in it (NOTE: lumpier – lumpiest) lunacy / lu nəsi/ noun madness, idiotic behaviour lunar / lu nə/ adj referring to the moon lunatic / lu nətk/ adj mad 쑗 It was a lunatic idea to try to steal the blue light from in front of the police station. 쐽 noun a person who acts in a mad way (informal insult) 쑗 Don’t be such a lunatic – try to talk to her! 쑗 He drove like a lunatic to catch the ferry. ① lunch /lntʃ/ noun the meal eaten in the middle of the day 쑗 Come on – lunch will be ready soon. 쑗 We always have lunch at 12.30. 쑗 We are having fish and chips for lunch. 쑗 I’m not hungry so I don’t want a big lunch. 쑗 The restaurant serves 150 lunches a day. 쐽 verb to have lunch 쑗 I’m lunching with my sister today. 쑗 Don’t forget we’re lunching with the agents tomorrow. luncheon / lntʃən/ noun lunch, the meal eaten in the middle of the day (formal ) . lunch hour 506 lunch hour / lntʃ aυə/ noun a period of a working day when lunch is usually eaten ③ lunchtime / lntʃtam/ noun the time when you usually have lunch lung /lŋ/ noun one of two organs in the chest with which you breathe; air goes down into the lungs and the oxygen in it is deposited in the blood in exchange for waste carbon dioxide which is breathed out lunge /lndȢ/ noun a sudden movement forwards 쑗 The police officer suddenly made a lunge for the gun. Synonym swipe 쐽 verb to make a sudden movement forwards 쑗 The baby suddenly lunged at the candles on the cake. lupin / lu pn/ noun a plant with tall flowers in different colours lurch /l" tʃ/ noun 1. a sudden unsteady movement 쑗 The ship gave a sudden lurch. (NOTE: The plural is lurches.) 2. 왍 to leave someone in the lurch to leave someone in trouble and not help him or her (informal ) 쑗 They left me in the lurch by going off on holiday when they were supposed to be running the shop. 쑗 You’ve really left me in the lurch by cancelling at such short notice. 쐽 verb to make a sudden unsteady movement 쑗 When the taxi finally lurched to a stop I was shaking all over. 쑗 He lurched over to the bar and ordered another drink. lure /ljυə/ noun a thing which attracts a person or animal 쑗 The white beaches are a lure for tourists. Synonym bait 쐽 verb to attract someone, especially into something bad 쑗 She was lured to the club by reports of high wages for bar staff. Synonym entice lurid / ljυərd/ adj 1. glowing with brilliant colours 쑗 The flames gave a lurid glow to the scene. 쑗 She was wearing a lurid pink tracksuit. 2. (of a book or film) sensational, meant to shock 쑗 There were several lurid descriptions of conditions in the refugee camps. lurk /l" k/ verb to be hidden luscious / lʃəs/ adj very sweet and juicy lush /lʃ/ adj thick and rich 쑗 The cattle were put to graze on the lush grass by the river. 쑗 Lush tropical vegetation rapidly cov. lyrics ered the clearing. 쐽 noun an alcoholic, drunkard (slang) 쑗 She has the reputation of being a bit of a lush. lust /lst/ noun 1. strong sexual desire 쑗 He looked at her with eyes full of lust. 2. a great desire for something 쑗 She is driven by a lust for power. 쐽 verb 왍 to lust after or for someone or something to have a great desire for someone or something 쑗 She has been lusting after Harry ever since she met him. 쑗 I have never really lusted after power or glory. lustre / lstə/ noun shine and brilliance (NOTE: The US spelling is luster.) lustrous / lstrəs/ adj shiny lusty / lsti/ adj strong and healthy. Synonym hearty. Antonym feeble (NOTE: lustier – lustiest) luxuriant /lDZ zjυəriənt/ adj growing thickly luxurious /lDZ zjυəriəs/ adj very comfortable and expensive luxuriously /lk zjυəriəsli/ adv in a luxurious way luxury / lkʃəri/ noun 1. great comfort 쑗 He lived a life of great luxury. 쑗 A hot bath is a real luxury after two weeks camping in the mountains. 왍 to stay in a luxury hotel to stay in a five-star hotel, a very good hotel with luxurious rooms and higher prices 2. a thing which is pleasant to have, but not necessary 쑗 She often buys little luxuries for dessert on Friday nights. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is luxuries) Lycra / lakrə/ trademark the trademark for a type of stretchable fabric 쑗 She was wearing Lycra shorts. ③ lying / laŋ/ 쒁 lie lynch /lntʃ/ verb (of a mob) to catch an accused person and execute him or her, especially by hanging, without a trial lynx /lŋks/ noun a short-tailed animal of the cat family (NOTE: The plural is lynxes.) lyricist / lrsst/ noun a person who writes the words of a song lyrics / lrks/ plural noun the words of a song 쑗 He wrote the lyrics for the musical. M m1 /em/, M noun the thirteenth letter of the alphabet, between L and N m2 abbr 1. metre 2. mile 3. million 4. motorway M noun the Roman numeral for 1000 ③ ma /mɑ / noun a mother (informal ) MA abbr Master of Arts 쑗 She’s taking an MA course in Italian art. (NOTE: written after the name: Jane Bushell MA) ma’am /mɑ m/ noun a formal or polite way of referring to a lady mac /mk/ noun a coat which keeps off water, which is worn when it is raining (informal ). Also called raincoat (NOTE: short for . . mackintosh) macabre /mə kɑ brə/ adj very strange and horrifying, especially referring to dead bodies macaroni /mkə rəυni/ noun an Italian food made of short thick tubes of flour paste mace /mes/ noun 1. a heavy bar of wood or metal used in ceremonies to symbolise authority 2. a spice made from the outside of a nutmeg machete /mə ʃeti/ noun a large sharp knife ① machine /mə ʃi n/ noun 1. a device which works with a motor 쑗 We have bought a machine for putting leaflets in envelopes. 쑗 There is a message on my answering machine. 쑗 She made her dress on her sewing machine. 쑗 The washing machine has broken and flooded the kitchen. 2. an organisation 쑗 The party machine moved into action to prepare for the general election. 쐽 verb to make or shape with a machine machine gun /mə ʃi n DZn/ noun a gun which automatically fires many bullets rapidly, one after the other machine-readable /mə ʃi n ri dəb(ə)l/ adj which can be used by a computer ③ machinery /mə ʃi nəri/ noun 1. many machines, taken as a group 쑗 The factory has got rid of a lot of old machinery. 2. a way of organising something 쑗 a review of local government machinery 쑗 the machinery for awarding government contracts (NOTE: no plural: some machinery, a piece of machinery) machine tool /mə ʃi n tu l/ noun a tool driven by a motor, used to work on wood or metal machinist /mə ʃi nst/ noun a person who works a machine macho / mtʃəυ/ adj behaving in a way that is thought to be typical of a man (disapproving). Synonym manly mackerel / mkrəl/ noun a sea fish with dark flesh, eaten grilled or smoked; also canned and made into pâté (NOTE: The plural is mackerel.) mackintosh / mkntɒʃ/ noun full form of mac (dated ) macro / mkrəυ/ noun a block of instructions for a computer identified by one or more keystrokes 쑗 I do the page layouts using a macro. (NOTE: The plural is macros.) macro- /mkrəυ/ prefix on a large scale ② mad /md/ adj 1. having a serious mental disorder (offensive) 2. silly or crazy 쑗 Everyone thought he was mad to try to cross the Atlantic in a rowing boat. 왍 mad about someone or something very keen on someone or something (informal ) 쑗 He’s mad about jigsaw puzzles. 왍 mad as a hatter totally crazy 쑗 Don’t ask him for advice – he’s as mad as a hatter. 3. wildly frantic 쑗 The noise is driving her mad. 왍 like mad very fast or very enthusiastically (informal ) 쑗 He drove like mad and managed to get to the station in time to catch the train. 쑗 They worked like mad to finish the job on time. 4. very angry (informal ) 쑗 She’s mad at or with him for borrowing her car. 쑗 He was hopping mad when they told him his car had been stolen. . . . . (NOTE: madder – maddest) madam / mdəm/ noun 1. a way of referring to a lady, often used by waiters or servants 쑗 After you, madam. 쑗 Would madam like some more tea? 2. writing a letter to a lady whom you do not know 쑗 Dear Madam mad cow disease /md kaυ dzi z/ noun bovine spongiform encephalopathy, a disease affecting the brains of cattle (informal ) madden / md(ə)n/ verb to annoy a person or animal greatly. Synonym infuriate. Antonym pacify . maddening 508 maddening / md(ə)nŋ/ adj exasperating or annoying. Synonym infuriating. Antonym pleasing ① made /med/ 쒁 make (NOTE: Do not confuse with maid.) made-to-measure /med tə meȢə/ adj (of clothes) made specially for one person. Synonym tailor-made. Antonym off-thepeg ③ made-up /med p/ adj 1. wearing makeup 쑗 She was heavily made-up to try to hide the bruise on her cheek. 2. invented 쑗 It was a made-up story – none of the report was true. madhouse / mdhaυs/ noun 1. a hospital for people who have mental illnesses (offensive) 2. a place where there is a lot of confused activity (informal ) madly / mdli/ adv in a wild way ③ madman / mdmən/ noun a person who is mentally ill (offensive) 왍 to drive like a madman to drive very fast ③ madness / mdnəs/ noun 1. stupid behaviour which may be dangerous 쑗 It’s sheer madness to go out in a little boat in this weather. 2. the fact of being mad 쑗 They say that talking to yourself is the first sign of madness. madras /mə drɑ s/ noun a type of hot curry madrigal / mdrDZ(ə)l/ noun a group song popular in the 16th and 17th centuries maestro / mastrəυ/ noun 1. a musical genius 2. the conductor of an orchestra 쑗 Play it again, maestro! (NOTE: The plural is mae. stros.) mafia / mfiə/ noun a secret Italian organisation dealing in crime. 쏡 godfather mag /mDZ/ noun an illustrated publication which comes out regularly 쑗 He found a pile of old car mags in a corner of the shop. Synonym magazine 쐽 abbr magnetic ② magazine /mDZə zi n/ noun 1. an illustrated publication which comes out regularly 쑗 The gardening magazine comes out on Fridays. 2. a radio or TV programme made up from various items on the same theme, broadcast regularly 쑗 Following the news, this week’s science magazine has features on space telescopes and the disappearing ozone layer. 3. a container for ammunition which can be attached to a gun, or for film or slides which can be attached to a camera or projector 쑗 He clipped the magazine to the gun. maggot / mDZət/ noun a white caterpillar of a bluebottle, which eats rotting meat magic / mdȢk/ noun spells, and conjuring tricks which do not appear to follow normal scientific rules 쑗 The conjuror made a rabbit appear in his hat, and the children all thought it was magic. 왍 as if by magic sud- magnetic denly, without any possible explanation 쑗 He pushed a button and, as if by magic, lights came on all over the garden. 쐽 adj enchanted 쑗 The children found themselves in a magic wood. magical / mdȢk(ə)l/ adj as if produced by magic magically / mdȢkli/ adv as if by magic magic bullet /mdȢk bυlt/ noun 1. a medicine which can quickly cure a serious illness 2. a quick solution to a difficult problem magician /mə dȢʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a wizard 쑗 Merlin was the great magician in medieval legends. 2. a conjuror 쑗 They hired a magician to entertain the children at the party. magic wand /mdȢk wɒnd/ noun same as wand ③ magistrate / mdȢstret/ noun a judge who tries cases in a minor court magistrates’ court / mdȢstrets kɔ t/ noun 1. a building where magistrates try cases 쑗 The magistrates’ court is just opposite the police station. (NOTE: Magistrates who do not receive a salary are also called Justices of the Peace or JPs.) 2. a court presided over by magistrates 쑗 He appeared before the magistrates’ court on a charge of theft. Magna Carta /mDZnə kɑ tə/ noun the ‘Great Charter’, granted by King John in 1215, which gave English barons and free citizens certain political and personal freedoms magnanimity /mDZnə nmti/ noun great generosity magnanimous /mDZ nnməs/ adj very kind and generous to someone you have defeated or to someone who is weaker than you magnanimously /mDZ nnməsli/ adv in a magnanimous way magnate / mDZnet/ noun an important and powerful businessman. Synonym tycoon magnesium /mDZ ni ziəm/ noun a white metal which is used in making alloys and is also an essential element in biological life ③ magnet / mDZnt/ noun 1. a piece of metal which attracts iron and steel and will point roughly north when balanced on a pivot 쑗 There is a magnet inside the compass. 쑗 She has a Mickey Mouse which sticks to the fridge door with a magnet. 2. anything which attracts people or things 쑗 Moths were attracted to the lamp like a magnet. 쑗 The big city is a magnet for teenagers running away from home. magnetic /mDZ netk/ adj 1. which attracts metal 쑗 Iron and steel can be made magnetic, but wood and paper cannot. 2. having a power of attraction 쑗 She has a magnetically 509 magnetic personality – everyone looks at her when she enters a room. magnetically /mDZ netkli/ adv by or using a magnet magnetic field /mDZnetk fi ld/ noun an area around a magnet which is under its influence magnetic north /mDZnetk nɔ θ/ noun the point near the North Pole to which the needle of a compass points magnetic pole /mDZnetk pəυl/ noun one of the two poles which are the centres of the earth’s magnetic field magnetic strip /mDZnetk strp/ noun a layer of magnetic material on a plastic card, used for recording data magnetic tape /mDZ netk tep/ noun a special plastic tape on which sounds and pictures can be recorded, also used for recording computer data. Also called mag tape magnetise / mDZnətaz/, magnetize verb to make a piece of metal into a magnet magnetism / mDZnətz(ə)m/ noun 1. the quality of being magnetic 2. being charming and attractive 쑗 The princess had enormous personal magnetism. magnification /mDZnf keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of making something appear larger 쑗 Magnification enables us to see things that are too small to be visible to the naked eye. 2. the degree to which things appear larger when magnified 쑗 What magnification do you get with these binoculars? magnificence /mDZ nfs(ə)ns/ noun splendour or luxury magnificent /mDZ nfs(ə)nt/ adj very fine, very splendid or very luxurious. Synonym superb magnificently /mDZ nfs(ə)ntli/ adv in a magnificent way magnify / mDZnfa/ verb to make something appear larger magnifying glass / mDZnfaŋ DZlɑ s/ noun a lens which makes small objects appear larger ③ magnitude / mDZntju d/ noun 1. importance 쑗 They did not underestimate the magnitude of the task. 쑗 We will need more staff if we take on a project of this magnitude. 2. a measure of the brightness of any object in the sky 쑗 a star of the third magnitude magnolia /mDZ nəυliə/ noun a large tree with huge white or pink flowers magnum / mDZnəm/ noun a large bottle of wine, especially champagne, containing about 1.5 litres 쑗 They ordered magnums of champagne to celebrate their win. magnum opus /mDZnəm əυpəs/ noun the most important work produced by someone, especially by an artist mail shot magpie / mDZpa/ noun a common large black and white bird mag tape /mDZ tep/ noun same as magnetic tape mahogany /mə hɒDZəni/ noun a dark red tropical hardwood, now becoming rare maid /med/ noun 1. a female servant 쑗 The maid forgot to change the towels. 쑗 The chalet has a daily maid to do the cleaning. 2. 왍 old maid a middle-aged woman who is still not married maiden / med(ə)n/ noun an unmarried girl or woman 쑗 The village maidens danced at the wedding. 쐽 adj 1. (of a woman) unmarried 2. 왍 maiden (over) (in cricket) an over where no runs are scored maiden aunt /med(ə)n ɑ nt/ noun an unmarried aunt (dated ) maiden flight /med(ə)n flat/ noun the first flight of a new aircraft maiden name / med(ə)n nem/ noun the surname of a woman before she is married maiden speech /med(ə)n spi tʃ/ noun the first speech of a Member of Parliament maiden voyage /med(ə)n vɔdȢ/ noun the first voyage of a new ship ② mail /mel/ noun 1. letters which are delivered or which are sent 쑗 The mail hasn’t come yet. 쑗 The receipt was in this morning’s mail. 2. a service provided by the post office 쑗 We sent the parcel by sea mail. 쑗 It’s cheaper to send the order by surface mail than by air. 쐽 verb to send something by the postal services 쑗 We mailed the catalogue to addresses all over Europe. 쑗 He mailed the order last Wednesday. (NOTE: Mail is used in . both British and US English; British English also uses post, but US English does not.) mailbox / melbɒks/ noun US 1. one of several boxes where incoming mail is put in a large building 쑗 I checked the mailbox to see if I had any letters. 2. a box for putting letters and packets in which you want to mail 쑗 I posted the letter in the mailbox at the corner of the street. (NOTE: The plural is mailboxes. The British English term is letterbox or postbox.) ③ mailing list / melŋ lst/ noun a list of names and addresses of people to whom information can be sent mailman / melmn/ noun US a man who delivers letters (NOTE: The plural is mailmen. The British English term is postman.) mail merge / mel m" dȢ/ noun a com- puter program which allows the same letter to be written to many different addresses ③ mail order /mel ɔ də/ noun ordering and buying by post mail shot / mel ʃɒt/, mailing shot / melŋ ʃɒt/ noun a letter or letters advertis- maim 510 ing things and sent by post to possible customers maim /mem/ verb to injure someone very badly, sometimes causing permanent damage. Synonym wound ① main /men/ adj most important 쑗 The main thing is to get to work on time. 쑗 Their main factory is in Scotland. 쑗 January is the main month for skiing holidays. 쑗 A car will meet you at the main entrance. Antonym minor 쐽 noun 1. a large pipe for water or gas 쑗 A water main burst and flooded the street. 쑗 Workmen hit a gas main when they were digging a hole in the road. 2. 왍 the mains electricity brought into a building 쑗 That computer is plugged into the mains. 쑗 Our radio can run either on battery or mains. main clause /men klɔ z/ noun the main part of a sentence main course / men kɔ s/ noun the most important part of a meal, usually a dish of meat and vegetables or fish and vegetables mainframe / menfrem/ noun a large computer mainland / menlənd/ noun a large solid mass of land, as opposed to an island. Synonym landmass. Antonym island 왍 in mainland Europe in Europe, not counting the British Isles main line / men lan/ noun an important main railway line ② mainly / menli/ adv 1. most often 쑗 We sell mainly to businesses. 쑗 People mainly go on holiday in the summer. 2. chiefly 쑗 She is mainly interested in old churches. main road /men rəυd/ noun the largest and busiest road in a place mainsail / mensel/ noun the most important sail on a sailing ship mainspring / mensprŋ/ noun 1. the central spring of a watch or clock 쑗 The mainspring has snapped and needs replacing. 2. the most important reason which makes you do something 쑗 Ambition seemed to be the mainspring of her professional life. mainstay / menste/ noun a main support that plays the most important part in keeping something going mainstream / menstri m/ adj (of a group) most important. Synonym normal. Antonym unconventional ② maintain /men ten/ verb 1. to keep something going 쑗 We like to maintain good relations with our customers. 2. to keep something in good working order 쑗 The boiler needs to be regularly maintained. 3. to state something as a fact 쑗 Throughout the trial he maintained that the car was not his. ② maintenance / mentənəns/ noun 1. the act of keeping something in working order 쑗 We offer a full maintenance service. 2. majority the act of keeping things going or working 쑗 The maintenance of contacts with government officials. 3. money for upkeep, especially paid by a divorced or separated person to help pay for living expenses for children 쑗 to pay maintenance for the children maisonette /mezə net/ noun a flat on two floors in a larger house (NOTE: The US term is duplex.) maître d’hôtel /metrə dəυ tel/ noun a head waiter (NOTE: The US term is maître d’.) maize /mez/ noun a widely grown cereal crop, with tall plants bearing large yellow seeds (NOTE: Do not confuse with maze. The US term is corn.) majestic /mə dȢestk/ adj grand or stately majestically /mə dȢestkli/ adv grandly majesty / mdȢəsti/ noun 1. a beautiful or impressive sight 쑗 The majesty of the snow-covered mountains took his breath away. 2. used as a title for a king or queen 쑗 Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II (NOTE: The plural majesties is used to refer to several kings and queens: Their Majesties, the King and Queen of Norway. The way to address a king or queen directly is: Your Majesty.) ② major / medȢə/ adj 1. important 쑗 In- haled tar is a major cause of lung cancer. 쑗 Computers are a major influence on modern industrial society. 쑗 Many small roads are blocked by snow, but the major roads are open. 왍 the major part of something most of something 쑗 The major part of the film takes place in Scotland. 2. (in music) a key where there are semitones between the third and fourth, and seventh and eighth notes, and tones between the others 쑗 She played a concerto in B major. Compare minor 쐽 noun a rank of an officer in the army below colonel 쑗 A major came up in a truck with six soldiers. (NOTE: also used as a title before a surname: Major Smith) 쐽 verb US to specialise in a subject at university 쑗 She majored in English literature. majorette /medȢə ret/ noun a girl who marches in front of a parade ② majority /mə dȢɒrti/ noun 1. the larger part of a group 쑗 The majority of the members of the club don’t want to change the rules. 왍 in the majority being more than half of the members 쑗 Women are in a majority on the committee. 쏡 silent 2. a number of voters which is larger than half 쑗 She was elected with a majority of 10,000. 왍 the government has a majority of one the government has one MP more than the opposition 왍 a two-thirds majority more than 66% 쑗 You need a two-thirds majority to get the approval of the shareholders. 3. the age when you become legally adult 쑗 He will inherit make 511 from his grandfather when he reaches his majority. ① make /mek/ noun the country or the company which makes something 쑗 Japanese makes of cars 쑗 What is the make of your refrigerator? Synonym sort 쐽 verb 1. to put something together or build something 쑗 He made a boat out of old pieces of wood. 쑗 These knives are made of steel. 2. to get something ready 쑗 She is making a Christmas cake. 쑗 Do you want me to make some tea? 왍 to make a bed to make a bed tidy after someone has slept in it 쑗 When we got to the hotel, the beds hadn’t been made. 3. to add up to a total 쑗 Six and four make ten. 4. to earn money 쑗 He made millions of pounds by buying and selling property. 5. to give someone a feeling 쑗 The smell of curry makes me hungry. 쑗 The rough sea made him feel sick. 쑗 Looking at old photographs made her sad. 쑗 He made himself comfortable in the armchair. 6. to force someone to do something 쑗 His mother made him clean his room. 쑗 The teacher made us all stay in after school. 쑗 I can’t make the car go any faster. 쑗 What on earth made you do that? 7. (in sports) to score 쑗 He made 156. (NOTE: making – made /med/) 왍 to make good something to put something right 쑗 They promised to make good the damage they caused. 왍 to make good to become successful 쑗 He’s a local boy who has made good in the city. 왍 to make it to be successful 쑗 We won’t make it – we left the house too late. 왍 what time do you make it? what is the time according to your watch? 왍 to make sense of something to understand something 쑗 I can’t make any sense of what she’s trying to say. 왍 to make do with to use something because there is nothing else available 앳 to make sense 1. to be understood 쑗 The message doesn’t make sense. 2. to be a good idea 쑗 It makes sense to put a little money into your savings account every week. make-believe / mek bli v/ noun the practice of pretending that something is true when it is not. Synonym fantasy. Antonym reality ③ make for / mek fɔ / verb 1. to go towards a place 쑗 The army was making for the capital. 쑗 As soon as the film started, she made straight for the exit. 2. to help something to happen 쑗 Non-stick pans make for easier washing up. ③ make of / mek ɒv/ verb to have an impression or opinion about something ③ make off with /mek ɒf wð/ verb to steal something. Synonym appropriate ① make out /mek aυt/ verb 1. to be able to see clearly 쑗 Can you make out the house in the dark? 2. to be able to understand 쑗 I can’t make out why he doesn’t want to come. malaise 3. to claim something which is probably not true 쑗 The English weather isn’t really as bad as it is made out to be. 쑗 She tries to make out that she’s very poor. 4. to write something, such as a name 쑗 The cheque is made out to Mr Smith. 5. US to be successful 쑗 He tried opening a fish restaurant but it didn’t make out. 쑗 How is Bobby making out at school? make over /mek əυvə/ verb 왍 to make over something to someone to pass ownership of something to someone 쑗 He made over the property to his daughter. maker / mekə/ noun a person who makes something. Synonym creator. Antonym destroyer 왍 our Maker God makeshift / mekʃft/ adj used temporarily in place of something else. Antonym permanent make up /mek p/ verb 1. to invent a story 쑗 He said he had seen a man climbing into the house, but in fact he made the whole story up. 2. 왍 to make yourself up to put on makeup, e.g. powder and lipstick 3. to form something 쑗 The staff is made up of secretaries and drivers. 4. 왍 to make up your mind to decide on something 쑗 They can’t make up their minds on where to go for their holiday. 왍 his mind is made up nothing will make him change his mind 쑗 It’s no use talking to him – his mind is made up. 5. to become friends again 쑗 They quarrelled, and then made it up. 6. 왍 to make it up to someone to compensate someone for something, e.g. for something lost or damaged 쑗 Don’t worry about the paint on your carpet – we’ll make it up to you. ③ makeup / mekp/ noun 1. substances, e.g. face powder and lipstick, which are put on your face to make it more beautiful 쑗 She wears no makeup apart from a little eye shadow. 쑗 He spent hours over his makeup for the part of the monster. 2. the way in which something is formed or arranged 쑗 By bringing in ministers from another party, the Prime Minister has altered the whole makeup of the Cabinet. 쑗 The census shows the ethnic makeup of the population. ③ making / mekŋ/ noun the construction or formation of something 왍 it was four years in the making it took four years to make 왍 it has the makings of something it may develop into something 쑗 The situation has all the makings of a political crisis. maladjusted /mlə dȢstd/ adj unable to fit in with the rest of society maladroit /mlə drɔt/ adj clumsy when dealing with people or things. Synonym ① awkward malaise /mə lez/ noun 1. a feeling of being slightly ill 쑗 She had a feeling of malaise but couldn’t say what caused it. 2. a feeling malaria 512 of being slightly worried 쑗 There is a general malaise among the middle-class which might make them vote against the government. malaria /mə leəriə/ noun a tropical disease caused by a parasite which enters the body after a bite from a female mosquito ② male /mel/ adj 1. referring to the sex which does not give birth to young 쑗 A male deer is called a stag. 2. referring to men or boys 쑗 The male population is more likely to get flu than the female. 쐽 noun 1. a man or boy 쑗 The wreckage contained the bodies of two males and two females. 2. an animal or insect of the sex which does not give birth to young or lay eggs 쑗 With spiders, the female is usually bigger than the male. (NOTE: Do not confuse with mail.) male menopause /mel menəpɔ z/ noun a period in a man’s life in middle age, when he wants to change his way of life malevolence /mə levələns/ noun the state of wanting to harm other people. Synonym wickedness. Antonym benevolence malevolent /mə levələnt/ adj who wants to harm other people. Antonym benevolent malformation /mlfɔ meʃ(ə)n/ noun the fact of being wrongly shaped or badly formed malfunction /ml fŋkʃən/ noun the fact of not working properly 쑗 The data was lost due to a software malfunction. Synonym fault 쐽 verb not to work properly 쑗 Some of the keys on the keyboard have started to malfunction. Antonym function malice / mls/ noun an unfriendly or spiteful feeling towards someone. Synonym hatred 왍 to do something out of malice to do something just to hurt someone 쑗 She threw away his diary out of or from pure malice. malicious /mə lʃəs/ adj 1. done because you want to harm someone 쑗 There has been some malicious gossip about her. 쑗 It was a malicious attempt to make her lose her job. 2. done without a lawful reason maliciously /mə lʃəsli/ adv in a malicious way malign /mə lan/ verb to say nasty things about someone or something 쑗 I’ve no wish to malign my assistant, who has generally been doing an excellent job. Synonym criticise. Antonym praise 왍 he has been much maligned people have criticised him a lot 쐽 adj causing harm (literary) 쑗 the malign influence of drugs. Synonym harmful. Antonym benign malignancy /mə lDZnənsi/ noun the fact of being malignant malignant /mə lDZnənt/ adj 1. likely to be cause death 2. wanting to harm someone 쑗 man his malignant attitude towards his neighbours because of their dog mall /mɔ l/ noun 왍 the Mall a street in London leading from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace 쑗 The soldiers paraded down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. (NOTE: Do not confuse with maul.) malleable / mliəb(ə)l/ adj soft, which can be moulded into shape mallet / mlt/ noun a large wooden hammer malnourished /ml nrʃt/ adj suffering from malnutrition malnutrition /mlnjυ trʃ(ə)n/ noun the state of not having enough to eat malpractice /ml prkts/ noun the practice of acting in an unprofessional or illegal way (by a doctor, lawyer, accountant, etc.). Synonym misconduct malt /mɔ lt/ noun barley grains which have been through the malting process and are used in breweries to make beer and in distilleries to make whisky 쐽 verb 1. to treat grain such as barley by allowing it to sprout and then drying it 2. to flavour something with malt malted milk /mɔ ltd mlk/ noun a hot drink made from milk powder flavoured with malt maltreat /ml tri t/ verb to treat someone badly malt whisky /mɔ lt wski/ noun whisky distilled from malted barley mama /mə mɑ / noun a child’s name for mother (informal dated ) ③ mammal / mm(ə)l/ noun a type of animal which gives birth to live young and feeds them with milk mammalian /mə meliən/ adj referring to mammals mammoth / mməθ/ noun a very large hairy elephant living in prehistoric times 쑗 There’s a full-size model of a mammoth in the museum. 쑗 The woolly mammoth is thought to have become extinct during the last Ice Age. 쐽 adj enormous or huge 쑗 Updating the bank’s computer records is a mammoth task. Synonym enormous. Antonym tiny ① man /mn/ noun 1. a male human being 쑗 That tall man is my brother. 쑗 There’s a young man at reception asking for Mr Smith. 2. any human being 쑗 Stone Age men existed several thousand years ago. 3. 왍 the man in the street an ordinary person 쑗 The man in the street isn’t interested in quantum physics. 4. an ordinary soldier or worker 쑗 Half the men are off sick. (NOTE: The plural is men /men/.) 쐽 verb to provide staff to work something 쑗 The switchboard is manned all day. 쑗 She sometimes mans the front desk . manacle 513 when the receptionist is ill. (NOTE: mans – manning – manned) manacle / mnək(ə)l/ noun one of two steel rings connected by a chain which attaches the wrists or ankles of a prisoner together. 쏡 handcuffs 쐽 verb to attach a prisoner’s wrists or ankles together 쑗 The prisoners entered the court manacled. ① manage / mndȢ/ verb 1. to be in charge of something 쑗 She manages all our offices in Europe. 쑗 We want to appoint someone to manage the new shop. 2. 왍 to manage to do something to do something successfully 쑗 Did you manage to phone the office? 쑗 The burglars managed to open the door of the safe. 3. to be able to work properly or cope with a situation 쑗 Can you manage all by yourself? 쑗 How are we going to manage without a driver? manageable / mndȢəb(ə)l/ adj which can be dealt with easily ① management / mndȢmənt/ noun 1. a group of people who direct workers 쑗 The management has decided to move to new offices. 왍 under new management with a new owner or manager 쑗 The shop is under new management. 2. the directing and control of work 쑗 He’s taking a course in management. 쑗 If anything goes wrong now it’s just a case of bad management. management team / mndȢmənt ti m/ noun all the managers who work together in a company ① manager / mndȢə/ noun 1. the person in charge of a department in a shop or in a business 쑗 The bank manager wants to talk about your account. 쑗 The sales manager organised a publicity campaign. 쑗 She’s the manager of the shoe department. 2. an organiser of a sports team 쑗 The club have just sacked their manager. 3. a person who is employed to organise the work of someone, e.g. a singer, sportsman or actor 쑗 Her manager is organising her tour of North America. manageress /mndȢə res/ noun a woman who manages a shop or department (NOTE: The plural is (dated ) . manageresses.) managerial /mnə dȢəriəl/ adj referring to managers. Synonym executive 왍 to be appointed to a managerial position to be appointed a manager 왍 decisions taken at managerial level decisions taken by managers ③ managing director /mnədȢŋ darektə/ noun a director in charge of a company Mandarin / mndərn/ noun the principal spoken form of Chinese, the official language of China ③ mandate / mndet/ noun the power given to a person to act on behalf of someone maniac else 왍 the government has a clear mandate from the people to improve the health service when they voted for the government people approved of the plan to improve the health service mandatory / mndət(ə)ri/ adj which has to be done or has to take place because of a rule or law. Synonym obligatory. Antonym optional mandible / mndb(ə)l/ noun the lower jaw of an animal, e.g. a bird, insect, or human being mandolin /mndə ln/ noun a stringed instrument like a small guitar with eight strings mane /men/ noun the long hair on the neck of a lion or horse (literary or informal ) . (NOTE: Do not confuse with main.) manfully / mnf(ə)li/ adv in a strong and determined way manger / mendȢə/ noun a box for food for farm animals, e.g. horses or cows mangle / mŋDZəl/ noun a device with rollers for squeezing the water out of clothes, etc. which have been washed (dated ) 쑗 Put the sheets through the mangle before hanging them up to dry. 쐽 verb 1. to squash something or chop something up 쑗 The mangled remains of a dog run over by a lorry. 2. to spoil something by doing it badly 쑗 He mangled his part so much that the audience laughed. 쑗 The poem was completely mangled in translation. mango / mŋDZəυ/ noun a large tropical fruit with yellow flesh and a big stone (NOTE: . The plural is mangoes.) mangrove / mŋDZrəυv/ noun a tree which grows beside water in hot countries and which has roots above the ground manhandle / mnhnd(ə)l/ verb 1. to move something large and heavy by hand 쑗 Ten men were needed to manhandle the statue into place. 2. to handle someone roughly 쑗 The protesters complained they had been manhandled by the police. manhole / mnhəυl/ noun a hole in the road or pavement through which you go below the ground, e.g. into the sewers manhood / mnhυd/ noun the state of being a man (NOTE: no plural) manhunt / mnhnt/ noun a search for someone, especially by the police mania / meniə/ noun 1. a form of mental illness where the patient is very excited and violent 2. a passion for something 쑗 He has a mania for collecting old cars. 쑗 She has a mania for white clothes. maniac / menik/ noun 1. a person with a mania 쑗 A maniac with a gun was holding the family hostage. 2. a crazy person 쑗 We were nearly killed by some maniac driving a sports car. manic 514 manic / mnk/ adj 1. wildly energetic 쑗 The scene of manic activity in the office as everyone rushed to finish the work before the deadline. 2. referring to mania manic depression /mnk d preʃ(ə)n/, manic-depressive illness /mnk dpresv lnəs/ noun a psychological illness in which the patient moves between mania and depression and has delusions manicure / mnkjυə/ noun the act of looking after the hands and nails 왍 to have a manicure to have your hands cleaned and nails trimmed 쑗 She offered to give me a manicure. 쐽 verb to look after the hands and nails 쑗 her beautifully manicured hands manicurist / mnkjυərst/ noun a person whose job is to look after people’s hands manifest / mnfest/ adj obvious, plain for everyone to see 쑗 His manifest lack of interest in the subject, made teaching him difficult. Synonym apparent. Antonym unclear 쐽 noun a list of goods, cargo, or passengers 쑗 According to the manifest, the cargo is supposed to be tractor parts. 쐽 verb to show something 쑗 The cat manifested no interest in her food whatsoever. 왍 to manifest itself as something to show itself as something 쑗 The disease first manifests itself as a slight skin rash. ③ manifestation /mnfe steʃ(ə)n/ noun an appearance manifestly / mnfestli/ adv obviously (formal ) manifesto /mn festəυ/ noun 왍 a political party’s manifesto a programme of action outlined by a political party and published as a pamphlet 쑗 The Conservative manifesto was published last week. Compare . platform manipulate /mə npjυlet/ verb 1. to influence people or situations so that you get what you want 쑗 By manipulating the media the government made sure its message got across to the people. 2. to handle something 쑗 She found it difficult to manipulate the instruments when wearing protective clothing. 3. to falsify accounts to make a company seem more profitable 쑗 He was accused of manipulating the sales figures to protect the share price. ③ manipulation /mənpjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of influencing people or situations so that you get what you want 쑗 The government made sure its message got across through its manipulation of the media. 2. the act of handling machinery 쑗 Manipulation of the machine is best done by an expert. manipulative /mə npjυlətv/ adj controlling and using people, so as to get them to do what you want mansion ③ mankind /mn kand/ noun the human race, all human beings (dated ) (NOTE: no . plural) manly / mnli/ adj looking or behaving as a man should look or behave. Synonym virile man-made /mn med/ adj which has been made by human beings. Synonym artificial manned /mnd/ adj which is operated by people mannequin / mnkn/ noun 1. a model of a person, dressed in clothes to show them to people who might buy them 쑗 Her job is to dress the mannequins in the store window. 2. same as model (old ) ② manner / mnə/ noun 1. a way of behaving 쑗 She has a very unpleasant manner. 쑗 The staff don’t like the new manager’s manner. 2. a sort 왍 in a manner of speaking in some sort of way 쑗 In a manner of speaking, I’m glad to have got the sack, as I won’t have to work in that dreadful office again. mannered / mnəd/ adj full of odd unnatural expressions. Synonym affected mannerism / mnərz(ə)m/ noun a gesture or way of speaking which is particular to one person manners / mnəz/ plural noun a way of behaving in public manning / mnŋ/ noun same as staffing mannish / mnʃ/ adj (of a woman) looking or dressing like a man manoeuvre /mə nu və/ noun a planned action to avoid something or to deceive someone 쑗 The captain had to make a sudden manoeuvre to avoid hitting the smaller ship. 쑗 The company has carried out various manoeuvres to avoid bankruptcy. 쐽 verb 1. to move something heavy or difficult to handle 쑗 We manoeuvred the piano into position on the stage. 쑗 A big lorry is difficult to manoeuvre round corners. 2. to work to put yourself in a good position 쑗 She managed to manoeuvre herself onto the board of the company. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is . maneuver.) manoeuvres /mə nu vəz/ plural noun military exercises (NOTE: The US spelling is maneuvers.) ③ manor / mnə/ noun a country house and the land surrounding it (NOTE: Do not confuse with manner.) manor house / mnə haυs/ noun a coun- try house manpower / mnpaυə/ noun the number of workers in a country or industry or organisation ③ mansion / mnʃən/ noun 1. a very large private house 쑗 He’s bought a mansion overlooking the golf course. 쑗 They live in a mansion in Hampstead with its own swim- manslaughter 515 ming pool and tennis courts. 2. 왍 mansions a large block of flats 쑗 His address is Flat 10, Harewood Mansions, London Road. manslaughter / mnslɔ tə/ noun the offence of killing someone without having intended to do so or of killing someone intentionally but with mitigating circumstances. Compare murder mantelpiece / mntlpi s/, mantelshelf / mntlʃelf/ noun a shelf above a fireplace mantle / mnt(ə)l/ noun 1. a cloak 쑗 Ladies arrived for the ball wrapped in fur mantles. 2. a covering 쑗 The ground was covered by a mantle of snow. 왍 to assume the mantle of office or power to take up an official position or to take power (formal ) 쑗 After the coup, the general assumed the mantle of power. mantra / mntrə/ noun a phrase which is chanted many times, as in a prayer manual / mnjuəl/ adj 1. done by hand 2. (of a car ) in which the gears are changed by hand 쑗 I prefer a manual model to an automatic. 쐽 noun a book of instructions 쑗 Look in the manual to see if it tells you how to change the toner cartridge. manufacture /mnjυ fktʃə/ noun the process of making a commercially produced product 쑗 Robots are used in car manufacture. 쑗 Most of the cars are of foreign manufacture. 쐽 verb to make products commercially 쑗 We no longer manufacture tractors here. Synonym build ② manufacturer /mnjυ fktʃərə/ noun a person or company producing industrial products. Synonym builder ③ manufacturing /mnjυ fktʃərŋ/ noun the business of making things in large quantities for sale 쑗 Only 25% of the nation’s workforce is now engaged in manufacturing. 쐽 adj which manufactures things 쑗 the decline of manufacturing industry manure /mə njυə/ noun animal dung used as fertiliser on land 쑗 The farmers were out in the field, spreading manure. 쐽 verb to spread animal dung on the land as fertiliser 쑗 The soil should be well manured before you begin planting. manuscript / mnjυskrpt/ noun 1. a document, letter or poem which has been written by hand 쑗 the sale of several manuscript letters by King Charles II 쑗 One of the original manuscripts of the Domesday Book is kept in London. 2. a handwritten or typed version of a book which has not been printed or published 쑗 He sent his manuscript to several publishers, but no one wanted to publish it. (NOTE: often written MS, plural MSS, say . . ‘manuscripts’) ① many / meni/ adj 1. a large number of things or people the south coast. 쑗 쑗 Many old people live on So many people wanted marauder rooms that the hotel was booked up. 쑗 She ate twice as many cakes as her sister did. 2. asking a question 쑗 How many times have you been to France? 쑗 How many passengers were there on the plane? 3. 왍 a great many, a good many quite a lot 쑗 A good many people think we should build a bypass round the town. 왍 too many more than necessary 쑗 There were too many people waiting and not enough room on the bus for all of them. 왍 one too many one more than enough 쐽 pron a large number of people 쑗 Many of the students knew the lecturer when he was a student himself. 쑗 Many would say that smoking should be banned in all public places. Maori / maυri/ adj referring to the original inhabitants of New Zealand 쑗 The visitors were greeted with Maori songs. 쐽 noun 1. a person of the race of the original inhabitants of New Zealand 쑗 The Maoris decorated the prows of their war canoes. 2. the language spoken by the race of the original inhabitants of New Zealand ② map /mp/ noun a drawing which shows a place, e.g. a town, a country or the world, as if it is seen from the air 쑗 Here’s a map of Europe. 쑗 The village where they live is so small I can’t find it on the map. 쑗 Show me on the map where the mountains are. 쑗 They lost their way because they’d forgotten to take a map. 쐽 verb 1. to make a map of a place such as a country 쑗 The explorers mapped the whole of the south of the country. 2. 왍 to map something out to plan something in advance 쑗 We met yesterday to map out our publicity programme. 쑗 They mapped out a plan to buy the company. 쑗 He mapped out a route to get to Birmingham using only minor roads, not motorways. maple / mep(ə)l/ noun a northern tree, growing mainly in Canada and the USA, with sweet sap maple leaf / mep(ə)l li f/ noun a leaf with five points, used as the symbol of Canada on the Canadian national flag maple syrup /mep(ə)l srəp/ noun syrup made from the sap of the maple tree mar /mɑ / verb to spoil something. Synonym deface. Antonym repair (NOTE: marring – marred) marathon noun / mrəθ(ə)n/ a long-distance race 쑗 A marathon is run over 26 miles. 쑗 She’s training for the New York marathon. 쐽 adj which lasts a long time and is very tiring 쑗 The marathon meeting of club members lasted for over five hours. 쑗 After a marathon negotiating session, we finally reached agreement. marauder /mə rɔ də/ noun a person who raids a place. Synonym raider marauding 516 marauding /mə rɔ dŋ/ adj moving from place to place to steal and destroy things marble / mɑ b(ə)l/ noun 1. a very hard type of stone which can be polished so that it shines brilliantly 쑗 The entrance hall has a marble floor. 쑗 The table top is made from a single slab of green marble. 2. a small glass ball marbles / mɑ b(ə)lz/ plural noun a game played by children by rolling marbles along the ground march /mɑ tʃ/ noun 1. the act of walking in step, especially by soldiers or sailors 쑗 The soldiers were tired after their long march through the mountains. 왍 a quick or slow march a rapid or slow walking pace 2. a piece of music with a regular beat for marching 쑗 At the end of the burial service the band played a slow march. 쐽 verb 1. to walk in step 쑗 The guards marched after the band. 쑗 We were just in time to see the soldiers march past. 왍 quick march! an order to soldiers to march at a rapid pace 2. 왍 the police marched him off to prison the police took him away quickly to prison 3. to walk quickly and purposefully 쑗 She marched into the shop and asked to speak to the manager. 4. to walk in a protest march 쑗 Thousands of workers marched to the parliament building. ① March /mɑ tʃ/ noun the third month of the year, between February and April (NOTE: March 6th or March 6: say ‘March the sixth’ or ‘the sixth of March’ or in US English: ‘March sixth’.) marcher / mɑ tʃə/ noun a person who marches in a protest march march past / mɑ tʃ pɑ st/ noun a ceremonial military parade mare /meə/ noun a female horse margarine /mɑ dȢə ri n/ noun a mixture of animal or vegetable oil which is used instead of butter marge /mɑ dȢ/ noun same as margarine (informal ) ③ margin / mɑ dȢn/ noun 1. a white space at the edge of a page of writing 쑗 Write your comments in the margin. 쑗 We left a wide margin so that you can write notes in it. 2. extra space, time, etc. 왍 leave a margin for error to allow extra space or time in case you have made a mistake 왍 by a wide margin by a big distance, by a large number of votes, etc. 쑗 The Labour candidate won by a wide margin. 3. money received which is more than money paid 쑗 Small businesses operate on very narrow margins. 쑗 We have to cut our margins to remain competitive. marginal / mɑ dȢn(ə)l/ adj 1. slight 쑗 There is only a marginal difference between them. 2. (of a parliamentary seat) in which the opposing parties are almost equal, with very few votes between them 쑗 The party is . mark targeting the most marginal seats in the country. marginalise / mɑ dȢnəlaz/, marginalize verb to make someone or something less important. Antonym include marginally / mɑ dȢn(ə)li/ adv slightly marigold / mrDZəυld/ noun a common garden plant with yellow or orange flowers marijuana /mr wɑ nə/ noun a drug made from hemp. Also called cannabis marina /mə ri nə/ noun a special harbour with floating jetties where a large number of yachts and pleasure boats can be tied up marinade / mrned/ noun a mixture of wine and herbs, etc., in which meat or fish is soaked before cooking 쑗 The marinade gives a delicious flavour to the meat. 쐽 verb to soak meat or fish in a mixture of wine and herbs, etc. 쑗 Marinade the meat for twelve hours before cooking. marinate / mrnet/ verb same as marinade marine /mə ri n/ adj referring to the sea 쑗 She studied marine biology. 쐽 noun a soldier serving in the navy Marines /mə ri nz/ plural noun a branch of the armed forces whose members operate both on land and on sea marionette /mriə net/ noun a puppet moved by strings attached to its arms and legs marital / mrt(ə)l/ adj referring to a marriage. Synonym conjugal marital status /mrt(ə)l stetəs/ noun the position of being married, divorced or not married maritime / mrtam/ adj referring to the sea or ships marjoram / mɑ dȢərəm/ noun a herb used in Mediterranean cooking, especially pizzas ① mark /mɑ k/ noun 1. a small spot of a different colour 쑗 The red wine has made a mark on the tablecloth. 쑗 She has a mark on her forehead where she hit her head. 2. the points given to a student 쑗 She got top marks in English. 쑗 What sort of mark did you get for your homework? 쑗 No one got full marks – the top mark was 8 out of 10. 3. a line showing a certain point 쑗 His income has reached the £100,000 mark. 4. a target 왍 wide of the mark not at all correct 쑗 His estimate of the costs was wide of the mark. 5. a printed sign 6. an order given to runners at the beginning of a race 쑗 On your marks, get set, go! 7. money formerly used in Germany, now replaced by the euro 쑗 The price was twenty-five marks. Also called Deutschmark (NOTE: usually written DM after figures: 25DM) 쐽 verb 1. to make a mark on something 왍 the box is marked ‘dangerous’ the box has the word ‘dangerous’ written on mark down 517 it 2. to correct and give points to work 쑗 The teacher hasn’t finished marking our homework. 쑗 Has the English exam been marked yet? 3. 왍 to mark an opponent (in games) to follow an opposing player closely, so as to prevent him or her getting the ball ③ mark down /mɑ k daυn/ verb to reduce the price of something 쑗 We have marked all prices down by 30% for the sale. ③ marked /mɑ kt/ adj 1. very obvious, definite 쑗 This month’s sales showed a marked improvement. 쑗 His performance was first class – in marked contrast to his game last week. 2. 왍 to be a marked man to have been selected by an enemy as a probable target 쑗 He informed on the mafia boss, and since has become a marked man in fear for his life. markedly / mɑ kdli/ adv very obviously ③ marker / mɑ kə/ noun 1. a thing which marks something 쑗 The golfer put down a marker before moving his ball. 2. a person who gives a mark to something, e.g. a piece of work, an examination or an entry in a competition 쑗 Our teacher is a very hard marker – nobody gets more than seven out of ten. ① market / mɑ kt/ noun 1. a place where products, e.g. fruit and vegetables, are sold from small tables, often in the open air 쑗 We buy all our vegetables and fish at the market. 쑗 Market day is Saturday, so parking will be difficult. 2. 왍 in the market for something wanting to buy 쑗 We are in the market for good quality antiques. 왍 on the market for sale 쑗 Their house has been on the market for three months. 왍 to put something on the market to offer something for sale 쑗 We put our house on the market three months ago and no one has even been to look at it. 3. a place where a product is required or where a product could be sold 쑗 The market for Russian cars has almost disappeared. 쑗 The potential global market for this product is enormous. 왍 the domestic market, the home market the market in the country where you live 쑗 Sales in the domestic market have not increased. 쐽 verb to sell products using marketing techniques 쑗 This product is being marketed in all European countries. marketable / mɑ ktəb(ə)l/ adj which can be sold easily market economy /mɑ kt  kɒnəmi/ noun a system of economy in which prices and earnings are controlled by the people’s demands rather than by the government market forces /mɑ kt fɔ sz/ plural noun commercial influences which have an effect on the success of a product or firm 쑗 Market forces decide which firms succeed and which fail. marquee market garden /mɑ kt DZɑ dn/ noun a small farm which grows vegetables or fruit which are sold in a nearby town (NOTE: The US term is truck farm.) ③ marketing / mɑ ktŋ/ noun the tech- niques, e.g. publicity and packaging, which are used to sell a product. Synonym advertising marketplace / mɑ ktples/ noun 1. an open space in the middle of a town where a market is held 쑗 The marketplace is usually right in the centre of a town. 2. the activity of selling goods or services 쑗 Our sales staff find life difficult in the marketplace. 쑗 What is the reaction to the new car in the marketplace? market research /mɑ kt r s" tʃ/ noun the activity of examining the possible sales of a product and the possible customers before it is put on the market ③ market share /mɑ kt ʃeə/ noun the percentage of possible sales which a company or product has market town / mɑ kt taυn/ noun a town where an open-air market is held regularly ③ marking / mɑ kŋ/ noun 1. the action of making marks 2. the action of correcting something, e.g. exercises or homework 쑗 Marking is not a job I like. 3. exercises or exam papers which are waiting to be marked 쑗 He took a pile of marking home with him. marksman / mɑ ksmən/ noun a person who shoots well (NOTE: The plural is marks- ③ men.) ③ mark up /mɑ k p/ verb to increase the price of something 쑗 These prices have been marked up by 10%. 쑗 If retailers find the discount too low they mark the prices up to make a better margin. mark-up / mɑ k p/ noun an amount added to the cost price to give the selling price ③ marmalade / mɑ məled/ noun a jam made from fruits such as oranges, lemons or grapefruit and eaten at breakfast maroon /mə ru n/ adj deep purple red 쑗 He was wearing a maroon tie. 쐽 noun 1. a deep purple red colour 쑗 Maroon is a favourite colour for school uniforms. 2. a small firework used as a distress signal by ships 쑗 The coastguard let off a maroon as a signal for the lifeboat to be launched. 쐽 verb to leave someone in a place from which there is no escape 쑗 They were marooned on the desert island for ten days. 쑗 The bus broke down, leaving us all marooned miles from anywhere. Synonym abandon marque /mɑ k/ noun a famous brand name for a car. Synonym make marquee /mɑ ki / noun a very large tent marquess 518 marquess / mɑ kws/, marquis noun a member of the nobility, the rank below a duke ② marriage / mrdȢ/ noun 1. the state of being legally joined as husband and wife 쑗 A large number of marriages end in divorce. 쑗 She has two sons by her first marriage. 2. a wedding, the ceremony of being married 쑗 They had a simple marriage, with just ten guests. 쑗 The marriage took place at the registry office. marriageable / mrdȢəb(ə)l/ adj suitable to become married ② married / mrid/ adj joined as husband and wife 쑗 Are you married or single? 쑗 How long have you been married. 쑗 Married life must suit him – he’s put on weight. married name / mrid nem/ noun a husband’s surname taken by a woman when she gets married marrow / mrəυ/ noun a large green vegetable of the pumpkin family, similar to a large cucumber 쑗 His marrow was the biggest exhibit in the vegetable show. ① marry / mri/ verb 1. to make two people husband and wife 쑗 They were married at the registry office. 2. to become the husband or wife of someone 쑗 She married the boy next door. 쑗 She’s married to a policeman. 쑗 They’re getting married next Saturday. marsh /mɑ ʃ/ noun a wet and swampy land. Synonym bog(NOTE: The plural is marshes.) marshal / mɑ ʃ(ə)l/ noun 1. a military officer of the highest rank 2. an organiser of a race or a show 쑗 Marshals tried to direct the crowds to the grandstands. 쑗 Some marshals rushed to the scene of the crash and others waved flags to try to stop the race. 3. US an officer of a court 쑗 Federal marshals raided several houses looking for a prisoner who had escaped from jail. 4. US the chief of police or chief of the fire brigade in an area 쐽 verb to organise people or things into order 쑗 Extra police were brought in to marshal the crowds of fans. 쑗 He tried to marshal the facts but was too sleepy to think clearly. Antonym muddle (NOTE: Do not confuse with martial. Note: marshalling – marshalled but the US spelling is marshaling – marshaled) marshland / mɑ ʃlnd/ noun an area where the soil is wet and there are many pools of water. Synonym bog marshmallow /mɑ ʃ mləυ/ noun a soft white or pink sweet marshy / mɑ ʃi/ adj (of land ) swampy or wet (NOTE: marshier – marshiest) marsupial /mɑ su piəl/ noun a type of animal found in Australia, which carries its young in a pouch in the front of its body . mascara martial / mɑ ʃ(ə)l/ adj referring to war (formal ) 왍 martial music marches played by military bands martial arts / mɑ ʃ(ə)l ɑ tz/ plural noun oriental fighting techniques, sometimes using swords or sticks martial law /mɑ ʃ(ə)l lɔ / noun maintenance of law by the army instead of the police. Synonym state of emergency Martian / mɑ ʃ(ə)n/ adj referring to the planet Mars 쑗 The probe has taken photographs of the Martian landscape. 쐽 noun an imaginary person living on or coming from the planet Mars 쑗 A story about Martians who come to invade the Earth. Synonym alien. Antonym terrestrial martinet /mɑ t net/ noun a person who is very strict about making other people obey rules. Synonym disciplinarian martyr / mɑ tə/ noun 1. a person killed or made to suffer because of his or her beliefs 쑗 St Stephen, the first Christian martyr 쑗 Christian martyrs were killed by the Romans. 쑗 She was a martyr in the cause of national liberation. 2. a person who pretends to suffer in order to get sympathy 쑗 She sat at the switchboard all day, looking a real martyr. 3. 왍 to be a martyr to something to suffer a lot from something 쑗 He’s a martyr to indigestion. 쐽 verb to kill someone for his or her religious beliefs 쑗 St Catherine was martyred in the 4th century. martyrdom / mɑ tədəm/ noun the fact of suffering death for your beliefs martyred / mɑ təd/ adj pretending to suffer in order to get sympathy marvel / mɑ v(ə)l/ noun a thing which you think is wonderful 쑗 The building is one of the marvels of the modern age. 쑗 It’s a marvel that she managed to remember my birthday. 쐽 verb 왍 to marvel at someone or something to show wonder or surprise at someone or something 쑗 Everyone marvelled at the sheer size of the statue. ② marvellous / mɑ vələs/ adj wonderful (NOTE: The US spelling is marvelous.) marvellously / mɑ v(ə)ləsli/ adv in a wonderful way (NOTE: The US spelling is marvelously.) Marxism / mɑ ksz(ə)m/ noun the political theories of Karl Marx, which led to communism and socialism Marxist / mɑ ksst/ noun a person who believes in Marxism 쐽 adj referring to Marxism marzipan / mɑ zpn/ noun a paste made from ground almonds, sugar and egg, used to cover a fruit cake before icing or to make individual little sweets mascara /m skɑ rə/ noun a substance for making eyelashes dark . mascot 519 mascot / mskɒt/ noun an object or animal which you think brings good luck. Synonym symbol ③ masculine / mskjυln/ adj 1. male, referring to men 쑗 She had a very masculine hair style. 2. manly, with qualities that are typical of men 쑗 He answered in a gruff masculine voice. 3. (in grammar ) referring to words which have a particular form to show the male gender 쑗 Is the French word ‘table’ masculine or feminine? Antonym feminine masculinity /mskjυ lnti/ noun male qualities, what is typical of a male. Antonym . femininity mash /mʃ/ noun 1. a food mixture made of different ingredients which are crushed together 쑗 They prepared some mash for the pigs. 2. mashed potatoes 쑗 a plate of sausage and mash or bangers and mash 쏡 banger 쐽 verb to crush something into a paste 쑗 Mash the ingredients together before adding water. 쑗 She mashed the potatoes with butter and milk. Synonym pulp ③ mashed potatoes /mʃt pə tetəυz/ plural noun potatoes which have been boiled, then crushed into a soft mass with milk and butter, served hot mask /mɑ sk/ noun something which covers or protects your face 쑗 The burglars wore black masks. 쑗 He wore a mask to go diving. 쐽 verb to cover up or hide something 쑗 She masked her face with her scarf. 쑗 Too much curry powder will mask the flavour of the other spices. masked /mɑ skt/ adj wearing a mask. Antonym exposed masochism / msəkz(ə)m/ noun 1. a condition in which a person takes sexual pleasure in being hurt or badly treated 2. the practice of doing something painful and enjoying it 쑗 Taking all those children to France sounds more like masochism than a holiday to me. Compare sadism masochist / msəkst/ noun 1. a person who takes sexual pleasure in being hurt or badly treated. Compare sadist 2. a person who enjoys doing something unpleasant or painful 쑗 He’s just a masochist – he actually likes doing housework. masochistic /msə kstk/ adj taking pleasure in being hurt or badly treated. Compare sadistic mason / mes(ə)n/ noun a person who builds with stone 쑗 No one knows the names of the masons who built the cathedral. Mason / mes(ə)n/ noun a Freemason, a member of a secret society whose members help each other and protect each other masonry / mesənri/ noun the stones used to make a building mass production masquerade /mskə red/ noun 1. an action which hides the truth 쑗 Her show of grief was a masquerade to hide her involvement in the murder. 2. a dance or party where people wear masks 쑗 The main event of the carnival season was a grand masquerade. 쐽 verb 왍 to masquerade as someone to pretend to be someone 쑗 The car thief was masquerading as a traffic warden. ② mass /ms/ noun 1. a large number or large quantity of things 쑗 Masses of people went to the exhibition. 쑗 A mass of leaves blew onto the pavement. 쑗 I have a mass of letters or masses of letters to write. 2. a Catholic communion service 쑗 She’s a strict Catholic and goes to mass every week. 쐽 verb to gather in large numbers 쑗 The rebel army is massing on the border. Synonym assemble 쐽 adj involving a large number of people 쑗 They found a mass grave on the hillside. 쑗 The group is organising a mass protest to parliament. Synonym general massacre / msəkə/ noun the killing of a large number of people or animals 쑗 Witnesses to the massacre led reporters to a mass grave in the hillside. Synonym extermination 쐽 verb to kill many people or animals 쑗 The soldiers massacred hundreds of innocent civilians. massage / msɑ Ȣ/ noun a rubbing of the body to relieve pain or to get someone to relax 쑗 She gave me a massage. 쐽 verb to rub someone’s body to relieve pain or to get him or her to relax 쑗 He asked the nurse to massage his back. masse /ms/ 쒁 en masse masseur /m s" / noun a man who massages people masseuse /m s" z/ noun a woman who massages people ② massive / msv/ adj very large 쑗 He had a massive heart attack. 쑗 The company has massive losses. 쑗 A massive rock came hurtling down the mountainside towards them. mass-market /ms mɑ kt/ adj made in large quantities for a wide market mass media /ms mi diə/ plural noun the means of passing information to a large number of people, e.g. newspapers, TV and radio mass murderer /ms m" d(ə)rə/ noun a killer of a large number of people at one time mass-produced /ms prə dju st/ adj manufactured in large quantities mass production /ms prə dkʃən/ noun the manufacturing of large quantities of products mass unemployment 520 mass unemployment /ms nmplɔmənt/ noun a situation where large numbers of people are out of work mast /mɑ st/ noun 1. a tall pole on a ship which carries the sails 쑗 The gale was so strong that it snapped the ship’s mast. 2. a flagpole, a tall pole on which large flags are flown. 쏡 half-mast 3. a tall metal construction to carry an aerial 쑗 They have put up a television mast on top of the hill. 4. seeds of beech, and other trees 쑗 Beech mast is often used to feed pigs. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) master / mɑ stə/ noun 1. a man who teaches in a school 쑗 Mr Smith is the maths master. 2. the person in control of a ship 쑗 The ship’s doctor asked the master to radio for a helicopter. 3. a man who is the owner of an animal 쑗 The dog refuses to obey its master. 4. a skilled person 쑗 a master craftsman 쑗 He’s a master of disguise. 왍 the old masters paintings by great painters of the past 쑗 The collection of old masters in the National Gallery is priceless. 쐽 adj controlling 쑗 Details of the master plan are known to only a few conspirators. 쐽 verb to become skilled at something 쑗 She has mastered the art of TV newscasting. 쑗 Although he passed his driving test some time ago, he still hasn’t mastered the art of motorway driving. master bedroom /mɑ stə bedru m/ noun the main bedroom in a house masterful / mɑ stəf(ə)l/ adj 1. good at controlling people and giving orders 쑗 Her father is a masterful character and takes all the decisions in the household. 2. done in an expert way 쑗 He gave a masterful performance of the concerto. Synonym skilled master key / mɑ stə ki / noun the main key masterly / mɑ stəli/ adj done in an expert way mastermind / mɑ stəmand/ noun a very clever person 쑗 a criminal mastermind 쐽 verb to be the brains behind a plan 쑗 The escape was masterminded by two convicted murderers. Synonym plan Master of Arts / mɑ stə əv ɑ ts/ noun a person who holds a degree for further study done after a Bachelor of Arts degree. Abbr MA Master of Ceremonies / mɑ stə əv serəmnz/ noun a person who introduces the speakers at a dinner, or at a prize-giving. Abbr MC masterpiece / mɑ stəpi s/ noun a very fine painting, book, piece of music, etc. master’s degree / mɑ stəz dDZri / noun a degree for further study after a Bachelor of Arts degree master switch / mɑ stə swtʃ/ noun a switch which controls all other switches material mastery / mɑ st(ə)ri/ noun 1. the complete understanding of a subject or great skill at a game 쑗 The French side showed their complete mastery of the game. 쑗 Her mastery of Italian is well-known. 2. having control over someone or something masturbate / mstəbet/ verb to rub your own sex organs to excite them and get pleasure masturbation /mstə beʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of exciting your own sex organs by rubbing them mat /mt/ noun a small piece of carpet, etc., used as a floor covering 쑗 Wipe your shoes on the mat before you come in. ② match /mtʃ/ noun 1. a game between two teams or opponents 쑗 We watched the football match on TV. 쑗 He won the last two table tennis matches he played. 2. a small piece of wood or cardboard with a tip which catches fire when you rub it against a rough surface 쑗 He bought a packet of cigarettes and a box of matches. 쑗 She struck a match and lit a candle. 3. a thing or person which is equal 왍 she’s met her match she has met someone who is as strong, powerful, etc., as she is 4. a thing which goes together with another 왍 they make a good match they go well together 쐽 verb 1. to be equal to something 쑗 Our sales match those of our rivals in the export market. 2. to fit or to go with something 쑗 The yellow wallpaper doesn’t match the bright green carpet. matchbox / mtʃbɒks/ noun a small box with matches inside (NOTE: The plural is matchboxes.) matching / mtʃŋ/ adj which fits or goes with something matchless / mtʃləs/ adj with no equal. Synonym peerless. Antonym ordinary matchstick / mtʃstk/ noun a stick of wood which makes a match ③ mate /met/ noun 1. one of a pair of people or animals, male or female, husband or wife 2. a friend or companion 쑗 He’s gone down to the pub with his mates. 쏡 soul mate 3. a workman’s helper 쑗 a builder’s mate 4. (in chess) a position where the king cannot move and the game ends 쑗 Mate in three moves! 5. a way of addressing someone 쑗 Hey, mate, come and look at this! 쑗 Sorry, mate, I can’t help you! 쐽 verb 1. (of animals) to breed 쑗 A mule is the result of a donkey mating with a horse. 2. (in chess) to put your opponent’s king in a position where he cannot move (NOTE: also, more formally, to ③ checkmate) ① material /mə təriəl/ noun 1. a substance which can be used to make something 쑗 You can buy all the materials you need in the DIY shop. (NOTE: The plural is materials.) 2. cloth 쑗 I bought three metres of material to materialise 521 make a curtain. 쑗 What material is your coat made of? (NOTE: no plural) 3. facts or information 쑗 She’s gathering material for a TV programme on drugs. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 adj 1. referring to physical things or to money 쑗 The explosion caused a lot of material damage. 쑗 His success on TV has improved his material life. 2. important or relevant 쑗 If you have any material evidence please contact the police. materialise /mə təriəlaz/, materialize verb 1. to become real 쑗 His planned holiday never materialised. 쑗 She promised the staff an extra week’s holiday but it never materialised. 2. to appear 쑗 A man on horseback suddenly materialised out of the mist. 쑗 After a couple of phone calls, the money we were owed duly materialised. materialism /mə təriəlz(ə)m/ noun an interest only in physical things, especially money and property, not in spiritual ones materialist /mə təriəlst/ noun a person who believes in materialism materially /mə təriəli/ adv in a material way. Synonym significantly. Antonym slightly maternal /mə t" n(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to a mother 왍 my maternal grandfather the father of my mother 2. like or typical of a mother 쑗 She has a very maternal attitude to her staff. maternity /mə t" nti/ noun becoming a mother 쑗 She’s in the maternity ward of the local hospital. Synonym motherhood maternity leave /mə t" nti li v/ noun permission given to a woman to be away from work to have a baby mathematical /mθə mtk(ə)l/ adj referring to mathematics mathematically /mθə mtkli/ adv using mathematics mathematician /mθ(ə)mə tʃ(ə)n/ noun an expert at mathematics ① mathematics /mθə mtks/, maths /mθs/ noun the science of numbers and measurements (NOTE: The US term is math.) matinée / mtne/ noun an afternoon performance of a play or film mating noun / metŋ/ (of animals) the process of finding partners and having sex 쐽 adj relating to mating matriarch / metriɑ k/ noun a respected old woman. Synonym mother matriarchal /metri ɑ k(ə)l/ adj ruled by a matriarch; ruled by older women matriarchy / metriɑ ki/ noun a system of rule by the eldest female of the ruling group matrimonial /mtr məυniəl/ adj referring to marriage (formal ) 쏡 marital . maturity matrimony / mtrməni/ noun the state of being married. Antonym divorce matrix / metrks/ noun 1. a set of numbers or data items arranged in rows and columns 2. the conditions or environment in which something develops 쑗 The cultural matrix in which jazz music was developed. 3. a mould used to cast metal objects (NOTE: The plural is matrices / metrsi z/.) matt /mt/, matte adj not shiny, with a dull surface matted / mtd/ adj tangled ① matter / mtə/ noun 1. a problem or difficulty 쑗 What’s the matter? 왍 there’s something the matter with the engine there is something which makes the engine not work properly 2. a concern or business 왍 it’s a matter for the police it is something which we should tell the police about 3. 왍 as a matter of fact to tell you the truth 쑗 I know Paris quite well, as a matter of fact I go there every month on business. 왍 as a matter of course in the usual way 쑗 The police checked his driving licence as a matter of course. 4. material 쑗 We put rotting vegetable matter on the garden as fertiliser. 5. 왍 no matter what whatever 쑗 No matter what time it is, call the doctor immediately the symptoms appear. 왍 no matter how however 쑗 No matter how hard he tried he couldn’t ride a bike. 쐽 verb to be important 쑗 It doesn’t matter if you’re late. 쑗 His job matters a lot to him. 쑗 Does it matter if we sit by the window? matter-of-fact /mtər əv fkt/ adj practical, not showing any emotion matting / mtŋ/ noun large mats, or strong material from which mats are made mattress / mtrəs/ noun a thick pad forming the part of a bed that you lie on, made of a canvas case with various fillings mature /mə tjυə/ adj 1. older or adult 쑗 The park has many mature trees. 쑗 Only mature stags have a full set of antlers. 2. ripe 쑗 Mature cheese is normally quite strong. 3. which is reasonable, like an adult 쑗 She’s very mature for her age. 쑗 That’s not a very mature way to behave. 쐽 verb 1. to become mature 쑗 Whisky is left to mature for years. 쑗 He matured a lot during his year in Germany. 쑗 Girls are supposed to mature faster than boys. 2. to become due for payment 쑗 The policy will mature in 20 years’ time. mature student /mətjυə stju d(ə)nt/ noun a student who is older than the usual age for students maturity /mə tjυərti/ noun 1. the state of being an adult or of doing things like an adult 쑗 He’s only twelve, yet his painting already shows signs of considerable maturity. 2. the time when a bond becomes due to be paid 쑗 The bonds have reached maturity. ③ maudlin 522 maudlin / mɔ dln/ adj foolishly sentimental maul /mɔ l/ verb 1. to attack or handle someone roughly 쑗 He was badly mauled by the tiger. 2. to criticise someone severely 쑗 The minister was mauled by the tabloid press. (NOTE: Do not confuse with mall.) mausoleum /mɔ sə li əm/ noun a special building in which an important person is buried. Synonym tomb mauve /məυv/ adj light pinkish-purple 쑗 The waiters wear mauve shirts. 쐽 noun a light pinkish-purple colour 쑗 She had the dining room walls painted in mauve. maverick / mvərk/ noun a person who is unusual and does not fit into a normal pattern 쑗 She’s a political maverick. 쐽 adj unusual, not fitting into the normal pattern 쑗 He is well-known for his maverick behaviour. max /mks/ abbr maximum maxim / mksm/ noun a wise saying maximise / mksmaz/, maximize verb to make something as large as possible. Antonym minimise ② maximum / mksməm/ adj the greatest possible 쑗 What is the maximum number of guests the hotel can take? 쐽 noun the greatest possible number or amount 쑗 Management is aiming to increase profitability to the maximum. 왍 fifteen at the maximum at most fifteen, not more than fifteen ① may /me/ modal verb 1. it is possible 쑗 If you don’t hurry you may miss the train. 쑗 Take your umbrella, they say it may rain. 쑗 Here we are sitting in the bar, and he may be waiting for us outside. 2. can, it is allowed 쑗 Guests may park in the hotel car park free of charge. 쑗 You may sit down if you want. 3. asking questions politely 쑗 May I ask you a question? 쑗 May we have breakfast early tomorrow as we need to leave the hotel before 8 o’clock? 4. showing a wish 쑗 May God bless you both! 왍 much good may it do you! I hope it does you a lot of good, though I doubt that it will ① May /me/ noun the fifth month of the year, after April and before June 쑗 May 15 쑗 Her birthday’s in May. 쑗 Today is May 15th. 쑗 We went on holiday last May. (NOTE: May 15th or May 15: say ‘the fifteenth of May’ or ‘May the fifteenth’ or in US English: ‘May fifteenth’.) ① maybe / mebi/ adv possibly, perhaps 쑗 Maybe the next bus will be the one we want. 쑗 Maybe you should ask a policeman. 쑗 Maybe the weather forecast was right after all. Antonym definitely 왍 maybe not possibly not 쑗 Are you coming? – Maybe not. mayday / mede/ noun an international distress signal (NOTE: Do not confuse with May Day.) meal May Day / me de/ noun May 1st, celebrated as a festival of spring and in many European countries as a festival in honour of workers mayhem / mehem/ noun wild confusion (informal ). Synonym chaos mayonnaise /meə nez/ noun a sauce for cold dishes, made of oil, eggs and lemon juice or vinegar mayor /meə/ noun a person who is chosen as the official head of a town, city or local council . COMMENT: Previously, a mayor was the head of the elected government of a town, and the head of the majority party. His responsibilities have now been taken over by the leader of the council, and in most towns the office of mayor is largely ceremonial. It is an honour often given to a long-serving or distinguished councillor. In some towns, such as London, the mayor is elected by popular vote. In the USA, mayors are elected by popular vote, and appoint their team to run the various departments in a city. Note also that ‘Mayor’ is used in English to apply to persons holding similar positions in other countries: the Mayor of Berlin; the Mayor of Paris; the Mayor of New York. mayoress /meər es/ noun 1. the wife of a mayor 쑗 The mayor and mayoress rode to the town hall in a horse-drawn carriage. 2. a woman mayor 쑗 The mayoress opened the hospital’s new children’s ward. maze /mez/ noun 1. a network of puzzling paths in which you can get lost 쑗 We couldn’t find our way out of the Hampton Court maze. 쑗 He led me along a maze of corridors. 2. a complicated network of things 쑗 We have to try to find our way through the maze of European regulations. (NOTE: Do not confuse with maize.) MB abbr megabyte MBA abbr Master of Business Administration MC abbr master of ceremonies ③ MD /em di / noun a director who is in charge of a whole company. Full form managing director ① me /mi / pron used by the person who is speaking to talk about himself or herself 쑗 give me that book 쑗 I’m shouting as loud as I can – can’t you hear me? 쑗 She’s much taller than me. 쑗 Who is it? – It’s me! 쑗 Can you hear me? 쑗 She’s taller than me. meadow / medəυ/ noun a large field of grass meagre / mi DZə/ adj small, not enough (NOTE: The US spelling is meager.) ② meal /mi l/ noun 1. an occasion when people eat food at a special time; the food that is eaten 쑗 Most people have three meals mealtime 523 a day – breakfast, lunch and dinner. 쑗 You sleep better if you only eat a light meal in the evening. 쑗 When they had finished their evening meal they watched TV. 쑗 You can have your meals in your room at a small extra charge. 왍 to make a meal of something to spend a lot of time and effort doing something without really doing it well (informal ) 쑗 She made a meal of repainting the kitchen. 2. roughly ground flour. 쏡 wholemeal mealtime / mi ltam/ noun a time when you usually eat ① mean /mi n/ adj 1. nasty or unpleasant 쑗 He played a mean trick on his mother. 쑗 That was a mean thing to say. 2. not liking to spend money or to give something 쑗 Don’t be mean – let me borrow your car. 쑗 She’s very mean with her money. 3. average 쑗 The mean daytime temperature in summer is 20°. 4. good 쑗 He cooks a mean pasta. 쑗 That motorbike’s a mean machine! (NOTE: meaner – meanest) 쐽 noun the average 쑗 Sales are higher than the mean for the first quarter. Antonym extremity 쐽 verb 1. to talk about 쑗 Did he mean me when he was talking about fat old men? 쑗 What do you mean when you say she’s old-fashioned? 2. to show or represent something 쑗 His family means a lot to him. 쑗 When a red light comes on it means that you have to stop. 쑗 ‘Zimmer’ means ‘room’ in German. 3. 왍 to mean to do something to plan to do something 쑗 I meant to phone you but I forgot. 왍 to be meant to 쒁 . meant meander /mi ndə/ noun a bend in the course of a river 쑗 The path follows the meanders of the stream. 쐽 verb 1. to wind about 쑗 From the top of the hill you can see how the river meanders around the town. 쑗 The road meanders through several little villages. 2. to continue without any aim 쑗 The negotiations meandered on without any decision being reached. ① meaning / mi nŋ/ noun what something represents 쑗 If you want to find the meaning of the word, look it up in a dictionary. 쑗 The meaning of a red light is pretty clear to me. meaningful / mi nŋf(ə)l/ adj full of meaning, significant meaningless / mi nŋləs/ adj not meaning anything. Synonym unimportant. Antonym significant meanness / mi nnəs/ noun a dislike of giving things or of spending money. Synonym nastiness. Antonym generosity ② means /mi nz/ noun 1. a way of doing something 쑗 Is there any means of sending the message to London this afternoon? 쑗 Do we have any means of copying all these documents quickly? 쑗 The bus is the cheapest means of getting round the town. 왍 by means of something using something 쑗 He got her measure money by means of a trick. 2. 왍 by all means of course 쑗 By all means use my phone if you want to. 왍 by no means not at all 쑗 She’s by no means sure of getting the job. 3. money 쑗 They don’t have the means to buy a flat in London. 왍 it is beyond my means I don’t have enough money to buy it means test / mi nz test/ noun an inquiry to find out how much money someone has, to see whether he or she should qualify for a benefit or grant ③ meant /ment/ verb 왍 to be meant to do something should, ought to do something 쑗 We’re meant to be at the station at 11 o’clock. 쑗 This medicine is not meant to be used by children. 쑗 Trains are meant to leave every half-hour. 쏡 mean ② meantime / mi ntam/ noun 왍 in the meantime meanwhile, during this time 쑗 We waited for her for hours in the rain, and in the meantime, she was happily sitting at home watching TV. 쑗 The new stadium will be finished by Easter but in the meantime we will still have to use the old one. 쐽 adv during this time (informal ) 쑗 The little girl hid under the table – meantime, we were all looking for her in the garden. ② meanwhile / mi nwal/ adv during this time 쑗 She hid under the table – meanwhile, the footsteps were coming nearer. measles / mi z(ə)lz/ noun a possibly dangerous children’s disease which gives a red rash and a high temperature measly / mi zli/ adj (of an amount of money) very small measurable / meȢ(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which can be measured ② measure / meȢə/ noun 1. a certain amount or size 쑗 There was a measure of truth in what she said. 쑗 We have no accurate measure of the pressure inside the volcano. 왍 a made-to-measure suit a suit which is made specially to fit someone 쑗 He only wears made-to-measure suits. 2. a device which shows the size or quantity of something 3. an action 쑗 The government has taken measures to reform the welfare system. 쑗 What measures are you planning to fight air pollution? 왍 as a precautionary measure as a precaution 쑗 As a precautionary measure we’d better lock the windows as well as the doors. 쑗 It’s just a precautionary measure, but you can’t be too careful when there’s a possibility of fire. 4. an official action, especially a law passed by Parliament 쑗 a new government measure to combat crime 쐽 verb 1. to be of a certain size, length, quantity, etc. 쑗 a package which measures or a package measuring 10cm by 25cm 쑗 How much do you measure round your waist? 쑗 The table measures four foot long by three foot wide. 2. to find out the length or quantity . measured 524 of something 쑗 She measured the window for curtains. 쑗 He measured the size of the garden. 3. 왍 to measure your length on the floor to fall flat on your face measured / meȢəd/ adj careful and controlled 왍 a measured response an answer or reaction which is carefully calculated ② measurement / meȢəmənt/ noun 1. a quantity or size, found by measuring 쑗 He took the measurements of the room. 쑗 The piano won’t go through the door – are you sure you took the right measurements? 쑗 The measurements of the box are 25cm x 20cm x 5cm. 2. the action of measuring 쑗 The measurement of the ozone hole is carried out by satellites. measuring glass / meȢ(ə)rŋ DZlɑ s/, measuring jug / meȢrŋ dȢDZ/ noun a glass jar with quantities marked on it by lines ② meat /mi t/ noun food from an animal or bird, not from a fish 쑗 Can I have some more meat, please? 쑗 Would you like meat or fish for your main course? 쑗 I like my meat very well cooked. meat ball / mi t bɔ l/ noun very small pieces of meat rolled into a ball and cooked meaty / mi ti/ adj 1. with a lot of meat 쑗 a meaty chop 2. with a lot of details or information 쑗 a meaty report mecca / mekə/ noun a place which attracts a large number of people 쑗 It’s a mecca for motor-racing enthusiasts. Mecca / mekə/ noun a town in Saudi Arabia, where Muhammad was born mechanic /m knk/ noun a person who works on machines mechanical /m knk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to machines 쑗 Engineers are trying to fix a mechanical fault. 2. done automatically as if you were a machine 쑗 It’s purely mechanical – I turn the light on when I come in. mechanics /m knks/ noun 1. the study of the effects of force and movement 2. the study of machinery 쑗 He is studying aircraft mechanics. 쐽 plural noun the way in which something is done or something is made to happen 쑗 He knows nothing about the mechanics of running a business. mechanisation /mekəna zeʃ(ə)n/, mechanization noun the process of mechanising. Synonym automation mechanise / mekənaz/, mechanize verb to use machines in place of animals or workers. Synonym automate mechanism / mekənz(ə)m/ noun 1. the working parts of a machine 쑗 If you take the back off the watch you can see the delicate mechanism. 2. a way in which something works 쑗 The mechanism for awarding government contracts. medicinal medal / med(ə)l/ noun a metal disc, usually attached to a ribbon, made to commemorate an important occasion or battle, and given to people who have performed well medallion /mə dliən/ noun a round piece of metal worn round the neck on a chain as an ornament medallist / med(ə)lst/ noun a person who wins a medal in a competition (NOTE: The US spelling is medalist.) meddle / med(ə)l/ verb 왍 to meddle in or with something to interfere in something 쑗 Don’t meddle in matters that don’t concern you. meddler / medlə/ noun a person who likes to meddle. Synonym troublemaker ② media noun / mi diə/ 1. newspapers, TV and radio 쑗 The book attracted a lot of interest in the media. 쏡 mass media 2. 쒁 medium 쐽 adj relating to the mass media 쑗 The show has attracted a lot of media interest. median1 / mi diən/ adj in the middle (technical ) 쑗 the median price for shares 쐽 noun a point which is in the middle or a line which goes through the middle 쑗 the median between two points median2 / mi diən/, median strip / mi diən strp/ noun US a section of marked road surface, grass or bushes between the two sides of a major road (NOTE: . The British term is central reservation.) mediate / mi diet/ verb to intervene to try to bring agreement between two opponents mediation /mi d eʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of trying to make two opponents agree. Synonym arbitration. Antonym provocation mediator / mi diəetə/ noun a person who tries to make two opponents agree. Synonym go-between medic / medk/ noun a doctor (informal ) ② medical / medk(ə)l/ adj referring to . medicine 쑗 She’s a medical student. 쑗 The Red Cross provided medical help. 쐽 noun the examination of someone by a doctor 쑗 You need to pass a medical to join the army. 쑗 After a routine medical, the new forward will be ready to play on Saturday. Synonym checkup Medicare / medkeə/ noun a system of public health insurance in the United States medicated / medketd/ adj which contains a drug which will treat a condition. 쏡 medicinal medication /med keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. drugs taken by a patient 쑗 Are you taking any medication? 2. treatment by giving drugs 쑗 The doctor prescribed a course of medication. medicinal /mə ds(ə)nl/ adj 1. referring to medicine 쑗 He has a drink of whisky before medicine 525 he goes to bed for medicinal purposes. 2. which can heal or treat a disease 쑗 She made a drink from medicinal herbs. ② medicine / med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun 1. a drug taken to treat a disease 쑗 If you have a cough you should take some cough medicine. 쑗 The chemist told me to take the medicine four times a day. 쑗 Some cough medicines make you feel sleepy. 왍 to have a taste of your own medicine to be treated in the same way as you have treated others (informal ) 쑗 He made us fill in all those forms, let’s give him a taste of his own medicine. 2. the study of diseases and how to cure or prevent them 쑗 He went to university to study medicine. . (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) medieval /medi i v(ə)l/ adj referring to the Middle Ages. Synonym old-fashioned. Antonym modern mediocre /mi di əυkə/ adj ordinary, not particularly good. Synonym middling. Antonym excellent mediocrity /mi di ɒkrti/ noun 1. not be③ ing particularly good 쑗 The game was saved from mediocrity by a thrilling last ten minutes. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a very ordinary person with no special qualities 쑗 She’s the only talented minister in a government of mediocrities. meditate / medtet/ verb 1. to remain in a calm, silent state, without thought 쑗 Don’t disturb him – he’s meditating. 2. 왍 to meditate on or about something to think deeply about something 쑗 They spent some time meditating on the meaning of life. meditation /med teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a silent, calm state, often as part of religious practice 쑗 She’s deep in meditation. 2. a long deep process of thought 쑗 He sat in the corner of the library, lost in meditation. Mediterranean /medtə reniən/ noun 왍 the Mediterranean (Sea) the sea between Europe and Africa 쑗 We went for a cruise round the Mediterranean. 쐽 adj referring to the Mediterranean Sea 쑗 The Mediterranean climate is good for olives. 쑗 She has bought a villa on one of the Mediterranean islands. ③ medium / mi diəm/ adj middle, average 쑗 He is of medium height. 쐽 noun 1. the middle point 2. a type of paint or other materials used by an artist 쑗 He started to experiment with different mediums, such as poster paints. 3. the means of doing something, of communicating something 쑗 Television is the most popular medium of communication. 쑗 Deaf people can communicate through the medium of sign language. 4. a person who thinks he or she can get into contact with the dead (NOTE: The plural is media or mediums.) medium-sized / mi diəm sazd/ adj which is neither very large nor very small megabyte medium-term / mi diəm t" m/ adj for a period of one or two years medium wave / mi diəm wev/ noun a radio frequency range between 200 and 1000 metres medley / medli/ noun a mixture of different things, such as pieces of music meek /mi k/ adj humble, always willing to do what other people want, feeling you are not important (NOTE: meeker – meekest) meekly / mi kli/ adv quietly or humbly ① meet /mi t/ verb 1. to come together with someone 쑗 He met her at the railway station. 쑗 We’ll meet for lunch before we go to the cinema. 2. to come together 쑗 Several streets meet at Piccadilly Circus. 쑗 If you draw a diagonal line from each corner of a square to the opposite corner, the two lines will meet in the centre. 3. to get to know someone 쑗 I’ve never met your sister – Come and meet her then! 쑗 Have you met our sales manager? – Yes, we have already met. 4. to pay for 쑗 The company will meet your expenses. 쑗 He was unable to meet his mortgage repayments. 5. to satisfy 쑗 Does the car now meet the standards set by the motor racing authorities? (NOTE: meeting – met /met/) ① meeting / mi tŋ/ noun 1. the action of coming together in a group 쑗 The next meeting of the club will be on Tuesday. 쑗 There were only four people at the committee meeting. 왍 to address a meeting to speak to a meeting 왍 to conduct a meeting to be chairman of a meeting 쑗 As he was going away on business, he asked his deputy to conduct the meeting. 왍 to close a meeting to end a meeting 왍 to hold a meeting to organise a meeting of a group of people 쑗 The meeting will be held in the committee room. 왍 to open a meeting to start a meeting. 쒁 annual general meeting 2. a sports competition or series of races held over several days 쑗 Britain won a gold and three bronzes at the athletics meeting. meeting place / mi tŋ ples/ noun a place where you can meet someone ③ meet up /mi t p/ verb (of several people) to come together ③ meet with / mi t wð/ verb 1. to find or to come up against a problem 쑗 The advancing soldiers met with stiff resistance. 쑗 She met with an accident on the escalator. 2. to have an accident 쑗 She met with an accident on the escalator. 3. usually US to meet someone 쑗 He met with the sales people in New York. mega- /meDZə/ prefix 1. one million 2. very big 쑗 Only the megarich can afford that kind of house. 쑗 She’s a Hollywood megastar. megabyte / meDZəbat/ noun a unit of storage for a computer equal to 1,048,576 bytes. Abbr MB megahertz 526 megahertz / meDZəh" ts/ noun a unit equal to one million hertz megalomaniac /meDZələυ menik/ adj a person who enjoys having power over other people megaphone / meDZəfəυn/ noun a metal trumpet which makes the voice sound louder melancholy / melənk(ə)li/ noun great sadness 쑗 There was an air of melancholy as the contents of the house were auctioned. Antonym cheerfulness 쐽 adj very sad 쑗 She’s still feeling melancholy because her cat died. Antonym cheerful melanin / melənn/ noun a substance that gives colour to skin, hair and eyes melanoma /melə nəυmə/ noun a malignant type of skin tumour melee / mele/ noun 1. a noisy confused fight 2. a confused mixture of people or things mellow / meləυ/ adj 1. which has matured and has a full taste 쑗 Burgundy produces some mellow red wines. 2. (of voices) soft, rich 쑗 Shakepeare’s lines sound more beautiful when they are read in his lovely mellow voice. 3. calm and relaxed 쑗 After a couple of drinks she became quite mellow. (NOTE: mellower – mellowest) 쐽 verb 1. to become soft or rich 쑗 Time has mellowed the brickwork to a soft deep red. 왍 he has mellowed with age as he has got older, so he has become much less angry and unpleasant than he used to be 2. to become ripe, to mature 쑗 You should leave the wine to mellow for some years. melodic /mə lɒdk/ adj referring to a melody 왍 the melodic line of a piece of music the main tune of a piece of music melodious /mə ləυdiəs/ adj full of pleasant musical sounds. Synonym tuneful melodrama / meləυdrɑ mə/ noun a play or event that is full of excitement and violent emotions melodramatic /melədrə mtk/ adj full of violent and exaggerated emotions. Antonym low-key melody / melədi/ noun a tune (NOTE: The plural is melodies.) ③ melon / melən/ noun a large round fruit which grows on a creeping plant ③ melt /melt/ verb 1. to change from a solid to a liquid by heating 쑗 If the sun comes out your snowman will melt. 쑗 The heat of the sun made the road melt. 쑗 Glass will melt at very high temperatures. 2. 왍 to melt away to go gradually 쑗 The rioters melted away when the police appeared. melt down /melt daυn/ verb to heat metal and make it into blocks so that it can be used again 쑗 They stole the rings and melted them down into gold bars. memorial meltdown / meltdaυn/ noun the collapse of a nuclear power station because of overheating (informal ) melting point / meltŋ pɔnt/ noun the temperature at which a solid becomes liquid melting pot / meltŋ pɒt/ noun 1. a pot in which metal can be melted 2. a place where people of different origins come to live together ① member / membə/ noun 1. a person who belongs to a group 쑗 The two boys went swimming while the other members of the family sat on the beach. 쑗 Three members of staff are away sick. 2. an organisation which belongs to a society 쑗 The member states of the EU. 쑗 The members of the United Nations. ③ Member of Parliament /membər əv pɑ ləmənt/ noun a person elected to represent a constituency in Parliament (NOTE: of. ten abbreviated to MP. The plural is MPs) membership / membəʃp/ noun 1. the ② state of belonging to a group 쑗 I must remember to renew my membership. 쑗 Membership costs £50 a year. 2. all the members of a group 쑗 The membership voted to reject the proposal. 쑗 The club has a membership of five hundred. ③ membrane / membren/ noun 1. a thin layer of tissue which lines or covers part of the inside of the body 쑗 A membrane connecting the tongue to the bottom of the mouth. 2. a thin material 쑗 The metal is covered with a waterproof membrane. memento /mə mentəυ/ noun a thing kept to remind you of something. Synonym souvenir (NOTE: The plural is mementoes.) ③ memo / meməυ/ noun a note or short message between people working in the same organisation. Synonym memorandum memoirs / memwɑ z/ plural noun an autobiographical work, written in a less formal way than a full autobiography 쑗 The general spent his retirement writing his memoirs. memo pad / meməυ pd/ noun same as notepad memorabilia /mem(ə)rə bliə/ noun things which used to belong to a famous person or organisation and are kept to remind you of them memorable / mem(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which you cannot forget easily. Synonym unforgettable memorandum /memə rndəm/ noun a short note (NOTE: often shortened to memo; The plural is memoranda.) memorial /m mɔ riəl/ adj which reminds you of something or someone 쐽 noun a monument to remind you of something or someone 쑗 The mayor unveiled the memorial to the dead poet. memorial service 527 MEP memorial service /məmɔ riəl s" vs/ menstruate / menstruet/ verb to bleed noun a church service to remember someone who has died memorise / meməraz/, memorize verb to learn something by heart ① memory / mem(ə)ri/ noun 1. (in people) the ability to remember 쑗 He recited the poem from memory. 왍 if my memory serves me right if I can remember it correctly. 쒁 photographic 2. (in computers) the capacity for storing information 쑗 This computer has a much larger memory than the old one. 3. 왍 in memory of to remind you of 쑗 We are holding this church service in memory of the sailors who died. ③ men /men/ 쒁 man menace / mens/ noun 1. someone or something which can harm people 쑗 She’s an absolute menace on the motorway. 왍 that little boy’s a menace he’s very naughty 2. a tone which threatens 쑗 The menace in his voice made her shiver. 쐽 verb to threaten 쑗 The members of the gang were menaced with imprisonment. 쑗 Several regions are menaced by drought. menacing / mensŋ/ adj which threatens. Synonym threatening. Antonym reassuring 왍 those clouds look menacing those clouds might bring rain menacingly / mensŋli/ adv in a threatening way ③ mend /mend/ verb to make something work which has a fault; to repair something which is broken or damaged 쑗 I dropped my watch on the pavement, and I don’t think it can be mended. 쑗 She’s trying to mend the washing machine. 쑗 I tore my coat on the fence – can you mend it for me? 쐽 noun 왍 on the mend getting better 쑗 She has been quite ill, but I’m glad to say now she’s on the mend. menial / mi niəl/ adj 왍 menial work, menial tasks boring and trivial jobs which are done by people who are not considered important 쑗 Why do I always have to do the menial jobs? 쐽 noun a person who does the lowest type of work 쑗 The manager sent some menials to clear up the mess. meningitis /menn dȢats/ noun an inflammation of the membranes which surround the brain and spinal cord, where the patient has violent headaches, fever, and stiff neck muscles, and can become delirious menopause / menəpɔ z/ noun the time when a woman stops menstruating and can no longer have children menstrual / menstruəl/ adj referring to menstruation menstrual cycle / menstruəl sak(ə)l/ noun the period of about 28 days during which a woman ovulates and then menstruates from the uterus during menstruation menstruation /menstru eʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of bleeding from the uterus which takes place in a woman each month. Also called period ③ menswear / menzweə/ noun clothes for men (NOTE: no plural) ② mental / ment(ə)l/ adj referring to the mind mental age /ment(ə)l edȢ/ noun a method of showing a person’s mental development by giving the age when such a stage of development is usually reached mental arithmetic /ment(ə)l ərθmətk/ adj calculations which you do in your head mental cruelty /ment(ə)l kru əlti/ noun the act of being cruel to someone by what you say, rather than by what you do mental health / ment(ə)l helθ/ noun the state of a person’s mind in relation to what is considered normal 쑗 a patient in poor mental health 쑗 the mental health system mental illness /ment(ə)l lnəs/ noun illness which affects the mind mentality /men tlti/ noun a way of thinking which is typical of someone or of a group. Synonym attitude mentally / ment(ə)li/ adv concerning the brain menthol / menθɒl/ noun a substance which tastes and smells strongly of mint ① mention / menʃən/ noun the act of referring to something 쑗 There was no mention of the explosion in the morning papers. 쑗 Just the mention of his name made her furious. 쐽 verb 1. to refer to something 쑗 The press has not mentioned the accident. 쑗 Can you mention to everyone that the date of the next meeting has been changed? 2. 왍 don’t mention it it was a pleasure (said when someone has thanked you) 왍 not to mention as well as, not forgetting 쑗 It cost us £20 just to get into the exhibition, not to mention the expensive meal we had in the museum restaurant. mentor / mentɔ / noun a person who teaches, or helps younger people starting their careers ③ menu / menju / noun 1. a list of food available in a restaurant 쑗 The lunch menu changes every week. 쑗 Some dishes are not on the menu, but are written on a blackboard. 2. a list of choices available on a computer program menu bar / menju bɑ / noun a series of icons on a computer screen which are the choices you can choose from MEP abbr Member of the European Parliament (NOTE: The plural is MEPs.) mercenary 528 mercenary / m" s(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj interested in money 쑗 I don’t want to sound mercenary, but how much did you pay for your ticket? Synonym acquisitive. Antonym altruistic 쐽 noun a soldier who is paid to fight for a foreign country 쑗 He was one of a group of mercenaries hired to protect the president. 쑗 The national army was mainly formed of foreign mercenaries. (NOTE: The plural is mercenaries.) merchandise / m" tʃəndaz/ noun goods for sale (NOTE: no plural) merchandising / m" tʃ(ə)ndazŋ/ noun products such as toys and clothes which are related to a popular film, TV programme, sports team, or event merchant / m" tʃənt/ noun a businessman who buys and sells a particular product 쑗 a tobacco merchant 쑗 a wine merchant ③ merchant bank / m" tʃənt bŋk/ noun a bank which lends money to companies, not to people merchant navy / m" tʃənt nevi/, merchant marine /m" tʃənt mə ri n/ noun a country’s commercial ships merchant ship / m" tʃənt ʃp/, merchant vessel /m" tʃ(ə)nt ves(ə)l/ noun a ship which carries a commercial cargo merciful / m" sf(ə)l/ adj kind and forgiving, showing mercy 쑗 They decided to confess their crime and hope the king would be merciful. mercifully / m" sf(ə)li/ adv luckily merciful release /m" sf(ə)l r li s/ noun a fortunate end to suffering merciless / m" sləs/ adj showing no mercy. Synonym cruel. Antonym kind mercilessly / m" sləsli/ adv without showing any mercy mercurial /m" kjυəriəl/ adj which changes frequently. Synonym changeable. Antonym consistent mercury / m" kjυri/ noun a silver-coloured liquid metal used in thermometers Mercury / m" kjυri/ noun the planet nearest to the Sun in the solar system mercy / m" si/ noun 1. kindness towards unfortunate people 쑗 The parents of the little boy pleaded with the kidnappers for mercy. 왍 to have mercy on not to want to punish or harm someone 2. a gift of fate 왍 at the mercy of dependent on 쑗 Cricket games are always at the mercy of the weather. 쑗 The success of the garden party is very much at the mercy of the weather. 왍 we must be thankful for small mercies we must be grateful that everything has turned out relatively well so far 쑗 Despite lots of things going wrong, at least it didn’t rain – we must be thankful for small mercies. 왍 left to the tender mercies of someone left to someone to ③ mesh deal with as badly as he likes 쑗 The courier went back to the hotel, leaving us to the tender mercies of the local guides. mercy killing / m" si klŋ/ noun the killing of a sick person to put an end to suffering ③ mere /mə/ adj simply, only 왍 he’s a mere boy he’s only a boy 왍 the mere sight of grass makes me sneeze simply seeing grass makes me sneeze ② merely / məli/ adv simply, only. Synonym just merge /m" dȢ/ verb to join together with something merger / m" dȢə/ noun the joining together of two companies meridian /mə rdiən/ noun an imaginary line running from the North Pole to the South Pole at right angles to the equator (literary) meringue /mə rŋ/ noun a sweet baked dessert made of egg whites and sugar ③ merit / mert/ noun the quality of being good or excellent 쑗 There is some merit in what he says, but I can’t agree with all of it. 쑗 This picture has no artistic merit whatsoever. 왍 to go into the merits of to examine the good and bad points of 쑗 The committee spent hours going into the merits of the various development plans. 쐽 verb to be worthy of or to deserve something 쑗 The plan merits further discussion. 쑗 Her essay only merited a ‘B+’. meritorious /mer tɔ riəs/ adj which should be rewarded. Synonym commendable. Antonym despicable mermaid / m" med/ noun an imaginary creature, half woman and half fish merrily / merli/ adv happily merriment / merimənt/ noun fun. Synonym cheerfulness. Antonym misery merry / meri/ adj 1. happy and cheerful 쑗 I wish you a Merry Christmas. 왍 to make merry to have a good time 쑗 At harvest festivals the whole village would join in and make merry together. 왍 the more the merrier the more there are the happier everyone is 쑗 Invite anyone you like, the more the merrier! 2. slightly drunk 쑗 We all got a bit merry that evening. (NOTE: merrier – merriest) merry-go-round / meri DZəυ raυnd/ noun (in a fairground ) a large machine, which turns round and plays music, usually with horses to sit on which move up and down. Also called roundabout (NOTE: The . US term is carousel.) mesh /meʃ/ noun 1. an arrangement of threads with spaces in between like a net 쑗 We put wire mesh round the chicken pen to keep foxes out. 2. the space between the threads of a net 쑗 The boats are supposed to use a net with a half-inch mesh. (NOTE: The plural is meshes.) 쐽 verb (of gears) to link mesmerise 529 together with cogs on another wheel 쑗 For some reason the gears on my bike don’t mesh together properly. Synonym interlock mesmerise / mezməraz/, mesmerize verb to hold the attention of someone so that they don’t move. Synonym hypnotise ③ mess /mes/ noun 1. dirt or disorder 쑗 The milk boiled over and made a mess on the stove. 쑗 We had to clear up the mess after the party. 2. 왍 to make a mess of something to do something badly 쑗 They made a mess of the repair job. ③ mess about /mes ə baυt/ verb 1. to spend your spare time doing something without having planned what to do 쑗 He spends his weekends messing about in the garden. 2. 왍 to mess someone about to treat someone badly (informal ) 쑗 If you start messing me about, there’ll be trouble. 쑗 The garage has messed me about so much I’m going to take my car somewhere else for servicing. ① message / mesdȢ/ noun 1. information which is sent 쑗 I will leave a message with his secretary. 쑗 Can you give the director a message from his wife? 쑗 We got his message by e-mail. 2. a political or religious idea which a group is trying to pass on to the public 쑗 They preached a message of universal peace. 쑗 His message of hard work and simple living did not always find favour. 3. 왍 to get the message to understand (informal ) 쑗 She finally got the message when he stood up and handed her her coat. 왍 to get the message across to someone to make someone understand something 쑗 We managed to get the message across, even though no one spoke English. message board / mesdȢ bɔ d/ noun a public noticeboard on which messages can be left, such as at a conference, or in a hotel lobby messaging / mesdȢŋ/ noun 1. a system for sending electronic messages to people by computer, telephone or pager 2. the process of sending a message using an electronic messaging system ③ mess around /mes ə raυnd/ same as . . mess about ③ messenger / mesndȢə/ noun a person who brings a message messiah /m saə/ noun a person who is expected to come to make the world a better place. Synonym champion Messiah /m saə/ noun 1. Jesus Christ 쑗 For Christians, Christmas celebrates the birth of the Messiah. 2. a person whom the Jews expect will come to free them 쑗 The coming of the Messiah is prophesied in the Book of Isaiah. messianic /mesi nk/ adj referring to the Messiah metaphorically Messrs / mesəz/ plural noun the plural form of Mr used mainly in the names of companies ③ mess up /mes p/ verb 1. to make dirty 쑗 You’ve messed up your brand new school uniform! 쑗 I hope it doesn’t mess up your arrangements. 2. to ruin or to spoil 쑗 I’m sorry we can’t come – I hope it doesn’t mess up your arrangements. ③ messy / mesi/ adj 1. dirty 쑗 Making pottery is a messy business. 쑗 Little children are always messy eaters. 2. unpleasant and disorganised 쑗 It was a long messy divorce case. (NOTE: messier – messiest) ③ met /met/ 쒁 meet metabolic /metə bɒlk/ adj referring to metabolism metabolism /mə tbəlz(ə)m/ noun chemical processes which are continually taking place in organisms and which are essential to life ② metal / met(ə)l/ noun a material, such as iron and copper, which can carry heat and electricity and is used for making things 쑗 a metal frying pan 쑗 These spoons are plastic but the knives are metal. 쑗 These chairs are very heavy – they must be made of metal. metal fatigue / met(ə)l fəti DZ/ noun the wearing out of metal used in a construction metallic /me tlk/ adj 1. like metal, referring to metal 쑗 Suddenly we heard a quiet metallic sound, like a chain being moved. 2. shining like metal 쑗 He has had his car resprayed with metallic paint. metallic element /me tlk elmənt/ noun a chemical element which is a metal metallic sheen /me tlk ʃi n/ adj a shine such as you get on polished metal metalwork / met(ə)lw" k/ noun 1. the art of making things with metal 쑗 His hobby is metalwork. 쑗 She goes to a metalwork class on Tuesday evenings. 2. pieces of metal which form part of something 쑗 The old car’s metalwork gleamed after it was polished. metalworker / met(ə)lw" kə/ noun a person skilled in making objects out of metal metamorphosis /metə mɔ fəss/ noun a change to something quite different, especially an insect’s change of form. Synonym transformation (NOTE: The plural is metamorphoses /metə mɔ fəsi z/.) metaphor / metəfə/ noun a way of de- scribing something by giving it the qualities of something else, as in ‘our eagle-eyed readers soon spotted the mistake.’ Compare simile. Synonym symbol metaphorical /metə fɒrk(ə)l/ adj like a metaphor. Antonym literal metaphorically /metə fɒrkli/ adv in a metaphorical way metaphysical 530 metaphysical /metə fzk(ə)l/ adj referring to metaphysics metaphysics /metə fzks/ noun a branch of philosophical study concerned with knowledge and the meaning of existence meteor / mi tiə/ noun a solid body which enters the earth’s atmosphere from outer space, usually burning up and shining brightly as it does so. Also called shooting star meteoric /mi ti ɒrk/ adj sudden, unexpected and very noticeable. Synonym dramatic. Antonym gradual meteorite / mi tiərat/ noun a piece of solid rock which falls from outer space onto the earth’s surface meteorological /mi tiərə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to meteorology, to the climate and weather Meteorological Office /mi tiərəlɒdȢk(ə)l ɒfs/, Met Office /met ɒfs/ noun the central government office which analyses weather reports and forecasts the weather meteorologist /mi tiə rɒlədȢst/ noun a scientist who studies climate and weather, and forecasts what the weather is going to be like meteorology /mi tiə rɒlədȢi/ noun the study of climate and weather mete out /mi t aυt/ verb to give a punishment ③ meter / mi tə/ noun 1. a device for counting how much time, water, gas, etc. has been used 쑗 He came to read the gas meter. 2. US spelling of metre 쐽 verb to measure with a meter 쑗 The quantity of water used is metered by the water company. methadone / meθədəυn/ noun a synthetic painkilling drug, used as a substitute for heroin in the treatment of addiction ① method / meθəd/ noun a way of doing something 쑗 We use the most up-to-date manufacturing methods. 쑗 What is the best method of payment? methodical /m θɒdk(ə)l/ adj 1. done carefully, in an orderly way 쑗 The police carried out a methodical search of the house room by room. 2. who works in a careful orderly way 쑗 No one is more methodical than she is, and even she can’t find the documents. methodically /m θɒdkli/ adv in an orderly way methodology /meθə dɒlədȢi/ noun methods used in a certain process or study meths /meθs/ noun same as methylated spirits methylated spirits /meθəletd sprts/ plural noun alcohol used for lighting or heating mezzanine meticulous /m tkjυləs/ adj being very careful about details. Antonym careless 왍 to be meticulous in doing something or about something to pay great attention to detail when you do something 쑗 He is very meticulous in sending off his tax return on time. 쑗 They were not very meticulous about their payments. meticulously /m tkjυləsli/ adv very carefully. Synonym thoroughly. Antonym carelessly ② metre / mi tə/ noun 1. a standard mea- surement of length, equal to approximately 39.4 inches 왍 ten square metres an area of 5 metres x 2 metres 2. a race over a certain distance 쑗 He holds the world record for the 1000 metres. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is meter.) metric / metrk/ adj using the metre as a basic measurement metric ton /metrk tn/ noun same as tonne metro / metrəυ/ noun (in some towns) an underground railway system metropolis /m trɒpəls/ noun a large capital city (NOTE: The plural is metropolises.) metropolitan /metrə pɒlt(ə)n/ adj referring to a large capital city 쑗 She spent her childhood in a little village and found it difficult to get used to the metropolitan bustle of central London. mettle / met(ə)l/ noun the strength of character which helps someone continue to fight. Synonym courage 왍 to put someone on their mettle to make someone try to do their best mew /mju / noun a soft cry which a kitten makes 쐽 verb to make a soft cry like a kitten 쑗 We could hear the kittens mewing in their box. mews /mju z/ plural noun 1. stables for horses 2. a row of stables which have been made into houses 쑗 She’s bought a mews cottage near Marble Arch. 쑗 We live in the mews behind the big houses in the square. Mexican / mekskən/ adj referring to Mexico 쑗 Mexican cooking is hot and spicy. 쑗 The Mexican football team looks like winning. 쑗 Have you seen the photos from our Mexican holiday? 쐽 noun a person from Mexico 쑗 Many Mexicans have emigrated to California. Mexican wave /mekskən wev/ noun an action when people watching an event stand up, raise their arms in turn, and then sit down, giving the impression of a wave running through the crowd mezzanine / metsəni n/ noun a floor between the ground floor and the first floor 쑗 The office is on the mezzanine. mg 531 mg abbr milligram miaow /mjaυ/ noun a call made by a cat 쑗 We heard plaintive miaows coming from inside the cupboard. 쐽 verb to make a miaow 쑗 The cat was miaowing to be let in. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is meow.) ③ mice /mas/ 쒁 mouse mickey / mki/ noun 왍 to take the mickey out of someone to make fun of someone 쑗 Stop taking the mickey! (informal ) Mickey Mouse /mki maυs/ noun a popular cartoon character in Disney films 쐽 adj small and inefficient (informal ) 쑗 Some Mickey Mouse firm got the contract. micro- /makrəυ/ prefix on a small scale microbe / makrəυb/ noun a very small organism which can only be seen with a microscope. Synonym microorganism microchip / makrəυtʃp/ noun a very small piece of silicon with electronic circuits on it microcosm / makrəυkɒz(ə)m/ noun a miniature version microfilm / makrəυflm/ noun a film on which something is photographed in very small scale 쐽 verb to make a very small-scale photograph of something 쑗 Send the old letters to be microfilmed. microorganism /makrəυ ɔ DZənz(ə)m/ noun a very small organism which can only be seen with a microscope. Synonym . . microbe ③ microphone / makrəfəυn/ noun 1. a device which you speak into to transmit sound through loudspeakers, through the radio, or to record on disk or tape 쑗 He had difficulty in making himself heard without a microphone. 2. a device for capturing sound and passing it to a listening device 쑗 There was a hidden microphone in the vase of flowers. microprocessor / makrəυprəυsesə/ noun the central processing unit inside a microcomputer microscope / makrəskəυp/ noun an instrument which enlarges things which are very small microscopic /makrə skɒpk/ adj so small as to be visible only through a microscope. Synonym tiny. Antonym gigantic microwave / makrəwev/ noun a small oven which cooks very rapidly using very short electric waves 쑗 Put the dish in the microwave for three minutes. 쐽 verb to cook something in a microwave 쑗 You can microwave those potatoes. Synonym heat mid- /md/ prefix middle 쑗 The factory is closed until mid-July. 왍 from mid-2006 from the middle of 2006 midfield mid-air /md eə/ adj, adv in the air, flying The two planes collided in mid-air. 쑗 A mid-air collision between the two planes. ③ midday /md de/ noun twelve o’clock in the middle of the day. Synonym noon ① middle / md(ə)l/ adj in the centre; half-way between two ends 쑗 They live in the middle house, the one with the green door. 쐽 noun 1. the centre 쑗 She was standing in the middle of the road, trying to cross. 쑗 Chad is a country in the middle of Africa. 2. (of time) halfway through 쑗 We were woken in the middle of the night by a dog barking. 쑗 We were just in the middle of eating our supper when they called. 쑗 His portable telephone rang in the middle of the meeting. 쑗 The house was built in the middle of the eighteenth century. 3. a waist 쑗 It’s quite deep – the water comes up to my middle. 쑗 How much does he measure round his middle? middle age /md(ə)l edȢ/ noun a period of life when you are not very young and not very old, between 40 and 60 years old ③ middle-aged /md(ə)l edȢd/ adj between approximately 40 and 60 years old ③ Middle Ages /ðə md(ə)l edȢz/ plural noun the historical period before the Renaissance from about 1000 to 1500 AD 쑗 (NOTE: The adjective referring to the Middle Ages is medieval.) ① middle class /md(ə)l klɑ s/ noun a professional class between the upper class and the lower or working class middle ear /md(ə)l ə/ noun a space inside the ear beyond the eardrum Middle England /md(ə)l ŋDZlənd/ noun the section of English society which is regarded as socially traditional middle ground / md(ə)l DZraυnd/ noun a position between extremes of opinion middleman / md(ə)lmn/ noun a businessman who buys from the manufacturer and sells to customers (NOTE: The plural is middlemen.) middle management /md(ə)l mndȢmənt/ noun departmental managers who are not as important as directors middle name / md(ə)l nem/ noun a second given name of someone middle-of-the-road /md(ə)l əv ðə rəυd/ adj (in politics) of the centre, moderate middle school / md(ə)l sku l/ noun a state school for children in the UK from age 8 to 13 middle-sized /md(ə)l sazd/ adj neither big nor small middling / md(ə)lŋ/ adj neither good nor bad; not very large or very small midfield / mdfi ld/ noun 1. the central section of a football pitch 쑗 The goalkeeper kicked the ball to midfield. 2. the players who midfielder 532 play in the midfield 쑗 The midfield is the most important section of a football team. midfielder / mdfi ldə/ noun a member of a football team active in the central area of the playing field, often both in attack and defence midge /mdȢ/ noun a small flying insect that stings midget / mdȢt/ noun a very short person (offensive) 쐽 adj smaller than the usual size ③ midnight / mdnat/ noun twelve o’clock at night 쑗 I must go to bed – it’s after midnight. 쑗 We only reached the hotel at midnight. Antonym noon midriff / mdrf/ noun the front part of your body above the waist and below the chest ③ midst /mdst/ noun middle 왍 in our midst among us 쑗 We have a spy in our midst. midstream /md stri m/ adv, noun (in the) middle part of a river midsummer /md smə/ noun the middle of the summer. Antonym midwinter Midsummer’s Day /mdsməz de/ noun June 24th midterm /mid t" m/ noun a point half-way through an academic term, or through a term of office 쑗 midterm elections 쑗 We have our midterm exam next week. Compare half-term midway /md we/ adv half-way 쑗 We arranged to meet them midway between London and Oxford. 쑗 The lights went out midway through the performance. midweek /md wi k/ adj, adv in the middle of the week 쑗 If you travel midweek, the fares are higher than if you travel at the weekend. midwife / mdwaf/ noun a professional nurse who helps a woman give birth, often at home (formal ) (NOTE: The plural is midwives / mdwavz/.) midwifery /md wfəri/ noun the work of being a midwife midwinter /md wntə/ noun the middle of the winter. Antonym midsummer miffed /mfd/ adj feeling annoyed or offended ① might noun /mat/ a force 쑗 She pulled at it with all her might, and still could not move it. 쑗 All the might of the armed forces is displayed during the National Day parade. 쐽 modal verb 1. to be possible 쑗 Take an umbrella, it might rain. 쑗 If he isn’t here, he might be waiting outside. 쑗 I might call in to see you tomorrow if I have time. 쑗 That was a stupid thing to do – you might have been killed! 쑗 They might win, but I wouldn’t bet on it. 2. should have (done) 쑗 You might try and stay awake next time. 왍 he might have done something to help it would have been . mile better if he had done something to help 왍 you might have told me I wish you had told me 쑗 You might have told me you’d invited her as well. 3. asking a question politely 쑗 Might I have another cup of tea? (NOTE: The negative is might not, usually mightn’t. Note also that might is always used with other verbs and is not followed by to.) mightn’t short form might not mighty / mati/ adj strong, powerful (literary) 쑗 With one mighty heave he lifted the sack onto the lorry. 쑗 All she could remember was getting a mighty blow on the head, and then everything went black. (NOTE: mightier – mightiest) 쐽 adv great 쑗 That’s mighty kind of you. 왍 he’s in a mighty hurry he’s very impatient (informal ) migraine / mi DZren, maDZren/ noun a sharp headache often associated with vomiting and seeing bright lights migrant / maDZrənt/ noun 1. a worker who moves from one job to another or from one country to another to look for work 쑗 The government is trying to prevent migrants coming into the country. 2. a bird which moves from one place to another with the seasons 쑗 The marshes are an ideal place to see the winter migrants. 쐽 adj who moves from one job to another or from one country to another 쑗 Migrant workers often do the jobs no one wants to do. 쑗 The exploitation of migrant farm workers. Synonym migratory. Antonym resident migrate /ma DZret/ verb to move from one place to another with the seasons. Synonym . travel migration /ma DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun the movement of people and animals, especially birds, from one country to another. Compare relocation migratory / maDZrət(ə)ri/ adj referring to migration mike /mak/ abbr microphone (informal ) ③ mild /mald/ adj 1. not harsh, not too bad 쑗 There was some mild criticism, but generally the plan was welcomed. 쑗 He had a mild heart attack and was soon back to work again. 2. (of the weather ) not severe 쑗 Winters in the south of the country are usually milder than in the north. 3. not strong-tasting 쑗 We’ll choose the mildest curry on the menu. Antonym hot (NOTE: milder – . . mildest) mildly / maldli/ adj softly or kindly 쑗 The film was only mildly entertaining. 왍 to put it mildly not to say anything ruder ① mile noun /mal/ a measure of length, equal to 1,760 yards or 1.61 kilometres 쑗 He thinks nothing of cycling ten miles to work every day. 쑗 The car can’t go any faster than sixty miles per hour. 쑗 The line of cars stretched for three miles from the road mileage 533 works. 왍 the car was doing 100 miles an hour the car was travelling at 100 miles an hour 쐽 plural noun miles a long distance 쑗 She lives miles away from here. 왍 for miles within a wide area 쑗 There are no shops for miles around. 왍 to be miles away to be thinking about something else and not what is happening at present 쑗 She was miles away and jumped when when he spoke. 쐽 adv miles a lot (informal ) 쑗 This book is miles better than the last one I read. 쑗 The dress is miles too long. mileage / maldȢ/ noun 1. the distance travelled in miles 왍 car with a low mileage a car which has travelled fewer miles than normal 2. 왍 to get more mileage out of something to take as much advantage as possible of something 쑗 Can we get any more mileage out of his appearance on TV? mileometer /ma lɒmtə/ noun a device in a vehicle for recording the distance travelled milestone / malstəυn/ noun 1. an important point in time 쑗 This year marks an important milestone in the firm’s history. 쑗 1887 was a milestone in the history of road transport when Daimler patented the first internal combustion engine. 2. a stone by the side of a road, showing the distance in miles (old ) 쑗 The milestone showed it was 17 miles to Bristol. milieu / mi lj" / noun a society which surrounds someone militancy / mltənsi/ noun vigour in supporting a political party or a cause militant / mltənt/ adj very active in supporting a cause or political party 쑗 He is on the militant wing of the party. Synonym confrontational. Antonym peaceable 쐽 noun 1. a person who is very active in supporting a cause or a political party 쑗 The party must keep its militants under control. 2. a person who supports a policy of using violence to achieve aims 쑗 A few militants in the march started throwing stones at the police. ① military / mlt(ə)ri/ adj referring to the armed forces 쑗 The two leaders discussed the possibility of military intervention. 쑗 Military spending has fallen over the past three years. Antonym civilian 쐽 noun 왍 the military the army 쑗 Faced with riots all over the country, the government called in the military. military service /mlt(ə)ri s" vs/ noun a period of time served in the armed forces militate / mltet/ verb to have an active influence against something happening militia /m lʃə/ noun an emergency police force organised like an army ① milk /mlk/ noun a white liquid produced by female mammals to feed their young, especially the liquid produced by cows 쑗 Do . . millimetre you want milk with your coffee? 쑗 Can we have two glasses of milk, please? 쑗 Don’t forget to buy some milk, there’s none in the fridge. 쐽 verb 1. to take milk from an animal 쑗 The cows are waiting to be milked. 2. to get as much advantage as possible from a situation 쑗 The newspapers milked the story for all it was worth. milk chocolate /mlk tʃɒklət/ noun pale brown chocolate made with milk milk float / mlk fləυt/ noun a low electric truck for delivering milk milkman / mlkmən/ noun GB a man who brings milk to each house in the morning (NOTE: The plural is milkmen.) milk shake /mlk ʃek/ noun a drink made by beating milk with sweet liquid or fruit milk teeth /mlk ti θ/ plural noun a child’s first twenty teeth, which are gradually replaced by permanent teeth milky / mlki/ adj 1. made with milk; containing milk 쑗 This coffee is too milky. 2. looking like milk 쑗 If you cut the plant, a milky fluid comes out. Milky Way /mlki we/ noun a band of light across the sky caused by the high concentration of stars in our galaxy (NOTE: milkier – milkiest) ③ mill /ml/ noun 1. a small machine for grinding seeds into powder 쑗 There is a pepper mill on the table. 2. a large machine for grinding corn into flour 쑗 Corn is fed into the mill through a hopper. 3. a building which contains such a machine 쑗 After lunch the visitors were shown round the mill. 4. 왍 run-of-the-mill ordinary 쑗 It’s very much a run-of-the-mill operation which any doctor can do. 5. a large factory 왍 to go through the mill, to be put through the mill to suffer a great deal (informal ) millennial /m leniəl/ adj referring to a millennium millennium /m leniəm/ noun a period of a thousand years. Synonym epoch millet / mlt/ noun a common cereal crop grown in many of the hot, dry regions of Africa and Asia, where it is a basic food (NOTE: . no plural) milli- /ml/ prefix one thousandth milligram / mlDZrm/ noun one thousandth of a gram (NOTE: usually written mg after figures) millilitre / mlli tə/ noun a unit of mea- surement of liquid, equal to one thousandth of a litre (NOTE: usually written ml after figures. The US spelling is millimeter.) ③ millimetre / mlmi tə/ noun one thousandth of a metre (NOTE: usually written mm after figures: 35mm. The US spelling is millimeter.) million 534 million / mljən/ noun the number 1,000,000 쑗 The population of Great Britain is just over 58 million. 쐽 왍 millions of a very large number of 쑗 Millions of trees are chopped down to make paper. 쑗 The country spends millions of dollars on imports of oil. 쑗 Millions of people spend their holidays in Italy. ③ millionaire /mljə neə/ noun a person who has more than a million pounds or a million dollars. Synonym tycoon. Antonym ① pauper (NOTE: To show the currency in which a person is a millionaire, say ‘a dollar millionaire’, ‘a sterling millionaire’, etc.) ① millionth / mljənθ/, 1,000,000th adj, noun referring to a million millipede / mlpi d/ noun a small creep- ing animal with a large number of legs millisecond / mlsekənd/ noun a unit of measurement of time, equal to one thousandth of a second mime /mam/ noun 1. gestures and facial expressions used in the theatre to tell a story or show emotions 쑗 a story told in mime 2. a story told in gestures 쑗 He did a mime of a man trying to open an umbrella in a high wind. 3. an actor who does not speak, but tells a story through gestures 쑗 Marcel Marceau, the famous French mime. 쐽 verb to tell a story or show emotions through gestures 쑗 He mimed getting into a car and driving off. mimic / mmk/ noun a person who imitates 쑗 A good mimic imitates a person’s body language as well as their voice. 쐽 verb to imitate 쑗 He doesn’t like it when people mimic the way he talks. (NOTE: mimicking – mimicked) mimicry / mmkri/ noun the action of mimicking someone. Synonym imitation min abbr 1. minimum 2. minute minaret /mnə ret/ noun a tall tower which is part of a mosque ③ mince /mns/ noun meat which has been cut into very small pieces 쑗 Add the mince to the onions and fry till brown. 쐽 verb 1. to grind up meat or vegetables until they are in very small pieces 2. 왍 he didn’t mince his words he said what he had to say in a straightforward way mincemeat / mnsmi t/ noun a mixture of suet, apples, spices and dried fruit, used to make mince pies 왍 to make mincemeat (out) of someone to defeat someone, to destroy someone completely 쑗 He made mincemeat of his opponent. mince pie /mns pa/ noun a small pie filled with mincemeat, eaten at Christmas ① mind /mand/ noun the part of the body which controls memory and reasoning 쑗 His mind always seems to be on other things. 쑗 mindless I’ve forgotten her name – it just slipped my mind. 쑗 I think of her night and day – I just can’t get her out of my mind. 쑗 My mind went blank as soon as I saw the exam paper. 왍 what do you have in mind? what are you thinking of? 쑗 Let’s do something unusual this weekend – what do you have in mind? 왍 she’s got something on her mind she’s worrying about something 쑗 She’s not her usual cheery self today – I think she’s got something on her mind. 왍 let’s try to take his mind off his exams let’s try to stop him worrying about the exams 왍 to make up your mind (to do something) to decide (to do something) 쑗 I can’t make up my mind whether to take the afternoon off to do some shopping or stay in the office and work. 쑗 She couldn’t make up her mind what clothes to wear to the wedding. 왍 to change your mind to decide to do something different 쑗 He was going to go by car but then changed his mind and went by bus. 쑗 He has decided to go on holiday next week and nothing will make him change his mind. 왍 to be in two minds about something not to be sure about something, to be undecided 쑗 I’m in two minds about his proposal. 왍 I’ve a good mind to do it myself I would very much like to do it myself 왍 he’s not in his right mind he’s mad 쐽 verb 1. to be careful, to watch out 쑗 Mind the steps – they’re slippery! 쑗 Mind you get back early. 쑗 Mind the plate – it’s hot! 2. to worry about 쑗 Don’t mind me, I’m used to working with children. 왍 never mind don’t worry 쑗 Never mind – you’ll get another chance to enter the competition next year. 3. to look after something for someone, or while the owner is away 쑗 Who will be minding the house while you’re on holiday? 왍 mind your own business! don’t interfere with other people’s affairs 4. to be bothered or annoyed by 쑗 Nobody will mind if you’re late. 쑗 There aren’t enough chairs, but I don’t mind standing up. 5. asking politely 쑗 Do you mind if I open the window? 왍 would you mind shutting the door? please shut the door 6. 왍 wouldn’t mind would rather like 쑗 I wouldn’t mind a cup of coffee. mind-blowing /mand bləυŋ/ adj extremely impressive, surprising or shocking mind-boggling / mand bɒDZlŋ/ adj large, complicated and difficult to understand (informal ) minder / mandə/ noun a person who protects someone (informal ) 쒁 bodyguard mindful / mandf(ə)l/ adj 왍 mindful of something remembering something, thinking about something 쑗 He is always mindful of his responsibilities as chairman. 쑗 You should be mindful of the risks you are taking. mindless / mandləs/ adj stupid, done without thinking . . mindset 535 mindset / mandset/ noun a way of thinking, general attitude to things. Synonym attitude ① mine /man/ pron belonging to me 쑗 That book is mine. 쑗 Can I borrow your bike, mine’s been stolen. 쑗 She’s a great friend of mine. 쐽 noun 1. a deep hole in the ground from which useful substances such as coal are taken out 쑗 The coal mine has stopped working after fifty years. 쑗 He has shares in an African gold mine. 2. 왍 he’s a mine of information he is full of information 3. a type of bomb which is hidden under the ground or under water 쑗 The tank went over a mine and two soldiers were killed. 쑗 It will take years to clear all the mines left by the rebel army. 쐽 verb 1. to dig substances out of the ground 쑗 They mine gold in the south of the country. 2. to place mines in land or water 쑗 The entrance to the harbour has been mined. minefield / manfi ld/ noun 1. an area of land or sea where mines have been laid 쑗 Minefields lay along both sides of the road. 2. a difficult and dangerous situation 쑗 Trying to find your way round EU agriculture regulations is an absolute minefield. 쑗 The company got caught up in the minefield of government tax regulations. miner / manə/ noun a person who works in a mine (NOTE: Do not confuse with minor.) mineral / mn(ə)rəl/ noun a substance, such as rock, which is dug out of the earth, or which is found in food 쑗 What is the mineral content of spinach? 쑗 The company hopes to discover valuable minerals in the mountains. mineral water / mn(ə)rəl wɔ tə/ noun water from a spring minesweeper / manswi pə/ noun a ship which specialises in removing mines placed under water mingle / mŋDZəl/ verb 1. to mix together 쑗 The flavours of chocolate and lemon mingle deliciously. 2. to mix, to join in a party 쑗 The host and hostess started to mingle with their guests. (NOTE: mingling – mingled) mini- /mni/ adj, prefix very small miniature / mntʃə/ noun 1. a very small model, portrait, painting or bottle 쑗 We went to an exhibition of Elizabethan miniatures. 2. 왍 in miniature reproduced on a very small scale 쑗 The Parliament in the colony is like Westminster in miniature. 쑗 In the model village, everything is in miniature. 쐽 adj very small 쑗 He has a miniature camera. Synonym small-scale. Antonym enormous minibar / mnibɑ / noun a refrigerator in a hotel room containing cold drinks minibus / mnibs/ noun a small bus holding about twelve passengers minicab / mnikb/ noun a car which a person drives as a taxi ministry minimal / mnm(ə)l/ adj very low or small, the smallest possible minimalism / mnm(ə)lz(ə)m/ noun 1. a movement of abstract artists who produce paintings and sculptures that make use of basic colours and geometric shapes in impersonal arrangements. The movement started in New York in the 1960s. 2. a simple style in art, design or literature 3. a style in music with a simplicity of rhythm and tone minimalist / mnməlst/ noun an artist who uses the simplest techniques to achieve his effects 쑗 The minimalist art of Japanese flower arranging. minimise / mnmaz/, minimize verb to reduce to the smallest amount; to make something seem very small ② minimum / mnməm/ adj smallest possible 쑗 The minimum amount you can save is £25 per month. 쑗 The minimum age for drivers is 18. 쐽 noun the smallest possible amount 쑗 We try to keep expenditure to a minimum. 쑗 She does the bare minimum of study, just enough to pass her exams. Synonym least 왘 Antonym (all senses) maximum minimum wage /mnməm wedȢ/ noun the lowest hourly wage which a company can legally pay its workers mining / manŋ/ noun 1. the action of taking coal and other minerals out of the land 쑗 We used a Welsh mining village as a base for climbing in the mountains. 쑗 The company is engaged in mining for diamonds or in diamond mining. 2. the process of placing mines underground or under water 쑗 The mining of the harbour was carried out by marines. minion / mnjən/ noun a low-grade assistant. Synonym follower. Antonym superior miniskirt / mnisk" t/ noun a skirt which is very short ① minister / mnstə/ noun 1. the member of a government in charge of a department 쑗 The inquiry is to be headed by a former government minister. 쑗 He was the Minister of Defence in the previous government. 2. a Protestant clergyman 쑗 The minister gave a very moving sermon at the funeral. 쐽 verb (formal ) 왍 to minister to someone’s needs to take care of someone 쑗 Nurses went to the country to minister to the needs of the refugees. ministerial /mn stəriəl/ adj referring to a government minister. Synonym governmental ① ministry / mnstri/ noun 1. a government department; offices of a government department 쑗 He works in the Ministry of Defence. (NOTE: The plural is ministries. In the UK and the USA, important ministries are also called departments: the Department of Work and Pensions, the Commerce . mink 536 Department.) 2. a government 쑗 the Conservative Ministry of 1951 (NOTE: You can also say administration in this sense: the Conservative Administration of 1951.) 3. the work of a priest 왍 to enter the ministry to become a priest mink /mŋk/ noun 1. a small animal whose fur is very valuable 쑗 Mink are now found in the wild in Britain. 2. a coat of mink fur 쑗 She wore her mink to the opera. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning: to show a plural say ‘mink coats’) minnow / mnəυ/ noun a very small freshwater fish. Synonym small fry ② minor / manə/ adj not very important 쑗 It was just a minor injury. 쑗 She has a minor role in the film. 쑗 He played a minor part in the revolution. 쐽 noun a person under the age of 18, who is not considered to be an adult 쑗 We are forbidden to serve alcohol to minors. Synonym juvenile. Antonym adult (NOTE: Do not confuse with miner.) ② minority /ma nɒrti/ noun 1. a number or quantity which is less than half of a total 쑗 Although the proposal was carried, a large minority of members voted against it. 왍 the men are in the minority there are more women than men 2. the period when a person is less than 18 years old 쑗 During the king’s minority the country was ruled by his uncle. minority government /manɒrti DZv(ə)nmənt/ noun a government with fewer members of parliament than the opposition minster / mnstə/ noun (usually in names) a large, important church mint /mnt/ noun 1. a factory where coins are made 쑗 The mint is preparing to make the new coins. 왍 in mint condition perfect, in exactly the same condition as when it was made 쑗 He is offering a camera for sale in mint condition. 왍 a mint of money a great deal of money (informal ) 쑗 The inventor of the zip must have made a mint of money. 2. a common herb used as flavouring 3. a small white sweet, tasting of peppermint 쑗 He always keeps a packet of mints in his pocket to suck when travelling. 쐽 verb to make coins 쑗 British coins are minted by the Royal Mint. mint sauce /mnt sɔ s/ noun a sauce made of chopped mint, sugar and vinegar, served with lamb ② minus / manəs/ prep 1. less 쑗 Ten minus eight equals two (10 – 8 = 2). 쑗 Net salary is gross salary minus tax and National Insurance deductions. 쑗 It was minus 10 degrees (-10°) outside. 2. not with 왍 luckily they came minus children luckily they came without their children 쐽 noun a sign (-) meaning less . mirror minuscule / mnskju l/ adj very small. Synonym tiny. Antonym gigantic minus sign / manəs san/ noun a symbol, (-), used to show a negative quantity or subtraction ① minute noun / mnt/ 1. one sixtieth part of an hour 쑗 There are sixty minutes in an hour, and sixty seconds in a minute. 쑗 The doctor can see you for ten minutes only. 쑗 The house is about ten minutes’ walk or is a ten-minute walk from the office. 왍 six minutes to four 3.54 왍 eight minutes past three 3.08 2. a very short space of time 쑗 I’ll be ready in a minute. 쑗 Why don’t you wait for a minute and see if the dentist is free? 왍 I won’t be a minute I’ll be very quick 쑗 I’m just going to pop into the bank – I won’t be a minute. 왍 at any minute, any minute now very soon 쑗 I expect the train to arrive at any minute. 왍 the minute he arrived, she left she left as soon as he arrived 쐽 verb / mnt/ to write the record of a meeting 쑗 My objection to the proposal has been minuted. 쐽 adj /ma nju t/ very small 쑗 A minute piece of dust must have got into the watch. 왍 in minute detail with all details carefully drawn or explained 쑗 I explained it all to you in the minutest detail, and you still got it wrong. minute hand / mnt hnd/ noun the long hand on a clock or watch which shows the minutes minutes / mnts/ plural noun notes taken of what has been said at a meeting 쑗 Who volunteers to take the minutes of the meeting? 쑗 Copies of the minutes of the last meeting will be sent to all members of the committee. minutiae /ma nju ʃii / plural noun very small details miracle / mrək(ə)l/ noun 1. a very lucky happening 쑗 It was a miracle she was not killed in the accident. 2. a marvellous event which happens apparently by the power of God 쑗 She went to the shrine and was cured – it must have been a miracle. 3. 왍 the miracles of modern medicine or of science the wonderful discoveries, new treatments etc. miraculous /m rkjυləs/ adj wonderful, which cannot be explained. Antonym mundane miraculously /m rkjυləsli/ adv wonderfully, in a way which cannot be explained mirage / mrɑ Ȣ/ noun an imaginary sight caused by hot air, such as an oasis seen in a desert. Synonym hallucination. Antonym reality mirror / mrə/ noun a piece of glass with a metal backing which reflects an image 쑗 They looked at themselves in the mirror. 왍 clean the bathroom mirror to clean the mirror in the bathroom 쐽 verb to be very similar to; to be the same as 쑗 The report mirrors the ③ mirror image 537 information given to the committee by local doctors. 쑗 Her astonishment at the news mirrored mine. mirror image /mrər mdȢ/ noun something that looks the same as something else except that it is the other way round, as in a mirror. Synonym double mirth /m" θ/ noun enjoyment, especially shown by laughter misadventure /msəd ventʃə/ noun an unlucky accident 왍 death by misadventure accidental death 쑗 The coroner’s verdict was death by misadventure. misapprehension /mspr henʃ(ə)n/ noun an incorrect understanding misbehave /msb hev/ verb to behave badly. Antonym behave misbehaviour /msb hevjə/ noun bad behaviour (NOTE: The US spelling is misbehavior.) misc. abbr miscellaneous miscalculate /ms klkjυlet/ verb to calculate wrongly miscalculation /msklkjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun a mistake in calculating. Synonym error miscarriage / mskrdȢ/ noun the loss of a baby during pregnancy 쑗 She had two miscarriages before having her first child. miscarriage of justice /mskrdȢ əv dȢsts/ noun a wrong decision by a court, which can be changed on appeal miscarry /ms kri/ verb 1. (of a plan) to go wrong 2. to produce a baby which is not sufficiently developed to live 쑗 She miscarried three months into her pregnancy. miscellaneous /msə leniəs/ adj various or mixed, not all of the same sort. Antonym homogeneous miscellany /m seləni/ noun a collection of varied things, usually varied pieces of writing. Synonym assortment mischief / mstʃf/ noun a naughty or wicked action 왍 to keep out of mischief to avoid doing anything naughty 쑗 Be good, and try to keep out of mischief. 왍 to make mischief to make trouble for other people 쑗 She’s always trying to make mischief between me and the boss. 왍 he is always getting into mischief he’s always doing something naughty mischievous / mstʃvəs/ adj wicked or naughty misconception /mskən sepʃən/ noun a mistaken idea. Synonym fallacy. Antonym fact misconduct /ms kɒndkt/ noun a wrong action by a professional person or worker misconstrue /mskən stru / verb to understand something wrongly. Synonym misinterpret misjudge miscount /ms kaυnt/ verb to count wrongly misdeed /ms di d/ noun a wicked action misdemeanour /msd mi nə/ noun a minor crime (NOTE: The US spelling is misdemeanor.) miser / mazə/ noun a person who loves his money and refuses to spend it (disapproving) miserable / mz(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj 1. sad, un- happy 쑗 He’s in a very miserable state of mind. 쑗 Can’t you do something to cheer her up? – She’s very miserable since her boyfriend left her. 2. (of weather ) bad or unpleasant 쑗 What miserable weather – will it ever stop raining? 3. (of pay) very low 쑗 She earns a miserable wage as a library assistant. miserably / mz(ə)rəbli/ adv sadly or unhappily miserly / mazəli/ adj 1. not wanting to spend money 쑗 He’s very miserly with his money. 2. very small 쑗 Her father gave her a miserly allowance. 쑗 For pudding we were given a miserly amount of ice cream. ③ misery / mzəri/ noun great unhappiness 왍 to put someone out of his misery not to keep someone waiting for something any longer 쑗 Let’s go and put the candidates out of their misery. 왍 to put an animal out of its misery to kill an animal because it is in pain misfire /ms faə/ verb not to fire properly. Synonym go wrong 왍 the engine is misfiring the engine is not igniting the petrol at the right time 왍 his plan misfired his plan went wrong misfit / msft/ noun a person who does not fit in with a group, who does not fit into society. Antonym conformist ③ misfortune /ms fɔ tʃən/ noun 1. bad luck 쑗 It was his misfortune to be born in the year when his father was declared bankrupt. (NOTE: no plural) 2. a piece of bad luck 쑗 Misfortunes never come singly. misgiving /ms DZvŋ/ noun a doubt or fear that something will go wrong misguided /ms DZadd/ adj badly advised; wrongly judged. Synonym mistaken. Antonym wise mishandle /ms hnd(ə)l/ verb 1. to deal with a situation badly 2. to treat something roughly mishap / mshp/ noun a little accident mishmash / mʃmʃ/ noun a confusing mixture misinform /msn fɔ m/ verb to give someone the wrong information misinterpret /msn t" prt/ verb not to understand correctly. Synonym . misconstrue misjudge /ms dȢdȢ/ verb 1. to judge wrongly 쑗 He misjudged the distance he had mislay 538 to jump and fell into the ditch. 2. to form a wrong opinion about someone or something 쑗 I thought he was lazy, but I obviously misjudged him. mislay /ms le/ verb to put something down and not to remember where it is (NOTE: mislaying – mislaid) mislead /ms li d/ verb to give someone wrong information (NOTE: misleading – misled /ms led/) mismanage /ms mndȢ/ verb to man- age wrongly or badly mismanagement /ms mndȢmənt/ noun bad organisation and management. Antonym efficiency mismatch noun / msmtʃ/ a badly matched pair 쐽 verb /ms mtʃ/ to match or pair people or things badly misnomer /ms nəυmə/ noun a wrong name misogynist /m sɒdȢənst/ noun a man who hates women misplace /ms ples/ verb to lose something temporarily misplaced /ms plest/ adj directed at the wrong person or thing misprint / msprnt/ noun a mistake in printing mispronounce /msprə naυns/ verb to pronounce a sound or word wrongly. Antonym articulate misquote /ms kwəυt/ verb to quote someone or something incorrectly misread /ms ri d/ verb 1. to read something incorrectly 2. to misinterpret something misrepresent /msrepr zent/ verb to report what someone thinks wrongly misrepresentation /msreprzenteʃ(ə)n/ noun a wrong account ① miss /ms/ verb 1. not to hit 쑗 He missed the target. 쑗 She tried to shoot the rabbit but missed. 2. not to see, hear or notice 쑗 We missed the road in the dark. 쑗 I missed the article about books in yesterday’s evening paper. 쑗 I arrived late, so missed most of the discussion. 왍 you didn’t miss much the thing you did not see or hear, was not very good 왍 he just missed being knocked down he was almost knocked down 3. not to catch 쑗 He tried to catch the ball but he missed it. 쑗 She missed the last bus and had to walk home. 4. to be sad because you do not do something any more, because someone is not there any more 쑗 Do you miss living by the sea? 쑗 I miss going on those long country walks. 쑗 You’ll be missed if you go to work in another office. 쑗 We’ll all miss Jack when he retires. 쐽 noun not having hit something 쑗 He hit the target twice and then had two misses. 왍 let’s give it a miss let’s not go to see it mistake ① Miss /ms/ noun 1. the title given to a girl or woman who is not married 쑗 Have you met Miss Jones, our new sales manager? 쑗 The letter is addressed to Miss Anne Smith. (NOTE: used before a surname, or a first name and surname) 2. a way of addressing a teacher 쑗 Miss! John keeps hitting me. missile / msal/ noun 1. an explosive rocket which can be guided to its target 쑗 They think the plane was brought down by an enemy missile. 쑗 They threw missiles at the police. 2. a thing which is thrown to try to hit someone 쑗 The students threw missiles at the police. ③ missing / msŋ/ adj lost, which is not there 쑗 I’m looking for my missing car keys. 쑗 They found there was a lot of money missing. 쑗 The police searched everywhere for the missing children. ③ mission / mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an aim or purpose for which someone is sent 쑗 The students were sent on a mission to find the best place to camp. 왍 her mission in life is to help orphans her chosen task is to help orphans 2. a group of people sent somewhere with a particular aim 쑗 a United Nations peace mission 쑗 Several firms took part in a business mission to Japan. 쑗 A rescue mission was sent out into the mountains. 3. a place where diplomats work, an embassy or consulate 쑗 There were riots outside several diplomatic missions in the capital. missionary / mʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ noun a person who tries to convert people to his or her religion 쑗 European missionaries tried to convert the inhabitants of the Pacific Islands. (NOTE: The plural is missionaries.) 쐽 adj referring to a missionary; like a missionary 쑗 He followed his calling and became a missionary doctor. 쑗 She showed missionary zeal in trying to get people to join her club. mission statement / mʃ(ə)n stetmənt/ noun a statement which gives the aims of an organisation ③ miss out /ms aυt/ verb to leave out, to forget to put in ③ miss out on /ms aυt ɒn/ verb not to enjoy something because you are not there misspell /ms spel/ verb to spell wrongly (NOTE: misspelled or misspelt) misspent youth /msspent ju θ/ noun a youth which has been wasted mist /mst/ noun a thin fog 쑗 Early morning mist covered the fields. 쐽 verb 왍 to mist up to become covered with condensation 쑗 The steam in the bathroom had misted up the mirror. 쑗 Switch on the heated rear window to stop it misting up. ② mistake /m stek/ noun an act or thought which is wrong 쑗 She made a mistake in typing the address. 쑗 There are lots of mistakes in this book. 왍 by mistake wrongly mistaken 539 쑗 They sent the wrong items by mistake. 쑗 By mistake she put my letter into an envelope for the chairman. 쑗 We took the wrong bus by mistake. 쑗 He put my coat on by mistake in the cloakroom. 쐽 verb to think wrongly 쑗 There’s no mistaking him, with his red hair and purple anorak. 왍 I mistook him for his brother I thought he was his brother ② mistaken /m stekən/ adj wrong. Antonym correct mistakenly /ms tekənli/ adv by mistake mister / mstə/ noun a way of addressing a man (= Mr.) 쑗 What’s the time, mister? mistletoe / ms(ə)ltəυ/ noun a green plant with small white berries, which grows on other plants, especially oaks or apple trees ③ mistook /m stυk/ 쒁 mistake mistreat /ms tri t/ verb to treat something badly or roughly mistress / mstrəs/ noun 1. a woman who has a sexual relationship with a man without being married to him 쑗 She had engaged a detective to follow her husband and photograph him with his mistress. 2. a woman teacher 쑗 the geography mistress 3. a woman in charge of or who owns an animal 쑗 The dog chased after a rabbit but came back when his mistress whistled. 왍 she’s her own mistress she is independent mistrust /ms trst/ noun not having any confidence 쑗 The occupying army aroused considerable mistrust in the local population. 쐽 verb not to trust someone, to be doubtful about someone 쑗 He’s too charming, that’s why I mistrust him. Synonym distrust misty / msti/ adj 1. covered in mist 쑗 a misty autumn morning 2. not clear 쑗 A misty image appeared on the screen. (NOTE: mistier – mistiest) misunderstand /msndə stnd/ verb not to understand correctly (NOTE: misunderstanding – misunderstood /msndəstυd/) misunderstanding /msndə stndŋ/ noun a situation where something has not been understood correctly misunderstood /msndə stυd/ adj not appreciated because people do not understand you. 쒁 misunderstand misuse noun /ms ju s/ a wrong use 쑗 The directors of the charity were accused of misuse of funds. 쐽 verb /ms ju z/ 1. to use something in a wrong way 쑗 She misused the money which she had been given to look after. 쑗 He felt misused when the company refused to help him. 2. to treat someone badly 쑗 He felt misused when the company refused to help him. mite /mat/ noun 1. a tiny animal of the spider family which lives in soil or is a parasite on animals or plants 쑗 House mites can mixture cause allergies. 2. a very small child 쑗 The poor little mite looks half-starved. mitigate / mtDZet/ verb to make less serious. Synonym alleviate mitigating / mtDZetŋ/ adj 왍 mitigating circumstances, mitigating factors things which make a crime less serious, or which can excuse something that has happened mitigation /mt DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun a reduction of a sentence or of the seriousness of a crime mitre / matə/ noun a tall pointed hat, worn by a bishop during religious ceremonies (NOTE: The US spelling is miter.) mitt1 /mt/ noun a padded glove worn by a baseball player mitt2 /mt/, mitten / mt(ə)n/ noun 1. a glove without separate fingers except for the thumb 쑗 She knitted a pair of woollen mittens for the baby. 2. a glove which covers the main part of the hand but leaves the fingers bare 쑗 It was so cold that he wore mittens when he went sketching. ② mix /mks/ noun a mixture of things together 쑗 There was an odd mix of people at the party. Synonym combination 쐽 verb 1. to blend or to mingle things together 쑗 She made the cake by mixing eggs and flour. 쑗 Oil and water do not mix. 2. to get along with other people 쑗 He finds it hard to mix with the other staff in the office. ② mixed /mkst/ adj made up of different things put together 쑗 The reaction to the proposal has been rather mixed – some people approve, but others disapprove. 왍 I have very mixed feelings about the project I like some things about the project but not others 왍 in mixed company when both men and women are together 쑗 That’s not the sort of joke you can tell in mixed company. mixed blessing /mkst blesŋ/ noun something which can have advantages and disadvantages as well mixed doubles /mkst db(ə)lz/ noun (in tennis) a doubles match where a man and woman play against another man and woman mixed grill /mkst DZrl/ noun a dish of different foods grilled together mixed-race /mkst res/ adj having, coming from or involving different racial backgrounds mixed school / mkst sku l/ noun a school for both boys and girls mixed-up /mkst p/ adj confused in your mind mixer / mksə/ noun a machine for mixing ③ mixture / mkstʃə/ noun a blend of things mixed together 쑗 If the mixture is too thick, add some more water. 쑗 His latest paintings are a strange mixture of shapes and colours. Synonym combination mix up 540 ③ mix up /mks p/ verb 1. to think someone or something is someone or something else 쑗 I always mix her up with her sister. 2. 왍 to be mixed up in or with to be part of, involved in 쑗 He was mixed up in the bank scandal. 쑗 How did she get mixed up with those awful people? mix-up / mks p/ noun a confusion. Synonym mistake ③ mm abbr millimetre mnemonic /n mɒnk/ noun a word, sentence or little poem which helps you remember something moan /məυn/ noun 1. a low wailing sound 쑗 The rescue team could hear moans from under the wreckage. 쑗 When she read the news she gave a loud moan. 2. the act of complaining about various things 쑗 The staff are having a moan about their pay. 쐽 verb 1. to make a low sound as if you are hurt 쑗 I could hear someone moaning in the bathroom. 쑗 They could hear someone moaning in the cellar. 2. to complain about something 쑗 They are moaning about working conditions. 쑗 Stop moaning, it will be your turn soon. moat /məυt/ noun a wide ditch with water in it, made as a protection round a castle or town mob /mɒb/ noun 1. an uncontrolled crowd of people 쑗 Mobs of looters ran through the streets. 쑗 An angry mob surged towards the palace gates. 2. 왍 the mob a criminal gang (informal ) 쑗 New York police are trying to crack down on the mob’s activities. 쐽 verb to surround with a wild crowd 쑗 As the stars arrived they were mobbed by teenage fans. . (NOTE: mobbing – mobbed) ② mobile / məυbal/ adj which can move 왍 she is not very mobile she can’t walk easily 쐽 noun 1. a mobile phone 쑗 I’ll call him on his mobile. 쑗 He gave me the number of his mobile. 2. an artistic construction using small pieces of metal, card etc., which when hung up move in the slightest draught 쑗 They bought a mobile of clowns to hang over the baby’s cot. mobile home /məυbal həυm/ noun US a large caravan in which people can live permanently, which is usually based in a special park (NOTE: Another US term is trailer.) ② mobile phone /məυbal fəυn/ noun a small telephone which you can carry around mobilisation /məυbla zeʃ(ə)n/, mobilization noun the bringing of people together, especially to join the armed forces in wartime ③ mobility /məυ blti/ noun being able to move easily moccasins / mɒkəsnz/ plural noun soft leather shoes without laces modem mocha / mɒkə/ noun 1. a type of strong dark coffee 2. a coffee and chocolate flavouring used in baking mock /mɒk/ adj imitation, false 쑗 Her handbag was made of mock crocodile skin. 쑗 The house is built in mock medieval style. Synonym fake. Antonym genuine 쐽 verb to laugh at someone or something in an unkind way 쑗 Don’t mock the singer – he’s doing the best he can. mockery / mɒkəri/ noun 1. a thing which is only a bad imitation, which is of no use 쑗 The trial was a mockery of justice. 왍 to make a mockery of something to make something seem useless 쑗 The exam makes a mockery of the government’s insistence on educational standards. 2. the action of laughing at someone or something in an unkind way 쑗 He could see the mockery in her eyes. mocking / mɒkŋ/ adj which laughs at someone or something in an unkind way. Synonym scornful. Antonym respectful mock-up / mɒk p/ noun a scale model of a new product for testing purposes. Synonym replica modal verb / məυd(ə)l v" b/ a verb such as ‘can’, which is used with another verb to express an idea such as possibility mod cons /mɒd kɒnz/ plural noun (informal ) 왍 all mod cons many modern facilities such as central heating, a cooker, a fridge, a dishwasher, a telephone etc. 쑗 The flat is advertised to let with all mod cons. ③ mode /məυd/ noun a way of doing something ① model / mɒd(ə)l/ noun 1. a small version of something larger 쑗 The exhibition has a model of the new town hall. 쑗 He spends his time making model planes. 2. a person who wears new clothes to show them to customers 쑗 He used only top models to show his designs during the London Fashion Week. 3. a particular type of product produced at a particular time 쑗 This is this year’s model. 쑗 He bought a 1979 model Mini. 쐽 verb 1. to make shapes in clay 쑗 He modelled a statue of the little girl. 2. to copy 왍 she modelled her way of working on that of her father she imitated her father’s way of working 3. to wear newly designed clothes to show to customers 쑗 She is modelling the autumn collection by Dior. (NOTE: modelling – modelled. The . US spelling is modeling – modeled.) modelling / mɒd(ə)lŋ/ noun 1. the job of being a fashion model 쑗 With your looks you could take up modelling as a career. 2. the process of making models (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is modeling.) ② modem / məυdem/ noun a device which links a computer to the telephone lines, so as to send data. Full form modulatordemodulator moderate 541 moderate adj / mɒd(ə)rət/ not excessive 쑗 She had moderate success in her exams. 쑗 The economy has ended a period of steady moderate growth. 쑗 The union’s wage demands are really quite moderate. 쐽 noun / mɒd(ə)rət/ a person whose political ideas are not very violent 쑗 After years of struggle the moderates have gained control of the party. 쐽 verb / mɒdəret/ to make or become less strong 쑗 They moderated their demands. 쑗 As the wind moderated, the waves became smaller. 왍 to moderate your language to be less rude or violent in what you say 쑗 She asked him to moderate his language because there were children present. moderately / mɒd(ə)rətli/ adv 1. to a limited extent 쑗 He’s not a millionaire but he’s been moderately successful. 쑗 I’m moderately satisfied with the result. 2. 왍 moderately priced not very expensive 왍 moderately difficult not very difficult moderation /mɒdə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the fact of not being excessive. Synonym restraint. Antonym excess 왍 in moderation not too much, not excessively 쑗 Red wine is good for you, but only in moderation. ① modern / mɒd(ə)n/ adj referring to the present time 쑗 It is a fairly modern invention – it was patented only in the 1980s. 쑗 You expect really modern offices to have automatic windows and air-conditioning systems. modern-day / mɒd(ə)n de/ adj 1. at the present time 쑗 Modern-day living is becoming more and more stressful. 2. existing now, but very similar to somebody or something that existed in the past 쑗 The army needs a modern-day Napoleon to lead it. 쑗 He’s a modern-day equivalent of a Victorian factory owner. modernisation /mɒdəna zeʃ(ə)n/, modernization noun the act of modernising. Synonym transformation modernise / mɒdənaz/, modernize verb to make something up to date. Synonym update modernism / mɒd(ə)nz(ə)m/ noun the use of modern ideas and methods in art, especially in the mid-twentieth century. Synonym innovation modernist / mɒd(ə)nst/ noun a person who uses modern ideas and methods 쑗 The art world was divided into two groups – the modernists and the traditionalists. 쐽 adj referring to modernism 쑗 He has a collection of 20th century modernist art. modernity /mɒ d" nəti/ noun the quality or idea of being modern or up-to-date modern languages /mɒd(ə)n lŋDZwdȢz/ plural noun languages which are spoken today 쑗 She’s studying German and Italian in the modern languages department. moisturise modest / mɒdst/ adj 1. not boasting 쑗 He was very modest about his gold medal. 2. not excessively expensive 쑗 The union’s demands were really quite modest. 쑗 We had a modest meal in a local restaurant. 왍 a modest flat a flat which does not look expensive modestly / mɒdstli/ adv in a modest way modesty / mɒdsti/ noun 1. the quality of being modest 쑗 Modesty forbids me to mention all my other achievements. 2. the quality of not being excessive, being quite small 쑗 We think he stole some money from the petty cash box, but in view of the modesty of the sum involved, we won’t report it to the police. 3. a reservation about showing parts of your body modicum / mɒdkəm/ noun a fairly small amount ③ modification /mɒdf keʃ(ə)n/ noun an alteration. Synonym change modifier / mɒdfaə/ noun 1. a person or thing that makes slight changes to something, especially to improve it 2. a word or phrase that affects the meaning of another, usually describing it or restricting its meaning. ‘Pink’ in the phrase ‘the pink ribbon’ and ‘fire’ in the compound ‘fire alarm’ are modifiers. modify / mɒdfa/ verb 1. to change or to alter something to fit a different use 쑗 The management modified its wage proposals in the light of government guidelines. 쑗 The car will have to be modified if we want to sell it here. 2. (of adjectives and adverbs) to give a special qualification to a word 쑗 In the phrase ‘very tired’‘very’ modifies ‘tired’. modular / mɒdjυlə/ adj made of various modules ② module / mɒdju l/ noun a part of a larger thing made up of various sections 쑗 The science course is made up of a series of modules. Synonym unit modus operandi /məυdəs ɒpə rndi / noun a way of working. Synonym method modus vivendi /məυdəs v vendi / noun an informal way of working together, in spite of not agreeing (formal ) mogul / məυDZ(ə)l/ noun the boss of a large business organisation, especially a film or a TV company. Synonym tycoon mohair / məυheə/ noun a very soft wool from a type of goat ③ moist /mɔst/ adj slightly wet. Synonym . damp (NOTE: moister – moistest) moisten / mɔs(ə)n/ verb to make slightly wet. Synonym dampen ③ moisture / mɔstʃə/ noun small drops of water in the air or on a surface. Synonym damp (NOTE: no plural) moisturise / mɔstʃəraz/, moisturize verb to rub a cream or liquid onto your skin to prevent it from being dry moisturiser 542 moisturiser / mɔstʃərazə/, moisturizer noun a cream or liquid which makes the skin less dry molar / məυlə/ noun a large back tooth used for grinding food molasses /mə lsz/ noun a thick black syrup removed from sugar as it is being refined (NOTE: The usual British term is black treacle.) ③ mole /məυl/ noun 1. a small mammal with soft dark grey fur, which lives under the ground 쑗 Moles are a menace when they make molehills all over my lawn. 2. a small dark spot on the skin 쑗 She has a little mole on her cheek. 쑗 The doctor removed a mole from the back of her hand. 3. a member of an organisation who is in the pay of the enemy 쑗 They planted a mole in our secret service. 쑗 There’s a mole in the department who is leaking information to the press. molecular /mə lekjυlə/ adj referring to molecules molecule / mɒlkju l/ noun the smallest unit in a substance that can exist by itself. Synonym particle molehill / məυlhl/ noun a little heap of earth pushed up by a mole when digging 왍 to make a mountain out of a molehill to make a fuss about something which is not serious 쑗 Stop making mountains out of molehills, the situation isn’t as bad as all that. molest /mə lest/ verb to attack a child or a woman, especially in a sexual way molester /mə lestə/ noun a person who molests someone mollify / mɒlfa/ verb to make someone less annoyed or less upset. Synonym pacify. Antonym enrage mollusc / mɒləsk/ noun an animal with no backbone, but usually with a soft body and a shell, such as a snail or an oyster (NOTE: The US spelling is mollusk.) mollycoddle / mɒlikɒd(ə)l/ verb to treat someone in an overprotective and overindulgent way molten / məυltən/ adj which has become liquid with heat 쑗 molten lava ① mom /mɒm/ noun US a child’s name for mother (informal ) 쑗 His mom always waits for him outside school. (NOTE: The British term is mum or mummy.) ① moment / məυmənt/ noun 1. a very short time 쑗 Can you please wait a moment – the doctor is on the phone? 쑗 I only saw her for a moment. 왍 a moment ago just now 쑗 We only heard of it a moment ago. 왍 in a moment in a little while 2. 왍 at any moment very soon 쑗 I expect it to rain at any moment. 왍 at the moment now 쑗 I’m rather busy at the moment. 왍 at this moment in time at this particular point 쑗 At this moment in time, it is . money not possible for me to answer reporters’ questions. 왍 for the moment for a little while 쑗 We won’t take any action for the moment. momentarily / məυmənt(ə)rəli/ adv for a short space of time momentary / məυmənt(ə)ri/ adj which only lasts for a short time. Synonym brief. Antonym interminable momentous /məυ mentəs/ adj very important. Antonym insignificant momentum /məυ mentəm/ noun a forward movement. Synonym impetus. Antonym brake 왍 to gain momentum, to gather momentum to go forward faster 쑗 The anti-war movement is gathering momentum. 왍 to lose momentum to go more slowly 쑗 When a spinning top loses momentum, it wobbles and finally falls over. momma / mɒmə/, mommy / mɒmi/ noun US a child’s name for mother (NOTE: The British term is mum or mummy.) Mon. abbr Monday monarch / mɒnək/ noun the king or queen monarchy / mɒnəki/ noun 1. a system of government with a hereditary ruler such as a king or queen 쑗 There’s a big debate about whether we should get rid of the monarchy and become a republic. 2. a country ruled by a monarch 쑗 All European countries with kings or queens are constitutional monarchies. (NOTE: The plural is monarchies.) monastery / mɒnəst(ə)ri/ noun a religious establishment where monks live; the buildings of such a place. Compare convent (NOTE: The plural is monasteries.) monastic /mə nstk/ adj referring to monasteries or monks ① Monday / mnde/ noun the first day of the working week, the day between Sunday and Tuesday 쑗 Some stores are shut on Mondays. 쑗 She had to go to the doctor last Monday. 쑗 The 15th is a Sunday, so the 16th must be a Monday. ③ monetary / mnt(ə)ri/ adj referring to money or currency. Synonym financial ① money / mni/ noun 1. coins or notes which are used for buying things 쑗 How much money have you got in the bank? 쑗 He doesn’t earn very much money. 쑗 We spent more money last week than in the previous month. 쑗 We ran out of money in Spain and had to come home early. 왍 to have money to burn to have more money than you know what to do with (informal ) 쑗 They spent thousands on their house – they simply have money to burn. 왍 they offered us our money back they offered to refund us what we had already paid. 쏡 sense 2. the currency used in a country 쑗 I want to change my British pounds into Mexican money. 3. 왍 to make . money belt 543 money to make a profit 왍 to get your money’s worth to get value for what you pay 왍 it’s money for old rope, it’s money for jam it’s a profit which is easy to make (informal ) money belt / mni belt/ noun a belt with a purse attached, which is worn round the waist to prevent your money from being stolen moneybox / mnibɒks/ noun a box that can be locked and in which you can keep money moneylender / mnilendə/ noun a person who lends money as a business. Synonym lender money market / mni mɑ kt/ noun a market for buying and selling short-term loans money order / mni ɔ də/ noun a document which can be used for passing money from one person to another through the post money supply / mni səpla/ noun an amount of money which exists in circulation in a country mongrel / mŋDZrəl/ adj, noun a dog of mixed breed 쑗 They’ve bought a mongrel puppy. ③ monitor / mɒntə/ noun the screen of a computer, or a small television screen used for checking what is happening 쑗 My computer has a colour monitor. 쑗 A bank of monitors allows the police to see everything which happens in the shopping centre. 쑗 Details of flight arrivals and departures are displayed on monitors around the airport. 쐽 verb to check or to watch over the progress of something 쑗 Doctors are monitoring her heart condition. 쑗 How do you monitor the performance of the sales staff? monk /mŋk/ noun a man who is a member of a religious group and lives in a monastery. Compare friar (NOTE: The equivalent . women are nuns.) monkey / mŋki/ noun 1. a tropical mam- mal which lives in trees and normally has a long tail 쑗 Monkeys ran up the trees looking for fruit. 2. a naughty little child (informal ) 쑗 Come here, you little monkey! 쐽 verb (old ) 왍 to monkey around with something to play with something 쑗 Stop monkeying around with that axe! monkey business / mŋki bznəs/ noun tricks, cheating monkey puzzle tree / mŋki pz(ə)l tri / noun a type of tropical pine tree with spiky branches monkey wrench / mŋki rentʃ/ noun a large spanner with an adjustable grip monkish / mŋkʃ/ adj like a monk mono / mɒnəυ/ prefix one only, single 쑗 monogamy 쐽 adj reproducing sound through . . a single channel pare stereo monotone 쑗 a mono recording Com- monochrome / mɒnəkrəυm/ adj appearing only in black, white or grey monocle / mɒnək(ə)l/ noun an eye glass, a single lens worn to correct your sight in one eye monogamous /mə nɒDZəməs/ adj where a person has only one husband or wife monogamy /mə nɒDZəmi/ noun the system of marriage to only one person at a time. Antonym bigamy monogram / mɒnəDZrm/ noun the initials of a name linked together artistically monolingual /mɒnəυ lŋDZwəl/ adj 1. speaking only one language 2. written or made in only one language monolith / mɒnəlθ/ noun 1. a tall rock standing by itself 2. something large, unchangeable and out-of-date, especially a long-established organisation monolithic / mɒnə lθk/ adj 1. built using very large stones or blocks of some other material 2. large, uniform in character, and slow to change monologue / mɒnəlɒDZ/ noun a long speech by one actor or other person alone (NOTE: The US spelling is monolog.) mononucleosis /mɒnəυnju kli əυss/ noun a condition where there is an unusual number of white blood cells in the body, giving sore throat, swellings and fever. Also called glandular fever monopolise /mə nɒpəlaz/, monopolize verb 1. to create a monopoly in a particular area of business activity 쑗 They managed to monopolise the market in oil. 2. to use something entirely for yourself 쑗 Don’t monopolise the computer – let some of the others have a go. 왍 to monopolise the conversation to do all the talking and not let anyone else speak monopoly /mə nɒpəli/ noun a system where one person or company supplies all of a product in one area without any competition (NOTE: The plural is monopolies.) monorail / mɒnəυrel/ noun a railway in which trains travel along a single rail monosyllabic /mɒnəυs lbk/ adj 1. (of words) with only one syllable 쑗 monosyllabic words such as ‘hat’ and ‘cat’ 2. using short simple words and not saying much 쑗 In answer to the reporters’ questions he gave a series of monosyllabic replies. monosyllable / mɒnəυsləb(ə)l/ noun a word which only has one syllable. Antonym polysyllable monotone / mɒnətəυn/ noun 1. a sound that stays at the same pitch without rising or falling 2. a series of sounds that stay at the same pitch without rising or falling 3. a lack monotonous 544 of variety in colour, or some other quality 쐽 adj having little or no variety in pitch or colour, or some other quality monotonous /mə nɒt(ə)nəs/ adj boring and never changing. Synonym routine. Antonym varied monotony /mə nɒt(ə)ni/ noun a lack of variety, which leads to boredom monsoon /mɒn su n/ noun 1. a season of wind and rain in tropical countries 쑗 At last the monsoon brought relief after the hot dry summer. 2. a wind which blows in opposite directions according to the season, especially the wind blowing north from the Indian Ocean in the summer 쑗 They sailed north with the monsoon. monster / mɒnstə/ noun 1. a horrible, strange and frightening animal 쑗 The Loch Ness Monster is said to be a large dinosaur living in the bottom of Loch Ness in Scotland. 쑗 She drew a picture of a green monster with purple horns and huge teeth. 2. a cruel or wicked person 쑗 Her aunt was a monster who used to beat her with a stick. 3. a very large thing 쑗 Did you see their new boat – it’s a monster! 쐽 adj very large 쑗 Look at the monster cabbage Dad’s grown in the garden. 쑗 What a monster sandwich! Synonym huge monstrosity /mɒn strɒsti/ noun a horrible, large, ugly thing. Synonym eyesore monstrous / mɒnstrəs/ adj 1. huge, ugly, horrible 쑗 a monstrous sea serpent 2. extremely large 쑗 The students left behind a monstrous pile of dirty washing. 3. very shocking or unfair 쑗 That’s an absolutely monstrous accusation. ① month /mnθ/ noun one of the twelve parts that a year is divided into 쑗 December is the last month of the year. 쑗 What day of the month is it today? 쑗 There was a lot of hot weather last month — in fact it was hot all month long. 쑗 She’s taken a month’s holiday to visit her parents in Australia. 쑗 We haven’t had any homework for months. ③ monthly / mnθli/ adj, adv happening every month 쑗 He is paying for his car by monthly instalments. 쑗 My monthly salary cheque is late. 쑗 She gets paid monthly. 쐽 noun a magazine which is published each month 쑗 I buy all the computer monthlies. (NOTE: The plural is monthlies.) monument / mɒnjυmənt/ noun a stone, building, statue, etc., erected in memory of someone who is dead 쑗 They put up a monument to the people from the village who died in the war. 왍 the Monument a tall column erected in the City of London to commemorate the Great Fire of 1666 monumental /mɒnjυ ment(ə)l/ adj 1. very large and impressive 쑗 Brahms’ monumental Fourth Symphony 2. very serious 쑗 moonlight He made a monumental error. 3. referring to a monument 왍 monumental mason a person who makes gravestones monumental arch /mɒnjυment(ə)l ɑ tʃ/ noun a stone arch built to commemorate something such as a victory monumentally /mɒnjυ ment(ə)li/ adv 1. extremely 2. in a large, impressive style moo /mu / noun the noise made by a cow 쑗 I heard a moo from behind the cowshed. 쐽 verb to make a noise like a cow 쑗 The cows were mooing because they wanted to be milked. ② mood /mu d/ noun 1. a feeling in general 쑗 Wait until she’s in a good mood and then ask her. 쑗 The boss is in a terrible mood this morning. 쑗 Her mood changed as soon as she opened the letter. 쑗 A mood of gloom fell over the office. 2. a fit of bad temper 쑗 Don’t talk to the boss – he’s in one of his moods. moodily / mu dli/ adv in a moody way moody / mu di/ adj often in a bad temper; changing quickly from being in a good mood to a bad one. Antonym predictable (NOTE: moodier – moodiest) ② moon /mu n/ noun a body in the sky which goes round the earth and shines at night 쑗 The first man walked on the moon in 1969. 쑗 The moon is shining very brightly tonight. 쑗 There’s no moon because it’s cloudy. 왍 full moon the phase of the moon when it appears as a full circle 쑗 By the light of the full moon they could clearly make out figures moving on the hillside. 왍 new moon the beginning of a lunar phase, when the moon’s face is not lit by the sun and it appears as only a thin crescent 쑗 The guerrillas waited for the new moon to make their attack. 왍 once in a blue moon very rarely (informal ) 쑗 We only go to the theatre once in a blue moon. 왍 to be over the moon about something to be very happy and excited 쑗 She’s over the moon about her exam results. 쑗 They’re absolutely over the moon with their first baby. moonbeam / mu nbi m/ noun a ray of light from the moon ③ moonlight / mu nlat/ noun the light from the moon 쑗 We could see the path clearly in the moonlight. 왍 to do a moonlight flit to go away secretly leaving many unpaid bills (informal ) 쑗 They had booked the hotel room for a week, but on the Thursday night they did a moonlight flit. 쐽 verb to do a second job, often in the evening, for cash not declared to the Inland Revenue, and separate from your regular job (informal ) 쑗 He works full-time in a garage, and moonlights as a barman in a pub in the evenings. 쑗 The tax people are stepping up their investigations into people who moonlight. . . . moonlighting 545 moonlighting / mu nlatŋ/ noun the activity of doing a second job, usually in the evening, separate from your regular job (informal ) moonlit / mu nlt/ adj lit by light from the moon ③ moor /mυə/ noun poor land covered with heather and grass and small shrubs 쑗 The horsemen galloped across the moor. 쑗 The Lake District is wild country, full of moors and forests. 쐽 verb to attach a boat to something 쑗 The boat was moored to the river bank. 쑗 He rowed up to the jetty and moored his boat with a piece of rope. mooring / mυərŋ/ noun 1. a place where a boat, ship, or aircraft can be held still or tied up 2. a chain or rope used for holding still or tying up a boat, ship, or aircraft 3. something that gives a feeling of emotional or physical safety moorings / mυərŋz/ plural noun 1. a place where a boat is held still or tied up 쑗 The boat had been moved to new moorings. 2. the ropes used to attach a boat 쑗 We cast off our moorings and rowed out into the river. moorland / mυələnd/ noun an area of land which is uncultivated and covered with grass and low shrubs such as heather moose /mu s/ noun a large deer from North America (NOTE: The plural is moose.) moot /mu t/ adj 왍 moot point a question which is open to discussion 쑗 It’s a moot point whether their action was justified. 쐽 verb to raise a question 쑗 The idea was first mooted in 1967. Synonym propose mop /mɒp/ noun a soft brush for washing dishes; a brush with a head made of soft string or foam rubber, used for washing floors 쑗 I’ll just pass the mop over the kitchen floor. 왍 a mop of hair long and untidy hair 쑗 In spite of his torn clothes and mop of red hair he still looked a sweet little boy. 쐽 verb 1. to wash something with a mop 쑗 She was mopping the kitchen floor. 2. 왍 to mop your brow to wipe your forehead when you are hot and sweating 쑗 He stopped digging to mop his brow with his handkerchief. mope /məυp/ verb to sit miserably, thinking about how bad things are moped / məυped/ noun a two-wheeled cycle with a low-powered engine (NOTE: Do . not confuse with the verb moped / məυpd/.) ③ mop up /mɒp p/ verb 1. to clear up spilt liquid 쑗 Use a cloth to mop up the water on the floor. 쑗 We spent days mopping up after the floods. 2. to overcome small groups of enemy fighters 쑗 It took our soldiers several days to mop up the last pockets of enemy resistance in the mountains. more moraine /mə ren/ noun gravel and earth carried by a glacier and deposited in a valley as the glacier melts ② moral / mɒrəl/ adj 1. referring to right and wrong behaviour 쑗 Judges have a moral obligation to be impartial. 쑗 He refused to join the army on moral grounds. 2. referring to good behaviour 쑗 She’s a very moral person. 쐽 noun a lesson which you can find in a story 쑗 There must be a moral in this somewhere. 쑗 The moral of the story is that if you always tell lies, no one will believe you when you tell the truth. ③ morale /mə rɑ l/ noun a confident feeling moral guidance /mɒrəl DZad(ə)ns/ noun advice as to what is right or wrong behaviour moralise / mɒrəlaz/, moralize verb to draw a lesson from a story or event moralistic /mɒrə lstk/ adj attempting or intending to teach people the difference between right and wrong morality /mə rlti/ noun a sense of moral standards (NOTE: no plural) morally / mɒrəli/ adv according to the principles of correct human behaviour morals / mɒrəlz/ plural noun the way of behaving of society as a whole or of each individual moral support /mɒrəl sə pɔ t/ noun encouragement and support intended to give someone more confidence morass /mə rs/ noun 1. an area which is very muddy, marshy or swampy 쑗 Heavy rain had turned the playing field into a morass. 쑗 The vehicle was sinking deeper and deeper into the morass. 2. problems or difficulties which prevent any progress 쑗 We were caught up in a morass of paperwork. moratorium /mɒrə tɔ riəm/ noun a temporary stop, such as to repayments of money owed (NOTE: The plural is moratoriums or moratoria.) morbid / mɔ bd/ adj 1. showing an un- healthy interest in death or unpleasant things 쑗 Even as a little boy he showed a morbid curiosity in skeletons. 쑗 All this talk about death and decomposition seems distinctly morbid to me. 2. diseased, referring to disease 쑗 The X rays showed a morbid condition of the kidneys. morbidly / mɔ bdli/ adv in a gloomy, morbid way ① more /mɔ / adj extra, which is added 쑗 Do you want any more tea? 쑗 There are many more trains on weekdays than on Sundays. Synonym additional. Antonym less 쐽 pron an extra thing or amount 쑗 Is there any more of that soup? 쑗 £300 for that suit – that’s more than I can afford! 쑗 We’ve only more and more 546 got nine men, we need two more to make a football team. 쐽 adv 1. used with adjectives to make the comparative 쑗 The dog was more frightened than I was. 쑗 She is much more intelligent than her sister. 쑗 The dinner was even more unpleasant than I had thought it would be. 2. 왍 not…any more no longer 쑗 She doesn’t write to me any more. 쑗 We don’t go to France on holiday any more. more and more /mɔ r ən mɔ / phrase 1. in greater numbers 쑗 More and more people are reading the magazine. 2. increasingly 쑗 Their calls for help were getting more and more desperate. moreish / mɔ rʃ/ adj which makes you want to eat more (informal ) ② moreover /mɔ r əυvə/ adv in addition. Synonym furthermore morgue /mɔ DZ/ noun a building where dead bodies are kept before being buried. Synonym mortuary moribund / mɒrbnd/ adj ineffective and likely to come to an end soon (formal ) ① morning / mɔ nŋ/ noun 1. the first part of the day, before 12 o’clock 쑗 Every morning he took his briefcase and went to the office. 쑗 Tomorrow morning we will be meeting our Japanese agents. 쑗 Have you read the morning paper? 쑗 If we want to be in Paris for lunch you have to get the early morning train. 왍 in the morning tomorrow morning 쑗 I’ll see you in the morning. 2. 왍 four, five, six, etc., in the morning at 04.00, 05.00, 06.00 etc. (showing times) 쑗 I woke up at six in the morning. morning dress / mɔ nŋ dres/, morning suit / mɔ nŋ su t/ noun clothes for men consisting of a black tail coat, light grey waistcoat and striped black and grey trousers, worn by men at weddings morning sickness / mɔ nŋ sknəs/ noun a feeling of wanting to be sick, felt by pregnant women in the mornings Morocco /mə rɒkəυ/ noun a country in North Africa (NOTE: capital: Rabat; people: . . Moroccans; language: Arabic; currency: dirham) moron / mɔ rɒn/ noun an extremely insulting name for a very stupid person (insult) moronic /mə rɒnk/ adj very stupid (insult) morose /mə rəυs/ adj miserable and bad-tempered. Antonym cheery morphine / mɔ fi n/ noun a drug made from opium, used to relieve pain morris dance / mɒrs dɑ ns/ noun an old English dance, danced by men in white clothes with bells on their legs morsel / mɔ s(ə)l/ noun a small piece, particularly of food. Antonym chunk mortal / mɔ t(ə)l/ adj 1. which causes death 쑗 He suffered a mortal blow in the mosquito fight. 2. referring to death 왍 we are all mortal we are all going to die eventually 3. very great 쑗 He has a mortal fear of flying. 쐽 noun 왍 an ordinary mortal an ordinary human being 쑗 Olympic athletes can run at speeds which we ordinary mortals have no chance of reaching. mortal enemy /mɔ t(ə)l enəmi/ noun an enemy who wants to kill you ③ mortality /mɔ tlti/ noun the state of being a human, and knowing that all human beings must die 쑗 Having a heart attack makes you acutely aware of your own mortality. mortality rate /mɔ tləti ret/ noun the number of deaths as a percentage of the total population mortally / mɔ t(ə)li/ adv 1. ending in death 쑗 He was mortally wounded in battle. 2. very, extremely 쑗 He’s mortally afraid of catching a disease when travelling. mortal remains /mɔ t(ə)l r menz/ plural noun a corpse mortar / mɔ tə/ noun 1. a cement mixture for holding together the bricks or stones used in building 쑗 The wall needs rebuilding – you can see how the mortar is crumbling away. 쑗 After the wall was built they pointed it with grey mortar. 2. a bowl for crushing things with a pestle 쑗 Crush the seeds with a mortar and pestle. ③ mortgage / mɔ DZdȢ/ noun 1. an agreement by which someone lends money on the security of a property 쑗 He took out a mortgage on the house. 쑗 She bought a house with a £200,000 mortgage. 2. money lent on the security of a property 쑗 She is behind with her mortgage repayments. 쐽 verb to give a property as security for a loan 쑗 He mortgaged his house to set up his business. 쑗 Because his house was already mortgaged, he had to take out a second mortgage to pay for his car. mortified / mɔ tfad/ adj 1. feeling extreme embarrassment or shame 2. emotionally hurt and upset mortify / mɔ tfa/ verb to humiliate someone mortuary / mɔ tjuəri/ noun a place where dead bodies are kept before burial. Synonym morgue (NOTE: The plural is mortuaries.) mosaic /məυ zek/ noun a picture made of tiny pieces of coloured stone, glass, etc., stuck to a wall or floor, etc. Synonym medley ③ Moslem / mɒzləm/ 쒁 Muslim ② mosque /mɒsk/ noun a building where Muslims meet for prayer ③ mosquito /mɒ ski təυ/ noun a small flying insect which sucks blood and gives an irritating bite mosquito net 547 mosquito net /mɒ ski təυ net/ noun a thin net spread over a bed to prevent mosquitoes from biting at night moss /mɒs/ noun a small green plant like fur, growing in compact low clumps in damp places on the ground or on stones (NOTE: The plural is mosses.) ① most /məυst/ adj the largest number of 쑗 Most people go on holiday in the summer. 쑗 He spends most evenings watching TV. 쑗 Most apples are sweet. 쐽 pron a very large number or amount 쑗 Most of the work was done by my wife. 쑗 She spent most of the evening on the phone to her sister. 쑗 It rained for most of our holiday. 쑗 Most of the children in the group can ride bikes. 왍 to make the most of something to get as much profit or value from something as possible 쑗 You should make the most of the warm weather before the snows come. 왍 at the most no more than 쑗 There were twenty people at the most in the theatre. 쐽 adv 1. making the superlative 쑗 She’s the most intelligent child in the class. 쑗 The most important thing if you are a sales representative is to be able to drive a car. 2. very 쑗 I find it most frustrating that the train service is so slow. 쑗 Most probably the plane will be held up by the fog. 쑗 Thank you, you are most kind. (NOTE: Most is used to form the superlative of adjectives which do not take the ending -est.) ② mostly / məυstli/ adv 1. usually, most often 쑗 We sometimes go to France for our holidays, but we mostly stay in Britain. 2. almost all 쑗 The staff are mostly women of about twenty. MOT /em əυ ti / noun 1. in the United Kingdom, an annual test to check that a car or other vehicle is safe on the roads 2. an official document saying that a vehicle that has passed an MOT 쐽 verb to do an MOT on a vehicle motel /məυ tel/ noun a hotel for car drivers which is near a main road and where there are plenty of parking spaces moth /mɒθ/ noun an insect with large wings that fold flat covering its back when it is not flying and which flies mainly at night motheaten / mɒθi t(ə)n/ adj full of holes made by moths; old and decrepit ① mother / mðə/ noun 1. a woman who has children 쑗 He’s twenty-two but still lives with his mother. 쑗 Her mother’s a dentist. 쑗 Mother! there’s someone asking for you on the telephone! 2. 왍 shall I be mother? shall I pour the tea? (informal ) 쑗 John, will you be mother? 쐽 verb to look after someone or something very carefully 쑗 The new recruits will have to be mothered along until they get some experience. motherboard / mðəbɔ d/ noun the main circuit board in a computer . motivate motherhood / mðəhυd/ noun the state of being a mother. Synonym maternity mother-in-law / mðər n lɔ / noun the mother of your wife or husband motherland / mðəlnd/ noun the country of your ancestors, especially a country from which colonists have emigrated. Compare fatherland motherly / mðəli/ adj maternal, like a mother Mother Nature /mðə netʃə/ noun the forces of nature mother-of-pearl /mðər əv p" l/ noun a shiny substance found on the inside of oyster shells Mother’s Day / mðəz de/ noun a day in the spring when mothers get presents or cards or flowers from their children. Also called Mothering Sunday mother tongue / mðə tŋ/ noun the language which you spoke when you were a little child ③ motif /məυ ti f/ noun a particular pattern which is repeated in a design or in a piece of music ③ motion / məυʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of moving 쑗 The motion of the ship made him feel ill. 왍 in motion moving 쑗 Do not try to get on or off while the train is in motion. 쑗 Now that we have planning permission for the new sports hall, we can set things in motion to get the foundations laid. 2. a movement of part of the body 쑗 A slight motion of his head indicated to the auctioneer that he was making a bid. 쑗 She made a motion as if to get up, but in the end stayed in her seat. 3. 왍 to go through the motions to do something for the sake of appearances without believing in it 쑗 He’s lost all interest in his job – he’s just going through the motions. 4. a proposal which is to be put to the vote at a meeting 쑗 The motion was carried by 220 votes to 196. 왍 to second a motion to support the person who proposed the motion 왍 to table a motion to put forward a proposal for discussion by putting details of it on the table at a meeting 쐽 verb to make a movement with your hands which means something 쑗 He motioned us to our chairs. 쑗 She motioned to me to open the window. Synonym signal motionless / məυʃ(ə)n(ə)ləs/ adj not moving. Synonym stationary motion picture /məυʃ(ə)n pktʃə/ noun US a cinema film motions / məυʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun solid waste matter passed out of the body motivate / məυtvet/ verb to encourage someone to do something motivated 548 motivated / məυtvetd/ adj having enough interest or determination to do something motivation /məυt veʃ(ə)n/ noun encouragement or determination to do something motive / məυtv/ noun a reason for doing something 쑗 The police are trying to find a motive for the murder. Antonym deterrent motley / mɒtli/ adj of varied types or colours. Synonym assorted. Antonym uniform motor / məυtə/ noun 1. the part of a machine which makes it work 쑗 The model plane has a tiny electric motor. 2. a car 쐽 verb to travel in a car (formal or dated ) 쑗 We motored down to Brighton. motorbike / məυtəbak/ noun a motorcycle, a two-wheeled cycle driven by a motor motorboat / məυtəbəυt/ noun a boat driven by a motor motorcade / məυtəked/ noun US an official procession of cars. Synonym convoy motorcar / məυtəkɑ / noun same as car (formal or dated ) motorcycle / məυtəsak(ə)l/ noun a two-wheeled cycle driven by a motor motorcyclist / məυtəsaklst/ noun a person who rides a motorcycle motoring / məυtərŋ/ (dated ) noun the driving of a car 쑗 The costs of motoring or motoring costs seem to increase year by year. 왍 school of motoring a driving school 쑗 The costs of motoring or motoring costs seem to increase year by year. 쐽 adj referring to driving of cars 쑗 The motoring organisations are asking the government for a reduction in tax. 쑗 He was convicted of a motoring offence. motorised / məυtərazd/, motorized adj driven by, or working with the help of a motor ② motorist / məυtərst/ noun a person who drives a car. Synonym driver. Antonym ② . . . passenger motor neurone disease /məυtə njυərəυn dzi z/ noun an illness that affects the motor neuons, gradually affecting all the body’s physical functions motor racing /məυtə resŋ/ noun the sport of racing fast cars motor scooter / məυtə sku tə/ noun same as scooter motor vehicle /məυtə vi k(ə)l/ noun any road vehicle that works by means of an engine ② motorway / məυtəwe/ noun a fast road with several lanes and very few junctions, on which traffic can travel at high speeds (NOTE: The US term is expressway or freeway.) mount mottled / mɒtld/ adj marked with an uneven pattern of different colours motto / mɒtəυ/ noun 1. a short phrase which is used to sum up an attitude 쑗 ‘Be Prepared’ is the motto of the Scouts. 2. a piece of paper inside a Christmas cracker, with an amusing phrase or bad joke written on it 쑗 Every cracker contains a toy, a paper hat and a motto. (NOTE: The plural is mottoes.) ③ mould /məυld/ noun 1. a type of soft earth 2. a hollow shape into which a liquid is poured, so that when the liquid becomes hard it takes that shape 쑗 Gold bars are made by pouring molten gold into moulds. 3. a grey fungus which looks like powder 쑗 Throw that bread away – it’s got mould on it. 쐽 verb to shape something 쑗 She moulded a little dog out of clay. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is mold.) moulding / məυldŋ/ noun a thing which has been moulded, especially plaster decorations on the ceiling of a room (NOTE: The US spelling is molding.) mouldy / məυldi/ adj covered with mould (NOTE: The US spelling is moldy.) moult /məυlt/ verb to lose feathers or hair at a certain period of the year (NOTE: The US spelling is molt.) mound /maυnd/ noun 1. a small hill 쑗 They built a mound of stones to mark the farthest point they reached. 쑗 The castle is built on top of a mound. 쑗 Stonehenge is surrounded by burial mounds. 2. a heap of things 쑗 There’s a mound of letters waiting to be signed. 왍 mounds of a large quantity of something (informal ) 쑗 There’s mounds of washing to be done. mount /maυnt/ noun 1. a frame for a picture 쑗 He stuck the photograph into a mount and put it on his desk. 2. a horse, etc., on which a rider sits 쑗 He tried to make his mount jump the fence. 3. (usually in names) a mountain 쑗 Mount Kilimanjaro 쑗 Mount St Helens 쐽 verb 1. to climb on to something; to climb up something 쑗 They mounted their horses and rode off. 쑗 He mounted the stairs two at a time. 쑗 The car turned, mounted the pavement, and hit a wall. 2. to increase 쑗 Tension is mounting as the time for the football final approaches. 3. 왍 to mount guard over something to stand on guard to protect something 쑗 Soldiers are mounting guard over the parliament building to prevent attacks. 쑗 There were ten security men mounting guard over the president as he went for a walk in the town. 4. to set something in a frame or in a metal holder, etc. 쑗 Mount the photograph in a black frame. 쑗 The diamonds were mounted in silver. 5. to organise something 쑗 The unions are mounting a campaign to get the government to back . mountain 549 down. 쑗 Our forces mounted a surprise attack on the enemy. 쑗 The British Museum is mounting an exhibition of drawings. 쑗 The coup was mounted by exiles living across the border. ② mountain / maυntn/ noun 1. a very high piece of land, rising much higher than the land which surrounds it 쑗 Everest is the highest mountain in the world. 쑗 Every weekend we go climbing in the Scottish mountains. 쑗 How far is it to the top of the mountain? 2. a large amount 쑗 There is a mountain of letters on the manager’s desk. mountain bike / maυntn bak/ noun a strong bike with thick tyres, used for country cycling mountaineer /maυnt nə/ noun a person who climbs mountains as a sport. Synonym climber mountaineering /maυnt nərŋ/ noun the sport of climbing mountains mountain lion / maυntn laən/ noun a large brown wild cat of North and South America. Also called cougar, puma mountainous / maυntnəs/ adj 1. with many high mountains 쑗 It is a mountainous region, and very difficult for tanks and artillery. 쑗 Parts of Scotland are very mountainous. 2. very high 쑗 Mountainous waves crashed over the ship. mountain rescue /maυntn reskju / noun a service which provides experienced climbers to help people in difficulties on mountains mountainside / maυntnsad/ noun the side of a mountain mounted / maυntd/ adj riding on horseback 왍 mounted police policemen on horses 쑗 Mounted police were on hand to keep the crowds under control. ③ mounting / maυntŋ/ adj increasing. Synonym rising ③ mount up /maυnt p/ verb to increase mourn /mɔ n/ verb to feel very sad about someone or something. Synonym grieve. Antonym rejoice mourner / mɔ nə/ noun a person who mourns someone who has died mournful / mɔ nf(ə)l/ adj very sad. Antonym cheerful mourning / mɔ nŋ/ noun 1. a period of time when you grieve over the death of a person 쑗 The official period of mourning for the dead president was one week. 2. dark clothes worn as a mark of respect for someone who has died 쑗 Only the close family members wore mourning to the funeral. (NOTE: Do not confuse with morning.) ② mouse /maυs/ noun 1. a small animal with a long tail, often living in holes in the mouthpiece walls of houses 쑗 I saw a mouse sitting in the middle of the kitchen floor. 쑗 Our cat is good at catching mice. (NOTE: The plural is mice /mas/.) 2. a device which is held in the hand and moved across a flat surface, used to control a cursor on a computer monitor 쑗 You can cut, paste and copy using the mouse. 쑗 Using the mouse, move the cursor to the start button and click twice. 쑗 Click twice on the mouse to start the program. mouse mat /maυs mt/, mouse pad /maυs pd/ noun a soft plastic mat on which you move a mouse around mousetrap / maυstrp/ noun a device for catching and killing mice mousse /mu s/ noun a light food made of whipped eggs, cream and flavouring moustache /mə stɑ ʃ/ noun the hair grown on the upper lip (NOTE: The US spelling is mustache.) ① mouth noun /maυθ/ 1. the opening in your face through which you take in food and drink, and which has your teeth and tongue inside 쑗 It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full. 쑗 He snored because he slept with his mouth open. 쑗 The cat was carrying a mouse in its mouth. 왍 to make your mouth water to look so good that your mouth fills with saliva because you want to eat it or own it 쑗 Those cakes make my mouth water. 쑗 His new car made her mouth water. 2. a wide or round entrance 쑗 The mouth of the cave is hidden by bushes. 쑗 The train came out of the mouth of the tunnel. 쑗 New York is built on the mouth of the Hudson river. (NOTE: The plural is mouths /maυðz/.) 쐽 verb /maυð/ to speak without making any sound 쑗 I could see her mouthing something on the other side of the window. mouthful / maυθfυl/ noun 1. an amount which you can hold in your mouth 쑗 He took a mouthful of meat and chewed hard. 쑗 The baby took a mouthful and immediately spat it out. 쑗 She dived into the waves and got a mouthful of salt water. 2. a complicated word or phrase 쑗 I’ll spell the name of the Welsh village for you – it’s a bit of a mouthful. mouth-organ / maυθ ɔ DZən/ noun a small musical instrument which you play by blowing and moving across your mouth to get different notes. Also called harmonica mouthpiece / maυθpi s/ noun 1. a part of a musical instrument which goes into the mouth 쑗 There is a reed attached to the mouthpiece of a clarinet. 2. the part of a telephone that you speak into 쑗 He put his hand over the mouthpiece so she couldn’t hear what he was saying. 3. a person who speaks on behalf of someone, especially a political party 쑗 She acts as the mouthpiece for the party. mouthwash 550 mouthwash / maυθwɒʃ/ noun an antiseptic solution used to treat infection in the mouth or bad breath. Synonym gargle mouth-watering / maυθ wɔ tərŋ/ adj which looks and smells so delicious that it makes your mouth water movable / mu vəb(ə)l/ adj 1. able to be moved 2. (of an event) happening on a different date each year ① move /mu v/ noun 1. a change from one place to another 쑗 The police were watching every move he made. 왍 it’s time to make a move we must leave 왍 on the move moving 쑗 After I’ve been on the move all day I just want to get home and go to bed. 왍 get a move on! hurry up! 2. an action done to achieve something 쑗 It was a clever move to get here early before the crowds arrive. 왍 what’s the next move? what do we have to do next? 왍 who will make the first move? who will act first? 3. a change of house or office 쑗 Luckily, nothing got broken during our move. 4. changing the place of a piece in chess, etc. 쑗 It’s your move – I’ve just moved my queen. 쐽 verb 1. to change the place of something 쑗 Move the chairs to the side of the room. 쑗 Who’s moved my drink? 쑗 He moved his hand to show he had heard. 2. to change your position 쑗 Some animal was moving about outside the tent. 쑗 The only thing moving was the tip of the cat’s tail. 왍 don’t move! stand still 3. to leave your house, flat or office to go to another 쑗 He got a new job and they had to move. 쑗 They didn’t like living in the country, so they moved back to London. 쑗 The company is moving office, from London Road to the centre of town. 4. to propose formally that a motion be accepted by a meeting 쑗 I move that the meeting should adjourn for ten minutes. 5. to make someone feel sad 쑗 The sound of the bagpipes moved her to tears. 쑗 We were all deeply moved by the ceremony. ③ move away /mu v ə we/ verb to change place to somewhere further away 왍 we’re moving away from Oxford we are going to live in another town away from Oxford ③ move in /mu v n/ verb 1. to put your possessions into a new house and start to live there 쑗 They only moved in last week. 쑗 They got married and moved in with her parents. 2. to come together as a group 쑗 The lions moved in for the kill. 쑗 When everything is ready the police will move in on the gang. ① movement / mu vmənt/ noun 1. moving, not being still 쑗 There was hardly any movement in the trees. 쑗 All you could see was a slight movement of the tiger’s tail. 2. a mechanism 쑗 a clock movement 3. a group of people who are working towards the same aims 쑗 the movement for equal pay for Mrs women 쑗 He’s a leading figure in the green movement. 쑗 She led the movement for the reunification of the country. 4. one of the sections of a symphony 쑗 They played the slow movement a little too fast. ③ move off /mu v ɒf/ verb to start moving ③ move on /mu v ɒn/ verb 1. to go forward 쑗 We stopped for a quick visit to the cathedral and then moved on to the next town. 2. to make people move 쑗 The police moved the crowd on. 3. to deal with the next item 쑗 We will now move on to item 10 on the agenda. ② movie / mu vi/ noun especially US a cinema film 쑗 We watch a movie most weekends. movies / mu viz/ plural noun especially US the cinema 쑗 We go to the movies most weekends. movie star / mu vi stɑ / noun especially US a very successful film actor. Synonym film star movie theater / mu vi θətə/ noun especially US a building where films are shown moving / mu vŋ/ adj 1. which is changing position 쑗 Make sure all the moving parts are clean. 2. which makes you feel sad 쑗 a moving ceremony 쑗 The funeral was very moving. mow /məυ/ verb to cut grass, hay, etc. (NOTE: mowing – mowed – has mown /məυn/) mow down /məυ daυn/ verb to kill mower / məυə/ noun a machine which cuts grass. Synonym lawnmower ① MP abbr member of parliament (NOTE: The plural is MPs.) MP3 /em pi θri / noun 1. a computer file standard which you can use to get and play music from the Internet 2. a file which contains music in MP3 format mpg abbr miles per gallon mph abbr miles per hour MPV /em pi vi / noun a car similar to a van, which usually has three rows of seats ① Mr / mstə/ noun the title given to a man 쑗 Mr Jones is our new sales manager. 쑗 Here are Mr and Mrs Smith. 쑗 (at the beginning of a letter) Dear Mr Smith, . (NOTE: used before a surname, sometimes with both the Christian name and surname) MRI abbr magnetic resonance imaging Mr Right /mstə rat/ noun the man who would be the right man to be someone’s husband (informal ) 쑗 She’s still waiting for Mr Right to come along. ① Mrs / msz/ noun the title given to a married woman 쑗 Mrs Jones is our manager. 쑗 (at the beginning of a letter) Dear Mrs Jones, ② . Ms 551 mugger (NOTE: used before a surname, sometimes with both the Christian name and surname) ① Ms /məz, mz/ noun (at the beginning of a letter ) a way of referring to a woman with- onym slime (NOTE: Do not confuse with out saying whether or not she is married The papers were lying all over the floor in a muddle. 쑗 She tried to put up the tent on her own but she got into a muddle. 쑗 There was some muddle over the tickets. Synonym disorder 쐽 verb to confuse, to mix up 쑗 Don’t muddle the papers up – I’ve just put them in order. 쑗 Granny often muddles up our names. 쑗 I always muddle him with his brother – they are very alike. muddled / md(ə)ld/ adj confused, not clear and not well organised muddle through /md(ə)l θru / verb to get through your work, to succeed in a confused way ③ muddy / mdi/ adj full of mud; covered with mud (NOTE: muddier – muddiest) mudflap / mdflp/ noun a flap hanging behind the wheel of a car to protect the bodywork from damage by dirt or stones mudguard / mdDZɑ d/ noun a strip of metal over the wheel on a bicycle to stop water or dirt from splashing (NOTE: The US . (NOTE: Ms is used with a surname, sometimes with both the Christian name and surname.) MS abbr manuscript (NOTE: The plural is MSS.) MSc abbr master of science Mt abbr mount 쑗 Mt St Helens MTV/em ti vi / trademark a trademark for a satellite and cable television company that broadcasts pop music videos and news about the pop music business ① much /mtʃ/ adj a lot of 쑗 with much love from Aunt Mary 쑗 How much sugar do you need? 쑗 I never take much money with me when I go on holiday. 쑗 She eats too much meat. 왍 as much as the same quantity of something as 쑗 You haven’t eaten as much fruit as she has. 왍 twice as much two times the quantity 쑗 He spends twice as much money as I do. 쐽 adv very; a lot 쑗 He’s feeling much better today. 쑗 It’s much less cold in the south of the country. 쑗 Does it matter very much? 쑗 Much as I like her, I don’t want to share an office with her. 왍 as much as the same amount as 쑗 You haven’t eaten as much as she has. 왍 much to my surprise to my great surprise 쐽 pron a lot 쑗 He didn’t write much in his exam. 쑗 Much of the work has already been done. 왍 do you see much of him? do you see him often? much-loved /mtʃ lvd/ adj which someone or everyone loves very much much-maligned /mtʃ mə land/ adj frequently criticised 쑗 Their much-maligned extra rapid service is not as bad as all that. muck /mk/ noun farmyard manure muck about /mk ə baυt/, muck around /mk ə raυnd/ verb to behave in a silly way, not carefully 왍 to muck about with something to play with something (informal ) 쑗 He loved mucking about with chemicals until he caused a small explosion in the garden shed. muck in /mk n/ verb to do work together (informal ) muck out /mk aυt/ verb to clean manure and old straw from a stable muck up /mk p/ verb to ruin something (informal ) mucky / mki/ adj very dirty (informal ) . . . . (NOTE: muckier – muckiest) mucous / mju kəs/ adj referring to mucus, covered in mucus mucus / mju kəs/ noun a slippery liquid secreted by mucous membranes inside the body, which protects the membranes. Syn- mucous.) ③ mud /md/ noun very wet earth muddle / md(ə)l/ noun a confused mess 쑗 term is fender.) muesli / mju zli/ noun a breakfast food of flakes of cereal, dried fruit, etc., eaten with milk muffin / mfn/ noun a small round cake eaten warm with butter muffle / mf(ə)l/ verb 1. to wrap someone up in cloth for warmth 쑗 She muffled herself in a big woollen shawl. 2. to make a loud noise quieter 쑗 She wrapped a cloth around the hammer to muffle the sound of the blows. muffled / mf(ə)ld/ adj not as loud or clear as usual because the sound has been made quieter muffler / mflə/ noun US apparatus to stop the noise of the exhaust of a car 쑗 The car is very noisy and needs a new muffler. (NOTE: The British term is silencer.) ③ mug /mDZ/ noun 1. a large china cup with a handle 쑗 She passed round mugs. 2. the contents of a mug 쑗 He drank a mug of cocoa. 3. a stupid person, person who is easily taken in 쑗 Some poor mugs actually lent him money. 4. a face (slang) 쐽 verb 1. to attack and rob someone in the street 쑗 She was mugged as she was looking for her car keys. 쑗 She’s afraid of going out at night for fear of being mugged. 쑗 The gang specialises in mugging tourists. 2. 왍 to mug up on to study something very hard at the last minute (informal ) 쑗 I’m mugging up on my maths – the exam’s tomorrow morning. ③ mugger / mDZə/ noun a person who attacks and robs someone in the street. Synonym robber . mugging 552 mugging / mDZŋ/ noun a robbery with violence in the street muggy / mDZi/ adj (of weather ) warm and wet. Synonym humid mug shot / mDZ ʃɒt/ noun a photograph of someone’s face mule /mju l/ noun 1. a cross between a donkey and a horse 쑗 He entered the town riding on a mule. 왍 as stubborn as a mule very obstinate 쑗 I can’t get her to agree – she’s as stubborn as a mule. 2. a light shoe with no back part at the heel mullah / mlə/ noun a title of respect for a learned Muslim man mull over /ml əυvə/ verb to think about or consider something. Synonym ponder multi- /mlti/ prefix many multicoloured /mlti kləd/ adj with many colours (NOTE: The US spelling is . multicolored.) multicultural /mlti kltʃərəl/ adj referring to several cultures together. Synonym diverse multigym / mltdȢm/ noun a piece of exercise equipment with a range of weights multilateral /mlti lt(ə)rəl/ adj between several people or groups multimedia / mltimi diə/ noun a means of communication using several different media, such as sound, moving images, computer screens, etc. 쑗 The company gave a multimedia presentation to show off its new product range. 쑗 The pop concert was a spectacular multimedia event. multimillionaire /mltimljə neə/ noun a person who has several million pounds or dollars multinational /mlti nʃ(ə)nəl/ adj referring to several different countries 쑗 The UN sent a multinational peacekeeping force with troops from several countries. Synonym international. Antonym national 쐽 noun a company which operates in several different countries 쑗 Our business has been bought by one of the big multinationals. Synonym conglomerate multiple / mltp(ə)l/ adj involving many people or things 쑗 She was taken to hospital suffering from multiple injuries. Antonym few 쐽 noun 1. a number which contains another number several times exactly 쑗 Nine is a multiple of three. 2. one of several repeated groups of the same number of something 왍 sold in multiples of five you can buy five, ten, fifteen, etc. 쑗 Premium Bonds are available in multiples of £100. multiple birth /mltp(ə)l b" θ/ noun a birth of more than one baby at the same time i.e. twins, triplets, etc. multiple-choice / mltp(ə)l tʃɔs/ adj (of an exam question) in which the task is to ③ mummy choose the correct answer from a list of usually 4 possible answers, marked A, B, C and D multiple sclerosis /mltp(ə)l sklərəυss/ noun a disease of the central nervous system which gets gradually worse, causing numbness in the limbs, progressive weakness and loss of movement multiplex / mltpleks/ noun 1. a large cinema building containing several separate projection rooms 2. the sending of several different signals along one communications line 쐽 verb to send signals by multiplex multiplication /mltpl keʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of multiplying multiplicity /mlt plsəti/ noun a large variety of things ③ multiply / mltpla/ verb 1. to calculate the result when several numbers are added together a certain number of times 쑗 Square measurements are calculated by multiplying length by width. 쑗 Ten multiplied by five gives fifty. 2. to grow fast 쑗 Insect pests multiply very rapidly. (NOTE: Multiply is usually shown by the multiplication sign x : 10 x 4 = 40: say ‘ten multiplied by four equals forty’ or ‘ten times four is forty’.) multi-purpose /mlti p" pəs/ adj hav- ing several different uses multiracial /mlti reʃ(ə)l/ adj referring to various races multi-storey /mlti stɔ ri/ adj with several storeys (NOTE: The US spelling is multi-story.) multitasking / mltitɑ skŋ/ noun the activity of doing two or more jobs at the same time multitude / mlttju d/ noun 1. a very large number 2. a crowd of people 쑗 He stood up to address the assembled multitude. ① mum /mm/ 쒁 mummy mumble / mmbəl/ noun a way of speaking which is difficult to understand because it is not clear 쑗 Speaking in a mumble, he thanked everyone for being at the party. 쐽 verb to speak in a low voice which is not clear 쑗 He mumbled an excuse and left the room. 쑗 She mumbled something about the telephone and went to the back of the shop. Synonym mutter mumbo-jumbo /mmbəυ dȢmbəυ/ noun 1. complicated and confusing language that is difficult to understand 2. language or practices that are regarded as unusual or strange ① mummy / mmi/ noun 1. a child’s name for mother 쑗 Tell your mum I want to see her. 쑗 Hello, John, is your mummy at home? 쑗 Mummy! can I have a biscuit? (NOTE: also often shortened to Mum. The US term is Mom or Mommy.) 2. a dead body which has mumps 553 been treated with chemicals to stop it decaying 쑗 We went to see the Egyptian mummies in the British Museum. (NOTE: The plural is mummies.) mumps /mmps/ noun an infectious dis- ease, where you get swellings on the sides of your neck munch /mntʃ/ verb to chew noisily something that is crisp or dry, with a regular movement of your jaws mundane /mn den/ adj ordinary, not exciting. Synonym ordinary. Antonym exotic ② municipal /mju nsp(ə)l/ adj referring to a town which has its own local government. Synonym civic municipality /mju ns plti/ noun a town which governs itself. Synonym city (NOTE: The plural is municipalities.) munitions /mju nʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun weapons and ammunition 쑗 She works in a munitions factory. Synonym weaponry mural / mjυərəl/ adj referring to walls 쑗 mural decoration 쐽 noun a painting on a wall 쑗 The murals were painted by Giotto in the fourteenth century. 쏡 fresco ② murder / m" də/ noun 1. the act of deliberately killing someone 쑗 The murder was committed during the night. 쑗 She was accused of murder. 쑗 They denied the murder charge. Compare manslaughter 2. a difficult situation 쑗 It was sheer murder getting to work this morning. 쐽 verb to kill someone deliberately 쑗 He was accused of murdering a policeman. ② murderer / m" dərə/ noun a person who has committed a murder. Synonym killer murderess / m" dəres/ noun a woman who has committed a murder (dated ) murderous / m" dərəs/ adj likely to kill murky / m" ki/ adj dark and dirty (NOTE: . murkier – murkiest) murmur / m" mə/ noun a low sound of people talking, of water flowing, etc. 쑗 There was a murmur of voices in the hall. 쐽 verb to speak very quietly 쑗 She murmured something and closed her eyes. ② muscle / ms(ə)l/ noun a part of the body which contracts to make other parts move 쑗 He has very powerful arm muscles. 왍 to strain a muscle, to pull a muscle to injure a muscle by using it too much 쑗 She strained a muscle in her back. 쐽 verb (informal ) 왍 to muscle in on something to try to interfere with something 쑗 He’s always trying to muscle in on our projects and get all the credit for them. muscle tone / ms(ə)l təυn/ noun the normal slightly tense state of a healthy muscle muscular / mskjυlə/ adj 1. referring to muscles 쑗 She suffered from muscular pain . musical chairs after working in the garden. 2. with big muscles 쑗 He has very muscular arms. 쑗 A couple of muscular bouncers stood at the door of the club. muse /mju z/ noun a woman who inspires poets, musicians, etc. (literary) 쐽 verb to think deeply 쑗 She spent hours musing about her youth. 쑗 He was sitting in his garden musing on the beauty of the autumn colours. ② museum /mju zi əm/ noun a building which you can visit to see a collection of valuable or rare objects 쑗 The museum has a rich collection of Italian paintings. 쑗 The Natural History Museum is always very popular with school parties who go to see the dinosaurs. mush /mʃ/ noun 1. a soft, semi-liquid substance 2. over-emotional or soppy words or ideas 3. a hissing noise caused by radio interference 4. a person’s face or mouth (old fashioned, slang) 쐽 verb to crush something to a soft, semi-liquid substance 쐽 interj a shouted instruction to dogs pulling a sled, telling them to move forwards ③ mushroom / mʃru m/ noun a round white or brown fungus which can be eaten 쑗 Do you want fried mushrooms with your steak? 쑗 She ordered a mushroom omelette. (NOTE: Fungi which are poisonous are called toadstools.) 쐽 verb to grow rapidly Little houses mushroomed all along the coast. mushy / mʃi/ adj 1. soft and half-liquid 쑗 We had meat pie and mushy peas. 2. very sentimental ① music / mju zk/ noun 1. a sound made when you sing or play an instrument 쑗 Do you like Russian music? 쑗 She’s taking music lessons. 쑗 Her music teacher says she plays the violin very well. 2. written signs which you read to play an instrument 쑗 Here’s some music, see if you can play it on the piano. 쑗 He can play the piano by ear – he doesn’t need any music. 3. 왍 to face the music to receive punishment (informal ) 쑗 The manager fled abroad when the bank collapsed, but came back to face the music. ③ musical / mju zk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to music 쑗 Do you play any musical instrument? 2. loving music, being able to play musical instruments 쑗 His whole family is very musical – they all either sing or play in orchestras. 쐽 noun a play with songs and popular music 쑗 Musicals such as ‘Cats’ and ‘Evita’ have been playing for years. musical chairs /mju zk(ə)l tʃeəz/ noun 1. a children’s party game where people try to sit on chairs when the music stops, with one chair and one person less each time 쑗 After tea we all played musical chairs. 2. the continuous changing of jobs 쑗 The game of musical chairs which the Prime Minister 쑗 . musical instrument 554 has to play to keep the members of the coalition happy. musical instrument /mju zk(ə)l nstrυmənt/ noun an instrument such as piano, trumpet, or violin, that a musician plays musically / mju zkli/ adv referring to music musician /mjυ zʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who plays music professionally 쑗 A group of young musicians playing the street. 쑗 The actors applauded the group of musicians who had played during ‘Twelfth Night’. Synonym performer Muslim / mυzlm/ adj following the religion of the prophet Muhammad 쑗 He comes from a strict Muslim family. 쐽 noun a person who follows the religion of the prophet Muhammad 쑗 Islam is the religion of Muslims. 쑗 He comes from a family of strict Muslims. muslin / mzln/ noun a very fine thin cotton cloth mussel / ms(ə)l/ noun a small shellfish, with a blue black shell (NOTE: Do not con- ② fuse with muscle.) ① must modal verb /məst, mst/ 1. it is necessary that 쑗 You must go to bed before eleven, or your mother will be angry. 쑗 We mustn’t be late or we’ll miss the last bus. 쑗 You must hurry up if you want to see the TV programme. 쑗 Must you really go so soon? (NOTE: the negative: mustn’t, needn’t. Note also the meanings: mustn’t = not allowed; needn’t = not necessary: we mustn’t be late; you needn’t hurry.) 2. it is very likely that 쑗 I must have left my briefcase on the train. 쑗 There is someone knocking at the door – it must be the postman. 쑗 You must be wet through after walking in the rain. (NOTE: The negative is can’t; It can’t be the doctor. The past tense is had to; I must go to the dentist, Yesterday I had to go to the dentist; negative: didn’t have to. The perfect tense is must have; I must have left it on the train; negative: can’t have; I can’t have left it on the train. Note also that must is only used with other verbs and is not followed by to.) 쐽 noun /mst/ something important 쑗 When in Florida, a trip to the Everglades is a must. Synonym necessity mustang / mstŋ/ noun a wild American horse ③ mustard / mstəd/ noun 1. a yellow paste made from mixing mustard powder and water, eaten with meat, especially ham and beef 쑗 Would you like some mustard on your beef sandwich? 쑗 English mustard is yellow and quite strong. 2. a plant whose seeds make mustard powder mustard gas / mstəd DZs/ noun poisonous gas which burns the skin muster / mstə/ noun 1. a parade and inspection of soldiers 쑗 The colonel called a mutiny muster of the country militia. 2. 왍 to pass muster to be acceptable 쑗 I’m afraid your work just doesn’t pass muster. 쐽 verb to gather something, or a number of things or people, together 쑗 He tried to muster all his supporters before the vote. 쑗 I find it difficult to muster enough energy to go for a walk after lunch. muster station / mstə steʃ(ə)n/ noun a place where passengers on a ship must gather in an emergency mustn’t / ms(ə)nt/ short form must not must’ve / mstəv/ short form must have musty / msti/ adj smelling damp, rotten or stale; smelling old (NOTE: mustier – mustiest) mutability /mju tə blti/ noun the state of being likely to change mutant / mju t(ə)nt/ adj in which mutation has occurred 쑗 The mutant cells will affect the other normal cells. 쐽 noun an organism carrying a gene in which mutation has occurred 쑗 This plant appears to be a mutant. mutate /mju tet/ verb to undergo a change in structure which changes a gene or chromosome mutation /mju teʃ(ə)n/ noun a genetic change affecting the structure of a living thing mute /mju t/ adj 1. not speaking 쑗 A look of mute horror crossed her face. 2. which is not pronounced 쑗 In the word ‘crumb’ the letter ‘b’ is mute. 쐽 adv not speaking 쑗 She stood mute throughout all her trial. 쐽 noun 1. a person who cannot speak (old fashioned, slang) 2. a device used to soften the sound of a musical instrument 쑗 She fitted a mute into the mouth of the trumpet. 쑗 The last part of the piece is played with a mute on the violin. 쐽 verb to soften the sound of a musical instrument 쑗 The violins are muted before playing the final quiet passage. muted / mju td/ adj 1. quiet, not noisy 쑗 The press gave the proposal a muted welcome. 쑗 Criticism of the government’s proposals has been muted. 2. not bright 쑗 I prefer muted colours for the sitting room. mutilate / mju tlet/ verb to damage something by cutting off part of it. Synonym maim mutilation /mju t leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of cutting part of someone’s body. Synonym disfigurement mutinous / mju tnəs/ adj likely to take part in a mutiny, likely not to obey. Synonym rebellious. Antonym obedient mutiny / mju tni/ noun a rebellion against someone in a position of authority such as the officers in the army or navy 쑗 The officers kept a lookout for any signs of mutiny among the crew. 쐽 verb to rebel against authority 쑗 mutter 555 The soldiers mutinied and captured the castle. 쑗 There is a possibility that some MPs will mutiny against the government. mutter / mtə/ noun a low indistinct way of speaking 쑗 Mutters could be heard coming from the back of the hall. 쐽 verb to mumble, to speak in a low and indistinct voice 쑗 Don’t mutter, I can’t understand you. 쑗 He muttered something about the telephone and went to the back of the shop. muttering / mt(ə)rŋ/ noun complaints, spoken indistinctly mutton / mt(ə)n/ noun the meat of a sheep (NOTE: not very often used: lamb is generally used for all meat from sheep as well as lambs) mutual / mju tʃuəl/ adj referring to what is done by two people, countries, companies, etc., to each other. Synonym joint 왍 our mutual friend the friend of both of us 왍 by mutual agreement, by mutual consent with the agreement of both parties 쑗 By mutual agreement they have decided to sell the flat and split the money between them. mutually / mju tʃuəli/ adv to two people; by two people muzzle / mz(ə)l/ noun 1. the front part of an animal’s head, especially the mouth, jaws and nose 쑗 She stroked the horse’s long, silky muzzle. 2. a system of straps placed round the mouth of a dog to prevent it from biting 쑗 Our dog has to wear a muzzle when he’s taken for a walk. 3. the mouth of a gun 쑗 She found herself looking down the muzzle of a gun. 쑗 The army was equipped with muzzle-loading rifles. 쐽 verb 1. to put a muzzle on a dog to prevent it biting 쑗 I always muzzle my dog when I walk him through the children’s playground. 2. 왍 to muzzle the press to stop newspapers from saying what they want ① my /ma/ adj 1. belonging to me 쑗 Is that my pen you’re using? 쑗 Have you seen my glasses anywhere? 쑗 We went skiing and I broke my leg. 2. used in an exclamation 쑗 My word! 쑗 My goodness, just look at the time! myopia /ma əυpiə/ noun short-sightedness, causing a person to be unable to see things which are far away myriad / mriəd/ noun a very large number 쑗 There are myriads of islands in the mouth of the river. 쑗 The sky was bright with a myriad of stars. 쐽 adj very many 쑗 These are only a few of the myriad life forms found on a mythology coral reef. Synonym countless 왘 Antonym (all senses) few ① myself /ma self/ pron referring to me 쑗 I hurt myself climbing down the ladder. 쑗 It’s true – I saw it myself. 쑗 I enjoyed myself a lot at the party. 왍 all by myself all alone, with no one else 쑗 I built the house all by myself. 쑗 I don’t like being all by myself in the house at night. ③ mysterious /m stəriəs/ adj which cannot be explained mysteriously /m stəriəsli/ adv in a strange way which cannot be explained ③ mystery / mst(ə)ri/ noun a thing which cannot be explained (old ) 쑗 The police finally cleared up the mystery of the missing body. 쑗 It’s a mystery how the box came to be hidden under her bed. (NOTE: The plural . is mysteries.) mystic / mstk/ noun a person who at- tempts to achieve union with God through prayer, meditation, etc. 쐽 adj in contact with God 쑗 the mystic union between Christ and the Church. Synonym mystical mystical / mstk(ə)l/ adj in contact with God by some process which cannot be understood. Synonym spiritual mysticism / mstsz(ə)m/ noun a religion based on attempts to achieve union with God by prayer and meditation mystify / mstfa/ verb to puzzle or bewilder someone mystique /m sti k/ noun a mysterious atmosphere about a person or thing myth /mθ/ noun 1. an ancient story about gods 쑗 poems based on the myths of Greece and Rome 2. an untrue idea, but one which many people believe 쑗 It was many years before people could disprove the myth that the earth was flat. 쑗 The sales figures showed up the myth of their so-called super sales force. mythical / mθk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to ancient tales of gods 쑗 The unicorn is a mythical animal. 2. untrue, which does not exist 쑗 He keeps talking about some mythical order from Japan. mythological /mθə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to mythology. Antonym factual mythology /m θɒlədȢi/ noun ancient folk stories from a particular source 쑗 The floor was covered with mosaics showing scenes from Greek mythology. 쑗 According to ancient Scandinavian mythology, he cut off the head of the dragon. N n /en/, N noun the fourteenth letter of the alphabet, between M and O N abbr north nab /nb/ verb 1. to snatch something quickly (informal ) 쑗 When we came down to the pool we found that the others had nabbed all the best seats. 쑗 Pass me that bottle before anyone else nabs it. 2. to arrest someone 쑗 The police nabbed him as he was coming out of the bank. (NOTE: nabbing – nabbed) nadir / nedə/ noun the very lowest point naff /nf/ adj attempting to be stylish, but instead appearing boring or silly nag /nDZ/ verb 왍 to nag someone, to nag at someone to ask someone over and over again for something or to do something 쑗 She was always nagging (at) him to buy a new car. 쑗 She’s been nagging me for an ice cream all afternoon. 쐽 noun an old horse (insult) 쑗 I can’t go riding on that nag. nagging / nDZŋ/ adj that worries you over a long period of time. Synonym irritating 왍 nagging pain a dull, continuous throbbing pain 쑗 He had a nagging pain in his jaw. ③ nail /nel/ noun 1. a little metal spike 쑗 Hit the nail hard with the hammer. 쑗 You need a hammer to knock that nail in. 왍 to hit the nail on the head to judge something accurately (informal ) 2. 왍 as hard as nails very hard, uncompromising 쑗 She’s as hard as nails. 3. the hard part at the end of your fingers and toes 쑗 She painted her nails red. 쑗 He was cutting his nails. 쐽 verb to attach something with nails 쑗 He nailed the notice to the door. nail-biting /nel batŋ/ adj extremely exciting nail down /nel daυn/ verb 1. to attach something flat with nails 쑗 They nailed down the floorboards or they nailed the floorboards down. 2. 왍 to nail someone down to make someone says what he or she is going to do 쑗 I’ll try to nail him down over a date for the meeting. nail file / nel fal/ noun a flat stick covered with sandpaper, used to smooth your fingernails nail polish /nel pɒlʃ/ noun same as nail . . varnish nail varnish / nel vɑ nʃ/ noun a liquid which is put on fingernails or toenails, and which dries quickly to form a hard, shiny surface naive /na i v/ adj innocent, lacking experience naively /na i vli/ adv in a naive way naivety /na i v(ə)ti/, naiveté /nai v(ə)te/ noun the quality of being naive naked / nekd/ adj 1. with no clothes on 쑗 The little children were playing around in the river stark naked. 쑗 A naked man stood on the balcony. 2. without any covering 쑗 A naked electric bulb hung from the ceiling. 왍 invisible to the naked eye which cannot be seen without being magnified naked flame / nekd flem/ noun a flame which is burning without any protection round it ① name /nem/ noun 1. a special way of calling someone or something 쑗 Hello! My name’s James. 쑗 What’s the name of the shop next to the post office? 왍 I know him by name I have never met him, but I know who he is 왍 in the name of someone using someone’s name 쑗 The table is booked in the name of ‘Green’. 왍 in the name of the law using the authority given by the law 쑗 I arrest you in the name of the law. 왍 to put your name down for something to apply for something 쑗 She put her name down to join the club. 왍 under the name of using the name of 쑗 He wrote his novels under the name ‘Saki’. 쑗 They checked into the hotel under the name of ‘Smith’. 왍 to make a name for yourself to do something which makes you famous 쑗 He made a name for himself as a criminal lawyer. 2. 왍 Christian name a special name given to someone as a child after birth or at baptism 쑗 Her Christian name is Natasha. Synonym first name 왍 family name the name of a family, shared by all people in the family. Synonym surname 쐽 verb 1. to call someone or something by a name 쑗 They named him Nicholas. 쑗 They have a black cat named Jonah. 왍 to name someone after someone to give someone the same name as someone else 쑗 They named their son Peter after his grandfather. 2. to specify something 쑗 Can you name name-dropping 557 three British Prime Ministers? 왍 to name the day to fix the date for something, particularly a wedding 3. to appoint someone to a post 쑗 He was named ambassador to France. name-dropping / nemdrɒpŋ/ noun the practice of mentioning the names of famous people whom you know, with the intention of impressing those who are listening nameless / nemləs/ adj 1. with no name 2. not to be mentioned because it is disgusting or frightening namely / nemli/ adv that is to say nameplate / nemplet/ noun a metal plate with the name of a person or firm carved on it namesake / nemsek/ noun a person with the same name as another name tag / nem tDZ/ noun a label with a name printed on it naming and shaming /nemŋ ən ʃemŋ/ noun the act of publishing the name of a person or an organisation that is not working correctly, in the hope that this will make them change their ways nan /nn/ noun a type of flat bread, often eaten with curry nanny / nni/ noun a person who is employed to look after small children in a family 쑗 She’s training to be a nanny. 쑗 Our new nanny starts work tomorrow. 쐽 verb to look after someone or something very carefully and tell them what to do nanny goat / nni DZəυt/ noun a female goat 쑗 a nanny goat and her two kids (NOTE: A male goat is a billy goat.) nanny state / nni stet/ noun a state where the government looks after everyone and tells them what to do. Compare welfare state (NOTE: The plural is nannies.) nap /np/ noun 1. a short sleep 쑗 After lunch he always takes a little nap. 2. a smooth surface of cloth such as velvet 쑗 Just feel the nap on this cloth. 3. a tip as to which horse is likely to win a race 쐽 verb to sleep for a short period 왍 to catch someone napping to take someone by surprise 쑗 His sudden offer caught us all napping. nape /nep/ noun the back of the neck napkin / npkn/ noun 1. a small square of cloth or paper provided for each person at a meal table, and may be used for cleaning fingers or mouth, or to protect clothes 2. a nappy 쑗 The baby must have his napkin changed. ③ nappy / npi/ noun a cloth which is wrapped round a baby’s bottom to absorb urine and faeces (NOTE: The plural is nappies. The US term is diaper.) nappy rash / npi rʃ/ noun a rash on a baby’s bottom, caused by the baby having a nasal wet nappy (NOTE: The US term is diaper rash.) narcissism / nɑ ssz(ə)m/ noun a tendency to admire yourself, especially your own appearance narcissus /nɑ ssəs/ noun a flower similar to a daffodil, with white and orange flowers shaped like trumpets (NOTE: The plural is narcissi /nɑ ssa/.) narcotic /nɑ kɒtk/ adj which makes you sleep or become unconscious 쑗 the narcotic side-effects of antihistamines 쐽 noun a pain-relieving drug which makes a patient sleep 쑗 The doctor put her to sleep with a powerful narcotic. narcotics /nɑ kɒtks/ plural noun dangerous illegal drugs which are sold by criminals narrate /nə ret/ verb to tell a story narration /nə reʃ(ə)n/ noun speaking or writing about things that have happened narrative / nrətv/ noun a written story 쑗 He’s writing a narrative about their journeys in South America. 쐽 adj describing an action 쑗 The narrative part of the book is very exciting. 쑗 He wrote a narrative poem about the war against Troy. narrator /nə retə/ noun a person who tells a story. Synonym storyteller ② narrow / nrəυ/ adj not wide 쑗 Why is your bicycle seat so narrow? 쑗 We went down a narrow alleyway to the shop. (NOTE: narrower – narrowest) 쐽 verb 1. to make something less wide 쑗 He narrowed his eyes. 2. to become less wide 쑗 The road narrows suddenly, and there is hardly enough room for two cars to pass. 3. 왍 to narrow something down to to reduce something to 쑗 We have narrowed down our choice of restaurants to two. narrow boat / nrəυ bəυt/ noun a long thin boat used on canals narrow escape /nrəυ  skep/ noun a situation where you just avoid some disaster narrowly / nrəυli/ adv only just narrow majority /nrəυ mə dȢɒrəti/ noun a majority of only a few votes narrow-minded /nrəυ mandd/ adj not tolerant of others’ views, not capable of seeing many points of view. Synonym bigoted. Antonym broad-minded NASA / nsə/ abbr National Aeronautical and Space Administration nasal / nez(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to the nose 쑗 She used nasal drops to try to cure her cold. 2. speaking as if through the nose 쑗 He speaks with a nasal accent. 쐽 noun a sound pronounced through the nose, like ‘n’ or ‘m’ in English (phonetics) nasal twang 558 nasal twang / nez(ə)l twŋ/ noun the accent made when you speak through your nose nastily / nɑ stli/ adv in a nasty way nastiness / nɑ stinəs/ noun the quality of being nasty, or a nasty thing that happens. Synonym spite nasturtium /nə st" ʃ(ə)m/ noun a creeping plant with large orange or yellow flowers ② nasty / nɑ sti/ adj unpleasant 왍 to turn nasty to become unpleasant suddenly 쑗 When she couldn’t pay, the manager turned quite nasty. 왍 a nasty piece of work an unpleasant person (informal ) ② nation / neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a country 쑗 Such a great nation as the USA has a duty to protect smaller countries from aggression. 쑗 The member nations of the EU. 2. the people living in a country 쑗 The Prime Minister spoke to the nation about the declaration of war. ① national adj / nʃ(ə)nəl/ belonging to a country 쑗 This is in our national interest. 쑗 The story even appeared in the national newspapers. 쑗 We’re going to see a new play at the National Theatre. 쐽 noun a person from a certain country 쑗 Two German nationals were arrested at the scene of the crime. Synonym resident. Antonym visitor national anthem /nʃ(ə)nəl nθəm/ noun a piece of music which is used to represent the nation officially, and is played at official ceremonies national costume /nʃ(ə)nəl kɒstju m/ noun the special clothes worn by people from a specific country or region national curriculum /nʃ(ə)nəl kərkjυləm/ noun the subjects studied at school by all children aged between 5 and 16 in England and Wales (NOTE: The National . curriculum is made up of three ‘core’ subjects – English, maths and science; and seven ‘foundation’ subjects – art, design and technology, geography, history, music, physical education, and a foreign language.) national grid /nʃ(ə)nəl DZrd/ noun the national electricity supply system National Insurance /nʃ(ə)nəl nʃυərəns/ noun a government-run insurance which provides for state medical care, unemployment payments, etc. nationalisation /nʃ(ə)nəla zeʃ(ə)n/, nationalization noun passing the ownership of a business from private individuals to ownership by the state (NOTE: Do not confuse with naturalisation.) nationalise / nʃ(ə)nəlaz/, nationalize verb to put a privately-owned industry under state ownership and control. Antonym privatise 왍 nationalized industry an industry Native American which was once privately owned, but now belongs to the state 쑗 Workers in nationalised industries are to get a 3% pay rise. nationalism / nʃ(ə)nəlz(ə)m/ noun 1. the political opinion of wanting independence for your country 쑗 During the occupation, all feelings of nationalism had to be suppressed. 2. a feeling of great pride in your country, or a feeling that your country is better than others 쑗 Danish nationalism as shown by their football supporters. nationalist / nʃ(ə)nəlst/ noun a person who wants his or her country to be independent 쑗 a Welsh nationalist 쑗 The nationalists have not been invited to the negotiations. 쐽 adj wanting your country to be independent 쑗 There is a lot of nationalist feeling in the country. adj nationalistic /nʃ(ə)nə lstk/ strongly supporting your own country. Synonym patriotic. Antonym internationalist nationality /nʃə nlti/ noun the status of being a citizen of a state 쑗 He is of German nationality. 왍 he has dual nationality he is a citizen of two countries at the same time nationally / nʃ(ə)nəli/ adv all over the country. Antonym locally national park /nʃ(ə)nəl pɑ k/ noun an area of land protected by the government for people to enjoy 쑗 The Peak District in Derbyshire is a national park. 쑗 We went camping in the national park. national security /nʃ(ə)nəl skjυərəti/ noun the systems that are intended to protect a nation from danger national service /nʃ(ə)nəl s" vs/ noun in some countries, a period that citizens must spend working in their national armed forces nation-state /neʃ(ə)n stet/ noun a country which is an independent political unit, formed of people with the same nationality and often the same language and traditions nationwide / neʃ(ə)nwad/ adj all over the country 쑗 The union called for a nationwide strike. 쑗 We offer a nationwide delivery service. Antonym local ③ native / netv/ noun 1. a person born in a place 쑗 She’s a native of Cornwall. 2. a flower, bird, etc., which has always been in a place 쑗 The robin is a native of the British Isles. 3. an original inhabitant of a country or region, usually before the arrival of Europeans (offensive) 쐽 adj belonging to a country 쑗 The tiger is native to India. Native American /netv ə merkən/ noun a member of any of the peoples who were living in North, Central, and South America before the arrival of Europeans native language 559 native language / netv lŋDZwdȢ/, native tongue / netv tŋ/ noun the language which you spoke when you were a little child ③ native speaker /netv spi kə/ noun a person who speaks a language from childhood nativity /nə tvti/ noun 왍 the Nativity the birth of Jesus Christ (formal ) nativity play /nə tvti ple/ noun a play about the birth of Jesus, especially one performed by children NATO / netəυ/ abbr North Atlantic Treaty Organization natter / ntə/ (informal ) noun a casual friendly talk 쑗 Come round for coffee tomorrow and we can have a natter. 쐽 verb to talk in a casual and friendly way 쑗 They were nattering about their holidays and didn’t see the bus go past. 쑗 She spends too much time nattering on the phone to her boyfriend. 왘 Synonym (all senses) chat ① natural / ntʃ(ə)rəl/ adj 1. ordinary, not unusual 쑗 Her behaviour at the meeting was quite natural. 쑗 It’s only natural if you can’t sleep the night before your exams. 쑗 It’s natural to worry about your first baby. 2. coming from nature, and not man-made 쑗 Do you think the colour of her hair is natural? 쑗 Yes, she’s a natural blonde. 쑗 The inquest decided that he died from natural causes. natural gas /ntʃ(ə)rəl DZs/ noun gas which is found in the earth and not made in a gasworks natural history /ntʃ(ə)rəl hst(ə)ri/ noun the study of plants and animals naturalisation /ntʃ(ə)rəla zeʃ(ə)n/, naturalization noun the granting of the position of citizen to a foreigner (NOTE: Do not . . confuse with nationalisation.) naturalist / ntʃ(ə)rəlst/ noun a person who is interested in and studies natural history ① naturally / ntʃ(ə)rəli/ adv 1. of course 쑗 Naturally the top team beat the bottom team. 쑗 Do you want to watch the game? – Naturally! 2. because of nature, not man-made 쑗 She has naturally fair hair. 쑗 She’s naturally gifted for music. 3. in a normal way 쑗 He behaved quite naturally at the office, so we were surprised when he was arrested for murder. natural resources /ntʃ(ə)rəl rzɔ sz/ plural noun minerals, energy sources, etc., which can be used commercially, such as coal or water power 쑗 Canada is a country which is very rich in natural resources. natural wastage /ntʃ(ə)rəl westdȢ/ noun the process of losing employees be- navigate cause they resign or retire, not because they are made redundant or are sacked ① nature / netʃə/ noun 1. plants and animals 쑗 We must try to protect nature and the environment. 왍 the laws of nature what happens in the world of plants and animals 2. the character of a person, thing, animal 쑗 He has a very aggressive nature. 3. a sort, kind or class of thing 쑗 Something of that nature must have happened. nature reserve / netʃə rz" v/ noun an area of land where animals and plants are protected nature trail / netʃə trel/ noun a path through the countryside with signs to showing interesting features, such as plants, trees, birds or animals naturism / netʃərz(ə)m/ noun a belief in the physical and mental advantages of going about naked. Synonym nudist naturist / netʃərst/ adj, noun a person who believes in going about naked naughtily / nɔ tli/ adv wickedly naughtiness / nɔ tinəs/ noun wickedness, bad behaviour. Synonym disobedience. Antonym obedience ③ naughty / nɔ ti/ adj (usually of a child ) behaving badly, not being obedient. Synonym disobedient (NOTE: naughtier – . naughtiest) nausea / nɔ ziə/ noun a feeling of sick- ness, a desire to vomit nauseate / nɔ ziet/ verb to make someone feel sick or disgusted nauseating / nɔ zietŋ/ adj which makes you sick or disgusted (literary). Synonym disgusting. Antonym pleasant nauseous / nɔ ziəs/ adj US feeling sick, feeling about to vomit nautical / nɔ tk(ə)l/ adj referring to ships and the sea. Synonym maritime naval / nev(ə)l/ adj referring to the navy nave /nev/ noun the main part of a church where the congregation sits navel / nev(ə)l/ noun a depression in the middle of the abdomen, just below the waist, where the umbilical cord was detached after birth (NOTE: In children’s language a navel is called a belly button or tummy button. Do not confuse with naval.) navel orange / nev(ə)l ɒrndȢ/ noun a large seedless orange with a depression at one end like a navel navigable / nvDZəb(ə)l/ adj (of a river ) deep enough for ships to sail in it navigate / nvDZet/ verb 1. to guide a ship or aircraft 쑗 The pilot navigated the boat into the harbour. 2. to give directions to the driver of a car 쑗 Can you navigate as far as Marble Arch? – I know my way from there. . navigation 560 ③ navigation /nv DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of guiding and steering 쑗 In the sixteenth century, navigation was done by the stars. 쑗 Thanks to Jim’s bad navigation we lost our way twice. 2. the movement of ships or aircraft 쑗 The canal is open to navigation again. navigator / nvDZetə/ noun 1. a person who calculates the distances and direction taken by an aircraft or ship 쑗 The navigator estimates that we should reach the coast in about ten minutes. 2. a person who deals with the maps, signs and timing for a rally driver 쑗 The navigator warned me that there was a sharp right turn ahead. ③ navy / nevi/ noun 1. a military force which fights battles at sea 쑗 He left school and joined the navy. 쑗 The navy has many ships. 2. a dark blue colour 쑗 She was dressed in navy. 쐽 adj 왍 navy (blue) of a dark blue colour 쑗 She was wearing a navy skirt. 쑗 He’s bought a navy blue pullover. Nazi / nɑ tsi/ noun 1. a member or supporter of Adolf Hitler’s fascist German National Socialist Party 2. an extremely insulting name for a very bossy or controlling person (insult) NE abbr north east ① near /nə/ adv, prep, adj 1. close to, not far away from 쑗 Our house is near the post office. 쑗 Bring your chair nearer to the table. 쑗 He lives quite near or quite near here. 쑗 Which is the nearest chemist’s? 2. soon, not far off in time 쑗 Her birthday is on December 21st – it’s quite near to Christmas. 쑗 Can you phone again nearer the day and I’ll see if I can find a few minutes to see you? (NOTE: nearer – nearest) 쐽 verb to get closer to, to approach 쑗 We’re nearing the end of the year. Synonym approach nearby /nə ba/ adv, adj not far away 쑗 He lives just nearby. 쑗 They met in a nearby restaurant. nearest and dearest /nərəst ən dərəst/ plural noun your close family ① nearly / nəli/ adv almost 쑗 He’s nearly 18 – he’ll be going to university next year. 쑗 The film lasted nearly three hours. 쑗 The book isn’t nearly as good as the last one I read. 쑗 Hurry up, it’s nearly time for breakfast. 쑗 We haven’t got nearly enough time to get to London. near miss /nə ms/ noun a situation where you almost hit something nearside / nəsad/ adj referring to the side of a car closer to the side of the road. Synonym passenger near-sighted /nə satd/ adj able to see close objects clearly, but not objects which are further away. Also called short-sighted ② neat /ni t/ adj 1. tidy, without any mess 쑗 a blouse with a neat lace collar 쑗 Leave your neckline bedroom neat and tidy. 쑗 Her handwriting is very neat. 2. alcohol without any water added 쑗 I prefer my whisky neat. (NOTE: The US term is straight.) 3. mainly US clever 쑗 What a neat idea! (NOTE: neater – neatest) neatly / ni tli/ adv in a neat and tidy way neatness / ni tnəs/ noun a tidy or clean appearance nebulous / nebjυləs/ adj not clearly known or described. Synonym unclear. Antonym precise ① necessarily /nes serli/ adv which cannot be avoided 쑗 Going to Newcastle from here necessarily means changing trains twice. 왍 not necessarily possibly sometimes but not always 쑗 Taking the train isn’t necessarily slower than going by plane. ① necessary / ness(ə)ri/ adj 1. which has to be done 쑗 It’s absolutely necessary for taxes to be paid on time. 쑗 It is necessary to have a current passport if you are going abroad. 2. which you need to have 쑗 Are you sure all this equipment is really necessary? 쑗 Does she have the necessary qualifications for the job? necessitate /n sestet/ verb to make something necessary necessity /nə sesti/ noun an essential thing, or thing that is needed (NOTE: The plural is necessities.) ② neck /nek/ noun 1. a part which joins your head to your body 쑗 She was sitting in a draught and got a stiff neck. 쑗 The mayor wears a gold chain round his neck. 2. 왍 a pain in the neck a very annoying person or thing (informal ) 왍 to breathe down someone’s neck to watch what someone is doing and be ready to criticise 쑗 I wish he would stop breathing down my neck all the time. 왍 to stick your neck out to state your opinion, even though you admit it may be wrong 쑗 I’ll stick my neck out and say that the government will lose the next election. 왍 to be up to your neck in work to have a lot of work to do 쑗 I’m up to my neck in work, so I can’t take on any more. 3. the part of a piece of clothing which goes round your neck 쑗 He takes size 16 neck in shirts. 4. a narrow part 쑗 the neck of a bottle 왍 a neck of land a narrow piece of land between two pieces of water 왍 in this neck of the woods in this part of the country (informal ) 쑗 Not many people live in this neck of the woods. 쐽 verb to kiss and cuddle in a sexual way (dated informal ) -necked /nekt/ suffix with a certain type of neck ③ necklace / nekləs/ noun a string of beads or stones, etc., worn round your neck neckline / neklan/ noun the line formed by the edge of an item of clothing where it goes around the neck . . . necktie 561 necktie / nekta/ noun especially US a piece of coloured cloth worn knotted round the neck (NOTE: The British term is tie.) nectar / nektə/ noun 1. a liquid produced by flowers to attract bees 쑗 Honey is made from the nectar collected by bees. 2. a very delicious-tasting drink 쑗 After a game of tennis this lemonade is absolute nectar. nectarine / nektəri n/ noun a fruit like a peach with a smooth skin née /ne/ adj (of a woman) with the former name of. Synonym formerly ① need /ni d/ noun what is necessary or wanted 쑗 There’s no need for you to wait – I can find my own way. 왍 in need requiring food and help 쑗 The Red Cross is bringing supplies to families in need. 왍 to be in need of to want something 쑗 They’re in urgent need of medical supplies. 쐽 verb 1. to require something, or have to have something 쑗 We shall need some euros for our holiday in Spain. 쑗 Painting needs a lot of skill. 쑗 I need someone to help me with the cooking. 2. to want something 쑗 Does anyone need any more coffee? 쐽 modal verb to be necessary 쑗 Need you make so much noise in the bath? 쑗 Need you go now? 쑗 The living room needs painting or needs to be painted. 쑗 You don’t need to come if you have a cold. 쑗 The police need to know who saw the accident. needle / ni d(ə)l/ noun 1. a metal tool for sewing, like a long pin, with a hole at one end for the thread to go through 쑗 This needle hasn’t got a very sharp point. 쑗 You must try to put the piece of wool through the hole in the needle. 왍 it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack it’s a hopeless task 2. a hand on a dial 쑗 He looked at the dial and saw the needle was pointing to zero. 3. the thin leaf of a pine tree 쑗 She had lots of pine needles stuck in her hair. needless / ni dləs/ adj not necessary. Synonym unnecessary 왍 to cause someone needless worry to make someone worried when there is no cause 쑗 Don’t send a police car to the house – we don’t want to cause them needless worry. 왍 needless to say as you might expect 쑗 Needless to say, they can’t pay for it themselves. needlework / ni d(ə)lw" k/ noun decorative sewing ③ needn’t / ni dnt/ modal verb it is not necessary 쑗 She needn’t come if she has a cold. 쑗 You needn’t have made a cake – I’m not hungry. 쑗 She needn’t make such a fuss about a little spider. (NOTE: Needn’t is only ③ used with other verbs and is not followed by to. Note also the difference in meanings: mustn’t = not allowed; needn’t = not necessary: We mustn’t be late; You needn’t hurry.) negotiate needs /ni dz/ plural noun what is basically needed needy / ni di/ adj very poor 쑗 an organisation dedicated to helping needy people in Africa (NOTE: needier – neediest) 쐽 plural noun 왍 the needy poor people 쑗 He tried to help the needy as much as he could. nefarious /n feəriəs/ adj very wicked negate /n DZet/ verb to cancel something out, to remove the effect of something (formal ) negation /n DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun what is cancelled out or negated ② negative / neDZətv/ noun 1. meaning ‘no’ 쑗 The answer was in the negative. 2. developed film with an image where the light parts are dark and dark parts light 쑗 Don’t touch the negatives with your dirty fingers. 쐽 adj showing the absence of something 쑗 Her blood test was negative. 왍 a negative response an answer saying ‘no’ neglect /n DZlekt/ noun a lack of care 쑗 The building has suffered from years of neglect. Synonym negligence (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to fail to look after someone or something properly 쑗 He neglected his three children. 쑗 The building had been neglected by its owners. 2. not to do something 쑗 She neglected to return her income tax form. 쑗 He neglected to tell the police that he had been involved in an accident. neglected /n DZlektd/ adj not looked after neglectful /n DZlektf(ə)l/ adj not doing anything about something that is your responsibility. Synonym negligent négligée / neDZlȢe/, negligee noun a woman’s light dressing gown negligence / neDZldȢəns/ noun a lack of proper care; not doing what you should do. Synonym neglect negligent / neDZldȢ(ə)nt/ adj showing negligence, not taking proper care negligible / neDZldȢb(ə)l/ adj very small, not worth bothering about. Synonym insignificant. Antonym significant 왍 not negligible quite large 쑗 The loss was not a negligible one. negotiable /n DZəυʃiəb(ə)l/ adj 1. which can be changed or decided by discussions between the people involved 쑗 The salary for the job is negotiable. 2. which can be exchanged for cash 3. (of a path) which can be used 쑗 The route through the mountains is only negotiable during the summer. ③ negotiate /n DZəυʃiet/ verb 1. to discuss with someone 쑗 We are negotiating with the travel agent about a refund. 2. to make a commercial arrangement 쑗 The two parties negotiated the terms of the contract. 3. to go round something which is in the way 쑗 We had to negotiate several boulders in the . negotiating table 562 road. 쑗 The burglars managed to negotiate the alarm system successfully. negotiating table /n DZəυʃietŋ teb(ə)l/ noun a meeting between parties to negotiate ② negotiation /nDZəυʃi eʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of discussing something 쑗 The only answer to this conflict is peaceful negotiation. 왍 it is open to negotiation the terms can be negotiated negotiations /nDZəυʃi eʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun discussions negotiator /n DZəυʃietə/ noun a person who discusses neigh /ne/ noun a sound made by a horse 쑗 The horse gave a loud neigh and galloped off. 쐽 verb to make the sound of a horse 쑗 We could hear the horses neighing in the stables. ② neighbour / nebə/ noun 1. a person who lives near you, who is sitting next to you, etc. 쑗 Help yourself and then pass the plate on to your neighbour. 쑗 He doesn’t get on with his neighbours. 왍 the Swedes and the Norwegians are neighbours their countries are close together 2. another person (old ) 쑗 Love of your neighbour is one of the essentials of Christian doctrine. (NOTE: [all . senses] The US spelling is neighbor.) neighbourhood / nebəhυd/ noun a small area and the people who live in it 쑗 This is a quiet neighbourhood – we don’t like noisy parties. 쑗 The doctor knows everyone in the neighbourhood. 앳 in the neighbourhood of 1. near 쑗 There are three hotels in the neighbourhood of the Conference Centre. 2. approximately 쑗 The sum involved is in the neighbourhood of £100,000. (NOTE: The US spelling is neighborhood.) neighbouring / nebərŋ/ adj which is close to you (NOTE: The US spelling is neighboring.) neighbourly / nebəli/ adv friendly to the people near you 쑗 It’s very neighbourly of you to lend us your lawnmower. 쑗 People in this street aren’t very neighbourly. (NOTE: The US spelling is neighborly.) ② neither / naðə, ni ðə/ adj, pron not ei- ther of two people or things 쑗 Neither car or neither of the cars passed the test. 쑗 Neither sister is dark or neither of the sisters is dark. 쐽 adv not either 쑗 He doesn’t eat meat and neither does his wife. 쑗 She isn’t fat but neither is she really very thin. 쐽 conj 왍 neither…nor not one…and not the other 쑗 The water is neither too hot nor too cold – it’s just right. 쑗 She’s neither Chinese nor Japanese – she comes from Korea. 쑗 Neither his mother nor his father is coming to the wedding. neoclassical /ni əυ klsk(ə)l/ adj in the ancient Greek and Roman style nest neologism /ni ɒlədȢz(ə)m/ noun a new word, one that has come into use very recently neon / ni ɒn/ noun an inert gas found in very small quantities in the atmosphere and used in illuminated signs ③ nephew / nefju / noun the son of your sister or brother nepotism / nepətz(ə)m/ noun the unfair practice of giving jobs to members of your own family rather than to people who deserve to have them nerd /n" d/ noun a person who is very interested in technical things, especially computers, and who other people sometimes think is boring ③ nerve /n" v/ noun 1. one of the fibres in your body which take messages to and from the brain 쑗 Nerves are very delicate and easily damaged. 2. 왍 to be in a state of nerves to be tense and worried 왍 to get on someone’s nerves to annoy someone 쑗 That humming noise is really getting on my nerves. 3. over-confidence or rude behaviour 쑗 He’s got a nerve to ask for a day off, when he was away all last week. 4. being brave 쑗 He wanted to try jumping with a parachute but at the last minute he lost his nerve. 쐽 verb 왍 to nerve yourself to get all your strength together 쑗 He nerved himself against the meeting with the police. 쑗 She nerved herself to take her driving test. nerve centre / n" v sentə/ noun a point at which nerves come together nerve-racking / n" v rkŋ/ adj which is extremely frightening or worrying nerve-wracking /n" v rkŋ/ adj same as nerve-racking ③ nervous / n" vəs/ adj 1. referring to the nerves 쑗 the nervous system 2. worried and easily frightened 쑗 to be of a nervous disposition 쑗 She gets nervous if she is alone in the house at night. 쑗 He’s nervous about driving in London. nervous breakdown /n" vəs brekdaυn/ noun a non-medical expression for a condition where a patient becomes so worried or upset that he or she is not able to do anything nervous energy /n" vəs enədȢi/ noun excited tense energy nervously / n" vəsli/ adv in a nervous way nervous system / n" vəs sstəm/ noun the system of nerves in the body, including the spinal cord and nerve centres nervy / n" vi/ adj feeling worried (informal ). Antonym calm ③ nest /nest/ noun 1. a structure built by birds to lay their eggs in, also by some animals and insects 쑗 an ants’ nest 쑗 The birds . nest egg 563 built their nests among the trees. 쑗 The blackbirds have laid three eggs in their nest. 2. 왍 nest of tables tables of different sizes which fit under each other 쐽 verb to build a nest and lay eggs 쑗 The swans are nesting by the river bank. ③ nest egg / nest eDZ/ noun money which you have saved. Synonym savings nestle / nes(ə)l/ verb 1. to sit somewhere comfortable and relax 쑗 The cat nestled down quietly in the cushions. 쑗 The children nestled round their mother as she read them a story. 2. to be in a safe and sheltered place 쑗 Their cottage nestles at the bottom of the valley. 쑗 A church nestling in the hills. ② net /net/ noun 1. a woven material with large holes 쑗 A long petticoat made of pink net. 2. a piece of this material used for a special purpose 3. same as Internet 쐽 verb to make a profit 쑗 We netted £3,000 on the deal. (NOTE: netting – netted) 쐽 adj after everything else has been considered 쑗 That figure is net, not gross. Synonym remaining netball / netbɔ l/ noun a team game similar to basketball, played by two teams of seven players, usually women, in which the aim is to score points by throwing the ball through a horizontal ring into a high net net curtains /net k" t(ə)nz/ plural noun light curtains made of thin lacy material net earnings /net " nŋz/ plural noun the money that someone earns after tax has been taken out net income /net nkm/ noun same as net earnings net salary /net sləri/ noun same as net earnings ③ nett /net/ another spelling of net netting / netŋ/ noun a loosely woven material ③ nettle / net(ə)l/ noun 왍 to grasp the net- tle to deal with a problem quickly and firmly to settle it before it causes you any more trouble 쑗 No politician has dared grasp the nettle of sponsorship of sport. 쐽 verb to make someone annoyed (informal ) 쑗 She was clearly nettled by his remarks. Synonym . irritate net weight /net wet/ noun a weight of goods without the packing material and container ③ network / netw" k/ noun 1. a system things such as roads or railways connecting different places 쑗 the British rail network 쑗 a satellite TV network 쑗 There is a network of tunnels under the castle. 2. a system of computers which are connected together 쑗 How does this network operate? 쑗 You can book at any of our hotels throughout the country using our computer network. 3. a group of people connected with each other 쑗 neutralise His rapidly developing network of contacts in government. 쏡 old boy network 쐽 verb to connect two or more computers to allow them to exchange information 쑗 Workstations are usually networked and share resources. networking / netw" kŋ/ noun 1. keeping in contact with people who are in the same profession as you and who may be able to help you 쑗 A conference is a good opportunity to do some networking. 2. broadcasting a TV programme over several stations at the same time 쑗 TV executives are always hoping to find popular programmes suitable for nationwide networking. 3. connecting two or more computers with each other neural / njυərəl/ adj referring to a nerve or the nervous system neurology /njυ rɒlədȢi/ noun the study of nerves and the illnesses which affect them neurosis /njυ rəυss/ noun a mental state in which a patient thinks all the time about something in an excessive way and experiences strong emotions about it, such as fear of empty spaces. Synonym quirk (NOTE: The plural is neuroses /njυ rəυsi z/.) neurotic /njυ rɒtk/ adj worried or always thinking about something in an excessive way 쑗 She has a neurotic dislike of cats. 쑗 Don’t get neurotic about the change in the firm’s logo. Antonym rational 쐽 noun a person who has a neurosis 쑗 He’s a neurotic who genuinely believes spiders will kill him. neuter / nju tə/ adj (in grammar ) neither masculine nor feminine in some languages, such as German and Latin 쑗 Strangely enough, the usual word for ‘girl’ in German is neuter. 쐽 verb to remove an animal’s sex organs 쑗 We took our tomcat to the vet to have him neutered. neutral / nju trəl/ adj 1. not in favour of one side or the other in a disagreement 쑗 The UN sent in neutral observers. 쑗 The arbitrator has to stay neutral. 2. refusing to take part in a war 쑗 During the war, Switzerland remained neutral. 3. with a light colour, such as beige or pale grey 쑗 Red walls, green upholstery and a neutral carpet. 쐽 noun 1. a country which does not take part in a war 2. a citizen of a neutral country 쑗 Only neutrals were admitted to the talks. 3. (of motor vehicles) not in gear 쑗 The car is in neutral. neutralisation /nju trəla zeʃ(ə)n/, neutralization noun a process of working against the harmful effects of something neutralise / nju trəlaz/, neutralize verb 1. to make an acid neutral 쑗 Acid in drainage water can be neutralised by limestone. 2. to work against the effect of something 쑗 We acted immediately to neutralise the threat from their navy. 3. to make a poison harmless . neutrality 564 newspaper 쑗 You need to act quickly to neutralise the ef- newness / nju nəs/ noun the fact of being fects of the snake bite. neutrality /nju trlti/ noun the fact of being neutral in a war neutron / nju trɒn/ noun a neutral particle in the nucleus of an atom ① never / nevə/ adv not at any time; not ever 쑗 We’ll never forget that restaurant. 쑗 I’ve never bought anything in that shop although I’ve often been inside it. 쑗 He never eats meat. 왍 never mind! don’t worry, don’t bother about it 왍 well I never! how surprising! 쑗 Well I never – it’s James! never-ending /nevər endŋ/ adj which seems as if it will never stop. Synonym recent or fresh; not having been used new potatoes /nju pə tetəυz/ plural noun the first young potatoes of a year’s harvest ① news /nju z/ noun spoken or written information about what has happened 쑗 What’s the news of your sister? 쑗 She told me all the latest news about the office. 쑗 He was watching the 10 o’clock news on TV. 쑗 I don’t want to hear any bad news. 왍 have you heard the news? have you heard what has happened? 쑗 Have you had any news about your pay rise? 왍 to break the news to someone to tell someone the bad news 쑗 He broke the news to his daughters. 왍 no news is good news if there is nothing new to mention, things must be going well news agency / nju z edȢənsi/ noun an office which sends out information to newspapers and TV newsagent / nju zedȢənt/ noun a person who sells newspapers (NOTE: Newsagent endless nevertheless /nevəðə les/ adv although a particular situation exists 쑗 I know it is raining, but nevertheless I’d like to go for a walk along the beach. 쑗 She had a cold, but went to the meeting nevertheless. ① new /nju / adj 1. made very recently, never used before 쑗 Put some new paper in the printer. 쑗 This is the new model – it’s just come out. 2. which arrived recently, fresh 쑗 There are two new secretaries in the office. 3. which has just been bought 쑗 Are your shoes new? 쑗 She bought herself a new motorbike. 쑗 He’s trying to get his new computer to work. 4. completely different from what was before 쑗 We need someone with new ideas. 쑗 They put some new wallpaper in the bedroom. (NOTE: newer – newest) New Age /nju edȢ/ adj of modern ideas about spiritual and medical matters 쐽 noun a style of music intended to make you feel calm new blood /nju bld/ noun a person or persons who bring new ideas to an organisation newborn / nju bɔ n/ adj which has been born recently 쑗 The mother and her newborn baby survived the crash. 쐽 noun a newborn baby newcomer / nju kmə/ noun a person who has just come to a place new face /nju fes/ noun a person whom you have not seen before, who has not been part of something before newfangled /nju fŋDZəld/ adj modern and complicated. Antonym old-fashioned new-found / nju faυnd/ adj that has been found recently ③ newly / nju li/ adv recently newly-weds / nju li wedz/ plural noun two people who have just got married new moon /nju mu n/ noun the beginning of a lunar phase, when the moon’s face is not lit by the sun and it is seen as only a thin curved shape ② has no connection with news agency.) news bulletin / nju z bυltn/ noun 1. a short news broadcast on the current situation 쑗 The BBC broadcasts news bulletins every hour. 2. information on a situation that is changing 쑗 The hospital issued a daily news bulletin on the condition of the accident victims. newscast / nju zkɑ st/ noun a news programme on radio or TV newscaster / nju zkɑ stə/ noun a person who reads the news on radio or TV newscasting / nju zkɑ stŋ/ noun the job or practice of reading the news on radio or TV ③ news conference / nju z kɒnf(ə)rəns/ noun a meeting with journalists to give information about something and answer questions newsflash / nju zflʃ/ noun a short piece of news broadcast at an unexpected time newsgroup / nju zDZru p/ noun an Internet discussion group newsletter / nju zletə/ noun a printed sheet or small newspaper giving news about a company, a club or other organisation ① newspaper / nju zpepə/ noun a publication consisting of loose folded sheets of paper, which usually comes out each day, with news of what has happened 쑗 He was so absorbed in his newspaper that he didn’t notice that the toast had burnt. 쑗 We saw your picture in the local newspaper. 쑗 The newspapers are full of news of the election. 왍 a daily newspaper a newspaper which is published every day except Sunday newsprint 565 newsprint / nju zprnt/ noun cheap paper used for newspapers and magazines (NOTE: no plural) ③ newsreader / nju zri də/ noun a person who reads the news on radio or TV. Also called newscaster newsroom / nju zru m/ noun a room in a newspaper office, TV or radio station where news reports are received and prepared for publishing or broadcasting newssheet / nju zʃi t/ noun a simple newspaper usually with very few pages. Synonym newsletter newsstall / nju zstɔ l/, newsstand / nju zstnd/ noun especially US a small shop or shelter selling books, newspapers and magazines (NOTE: Another British term is bookstall.) news vendor / nju z vendə/ noun a person who sells newspapers in the street newsworthy / nju zw" ði/ adj interesting enough to be in the newspapers or on radio or TV newt /nju t/ noun a little lizard-like animal, living in water new wave /nju wev/ noun 1. a type of rock music that became popular after punk rock 2. a form of film-making which started in France during the 1950s with an emphasis on original methods and the individual styles of directors 3. an original movement in the arts New World /nju w" ld/ noun North and South America ② New Year /nju jə/ noun the first few days of the year 왍 Happy New Year! good wishes for the New Year 왍 to see the New Year in to stay awake until after midnight on 31st December to celebrate the beginning of the New Year ③ New Year’s Day /nju jəz de/ noun 1st January ③ New Year’s Eve /nju jəz i v/ noun 31st December New Year’s resolution /nju jəz rezəlu ʃ(ə)n/ noun a plan to improve your way of living, decided on at the New Year, and usually given up soon afterwards ① New Zealander /nju zi ləndə/ noun a person from New Zealand ① next /nekst/ adj, adv 1. coming after in time 쑗 On Wednesday we go to Paris, and the next day we travel to Italy. 쑗 First you put the eggs into a bowl and next you add some sugar. 쑗 Don’t forget to give me a call when you’re next in town. 쑗 Next week is the start of our holiday. 쑗 The next time you go to the supermarket, can you get some coffee? 2. nearest in place 쑗 The ball went over the fence into the next garden. 쑗 She took the seat next to mine. 왍 it costs next to nothing nick it doesn’t cost very much 쐽 pron the thing or person following 쑗 After two buses went past full, the next was almost empty. 쑗 I’ll be back from holiday the week after next. 쑗 (asking the next person in the queue to come) Next, please! ③ next door /nekst dɔ / adj, adv in the house next to this one 쑗 Who lives next door to your mother? 쑗 The shop is next door to a bank. 쑗 Our next-door neighbours have gone on holiday, and we are looking after their cat. 왍 next-door neighbours the people who live in the house next to yours next of kin /nekst əv kn/ noun your nearest relatives NGO abbr non-governmental organisation (NOTE: The plural is NGOs.) NHS abbr national health service nib /nb/ noun the point of a pen, from which the ink flows nibble / nb(ə)l/ verb to take small bites 쑗 She was nibbling a biscuit. 쑗 The mice have nibbled into the flour sacks. Synonym chew nibbles / nb(ə)lz/ plural noun little snacks, such as peanuts or crisps, served with drinks ① nice /nas/ adj 1. pleasant, enjoyable 쑗 We had a nice time at the seaside. 쑗 If the weather’s nice let’s have a picnic. 쑗 The nicest thing about the town is that it is on the sea. 2. pleasant, polite 쑗 That wasn’t a very nice thing to say. 쑗 Try and be nice to your grandfather. 3. slight 쑗 He drew a very nice distinction between the two terms. (NOTE: nicer – nicest) nice-looking /nas lυkŋ/ adj attractive or pleasing to look at ③ nicely / nasli/ adv 1. very well 쑗 That will do nicely, thank you. 2. politely 쑗 You can have a biscuit if you ask for it nicely. niceness / nasnəs/ noun the quality of being nice nicety / nasəti/ noun a slight or exact detail niche /ni ʃ/ noun 1. a place which curves inwards in a wall 쑗 There are statues in niches all round the garden. 2. 왍 to find your niche, to find a niche for yourself, to carve out a niche for yourself to find the right job or activity for yourself 쑗 He found his niche working in an animal hospital. nick /nk/ noun 1. a small cut in something 쑗 He made a nick in the stick. 2. 왍 in the nick of time just in time (informal ) 3. a prison 쑗 He’s been in the nick for the last year. 4. 왍 in good nick in good condition (slang) 쑗 The car was in quite good nick so I bought it. 쐽 verb 1. to make a small cut in something 쑗 He nicked his finger with a razor blade. 2. to steal 쑗 A group of young lads . nickel 566 who went around nicking things from the local shops. 쑗 Who’s nicked my umbrella? nickel / nk(ə)l/ noun 1. a metallic element, used in making special metal alloys 쑗 nickel-plated handlebars 쑗 We use an alloy of copper and nickel. 2. US and Canada a 5-cent coin 쑗 Can you lend me a nickel? nickname / nknem/ noun a short or informal name given to someone 쑗 Her real name’s Henrietta, but everyone calls her by her nickname ‘Bobbles’. 쐽 verb to give a nickname to 쑗 He was nicknamed ‘Camel’ because of his big nose. nicotine / nkəti n/ noun a harmful substance in tobacco, also used for killing insects 왍 nicotine-stained fingers yellow fingers from smoking cigarettes ③ niece /ni s/ noun the daughter of a brother or sister nifty / nfti/ adj 1. good, quick, and clever at doing something or using something 2. very good or effective niggle / nDZ(ə)l/ verb 1. to criticise someone or something in an annoying way 2. to be a cause of worry to somebody, especially in a small way over a long period of time 쐽 noun 1. a small or unimportant complaint, criticism, or disagreement 2. a small but continuing cause of worry niggling / nDZ(ə)lŋ/ adj small and not very important nigh /na/ adv near (old ) ① night /nat/ noun 1. a part of the day when it is dark 쑗 It’s dangerous to walk alone in the streets at night. 쑗 Burglars got into the office during the night. 쑗 He is on night duty three days a week. 쑗 They’re planning to have a night out tomorrow. 2. a part of the day when it is dark and you sleep 왍 to have a bad night not to sleep well 쑗 We had a bad night – both the children have bad coughs. 쏡 owl nightclub / natklb/ noun a club which is only open at night nightdress / natdres/ noun a long loose dress which you wear in bed (NOTE: usually . called a nightie) nightfall / natfɔ l/ noun the time when night starts. Synonym dusk. Antonym daybreak nightgown / natDZaυn/ noun a nightdress or nightshirt nightie / nati/ noun a nightdress (informal ) nightingale / natŋDZel/ noun a small singing bird which sings at night night life / nat laf/ noun entertainment in a town at night nightly / natli/ adv every night 쑗 Car thefts are a nightly occurrence around here. . ninety nightmare / natmeə/ noun 1. a very frightening dream 쑗 I had a nightmare that I was drowning. 2. an extremely unpleasant experience 쑗 The dinner party was a nightmare. 쑗 A nightmare journey across the desert. night owl / nat aυl/ noun a person who likes to stay up late, and does not get up early in the morning (informal ). Compare early . bird night shift / nat ʃft/ noun a period of work which is worked during the night nightshirt / natʃ" t/ noun a piece of clothing like a long loose shirt for wearing in bed night-time / nat tam/ noun a period when it is night nightwatchman /nat wɒtʃmən/ noun a man who guards a building at night ③ nil /nl/ noun nothing nimble / nmbəl/ adj able to move quickly. Synonym sprightly (NOTE: nimbler – nimblest) nimbly / nmbli/ adv in an expert way ① nine /nan/ noun number 9 쑗 She’s nine (years old) tomorrow. 쑗 The shop opens at 9 o’clock. 왍 nine times out of ten very often. 쏡 dressed 9/11 /nan  lev(ə)n/ noun the events of 11 September 2001, when terrorists flew aircraft into the two towers of the World Trade Center in New York, destroying them and causing thousands of deaths 999 /nan nan nan/ noun a telephone number to call the emergency services in Britain 쑗 The firemen came quickly when we called 999. 쑗 The ambulance answered the 999 call. 911 /nan wn wn/ noun the telephone number used in the United States to call for police, fire, or ambulance emergency services ① nineteen /nan ti n/ noun number 19 쑗 He’s nineteen (years old) tomorrow. 왍 the nineteen fifteen train the train leaving at 19.15 왍 in the 1950s during the years 1950 to 1959 왍 the nineteen hundreds (1900s) the years from 1900 to 1999 ① nineteenth /nan ti nθ/, 19th adj, noun referring to 19 쑗 It’s his nineteenth birthday tomorrow. 쑗 The nineteenth of August or August the nineteenth (August 19th). 왍 the nineteenth century the period from 1800 to 1899 ① ninetieth / nantiəθ/, 90th adj, noun referring to 90 nine-to-five /nan tə fav/ adj which exists or is needed every day, e.g. at an office job, especially between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ① ninety / nanti/ noun number 90 쑗 My old aunt will be ninety (years old) next week ninth 567 and her husband is ninety-two: they are both in their nineties. 왍 the (nineteen) nineties (1990s) the years from 1990 to 1999 ① ninth /nanθ/, 9th adj, noun referring to 9 왍 the ninth century the period from 800 to 899 AD nip /np/ noun 1. a short sharp bite 쑗 The little dog gave him a nasty nip. 2. a small amount of alcohol 쑗 We sell whisky at £1 per nip. 3. 왍 there’s a nip in the air the air feels cold 쐽 verb 1. to squeeze sharply 쑗 We nipped off the end of the stalk to stop the plant growing any taller. 쑗 The crab nipped his thumb as he picked it up. 쏡 bud 2. to bite sharply 쑗 The dog nipped the postman in the leg. 3. to go very quickly 쑗 I’ll just nip round to the newsagent’s and get the evening paper. 쑗 We’ll nip down to the pub for a drink. (NOTE: nipping – nipped) nipple / np(ə)l/ noun 1. the darker part ③ in the centre of a woman’s breast, through which the milk passes 쑗 She held the baby to her nipple. 2. a valve for greasing a machine 쑗 a grease nipple nippy / npi/ adj 1. cold 쑗 Put on your coat, it’s quite nippy outside. 2. which goes fast 쑗 It’s a nippy little car. (NOTE: nippier – nippiest) nirvana /nə vɑ nə/ noun 1. a state of spiritual enlightenment in religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism 2. a state of mind in which you feel extremely happy nit-picking / nt pkŋ/ noun finding little things to criticise nitrate / natret/ noun a chemical compound containing nitrogen and oxygen, existing in all plants ③ nitrogen / natrədȢən/ noun an important gas which is essential for life, and which forms most of the atmosphere nitty-gritty /nt DZrti/ noun the basic details of an argument nitwit / ntwt/ noun a stupid idiot (insult) ① no /nəυ/ adj, adv 1. showing the opposite of ‘yes’ 쑗 I asked my mother if we could borrow her car but she said ‘no’. 쑗 Do you want another cup of coffee? – No, thank you. 2. not any 쑗 There’s no milk left in the fridge. 쑗 We live in a little village, and there’s no post office for miles around. 쑗 We had no reply to our fax. 3. 왍 no entry do not go in this way 왍 no exit do not go out this way 왍 no parking do not park 왍 no smoking do not smoke 4. not at all 쑗 My new kitchen knife is no sharper than the old one. 쑗 She no longer works here. 쑗 I’m no good at maths. ③ no. / nmbə/ abbr number nobility /nəυ blti/ noun 1. all noble families, taken as a group 쑗 The king invited members of the nobility to the meeting. 쑗 The nobility fought hard to protect their privi- noise leges. 2. the quality of being extremely polite, being impressive and brave 쑗 The nobility of his actions is not in doubt. (NOTE: no plural) noble / nəυb(ə)l/ noun a person of high rank 쑗 The nobles forced the king to sign the treaty. Synonym aristocrat. Antonym commoner 쐽 adj 1. of high rank in society 쑗 She comes from a noble family – her father is an earl. 2. extremely polite or impressive 쑗 It was very noble of him to lend her his umbrella. 쑗 She did it for the noblest of reasons. nobleman / nəυb(ə)lmən/ noun a man of high rank. Synonym noble. Antonym commoner (NOTE: The plural is noblemen.) noblewoman / nəυb(ə)lwυmən/ noun a woman of high rank. Synonym noble. Antonym commoner (NOTE: The plural is noblewomen.) ① nobody / nəυbədi/ pron no one or no person 쑗 There was nobody in the café. 쑗 We met nobody on our way here. 쑗 Nobody wants to do her job. 쑗 You’ll have to drive the bus – nobody else has a driving licence. 쐽 noun an unimportant person 쑗 a committee packed with nobodies. Synonym nonentity no claims bonus /nəυ klemz bəυnəs/ noun a reduced insurance premium because no claims have been made against the policy nocturnal /nɒk t" n(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to the night 쑗 The nocturnal habits of the badger. 2. active at night 왍 nocturnal animals animals which are active at night, and sleep during the day ② nod /nɒd/ noun a little movement of the head up and down, meaning ‘yes’ 쑗 He gave me a nod as I came in. 왍 it went through on the nod it was accepted without any discussion (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to move the head slightly up and down, meaning ‘yes’ 쑗 When he asked her if she understood, she nodded (her head ). 쑗 He nodded to show his agreement. (NOTE: the opposite is to shake your head, meaning ‘no’.) 2. to move the head slightly up and down, to mean ‘hello’ or ‘goodbye’ 쑗 She nodded at me as I went past. 3. 왍 to nod off to go to sleep 쑗 She was nodding off in front of the television. ③ node /nəυd/ noun 1. a small mass of tissue; group of nerve cells 2. a point where two lines cross nodule / nɒdju l/ noun a small lump or swelling Noel /nəυ el/ noun (in carols and on cards) Christmas no-go area /nəυ DZəυ eəriə/ noun an area of a town where ordinary people or the police cannot go ② noise /nɔz/ noun 1. a loud or unpleasant sound 쑗 Don’t make any noise – the guards might hear you. 쑗 The workmen are making such a lot of noise that we can’t use the tele. noiseless 568 phone. 2. sound in general 쑗 The baby made a little gurgling noise. 쑗 Is there anything the matter with the washing machine – it’s making a funny noise. 쑗 There was a noise of running water in the bathroom. 쑗 He woke up when he heard a noise in the kitchen. noiseless / nɔzləs/ adj making no noise. Synonym soundless. Antonym noisy noiselessly / nɔzləsli/ adv making no noise noise pollution / nɔz pəlu ʃ(ə)n/ noun spoiling people’s enjoyment of the outdoors by making a lot of noise noisily / nɔzli/ adv making a lot of noise ③ noisy / nɔzi/ adj which makes a lot of noise 쑗 A crowd of noisy little boys. 쑗 Unfortunately, the hotel overlooks a noisy crossroads. 쑗 This lawn mower is noisier than our old one. (NOTE: noisier – noisiest) nomad / nəυmd/ noun a person who moves from place to place in a large area of land without settling in any one spot nomadic /nəυ mdk/ adj 1. referring to nomads 쑗 Nomadic herdsmen wander across the plains with their cattle. 2. moving all the time 쑗 Families of diplomats lead a nomadic existence, moving from country to country. no-man’s-land / nəυ mnz lnd/ noun land between two countries or armies, which does not belong to either nominal / nɒmn(ə)l/ adj 1. in name, not in fact 쑗 He’s the nominal head of the company, but his secretary does all the work. 쑗 His appointment as director is entirely nominal – I will continue to be in charge. 2. involving a small amount of money 쑗 We pay a nominal fee. 쑗 The subscription is really nominal. 쑗 We make a nominal charge for our services. nominally / nɒmn(ə)li/ adv in name, not in fact nominate / nɒmnet/ verb to suggest someone for a post ② nomination /nɒm neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of nominating 쑗 Her nomination to the board of directors. 2. a name which has been suggested 쑗 There are three nominations for the post of secretary. nominee /nɒm ni / noun a person who has been suggested for something such as a job. Synonym candidate non- /nɒn/ prefix not non-aggression /nɒn ə DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun a government’s policy of not attacking other countries non-alcoholic /nɒn lkə hɒlk/ adj not containing alcohol non-aligned /nɒn ə land/ adj which is not on the side of a specific country or political party non-intervention non-aligned state /nɒn əland stet/ noun a country which is not connected to one of the powerful countries in the world nonchalance / nɒnʃ(ə)ləns/ noun the quality of being calm, not showing any excitement. Synonym indifference nonchalant / nɒnʃ(ə)lənt/ adj not showing any excitement or worry about anything. Synonym casual. Antonym concerned non-combatant /nɒn kɒmbətənt/ noun 1. a person who is not in the armed forces during a war 2. a chaplain, medical officer, or other member of the armed forces who does not take part in battle non-committal /nɒn kə mtl/ adj not deciding on a definite course of action, not agreeing with either side in an argument nonconformist /nɒnkən fɔ mst/ adj, noun not following the usual social conventions 쑗 His nonconformist attitude to staff relations. Antonym conformist non-count / nɒn kaυnt/ noun same as uncount noun nondescript / nɒndskrpt/ adj very ordinary, without any special qualities ① none /nn/ pron 1. not any 쑗 How many dogs have you got? – None. 쑗 Can you buy some milk, we’ve none left in the fridge? 쑗 A little money is better than none at all. 왍 her health is none too good it is not very good 2. not one 쑗 None of my friends smokes. 쑗 None of the group can speak Chinese. 쐽 adv not at all (used with ‘the’ and comparative) 쑗 She seems none the better for her holiday. 왍 he was none the worse for his accident he was not at all hurt in the accident 왍 to be none the wiser to know no more about it than you did before 쑗 I read his report, and I’m still none the wiser. 쑗 His lengthy explanation left us none the wiser about how the system would work. nonentity /nɒ nentti/ noun a person who is completely unimportant. Synonym nobody nonetheless /nnðə les/ adv although a particular situation exists. Synonym however non-event /nɒn  vent/ noun an occasion or event which makes you feel disappointed because it is not as good as you expected nonexistent /nɒnDZ zstənt/ adj which does not exist, which is not real non-fiction /nɒn fkʃən/ noun books which are about real things, events or people, and are not stories (NOTE: no plural) non-flammable /nɒn flməb(ə)l/ adj which does not burn easily non-intervention /nɒn ntə venʃ(ə)n/ noun a decision or policy to avoid becoming involved in disagreements between two other people or countries non-invasive 569 non-invasive /nɒn n vezv/ adj 1. which does not involve cutting open the patient’s body 2. which does not spread throughout the body non-member /nɒn membə/ noun not a member of a particular organisation no-no / nəυ nəυ/ noun a thing which is not allowed (informal ) no-nonsense /nəυ nɒnsəns/ adj sensible, serious and honest. Antonym airy-fairy non-payment /nɒn pemənt/ noun a failure to pay 왍 non-payment of a debt not paying money which is owed nonplussed /nɒn plst/ adj confused non-profit /nɒn prɒft/ adj not making a profit non-profit-making /nɒn prɒft mekŋ/ adj which does make a profit, or is not allowed to make a profit (NOTE: The US . term is non-profit.) non-proliferation /nɒn prəlfə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of limiting the production or spread of something, especially nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction nonrefundable /nɒnr fndəb(ə)l/ adj for which payment cannot be given back non-renewable /nɒn r nju əb(ə)l/ adj 1. (of fuel or energy) which exists only in limited amounts 2. (of a contract) which cannot continue for a longer period than the original agreement non-resident /nɒn rezd(ə)nt/ adj who is not living in or not staying very long in a place 쑗 The hotel restaurant is open to non-residents. 쐽 noun a person who is not living in a place or not staying there very long ③ nonsense / nɒnsəns/ noun silly ideas 쑗 I’m too fat – nonsense! 쑗 He talked a lot of nonsense. 쑗 It’s nonsense to expect people to pay money for that. (NOTE: no plural) nonsensical /nɒn sensk(ə)l/ adj extremely foolish. Synonym ridiculous. Antonym sensible non sequitur /nɒn sekwtə/ noun a statement which appears to have no connection to what was said immediately before it non-smoker /nɒn sməυkə/ noun a person who does not smoke non-smoking /nɒn sməυkŋ/ adj where smoking is not allowed non-standard /nɒn stndəd/ adj not meeting the requirements of an accepted standard nonstarter /nɒn stɑ tə/ noun 1. a horse which is not ready to start at the beginning of a race 2. a project or plan which is never going to be accepted non-stick /nɒn stk/ adj with a surface which prevents food sticking to it Norman non-stop /nɒn stɒp/ adj which does not stop 쑗 a non-stop train to Paris 쑗 They took a non-stop flight to Australia. 쑗 All our flights to Toronto are non-stop. 쐽 adv without stopping 쑗 The planes flies to Hong Kong non-stop. 쑗 They worked non-stop to finish the job on time. non-violent /nɒn vaələnt/ adj with no violence noodles / nu d(ə)lz/ plural noun long flat pieces of pasta 쑗 I ordered spicy meatballs with noodles. 쑗 We started with chicken noodle soup. nook /nυk/ noun a small hiding place 왍 in every nook and cranny in every little hole and corner 쑗 We looked in every nook and cranny for the missing ring. noon /nu n/ noun twelve o’clock in the middle of the day. Synonym midday ① no one / nəυ wn/ pron no person 쑗 You can go to the bathroom – there’s no one there. 쑗 We met no one we knew. 쑗 No one here takes sugar in their tea. 쑗 No one else has a driving licence so you’ll have to be the driver. noose /nu s/ noun a circle in a piece of rope which becomes tight as you pull on it nope /nəυp/ interj no 쑗 Any luck? – Nope! ① nor /nɔ / conj and not 쑗 I did not meet him that year nor in subsequent years. 쑗 I never went there again, nor did my wife. 쑗 I don’t want to go – nor me! 쏡 neither Nordic / nɔ dk/ adj referring to the people of Scandinavia ③ norm /nɔ m/ noun the standard. Antonym exception 왍 to become the norm to become usual, what everybody does ① normal / nɔ m(ə)l/ adj usual or expected 쑗 We hope to resume normal service as soon as possible. 쑗 Look at the rain – it’s just a normal British summer. 쑗 What’s the size of a normal swimming pool? 쑗 At her age, it’s only normal for her to want to go to parties. Synonym usual. Antonym abnormal normalcy / nɔ m(ə)lsi/ noun the normal state of things normalisation /nɔ məla zeʃ(ə)n/, normalization noun making something normal again after it has been badly affected by something such as a war. Antonym deviation normalise / nɔ məlaz/, normalize verb to make normal again. Synonym regularise. Antonym destabilise normality /nɔ mlti/ noun the fact of being normal ① normally / nɔ m(ə)li/ adv usually 쑗 The bus is normally late. 쑗 She doesn’t normally drink wine. Norman / nɔ mən/ adj 1. referring to the people from Normandy who conquered Eng- Norse 570 land in 1066 쑗 After the Norman conquest, French became widely spoken in England. 쑗 Norman architecture is heavy with round arches and thick pillars. 2. referring to Normandy, the northern part of France 쐽 noun a person from Normandy 쑗 William the Conqueror and the Normans invaded England in 1066. Norse /nɔ s/ adj referring to ancient Norway or Scandinavia ① north /nɔ θ/ noun a direction to your left when you are facing the direction where the sun rises 쑗 There will be snow in the north of the country. 쑗 It’s cold when the wind blows from the north. 쐽 adj referring to the north 쑗 We went on holiday to the north coast of Scotland. 쑗 The north side of our house never gets any sun. 쑗 When the north wind blows, you can expect snow. 쐽 adv towards the north 쑗 They were travelling north at the time. 쑗 Go north for three miles and then you’ll see the road to London. 쑗 Our office windows face north. northbound / nɔ θbaυnd/ adj travelling towards the north ③ north-east /nɔ θ i st/ adv in a direction between north and east 쑗 They were travelling north-east at the time. 쑗 Go north-east for three miles and then you’ll come to our village. 쑗 Our office windows face north-east. 쐽 noun a part of country to the north and east 쑗 The North-East of England will have snow showers. 쑗 It’s cold when the wind blows from the north-east. north-easterly /nɔ θ i stəli/ adj 1. in or towards the north-east 2. (of wind direction) which blows from the north-east 쐽 noun a wind which blows from the north-east north-eastern /nɔ θ i stən/ adj referring to the north-east northerly / nɔ ðəli/ adj in, to or from the north 쑗 A strong northerly wind will bring snow. 쐽 noun a wind from the north 쑗 The coast is battered by northerlies for most of the year. ② northern / nɔ ð(ə)n/ adj referring to the north 쑗 Northern countries have more rain. 쑗 They live in the northern part of the country. northerner / nɔ ð(ə)nə/ noun a person who lives in or comes from the north northern hemisphere /nɔ ð(ə)n hemsfə/ noun the northern half of the Earth northernmost / nɔ ð(ə)nməυst/ adj which is furthest north North Pole / nɔ θ pəυl/ noun the furthest point at the north of the earth northward / nɔ θwəd/ adj towards the north northwards / nɔ θwədz/ adv towards the north nosebleed north-west /nɔ θ west/ adv in a direction between west and north 쑗 They were travelling north-west at the time. 쑗 Go north-west for a few miles and then you’ll come to our house. 쐽 noun a part of the country to the north and west 쑗 The North-West of England is wetter than the east coast. 쑗 We can expect rain when the wind blows from the north-west. 쑗 The old castle stood to the north-west of the cathedral. north-westerly /nɔ θ westəli/ adj 1. in or towards the north-west 2. (of wind direction) which blows from the north-west 쐽 noun a wind which blows from the north-west north-western /nɔ θ westən/ adj referring to the north-west ① Norwegian /nɔ wi dȢən/ adj referring to Norway 쑗 Ibsen was the most famous Norwegian author. 쐽 noun 1. a person from Norway 쑗 The Norwegians have a very large fishing fleet. 2. the language spoken in Norway 쑗 Norwegian is similar in many ways to Swedish. ① nose /nəυz/ noun 1. a part of the head which you breathe through and smell with 쑗 Dogs have wet noses. 쑗 He has a cold, and his nose is red. 쑗 She’s got flu – her nose is running. 쑗 Don’t wipe your nose on your sleeve, use a tissue. 왍 to blow your nose to blow air through your nose into a handkerchief to remove liquid from your nose 왍 to speak through your nose to talk as if your nose is blocked, so that you say ‘b’ rather than ‘m’ and ‘d’ rather than ‘n’ 왍 to look down your nose at something to look at something as if you don’t think it is very good 쑗 She’s got a degree and looks down her nose at the other secretaries. 왍 to pay through the nose for something to pay far more for something than you should 쑗 He paid through the nose for his ticket to Hong Kong because it was the only seat left. 왍 under his very nose right in front of him 쑗 I did it under his very nose and he didn’t notice a thing. 왍 to turn your nose up at something to show that you do not feel something is good enough for you 쑗 It’s a marvellous deal, I don’t see why you should turn your nose up at it. 2. the front part of a vehicle 쑗 Cars were jammed nose to tail along the motorway. 쑗 The plane crashed with its nose in the ground. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to nose about, to nose around to look or to search in a place (informal ) 쑗 What are you doing nosing around in my papers? 쑗 I don’t like people nosing about in the office safe. 2. (of a boat) to go in gently 쑗 The boat slowly nosed into the harbour. nosebleed / nəυzbli d/ noun blood coming from the nose ③ . nosedive 571 nosedive / nəυzdav/ noun (of something flying) a steep movement downwards 쐽 verb to move down steeply and quickly 쑗 The birds nosedived towards the fish. nostalgia /nɒ stldȢə/ noun a sad feeling of wanting things to be the same as they were in the past nostalgic /nɒ stldȢk/ adj referring to nostalgia. Synonym sentimental nostril / nɒstrl/ noun one of two holes in your nose, which you breathe through ① not /nɒt/ adv used with verbs to show the negative 쑗 A service charge is not included. 쑗 It isn’t there. 쑗 She can’t come. 쑗 He didn’t want any meat. 쑗 We couldn’t go home because of the fog. 쑗 Don’t you like coffee? 왍 not…either and not…also 쑗 She doesn’t eat meat, and she doesn’t eat fish either. 쑗 It wasn’t hot, but it wasn’t very cold either. (NOTE: not is often shortened to n’t and joined onto an auxiliary verb, for example is not becomes isn’t.) 앳 not exactly /nɒt DZ zktli/ 1. not to the greatest possible extent 쑗 Was it a disaster? – Not exactly a disaster, but it didn’t go very well. 쑗 It’s not exactly the colour I wanted. 2. used for emphasising a negative 쑗 He’s not exactly pleased at having to pay out so much money. notable / nəυtəb(ə)l/ adj which is worth noticing 쑗 It was a notable achievement. 쑗 She was notable by her absence. 쑗 The town is notable for its currant cakes. Synonym noteworthy. Antonym insignificant 쐽 noun an important person 쑗 a meeting of local notables ③ notably / nəυtəbli/ adv 1. especially 쑗 Some Western countries, notably Canada and the United States, have a very high standard of living. 2. in a way that is easily noticed 쑗 The food was notably better than the last time we ate there. notation /nəυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun a system of symbols used to show notes in music, or to show signs used in mathematics notch /nɒtʃ/ noun a small V-shaped cut 쑗 He cut two notches in the stick with his penknife. (NOTE: The plural is notches.) 쐽 verb 1. to mark with a notch 쑗 The stick was notched in several places. 2. 왍 to notch up to score, to make a number 쑗 She’s notched up 25 years with the company. 쑗 He notched up twenty runs in twenty minutes. ① note /nəυt/ noun 1. a few words in writing to remind yourself of something 쑗 She made a few notes before she gave her speech. 쑗 She made a note of what she needed to buy before she went to the supermarket. 왍 to take note of to pay attention to 쑗 We have to take note of public opinion. 2. a short message 쑗 She left a note for the managing director with his secretary. 쑗 He wrote me a note to say he couldn’t come. 3. a piece of paper money 쑗 I notice tried to pay with a ten-pound note. (NOTE: The US term is bill.) 4. a musical sound or a written sign meaning a musical sound 쑗 He can’t sing high notes. 5. a key on a piano 쑗 She played a tune, using only the black notes on the piano. 6. further explanations about a text 쑗 The notes are at the back of the book. 쐽 verb 1. to write down something in a few words 쑗 The policeman noted in his notebook all the details of the accident. 2. to take notice of 쑗 Please note that our prices were raised on January 1st. notebook / nəυtbυk/ noun 1. a small book for making notes 쑗 The policeman wrote down the details in his notebook. 2. a very small computer which you can carry around with you ③ noted / nəυtd/ adj famous. Synonym renowned notepad / nəυtpd/ noun 1. a block of pa- per for writing notes 쑗 I took a notepad to jot down any interesting points from the lecture. Also called memo pad 2. (in computing ) a part of the screen used to store information even if the terminal is switched off 쑗 Use the notepad to make changes to your file. ③ notepaper / nəυtpepə/ noun 1. a paper for writing letters 쑗 It must be an official order, it’s written on the company’s headed notepaper. 쑗 You’ll find some notepaper in the hotel bedroom. 2. US paper for writing rough notes on (NOTE: no plural: some notepaper, a piece of notepaper) noteworthy / nəυtw" ði/ adj worth noticing because it is interesting or special. Antonym insignificant ① nothing / nθŋ/ pron 1. not anything 쑗 There’s nothing interesting on TV. 쑗 She said nothing about what she had seen. 쑗 There’s nothing more we can do. 왍 nothing but the best only the best 왍 he’s nothing like his father he is not at all like his father 왍 nothing much happened not very much happened 왍 he has nothing left in the bank no money left 왍 for nothing free, without having to pay 쑗 We’re friends of the woman running the show and she got us in for nothing. 2. 왍 to think nothing of doing something to do something easily 쑗 He thinks nothing of cycling ten miles to work. 왍 to have nothing to do with not to be connected with, not to become involved in 쑗 I will have nothing to do with that gang. 왍 it’s nothing to do with you it doesn’t concern you 왍 nothing doing! I won’t do it (informal ) ① notice / nəυts/ noun 1. a piece of writing giving information, usually put in a place where everyone can see it 쑗 He pinned up a notice about the staff tennis match. 2. an official warning that something has to be done, that something is going to happen 쑗 They gave us five minutes’ notice to leave the of. . noticeable 572 fice. 쑗 If you want to resign, you have to give a month’s notice. 쑗 The train times were changed without notice. 왍 until further notice until different instructions are given 쑗 You must pay £200 on the 30th of each month until further notice. 왍 at short notice with very little warning 쑗 It had to be done at short notice. 쑗 The bank manager will not see anyone at such short notice. 3. attention 쑗 It has been brought to my notice that students have been going into town at lunchtime. 왍 take no notice of what the policeman says pay no attention to what he says, don’t worry about what he says 쐽 verb to see; to take note of 쑗 I wore one blue and one white sock all day and nobody noticed. 쑗 I didn’t notice you had come in. 쑗 Did you notice if John was sitting next to Sarah? ③ noticeable / nəυtsəb(ə)l/ adj which is easily noticed. Synonym obvious. Antonym inconspicuous noticeably / nəυtsəbli/ adv obviously, clearly noticeboard / nəυtsbɔ d/ noun a board which is fixed to a wall, on which notices can be attached (NOTE: The US term is bulletin board.) notifiable / nəυtfaəb(ə)l/ adj which should be reported officially notification /nəυtf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of informing someone. Synonym announcement notify / nəυtfa/ verb 왍 to notify someone of something to tell someone something formally 쑗 They were notified of the arrival of the shipment. 쑗 The local doctor notified the Health Service of the case of cholera. ③ notion / nəυʃ(ə)n/ noun an idea 쑗 She has this strange notion that she ought to be a TV star. notional / nəυʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj assumed to be correct for the purposes of making a calculation notoriety /nəυtə raəti/ noun a bad reputation. Synonym disrepute notorious /nəυ tɔ riəs/ adj well known for something bad (archaic) notoriously /nəυ tɔ riəsli/ adv in a notorious way. Synonym particularly notwithstanding /nɒtwð stndŋ/ adv, prep although a particular situation exists 쑗 The case proceeded notwithstanding the objections of the defendant or the defendant’s objections notwithstanding. (NOTE: It can be used before or after a noun.) nougat / nu DZɑ / noun a type of white sweet made with nuts, honey and the white parts of eggs nought /nɔ t/ noun a zero 쑗 One million can be written as ‘1m’ or as one and six noughts. (NOTE: nought is more common in novice British English; in US English, zero is more usual.) noughts and crosses /nɔ ts ən krɒsz/ noun a game where each player puts either a zero or a cross on a grid, the first to get three in a row is the winner (NOTE: The US term is tic-tac-toe.) noun /naυn/ noun (in grammar ) a word ③ . which can be the subject or object of a verb and is used to refer to a person, thing or animal 쑗 Nouns such as ‘brick’ and ‘elephant’. 쑗 In ‘the cat caught a mouse’, ‘cat’ and ‘mouse’ are both nouns. noun phrase /naυn frez/ noun a word or group of which is used in the same way as a noun, e.g. as the subject, object, or topic, in a sentence nourish / nrʃ/ verb 1. to give food to someone 쑗 All the children look very well nourished. 2. to keep things such as ideas or hopes alive 쑗 The news nourished their hopes that their son might still be alive. nourishing / nrʃŋ/ adj which provides people, animals, or plants with the substances they need to live, grow and remain fit and healthy nourishment / nrʃmənt/ noun 1. food which nourishes, such as proteins, fats or vitamins 쑗 As a result of poor nourishment they were all weak and underweight. 쑗 Is there enough nourishment in a diet that consists solely of salads? 2. food in general 쑗 She just lies in bed and refuses to take any nourishment. (NOTE: no plural) ③ novel / nɒv(ə)l/ noun a long story with imaginary characters and events 쑗 ‘Pickwick Papers’ was Dickens’ first major novel. 쐽 adj new 쑗 Being in New York is a novel experience for me. novelist / nɒv(ə)lst/ noun a person who writes novels. Synonym writer ③ novelty / nɒv(ə)lti/ noun 1. a new thing you have not experienced before 쑗 Flying in a plane is still a novelty for them. (NOTE: no plural) 2. the fact of being new 쑗 The novelty of the new job soon wore off. (NOTE: no plural) 3. an unusual little object, usually with no practical use 쑗 Small shops selling novelties and souvenirs. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is novelties.) ① November /nəυ vembə/ noun the elev- enth month of the year, the month after October and before December 쑗 November 5 쑗 Today is November 5th. 쑗 She was born in November. 쑗 We never go on holiday in November. (NOTE: November 5th or November 5: say ‘November the fifth’ or ‘the fifth of November’ or in US English: ‘November fifth’.) novice / nɒvs/ noun 1. a person who is not experienced or skilful, e.g. in a job or sport. 쑗 He’s still a novice at rowing. 쑗 We send now 573 novice sales staff out with an experienced rep to learn the ropes. 2. a person who is preparing to become a monk or nun 쑗 Sister Agnes is in charge of the novices. ① now /naυ/ adv at this point in time 쑗 I can hear a train coming now. 쑗 Please can we go home now? 쑗 The flight is only two hours – he ought to be in Berlin by now. 쑗 Now’s the best time for going skiing. 쑗 A week from now we’ll be sitting on the beach. 왍 now and then from time to time, not continuously 왍 until now, up to now until this point in time 쑗 Until now, I’ve never had to see a doctor. 쐽 conj 왍 now that since, because 쑗 Now that I’ve got my driving licence, I can buy a car. 쑗 Now that you mention it, I do remember having a phone call from him last week. 쐽 interj 1. showing a warning 쑗 Now then, don’t be rude to the teacher! 쑗 Come on now, work hard! 쑗 Now, now! Nobody wants to hear you crying. 2. attracting someone’s attention 쑗 Now, everyone, let’s begin the meeting. ② nowadays / naυədez/ adv at the present time 쑗 Nowadays lots of people go to Spain on holiday. 쑗 The traffic is so bad nowadays that it takes us an hour to drive to Piccadilly Circus. Antonym formerly ① nowhere / nəυweə/ adv 1. not in or to any place 쑗 My wallet was nowhere to be found. 쑗 Where are you going? – Nowhere. 쑗 There is nowhere else for them to live. 왍 to get nowhere to be unsuccessful 쑗 I rang six shops to try and find a spare part, but got nowhere. 왍 to be getting nowhere not to have any success 쑗 I’m getting nowhere with my research. 2. 왍 nowhere near not at all 쑗 The work is nowhere near finished. 쑗 He has nowhere near done all his homework. no-win situation /nəυ wn/ noun a situation in which you are likely to fail or suffer, whatever you do noxious / nɒkʃəs/ adj harmful or poisonous nozzle / nɒz(ə)l/ noun a fitting at the end of a pipe which controls the flow of liquid n/s abbr non smoker nuance / nju ɒns/ noun a slight shade of meaning ③ nuclear / nju kliə/ adj referring to energy from atomic particles 쑗 a nuclear power station nuclear family /nju kliə fm(ə)li/ noun a family consisting simply of parents and children. 쏡 extended family ③ nuclear power /nju kliə paυə/ noun electricity produced by a nuclear power station nuclear reactor /nju kliə ri ktə/ noun a machine which creates heat and energy by starting and controlling atomic fission numb nuclear waste /nju kliə west/ noun radioactive waste from a nuclear reactor ③ nucleus / nju kliəs/ noun 1. the central part of an atom, formed of neutrons and protons 쑗 Electrons orbit the nucleus of the atom. 2. the central body in a cell, containing DNA and RNA, and controlling the way that the cell works 쑗 First the nucleus divides, then the whole cell splits in two. 3. a centre around which something gathers 쑗 The six experienced players form the nucleus of the new team. (NOTE: The plural is nuclei / nju kla/.) nude /nju d/ noun 1. a person who is not wearing any clothes 쑗 a portrait of a nude 2. a painting of a nude, often a woman 쑗 an exhibition of Manet’s nudes 3. 왍 in the nude wearing no clothes 쑗 They went swimming in the nude. 쐽 adj wearing no clothes 쑗 Nude sunbathing is allowed on some beaches. 쑗 Would you be willing to appear nude on stage? Antonym clothed nudge /ndȢ/ noun a little push, usually with the elbow 쑗 She gave me a nudge to wake me up. Synonym prod 쐽 verb to give a little push, usually with the elbow 쑗 He nudged me when it was my turn to speak. 왍 to give someone a nudge to try to get someone to do something 쑗 He’s late with his work – better give him a nudge. nudism / nju dz(ə)m/ noun a belief in the physical and mental advantages of not wearing any clothes nudist / nju dst/ adj, noun a person who does not wear clothes nudity / nju dti/ noun nakedness (NOTE: no plural) nugget / nDZt/ noun 1. a lump of gold in its natural state 2. a little lump of food fried with others 쑗 chicken nuggets 왍 nugget of information a piece of useful information ③ nuisance / nju s(ə)ns/ noun a thing which annoys. Synonym irritation nuke /nju k/ verb to attack with nuclear weapons 쐽 noun a nuclear weapon null /nl/ adj not valid 왍 null and void without legal effect 쑗 The contract was declared null and void. nullify / nlfa/ verb 1. to make something no longer legal or official 쑗 This new amendment to the contract will nullify the conditions we have just agreed. 쑗 It nullified all our attempts at negotiation. 2. to make useless 쑗 His speech has nullified all our attempts at negotiation. numb /nm/ adj which has no feeling 쑗 The tips of his fingers went numb. 쑗 His hands were numb with cold. 쐽 verb to remove feeling 쑗 The doctor gave him an injection to numb the pain. Synonym deaden number 574 ① number / nmbə/ noun 1. a figure 쑗 13 is not a lucky number. 쑗 They live on the opposite side of road at number 49. 쑗 Can you give me your telephone number? 쑗 A number 6 bus goes to Oxford Street. 쑗 Please quote your account number. 2. a quantity of people or things 쑗 The number of tickets sold was disappointing. 쑗 A large number of children or large numbers of children will be sitting the exam. 쑗 There were only a small number of people at the meeting. 왍 a number of times often 쑗 I’ve seen that film a number of times. 왍 any number of times very often 쑗 I’ve been to France any number of times. 쑗 She could take her driving test any number of times but she still wouldn’t pass it. 3. an issue of a magazine or newspaper 쑗 We keep back numbers of magazines for six months and then throw them away. 4. a piece of music or a song 쑗 She played a selection of numbers by Noel Coward. 쐽 verb 1. to give something a number 쑗 The raffle tickets are numbered 1 to 1000. 쑗 I refer to our invoices numbered 234 and 235. 쑗 All the seats are clearly numbered. 왍 his days are numbered he has not much time left to live 2. to count 쑗 Visitors to the exhibition numbered several thousand. 쑗 He numbers among the most important writers of the 20th century. number one /nmbə wɒn/ adj most important 쑗 Pollution is the number one issue at the election. 쐽 noun 1. yourself, your own interests 왍 he always remembers to look after number one he always thinks of his own interests first 2. the most important thing or person 쑗 His latest single is number one in the charts. 쑗 She’s number one in the organisation. ③ number plate / nmbə plet/ noun one of two signs fixed on the front and back of a vehicle which shows the official number of the vehicle (NOTE: The US term is license plate.) numbing / nmŋ/ adj 1. causing a lack of feeling in a part of the body 2. temporarily taking away somebody’s ability to feel or think, e.g. as a result of shock numbness / nmnəs/ noun having no feeling numeracy / nju m(ə)rəsi/ noun the ability to work with numbers numeral / nju m(ə)rəl/ noun a written sign representing a number numerate / nju m(ə)rət/ adj able to work with numbers numerically /nju merkli/ adv by numbers numerical superiority /nju merk(ə)l sυpəri ɒrəti/ noun the fact of existing in greater amounts or numbers than others nutmeg numerous / nju m(ə)rəs/ adj very many 쑗 He has been fined for speeding on numerous occasions. Antonym few nun /nn/ noun a woman member of a religious order (NOTE: Do not confuse with ③ none. Note: the equivalent men are monks.) ③ nurse /n" s/ noun a person who looks after sick people (woman or man) 쑗 She has a job as a nurse in the local hospital. 쐽 verb 1. to look after people who are ill 쑗 When she fell ill her daughter nursed her until she was better. 2. to be ill with something 쑗 He’s sitting in bed nursing his cold. 쑗 She came back from her holiday nursing a broken arm. 3. 왍 to nurse a grudge to have a secret feeling of not liking someone, especially because of something which they did in the past 쑗 He has been nursing a grudge against his boss for the last six years. nursery / n" s(ə)ri/ noun 1. a school for very young children 쑗 My sister went to a nursery every day from the age of 18 months. 2. a place where young plants are grown and sold 쑗 Buy some plants from the nursery. (NOTE: The plural is nurseries.) nursery rhyme / n" s(ə)ri ram/ noun a little piece of poetry for children nursery school / n" s(ə)ri sku l/ noun a school for very small children, for children under five years old nursery slopes / n" s(ə)ri sləυps/ plural noun a gentle slope on a mountain where you learn to ski nursing / n" sŋ/ noun the profession of being a nurse 쑗 She decided to go in for nursing. 쑗 Have you considered nursing as a career? 쐽 adj referring to the job of looking after sick people ③ nursing home / n" sŋ həυm/ noun a small private hospital nurture / n" tʃə/ verb to care for children, plants or ideas and encourage them to develop ③ nut /nt/ noun 1. the fruit of a tree, with a hard shell 왍 to crack nuts to break the shells of nuts to get at the fruit inside 쑗 He cracked the nuts with his teeth. 2. a metal ring which screws on a bolt to hold it tight 쑗 Screw the nut on tightly. 왍 the nuts and bolts of something the main details of something (informal ) 쑗 You’ll need to master the nuts and bolts of the stock market before going to work in the city. 쏡 nuts nutcracker / ntkrkə/ noun a bird that eats pine nuts nutmeg / ntmeDZ/ noun a hard round seed of a tropical tree, grated and used as a flavouring in food . nutrient 575 nutrient / nju triənt/ noun a substance in food which encourages the growth of living things nutrition /nju trʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the way in which food affects health 쑗 A scheme to improve nutrition in the poorer areas. 2. the study of food 쑗 We are studying nutrition as part of the food science course. nutritional /nju trʃ(ə)nəl/ adj referring to nutrition. Synonym nutritious nutritionist /nju trʃ(ə)nst/ noun a person who is an expert in the study of nutrition and who advises people about what to eat in order to be healthy nutritious /nju trʃəs/ adj valuable as food ③ nuts /nts/ adj crazy (informal ) 왍 nuts about someone or something very keen on someone or something 쑗 He’s nuts about old cars. 왍 to drive someone nuts to make someone crazy 쑗 I wish they’d turn the music down – it’s driving me nuts. nutshell / ntʃel/ noun the hard outside part of a nut. Synonym husk 왍 in a nutshell as concisely as possible 쑗 It’s a long and complicated story, but, in a nutshell, he left his wife and set fire to the house. . nymphomaniac nutter / ntə/ noun a person who other people think is extremely strange or crazy (offensive informal ) nutty / nti/ adj 1. full of nuts 쑗 a nutty chocolate bar 2. crazy 쑗 He’s a typical nutty professor. 쑗 I think it’s a bit of a nutty idea myself. 왍 nutty about someone or something mad about someone or something 쑗 He’s completely nutty about steam trains. 왍 she’s as nutty as a fruitcake she’s completely mad nuzzle / nz(ə)l/ verb to press your nose up to NW abbr north west ③ nylon / nalɒn/ noun a type of strong artificial material used to make things such as clothing or sheets nymph /nmf/ noun 1. a young insect at the stage in its development between the larva and the adult 쑗 Dragonfly nymphs were skimming across the surface of the lake. 2. a goddess of woods and streams 쑗 In ancient time, nymphs were thought to live in lakes, rivers and woods. nymphomaniac /nmfə menik/ noun an offensive word for a woman who is always thinking about sex or wanting to have sex . O o /əυ/, O noun fifteenth letter of the alphabet, between N and P ③ oak /əυk/ noun 1. a type of large tree which loses its leaves in winter 쑗 a forest of oak trees 쑗 Oaks produce thousands of acorns each year. 2. wood from this tree 쑗 an oak table OAP abbr old age pensioner oar /ɔ / noun a long wooden pole with a flat part at the end, used for moving a boat along 왍 to stick your oar in to get involved in a situation where you are not wanted (informal ) oasis /əυ ess/ noun 1. a place in the desert where there is water, and where plants grow 쑗 After crossing the desert for days they finally arrived at an oasis. 2. a quiet pleasant place which is different from everything else around it 쑗 Golden Square is an oasis of calm in the middle of London’s West End. (NOTE: The plural is oases /əυ esi z/.) ③ oath /əυθ/ noun 1. a serious legal promise that someone will say or write only what is true 쑗 All the members of the jury have to take an oath. 쑗 The lords swore an oath of allegiance to the king. 왍 he was on oath or under oath he had promised in court to say what was true 쑗 He was accused of lying to the court when he was under or on oath. 2. a swear word 쑗 As the police grabbed him, he let out a long string of oaths. (NOTE: The plural is oaths /əυðz/.) oatmeal / əυtmi l/ noun small rough pieces of crushed oats, used especially to make porridge (NOTE: no plural: some oatmeal; two ounces of oatmeal) ③ oats /əυts/ noun 1. a cereal plant which produces a grain used as food 쑗 The farmer has decided to grow oats in this field this year. 2. 왍 to sow your wild oats to behave in a wild way when young obdurate / ɒbdjυrət/ adj determined not to change your mind or to listen to other people’s views obedience /ə bi diəns/ noun the fact of being obedient, doing what someone tells you to do. Synonym compliance. Antonym . disobedience obedient /ə bi diənt/ adj doing what you are told to do. Synonym compliant. Antonym disobedient obediently /ə bi diəntli/ adv in an obedient way obese /əυ bi s/ adj much too fat or too heavy. Synonym fat. Antonym underweight obesity /əυ bi sti/ noun the medical condition of being extremely fat ③ obey /ə be/ verb to do what someone tells you to do 쑗 If you can’t obey orders you shouldn’t be a policeman. 쑗 Everyone must obey the law. Antonym disobey obituary /ə btʃuəri/ noun a written account of someone’s life, published after his or her death. Synonym tribute ② object noun / ɒbdȢkt/ 1. a thing 쑗 They thought they saw a strange object in the sky. 2. (in grammar ) an aim 쑗 Their object is to take control of the radio station. 3. a noun, pronoun or phrase which follows directly from a verb or preposition 쑗 In the phrase ‘the cat caught the mouse’, the word ‘mouse’ is the object of the verb ‘caught’. 4. 왍 money is no object money is not a problem 쑗 Money is no object to them – they’re very wealthy. 쐽 verb /əb dȢekt/ to say why you refuse to agree 쑗 He objected that the pay was too low. ③ objection /əb dȢekʃən/ noun a reason for refusing to agree to 쑗 Do you have any objection to me smoking? 쑗 Any objections to the plan? 왍 to raise an objection to something to object to something 쑗 She raised several objections to the proposal. objectionable /əb dȢekʃənəb(ə)l/ adj 1. which people do not approve of 쑗 He has some really objectionable habits. 2. (especially of person) very unpleasant ③ objective /əb dȢektv/ adj considering things from a general point of view and not from your own 쑗 You must be objective when planning the future of your business. Antonym subjective 쐽 noun an aim or an object which you are aiming at 쑗 Our long-term objective is to make the company financially sound. 쑗 The company has achieved its main objectives. . objectively 577 observation objectively /əb dȢektvli/ adv in an ob- oblivious /ə blviəs/ adj not noticing. Ant- jective way, without being influenced by your own feelings objectivity /ɒbdȢek tvti/ noun the fact of being objective. Synonym impartiality. Antonym subjectivity objector /əb dȢektə/ noun a person who objects obligated / ɒblDZetd/ adj under an obligation to somebody for a favour ③ obligation /ɒbl DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. legal debt 왍 to meet your obligations to pay your debts 쑗 He cannot meet his obligations. 2. the duty to do something 쑗 You have an obligation to attend the meeting. 왍 to be under an obligation to someone to feel morally obliged to help someone 쑗 She felt under an obligation to look after her friend’s cat. 왍 two weeks’ free trial without obligation the customer can try something at home for two weeks without having to buy it at the end of the trial obligatory /ə blDZət(ə)ri/ adj which has to be done according to rules or laws ③ oblige /ə bladȢ/ verb 1. to force someone to do something 쑗 He was obliged to hand the money back. 2. 왍 to feel obliged to do something to feel it is your duty to do something 쑗 He felt obliged to study medicine at university because his father was a doctor. 3. to do something useful or helpful 쑗 He wanted to oblige you by weeding your garden for you. 4. 왍 to be obliged to someone to be grateful to someone for having done something (formal ) 쑗 Thank you – I’m much obliged to you for your help. 쑗 I’d be obliged if you could shut the window. obliging /ə bladȢŋ/ adj ready to help. Synonym helpful. Antonym unhelpful obligingly /əb ladȢŋli/ adv in an obliging way oblique /ə bli k/ adj 1. not meeting something at a right angle 2. not direct, not mentioning or referring to something directly 쑗 The speech contained an oblique reference to the president’s family problems. oblique angle /əbli k ŋDZ(ə)l/ noun an angle which is not a right angle obliquely /ə bli kli/ adv in an oblique way obliterate /ə bltəret/ verb to destroy completely obliteration /əbltə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of obliterating or of being obliterated. Synonym destruction oblivion /ə blviən/ noun 1. the fact of being completely forgotten 쑗 After being famous during the war the town fell into complete oblivion. 2. the fact of not noticing what is going on around you 쑗 He sat there in a state of complete oblivion. onym conscious oblong / ɒblɒŋ/ adj having four sides, with two pairs of equal sides, one pair being longer than the other 쑗 He pulled out an oblong folder full of papers. 쐽 noun a shape with two pairs of equal sides, one pair being longer than the other 쑗 The screen is an oblong, approximately 30cm by 40cm. obnoxious /əb nɒkʃəs/ adj very unpleasant or very offensive. Synonym loathsome. Antonym delightful oboe / əυbəυ/ noun a woodwind instrument, with a smaller range than the clarinet obscene /əb si n/ adj 1. containing words or ideas which are extremely offensive, especially in relation to sex 쑗 The obscene language in the film makes it unsuitable for children. 쑗 The novel was banned because it was thought to be obscene. 2. offensive to moral standards or normal feelings 쑗 He earns an obscene amount of money. obscenely /əb si nli/ adj in an obscene way 쑗 They discussed sex openly, but not obscenely. 쑗 She is obscenely rich. obscenity /əb senti/ noun 1. the fact of being obscene 쑗 The artist narrowly escaped being prosecuted for obscenity. 2. an obscene word 쑗 He shouted obscenities at the judge as he was led away. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is obscenities) 3. something which is obscene 쑗 She regards the mere existence of nuclear weapons as an obscenity. obscure /əb skjυə/ adj 1. not clear 쑗 There are several obscure points in his letter. 2. not well-known 쑗 They always stay in some obscure village in the Alps which no one has ever heard of. 쐽 verb to hide, especially by covering 쑗 During a solar eclipse, the moon obscures the sun. obscurely /əb skjυəli/ adv in a way which is not clear obscurity /əb skjυərti/ noun the fact of being obscure, not being well-known obsequious /əb si kwiəs/ adj too keen to help or obey. Synonym servile. Antonym . assertive observance /əb z" v(ə)ns/ noun 1. the action of obeying a law or rule 쑗 Professional players should set a good example by strict observance of the rules of the game. 2. following a custom or tradition 쑗 The observance of Christmas is very widespread. observant /əb z" vənt/ adj who notices many details ③ observation /ɒbzə veʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of observing 쑗 By careful observation, the police found out where the thieves had hidden the money. 왍 under observation being carefully watched 쑗 The patient will be kept under observation for a few days. 2. a observatory 578 remark 쑗 He made several observations about the government. observatory /əb z" vətri/ noun a place from which stars and planets can be watched (NOTE: The plural is observatories.) ② observe /əb z" v/ verb 1. to follow or to obey something such as a law, rule or custom 쑗 His family observes all the Jewish festivals. 쑗 The local laws must be observed. 2. to watch or to look at 쑗 They observed the eclipse from the top of the mountain. 3. to notice 쑗 The police observed the car coming out of the garage. 4. to make a remark 쑗 I merely observed that the bus was late as usual. observer /əb z" və/ noun a person who goes to an event and watches but does not take part. Synonym spectator. Antonym participant obsess /əb ses/ verb to think about some- one or something all the time, especially in a way that seems extreme to other people obsessed /əb sest/ adj thinking about someone or something all the time in a way which seems extreme to other people obsession /əb seʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a fixed idea which you think about all the time 쑗 Making money is an obsession with him. 2. an idea or problem which worries you all the time, often connected with mental illness 쑗 She has an obsession with cleanliness. obsessive /əb sesv/ adj showing an obsession. Synonym compulsive obsessively /əb sesvli/ adv in an obsessive way obsolescence /ɒbsə les(ə)ns/ noun going out of date because of developments in technology or changes in fashion 왍 built-in obsolescence, planned obsolescence making something in such a way that the current model will soon become obsolete and people will have to buy a newer one obsolescent /ɒbsə les(ə)nt/ adj going out of use or out of fashion obsolete / ɒbsəli t/ adj no longer used obstacle / ɒbstək(ə)l/ noun a thing which is in the way, which prevents someone going forward obstacle course / ɒbstək(ə)l kɔ s/ noun a place for training soldiers, in which various obstacles have to be passed obstetrician /ɒbstə trʃ(ə)n/ noun a doctor who is an expert in obstetrics obstetrics /əb stetrks/ noun a branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy, childbirth and the period immediately after childbirth obstinacy / ɒbstnəsi/ noun refusing to change your opinion or be persuaded by anyone. Antonym compliance obstinate / ɒbstnət/ adj 1. determined not to change your mind or not to change occasion your opinion or course of action, whatever other people say 쑗 She’s such an obstinate person, that you can never make her change her mind. 쑗 Stop being so obstinate and do what I say! 2. difficult to remove 쑗 She tried to get rid of the obstinate red wine stain on the tablecloth. obstinately / ɒbstnətli/ adv in an obstinate way obstreperous /əb strepərəs/ adj behaving in a wild and uncontrolled way. Synonym disruptive. Antonym demure obstruct /əb strkt/ verb 1. to stop something going through 쑗 The artery was obstructed by a blood clot. 쑗 A large black car was obstructing the entrance. Synonym block 2. to stop someone doing something 쑗 He was fined for obstructing the referee. 쑗 She was accused of obstructing the police in the course of their duties. obstruction /əb strkʃən/ noun 1. the act of obstructing 쑗 The fullback was penalised for obstruction. 2. a thing which gets in the way 쑗 His car broke down and caused an obstruction on the motorway. obstructive /əb strktv/ adj aiming to obstruct. Synonym disruptive. Antonym helpful obtain /əb ten/ verb 1. to get 쑗 She obtained a copy of the will. 쑗 He obtained control of the business. 2. to be in existence, to have the force of law 쑗 This rule still obtains in cases involving the Inland Revenue. obtainable /əb tenəb(ə)l/ adj which can be obtained. Synonym available. Antonym ② unavailable obtrusive /əb tru sv/ adj which sticks out or which is in the way obtuse /əb tju s/ adj (of a person ) dull and not understanding things very quickly 쑗 He’s too obtuse to take a subtle hint, so you’ll just have to tell him to move. obtuse angle /əbtju s ŋDZəl/ noun an angle of between 90° and 180° obverse / ɒbv" s/ noun a side of a coin with the head on it, the main side of a coin. Also called heads (NOTE: The opposite is . the reverse or tails.) ② obvious / ɒbviəs/ adj clear; easily seen It’s obvious that we will have to pay for the damage. 쑗 It was obvious to everyone that the shop was not making any money. ① obviously / ɒbviəsli/ adv clearly 쑗 Obviously we will need to borrow various pieces of equipment. ① occasion /ə keȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. 왍 a special occasion a special event such as a wedding 쑗 The baby’s first birthday was a special occasion. 쑗 It’s an extra-special occasion – she’s one hundred years old today! 2. a happening; a time when something 쑗 occasional 579 happens 쑗 It is an occasion for celebrations. 왍 on occasion from time to time 쑗 On occasion, we spend a weekend in the country. ③ occasional /ə keȢ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj happening now and then, not very often 쑗 He was an occasional visitor to my parents’ house. 쑗 We make the occasional trip to London. Synonym infrequent ② occasionally /ə keȢ(ə)nəli/ adv sometimes, not very often 쑗 Occasionally he has to work late. 쑗 We occasionally go to the cinema. occidental /ɒks dent(ə)l/ adj referring to the west (formal ). Antonym oriental occult / ɒklt/ noun 왍 the occult supernatural magic 쑗 He started going to seances and dabbling in the occult. 쑗 She has always been interested in the occult. 쐽 adj referring to supernatural magic 쑗 He dabbles in occult practices. occupancy / ɒkjυpənsi/ noun the act of moving into a property, such as a house, an office or a room in a hotel, either permanently or for a short stay. Synonym tenancy ③ occupant / ɒkjυpənt/ noun the person or company occupying a property. Synonym . inhabitant ③ occupation /ɒkjυ peʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of taking control of a place, or the fact of being in such a situation 쑗 The occupation of the country by enemy soldiers. 2. a job, position, employment 쑗 What is her occupation? 쑗 His main occupation is running a small engineering works. 쑗 My Sunday afternoon occupation is washing the car. ③ occupational /ɒkjυ peʃ(ə)nəl/ adj referring to a job ③ occupied / ɒkjupad/ adj 1. being used 쑗 All the rooms in the hotel are occupied. 쑗 All the toilets are occupied, so you’ll have to wait. 2. 왍 occupied with busy with 쑗 She is always occupied with her family. 쑗 He is occupied with sorting out the mail. occupier / ɒkjυpaə/ noun a person who lives in a particular house or flat ② occupy / ɒkjυpa/ verb 1. to live in or work in 쑗 They occupy the flat on the first floor. 쑗 The firm occupies offices in the centre of town. 2. to be busy with 쑗 Dealing with the office occupies most of my time. 왍 to occupy yourself with to be busy with 쑗 How does he occupy himself now he is retired? 3. to take control of a place by being inside it 쑗 Protesters occupied the TV station. 4. to hold a post 쑗 Who occupies the post of company secretary. ① occur /ə k" / verb 1. to happen 쑗 When did the accident occur? 2. to come to your mind 쑗 Did it never occur to you that she was lying? 왍 it has just occurred to me I have just thought that 3. to exist 쑗 Iron ore OD occurs in several parts of the country. (NOTE: occurring – occurred) ③ occurrence /ə krəns/ noun a happen- ing 왍 it is a daily occurrence it happens every day ② ocean / əυʃ(ə)n/ noun a very large area of sea surrounding the large areas of land on the Earth 쑗 Ocean currents can be very treacherous. 쑗 Ocean liners used to dock here. ocean-going / əυʃ(ə)n DZəυŋ/ adj which can sail on the open sea oceanic /əυʃi nk/ adj referring to an ocean. Synonym sea ochre / əυkə/ noun 1. a yellowish-red natural material used for colouring 쑗 The cloth is dyed with yellow ochre. 2. a dull yellowishred colour 쑗 The ochre of the wall of the houses in the village. 쐽 adj dull yellowishred 쑗 The houses in the village have ochre walls. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is ocher.) o’clock /ə klɒk/ adv used with numbers to show the time 쑗 Get up – it’s 7 o’clock. 쑗 We never open the shop before 10 o’clock. 쑗 By 2 o’clock in the morning everyone was asleep. (NOTE: O’clock is only used for the ① exact hour, not for times which include minutes. It can also be omitted: We got home before eight. or We got home before eight o’clock.) octagon / ɒktəDZən/ noun a geometrical figure with eight sides octagonal /ɒk tDZənl/ adj eight-sided octave / ɒktv/ noun (in music) the eight notes between the first and last notes of a scale ① October /ɒk təυbə/ noun the tenth month of the year, between September and November 쑗 October 18 쑗 Do you ever go on holiday in October? 쑗 Today is October 18th. 쑗 Last October we moved to London. (NOTE: October 18th or October 18: say ‘October the eighteenth’ or ‘the eighteenth of October’; in US English: ‘October eighteenth’.) octogenarian /ɒktəυdȢə neəriən/ noun, adj (of a person) who is between 80 and 89 years old octopus / ɒktəpəs/ noun a sea animal with eight long arms or tentacles. 쏡 squid (NOTE: The plural is octopuses.) ocular / ɒkjυlə/ adj 1. referring to the eyes or to sight 쑗 Opticians are trained to detect ocular imbalance. 2. which can be seen by the eyes 쑗 He refused to believe it without ocular proof. OD /əυ di / (informal ) verb to take too much of a drug at one time, so that you become ill or die 쐽 noun a large amount of a . odd 580 drug taken at one time and causing illness or death ① odd /ɒd/ adj 1. unusual and not normal 쑗 It’s odd that she can never remember how to get to their house. 쑗 He doesn’t like chocolate – Really, how odd! 2. 왍 odd numbers numbers such as 17 or 33 which cannot be divided by two 쑗 The odd-numbered buildings or the buildings with odd numbers are on the opposite side of the street. 3. (of an amount) almost, not exact or accurate 쑗 She had twenty odd pairs of shoes in cardboard boxes. 4. one forming part of a group 왍 an odd shoe one shoe of a pair 왍 we have a few odd boxes left we have a few boxes left out of all the boxes we had oddball / ɒdbɔ l/ noun a person who behaves in an odd way (informal insult) oddity / ɒdti/ noun 1. the state of being odd 쑗 I was struck by the oddity of the situation, sitting at the same table as my two former wives. 2. an unusual person or thing 쑗 This symphony is a bit of an oddity, it only has two movements. odd job man /ɒd dȢɒb mn/ noun a person who does small repairs or other simple jobs odd jobs /ɒd dȢɒbz/ plural noun small pieces of work, especially repairs, done in the house 쑗 He does odd jobs for us around the house. oddly / ɒdli/ adv in an odd way; for odd reasons 왍 oddly enough strangely, surprisingly 쑗 Oddly enough, we were just talking about him when he came in. oddments / ɒdmənts/ plural noun bits and pieces left over ① odds /ɒdz/ plural noun 1. the difference between the amount which can be won and the amount which has been bet 쑗 Odds of 10 to 1. 2. the fact of being likely to happen 쑗 The odds are against it. 쑗 The odds are that she’ll get the job. 왍 against all the odds even though it seemed unlikely 쑗 Against all the odds, she passed her test easily. Compare evens 쐽 noun 왍 it makes no odds it makes no difference 왍 to be at odds with someone to disagree with someone all the time odds and ends /ɒdz ən endz/ plural noun a group of various things that have no connection with each other odds-on /ɒdz ɒn/ adj likely to happen (informal ) ode /əυd/ noun a long poem often addressed to a person or thing odious / əυdiəs/ adj very unpleasant. Synonym hateful. Antonym delightful odour / əυdə/ noun 1. a smell, scent 쑗 I think I can detect a faint odour of cheese. 2. 왍 to be in good or bad odour with someone to be in favour or out of favour with someone . offal She’s not in very good odour with my parents. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is 쑗 odor.) odourless / əυdələs/ adj which you cannot smell (NOTE: The US spelling is odorless.) odyssey / ɒdsi/ noun a long journey with many exciting or unusual events oesophagus /i sɒfəDZəs/ noun the tube in your throat down which food and drink goes from the mouth to the stomach (NOTE: The US spelling is esophagus.) oestrogen / i strədȢən/ noun a hormone produced in the ovaries which controls sexual development and the reproductive system (NOTE: The US spelling is estrogen.) ① of /əv, ɒv/ prep 1. showing a connection 쑗 She’s the sister of the girl who you met at the party. 쑗 Where’s the top of the jam jar? 쑗 What are the names of Henry VIII’s wives? 2. showing a part or a quantity 쑗 a litre of orange juice 쑗 How much of the cloth do you need? 쑗 Today is the sixth of March. 쑗 There are four boys and two girls – six of them altogether. 쑗 Half of the staff are on holiday. 3. making a description 쑗 The school takes children of ten and over. 쑗 The town of Edinburgh is important for its festival. 4. showing position, material, cause 쑗 He lives in the north of the town. 쑗 The jumper is made of cotton. 쑗 She died of cancer. (NOTE: Of is often used after verbs or adjectives: to think of, to be fond of, to be tired of, to smell of, to be afraid of, etc.) ① of course /əv kɔ s/ adv 1. used to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ more strongly 쑗 Are you coming with us? – Of course I am! 쑗 Do you want to lose all your money? – Of course not! 2. naturally 쑗 He is rich, so of course he lives in a big house. ① off /ɒf/ adv, prep 1. showing movement or position away from a place 쑗 We’re off to the shops. 쑗 The office is just off the main road. 쑗 They spent their holiday on an island off the coast of Wales. 쑗 The children got off the bus. 쑗 Take your boots off before you come into the house. 2. away from work 쑗 She took the week off. 쑗 It’s my day off today. 쑗 Half the staff are off with flu. 3. not switched on 쑗 Switch the light off before you leave the office. 쑗 Is the TV off? 4. not liking food; not taking food or drink 쑗 I’m off alcohol for six months. 쑗 She’s off shellfish because it gives her a rash. 5. 왍 the deal is off the deal is not going to happen 쐽 adj 1. switched off 쑗 Make sure the switch is in the OFF position. 2. not good to eat 쑗 I think this meat’s a bit off. 3. (in a restaurant) not available 쑗 Chicken is off today. 4. not going to happen 쑗 She phoned to say the deal was off. offal / ɒf(ə)l/ noun organs such as the heart or liver of an animal used as food off and on 581 off and on /ɒf ənd ɒn/ adv not continuously, with breaks in between. Antonym regularly off-balance /ɒf bləns/ adv not standing steadily 쑗 The sudden movement of the bus threw her off-balance. 왍 to catch someone off-balance to say or do something to somebody which takes them by surprise 쑗 Her question caught him off-balance and he didn’t know how to answer. offbeat /ɒf bi t/ adj unusual off-centre /ɒf sentə/ adj not at the centre of something (NOTE: The US spelling is off-center.) off-chance / ɒf tʃɑ ns/ noun a slight pos- sibility 왍 on the off-chance in case something happens ③ off-colour /ɒf klə/ adj not well (NOTE: The US spelling is off-color.) off-duty /ɒf dju ti/ adj who is not on duty ③ offence /ə fens/ noun 1. the state of be- ing offended 왍 to take offence at to be offended by 쑗 He took offence at being called a coward. 쑗 Don’t take offence – I didn’t really mean it. 2. a crime, an act which is against the law 쑗 He was charged with committing an offence. 쑗 Since it was his first offence, he was let off with a fine. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is offense.) offend /ə fend/ verb 1. to be or to go against public opinion or someone’s feelings 쑗 He offended the whole village by the article he wrote in the paper. 쑗 That wallpaper offends my sense of taste. 2. to commit a crime 쑗 He was released from prison and immediately offended again. offender /ə fendə/ noun a person who commits an offence against the law. Synonym criminal offending /ə fendŋ/ adj which causes trouble or makes somebody angry (humorous) offensive /ə fensv/ adj unpleasant, which offends 쑗 What an offensive smell! 쑗 The waiter was quite offensive. 쐽 noun 1. a military attack 쑗 The offensive was successful, and the enemy retreated. 2. 왍 to take the offensive, to go on the offensive to start to do something against someone 쑗 He took the offensive and demanded an explanation. offensive weapon /əfensv wepən/ noun a weapon which can be used to attack someone ① offer / ɒfə/ noun a thing which is suggested 쑗 He turned down her offer to drive him to the station. 쑗 She accepted his offer of a job in Paris. 왍 on offer which has been offered 쑗 There are several good holiday bargains on offer. 쐽 verb to say that you will give something or do something 쑗 She offered to drive him to the station. 왍 to offer officially someone a job to tell someone that he can have a job in your company 쑗 If they offer you the job, take it. 쑗 He was offered a job, but he turned it down. offering / ɒf(ə)rŋ/ noun a thing which is offered; a present off-guard /ɒf DZɑ d/ adj not prepared and therefore surprised when something such as an attack happens offhand /ɒf hnd/ adv immediately, without thinking carefully 쑗 I can’t say offhand whether I’ll be able to go. 쐽 adj in an unfriendly way, not being really polite 쑗 She gave a very offhand reply. 쑗 He was very offhand about it. (NOTE: also offhanded in this meaning) office / ɒfs/ noun 1. a room or building where you carry on a business or where you organise something 쑗 I’ll be working late at the office this evening. 쑗 Why is Miss Jones’s office bigger than mine? 쑗 We bought some new office furniture. 왍 doctor’s office US a room where a doctor sees his or her patients 2. a position or job 쑗 She holds the office of treasurer. 3. a government department office block / ɒfs blɒk/ noun a large building containing many offices office hours / ɒfs aυəz/ plural noun the time when an office is open 쑗 Staff are not allowed to make private calls during office hours. ① officer / ɒfsə/ noun 1. a person who holds an official position 쑗 The customs officer asked me to open my suitcase. 2. a person who is in charge of a group of other people in the armed forces 쑗 Ordinary soldiers must always salute officers. ② official /ə fʃ(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to any organisation, especially one which is recognised as part of a government or some other authority 쑗 He left official papers in his car. 쑗 We had an official order from the local authority. 쑗 He represents an official body. 2. done or approved by someone in authority 쑗 She received an official letter of explanation. 쑗 The strike was made official by the union headquarters. 쐽 noun a person holding a recognised position 쑗 They were met by an official from the embassy. 쑗 I’ll ask an official of the social services department to help you. Synonym bureaucrat officialdom /ə fʃ(ə)ldəm/ noun government officials as a group, and their work (informal ) (NOTE: no plural) officialese /əfʃə li z/ noun official language, which is difficult to understand officially /ə fʃ(ə)li/ adv 1. in an official way 쑗 He has been officially named as a member of the British team. 쑗 She has been officially named as our representative at the meeting. 2. according to what is said in public 쑗 Officially, you are not supposed to go in ① . officious 582 through this door, but everyone does. 쑗 Officially he knows nothing about the problem, but unofficially he has given us a lot of advice about it. officious /ə fʃəs/ adj very ready to give advice or tell people what to do, especially when the advice is not wanted officiousness /ə fʃəsnəs/ noun being officious offing / ɒfŋ/ noun 왍 in the offing coming soon, available soon 쑗 There’s a storm in the offing. 쑗 He has a new book in the offing. off-key /ɒf ki / adv above or below the correct musical pitch off-licence / ɒf las(ə)ns/ noun a shop which has a licence to sell alcoholic drinks to be taken away (NOTE: The US term is liquor store.) off-limits /ɒf lmts/ adj (of a place) where you are not allowed to go offline /ɒf lan/ adj not connected to a computer off-peak /ɒf pi k/ adj not at the most busy time 쑗 Off-peak fares are considerably less expensive. off-putting /ɒf pυtŋ/ adj rather unpleasant or annoying off season / ɒf si z(ə)n/ noun a time of year when there are fewer travellers, and when air fares and hotel prices are cheaper 쑗 In February, British Airways was offering special off-season round the world fares. 쑗 Tour operators try to get more people to travel during the off season. Also called low season. Antonym high season 쐽 adj, adv in the off season 쑗 special off-season round-the-world fares 쑗 We travelled off-season, to take advantage of the low fares. offset noun / ɒfset/ a method of printing from a plate to a rubber surface and then to paper 쑗 The book was printed by offset. 쐽 verb /ɒf set/ to balance one thing against another 쑗 Losses in France more than offset our profits in the domestic market. (NOTE: offsetting – has offset) offshoot / ɒfʃu t/ noun something which branches from something else offshore / ɒfʃɔ / adj 1. on the sea at a distance from the land 쑗 We went to visit an offshore oil rig. 2. on an island which is a tax haven 쑗 Offshore investments have produced a good rate of return. offshore wind /ɒf ʃɔ wnd/ noun a wind which blows from the coast towards the sea ③ off side / ɒf sad/, offside /ɒf sad/ noun the side of a car or other vehicle which is nearest the middle of the road offside /ɒf sad/ adv (in football ) between the ball and the opposing team’s goal 쑗 The goal was disallowed because he was offside. . oiled 쐽 adj referring to the side of a car nearest to the middle of the road 쑗 Your offside rear light isn’t working. ③ offspring / ɒfsprŋ/ noun 1. the young of an animal 쑗 The mother deer produces her offspring in early spring. 2. a child or children 쑗 Her offspring are all very musical. (NOTE: no plural) offstage /ɒf stedȢ/ adv 1. outside the area of a stage used for acting 2. not seen by the public off-the-cuff /ɒf ðə kf/ adj, adv made without notes 쑗 He was only asked to speak at the last minute, and for an off-the-cuff speech, it was excellent. off-the-peg /ɒf ðə peDZ/ adj, adv (of clothes) which are mass-produced, ready to fit any person of a certain size. Also called ready-to-wear. Antonym made-tomeasure off-the-record /ɒf ði / adj (of a statement) said privately and not to be repeated as an official statement or to have the speaker’s name published off-the-wall /ɒf ðə wɔ l/ adj very unusual and strange (informal ). Synonym bizarre off-white /ɒf wat/ adj yellowish white, like the colour of cream ① often / ɒf(ə)n/ adv many times, frequently 쑗 I often have to go to town on business. 쑗 Do you eat beef often? 쑗 How often is there a bus to Richmond? Antonym seldom 왍 every so often from time to time 쑗 We go to the cinema every so often. ogle / əυDZ(ə)l/ verb to look at someone in a way that shows a sexual interest in them ogre / əυDZə/ noun 1. an imaginary person in children’s stories, who is very large and cruel and eats people 쑗 Puss in Boots knocked at the door of the ogre’s castle. 2. a cruel, frightening person 쑗 The staff say he is an ogre and don’t like working for him. ① oh interj /əυ/ showing surprise, interest or excitement 쐽 noun (especially in a telephone number or a date) zero 0800 number /əυ et hndrəd nmbə/ noun a telephone number that can be rung free of charge ② oil /ɔl/ noun 1. a liquid produced from plants which flows smoothly and is used in cooking 2. a thick mineral liquid found mainly underground and used as a fuel or to make something move smoothly 쑗 The door squeaks – it needs some oil. 쑗 Some of the beaches are covered with oil. 쑗 The company is drilling for oil in the desert. 쐽 verb to put oil on or in something, especially in a machine or moving part to make it run more smoothly 쑗 You should oil your bicycle chain. oiled /ɔld/ adj covered in or treated with oil . oilfield 583 ombudsman oilfield / ɔlfi ld/ noun an area of rock un- old boy network / əυld bɔ netw" k/ der which oil lies and which can be drilled to take out oil oil paint / ɔl pent/ noun paint made with colours and oil oil painting / ɔl pentŋ/ noun a picture painted in oil paints oil rig / ɔl rDZ/ noun a structure for drilling for oil oils /ɔlz/ plural noun oil paints oil slick / ɔl slk/ noun a layer of oil which has spilled into the sea from a tanker or oil rig and which floats on the water oil tanker / ɔl tŋkə/ noun a large ship specially constructed for carrying oil oil well / ɔl wel/ noun a hole in the ground from which oil is pumped oily / ɔli/ adj 1. containing oil 쑗 Oily food makes me feel sick. 쑗 The tank was full of some oily liquid. 2. covered with oil 쑗 He used an old oily rag to clean his motorbike. 3. (of manner ) too polite and insincere 쑗 I can’t stand her oily manner. 쑗 He smiled an oily smile. (NOTE: oilier – oiliest) ointment / ɔntmənt/ noun a smooth healing cream which you spread on the skin. Synonym gel OK /əυ ke/, okay interj all right, yes 쑗 Would you like a coffee? – OK! 쑗 It’s ten o’clock – OK, let’s get going. 쐽 adj all right 쑗 He was off ill yesterday, but he seems to be OK now. 쑗 Is it OK for me to bring the dogs? 쐽 noun 왍 to give something the OK to approve something 쑗 The committee gave our plan the OK. 쐽 verb to approve something 쑗 The committee OK’d or okayed our plan. (NOTE: OK’d / əυ ked/) ① old /əυld/ adj 1. having had a long life 쑗 My uncle is an old man – he’s eighty-four. 쑗 She lives in an old people’s home. Antonym young 2. having existed for a long time 쑗 He collects old cars. 쑗 Play some old music, I don’t like this modern stuff. 쑗 She’s an old friend of mine. Antonym new 3. referring to something which has been used for a long time 쑗 Put on an old shirt if you’re going to wash the car. 쑗 He got rid of his old car and bought a new one. Antonym new 4. with a certain age 쑗 He’s six years old today. 쑗 How old are you? 5. used as a pleasant way of talking about someone 쑗 He’s a sweet old man. 쑗 Come on, old thing, it’s time to go home. (NOTE: older – oldest) old age /əυld edȢ/ noun a period of your life when you are old old age pension /əυld edȢ penʃən/ noun a government pension given to a person who is past retirement age old age pensioner /əυld edȢ penʃ(ə)nə/ noun a person who has retired and lives on a pension. Abbr OAP noun an informal system where men who were at school together help each other get ahead in later life olden / əυld(ə)n/ adj referring to something in the distant past (archaic or literary). Antonym modern 왍 in olden days in the past (formal ) old-fashioned /əυld fʃ(ə)nd/ adj not in fashion 쑗 She wore old-fashioned clothes. 쑗 Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t approve of the way young people behave. 쑗 I prefer an old-fashioned corkscrew to this newfangled contraption. Synonym out of date old flame /əυld flem/ noun a former boyfriend or girlfriend old hand /əυld hnd/ noun a person who is very skilled and experienced at doing something old hat /əυld ht/ adj old-fashioned or out of date (informal ). Synonym outmoded oldie / əυldi/ noun an old-fashioned or out-of-date person or thing (informal ) old master /əυld mɑ stə/ noun 1. a very famous old painter 쑗 They think the portrait may be by an Italian old master. 2. a painting by a very famous old painter 쑗 There are several old masters in the collection. old school / əυld sku l/ adj referring to a traditional way of doing things based on old-fashioned values old school tie /əυld sku l ta/ noun a tie with a special design which shows which school you went to old-style / əυld stal/ adj of a kind that was common or typical in the past. Synonym traditional. Antonym modern old-time / əυld tam/ adj done in an old-fashioned way. Antonym modern old wives’ tale /əυld wavz tel/ noun an old, and often silly, idea Old World / əυld w" ld/ noun 왍 the Old World Europe, Asia and Africa old-world / əυld w" ld/ adj which recalls the good times in the past. Synonym outdated. Antonym modern olive / ɒlv/ noun 1. a small black or green fruit from which oil is made for use in cooking 쑗 Olives are grown in Mediterranean countries like Spain, Greece and Italy. 쑗 Which do you prefer – green or black olives? 2. a tree which produces this fruit olive branch / ɒlv brɑ ntʃ/ noun a sign of peace olive oil /ɒlv ɔl/ noun an oil made from olives Olympic /ə lmpk/ adj referring to the Olympic Games ombudsman / ɒmbυdzmən/ noun an official who investigates complaints by the public against government departments or . . . . omelette 584 other large organisations (NOTE: The plural is ombudsmen.) omelette / ɒmlət/ noun a dish made of beaten eggs, cooked in a frying pan and folded over before serving, with various fillings inside (NOTE: The US spelling is omelet.) omen / əυmən/ noun a thing that indicates what will happen in the future ominous / ɒmnəs/ adj threatening bad results. Synonym threatening ominously / ɒmnəsli/ adv in an ominous way ③ omission /əυ mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of omitting 쑗 We were surprised at the omission of his name from the list of candidates. 2. a thing which has been omitted 쑗 I can think of at least two obvious omissions from your list of famous playwrights: Shakespeare and Shaw! omit /əυ mt/ verb 1. to leave something out 쑗 She omitted the date when typing the contract. 2. 왍 to omit to do something not to do something 쑗 He omitted to tell the police that he had lost the documents. omnibus / ɒmnbəs/ noun 1. a book which includes several books all together 쑗 An omnibus edition of Sherlock Holmes stories. 2. a radio or TV programme bringing several programmes together which were previously broadcast separately 쑗 Don’t forget to listen to the omnibus edition on Saturday morning! 3. a bus or large vehicle which carries passengers (old ) 쑗 Horse-drawn omnibuses started to run in London in 1829. adj omnipotent /ɒm npət(ə)nt/ all-powerful. Synonym almighty. Antonym . powerless omniscient /ɒm nsiənt/ adj referring to someone who knows everything omnivorous /ɒm nv(ə)rəs/ adj referring to an animal which eats both plants and other animals ① on /ɒn/ prep 1. on the top or surface of something 쑗 Put the box down on the floor. 쑗 Flies can walk on the ceiling. 2. hanging from 쑗 Hang your coat on the hook. 3. showing movement or place 쑗 A crowd of children got on the train. 쑗 The picture’s on page three. 쑗 The post office is on the left-hand side of the street. 4. part of 쑗 She’s on the staff of the bank. 쑗 He’s been on the committee for six years. 5. doing something 쑗 I have to go to Germany on business. 쑗 We’re off on holiday tomorrow. 6. referring to a time, date or day 쑗 The shop is open on Sundays. 쑗 We went to see my mother on my birthday. 왍 on his or her arrival when he or she arrived 7. a means of travel 쑗 You can go there on foot – it only takes five minutes. 쑗 She came on her motorbike. 8. about 쑗 The committee produced a report on German industry. 쑗 She one wrote a book on wild flowers. 9. using an instrument or machine 쑗 He played some music on the piano. 쑗 The song is available on CD. 쑗 He was on the telephone for most of the morning. 쑗 The film was on TV last night. 10. paid by someone 쑗 The drinks are on me. 쐽 adv 1. being worn 쑗 Have you all got your wellingtons on? 쑗 The central heating was off, so he kept his coat on in the house. 2. working 쑗 Have you put the kettle on? 쑗 The heating is on. 쑗 She left all the lights on. 쑗 She turned the engine on. 쑗 He switched the TV on. 3. being shown or played 쑗 What’s on at the theatre this week? 4. continuing or not stopping 쑗 He didn’t stop to say hello, but just walked on. 쑗 He went on playing the trumpet even though we asked him to stop. 쑗 Go on – I like to hear you play the piano. 5. showing time has passed 쑗 Later on that evening, the phone rang. 왍 from that time on after that moment 쑗 He almost drowned, and from that time on refused to go near water. on-air /ɒn eə/ adj needed, used for or occurring during broadcasting on radio or television on and off /ɒn ənd ɒf/ adv not continuously but with breaks in between. Synonym occasionally. Antonym continuously on and on /ɒn ənd ɒn/ adv without stopping ① once /wns/ adv 1. one time 쑗 Take the tablets once a day. 쑗 The magazine comes out once a month. 쑗 How many times did you go to the cinema last year? – only once. 왍 once in a while from time to time 쑗 It’s nice to go to have an Indian meal once in a while. Synonym occasionally. Antonym often 왍 once and for all finally 쑗 I’ll tell you once and for all ‘stop talking!’. 쑗 The government wants to eradicate poverty once and for all. 2. formerly, at a time in the past 쑗 Once, when it was snowing, the car skidded into a ditch. 쑗 He’s someone I knew once when I worked in London. 왍 once upon a time (beginning fairy stories) at a certain time in the past 쑗 Once upon a time, there was a wicked witch. 3. 왍 all at once suddenly 쑗 All at once the phone rang. 쐽 conj as soon as 쑗 Once he starts talking you can’t get him to stop. 쑗 Once we’ve moved house I’ll give you a phone call. 앳 at once 1. immediately 2. at the same time once again /wns ə DZen/ adv another time oncoming / ɒnkmŋ/ adj coming towards you. Synonym approaching ① one /wn/ noun 1. number 1 쑗 One plus one makes two. 쑗 Our grandson is one year old today. 쑗 His grandmother is a hundred and one. 2. a single item 쑗 Have a toffee – oh dear, there’s only one left! 왍 last but one the one another 585 one before the last 쑗 This is the last weekend but one before Christmas. 왍 one by one one after another 쑗 He ate all the chocolates one by one. 쑗 They came in one by one and sat in a row at the back of the hall. 3. 왍 to have a quick one to have a quick drink (informal ) 쑗 Let’s have a quick one before the meeting starts. 왍 to have one for the road to have a last drink before leaving the bar (informal ) 쑗 Let’s have one for the road. 쐽 pron a single thing 쑗 All the china plates were dirty so we made do with 쑗 Which hat do you like best – the black one or the red one? 쑗 One of the staff will help you carry the box to your car. 쑗 I’ve lost my map – have you got one? 쑗 Small cars use less petrol than big ones. 쐽 adj, pron you (formal ) 쑗 One can’t spend all the morning waiting to see the doctor, can one? 쑗 At his age, one isn’t allowed to drive a car. one another /wn ə nðə/ adj, pron each other 쑗 We write to one another every week. 1471 /wn fɔ sev(ə)n wn/ a telephone number that you can use to find out who was the last person to telephone you one-man /wɒn mn/ adj consisting of, designed for, featuring or performed, run or worked by only one person one-night stand /wn nat stnd/ noun 1. a stop for a single performance of a play or by a pop group, before moving to another theatre the following night 2. a sexual relationship which lasts for only one night (informal ) one-off /wɒn ɒf/ adj which is done, happens or is made only once 쑗 It’s a one-off bargain. 쐽 noun a one-off thing one-on-one /wn ɒn wn/ adj US one-to-one one-person /wn p" s(ə)n/ adj consisting of, designed for, featuring or performed, run or worked by only one person one-piece / wn pi s/ adj made of one piece of clothing onerous / əυnərəs/ adj needing a lot of effort. Synonym difficult. Antonym easy ③ oneself /wn self/ pron referring to the person speaking as an indefinite subject one-sided /wn sadd/ adj dealing with or favouring one side only. Synonym biased one-time / wn tam/ adj former one-to-one /wn tə wn/ adj where one person has to deal with one other person only 쑗 The two presidents had a one-to-one conversation. 쑗 She is taking a one-to-one Spanish conversation course. one-track mind /wn trk mand/ referring to a person who thinks too much about one thing 쑗 He has a one-track mind. 12 /twelv/ noun a classification of films considered not suitable for people under 12 . . . . on-the-spot one-upmanship /wn pmənʃp/ noun the practice of trying to do better than another person so as to appear superior to him or her ③ one-way /wn we/ adj going in one direction only one-way street /wn we stri t/ noun a street where the traffic only goes in one direction one-way ticket /wn we tkt/ noun US a ticket for one journey from one place to another (NOTE: The British term is single.) one-woman /wn wυmən/ adj consisting of, designed for, featuring or performed, run or worked by only one person ongoing / ɒnDZəυŋ/ adj which is continuing ③ onion / njən/ noun a strong-smelling vegetable with a round white bulb online / ɒnlan/ adj, adv directly connected to a computer 쑗 You need to know the password to access the data online. onlooker / ɒnlυkə/ noun a person who watches an event. Synonym bystander ① only / əυnli/ adj without others of the same type 쑗 Don’t break it – it’s the only one I’ve got. 쐽 adv 1. with no one or nothing else 쑗 We’ve only got ten pounds between us. 쑗 Only an accountant can deal with this problem. 쑗 This lift is for staff only. 2. as recently as 쑗 We saw her only last week. 쑗 Only yesterday the bank phoned for information. 쐽 conj but, except 쑗 I like my mother-in-law very much, only I don’t want to see her every day of the week. 앳 only just almost not 앳 only too very much only child /əυnli tʃald/ noun son or daughter who has no other brothers or sisters o.n.o. abbr or nearest offer on-off /ɒn ɒf/ adj something which keeps on starting and stopping onomatopoeia /ɒnəmtə pi ə/ noun the making or using of words which imitate a sound onomatopoeic /ɒnəmtə pi k/ adj using onomatopoeia on-screen /ɒn skri n/ adj, adv on a computer screen rather than on paper 쑗 Most of our design work is done on-screen. ③ onset / ɒnset/ noun beginning onshore / ɒnʃɔ / adj towards the shore onslaught / ɒnslɔ t/ noun a sudden severe attack onstage /ɒn stedȢ/ adj, adv on the stage of a theatre and in view of an audience 쑗 The onstage action is fast and furious. 쑗 People started to laugh as soon as he walked onstage. on-the-spot /ɒn ðə spɒt/ adj done immediately or at the scene where something happens onto 586 onto / ɒntə, ɒntυ, ɒntu / prep 1. on or to something 쑗 The speaker went up onto the platform. 쑗 The door opens directly onto the garden. 쑗 Turn the box onto its side. 2. 왍 to be onto something to have discovered something on top of /ɒn tɒp ɒv/ prep 1. on 쑗 He put the book down on top of the others he had bought. 2. in addition to 쑗 On top of all my office work, I have to clean the house and look after the baby. 3. 왍 to feel on top of the world to feel marvellous and excited onus / əυnəs/ noun a responsibility for doing something difficult onward / ɒnwəd/ adj further forward 쑗 Nothing can stop the onward march of computer technology. 쐽 adv further forward 쑗 He urged his men onward towards the enemy positions. onward connection /ɒnwəd kənekʃ(ə)n/ noun a train or plane which takes you on the next stage of your journey onwards / ɒnwədz/ adv further forwards ooh! /u / interj showing surprise or shock (informal ) oops! /u ps/ interj showing surprise or that you are sorry (informal ) ooze /u z/ noun soft mud, especially at the bottom of a lake or the sea 쑗 The wreck lay buried in the ooze at the bottom of the lake. 쐽 verb (of liquid ) to flow slowly 쑗 A black sticky liquid oozed from under the door. 쑗 A delicious cake oozing with cream. op /ɒp/ noun a surgical operation (informal ) opacity /əυ psti/ noun the state of being opaque opal / əυp(ə)l/ noun a semi-precious white stone with changing colours opaque /əυ pek/ adj 1. which you cannot see through, but which does allow light through 쑗 The surface of the glass is treated to make it opaque. 쑗 Opaque black tights are the fashion this winter. 2. difficult to understand 쑗 The meaning of the document is completely opaque to me. 쑗 Her writings are notorious for being opaque to non-specialists. OPEC / əυpek/ noun a group of countries who produce and export oil 쑗 The OPEC meeting will be held in Geneva. ① open / əυpən/ adj 1. not shut 쑗 The safe door is open. 쑗 Leave the window open – it’s very hot in here. 2. functioning or happening and which you can go into 쑗 Is the supermarket open on Sundays? 쑗 The show is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 쑗 The competition is open to anyone over the age of fifteen. 3. without anything to protect you or without barriers 쑗 We like walking in the open air. 쑗 The garden is open on three sides. 4. receptive to new ideas or future possibilities 쑗 I’d ① . . . . opening night like to keep an open mind until the investigation is completed. 쑗 She is keeping her options open. 5. frank and honest 쑗 I will be open with you. 왍 with open arms in a friendly way 쑗 She was welcomed with open arms. 쐽 noun 1. a place outside which is not covered or hidden 쑗 Keep the plants in the greenhouse during the winter, but bring them out into the open in the summer. 쑗 The police investigation brought all sorts of offences out into the open. 2. a competition which anyone can enter provided he or she is good enough 쑗 He has qualified for the British Open. 쐽 verb 1. to make something open 쑗 Can you open the door for me, I’m trying to carry these heavy boxes? 쑗 Don’t open the envelope until tomorrow. 2. to start doing something, to start a business 쑗 A new restaurant is going to open next door to us. 쑗 Most shops open early in the morning. 3. to make something begin officially 쑗 The new hotel was opened by the Minister of Tourism. 쑗 The exhibition will be formally opened by the mayor. 쑗 The chairman opened the meeting at 10.30. open air /əυpən eə/ noun a place outside which is not covered or hidden 쑗 We keep the plants in the greenhouse during the winter, but bring them out into the open air in the summer. open-air / əυpən eə/ adj in the open, not in a building. Synonym outside. Antonym indoor open day / əυpən de/ noun a day when a building is open to the public open-door policy /əυpən dɔ pɒlsi/ noun a trading policy where a country allows any person or goods to enter the country freely open-ended /əυpən endd/ adj with no fixed limit and with some items not specified ③ opener / əυp(ə)nə/ noun a device for opening open house /əυpən haυs/ noun a situation when people are welcome to visit at any time ③ opening / əυp(ə)nŋ/ noun 1. the action of becoming open 쑗 The opening of the exhibition has been postponed. 쑗 The office opening times are 9.30 to 5.30. 2. a hole or space 쑗 The cows got out through an opening in the wall. 3. an opportunity, such as a job vacancy 쑗 We have openings for telephone sales staff. opening hours / əυp(ə)nŋ aυəz/ plural noun the times that a business such as a shop or bank is working and open to the public opening night /əυp(ə)nŋ nat/ noun the first evening performance when a new film or play is shown (NOTE: for a play also first night) open invitation 587 open invitation /əυpən nv teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an invitation to visit someone or somewhere at any time 2. something which encourages someone to do something wrong or to commit a crime 쑗 Leaving the garage door open was an open invitation to car thieves. open letter /əυpən letə/ noun a letter to someone, published as an article in a newspaper and not actually sent to the person it is addressed to openly / əυpənli/ adv in a frank and open way. Synonym candidly. Antonym secretly ③ open market /əυpən mɑ kt/ noun a market where anyone can buy or sell open-minded /əυpən mandd/ adj not having prejudices or fixed opinions and willing to listen to other people’s ideas. Synonym unbiased. Antonym narrow-minded open-mouthed /əυpən maυðd/ adj with the mouth open in surprise or shock openness / əυpənəs/ noun the state of being open ③ open on to /əυpən ɒn tu / verb to lead out on to or to look out on to something open-plan /əυpən pln/ adj describing a building or an area of a building with no internal walls to divide it up 쑗 an open-plan school 쑗 open-plan offices open prison /əυpən prz(ə)n/ noun a prison with few restrictions open space /əυpən spes/ noun an area of land which has no buildings or trees on it open up /əυpən p/ verb 1. to start working 쑗 A new bookshop has opened up next door. 2. to make available for use 쑗 We are opening up the park to visitors. open verdict /əυpən v" dkt/ noun a verdict by a coroner’s jury, which does not decide how a person died openwork / əυpənw" k/ noun decoration on an object formed by patterns made from holes, e.g. like those on some types of shoe opera / ɒp(ə)rə/ noun a performance on the stage with music, in which the words are sung and not spoken operable / ɒp(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which can be made to work opera house / ɒp(ə)rə haυs/ noun a theatre in which operas are performed ② operate / ɒpəret/ verb 1. to make something work 쑗 He knows how to operate the machine. 쑗 She is learning how to operate the new telephone switchboard. 2. to do business 쑗 They operate in a different way from us. 3. to treat a patient by cutting open the body 쑗 She was operated on by Mr Jones. 쑗 The surgeon decided she would have to operate on the patient. operatic /ɒpə rtk/ adj referring to opera opponent operating system / ɒpəretŋ sstəm/ noun basic software that controls the running of the hardware on a computer, and the management of data files, without the user having to operate it operating theatre / ɒpəretŋ θətə/ noun a special room in a hospital where surgeons carry out operations ① operation /ɒpə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an organised action to achieve a specific goal 쑗 The rescue operation was successful. 왍 to come into operation to begin to be applied 쑗 The new schedules came into operation on June 1st. 2. a treatment when a surgeon cuts open the body 쑗 She’s had three operations on her leg. 쑗 The operation lasted almost two hours. operational /ɒpə reʃ(ə)nəl/ adj 1. referring to the working of something 쑗 The operational procedure is described in the manual. 2. ready for use 쑗 The new set-up will be fully operational by next year. operative / ɒp(ə)rətv/ adj working or in operation 쐽 noun a worker, especially one who operates a machine, etc. 쑗 The factory used to employ two hundred operatives. ③ operator / ɒpəretə/ noun 1. a person who works instruments, etc. 쑗 He’s a computer operator. 쑗 She’s a machine operator. 2. a person who works a telephone switchboard 쑗 Dial 0 for the operator. 쑗 You can place a call through or via the operator. 3. a person who organises things operetta /ɒpə retə/ noun an opera with an amusing story in which some words are spoken ophthalmic /ɒf θlmk/ adj referring to the medical treatment of the eye ophthalmologist /ɒfθl mɒlədȢst/ noun a doctor who treats diseases of the eye ① opinion /ə pnjən/ noun what someone thinks about something 쑗 Ask the lawyer for his opinion about the letter. 쑗 In my opinion, we should wait until the weather gets warmer before we go on holiday. 쑗 Tell me what in your opinion we should do. opinionated /ə pnjənetd/ adj with strong fixed opinions. Antonym ③ open-minded ③ opinion poll /ə pnjən pəυl/ noun asking a sample group of people questions, so as to get the probable opinion of the whole population opium / əυpiəm/ noun a drug made from a type of poppy, used in the preparation of codeine and heroin opossum /ə pɒs(ə)m/ noun a small North American animal with black fur, which carries its young in a pouch ③ opponent /ə pəυnənt/ noun 1. a person or group which is against something 쑗 Oppo- opportune 588 nents of the planned motorway have occupied the site. 2. (in boxing, an election, etc.) a person who fights someone else 쑗 His opponent in the election is a local councillor. 쑗 He knocked out his last three opponents. opportune / ɒpətju n/ adj happening by chance at the right time. Antonym inopportune opportunism /ɒpə tju nz(ə)m/ noun being an opportunist opportunist /ɒpə tju nst/ noun a person who takes advantage of opportunities, especially at the expense of others. Synonym speculator opportunistic /ɒpətju nstk/ adj trying to take advantage from an opportunity which is offered. Synonym unscrupulous ① opportunity /ɒpə tju nti/ noun a chance or circumstances which allow you to do something 쑗 When you were in London, did you have an opportunity to visit St Paul’s Cathedral? 쑗 I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all members of staff for the work they have done over the past year. ③ oppose /ə pəυz/ verb 1. to put yourself against someone in an election 쑗 She is opposing him in the election. 2. to try to prevent something happening 쑗 Several groups oppose the new law. opposing /ə pəυzŋ/ adj 1. playing, fighting or arguing against you 쑗 The players on the opposing side refused to shake hands with us. 쑗 He fouled a member of the opposing team. 2. which is the opposite 쑗 She holds quite opposing views to mine. ② opposite / ɒpəzt/ prep on the other side of, facing 쑗 I work in the offices opposite the railway station. 쑗 She sat down opposite me. 쐽 adj which is on the other side 쑗 The shop’s not on this side of the street – it’s on the opposite side. 쑗 Her van hit a tree on the opposite side of the road. 쑗 Her van was hit by a lorry going in the opposite direction. 쐽 noun something which is completely different 쑗 ‘Black’ is the opposite of ‘white.’ 쑗 She’s just the opposite of her brother – he’s tall and thin, she’s short and fat. 쑗 He likes to say one thing, and then do the opposite. Synonym contrary. Antonym same opposite number /ɒpəzt nmbə/ noun a person who is in a similar job to yours in another company. Synonym counterpart ① opposition /ɒpə zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of opposing 쑗 There was a lot of opposition to the company’s plans to demolish the church hall and build a supermarket. 2. (in politics) the party or group which opposes the government 쑗 The leader of the opposition rose to speak. 쑗 The party lost the election and is now in opposition. oppress /ə pres/ verb 1. to make people suffer, especially by harsh government 쑗 The option barons oppressed the peasants. 2. to make someone feel shut in and depressed 쑗 The atmosphere in this office really oppresses me. 쑗 Playing in India for the first time, the members of the team felt oppressed by the heat. oppressed /ə prest/ adj treated in a cruel and unfair way ③ oppression /ə preʃ(ə)n/ noun a cruel and unfair rule and control oppressive /ə presv/ adj 1. cruel, using oppression 쑗 Under the general’s oppressive regime, ordinary citizens were afraid to speak out against the government. 2. that makes people feel shut in and depressed 쑗 There’s a very oppressive atmosphere in the office. 쑗 I find the hot, humid July weather very oppressive. oppressor /ə presə/ noun a person who oppresses others opt /ɒpt/ verb to decide in favour of something optic / ɒptk/ adj referring to the eye or to sight ③ optical / ɒptk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to the eyes or to eyesight 2. referring to optics optical illusion /ɒptk(ə)l  lu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun a thing which appears different from what it really is because your eye does not recognise it ③ optician /ɒp tʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who tests your eyesight, prescribes and sells glasses or contact lenses, etc. optics / ɒptks/ noun the study of sight and light rays optimal / ɒptm(ə)l/ adj referring to the best or most desirable (formal ) optimise / ɒptmaz/, optimize verb to make something work as efficiently as possible or to use something to its best advantage optimism / ɒptmz(ə)m/ noun a belief or attitude that everything is as good as it can be or will work out for the best in the future. Antonym pessimism optimist / ɒptmst/ noun a person who believes everything will work out for the best in the end. Antonym pessimist optimistic /ɒpt mstk/ adj a feeling that everything will work out for the best. Synonym hopeful. Antonym pessimistic optimum / ɒptməm/ noun the best thing or amount 쑗 Twenty would be just enough, thirty would be the optimum we should aim for. 쐽 adj best 쑗 The market offers optimum conditions for sales. 쑗 What is the optimum speed for fuel consumption? Antonym worst ① option / ɒpʃən/ noun 1. a choice, other possible action 쑗 One option would be to sell the house. 쑗 The tour offers several options as half-day visits. 2. an opportunity to buy or sell something within a certain time or at a . optional 589 certain price 쑗 We continue to hold an option on the sale. optional / ɒpʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj which may or may not be chosen. Antonym compulsory optional extra /ɒpʃən(ə)l ekstrə/ noun an extra fitting which can be added to a car, but which are not provided in the basic model optometrist /ɒp tɒmətrst/ noun a person who tests your eyesight, prescribes and sells glasses or contact lenses, etc. Also called optician ③ opt out /ɒpt aυt/ verb to decide not to take part in something 쑗 She decided to opt out of the pension scheme. 쑗 I think I’ll opt out if you don’t mind. 쑗 He opted out of the trip because he couldn’t afford the price of a ticket. opt-out / ɒpt aυt/ noun the action of opting out of something opulence / ɒpjυləns/ noun great luxury or wealth opulent / ɒpjυlənt/ adj rich, luxurious or splendid. Antonym sparse opus / əυpəs/ noun 1. an important piece of music which is given a number 2. a large work of art 쑗 The gallery isn’t big enough to house his latest opus. ① or /ɔ / conj 1. linking alternatives or showing other things that can be done 쑗 You can come with us in the car or just take the bus. 쑗 Do you prefer tea or coffee? 쑗 Was he killed in an accident or was he murdered? 쑗 The film starts at 6.30 or 6.45, I can’t remember which. 2. approximately 쑗 Five or six people came into the shop. 쑗 It costs three or four dollars. 앳 or else 1. or if not 쑗 Don’t miss the bus, or else you’ll have a long wait for the next one. 쑗 Put a coat on to go out, or else you’ll catch cold. 쑗 We’d better get up early or else we’ll miss the train. 쑗 You must have a ticket, or else you will be thrown off the train by the inspector. 2. otherwise 쑗 You’d better pay, or else. oracle / ɒrək(ə)l/ noun (in Ancient Greece) a person who answered questions about the future oral / ɔ rəl/ adj spoken, by speaking 쑗 There is an oral test as well as a written one. 쐽 noun an examination where you answer questions by speaking and not writing 쑗 He passed the written examination but failed the oral. orally / ɔ rəli/ adv 1. by speaking 쑗 He replied orally to the written questions. 2. by the mouth 쑗 The medicine should be taken orally. ③ orange / ɒrndȢ/ noun 1. a sweet, brightly coloured Mediterranean fruit 쑗 roast duck and orange sauce 쑗 She had a glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee for breakfast. 2. the colour of an orange 쑗 She painted order the bathroom a very bright orange. 쐽 adj of the colour of an orange 쑗 That orange tie is awful. 쑗 She wore a dark orange dress. orangeade /ɒrndȢ ed/ noun a fizzy orange-flavoured drink orange squash /ɒrndȢ skwɒʃ/ noun a drink made of concentrated orange juice and water oration /ə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a speech orator / ɒrətə/ noun 1. a person who speaks well in public 쑗 One of best orators in Parliament. 2. a person making a speech oratory / ɒrət(ə)ri/ noun the art of making formal public speeches orbit / ɔ bt/ noun 1. the curved path of something moving through space 쑗 The rocket will put the satellite into orbit round the earth. 2. an area of influence 쑗 Questions of discipline don’t come into my orbit. 쐽 verb to move in an orbit round something 쑗 The satellite orbits the earth once every five hours. Synonym circle orbital / ɔ bt(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to the orbit of a planet or a satellite 쑗 The Earth has an orbital velocity round the Sun of about 30km per second. 2. that goes all the way around something, especially round a big city 쑗 an orbital motorway orchard / ɔ tʃəd/ noun a field of fruit trees orchestra / ɔ kstrə/ noun a large group of musicians who play together 쑗 the London Symphony Orchestra orchestral /ɔ kestrəl/ adj referring to an orchestra. Synonym instrumental orchestrate / ɔ kstret/ verb 1. to arrange a piece of music for an orchestra 쑗 Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ was orchestrated by Ravel. 2. to organise a demonstration 쑗 They orchestrated the protest marches in such a way as to get them on the TV news every evening. orchestration /ɔ k streʃ(ə)n/ noun the arrangement of a piece of music for orchestra orchid / ɔ kd/ noun a plant with colourful showy flowers, which, in the wild, often grows on other plants ordain /ɔ den/ verb 1. to make someone a priest or a member of the clergy in a formal ceremony 쑗 He was ordained in Canterbury Cathedral. 2. to order that something be done 쑗 The king ordained that all children over five had to be registered with the tax authorities. 쑗 Fate ordained that the children would never see their father again. ③ ordeal /ɔ di l/ noun a painful test or difficult time ① order / ɔ də/ noun 1. an instruction to someone to do something 쑗 He shouted orders to the workmen. 쑗 If you can’t obey orders you can’t be a soldier. 2. (of a customer ) asking for something to be served . order about 590 or to be sent쑗 We’ve had a large order for books from Russia. 쑗 She gave the waitress her order. 3. things ordered in a restaurant; goods ordered by a customer 쑗 The waiter brought him the wrong order. 쑗 Our order has been lost in the post. 4. a special way of organising things in a sequence 쑗 Put the invoices in order of their dates. 5. 왍 in order that so that 쑗 Cyclists should wear orange coats in order that drivers can see them in the dark. 왍 in order to so as to 쑗 She ran as fast as she could in order to catch the bus. 쑗 He looked under the car in order to see if there was an oil leak. 6. the obeying of rules or laws without unrest or violence 쑗 Problems of law and order are important to the local authorities. 쑗 The army entered the university campus and managed to restore order. 7. a whole group of monks or nuns 쑗 The Benedictines are one of the most important of the monastic orders. 8. a document which allows money to be sent through the post and paid to someone 쐽 verb 1. to tell someone to do something 쑗 They ordered the protesters out of the building. 쑗 The doctor ordered him to take four weeks’ holiday. 2. (of a customer ) to ask for something to be served or to be sent 쑗 They ordered chicken and chips and some wine. 쑗 I’ve ordered a new computer for the office. 쑗 They ordered a Rolls Royce for the managing director. ③ order about /ɔ dər ə baυt/ verb to tell someone what to do all the time orderly / ɔ dəli/ adj 1. tidy or well arranged 쑗 She keeps a really orderly office. 쑗 The papers were stacked in orderly piles. 2. well behaved 쑗 I want you all to cross the road in an orderly fashion. 쑗 The police praised the orderly rugby supporters. 쐽 noun 1. a person who does general work 2. a soldier who does general work for an officer 쑗 An orderly appeared with a cup of coffee for the general. . (NOTE: The plural is orderlies.) ordinal / ɔ dn(ə)l/, ordinal number / ɔ dn(ə)l nmbə/ noun a number indicating the position in a series (NOTE: Ordinary numbers such as one, two, three are called cardinal numbers.) ordinarily / ɔ d(ə)n(ə)rli/ adv 1. normally or usually 쑗 Ordinarily we don’t allow visitors in here. 쑗 It’s not something we ordinarily do. 2. in a normal way 쑗 She was dressed quite ordinarily. ① ordinary / ɔ d(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj not special 쑗 I’ll wear my ordinary suit to the wedding. 쑗 They lead a very ordinary life. 왍 out of the ordinary unusual or different 쑗 Their flat is quite out of the ordinary. ordination /ɔ d neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act or ceremony of ordaining someone as a priest ordnance / ɔ dnəns/ noun 1. heavy guns 쑗 The army besieging the town directed their organiser ordnance against the weakest part of the city walls. 2. military supplies ore /ɔ / noun a type of stone found in the earth from which metals are obtained. Synonym mineral (NOTE: Do not confuse with oar.) oregano /ɒr DZɑ nəυ/ noun a herb used in cooking organ / ɔ DZən/ noun 1. a part of the body with a special function, such as the heart or liver 쑗 He was in a coma and some of his organs had stopped functioning. 2. a musical instrument which is often played in churches with one or more keyboards and many pipes through which air is pumped to make a sound 쑗 She played the organ at our wedding. 쑗 The organ played the ‘Wedding March’ as the bride and groom walked down the aisle. 3. an official newspaper 쑗 It is the organ of the book trade. 쑗 The appointments will be published in the official organs. organic /ɔ DZnk/ adj 1. referring to living things 2. cultivated naturally, without using any chemical fertilisers and pesticides 쑗 Organic vegetables are more expensive but may be better for you. 3. using only natural fertilisers and pesticides 쑗 an organic farm or farmer 쑗 organic farming organically /ɔ DZnkli/ adv 1. in an organic way 2. referring to food which is grown or produced naturally, without any chemical fertilisers or pesticides 쑗 organically grown produce 쑗 organically produced fruit and vegetables organisation /ɔ DZəna zeʃ(ə)n/, organization noun 1. the action of arranging something 쑗 The organisation of the meeting is done by the secretary. 2. an organised group or institution 쑗 He’s chairman of an organisation which looks after blind people. 쑗 International relief organisations are sending supplies. organisational /ɔ DZəna zeʃ(ə)n(ə)l/, organizational adj referring to the way in which something is organised. Synonym ③ structural organise / ɔ DZənaz/, organize verb 1. to arrange something 쑗 She is responsible for organising the meeting. 쑗 We organised ourselves into two groups. 쑗 The company is organised in three sections. 2. to put into good order 쑗 We have put her in charge of organising the city archives. organised / ɔ DZənazd/, organized adj 1. working efficiently and systematically 2. involving the systematic coordination of many different people or elements organised crime /ɔ DZənazd kram/ noun criminal activity which is run as a business and involves lots of people. 쏡 mafia organiser / ɔ DZənazə/, organizer noun 1. a person who arranges things 2. a little di- organism 591 ary or looseleaf book, in which you enter your appointments, addresses, etc. ③ organism / ɔ DZənz(ə)m/ noun a living thing organist / ɔ DZənst/ noun a person who plays the organ orgasm / ɔ DZz(ə)m/ noun the climax of a sexual act, when a person experiences a moment of great excitement orgy / ɔ dȢi/ noun 1. an uncontrolled party with drinking, dancing and sexual activity 쑗 The celebrations rapidly became a drunken orgy. 쑗 Jenny’s birthday party turned into an all-night orgy. 2. an uncontrolled activity 쑗 an orgy of spending (NOTE: The plural is orgies.) orient / ɔ riənt/ verb same as orientate Orient / ɔ riənt/ noun 왍 the Orient the countries of East Asia (dated and literary) oriental /ɔ ri ent(ə)l/ adj referring to the countries of East Asia (dated ). Antonym . occidental orientate / ɔ riəntet/ verb 1. to get yourself accustomed to a new place or ready for a new situation or job 쑗 She’ll need time to orientate herself after her long trip abroad. 2. to put something in a certain direction 쑗 The house is orientated towards the west. (NOTE: [all senses] The preferred US term is orient.) orientation /ɔ riən teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the attitudes, views or aims of a person or organisation 2. the process of helping people to get to know a place, job or subject 쑗 All new students take an orientation course in their first week at college. 3. being placed along a particular line or facing in a particular direction 쑗 The church’s orientation is north–south, instead of the more usual east–west. orifice / ɒrfs/ noun a hole or opening (formal ) origami /ɒr DZɑ mi/ noun the Japanese art of folding paper to make interesting shapes ② origin / ɒrdȢn/ noun where something or someone comes from 쑗 What is the origin of the word ‘taboo’? 쑗 His family has French origins. ① original /ə rdȢən(ə)l/ adj 1. from the beginning 쑗 The original ideas for his paintings came from his own garden. 2. new and different 쑗 They solved the problem by using a very original method. 쑗 The planners have produced some very original ideas for the new town centre. 3. not a copy 쑗 They sent a copy of the original invoice. 쑗 He kept the original receipt for reference. 쐽 noun a thing from which other things are copied 쑗 Send a copy of the will but keep the original. 쑗 The original was lost in the post but luckily I kept a copy. 쑗 She found that the old painting she . orthodoxy had bought in a jumble sale was an original and not a copy. originality /ərdȢ nlti/ noun the fact of being original, new or different. Synonym innovation ② originally /ə rdȢən(ə)l/ adv in the beginning 쑗 Originally it was mine, but I gave it to my brother. 쑗 The family originally came from France in the 18th century. Antonym eventually originate /ə rdȢnet/ verb 1. to begin, to start from or to have a beginning 쑗 This strain of flu originated in Hong Kong. 쑗 His problems at work originated in his home life. 2. to make for the first time 쑗 They originated a new computer system. 쑗 We have originated a new style of computer keyboard. originator /ə rdȢənetə/ noun someone who begins, creates or invents something ③ ornament / ɔ nəmənt/ noun a small thing used as decoration 쑗 There’s a row of china ornaments on the mantelpiece. 쐽 verb /ɔ nə ment/ to add a decoration to something 쑗 The cake was ornamented with flowers in pink and green icing. Synonym adorn ornamental /ɔ nə ment(ə)l/ adj 1. acting as an ornament 쑗 A box with ornamental carvings on its sides. 2. pretty rather than useful 쑗 The table is purely ornamental: it’s far too small to use as a dining table. Synonym decorative ornamentation /ɔ nəmen teʃ(ə)n/ noun ornaments added as decoration ornate /ɔ net/ adj with too much ornamentation. Synonym elaborate ornithologist /ɔ n θɒlədȢst/ noun a person who studies birds ornithology /ɔ n θɒlədȢi/ noun the study of birds orphan / ɔ f(ə)n/ noun a child whose parents are dead 쑗 She’s an orphan – both her parents were killed in a car crash. 쐽 verb to make someone an orphan 쑗 Hundreds of children were orphaned during the war. orphanage / ɔ f(ə)ndȢ/ noun a home where orphans are looked after. Synonym home orphaned / ɔ f(ə)nd/ adj (of a child ) whose parents have died orthodox / ɔ θədɒks/ adj 1. holding the generally accepted beliefs of a religion or a philosophy 쑗 The Chancellor of the Exchequer is following orthodox financial principles. 2. observing traditional religious practices very strictly orthodoxy / ɔ θədɒksi/ noun 1. the generally accepted beliefs of a religion, a philosophy, etc. 쑗 The orthodoxy of some of the bishop’s beliefs was questioned in the article. 2. an opinion that is generally accepted at a . orthography 592 out particular time 쑗 He challenged the orthodoxies of the scientific establishment. orthography /ɔ θɒDZrəfi/ noun a correct spelling orthopaedic /ɔ θə pi dk/ adj referring to the treatment of bones and joints orthopaedics /ɔ θə pi dks/ noun a branch of medicine dealing with bones, etc. OS abbr outsize Oscar / ɒskə/ trademark an Academy Award oscillate / ɒslet/ verb to swing from one side to the other oscillation /ɒs leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of oscillating osmosis /ɒz məυss/ noun the movement of a solution from one part through a semi-permeable membrane to another part ostensible /ɒ stensb(ə)l/ adj which seems on the surface to be real, when in fact it is not ostensibly /ɒ stensbli/ adv seeming to be real, when in fact it is not ostentation /ɒsten teʃ(ə)n/ noun showing off in a luxurious way, so as to impress ostentatious /ɒsten teʃəs/ adj looking showy and expensive, so as to impress. Synonym flashy ostentatiously /ɒsten teʃəsli/ adv in a showy and expensive way, so as to impress osteopathy /ɒsti ɒpəθi/ noun a treatment for some medical conditions that involves massaging and bending parts of the body osteoporosis /ɒstiəυpɔ rəυss/ noun a condition where the bones become thin, porous and brittle, because of lack of calcium and lack of physical exercise ostracise / ɒstrəsaz/, ostracize verb to refuse to talk to somebody or allow them to be part of a group ostracism / ɒstrəsz(ə)m/ noun being rejected by a group or by society. Antonym day and he looked perfectly well. 4. 왍 anything other anything else 쑗 In the evening we never do anything other than watch TV. ① otherwise / ðəwaz/ adv 1. in other ways 쑗 Your little boy can be noisy sometimes, but otherwise he’s an excellent pupil. 2. if not, or else 쑗 Are you sure you can’t come on Tuesday? – Otherwise I’ll have to give the tickets to someone else. 3. in a different way 쑗 He thinks we should move house, but I think otherwise. OTT abbr over the top (informal ) 쑗 Throwing the letter on the floor and stamping on it was a bit OTT. otter / ɒtə/ noun a small fish-eating mammal with webbed feet living mainly by rivers ouch /aυtʃ/ interj showing that you have been hurt 쑗 Ouch! That was my foot you trod on! ① ought /ɔ t/ modal verb 1. it would be a good thing to 쑗 You ought to go swimming more often. 쑗 You ought to see the doctor if your cough doesn’t get better. 쑗 He oughtn’t to eat so much – he’ll get fat. 쑗 The travel agent ought to have told you the hotel was full before you went on holiday. 2. it is probable that 쑗 She ought to pass her driving test easily. 쑗 He left his office at six, so he ought to be home by now. (NOTE: The negative is inclusion ostrich / ɒstrtʃ/ noun a very large bird 쑗 which cannot fly but which can run fast, and is found in Africa (NOTE: The plural is os- . ought not, shortened to oughtn’t. Note also that ought is always followed by to and a verb in the infinitive.) oughtn’t short form ought not ③ ounce /aυns/ noun a measure of weight, equal to 28 grams (NOTE: usually written oz after figures: 3oz of butter, say ‘three ounces of butter’) ① our /aυə/ adj which belongs to us 쑗 Our office is near the station. 쑗 Our cat is missing again. 쑗 Two of our children caught flu. (NOTE: Do not confuse with hour.) ① ours /aυəz/ pron a thing or person that belongs to us 쑗 That house over there is ours. Friends of ours told us that the restaurant was good. 쑗 Can we borrow your car, because ours is being serviced? (NOTE: Do not triches.) confuse with hours.) ① ourselves /aυə selvz/ pron 1. referring ① other / ðə/ adj, pron 1. a different person or thing 쑗 We went swimming while the other members of the group sat and watched. 쑗 I don’t like chocolate cakes – can I have one of the others? 쑗 I’m fed up with that campsite – can’t we go to some other place next year? 2. second one of two 쑗 He has two cars – one is red, and the other one is blue. 쑗 One of their daughters is fat, but the other is quite thin. 3. showing something which is not clear 쑗 She went to stay in some hotel or other in London. 쑗 He met some girl or other at the party. 쑗 I’m surprised to hear he’s in hospital – I saw him only the other to us 쑗 We all organised ourselves into two teams. 쑗 We were enjoying ourselves when the police came. 2. 왍 all by ourselves with no one else; with no help from anyone else 쑗 We don’t like being all by ourselves in the dark house. 쑗 We built the house all by ourselves. oust /aυst/ verb to force someone to leave a position ① out /aυt/ adv 1. away from inside 쑗 How did the tiger get out of its cage? 쑗 She pulled out a box of matches. 쑗 Take the computer out of its packing case. 2. not at home 쑗 No one answered the phone – they must all be outback 593 out. 3. away from here 쑗 The tide is out. 쑗 The fishing boats left the harbour and are now out at sea. (NOTE: Out is often used with verbs: to jump out, to come out, to get out. out is often followed by of.) 4. wrong in calculating 쑗 The cash in the till was £10 out. 5. not in fashion 쑗 Long hair is out this year. 6. just appeared 7. (of fire or light) no longer burning 쑗 All the lights are out in the building, so I assume it’s empty. outback / aυtbk/ noun (in Australia) the areas away from centres of population. Synonym wilderness outbid /aυt bd/ verb to bid higher than someone else outbox / aυtbɒks/ noun US an out tray outbreak / aυtbrek/ noun a sudden series of cases of an illness or unrest. Synonym eruption outbuildings / aυtbldŋz/ plural noun buildings near to a main building outburst / aυtb" st/ noun a sudden display of violent emotion outcast / aυtkɑ st/ noun a person who has been rejected by society, or driven away from a group. Synonym untouchable outclass /aυt klɑ s/ verb to be significantly better than other people at doing something ③ outcome / aυtkm/ noun a result 쑗 The outcome of the match was in doubt until the final few minutes. 쑗 What was the outcome of the appeal? Synonym result outcrop / aυtkrɒp/ noun a rock which sticks out of the surface of the ground outcry / aυtkra/ noun a loud protest from a number of people outdated /aυt detd/ adj old-fashioned. Synonym antiquated outdo /aυt du / verb to do better than someone. Synonym exceed (NOTE: outdid /aυt dd/ – outdone /aυt dn/) ③ outdoor / aυtdɔ / adj in the open air. Synonym outside. Antonym indoor ③ outdoors /aυt dɔ z/ adv in the open air, not inside a building 쑗 The ceremony is usually held outdoors. 쑗 Why don’t we take our coffee outdoors and sit in the sun? 쑗 The concert will be held outdoors if the weather is good. Antonym indoors (NOTE: You can also say out of doors.) 쐽 noun the open air or the open countryside 쑗 The pictures of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains are a typical scene of the great American outdoors. ③ outer / aυtə/ adj on the outside 쑗 Though the outer surface of the pie was hot, the inside was still cold. Synonym outside. Antonym inner outermost / aυtəməυst/ adj furthest out or furthest from the centre outlet outer space /aυtə spes/ noun the area beyond the Earth’s atmosphere outfield / aυtfi ld/ noun the part of a cricket pitch or baseball pitch furthest away from the players who are batting. Antonym infield outfit / aυtft/ noun 1. a set of clothes, often for a particular purpose 쑗 She bought a new outfit for the wedding. 쑗 For the fancy dress party she wore a nurse’s outfit. 2. an organisation 쑗 I want some really professional builders, not an outfit like my brother’s. 쑗 She works for some local government outfit. outflank /aυt flŋk/ verb to go round the side of an enemy outflow / aυtfləυ/ noun a quantity which flows out outgoing /aυt DZəυŋ/ adj 1. referring to a phone call or post which is going out of a building 쑗 an outgoing call 쑗 He hurried to catch the outgoing post. 2. lively, who likes to be with others 쑗 He has a very outgoing personality. 3. referring to someone who is leaving a job 쑗 She proposed a vote of thanks to the outgoing chairman. outgoings / aυtDZəυŋz/ plural noun regular expenditure outgrow /aυt DZrəυ/ verb 1. to grow too big for clothes 쑗 She’s already outgrown the dress I bought her for Christmas. 2. to change your behaviour as you grow up 쑗 We hoped they’d soon outgrow that sort of behaviour. (NOTE: outgrew – outgrown. You ③ can also say to grow out of.) outing / aυtŋ/ noun a short trip. Synonym visit outlandish /aυt lndʃ/ adj strange or different from the usual. Synonym unusual. Antonym usual outlast /aυt lɑ st/ verb to exist longer than another person or thing or to be successful for longer than another thing outlaw / aυtlɔ / verb 1. to say that something is unlawful 쑗 The government has proposed a bill to outlaw drinking in public. 2. to declare someone to be beyond the protection of the law (dated ) 쑗 The leader of the bandits was outlawed and fled into the mountains. 쐽 noun a person who has been outlawed (dated ) 쑗 They read about Robin Hood, the famous English outlaw. Synonym . . runaway outlay / aυtle/ noun money spent. Synonym expenditure outlet / aυtlət/ noun 1. a place where something can be sold or distributed 쑗 He owns a small number of clothing outlets in south-east London. 2. the means by which an idea or feeling can get out 쑗 He did outline 594 weight-lifting as an outlet for his stress at work. outline / aυtlan/ noun 1. a line showing the outer edge of something 쑗 He drew the outline of a car on the paper. 2. a broad description without giving much detail 쑗 She gave the meeting an outline of her proposals. 쑗 I don’t have much time – just give me the outline of the story. 쐽 verb to make a broad description of a plan, etc. 쑗 He outlined the plan to the bank manager. 쑗 She outlined her proposals to the meeting. 쐽 adj as a broad description, without any details 쑗 The outline proposal was rejected. 쑗 The council gave outline planning permission for a new house. outlive /aυt lv/ verb 왍 to outlive someone or something to live longer than someone or something 쑗 He outlived all his brothers and sisters. 쑗 She outlived her husband by twenty years. 쑗 Our old telephone system has outlived its usefulness. outlook / aυtlυk/ noun 1. a view of the world in general 쑗 His gloomy outlook on life shows in his novels. 2. a view of what will happen in the future 쑗 We think the outlook for the company is excellent. 쑗 The economic outlook is not good. 쑗 The outlook for tomorrow’s weather is mainly sunny with some rain. outlying / aυtlaŋ/ adj away from a town or city outmanoeuvre /aυtmə nu və/ verb to gain an advantage over someone by acting or working more cleverly (NOTE: The US spelling is outmaneuver.) outmoded /aυt məυdd/ adj old- fashioned outnumber /aυt nmbə/ verb to be greater in number than something ① out of / aυt ɒv/ prep 1. outside of 쑗 Get out of my way! 쑗 They went out of the room. 2. from among a total 쑗 She got 60 marks out of 100 for her exam. 쑗 One out of ten policemen is corrupt. 3. from 쑗 Her dress is made out of a piece of old silk. 쑗 He made a fortune out of buying and selling antiques. 4. no longer available 쑗 We’re out of carrots today. 쑗 I’m out of change – can I borrow £5? 5. caused by 쑗 Reporting his mother to the police was just done out of spite. 쑗 He threw the plate on the floor out of sheer frustration. ① out of date /aυt əv det/ adj 1. without recent information 2. no longer in fashion 쑗 Flared trousers are rather out of date. 3. no longer valid 쑗 I’m afraid your bus pass is out of date. 쑗 She tried to travel with an out-of-date ticket. out of pocket /aυt əv pɒkt/ adj having lost money which you paid personally out of print /aυt əv prnt/ adj with no printed copies left outrageously out of the way /aυt əv ðə we/ adj 1. not near any main town 쑗 They live in an out of the way village in the West Country. Synonym remote 2. 왍 nothing out of the way not unusual, not extraordinary ③ out of touch /aυt əv ttʃ/ adj 1. not having the most recent information about something 쑗 He seems out of touch with what’s been happening in his department. 2. not communicating with somebody by letter or telephone 쑗 We’ve been out of touch with our relations in Canada for several years. out-of-town /aυt əv taυn/ adj not near to a town centre ③ out of work /aυt əv w" k/ adv with no job 쑗 The recession has put millions out of work. 쐽 adj with no job 쑗 The company was set up by three out-of-work engineers. Synonym unemployed out of your depth /aυt əv jɔ depθ/ adv 1. in deep water and not able to touch the bottom 쑗 She got out of her depth and had to be rescued by the lifeguards. 2. unable to understand 쑗 He’s quite out of his depth in discussions about monetary theory. out of your mind /aυt əv jə mand/ adv mad or irrational outpace /aυt pes/ verb to walk or go faster than someone outpatient / aυtpeʃ(ə)nt/ noun a person who goes to a hospital for treatment, without staying there overnight outperform /aυtpə fɔ m/ verb to do something better or more quickly than somebody or something else. Synonym outdo outplay /aυt ple/ verb to play better than someone else outpost / aυtpəυst/ noun a small town or small fort in a distant part of an occupied territory. Synonym garrison outpouring / aυtpɔ rŋ/ noun the sudden expression of a strong emotion or production of something in large amounts. Synonym flood ② output / aυtpυt/ noun an amount which a firm, machine or person produces 쑗 The factory has doubled its output in the last six months. outrage / aυtredȢ/ noun an offence or vigorous attack against moral standards 쑗 The terrorist attack on the market is an outrage. 쑗 I think the new tax on food is an outrage. 쐽 verb to shock, to be a cause of great indignation 쑗 His behaviour outraged his parents. Synonym infuriate. Antonym placate outrageous /aυt redȢəs/ adj causing indignation and shock. Synonym disgraceful. Antonym commendable outrageously /aυt redȢəsli/ adv in an outrageous way outreach 595 over outreach / aυtri tʃ/ adj referring to ser- been outstripping their American rivals. vices provided outside an organisation’s buildings outright /aυt rat/ adj complete 쑗 The play was an outright success. 쑗 She’s the outright winner of the competition. 쐽 adv 1. openly 쑗 He told me outright that he didn’t like me. 2. immediately 쑗 The van hit him and he was killed outright. ③ outset / aυtset/ noun the beginning. Synonym beginning ① outside / aυtsad/ noun the outer surface or the part which is not inside 쑗 He polished the outside of his car. 쑗 The apple was red and shiny on the outside, but rotten inside. Synonym exterior. Antonym inside 쐽 adj which is on the outer surface 쑗 The outside walls of the house are brick. 쐽 adv not inside a building 쑗 It’s beautiful and warm outside in the garden. 쑗 The dog’s all wet – it must be raining outside. 쐽 prep in a position not inside 쑗 I left my umbrella outside the front door. 쑗 This is outside my field of research. outside broadcast /aυtsad brɔ dkɑ st/ noun a programme not done in the studio outside lane /aυt sad len/ noun a track nearest the centre of a road, used by the faster-moving vehicles ③ outsider /aυt sadə/ noun 1. a person who does not belong to a group 쑗 She has always been a bit of an outsider. 2. a horse which is not expected to win a race 쑗 The outsider won the race by a neck. outskirts / aυtsk" ts/ plural noun the outer edges of a town or similar place. Synonym border outsmart /aυt smɑ t/ verb to trick someone by being cleverer. Synonym outwit outspoken /aυt spəυkən/ adj speaking very frankly. Synonym frank. Antonym (NOTE: outstripping – outstripped) out-tray / aυt tre/ noun a file or basket for outgoing letters (NOTE: The file for incoming letters is the in-tray and that for letters which are waiting for a decision is the pending tray.) outvote /aυt vəυt/ verb to defeat someone tactful ovation /əυ veʃ(ə)n/ noun great applause. ③ outstanding /aυt stndŋ/ adj 1. ex- cellent or of a very high standard or quality 쑗 Her performance was outstanding. 쑗 an antique Chinese vase of outstanding quality 2. not yet paid 쑗 The invoice from the solicitor is still outstanding. 쑗 I have some outstanding bills to settle. outstay /aυt ste/ verb 왍 to outstay your welcome to stay longer than your hosts thought you were going to stay outstretched /aυt stretʃt/ adj which is stretched out outstrip /aυt strp/ verb 1. to go faster than someone 쑗 They outstripped everybody else in their new boat. 쑗 She outstripped all the other competitors to win the race. 2. to do better than someone 쑗 Japanese firms have in a vote outward / aυtwəd/ adj, adv 1. towards the outside or away from the centre or starting point 쑗 The outward journey takes about six hours. 2. on the outside 쑗 His outward appearance belies his true character. outward bound /aυtwəd baυnd/ adj referring to an aeroplane or boat that is making a journey away from a place outwardly / aυtwədli/ adv as it seems on the outside outwards / aυtwədz/ adv towards the outside or away from the centre or starting point (NOTE: The US term is outward.) outweigh /aυt we/ verb to be more important than something. Synonym overshadow outwit /aυt wt/ verb to trick someone by being cleverer than they are. Synonym outsmart (NOTE: outwitting – outwitted) outworn /aυt wɔ n/ adj no longer useful. Synonym obsolete ova / əυvə/ plural of ovum oval / əυv(ə)l/ noun a long rounded shape ③ like an egg 쑗 He drew an oval on the paper. 쐽 adj with a long rounded shape like an egg 쑗 The pie was cooked in an oval bowl. 쑗 A rugby ball isn’t round but oval. ovarian /əυ veəriən/ adj referring to the ovaries ovary / əυv(ə)ri/ noun one of two organs in a woman or female animal which produce ova or egg cells and secrete the female hormone oestrogen (NOTE: The plural is ovaries.) Synonym standing ovation oven / v(ə)n/ noun a metal box with a door, which is heated for cooking 쑗 Don’t put that plate in the oven – it’s made of plastic. 쑗 Supper is cooking in the oven. 쑗 Can you look in the oven and see if the meat is cooked? ovenproof / v(ə)npru f/ adj which can be put into a hot oven without any danger of being cracked by the heat ① over /əυvə/ prep 1. above or higher than 쑗 He put a blanket over the bed. 쑗 Planes fly over our house every minute. 쑗 The river rose over its banks. 2. on the other side or to the other side 쑗 Our office is just over the road from the bank. 쑗 He threw the ball over the wall. 쑗 The children ran over the road. 3. ③ over- 596 from the top of 쑗 He fell over the cliff. 쑗 She looked over the edge of the balcony. 4. during 쑗 Over the last few weeks the weather has been cold and wet. 쑗 Let’s discuss the problem over lunch. 5. more than 쑗 Children over 16 years old have to pay full price. 쑗 The car costs over £40,000. 쑗 We had to wait for over two hours. 6. by means of 쑗 I heard the news over the radio this morning. 쐽 adv 1. several times 쑗 He plays the same CD over and over again. 2. down from being upright 쑗 The bottle fell over and all the contents poured out. 쑗 She knocked over the plant pot. 쑗 He leaned over and picked up a pin from the floor. 3. more than 쑗 Children of 16 and over pay full price. 쑗 There are special prices for groups of 30 and over. 4. not used, left behind 쑗 Any food left over after the meal can be given to the poor. 5. thoroughly 쑗 Think it over and let me know what you decide. 6. across something like a road or a field 쑗 She’s gone over to her friend’s house. (NOTE: over is used after many verbs: to run over, to fall over, to come over, to look over.) 쐽 adj finished 쑗 Is the match over yet? 쑗 When the civil war was over everyone had more food to eat. 쐽 noun one of the sections of a cricket match, during which one bowler bowls six times over- /əυvə/ prefix 1. extremely 쑗 overanxious 2. more than 쑗 the over-60s 3. too much 쑗 overworked 쑗 overdone ② overall adj /əυvər ɔ l/ covering or taking in everything 쑗 The overall outlook for the country is good. 쑗 The overall impression was favourable. Synonym general 쐽 adv /əυvər ɔ l/ taking in everything 쑗 Overall, her work has improved considerably. 쐽 noun / əυvərɔ l/ a light coat worn at work 쑗 He was wearing a white overall as he had just come out of the laboratory. 쑗 Put an overall over your clothes before you start painting. overall majority /əυvərɔ l mə dȢɒrti/ noun a majority over all other parties in Parliament taken together overalls / əυvərɔ lz/ plural noun a one-piece suit of trousers and top worn over normal clothes to keep them clean when you are working overbalance /əυvə bləns/ verb to lose your balance overbearing /əυvə beərŋ/ adj trying to dominate others. Synonym arrogant. Antonym meek ③ overboard / əυvəbɔ d/ adv 1. into the water from the edge of a ship, etc. 왍 man overboard! someone has fallen into the water! 2. 왍 to go overboard for something to be enthusiastic about something (informal ) 쑗 I don’t go overboard for his paintings. overcast / əυvəkɑ st/ adj (of the sky) dull and cloudy. Synonym gloomy . overeating overcharge /əυvə tʃɑ dȢ/ verb to charge someone too much for something overcoat / əυvəkəυt/ noun a thick outdoor coat which you wear over other clothes ③ overcome /əυvə km/ verb 1. to gain victory over an enemy or problem 쑗 The army quickly overcame the invaders. 쑗 Do you think the drugs problem can ever be overcome? 2. to make someone helpless 쑗 She was overcome by fear. 쑗 Two people were overcome by smoke. (NOTE: overcame /əυvə kem/ – has overcome) overcompensate /əυvə kɒmpənset/ verb to try to do more than you should to make up for something overcrowded /əυvə kraυdd/ adj with too many people inside. Antonym deserted overcrowding /əυvə kraυdŋ/ noun having too many people or things in a small area. Synonym congestion overdo /əυvə du / verb to do too much, work too hard or to use too much of something 쑗 They overdid the red velvet and made the sitting room look like a bar. 쑗 Don’t overdo the exercises in the first few weeks. 쑗 The doctor says I’ve been overdoing it recently and need a rest. 쑗 He overdid it and strained his back. overdone /əυvə dn/ adj 1. exaggerated 쑗 All right, it’s a tragedy, but all that weeping and wailing was terribly overdone. 2. cooked too much 쑗 I complained because my steak was overdone. Antonym underdone overdose / əυvədəυs/ noun a dose of a drug which is more than normal 쑗 She went into a coma after an overdose of heroin. 쐽 verb 왍 to overdose on to take too much of a drug 쑗 It’s perfectly possible to overdose on aspirin. overdraft / əυvədrɑ ft/ noun an amount of money which you can withdraw from your bank account with the bank’s permission, which is more than there is in the account overdraw /əυvə drɔ / verb to take out more money from a bank account than there is in it (NOTE: overdrew /əυvə dru / - overdrawn /əυvə drɔ n/) overdrawn /əυvə drɔ n/ adj (of a bank account) from which more money has been taken than there is in it overdue /əυvə dju / adj 1. which has not been paid at the correct time 쑗 This invoice is overdue – please pay immediately. 2. which is late 쑗 Her library books were overdue so she had to pay a fine. 쑗 This visit to my mother is long overdue. overeat /əυvər i t/ verb to eat too much (NOTE: overate /əυvə et/ – overeaten) overeating /əυvər i tŋ/ noun eating too much food overestimate 597 overestimate /əυvər estmet/ verb to think something is larger or worse than it really is overexert /əυvərDZ z" t/ verb 왍 to overexert yourself to work too hard 쑗 Don’t overexert yourself! 쑗 He’s in no danger of overexerting himself! overexertion /əυvərDZ z" ʃ(ə)n/ noun too much effort overflow verb /əυvə fləυ/ 1. to flow over the top of something 쑗 The river overflowed its banks. 쑗 The bath was so full it was overflowing. 2. to occupy more space 쑗 The crowd was so big that it overflowed into the street outside the meeting room. 쐽 noun /əυvəfləυ/ 1. a liquid which has overflowed 쑗 This ditch takes away the overflow from the pond. 2. a pipe or hole which allows a liquid to flow out of a container that is too full 쑗 The overflow was blocked and water started coming through the ceiling. 3. an amount or number which will not fit a given space 쑗 The new towns were built to house the overflow population from the capital. 쑗 The stadium was full and the overflow watched the match on giant TV screens in the park next door. overgrown /əυvə DZrəυn/ adj covered with plants and weeds because of not being looked after overhang noun / əυvəhŋ/ a part which sticks out from something over a space 쑗 Getting past the rock overhang is the most difficult part of the climb. 쑗 We sheltered from the rain under the overhang of the roof. 쐽 verb /əυvə hŋ/ to stick out above something else 쑗 The upper storey of the house overhangs the street. (NOTE: overhanging – overhung) overhaul verb /əυvə hɔ l/ 1. to examine something carefully and make changes so that it works better 쑗 We need to overhaul the company’s union agreements. 2. to overtake another ship or car 쑗 From being last in the race he gradually moved up and in the end overhauled the leaders. 쐽 noun / əυvəhɔ l/ the act of examining and improving or repairing something 쑗 a long overdue overhaul of our safety procedures 쑗 My car’s in the garage for a complete overhaul. ③ overhead /əυvə hed/ adv above you 쑗 Look at that plane overhead. 쑗 Please stow your hand luggage in the lockers overhead. Antonym below overhead expenses /əυvəhed kspensz/ plural noun general expenses incurred by a business as a whole, such as salaries, heating and rent. Synonym costs overhead projector /əυvərhed prədȢektə/ noun a projector which projects a picture from a flat surface onto a screen overpower overheads / əυvəhedz/ plural noun same as overhead expenses. synonym costs 쑗 We need to cut back on overheads. ③ (NOTE: The US term is overhead.) overhear /əυvə hə/ verb to hear acciden- tally something which you are not meant to hear (NOTE: overheard /əυvə h" d/) overheat /əυvə hi t/ verb to get too hot overjoyed /əυvə dȢɔd/ adj extremely happy. Synonym delighted. Antonym disappointed overkill / əυvəkl/ noun more of something than is wanted or appropriate overland /əυvə lnd/ adv, adj by land 쑗 You can travel to India overland. 쑗 The overland route to South Africa takes you right through the heart of the African continent. overlap /əυvə lp/ verb to cover part of something else (NOTE: overlapping – overlapped) 쐽 noun / əυvəlp/ an amount by which something overlaps 쑗 The overlap of the wallpaper was so small that no one noticed it. overlay noun / əυvəle/ a covering for the surface of something 쑗 They put an overlay of gold leaf on the statue. 쐽 verb /əυvə le/ to cover the surface of something with something 쑗 a stone floor overlaid with brilliantly coloured mosaics. Synonym cover overleaf /əυvə lif/ adv referring to the other side of a page of a book or other publication overload /əυvə ləυd/ verb to put too heavy a load on something overlook /əυvə lυk/ verb 1. not to notice something 쑗 She overlooked several mistakes when she was correcting the exam papers. 2. to pretend not to notice something 쑗 In this instance the bank will overlook the delay in making payment. 3. to look out on to 쑗 My office overlooks the factory. 쑗 I want a room overlooking the hotel gardens, not the car park. overly / əυvəli/ adv too much. Antonym slightly overnight /əυvə nat/ adv for the whole night 쑗 We will stay overnight in France on our way to Italy. 쑗 Will the food stay fresh overnight? 쐽 adj lasting all night 쑗 They took an overnight flight back from China. 쑗 There are three sleeping cars on the overnight express. overnight bag / əυvənat bDZ/ noun a small suitcase which can carry just what you need to spend one night somewhere overpass / əυvəpɑ s/ noun a road which crosses over the top of another road. Compare underpass overpower /əυvə paυə/ verb to control someone by force overpowering 598 overpowering /əυvə paυərŋ/ adj very strong 쑗 an overpowering smell of cheese overpriced /əυvə prast/ adj with a price which is too high. Antonym cheap overrated /əυvə retd/ adj said to be better than it really is overreach /əυvə ri tʃ/ verb 왍 to overreach yourself to fail in what you are trying to do because it is beyond your capabilities overreact /əυvəri kt/ verb to react to something with too much emotion or action ③ override /əυvə rad/ verb 1. to cancel an instruction 쑗 The chairman decided to override the committee’s decision. 2. to be more important than other things 쑗 The group’s safety overrides any other considerations. (NOTE: overrode /əυvə rəυd/ – overridden /əυvə rd(ə)n/) overriding /əυvə radŋ/ adj more important than all others overrule /əυvə ru l/ verb 1. (in a meeting) not to allow a decision because you are more powerful than the person who took the decision 쑗 Mr Smith tried to object but his objection was overruled by the chairman. 쑗 The committee overruled the decision made by the secretary. 2. (of a higher court) to set a new precedent by deciding a case on a different principle from the one laid down by a lower court 쑗 The Supreme Court can overrule any other court in the USA. overrun /əυvə rn/ verb 1. to go beyond a certain time limit 쑗 The meeting overran by thirty minutes. 2. to beat someone or occupy their territory very quickly 쑗 The enemy overran our coastal defences and began advancing inland. 3. 왍 to be overrun with something or someone to be filled with a crowd of people, animals or things 쑗 The city centre is overrun with tourists every summer. ③ overseas adv /əυvə si z/ in a foreign country 쑗 He went to work overseas for some years. Synonym abroad 쐽 adj / əυvəsi z/ referring to foreign countries 쑗 Overseas sales are important for our company. oversee /əυvə si / verb to supervise something (NOTE: overseeing – oversaw – has overseen) overshadow /əυvə ʃdəυ/ verb to make someone or something less conspicuous by being more brilliant yourself overshoot /əυvə ʃu t/ verb to go further than you are supposed to (NOTE: overshooting – overshot) oversight / əυvəsat/ noun a mistake made by not doing something because you forgot it or did not notice it oversimplification /əυvəsmplfkeʃ(ə)n/ noun making something appear too simple overture oversleep /əυvə sli p/ verb to sleep longer than you meant to. Synonym sleep in (NOTE: overslept – has overslept) overspend /əυvə spend/ verb to spend more than you should (NOTE: overspending – overspent) overspill / əυvəspl/ noun a population which moves from the centre of a town to an area outside overstate /əυvə stet/ verb to state something too strongly or with too much detail. Synonym exaggerate. Antonym understate overstay /əυvə ste/ verb to stay somewhere longer than you should. Synonym prolong overstep /əυvə step/ verb to go further than you ought to (NOTE: overstepping – overstepped) overt /əυ v" t/ adj open and not hidden. Synonym obvious. Antonym covert overtake /əυvə tek/ verb to go past someone travelling in front of you (NOTE: overtaking – overtook – has overtaken) over-the-counter /əυvə ðə kaυntə/ adj referring to a medicine which can be bought without a prescription from a doctor over-the-top /əυvə ðə tɒp/ adj excessive and exaggerated. Abbr OTT overthrow noun / əυvəθrəυ/ the removal of a government or dictator from power 쑗 The revolution led to the overthrow of the dictator. 쐽 verb /əυvə θrəυ/ to defeat 쑗 Do you think the rebels can overthrow the military government? 쑗 The former régime was overthrown and the President fled. Synonym conquer. Antonym uphold (NOTE: overthrew /əυvə θru / - overthrown) ③ overtime / əυvətam/ noun hours worked more than the usual working time 쑗 He worked six hours’ overtime. 쑗 The overtime rate is one and a half times normal pay. 쑗 The basic wage is £110 a week, but you can expect to earn more than that with overtime. 쐽 adv more than normal hours of work 쑗 The staff had to work overtime when the hotel was full. 쑗 How much extra do I get for working overtime? Synonym energetically overtly /əυ v" tli/ adv openly overtone / əυvətəυn/ noun 1. a meaning or quality which is suggested and not stated openly or made obvious in something 2. a musical tone which is part of the harmonic series above a fundamental tone overtones / əυvətəυnz/ plural noun the suggestion of something which is not directly stated overture / əυvətjυə/ noun 1. a short piece of music played at the beginning of an opera or a concert 쑗 The orchestra played the over- overturn 599 ture to ‘The Magic Flute’. 2. 왍 to make overtures to someone to try to begin negotiations with someone 쑗 The socialists made overtures to the communists with the aim of forming a left-wing alliance. overturn /əυvə t" n/ verb 1. to make something fall over or to turn upside down 쑗 The baby accidentally overturned the goldfish bowl. 쑗 The fishing boat overturned in the storm. 2. to vote against a previous decision 쑗 The decision to raise subscriptions was overturned by the council. overvalue /əυvə vlju / verb to give something a higher value than is right. Antonym undervalue ③ overview / əυvəvju / noun a general view of a subject overweight /əυvə wet/ adj having too much weight, e.g. because of eating too much. Antonym underweight ③ overwhelm /əυvə welm/ verb 1. to conquer someone or something completely 쑗 His enthusiasm overwhelms me. 쑗 The enemy was overwhelmed by our troops. 2. to have more of something than you can do or cope with 쑗 The new receptionist was overwhelmed by her job. overwhelming /əυvə welmŋ/ adj enormous 쑗 There was an overwhelming response to their appeal for money. 쑗 They got an overwhelming ‘yes’ vote. overwork /əυvə w" k/ noun too much work 쑗 He is suffering from stress caused by overwork. 쐽 verb 1. to work too hard 쑗 You’ve been overworking, you should take a day off. 2. to make someone work too hard 쑗 He overworks the kitchen staff dreadfully. 쑗 Like everyone else in the company, I’m overworked and underpaid. overworked /əυvə w" kt/ adj referring to someone who has too much work to do overwrite /əυvə rat/ verb 1. to delete computer data or a computer file and replace with other data or a file with the same name 2. to write in a style that is too elaborate overwrought /əυvə rɔ t/ adj very worried and emotional. Synonym tense. Antonym calm over-zealous /əυvə zeləs/ adj too enthusiastic or eager in doing something , ovulate / ɒvjυlet/ verb (of a woman or female animal ) to produce an egg inside the body ovulation /ɒvjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the release of an ovum into one of the Fallopian tubes ovum / əυvəm/ noun a female egg cell which can develop into an embryo inside the mother’s body when fertilised (NOTE: The plural is ova / əυvə/.) ow /aυ/ interj an expression of pain . oz ② owe /əυ/ verb 1. to be due to pay someone money 쑗 He still owes me the £50 he borrowed last month. 2. 왍 to owe something to something to have something because of something else 쑗 He owes his good health to taking a lot of exercise. 3. to feel that something should be done 쑗 He owes her an apology. 쑗 I owe my sister a letter. ③ owing to / əυŋ tu / prep because of owl /aυl/ noun a bird of prey which is mainly active at night ① own /əυn/ adj belonging to you alone 쑗 I don’t need to borrow a car – I have my own car. 쑗 He has his own hairdressing shop. Synonym personal 쐽 noun 왍 of my or his own belonging to me or to him alone 쑗 He has an office of his own. 쑗 I have a car of my own. 쑗 They got married and now have a house of their own. 쐽 verb to have or to possess something 쑗 I don’t own a car. 쑗 There’s no sense in owning two cars, since my wife doesn’t drive. 쑗 Who owns this shop? ② owner / əυnə/ noun a person who owns something 쑗 The police are trying to find the owner of the stolen car. 쑗 Insurance is necessary for all house owners. Synonym proprietor owner-occupier /əυnər ɒkjυpaə/ noun a person who owns the house that he or she lives in (NOTE: The plural is owneroccupiers.) ownership / əυnəʃp/ noun a situation where someone owns something. Synonym ③ possession own goal /əυn DZəυl/ noun 1. a goal scored against your own side by mistake 쑗 He tried to pass back to the goalkeeper and scored an own goal. 2. something that is intended to help you do something but has the opposite effect 쑗 Their attempts to show that the government was financially incompetent led to a spectacular own goal. (NOTE: The plural is own goals.) ③ own up /əυn p/, own up to /əυn p tυ/ verb to say that you have done something wrong ox /ɒks/ noun male or female domestic cattle or a castrated bull used as a draught animal (NOTE: The plural is oxen / ɒksən/.) oxide / ɒksad/ noun a chemical compound formed of oxygen and another element oxtail / ɒkstel/ noun the meat from the tail of a cow or bull used as food oxygen / ɒksdȢən/ noun a common gas which is present in the air and is essential for plant and animal life oyster / ɔstə/ noun a type of shellfish with two shells, highly valued as food ③ oz abbr ounce(s) (NOTE: say ‘twelve ounces of flour’, ‘five ounces of butter’) ozone 600 ozone / əυzəυn/ noun a harmful form of oxygen, which is found in the atmosphere and which is poisonous to humans when concentrated ozone layer ozone layer / əυzəυn leə/ noun a layer of ozone in the upper atmosphere, formed by the action of sunlight on oxygen, which acts as protection against harmful rays from the Sun P p1 /pi /, P noun the sixteenth letter of the alphabet, between O and Q p2 abbr pence 쑗 This book costs 99p. 쑗 You should get a 60p ticket from the machine. 쑗 I bought the children 50p ice creams each. 쏡 penny pa /pɑ / noun a child’s name for father (informal ) PA abbr personal assistant p.a. abbr per annum ③ pace /pes/ noun 1. the distance covered . by one step 쑗 Step three paces back. 쑗 Walk thirty paces to the north of the stone. 2. speed 왍 to keep pace with to keep up with 쑗 She kept pace with the leaders for the first three laps. 쑗 Wages haven’t kept pace with inflation. 왍 to set the pace (of a runner, driver, horse, etc.) to go fast, showing how fast a race should be run 쑗 The German driver set the pace in his Ferrari. 쐽 verb 1. to walk 쑗 He paced backwards and forwards in front of the door. 2. to measure by walking 쑗 He paced out the distance between the tree and the house. 3. to set the pace for a runner 쑗 To help him train for the marathon she paced him on her bicycle. pacemaker / pesmekə/ noun an electronic device which is implanted in a patient’s chest and which stimulates and regulates the heartbeat ③ pacific /pə sfk/ adj preferring peace and calm Pacific /pə sfk/ noun same as Pacific Ocean pacification /psf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the calming of people who are angry or in revolt Pacific Ocean /pəsfk əυʃən/ noun the huge ocean between North America, South America, Asia and New Zealand Pacific Rim /pəsfk rm/ noun the countries round the edge of the Pacific Ocean, including South-East Asia, Japan, the Western States of the USA, South America, Australia and New Zealand pacifism / psfz(ə)m/ noun opposition to war pacifist / psfst/ adj supporting pacifism 쑗 The pacifist movement had many new members. 쐽 noun a person who supports pacifism 쑗 My father was a pacifist and refused to do military service. pacify / psfa/ verb to make someone calm. Synonym calm. Antonym antagonise ② pack /pk/ noun 1. a set of things put together in a box 쑗 He bought a pack of chewing gum. 2. a set of playing cards 쑗 a pack of cards 쑗 Shuffle the pack. (NOTE: The US term is deck of cards.) 3. a group of wild animals together 쑗 a pack of wild dogs 4. a group of people or things 쑗 They’re a pack of fools. 쑗 He told us a pack of lies. 5. a bag which you can carry on your back 쑗 He carried his pack over his shoulder. 6. (in rugby) the group of forward players who form the scrum 쐽 verb 1. to put things into a suitcase ready for travelling 쑗 The taxi’s arrived and she hasn’t packed her suitcase yet. 쑗 I’ve finished packing, so we can start. 쑗 He packed his toothbrush at the bottom of the bag. 왍 to tell someone to pack his or her bags to tell someone to leave, or to sack someone (informal ) 쑗 When he got home, she told him to pack his bags. 왍 to send someone packing to send someone away 쑗 When the boys started to throw stones at her cat she soon sent them packing. 2. to put things in containers ready for sending 쑗 The books are packed in boxes of twenty. 쑗 Fish are packed in ice. 3. to put a lot of people or things into something 쑗 How can you pack ten adults into one tent? 쑗 The streets are packed with Christmas shoppers. 쑗 The supermarket shelves are packed with fruit and vegetables. ② package / pkdȢ/ noun 1. a parcel which has been wrapped up for sending 쑗 There was a package for you in the post. 쑗 We mailed the package to you yesterday. 2. a box or bag in which goods are sold 쑗 Instructions for use are printed on the package. 3. a combination of salary and other benefits offered with a job 쑗 offered me a good salary package 쐽 verb to put something into packages 쑗 The chocolates are packaged in silver paper. package deal / pkdȢ di l/ noun an agreement where several different items are offered and must be decided on at the same time . package holiday / pkdȢ hɒlde/ noun a holiday where everything including a hotel, food and travel is arranged and paid for before you leave package tour / pkdȢ tυə/ noun a tour where everything including a hotel, food and travel is arranged and paid for before you leave ③ packaging / pkdȢŋ/ noun 1. the wrapping of goods 쑗 The packaging is all done by machines. 2. paper, cardboard or plastic used to wrap goods 쑗 The boxes are sent in dust-proof packaging. ③ packed /pkt/ adj 1. full of people 쑗 The restaurant was packed and there were no free tables. 2. put in a container packed lunch /pkt lntʃ/ noun sandwiches or other easily transportable food packed in a bag or box, and which you can eat for lunch packer / pkə/ noun a person who packs goods ② packet / pkt/ noun 1. a small bag, parcel or box 쑗 a packet of cigarettes 쑗 a packet of soup 2. a large amount of money 쑗 He made a packet on the deal. pack ice / pk as/ noun a mass of ice covering the sea ③ pack in /pk n/ verb 왍 to pack it in to stop whatever you are doing (informal ) 쑗 It’s getting dark, let’s pack it in for the day. 쑗 He packed in his job and bought a farm. ③ packing / pkŋ/ noun 1. putting things into suitcases or bags 쑗 My wife’s in the hotel room doing our packing. 2. material used to protect goods which are being packed 쑗 The goods are sealed in airtight packing. packing case / pkŋ kes/ noun a large wooden box for carrying items which can be easily broken ③ pack off /pk ɒf/ verb to send someone away (informal ) ③ pack up /pk p/ verb 1. to put things into a box before going away 쑗 They packed up all their equipment and left. 2. to stop working 쑗 I’ll pack up now and finish the job tomorrow morning. 3. to break down 쑗 One of the plane’s engines packed up when we were taking off. pact /pkt/ noun an agreement or treaty ③ pad /pd/ noun 1. a soft cushion which protects 쑗 Put a pad of cotton on your knee. 2. a set of sheets of paper attached together 3. a soft part of the sole of an animal’s foot 쑗 The poor cat has a prickle in one of her pads. 4. (in cricket) one of two protective guards for the batsman’s or wicket-keeper’s leg 5. a room or flat (informal ) 쑗 I’ve got a little pad in the middle of Soho. 쐽 verb 1. to walk heavily and softly 쑗 The tiger was padding up and down in its cage. 2. to soften some. . . thing hard by using soft material 쑗 The chairs should be padded to make them more comfortable. 쏡 pad out (NOTE: padding – padded) padded / pdd/ adj with soft material in it padding / pdŋ/ noun 1. a soft material which protects, used in dressmaking, or to make things like cushions or chairs 쑗 The tailor put some more padding in the shoulders of the jacket. 쑗 We put cotton wool under the bandage as padding. 2. words added to a speech or article to make it longer 쑗 The speech was over an hour long, but most of it was just padding. 쑗 Your essay has got too much padding in it. (NOTE: no plural) paddle / pd(ə)l/ noun 1. a short oar used to make a boat move through the water 쑗 Help, I’ve dropped my paddle in the river! 2. a walk in shallow water 쑗 The little children went for a paddle in the sea. 쐽 verb 1. to make a boat move forwards using a paddle 쑗 We stopped paddling and let the canoe drift with the current. 2. to walk about in very shallow water 쑗 They all took off their shoes and socks and paddled in the lake. paddle steamer / pd(ə)l sti mə/ noun a boat driven by large wheels on each side paddling pool / pd(ə)lŋ pu l/ noun a small shallow pool for little children paddock / pdək/ noun 1. a small enclosed field, where horses can run 2. an area at a racecourse where racehorses parade before a race paddy field / pdi fi ld/ noun 1. a field filled with water, in which rice is grown 쑗 Rice paddies are breeding grounds for mosquitoes. (NOTE: plural is paddies) 2. a fit of bad temper (dated ) 쑗 He got into a paddy and threw his toys out of the pram. padlock / pdlɒk/ noun a small portable lock with a hook for locking things together 쑗 The gate is fastened with a padlock. 쐽 verb to lock something with a padlock 쑗 He padlocked his bicycle to the lamppost. ③ pad out /pd aυt/ verb to add text to a speech or article, just to make it longer paediatrician /pi diə trʃ(ə)n/ noun a doctor who specialises in treating children paediatrics /pi di trks/ noun the study of children, their development and diseases pagan / peDZən/ adj believing in a form of religion which is not one of the main formal religions 쑗 The missionaries tried to ban pagan religious practices. 쑗 The explorers visited a pagan temple. 쐽 noun 1. a person who believes in a pagan religion 쑗 The kings of Britain were pagans until they were converted by Christian missionaries. 2. a person who does not believe in any religion or who does not go to church 쑗 Doesn’t anybody want to go to church? – You’re just a lot of pagans! . page 603 ① page /pedȢ/ noun 1. a side of a sheet of paper used in a book, newspaper or magazine 쑗 It’s a short book, it only has 64 pages. 쑗 The crossword is on the back page. 쑗 Start reading at page 34. 쑗 Look at the picture on page 6. (NOTE: With numbers the word the is left out: on the next page but on page 50.) 2. a boy who is one of the bride’s attendants at a wedding 쑗 Two little page boys followed the bride into the church. (NOTE: A girl who does the same is a bridesmaid.) 3. a young messenger in a hotel 쐽 verb to call someone by radio, over a loudspeaker, etc. 쑗 Mr Smith isn’t in his office at the moment – I’ll page him for you. pageant / pdȢənt/ noun a grand display of people in historical costumes. Synonym procession pageantry / pdȢəntri/ noun grand ceremonies where people wear special costumes. Synonym spectacle pager / pedȢə/ noun a small electronic device that makes a noise or displays a message when someone is trying to contact you pagoda /pə DZəυdə/ noun a tall tower with several storeys, used as a temple, found in the Far East, e.g. in China, Korea and Japan ① paid /ped/ 쒁 pay paid-up /ped p/ adj all the money owing having been paid pail /pel/ noun a bucket, a round container with a handle but no lid, used mainly for liquids (NOTE: Do not confuse with pale.) ② pain /pen/ noun 1. a feeling of being hurt 쑗 If you have a pain in your chest, you ought to see a doctor. 쑗 She had to take drugs because she could not stand the pain. 쑗 I get pains in my teeth when I eat ice cream. 2. 왍 to take pains over or to do something to take care to do something well 쑗 They took great pains over the organisation of the conference. 쑗 She took pains to make everyone feel at home. 쐽 verb to hurt someone 쑗 It pains me to have to do this, but we must report you to the police. Synonym sadden. Antonym hearten pained /pend/ adj annoyed or upset ③ painful / penf(ə)l/ adj which hurts, which causes pain 쑗 She got a painful blow on the back of the head. 쑗 I have very painful memories of my first school. painfully / penf(ə)li/ adv 1. in a way which hurts 쑗 He twisted his ankle painfully. 쑗 I am painfully aware that most people are blaming me for the accident. 2. used for emphasising how difficult or unpleasant something is 쑗 So far, progress on building the dam has been painfully slow. painkiller / penklə/ noun a drug which stops someone feeling pain. Synonym analgesic pair painless / penləs/ adj which does not hurt. Synonym effortless painlessly / penləsli/ adv in a painless way painstaking / penztekŋ/ adj 1. (of a person) working very carefully and thoroughly 쑗 She’s a very painstaking worker. Antonym careless 2. (of work) careful and delicate 쑗 Cleaning a painting by Rembrandt is slow and painstaking work. ② paint /pent/ noun a coloured liquid which you use to give something a colour or to make a picture 쑗 We gave the ceiling two coats of paint. 쑗 I need a two-litre tin of green paint. 쑗 The paint’s coming off the front door. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 쐽 verb 1. to cover something with paint 쑗 We got a firm in to paint the house. 쑗 They painted their front door blue. 쑗 She painted her toenails bright red. 2. 왍 to paint yourself into a corner to get yourself into a situation that you cannot get out of (informal ) 왍 to paint the town red to have a wild party in the town 쑗 After the exam results come out we are all going up to London to paint the town red. 3. to cover something with a liquid 쑗 The nurse painted his knee with antiseptic. 4. to make a picture of something using paint 쑗 She painted a picture of the village. 쑗 He’s painting his mother. 쑗 The sky is not easy to paint. paintbrush / pentbrʃ/ noun a brush used to put paint on something (NOTE: The . plural is paintbrushes.) painter / pentə/ noun 1. a person who paints something such as a house 쑗 The painter is coming next week to paint the kitchen. 2. a person who paints pictures 쑗 He collects pictures by 19th-century French painters. ② painting / pentŋ/ noun 1. the action of putting on paint 쑗 Painting and decorating is my trade 2. a picture done with paints 쑗 Do you like this painting of the old church? paintwork / pentw" k/ noun a surface which has been painted ② pair /peə/ noun 1. two things taken together 쑗 a pair of socks 쑗 a pair of gloves 쑗 She’s bought a new pair of boots. 왍 these socks are a pair these socks go together 2. two things joined together to make a single one 쑗 He took a pair of binoculars with him when he went out walking. 쑗 I’m looking for a clean pair of trousers. 쑗 Where’s my pair of green shorts? 쑗 This pair of scissors is blunt. 3. two rowers in a boat 쑗 The British pair won the silver medal. 4. (in the House of Commons) a Member of Parliament who has an agreement with a Member of Parliament from the opposite party not to vote if either is absent from Parliament 쐽 verb 왍 to paisley 604 pair up to join with another person to do something 쑗 Everyone paired up for the treasure hunt. paisley / pezli/ noun a pattern, especially on fabric, scarves and cushions, made of curved shapes like drops of water Pakistani /pɑ ki stɑ ni/ adj referring to Pakistan 쑗 a Pakistani cricketer 쐽 noun a person from Pakistan 쑗 Our next-door neighbours are Pakistanis. pal /pl/ noun a friend (informal ) ③ palace / pls/ noun a large building where a king, queen, president, etc., lives palatable / plətəb(ə)l/ adj nice to eat, tasting good palate / plət/ noun 1. the top part of the inside of the mouth 쑗 I burnt my palate with the hot soup. 2. being able to judge the quality of food or drink 쑗 A trained palate easily distinguishes different types of wine. (NOTE: . Do not confuse with palette, pallet.) palatial /pə leʃ(ə)l/ adj magnificent, like a palace. Synonym luxurious ② pale /pel/ adj 1. light-coloured 쑗 What colour is your hat? – It’s a pale blue colour. 2. not looking healthy, with a white face 쑗 She’s always pale and that worries me. 쑗 When she read the letter she went pale. (NOTE: paler – palest. Do not confuse with pail.) 쐽 verb 1. to become pale 쑗 The sky paled as dawn broke. 2. to become less im- portant 쑗 My problems pale into insignificance compared to his. palette / plət/ noun 1. a flat board on which an artist mixes his or her colours 쑗 She squeezed a blob of paint onto her palette. 2. a range of colours available, especially on a computer graphics program 쑗 You can create your own colours and add them to the palette. (NOTE: Do not confuse with palate, pallet.) pall /pɔ l/ noun 1. 왍 a pall of smoke a thick layer of smoke (formal ) 쑗 A pall of smoke hung over the burning building. 2. a cloth put . over a coffin 왍 to cast a pall over something to make something seem gloomy 쑗 The illness of the bride’s father cast a pall over the wedding. 쐽 verb to become less interesting 쑗 Her bright chatter began to pall after a while. pallet / plət/ noun a flat wooden frame on which goods can be stacked to be moved by a fork-lift truck (NOTE: The US term is skid. Do not confuse with palate or palette.) palliative / pliətv/ noun something done to try to help a situation, but which does not make it any better pallid / pld/ adj sickly pale pallor / plə/ noun paleness of the face palm /pɑ m/ noun 1. the soft inside surface of your hand 쑗 She held out some crumbs in pancake the palm of her hand and the birds came and ate them. 2. a tall tropical tree with long leaves 쑗 an oasis surrounded by date palms 쑗 The boy climbed a coconut palm and brought down a nut. Synonym palm tree palmist / pɑ mst/ noun a person who says what will happen in the future by looking at the lines on your palm palmistry / pɑ mstri/ noun the practice of telling people what will happen in the future by looking at the lines on the palms of their hands palm off /pɑ m ɒf/ verb 왍 to palm something off on someone to give something worthless to someone hoping that he or she won’t notice (informal ) 쑗 We tried to palm off our old sofa onto my brother. palm tree /pɑ m tri / noun a tall tropical tree with long leaves. Synonym palm palpable / plpəb(ə)l/ adj which can be felt, which can be easily seen palpably / plpəbli/ adv in a palpable way palpitate / plptet/ verb to beat very quickly. Synonym flutter palpitations /plp teʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun a rapid beating of the heart paltry / pɔ ltri/ adj very small (NOTE: pal. trier – paltriest) pampas / pmpəs/ noun grass-covered plains in South America pampas grass / pmpəs DZrɑ s/ noun a type of tall ornamental grass pamper / pmpə/ verb to treat someone too well, by giving him or her too much food or making his or her life too comfortable ③ pamphlet / pmflət/ noun a small booklet giving information about something. Synonym leaflet ③ pan /pn/ noun 1. a metal cooking container with a handle 쑗 Boil the potatoes in a pan of water. 쑗 She burnt her hand on the hot frying pan. 2. the bowl of a lavatory 쐽 verb 1. to criticise something 쑗 His latest film has been panned by the critics. 2. 왍 to pan for gold to sift mud in a stream hoping to find gold in it 3. to move a camera sideways to take in a wider view (NOTE: panning – panned) panacea /pnə si ə/ noun 왍 a (universal) panacea something which cures everything or which solves every problem 쑗 A tight monetary policy is not the universal panacea everyone thought it was. panache /pə nʃ/ noun a confident and showy way of doing things pancake / pnkek/ noun 1. a thin soft flat cake made of flour, milk and eggs, cooked in a frying pan 쑗 We ate pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast. 2. 왍 as flat as a pancake very flat 쑗 The country round Cambridge is as flat as a pancake. panda 605 paper panda / pndə/ noun 왍 a (giant) panda a pan out /pn aυt/ verb to turn out, to large black and white animal found in China, which looks like a bear pandemonium /pndə məυniəm/ noun great uproar and confusion. Synonym chaos pander / pndə/ verb 왍 to pander to something to try to satisfy something 쑗 The book panders to the low taste of the reading public. p & p abbr postage and packing pane /pen/ noun a sheet of glass, e.g. in a window or door (NOTE: Do not confuse with succeed (informal ) pansy / pnzi/ noun 1. a small garden plant with large brightly coloured petals 쑗 She planted pansies in her window boxes. 2. a man who is weak like a woman 쑗 They called him a pansy because he thought rugby was a rough dirty game. (NOTE: The plural is pain.) ① panel / pn(ə)l/ noun 1. a flat rectangular piece which forms part of something 쑗 Unscrew the panel at the back of the washing machine. 2. a section of different coloured material 쑗 A pink skirt with white panels. 3. a group of people who answer questions or who judge a competition 쑗 She’s on the panel that will interview candidates for the post. 왍 a panel of experts a group of people who give advice on a problem 쐽 verb to cover something with sheets of wood 쑗 He decided to panel the study in oak. 쑗 The room is panelled in walnut. (NOTE: panel- ling – panelled. The US spelling is paneling – paneled.) panel game / pn(ə)l DZem/ noun a game on radio or TV where a group of people guess the answers to questions or give their opinions on subjects panelled / pn(ə)ld/ adj covered with panels panelling / pn(ə)lŋ/ noun sheets of wood, used especially to cover walls (NOTE: The US spelling is paneling.) pang /pŋ/ noun a sudden strong feeling. Synonym twinge ③ panic / pnk/ noun terror, great fear 쑗 . pansies.) pant /pnt/ verb to breathe fast panther / pnθə/ noun a large black leop- ard from North America panties / pntiz/ plural noun women’s brief knickers 쑗 A pair of panties were left on the washing line. 쑗 She carries a spare pair of panties in her handbag. pantomime / pntəmam/ noun a funny Christmas play for children, with songs and dances on a traditional fairy-tale subject (informal ) pantry / pntri/ noun a cool cupboard or small room for keeping food in ③ pants /pnts/ plural noun 1. GB briefs, shorts worn on the lower part of the body under other clothes 쑗 She was standing by the window in her bra and pants. 쑗 I put on clean pants and socks every morning. 2. US trousers 쑗 The waiter was wearing a black jacket and a pair of striped pants. 쑗 I need a belt to keep my pants up. panty hose / pnti həυz/ noun US a piece of clothing made of thin material, covering your hips, and your legs and feet separately, worn especially by girls, women and dancers (NOTE: The British term is tights.) papal / pep(ə)l/ adj referring to the pope paparazzi /ppə rtsi/ plural noun photographers who follow famous people to take pictures of them for newspapers 쑗 The paparazzi were lying in wait for the couple as they left the hotel. (NOTE: plural; the singular . The forecast of flooding caused panic in towns near the river. Synonym fear. Antonym calm 쐽 verb to become frightened 쑗 Don’t panic, the fire engine is on its way. is paparazzo) papaya /pə paə/ noun a green tropical fruit with yellow flesh. Also called pawpaw ① paper / pepə/ noun 1. a thin piece of (NOTE: panicking – panicked) panic button / pnk bt(ə)n/ noun a material which you write on, and which is used for wrapping or to make books, newspapers and magazines 쑗 He got a letter written on pink paper. 쑗 I need another piece of paper or sheet of paper to finish my letter. 쑗 There was a box of paper handkerchiefs by the bed. (NOTE: no plural for this meaning: some paper, a piece of paper, a sheet of paper) 2. a newspaper 쑗 I buy the paper to read on the train every morning. 쑗 My photo was on the front page of today’s paper. 쑗 Our local paper comes out on Fridays. 쑗 The Sunday papers are so big that it takes me all day to read them. (NOTE: The plural is papers.) 3. 왍 on paper in theory 쑗 On paper the system is ideal, but no one has ever seen it working. 4. an exam 쑗 The English paper hidden button which can be pressed by someone who feels threatened panic buying / pnk baŋ/ noun a rush to buy something at any price because stocks may run out or because the price may rise panicky / pnki/ adj worried and anxious. Synonym frightened. Antonym calm panic-stricken / pnk strkən/ adj mad with fright. Synonym terrified. Antonym calm panorama /pnə rɑ mə/ noun a view over a wide expanse of landscape panoramic /pnə rmk/ adj looking out over a wide area paperback 606 was very difficult. (NOTE: The plural is papers.) 5. a piece of writing on a specific subject 쑗 He wrote a paper on economics which was published in one of the learned journals. 쑗 She wrote a good history paper. Synonym essay (NOTE: The plural is papers.) 쐽 verb to cover the walls of a room with wallpaper 쑗 They papered the room in a pattern of red and blue flowers. paperback / pepəbk/ noun a cheap book with a paper cover (NOTE: Another US term is pocketbook.) paper boy / pepə bɔ/ noun a boy whose job is to deliver newspapers to houses paperclip / pepəklp/ noun a piece of bent wire for holding pieces of paper together paper girl / pepə DZ" l/ noun a girl whose job is to deliver newspapers to houses paper round / pepə raυnd/ noun a group of streets or houses where one paper boy or girl delivers newspapers paperweight / pepəwet/ noun a heavy block put on papers to prevent them from being blown away ③ paperwork / pepəw" k/ noun office work (NOTE: no plural) papier mâché /ppe mʃe/ noun a mixture of wet paper, used especially to make models paprika / pprkə/ noun a red spice made from powdered sweet peppers par /pɑ / noun 1. the fact of being equal 왍 to be on a par with something or someone to be equal to something or someone 쑗 It isn’t really on a par with their previous performances. 2. 왍 to buy shares at par to buy shares at their face value 왍 the shares are below par the shares are less than their face value 3. (in golf ) the number of strokes usually needed by a good golfer to hit the ball into the hole 쑗 He went round in five under par. 왍 par for the course what usually happens (informal ) 쑗 Jack forgot my birthday again, but that’s par for the course. para / prə/ noun same as paratrooper (informal ) parable / prəb(ə)l/ noun a short story with a religious or moral point. Synonym . . . allegory ③ paracetamol /prə si təmɒl/ noun a common drug, used to stop symptoms, e.g. of flu, colds and headaches (NOTE: no plural: Take two paracetamol before breakfast.) parachute / prəʃu t/ noun a large piece of thin material shaped like an umbrella, with cords attached, which allows you to float down slowly and safely from an aircraft 쑗 His parachute did not open and he was killed. 쐽 verb 1. to jump from an aircraft with a parachute 쑗 The pilot parachuted safely from the burning plane. 2. to drop parallel something attached to a parachute 쑗 They parachuted supplies to the villages. parachutist / prəʃu tst/ noun a person who jumps from an aircraft with a parachute parade /pə red/ noun 1. a display of soldiers 쑗 A sergeant inspects the men before they go on parade. 2. a series of bands, decorated cars, etc., passing in a street 쑗 The parade was led by a brass band. 쑗 Independence Day is always celebrated with a military parade through the centre of the capital. 3. a wide street where people can walk up and down 왍 a parade of shops a series of shops side by side 쐽 verb to march past in rows 쑗 The soldiers paraded down the Mall to Buckingham Palace. 쑗 The winning horse paraded round with its rosette. paradigm / prədam/ noun an example which others can copy paradise / prədas/ noun 1. a wonderful place where good people are supposed to live after death 쑗 For a moment, I thought I must have died and gone to paradise. 2. any beautiful place or a place where you feel very happy 쑗 Their grandparents’ farm was a paradise for the children. paradox / prədɒks/ noun a thing which appears to contradict itself but may really be true. Synonym inconsistency (NOTE: The plural is paradoxes.) paradoxical /prə dɒksk(ə)l/ adj con- tradictory like a paradox. Synonym inconsistent paradoxically /prə dɒkskli/ adv in a paradoxical way paraffin / prəfn/ noun a thin liquid used as a fuel, e.g. for lamps and heaters paragon / prəDZən/ noun a perfect human being ③ paragraph / prəDZrɑ f/ noun a section of several sentences of writing starting on a new line 쑗 to answer the first paragraph of your letter or paragraph one of your letter 쑗 Please refer to the paragraph headed ‘Shipping Instructions’. parakeet / prəki t/ noun a kind of small tropical parrot ③ parallel / prəlel/ adj (of lines) which are side by side and remain the same distance apart without ever touching 쑗 Draw two parallel lines three millimetres apart. 쑗 The road is parallel to or with the railway. Synonym similar. Antonym dissimilar 쐽 noun an imaginary line running round the Earth, linking points at an equal distance from the equator 쑗 The 49th parallel marks most of the border between Canada and the United States. 쐽 verb to be similar to something 쑗 The results of the general election parallel those in the local elections held last year. parallelogram 607 parallelogram /prə leləDZrm/ noun a shape with four sides in which each side is parallel to the one opposite paralyse / prəlaz/ verb 1. to cause paralysis in someone 2. to make someone or something unable to move or function normally for a short time 쑗 The strike paralysed the country. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is paralyze.) paralysis /pə rləss/ noun 1. a condition where the muscles of part of the body cannot move because of damage to the nerves 2. an inability to move or function normally paralytic /prə ltk/ adj 1. paralysed in all or part of the body 쑗 a paralytic patient 2. so drunk you cannot stand up or move (informal ) 쑗 This is the second time this week he’s gone out and got absolutely paralytic. paramedic /prə medk/ noun a person who works in a medical profession linked to that of nurse or doctor, such as an ambulance driver or therapist ③ parameter /pə rmtə/ noun a value which shows the limits of something paramilitary /prə mlt(ə)ri/ adj organised in the same way as the army, but not a part of it 쑗 Members of paramilitary organisations were asked to surrender their arms. 쐽 noun a member of a paramilitary organisation 쑗 Paramilitaries supporting the President were blamed for the attack. 쑗 Paramilitaries set up road blocks on all the roads leading into the area. Synonym rebel (NOTE: The plural is . paramilitaries.) paramount / prəmaυnt/ adj most important. Antonym minimal paranoia /prə nɔə/ noun a mental dis- order in which the patient imagines things, usually that he or she is being persecuted or attacked. Synonym fear paranoid / prənɔd/ adj suffering from a fixed delusion. Synonym suspicious parapet / prəpt/ noun a small wall at the edge of a bridge or balcony paraphernalia /prəfə neliə/ noun a mass of bits and pieces of equipment. Synonym things (NOTE: no plural) paraphrase / prəfrez/ verb to repeat what someone has said or written, using different words. Synonym rephrase paraplegic /prə pli dȢk/ adj paralysed in the part of the body below the waist parasite / prəsat/ noun 1. an animal or plant which lives on or inside another organism and draws nourishment from it 쑗 Many diseases are carried by parasites. 2. a person who does no useful work and gets money from others 쑗 He is a parasite on society. parasitic /prə stk/ adj referring to parasites parent parasol / prəsɒl/ noun a light umbrella to protect you from the rays of the sun. Synonym sunshade paratrooper / prətru pə/ noun a soldier who is a parachutist (NOTE: often shortened to para) paratroops / prətru ps/ plural noun paratroopers 쑗 A small group of paratroops led the attack. ③ parcel / pɑ s(ə)l/ noun a package, e.g. one which is to be sent by post 쑗 The postman has brought a parcel for you. 쑗 The parcel was wrapped up in brown paper. 쑗 If you’re going to the post office, can you post this parcel for me? 쐽 verb to wrap and tie something up to send by post 쑗 I parcelled the books up yesterday but I haven’t posted them yet. Antonym unwrap (NOTE: parcelling – parcelled. The US spelling is parceling – parceled.) parcel out /pɑ s(ə)l aυt/ verb to divide something up among several people. Synonym distribute parched /pɑ tʃt/ adj very dry due to lack of water parchment / pɑ tʃmənt/ noun 1. skins of animals which were treated and used for writing on 쑗 Monks wrote books by hand on parchment. 2. a high-quality thick cream-coloured writing paper ② pardon / pɑ d(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of forgiving someone 왍 I beg your pardon! excuse me! forgive me! 쑗 I beg your pardon, I didn’t hear what you said. 쑗 I do beg your pardon – I didn’t know you were busy. 2. the act of legally forgiving an offence which someone has committed 쑗 The prisoners received a free pardon from the president. 쐽 verb 1. to forgive someone for having done something wrong 쑗 Pardon me for interrupting, but you’re wanted on the phone. 쑗 Please pardon my rudeness in not answering your call earlier. 2. to forgive an offence which someone has committed and allow him or her to leave prison 쑗 Some political prisoners were pardoned and set free. pare /peə/ verb 1. to take the skin or peel off something, e.g. a fruit or vegetable, with a knife 쑗 She took a sharp knife to pare the apple. 쑗 He pared a thin slice off the block of cheese. 2. to make something smaller by cutting off a small amount 쑗 He managed to pare three seconds off his previous best time. 왍 to pare something to the bone to reduce something as much as possible 쑗 Margins have been pared to the bone to keep our prices low. ① parent / peərənt/ noun 1. a father or mother 2. an organisation which owns or rules another 쑗 Our parent company is based in Switzerland. parentage 608 parentage / peərəntdȢ/ noun someone’s origin. Synonym ancestry parental /pə rentl/ adj referring to parents parentheses /pə renθəsi z/ plural noun printing symbol ( ) which enclose words or characters and separate them from the rest of the text 쑗 She put the phrase in parentheses. Also called round brackets parenthesis /pə renθəss/ noun a phrase in the middle of a sentence which is placed in brackets or between dashes 쑗 He referred to it only in a brief parenthesis. (NOTE: The plural is parentheses.) parenthetical /prən θetk(ə)l/ adj added as a parenthesis parenthood / peərənthυd/ noun the state of being a parent parenting / peərəntŋ/ noun the activity of looking after children. Synonym childcare parish / prʃ/ noun 1. an area served by a church 쑗 He’s the vicar of a country parish. 쑗 They worship regularly in their local parish church. 쑗 Father Thomas is our parish priest. 2. an administrative district in a county with a church as its centre 쑗 He’s going through the local parish records to try to establish when his family first came to the village. parishioner /pə rʃ(ə)nə/ noun a person who lives in or belongs to a parish parity / prti/ noun the fact of being equal, especially having the same rates of pay and conditions as others. Antonym disparity ① park /pɑ k/ noun 1. an open space with grass and trees 쑗 Hyde Park and Regents Park are in the middle of London. 쑗 You can ride a bicycle across the park but cars are not allowed in. 2. 왍 car park an area where you can leave a car when you are not using it 쑗 He left his car in the hotel car park. 쑗 The office car park is full. 쐽 verb 1. to leave your car in a place while you are not using it 쑗 You can park your car in the street next to the hotel. 쑗 You mustn’t park on a double yellow line. 2. 왍 to park yourself to put yourself in a place, especially where you are not wanted (informal ) 쑗 He came and parked himself next to me. parka / pɑ kə/ noun a warm waterproof jacket with a hood ③ parked /pɑ kt/ adj (of a vehicle) left somewhere, e.g. in a car park or standing at the side of the road ② parking / pɑ kŋ/ noun the action of leaving a car somewhere when you are not using it 왍 ‘no parking’ a sign showing that you must not park your car parking bay / pɑ kŋ be/ noun a place for one car in a car park . parrot parking lot / pɑ kŋ lɒt/ noun US an area where you can leave a car when you are not using it (NOTE: The British term is car park.) parking meter / pɑ kŋ mi tə/ noun a device into which you put money to pay for parking for a certain time parking ticket / pɑ kŋ tkt/ noun a paper which you get when you leave a car parked wrongly, telling you that you will have to pay a fine Parkinson’s disease / pɑ knsənz dzi z/ noun a disease which affects the parts of the brain which control movement, making the hands and legs shake parkland / pɑ klnd/ noun open land with grass and trees ② parliament / pɑ ləmənt/ noun a group of elected representatives who vote the laws of a country 쑗 Parliament has passed a law forbidding the sale of dangerous drugs. parliamentarian /pɑ ləmen teəriən/ noun a member of one of the Houses of Parliament ③ parliamentary /pɑ lə ment(ə)ri/ adj referring to parliament. Synonym governmental Parmesan /pɑ m zn/ noun a type of hard Italian cheese that is often grated and sprinkled on pasta dishes parochial /pə rəυkiəl/ adj 1. referring to a parish 쑗 the parochial church council 쑗 The vicar takes his parochial duties very seriously. 2. restricted and narrow-minded 쑗 Her outlook is too parochial. parody / prədi/ noun poetry, a play or a song which imitates someone to make fun 쑗 He wrote a parody of Wodehouse. (NOTE: The plural is parodies.) 쐽 verb to imitate someone in order to make fun 쑗 His writing style is very easy to parody. parole /pə rəυl/ noun 1. the act of allowing a prisoner to leave prison for a short time, on condition that he or she behaves well 쑗 He was given a week’s parole to visit his mother in hospital. 2. the act of allowing a prisoner who has behaved well to be released from prison early on condition that he or she continues to behave well outside prison 쑗 She will be eligible for parole in three weeks’ time. 쑗 He was let out on parole and immediately offended again. 쐽 verb to let a prisoner out of prison on condition that he or she behaves well 쑗 After six months he was paroled. paroxysm / prəksz(ə)m/ noun a wild fit, e.g. of anger (formal ) parrot / prət/ noun 1. a brightly coloured tropical bird with a large curved beak 쑗 He keeps a green parrot in a cage in his sitting room. 2. 왍 sick as a parrot very annoyed and upset (informal ) 쑗 I put all my money on . . parry 609 the favourite and he came in last – I was sick as a parrot. 쐽 verb to repeat words without really understanding them 쑗 He just parroted what the minister had said. Synonym mimic parry / pri/ verb 1. to try to prevent a blow from hitting you 쑗 He tried to parry the blows which rained down on his head. 2. to try to avoid giving an answer to a question 쑗 She skilfully parried the questions from the journalists. parsimonious /pɑ s məυniəs/ adj not liking to spend money parsimony / pɑ sməni/ noun the fact of being a miser. Antonym extravagance parsley / pɑ sli/ noun a green herb with flat or curly leaves, used in cooking parsnip / pɑ snp/ noun a plant with a thick white root which is eaten boiled or roasted as a vegetable and has a sweet taste parson / pɑ s(ə)n/ noun a member of the clergy who is in charge of a parish in the Church of England (dated ) 쏡 cleric, minis. ter, priest, vicar parsonage / pɑ s(ə)ndȢ/ noun the house where a parson lives ① part /pɑ t/ noun 1. a piece 쑗 Parts of the film were very good. 쑗 They live in the downstairs part of a large house. 쑗 They spend part of the year in France. 2. one of the pieces that make up a machine or other object 쑗 We couldn’t use the washing machine as we were waiting for a new part. 쏡 spare parts. Synonym component 왍 in part not completely 쑗 to contribute in part to the costs or to pay the costs in part 3. a character, e.g. in a play or film 쑗 He played the part of Hamlet. 왍 to play a part to be one of several people or things which do something 쑗 The guests played an important part in putting out the hotel fire. 왍 to take part in something to join in something 쑗 They all took part in the game. 쑗 Did he take part in the concert? 쐽 verb 1. to divide your hair into sections 쑗 He parts his hair on the right side. 2. to separate, to split up 쑗 They parted at the station. 왍 to part company to leave, to split up 쑗 We all set off together, but we parted company when we got to Italy. 쏡 part with partake /pɑ tek/ verb 왍 to partake of to eat (formal ) part exchange /pɑ t ks tʃendȢ/ noun giving an old product as part of the payment for a new one ③ partial / pɑ ʃ(ə)l/ adj 1. not complete 쑗 He got partial compensation for the damage to his house. 쑗 The treatment was only a partial success. 2. 왍 partial to something with a liking for something 쑗 Everyone knows he is partial to a slice of cheesecake. 3. biased 쑗 The judge was accused of being partial. partiality /pɑ ʃi lti/ noun 1. the fact of being in favour of one person rather than . partisan someone else 쑗 Apart from a natural partiality to members of his own family, he treated everyone the same. 2. 왍 a partiality for something a great liking for something 쑗 His partiality for good French cooking is well known. partially / pɑ ʃ(ə)li/ adv not completely. Synonym partly. Antonym completely partially sighted /pɑ ʃəli satd/ adj not able to see very well ③ participant /pɑ tspənt/ noun a person who takes part. Antonym observer ③ participate /pɑ tspet/ verb to take part in something ③ participation /pɑ ts peʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of taking part in something ③ participle /pɑ tsp(ə)l/ noun a word formed from a verb, used either to form compound tenses or as an adjective or noun. The present participle of ‘to go’ is ‘going’ and the past participle is ‘gone’. particle / pɑ tk(ə)l/ noun a very small piece ① particular /pə tkjυlə/ adj 1. special, referring to one thing or person and to no other 쑗 The photocopier only works with one particular type of paper. 2. 왍 in particular especially 쑗 Fragile goods, in particular glasses, need careful packing. 3. fussy 쑗 She’s very particular about her food. 쑗 Give me any room you have available – I’m not particular. ① particularly /pə tkjυləli/ adv specially 쑗 I particularly asked them not to walk on the lawn. 쑗 It’s a particularly difficult problem. 쑗 He isn’t particularly worried about the result. particulars /pə tkjυləz/ plural noun details 쑗 the sheet which gives particulars of the house for sale 쑗 The inspector asked for particulars of the missing car. parting / pɑ tŋ/ noun 1. the act of leaving someone 쑗 Our final parting took place outside the railway station. 2. the line which marks where your hair is separated when you comb it 쑗 My parting is on the left side. 쐽 adj done when leaving a place or person 쑗 It was a parting gift from my brother before he went abroad. parting shot /pɑ tŋ ʃɒt/ noun the last, often unpleasant, words spoken when leaving someone partisan / pɑ tz(ə)n/ adj 1. strongly supporting a certain point of view 쑗 His partisan views are obvious in the article. 쑗 She’s too partisan to be trusted to make an objective assessment of the situation. 2. referring to local armed resistance against an occupying army 쑗 The invaders found themselves up against a partisan army. 쐽 noun 1. a person who supports a policy forcefully 쑗 She’s a partition 610 partisan of having more women Members of Parliament. 2. a member of a local armed resistance movement, fighting against an occupying army 쑗 The town was captured by partisans. partition /pɑ tʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a division of a country into separate parts 쑗 Did you agree with the partition of the country after the war? 2. a thin wall between two spaces, especially one splitting a large room into sections 쑗 We put a partition across the centre of the room to make two separate bedrooms for the boys. 쐽 verb 1. to divide a country 쑗 The country was partitioned in 1947 to form the new independent states of India and Pakistan. 2. 왍 to partition something off to divide something such as a room, especially by means of a partition 쑗 The open-plan office has been partitioned off into smaller areas. ② partly / pɑ tli/ adv not completely 쑗 The house is partly furnished. 쑗 I’m only partly satisfied with the result. 쑗 We’re selling our house in London, partly because we need the money, but also because we want to move nearer to the sea. Synonym partially. Antonym wholly ② partner / pɑ tnə/ noun 1. a person who works in a business and has a share in it with others 쑗 He became a partner in a firm of solicitors. 2. a person you live with, without necessarily being married 쑗 We invited him and his partner for drinks. 3. a person who plays games or dances with someone 쑗 Take your partners for the waltz. 쑗 Sally is my usual tennis partner. 쐽 verb to be the partner of someone 쑗 She was partnered by her sister in the doubles. ③ partnership / pɑ tnəʃp/ noun a business association between two or more people in which the risks and profits are shared according to a letter of agreement between the partners 왍 to go into partnership (with someone) to join with someone to form a partnership 쑗 He went into partnership with his brother to market his new invention. 쑗 They gave up their jobs and went into partnership. ③ part of speech /pɑ t əv spi tʃ/ noun a group of words which are classified according to grammatical use, e.g. nouns and verbs partridge / pɑ trdȢ/ noun a small brown and grey wild bird, shot for sport and food ③ part-time /pɑ t tam/ adj, adv not for the whole working day or week 쑗 He is trying to find part-time work when the children are in school. 쑗 We are looking for part-time staff to keyboard data. 쑗 She works part-time in the local supermarket. part-timer /pɑ t tamə/ noun a person who works for part of a day or week ③ part with / pɑ t wð/ verb to give or sell something to someone passage party / pɑ ti/ noun 1. a special occasion when several people meet, usually in someone’s house 쑗 We’re having a party on New Year’s Eve. 쑗 Our family Christmas party was a disaster as usual. 쑗 She invited twenty friends to her birthday party. 왍 to gatecrash a party to get into a party without being invited 쑗 A group of students tried to gatecrash her party. 2. a group of people doing something together 쑗 parties of tourists walking round the gardens. 쏡 working party 3. an organisation of people with similar political opinions and aims 쑗 Which party does he belong to? 쑗 She’s a member of the Labour Party. 4. a person or organisation which is involved in a legal dispute, a contract or a crime party political /pɑ ti pə ltk(ə)l/ adj referring to or involving party politics party politics /pɑ ti pɒltks/ noun the process of working to promote the interests of a political party, by taking power in a local or national government ① pass /pɑ s/ noun 1. (in football, etc.) the act of sending the ball to another player 쑗 He sent a long pass across the field and Smith headed it into goal. 2. a low area where a road can cross between two mountain peaks 쑗 The Brenner Pass is closed by snow. 쑗 The road winds steeply up to the pass. 3. a season ticket on a bus or train 쑗 I left my bus pass at home, so I had to pay for a ticket. 4. a permit to go in or out regularly 쑗 You need a pass to enter the ministry offices. 쑗 All members of staff must show a pass. 5. 왍 to make a pass at someone to try to start a sexual relationship with someone 쐽 verb 1. to go past someone or something 쑗 If you walk towards the bank you will pass the office on your right. 쑗 I passed her on the stairs. 쑗 If you’re passing the bookshop, can you pick up the book I ordered? 2. to move something towards someone 쑗 Can you pass me the salt, please? 쑗 He passed the ball back to the goalkeeper. 3. to be successful in a test or examination 쑗 He passed in English, but failed in French. 쑗 She passed her driving test first time! 4. to vote to approve something 쑗 Parliament has passed a law against the ownership of guns. 쑗 The proposal was passed by 10 votes to 3. 5. to make a substance leave the body as a waste product or in a waste product 쑗 His kidneys were affected and he passed blood in his urine. 왍 to pass water to make liquid waste leave the body. Synonym urinate passable / pɑ səb(ə)l/ adj 1. which you can travel along 쑗 The roads across the mountains have been cleared of snow and are passable again. 2. fairly good 쑗 He did a passable imitation of the prime minister. ② passage / psdȢ/ noun 1. a corridor 쑗 She hurried along the passage. 쑗 There’s an ① passageway 611 underground passage between the two railway stations. 2. a section of a text 쑗 She quoted passages from the Bible. 쑗 I photocopied a particularly interesting passage from the textbook. 3. the action of moving from one place to another 쑗 The attackers promised the garrison safe passage if they surrendered. passageway / psdȢwe/ noun a corridor ③ pass away /pɑ s ə we/ verb to die (NOTE: also pass on) ② passenger / psndȢə/ noun a person who is travelling, e.g. in a car, bus, train or plane, but who is not the driver or one of the crew 쑗 His car’s quite big – it can take three passengers on the back seat. 쑗 The plane was carrying 104 passengers and a crew of ten. 왍 there was a dent on the passenger side there was a dent in the side of the car nearest to the kerb passer-by /pɑ sə ba/ noun a person who is walking past. Synonym onlooker (NOTE: The plural is passers-by.) ③ passing / pɑ sŋ/ adj 1. not permanent 쑗 It’s just a passing fashion. 2. which is going past 쑗 The driver of a passing car saw the accident and called the police on his mobile phone. ③ passion / pʃ(ə)n/ noun a very strong emotion or enthusiasm 쑗 Her great passion is motor racing. 쑗 She has a passion for chocolate. 쑗 He didn’t put enough passion into the love scene. passionate / pʃ(ə)nət/ adj strongly emotional passionately / pʃ(ə)nətli/ adv strongly passion fruit / pʃ(ə)n fru t/ noun a climbing plant with purple juicy fruit passive / psv/ adj allowing things to happen to you and not taking any action yourself 쑗 He wasn’t one of the ringleaders, he only played a passive role in the coup. Synonym inert 쐽 noun the form of a verb which shows that the subject is being acted upon. Also called passive voice (NOTE: If you say ‘the car hit him’ the verb is active, but ‘he was hit by the car’ is passive.) passively / psvli/ adv not offering any resistance, not doing anything positive passive resistance /psv r zst(ə)ns/ noun the policy of protesting against something by refusing to do it, but not by using violence passive smoking /psv sməυkŋ/ noun the act of breathing in smoke from other people’s cigarettes, when you do not smoke yourself pass key / pɑ s ki / noun a main key, e.g. in a hotel, which opens several doors ③ past pass off /pɑ s ɒf/ verb 1. to take place The meeting passed off without any problems. 2. 왍 to pass something off as something else to pretend that something is another thing in order to cheat 쑗 He passed the wine off as French. 왍 to pass yourself off as something to pretend to be something 쑗 He passed himself off as a rich banker from South America. ③ pass on /pɑ s ɒn/ verb 1. to move something on to someone else 쑗 She passed on the information to her boss. 2. to die 쑗 My father passed on two years ago. (NOTE: also 쑗 pass away in the same meaning) ③ pass out /pɑ s aυt/ verb to faint, to be- come unconscious for a short time Passover / pɑ səυvə/ noun a Jewish spring festival which celebrates the release of Jews from captivity in Egypt ③ passport / pɑ spɔ t/ noun an official document allowing you to pass from one country to another 쑗 If you are going abroad you need to have a valid passport. 쑗 We had to show our passports at customs. 쑗 His passport is out of date. ③ pass round /pɑ s raυnd/ verb 1. to hand something to various people 쑗 She passed the box of chocolates round the table. 쑗 The steward passed round immigration forms. 2. 왍 to pass the hat round to ask for money (informal ) 쑗 We don’t have the funds to put on the school play this year, so we’ll have to pass the hat round. pass through /pɑ s θru / verb to go through something. Synonym cross 왍 we’re just passing through we are on our way to somewhere else 왍 to pass through customs to go through a customs checkpoint ③ pass up /pɑ s p/ verb not to make use of a chance or opportunity which is offered ③ password / pɑ sw" d/ noun a secret word which you need to know to be allowed to go into a military camp or to use a computer system ① past /pɑ st/ prep 1. later than, after 쑗 It’s past the children’s bedtime. 쑗 It’s ten past nine (9.10) – we’ve missed the TV news. 2. from one side to the other in front of something 쑗 If you go past the bank, you’ll see the shop on your left. 쑗 She walked past me without saying anything. 쑗 The car went past at at least 60 miles an hour. (NOTE: Past is . used for times between o’clock and the half-hour: 3.05 = five past three; 3.15 = a quarter past three; 3.25 = twenty-five past three; 3.30 = half past three. For times after half past see to. Past is also used with many verbs: to go past, to drive past, to fly past, etc.) 쐽 adj which has passed 쑗 He has spent the past year working in France. 쑗 The time for talking is past – what we need is action. 쐽 noun 1. the time before now 쑗 In pasta 612 the past we always had an office party just before Christmas. 2. 왍 the past (tense) the form of a verb which shows that something happened before the present time 쑗 ‘Sang’ is the past (tense) of the verb ‘to sing’. pasta /
pstə/ noun an Italian food made of flour and water, cooked by boiling and eaten with oil or sauce (NOTE: no plural: some pasta, a bowl of pasta; note that pasta takes a singular verb: The pasta is very good here.) paste /pest/ noun 1. a thin liquid glue 쑗 Spread the paste evenly over the back of the wallpaper. 2. soft food 쑗 The cake is covered with almond paste. 쑗 Mix the flour, eggs and milk to a smooth paste. 쑗 Add tomato paste to the soup. 3. a hard shining glass, used to make imitation jewellery 쑗 Those aren’t real diamonds, they’re just paste. 쐽 verb to glue something such as paper 쑗 She pasted a sheet of coloured paper over the front of the box. 쑗 He pasted the newspaper cuttings into his scrapbook. 쏡 cut pastel /
pst(ə)l/ noun 1. a coloured crayon like chalk 쑗 a portrait done in pastels 왍 pastel colours soft, light shades 쑗 The whole house was decorated in light pastel colours. 2. a picture done with coloured crayons like chalk 쑗 This pastel was used as a sketch for the finished painting. pasteurisation / pɑ stʃəra
zeʃ(ə)n/, pasteurization noun the action of pasteurising milk. Synonym sterilisation pasteurise /
pɑ stʃəraz/, pasteurize verb to kill the germs in milk by heating it. Synonym sterilise pastiche /p
sti ʃ/ noun something, e.g. a poem or a piece of music, which is deliberately done in the style of another artist pastille /
pst(ə)l/ noun a small sweet made of fruit-flavoured jelly pastime /
pɑ stam/ noun a hobby, something you do to pass your spare time. Synonym hobby pastor /
pɑ stə/ noun a member of the Protestant clergy pastoral /
pɑ st(ə)rəl/ adj 1. referring to country life 쑗 Virgil was famous for his pastoral poetry. 2. referring to guidance in connection with someone’s personal problems 쑗 There’s an important pastoral side to a teacher’s job. past participle /pɑ st
pɑ tsp(ə)l/ noun a word formed from a verb, used either to form a past tense or as an adjective. The past participle of ‘go’ is ‘gone’. past perfect /pɑ st
p" fkt/ noun the tense of a verb which is formed with ‘had’ plus the past participle, and which shows something that happened before something else. In the sentence ‘I had made breakfast patella before I had a shower’, ‘had made’ is in the past perfect. ③ pastry /
pestri/ noun a mixture of flour, fat and water, used to make pies 쑗 She was in the kitchen making pastry. pasture /
pɑ stʃə/ noun a grassy area where animals such as horses, cows and sheep can graze. Synonym meadow pasty noun /
psti/ a pastry folded round a filling of meat and vegetables. Synonym pie 쐽 adj /
pesti/ (of skin) white and unhealthy pat /pt/ noun 1. a little tap with the hand 쑗 I didn’t hit her – I just gave her a little pat. 왍 a pat on the back praise 쑗 The committee got a pat on the back for having organised the show so well. 2. 왍 a pat of butter a small round piece of butter 쐽 verb to give someone or something a pat 쑗 He patted his pocket to make sure that his wallet was still there. 왍 to pat someone on the back to praise someone ③ patch /ptʃ/ noun 1. a small piece of material used for covering up a hole 쑗 His mother sewed a patch over the hole in his trousers. 왍 not a patch on someone or something not nearly as good as someone or something (informal ) 쑗 This year’s model isn’t a patch on the old one. 2. a small area of something 쑗 They built a shed on a patch of ground by the railway line. 쑗 There’s a patch of rust on the car door. 쐽 verb to repair something by attaching a piece of material over a hole 쑗 Her jeans are all mended and patched. 쑗 We patched the curtains with some material we had left over. ③ patch up / ptʃ
!p/ verb 1. to mend something with difficulty 쑗 The mechanics managed to patch up the engine. 쑗 The surgeon patched him up but warned him not to fight with knives again. 2. 왍 to patch up a quarrel to become more friendly again after quarrelling 쑗 They had a bitter argument, but patched up their quarrel in time for the party. patchwork /
ptʃw" k/ noun 1. a piece of needlework made by sewing small pieces of material together in patterns 쑗 All the women in the family came together to sew a patchwork quilt. 2. an area which looks like a patchwork quilt 쑗 a typical English landscape with a patchwork of small fields patchy /
ptʃi/ adj 1. not the same everywhere 쑗 If you don’t prepare the surface properly, the paint will look patchy. 2. sometimes good and sometimes not good 쑗 This year’s exam results have been patchy. 3. occurring in some places but not in others 쑗 There may be some patchy rain in the southwest. (NOTE: patchier – patchiest) pâté /
pte/ noun a paste made of cooked meat or fish finely minced patella /pə
telə/ noun the kneecap, the small bone at the front of the knee joint (technical ) . . patent 613 patent / petənt, ptənt/ noun an official confirmation that you have the sole right to make or sell a new invention 쑗 to take out a patent for a new type of light bulb 쑗 They have applied for a patent for their new invention. Synonym copyright 쐽 adj covered by an official patent 쐽 verb 왍 to patent an invention to register an invention with the patent office to prevent other people from copying it patent leather /petənt leðə/ noun leather with an extremely shiny surface patently / petntli/ adv obviously or clearly paternal /pə t" n(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to a father 왍 my paternal grandfather my father’s father 2. like a father 쑗 The younger employees disliked his paternal attitude. 쑗 He kept a paternal eye on the young people working in his department. (NOTE: The equivalent adjective referring to a mother is maternal.) paternity /pə t" nti/ noun 1. the fact of being a father 2. the identity of a father 쑗 The court had first to establish the child’s paternity. Compare maternity paternity leave /pə t" nti li v/ noun permission for a man to be away from work when his wife has a baby ② path /pɑ θ/ noun 1. a narrow track for walking 쑗 There’s a path across the field. 쑗 Follow the path until you get to the sea. Also called footpath 2. 왍 a cycle or bicycle path a narrow lane for cycles by the side of a road 3. a direction in which something is moving or coming 쑗 People in villages in the path of the hurricane were advised to get away as fast as possible. 쑗 The school stands right in the path of the new motorway. ③ pathetic /pə θetk/ adj 1. which makes you feel pity or contempt 쑗 She looked so pathetic I hadn’t the heart to scold her. 2. extremely bad 쑗 He made a pathetic attempt at a joke. 쑗 Her performance in the semi-final was absolutely pathetic. pathetically /pə θetkli/ adv in a pathetic way pathological /pθə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to a disease or which is caused by a disease 쑗 a pathological condition 2. extreme or uncontrollable 쑗 She has an almost pathological hatred of German men. 왍 to be a pathological liar to tell lies all the time pathologist /pə θɒlədȢst/ noun 1. a doctor who specialises in the study of diseases and the changes in the body caused by disease 쑗 A pathologist took samples for examination in the laboratory. 2. a doctor who examines dead bodies to find out the cause of death 쑗 The pathologist found traces of poison in the corpse. patriotic pathology /pə θɒlədȢi/ noun the study of diseases and the changes in structure and function which diseases cause in the body pathos / peθɒs/ noun a quality in something which makes you feel pity. Synonym sadness (NOTE: The adjective is pathetic.) pathway / pɑ θwe/ noun a track for walking along ③ patience / peʃ(ə)ns/ noun 1. the quality of being patient 쑗 With a little patience, you’ll soon learn how to ride a bike. 쑗 I don’t have the patience to wait that long. 왍 to try someone’s patience to make someone impatient 쑗 Looking after a class of thirty little children would try anyone’s patience. 2. a card game for one person 쑗 She sat by herself in her hotel room, playing patience. ① patient / peʃ(ə)nt/ adj 1. being able to wait a long time without getting annoyed 쑗 You must be patient – you will get served in time. 2. careful and thorough 쑗 Weeks of patient investigation by the police resulted in his arrest. 쐽 noun a sick person who is in hospital or who is being treated by a doctor, dentist, psychiatrist, etc. 쑗 There are three other patients in the ward. 쑗 The nurse is trying to take the patient’s temperature. ① patiently / peʃəntli/ adv without getting annoyed patina / ptnə/ noun a green sheen on old bronze objects or a shine on old wooden furniture patio / ptiəυ/ noun a paved area outside a house or other building for sitting or eating (NOTE: The plural is patios.) patriarch / petriɑ k/ noun 1. the bishop of an Eastern church 쑗 the Patriarch of Constantinople 2. a respected old man who is considered the head of a village or community 쑗 We were taken to see an old man who was obviously the village patriarch. Compare matriarch patriarchal /petri ɑ k(ə)l/ adj referring to a patriarchy patriarchy / petriɑ ki/ noun a system of government by the eldest male of the ruling group patrician /pə trʃ(ə)n/ adj referring to aristocrats 쑗 The old East Coast patrician families lost influence when Texas and California became economically powerful. Synonym aristocratic 쐽 noun a member of an old aristocratic family 쑗 The patricians lost influence when the Roman Republic was replaced by the Empire. Synonym aristocrat patriot / ptriət/ noun a person who is proud of his or her country and is willing to defend it. Synonym nationalist patriotic /ptri ɒtk/ adj proud of your country and willing to defend it. Synonym nationalistic patriotism 614 patriotism / ptriətz(ə)m/ noun a feeling of great pride in your country. Synonym loyalty patrol /pə trəυl/ noun 1. the act of keeping guard by walking or driving up and down 쑗 They make regular patrols round the walls of the prison. 쑗 He was on patrol in the centre of town when he saw some youths running away from a bank. 2. a group of people keeping guard 쑗 Each time a patrol went past we hid behind a wall. 쐽 verb to keep guard on a place by walking or driving up and down 쑗 Armed security guards are patrolling the warehouse. Synonym guard (NOTE: patrolling – patrolled) patrol car /pə trəυl kɑ / noun a police car which drives up and down the streets patrolman /pə trəυlmən/ noun especially US a policeman on patrol (NOTE: The plural is patrolmen.) ③ patron / petrən/ noun 1. a person who protects or supports someone or something 쑗 She’s a great patron of the arts. 2. a person who goes regularly to a place, e.g. a shop, hotel, restaurant or theatre 쑗 The car park is for the use of hotel patrons only. patronage / ptrəndȢ/ noun the practice of giving support or encouragement to someone, e.g. an artist patronise / ptrənaz/, patronize verb 1. to act in a way which shows you think you are superior to someone 쑗 He thinks he can patronise us because we’re younger than he is. 2. to go regularly to a place, e.g. a shop, public house or theatre 쑗 We believe it’s important to patronise small local shops. 쑗 The restaurant is mainly patronised by local businesspeople. 3. to support or encourage someone such as an artist 쑗 King Charles I patronised several Flemish painters, especially Van Dyck. patron saint /petrən sent/ noun a saint who is believed to protect a particular group of people patter / ptə/ noun 1. a light tapping noise 쑗 the patter of raindrops on the roof 쑗 I heard a patter of feet in the corridor. 2. rapid talk by someone, e.g. a conjuror, salesman or trickster, to keep your attention 쑗 He kept up a continuous patter as he shuffled the cards. 쐽 verb to make a light tapping noise 쑗 The rain pattered on the windows. ① pattern / pt(ə)n/ noun 1. instructions which you follow to make something 쑗 She copied a pattern from a magazine to knit her son a pullover. 2. a design of something, e.g. lines or flowers, repeated again and again on cloth, wallpaper, etc. 쑗 She was wearing a coat with a pattern of black and white spots. 쑗 Do you like the pattern on our new carpet? 3. the general way in which something usu- pawn ally happens 쑗 a change in the usual weather pattern patterned / pt(ə)nd/ adj with a repeated pattern paucity / pɔ sti/ noun a lack of something. Synonym dearth (NOTE: no plural) paunch /pɔ ntʃ/ noun a man’s fat stomach (NOTE: The plural is paunches.) pauper / pɔ pə/ noun a poor person. Antonym millionaire pause /pɔ z/ noun a short stop during a period of activity such as work 쑗 The exercise consists of running on the spot for ten minutes, with a short pause after each 100 steps. 쑗 He read his speech slowly, with plenty of pauses. 쐽 verb to rest for a short time pave /pev/ verb 1. to cover a road or path, etc., with a hard surface 쑗 In the old town, the streets are paved with cobblestones. 쑗 There is a paved courtyard behind the restaurant. 2. 왍 to pave the way for something to prepare the way for something to happen 쑗 The election of the new president paves the way for a change of government. ③ pavement / pevmənt/ noun 1. a hard path for walkers at the side of a road 쑗 Walk on the pavement, not in the road. 쑗 Look out! – the pavement is covered with ice. (NOTE: The US term is sidewalk.) 2. US a hard road surface (NOTE: The British term is road③ way.) pavement artist / pevmənt ɑ tst/ noun an artist who draws pictures on the pavement with coloured chalks pavilion /pə vliən/ noun 1. a small building for people playing sport to rest in between games 쑗 The rest of the team watched from the pavilion as he scored the winning run. 2. a separate building at a large exhibition 쑗 Have you seen the Canadian pavilion yet? paving stone / pevŋ stəυn/ noun a large flat stone slab used for making paths and patios ③ paw /pɔ / noun 1. the hairy foot of an animal with claws 쑗 The bear held the fish in its paws. 2. a hand (informal ) 쑗 Keep your paws off my food! 쐽 verb 1. to pat something with a foot 쑗 The horse pawed the ground impatiently. 2. to touch someone with the hands 쑗 He tried pawing the girls at the office party. ③ pawn /pɔ n/ noun 1. the smallest piece on the chessboard 쑗 He took two of my pawns. 쑗 She sacrificed a pawn in order to put his king in check. 2. a person who is controlled by someone more powerful 쑗 He was just a pawn in the hands of powerful bankers. 3. 왍 in pawn left in exchange for money which has been borrowed 쑗 He left his watch in pawn for £20. 쐽 verb to leave an object in exchange for borrowing money: you claim . pawnbroker 615 back the object when you pay back the money 쑗 I was so desperate that I pawned my mobile phone. 쑗 He was in a bad state – even his dinner jacket had been pawned. 쑗 She pawned her ring to get money for food. Synonym trade in pawnbroker / pɔ nbrəυkə/ noun a person who lends money in exchange for valuables left with him or her pawnbroker’s / pɔ nbrəυkəz/, pawnshop / pɔ nʃɒp/ noun a shop where goods can be pawned pawpaw / pɔ pɔ / same as papaya ① pay /pe/ noun wages or salary 쑗 They’re on strike for more pay. 쑗 I can’t afford luxuries on my miserable pay. 왍 holiday with pay holiday which an employee can take by contract and for which he or she is paid 왍 in the pay of a person or an organisation paid by a person or an organisation 쑗 He was accused of being in the pay of the enemy secret service. 쐽 verb 1. to give someone money for something 쑗 How much did you pay for your car? 쑗 We pay £100 a week in rent. 쑗 Please pay the waiter for your drinks. 쑗 She paid him £10 for his old bike. 2. to give money to someone for doing something 쑗 We pay secretaries £10 an hour. 쑗 I paid them one pound each for washing the car. 쑗 I’ll pay you a pound to wash my car. (NOTE: You pay someone to wash the car before he or she washes it, but you pay someone for washing the car after he or she has washed it.) 3. 왍 to pay attention to some- one or something to note and think about someone or something carefully 쑗 Pay attention to the following instructions. 왍 to pay a visit to visit 쑗 We’ll pay my mother a visit when we’re in town. 4. to be worth while to someone 쑗 It would probably pay you to have the flat repainted. (NOTE: paying – paid /ped/) payable / peəb(ə)l/ adj which must be paid 왍 to make a cheque payable to someone to write someone’s name on a cheque, so that the money is put into his or her account ③ pay back /pe bk/ verb 1. to give someone money which you owe 쑗 He borrowed £10 last week and hasn’t paid me back. 2. 왍 to pay someone back for something to take revenge on someone for having done something 쑗 ‘That will pay them back for ruining our party’, he said as he smashed their car window. paycheque / pe tʃek/ noun a regular salary cheque given to an employee (NOTE: The US spelling is paycheck.) payday / pede/ noun a day when employees get paid pay desk / pe desk/ noun same as cash desk PC payee /pe i / noun a person who is paid money. Synonym recipient. Antonym payer payer / peə/ noun a person who pays money to someone. Synonym spender. Antonym payee ③ pay in /pe n/ verb to put money into an account. Synonym deposit paying-in slip /peŋ n slp/ noun a form which is filled in when money is deposited in a bank account or building society account ① payment / pemənt/ noun 1. the fact of giving money for something 쑗 I make regular monthly payments into her account. 쑗 She made a payment of £10,000 to the solicitor. 2. money paid 쑗 Did you receive any payment for the work? 쑗 If you fall behind with your payments, they will take the car back. ③ pay off /pe ɒf/ verb 1. to finish paying money which is owed 쑗 He’s aiming to pay off his mortgage in ten years. 쑗 She said she couldn’t pay off the loan. 2. to pay all the money owed to someone and end his or her employment 쑗 When the company was taken over the factory was closed and all the workers were paid off. 3. to be successful 쑗 Their more cautious approach eventually paid off. 쑗 All that hard work paid off when she came top of her class. pay-off / pe ɒf/ noun 1. money paid to finish paying something which is owed, such as money paid to a employee when his or her employment is ended 쑗 Each of the directors received a pay-off of twenty thousand pounds. 2. a benefit which is deserved 쑗 One of the pay-offs of a university degree is increased earning power. ③ pay out /pe aυt/ verb 1. to give money to someone 쑗 The insurance company paid out thousands of pounds to claimants after the storm. 쑗 We have paid out half our profits in dividends. 2. to unroll a rope 쑗 They paid out the rope gradually as I climbed down the cliff. payphone / pefəυn/ noun a public phone in which you insert money to make a call pay rise / pe raz/ noun an increase in salary (NOTE: The US term is raise.) payroll / perəυl/ noun 1. the people employed by a company and paid by it 쑗 The company has 250 people on the payroll. 2. the total wages paid by a company pay slip / pe slp/ noun a piece of paper showing the full amount of an employee’s pay, and the money deducted as tax, pension and insurance contributions ③ pay up /pe p/ verb to pay all the money which you owe ③ PC abbr personal computer, police constable, politically correct PE 616 PE abbr physical education 쑗 a PE class pea /pi / noun a climbing plant of which ③ the round green seeds are eaten as vegetables 왍 like two peas in a pod very similar 쑗 No one can tell the twins apart, they’re like two peas in a pod. ② peace /pi s/ noun 1. the state of not being at war 쑗 The UN troops are trying to keep the peace in the area. 쑗 Both sides are hoping to reach a peace settlement. 2. a calm quiet state 쑗 Noisy motorcycles ruin the peace and quiet of the village. peaceable / pi səb(ə)l/ adj liking peace, not wanting to quarrel peace dividend / pi s dvdend/ noun money which becomes available for general government spending as defence spending is reduced following the ending of a war ③ peaceful / pi sf(ə)l/ adj 1. calm 쑗 We spent a peaceful afternoon by the river. 2. liking peace 쑗 The Swiss seem to be a very peaceful nation. 왍 to have a peaceful coexistence to live side by side without making war peacefully / pi sf(ə)li/ adv 1. calmly 쑗 The baby is sleeping peacefully in its cot. 2. without fighting, without making war 쑗 We hope the dispute can be settled peacefully. peacekeeper / pi ski pə/ noun a person who tries to maintain peace. Synonym intermediary peacekeeping / pi ski pŋ/ noun the act of trying to keep peace in a region where there is a war peace process / pi s prəυses/ noun negotiations, concessions and discussions which take place over a long time, with the aim of ending a state of war peacetime / pi stam/ noun a period when a country is not fighting in a war ③ peach /pi tʃ/ noun 1. a sweet fruit with a large stone and velvety skin 쑗 We had peaches and cream for dessert. 2. a pink-yellow colour 쑗 They painted the bathroom a light peach. peacock / pi kɒk/ noun 1. a large bird, of which the cock has an enormous tail with brilliant blue and green feathers 쑗 Peacocks were wandering about the palace garden. 쑗 They keep peacocks in their garden and they make a lot of noise. 2. a type of common brown butterfly with round purple spots on its wings peahen / pi hen/ noun a female peacock ③ peak /pi k/ noun 1. the top of a mountain 쑗 Can you see that snow-covered peak in the distance? – It’s Mont Blanc. 2. the highest point 쑗 The team has to reach a peak of fitness before the match. 쑗 The graph shows the peaks and troughs of pollution over the last month. 3. the front part of a cap, which peck juts out 쑗 He wore a white cap with a dark blue peak. 쐽 verb to reach the highest point 쑗 Sales peaked in January. Synonym climax. Antonym dip (NOTE: Do not confuse with peek.) peal /pi l/ noun 1. a sudden loud noise 쑗 She could hear peals of laughter from the next room. 쑗 A peal of thunder woke me up. 2. the sound of bells ringing 쑗 Peals rang out from the church tower on Christmas morning. 3. a set of bells of different sizes, playing different notes 쑗 The church has a lovely peal of bells. 쐽 verb 1. to ring loudly 쑗 The church bells pealed out as the couple came out into the sunlight. 2. to make a loud noise like bells 쑗 The audience pealed with laughter. (NOTE: Do not confuse with peel.) peanut / pi nt/ noun a nut which grows in the ground in pods like a pea peanut butter /pi nt btə/ noun a paste made from crushed peanuts peanuts / pi nts/ plural noun a small amount of money 쑗 Why does he stay in that job, when he only earns peanuts? 쑗 She worked for peanuts in the family shop. ③ pear /peə/ noun a fruit like a long apple, with one end fatter than the other 쑗 When are pears in season? ③ pearl /p" l/ noun a precious round white gem formed inside an oyster 쑗 She wore a string of pearls which her grandmother had given her. pear-shaped / peə ʃept/ adj 1. shaped like a pear 2. 왍 to go pear-shaped to go wrong, not to work properly (informal ) 쑗 Since the shop opened, everything seems to be going pear-shaped. peasant / pez(ə)nt/ noun a farm labourer or farmer living in a backward region peasantry / pez(ə)ntri/ noun peasants seen as a group (NOTE: no plural) peat /pi t/ noun wet soil in a bog, made from partly decayed mosses and other plants peat bog / pi t bɒDZ/ noun a soft wet area of land which is covered with peat pebble / peb(ə)l/ noun a small round stone pebbly / pebli/ adj covered with pebbles pecan / pi kən, p kn/ noun a sweet nut from a tree which grows in the south of the USA pecan pie /pi kən pa/ noun a pie made from corn syrup, cornflour and pecans peck /pek/ noun 1. a bite with a bird’s beak 쑗 Be careful when you feed the parrot – he can give a nasty peck. 2. a little kiss 쑗 He gave her a peck on the cheek. 쐽 verb 1. (of a bird ) to bite with a beak 쑗 Hens were pecking around in the yard. 2. 왍 to peck at food to eat a little food, taking little bites 쑗 She’s not feeling very well – she’s pecking at her food. . . pecking order 617 pecking order / pekŋ ɔ də/ noun an unwritten order of importance of people in a firm or office, or animals in a farm. Synonym hierarchy peckish / pekʃ/ adj slightly hungry (informal ) Synonym hungry ③ peculiar /p kju liə/ adj 1. odd or strange 쑗 It’s peculiar that she refuses to have a TV in the house. 쑗 There’s a peculiar smell coming from the kitchen. 2. 왍 peculiar to a place or person only found in one particular place or person (formal ) 쑗 French fries with mayonnaise is a dish which is peculiar to Belgium. peculiarity /pkju li rti/ noun an odd feature or detail which makes something different (NOTE: The plural is peculiarities.) peculiarly /p kju liəli/ adv oddly or strangely pecuniary /p kju niəri/ adj referring to money. Synonym monetary pedagogical /pedə DZɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to teaching. Synonym educational ③ pedal / ped(ə)l/ noun 1. a lever worked by the foot 쑗 If you want to stop the car put your foot down on the brake pedal. 2. a flat rest which you press down on with your foot to make a bicycle go forwards 쑗 He stood up on the pedals to make the bike go up the hill. 쐽 verb to make a bicycle go by pushing on the pedals 쑗 He had to pedal hard to get up the hill. (NOTE: pedalling – pedalled. The US spelling is pedaling – pedaled.) pedal bin / ped(ə)l bn/ noun a container for rubbish which opens with a pedal pedant / ped(ə)nt/ noun a person who insists on having every small detail correct. Synonym doctrinaire pedantic /p dntk/ adj worrying too much about small details pedantically /p dntkli/ adv in a pedantic way peddle / ped(ə)l/ verb 1. to sell goods from door to door or in the street 쑗 He makes a living peddling cleaning products door to door. 쑗 She tried to peddle the information to various newspapers. 2. to sell illegal drugs 쑗 He was accused of peddling drugs. (NOTE: Do not confuse with pedal.) peddler / pedlə/ noun 1. a person who sells harmful goods 쑗 a peddler of pornography 2. US same as pedlar pedestal / pedst(ə)l/ noun a base for a statue 왍 to put someone on a pedestal to treat someone as if he or she were very special or important, even if they have faults 쑗 He had always put his wife on a pedestal and was horrified to hear the stories about her which came out in court. ③ pedestrian /pə destriən/ noun a person who walks in a street 쑗 Two pedestrians . . peep were also injured in the accident. Synonym walker 쐽 adj 1. referring to pedestrians 쑗 The street is open to pedestrian traffic only. 2. heavy, done without any imagination 쑗 She gave a terribly pedestrian performance as Juliet. pedestrian crossing /pdestriən krɒsŋ/ noun a place where pedestrians can cross a road (NOTE: Another US term is crosswalk.) pedestrian precinct /pədestriən pri sŋkt/, shopping precinct / ʃɒpŋ pri sŋkt/ noun a part of a town which is closed to traffic so that people can walk about and shop pedicure / pedkjυə/ noun the act of looking after the feet 왍 to have a pedicure to have beauty treatment for your feet, including massage and cutting toenails 쑗 She went for a manicure and pedicure. pedigree / pedDZri / noun a table showing the ancestors of an animal bred by a breeder. Synonym lineage pedlar / pedlə/ noun a person who goes from door to door, or stands in a street, trying to sell small articles pedometer /pe dɒmtə/ noun an instrument which measures how far you have walked pee /pi / noun 1. waste water from the body (informal ) 쑗 This drink’s horrible, it tastes like pee! 2. the act of passing waste water from the body 쑗 I need to go for a pee. 쑗 He had a quick pee and then went back to the meeting. 쐽 verb to pass waste water from the body 쑗 The cat’s peed all over my flowerbed. peek /pi k/ noun a quick look 쑗 He opened the fridge door and had a peek at the dessert. Antonym gaze (NOTE: Do not confuse with peak.) 쐽 verb to look at something quickly 쑗 She peeked through the window and saw there was no one in the kitchen. Synonym peep. Antonym stare peel /pi l/ noun the outer skin of a fruit or a vegetable 쑗 Throw the banana peel into the rubbish bin. 쑗 This orange has got very thick peel. (NOTE: no plural. Do not confuse with peal.) 쐽 verb 1. to take the outer skin off a fruit or a vegetable 쑗 He was peeling a banana. 쑗 If the potatoes are very small you can boil them without peeling them. 2. to come off in layers 쑗 I sat in the sun yesterday and now my back is peeling. peeler / pi lə/ noun a special tool for peeling potatoes and other vegetables peelings / pi lŋz/ plural noun pieces of skin from vegetables or fruit that have been peeled peep /pi p/ noun a quick look 쑗 He opened the fridge door and had a peep inside. 쐽 verb to look quickly and secretly at something 쑗 . peephole 618 She peeped into the box. 쑗 We found him peeping through the keyhole. peephole / pi phəυl/ noun a small hole in a door which you can look through to see who is outside peer /pə/ noun 1. a member of the nobility 쑗 Peers sit in the House of Lords. 2. a person of the same rank or class as another 쑗 He’s always trying to compete with his peers. 쐽 verb to look hard at something when you cannot see very well 쑗 She peered at the screen to see if she could read the figures. Antonym glance peerage / pərdȢ/ noun 1. all peers taken as a group 쑗 The book lists all the members of the British peerage. 2. the position of being a peer 쑗 Three new peerages were created in the New Year’s Honours List. peeress /pər es/ noun a woman peer (NOTE: The plural is peeresses.) peer group / pə DZru p/ noun a group of people of equal social status (NOTE: Do not confuse with pier.) peerless / pələs/ adj which has no equal. Synonym incomparable. Antonym commonplace peeved /pi vd/ adj annoyed and bothered. Antonym pleased peevish / pi vʃ/ adj bad-tempered, always complaining. Synonym irritable peg /peDZ/ noun a small wooden or metal stake or pin 쑗 The children hang their coats on pegs in the cloakroom. 쑗 They used no nails in building the roof – it is all held together with wooden pegs. 쐽 verb 1. to attach something with a peg 쑗 She pegged the washing out on the line. 2. to hold something such as prices stable 쑗 Prices will be pegged at the current rate for another year. (NOTE: pegging – pegged) pejorative /p dȢɒrətv/ adj showing that you feel something is bad (formal ) pelican / pelkən/ noun a large water bird, . which catches fish and keeps the fish in a bag of skin under its beak 쑗 The zoo keeper brought a bucket of fish to feed the pelicans. pellet / pelt/ noun 1. a small ball of lead, used in shotguns 쑗 There may still be pellets left in the pheasant so be careful when you eat it. 2. a small ball of something 쑗 The boys made bread pellets and threw them across the room. 쑗 The cattle feed comes in the form of pellets. pelmet / pelmt/ noun a decorative strip of something, e.g. wood or cloth, above a window, which hides the curtain fittings pelt /pelt/ noun 1. a skin of an animal with fur on it 쑗 The trappers sold the pelts at the trading post. 2. 왍 at full pelt going as fast as possible 쑗 He was running at full pelt down the street. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to pelt someone with pencil something to throw things at someone 쑗 The crowd pelted the speaker with rotten tomatoes. 2. to run very fast 쑗 I pelted after her to try to catch her up. pelvic / pelvk/ adj referring to the pelvis pelvis / pelvs/ noun the group of bones and cartilage which forms a ring and connects the thigh bones to the spine (NOTE: The plural is pelvises.) ② pen /pen/ noun 1. an object for writing with, using ink 쑗 I’ve lost my red pen – can I borrow yours? 쑗 If you haven’t got a pen you can always write in pencil. 쏡 ballpoint pen 2. a fenced enclosure for animals such as sheep 쑗 They put the sheep in a pen overnight. 쑗 Somehow the goats managed to get out of their pen. 쐽 verb 1. to put animals such as sheep in a pen 쑗 The sheep were penned while waiting to be taken to the market. 2. 왍 to be penned in to be in a small space, closely surrounded by other things or people 쑗 She felt penned in, living in the same house as her husband’s parents. 3. to write something with a pen 쑗 He penned a short letter to the local paper. (NOTE: penning – penned) penal / pi n(ə)l/ adj referring to punishment. Synonym punitive penal code / pi n(ə)l kəυd/ noun a set of laws governing crime and its punishment penalise / pi nəlaz/, penalize verb to punish someone ③ penalty / pen(ə)lti/ noun 1. a punishment 쑗 The maximum penalty for this offence is two years’ imprisonment. 쑗 The coup failed and the leaders had to pay the penalty. 2. a punishment in sport, especially a kick at goal awarded to the opposite side in football 쑗 He was awarded a penalty kick. 쑗 They scored from a penalty. 3. a disadvantage 쑗 Being chased by photographers is one of the penalties of being rich and famous. (NOTE: The plural is penalties.) ③ penalty area / pen(ə)lti eəriə/ noun (in football ) the area in front of the goal where if . a player breaks the rules the other team is given a free shot at the goal from a short distance away penance / penəns/ noun punishment which someone accepts as a way of acknowledging a bad action ③ pence /pens/ plural of penny penchant / pɒŋʃɒŋ/ noun a special liking for something. Synonym predilection. Antonym antipathy ② pencil / pensəl/ noun 1. an object for writing with, made of wood, with a strip of coloured material in the middle 쑗 I want a knife to sharpen my pencil with. 2. the substance in a pencil that marks the paper 쑗 Examination answers must be written in ink, not in pencil. pencil in 619 pentathlon pencil in /pensəl n/ verb to make a pos- penitent / pent(ə)nt/ adj being sorry for sible arrangement for something expecting that it might have to be changed later 쑗 I’ll pencil in the meeting for next Wednesday. pencil sharpener / pensəl ʃɑ pnə/ noun an instrument for sharpening pencils pendant / pendənt/ noun a piece of jewellery which hangs from a chain round your neck pendent adj hanging down or hanging over something (formal ) pending / pendŋ/ adj 1. which has not happened or been dealt with 쑗 A judgment is still pending in the fraud case. 2. which will happen or be dealt with soon 쑗 An official announcement is pending. 쐽 prep while waiting for something to happen (formal ) 쑗 pending advice from our lawyers 쑗 He has been suspended on full pay, pending an inquiry. pendulum / pendjυləm/ noun 1. a weight on the end of a chain which swings from side to side, making a clock work 쑗 If you look in the clock case, you can see the pendulum swinging back and forth. 2. a trend from one extreme to another 쑗 A few years ago every household had two cars, now the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction and more people are using public transport. penetrable / pentrəb(ə)l/ adj which can be penetrated penetrate / pentret/ verb to go into or through something penetrating / pentretŋ/ adj deep and searching penetration /pen treʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of penetrating something 쑗 The tank’s armour-plating resists penetration by machine-gun fire. 쑗 The leg is bruised but there is no penetration of the skin. 쑗 Our aim is complete penetration of the enemy’s air defences. 2. the fact of being able to think deeply 쑗 It is a work of extraordinary penetration for such a young scholar. penfriend / penfrend/ noun someone, often in another country, whom you write to regularly without meeting him or her penguin / peŋDZwn/ noun a black and white bird found in the Antarctic, which swims well but cannot fly penicillin /pen sln/ noun a common antibiotic, made from a mould peninsula /pə nnsjυlə/ noun a large piece of land which goes out into the sea peninsular /pə nnsjυlə/ adj referring to a peninsula penis / pi ns/ noun the male organ used for passing urine and for sexual intercourse having done something wrong 쑗 If you are penitent, God will forgive you. Synonym repentant. Antonym unrepentant 쐽 noun a person who is sorry for having done something wrong 쑗 Penitents in white robes walked in procession to the cathedral. penitentiary /pen tenʃəri/ noun US a prison (NOTE: The plural is penitentiaries.) penknife / pennaf/ noun a small pocket knife which folds up (NOTE: The plural is penknives / pennavz/.) pen name / pen nem/ noun a name used by a writer which is not his or her own. Synonym pseudonym pennant / penənt/ noun a long thin triangular flag penniless / penləs/ adj with no money ① penny / peni/ noun 1. the smallest British coin, one hundredth of a pound 쑗 It cost £4.99, so I paid with a five-pound note and got a penny change. 쑗 I came out without my purse and I haven’t got a penny on me. (NOTE: The plural is pennies or pence. . . (NOTE: The plural is penises.) penitence / pent(ə)ns/ noun the fact of regretting something you have done. Synonym shame Pennies is used to refer to several coins, but pence refers to the price. In prices, pence is always written p and often said as /pi /: This book only costs 60p: say ‘sixty p’ or ‘sixty pence’.) 2. 왍 the penny’s dropped he’s understood at last (informal ) 쑗 It took . ages for the penny to drop. 왍 to spend a penny to go to the toilet 쑗 Wait a moment, I want to spend a penny. pen pal / pen pl/ noun US same as penfriend (informal ) ② pension / penʃən/ noun money paid regularly, e.g. to someone who has retired from work, or to a widow 쑗 He has a good pension from his firm. 쑗 She finds a teacher’s pension quite enough to live on. 쐽 verb 왍 to pension someone off to make someone stop working and live on a pension 쑗 They pensioned him off at the age of 55. pensionable / penʃənəb(ə)l/ adj referring to the right to have a pension 왍 pensionable age the age at which a pension begins to be paid ② pensioner / penʃənə/ noun a person who gets a pension pensive / pensv/ adj thoughtful pensively / pensvli/ adv thoughtfully pentagon / pentəDZən/ noun 1. a geometrical figure with five sides 쑗 He drew a pentagon on the blackboard. 2. 왍 the Pentagon the US Ministry of Defence 쑗 The Pentagon is considering sending more troops to the area. pentathlon /pen tθlən/ noun an athletic competition in which competitors have to compete in five different sports . penthouse 620 penthouse / penthaυs/ noun a flat on the top floor of a high building pent-up /pent p/ adj held back by a barrier 왍 to have pent-up emotions to have strong emotions which are repressed penultimate /pə nltmət/ adj next to last penurious /pə njυəriəs/ adj very poor (formal ) penury / penjυri/ noun 1. the fact of being extremely poor 쑗 He ended his days living in penury. 쑗 The job offered an escape from penury. 2. a great lack of something 쑗 The government is suffering from a penury of new ideas. (NOTE: no plural) ① people / pi p(ə)l/ noun 1. men, women or children taken as a group 쑗 There were at least twenty people waiting to see the doctor. 쑗 So many people wanted to see the film that there were queues every night. 쑗 A group of people from our office went to Paris by train. 2. the inhabitants of a country 쑗 The people of China are very hard-working. 쑗 “Government by the people, for the people.” 쐽 verb 왍 peopled with filled with inhabitants 쑗 The island was peopled with tribes from the mainland. pep /pep/ noun energy or liveliness (informal ) 쑗 The dancers’ performance had plenty of pep. 쐽 verb 왍 to pep someone up to make someone livelier and more energetic (informal ) 쑗 You need a bit of brisk exercise to pep you up. 쑗 The whole team needs to be pepped up. ③ pepper / pepə/ noun 1. a spice used in cooking, made from the whole seeds of a tropical climbing plant (black pepper) or from seeds with the outer layer removed (white pepper) 쑗 Add salt and pepper to taste. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a hollow green, red or yellow fruit used as a vegetable 쑗 We had stuffed green peppers for lunch. (NOTE: The US term is bell pepper.) 쐽 verb 왍 to pepper someone or something with something to throw or shoot things at someone or something 쑗 They peppered the enemy with bullets. 쑗 The text is peppered with mistakes. peppermill / pepəml/ noun a device which crushes dried pepper seeds ③ peppermint / pepəmnt/ noun 1. a herb which is grown to produce an oil used in sweets, drinks and toothpaste 쑗 I always use peppermint-flavoured toothpaste. 2. a sweet flavoured with peppermint 쑗 a bag of peppermints pepperpot / pepəpɒt/ noun a little pot for holding pepper peppery / pepəri/ adj 1. (of food ) with a lot of pepper in it 2. very easily made angry 쑗 That was not the right thing to say to a peppery old naval officer like my father. . . . . percussion pep pill / pep pl/ noun a drug used to give a feeling of being fit and energetic (informal dated ) pep talk / pep tɔ k/ noun a talk designed to encourage people, e.g. to work hard or to win a match (informal ) ① per /p" , pə/ prep 1. out of each 왍 twenty per thousand twenty out of every thousand 쑗 There are about six mistakes per thousand words. 2. for each 쑗 I can’t cycle any faster than fifteen miles per hour. 쑗 Potatoes cost 10p per kilo. 쑗 We paid our secretaries £10 per hour. per annum /p" nəm/ adv for each year per capita /pə kptə/ adj for each person 쑗 The per capita expenditure is rising every year. ③ perceive /pə si v/ verb 1. to notice something through the senses 쑗 The changes are so slight that they’re almost impossible to perceive with the naked eye. 쑗 I perceived a worsening in his condition during the night. 2. to become aware of something 쑗 Some drugs are perceived as being a danger to health. ③ percentage /pə sentdȢ/ noun a figure shown as a proportion of a hundred 쑗 A low percentage of the population voted. 쑗 What percentage of businesses are likely to be affected? perceptible /pə septb(ə)l/ adj which can be noticed by the senses, i.e. seen, heard, smelled, tasted or touched. Synonym noticeable. Antonym imperceptible ③ perception /pə sepʃən/ noun the ability to notice or realise something perceptive /pə septv/ adj showing that you understand something clearly. Synonym discerning. Antonym insensitive perch /p" tʃ/ noun 1. a branch or ledge on which a bird can sit 쑗 The parrot flew down from his perch and landed on the back of my chair. (NOTE: The plural is perches.) 2. a type of small freshwater fish (NOTE: The plural is perch.) 쐽 verb 1. (of a bird ) to sit 쑗 The parrot perched on a high branch. 2. (of a person or a building) to place someone or something high up 쑗 a castle perched high on the mountainside 쑗 She was sitting perched on a bar stool. percolate / p" kəlet/ verb to filter through percolator / p" kəletə/ noun a coffee pot where the water boils up and filters down through the ground coffee percussion /pə kʃ(ə)n/ noun 왍 the percussion section, the percussion the section of an orchestra with instruments such as drums or cymbals that are played by hitting them with something such as a stick or hammer 쑗 You have just heard a piece with Rich . . . peremptorily 621 Nix on piano and Art Daley on percussion. 쑗 The work provides a lot of scope for the percussion section. 쏡 brass, strings, wind peremptorily /pə rempt(ə)rli/ adv in a peremptory way peremptory /pə rempt(ə)ri/ adj expecting people to obey immediately (formal ) perennial /pə reniəl/ adj which continues from year to year 쑗 a perennial plant 쑗 It’s a perennial question. 쐽 noun a plant which flowers every year without needing to be sown again 쑗 Most of the plants in this bed are perennials. perennially /pə reniəli/ adv always ② perfect adj / p" fkt/ 1. which is good in every way 쑗 Your coat is a perfect fit. 쑗 Don’t change anything – the room is perfect as it is. 2. completely suitable 쑗 She’s the perfect secretary. 쑗 George would be perfect for the job of salesman. 쑗 I was in a perfect position to see what happened. 3. complete, total 쑗 I’ve never seen him before – he’s a perfect stranger. 쐽 verb /pə fekt/ to make something new and perfect 쑗 She perfected a process for speeding up the bottling system. perfection /pə fekʃən/ noun the state of being perfect 왍 to perfection perfectly 쑗 He timed his kick to perfection. perfectionist /pə fekʃənst/ noun a person who demands that everything has to be perfect ② perfectly / p" fktli/ adv very well perfidious /pə fdiəs/ adj not loyal (formal ) Synonym disloyal perforate / p" fəret/ verb to make a hole in something, to pierce. Synonym puncture perforated / p" fəretd/ adj which has a hole or holes in it, especially with a line of small holes designed to make tearing easy perforation /p" fə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of making a hole in something 2. a small hole in something 쑗 the perforations on a sheet of stamps ② perform /pə fɔ m/ verb 1. to carry out an action 쑗 She performed a perfect dive. 쑗 It’s the sort of task that can be performed by any computer. 2. to act in public 쑗 The group will perform at the arena next week. 쑗 The play will be performed in the village hall. ① performance /pə fɔ məns/ noun 1. the way in which someone or something works, e.g. how successful they are or how much they achieve 쑗 We’re looking for ways to improve our performance. 쑗 After last night’s miserable performance I don’t think the team is likely to reach the semi-finals. 2. a public show 쑗 The next performance will start at 8 o’clock. 쑗 There are three performances a day during the summer. ③ performer /pə fɔ mə/ noun a person who gives a public show . . peripatetic teacher perfume / p" fju m/ noun a liquid which has a nice smell and which is put on the skin perfumed / p" fjυ md/ adj which has a nice smell. Synonym scented perfunctorily /pə fŋkt(ə)rli/ adv in a perfunctory way perfunctory /pə fŋkt(ə)ri/ adj careless and very fast ① perhaps /pə hps/ adv possibly 쑗 Perhaps the train is late. 쑗 They’re late – perhaps the snow’s very deep. 쑗 Is it going to be fine? – Perhaps not, I can see clouds over there. Synonym maybe. Antonym definitely peril / perl/ noun great danger. Antonym safety 왍 at your peril you risk everything if you do this 쑗 You disregard your doctor’s advice at your peril. 왍 in peril facing a risk 쑗 The ship was on the rocks and the lives of the crew were in peril. perilous / perləs/ adj very dangerous perilously / perləsli/ adv dangerously perimeter /pə rmtə/ noun the outside edge of an enclosed area. Synonym boundary ① period / pəriəd/ noun 1. a length of time She swam under water for a short period. 쑗 The offer is open for a limited period only. 쑗 It was an unhappy period in her life. 2. the time during which a lesson is given in school 쑗 We have three periods of English on Thursdays. 3. US punctuation mark like a small dot, showing the end of a sentence or an abbreviation 쑗 When reading, you can take a breath at a period. (NOTE: The British term is full stop.) 4. meaning ‘and that’s all’ 쑗 She doesn’t like German food, period. 쑗 (NOTE: also used in British English in this sense) 5. the loss of blood from a woman’s womb which usually happens once a month 쑗 Some women experience abdominal pain during their periods. (NOTE: formally called menstruation) periodic /pəri ɒdk/ adj repeated after a regular period of time periodical /pəri ɒdk(ə)l/ adj same as periodic 쐽 noun a magazine which appears regularly 쑗 He writes for several London periodicals. periodically /pəri ɒdkli/ adv from time to time periodic table /pəriɒdk teb(ə)l/ noun a list of chemical elements arranged in order of their atomic numbers peripatetic /perpə tetk/ adj moving about from place to place. Synonym itinerant. Antonym settled peripatetic teacher /perpətetk ti tʃə/ noun a teacher who goes from school to school teaching a particular subject, rather than being based at one school peripheral 622 peripheral /pə rf(ə)rəl/ adj minor, not very important 쑗 The shop is peripheral to our main business. 쑗 Do all these peripheral activities take up too much of his time? peripherals /pə rf(ə)rəlz/ plural noun objects such as printers, which are attached to and controlled by a computer periphery /pə rf(ə)ri/ noun an edge, not the centre. Synonym boundary periscope / perskəυp/ noun a long tube which allows someone in a submarine under water to look above the surface of the water perish / perʃ/ verb 1. to die 쑗 The ship sank and twenty-five sailors perished. 2. to decay 쑗 The rubber has perished and the lid isn’t airtight any more. 3. 왍 I’m perished I’m cold (informal ) 왍 it’s perishing in here it’s very cold in here perishable / perʃəb(ə)l/ adj which can go bad easily 쑗 Perishable food like pâté must be kept in a fridge. perishables / perʃəb(ə)lz/ plural noun perishable food perjure / p" dȢə/ verb 왍 to perjure yourself to tell lies in a court of law when you have sworn to tell the truth perjury / p" dȢəri/ noun a crime of telling lies in a court of law when you have sworn to tell the truth perk /p" k/ noun something extra such as company cars or private health insurance given by a company to employees in addition to their salaries perk up /p" k p/ verb to become more happy or more interested perm /p" m/ noun 1. curls or a wave put into your hair artificially 쑗 She’s had a perm and it’s changed her appearance. 2. a combination of football teams on a football pools coupon 쑗 Selecting these games gives you twenty-four perms. 쐽 verb 1. to put a wave or curl into someone’s hair 쑗 She’s had her hair permed. 2. to choose several football teams in various combinations on a football pools coupon 쑗 He permed numbers 7, 10, 17, 23 and 28. permanence / p" mənəns/ noun the state of being permanent ② permanent / p" mənənt/ adj lasting for ever; intended to last for ever 쑗 He has found a permanent job. 쑗 She is in permanent employment. 쑗 They are living with her parents temporarily – it’s not a permanent arrangement. permanently / p" mənəntli/ adv for ever; always permeable / p" miəb(ə)l/ adj which lets liquid pass through. Synonym porous permeate / p" miet/ verb to move right through something . perplexing permissible /pə msb(ə)l/ adj which can be allowed. Synonym allowable. Antonym unacceptable permission /pə mʃ(ə)n/ noun freedom which you are given to do something 쑗 You need permission from the boss to go into the storeroom. 쑗 He asked the manager’s permission to take a day off. Synonym consent. Antonym embargo permissive /pə msv/ adj allowing people a large amount of freedom in the way they behave, especially in sexual matters. Synonym tolerant ③ permit noun / p" mt/ a paper which allows you to do something 쑗 You have to have a permit to sell ice cream from a van. 쐽 verb /pə mt/ to allow something 쑗 This ticket permits three people to go into the exhibition. 쑗 Smoking is not permitted in underground stations. Synonym authorise. Antonym for② bid (NOTE: permitting – permitted) permutation /p" mjυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of putting several things together in various combinations pernicious /pə nʃəs/ adj 1. morally harmful 2. which may result in serious illness or death 쑗 She was diagnosed as having pernicious anaemia. pernickety /pə nkti/ adj tending to notice and criticise small details or faults which other people do not think are important (informal ) perpendicular /p" pən dkjυlə/ adj 1. standing straight up, at right angles to a base 쑗 The y-axis is perpendicular to the x-axis. 2. a style of late medieval English church architecture, with tall pointed arches and large windows 쑗 There are many Perpendicular churches in East Anglia. 쑗 The nave is Norman and the chancel is Perpendicular. 쐽 noun a vertical line which stands at right angles to a base line 쑗 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is several degrees out of the perpendicular. perpetrate / p" ptret/ verb to commit a crime perpetrator / p" ptretə/ noun a person who does something harmful or immoral, especially a person who commits a crime. Synonym culprit perpetual /pə petʃuəl/ adj continuous, without any end. Antonym temporary perpetually /pə petʃuəli/ adv always perpetuate /pə petʃuet/ verb to make something continue perplex /pə pleks/ verb to make someone confused perplexed /pə plekst/ adj feeling confused. Synonym puzzled perplexing /pə pleksŋ/ adj which perplexes. Synonym puzzling . perplexity 623 perplexity /pə pleksti/ noun a feeling of being confused or failing to understand something. Antonym comprehension per se /p" se/ adv in itself (formal ) persecute / p" skju t/ verb to treat someone badly on political or religious beliefs or because of their race persecution /p" s kju ʃ(ə)n/ noun the act or practice of persecuting someone persecutor / p" skju tə/ noun a person who persecutes perseverance /p" s vərəns/ noun the act of persevering. Synonym persistence persevere /p" s və/ verb synonym persist. antonym give up 왍 to persevere with or in something to continue doing something even if it is difficult 쑗 If you persevere with your exercises you should lose weight. persist /pə sst/ verb to continue to exist 왍 to persist in doing something to continue doing something, even if you should not 쑗 He will persist in singing while he works although we’ve told him many times to stop. 쑗 She persists in refusing to see a doctor. persistence /pə sstəns/ noun a refusal to stop doing something ③ persistent /pə sstənt/ adj continuing to do something, even though people want you to stop persistently /pə sstəntli/ adv in a persistent way ① person / p" s(ə)n/ noun 1. a man or woman 쑗 The police say a person or persons entered the house by the window. 쑗 His father’s a very interesting person. 왍 in person used to emphasise that someone is physically present 쑗 Several celebrities were at the first night in person. 2. (in grammar ) one of three forms of verb or pronoun 왍 first person singular I 왍 first person plural we 왍 second person singular, second person plural you persona /pə səυnə/ noun a person’s character as seen by other people personable / p" s(ə)nəb(ə)l/ adj attractive, good-looking or having a pleasant character. Synonym amiable. Antonym dis. . agreeable personage / p" s(ə)ndȢ/ noun an important person (formal ) . ① personal / p" s(ə)n(ə)l/ adj 1. belonging or referring to a particular person or people 쑗 They lost all their personal property in the fire. 2. referring to someone’s private life in an offensive way 쑗 The attacks on the minister became increasingly personal. personal best /p" s(ə)n(ə)l best/ noun the best that a person has achieved in a particular activity, e.g. the fastest they have run, though not necessarily a record for that activity personification personal computer /p" s(ə)n(ə)l kəmpju tə/ noun a small computer used by a person at home. Abbr PC personalise / p" s(ə)nəlaz/, personalize verb 1. to mark something to show that it belongs to a particular person 쑗 Can you think of a way of personalising the gift? 왍 personalised briefcase a small case for carrying documents, which has the name of the owner on it 2. to refer to someone’s personal life 쑗 The article in the paper personalised the whole affair. ③ personality /p" sə nlti/ noun 1. character 쑗 He has a strange personality. 왍 she’s got lots of personality she’s a lively and interesting person. 쏡 split 2. a famous person, especially a TV or radio star 쑗 The new supermarket is going to be opened by a famous sporting personality. personality cult /p" sə nlti klt/ noun a way of making someone such as a political leader seem to be extremely important, almost as if they were a god ② personally / p" s(ə)n(ə)li/ adv 1. from your own point of view 쑗 Personally, I think you’re making a mistake. 2. in person 쑗 He is sorry that he can’t be here to accept the prize personally. 3. 왍 don’t take it personally don’t think it was meant to criticise you personal organiser /p" s(ə)n(ə)l ɔ DZənazə/ noun a little computer or book in which you enter information which is important to you such as addresses or details of meetings, especially connected with your work personal pronoun /p" s(ə)n(ə)l prəυnaυn/ noun (in grammar ) a pronoun which refers to a person, such as ‘I’, ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘him’, ‘her’, etc. ③ personal stereo /p" s(ə)n(ə)l steriəυ/ noun a small stereo which you can carry around personal trainer /p" s(ə)n(ə)l trenə/ noun a person whose job is to help someone become fit, e.g. by teaching them a set of physical exercises and advising them what to eat persona non grata /pəsəυnə nɒn DZrɑ tə/ noun a foreign person, especially a diplomat, who is not acceptable to a government personification /pəsɒnf keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a good example of a quality in a person 쑗 For many people she was the personification of youthful innocence. 쑗 Little children looked on him as the personification of wickedness. 2. (in a work of art) representing something such as an idea or belief in the form of a person 쑗 the poet’s personification of winter as an old man covered in snow and ice . personify 624 personify /pə sɒnfa/ verb 1. to be a good example of something 쑗 He seemed to personify all that was best in American life. 2. to use a character in art to represent a quality 쑗 The artist personified the wind as a fat red-faced man, blowing hard. ③ personnel /p" sə nel/ noun staff, the people employed by a company ③ perspective /pə spektv/ noun 1. (in art) a way of drawing objects or scenes, so that they appear to have depth or distance 쑗 He’s got the perspective wrong – that’s why the picture looks so odd. 2. a way of looking at something 쑗 A French politician’s perspective on the problem will be completely different from mine. 쑗 She was looking at the situation from the perspective of a parent with two young children. 왍 to put things in perspective to show things in a balanced way 쑗 You must put the sales figures in perspective – they look bad, but they’re much better than last year. perspiration /p" spə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the drops of liquid which come to the surface of your skin when you are hot. Synonym sweat perspire /pə spaə/ verb to cause small drops of liquid to come to the surface of your skin because you are feeling hot. Synonym sweat persuade /pə swed/ verb to get someone to do what you want by explaining or asking 쑗 She managed to persuade the bank manager to give her a loan. 쑗 After ten hours of discussion, they persuaded him to leave. ③ persuasion /pə sweȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of persuading 쑗 It took a lot of persuasion on his part to get her to change her mind. 쑗 With a bit of gentle persuasion, he agreed to be chairman. 2. a firm, usually religious, belief 쑗 People of that persuasion refuse to do military service. 쑗 People of varying political persuasions have signed the petition. persuasive /pə swesv/ adj which persuades. Synonym convincing. Antonym ② unconvincing persuasively /pə swesvli/ adv in a persuasive way pert /p" t/ adj 1. (of a young woman) too lively and confident 2. small with an attractive shape 쑗 a pert nose pertain /pə ten/ verb 왍 to pertain to to refer to, to be connected with (formal ) 쑗 If you have any information pertaining to this case, you are duty bound to reveal it. pertinent / p" tnənt/ adj which is relevant. Synonym relevant. Antonym . irrelevant pertinently / p" tnəntli/ adv in a pertinent way perturb /pə t" b/ verb to make someone feel worried or frightened pester perturbed /pə t" bd/ adj made to feel worried or frightened. Antonym composed perusal /pə ru z(ə)l/ noun an act of reading something carefully. Synonym examination peruse /pə ru z/ verb to read something carefully Peruvian /pə ru viən/ adj referring to Peru They visited ancient temples in the Peruvian mountains. 쐽 noun a person from Peru 쑗 The Peruvians are sending a delegation to the conference. pervade /pə ved/ verb to spread everywhere. Synonym permeate pervasive /pə vesv/ adj found or seen everywhere. Synonym extensive. Antonym 쑗 localised perverse /pə v" s/ adj continuing to do something even if it is wrong perversion /pə v" ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. behaviour that is considered not natural and possibly immoral 쑗 sexual perversion 2. the act of changing something to make it bad or wrong 쑗 Her story is a perversion of the truth. perversity /pə v" sti/ noun the quality of being perverse. Synonym obstinacy pervert noun / p" v" t/ a person who commits sexual acts which are thought to be not natural or normal 쑗 a sexual pervert 쐽 verb /pə v" t/ 1. to change someone or something to make them evil 쑗 Does pornography pervert the minds of people who read or watch it? 2. 왍 to attempt to pervert the course of justice to try to influence the result of a trial, e.g. by giving wrong evidence or threatening the people who are involved 쑗 The officers could be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. perverted /pə v" td/ adj which has been made bad or wrong pessimism / pesmz(ə)m/ noun the state of believing that only bad things will happen. Antonym optimism pessimist / pesmst/ noun a person who thinks only bad things will happen. Synonym cynic. Antonym optimist pessimistic /pes mstk/ adj believing that only bad things will happen. Synonym negative. Antonym optimistic pest /pest/ noun 1. a plant, animal or insect which causes problems 쑗 Many farmers look on rabbits as a pest. 2. a person who annoys 쑗 That little boy is an absolute pest – he won’t stop whistling. pester / pestə/ verb to keep annoying someone or asking them for something 왍 to pester someone into doing something to keep asking or telling someone to do something until they do what you want 쑗 She pestered him into getting his hair cut. pesticide 625 pesticide / pestsad/ noun a poison to kill pests pestilence / pestləns/ noun a very serious disease (archaic) pestilential /pest lenʃəl/ adj very unpleasant pestle / pest(ə)l/ noun a heavy tool with a smooth round head, which is used for crushing things in a special bowl called a mortar pet /pet/ noun an animal kept in the home to give pleasure 쑗 The family has several pets – two cats, a dog and a hamster. 쐽 adj 1. favourite 쑗 The weather is his pet topic of conversation. 2. (of a wild animal ) which is kept as a pet 쑗 You can’t keep a pet crocodile in the bath! 쐽 verb to hold and kiss someone in a sexual way 쑗 Couples were petting in the back seats of the cinema. petal / petl/ noun the colourful part of a flower peter out /pi tər aυt/ verb to come to an end, to gradually stop petite /pə ti t/ adj (of a woman) small and delicate. Antonym big petition /pə tʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an official request, often signed by many people 쑗 She wanted me to sign a petition against the building of the new road. 쑗 We went to the town hall to hand the petition to the mayor. 2. a legal request 쑗 a divorce petition 쐽 verb to ask someone for something officially, to make an official request for something 쑗 They petitioned the town council for a new library. 쑗 He petitioned the government to provide a special pension. 쑗 She is petitioning for divorce. Synonym appeal petitioner /pə tʃ(ə)nə/ noun a person who presents a petition. Synonym lobbyist pet name /pet nem/ noun a special name given to someone you like or love petrified / petrfad/ adj 1. changed to stone 쑗 You can find petrified trees at the bottom of the gorge. 2. unable to move because you are afraid 쑗 I thought he was going to shoot me, I was absolutely petrified. petrify / petrfa/ verb 1. to change something to stone 쑗 a petrifying spring 2. to make someone so afraid that he or she cannot move 쑗 The idea of appearing on stage absolutely petrifies me. petrochemical /petrəυ kemk(ə)l/ noun a chemical which comes from petroleum or natural gas 쑗 Petrochemicals have many industrial uses. 쐽 adj referring to production from petroleum or natural gas 쑗 a petrochemical plant ③ petrol / petrəl/ noun a liquid used as a fuel for engines 쑗 This car doesn’t use very much petrol. 쑗 The bus ran out of petrol on the motorway. 쑗 Petrol prices are lower at supermarkets. (NOTE: no plural: some petrol, . pharmacist a litre of petrol. The US term is gas or gasoline.) petrol bomb / petrəl bɒm/ noun a bomb made of a glass jar containing petrol, with a fuse which is lit just before the bomb is thrown 쐽 verb to attack or destroy something with a petrol bomb 쑗 The police station was petrol bombed last night. petroleum /pə trəυliəm/ noun raw mineral oil which comes from under the earth or sea ③ petrol station / petrəl steʃ(ə)n/ noun a place where you can buy petrol for your car. Synonym filling station (NOTE: The US term is gas station.) petticoat / petikəυt/ noun same as slip (dated ) pettiness / petinəs/ noun 1. the quality of . treating unimportant things as if they are important 2. the fact of having a narrow point of view petty / peti/ adj 1. unimportant 쑗 I haven’t time to deal with petty points of detail. 2. with a narrow point of view 쑗 It was very petty of her to ask for her money back. petty cash /peti kʃ/ noun small amounts of money in the form of coins or notes, in an office petulance / petjυləns/ noun behaviour which shows that you are annoyed. Antonym affability petulant / petjυlənt/ adj feeling annoyed. Synonym sulky. Antonym affable pew /pju / noun a long wooden seat in a church 왍 take a pew please sit down (informal ) pH /pi etʃ/ noun a measure of the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution, which shows how acid or alkaline it is phallic / flk/ adj shaped like a penis phallic symbol /flk smb(ə)l/ noun an object which looks like a penis, and is intended to represent male sex phallus / fləs/ noun a penis (NOTE: The . plural is phalluses.) phantom / fntəm/ noun an imaginary creature thought to be the spirit of a dead person 쑗 Phantoms were supposed to have been seen in the churchyard at dead of night. Synonym ghost 쐽 adj 1. not real but imaginary, especially in a way which is frightening 쑗 She felt a phantom presence standing beside her. 2. who secretly does annoying or funny things (humorous) 쑗 The phantom eater of my biscuits has been at it again. pharmaceutical /fɑ mə sju tk(ə)l/ adj referring to medicines pharmacist / fɑ məsst/ noun a person who prepares and sells medicines. Also called chemist pharmacological 626 pharmacological /fɑ məkə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to pharmacology pharmacologist /fɑ mə kɒlədȢst/ noun a person who studies pharmacology pharmacology /fɑ mə kɒlədȢi/ noun the study of drugs and medicines pharmacy / fɑ məsi/ noun 1. a shop which makes and sells medicines 쑗 He runs the pharmacy in the High Street. Also called chemist’s (NOTE: The plural is pharmacies.) 2. the study of medicines 쑗 She’s studying pharmacy. 쑗 He has a diploma in pharmacy. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) pharynx / frŋks/ noun a passage at the back of the nose leading to the oesophagus (NOTE: The plural is pharynxes.) ② phase /fez/ noun a stage in the development of something 쑗 The project is now in its final phase. 쑗 It’s a phase she’s going through and hopefully she will grow out of it. 쑗 I’m sure dyeing his hair green is just a phase. 쐽 verb 왍 to phase something in, to phase something out to introduce or to remove something gradually 쑗 The new telephone system will be phased in over the next two months. PhD /pi etʃ di / noun an advanced degree from a university in an arts subject. Full form Doctor of Philosophy (NOTE: written after the name: Alec Smart PhD) pheasant / fez(ə)nt/ noun a large brightly coloured bird with a long tail, shot for sport and food phenomenal /fə nɒmn(ə)l/ adj surprising phenomenally /fə nɒmn(ə)li/ adv surprisingly ③ phenomenon /fə nɒmnən/ noun something very surprising or unusual which happens and which people cannot explain 왍 natural phenomenon, phenomenon of nature a strange or unusual thing which happens naturally 쑗 Eruptions of volcanoes are natural phenomena. phew /fju / interj showing surprise or showing pleasure that you have avoided something unpleasant philanthropic /flən θrɒpk/, philanthropical /flən θrɒpk(ə)l/ noun showing a caring attitude to human beings, especially by giving money to charity philanthropist /f lnθrəpst/ noun a person who does good things to help people philanthropy /f lnθrəpi/ noun a love of other people in general, shown especially by giving money to charity philately /f lt(ə)li/ noun the activity of stamp collecting -phile /fal/ suffix who likes philharmonic /flɑ mɒnk/ adj liking music (NOTE: used mainly in the names of things such as orchestras and concert halls) phone philistine / flstan/ adj not sympathetic to the arts 쑗 The concert of medieval church music was wasted on a philistine audience. 쐽 noun a person who is not sympathetic to the arts 쑗 He thinks people who don’t appreciate modern jazz are simply philistines. Synonym barbarian philological /flə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to philology philologist /f lɒlədȢst/ noun an expert in philology philology /f lɒlədȢi/ noun the study of language or of the history of languages philosopher /f lɒsəfə/ noun a person who studies the meaning of human existence; a person who teaches philosophy philosophical /flə sɒfk(ə)l/ adj 1. carefully calm in the face of problems 쑗 to take a philosophical attitude 쑗 It’s best to be philosophical about it and not get too upset. 2. referring to philosophy 쑗 She was involved in a philosophical argument. philosophically /flə sɒfkli/ adv calmly ③ philosophy /f lɒsəfi/ noun 1. the study of the meaning of human existence 쑗 He’s studying philosophy. 2. a general way of thinking 쑗 My philosophy is that you should treat people as you would want them to treat you. phlegm /flem/ noun 1. an unpleasant thick liquid substance which you get in the nose and throat when you have a cold 쑗 She sneezes a lot and coughs up phlegm from the throat. 쑗 The cough mixture should loosen the phlegm on your chest. 2. calm behaviour 쑗 He responded to the latest disaster with traditional British phlegm. phlegmatic /fleDZ mtk/ adj calm, not flustered. Synonym calm -phobe /fəυb/ suffix who does not like 왍 xenophobe a person who dislikes foreigners phobia / fəυbiə/ noun extreme fear of a particular thing phoenix / fi nks/ noun a mythical bird, which is said to die in a fire and reappear from its ashes ① phone /fəυn/ noun a telephone 쑗 If someone rings, can you answer the phone for me? 쑗 She lifted the phone and called the ambulance. 왍 by phone using the telephone 쑗 to place an order by phone 쐽 verb to speak to someone using a telephone 쑗 Your wife phoned when you were out. 쑗 Can you phone me at ten o’clock tomorrow evening? 쑗 I need to phone our office in New York. Synonym call 왍 to phone for something to make a phone call to ask for something 쑗 He phoned for a taxi. 왍 to phone about something to make a phone call to speak about something 쑗 He phoned about the message he had received. phone book 627 phone book / fəυn bυk/ noun a book which gives the names of people and businesses in a town in alphabetical order, with their addresses and phone numbers ③ phone booth / fəυn bu ð/, phone box / fəυn bɒks/ noun a small glass shelter in a public place, containing a public telephone ③ phone call / fəυn kɔ l/ noun a telephone call, speaking to someone by telephone ③ phonecard / fəυnkɑ d/ noun a plastic card which you use to pay for calls on a public telephone phone-in / fəυn n/ noun a radio show, where members of the public telephone a speaker to ask questions or put their points of view (NOTE: The plural is phone-ins.) phoneme / fəυni m/ noun a single speech sound that makes a word different from other words ③ phone number / fəυn nmbə/ noun the number of one particular phone phonetic /fə netk/ adj referring to spoken sounds phonetic alphabet /fənetk lfəbet/ noun a special series of characters which show phonemes phonetics /fə netks/ noun 1. the study of the sounds of a language 쑗 Every linguist has to take a course in basic phonetics. 2. written signs which show how words are pronounced 쑗 Each word is followed by its phonetics which show you how the word should be pronounced. phoney / fəυni/ adj not real, not what it seems to be 쑗 He gave a phoney address in Paris. 쑗 She made a lot of phoney claims in her story in the newspaper. 쐽 noun a person who is not what he or she seems to be 쑗 He’s just an old phoney – he doesn’t have any experience of TV reporting at all. phony / fəυni/ 쒁 phoney phosphate / fɒsfet/ noun the salt of phosphoric acid, which is an essential plant food formed naturally by the effects of the weather on rocks, and produced artificially to make a substance which encourages plants to grow phosphorescence /fɒsfə res(ə)ns/ noun the ability to shine in the dark without giving out heat phosphorescent /fɒsfə res(ə)nt/ adj which shines in the dark without giving out heat phosphorus / fɒsf(ə)rəs/ noun a poisonous yellow element, which is essential to biological life, being present in bones and nerve tissue; it also burns easily ② photo / fəυtəυ/ noun a photograph, a picture taken with a camera 쑗 Here’s a photo of the village in the snow. 쑗 I’ve brought ③ phrase some holiday photos to show you. (NOTE: The plural is photos.) ③ photocopier / fəυtəυkɒpiə/ noun a machine which makes photocopies ③ photocopy / fəυtəυkɒpi/ noun a copy of a document made by photographing it 쑗 She made six photocopies of the contract. 쐽 verb to copy something and make a print of it 쑗 Can you photocopy this letter, please? photo-finish /fəυtəυ fnʃ/ noun a result of a horse race where two horses finish close together, and a photograph is taken to see which was the winner photogenic /fəυtəυ dȢenk/ adj who looks well in photographs ② photograph / fəυtəDZrɑ f/ noun a picture taken with a camera 쑗 I’ve found an old black and white photograph of my parents’ wedding. 쑗 She’s trying to take a photograph of the cat. 쑗 He kept her photograph in his wallet. 쑗 You’ll need two passport photographs to get your visa. 쐽 verb to take a picture with a camera 쑗 She was photographing the flowers in the public gardens. Synonym photo photographer /fə tɒDZrəfə/ noun a person who takes photographs, especially as their job photographic /fəυtə DZrfk/ adj referring to photography 쑗 photographic paper 쑗 All your photographic kit is still in the back of my car. photographic memory /fəυtəDZrfk mem(ə)ri/ noun the ability to remember things in exact detail, as if you were still seeing them ③ photography /fə tɒDZrəfi/ noun the practice of taking pictures on sensitive film with a camera photo opportunity / fəυtəυ ɒpətju nti/ noun an arranged situation where a famous person can be filmed or photographed by journalists phrasal verb /frez(ə)l v" b/ noun a type of verb which has two or three parts, usually a verb and an adverb or preposition, which together have a meaning different from that of the main verb, such as ‘dwell on’, ‘lift off’ and ‘put up with’ ① phrase /frez/ noun 1. a short sentence or group of words 쑗 Try to translate the whole phrase, not just one word at a time. 쑗 I’m trying to remember a phrase from ‘Hamlet’. 왍 to coin a phrase to say something which everyone says 쑗 It’s a case of ‘the pot calling the kettle black’, to coin a phrase. 2. a group of notes in a piece of music 쑗 Do you recognise that little phrase from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’? 쐽 verb to express something in words 쑗 I am trying to phrase my letter as politely as I can. Synonym express phrase book 628 phrase book / frez bυk/ noun a book of translations of common expressions. Synonym glossary phraseology /frezi ɒlədȢi/ noun a way of expressing something in words by choosing words and phrases carefully phut /ft/ adv 왍 to go phut to stop working (informal ) 쑗 Suddenly the television went phut and the screen went blank. ① physical / fzk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to physics or the laws of physics 쑗 A lump of lead can’t float – it’s a physical impossibility. 2. referring to the human body 쑗 The illness is mental rather than physical. 쑗 He has a strong physical attraction for her. Antonym spiritual physical education /fzk(ə)l edjυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun physical exercise taught as part of the school curriculum. Abbr PE physical exercise /fzk(ə)l eksə saz/ noun exercise of the body ③ physically / fzkli/ adv 1. referring to the body 쑗 She is physically handicapped, but manages to look after herself. 쑗 I find him physically very attractive. 2. referring to the laws of nature 쑗 It is physically impossible to get a piano into that little car. physical science /fzk(ə)l saəns/ noun a science that deals with subjects such as physics or chemistry, rather than with the science of living creatures physician /f zʃ(ə)n/ noun US a doctor physicist / fzsst/ noun a person who studies physics ③ physics / fzks/ noun the study of things such as heat, light and sound and the way in which they affect objects 쑗 She teaches physics at the local college. 쑗 It’s a law of physics that things fall down to the ground and not up into the sky. physio / fziəυ/ noun same as physiotherapist (informal ) physiological /fziə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to physiology physiologist /fzi ɒlədȢst/ noun a person who studies physiology physiology /fzi ɒlədȢi/ noun the study of the way in which living things work physiotherapist /fziəυ θerəpst/ noun a trained expert who gives physiotherapy. Also called physio physiotherapy /fziəυ θerəpi/ noun a treatment for problems with joints, muscles and nerves, e.g. by exercise, massage or heat treatment physique /f zi k/ noun the shape of a person’s body, especially the muscles. Synonym . . build pi /pa/ noun a Greek letter used in mathe- matics to indicated the quantity 3.14159. Symbol picket ③ pianist / pi ənst/ noun a person who plays the piano, especially as their job ③ piano /pi nəυ/ noun a large musical instrument with black and white keys which you press to make music 쑗 She’s taking piano lessons. 쑗 She played the piano while her brother sang. piazza /pi tsə/ noun a large open square pic /pk/ noun same as photograph (informal ) (NOTE: The plural is pics or some. times pix.) piccalilli /pkə lli/ noun a spicy yellow sauce containing vegetables, such as cauliflower and onions piccolo / pkələυ/ noun a small wind instrument, like a little flute (NOTE: The plural is piccolos.) piccy noun same as photograph (informal ) ① pick /pk/ noun 1. something which you . choose 왍 take your pick choose which one you want 쑗 We’ve got green, red and blue balloons – just take your pick! 2. a large heavy tool with a curved metal head with a sharp end that you lift up and bring down like an axe 쑗 They started breaking up the concrete path with picks and shovels. Also called pickaxe 쐽 verb 1. to choose something 쑗 The captain picks the football team. 쑗 She was picked to play the part of Hamlet’s mother. 쑗 The Association has picked Paris for its next meeting. 2. to take fruit or flowers from plants 쑗 They’ve picked all the strawberries. 쑗 Don’t pick the flowers in the public gardens. 3. to take away small pieces of something 쑗 She picked the bits of grass off her skirt. 왍 to pick your nose to clean the inside of your nose with your fingers 쑗 The TV showed him picking his nose while listening to the speech. 왍 to pick your teeth to poke between your teeth to remove little bits of food 쑗 He was picking his teeth with a match. 왍 to pick at your food to eat little bits as if you are not hungry 쑗 She’s lost her appetite – she just picks at her food. 4. 왍 to pick someone’s brains to ask someone for advice or information 왍 to pick someone’s pocket to take something from someone’s pocket without them noticing 쑗 I lost my purse – someone picked my pocket on the train! 왍 to pick a lock to open a lock with a piece of wire 쑗 He picked the lock of the car and drove off before I could stop him. pickaxe / pkks/ noun a pick, a large heavy tool with a curved metal head with a sharp end that you lift up and bring down like an axe (NOTE: The US spelling is pickax.) picker / pkə/ noun a person whose job is to pick crops such as fruit or flowers picket / pkt/ noun 1. a worker who refuses to go into work and stands at the gate of a factory to try to persuade other workers to not go to work, because of a disagreement picketing 629 with their employers 쑗 The pickets at the main gate tried to stop lorries from entering. 2. a group of pickets 쑗 They organised a picket of the factory. 3. a person who stands outside a place to protest against what is going on inside 쑗 Pickets stood outside the laboratory. 4. a pointed piece of wood 쑗 They put a picket fence round the field. 쐽 verb 왍 to picket a factory to put pickets at the gate of a factory to try to prevent workers from going to work 쑗 Groups of strikers picketed the factory. picketing / pkətŋ/ noun the action of putting people at the entrance of a factory to try to prevent workers going to work picket line / pkt lan/ noun a line of pickets pickings / pkŋz/ plural noun things left behind which people can pick up pickle / pk(ə)l/ noun 왍 pickle, pickles a cold sauce consisting of small pieces of vegetables preserved in vinegar 쑗 a cheese and pickle sandwich 쑗 Do you want pickles with your meat pie? 쐽 verb to preserve vegetables in vinegar 쑗 She bought some small onions for pickling. pick-me-up / pk mi p/ noun something such as medicine or alcohol which you take to make you feel less tired (informal ) ① pick on / pk ɒn/ verb to choose someone to attack or criticise ① pick out /pk aυt/ verb to choose something or someone ③ pickpocket / pkpɒkt/ noun a person who steals things from people’s pockets. Synonym thief ① pick up /pk p/ verb 1. to lift something up which is lying on the surface of something 쑗 She dropped her handkerchief and he picked it up. 쑗 He bent down to pick up a pound coin which he saw on the pavement. 쑗 I picked up some holiday brochures at the travel agent’s. 2. to learn something easily without being taught 쑗 She never took any piano lessons, she just picked it up. 쑗 He picked up some German when he was working in Germany. 3. to give someone a lift in a vehicle 쑗 The car will pick you up from the hotel. 쑗 Can you send a taxi to pick us up at seven o’clock? 4. to meet someone by chance and start a relationship with them 쑗 She’s a girl he picked up in a bar. 5. to arrest someone 쑗 He was picked up by the police at the airport. 6. to improve, to get better 쑗 She’s been in bed for weeks, but is beginning to pick up. 쑗 Business is picking up after the Christmas holiday. 7. 왍 to pick up speed to go faster 쑗 The truck began to pick up speed as it went down the hill. ① pick-up / pk p/ noun 1. a light van with an open back 쑗 They loaded all their gear into the back of a pick-up. 2. the act of . piece collecting someone or something 쑗 The customer pick-up point is behind the store. 쑗 I’ve got several pick-ups to do before I can go home. 3. a person who has been picked up 쑗 She wasn’t his regular girlfriend – probably just a pick-up. picky / pki/ adj hard to please ③ picnic / pknk/ noun a meal eaten in the open air (informal ) 쑗 If it’s fine, let’s go for a picnic. 쑗 They stopped by a wood, and had a picnic lunch. 쐽 verb to eat a picnic 쑗 People were picnicking on the bank of the river. . (NOTE: picnicking – picnicked) picnicker / pknkə/ noun a person who goes on a picnic pictorial /pk tɔ riəl/ adj referring to pictures. Synonym graphic ① picture / pktʃə/ noun 1. an image of someone or something, e.g. made by drawing, painting or taking a photograph 쑗 She drew a picture of the house. 쑗 The book has pages of pictures of wild animals. 쑗 She cut out the picture of the President from the magazine. 2. 왍 to put someone in the picture to give someone all the information about a problem (informal ) 쑗 Let me put you in the picture. 왍 to get the picture to understand the problem 쑗 I get the picture – you want me to arrange for him to be disposed of. 쐽 verb to imagine something 쑗 It takes quite an effort to picture her in a bikini. picture book / pktʃə bυk/ noun a book with mainly pictures and not much writing picture messaging / pktʃə mesdȢŋ/ noun the use of a mobile phone to send images to another mobile phone or computer pictures / pktʃəz/ plural noun same as cinema (dated ) picturesque /pktʃə resk/ adj (of places) attractive, like in a picture pidgin / pdȢn/ noun a language made from elements of several languages, used as a means of communication pidgin English noun a type of English used in the Pacific and Far East ② pie /pa/ noun meat or fruit cooked in a pastry case 쑗 For pudding, there’s apple pie and ice cream. 쑗 If we’re going on a picnic, I’ll buy a big pork pie. 왍 to eat humble pie to say you are sorry for having made a mistake (informal ) 왍 pie in the sky an imaginary perfect situation which you can never reach piebald / pabɔ ld/ adj (of a horse) with areas of black and white colour on the skin 쐽 noun a horse of this type 쑗 He rode a piebald. ① piece /pi s/ noun 1. a bit of something or one of a number of similar things 쑗 Would you like another piece of cake? 쑗 I need two pieces of black cloth. 2. 왍 to be a piece of cake to be very easy (informal ) 쑗 That test . . . . piecemeal 630 was simple – a piece of cake! 3. a work of music 쑗 I will now play a piece by Beethoven. 4. one of the objects used in chess, but not usually a pawn 쑗 She’s already lost three pieces, and I can’t see how she can win. (NOTE: Piece is often used to show one item of something which has no plural: equipment: a piece of equipment; stone: a piece of stone; cheese: a piece of cheese; news: a piece of news; advice: a piece of advice.) 쐽 verb 왍 to piece together to put things together to form a whole 쑗 The police are trying to piece together the events which took place during the evening of the murder. piecemeal / pi smi l/ adj, adv separately, done bit by bit 쑗 The work was carried out on a piecemeal basis. 쑗 They had bought all sorts of paintings piecemeal. pieces / pi sz/ plural noun broken bits of something piecework / pi sw" k/ noun a system by which you are paid for the amount of work done and not by the hour pie-chart / pa tʃɑ t/ noun a diagram shaped like a circle with pieces cut out showing how something is divided up pied-à-terre /pe dɑ teə/ noun a small flat, used by someone as a temporary place to live ③ pier /pə/ noun 1. a structure built from the land out into the sea, often with entertainments on it 쑗 If you go to Brighton, you must go on the pier. 쑗 We went for a stroll along the pier. 쑗 He spent his holiday fishing from the end of the pier. 2. one of the tall strong structures holding up a bridge 쑗 The boat collided with one of the piers of the railway bridge. (NOTE: Do not confuse with peer.) pierce /pəs/ verb to make a hole in something piercing / pəsŋ/ adj 1. (of a sound ) unpleasantly high and loud 쑗 They suddenly heard a piercing cry. 쑗 He let out a piercing yell. 2. very severe 쑗 You need to shelter from the piercing east wind. 쑗 They sat huddled together for protection against the piercing cold. 3. seeming to look through someone or something 쑗 He looked at her with his piercing blue eyes. piety / paəti/ noun having a great respect for religion and showing this in your behaviour ② pig /pDZ/ noun a pink or black farm animal with short legs which gives meat (NOTE: . Fresh meat from a pig is called pork. Bacon, gammon and ham are types of smoked or cured meat from a pig.) ③ pigeon / pdȢən/ noun a fat grey bird which is common in towns (informal ) pigeonhole / pdȢənhəυl/ noun one of a . series of small square spaces in shelves, used to put away things such as papers or letters 쑗 pile-up I looked in my pigeonhole to see if there were any messages for me. 쐽 verb 1. to file letters or papers, often as the best way to forget about them 2. to say that someone or something belongs to a particular group or class 쑗 As an artist he is not easy to pigeonhole. pigeon-toed /pdȢ(ə)n təυd/ adj walking with the toes turning in piggyback / pDZibk/ noun carrying someone on your back with his arms round your neck piggybank / pDZibŋk/ noun a child’s money box in the shape of a pig pigheaded /pDZ hedd/ adj determined to do things in a particular way, refusing to change your mind piglet / pDZlət/ noun a little pig pigment / pDZmənt/ noun a substance which colours pigmentation /pDZmen teʃ(ə)n/ noun the colouring of the skin pigmy / pDZmi/ noun another spelling of pygmy pigsty / pDZsta/ noun 1. a little building where a pig is kept. Also called sty (NOTE: The plural is pigsties. The US term is pigpen.) 2. an untidy place (NOTE: The US term is pigpen.) 왍 like a pigsty dirty and in a mess 쑗 He left his room looking like a pigsty. pigtail / pDZtel/ noun hair twisted into a plait, hanging down at the back of the head pike /pak/ noun 1. a large fish which lives in rivers and lakes (NOTE: The plural is pike.) 2. a weapon like a long spear (dated ) pilaff / pi lf/ noun an Indian dish of meat or fish with rice ② pile /pal/ noun 1. a large mass of things 쑗 Look at that pile of washing. 쑗 The pile of plates crashed onto the floor. 쑗 The wind blew piles of dead leaves into the road. 쑗 He was carrying a great pile of books. 2. 왍 piles of a lot of (informal ) 쑗 They brought piles of food with them. 쑗 There’s no need to hurry, we’ve got piles of time. 3. a large post made of wood, metal or some other strong substance, pressed down into the earth to provide a support for something such as a building 쑗 They drove piles into the river bank to hold up the wharf. 4. the soft surface of some types of cloth, e.g. velvet, or of some types of carpet 쑗 Just feel the pile on these cushions. 쑗 We have put a thick pile carpet in the sitting room. 쐽 verb 왍 to pile, to pile up to put a lot of things into a pile 쑗 All the Christmas presents are piled under the tree. 쑗 Complaints are piling up about the service. piles /palz/ plural noun same as . . haemorrhoids pile-up / pal p/ noun a serious accident involving a series of vehicles which have pilfer 631 pincers crashed into each other (informal ) Synonym 쑗 crash 2. a person who controls boats into or out of a pilfer / plfə/ verb to steal small objects or small amounts of money from the office or shop where you work pilfering / plfərŋ/ noun stealing small objects or amounts of money pilgrim / plDZrm/ noun a person who goes to visit a holy place pilgrimage / plDZrmdȢ/ noun 1. a journey to an important religious place for religious reasons 쑗 The church is organising a pilgrimage to Rome in April. 쑗 All Muslims should make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once. 2. a journey to any important place, especially one connected with a famous person 쑗 Many tourists make the pilgrimage to Dickens’ house in London. ③ pill /pl/ noun 1. medicine in solid form, usually in a small round shape 쑗 Take two pills before breakfast. 2. 왍 on the pill (of a woman) taking a course of pills to avoid becoming pregnant (informal ) 쑗 It she’s not on the pill, you must use a condom. 쑗 She went on the pill when she was seventeen. pillage / pldȢ/ noun the act of stealing goods, especially done by soldiers 쑗 In the Middle Ages, the country was devastated by bands of English soldiers who lived by pillage. 쐽 verb to damage buildings and steal goods from a place, especially in a war 쑗 The invaders pillaged the monastery buildings, then set fire to them. Synonym plunder pillar / plə/ noun a strong tall object which supports part of a building ③ pillar box / plə bɒks/ noun a round red metal container into which you can post letters. Synonym postbox pillion / pljən/ noun 왍 pillion seat a seat for a passenger behind the driver of a motorcycle 쑗 He came on his motorbike with his girlfriend on the pillion seat. 왍 pillion passenger a person riding on the pillion seat 쑗 The motorcyclist was badly hurt and his pillion passenger was killed. 왍 to ride pillion to ride on the pillion seat 쑗 She’s got a spare crash helmet for anyone who rides pillion. pillory / pləri/ noun in the past, a wooden stand with holes for the head and hands, where criminals were placed so that the public could throw things at them 쐽 verb to make someone appear foolish or silly in public 쑗 She was pilloried in the Sunday papers. Synonym ridicule ③ pillow / pləυ/ noun a rectangular bag full of soft material which you put your head on in bed pillow slip / pləυ slp/ noun a cloth bag to cover a pillow ③ pilot / palət/ noun 1. a person who flies a plane 쑗 He’s training to be an airline pilot. harbour 쑗 Ships are not allowed into the harbour without a pilot. 3. a programme made or used as a test 쑗 a pilot for a new TV series 쐽 verb 1. to control something such as a boat or an aircraft 쑗 He safely piloted the ship into harbour. 2. to show someone the way to a place by taking them there 쑗 He piloted her through a maze of passageways to the meeting room. pilot light / palət lat/ noun a little flame, which burns all the time in a piece of equipment such as a gas fire, and which lights the main part of the fire automatically when it is switched on pilot scheme / palət ski m/ noun a small project which is done as a test to find out if something such as a business is likely to be successful pimento /p mentəυ/ noun a green or red fruit with a slightly hot taste used as a vegetable (NOTE: The plural is pimentos. The US . . He’s a helicopter pilot for an oil company. spelling is pimiento.) pimp /pmp/ noun a man who makes money by finding customers for prostitutes 쑗 The pimps are supposed to protect the girls if customers turn nasty. 쐽 verb to work as a pimp 쑗 The police think he has been pimping in the West End. pimple / pmpəl/ noun a small lump on the surface of the skin, containing pus. Synonym spot pimply / pmpli/ adj covered with pimples. Synonym spotty ③ pin /pn/ noun 1. a small thin sharp metal stick with a round head, used for fastening things such as pieces of cloth or paper together 쑗 She fastened the ribbons to her dress with a pin. 2. a thin wooden or metal bar used for fastening things together 쑗 After the accident, he had to have two pins inserted in his leg. 쐽 verb 1. to attach with a pin 쑗 She pinned up a notice about the meeting. 쑗 He pinned her photograph on the wall. 쑗 He pinned the calendar to the wall by his desk. 2. to force someone to stay in a place, either deliberately or because of an accident 쑗 Several people were pinned under the fallen roof. 쑗 The car pinned her against the wall. (NOTE: pinning – pinned) pinafore / pnəfɔ / noun 1. a large apron covering the front part of your clothes 쑗 All the waitresses wear starched white pinafores. 2. a full dress worn to cover ordinary clothes when working pinball / pnbɔ l/ noun an indoor game played on a sloping electronic table in which a player makes a ball move quickly past obstacles to score points pincers / pnsəz/ plural noun 1. 왍 pair of pincers a tool for holding something tight, pinch 632 shaped like scissors 쑗 We pulled the nails out of the wood with a pair of pincers. 2. the front claws of a crab or lobster 쑗 A crab can give you a nasty nip with its pincers. pinch /pntʃ/ noun 1. squeezing tightly between finger and thumb 쑗 He gave her arm a pinch. 2. 왍 at a pinch if really necessary 쑗 At a pinch, we can manage with only one sales assistant. 왍 to feel the pinch to find you have less money than you need 쑗 We really started to feel the pinch when my father lost his job. 3. a small quantity of something held between finger and thumb 쑗 Add a pinch of salt to the boiling water. (NOTE: The plural is pinches.) 쐽 verb 1. to squeeze something tightly, using the finger and thumb 쑗 Ow! You’re pinching me! 2. to steal something 쑗 Someone’s pinched my pen! pincushion / pnkυʃ(ə)n/ noun a round thick piece of soft material in which you can stick pins so as to keep them to hand ③ pin down /pn daυn/ verb 왍 to pin someone down to get someone to say what he or she really thinks, to get someone to make his or her mind up 쑗 I’m trying to pin the chairman down to make a decision. 쑗 She’s very vague about dates – it’s difficult to pin her down. pine /pan/ noun 1. 왍 pine (tree) a type of evergreen tree with needle-shaped leaves 쑗 They planted a row of pines along the edge of the field. 2. wood from a pine tree 쑗 We’ve bought a pine table for the kitchen. 쑗 the pine cupboards in the children’s bedroom 쐽 verb 왍 to pine for something to feel sad because you do not have something any more 쑗 She’s miserable because she’s pining for her cat. pineapple / panp(ə)l/ noun a large sweet tropical fruit, shaped like a large pine cone with stiff prickly leaves on top pine cone / pan kəυn/ noun the hard case containing the fruit of a pine tree ping /pŋ/ noun the noise made when something such as a small bell or a glass is hit 쑗 The glass went ping and cracked. 쑗 There was a ping as a stone hit the windscreen. 쐽 verb to make a ping 쑗 A little bell pings when the oven reaches the right temperature. Ping Pong / pŋ pɒŋ/ trademark same as table tennis pinion / pnjən/ noun a wheel with small pieces sticking out around the edge, which makes other wheels move inside a machine 쐽 verb to tie up someone’s arms tightly 쑗 The two men lay pinioned on the floor. Synonym hold down ② pink /pŋk/ adj 1. pale red or flesh coloured 쑗 She uses pink paper when she writes to her friends. 2. 왍 tickled pink feeling very pleased and happy (informal ) 쑗 We were tickled pink to get our first letter . piously from our little granddaughter. 쐽 noun 1. a pale red colour 쑗 The bright pink of the geraniums shows clearly across the garden. 2. a garden flower which has a sweet smell, like a small carnation 쑗 There was a bunch of pinks on the table. pinkie / pŋki/ noun the little finger (informal ) ③ pin money / pn mni/ noun money earned by someone for part-time work. Synonym pocket money pinnacle / pnək(ə)l/ noun 1. the highest point of someone’s career 쑗 By becoming Lord Chief Justice he reached the pinnacle of his legal career. 2. the highest point of a pointed rock 쑗 A narrow ridge connected the two pinnacles. 3. a tall thin stone tower 쑗 looking down on the domes and pinnacles of the old Italian city ③ PIN number / pn nmbə/ noun a secret number which you use with a bank card in order to take money out of a cashpoint. Full form personal identification number pinpoint / pnpɔnt/ noun 왍 a pinpoint of light a very small spot of light 쐽 verb to show exactly where something is 쑗 We can pinpoint the ship’s exact position by radar. Synonym locate pins and needles /pnz ən ni dlz/ noun a sharp feeling in a limb after it has been in an uncomfortable position for a time pinstripe / pnstrap/ noun a thin light line on a dark cloth pinstripe suit / pnstrap su t/ noun a suit, usually a man’s suit, made of dark cloth with a pinstripe in it ② pint /pant/ noun a liquid measure, equal to 0.568 of a litre pin-up / pn p/ noun a picture of a person, especially one of a sexually attractive person or in which the person is wearing very few clothes pioneer /paə nə/ noun 1. a person who is among the first to try to do something 쑗 He was one of the pioneers of radar. 쑗 the pioneers in the field of laser surgery 2. a person who is among the first to discover or settle in a new land 쑗 The first pioneers settled in this valley in about 1860. 쐽 verb to be the first to do something 쑗 The company pioneered developments in the field of electronics. 쑗 She pioneered a new route across the Andes. pioneering /paə nərŋ/ adj opening up a new area of activity pious / paəs/ adj 1. showing great respect for religion 쑗 A pious benefactor gave the money to build a new church. 2. 왍 a pious hope a hope for something that is unlikely to happen 쑗 Expecting the children to behave well was something of a pious hope. piously / paəsli/ adv in a pious way . pip 633 pip /pp/ noun 1. a small seed in some fruits Take out all the pips when you cut up the grapefruit. (NOTE: Fruits such as apples, 쑗 pears, oranges and lemons all have pips.) 2. a star on the shoulder showing an officer’s rank 쑗 The three pips showed he was a captain. 쐽 verb to defeat someone (informal ) 쑗 She pipped me for first place. Synonym beat 왍 to pip someone at the post to beat someone at the last minute 쑗 He put on a final spurt and pipped me at the post. ② pipe /pap/ noun 1. a tube 쑗 He’s clearing a blocked pipe in the kitchen. 쑗 The water came out of the hole in the pipe. 쏡 drainpipe 2. a tube for smoking tobacco, with a bowl at one end in which the tobacco burns 쐽 verb 1. to squeeze soft food mixture through a small tube, so as to make attractive shapes 쑗 Duchesse potatoes are piped into spiral shapes and cooked. 2. to send water, gas, etc., along a pipe 쑗 Hot water is piped to each room from a central boiler. pipe band / pap bnd/ noun a band of musicians playing the bagpipes piped music /papt mju zk/ noun recorded music played continuously in a public place such as a restaurant pipeline / paplan/ noun 1. a very large tube for carrying oil, natural gas, etc., over long distances 쑗 An oil pipeline crosses the desert. 2. 왍 in the pipeline being worked on, coming 쑗 The company has a series of new products in the pipeline. 쑗 She has two new novels in the pipeline. piper / papə/ noun a person who plays the bagpipes piping / papŋ/ noun 1. tubes in general 쑗 The old lead piping was removed and replaced with plastic. 왍 a piece of piping a section of plastic or metal tube 2. a decoration like tubes on a cake or on a dress 쑗 a scarlet uniform with white piping piping hot /papŋ hɒt/ adv extremely hot 쑗 Porridge should be served piping hot. piquancy / pi kənsi/ noun being piquant piquant / pi kənt/ adj 1. having a nice sharp flavour 2. interesting or funny in a sharp way pique /pi k/ noun a strong feeling of being annoyed with someone 쑗 In a fit of pique she sent him back the ring. 쐽 verb 1. to make someone feel annoyed 쑗 She was really piqued to see her name in the newspaper. 2. to make someone want to find out about something piqued /pi kd/ adj feeling annoyed or angry about something piracy / parəsi/ noun 1. the crime of attacking ships at sea and stealing what is in them 쑗 Piracy is on the increase in the South China Sea. 2. the illegal copying of things such as books, records or computer programs . pitch The government is trying to stamp out video piracy. piranha /pə rɑ nə/ noun a small tropical fish which attacks animals, including man pirate / parət/ noun 1. a sailor who attacks ships and steals from them 쑗 Pirates attacked the ship. 쑗 Pirates buried treasure on the island hundreds of years ago. 2. a person who makes illegal copies of things such as books or videos 쐽 verb to make an illegal copy of something such as a book, disk or design 쑗 The designs for the new dress collection were pirated in the Far East. 쑗 I found a pirated copy of my book on sale in a street market. pirouette /pru et/ noun spinning round on one foot when dancing 쐽 verb to spin round on one foot Pisces / pasi z/ noun one of the signs of the zodiac, shaped like fish, covering the period from 19th February to 20th March piss /ps/ (offensive slang) noun 1. liquid waste from the body. Synonym urine 왍 to take the piss to make fun of someone 쑗 I thought he was taking the piss, but he was deadly serious. 2. the act of passing waste water from the body 쑗 I must go and have a piss. 쐽 verb to pass waste water from the body. Synonym urinate pissed /pst/ (offensive slang) adj drunk 쑗 He was too pissed to know what he was doing. 왍 pissed as a newt extremely drunk pissed off /pst ɒf/ adj annoyed (offensive slang) piss off /ps ɒf/ (offensive slang) verb 1. to leave somewhere 왍 piss off! go away! 2. to annoy someone piste /pi st/ noun a track for skiing pistol / pstəl/ noun a small gun which is held in the hand piston / pstən/ noun (in an engine) a round flat piece of metal which moves up and down in a cylinder pit /pt/ noun 1. a deep dark hole in the ground 쑗 They dug a pit to bury the rubbish. 2. a mine where substances such as coal are dug out of the ground 쑗 My grandfather spent his whole life working down a pit. 3. US a hard stone inside a fruit 쑗 a date pit 쏡 pitted 4. a hole in the floor of a garage where someone can stand to examine or repair the bottom part of a car 5. the back part of the ground floor of a theatre 6. the deepest part 쑗 He felt rising fear in the pit of his stomach. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to pit your strength against someone to try to fight someone 쑗 The little country pitted her strength against her much larger neighbour. 2. to take the stone out of a fruit (NOTE: pitting – pitted) ③ pitch /ptʃ/ noun 1. the ground on which a game is played 쑗 I’ll time you, if you run 쑗 pitched battle 634 round the football pitch. 쑗 The pitch is too wet to play on. 쑗 He dribbled the ball the whole length of the pitch and scored. (NOTE: The plural is pitches.) 2. being able to sing or play notes correctly 쑗 He’s got perfect pitch. 3. a high point of a strong feeling such as anger or excitement 쑗 Excitement was at fever pitch. 4. a sticky black substance which comes from tar and is used on the outside surface of things such as boats or roofs to prevent water from coming through to the inside 5. the angle of a sloping roof 쑗 A roof with a steep pitch allows snow to slide off. 쐽 verb 1. to put up a tent 쑗 They pitched their tent in a field by the beach. 2. to throw a ball 쑗 I pitched him a high ball to see if he could catch it. 3. (of boat) to rock with the front and back going up and down 쑗 The little boat was pitching up and down on the waves. Compare roll pitched battle /ptʃt bt(ə)l/ noun a battle where the opposing sides stand and face each other. Synonym argument pitcher / ptʃə/ noun 1. a large container for liquids, with a handle and a specially shaped part on the top edge for pouring the liquid out 쑗 My aunt brought out a pitcher of lemonade. 2. a person who throws the ball in baseball 쑗 The Dodgers are without their regular pitcher this afternoon. piteous / ptiəs/ adj which deserves pity pitfall / ptfɔ l/ noun a hidden danger pith /pθ/ noun 1. the soft part in the centre of a plant stem 2. a soft white substance under the skin of fruits such as lemons and oranges pithy / pθi/ adj 1. full of serious meaning 쑗 He made some pithy remarks. 2. with a soft centre (NOTE: pithier – pithiest) pitiable / ptiəb(ə)l/ adj which deserves pity (formal ) pitiful / ptf(ə)l/ adj 1. making you feel sorry for someone or something 쑗 The poor cat was in a pitiful state. 2. not at all good 쑗 His attempts at singing were pitiful. pitifully / ptf(ə)li/ adv 1. in a way which makes you feel sorry for someone 쑗 He moaned pitifully and kept asking for water. 2. extremely, in a way which is pitiful 쑗 The pension she has to live on is pitifully small. 쑗 Her little arms and legs were pitifully thin. pitiless / ptləs/ adj 1. not showing any pity 쑗 His voice was harsh and pitiless. 2. very severe 쑗 The pitiless wind blew across the ice floes. pits /pts/ plural noun (at car races) the place where the cars get more fuel, are examined and repaired pitta bread / ptə bred/ noun a type of flat bread . place pittance / pt(ə)ns/ noun a very low amount that someone earns pitted / ptd/ adj with the stones removed ③ pity / pti/ noun 1. a feeling of sympathy for someone who is in a bad situation 쑗 Have you no pity for the homeless? 왍 to take pity on someone to feel sorry for someone 쑗 At last someone took pity on her and showed her how to work the machine. 2. 왍 it’s a pity that it is sad that 쑗 It’s a pity you weren’t there to see it. 쑗 It’s such a pity that the rain spoiled the picnic. 왍 it would be a pity to it would be a bad thing to 쑗 It would be a pity not to eat all this beautiful food. 쐽 verb to feel sympathy for someone 쑗 I pity his children. Antonym blame pivot / pvət/ noun a point on which something turns pivotal / pvət(ə)l/ adj central, of great importance. Synonym essential. Antonym unimportant pivot on / pvət ɒn/ verb 1. to turn on a point 쑗 The heavy door pivots on a metal point in the floor. 2. to depend on something 쑗 The whole process pivots on the accuracy of the measurements. pixel / pksəl/ noun a single point on a computer display pixie / pksi/ noun a small imaginary person in children’s stories. Synonym fairy ② pizza / pi tsə/ noun an Italian food, consisting of a flat round piece of bread cooked with things such as cheese, tomatoes and onions on top placard / plkɑ d/ noun 1. a notice on a large piece of thin board 쑗 The protesters carried placards bearing anti-government slogans. 2. a large notice, picture or advertisement stuck on a wall 쑗 Placards appeared in shop windows announcing that the circus was coming to town. 쐽 verb to stick notices on a surface 쑗 They placarded every tree and lamppost in the street. placate /plə ket/ verb to calm someone, to make someone less angry. Antonym enrage ① place /ples/ noun 1. where something is, or where something happens 쑗 Here’s the place where we saw the cows. 쑗 Make sure you put the file back in the right place. 왍 all over the place everywhere 쑗 There were dead leaves lying all over the place. 2. a home 쑗 Would you like to come back to my place for a cup of coffee? 3. a seat 쑗 I’m keeping this place for my sister. 쑗 I’m sorry, but this place has been taken. 왍 to change places with someone to take each other’s seat 쑗 If you can’t see the screen, change places with me. 4. a space for one person at a table 쑗 Please set two places for lunch. 5. a position in a race 쑗 The British runners are in the first three places. 6. the page where you have stopped reading a book 쑗 I left a placebo 635 piece of paper in the book to mark my place. 쑗 I’ve lost my place and can’t remember where I got to. 7. 왍 to take place to happen 쑗 The fight took place outside the football ground. 쑗 The film takes place in China. 8. a name given to a street in a town 쑗 They live in Regent Place. 쐽 verb 1. to put something somewhere 쑗 The waitress placed the teapot on the table. 쑗 Please place the envelope in the box. 2. to remember who someone is 쑗 His face seems familiar but I can’t place him. placebo /plə si bəυ/ noun a pill which appears to be a drug, but has no medicine in it (NOTE: The plural is placebos.) placemat / plesmt/ noun a flat piece of thick cloth which a person’s plate is put on placement / plesmənt/ noun the action of finding a job for someone placenta /plə sentə/ noun a tissue that grows inside the womb when a baby is developing, and which supplies the oxygen and nutrients needed for the baby to grow place setting / ples setŋ/ noun a set of objects such as a knife, fork and spoon, plate and cup, which one person needs at a meal placid / plsd/ adj calm. Antonym excitable placidly / plsdli/ adv calmly placing / plesŋ/ noun the position of something in a list plagiarise / pledȢəraz/, plagiarize verb to copy the work of another author and pretend it is your own plagiarism / pledȢərz(ə)m/ noun copying another person’s written work and passing it off as your own plague /pleDZ/ noun 1. a serious infectious disease which people caught off fleas from rats 쑗 Thousands of people died in the Great Plague of London in 1665. 왍 to avoid someone like the plague to try not to meet someone 쑗 I avoid him like the plague because he’s always asking if he can borrow money. 2. a great quantity of unpleasant things 쑗 We’ve had a plague of ants in the garden. 쐽 verb to annoy someone or cause them problems 쑗 We were plagued with wasps last summer. 쑗 She keeps plaguing me with silly questions. plaice /ples/ noun a common flat sea fish (NOTE: The plural is plaice.) plaid /pld/ noun 1. a type of cloth which has a pattern of different coloured lines on it 쑗 He wore plaid trousers. 2. (in Scotland ) a long piece of such cloth 쑗 The highlanders traditionally wore the plaid wrapped around their whole body. ① plain /plen/ adj 1. easy to understand 쑗 The instructions are written in plain English. 2. obvious 쑗 It’s perfectly plain what he wants. 쑗 We made it plain to them that this . plane was our final offer. 3. simple and not complicated 쑗 We put plain wallpaper in the dining room. 쑗 The outside is decorated with leaves and flowers, but the inside is quite plain. 4. not attractive 쑗 His two daughters are rather plain. (NOTE: plainer – plainest) 쐽 noun a flat area of country 쑗 a broad plain bordered by mountains. Synonym prairie (NOTE: Do not confuse with plane.) plain chocolate /plen tʃɒklət/ noun a dark bitter chocolate plainclothes / plenkləυðz/ adj wearing ordinary clothes, not a uniform plain flour /plen flaυə/ noun white flour with no baking powder in it plainly / plenli/ adv 1. obviously 쑗 He’s plainly bored by the French lesson. 쑗 Plainly, the plan is not working. 2. clearly 쑗 It is plainly visible from here. 쑗 The sounds of a violent argument could be heard plainly from behind the door. 3. in a simple way 쑗 She always dresses very plainly. plainness / plennəs/ noun 1. the fact of being clear 2. the fact of being simple plain sailing /plen selŋ/ noun easy progress ③ plaintiff / plentf/ noun a person who starts a legal action against someone in the civil courts (dated ). Antonym defendant . (NOTE: This is an old term; it has now been replaced by claimant. The other party in an action is the defendant.) plaintive / plentv/ adj (of sounds) sad and complaining. Synonym mournful. Antonym cheerful plait /plt/ noun three long pieces of hair, woven together 쑗 She wears her hair in a plait or in plaits. Synonym braid 쐽 verb to form someone’s hair into a plait 쑗 My mother used to plait my hair before I went to school in the morning. ① plan /pln/ noun 1. an organised way of doing things 쑗 He made a plan to get up earlier in future. 쑗 She drew up plans for the village fête. 왍 according to plan in the way it was arranged 쑗 The party went off according to plan. 2. a drawing of the way something is arranged 쑗 Here are the plans for the kitchen. 쑗 The fire exits are shown on the plan of the office. 쐽 verb 1. to arrange how you are going to do something 쑗 She’s busy planning her holiday in Greece. 2. to intend to do something 쑗 They are planning to move to London next month. 쑗 We weren’t planning to go on holiday this year. 쑗 I plan to take the 5 o’clock flight to New York. 3. to arrange how to build something 쑗 She planned the bathroom herself. 쑗 A new town is being planned next to the airport. (NOTE: planning – planned) plane /plen/ noun 1. an aircraft, a vehi- ② cle which flies 쑗 When is the next plane for plane-spotter 636 Glasgow? 쑗 How are you getting to Paris? – We’re going by plane. 쑗 Don’t panic, you’ve got plenty of time to catch your plane. 쑗 He was stuck in a traffic jam and missed his plane. 2. a tool with a sharp blade for making wood smooth 쑗 He smoothed off the rough edges with a plane. 쐽 verb to make wood smooth with a plane 쑗 He planed the top of the table. plane-spotter / plen spɒtə/ noun a person who collects details of the numbers and makes of planes planet / plnt/ noun 1. one of the objects in space which move round the Sun 쑗 Is there life on any of the planets? 쑗 Earth is the third planet from the Sun. 2. the planet Earth 쑗 an environmental disaster which could affect the whole planet planetarium /pln teəriəm/ noun a building with a high curved roof, where the stars and planets are shown using lights planetary / plnt(ə)ri/ adj referring to the planets plane tree / plen tri / noun a large tree with wide leaves, often grown in towns (NOTE: Do not confuse with plain.) plank /plŋk/ noun a long flat piece of wood used in building. 쏡 thick plankton / plŋktən/ plural noun very small animals and plants which live and move about slowly in the sea, and are the food of large animals ③ planner / plnə/ noun a person who draws up plans 쑗 The planners made the car park too small. ① planning / plnŋ/ noun the act or practice of making plans 쑗 The trip will need very careful planning. 쑗 The project is still in the planning stage. ① plant /plɑ nt/ noun 1. a living thing which grows in the ground and has leaves, a stem and roots 쑗 He planted a row of cabbage plants. 쑗 Sunflower plants grow very tall. 2. machinery 쑗 Investment in buildings and plant accounts for 90% of our setting up costs. 3. a large factory 쑗 They are planning to build a car plant near the river. 쐽 verb 1. to put a plant in the ground 쑗 We’ve planted two pear trees and a peach tree in the garden. 2. to put in a place 쑗 They phoned to say that a bomb had been planted in the High Street. 3. to put goods secretly in a place in order to make it look as if they were placed there illegally 쑗 The police were accused of planting the drugs in her car. plantation /plɑ n teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an area of trees planted as a crop 쑗 a plantation of pines 2. a tropical farm growing a particular crop 쑗 a coffee plantation 쑗 a rubber plantation planter / plɑ ntə/ noun 1. a person in charge of a plantation 쑗 As a young man he plastic surgery went out to Ceylon as a tea planter. 2. a decorated container to hold plants in pots 쑗 A set of planters for indoor plants. plant pot / plɑ nt pɒt/ noun a container for growing plants in plaque /plk, plɑ k/ noun 1. a flat plate made of a hard substance such as stone or metal and with some writing on the surface 쑗 They put up a plaque to commemorate the soldiers who died. 쑗 The Princess unveiled a plaque commemorating her visit and the opening of the new library. 2. a substance which forms on the teeth 쑗 Use dental floss every morning to control plaque. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) plasma / plzmə/ noun a thin yellow liq- uid which makes up the main part of blood plasma screen / plzmə skri n/ noun a very thin television or computer screen which shows extremely clear images plaster / plɑ stə/ noun 1. a mixture of powdery sand and lime which is mixed with water and is used for covering the walls of houses 쑗 The flat hasn’t been decorated yet and there is still bare plaster in most of the rooms. 2. a white substance which becomes hard when it dries, used to cover a broken arm or leg and hold it in place 쑗 He had an accident skiing and now has his leg in plaster. 쐽 verb 1. to cover with plaster 쑗 They had to take off the old plaster and plaster the walls again. 2. to cover with a thick layer as if with plaster 쑗 She plastered her face with makeup. plaster cast / plɑ stə kɑ st/ noun 1. a hard covering of plaster put round a broken arm or leg 2. a shape made by covering something with plaster 3. a copy of an object made in plaster plastered / plɑ stəd/ adj 1. covered with plaster 쑗 We painted the plastered walls pink. 2. covered with a substance, e.g. mud 3. very drunk 쑗 He got completely plastered at his brother’s party. ② plastic / plstk/ noun 1. a synthetic material used to make many things 쑗 We take plastic plates when we go to the beach. 쑗 The supermarket gives you plastic bags to put your shopping in. 쑗 We cover our garden furniture with plastic sheeting when it rains. (NOTE: no plural: a bowl made of plastic) 2. 왍 plastic credit cards and charge cards (informal ) 쑗 I don’t have any cash with me, do . you take plastic? Plasticine / plstsi n/ trademark a coloured substance like clay, which children form into shapes plasticity /pl ststi/ noun the state of being plastic plastic surgery /plstk s" dȢəri/ noun a medical treatment to repair damaged parts of the body plate 637 ② plate /plet/ noun 1. a flat round dish for putting food on 쑗 Put one pie on each plate. 쑗 Pass all the plates down to the end of the table. 2. food which is served on a plate 쑗 They passed round plates of sandwiches. 쑗 She ate two plates of cold meat. 3. a flat piece of something such as metal or glass 쑗 The dentist has a brass plate on his door. 4. a page with a picture in a book 쑗 The book is illustrated with twenty colour plates. 5. objects made of copper with a thin layer of gold or silver put on using electricity 쑗 The spoons aren’t sterling silver – they’re just plate. 6. a piece of plastic with false teeth attached which fits into your mouth 쐽 verb to cover a metal object with a thin layer of gold or silver electrically 쑗 The metal cross is plated with gold. plateau / pltəυ/ noun 1. an area of high flat land 쑗 the high plateau region of southern Argentina 쑗 The town lies on a plateau about 2000 feet above sea level. 2. the highest point that will be reached 쑗 House prices seem to have reached a plateau. (NOTE: The plural is plateaux / pltəυz/.) -plated /pletd/ suffix covered with a layer of metal 쑗 a copper-plated saucepan 쑗 Those forks are not silver, just silver-plated. plateful / pletfυl/ noun the quantity held by a plate plate glass /plet DZlɑ s/ noun glass made in very large flat sheets, used for windows 왍 a plate glass window a very large window, such as in a shop platelet / pletlət/ noun a blood cell which helps blood to coagulate ③ platform / pltfɔ m/ noun 1. a high flat structure by the side of the railway lines at a station, to help passengers get on or off the trains easily 쑗 Crowds of people were waiting on the platform. 쑗 The train for Liverpool will leave from platform 10. 쑗 The next train at this platform is the Circle Line to Paddington. 2. a high wooden floor for speakers to speak from 쑗 The main speakers sat in a row on the platform. 3. US a programme of action promised by a political party at an election platform shoes / pltfɔ m ʃu z/ plural noun shoes with very thick soles platinum / pltnəm/ noun a valuable metal which does not corrode, and is used in jewellery platinum blonde / pltnəm blɒnd/ noun a woman with very pale yellow hair platinum disc /pltnəm dsk/ noun a prize given to a pop singer or group when one of their records has sold more than two million copies platitude / plttju d/ noun a remark considered to be ordinary and of little interest platonic /plə tɒnk/ adj (of a relationship) which is not sexual playboy platoon /plə tu n/ noun a small group of soldiers with a lieutenant in charge, part of a company platter / pltə/ noun 1. a large flat serving plate 쑗 A huge joint of meat was carried in on a platter. 2. a large plate of prepared food, arranged in an attractive way 쑗 We ordered a seafood platter. plaudits / plɔ dts/ plural noun nice things which you say to praise someone for their goodness or success plausible / plɔ zb(ə)l/ adj 1. which sounds as though it could be correct or true 쑗 He couldn’t produce any plausible excuse to explain why he was in the warehouse. 2. good at telling lies so that people believe what you say 쑗 He sounds very plausible over the phone. plausibly / plɔ zbli/ adv in a plausible way ① play /ple/ noun 1. a written text which is acted in a theatre or on TV 쑗 Did you see the play on TV last night? 쑗 We went to the National Theatre to see the new play. 쑗 Two of Shakespeare’s plays are on the list for the English exam. 2. the activity of taking part in a game 쑗 Play will start at 3 o’clock. 왍 out of play not on the field 쑗 The ball was kicked out of play. 3. a way of enjoying yourself 쑗 They watched the children at play. 쑗 All right, you children, it’s time for play. 4. 왍 it’s child’s play it is very easy 쑗 It’s child’s play if you’ve got the right tools for the job. 5. freedom to move about 쑗 There is too much play in the handle – you should tighten the screws. 쐽 verb 1. to take part in a game 쑗 He plays rugby for the university. 쑗 Do you play tennis? 2. (of a game) to happen in a particular place or at a particular time 쑗 The tennis match was played on the Centre Court. 쑗 Cricket isn’t played in the winter. 3. to make music on a musical instrument or to put a recording on a machine such as a CD player 쑗 He can’t play the violin very well. 쑗 Let me play you my new Bach CD. 4. to enjoy yourself 쑗 The boys were playing in the garden. 쑗 When you’ve finished your lesson you can go out to play. 쑗 He doesn’t like playing with other children. 5. to act the part of a person in a film or play 쑗 Orson Welles played Harry Lime in ‘The Third Man’. 6. to make water or light move in a particular direction or in a particular way, or when water or light moves like this 쑗 Fountains played as the guests strolled in the gardens. ③ play back /ple bk/ verb to listen to something which you have just recorded playboy / plebɔ/ noun a rich man who spends his time enjoying himself rather than working Play-doh 638 Play-doh / ple dəυ/ trademark a type of coloured plastic material like clay, which children form into shapes play down /ple daυn/ verb to make something seem less important. Synonym minimise. Antonym accentuate ① player / pleə/ noun 1. a person who plays a game 쑗 You only need two players for chess. 쑗 Rugby players have to be fit. 쑗 Four of the players in the opposing team are ill. 2. a person who plays a musical instrument 쑗 a famous horn player playful / plef(ə)l/ adj lively and enjoying playing playground / pleDZraυnd/ noun a place, at a school or in a public area, where children can play playgroup / pleDZru p/ noun a group of small children who play together, looked after by a teacher playhouse / plehaυs/ noun 1. a theatre 쑗 There’s a brand new play on at the playhouse. 2. a model house for children to play in. Also called Wendy house playing field / pleŋ fi ld/ noun a large field where sports can be played playmate / plemet/ noun a child who regularly plays with another play off /ple ɒf/ verb 왍 to play someone off against someone to try to benefit by making two people compete against each other 쑗 Children try to get what they want by playing their parents off against each other. playoff / pleɒf/ noun a game to decide the final result, played between two players or teams that have the same score playpen / plepen/ noun a structure in which a baby can be left to play safely playroom / pleru m/ noun a room in which children can play plaything / pleθŋ/ noun 1. something or someone that a person uses simply for his own pleasure 쑗 Luxury yachts are the playthings of the rich. 2. a toy for a child to play with (old ) 쑗 I keep all the children’s playthings in this cupboard. playtime / pletam/ noun a time in school when children can play. Synonym break play up /ple p/ verb to cause trouble playwright / plerat/ noun a person who writes plays. Synonym dramatist plaza / plɑ zə/ noun a large open square in a town Plc abbr public limited company plea /pli / noun 1. an answer to a charge in court 쑗 He entered a plea of ‘not guilty’. 2. a request 쑗 Her pleas for clemency were rejected. plead /pli d/ verb 1. to answer a charge in a law court 쑗 He pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. 2. to give an excuse 쑗 She said . plebeian she couldn’t come, pleading pressure of work. 3. 왍 to plead with someone to try to change someone’s mind by asking again and again 쑗 I pleaded with her not to go. pleading / pli dŋ/ adj asking in a way that shows something is wanted very much 쑗 The dog sat next to me with a pleading look in his eyes. 쐽 noun 1. the action of asking for something in an emotional or desperate way 쑗 He finally gave in to her pleading. 2. the action of speaking in court on someone’s behalf 쑗 In English courts, a solicitor prepares the case and a barrister does the actual pleading. ③ pleasant / plez(ə)nt/ adj which pleases 쑗 What a pleasant garden! 쑗 How pleasant it is to sit here under the trees! 왍 he didn’t bring the pleasantest of news he brought bad news pleasantly / plez(ə)ntli/ adv in a pleasant way pleasantry / plez(ə)ntri/ noun a joke or a pleasant remark. Antonym insult (NOTE: The plural is pleasantries.) ① please /pli z/ interj used to ask politely 쑗 Please sit down. 쑗 Can you close the window, please? 쑗 Can I have a ham sandwich, please? 쑗 Do you want some more tea? – Yes, please! Compare thank you 쐽 verb to make someone happy or satisfied 쑗 She’s not difficult to please. 왍 please yourself do as you like 쑗 Shall I take the red one or the green one? – Please yourself. ② pleased /pli zd/ adj happy 쑗 We’re very pleased with our new house. 쑗 I’m pleased to hear you’re feeling better. 쑗 He wasn’t pleased when he heard his exam results. 쏡 punch. Synonym satisfied ③ pleasing / pli zŋ/ adj which pleases. Synonym agreeable. Antonym disagreeable pleasurable / pleȢ(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj pleasant, which gives pleasure. Synonym agreeable. Antonym disagreeable ② pleasure / pleȢə/ noun a pleasant feeling 쑗 His greatest pleasure is sitting by the river. 쑗 It gives me great pleasure to be able to visit you today. 왍 with pleasure happily 쑗 I’ll do the job with pleasure. pleat /pli t/ noun a flat fold in a piece of clothing such as a skirt or in something such as a curtain 쑗 His shirt front was decorated with a row of small pleats. 쐽 verb to make neat folds in something such as a piece of clothing or a curtain 쑗 Pleating the skirt makes it hang better. pleated / pli td/ adj (of fabric) made with pleats plebeian /plə bi ən/ adj common or ordinary; belonging to the working class plebiscite 639 plebiscite / plebsat/ noun a type of vote, where the whole population of a town, region or country is asked to vote to decide a particular issue. Synonym referendum pledge /pledȢ/ noun 1. a promise 쑗 They made a pledge to meet again next year, same time, same place. 쑗 The government never fulfilled its pledge to cut taxes. 2. 왍 to take the pledge to swear never to drink alcohol again 3. an object given to a lender when borrowing money, and which will be returned to the borrower when the money is paid back 쑗 Any pledges which have not been claimed after six months will be sold. 쐽 verb 1. to promise something formally 쑗 She pledged £50 to the charity. 쑗 Thousands of people have pledged their support for the scheme. 2. to give something as a pledge when borrowing money 쑗 She had to pledge her ring to buy food for the children. plenary / pli nəri/ adj complete, covering everything (formal ) plenary session / pli nəri seʃ(ə)n/ noun the part of a conference where all the people involved meet together plentiful / plentf(ə)l/ adj in large quantities. Synonym abundant. Antonym scarce ① plenty / plenti/ noun a large quantity 쑗 You’ve got plenty of time to catch the train. 쑗 Plenty of people complain about the bus service. 쑗 Have you got enough bread? – Yes, we’ve got plenty. (NOTE: no plural) plethora / pleθərə/ noun 왍 a plethora of too many (formal ) 쑗 There has been a plethora of books about the ‘Titanic’ following the success of the film. pleurisy / pl" rsi/ noun a serious medical condition which affects the lungs, often caused by pneumonia pliers / plaəz/ plural noun 왍 pair of pliers a tool shaped like scissors for squeezing, pulling or cutting wire 쑗 I need a pair of pliers to pull out these rusty nails. ③ plight /plat/ noun a bad situation or condition (dated ) 쑗 You must pity the plight of the people made homeless by the war. 쐽 verb to promise something (dated ) 왍 to plight your troth to make a serious promise to love and support the person you are going to marry plimsolls / plmsɒlz/ plural noun light shoes with thin rubber bottoms, worn when doing sports such as gymnastics plinth /plnθ/ noun a stand which supports an object such as a statue. Synonym . . . . pedestal plod /plɒd/ verb 1. to walk slowly and with heavy steps 쑗 The camels plodded across the desert. 쑗 He plodded round the department stores but didn’t find anything he wanted. 2. to work steadily 쑗 The police plodded slowly pluck through a list of people who had to be interviewed. (NOTE: plodding – plodded) plonk /plɒŋk/ noun cheap wine (informal ) 쑗 I bought a bottle of Spanish plonk from the supermarket. 쐽 verb to put something down in a careless way 쑗 The waiter just plonked the plates down in front of us and went off. 쑗 A big fat man plonked himself down in the seat next to me and went to sleep. plop /plɒp/ noun the noise made by something falling into water 쑗 There was a little plop as the frog jumped into the lake. 쐽 verb 1. to make a noise like a stone falling into water 2. to sit down heavily; to put something down 쑗 She plopped herself down on the settee. 쑗 He plopped the letter into the pillar box. (NOTE: plopped) plot /plɒt/ noun 1. a small area of land, e.g. used for building or for growing vegetables 쑗 They own a plot of land next to the river. 쑗 The plot isn’t big enough to build a house on. 2. the basic story of a book, play or film 쑗 The novel has a complicated plot. 쑗 I won’t tell you the plot of the film so as not to spoil it for you. 3. a secret and evil plan 쑗 They hatched a plot to hold up the security van. 쐽 verb 1. to mark something on a map 쑗 We plotted a course to take us to the island. 2. to draw a graph 쑗 They plotted the rise in house prices on a graph. 3. to draw up a secret and evil plan 쑗 They plotted to assassinate the Prime Minister. (NOTE: plotting – plotted) plotter / plɒtə/ noun a person who makes secret and evil plans. Synonym schemer plough /plaυ/ noun a farm machine for turning over soil 쑗 The plough is pulled by a tractor. 쐽 verb 1. to turn over the soil 쑗 Some farmers still use horses to plough the fields. 2. to work slowly 쑗 He was there until midnight, ploughing through all the paperwork. (NOTE: [all verb senses] The US spell. ing is plow.) ploughman’s lunch noun a meal of bread, cheese and pickles plough on / plaυ ɒn/ verb to continue with something difficult (informal ) plow /plaυ/ noun, verb US spelling of . plough ploy /plɔ/ noun a clever trick ③ pluck /plk/ noun courage (dated ) 쑗 It . took a lot of pluck to leave home and go to Australia. Synonym courage. Antonym cowardice 쐽 verb 1. to pull out feathers from a bird 쑗 to pluck a chicken 쑗 Ask the butcher to pluck the pheasants for you. 2. to pick something such as flowers 쑗 She plucked an apple from the tree. 3. to pull and release the strings of a guitar or other musical instrument, to make a sound 쑗 He was idly plucking the strings of his guitar. 4. 왍 to pluck up courage to get ready to face a dan- plucky 640 ger 쑗 He finally plucked up courage and asked to see the boss. plucky / plki/ adj brave. Synonym brave. Antonym cowardly (NOTE: pluckier – pluckiest) ③ plug /plDZ/ noun 1. a flat rubber disc which covers the hole for dirty water in a bath or sink 쑗 Can you call reception and tell them there’s no plug in the bath? 쑗 She pulled out the plug and let the dirty water drain away. 2. a device with pins which go into an electric socket, and which allows the electric current to pass through 쑗 The vacuum cleaner is supplied with a plug. 3. 왍 (sparking) plug (in a car ) a device which passes the electric spark through the petrol vapour 쑗 If the plugs are dirty, the engine won’t start. 쑗 The garage put in a new set of sparking plugs. 4. a piece of publicity 왍 to give a plug to a new product to publicise a new product 쑗 During the radio interview, she got in a plug for her new film. 쐽 verb 1. to block up a hole 쑗 We plugged the leak in the bathroom. 쑗 He plugged his ears with cotton wool because he couldn’t stand the noise. 2. to publicise something 쑗 They ran six commercials plugging holidays in Spain. 쑗 They paid the radio station to plug their new album. (NOTE: plugging – plugged) plug away at /plDZ ə we t/ verb to work hard doing something plughole / plDZhəυl/ noun a hole in a bath or washbasin through which the dirty water runs away ③ plug in /plDZ n/ verb to push an electric plug into a socket and so attach a device to the electricity supply. Antonym unplug ③ plum /plm/ noun 1. a gold, red or purple fruit with a smooth skin and a large stone 쑗 She bought a pound of plums to make a pie. 2. 왍 to have a plum job to have an important well-paid job (informal ) 쑗 He’s landed a plum job with the BBC. plumage / plu mdȢ/ noun feathers on a bird (NOTE: no plural) plumb /plm/ verb 1. to measure the depth of water by using a plumb line 쑗 to plumb the ocean’s depths 왍 to plumb the depths of something to reach the lowest point 쑗 Her mood changes all the time, plumbing the depths of despair one minute and wildly optimistic the next. 2. to try to understand something fully 쑗 Scientists are still trying to plumb the mysteries of the beginning of the universe. 3. 왍 to plumb something (in) to attach something to the water pipes in a building 쑗 I can’t wash any clothes because the washing machine still hasn’t been plumbed in. 쐽 adv exactly in a position 쑗 He hit the target plumb in the middle. plumber / plmə/ noun a person who installs or mends water pipes, radiators, etc. . . plus plumbing / plmŋ/ noun a system of water pipes in a house plumb line / plm lan/ noun a string with a lead weight attached to see how deep water is, or if something is straight plume /plu m/ noun 1. a long feather, especially one worn in a hat 쑗 a hat with ostrich plumes 2. a long cloud of smoke from a factory chimney or volcano 쑗 A plume of smoke rose from the burning oil depot. plummet / plmt/ verb to fall sharply plump /plmp/ adj 1. (of a person) with an attractively fat or rounded body or body part 쑗 He’s easy to spot, he’s a short fair-haired boy with a plump red face. 쑗 Is she pregnant or is she just plumper than she was? (NOTE: plumper – plumpest) 2. full and round, not flat or wrinkled 쑗 plump fruit 쑗 a plump cushion 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to plump up cushions to shake squashed cushions until they are fat again 2. to drop yourself down heavily 쑗 He plumped himself down on the sofa. plunder / plndə/ noun booty, goods stolen, especially in wartime 쑗 The pirates returned from the voyage laden with plunder. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to steal goods by force, especially in wartime 쑗 Many of the exhibits in the museum were plundered from foreign palaces and churches. 2. to take or use something that belongs to someone else for your own benefit 쑗 Half the ideas in his book were plundered from a book that came out in 1978. plunge /plndȢ/ noun 왍 to take the plunge to decide suddenly to do something 쑗 I’ve decided to take the plunge and buy a satellite dish. 쐽 verb 1. to throw yourself into water 쑗 He plunged into the river to rescue the little boy. 2. to fall sharply 쑗 Share prices plunged on the news of the devaluation. plunger / plndȢə/ noun 1. a device which goes up and down in a cylinder 쑗 He pressed the plunger to set off the explosion. 2. a handle with a soft rubber cup at the end, used for clearing blocked pipes by suction 쑗 He tried to unblock the drain with a plunger. pluperfect /plu p" fekt/ noun same as past perfect plural / plυərəl/ adj, noun (in grammar ) . (which is) the form of a word showing that there is more than one 쑗 Does ‘government’ take a singular or plural verb? 쑗 What’s the plural of ‘mouse’? 쑗 The verb should be in the plural after ‘programs’. plurality /plυə rlti/ noun 1. US a larger number of votes than that received by any other candidate in an election 쑗 He received a plurality of the votes cast. 2. more than one of something 쑗 We are aiming to contact a plurality of social groups. ① plus /pls/ prep 1. added to 쑗 His salary plus commission comes to more than plush 641 £25,000. (NOTE: In calculations plus is usually shown by the sign + : 10 + 4 = 14: say ‘ten plus four equals fourteen’.) 2. more than 왍 houses valued at £200,000 plus houses valued at over £200,000 쐽 adj favourable, good and profitable 쑗 Being able to drive is certainly a plus factor. 왍 on the plus side as a favourable point 쑗 The weather wasn’t very good, but on the plus side, it didn’t actually rain. 쐽 noun a favourable sign, a good or favourable point 쑗 It’s a definite plus that the hotel has room service. plush /plʃ/ noun a soft cloth for furnishings, with a pile like velvet 쑗 curtains made of red plush 쐽 adj luxurious (informal ) 쑗 The car’s got a very plush interior. 쑗 They always stay at the plushest hotel they can find. Synonym lush (NOTE: plusher – plushest) plus sign / pls san/ noun a sign (+) meaning more than plutonium /plu təυniəm/ noun a radioactive element, also used to produce nuclear power ply /pla/ noun 1. one thickness of wood in plywood 쑗 The table top is made of four-ply wood. 2. a strand of wool made up of a certain number of threads 쑗 three-ply wool 쐽 verb 1. to go backwards and forwards 쑗 The little ferry plies between Birkenhead and Liverpool. 2. 왍 to ply someone with something to keep giving someone something to eat, drink, etc. 쑗 They plied the boys with drink and cigarettes, and then started asking them questions. plywood / plawυd/ noun a sheet of wood made of several thin layers of wood stuck together (NOTE: no plural) PM abbr prime minister, post mortem ① p.m. / pi em/ adv in the afternoon, after midday 쑗 The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. 쑗 If you phone New York after 6 p.m. the calls are at a cheaper rate. . (NOTE: The US spelling is P.M.) PMS abbr premenstrual syndrome PMT abbr premenstrual tension pneumatic /nju mtk/ adj driven by compressed air pneumatic drill /nju mtk drl/ noun a machine driven by compressed air, used for making holes, e.g. in cement or in road surfaces pneumonia /nju məυniə/ noun an illness caused by inflammation of a lung, where the lung becomes filled with fluid ③ PO abbr post office poach /pəυtʃ/ verb 1. to cook food, e.g. eggs without their shells, or fish, in gently boiling water 쑗 Would you like your eggs boiled or poached? 쑗 They served lightly poached salmon as a first course. 2. to catch game, i.e. animals, birds or fish, illegally on podgy someone else’s land 쑗 The gamekeeper suspected that someone was poaching his rabbits. 3. to persuade an employee to leave his or her job and work for another employer 쑗 They poached our best salesman. poacher / pəυtʃə/ noun a person who catches game illegally. Synonym thief PO Box number /pi əυ bɒks nmbə/ noun a reference number given for delivering mail to a post office, so as not to give the actual address of the person who will receive it ② pocket / pɒkt/ noun 1. one of several little bags sewn into the inside of a piece of clothing such as a coat, in which you can keep things, e.g. money, handkerchief or keys 쑗 She looked in all her pockets but couldn’t find her keys. 쑗 He was leaning against a fence with his hands in his pockets. 2. 왍 to be £25 in pocket to have made a profit of £25 쑗 When we counted the takings we found we were over £100 in pocket. 왍 to be out of pocket having lost money which you paid personally 쑗 If you are out of pocket you can always get some cash from the accounts department. 쑗 Nobody paid my expenses, so I was £100 out of pocket at the end of the day. 왍 to be £25 out of pocket to have lost £25 쑗 The lunch left him £25 out of pocket. 3. a hole with a small bag at each corner and side of a billiard table 쑗 The black ball stopped at the edge of the pocket. 4. a small patch or small group in a certain place 쑗 The country has been taken over, but there are still pockets of resistance in some mountain areas. 쐽 verb to put something in your pocket, to keep something 쑗 At the end of the jumble sale, she pocketed all the money. pocketbook / pɒktbυk/ noun a small bag which a woman carries to hold things, e.g. money, pens and handkerchief 쑗 My pocketbook was stolen and I’m left without any money. (NOTE: The British term is handbag.) pocket calculator /pɒkt klkjυletə/ noun a small calculator which you can put in your pocket pocketful / pɒktfυl/ noun an amount contained in a pocket ③ pocket money / pɒkt mni/ noun money which parents give to their children each week pockmarked / pɒkmɑ kt/ adj covered with round scars. Synonym pitted pod /pɒd/ noun 1. a long green tube in which peas or beans grow 쑗 Mangetout peas are eaten in their pods. 2. a glass cabin with seats for travellers 쑗 We all got into a pod on the London Eye. podgy / pɒdȢi/ adj quite fat (NOTE: podgier – podgiest) podiatrist 642 podiatrist /pəυ daətrst/ noun a person who looks after people’s feet and treats diseases of the feet podium / pəυdiəm/ noun a small raised platform, e.g. for winning sportsmen or orchestral conductors, to stand on. Synonym dais poem / pəυm/ noun a piece of writing, with words carefully chosen to sound attractive and convey themes and emotions, set out in lines usually of a regular length which sometimes end in words which rhyme 쑗 He wrote a long poem about an old sailor. 쑗 The poem about the First World War was set to music by Britten. Antonym prose ③ poet / pəυt/ noun a person who writes poems. Synonym writer poetically /pəυ etkli/ adv in a poetic way ③ poetry / pəυtri/ noun poems taken as a type of literature 쑗 Reading poetry makes me cry. 쑗 This is a good example of German poetry. Antonym prose (NOTE: no plural) poignancy / pɔnjənsi/ noun sadness, conveying a feeling of deep emotion. Synonym pathos poignant / pɔnjənt/ adj making you sad poignantly / pɔnjəntli/ adv sadly, in a way which makes you sad ① point /pɔnt/ noun 1. a sharp end of something long 쑗 The point of my pencil has broken. 쑗 The stick has a very sharp point. 2. a particular place 쑗 The path led us for miles through the woods and in the end we came back to the point where we started from. 쑗 We had reached a point 2,000 m above sea level. 3. a particular moment in time 쑗 From that point on, things began to change. 쑗 At what point did you decide to resign? 왍 at that point at that moment 쑗 All the lights went off at that point. 왍 at this point in time at this particular moment 쑗 At this point in time, it is not possible for me to answer reporters’ questions. 왍 on the point of doing something just about to do something 쑗 I was on the point of phoning you. 4. a meaning or reason 쑗 There’s no point in asking them to pay – they haven’t any money. 쑗 The main point of the meeting is to see how we can continue to run the centre without a grant. 쑗 What’s the point of doing the same thing all over again? 왍 I see your point I see what you mean 쑗 I see your point, but there are other factors to be considered. 쑗 I can’t see the point of doing that. 5. a score in a game 쑗 Their team scored three points. 쑗 In rugby, a try counts as five points. 6. a temperature 쑗 What’s the boiling point of water? 쐽 verb 1. to aim a gun or your finger at something 쑗 The teacher is pointing at you. 쑗 It’s rude to point at people. 쑗 Don’t point that gun at me – it might go off. 쑗 The guide pointed to the map to show where we were. 2. ③ poisoning to put mortar between bricks in a completed wall, so as to make the surface smooth 쑗 After the wall was built they pointed it with grey mortar. point-blank /pɔnt blŋk/ adj 왍 at point-blank range at very close range 쑗 He was shot at point-blank range. 쐽 adv sharply, directly and rudely 쑗 I told him point-blank that his work was no good. ② pointed / pɔntd/ adj 1. sharpened to a sharp point 쑗 a pointed stick 2. sharp and critical 쑗 He made some very pointed remarks about the waitress. pointedly / pɔntdli/ adv in a pointed way pointer / pɔntə/ noun 1. something which points 쑗 The pointer moved quickly around the dial. 쑗 He used a pointer to show us our positions on the wall map. 2. a piece of advice or information 쑗 She asked her teacher for some pointers to help her with her project. 3. a dog which is trained to point out game with its nose 쑗 The pointer suddenly stopped, staring at a clump of bushes. pointless / pɔntləs/ adj with no sense. Synonym useless. Antonym useful ① point of view /pɔnt əv vju / noun a particular way of thinking about something. Synonym opinion ③ point out /pɔnt aυt/ verb 1. to show something 쑗 The tour guide will point out the main things to see in the town. 쑗 The report points out the mistakes made by the agency over the last few years. 2. to give a point of view 쑗 She pointed out that the children in her class were better behaved than in previous years. points /pɔnts/ plural noun movable rails which allow trains to cross from one line to another point up /pɔnt p/ verb to make something seem very obvious. Synonym emphasise poise /pɔz/ noun balance, a graceful way of holding your head or of standing upright 쑗 She has the grace and poise of a ballet dancer. 쐽 verb 왍 to be poised to do something to be ready to do something 쑗 The army is poised to capture the city. 쑗 The tiger was poised to spring on the antelope. ③ poison / pɔz(ə)n/ noun a substance which kills or makes you ill if it is swallowed or if it gets into the blood 쑗 There’s enough poison in this bottle to kill the whole town. 쑗 Don’t drink that – it’s poison. 쐽 verb 1. to kill someone with poison 쑗 She was accused of poisoning her husband. 2. to put poison in something 쑗 He didn’t know the wine was poisoned. 쑗 Chemicals from the factory are poisoning the river. ③ poisoning / pɔz(ə)nŋ/ noun 1. the act of taking poison into your system 2. the act of using poison to kill or harm people 쑗 He poisonous 643 was accused of the poisoning of several old ladies. ③ poisonous / pɔz(ə)nəs/ adj which can kill or harm people or animals with poison ③ poke /pəυk/ noun a jab with something sharp 쑗 He got a poke in the eye in the street from someone’s umbrella. Synonym stab 쐽 verb 1. to push a person or an animal with your finger or with a stick 쑗 He poked the pig with his stick. 2. 왍 to poke fun at someone or something to laugh at someone or something 쑗 He poked fun at the maths teacher. 쑗 She poked fun at his odd hat. poker / pəυkə/ noun 1. a long metal rod for stirring up a fire 쑗 She stirred the dying fire with the poker. 2. a card game in which the players gamble on the cards in their hands, at the same time trying to hide their position from the other players 쑗 They played poker until 3 o’clock in the morning. 쑗 He won £25 at poker. poker-faced / pəυkə fest/ adj not showing any feeling. Antonym expressive poky / pəυki/ adj cramped or small 쑗 They have a poky little flat in the centre of London. ③ polar / pəυlə/ adj referring to the North Pole or the South Pole polar bear /pəυlə beə/ noun a big white bear which lives in the snow near the North Pole polarisation /pəυləra zeʃ(ə)n/, polarization noun 1. an attraction around two opposite poles 2. a division into groups polarise / pəυləraz/, polarize verb to divide people into two opposite groups. Synonym diverge. Antonym unite Polaroid / pəυlərɔd/ trademark a camera which produces photographs instantly ① pole /pəυl/ noun 1. a long wooden or metal rod 2. one of the two opposing ends of a magnet 왍 they are poles apart they are very different, they will never come to an agreement 3. one of the points at each end of the Earth’s axis ① Pole /pəυl/ noun a person from Poland 쑗 Pope John Paul II is a Pole. polemic /pə lemk/ noun 1. a fierce written or spoken attack 2. a style of making fierce attacks 쑗 His very effective use of polemic in his speeches. polemical /pə lemk(ə)l/ adj controversial, likely to start an argument (formal ) ③ pole position /pəυl pə zʃ(ə)n/ noun the position of the first car at the start of a race. Antonym rear pole star / pəυl stɑ / noun a star which appears to be over the North Pole (literary) pole vault / pəυl vɒlt/ noun a sport where you have to jump over a high bar with the help of a long pole . polish police /pə li s/ noun an organisation which controls traffic, tries to stop crime and tries to catch criminals 쑗 The police are looking for the driver of the car. 쑗 The police emergency number is 999. 쑗 Call the police – I’ve just seen someone drive off in my car. 쐽 verb to make sure that rules or laws are obeyed 쑗 We need more constables to police the area. 쑗 The problem is how to police the UN resolutions. ③ police constable /pə li s knstəb(ə)l/ noun an ordinary member of the police ① (NOTE: also used as a title before a name: Police Constable John Smith; usually shortened to PC or WPC for women police constables: PC John Smith) police force /pə li s fɔ s/ noun the group of police in a certain area policeman /pə li smən/ noun a man who is an ordinary member of the police (NOTE: The plural is policemen.) ③ police officer /pə li s ɒfsə/ noun a member of the police force police state /pə li s stet/ noun a country whose government controls the freedom of the people through the police ③ police station /pə li s steʃ(ə)n/ noun a building with the offices of a particular local police force policewoman /pə li swυmən/ noun a woman who is an ordinary member of the police (NOTE: The plural is policewomen.) ① policy / pɒlsi/ noun 1. decisions on the general way of doing something 쑗 government policy on wages or government wages policy 쑗 It is not our policy to give details of employees over the phone. 쑗 People voted Labour because they liked their policies. 2. 왍 a comprehensive or an all-in policy an insurance which covers all risks 왍 to take out a policy to sign the contract for an insurance and start paying the premiums 쑗 She took out a house insurance policy. policy-making / pɒlsimekŋ/ noun the process of deciding what the policies of a party or government should be 쑗 The committee reports to the Cabinet, but plays no part in actual policy-making. 쐽 adj which makes policy decisions 쑗 a policy-making committee polio / pəυliəυ/ noun 쑗 She caught polio when she was ten years old. poliomyelitis /pəυliəυmaə lats/ noun full form of polio ③ polish / pɒlʃ/ noun 1. a substance used to make things shiny 쑗 Wash the car thoroughly before you put the polish on. 왍 floor polish wax used to make wooden floors shiny 왍 furniture polish wax used to make furniture shiny 2. a shiny surface 쑗 Look at the polish on this table. 3. the action of rubbing something to make it shiny 쑗 Give the Polish 644 table a polish before our friends arrive. (NOTE: The plural is polishes.) 쐽 verb to rub something to make it shiny 쑗 He polished his shoes until they shone. ① Polish / pəυlʃ/ adj referring to Poland 쑗 The Polish Army joined in the manoeuvres. 쐽 noun the language spoken in Poland 쑗 I know three words of Polish. 쑗 You will need an English-Polish phrasebook if you’re visiting Warsaw. polished / pɒlʃt/ adj 1. shiny 쑗 Be careful, that polished floor is very slippery. 2. made perfect by practice 쑗 He gave a polished performance as Hamlet. 3. very polite, with sophisticated manners 쑗 She’s a very polished young lady, who has obviously been taught how to speak in public. ③ polish off /pɒlʃ ɒf/ verb 1. to finish off a job quickly 쑗 He polished off his essay in half an hour. 2. to eat a meal quickly 쑗 They polished off the scrambled eggs and then asked for baked beans. ③ polish up /pɒlʃ p/ verb to improve a skill ③ polite /pə lat/ adj respectful, not rude 쑗 Sales staff should be polite to customers. (NOTE: politer – politest) politely /pə latli/ adv in a respectful way politeness /pə latnəs/ noun good manners. Antonym rudeness ① political /pə ltk(ə)l/ adj referring to government or to party politics 쑗 I don’t want to get involved in a political argument. 쑗 She gave up her political career when she had the children. political asylum /pəltk(ə)l ə saləm/ noun the right to stay in another country and be protected by its government because for political reasons it would be dangerous for you to return to your own country political correctness /pəltk(ə)l kərektnəs/ noun acting in an exaggerated way to avoid giving offence for racial, sexist or other reasons politically correct /pə ltkli kə rekt/ adj done in an exaggerated way to avoid giving offence for racial, sexist or other reasons. Abbr PC political party /pə ltk(ə)l pɑ ti/ noun an organised group of people who have the same beliefs about how a country should be governed. Compare party political political patronage /pəltk(ə)l ptrəndȢ/ noun the right to give government posts or honours to people who have supported you political prisoner /pəltk(ə)l prz(ə)nə/ noun a person kept in prison because he or she is an opponent of the political party in power pollster political science /pəltk(ə)l saəns/ noun the study of governments and their use of political power political scientist /pəltk(ə)l saəntst/ noun a person who studies political science political suicide /pəltk(ə)l su sad/ noun an action which ends your political career ② politician /pɒl tʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who works in politics, especially a Member of Parliament 쑗 Politicians from all parties have welcomed the report. ② politics / pɒltks/ plural noun the ideas and methods used in governing a country. 쏡 party politics 쐽 noun the study of how countries are governed 쑗 He studied politics and economics at university. polka / pɒlkə/ noun a type of lively dance ③ poll /pəυl/ noun 1. a vote or the act of voting 쑗 We are still waiting for the results of yesterday’s poll. 쑗 A poll of factory workers showed that more than 50% supported the union’s demands. 2. the number of votes cast in an election 쑗 The poll was lower than usual – only 35% of the voters bothered to vote. 3. 왍 to go to the polls to vote in an election 쑗 The people of France go to the polls next Sunday to elect a new president. 쐽 verb 1. to get a certain number of votes in an election 쑗 She polled more than ten thousand votes. 2. 왍 to poll a sample of the population to ask a sample group of people what they feel about something pollen / pɒlən/ noun a yellow powder on the stamens of a flower which touches part of a female flower and so creates seeds pollen count / pɒlən kaυnt/ noun a number showing the amount of pollen in the air, which can cause hay fever pollinate / pɒlnet/ verb to fertilise a plant with pollen. Synonym fertilise pollination /pɒl neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of fertilising a plant with pollen. Synonym fertilisation polling / pəυlŋ/ noun the act of voting in an election polling booth / pəυlŋ bu ð/ noun a small enclosed space in a polling station, where the voter goes to mark his or her ballot paper in private polling day / pəυlŋ de/ noun a day when an election is held polling station / pəυlŋ steʃ(ə)n/ noun a place where you vote in an election, usually in a public building such as a library or school polls /pəυlz/ plural noun places where people vote in an election pollster / pəυlstə/ noun an expert in understanding what polls mean pollutant 645 pool pollutant /pə lu t(ə)nt/ noun a substance polyunsaturated /pɒlin stʃəretd/ which pollutes ③ pollute /pə lu t/ verb to make the environment dirty by discharging harmful substances into it polluted /pə lu td/ adj made dirty ② pollution /pə lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of making the environment dirty 쑗 Pollution of the atmosphere has increased over the last 50 years. 2. dirty or harmful materials that are put into the environment 쑗 It took six months to clean up the oil pollution on the beaches. 쑗 The pollution in the centre of town is so bad that people have started wearing face masks. polo / pəυləυ/ noun a ball game in which two teams ride on ponies, trying to hit a small hard ball with clubs like long hammers 쑗 There’s a polo match in the park this afternoon. 쑗 He plays polo every Saturday. polo shirt / pəυləυ ʃ" t/ noun a shirt with short sleeves, a collar and three or four buttons at the neck poly- / pɒli/ prefix several polyester /pɒli estə/ noun a type of synthetic fibre used especially to make clothing polygamous /pə lDZəməs/ adj referring to polygamy 왍 a polygamous society a social group in which the men are allowed to have more than one wife at a time polygamy /pə lDZəmi/ noun the custom of having several wives at the same time polyglot / pɒliDZlɒt/ adj speaking or writing several languages (formal ) 쑗 Our polyglot guide had to translate everything into three or four languages. 쐽 noun a person who speaks several languages 쑗 It’s useful to have a polyglot on the staff. polygon / pɒlDZən/ noun a geometrical figure with more than three sides polygonal /pə lDZənl/ adj with several sides polymer / pɒlmə/ noun a natural or artificial chemical compound whose large molecules are made of smaller molecules combined in repeated groups polystyrene /pɒli stari n/ noun a light plastic used as a heat insulator or as packing material polysyllabic /pɒlis lbk/ adj with several syllables polysyllable / pɒlisləb(ə)l/ noun a word with several syllables. Antonym mono- adj 1. which is capable of absorbing more hydrogen 2. (of fat) which is less likely to be converted into cholesterol in the body 쑗 Vegetable oils and fish oils are polyunsaturated. polyurethane /pɒli jυərθen/ noun a type of plastic used in paints Pom / pɒm/ noun an English person (Australian slang) 왍 whingeing Poms English people who go to live in Australia and then complain about life there pomegranate / pɒmDZrnt/ noun a tropical fruit with many black seeds covered in juicy red flesh pomp /pɒmp/ noun a splendid ceremony. Antonym understatement (NOTE: no . syllable polytechnic /pɒl teknk/ noun an educational establishment for school-leavers, giving degrees, especially in technical subjects, now replaced in Britain by universities polythene / pɒlθi n/ noun a type of strong transparent plastic used in thin sheets plural) pomposity /pɒm pɒsti/ noun the fact of being pompous pompous / pɒmpəs/ adj using very dignified language to make yourself sound more important (disapproving) ③ pond /pɒnd/ noun a small lake. Synonym pool ponder / pɒndə/ verb to think deeply about something ponderous / pɒnd(ə)rəs/ adj 1. very heavy and slow-moving 쑗 She walked with ponderous steps across the stage. 쑗 He imitated the ponderous way of walking of a Japanese wrestler. 2. (of a style) heavy and dull 쑗 The piece is supposed to be brisk and light-hearted and this CD makes it sound ponderous and slow. pong /pɒŋ/ (informal ) noun an unpleasant smell 쑗 What’s that terrible pong in here? Synonym stink 쐽 verb to make an unpleasant smell 쑗 This cheese doesn’t half pong! pontificate /pɒn tfket/ verb to give your opinion on something in a way which suggests that you believe your opinion is the only right one (formal ) pony / pəυni/ noun a small horse (NOTE: . . The plural is ponies.) ponytail / pəυnitel/ noun a hairstyle where your hair is tied at the back and falls loosely poo /pu / noun faeces, solid waste matter passed from the body (informal; children’s slang) poodle / pu d(ə)l/ noun a type of curly-haired dog, with its fur usually cut in a curious way pooh-pooh /pu pu / verb to ridicule something. Antonym praise ② pool /pu l/ noun 1. a small lake 쑗 He dived in and swam across the mountain pool. 쑗 We looked for shrimps in the rock pools. 2. a large bath of water for swimming in 쑗 an outdoor pool 쑗 a heated pool 쑗 We have a little swimming pool in the garden. 쑗 He poor 646 swam two lengths of the pool. 3. an area of water or other liquid 쑗 She stared at the pool of blood on the floor. 4. a group in which people share facilities 쑗 We belong to a pool of people who baby-sit for one another. 5. a supply of something ready to be used 쑗 We can draw on a pool of unemployed talent. 6. a game rather like snooker, where you hit balls into pockets using a long stick called a ‘cue’ 쑗 We were playing pool in the bar. 쐽 verb 왍 to pool resources to group resources together 쑗 The only way we can afford it will be to pool our resources. ① poor /pɔ / adj 1. with little or no money 쑗 The family is very poor now that both parents have no work. 쑗 This is one of the poorest countries in Africa. 2. 왍 poor in something with very little of something 쑗 The soil in my garden is very poor in nutrients. 3. not very good 쑗 Vines can grow even in poor soil. 쑗 They were selling off poor quality vegetables at a cheap price. 쑗 She’s been in poor health for some months. 4. showing you are sorry 쑗 Poor old you! – Having to stay at home and finish your homework while we go to the pictures. 쑗 My poor legs, after climbing up the mountain! (NOTE: poorer – poorest) poorly / pɔ li/ adv in quite a bad way 쑗 The offices are poorly laid out. 쑗 The job is very poorly paid. 왍 poorly paid staff staff with low wages 쐽 adj ill (informal ) 쑗 She felt quite poorly and had to go home. 쑗 He was very poorly on Monday, but by the end of the week he was a little better. Synonym ill ③ pop /pɒp/ noun 1. a noise like a cork coming out of a bottle 쑗 There was a pop as she lit the gas. 왍 to go pop to make a noise like a cork coming out of a bottle 쑗 The car engine went pop and we stopped suddenly. 쑗 The balloon landed on the candles and went pop. 2. a fizzy drink 쑗 a bottle of pop 3. US a name for a father 쑗 I’ll ask my Pop if we can borrow his ladder. 쐽 verb 1. to make a noise like ‘pop’ 쑗 Champagne corks were popping as the result was announced. 2. to go somewhere quickly 쑗 I’ll just pop down to the town. 쑗 He popped into the chemist’s. 쑗 I’m just popping round to Jane’s. 쑗 I’d only popped out for a moment. 3. to put something somewhere quickly 쑗 Pop the pie in the microwave for three minutes. (NOTE: popping . – popped) popcorn / pɒpkɔ n/ noun the seed of a type of maize plant which is heated until it bursts and is eaten as a snack Pope /pəυp/ noun the head of the Roman Catholic Church pop group / pɒp DZru p/ noun a group of singers and musicians who play pop songs poplar / pɒplə/ noun a common tall and slender tree populous poplin / pɒpln/ noun a strong cotton cloth used for making shirts ③ pop music / pɒp mju zk/ noun modern popular music poppadom / pɒpədɒm/ noun a thin round crisp Indian pancake, fried or grilled ③ popper / pɒpə/ noun a little metal fastener for clothes, in two parts which you press to attach together (NOTE: The US term is snap.) poppy / pɒpi/ noun a common red wild flower which often grows in fields (NOTE: The plural is poppies.) populace / pɒpjυləs/ noun 왍 the populace the ordinary people (formal ) 쑗 The rest . of the populace envied the privileges of the rich. ① popular / pɒpjυlə/ adj 1. liked by a lot of people 쑗 The department store is popular with young mothers. 쑗 The South Coast is the most popular area for holidays. 2. referring to the mass of ordinary people 쑗 He was elected by popular vote. 쑗 It is a popular belief that it is unlucky to walk under a ladder. popularise / pɒpjυləraz/, popularize verb to make something understood or liked by a lot of people popularity /pɒpjυ lrti/ noun the fact of being liked by a lot of people. Synonym admiration. Antonym infamy popularly / pɒpjυləli/ adv 1. by most people 쑗 She was popularly supposed to possess magic powers. 2. by the ordinary people 쑗 The plant popularly known as ‘old man’s beard’ is in fact wild clematis. populate / pɒpjυlet/ verb 1. to go and live in an area 쑗 Settlers moved away from the coast and began to populate the interior. 쑗 The area is populated by peasant farmers. 2. to put people to live in an area 쑗 The king decided to populate the colony with retired soldiers. populated / pɒpjυletd/ adj with a particular level of population ① population /pɒpjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the number of people who live in a place 쑗 The population of the country is 60 million. 쑗 Paris has a population of over three million. populist / pɒpjυlst/ adj believing that ordinary people should have more say in government 쑗 The movement was led by a young populist politician. 쑗 It was a rousing populist speech. Synonym mainstream. Antonym elitist 쐽 noun a person who believes that ordinary people should have more say in government 쑗 The populists in the party supported the lowering of the voting age. populous / pɒpjυləs/ adj densely populated. Synonym crowded. Antonym desolate pop-up 647 pop-up / pɒp p/ adj (of a book) with cut-out pictures that stand up when the book is opened 쑗 a children’s pop-up book pop-up menu /pɒp p menju / noun a list of possible actions shown on a computer screen when you press a key porcelain / pɔ s(ə)ln/ noun fine china porch /pɔ tʃ/ noun 1. a sheltered area joined onto a doorway 쑗 You weren’t in when I called, so I left the parcel in the porch. 2. US a balcony at ground level around a house 쑗 They like to sit out on the porch on summer evenings. (NOTE: The plural is porches.) porcupine / pɔ kjυpan/ noun an Ameri- can rodent with long sharp spikes covering its body pore /pɔ / noun a tiny hole in the skin or in a leaf, through which moisture such as sweat passes 쑗 I was sweating from every pore as I waited for the results of the test. 쑗 Water evaporates from the pores of the leaves. 쐽 verb 왍 to pore over something to look very closely at something such as a book 쑗 He spent days in the library poring over old documents. pork /pɔ k/ noun fresh meat from a pig, eaten cooked (NOTE: no plural. Note also that salted or smoked meat from a pig is ham or bacon.) porn /pɔ n/ noun pornography (informal ) pornographic /pɔ nə DZrfk/ adj ob. scene, aiming to arouse sexual excitement pornography /pɔ nɒDZrəfi/ noun books, films, etc., with obscene subject matter porous / pɔ rəs/ adj which has many little holes in it, allowing water or air to seep through slowly. Synonym absorbent porpoise / pɔ pəs/ noun a sea animal similar to a dolphin, which swims in groups (NOTE: A group of them is a school of porpoises.) porridge / pɒrdȢ/ noun oatmeal cooked in water or milk, eaten for breakfast (NOTE: no plural) ② port /pɔ t/ noun 1. a harbour, or a town with a harbour 쑗 a fishing port 쑗 The ship is due in port on Tuesday. 쑗 We left port at 12.00. 왍 to call at a port to stop at a port to load or unload cargo 2. on a ship or aircraft, the left side when looking forwards 쑗 Passengers sitting on the port side of the plane can see Tower Bridge. 쑗 The ship turned to port to avoid the iceberg. 3. an opening in a computer for plugging in an attachment 쑗 a mouse port 4. a strong sweet wine from Portugal 쑗 At the end of the meal the port was passed round. 5. an opening in a ship’s side for a gun 쑗 The galleon sank when her gun ports went below the surface of the sea. Portuguese portable / pɔ təb(ə)l/ adj which can be carried 쑗 He used his portable computer on the plane. 쑗 Portable phones won’t work in the Underground. 쐽 noun a small computer which can be carried 쑗 I keyboard all my orders on my portable. portal / pɔ t(ə)l/ noun an imposing entrance gate (literary) portent / pɔ tent/ noun a warning that something unpleasant is going to happen (literary) porter / pɔ tə/ noun 1. a person who carries luggage for travellers at a railway station 쑗 Find a porter to help us with all this luggage. 2. a person who does general work in a hospital, including moving the patients around 쑗 The nurse asked a porter to fetch a wheelchair. 3. a doorkeeper in a building such as a hotel or a block of flats 쑗 Ask the porter if there have been any messages for us. ③ portfolio /pɔ t fəυliəυ/ noun 1. a large cardboard case for carrying something, e.g. drawings or designs 쑗 He brought a portfolio of samples of his work. 2. 왍 a portfolio of shares all the shares owned by someone 3. a minister’s position in a government 왍 she’s taken over the defence portfolio she has become Minister of Defence porthole / pɔ thəυl/ noun a round window in the side of a ship portico / pɔ tkəυ/ noun a roof supported by columns forming a porch in front of the entrance to a building (NOTE: The plural is porticoes or porticos.) portion / pɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a part 쑗 This is only a small portion of the material we collected. 쑗 Our carriage was in the rear portion of the train. 2. a serving of food, usually for one person 쑗 The portions in that French restaurant are tiny. 쑗 Ask the waiter if they serve children’s portions. 쐽 verb 왍 to portion something out to share something out 쑗 We portioned out the money between the four of us. portly / pɔ tli/ adj rather fat. Synonym ③ overweight (NOTE: portlier – portliest) port of call /pɔ t əv kɔ l/ noun a port at which a ship stops portrait / pɔ trt/ noun a painting or photograph of a person 쑗 He has painted a portrait of the Queen. 쑗 Old portraits of members of the family lined the walls of the dining room. Synonym picture portray /pɔ tre/ verb to paint or to describe a scene or a person. Synonym depict portrayal /pɔ treəl/ noun the description of a scene or person ① Portuguese /pɔ tʃυ DZi z/ adj referring to Portugal 쑗 a Portuguese explorer 쐽 noun 1. a person from Portugal 쑗 She married a Portuguese. 왍 the Portuguese people from pose 648 Portugal 2. the language spoken in countries such as Portugal and Brazil 쑗 I don’t know the word for it in Portuguese. ③ pose /pəυz/ noun 1. a way of standing sitting or lying 쑗 She is painted standing in an elegant pose. 쑗 He struck a funny pose as I was taking the photo. 2. a way of behaving which is just a pretence 쑗 He’d like you to think he’s an expert but it’s just a pose. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to pose for someone to stand or sit still while someone paints or photographs you 쑗 He posed for her in his uniform. 2. to pretend to be something 쑗 He got into the prison by posing as a doctor. 3. to set a problem or put a question 쑗 What to do with illegal immigrants poses a problem for the immigration services. posh /pɒʃ/ adj 1. very smart 쑗 I decided I’d better wear my poshest frock to the wedding. 쑗 We ate in a really posh restaurant. 2. belonging to a high social class 쑗 He puts on a posh voice when he’s talking on the phone. (NOTE: posher – poshest) ① position /pə zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a place where someone or something is 쑗 From his position on the roof he can see the whole of the street. 쑗 The ship’s last known position was 200 miles east of Bermuda. 2. a job 쑗 The sales manager has a key position in the firm. 쑗 He’s going to apply for a position as manager. 쑗 We have several positions vacant. 3. a situation or state of affairs 쑗 What is the company’s cash position? 4. 왍 to be in a position to do something to be able to do something 쑗 I am not in a position to answer your question at this point in time. 쐽 verb to put or place someone or something in a position 쑗 She positioned herself near the exit. ② positive / pɒztv/ adj 1. meaning ‘yes’ 쑗 a positive answer Antonym negative 2. certain or sure 쑗 I’m positive I put the key in my pocket. 쑗 Are you positive he said six o’clock? 3. plus, more than zero 쑗 a positive quantity Antonym negative 4. (in a test) showing that something is there 쑗 The cancer test was positive. Antonym negative 쐽 noun a photograph printed from a negative, where the light and dark appear as they are in nature positively / pɒztvli/ adv absolutely posse / pɒsi/ noun 1. especially US a group of armed men or police 쑗 The sheriff organised a posse to hunt down the outlaws. 2. a group of people 쑗 A posse of TV reporters followed them to their hotel. ③ possess /pə zes/ verb 1. to own 쑗 They possess several farms in the south of the country. 쑗 He lost all he possessed in the fire. 2. to occupy someone’s mind and influence their behaviour 쑗 She was possessed by fear when she realised the baby wasn’t breathing. 왍 what possessed him to do it? post why on earth did he do it? 3. (of an evil spirit) to control someone in mind and body possessed /pə zest/ adj controlled by an evil spirit 왍 like a man possessed like a madman 쑗 He was driving like a man possessed. ③ possession /pə zeʃ(ə)n/ noun ownership 쑗 When he couldn’t keep up the mortgage payments the bank took possession of the house. 왍 in someone’s possession being held by someone 쑗 The jewellery came into my possession when my mother died. possessions /pə zeʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun things which you own possessive /pə zesv/ adj treating someone or something as if he or she owns him, her or it 쑗 His girlfriend’s very possessive and hates it when he goes out with his mates. 쑗 He gets very possessive about his gold pen and won’t let anyone else use it. possessive pronoun /pəzesv prəυnaυn/ noun (in grammar ) a pronoun e.g. ‘his’ or ‘my’, which indicates possession ② possibility /pɒs blti/ noun the fact of being likely to happen 쑗 Is there any possibility of getting a ticket to the show? 쑗 There is always the possibility that the plane will be early. 쑗 There is no possibility of the bank lending us any more money. 왍 the plan has possibilities the plan may well work ① possible / pɒsb(ə)l/ adj 1. able to be done 쑗 She agreed the changes were possible. 2. able to be or happen but not certain 쑗 That field is a possible site for the factory. 쑗 It is possible that the plane has been delayed. 3. used with a superlative for emphasis 쑗 A bicycle is the cheapest possible way of getting round the town. 왍 as...as possible used for emphasis 쑗 Please do it as quickly as possible. 쑗 I want to go as far away as possible for my holiday. 쑗 They will need as much time as possible to finish the job. ① possibly / pɒsbli/ adv 1. perhaps 쑗 The meeting will possibly finish late. 쑗 January had possibly the worst snowstorms we have ever seen. 2. used with ‘can’ or ‘can’t’ to make a phrase stronger 쑗 You can’t possibly eat twenty-two pancakes! 쑗 How can you possibly expect me to do all that work in one day? ① post /pəυst/ noun 1. a long piece of wood or metal put in the ground 쑗 The fence is attached to concrete posts. 쑗 His shot hit the post. 2. a job 쑗 He applied for a post in the sales department. 쑗 We have three posts vacant. 쑗 They advertised the post in ‘The Times’. 3. letters and parcels sent 쑗 The morning post comes around nine o’clock. 쑗 There were no cheques in this morning’s post. 쑗 Has the post arrived yet? 왍 to open the post to open the envelopes and parcels which have arrived 쑗 She usually opens the . post- 649 post before the rest of the staff arrive. 4. the system of sending letters and parcels 쑗 It is easier to send the parcel by post than to deliver it by hand. 5. a place where a sentry is on duty 쑗 He was accused of having left his post. 6. a small settlement far from civilisation 쑗 He was sent to a little trading post in the north of Canada. 7. 왍 the last post a bugle call to commemorate the dead 쐽 verb 1. to send a letter or parcel 쑗 Don’t forget to post your Christmas cards. 쑗 The letter should have arrived by now – we posted it ten days ago. 왍 to keep someone posted to keep someone informed 쑗 Please keep us posted about your holiday arrangements. 2. to send someone to another place, often overseas, to work 쑗 He was posted to an air base in East Anglia. 쑗 She has been posted overseas. (NOTE: Referring to the postal services, American English only uses mail where British English uses both mail and post.) post- /pəυst/ prefix later than or after 쑗 post-Christmas sales 쑗 post-holiday gloom postage / pəυstdȢ/ noun money which you pay to send something by post postage stamp / pəυstdȢ stmp/ noun a piece of paper which you buy and stick on a letter or parcel to pay for it to be sent on by the post office ③ postal / pəυst(ə)l/ adj referring to the post postal ballot / pəυst(ə)l blət/ noun an election where the votes are sent by post postal order / pəυst(ə)l ɔ də/ noun a paper which you can buy for sending small amounts of money through the post postal vote / pəυst(ə)l vəυt/ noun 1. same as postal ballot 쑗 The result of the postal vote will be known next week. 2. a vote which a voter sends in by post 쑗 I’ve applied to have a postal vote. postbag / pəυstbDZ/ noun letters sent, e.g. to a radio programme, TV show or MP ③ postbox / pəυstbɒks/ noun a box into which you can put letters, which will then be collected and sent on by the post office ③ postcard / pəυstkɑ d/ noun a piece of card often with a picture on one side, which you send to someone with a short message on it ③ postcode / pəυstkəυd/ noun a system of letters or numbers to indicate a town or street in an address, to help with the sorting of mail (NOTE: The US term is zip code.) postdate /pəυst det/ verb to put a date on a cheque which is later than the day on which you actually write it ③ poster / pəυstə/ noun a large notice, picture or advertisement stuck on a wall posterity /pɒ sterti/ noun the generations which will follow this one ③ postulate poster paints / pəυstə pents/ plural noun water paints in bright colours, often used by children postgraduate /pəυst DZrdȢυət/ noun a person who has a first degree from a university and who is studying for a further degree 쑗 He’s taking a postgraduate course in physics. posthumous / pɒstjυməs/ adj after death. Synonym subsequent 왍 posthumous son or daughter a son or daughter born after his or her father’s death posthumously / pɒstjυməsli/ adv after death posting / pəυstŋ/ noun a new job with the same organisation, for which you have to move to a different country or district. Synonym placement Post-it / pəυst t/ trademark a small piece of gummed coloured paper which you can write a note on and stick onto something postman / pəυstmən/ noun a person who delivers letters to houses (NOTE: The plural is postmen. The US term is mailman.) postmark / pəυstmɑ k/ noun a mark stamped on a letter to show when and where it was posted 쑗 a letter with a London postmark 쑗 You can see from the postmark that it was posted two weeks ago. Synonym date stamp 쐽 verb to stamp a letter with a postmark 쑗 The letter had been postmarked in New York. Synonym frank post mortem /pəυst mɔ təm/ adj after death; trying to find out the cause of death 쑗 a post-mortem examination 쐽 noun 1. the examination of a corpse to find out the cause of death 쑗 The post mortem revealed that she had been poisoned. 2. an examination of something which has happened 쑗 The government is carrying out a post mortem on the result of the elections. Abbr PM postnatal /pəυst net(ə)l/ adj which happens after childbirth post office / pəυst ɒfs/ noun a place which deals with the collection and delivery of letters and parcels postpaid /pəυst ped/ adj with postage paid by the sender postpone /pəυs pəυn/ verb to put something back to a later date or time. Synonym delay. Antonym bring forward postponement /pəυs pəυnmənt/ noun the act of putting something off until later. Synonym delay postulate / pɒstjυlet/ (formal ) noun a statement upon which a theory is based 쑗 The postulate that the Earth was round was in the end accepted as correct. 쑗 The postulate on which the argument is based is demonstrably false. 쐽 verb to suppose that . posture 650 something is true 쑗 He postulated that the Earth was round. posture / pɒstʃə/ noun a way of sitting or standing 쑗 She does exercises to improve her posture. Synonym bearing 쐽 verb to take up a particular position for effect 쑗 He was posturing in front of the cameras. postwar /pəυst wɔ / adj referring to the period after a war posy / pəυzi/ noun a small bunch of flowers (NOTE: The plural is posies.) ② pot /pɒt/ noun 1. a glass or china container, usually without a handle 쑗 The plant is too big – it needs a bigger pot. 쑗 She made ten pots of strawberry jam. 쑗 Can we have a pot of tea for two, please? 쏡 teapot 2. 왍 pots of money lots of money (informal ) 쑗 Ask him to pay – he’s got pots of money. 3. marijuana, a drug made from hemp 쑗 He started smoking pot when he was at university. 쐽 verb 1. to put a plant into a pot 쑗 She potted the geraniums. 2. (in billiards) to send a ball into one of the pockets 쑗 He potted the black to win the match. (NOTE: potting – potted) potash / pɒtʃ/ noun potassium salts used as a fertiliser potassium /pə tsiəm/ noun soft metal found in rocks, essential to biological life ② potato /pə tetəυ/ noun a common white root vegetable which grows under the ground 쑗 boiled potatoes 쑗 mashed potatoes 쑗 roast potatoes 쑗 Do you want any more potatoes? 쑗 We’re having roast lamb and potatoes for Sunday lunch. 왍 to look like a sack of potatoes to be badly dressed, with clothes bulging out 쑗 This dress makes me look like a sack of potatoes. potato chips /pə tetəυ tʃps/ plural noun potatoes cut into sticks and fried in deep fat or oil potato crisps /pə tetəυ krsps/ plural noun thin slices of potato fried until they are hard, served as a snack with drinks (NOTE: . The US term is chips.) potato peeler /pə tetəυ pi lə/ noun same as peeler potato skins /pə tetəυ sknz/ plural noun skins of potatoes, cooked until crisp and filled with cream cheese or other fillings potency / pəυt(ə)nsi/ noun strength. Antonym weakness potent / pəυt(ə)nt/ adj 1. which has a strong effect 쑗 Don’t drink too much of that beer – it’s terribly potent. 쑗 People don’t realise how potent these drugs are. 2. powerful 쑗 This is a potent argument in favour of the ban on fox hunting. ② potential /pə tenʃəl/ adj possible 쑗 He’s a potential world champion. 쑗 The potential profits from the deal are enormous. 왍 a potential customer or winner a person who poultry could be a customer or a winner 쐽 noun 1. the possibility of developing into something useful or valuable 쑗 The discovery has enormous potential. 쑗 She doesn’t have much experience, but she has a lot of potential. 쑗 The whole area has great potential for economic growth. 2. (in physics) the difference in voltage between two parts of an electric circuit pothole / pɒthəυl/ noun 1. a hole in a road surface 쑗 The council still hasn’t filled in the potholes in our street. 2. a deep hole in rock worn away by water 쑗 They were exploring a pothole in the Mendip Hills. potholer / pɒthəυlə/ noun a person who goes potholing potholing / pɒthəυlŋ/ noun the sport of exploring potholes in rock potion / pəυʃ(ə)n/ noun a liquid mixture of medicine (dated ) potluck /pɒt lk/ noun 왍 to take potluck to take whatever comes, with no possibility of choosing anything different potshot / pɒtʃɒt/ noun 왍 to take a potshot at someone to try to shoot someone without aiming properly (informal ) potted / pɒtd/ adj 1. which grows in a plant pot 쑗 a potted plant 2. which has been preserved in a pot 쑗 potted meat potter / pɒtə/ noun a person who makes pots out of clay 쑗 a potter’s wheel 쑗 The potter makes cups and bowls to sell in craft shops. 쐽 verb 왍 to potter about not to do anything in particular or to do little jobs here and there 쑗 He spent Saturday morning pottering about in the garden. ③ pottery / pɒtəri/ noun 1. a workshop or factory where pots are made 쑗 There are several local potteries where you can buy dishes. 쑗 I bought this vase from the pottery where it was made. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is potteries.) 2. objects, e.g. pots and plates, made of clay 쑗 There’s a man in the market who sells local pottery. 쑗 She brought me some Spanish pottery as a present. 3. the art of making pots 쑗 She’s taking a pottery course at college. potty / pɒti/ noun a small pot where a young child can urinate or defecate 쐽 adj mad (informal ) Synonym foolish. Antonym . . . sensible (NOTE: pottier – pottiest) pouch /paυtʃ/ noun 1. a small bag for car- rying small objects such as coins 쑗 She carried the ring in a small leather pouch round her neck. 2. a bag in the skin in front of marsupials such as kangaroos, where the young are carried 쑗 The kangaroo carries its young in its pouch. (NOTE: The plural is pouches.) poultry / pəυltri/ noun common farm birds such as ducks or hens, reared for eggs or to be eaten pounce 651 pounce /paυns/ noun a sudden attack by jumping on something 쑗 In one quick pounce the cat caught the mouse. 쐽 verb 왍 to pounce on something to jump on something 쑗 The cat was waiting in the bushes, ready to pounce on any bird that came by. 쑗 He pounced on the mistake I’d made. ① pound /paυnd/ noun 1. a measure of weight, equal to about 450 grams (NOTE: pound is usually written lb after figures: It weighs 26lbs.; Take 6lbs of sugar : say ‘twenty-six pounds, six pounds’.) 2. the money used in Britain and several other countries 쑗 He tried to pay for his bus ticket with a £20 note (twenty-pound note). 쑗 He earns more than six pounds an hour. 쑗 The price of the car is over £50,000 (fifty thousand pounds). (NOTE: pound is usually written £ before figures: £20, £6,000: say . ‘twenty pounds, six thousand pounds’. With the word note, pound is singular: twenty pounds but a twenty-pound note.) 3. a place where illegally parked cars are taken 쑗 He had to go to the police pound to get his car back. Compare impound 쐽 verb 1. to smash something into little pieces 쑗 The ship was pounded to pieces by heavy waves. 2. to hit something hard 쑗 He pounded the table with his fist. 3. to run or walk heavily 쑗 The policeman pounded along after the bank robbers. 쑗 He pounded up the stairs. 4. (of someone’s heart) to beat fast 쑗 Her heart was pounding as she opened the door. pound sterling /paυnd st" lŋ/ noun the official term for the British currency ② pour /pɔ / verb 1. to make a liquid flow 쑗 The waiter poured water all over the table. 쑗 He poured the wine into the glasses. 쑗 She poured water down his neck as a joke. 2. to make something flow like a liquid 쑗 He poured the sand into the bag. 3. to flow out or down 쑗 Clouds of smoke poured out of the house. 쑗 There was a sudden bang and smoke poured out of the engine. 4. 왍 to pour with rain to rain very hard 쑗 It poured with rain all afternoon. 왍 it never rains but it pours troubles or problems never come one at a time, but several together (informal ) ③ pour down / pɔ daυn/ verb to rain very hard pout /paυt/ noun a sulky expression in which your bottom lip sticks out 쑗 The smile turned into a pout when she realised she wasn’t going to get her way. 쐽 verb to make a sulky expression with your lips 쑗 When she pouts she looks very sexy. ③ poverty / pɒvəti/ noun 1. the fact of being poor 쑗 He lost all his money and died in poverty. 쑗 Poverty can drive people to crime. 2. 왍 the poverty of something the very small amount of something (formal ) 쑗 The . . power drill poverty of our resources means that we are dependent on outside funds. poverty line / pɒvəti lan/ noun an amount of money which you need to buy the basic necessities poverty-stricken /pɒvəti strkən/ adj very poor, having very little money POW abbr prisoner of war powder / paυdə/ noun a substance like flour with very small dry grains 쑗 to grind something to powder 쑗 The drug is available in the form of a white powder. 쐽 verb to put face powder on something 쑗 She was powdering her cheeks. 왍 to powder your nose (of a woman) to go to the toilet 쑗 Can you wait a minute? — I’m just going to powder my nose. powdered / paυdəd/ adj dried and made into powder. Synonym ground. Antonym whole powder puff / paυdə pf/ noun a small pad with which you put powder on your face powder room / paυdə ru m/ noun a women’s toilet in a public place, e.g. a restaurant or shop powdery / paυd(ə)ri/ adj fine and dry, like powder ① power / paυə/ noun 1. the ability to control people or happenings 쑗 He is the official leader, but his wife has all the real power. 쑗 I haven’t the power or it isn’t in my power to ban the demonstration. 왍 the full power of the law the full force of the law 2. a driving force 쑗 They use the power of the waves to generate electricity. 쑗 The engine is driven by steam power. 3. electricity used to drive machines or devices 쑗 Turn off the power before you try to repair the TV set. 4. political control 쑗 The socialists came to power in 1997. 쑗 During the period when he was in power the country’s economy was ruined. 5. an important powerful country 쑗 China is one of the great powers. 6. (in mathematics) the number of times one number is multiplied by itself 쑗 3 to the power 4 (NOTE: written 34) 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to be powered by something or someone to be driven by something or someone 쑗 Powered by two Olympic oarsmen, the boat raced across the lake. 2. to move fast 쑗 With its huge outboard motor the boat powered through the water. power base / paυə bes/ noun a group or area which supports a politician powerboat / paυəbəυt/ noun a boat which has a powerful engine, used for racing power cut / paυə kt/ noun same as power failure power drill / paυə drl/ noun a powerful electric drill -powered 652 -powered /paυəd/ suffix driven or worked by a certain type of energy power failure / paυə feljə/ noun a breakdown in electricity supplies ② powerful / paυəf(ə)l/ adj 1. very strong 쑗 This model has a more powerful engine. 쑗 The treasurer is the most powerful person in the organisation. 쑗 The raft was swept away by the powerful current. 쑗 This is the most powerful personal computer on the market. 2. which has a strong effect 쑗 The film is a powerful drama set in Russia. powerhouse / paυəhaυs/ noun a person, place or thing that is full of energy and very productive (informal ) powerless / paυələs/ adj unable to do anything because of not having any power or authority. Synonym helpless power line / paυə lan/ noun a cable carrying electric current power of attorney /paυər əv ə t" ni/ noun a written document, which gives someone power to act on behalf of someone else power point / paυə pɔnt/ noun an electric socket in a wall power-sharing / paυə ʃeərŋ/ noun the practice of sharing the powers and responsibilities of government between different parties (NOTE: no plural) power shower / paυə ʃaυə/ noun a strong shower driven by an electric pump power station / paυə steʃ(ə)n/, power plant / paυə plɑ nt/ noun a factory where electricity is produced power steering / paυə stərŋ/ noun steering in a car, which is powered by the engine power tool / paυə tu l/ noun a powerful electrical tool pp abbr pages ③ PR abbr public relations practicability /prktkə blti/ noun the fact of being able to be put into practice. Synonym feasibility. Antonym impossibility practicable / prktkəb(ə)l/ adj which can be done or can be put into practice. Synonym feasible ② practical / prktk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to practice and action rather than ideas 쑗 She needs some practical experience. 쑗 He passed the practical exam but failed the theory. 쑗 I need some practical advice on how to build a wall. 2. possible or sensible 쑗 It isn’t practical to plug the computer into the same socket as the TV. 쑗 Has anyone got a more practical suggestion to make? 쑗 You need practical clothing for camping. 쑗 We must be practical and not try anything too ambitious. 쐽 noun an examination or test to show how well someone can work in practice . prairie She passed the written test but failed the practical. practicality /prkt klti/ noun 1. a way in which something works in practice 쑗 We haven’t yet got down to discussing the practicalities of selling the shop. 2. a way in which something is practical or possible 쑗 I have doubts about the practicality of the scheme. practical joke /prktk(ə)l dȢəυk/ noun a trick played on someone to make other people laugh ② practically / prktkli/ adv 1. almost 쑗 Practically all the students passed the test. 쑗 The summer is practically over. 쑗 His suit is such a dark grey it is practically black. 2. in a practical way 쑗 We must try to solve the problem practically. ① practice / prkts/ noun 1. the act of actually doing something, as opposed to thinking about it or planning it 왍 to put something into practice to apply or use something 쑗 I hope soon to be able to put some of my ideas into practice. 왍 in practice when actually done 쑗 The plan seems very interesting, but what will it cost in practice? 2. a repeated exercise 쑗 You need more practice before you’re ready to enter the competition. 쑗 He’s at football practice this evening. 쑗 The cars make several practice runs before the race. 왍 out of practice not able to do something because of not having done it recently 쑗 I used to be able to play quite well, but I’m a bit out of practice. 3. 왍 medical or dental or legal practice a business of a doctor, dentist or lawyer 쑗 There are three doctors in this practice. 쐽 verb US spelling of 쑗 practise practise / prkts/ verb 1. to do repeated exercises 쑗 He’s practising catching and throwing. 2. to carry on a job as a doctor, dentist or lawyer 쑗 He’s officially retired but still practises part-time. (NOTE: [all senses] ① The US spelling is practice.) practised / prktst/ adj skilful at doing something because you have had a lot of practice (NOTE: The US spelling is practiced.) ③ practitioner /prk tʃ(ə)nə/ noun a person who does a skilled job. Synonym doctor pragmatic /prDZ mtk/ adj dealing with facts or practical matters, not concerned with theories. Antonym idealistic pragmatism / prDZmətz(ə)m/ noun the practice of adopting a practical approach to a problem. Antonym idealism prairie / preəri/ noun an area of grass-covered plain in North America, mainly without trees, where most of the world’s grain is produced praise 653 praise /prez/ noun admiration, the fact of showing approval 쑗 The rescue team earned the praise of the survivors. 왍 to sing the praises of someone to praise someone all the time 쑗 She’s always singing the praises of the new vicar. 쐽 verb to express strong approval of something or someone 쑗 The mayor praised the firemen for their efforts in putting out the fire. praiseworthy / prezw" ði/ adj which should be praised. Synonym admirable. Antonym blameworthy pram /prm/ noun a light carriage for pushing a baby in (NOTE: The US term is baby carriage. In British English, for slightly older children who can sit up, it is also called a buggy or pushchair.) prance /prɑ ns/ verb to jump about, to move fast and lightly. Synonym swagger prank /prŋk/ noun a trick 왍 to play a prank on someone to play a trick on someone 쑗 The students played a prank on their teacher. prattle / prtl/ verb to chatter a lot about things which aren’t important prawn /prɔ n/ noun a shellfish like a large shrimp ③ pray /pre/ verb to speak to God, asking for something 쑗 Farmers prayed for rain. 왍 to pray for someone to ask God to protect someone 쑗 We pray for the children from the village, missing in the mountains. 쐽 adv please (dated ) 왍 pray be seated please sit down ③ prayer /preə/ noun the act of speaking to God 쑗 She says her prayers every night before going to bed. 쑗 They said prayers for the sick. pre- /pri / prefix before 쑗 the pre-Christmas rush 쑗 We have been invited for pre-lunch drinks. preach /pri tʃ/ verb 1. to give a sermon in church 쑗 She preached to a packed congregation about the need for tolerance. 왍 to preach to the converted to try to convince people of something when they already know about it 쑗 It’s a waste of time telling us about the advantages of using computers – you’re just preaching to the converted. 2. to recommend or advise something 쑗 The government is preaching the wisdom of saving. preacher / pri tʃə/ noun a person who gives a sermon in church preamble /pri mb(ə)l/ noun remarks made at the beginning of something, e.g. a speech or treaty. Synonym introduction precarious /pr keəriəs/ adj not safe, likely to fall off or to fail precariously /pr keəriəsli/ adv in an unsafe way . precipitation precaution /pr kɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun care taken in advance to avoid something unpleasant. Synonym protection precautionary /pr kɔ ʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj 왍 as a precautionary measure in order to avoid something unpleasant 쑗 We lock the doors at night as a precautionary measure. ③ precede /pr si d/ verb to take place before something precedence / presd(ə)ns/ noun 왍 to take precedence over someone or something to be more important than someone or something, when considered as part of a hierarchy 쑗 Presidents take precedence over prime ministers. ③ precedent / presd(ə)nt/ noun a thing which has happened before, and which can be a guide as to what should be done. Synonym example ③ preceding /pr si dŋ/ adj which comes before something. Synonym previous. Antonym following ③ precinct / pri sŋkt/ noun US an administrative district in a town 쑗 the 16th precinct ③ (NOTE: The British term is ward.) precious / preʃəs/ adj 1. worth a lot of money 2. of great value to someone 쑗 All her precious photographs were saved from the fire. 쑗 The memories of that holiday are very precious to me. 3. which you don’t think is valuable 쑗 She can’t talk about anything except her precious boyfriend. 쑗 Do you think I’m interested in you and your precious car? 쐽 adv very 쑗 He has precious little money left to spend. precious metal /preʃəs met(ə)l/ noun a metal such as gold, which is worth a lot of money precious stone /preʃəs stəυn/ noun a stone such as a diamond, which is rare and very valuable precipice / presps/ noun a high cliff on the side of a mountain, not usually near the sea precipitate verb /pr sptet/ 1. to make something happen suddenly 쑗 The assassination precipitated a political crisis. 2. to settle at the bottom of a liquid 쑗 The crystals precipitate at the bottom of the flask. 3. to make someone fall or drop suddenly 쑗 The pram tipped over, precipitating the baby into the ditch. 쐽 adj /pr sptət/ rushed or hurried (formal ) 쑗 Their decision to marry seems a bit precipitate. 쐽 noun /pr sptət/ a substance which settles at the bottom of a liquid 쑗 The precipitate begins to form as soon as the reagent is added. precipitation /prsp teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a quantity of rain, snow, etc., which falls on a certain place 쑗 The north-west of the country experienced higher precipitation than nor. precipitous 654 mal. 2. a great hurry 쑗 They accused him of acting with too much precipitation. precipitous /pr sptəs/ adj very steep précis / presi / noun a summary of the main points of a text 쑗 I made a précis of the report for my boss. Synonym summary (NOTE: The plural is précis / presi z/.) 쐽 verb to make a summary of a text 쑗 Can you précis this report on global warming for me? Synonym summarise ③ precise /pr sas/ adj exact 쑗 We need to know the precise measurements of the box. 쑗 At that precise moment my father walked in. 쑗 Can you be more precise about what the men looked like? ② precisely /pr sasli/ adv 1. exactly 쑗 The train arrived at 12.00 precisely. 쑗 I don’t know precisely when it was, but it was about three months ago. 쑗 How, precisely, do you expect me to cope with all this work? 2. (showing agreement) quite correct 쑗 ‘You felt he was making a mistake?’ – ‘Precisely!’ precision /pr sȢ(ə)n/ noun accuracy preclude /pr klu d/ verb to prevent something taking place (formal ) Antonym permit precocious /pr kəυʃəs/ adj (of a child ) surprisingly advanced for its age preconceived /pri kən si vd/ adj 왍 to have a preconceived idea about something or someone to have an idea about something or someone which is formed in advance preconception /pri kən sepʃən/ noun an idea which is formed in advance, without the benefit of information or experience. Synonym prejudice precondition /pri kən dʃ(ə)n/ noun a condition which is set in advance precursor /pr k" sə/ noun a thing which leads to something more important. Synonym forerunner. Antonym successor predate /pri det/ verb to come before something in time ③ predator / predətə/ noun an animal which kills and eats other animals. Synonym . . marauder predatory / predət(ə)ri/ adj 1. referring to a predator 쑗 Predatory animals such as foxes eat other animals and birds. 쑗 The cat’s predatory instincts came out when she caught a mouse. 2. (of a business) which is trying to ruin another business predecease /pri d si s/ verb to die before someone else ③ predecessor / pri dsesə/ noun a person who has held the same job, etc., before you. Synonym precursor. Antonym successor predestination /pri dest neʃ(ə)n/ noun the idea that the fate of everyone is decided in advance by God preface predestined /pri destnd/ adj whose fate has been decided in advance. Synonym fated predetermine /pri d t" mn/ verb to decide something in advance predicament /pr dkəmənt/ noun trouble or a difficult situation. Synonym difficulty predicate noun / predkət/ (in grammar ) a statement about the subject 쐽 verb / predket/ to base a supposition on something (formal ) ③ predict /pr dkt/ verb to foretell something or tell in advance what will happen 쑗 The weather forecasters have predicted rain. 쑗 He predicted correctly that the deal would not last. 쑗 Everything happened exactly as I had predicted. Synonym forecast predictable /pr dktəb(ə)l/ adj which could be predicted predictably /pr dktəbli/ adv in a way which could have been predicted prediction /pr dkʃən/ noun an instance of foretelling something. Synonym forecast predilection /pri d lekʃən/ noun a special liking for something (formal ) Synonym . . . liking predispose /pri d spəυz/ verb to make someone favour something in advance (formal ) Synonym incline predisposition /pri dspə zʃ(ə)n/ noun the fact of being predisposed. Synonym . tendency predominant /pr dɒmnənt/ adj most striking or obvious. Synonym main. Antonym minor predominantly /pr dɒmnəntli/ adv mainly. Antonym partially predominate /pr dɒmnet/ verb to be more powerful than others preeminence /pri emnəns/ noun the fact of being preeminent preeminent /pri emnənt/ adj excellent, much better than everything else pre-empt /pri empt/ verb to get an advantage over someone by doing something quickly before anyone else. Synonym forestall. Antonym react preen /pri n/ verb (of a bird ) to smooth its feathers 왍 to preen yourself to smarten yourself up prefabricated /pri fbrketd/ adj (of a building) built from sections which are easy to put together preface / prefəs/ noun the text at the beginning of a book, after the title page, in which the author introduces the book and thanks people for helping make it 쑗 She explains in a preface what motivated her to write the book. Compare foreword 쐽 verb to write or say something before the main part . prefect 655 of the text 쑗 He prefaced his article with a quotation from Dickens. Synonym prefix prefect / pri fekt/ noun 1. an older school pupil chosen to be in charge of others 쑗 The prefects help to maintain discipline in the school. 2. a high official 쑗 the Prefect of Police ② prefer /pr f" / verb 왍 to prefer something to something to like one thing better than another 쑗 I prefer butter to margarine. 쑗 She prefers walking to going on the Underground. 쑗 We went to the pub, but she preferred to stay at home and watch TV. 쑗 I’d prefer not to go to Germany this summer. preferable / pref(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj which you would prefer. Synonym better. Antonym inferior preferably / pref(ə)rəbli/ adv if possible ③ preference / pref(ə)rəns/ noun a liking for one thing more than another 쑗 The receptionist asked him if he had any preference for a room with a view. 쑗 The children all showed a marked preference for chocolate ice cream. preferential /prefə renʃəl/ adj showing that one person or thing is preferred to another. Synonym special. Antonym disadvantageous ③ prefix / pri fks/ noun a part of a word put in front of another to form a new word. Antonym suffix (NOTE: The plural is prefixes.) pregnancy / preDZnənsi/ noun the state of being pregnant pregnant / preDZnənt/ adj 1. carrying an unborn child 쑗 Don’t carry heavy weights when you’re pregnant. 쑗 She hasn’t told her family yet that she’s pregnant. 쑗 We have a pregnant girl in our class. 2. 왍 a pregnant pause a pause while everyone waits for someone to say something 쑗 Martha’s extraordinary announcement was followed by a pregnant pause. preheat /pri hi t/ verb to make an oven hot before putting something to cook in it. Synonym heat. Antonym cool prehistoric /pri h stɒrk/ adj belonging to the time before there was a written history prehistory /pri hst(ə)ri/ noun the time before written history started prejudge /pri dȢdȢ/ verb to judge something or someone without hearing all the facts prejudice / predȢυds/ noun a usually unjust feeling against someone or a preference for one person or thing over another 쑗 The committee was accused of prejudice against older candidates. 쐽 verb to make someone have less friendly feelings towards someone or something. Synonym influence ③ premiership prejudiced / predȢυdst/ adj unfairly biased against someone. Antonym tolerant prejudicial /predȢυ dʃ(ə)l/ adj which could harm someone or something. Synonym harmful. Antonym helpful prelate / prelət/ noun a person of high rank in the Catholic or Anglican Church. Synonym archbishop preliminaries /pr lmn(ə)riz/ plural noun things which have to be done before something can take place preliminary /pr lmn(ə)ri/ adj which goes before something 쑗 The executive committee will hold a preliminary meeting the day before the conference opens. 쑗 This is only the preliminary report – the main report will be published later. Synonym initial. Antonym closing 쐽 noun something which is done as a preparation for something else. Synonym beginning. Antonym finale prelude / prelju d/ noun 1. something which takes place before something more important 쑗 Putting tanks near the border is a prelude to a full-scale invasion. 2. a short introductory piece of music on one theme 쑗 a prelude by Bach premarital /pri mrt(ə)l/ adj before marriage premature / premətʃə/ adj 1. which happens before the right time 쑗 Celebrating victory before the votes have been counted is a little premature. 쑗 This can be a cause of premature death. 2. (of a baby) born less than nine months after conception 쑗 Little John was six weeks premature and only weighed three pounds when he was born. prematurely / premətʃυəli/ adv before the right time premeditated /pri medtetd/ adj (of a crime) planned before it is committed premenstrual syndrome /pri menstruəl sndrəυm/, premenstrual tension /pri menstruəl tenʃən/ noun pain and a feeling of being more emotional than usual, which some women have before their monthly period premier / premiə/ noun a prime minister or head of government 쑗 The French premier is visiting London. 쐽 adj first or most important 쑗 The town advertises itself as Britain’s premier holiday resort. Synonym best. Antonym worst première / premieə/ noun the first performance of something, e.g. a film or a play premiership / premiəʃp/ noun 1. the time when someone is prime minister 쑗 The introduction of income tax was the most important event of his premiership. 2. a premier league, the group of top football clubs who play against each other 쑗 a premiership match premise 656 ③ premise / prems/ noun an assumption, a thing which you assume to be true ③ premises / premsz/ plural noun a building and the land it stands on 쑗 Smoking is not allowed on the premises. 쑗 There is a doctor on the premises at all times. premium / pri miəm/ noun 1. an amount paid for an insurance policy 쑗 The house insurance premium has to be paid this month. 쑗 We pay a monthly premium of £5. 2. 왍 at a premium scarce, and therefore valuable 쑗 Fresh vegetables were at a premium during the winter months. 왍 to put a premium on something to show that something is useful or valuable 쑗 Employers put a premium on staff who can speak good English. 3. a bonus 쑗 They pay a premium for work completed ahead of schedule. premonition /premə nʃ(ə)n/ noun a feeling that something is going to happen prenatal /pri net(ə)l/ adj referring to pregnancy ③ preoccupation /pri ɒkjυ peʃ(ə)n/ noun the only thing you think about preoccupied /pri ɒkjυpad/ adj worried and thinking only about one thing. Antonym carefree prep /prep/ noun 1. homework (informal ) 쑗 . The boys aren’t allowed out until they’ve finished their prep. 2. the process of getting a patient ready for an operation 쑗 The prep is finished, so the patient can be taken to the operating theatre. ② preparation /prepə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of getting ready 쑗 The preparations for the wedding went on for months. 쑗 We’ve completed our preparations and now we’re ready to start. 왍 in preparation for something to get ready for something 쑗 She bought a hat in preparation for the wedding. 2. a substance which has been mixed 쑗 a chemical preparation preparatory /pr prət(ə)ri/ adj 1. which prepares someone for something 쑗 This is a preparatory course in Chinese for beginners. 2. 왍 preparatory to something before or leading up to something (formal ) 쑗 He’s undergoing training preparatory to taking up a managerial position. preparatory school /pr prət(ə)ri sku l/ noun a private school for children up to the age of 13 (formal ) ① prepare /pr peə/ verb 1. to get something ready 쑗 We have prepared the hall for the school play. 쑗 I have some friends coming to dinner and I haven’t prepared the meal. 2. to get ready for something 쑗 He is preparing for his exam. 쑗 You’d better prepare yourself for some bad news. ① prepared /pr peəd/ adj 1. ready 쑗 Be prepared, you may get quite a shock. 쑗 Six people are coming to dinner and I’ve got . . present nothing prepared. 2. 왍 prepared to do something willing to do something 쑗 They are prepared to sell the house if necessary. 왍 prepared for something ready for something 쑗 She wasn’t really prepared for her exam. 쑗 The country is prepared for an invasion. preparedness /pr peərdnəs/ noun the fact of being prepared for something. Synonym readiness preponderance /pr pɒnd(ə)rəns/ noun a greater number of one type of people or things than any other in a group. Synonym majority preposition /prepə zʃ(ə)n/ noun a word used with a noun or pronoun as its object to show place or time preposterous /pr pɒst(ə)rəs/ adj silly or absurd. Synonym outrageous. Antonym ③ sensible prep school / prep sku l/ noun a preparatory school (informal ) . prerequisite /pri rekwəzt/ noun a thing which you must have before you can do something. Synonym precondition prerogative /pr rɒDZətv/ noun a special right belonging to one person or group preschool / pri sku l/ adj before normal school. Synonym young prescribe /pr skrab/ verb 1. to order that something should be done 쑗 Three days’ notice has been given, as prescribed by law. 쑗 We have to study two prescribed texts for our exam. 2. (of a doctor ) to tell someone to use something 쑗 He prescribed a course of injections. 쑗 She prescribed some antibiotics. ③ prescription /pr skrpʃən/ noun an order written by a doctor to a pharmacist asking for a drug to be prepared and sold to a patient 왍 available on prescription available from a chemist only when prescribed by a doctor 쑗 This medicine is only available on prescription. prescriptive /pr skrptv/ adj which prescribes something. Synonym narrow. Antonym lax ② presence / prez(ə)ns/ noun 1. the fact of being present 쑗 The presence of both his wives in court was noted. 쑗 Your presence is requested at a meeting of the committee on June 23rd. 왍 in someone’s presence when someone is near 쑗 She actually said that in my presence. 쑗 He slapped her face in the presence of witnesses. 2. an effect you have on other people 쑗 The general has a commanding presence. presence of mind /prez(ə)ns əv mand/ noun common sense, calmness and the ability to act quickly ① present noun / prez(ə)nt/ 1. a thing which you give to someone as a gift 쑗 I got a . presentable 657 watch as a Christmas present. 쑗 How many birthday presents did you get? 쑗 The office gave her a present when she got married. 2. the time we are in now 쑗 The novel is set in the present. 왍 at present now 쑗 The hotel still has some vacancies at present. 왍 for the present for now 쑗 That will be enough for the present. 3. the form of a verb showing that the action is happening now 쑗 The present of the verb ‘to go’ is ‘he goes’ or ‘he is going’. 쐽 adj / prez(ə)nt/ 1. being there when something happens 쑗 How many people were present at the meeting? 2. at the time we are in now 쑗 What is his present address? 쐽 verb /pr zent/ 1. to give something formally to someone as a present 쑗 When he retired after thirty years, the firm presented him with a large clock. 2. to introduce a show on TV or radio 쑗 She’s presenting a programme on gardening. 3. 왍 to present yourself to go to a place 쑗 He was asked to present himself at the police station the next morning. presentable /pr zentəb(ə)l/ adj clean and tidy, suitable to appear in public ② presentation /prez(ə)n teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of giving something to someone 쑗 The chairman will make the presentation to the retiring sales manager. 2. the demonstration of a proposed plan 쑗 The distribution company made a presentation of the services they could offer. ③ present-day /prez(ə)nt de/ adj modern. Synonym contemporary. Antonym past presenter /pr zentə/ noun a person who presents a TV or radio show. Synonym ③ announcer presently / prez(ə)ntli/ adv 1. soon 쑗 I’ll be there presently. 쑗 He’ll be making a speech presently. 2. US now, at the present time 쑗 He’s presently working for a chemical company. 쑗 She’s presently in England. 쑗 What is presently being done to correct the problem? present participle /prez(ə)nt pɑ tsp(ə)l/ noun a word formed by adding ‘-ing’ to a verb, used either to form the present continuous tense, e.g. I am reading, or as an adjective or noun present perfect /prez(ə)nt p" fkt/ noun the simple past tense of a verb ③ preservation /prezə veʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of protecting preservative /pr z" vətv/ noun a substance added to food to stop it from going bad. Synonym additive ③ preserve /pr z" v/ verb 1. to look after something and keep it in the same state 쑗 Our committee aims to preserve the wildlife in our area. 쑗 The doctors’ aim is to preserve the life of the unborn child. 쑗 The Inuit press would like to preserve their own alphabet rather than use the Roman one. 2. to treat something so that it does not rot 쑗 Meat can be preserved in salt. 쑗 Freezing is a common method of preserving meat. preshrunk /pri ʃrŋk/ adj which has been shrunk in advance before being sold preside /pr zad/ verb 1. 왍 to preside at or over a meeting to sit at the head of the table and be the chairman of a meeting 쑗 The meeting was held in the town hall, with the mayor presiding. 쑗 The deputy presided in the absence of the chairman who was ill. 2. to be in power during a certain period 쑗 He presided over a period of radical change. presidency / prezdənsi/ noun 1. the job of being president 쑗 He has been proposed as a candidate for the presidency. 2. the time when someone is president 쑗 during Britain’s presidency of the European Union 쑗 The Second World War ended during the Truman presidency. ① president / prezd(ə)nt/ noun 1. the head of a republic 쑗 President Bush was elected in 2000. 쑗 The French president came on an official visit. (NOTE: also used as a title before a surname: President Wilson) 2. the chief member of a club 쑗 We’re wondering who’ll be the next president of the cricket club. 쑗 A. B. Smith was elected president of the sports club. presidential /prez denʃəl/ adj referring to a president preside over /pr zad əυvə/ verb 1. to be president or chairman of something 쑗 She presides over one of the world’s richest corporations. 쑗 She presided over the university appointments committee for several years. 2. to be in charge when something happens 쑗 He presided over a radical shake-up of the party’s organisational structure. ① press /pres/ noun 1. newspapers taken as a group 쑗 The election wasn’t reported in the British press. 쑗 There has been no mention of the problem in the press. (NOTE: no plural) 2. journalists and other people who work for newspapers, or on radio and TV 쑗 Everywhere she went she was followed by the press. 쑗 Press photographers were standing outside Number 10. (NOTE: no plural) 3. a machine which presses things 쑗 The car body is moulded from a metal sheet in a hydraulic press. (NOTE: The plural is presses.) 쐽 verb 1. to push or squeeze something 쑗 Press the button for first floor. 쑗 Everyone pressed round the film stars. 2. to iron something 쑗 His jacket needs to be pressed. 3. 왍 to press on or forward with to continue or to go ahead 쑗 In spite of the weather they pressed on with the preparations for the village fair. press agent 658 press agent / pres edȢənt/ noun a person who organises dealings with the press for an organisation or important person press baron / pres brən/ noun an important newspaper owner (informal ) ③ press conference / pres kɒnf(ə)rəns/ noun a meeting where newspaper, radio and TV reporters are invited to hear news of a new product or a takeover bid, or to talk to a famous person. Synonym news conference press corps / pres kɔ / noun all the journalists working in a certain place press cutting / pres ktŋ/ noun a piece cut out from a newspaper with an article which is relevant to someone or something ③ pressed /prest/ adj 왍 we’re pressed for time we are in a hurry 왍 I’d be hard pressed to do it it would be difficult for me to find time to do it pressgang / presDZŋ/ noun a group of people who forced men to join the Royal Navy (dated ) 쑗 Without the pressgangs it would have been impossible to find crews for many ships in the 18th century. 쐽 verb 왍 to pressgang someone into doing something to force someone to do something 쑗 I was pressganged into helping her move house. ③ pressing / presŋ/ adj urgent, which needs to be done quickly press office / pres ɒfs/ noun an office in an organisation which is responsible for relations with the media press officer / pres ɒfsə/ noun a person who works in a press office, in charge of an organisation’s relations with the media ③ press release / pres rli s/ noun a sheet giving news about something which is sent to newspapers and TV and radio stations press-up / pres p/ noun an exercise where you lie on the floor and push yourself up with your arms (NOTE: The US term is . . push-up.) ① pressure / preʃə/ noun 1. something which forces you to do something 쑗 Pressure from farmers forced the minister to change his mind. 왍 to put pressure on someone to do something to try to force someone to do something 쑗 They put pressure on the government to build a new motorway. 왍 under pressure being forced to do something 쑗 He did it under pressure. 쑗 We’re under pressure to agree to a postponement. 2. the force of something such as air which is pushing or squeezing 쑗 There is not enough pressure in your tyres. 3. stress caused by having a lot of responsibility 쑗 He gave up his job in the bank because he couldn’t stand the pressure. pressure cooker / preʃə kυkə/ noun a type of pan with a tight-fitting lid, which cooks food rapidly under pressure pretend pressure group / preʃə DZru p/ noun a group of people who try to influence an organisation, e.g. the government or the local town council pressurise / preʃəraz/, pressurize verb 1. to increase air pressure inside a plane so that it is the same as the pressure on earth 2. to force someone to do something 쑗 She was pressurised to change her mind. pressurised / preʃərazd/, pressurized adj (of an aircraft) which is kept at a constant atmospheric pressure which is the same as the pressure on earth ③ prestige /pre sti Ȣ/ noun importance, e.g. because of high quality or high value. Antonym notoriety 왍 prestige offices or flats expensive offices or flats in a good area of the town 쑗 Our offices are old and functional, not prestige offices like theirs. prestigious /pre stdȢəs/ adj which brings prestige. Antonym insignificant ① presumably /pr zju məbli/ adv probably; as you think is true ③ presume /pr zju m/ verb 1. to suppose or assume something 쑗 I presume this little bridge is safe for cars? 쑗 The jury has to presume he is innocent until he is proved guilty. 쑗 She is presumed to have fled to South America. 2. 왍 not to presume to do something not to do something because it would be rude to do it (formal ) 쑗 I wouldn’t presume to contradict her – she’s the expert. presumption /pr zmpʃən/ noun 1. a thing which is assumed to be correct 쑗 We are working on the presumption that what he has said is in fact true. 왍 presumption of innocence the practice of assuming that someone is innocent until a court has found him guilty 2. disrespectful behaviour, doing something when you have no right to do it 쑗 It’s sheer presumption for her to suggest that she could do the job better than me. presumptuous /pr zmptʃuəs/ adj rude or bold presuppose /pri sə pəυz/ verb to depend on something having already happened pretax / pri tks/ adj before tax is paid pretence /pr tens/ noun 1. the act of making someone believe something which is untrue, the action of pretending 쑗 He kept up the pretence of being in love with her while he was seeing another girl. 쑗 All this talk about his aristocratic connections is mere pretence or is just a pretence. 쑗 They made a pretence of being interested. 2. 왍 by false pretences by doing or saying something to cheat someone 쑗 He was sent to prison for obtaining money by false pretences. (NOTE: ③ . [all senses] The US spelling is pretense.) ② pretend /pr tend/ verb to make some- one believe you are something else, so as to trick them 쑗 He got into the house by pre- pretender 659 tending to be a telephone engineer. 쑗 She pretended she had flu and phoned to say she was having the day off. pretender /pr tendə/ noun a person who has claims to something, usually a person who claims to be king although this is not accepted by all the people pretension /pr tenʃən/ noun 1. a doubtful claim (NOTE: often plural) 2. a way of behaving that suggests you are more important than you are pretentious /pr tenʃəs/ adj claiming to be more important than you are. Synonym affected. Antonym down-to-earth pretext / pri tekst/ noun an excuse for doing something which is not the real reason for doing it ② pretty / prti/ adj pleasant to look at 쑗 Her daughters are very pretty. 쑗 She is prettier than her mother. 쑗 What a pretty little house! Synonym attractive. Antonym unattractive (NOTE: prettier – prettiest. Usually pretty is used of things or girls, not of boys or men.) 쐽 adv fairly (informal ) 쑗 The pa. tient’s condition is pretty much the same as it was yesterday. 쑗 I’m pretty sure I’m right. 쑗 You did pretty well, considering it was the first time you had tried rock-climbing. Synonym rather ③ prevail /pr vel/ verb 왍 to prevail upon someone to do something to persuade someone to do something (formal ) 쑗 Can I prevail on you to make a speech? prevailing /pr velŋ/ adj usual, common prevailing wind /prvelŋ wnd/ noun a wind which usually blows from a certain direction ③ prevalence / prevələns/ noun the fact being very common or widespread. Synonym . occurrence prevalent / prevələnt/ adj common, occurring frequently. Synonym predominant prevent /pr vent/ verb 1. to stop something happening 쑗 We must try to prevent any more flooding. 2. 왍 to prevent someone or something from doing something to stop someone or something doing something 쑗 We can’t do much to prevent the river from flooding. 쑗 The police prevented anyone from leaving the building. ③ prevention /pr venʃən/ noun the process of stopping something from happening preventive detention /prventv dtenʃən/ noun the practice of putting people in prison because they may cause a disturbance preventive medicine /prventv med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun a medical action to prevent a disease from occurring ① pricey preview / pri vju / noun a private showing of a film or exhibition before it is open to the public ① previous / pri viəs/ adj 1. former, earlier 쑗 The letter was sent to my previous address. 쑗 The gang of workers arrived the previous night and started work first thing in the morning. 쑗 I had spent the previous day getting to know my way round the town. Synonym preceding. Antonym subsequent 왍 he could not accept the invitation because he had a previous engagement he could not accept the invitation because he had earlier accepted another invitation to go somewhere 2. 왍 previous to before 쑗 What job were you in, previous to this one? ① previously / pri viəsli/ adv before 쑗 This is my first train trip to Paris – previously I’ve always gone by plane. 쑗 The arrangements had been made six weeks previously. 쑗 At that time they were living in New York, and previously had lived in London. pre-war / pri wɔ / adj existing or happening before a war prey /pre/ noun an animal eaten by another animal 쑗 Mice and small birds are the favourite prey of owls. Antonym hunter 쐽 verb 왍 to prey on or upon to attack animals and eat them 쑗 Here the sharks mainly prey on seals. ① price /pras/ noun money which you have to pay to buy something 쑗 The price of petrol is going up. 쑗 I don’t want to pay such a high price for a hotel room. 쑗 There has been a sharp increase in house prices during the first six months of the year. 왍 to increase in price to become more expensive 쐽 verb to give something a price 쑗 The book is priced at £25. 쑗 That house won’t sell – it is too highly priced. 왍 the company has priced itself out of the market the company has raised its prices so high that its products do not sell priceless / prasləs/ adj 1. extremely valuable 쑗 His priceless collection of paintings was destroyed in the fire. 쑗 This ring is quite priceless. 2. very funny 쑗 Some of the things she said were absolutely priceless. ③ price tag / pras tDZ/ noun 1. a ticket with a price written on it 쑗 How much is this shirt? – The price tag has come off it. 2. a price at which something is for sale 쑗 car with a £50,000 price tag price war / pras wɔ /, price-cutting war / pras ktŋ wɔ / noun a competition between companies to get a larger market share by cutting prices pricey / prasi/ adj expensive (informal ) Synonym costly. Antonym cheap (NOTE: . pricier – priciest) prick 660 prick /prk/ verb 1. to jab something with something sharp 쑗 She pricked her finger when she was picking roses. 쑗 I pricked my finger on a pin and had to put a plaster on it. 2. 왍 to prick up your ears to listen attentively 쑗 When his name was mentioned I pricked up my ears. prickle / prk(ə)l/ noun a sharp point on a plant or animal prickly / prkli/ adj 1. covered with prickles 쑗 a prickly holly bush 쑗 a prickly hedgehog 2. (of a person) who takes offence easily 쑗 Be careful what you say to her – she’s very prickly. prickly heat /prkli hi t/ noun a skin rash caused by a hot climate prickly pear /prkli peə/ noun a type of cactus with fruit shaped like a red pear ③ pride /prad/ noun 1. a pleasure in your own ability or possessions 쑗 He takes great pride in his garden. 2. a very high opinion of yourself 쑗 His pride would not let him admit that he had made a mistake. 왍 ‘pride goes before a fall’ if you are very proud of yourself, you are likely to find yourself in trouble (saying) 3. a group of lions 쐽 verb 왍 to pride oneself on something to be extremely proud of something 쑗 She prides herself on her cakes. ③ priest /pri st/ noun a person who has been blessed to serve God, to carry out formal religious duties priestess /pri stes/ noun a female priest in a non-Christian religion (NOTE: The plural is priestesses.) priesthood / pri sthυd/ noun 1. 왍 the priesthood the position of a priest 쑗 At thirty he found he had a vocation for the priesthood. 2. all priests considered as a group 쑗 The priesthood refused to accept the government’s decree. prig /prDZ/ noun an exceedingly moral and proud person priggish / prDZʃ/ adj very moral and proud prim /prm/ adj very correct, very easily shocked (NOTE: primmer – primmest) prima ballerina /pri mə blə ri nə/ noun the main female dancer in a ballet company primacy / praməsi/ noun being in first place, being most important (formal ) prima donna /pri mə dɒnə/ noun 1. the main female singer in an opera company 2. a person who thinks he or she is extremely important and makes a fuss if things are not done in the way they want 쑗 He’s a real prima donna when it comes to choosing flowers for his office. prima facie /pramə feʃi/ adj, adv Latin as things seem at first . primeval primal / pram(ə)l/ adj old, dating from the very earliest period or state ③ primarily / pram(ə)rli/ adv mainly, mostly ② primary / praməri/ adj main, basic 쑗 Our primary concern is the safety of our passengers. 쐽 noun US a primary election 쑗 He won the New Hampshire primary. (NOTE: The plural is primaries.) primary education /praməri edjυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the teaching of small children ② primary school / praməri sku l/ noun a school for children up to the age of eleven (NOTE: The US term is elementary school.) primate / pramet/ noun an archbishop 쑗 The Archbishop of Canterbury is the Primate of all England. prime /pram/ adj 1. most important 쑗 The prime suspect in the case is the dead woman’s husband. 쑗 She is a prime target for any kidnapper. 쑗 This is a prime example of what is wrong with this country. 2. of the best quality 쑗 prime Scottish beef 쐽 noun a period when you are at your best 쑗 He was at or in his prime when he won the championship. Antonym nadir 왍 past your prime no longer at your best 쑗 At 35, she’s past her prime as a tennis player. 쐽 verb 1. to get something prepared 쑗 The bomb had been primed and would have exploded in ten minutes. 2. to give wood or metal a first coat of special paint, before giving the top coat 쑗 The paint is coming off because the wood hadn’t been primed properly. 3. to put water into a water pump or oil into a machine, so as to start it working 4. 왍 to prime someone to do something to prepare someone in advance to do something by giving them information, advice, etc. 쑗 She came primed with a few questions which would embarrass the speaker. Prime Minister /pram mnstə/ noun the head of the government in Britain and other countries 쑗 the Australian Prime Minister or the Prime Minister of Australia 쑗 She cut out the picture of the Prime Minister from the newspaper. 쑗 The Prime Minister will address the nation at 6 o’clock tonight. prime number /pram nmbə/ noun a number such as 2, 5, or 11 which can only be divided by itself or by 1 primer / pramə/ noun 1. a special paint which is put on bare wood before giving the top coats 2. a book with simple instructions or that is an introduction to a subject. Synonym textbook primeval /pra mi v(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to the period at the beginning of the world’s existence 쑗 the primeval forest 2. same as primal primitive 661 primitive / prmtv/ adj 1. referring to the very early stages in the development of something such as a plant or animal 쑗 primitive life forms 2. rough or crude 쑗 They live in a primitive hut in the woods. 쑗 The system is a bit primitive but it works. primrose / prmrəυz/ noun a small pale yellow spring flower ③ prince /prns/ noun the son of a king or queen princely / prns(ə)li/ adj like a prince 왍 a princely sum a large sum of money 쑗 I started work at the princely sum of £10 a week. (NOTE: often used humorously to refer to a sum of money that you think is not large enough) ③ princess /prn ses/ noun 1. the daughter of a king or queen 쑗 Once upon a time a beautiful princess lived in a castle by the edge of the forest. 2. the wife of a prince (NOTE: also used as a title before a name: Princess Sophia. The plural is princesses.) ② principal / prnsp(ə)l/ adj most impor- tant 쑗 The country’s principal products are paper and wood. 쑗 She played a principal role in setting up the organisation. Synonym main 쐽 noun 1. the head of a school or college 쑗 The principal wants to see you in her office. 2. a main performer in a theatrical performance 쑗 The principals were quite good but the chorus was awful. 3. money on which interest is paid, capital which has been invested 쑗 Up to now you’ve been paying interest, but now you can start repaying some of the principal. (NOTE: Do not confuse with principle.) principality /prns plti/ noun 1. a country ruled by a prince 쑗 the Principality of Monaco (NOTE: The plural is principalities.) 2. 왍 the Principality Wales principally / prnsp(ə)li/ adv mainly ① principle / prnsp(ə)l/ noun 1. a general rule 쑗 the principles of nuclear physics 쑗 It is a principle in our system of justice that a person is innocent until he is proved guilty. 왍 in principle in agreement with the general rule 쑗 I agree in principle, but we need to discuss some of the details more thoroughly. 쑗 In principle, the results should be the same every time you do the experiment. 2. a personal sense of what is right 쑗 She’s a woman of very strong principles. 쑗 It’s against my principles to work on a Sunday. 왍 on principle because of what you believe 쑗 She refuses to eat meat on principle. principled / prnsp(ə)ld/ adj based or acting on firmly held moral principles ② print /prnt/ noun 1. a mark made on something 쑗 The print of a dinosaur’s foot has been preserved in this rock. 쑗 The police examined the tyre prints left by the vehicle. 2. letters printed on a page 쑗 I can’t read this prioritise book – the print is too small. 왍 the small print, the fine print the conditions on a contract, usually printed in very small letters 쑗 Don’t forget to check the fine print before you sign the contract. 3. a picture or photograph which has been printed 쑗 The print is very blurred. 쑗 I’m going to have some more prints made of this photo. 쐽 verb 1. to mark letters or pictures on paper with a machine, and so produce a book, leaflet or newspaper etc. 쑗 The book is printed directly from a computer disk. 쑗 We had five hundred copies of the leaflet printed. 2. to write capital letters or letters which are not joined together 쑗 Print your name in the space below. 3. to reproduce an image 쑗 We printed the picture of the castle on our T-shirts. printable / prntəb(ə)l/ adj fit to be printed and published ③ printed / prntd/ adj produced on paper using a printing press printed circuit board /prntd s" kt bɔ d/ noun a card with metal tracks printed or etched on it, which forms an electrical connection when other elements are fitted onto it. Abbr PCB printed matter / prntd mtə/ noun paper with printing on it, such as leaflets, books, newspapers or magazines ③ printer / prntə/ noun 1. a person or company that prints books, newspapers, etc. 쑗 The book has gone to the printer, and we should have copies next week. 2. a machine which prints ③ printing / prntŋ/ noun 1. the art, business and process of printing books, newspapers, etc. 쑗 Errors may have crept into the text during printing. 2. a number of copies of a book printed at the same time 쑗 The book was published with a first printing of 5,000 copies. 쑗 The second printing has sold out and a third has been ordered. printing press / prntŋ pres/ noun a machine for printing books, newspapers, etc. ③ print out /prnt aυt/ verb to print information from a computer through a printer 쑗 She printed out three copies of the letter. ③ printout / prntaυt/ noun printed information from a computer ③ prior / praə/ adj 1. before; previous 쑗 The house can be visited by prior arrangement with the owner. 쑗 I had to refuse her invitation because I had a prior engagement in London. 왍 without prior agreement without any agreement in advance 2. 왍 prior to before (formal ) 쑗 They had left prior to my arrival. 쐽 noun the man who is head of a priory 쑗 The prior has been summoned to Rome. prioritise /pra ɒrtaz/, prioritize verb to rank things according to importance or urgency . priority 662 ② priority /pra ɒrti/ noun 1. a right to be first 왍 to have priority over something, to take priority over something to be more important than something, to need to be done first 쑗 People with serious injuries have priority over those with only cuts and bruises. 왍 to give something top priority to make something the most important item 쑗 We should give top priority to solving our own financial problems. 쑗 The President wants us to give the problem top priority. 2. a thing which has to be done first 쑗 Finding somewhere to stay the night was our main priority. prise /praz/ verb 왍 to prise something open to lift something open with force 쑗 He prised the lid open with a metal bar. prism / prz(ə)m/ noun a glass block, usually with a cross-section shaped like a triangle, which splits white light up into the colours of the rainbow ② prison / prz(ə)n/ noun a building where people are kept when they are being punished for a crime 쑗 The judge sent him to prison for five years. 쑗 His father’s in prison for burglary. (NOTE: Prison is often used without the article the.) ② prisoner / prz(ə)nə/ noun a person who is in prison 쑗 The prisoners were taken away in a police van. prisoner of war / prz(ə)nə əv wɔ / noun a member of the armed forces captured by the enemy in time of war. Abbr POW pristine / prsti n/ adj fresh like new privacy / prvəsi/ noun not being disturbed by other people ① private / pravət/ adj 1. which belongs to one person, not to everyone 쑗 He flew there in his private jet. 2. which refers to one particular person and should kept secret from others 쑗 You have no right to interfere in my private affairs. 쑗 This is a private discussion between me and my son. 왍 in private away from other people 쑗 She asked to see the teacher in private. 쐽 noun an ordinary soldier of the lowest rank (NOTE: can be used with the surname: Private Jones) ③ private detective /pravət d tektv/ noun a detective who is not part of a police force, and works for a fee private education /pravət edjυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of teaching in private schools, where the students pay fees private enterprise /pravət entəpraz/ noun businesses that are owned and run by individuals or groups, not by the state private eye /pravət a/ noun a detective who is not a member of the police force and is employed by an ordinary person (informal ) privately / pravətli/ adv 1. in private 쑗 I spoke to her privately about it. 2. not telling . pro anyone 쑗 Privately, he thought she was a fool. 3. referring to private individuals 쑗 a privately owned railway private practice /pravət prkts/ noun a doctor’s or dentist’s practice where the clients pay, as opposed to one which is part of the National Health Service private property /pravət prɒpəti/ noun property which belongs to a private person, not to the public private school / pravət sku l/ noun a school that is not run by the state and which the students have to pay to attend. Compare public school private secretary /pravət sekrt(ə)ri/ noun someone who deals with an important person’s correspondence and affairs private sector / pravət sektə/ noun companies which are listed on the stock exchange or owned by individuals, and not by the government private view /pravət vju / noun the showing of an exhibition to specially invited guests, before it is open to the public ③ privatisation /pravəta zeʃ(ə)n/, privatization noun the act of privatising privatise / pravətaz/, privatize verb to return a nationalised industry to private ownership by selling shares in it on the stock exchange. Antonym nationalise privet / prvət/ noun a common shrub with small green or yellow leaves, used for garden hedges ③ privilege / prvldȢ/ noun a favour or right granted to some people but not to everyone privileged / prvldȢd/ adj who has a special advantage Privy Councillor /prvi kaυnsələ/ noun a member of the Privy Council ② prize /praz/ noun something given to a winner 쑗 He won first prize in the music competition. 쑗 He answered all the questions correctly and claimed the prize. 쑗 The prize was awarded jointly to the young British and Russian competitors. Synonym award 쐽 adj which has won a prize because of being of good quality 쑗 He showed a prize sheep at the agricultural show. 쐽 verb to value something highly 쑗 I prize his friendship particularly. Synonym treasure prizewinner / prazwnə/ noun someone who has won a prize prizewinning / prazwnŋ/ adj that has won a prize. Synonym award-winning. Antonym unsuccessful pro /prəυ/ prefix in favour of 쑗 the pro-European lobby 쐽 prep in favour of 쑗 She’s very pro fox-hunting. 쐽 noun (informal ) 1. a professional sportsperson, actor or musician 2. someone who does something . proactive 663 very well because they have been doing it for a long time proactive /prəυ ktv/ adj working by starting actions yourself, rather than reacting to what other people do. Antonym passive ③ probability /prɒbə blti/ noun the quality of being probable. Synonym likelihood 왍 in all probability very probably 쑗 In all probability they will get married at Easter. probable / prɒbəb(ə)l/ adj likely ① probably / prɒbəbli/ adv likely to happen 쑗 We’re probably going to Spain for our holidays. 쑗 My father is probably going to retire next year. 쑗 Are you going to Spain as usual this year? – Very probably. probate / prəυbet/ noun the acceptance in law that a document such as a will is valid ③ probation /prə beʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a legal system for dealing with criminals where they are not sent to prison provided that they continue to behave well under the supervision of a probation officer 쑗 She was put on probation for one year or was put on one year’s probation. 2. a period when a new employee is being tested before being given a permanent job 왍 on probation being tested 쑗 We are employing him on three months’ probation. 쑗 She can’t have a pay rise as she is still on probation. probationary /prə beʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj referring to a time when a person is on probation probation officer /prə beʃ(ə)n ɒfsə/ noun an official of the social services who supervises young people on probation ③ probe /prəυb/ noun a thorough investigation 쑗 a police probe into organised crime 쐽 verb to examine something deeply 쑗 I don’t want the police to start probing into my financial affairs. 쑗 The surgeon probed the wound to try to find the bullet. Synonym investigate ① problem / prɒbləm/ noun 1. something or someone which causes difficulty 왍 to pose a problem to be something that is difficult to change or improve 쑗 What to do with truants poses a problem for the schools. 왍 to solve a problem to find an answer to a problem 쑗 The police are trying to solve the problem of how the thieves got into the house. 쑗 We have called in an expert to solve our computer problem. 왍 no problem fine, that will be easy 2. a question in a test 쑗 Half the students couldn’t do all the problems in the maths test. proboscis /prəυ bɒss/ noun a long tube coming from the head of an animal, such as the trunk of an elephant or the sting of a mosquito (NOTE: The plural is proboscises.) procedural /prə si dȢərəl/ adj referring to procedure. Synonym technical proclamation ② procedure /prə si dȢə/ noun 1. the way in which something ought to be carried out 쑗 To obtain permission to build a new house you need to follow the correct procedure. 왍 this procedure is very irregular this is not the correct way to do something 2. a medical treatment 쑗 a new procedure for treating cases of drug addiction ③ proceed /prə si d/ verb 1. to go further 쑗 He proceeded down the High Street towards the river. 2. to do something after something else 쑗 The students then proceeded to shout and throw bottles at passing cars. 3. 왍 to proceed with something to go on doing something 쑗 Shall we proceed with the committee meeting? ③ proceed against /prə si d əDZenst/ verb to start a lawsuit against someone ② proceedings /prə si dŋz/ plural noun a report of what takes place at a meeting 쑗 the proceedings of the Archaeological Society ③ proceeds / prəυsi dz/ plural noun money which you receive when you sell something 쑗 She sold her house and invested the proceeds in a little shop. 쑗 All the proceeds of the village fair go to charity. ① process / prəυses/ noun 1. the method of making something 쑗 a new process for extracting oil from coal. 쏡 peace process (NOTE: The plural is processes.) 2. 왍 in the process of doing something while doing something 쑗 She interrupted me while I was in the process of writing my report. 쑗 We were in the process of moving to London when I had the offer of a job in Australia. 쐽 verb 1. to manufacture goods from raw materials 쑗 The uranium has to be processed before it can be used in a nuclear reactor. 2. to deal with a claim or bill, etc. in the usual routine way 쑗 to process an insurance claim 쑗 Orders are processed in our warehouse. 3. to sort out information, especially using a computer 쑗 The computer processes the data and then prints it out. 4. /prəυ ses/ to walk in a procession 쑗 The peers and peeresses processed into Westminster Abbey. procession /prə seʃ(ə)n/ noun a group of people walking in line, sometimes to music 왍 in procession in a line as part of a ceremony 쑗 The people who have received their degrees will walk in procession through the university grounds. processor / prəυsesə/ noun 1. a machine that processes 쑗 Mix the ingredients in a food processor. 2. a computer which processes information ③ proclaim /prə klem/ verb to make an official statement in public proclamation /prɒklə meʃ(ə)n/ noun an official public statement proclivity 664 proclivity /prəυ klvti/ noun a natural tendency, usually to do something bad. Synonym liking procrastinate /prəυ krstnet/ verb to delay, to postpone something until later procure /prə kjυə/ verb 1. to obtain something 쑗 Somehow he had managed to procure the equipment he needed without anyone knowing. 쑗 We need to procure a map of the area. 2. to arrange for a woman to provide sexual intercourse for money procurement /prə kjυəmənt/ noun the obtaining of equipment or supplies procurer /prə kjυərə/ noun a person who provides prostitutes for sex. Synonym buyer prod /prɒd/ noun a poke 쑗 He gave the pig a prod with his stick. 쑗 He gave me a prod in the ribs. Synonym nudge 왍 to give someone a prod to nudge someone, to try to get someone to do something 쑗 He’s late with his work – better give him a prod. 쐽 verb 1. to poke someone or something with a finger or stick 쑗 He prodded the pig with his stick. 2. 왍 to prod someone into doing something to do something to persuade someone to take action 쑗 The group tried to prod the government into action or into taking some sort of action. prodigal / prɒdDZ(ə)l/ adj wasteful, especially of money. Antonym cautious prodigious /prə ddȢəs/ adj 1. enormous, very powerful 쑗 The children ate a prodigious quantity of cakes. 쑗 He used his prodigious strength to lift up the trunk. 2. extraordinary 쑗 He’s a prodigious writer of children’s stories. prodigiously /prə ddȢəsli/ adv enormously prodigy / prɒddȢi/ noun 1. a remarkable person, usually a young person 쑗 By the age of ten he was already a mathematical prodigy. 2. an extraordinary action 쑗 The firemen performed prodigies of bravery. (NOTE: The plural is prodigies.) ① produce noun / prɒdju s/ things grown on the land 쑗 vegetables and other garden produce Synonym crop (NOTE: Do not confuse with product.) 쐽 verb /prɒd ju s/ 1. to show or bring out something 쑗 The tax office asked him to produce the relevant documents. 쑗 He produced a bundle of notes from his inside pocket. 쑗 The factory produces cars and trucks. 2. to put on a play or film, etc. 쑗 She is producing ‘Hamlet’ for the local drama club. 3. to make 쑗 The factory produces cars and trucks. 4. to grow crops, to give birth to young 쑗 The region produces enough rice to supply the needs of the whole country. 쑗 Our cat has produced six kittens. ③ producer /prə dju sə/ noun 1. a company or country which makes or grows something 쑗 an important producer of steel 쑗 The professional company is a major car producer. 2. a person who is in overall charge, especially of the financing, of a film or play, but does not deal with the technical details. Compare director ① product / prɒdkt/ noun 1. a thing which is manufactured 쑗 Germany is helping her industry to sell more products abroad. (NOTE: Do not confuse with produce.) 2. (in mathematics) a number which is the result when numbers are multiplied 쑗 The product of 4 times 10 is 40. ① production /prə dkʃən/ noun 1. manufacturing 쑗 We are trying to step up production. 쑗 Production will probably be held up by the strike. 2. putting on a play or film 쑗 The film is currently in production at Teddington Studios. 3. a particular way of putting on a play 쑗 Have you seen the production of ‘Henry V’ at the Globe Theatre? 4. showing something 왍 on production of when something is shown 쑗 Goods bought can be exchanged only on production of the sales slip. production line /prə dkʃən lan/ noun a system of making a product, where each item such as a car moves slowly through the factory with new sections being added to it as it goes along productive /prə dktv/ adj which produces results 왍 a productive meeting a useful meeting which should lead to an agreement 쑗 We had a very productive morning – all the remaining problems were ironed out. productivity /prɒdk tvti/ noun the rate of output, rate of production in a factory. Synonym output Prof abbr professor 쑗 Prof Stanley Ridge profane /prə fen/ adj 1. not religious 쑗 sacred and profane art 쑗 using profane language 2. blasphemous, rude towards God or religion 쑗 She was accused of using profane language. 쐽 verb to treat something sacred with disrespect 쑗 How dare you profane the memory of your great father! profanity /prə fnti/ noun swearing, bad language. Synonym blasphemy (NOTE: The plural is profanities.) profess /prə fes/ verb to declare something professed /prə fest/ adj declared profession /prə feʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. work ③ which needs special training, skill or knowledge 쑗 the legal profession 쑗 the medical profession 쑗 the teaching profession 쑗 She is an accountant by profession. 2. the declaration of belief in something 쑗 a profession of faith ① professional /prə feʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to a profession 쑗 He keeps his professional life and his private life completely separate. 2. expert or skilled 쑗 They did a professionalism 665 very professional job in designing the new office. 3. (of sportsmen) who is paid to play 쑗 a professional footballer 쐽 noun 1. an expert 쑗 Don’t try to deal with the problem yourself – get a professional in. 2. a sportsman who is paid to play 쑗 For many years, professionals were not allowed to compete in the Olympics. 쑗 He ran as an amateur for several years, then turned professional. 3. a sportsman who teaches others 쑗 a golf professional professionalism /prə feʃ(ə)nəlz(ə)m/ noun 1. being an expert, having skill 쑗 People admired the professionalism with which he dealt with the problem. 2. paying sportsmen to play 쑗 What effect will professionalism have on the game of rugby? professionally /prə feʃ(ə)nəli/ adv 1. as a professional 쑗 Acting is her hobby, but she’d like to do it professionally. 2. by professionals 쑗 We had the house redecorated professionally. professional misconduct /prəfeʃ(ə)n(ə)l ms kɒndkt/ noun behaviour by a member of a profession, such as a lawyer or accountant or doctor, which the body regulating that profession considers to be wrong professor /prə fesə/ noun 1. the most senior teacher in a subject at a university 쑗 a professor of English 쑗 an economics professor 2. the title taken by some teachers of music and art 쑗 She goes to Professor Smith for piano lessons. (NOTE: used as a title before a name: Professor Smith) professorial /prɒfə sɔ riəl/ adj referring to a professor professorship /prə fesəʃp/ noun the position of professor at a university 쑗 He accepted a professorship in Canada. proffer / prɒfə/ verb to offer something proficiency /prə fʃ(ə)nsi/ noun a skill in doing something. Antonym incompetence proficient /prə fʃ(ə)nt/ adj skilful, able to do something well. Synonym capable 왍 to be proficient at or in something to be very capable of doing something well 쑗 I’m not very proficient at mental arithmetic. 쑗 By the summer I had become reasonably proficient in German. ③ profile / prəυfal/ noun 1. a view of someone’s head, seen from the side 쑗 a photograph showing her in profile 2. 왍 to keep or maintain a low profile to be quiet, not to be obvious 쑗 It would be better if you kept a low profile until all the fuss has died down. 왍 to keep or maintain a high profile to keep yourself in the view of the public 쑗 A politician needs to keep a high profile. 쑗 Advertising helps to maintain the company’s high profile. 3. a short biography of a famous person in a newspaper 쑗 There’s a profile of the Chancellor in the Sunday paper. program ① profit / prɒft/ noun money you gain from selling something which is more than the money you paid for it 쑗 The sale produced a good profit or a handsome profit. 왍 to make a profit to have more money as a result of a deal 쑗 We aim to make a quick profit. 쑗 We made a large profit when we sold our house. 쑗 It you don’t make a profit you will soon be out of business. 왍 to show a profit to make a profit and put it in the company accounts 쑗 We are showing a small profit for the first quarter. 왍 to take your profit to sell shares at a higher price than you paid for them, rather than to keep them as an investment 쐽 verb 왍 to profit from to gain from (formal ) 쑗 I profited from her advice. ③ profitability /prɒftə blti/ noun the fact of being able to produce a profit profitable / prɒftəb(ə)l/ adj likely to produce a profit profitably / prɒftəbli/ adv 1. at a profit 쑗 Make sure the money is profitably invested. 2. usefully 쑗 I spent the week very profitably doing research in the library. profit margin / prɒft mɑ dȢn/ noun the percentage of money gained against money paid out profligate / prɒflDZət/ adj very extravagant (formal ) proforma /prəυ fɔ mə/ noun an invoice sent asking a purchaser to pay in advance before the goods are sent profound /prə faυnd/ adj very serious, very deep profoundly /prə faυndli/ adv very seriously, completely. Synonym intensely profuse /prə fju s/ adj abundant, excessive. Synonym plentiful. Antonym scanty profusion /prə fju Ȣ(ə)n/ noun a very large quantity. Synonym abundance. Antonym dearth 왍 in profusion in large quantities 쑗 There are wild flowers in profusion in the countryside in early summer. progeny / prɒdȢəni/ noun children (NOTE: . . takes a plural verb) progesterone /prəυ dȢestərəυn/ noun a sex hormone produced in the second part of the menstrual cycle which stimulates the formation of the placenta if an ovum is fertilised. Synthetic forms are also used as contraceptives. Compare testosterone prognosis /prɒDZ nəυss/ noun an opinion of how something, such as a disease, will develop. Synonym forecast 왍 this cancer has a prognosis of about two years the patient will die within two years unless the cancer is stopped ① program / prəυDZrm/ noun instructions given to a computer 쑗 to load a program 쑗 to run a program 쑗 a graphics program 쑗 a word-processing program 쐽 verb to give in- programme 666 structions to a computer 쑗 The computer is programmed to print labels. ① programme / prəυDZrm/ noun 1. a TV or radio show 쑗 We watched a programme on life in the 17th century. 쑗 There’s a football programme after the news. 쑗 I want to listen to the phone-in programme at 9.15. 쑗 There are no good television programmes tonight. 2. a paper in a theatre or at a sports event, which gives information about the show 쑗 The programme gives a list of the actors. 쐽 verb to arrange programmes on TV or radio 쑗 The new chat show is programmed to compete with the gardening programme on the other channel. (NOTE: [all verb senses] The US spelling is program.) programmer / prəυDZrmə/ noun 1. a ③ person who programs a computer 쑗 The programmers made a few alterations to our software. 2. a person who programmes TV or radio shows 쑗 Programmers are always trying to win audiences from other channels. programming / prəυDZrmŋ/ noun the process of creating computer programs programming language / prəυDZrmŋ lŋDZwdȢ/ noun a system of signs and words used to program a computer ② progress noun / prəυDZres/ 1. a movement forwards 쑗 We are making good progress towards finishing the house. (NOTE: no plural) 2. 왍 in progress which is happening or being done 쑗 The meeting is still in progress. 쑗 We still have a lot of work in progress. 쐽 verb /prəυ DZres/ to advance 쑗 Work on the bypass is progressing slowly. progress chaser / prəυDZres tʃesə/ noun a person whose job is to check that work is being carried out on schedule or that orders are fulfilled on time ③ progression /prəυ DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun an advance, a movement forwards progressive /prə DZresv/ adj 1. (of movement) in stages 쑗 I have noticed a progressive improvement in your work. 2. (of ideas) advanced 쑗 They elected a leader with progressive views on education. progressively /prəυ DZresvli/ adv by stages. Synonym increasingly. Antonym suddenly prohibit /prəυ hbt/ verb to say that something must not be done. Synonym forbid. Antonym permit prohibition /prəυ bʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of forbidding something. Synonym ban. Antonym permission prohibitive /prəυ hbtv/ adj so expensive that you cannot afford it. Antonym affordable project noun / prɒdȢekt/ 1. a plan, scheme 쑗 We are working on a building project. 쑗 Her project is to write the history of ① prolonged her village. 2. work planned by students on their own 쑗 She asked her teacher for some pointers to help her with her project. 쐽 verb /prə dȢekt/ 1. to plan something, to expect to do something 쑗 They are projecting to build a new science park near the university. 2. to send a picture onto a screen 쑗 The lecturer projected slides of his visit to the Arctic. 3. to forecast something from existing data 쑗 They projected sales of over £10m. projected /prə dȢektd/ adj 1. which has been planned 쑗 We had to abandon our projected American trip. 쑗 This is the site of the projected factory. 2. which has been forecast 쑗 Here are the projected sales figures for next year. projectile /prə dȢektal/ noun a thing which is thrown, or fired from a gun ③ projection /prə dȢekʃən/ noun 1. a calculation of something which is forecast for the future 쑗 We have made a projection of the additional housing needed in this area by the year 2010. 쑗 Computer projections forecast an easy win for the government. 2. a thing which sticks out 쑗 She gashed her arm on a sharp projection of rock. 3. the action of projecting a picture onto a screen projector /prə dȢektə/ noun a machine which sends pictures onto a screen proletarian /prəυlə teəriən/ adj referring to the working class. Antonym aristocratic proletariat /prəυlə teəriət/ noun 왍 the proletariat the working class, especially manual and industrial workers and their families 쑗 In the nineteenth century, in most countries the peasantry still vastly outnumbered the proletariat. 쑗 The proletariat were considered incapable of organising themselves as a political force. proliferate /prə lfəret/ verb to increase quickly in number (formal ) proliferation /prəlfə reʃ(ə)n/ noun a rapid spread. Synonym propagation prolific /prə lfk/ adj 1. producing many children, fruit or other offspring 쑗 Rabbits are notoriously prolific. 2. producing a lot of something 쑗 He’s a prolific writer of travel guides. prologue / prəυlɒDZ/ noun 1. a piece spoken as the introduction of a play or poem 쑗 The prologue sets the scene and introduces the main characters. Compare epilogue 2. a preliminary event that leads on to something else 쑗 The discussions between Foreign Ministers are a prologue to the signing of a full-scale treaty. (NOTE: [all senses] The US . spelling is prolog.) prolong /prə lɒŋ/ verb to make something longer. Synonym extend. Antonym curtail prolonged /prə lɒŋd/ adj lasting for a long time. Synonym lengthy prom 667 prom /prɒm/ noun 1. a promenade 쑗 Let’s go for a stroll along the prom. 2. US a school dance 쑗 They met at the High School prom. promenade /prɒmə nɑ d/ noun a walkway built along the side of the sea 쑗 We stood on the promenade and looked out to sea. 쑗 Our hotel was right on the promenade. 쐽 verb to walk about casually (formal ) 쑗 We promenaded up and down the Champs Elysées. prominence / prɒmnəns/ noun 1. being important or famous 쑗 He first rose to prominence in the 1960s. 2. 왍 to give prominence to something to emphasise something 쑗 The newspapers gave too much prominence to that part of the speech. 3. a piece of land which stands out higher than the rest 쑗 The castle stands on a prominence overlooking a bend in the river. prominent / prɒmnənt/ adj 1. standing out, easily seen 쑗 She has a very prominent nose. 2. famous or important 쑗 a prominent trade union leader 쑗 They assassinated a prominent member of the ruling party. prominently / prɒmnəntli/ adv easily seen promiscuous /prə mskjuəs/ adj who has sexual relations with many people. Synonym immoral ② promise / prɒms/ noun 1. the act of saying that you will definitely do something 쑗 But you made a promise not to tell anyone else and now you’ve told my mother! 쑗 I’ll pay you back on Friday – that’s a promise. 왍 to go back on a promise, to break a promise not to do what you said you would do 쑗 The management went back on its promise to increase salaries. 쑗 He broke his promise to take her to Mexico on holiday. 왍 to keep a promise to do what you said you would do 쑗 He says he will pay next week, but he never keeps his promises. 쑗 She kept her promise to write to him every day. 쒁 lick 2. 왍 to show promise to make people feel that you will do well in the future 쑗 This year’s students certainly show promise. 쐽 verb 1. to give your word that you will definitely do something 쑗 They promised to be back for supper. 쑗 You must promise to bring the computer back when you have finished with it. 쑗 He promised he would look into the problem. 쑗 She promised the staff an extra week’s holiday but it never materialised. 2. to look as if something will happen 쑗 The meeting promises to be very interesting. ② promising / prɒmsŋ/ adj 1. who is likely to succeed 쑗 She’s the most promising candidate we have interviewed so far. 2. good, and likely to become much better 쑗 The results of the antibiotic have been very promising. 쑗 The economic situation looks much more promising than it did a year ago. . pronounce promontory / prɒmənt(ə)ri/ noun a piece of high land jutting out into the sea (NOTE: The plural is promontories.) ② promote /prə məυt/ verb 1. to give someone a better job 쑗 He was promoted from salesman to sales manager. 2. to make sure that people know about a product or service, by advertising it 쑗 There are posters all over the place promoting the new night club. 3. to encourage something 쑗 The club’s aim is to promote gardening. ③ promoter /prə məυtə/ noun 왍 a boxing promoter a person who organises boxing matches ③ promotion /prə məυʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a move to a better job 쑗 He ruined his chances of promotion when he argued with the boss. 2. advertising of a new product 쑗 We’re giving away small bottles of shampoo as a promotion. promotional /prə məυʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj used in an advertising campaign. Synonym publicity prompt /prɒmpt/ adj done immediately 쑗 Thank you for your prompt reply. (NOTE: prompter – promptest) 쐽 verb 1. to suggest to someone that he should do something 쑗 It prompted him to write to the local paper. 2. to tell an actor words which he has forgotten 쑗 He had to be prompted in the middle of a long speech. 쐽 noun a message to a computer user, telling him to do something 쑗 The prompt came up on the screen telling me to insert the disk in drive A. Synonym stimulus prompter / prɒmptə/ noun a person who prompts an actor prompting / prɒmptŋ/ noun the action of persuading someone to do something. Synonym encouragement ③ promptly / prɒmptli/ adv immediately; rapidly promptness / prɒmptnəs/ noun quickness promulgate / prɒməlDZet/ verb to make a law known to the public prone /prəυn/ adj 1. lying flat 쑗 They found her lying prone on the floor. 2. 왍 prone to likely to do something, likely to suffer from something 쑗 When you’re tired you are prone to make mistakes. 쑗 He’s prone to chest infections. 왍 accident-prone likely to have accidents often 쑗 The new waitress seems to be accident-prone. prong /prɒŋ/ noun one of the sharp points of a fork ③ pronoun / prəυnaυn/ noun a word used instead of a noun, such as ‘I’, ‘you’, ‘he’, ‘she’ and ‘it’ pronounce /prə naυns/ verb 1. to speak sounds which form a word 쑗 How do you pronounce ‘Paris’ in French? 2. to state pronounced 668 something officially 쑗 He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital. 쑗 The priest pronounced them man and wife. pronounced /prə naυnst/ adj noticeable. Synonym marked pronouncement /prə naυnsmənt/ noun an official or formal statement pronunciation /prənnsi eʃ(ə)n/ noun a way of speaking words 쑗 What’s the correct pronunciation of ‘controversy’? 쑗 You should try to improve your pronunciation by taking lessons from native speakers. ② proof /pru f/ noun 1. a thing which proves or which shows that something is true 쑗 The police have no proof that he committed the murder. 2. a sheet with text or pictures printed on it, for the publisher, author or designer to look at and make corrections 쑗 She has a pile of proofs to check. 쑗 He was looking at the first proofs of his latest etching. 쐽 adj 왍 proof against safe from, not affected by 쑗 After it has been treated, the wood is proof against insects and rot. 쑗 No one was proof against her charms. -proof /pru f/ suffix which prevents something getting in, getting out or harming 쑗 a dustproof cover 쑗 a soundproof studio proofread / pru fri d/ verb to read proofs and make corrections to them (NOTE: proofreading – proofread / pru fred/) proofreader / pru fri də/ noun a person who reads proofs and corrects them prop /prɒp/ noun 1. a support or stick which holds something up 쑗 I used a piece of wood as a prop to keep the window open. 2. (in rugby) a forward in the front row of the scrum 쑗 He plays prop in the England pack. 쐽 verb to support something 쑗 He propped up the table with a pile of books. 쑗 She propped the door open with a brick. Synonym hold up (NOTE: propping – propped) propaganda /prɒpə DZndə/ noun the spreading of false or biased information about something which you want the public to believe propagate / prɒpəDZet/ verb 1. to produce new plants 쑗 I tried to propagate the plants by taking cuttings. 2. to spread ideas 쑗 It’s a view being propagated by certain sections of the press. propagation /prɒpə DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of propagating a plant propel /prə pel/ verb to push something forward (NOTE: propelling – propelled) propeller /prə pelə/ noun a set of blades which turn very quickly to drive a boat or an aircraft propensity /prə pensti/ noun a tendency to do something proportion proper / prɒpə/ adj right and correct 쑗 She didn’t put the sugar back into its proper place in the cupboard. 쑗 This is the proper way to use a knife and fork. 쑗 The parcel wasn’t delivered because it didn’t have the proper address. ① properly / prɒpəli/ adv correctly 쑗 The accident happened because the garage hadn’t fitted the wheel properly. 쑗 The parcel wasn’t properly addressed. Antonym ① incorrectly proper noun /prɒpə naυn/ noun a word which is the name of a place, a person, a building or a title, etc. ① property / prɒpəti/ noun 1. a thing that belongs to someone 쑗 The furniture is the property of the landlord. 쑗 The hotel guests lost all their property in the fire. 쑗 The management is not responsible for property left in the restaurant. 쒁 lost property office (NOTE: no plural) 2. buildings and land 쑗 The family owns property in West London. 쑗 A lot of industrial property was damaged in the war. (NOTE: no plural) 3. a building 쑗 We have several properties for sale in the centre of town. (NOTE: The plural is properties.) property developer / prɒpəti dveləpə/ noun a person who plans and builds property prophecy / prɒfəsi/ noun 1. the practice of saying what will happen in the future 쑗 He had the gift of prophecy. 2. a thing which you say will happen in the future 쑗 None of his gloomy prophecies has come true. 쑗 She made a prophecy that they would be married within a month. (NOTE: The plural in this ③ meaning is prophecies.) prophesy / prɒfəsa/ verb to say what will happen in the future. Synonym predict prophet / prɒft/ noun 1. a person who says what will happen in the future 쑗 The prophets of doom in the newspapers are forecasting the collapse of the economy. 2. a great religious leader 쑗 The Hebrew prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah. 쑗 New prophets arose from time to time in various parts of the Roman Empire. 왍 the Prophet Muhammad, the leader of the Muslims prophetic /prə fetk/ adj which says what will happen in the future. Synonym visionary propitious /prə pʃəs/ adj favourable (formal ) . proponent /prə pəυnənt/ noun a person who supports something. Synonym advocate ② proportion /prə pɔ ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a part of a whole 쑗 Only a small proportion of his income comes from his TV appearances. 2. a relationship between the amount of something and the amount of something else 쑗 Mix equal proportions of oil and vinegar. 쑗 What is the proportion of men to women on proportional 669 the committee? 3. 왍 in proportion to showing how something is related to something else 쑗 Our sales in Europe are tiny in proportion to those in the USA. 쑗 The payment is very high in proportion to the time worked. 왍 out of proportion to not in a proper relationship 쑗 His salary is totally out of proportion to the work he does. proportional /prə pɔ ʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj which is directly related to something 쑗 The amount you get in interest is proportional to the amount invested. proportional representation /prəpɔ ʃ(ə)n(ə)l reprzen teʃ(ə)n/ noun a system of voting where the votes cast for each party are more or less accurately reflected in the number of MPs each party has proportionate /prə pɔ ʃ(ə)nət/ adj which is in proportion proportionately /prə pɔ ʃ(ə)nətli/ adv in proportion ① proposal /prə pəυz(ə)l/ noun 1. a plan which has been suggested 쑗 The committee made a proposal to rebuild the clubhouse. 쑗 His proposal was accepted by the committee. 쑗 She put forward a proposal but it was rejected. 2. 왍 proposal (of marriage) the act of asking someone to marry you 쑗 She thought he liked her, but she didn’t expect a proposal. ① propose /prə pəυz/ verb 1. to make a suggestion 쑗 I propose that we all go for a swim. 2. 왍 to propose to do something to say that you intend to do something 쑗 They propose to repay the loan at £20 a month. ② proposed /prə pəυzd/ adj which has been suggested proposer /prə pəυzə/ noun a person who proposes something proposition /prɒpə zʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a thing which has been proposed 쑗 The proposition is not very attractive. 왍 it will never be a commercial proposition it is not likely to make a profit 2. 왍 a tough proposition a problem which is difficult to solve proprietary /prə praət(ə)ri/ adj acting as though you own something 쑗 She cast proprietary glances over her boyfriend. proprietary company /prəpraət(ə)ri kmp(ə)ni/ noun US a company formed to invest in stock of other companies so as to control them proprietary medicine /prəpraət(ə)ri med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun medicine which is sold under a brand name and manufactured by a particular company proprietor /prə praətə/ noun an owner proprietorial /prəpraə tɔ riəl/ adj relating to ownership. Synonym possessive propriety /prə praəti/ noun correct behaviour in society prostate props /prɒps/ plural noun articles used in the production of a play or film propulsion /prə plʃən/ noun the force of moving something forward pro rata /prəυ rɑ tə/ adv, adj in proportion prosaic /prəυ zek/ adj ordinary and rather dull, not poetic or imaginative or romantic pros and cons /prəυz ən kɒnz/ plural noun the arguments for and against a case proscribe /prəυ skrab/ verb to forbid something by law. Synonym ban. Antonym permit prose /prəυz/ noun something written in ordinary language, not poetry. Antonym poetry prosecute / prɒskju t/ verb to bring someone to court to answer a criminal charge ③ prosecution /prɒs kju ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of bringing someone to court to answer a criminal charge 쑗 He faces prosecution for fraud. 2. the lawyers who represent the party who brings a charge against someone 쑗 The costs of the case will be borne by the prosecution. 쑗 The prosecution argued that the money had been stolen. prosecutor / prɒskju tə/ noun a lawyer who prosecutes proselyte / prɒsəlat/ noun a person recently converted to a religion or to a political party ② prospect noun / prɒspekt/ a future possibility 쑗 There is no prospect of getting her to change her mind. 쑗 Faced with the grim prospect of two weeks at home he decided to go on holiday. 왍 to have something in prospect to expect something to happen 쐽 verb /prə spekt/ to search for minerals 쑗 The team went into the desert to prospect for oil. prospective /prə spektv/ adj who or which may do something in the future. Synonym potential prospector /prə spektə/ noun a person who searches for minerals prospects / prɒspekts/ plural noun future possibilities in a job prospectus /prə spektəs/ noun a document which gives information to attract customers. Synonym brochure (NOTE: The plural is prospectuses.) prosper / prɒspə/ verb to succeed; to be- come rich prosperity /prɒ sperti/ noun being rich and successful. Antonym poverty 왍 in times of prosperity when people are rich prosperous / prɒsp(ə)rəs/ adj wealthy, rich prostate / prɒstet/ noun a gland in men which produces a secretion in which sperm prostitute 670 cells float (NOTE: Do not confuse with prostrate.) prostitute / prɒsttju t/ noun a woman who receives money for sexual intercourse prostitution /prɒst tju ʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of providing sexual intercourse in return for payment prostrate adj / prɒstret/ lying flat on your face 쑗 He was lying prostrate on the floor. (NOTE: Do not confuse with prostate.) 쐽 verb /prɒ stret/ 왍 to prostrate oneself before someone to fall down in front of someone as a mark of respect or fear 쑗 Anyone who came into the Emperor’s presence had to prostrate himself before the throne. protagonist /prəυ tDZənst/ noun 1. the main character in a story 쑗 The protagonist is a Danish prince. 2. the leader of one side in a conflict 쑗 The two protagonists were finally persuaded to shake hands. 3. a supporter of a cause 쑗 He was a leading protagonist of the movement for electoral reform. ② protect /prə tekt/ verb to keep someone or something safe from dirt or danger, etc. 쑗 The cover protects the machine against dust. 쑗 The injection is supposed to protect you against flu. protected /prə tektd/ adj (of species of animals or plants) classified as being in danger of extinction ② protection /prə tekʃən/ noun shelter, the process of being protected 쑗 The trees give some protection from the rain. 쑗 The legislation offers no protection to part-time workers. 쑗 The injection gives some protection against cholera. protectionism /prə tekʃənz(ə)m/ noun a policy of discouraging imports from abroad in order to protect a country’s own industry protectionist /prə tekʃənst/ adj in favour of protectionism. Synonym protective ③ protective /prə tektv/ adj who or which protects. Synonym defensive protector /prə tektə/ noun 1. a person or country that protects 쑗 Parliament is supposed to be the protector of the people’s rights. 쑗 She needed a protector, that’s what attracted her to him. 2. a thing which protects 쑗 The machinists all wear ear protectors because the machines are so noisy. protectorate /prə tekt(ə)rət/ noun a country which is protected and usually controlled by another country. Synonym dominion protégé / prɒtəȢe/ noun a person, usually a young person, who is supported in artistic work with money or advice, by someone else ② protein / prəυti n/ noun a compound which is an essential part of living cells; one of the elements in food which you need to keep your body working properly prove protest noun / prəυtest/ 1. a statement that you object or disapprove of something 쑗 The new bypass went ahead despite the protests of the local inhabitants. 쑗 She resigned as a protest against the change in government policy. 2. 왍 in protest at showing that you do not approve of something 쑗 The staff occupied the offices in protest at their low pay. 왍 to do something under protest to do something, but say that you do not approve of it 쐽 verb /prə test/ 1. 왍 to protest against something to say that you do not approve of something; to raise a violent objection to something 쑗 Everyone has protested against the increase in bus fares. 2. to insist that something is true, when others think it isn’t 쑗 She went to prison still protesting her innocence. ③ Protestant / prɒtstənt/ adj referring to the Christian Church which separated from the Catholic Church at the time of the Reformation 쑗 She belongs to a Protestant parish. 쑗 The Church of England is a Protestant Church. 쐽 noun a member of a Christian Church which separated from the Catholic Church at the time of the Reformation protestation /prɒt steʃ(ə)n/ noun a strong or firm statement that something is true ③ protester /prə testə/ noun a person who protests. Synonym activist. Antonym ③ supporter ③ protocol / prəυtəkɒl/ noun 1. correct diplomatic behaviour 쑗 Diplomatic protocol dictates which ambassador sits next to the Queen. 2. a draft agreement 쑗 They drew up a protocol covering the points of agreement. proton / prəυtɒn/ noun a particle with a positive charge found in the nucleus of an atom ③ prototype / prəυtətap/ noun the first model of a new machine. Synonym example protracted /prə trktd/ adj very lengthy. Antonym brief protractor /prə trktə/ noun a device in the form of a semicircle of clear plastic, used for measuring angles in geometry protrude /prə tru d/ verb to stick out protrusion /prə tru Ȣ(ə)n/ noun something which protrudes protuberance /prə tju b(ə)rəns/ noun a bump or swelling ② proud /praυd/ adj 왍 proud of something full of pride about something 쑗 You must be very proud of your children. 쑗 He is proud to have served in the navy. 쒁 pride proudly / praυdli/ adv with pride ① prove /pru v/ verb 1. to show that something is true 쑗 The police think he stole the car but they can’t prove it. 쑗 I was determined to prove him wrong or that he was proven 671 wrong. 쒁 proof 2. 왍 to prove to be something to actually be something when it happens 쑗 The weather for the holiday weekend proved to be even hotter than was expected. 쑗 It’s proving very difficult to persuade him to sell his house. proven / pru v(ə)n/ adj tested and shown to be correct. Synonym established proverb / prɒv" b/ noun a saying which teaches you something. Synonym maxim proverbial /prə v" biəl/ adj 1. as mentioned in a proverb 쑗 She’s the proverbial early bird that catches the worm. 2. well known 쑗 the committee’s proverbial slowness to take any decisions ① provide /prə vad/ verb to supply something 쑗 Medical help was provided by the Red Cross. 쑗 Our hosts provided us with a car and driver. ③ provide for /prə vad fɔ / verb 왍 to provide for someone to give enough money to feed and clothe someone 쑗 He earns very little and finds it difficult to provide for a family of six children. 쑗 Will your family be provided for when you die? providence / prɒvd(ə)ns/ noun a lucky force which protects you (literary) 왍 to tempt providence to take a great risk 쑗 It will be tempting providence to buy that car without having had it checked by a garage. providential /prɒv denʃəl/ adj lucky (formal ) provider /prə vadə/ noun a person who provides material support for someone or something, especially a family ② province / prɒvns/ noun 1. a large administrative division of a country 쑗 the provinces of Canada 2. an area of knowledge or of responsibility 쑗 That’s not my province – you’ll have to ask the finance manager. provinces / prɒvnsz/ plural noun parts of a country away from the capital ② provincial /prə vnʃəl/ adj 1. referring to a province, to the provinces 쑗 a provincial government 2. not very sophisticated 쑗 They’re very provincial down in that part of the world. 쑗 He’s too provincial to appreciate this kind of music. 쐽 noun a person from the provinces 쑗 You provincials are out of touch with London fashion. provincialism /prə vnʃəlz(ə)m/ noun narrow-mindedness and lack of sophistication supposed to be found in provincial areas. Antonym worldliness ① provision /prə vȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of providing something 쑗 The provision of medical services is the responsibility of local government. 왍 to make provision for to see that something is allowed for in the future 쑗 We’ve made provision for the computer network to be expanded. 쑗 There is no provision . prudence for or no provision has been made for car parking in the plans for the office block. 2. a condition in a contract 쑗 It’s a provision of the contract that the goods should be transported by air. ③ provisional /prə vȢ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj 1. temporary 쑗 A provisional government was set up by the army. 2. not final 쑗 They faxed their provisional acceptance. 쑗 We made a provisional booking over the phone. provisionally /prə vȢ(ə)nəli/ adv temporarily provisions /prə vȢ(ə)nz/ plural noun food proviso /prə vazəυ/ noun a condition. Synonym stipulation (NOTE: The plural is provisos.) provocation /prɒvə keʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of making someone annoyed provocative /prə vɒkətv/ adj 1. likely to make someone annoyed 쑗 His provocative remarks did not go down well with the management. 2. likely to make someone sexually excited 쑗 In some countries it is considered provocative for women to wear short skirts. provocatively /prɒ vɒkətvli/ adv in a provocative way provoke /prə vəυk/ verb 1. to make someone angry 쑗 She provoked him into throwing a brick through her front window. 2. to make a reaction take place 쑗 His reply provoked an angry response from the crowd. prow /praυ/ noun the front end of a boat (literary) prowess / praυes/ noun great skill prowl /praυl/ noun 왍 on the prowl creeping about 쑗 a tiger on the prowl in the jungle 쐽 verb to creep about quietly 쑗 She thinks she saw someone prowling about in the undergrowth. 쑗 The police are on the lookout for looters prowling around the deserted town. prowler / praυlə/ noun a person who moves about an area looking for an opportunity to commit a criminal act proximity /prɒk smti/ noun the fact of being close to something proxy / prɒksi/ noun 1. a document which gives someone the power to act on behalf of someone else 쑗 If you are away from home on voting day, you can cast your vote by proxy. 2. a person who acts on behalf of someone else 쑗 to act as a proxy for someone (NOTE: The plural is proxies.) proxy vote / prɒksi vəυt/ noun a vote made by proxy prude /pru d/ noun a prudish person prudence / pru dəns/ noun great care or caution prudent 672 prudent / pru dənt/ adj very careful and very cautious about avoiding risks. Synonym wise prudish / pru dʃ/ adj with strict principles and easily shocked. Synonym prim. Antonym relaxed prune /pru n/ noun a dried plum 쑗 He had a bowl of stewed prunes for breakfast. 쐽 verb 1. to cut back a tree or shrub, to keep it in good shape 쑗 That bush is blocking the window – it needs pruning. 2. to reduce the size of something such as expenditure or parts of a book 쑗 We had to prune about half the text. pry /pra/ verb 1. to look inquisitively into something 쑗 She accused the press of prying into her private life. 2. 왍 to pry something open US to lift something open with force 쑗 He pried the lid open. PS noun an additional note at the end of a letter 쑗 Did you read the PS at the end of the letter? Full form post scriptum psalm /sɑ m/ noun a religious poem or song from the Bible pseudonym / sju dənm/ noun a false or invented name used by an author. Synonym alias psyche / saki/ noun the subconscious mind psychedelic /sakə delk/ adj 1. so full of bright moving colours that you become dizzy 쑗 He painted his car in psychedelic colours. 2. which makes you imagine sights and sounds 쑗 The drug has a psychedelic effect. psychiatric /saki trk/ adj referring to psychiatry psychiatrist /sa kaətrst/ noun a person who studies and treats mental disease psychiatry /sa kaətri/ noun the study of mental disease psychic / sakk/ adj referring to supernatural forces 쑗 He spends his time investigating reports of psychic phenomena. 쑗 She must be psychic if she can tell the result of the lottery in advance. 쐽 noun a person who claims to be in contact with supernatural forces or with dead people 쑗 They consulted a psychic to try find out what had happened to their daughter. Synonym clairvoyant psychoanalyse /sakəυ nəlaz/, psychoanalyze verb to treat someone by psychoanalysis psychoanalysis /sakəυə nləss/ noun a treatment of mental disorder where a specialist talks to patients and analyses their condition psychoanalyst /sakəυ n(ə)lst/ noun a doctor who is trained in psychoanalysis (NOTE: also shortened to analyst) ③ psychological /sakə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to psychology 쑗 Her problems are public mainly psychological. 쑗 This could have a very bad effect on the child’s psychological development. Synonym mental ③ psychologist /sa kɒlədȢst/ noun a person who studies the human mind ③ psychology /sa kɒlədȢi/ noun the study of the human mind 쑗 She’s taking a psychology course. 쑗 the psychology department in the university psychopath / sakəpθ/ noun a criminal who is dangerous and mentally unstable (technical ) psychopathic /sakə pθk/ adj mentally unstable in a dangerous way psychosis /sa kəυss/ noun any serious mental disorder in which someone can no longer tell what is real (NOTE: The plural is psychoses /sa kəυsi z/.) psychosomatic /sakəυsə mtk/ adj describing a physical illness that is caused by a mental problem psychotherapist /sakəυ θerəpst/ noun a person trained to give psychotherapy psychotherapy /sakəυ θerəpi/ noun a treatment of mental disorders by psychological methods, as when a psychotherapist talks to patients and encourages them to talk about their problems psychotic /sa kɒtk/ adj referring to or experiencing psychosis ③ pt abbr pint PTA abbr Parent-Teacher Association ③ PTO abbr ‘please turn over’, letters written at the bottom of a page, showing that there is something written on the other side ② pub /pb/ noun a public house, a place where you can buy beer and other alcoholic drinks, as well as snacks and meals 쑗 I happened to meet him at the pub. 쑗 We had a sandwich and some beer in the pub. 쑗 Don’t tell your mother you’ve been to the pub. pub crawl / pb krɔ l/ noun the practice of going from pub to pub having a drink in each one (informal ) puberty / pju bəti/ noun the time of life when childhood ends and adolescence and sexual maturity begin pub grub / pb DZrb/ noun the sort of food you can get in a pub (informal ) pubic / pju bk/ adj referring to the area around the sexual organs pubic hair /pju bk heə/ noun hair surrounding the sexual organs (NOTE: Do not . . . confuse with public.) ① public / pblk/ adj referring to the peo- ple in general 쑗 The crown jewels are on public display in the Tower of London. 쑗 It’s in the public interest that the facts should be known. 쐽 noun 1. people in general 쑗 The public have the right to know what is going on. 왍 the travelling public people who public-address system 673 travel frequently 왍 the great British public the British people (humorous) 쒁 general public 2. 왍 in public in the open; in front of everyone 쑗 This is the first time he has appeared in public since his accident. 쑗 I dare you to repeat those remarks in public. 앳 to go public 1. to tell something to everyone 쑗 After the leaks to the press, the government finally went public on the proposal. 2. to sell shares in a private or nationalised company on the stock exchange 쑗 The plan is for the company to go public next year. public-address system /pblk ə dres sstəm/ noun full form of PA publican / pblkən/ noun a person who manages a pub ② publication /pbl keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process of making something public 쑗 The publication of the official figures has been delayed. 2. a book or newspaper which has been published 쑗 He asked the library for a list of gardening publications. ③ public conveniences /pblk kənvi niənsz/ plural noun toilets for the general public public domain /pblk dəυ men/ noun property or information which belongs to and is available to the public public figure /pblk fDZə/ noun a well-known person such as an actor or politician ③ public holiday /pblk hɒlde/ noun a day when most businesses and banks are closed ③ public house /pblk haυs/ noun a place where you can buy beer and other alcoholic drinks, as well as snacks and meals (formal ) (NOTE: usually shortened to pub) publicise / pblsaz/, publicize verb to attract people’s attention to something; to make publicity for something publicist / pblsst/ noun a person who attracts people’s attention to something through advertising ② publicity /p blsti/ noun advertising which attracts people’s attention to something 쑗 We’re trying to get publicity for our school play. 쑗 The failure of the show was blamed on bad publicity. publicity campaign /p blsti kmpen/ noun a period when planned publicity takes place publicly / pblkli/ adv in public. Synonym openly. Antonym secretly ③ public opinion /pblk ə pnjən/ noun what people in general think or feel about something public ownership /pblk əυnəʃp/ noun a situation where an industry is owned by the state, or has been nationalised . puff public school /pblk sku l/ noun 1. (in Britain) a private fee-paying secondary school which is not part of the state education system 쑗 Eton and Winchester are two famous British public schools. 2. (in the USA) a school which is paid for by public taxes 쑗 The state has decided to spend more money on its public school system. (NOTE: The British term is state school.) public sector / pblk sektə/ noun the nationalised industries and the civil service public service /pblk s" vs/ noun 1. the practice of working for the state 2. all government agencies and their personnel 쑗 He’s hoping for a job in the public service. public-service broadcasting /pblk s" vs brɔ dkɑ stŋ/ noun a broadcasting service which is subsidised by the state ③ public transport /pblk trnspɔ t/ noun transport such as buses and trains which can be used by everyone public works /pblk w" ks/ plural noun engineering and building work paid for by the government 쑗 The government has been forced to scrap several large public works projects. 쑗 The local authority is increasing its spending on public works. ① publish / pblʃ/ verb 1. to make publicly known 쑗 The government has not published the figures yet. 2. to bring out a book or newspaper for sale 쑗 The company publishes six magazines for the business market. 쑗 We publish dictionaries for students. publishable / pblʃəb(ə)l/ adj suitable to be published ③ publisher / pblʃə/ noun a person or company that produces books or newspapers for sale ③ publishing / pblʃŋ/ noun the process of producing books or newspapers for sale publishing house / pblʃŋ haυs/ noun a firm which publishes books puck /pk/ noun a small hard rubber disk used in ice hockey pucker / pkə/ noun a wrinkle or fold. Synonym gather 쐽 verb to wrinkle your forehead pud /pυd/ noun same as pudding (informal ) ③ pudding / pυdŋ/ noun 1. the sweet course at the end of a meal 쑗 I’ll have ice cream for my pudding. Synonym dessert 2. a sweet food which has been cooked or boiled 쑗 There’s too much sugar in this pudding. 쑗 He helped himself to some more pudding. puddle / pd(ə)l/ noun a small pool of water, such as a pool on the pavement left after rain puff /pf/ noun 1. a small breath of air or smoke 쑗 He took a puff on his cigarette. 쑗 . puff out 674 Little puffs of smoke came out of the chimney. 2. 왍 out of puff having difficulty in breathing after running, etc. (informal ) 쑗 After the race I was completely out of puff. 쐽 verb 1. to blow 쑗 White smoke was puffing out of the engine. 쑗 He sat in a corner, puffing on his pipe. 2. to breathe with difficulty 쑗 He was puffing and panting and he’d only run fifty yards. puff out /pf aυt/ verb 1. to make something swell by bringing in air 쑗 He puffed out his chest in pride. 2. 왍 to be puffed out to be tired and out of breath 쑗 Slow down a bit, I’m puffed out. puff pastry /pf pestri/ noun a light sort of pastry puffy / pfi/ adj swollen pugnacious /pDZ neʃəs/ adj ready to argue or fight puke /pju k/ verb 왍 to puke (up) to bring up partly digested food into your mouth (informal ) 쑗 The baby puked (up) all over the carpet. 왍 to make someone (want to) puke to make someone feel angry and upset 쑗 All these stories about lottery millionaires make me puke. ① pull /pυl/ verb 1. to move something towards you or after you 쑗 Pull the door to open it, don’t push. 쑗 The truck was pulling a trailer. 쑗 She pulled some envelopes out of her bag. 쑗 These little boys spend their time pulling girls’ hair. 2. 왍 to pull someone’s leg to make someone believe something as a joke 쑗 Don’t believe anything he says – he’s just pulling your leg. 3. 왍 to pull a muscle to injure a muscle by using it too much 쑗 She’s pulled a muscle in her back. 쐽 noun 1. an influence 쑗 She must have some pull over him. 2. a handle which has to be pulled 쑗 The beer pull has the name of the beer on it. 3. the deep inhaling of a cigarette 쑗 He lit a cigarette and took a long pull. ① pull down /pυl daυn/ verb to knock down a building. Synonym demolish. Antonym build up pull-down menu / pυl daυn menju / noun a menu which appears as a list on part of a computer screen pulley / pυli/ noun apparatus for lifting heavy weights with a rope that runs round several wheels. Synonym winch ① pull in /pυl n/, pull into /pυl ntυ/ verb to drive close to the side of the road and stop ① pull off /pυl ɒf/ verb 1. to take off a piece of clothing by pulling 쑗 He sat down and pulled off his dirty boots. 2. to do something successfully 쑗 He pulled off a big financial deal. 쑗 It will be marvellous if we can pull it off. 3. to drive off a road and stop 쑗 He pulled off the road and lit a cigarette. . . pump ① pull out /pυl aυt/ verb 1. to pull something out of something 쑗 They used a rope to pull the car out of the river. 쒁 finger 2. to drive a car away from the side of the road 쑗 He forgot to signal as he was pulling out. 쑗 Don’t pull out into the main road until you can see that there is nothing coming. 3. to stop being part of a deal or agreement 쑗 Our Australian partners pulled out at the last moment. ① pull over /pυl əυvə/ verb to drive a car towards the side of the road 쑗 The police car signalled to him to pull over. ① pullover / pυləυvə/ noun a piece of clothing made of wool, which covers the top part of your body, and which you pull over your head to put it on ① pull round /pυl raυnd/, pull through /pυl θru / verb to recover from an illness ① pull together /pυl tə DZeðə/ verb 왍 to pull yourself together to become more calm 쑗 Although he was shocked by the news he soon pulled himself together. ① pull up /pυl p/ verb 1. to bring something closer 쑗 Pull your chair up to the window. 2. (of a vehicle) to stop 쑗 A car pulled up and the driver asked me if I wanted a lift. 쑗 He didn’t manage to pull up in time and ran into the back of the car in front. pulmonary / plmən(ə)ri/ adj referring to the lungs pulp /plp/ noun a squashy mass 쑗 Cook the apples to a pulp. 쑗 If you don’t do as I say I’ll beat you to a pulp. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to crush something to a pulp 쑗 Waste paper can be pulped and recycled. pulp fiction /plp fkʃən/ noun cheap novels which are considered to be of poor quality pulpit / pυlpt/ noun the raised platform in a church where the priest preaches pulsar / plsɑ / noun an invisible star which sends out radio signals pulsate /pl set/ verb to throb regularly pulsation /pl seʃ(ə)n/ noun a regular throbbing ③ pulse /pls/ noun 1. a regular beat of your heart 쑗 The doctor took his pulse. 쑗 Her pulse is very weak. 2. the dried seed of peas or beans 쑗 Pulses are used a lot in Mexican cooking. pulverise / plvəraz/, pulverize verb to crush something to powder puma / pju mə/ noun a large brown wild cat from North and South America. Also called cougar, mountain lion pummel / pm(ə)l/ verb to hit something hard repeatedly ③ pump /pmp/ noun a machine for forcing liquids or air 쐽 verb 1. to force in something such as liquid or air with a pump 쑗 pumpkin 675 Your back tyre needs pumping up. 쑗 The heart pumps blood round the body. 2. to ask someone a lot of questions to try to get information (informal ) 쑗 We pumped her after the interview to find out the sort of questions she had been asked. pumpkin / pmpkn/ noun a large round orange-coloured vegetable pun /pn/ noun a play with words which have several different meanings 쑗 He made an awful pun about ‘ploughing on’ with his book on agriculture. Synonym witticism 쐽 verb to make puns 쑗 He was punning on the two senses of ‘hedge’. (NOTE: punning – . punned) punch /pntʃ/ noun 1. a blow with the fist 쑗 She landed two punches on his head. 2. a metal tool for making holes 쑗 The holes in the belt are made with a punch. (NOTE: The plural is punches.) 3. a drink made of wine or spirits and spices 쑗 He drank a bowl of rum punch. 쐽 verb 1. to hit someone with your fist 쑗 He punched me on the nose. 2. to make holes in something with a punch 쑗 The conductor punched my ticket. Punch and Judy /pntʃ ən dȢu di/ noun a children’s puppet show with the traditional characters of Punch, a man with a large hooked nose, his wife Judy and their dog 왍 as pleased as Punch very pleased 쑗 He’s as pleased as Punch to be chosen to play for the school. punchdrunk / pntʃdrŋk/ adj 1. suffering from brain damage from being punched on the head too often 쑗 By the end of his career as a boxer he was obviously punchdrunk. 2. tired out and not able to think clearly 쑗 The delegates emerged punchdrunk from the all-night negotiating session. punchline / pntʃlan/ noun the last part of a joke, which is the part that makes you laugh punctual / pŋktʃuəl/ adj on time punctuality /pŋktʃu lti/ noun the practice of being on time, never being late. Synonym promptness punctually / pŋktʃuəli/ adv on time punctuate / pŋktʃuet/ verb 1. to interrupt something 쑗 Their conversation was punctuated with long silences. 2. to add punctuation marks to a text 쑗 The sentence was not punctuated correctly. punctuation /pŋktʃu eʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of dividing up groups of words using special printed symbols puncture / pŋktʃə/ noun a hole in a tyre 쑗 I’ve got a puncture in my back tyre. (NOTE: The US term is flat.) 쐽 verb to make a small hole in something 쑗 The tyre had been punctured by a nail. ③ pup pundit / pndt/ noun an expert, especially in political matters pungent / pndȢənt/ adj 1. with a strong taste or smell 쑗 The pungent odour of curry came from the kitchen. 쑗 a particularly pungent type of goat’s cheese 2. (of comments) strong and sharp 쑗 She reserved her most pungent criticism for the way we performed the musical numbers. punish / pnʃ/ verb to make someone suffer because of something they have done 쑗 The children must be punished for stealing apples. 쑗 The simplest way to punish them will be to make them pay for the damage they caused. Synonym chastise. Antonym commend punishable / pnʃəb(ə)l/ adj for which you can be punished. Synonym disciplinary punishing / pnʃŋ/ adj exhausting, which makes you tired. Synonym gruelling ③ punishment / pnʃmənt/ noun a treatment given to punish someone 쑗 As a punishment, you’ll wash the kitchen floor. punitive / pju ntv/ adj which aims to punish. Synonym disciplinary ③ punk /pŋk/ noun a person who dresses in unconventional clothes, has brightly coloured hair and pins through parts of the body punk rock /pŋk rɒk/ noun a type of loud music popular in the 1960s punnet / pnt/ noun a small box made of plastic or thin pieces of wood, used to hold soft fruit. Synonym basket punt /pnt/ noun 1. a long flat-bottomed boat, pushed along with a pole 쑗 I took her out in a punt and we picnicked on the river. 2. the Irish pound, currency formerly used in the Republic of Ireland, now replaced by the euro 3. a bet 쑗 That horse is worth a punt. 쐽 verb 1. to push a punt with a pole 쑗 We went punting on the Cam at Cambridge. 2. to kick a ball which is in the air 쑗 He punted the ball into touch. punter / pntə/ noun 1. a person who gambles 쑗 Most of the punters had backed the favourite. 쑗 Punters lost thousands when the favourite fell at the last fence. 2. a person who uses a service 쑗 We have to keep the punters happy. 3. a person who pushes a punt along with a pole 쑗 Punters tended to stay close to the river bank. puny / pju ni/ adj 1. weak and feeble 쑗 The puny body of the baby piglet. 쑗 Their puny efforts were totally unequal to the task. 2. very small 쑗 This year’s pay rise is the puniest we’ve ever had. (NOTE: punier – puniest) pup /pp/ noun the young of certain ani- mals, especially a young dog or seal 쑗 Our bitch has had pups. 쑗 They went out onto rocky islands looking for seal pups. 쐽 verb to pupa 676 have pups 쑗 She’s likely to pup in the next couple of days. (NOTE: pupping – pupped) pupa / pju pə/ noun a resting period in the life of an insect when it is covered with a hard case as it changes from a larva to a butterfly or moth. Also called chrysalis (NOTE: The plural is pupae.) ① pupil / pju p(ə)l/ noun 1. a child at a school 쑗 There are twenty-five pupils in the class. 쑗 The piano teacher thinks she is her best pupil. 2. a black hole in the central part of the eye, through which the light passes 쑗 The pupil of the eye grows larger when there is less light. puppet / ppt/ noun a doll which moves, used to give a show puppeteer /pp tə/ noun a person who gives a performance using puppets puppet show / ppt ʃəυ/ noun a show given using puppets ③ puppy / ppi/ noun a baby dog 쑗 Our dog has had six puppies. (NOTE: The plural is puppies.) puppy fat / ppi ft/ noun fat on the bodies of young children (informal ) purchase / p" tʃs/ noun 1. a thing bought 쑗 She had difficulty getting all her purchases into the car. 왍 to make a purchase to buy something 쑗 We didn’t make many purchases on our trip to Oxford Street. 2. the ability to get a grip on something 쑗 I couldn’t get any purchase on the smooth face of the rock. 쑗 It’s difficult to get a purchase on a box as large as this one. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 쐽 verb to buy something 쑗 They purchased their car in France and brought it back to the UK. purchase price / p" tʃs pras/ noun a price paid for something (formal ) purchaser / p" tʃsə/ noun a person who buys something. Synonym buyer purchase tax / p" tʃs tks/ noun a tax paid on things which are bought purchasing power / p" tʃsŋ paυə/ noun a quantity that can be bought with a certain amount of money ② pure /pjυə/ adj 1. very clean; not mixed with other things 쑗 a bottle of pure water 쑗 a pure silk blouse 쑗 a pure mountain stream 2. with no faults 쑗 She led a pure life. 3. total, complete 쑗 This is pure nonsense. 쑗 It is pure extortion. 쑗 It is pure spite on his part. 쑗 It was by pure good luck that I happened to find it. (NOTE: purer – purest) ② purely / pjυəli/ adv only, solely 쑗 He’s doing it purely for the money. 쑗 This is a purely educational visit. purgatory / p" DZət(ə)ri/ noun 1. a place where some people believe your soul will suffer temporarily after you die, before enter. ③ . purpose-built ing heaven 쑗 Masses were said for the souls in purgatory. 2. an experience which makes you suffer 쑗 It was sheer purgatory listening to her singing out of tune. purge /p" dȢ/ noun the process of removing opponents and unacceptable people from a group 쑗 The party has begun a purge of right-wing elements. 쐽 verb 1. to remove something bad or harmful from your mind or body 쑗 I want you to purge your minds of any unhappy memories. 쑗 This special diet is designed to purge the toxins from your body. 2. to remove opponents or other unacceptable people from a group 쑗 The activists have purged the party of moderates or have purged the moderates from the party. 3. 왍 to purge your contempt, to purge a contempt of court to do something, such as make an apology, to show that you are sorry for the lack of respect you have shown to the court 4. to make a patient have a bowel movement 쑗 Old-fashioned doctors frequently purged their patients. purification /pjυərf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of making something or someone pure purify / pjυərfa/ verb to make something or someone pure. Synonym cleanse. Antonym contaminate purist / pjυərst/ noun a person who insists that everything has to be done in the correct way. Synonym traditionalist puritan / pjυərt(ə)n/ noun a puritanical person puritanical /pjυər tnk(ə)l/ adj very strict concerning morals ③ purity / pjυərti/ noun the quality of being pure purloin /p" lɔn/ verb to steal (formal or humorous) purple / p" p(ə)l/ adj blue-red in colour 쑗 The sky turned purple as night approached. 쑗 His face was purple with fury. 쐽 noun a blue-red colour 쑗 They painted their living room a deep purple. purport noun / p" pɔ t/ a general meaning (formal ) 쑗 What was the purport of his remarks? 쐽 verb /pə pɔ t/ to claim something 쑗 He was purported to be a friend of the princess. ① purpose / p" pəs/ noun 1. an aim or plan 쑗 The purpose of the meeting is to plan the village fair. 왍 I need the invoice for tax purposes I need the invoice so that I can declare it to the tax authorities 2. 왍 on purpose in a way which was planned 쑗 Don’t be cross – he didn’t do it on purpose. Antonym by . accident purpose-built /p" pəs blt/ adj made specially for tailor-made a purpose. Synonym purposeful 677 purposeful / p" pəsf(ə)l/ adj with a specific aim in view purposefully / p" pəsf(ə)li/ adv with a specific aim purposeless / p" pəsləs/ adj without having any specific aim purposely / p" pəsli/ adv intentionally. Synonym deliberately. Antonym accidentally purr /p" / noun 1. the noise made by a cat when pleased 쑗 The cat rubbed against my leg with a loud purr. 2. a low noise made by a powerful engine 쑗 the purr of the boat’s engine 쐽 verb 1. (of a cat) to make a noise to show pleasure 쑗 He purrs when you tickle his stomach. 2. to speak in a low voice 쑗 ‘Come up and see me some time’, she purred in his ear. 3. (of an engine) to make a low noise as you travel along 쑗 We purred along at seventy miles an hour. ③ purse /p" s/ noun 1. a small bag for carrying money 쑗 I know I had my purse in my pocket when I left home. 쑗 She put her ticket in her purse so that she wouldn’t forget where it was. 왍 to control or hold the purse strings to control the money 쑗 As she’s the only money-earner, she holds the purse strings in her family. 2. US a small bag which a woman carries to hold her money and other small objects 쑗 A robber snatched her purse in the street. (NOTE: The British term is handbag.) 쐽 verb 왍 to purse your lips to press your lips together to show you are annoyed ② pursue /pə sju / verb 1. to chase someone or something 쑗 The police pursued the stolen car across London. 쑗 The guerrillas fled, hotly pursued by government troops. 2. to carry on a career, an activity 쑗 He pursued his career in the Foreign Office. 쑗 We intend to pursue a policy of reducing taxation. pursuer /pə sju ə/ noun a person who chases someone. Synonym follower pursuit /pə sju t/ noun 1. a chase after someone 쑗 The pursuit lasted until the thieves were caught in an alleyway. 왍 in pursuit of looking for 쑗 We set off in pursuit of our friends who had just left the hotel. 쑗 The robbers left in a stolen car with the police in pursuit. 왍 in hot pursuit chasing someone actively 쑗 The rebels retreated into the mountains with the government forces in hot pursuit. 2. trying to find something, to do something 쑗 Her aim in life is the pursuit of pleasure. 3. an occupation or pastime (dated ) 쑗 He spends his time in country pursuits like gardening and birdwatching. pus /ps/ noun a yellow liquid formed in the body as a reaction to infection ① push /pυʃ/ noun 1. the action of making something move forwards 쑗 He gave the pram a little push and sent it out into the . put road. 쑗 Can you give the car a push? – It won’t start. 2. the action of attacking, of moving forward against someone 쑗 Our troops made a sudden push into enemy-held territory. 쑗 The company made a big push to get into European markets. 3. 왍 at a push with some difficulty (informal ) 쑗 The cottage will sleep ten people at a push. 4. determination to do well (informal ) 쑗 He doesn’t have enough push to be a salesman. Synonym energy 쐽 verb 1. to make something move away from you or in front of you 쑗 We’ll have to push the car to get it to start. 쑗 The piano is too heavy to lift, so we’ll have to push it into the next room. 쑗 Did she fall down the stairs or was she pushed? 2. to press something with your finger 쑗 Push the right-hand button to start the computer. 3. 왍 I am pushed for time I haven’t much time to spare (informal ) 쑗 Let’s have a snack because I’m pushed for time. 4. to sell drugs illegally 쑗 The police found him pushing drugs behind the railway station. push back /pυʃ bk/ verb to make something or someone go back by pushing pushbike / pυʃbak/ noun same as bicycle (dated ) pushbutton / pυʃbtn/ noun a switch which is operated by pushing 쐽 adj operated by a button which can be pushed 쑗 a pushbutton timer pushchair / pυʃtʃeə/ noun a light folding chair with wheels for pushing a child in. Also called buggy pusher / pυʃə/ noun a person who sells drugs illegally (slang) Synonym dealer ③ push off /pυʃ ɒf/ verb to start on a journey (informal ) Synonym go away 왍 we really ought to push off now it’s time for us to go 왍 push off! go away! pushover / pυʃəυvə/ noun 1. something that is easy to do 2. a person who is easily tricked push-up / pυʃ p/ noun US an exercise where you lie on the floor and push yourself up with your arms (NOTE: The British term is . . . . . press-up.) pushy / pυʃi/ adj always trying to push yourself forward, trying too hard to achieve success (informal ) Synonym assertive. Antonym retiring pussyfoot / pυsifυt/ verb (informal ) 왍 to pussyfoot about to be unable to decide what to do or how to do something 쑗 Stop pussyfooting about and make your mind up! ① put /pυt/ verb 1. to place something somewhere 쑗 Did you remember to put the milk in the fridge? 쑗 Where do you want me to put this book? 2. to say in words 쑗 If you put it like that, the proposal seems attractive. 쑗 Can I put a question to the speaker? 3. 왍 to put the shot to throw a heavy ball as a . . put away 678 sport 쑗 He has put the shot further than any other athlete in our team. ③ put away /pυt ə we/ verb to clear things away ① put back /pυt bk/ verb to put something where it was before 왍 to put the clocks back to change the time on clocks back to one hour earlier at the beginning of winter 쑗 Did you remember to put the clocks back last night? ① put by /pυt ba/ verb to save money ① put down /pυt daυn/ verb 1. to place something lower down onto a surface 쑗 He put his suitcase down on the floor beside him. 2. to write something down 3. to charge something 쑗 Put that book down on my account. 4. to let passengers get off 쑗 The taxi driver put me down outside the hotel. 5. to make a deposit 쑗 to put down money on a house 6. to kill a sick animal 쑗 The cat is very old, she’ll have to be put down. 7. to defeat a group of people who make an attack against people in authority 앳 to put your foot down 1. to say firmly that something must be done 쑗 She put her foot down and told them to stop playing music all night. 2. to make a car go faster 쑗 He put his foot down and we soon left the police car behind. ① put forward /pυt fɔ wəd/ verb 1. to suggest something 쑗 I put forward several suggestions for plays we might go to see. 2. to change an arrangement to meet someone to a earlier time 쑗 Can we put forward the meeting from Thursday to Wednesday? 3. to change the time on a clock to a later one 쑗 You have to put the clocks forward by one hour in March. ① put in /pυt n/ verb 1. to place something inside 쑗 I forgot to put in my pyjamas when I packed the case. 2. to fix something such as a system or a large piece of equipment in place so that it can be used 쑗 The first thing we have to do with the cottage is to put in central heating. 3. to do work 쑗 She put in three hours’ overtime work yesterday evening. 4. 왍 to put in for to apply for 쑗 She put in for a job in the accounts department. 쑗 He has put in for a grant to study in Italy. put into /pυt ntυ/ verb 1. to place something inside something 쑗 She put the roast into the oven. 2. to go into a harbour 쑗 We put into Torquay for repairs. 3. (in a car ) to move the gear lever into a particular position 쑗 She put the car into reverse. ① put off /pυt ɒf/ verb 1. to arrange for something to take place later 쑗 We have put the meeting off until next month. 2. to take someone’s attention so that he cannot do things properly 쑗 Stop making that strange noise, it’s putting me off my work. 3. to say something to make someone decide not to do . put up something 쑗 He told a story about cows that put me off my food. 쑗 I was going to see the film, but my brother said something which put me off. ① put on /pυt ɒn/ verb 1. to place something on top of something, on a surface 쑗 Put the lid on the saucepan. 쑗 He put his hand on my arm. 쑗 Put the suitcases down on the floor. 2. to dress yourself 쑗 I put a clean shirt on before I went to the party. 쑗 Put your gloves on, it’s cold outside. 쑗 Put on your wellies if you’re going out in the rain. 3. to switch something on 쑗 Can you put the light on, it’s getting dark? 쑗 Put on the kettle and we’ll have some tea. 4. to add something 쑗 She has put on a lot of weight since I saw her last. ① put out /pυt aυt/ verb 1. to place something outside 쑗 Did you remember to put the cat out? 2. to stretch out a part of your body, e.g. your hand or foot 쑗 She put out her hand to stop herself from falling. 3. to switch something off 쑗 He put the light out and went to bed. 4. 왍 to be put out to be annoyed (informal ) 쑗 He was very put out because you didn’t ask him to stay for dinner. putrefy / pju trfa/ verb to decay. Synonym rot putrid / pju trd/ adj decayed; which smells extremely unpleasant putt /pt/ noun a short shot on a green in golf 쑗 He sank a fifteen-foot putt to win the game. 쐽 verb to hit a short gentle shot on the green in golf 쑗 He putted much better than his opponent. putter / ptə/ noun golf club for putting 쑗 He uses a special lightweight putter. 쐽 verb 왍 to putter around US not to do anything in particular, to do little jobs here and there 쑗 He likes to putter around in the yard at the weekend. put through /pυt θru / verb 1. 왍 to put someone through to someone to connect them on the phone 쑗 Peter is out so I’ll put you through to Simon. 쑗 I asked to speak to the accounts department and they put me through to sales. 2. to make someone experience something unpleasant 쑗 I don’t want to be put through that treatment again. putting green / ptŋ DZri n/ noun 1. an area on a golf course where the ground is even and the grass is very short, allowing short shots to be made close to the hole 2. a small golf course where only short shots are needed putty / pti/ noun a soft substance which becomes hard after a time, used especially for fixing the glass in windows ① put up /pυt p/ verb 1. to attach something to a wall, to attach something high up 쑗 I’ve put up the photos of my family over my desk. 쑗 They are putting up Christmas deco. put up with 679 rations all along Regent Street. 2. to build something so that it is upright 쑗 They put up a wooden shed in their garden. 3. to lift something up 쑗 The gunman told us to put our hands up. 4. to increase something, to make something higher 쑗 The shop has put up all its prices by 5%. 5. to give someone a place to sleep in your house 쑗 They’ve missed the last train, can you put them up for the night? ① put up with /pυt p wθ/ verb to accept someone or something unpleasant puzzle / pz(ə)l/ noun 1. a game where you have to find the answer to a problem 쑗 I can’t do today’s crossword puzzle. 2. something you can’t understand 쑗 It’s a puzzle to me why they don’t go to live in the country. 쐽 verb 1. to be difficult to understand 쑗 It puzzles me how the robbers managed to get away. 2. to find something difficult to understand 쑗 She puzzled over the crossword for hours. puzzled / pz(ə)ld/ adj confused, not understanding something. Antonym enlightened puzzling / pz(ə)lŋ/ adj which is difficult to understand and does not seem reasonable PVC noun a strong plastic material, used in floor coverings, water pipes and clothing pygmy / pDZmi/ adj much smaller than usual 쑗 a pygmy breed of elephant ③ pyjamas /pə dȢɑ məz/ plural noun a light shirt and trousers which you wear in bed python 쑗 I bought two pairs of pyjamas in the sale. 쑗 When fire broke out in the hotel, the guests ran into the street in their pyjamas. (NOTE: A pair of pyjamas means one shirt and one pair of trousers. The US spelling is pajamas.) pylon / palən/ noun a tall metal tower for carrying electric wires ③ pyramid / prəmd/ noun a shape with a square base and four sides rising to meet at a point pyre /paə/ noun a large fire which is burned as part of a ceremony pyromaniac /parəυ menik/ noun a person who cannot control their strong feeling of wanting to start fires pyrotechnics /parəυ teknks/ noun the art of making fireworks 쑗 They called in a pyrotechnics expert to set up the display. 쐽 plural noun 1. a firework display 쑗 The pyrotechnics lit up the night sky. 2. an occasion such as a performance in which someone shows a lot of skill 쑗 a piece of music notable for the pyrotechnics demanded from the percussion section 쑗 She is capable of amazing vocal pyrotechnics when reciting Shakespeare. Pyrrhic victory /prk vkt(ə)ri/ noun a victory which costs too much or involves too many losses python / paθ(ə)n/ noun a large snake which kills animals by crushing them Q q /kju /, Q noun the seventeenth letter of the alphabet, between P and R QC /kju si / noun a senior British barrister. Full form Queen’s Counsel quack /kwk/ noun 1. a sound made by a duck 쑗 I heard a quack in the reeds. 2. a bad doctor (disapproving) 쑗 I went to see the quack and he gave me some pills. 쐽 verb to make a noise like a duck 쑗 We could hear the ducks quacking on the lake. quadrangle / kwɒdrŋDZəl/ noun 1. an open square surrounded by buildings in a school or college 쑗 Students crossed the quadrangle on their way to lectures. 2. a geometric figure with four sides quadrilateral /kwɒdr lt(ə)rəl/ noun a shape with four sides, such as a square, rectangle or parallelogram quadruped / kwɒdrυped/ noun an animal with four legs quadruple / kwɒdrυp(ə)l/ adj four times as much; in four parts 쐽 verb to multiply four times 쑗 Our profits have quadrupled in the last three years. Antonym decrease quadruplets / kwɒdrυplets/ plural noun four babies born to a mother at the same time quads /kwɒdz/ same as quadruplets quagmire / kwDZmaə/ noun 1. an area of extremely wet ground, where you may be in danger of sinking or of becoming stuck 쑗 Be careful when you take the path across the quagmire. 쑗 After the rain, the football pitch was like a quagmire. 2. a situation which is very complicated 쑗 The project got bogged down in a quagmire of government restrictions. quail /kwel/ noun a small brown game bird, like a very small partridge 쑗 Would you prefer white or red wine with your roast quail? 쐽 verb 왍 to quail at something to not want to do something, e.g. because you are afraid or because it is unpleasant 쑗 She quailed at the thought of having to do all the Christmas shopping. quaint /kwent/ adj attractive in a way which is strange or unusual quake /kwek/ noun an occasion when there is a violent shaking of the earth, caused by volcanic activity or movement of the Earth’s crust (informal ) 쑗 Thousands of . buildings were flattened in the San Francisco quake of 1906. Synonym earthquake 쐽 verb 1. to shake 쑗 The explosion made the buildings quake. 2. 왍 to quake with something to shake because you have a strong feeling such as fear or because you are very cold 쑗 She was quaking with fear at the thought of going for an interview. 쑗 He was quaking in his boots at the idea of having to speak to an audience of specialists. ② qualification /kwɒlf keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. something necessary for a job, such as proof that you have completed a particular course of study 쑗 Does she have the right qualifications for the job? 왍 what are his qualifications? what type of degree or diploma does he have? 2. something which limits the meaning of a statement, or shows that you do not agree with something completely 쑗 I want to add one qualification to the agreement: if the goods are not delivered by the 30th of June, then the order will be cancelled. 3. being successful in a test or competition which takes you on to the next stage 쑗 She didn’t reach the necessary standard for qualification. ③ qualified / kwɒlfad/ adj 1. with the right qualifications 쑗 She’s a qualified doctor. 왍 highly qualified with very good results in examinations 쑗 All our staff are highly qualified. 2. not complete, with conditions attached 쑗 The committee gave its qualified approval. 쑗 The school fair was only a qualified success. qualifier / kwɒlfaə/ noun 1. a person who qualifies in a sports competition 쑗 How many qualifiers were there from the first round? 2. a round of a sports competition which qualifies a team to go to the next round 쑗 They won their qualifier and went through to the semi-final. ② qualify / kwɒlfa/ verb 1. 왍 to qualify as to study for and obtain a qualification which allows you to do a certain type of work 쑗 He has qualified as an engineer. 쑗 When I first qualified I worked as a solicitor. 2. to attach conditions to something 쑗 I must qualify the offer by saying that your proposals still have to be approved by the chairman. 왍 the auditors have qualified the accounts the qualitative 681 auditors have found something in the accounts of the company which they do not agree with 앳 to qualify for 1. to be in the right position for, to have the right to have something 쑗 The project does not qualify for a government grant. 2. to pass a test or one section of a competition and so go on to the next stage 쑗 She qualified for round two of the competition. qualitative / kwɒltətv/ adj referring to quality ① quality / kwɒlti/ noun 1. how good something is 쑗 We want to measure the air quality in the centre of town. 쑗 There are several high-quality restaurants in the West End. 2. 왍 of quality of good quality 쑗 They served a meal of real quality. 쑗 The carpet is expensive because it is of very good quality. 3. something which is part of a person’s character 쑗 She has many good qualities, but unfortunately is extremely lazy. 쑗 What qualities do you expect in a good salesman? (NOTE: The plural is qualities.) 쐽 adj of good quality 쑗 We aim to provide a quality service at low cost. quality control / kwɒlti kəntrəυl/ noun checking a product to make sure that it is of the right standard quality controller / kwɒlti kəntrəυlə/ noun a person who carries out quality control quality of life /kwɒlti əv laf/ noun the degree to which you have good health or have a happy life, e.g. if you live in a nice place, or if you have enough money for what you need qualm /kwɑ m/ noun a feeling of doubt or worry 왍 to have no qualms about something not to worry about something 쑗 He has no qualms about asking the bank to lend him money. quandary / kwɒndəri/ noun 왍 to be in a quandary not to be able to decide what to do 쑗 The family doctor was in a quandary when she found that the girl was pregnant and had not told her family. 쑗 We are still in something of a quandary about who to invite to our wedding. quantifier / kwɒntfaə/ noun a word such as ‘all’ or ‘some’ that shows the range of things referred to quantify / kwɒntfa/ verb to measure something in quantities. Synonym calculate quantitative / kwɒnttətv/ adj referring to quantity (formal ) ② quantity / kwɒntti/ noun an amount 왍 quantities of a large amount of 쑗 Quantities of explosives were found in the garage. 앳 a quantity of 1. a lot of 쑗 The police found a quantity of stolen jewels. 2. a certain amount of 쑗 A small quantity of illegal drugs was found in the car. . quarter quantum leap /kwɒntəm li p/ noun a great movement forwards quarantine / kwɒrənti n/ noun a period of time when an animal or a person, usually coming from another country, has to be kept apart from others to avoid the risk of passing on diseases 쑗 The animals were put in quarantine on arrival at the port. Synonym isolation 쐽 verb to put someone or an animal in quarantine 쑗 All the passengers and crew were quarantined and not allowed to leave the plane. quarrel / kwɒrəl/ noun an argument 쑗 They have had a quarrel and aren’t speaking to each other. 쑗 I think the quarrel was over who was in charge of the cash desk. 왍 to pick a quarrel with someone to start an argument with someone 쑗 It was very embarrassing when my father picked a quarrel with the waiter over the bill. 왍 to patch up a quarrel to settle an argument 쑗 After several months of arguing they finally patched up their quarrel. 왍 to have no quarrel with someone or something not to have any reason to complain about someone or something 쑗 I have no quarrel with the idea of women priests. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to quarrel about or over something to argue about something 쑗 They’re always quarrelling over money. 2. to disagree with someone 쑗 I don’t quarrel with your figures. (NOTE: quarrelling – quarrelled. The US spelling is quarreling – quarreled.) quarrelsome / kwɒrəls(ə)m/ adj always arguing, often getting into arguments. Synonym argumentative. Antonym agreeable quarry / kwɒri/ noun 1. a place where substances such as stone are dug out of the ground 쑗 If you hear an explosion, it is because they’re blasting in the quarry. (NOTE: The plural is quarries in this meaning.) 2. an animal or person who is being hunted 쑗 Gunmen surrounded the building where the kidnappers were, but their quarry managed to escape. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 쐽 verb to dig stone out of the ground 쑗 The stone used to build the castle was quarried locally. quart /kwɔ t/ noun a measure of liquid equal to two pints or one quarter of a gallon ① quarter / kwɔ tə/ noun 1. one of four parts, a fourth, 25% 쑗 She cut the pear into quarters. 쑗 The jar is only a quarter empty. 쑗 He paid only a quarter of the normal fare because he works for the airline. 2. 왍 three quarters three out of four parts, 75% 쑗 Three quarters of the offices are empty. 쑗 The bus was three quarters full. 3. US 25 cent coin 쑗 Do you have a quarter for the machine? 4. a period of three months 왍 fourth quarter, last quarter the period of three months from October to the end of the quarterback 682 year 5. one of the four compass directions which come between north, east, south and west 6. an area 쑗 The fire started in the merchants’ quarter of the town. 7. someone who may give help or information 쑗 We didn’t expect any help from that quarter. 쐽 verb to arrange for soldiers to live in a place temporarily 쑗 The battalion was quartered in a village near the front line. quarterback / kwɔ təbk/ noun US a key player in American football who plays behind the forwards and directs the team’s attacks ③ quarter-final /kwɔ tə fan(ə)l/ noun (in sport ) one of four matches in a competition, in which the person or team which wins goes into the semi-finals ③ quarterly / kwɔ təli/ adj, adv which happens every three months 쑗 a quarterly payment 쑗 There is a quarterly charge for electricity. 쑗 We pay the rent quarterly or on a quarterly basis. 쐽 noun a magazine which appears every three months 쑗 He writes for one of the political quarterlies. (NOTE: The . plural is quarterlies.) quartermaster / kwɔ təmɑ stə/ noun (in the army) an army officer in charge of stores of food and equipment ③ quarters / kwɔ təz/ plural noun 1. places where people live 쑗 When they come off duty the staff go back to their quarters. 2. 왍 at close quarters close to, very near 쑗 I had seen her often on TV, but this was the first time I had seen her at close quarters. quartet /kwɔ tet/ noun 1. four musicians playing together 쑗 She plays the cello in a string quartet. 2. a piece of music for four musicians 쑗 a Beethoven string quartet 3. four people or four things 쑗 A quartet of British archaeologists discovered the tomb. 쑗 Have you read his quartet of novels about Egypt? quartz /kwɔ ts/ noun a hard mineral often found as crystals in rocks and which makes up the major part of sand quasar / kwezɑ / noun a very distant object in the universe, similar to a star, which gives off very strong radiation quash /kwɒʃ/ verb 1. to make a judgment or ruling no longer valid 쑗 The appeal court quashed the verdict. 쑗 He applied for judicial review to quash the order. 2. to make something end 쑗 The government moved quickly to quash rumours of a split in the Cabinet. quaver / kwevə/ noun 1. a musical note lasting half as long as a crotchet and a quarter as long as a minim (NOTE: The US term is eighth note.) 2. a tremble in the voice 쑗 There was a slight quaver in her voice as she answered the judge’s question. 쐽 verb (of question voice) to shake slightly 쑗 A quavering voice answered the telephone. quay /ki / noun a place where ships tie up to load or unload (NOTE: Do not confuse with key.) quayside / ki sad/ noun the edge of a quay queasy / kwi zi/ adj feeling sick ② queen /kwi n/ noun 1. the wife of a king 쑗 King Charles I’s queen was the daughter of the king of France. 2. a woman who rules a country 쑗 The Queen sometimes lives in Windsor Castle. 쑗 Queen Victoria was queen for many years. 3. the second most important piece in chess, after the king 쑗 In three moves he had captured my queen. 4. (in playing cards) the card with the face of a woman, with a value between the king and jack 쑗 He had the queen of spades. (NOTE: Queen is spelt with a capital letter when used before a name or when referring to a particular person: Queen Elizabeth I.) Queen’s Counsel /kwi nz kaυnsəl/ noun a senior lawyer. Abbr QC queer /kwə/ adj 1. unusual or strange (dated ) 쑗 There’s something very queer about the message. 쑗 Isn’t it queer that she hasn’t phoned back? 쑗 There’s a queer smell in the kitchen. (NOTE: queerer – queerest) 2. homosexual (offensive unless used by people who are gay) 3. slightly ill (dated ) 쑗 She felt queer and went home to go to bed. 쐽 noun a homosexual man (offensive unless used by people who are gay) 쐽 verb 왍 to queer the pitch for someone to upset someone’s plans (dated ) 쑗 His offer has queered the pitch for all the others. quell /kwel/ verb 1. to calm a situation in which there is a lot of noise and fighting 쑗 Extra police were drafted in to quell the disturbances. 2. to hold back feelings 쑗 She tried to quell her fears about the journey. 쑗 It was difficult to quell a feeling of resentment. quench /kwentʃ/ verb 왍 to quench your thirst to have a drink when you are thirsty 쑗 I expect you would like something to quench your thirst. querulous / kwerυləs/ adj complaining in a bad-tempered way (literary) query / kwəri/ noun a question 쑗 She had to answer a mass of queries about the tax form. (NOTE: The plural is queries.) 쐽 verb to doubt whether something is true; to ask a question about something 쑗 I would query whether these figures are correct. 쑗 The committee members queried the cost of the Christmas party. ③ quest /kwest/ noun a search 왍 in quest of in search of, looking for 쑗 They set off in quest of shelter. ① question / kwestʃən/ noun 1. a sentence which needs an answer 쑗 The teacher . . . questionable 683 couldn’t answer the children’s questions. 쑗 Some of the questions in the exam were too difficult. 쑗 The manager refused to answer questions from journalists about the fire. 2. a problem or matter 쑗 The question is, who do we appoint to run the shop when we’re on holiday? 쑗 The main question is that of cost. 쑗 He raised the question of moving to a less expensive part of town. 왍 in question under discussion 쑗 Please keep to the matter in question. 왍 it is out of the question it cannot possibly be done 쑗 You cannot borrow any more money – it’s out of the question. 쑗 It’s out of the question for her to have any more time off. 쐽 verb 1. to ask questions 쑗 The police questioned the driver for four hours. 2. to suggest that something may be wrong 쑗 We all question how accurate the computer printout is. questionable / kwestʃənəb(ə)l/ adj which is not completely honest or straightforward. Synonym dubious. Antonym indisputable questioner / kwestʃənə/ noun a person who asks questions. Synonym interviewer. Antonym interviewee questioning / kwestʃ(ə)nŋ/ noun a situation in which someone is asked a lot of questions, especially formally or officially, or an instance of this ② question mark / kweʃtʃən mɑ k/ noun a sign (?) used in writing to show that a question is being asked. Synonym doubt 왍 there’s a question mark over something it is not likely that something will happen or will be good enough 쑗 There’s still a question mark over whether or not he can come. 쑗 There’s a big question mark over the England goalkeeper. ③ questionnaire /kwestʃə neə/ noun a printed list of questions given to people to answer, especially used in market research question tag / kwestʃ(ə)n tDZ/ noun a short phrase at the end of a statement that changes it into a question. In English, examples are the phrases ‘isn’t it?’ and ‘have you?’ ③ queue /kju / noun 1. a line of people or things such as cars, waiting one behind the other for something 쑗 There was a queue of people waiting to get into the exhibition. 쑗 We joined the queue at the entrance to the stadium. 왍 to form a queue to stand in line 쑗 Please form a queue to the left of the door. 쑗 Queues formed at ticket offices when the news of cheap fares became known. 왍 to jump the queue to go in front of other people standing in a queue 쑗 Are you trying to jump the queue? – Go to the back! 2. a series of documents or telephone calls which are dealt with in order 쑗 Your call is being held in a queue and will be dealt with as soon as a quick-witted member of staff is free. 왍 his order went to the end of the queue his order was dealt with last 쐽 verb 왍 to queue (up) to stand in a line waiting for something 쑗 We queued for hours to get the theatre tickets. 쑗 Queue here for the London sightseeing bus. (NOTE: queuing – queued) queuing system / kju ŋ sstəm/ noun a system where telephone calls are held and answered in turn quibble / kwb(ə)l/ noun a minor argument 쑗 I have only a few quibbles about the style, but basically I like the book. Synonym objection 쐽 verb 왍 to quibble about something to argue about the details of something which is extremely unimportant 쑗 They spent hours quibbling about who should pay the bill. quiche /ki ʃ/ noun an open pastry case with a filling of food such as eggs or vegetables ① quick /kwk/ adj 1. fast 쑗 I’m trying to work out the quickest way to get to the Tower of London. 쑗 We had a quick lunch and then went off for a walk. 쑗 He is much quicker at calculating than I am. 쑗 I am not sure that going by air to Paris is quicker than taking the train. 왍 quick as a flash very quickly 쑗 I dropped my purse and quick as a flash a little boy picked it up. 왍 to be quick off the mark to do something very fast, faster than everyone else 왍 to be quick on the uptake to understand something very fast, faster than anyone else 2. 왍 she has a quick temper she becomes angry easily 쐽 adv fast (informal ) 쑗 Come here quick, I want to show you something. 쐽 noun the flesh under the nails on your fingers and toes quicken / kwkən/ verb 1. to make something go faster 쑗 He quickened his steps as he neared the house. 2. to make more active, to become more active 쑗 The decision is bound to quicken racial tensions. 쑗 The interest of the public began to quicken as it came closer to the time for the festival. quickie / kwki/ noun 1. something which takes only a short time to deal with, e.g. a drink or question 2. a quick sex act (humorous) 쐽 adv referring to something that happens quickly쑗 a quickie divorce ① quickly / kwkli/ adv very fast, without taking much time 쑗 He ate his supper very quickly because he wanted to watch the match on TV. 쑗 The firemen came quickly when we called 999. quicksilver / kwkslvə/ noun mercury, silver-coloured liquid metal used in thermometers (archaic literary) 왍 like quicksilver very fast 쑗 The money seemed to disappear like quicksilver. quick-witted /kwk wtd/ adj who thinks very fast . quid 684 ② quid /kwd/ noun a pound sterling (informal ) (NOTE: no plural) quid pro quo /kwd prəυ kwəυ/ noun something done in return for something else ② quiet / kwaət/ adj 1. without any noise 쑗 Can’t you make the children keep quiet? – I’m trying to work. 쑗 The brochure said that the rooms were quiet, but ours looked out over a busy main road. 쑗 The children have gone out and the house is so quiet. 왍 quiet as a mouse very quiet 쑗 She sat in the corner, as quiet as a mouse, watching what was going on. 2. with no great excitement 쑗 We had a quiet holiday by the sea. 쑗 It’s a quiet little village. 쑗 The hotel is in the quietest part of the town. 3. simple 왍 quiet wedding a wedding with few guests 쑗 We decided to have a quiet wedding – just our brothers and sisters. 왍 quiet colour scheme the colours which are used for painting something such as the walls of a room, and which are not bright 쐽 noun 1. calm and peace 쑗 All I want is a bit of peace and quiet. 쑗 The quiet of the Sunday afternoon was spoilt by aircraft noise. 2. 왍 on the quiet in secret 쑗 They got married last weekend on the quiet. 쐽 verb to make someone calm 쑗 She tried to quiet the screaming child. quieten / kwaət(ə)n/ verb to make someone quiet, to calm someone down ③ quietly / kwaətli/ adv without making any noise 쑗 The burglar climbed quietly up to the window. 쑗 She shut the door quietly behind her. quietness / kwaətnəs/ noun calm and peace quiff /kwf/ noun hair which stands up over your forehead quill /kwl/ noun 1. a long feather, in the past a feather used as a pen 쑗 In the eighteenth century people wrote with quill pens. 2. one of the long sharp hairs on a porcupine 쑗 The porcupine raises its quills when it is attacked. quilt /kwlt/ noun a thick cover for a bed. 쏡 patchwork. Synonym duvet quilted / kwltd/ adj made with thick material sewn between two layers of cloth quins /kwnz/ plural noun same as quintuplets quintessence /kwn tes(ə)ns/ noun an essential part, a perfect example of something. Synonym essence quintessential /kwnt senʃəl/ adj which is a perfect example of something. Synonym typical. Antonym atypical quintet /kwn tet/ noun 1. five musicians playing together 쑗 She plays the cello in a string quintet. 2. a piece of music for five musicians 쑗 a Mozart flute quintet . quiz quintuplets / kwntjυpləts/ plural noun five babies born to a mother at the same time. Also called quins quip /kwp/ noun a joke, clever remark 쑗 He made some sort of quip about her hair style. Synonym witticism 쐽 verb to make a joke or a clever remark 쑗 ‘Hey, big spender!’ she quipped as she saw him staggering out of the supermarket laden with plastic bags. Synonym joke (NOTE: quipping – quipped) quirk /kw" k/ noun an unusual or strange thing 왍 quirk of fate a strange thing which happens 쑗 By a strange quirk of fate, he found himself in the same hotel room as he had been in with his girlfriend twenty years earlier. quirky / kw" ki/ adj strange, unusual. Synonym idiosyncratic. Antonym normal ② quit /kwt/ verb 1. to leave something such as a job or a place and not return 쑗 When the boss criticised her, she quit. 쑗 I’m fed up with the office, I’m thinking of quitting. 2. US to stop doing something 쑗 Will you quit bothering me! 쑗 He quit smoking. 쏡 quits (NOTE: quitting – quit or quitted) ① quite /kwat/ adv 1. to some degree 쑗 It’s quite a long play. 쑗 She’s quite a good writer. 쑗 The book is quite amusing but I liked the TV play better. Synonym fairly 2. completely 쑗 You’re quite mad to go walking in a snowstorm. 쑗 He’s quite right. 쑗 I don’t quite understand why you want to go China. 왍 not quite not completely 쑗 The work is not quite finished yet. 쑗 Have you eaten all the bread? – Not quite. 3. 왍 quite a few, quite a lot several, many 쑗 Quite a few people on the boat were sick. 쑗 Quite a lot of staff come to work by car. ③ quits /kwts/ adj even (informal ) 앳 to call it quits (informal ) 1. to say that you are even 쑗 Give me £2.50 and we’ll call it quits. 2. to decide to stop doing something 쑗 It’s getting late, let’s call it quits and start again tomorrow morning. quitter / kwtə/ noun a person who gives up easily (informal ) quiver / kwvə/ noun 1. a slight shake 쑗 The only sign of any emotion was a slight quiver in his hand as he signed the contract. 쑗 A quiver of excitement ran through the crowd. 2. a container for arrows 쑗 Robin Hood carried a quiver of arrows on his back. 쐽 verb to shake slightly 쑗 The dog watched the snake, quivering with fear. 쑗 The children rushed to the Christmas tree, quivering with excitement. Synonym tremble ③ quiz /kwz/ noun a game where you are asked a series of questions 쑗 She got all the questions right in the quiz. 쑗 They organised a general knowledge quiz. (NOTE: The plural is quizzes.) 쐽 verb to ask someone ques. . . quizmaster 685 tions 쑗 The police quizzed him for hours about the missing car. quizmaster / kwzmɑ stə/ noun a person who asks the questions on a quiz show or game show quiz show / kwz ʃəυ/ noun a TV or radio programme where people are asked a series of questions quizzical / kwzk(ə)l/ adj showing that you think something is surprising or funny quoits /kɔts/ noun a game where large rings are thrown over a stick set upright in the ground quorum / kwɔ rəm/ noun the number of people who have to be present at a meeting to make it official or legal 왍 to have a quorum to have enough people present for a meeting to go ahead quota / kwəυtə/ noun a fixed amount of goods which can be supplied quotation /kwəυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the words of one person which are repeated by another person 쑗 The article ended with a quotation from one of Churchill’s speeches. 2. a statement of the likely cost of work to be done 쑗 We asked for quotations for refitting the shop. 쑗 His quotation was much lower than all the others. quotient quotation marks /kwəυ teʃ(ə)n mɑ ks/ plural noun printed or written marks (‘ ’) showing that a quotation starts or finishes ② quote /kwəυt/ noun 1. a quotation 쑗 I need some good quotes from his speech to put into my report. 2. a statement of the cost of work to be done 쑗 We asked for quotes for refitting the kitchen. 쑗 In the end, we accepted the lowest quote. 쐽 verb 1. to use a particular number to refer to something 쑗 In reply please quote this number. 쑗 He replied, quoting the number of the invoice. 2. to repeat what someone has said or written 쑗 He started his speech by quoting lines from Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. 왍 can I quote you on that? can I repeat what you have just said? 쑗 I think the fee will be £15,000, but don’t quote me on that. 3. to show the beginning of a quotation when speaking 쑗 He didn’t come to the office because he had, quote, ‘hurt his back’. 4. to give a statement showing the cost for work to be done 쑗 He quoted £10,000 for the job. 쑗 Their prices are always quoted in dollars. quotes /kwəυts/ plural noun quotation marks (‘ ’) quotient / kwəυʃ(ə)nt/ noun the result when one number is divided by another R r /ɑ /, R noun the eighteenth letter of the alphabet, between Q and S 왍 oysters can only be eaten when there is an ‘R’ in the month you are not supposed to eat oysters when the name of the month doesn’t have an R in it, i.e. in May, June, July and August rabbi / rba/ noun a Jewish religious leader or teacher (NOTE: also used as a title before a name: Rabbi Jonathan Sacks) ③ rabbit / rbt/ noun a common wild animal with grey fur, long ears and a short white tail 쑗 The rabbit ran down its hole. 쑗 He tried to shoot the rabbit but missed. 쑗 She keeps a pet rabbit in a cage. Synonym bunny 쐽 verb (informal ) 왍 to rabbit on about something to talk for a long time about something 쑗 He was rabbitting on about his collection of toy soldiers. rabbit warren / rbt wɒrən/ noun 1. a series of underground tunnels where rabbits live 쑗 There are many rabbit warrens in the park. 2. an area where there are a lot of narrow streets 쑗 We got lost in the rabbit warren of old streets behind the market. rabble / rb(ə)l/ noun a crowd, a large violent mass of people. Synonym mob rabid / rbd, rebd/ adj 1. referring to rabies, suffering from rabies 쑗 He was bitten by a rabid dog. 2. extremely violent 쑗 He’s a rabid socialist. 쑗 The government has been taken over by rabid nationalists. rabies / rebi z/ noun a serious disease which can cause death and which is passed to humans by infected animals. Also called discrimination on grounds of race. 쑗 They are prejudiced against people of mixed race. 쐽 verb 1. to compete in a race 쑗 I’ll race you to see who gets to school first. 2. to run fast 쑗 They saw the bus coming and raced to the bus stop. 쑗 He snatched some watches from the shop window and then raced away down the street. ③ racecourse / reskɔ s/ noun a grass-covered track where horse races are held racehorse / reshɔ s/ noun a horse bred and trained especially to run in horse races racer / resə/ noun 1. a person who is running in a race 쑗 He’s a well-known bicycle racer. 쑗 All the racers came round the corner together. 2. something such as a special car, boat or horse used for racing 쑗 He’s bought a new racer. race relations /res r leʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun relations between different groups of races in the same country 쑗 Race relations officers have been appointed in some police forces. ③ races / resz/ plural noun a series of horse races held during one single day, or over several days ③ racetrack / restrk/ noun a track where races are run racial / reʃ(ə)l/ adj referring to different races. Synonym ethnic racialism / reʃ(ə)lz(ə)m/ noun same as racism (dated ) racialist / reʃ(ə)lst/ adj, noun same as hydrophobia raccoon /rə ku n/ noun a type of small racist . North American wild animal, with black and white bands of colour on its face ② race /res/ noun 1. a competition to see which person, animal or vehicle is the fastest 쑗 She was second in the 200 metres race. 쑗 The bicycle race goes round the whole country. 왍 race against time to have difficulty in getting something finished on time 쑗 They tried to block the hole in the sea wall but with the high tide rising it was a race against time. 쏡 boat race 2. one of the large groups into which people are divided, according to features such as the colour of their skin or hair 쑗 The government is trying to stamp out . racially / reʃ(ə)li/ adv in a racial way 왍 racially motivated done because of racial hate 쑗 The arson attack on the house was racially motivated. ③ racing / resŋ/ noun competitions to see who is fastest racism / resz(ə)m/ noun the belief that a group of people are not as good as others because they are of a different race, and treating them differently racist / resst/ adj believing that some people are not as good as others because of race and treating them differently 쑗 The murder was thought to have been a racist attack. 쐽 noun a person who treats someone differ- rack 687 ently because of race 쑗 He’s an old racist and you won’t change his views. 쑗 The former regime was full of racists. ③ rack /rk/ noun 1. a frame for holding things, e.g. letters, tools or suitcases 쑗 He put the envelope in the letter rack on his desk. 2. 왍 to go to rack and ruin to get into a bad state 쑗 He spent all his time in the bar and let his business go to rack and ruin. 쐽 verb 왍 to rack your brains to think very hard 쑗 I’m racking my brains, trying to remember the name of the shop. ③ racket / rkt/ noun 1. a light frame with tight strings, used for hitting the ball in games 쑗 She bought a new tennis racket at the start of the summer season. 쑗 She asked if she could borrow his badminton racket for the tournament. 2. a loud noise 쑗 Stop that racket at once! 쑗 The people next door make a terrible racket when they’re having a party. 3. an illegal deal which makes a lot of money 쑗 Don’t get involved in that racket, you’ll pay a hefty fine if you get caught. 쑗 He runs a cut-price ticket racket. racy / resi/ adj (of behaviour ) slightly shocking radar / redɑ / noun a system for finding objects such as ships or aircraft, and working out where they are from radio signals which are reflected back from them as dots on a screen 쑗 The plane’s radar picked up another plane coming too close. radar trap / redɑ trp/ noun a small piece of equipment by the side of a road which notes details of cars which are travelling too fast. Also called speed trap radial / rediəl/ adj 1. which comes out from a central point 쑗 The streets are arranged in a radial pattern around the roundabout. 2. referring to a radius radial tyres /rediəl taəz/ plural noun tyres which have wires inside them to make them strong and give a better hold on the road surface radiance / rediəns/ noun the quality of shining extremely brightly radiant / rediənt/ adj 1. shining extremely brightly 쑗 She came out of the church with a radiant smile. 왍 radiant with shining brightly with 쑗 He was radiant with joy as he read the results. 2. (of heat) which is sent out in the form of rays radiant heat /rediənt hi t/ noun the heat which is sent out by something hot, e.g. a fire radiate / rediet/ verb 1. to send out rays or heat 쑗 The sun radiates heat. 2. to spread out from a central point 쑗 The paths radiated from the tree in the centre of the garden. 쑗 The pain can radiate down both arms and up into the neck and jaw. . radio telescope radiation /redi eʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of sending out rays or heat radiator / redietə/ noun 1. a metal object, usually fixed to a wall, which is filled with hot water for heating a room 쑗 Turn the radiator down – it’s boiling in here. 쑗 When we arrived at the hotel our room was cold, so we switched the radiators on. 2. a metal container filled with cold water for preventing a car engine from becoming too hot 쑗 The radiator overheated causing the car to break down. ③ radical / rdk(ə)l/ adj 1. thorough or complete 쑗 The government has had a radical rethink about press freedom. 쑗 He pointed out the radical difference between the two parties’ policies on education. 2. new and completely different 쑗 His more radical proposals were turned down by the committee. 쐽 noun a member of a radical party 쑗 Two Radicals voted against the government. Synonym extremist. Antonym conservative radicalism / rdkəlz(ə)m/ noun the political ideas of a radical party. Synonym extremism radically / rdkli/ adv 1. in a completely different, radical way 쑗 The British political scene has changed radically over the last twelve months. 2. basically 쑗 We are radically opposed to lowering the age of consent. radical party /rdk(ə)l pɑ ti/ noun a party which is in favour of making great and fast change in the way a country is governed ① radio / rediəυ/ noun 1. a method of sending out and receiving messages using air waves 쑗 They got the news by radio. 쑗 We always listen to BBC radio when we’re on holiday. 2. a machine which sends out and receives messages using air waves 쑗 Turn on the radio – it’s time for the weather forecast. 쑗 I heard the news on the car radio. 쑗 Please, turn the radio down – I’m on the phone. 쐽 verb to send a message using a radio 쑗 They radioed for assistance. ③ radioactive /rediəυ ktv/ adj (of a substance) which, as its nucleus breaks up, gives off energy in the form of radiation which can pass through other substances radioactivity /rediəυk tvti/ noun energy in the form of radiation from radioactive substances radiography /redi ɒDZrəfi/ noun the practice or process of making X-ray photographs radio ham / rediəυ hm/ noun a person who sends and receives radio messages for fun radio telescope /rediəυ telskəυp/ noun a telescope which uses radio waves to discover stars and other objects in the universe radiotherapy 688 radiotherapy /rediəυ θerəpi/ noun treating a disease by using radioactive rays such as X-rays or gamma rays on the affected part of the body radish / rdʃ/ noun a small red root vegetable, eaten raw in salads (NOTE: The plural is radishes.) radium / rediəm/ noun a radioactive metal, used to treat certain diseases such as cancer ③ radius / rediəs/ noun 1. a line from the centre of a circle to the outside edge 쑗 We were all asked to measure the radius of the circle. 2. the distance in any direction from a particular central point 쑗 People within a radius of twenty miles heard the explosion. 쑗 The school accepts children living within a two-mile radius. 3. the shorter and outer of the two bones in the arm between the elbow and the wrist 쑗 They found he had fractured his radius. 쏡 ulna radon / redɒn/ noun a natural inert radioactive gas, formed from the radioactive decay of radium RAF abbr Royal Air Force ③ raffle / rf(ə)l/ noun a game where you buy a ticket with a number on it, in the hope of winning a prize 쑗 She won a bottle of perfume in a raffle. 쐽 verb to give a prize in a lottery 쑗 They raffled a car for charity. raft /rɑ ft/ noun 1. a structure made of pieces of wood tied together to form a flat surface 쑗 They took their raft all the way down the Amazon. 쑗 Students held a raft race to raise money for charity. 2. many, a lot of 쑗 They had to answer a raft of questions about government policy. rafter / rɑ ftə/ noun one of the long straight pieces of wood which hold up a roof. Synonym beam rag /rDZ/ noun 1. a piece of torn cloth 쑗 He used an old oily rag to clean his motorbike. 왍 like a red rag to a bull making you very annoyed (informal ) 쑗 Any mention of socialists is like a red rag to a bull to him. 2. a poor quality newspaper 쑗 I read about it in the local rag. 쐽 verb to play jokes on someone (dated ) 쑗 He was ragged a lot at school. 쑗 The other girls ragged her about her rich boyfriend. Synonym tease rage /redȢ/ noun 1. violent anger 쑗 He rushed up to the driver of the other car in a terrible rage. 왍 to fly into a rage to get very angry suddenly 쑗 When he phoned her she flew into a rage. 쏡 road rage 2. 왍 it’s all the rage, it’s the latest rage it’s very fashionable (informal ) 쑗 It’s all the rage to wear flared trousers again. 쐽 verb to be violent 쑗 The storm raged all night. Synonym fume ragged / rDZd/ adj 1. (of clothes) torn 쑗 The old photographs showed poor children standing in ragged clothes. 2. (of edge of pa. . . rain per or cloth) not straight 쑗 If you’d used scissors to cut the wrapping paper you wouldn’t have made the edge all ragged. raging / redȢŋ/ adj very violent or painful rags /rDZz/ plural noun old torn clothes ragtime / rDZtam/ noun a type of jazz music with a strong beat which is not regular raid /red/ noun a sudden attack; a sudden visit by the police 쑗 Robbers carried out six raids on post offices during the night. 쑗 Police carried out a series of raids on addresses in London. 쐽 verb to make a sudden attack on a place 쑗 The police raided the club. 쑗 We caught the boys raiding the fridge. raider / redə/ noun a person who takes part in a raid ② rail /rel/ noun 1. a straight metal or wooden bar 쑗 The pictures all hang from a picture rail. 쑗 Hold onto the rail as you go down the stairs. 쑗 There is a heated towel rail in the bathroom. 2. one of two parallel metal bars on which trains run 쑗 Don’t try to cross the rails – it’s dangerous. 쑗 In the autumn, trains can be delayed by leaves on the rails. 3. the railway, a system of travel using trains 쑗 Six million commuters travel to work by rail each day. 쑗 We ship all our goods by rail. 쑗 Rail travellers are complaining about rising fares. 쑗 Rail travel is cheaper than air travel. 쐽 verb 왍 to rail off to close an area with railings 쑗 Police railed off the entrance to the court. railings / relŋz/ plural noun metal bars used as a fence ② railroad / relrəυd/ noun US same as railway 쐽 verb to force something to happen (informal ) 쑗 The government tried to railroad their plan through parliament. ② railway / relwe/ noun 1. a system of metal rails on which trains travel 쑗 The railway line crosses the river by a suspension bridge. 2. a way of travelling which uses trains to carry passengers and goods 쑗 The railway station is in the centre of town. 쑗 The French railway system has high-speed trains to all major cities. (NOTE: [all senses] The US term is railroad.) railway carriage / relwe krdȢ/ noun a railway vehicle for passengers ③ railway line / relwe lan/ noun the rails on which trains run 쑗 Don’t cross the railway line when a train might be coming. ① rain /ren/ noun drops of water which fall from the clouds 쑗 The ground is very dry – we’ve had no rain for days. 쑗 Yesterday we had 3cm of rain or 3cm of rain fell here yesterday. 쑗 If you have to go out in the rain take an umbrella. 쑗 All this rain will help the plants grow. 왍 driving rain rain which is blown straight towards you by the wind 쑗 They were forced to turn back because of the driving rain. 쐽 verb to fall as drops of water . rainbow 689 from the clouds 쑗 As soon as we sat down and took out the sandwiches it started to rain. 쑗 Look at the clouds, it’s going to rain. 왍 to be raining cats and dogs to rain a lot (informal ) 쑗 It rained cats and dogs all morning, but had cleared up by early afternoon. rainbow / renbəυ/ noun a shape like half a circle which shines with many colours in the sky when it is sunny and raining at the same time rain check / ren tʃek/ noun US an agreement to do something later 왍 I’ll take a rain check on that I will not accept your offer right now but I may accept it later 쑗 Thanks for the invitation, but I’ll take a rain check on that as I need to do some studying tonight. raincoat / renkəυt/ noun a coat which keeps off water, which you wear when it is raining raindrop / rendrɒp/ noun a drop of water which falls from a cloud rainfall / renfɔ l/ noun the amount of rain which falls in a place over a certain period. Antonym sunshine rain forest / ren fɒrst/ noun a thick forest which grows in tropical regions where there is a lot of rain rain off /ren ɒf/ verb 왍 to be rained off not to happen or to stop happening, because of rain 쑗 The cricket match was rained off. rains /renz/ plural noun (in tropical countries) the season when it rains rainstorm / renstɔ m/ noun a storm with a lot of rain. Synonym cloudburst rainwater / renwɔ tə/ noun water which has fallen as rain ③ rainy / reni/ adj when it rains 왍 to keep something for a rainy day to keep something in case you may need it later rainy season / reni si z(ə)n/ noun a period of the year when it rains a lot. Compare . dry season ① raise /rez/ noun US an increase in salary 쑗 She asked the boss for a raise. (NOTE: The British term is pay rise.) 쐽 verb 1. to lift something, to make something higher 쑗 He picked up the flag and raised it over his head. 쑗 The newspaper headline says TAXES TO BE RAISED. 쑗 Air fares will be raised on June 1st. 쑗 When the shop raised its prices, it lost half of its customers. 왍 to raise your eyebrows to look surprised. 쏡 voice 2. to mention a subject which could be discussed 쑗 No one raised the subject of politics. 쑗 The chairman tried to prevent the question of redundancies being raised. 3. to obtain money 쑗 The hospital is trying to raise £2m to finance its expansion programme. 쑗 Where will he raise the money from to start up his business? 4. to grow plants from seed 쑗 The ram new varieties are raised in special seedbeds. 5. to look after a child 쑗 She was raised by her aunt in Canada. (NOTE: Do not confuse with raze.) raisin / rez(ə)n/ noun a dried grape rake /rek/ noun 1. a garden tool with a long handle and metal teeth, used for smoothing earth or for pulling dead leaves together 쑗 He took a rake and hoe to work on his allotment. 왍 as thin as a rake very thin 쑗 She’s a model and is as thin as a rake. 2. the angle of a slope 쑗 The rake of the stage is quite steep. 쐽 verb 1. to smooth loose soil with a rake 쑗 She raked the flowerbed before sowing her seeds. 2. to pull dead leaves together with a rake 쑗 He raked the leaves from under the trees. 3. to move a camera or gun slowly sideways so that it covers a wide area 쑗 From their lookout post they were able to rake the whole square with machine-gun fire. rake in /rek n/ verb to gather something together (informal ) 왍 to rake in cash, to rake it in to make a lot of money 쑗 He expects to rake in more than half a million. rake-off / rek ɒf/ noun an illegal payment made for doing something (informal ) Synonym bribe rake up /rek p/ verb 1. to pull dead leaves together with a rake 쑗 She raked the dead leaves up into a pile. 2. to bring together 쑗 We had difficulty in raking up the money to buy the house. 3. to bring back something unpleasant from the past 쑗 The newspapers tried to rake up the old scandal. rally / rli/ noun 1. a large meeting of members of a group or political party 쑗 We are holding a rally to protest against the job cuts. 2. a competition where cars have to go through difficult country in a certain time 쑗 He won the Monte Carlo rally by 55 minutes. 쑗 The navigator has to deal with the maps, signs and timing for a rally driver. 3. a series of shots in tennis 쑗 It was a great final – full of powerful serves and exciting rallies. 4. a rise in price when it has previously been going downwards 쑗 Shares staged a rally on the Stock Exchange. (NOTE: The plural is rallies.) 쐽 verb 1. to gather together 왍 to rally round to group together to support someone 쑗 When her husband was sent to prison her friends rallied round. 2. to get better for a time from an illness 쑗 He was very poorly on Monday, but by the end of the week he had rallied a little. 3. to rise in price, after previously going downwards 쑗 Shares rallied on the news of the latest government figures. ram /rm/ noun a male sheep 쑗 We keep the rams separate from the ewes. (NOTE: The female sheep is a ewe.) 쐽 verb 1. to move or hammer something down hard 쑗 He rammed the post into the soil with a heavy hammer. 쑗 He shouted and rammed his fist . . RAM 690 on the table. 2. to crash into something such as another ship or car with a lot of force 쑗 The car rammed into the side of the lorry. 쑗 She swerved quickly to avoid ramming the oncoming car. 3. to push something hard 쑗 He rammed the envelope into his pocket. 쑗 She rushed into the house, shut the door, and rammed the bolt home. (NOTE: ramming – rammed) RAM /rm/ noun random access memory, computer memory that allows access to any part of the memory in any order without having to access the rest of memory Ramadan / rmədn/ noun a Muslim religious festival, the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which believers are not allowed to eat or drink during the day ramble / rmbəl/ noun a walk for pleasure in the countryside 쑗 We’re going for a ramble through the beech woods. Synonym hike 쐽 verb 1. to go for a walk for pleasure in the countryside 쑗 We went rambling last weekend. 2. 왍 to ramble (on) to talk on and on in a confused way 쑗 He has a tendency to ramble, and his phone calls never last less than half an hour. 쑗 She went rambling on about her ‘boy’, and it wasn’t until later that I realised she was talking about her cat. rambler / rmblə/ noun 1. a person who goes for walks for pleasure in the countryside 쑗 A group of ramblers came into the pub. 2. a type of rose which climbs 쑗 We planted a pink rambler round the cottage door. rambling / rmblŋ/ adj 1. long and confused 쑗 He made a rambling speech of thanks. 2. full of little streets or full of rooms which connect with each other in a confusing way 쑗 We got lost in a maze of rambling alleys down by the harbour. 쑗 We stayed in a rambling old inn in Suffolk. 쐽 noun the practice of walking for pleasure in the countryside 쑗 They had a rambling holiday in Yorkshire. 쑗 He lists his hobbies as reading and rambling. ramifications /rmf keʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun complicated and unexpected results 쑗 No one has really thought about all the ramifications of European political union. ramp /rmp/ noun 1. a slightly sloping surface joining two different levels 쑗 You drive up the ramp and tip your rubbish into a hole in the ground. 쑗 They have built a ramp so that wheelchairs can get into the library. 2. a small curved shape across the surface of a road 쑗 Drive carefully – ramps ahead! rampage / rmpedȢ/ noun 왍 to go on the rampage to go about breaking things or creating a lot of noise and mess 쑗 After their team’s defeat the fans went on the rampage around the town. 쐽 verb 왍 to rampage about to create a lot of mess and noise 쑗 She range was rampaging about, throwing books and pictures all over the place. rampant / rmpənt/ adj which exists over a large area and cannot be controlled ramparts / rmpɑ ts/ plural noun tall walls which protect 쑗 We walked round the castle ramparts. ramshackle / rmʃk(ə)l/ adj badly damaged and falling to pieces. Synonym rickety. Antonym sturdy ran /rn/ 쒁 run ranch /rɑ ntʃ/ noun 1. (in North or South America) a farm where horses or cows are kept 쑗 The cowboys returned to the ranch each evening. 쑗 They left the city and bought a ranch in Colorado. 2. (in Australia) a farm where sheep are reared (NOTE: The plural is ranches.) rancher / rɑ ntʃə/ noun a person who owns or runs a ranch. Synonym farmer rancid / rnsd/ adj (of food ) with an un. pleasant taste because it has decayed or is not fresh rancour / rŋkə/ noun an angry feeling against someone or something (NOTE: The US spelling is rancor.) R&D abbr research and development random / rndəm/ adj done without any planning. Synonym haphazard 왍 at ran- dom without choosing carefully card at random. 쑗 Pick any random access memory /rndəm kses mem(ə)ri/ noun full form of RAM random check /rndəm tʃek/ noun a check on things taken from a group without choosing them in any particular order randomly / rndəmli/ adv in a random way random sample /rndəm sɑ mpəl/ noun something taken for testing from among a number of similar things, without any obvious plan or pattern randy / rndi/ adj very keen to have sex (informal ) (NOTE: randier – randiest) rang /rŋ/ 쒁 ring ① range /rendȢ/ noun 1. a series of buildings or mountains in line 쑗 There is a range of outbuildings next to the farmhouse which can be converted into holiday cottages. 쑗 They looked out at the vast mountain range from the plane window. 2. especially US a wide open pasture 쑗 The cattle were left to feed on the range during the summer. 3. a choice or series of things which are available 쑗 We offer a wide range of sizes. 쑗 We have a range of holidays at all prices. 쑗 I am looking for something in the £20–£30 price range. 4. a distance which you can go; a distance over which you can see or hear 쑗 The missile only has a range of 100 km. 쑗 The police said the man had been shot at close . ranger 691 range. 쑗 The optician told her that her range of vision would be limited. 5. a large piece of kitchen equipment used for cooking food, usually with two or more ovens 쑗 The centrepiece of the kitchen was the magnificent new range. 쏡 rifle range 쐽 verb 왍 to range from to spread from 쑗 The sizes range from small to extra large. 쑗 Holidays range in price from £150 to £350 per person. 쑗 The quality of this year’s examination papers ranged from excellent to very poor. ranger / rendȢə/ noun a person in charge of the management and protection of a forest, park or nature reserve ② rank /rŋk/ noun 1. a row of soldiers 쑗 The soldiers kept rank as they advanced towards the enemy. 2. a position in society or in a service such as the army or police 쑗 What rank does he hold in the police force? 쑗 After ten years he had reached the rank of corporal. 왍 other ranks ordinary soldiers 왍 he rose from the ranks from being an ordinary soldier he became an officer 쑗 General Smith rose from the ranks. 3. 왍 the rank and file ordinary people 쑗 Rank-and-file union members voted against the proposal. 쐽 verb to be placed in order of importance 쑗 Shakespeare ranks among the greatest world authors. 쑗 As an artist he doesn’t rank as highly as his sister. Synonym rate 쐽 adj 1. complete 쑗 The race was won by a rank outsider. 2. (of plants) growing tall and thick 쑗 Rank grass surrounded the marsh. 3. with an unpleasant smell 쑗 the rank smell of stale cigar smoke ranking / rŋkŋ/ noun a position in order of importance rankle / rŋk(ə)l/ verb to cause continuing bitter feelings ransack / rnsk/ verb to cause a lot of damage and mess while searching a place to find something ransom / rns(ə)m/ noun money paid to get back someone who is being held prisoner 쑗 The daughter of the banker was held by kidnappers who asked for a ransom of £1m. 쐽 verb to pay money so that someone is set free 쑗 She was ransomed by her family. 앳 to hold someone to ransom 1. to keep someone secretly until money is paid 쑗 The striking lorry drivers are holding the country to ransom. 2. to hold someone in such a way that they have to agree to what you ask ransom note / rns(ə)m nəυt/ noun a message sent by someone who is holding another person prisoner and asking for money to be paid rant /rnt/ verb to complain or shout loudly. Synonym rage rap /rp/ noun 1. a short sharp hit 쑗 There was a rap on the door. 2. 왍 to take the rap to accept responsibility, to take the blame (in- rare formal ) 쑗 Let me take the rap with the boss for having a long lunch break. 3. a form of African Caribbean music where the singer speaks words quickly over a strong beat, improvising as he or she goes along 쑗 The club played rap all evening. 쐽 verb 1. to give a sharp tap 쑗 Even though he rapped on the door with a stick, no one heard. 왍 to rap someone over the knuckles to criticise someone 쑗 He was rapped over the knuckles by the Prime Minister. 2. to sing rap music 쑗 Although he couldn’t play the guitar or the drums he was great at rapping. (NOTE: rapping – rapped) rape /rep/ noun the offence of attacking a person and forcing them to have sex 쑗 There’s been a dramatic increase in the number of rapes in this area over the past year. 쑗 He was in court, charged with rape. 쐽 verb to attack someone and force them to have sex 쑗 The girl was raped at the bus stop. 쑗 He was in court, charged with raping the student. ③ rapid / rpd/ adj fast 쑗 There has been a rapid rise in property prices this year. 쑗 The rapid change in the weather forced the yachts to turn for home. Synonym swift 쐽 noun 왍 to shoot rapids to sail down a fast-flowing river in a boat 쑗 One of her favourite pastimes is shooting rapids in her kayak. rapidity /rə pdti/ noun speed ③ rapidly / rpdli/ adv quickly rapids / rpdz/ plural noun a place where a river runs fast over rocks 쑗 He took her whitewater rafting down the rapids. rapist / repst/ noun a person who has raped someone rapper / rpə/ noun a person who speaks words to rap music. Synonym singer rapport /r pɔ / noun an understanding, a close connection between two people or groups rapprochement /r prɒʃmɒŋ/ noun a situation where two states become more friendly after a period of not being at all friendly. Synonym reconciliation. Antonym hostility rapt /rpt/ adj concentrating so much on something or someone that you do not notice what is around you 왍 with rapt attention with all your attention 쑗 The audience listened to the lecture with rapt attention. rapture / rptʃə/ noun a state of great happiness or enthusiasm ② rare /reə/ adj 1. unusual, not common 쑗 It’s very rare to meet a foreigner who speaks perfect Chinese. 쑗 Experienced sales staff are rare these days. 쑗 The woodland is the habitat of a rare species of frog. 2. (of meat) which is very lightly cooked 쑗 How would . rarely 692 you like your steak? – Rare, please! (NOTE: rarer – rarest) ② rarely /
reəli/ adv not often, almost never 쑗 I rarely buy a Sunday newspaper. 쑗 He is rarely in his office on Friday afternoons. Synonym seldom. Antonym often raring /
reərŋ/ adj (informal ) 왍 raring to go very keen to go or to start doing something 쑗 The marathon starts in five minutes, and the crowd of runners are raring to go. rarity /
reərti/ noun 1. the state of being rare 쑗 The rarity of the species means that it must be protected. 2. a rare thing 쑗 Hot sunny days are a rarity in November. 쑗 We get so few tourists that a coachload of them is a real rarity. rascal /
rɑskəl/ noun a person, especially a child, who is badly behaved rash /r ʃ/ noun 1. a mass of red spots on your skin, which stays for a time and then disappears 쑗 He showed the rash to the doctor. 쑗 She had a rash on her arms. 왍 to break out in a rash to suddenly get a rash 2. a series of things that happen 쑗 There has been a rash of burglaries lately. (NOTE: The plural is rashes.) 쐽 adj not careful; done without thinking 쑗 It was a bit rash of him to suggest that he would pay for everyone. Synonym impetuous. Antonym sensible . (NOTE: rasher – rashest) ③ rasher /
r ʃə/ noun a thin piece of bacon rashly /
r ʃli/ adv without considering what might happen rasp /rɑsp/ noun 1. a rough metal file 쑗 He used a steel rasp to smooth the surface of the table. 2. a harsh grating noise 쑗 the rasp of the saw on the metal sheet 쐽 verb to make a grating noise 쑗 The steel bolt rasped as he slid it back. 왍 rasping cough or voice a cough or voice which has a dry harsh sound 쑗 The kidnapper spoke with a rasping voice. 쑗 The woman next to me in the waiting room had a rasping cough. raspberry /
rɑzb(ə)ri/ noun 1. a common red soft fruit which grows on tall plants 쑗 They picked raspberries and ate them for tea. 쑗 Could I have some raspberries and cream, please? 쑗 We had scones with raspberry jam. 왍 raspberry canes, raspberry bush plants formed of tall stems which bear this fruit 쑗 There are two rows of raspberry canes or of raspberry bushes in the garden. 2. a rude noise made with the mouth to show that you think something is rubbish 쑗 Instead of replying, she blew him a raspberry. (NOTE: The plural is raspberries.) Rastafarian /r stə
feəriən/ noun a member of an Afro-Caribbean religious group that considers the former emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie, to be God rat /r t/ noun a common grey rodent, larger than a mouse, which has a long tail and can ration carry disease 쑗 Rats live in the sewers in the city. 쑗 Bubonic plague is a disease which is transmitted to people by fleas from rats. 왍 like rats leaving a sinking ship when large numbers of people leave a company or an organisation because they think it is going to fail 쑗 Ministers are leaving the government like rats leaving a sinking ship. 쐽 verb 왍 to rat on someone to harm someone by telling their secrets (slang) 쑗 He ratted on his best friend. ratchet /
r tʃt/ noun an object such as a wheel with teeth and a catch which prevents it from turning backwards. Synonym notch ① rate /ret/ noun 1. a number shown as a proportion of another 2. how frequently something is done 쑗 His heart was beating at a rate of only 59 per minute. 3. a level of payment 쑗 He immediately accepted the rate offered. 쑗 Before we discuss the project further, I would like to talk about the rates of payment. 쑗 Their rate of pay is lower than ours. 4. speed 쑗 At the rate he’s going, he’ll be there before us. 쑗 If you type at a steady rate of 70 words per minute you’ll finish copying the text today. 쐽 verb to give a value to something 쑗 She’s rated in the top 20 players. 쑗 I don’t rate his chances of winning very highly. ① rather /
rɑðə/ adv 1. fairly, to a slight degree 쑗 Their house is rather on the small side. 쑗 Her dress is a rather pretty shade of blue. 2. 왍 rather than instead of 쑗 Rather than wait for hours for a bus, we decided to walk home. 쑗 He tried to use his credit card rather than pay cash. ratification /r tf
keʃ(ə)n/ noun official approval of something such as a rule, which then becomes official and must be obeyed. Antonym rejection ratify /
r tfa/ verb to approve something officially rating /
retŋ/ noun 1. the act or practice of giving a score or mark for something 쑗 What rating would you give that film? 2. (in the navy) an ordinary seaman 쑗 The new commander joined the navy 20 years ago as a rating. ③ ratio /
reʃiəυ/ noun an amount of something in relation to another amount 쑗 the ratio of successes to failures 쑗 Our athletes beat theirs by a ratio of two to one (2:1). (NOTE: The plural is ratios.) ration /
r ʃ(ə)n/ noun an amount of food or supplies allowed 쑗 The rations provided for the expedition were more than sufficient. 쑗 The prisoners had to survive on meagre rations. 쐽 verb to allow only a certain amount of food or supplies 쑗 Petrol may be rationed this winter. 쑗 During the war we were rationed to one ounce of cheese per person per week. Synonym restrict rational 693 rational / rʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj sensible, based on reason rationale /rʃə nɑ l/ noun a set of reasons for which something is done. Synonym reasoning rationalisation /rʃ(ə)nəla zeʃ(ə)n/, rationalization noun the act of rationalising, of making something more effective rationalise / rʃ(ə)nəlaz/, rationalize verb 1. to find a reason for actions which do not appear to be rational 쑗 He tried to rationalise what he had done. 2. to make something such as a system or a business work in a more effective way 쑗 The rail company is trying to rationalise its freight services. rationally / rʃ(ə)n(ə)li/ adv in a reasonable way rationing / rʃ(ə)nŋ/ noun the system of allowing people only a small amount of food or supplies in wartime rat race / rt res/ noun the bitter competition for success in the business world (informal ) rattle / rt(ə)l/ noun 1. a toy which you hold in your hand and which makes a loud repeated noise when you shake it 쑗 The fans stood waving rattles and blowing whistles. 쑗 The baby threw the rattle out of the cot. 2. a harsh sound 쑗 He heard the rattle of a snake. 쐽 verb 1. to make a repeated harsh noise, like the sound of pieces of wood banging together 쑗 The wind made the windows rattle. 2. to upset someone 쑗 He didn’t seem rattled by the news of the police investigation. rattle off /rt(ə)l ɒf/ verb to say something very quickly rattlesnake / rt(ə)lsnek/, rattler / rt(ə)lə/ noun a poisonous American snake which makes a rattling noise with its tail ratty / rti/ adj behaving in an angry way raucous / rɔ kəs/ adj (of a sound ) rough, harsh raunchy / rɔ ntʃi/ adj sexually exciting (informal ) (NOTE: raunchier – raunchiest) ravage / rvdȢ/ noun 왍 the ravages of damage caused by 쑗 The town will have to spend millions to repair the ravages of war. 쑗 You can try to withstand the ravages of time by dyeing your hair. 쐽 verb to damage or to destroy a place 쑗 The countryside had been ravaged by years of civil war. rave /rev/ verb 1. to speak in an excited way 쑗 He ranted and raved until someone came to see what was the matter. 2. to be very enthusiastic about something 쑗 She raves about this little restaurant in the West End. 쐽 adj enthusiastic (informal ) 쑗 The new musical had rave reviews. 쐽 noun a very large party for young people, with bright lights, loud music and usually drugs . . . . reach raven / rev(ə)n/ noun a big black bird like a very large crow ravenous / rv(ə)nəs/ adj very hungry ravine /rə vi n/ noun a deep narrow valley raving / revŋ/ adj, adv 왍 raving mad extremely annoyed or angry (informal ) 쑗 You must be raving mad, that’s far too expensive! ravioli /rvi əυli/ noun an Italian dish of small pasta squares filled with meat or cheese ravishing / rvʃŋ/ adj very beautiful ravishingly / rvʃŋli/ adv in a way which is extremely attractive ③ raw /rɔ / adj 1. not cooked 쑗 Don’t be silly – you can’t eat raw potatoes! 쑗 We had a salad of raw cabbage and tomatoes. 쑗 Sushi is a Japanese dish of raw fish. 쑗 They served the meat almost raw. 2. which has not been treated in any way 쑗 We have a mass of raw data which has to be processed. 3. (of weather ) cold and wet 쑗 a very raw winter’s morning 쑗 The driving wind was cold and raw. 4. (on the skin) sensitive because the skin has been rubbed off 쑗 The blister left her skin red and raw. 왍 to touch a raw nerve to mention something which someone is sensitive about (informal ) 쑗 His mention of the money they owed touched a raw nerve. 5. 왍 a raw deal unfair treatment (informal ) 쑗 He got a raw deal from the government when they refused to pay him a pension. 6. without any experience 쑗 to train raw recruits ③ raw materials /rɔ mə təriəlz/ plural noun substances such as wool, wood or sand which are still in their natural state and have not yet been made into manufactured goods ray /re/ noun 1. a beam of light or heat 쑗 A ray of sunshine hit the window pane and lit up the gloomy room. 왍 a ray of hope a small hopeful sign 2. a type of large flat sea fish 쑗 We had ray cooked in butter. rayon / reɒn/ noun an artificial material which looks like silk raze /rez/ verb 왍 to raze something to the ground to destroy something such as a building completely 쑗 The office block will be razed to the ground to make way for the new road. 쑗 Whole sections of the town were razed to the ground in the earthquake. ③ razor / rezə/ noun an instrument with a very sharp blade for removing hair from the face or body razor blade / rezə bled/ noun a blade for a razor, which can be used several times before being thrown away RC abbr Roman Catholic ③ Rd abbr road 쑗 Our address is 1 Cambridge Rd. re /ri / prep concerning re- /ri / prefix again ① reach /ri tʃ/ noun 1. how far you can stretch out your hand 쑗 Keep the medicine . . . . react 694 bottle out of the reach of the children. 2. how far you can travel easily 쑗 The office is within easy reach of the railway station. 쐽 verb 1. to stretch out your hand to 쑗 She reached across the table and took some meat from my plate. 쑗 He’s quite tall enough to reach the tool cupboard. 쑗 Can you reach me down the suitcase from the top shelf? 2. to arrive at a place 쑗 We were held up by fog and only reached home at midnight. 쑗 The plane reaches Hong Kong at midday. 쑗 We wrote to tell her we were coming to visit, but the letter never reached her. 3. to get to a certain level 쑗 The amount we owe the bank has reached £100,000. 4. to do something successfully 왍 to reach an agreement to agree 쑗 The two parties reached an agreement over the terms of the sale. 왍 to reach a decision to decide 쑗 The board has still not reached a decision about closing the factory. 왍 to reach someone to get in touch with someone on the phone 쑗 We had difficulty in reaching him. ③ react /ri kt/ verb 1. to do or to say something in response to words or an action 쑗 How will he react when we tell him the news? 쑗 When she heard the rumour she didn’t react at all. 왍 to react against something to show opposition to something 쑗 The farmers reacted against the new law by blocking the roads with their tractors. 왍 to react to something to behave in a particular way as a result of something 쑗 How did he react to the news of her death? 쑗 He didn’t react at all well to the injection. 2. 왍 to react with something (of a chemical ) to change chemical composition because of a substance 쑗 Acids react with metals. ② reaction /ri kʃən/ noun 1. a thing done or said as a result of something else 쑗 His immediate reaction to the news was to burst into laughter. 쑗 There was a very negative reaction to the proposed building development. 왍 a natural reaction an expected way of behaving as a result of something such as a particular experience 쑗 Bursting into tears is a natural reaction when you pass your exams. 왍 what was his reaction to the news? what did he say or do when he heard the news? 쑗 What was his reaction when you told him you were leaving him? 2. a process of chemical change 쑗 A chemical reaction takes place when sulphuric acid is added. reactionary /ri kʃən(ə)ri/ adj extremely conservative, opposed to any change 쑗 Reactionary elements in the government may try to block the president’s plan. 쐽 noun a person who is extremely conservative, opposed to any changes 쑗 The proposals have run up against opposition from reactionaries in the armed forces. Antonym progressive (NOTE: . The plural is reactionaries.) reader reactive /ri ktv/ adj 1. (of a chemical substance) which reacts easily with other substances 2. working by reacting to things which happen, rather than by starting a process yourself 쑗 They decided to adopt a reactive strategy. 쑗 His method of working is purely reactive. Antonym proactive ③ reactor /ri ktə/ noun 왍 nuclear reactor a structure which creates heat and energy by starting and controlling atomic fission 쑗 A disaster could have happened if the nuclear reactor had exploded. ① read /ri d/ verb 1. to look at and understand written words 쑗 She was reading a book when I saw her. 쑗 What are you reading at the moment? 쑗 We’re reading about the general election. 2. to look at and understand written music 쑗 She can play the piano by ear, but can’t read music. 3. to understand the meaning of data from something such as a computer disk or a piece of electronic equipment 쑗 Our PCs cannot read disks which are not compatible with our system. 쑗 The scanner at the cash desk reads the bar code on each product. 4. 왍 to read Braille to touch the Braille symbols with your fingers and understand their meaning 5. to speak the words of something which is written 쑗 The chairman read a message from the president during the meeting. 쑗 She read a bedtime story to the children last night. 쑗 Can you read the instructions on the medicine bottle? — The print is too small for me. 6. 왍 to read between the lines to understand a hidden meaning which is not immediately obvious 쑗 If you read between the lines of his letter you can tell that he is deeply unhappy. 7. to study a subject at university 쑗 He read mathematics at Cambridge. (NOTE: reading – read /red/) 쐽 noun 1. the action of looking at and understanding written words 쑗 I like to have a read in the train on my way to work. 2. a good book for reading 쑗 His latest novel will be a good holiday read. 쑗 You can’t beat that book for a fantastic read. (NOTE: Do not confuse with reed.) readable / ri dəb(ə)l/ adj 1. which can be read easily 쑗 His handwriting is barely readable. 2. which is a pleasure to read 쑗 It’s a very readable story. ③ read aloud /ri d ə laυd/, read out /ri d aυt/ verb to speak the words you are reading readdress /ri ə dres/ verb to put another address on an envelope or parcel ② reader / ri də/ noun 1. a person who reads, especially a person who reads regularly or who reads a particular newspaper or type of book 쑗 a message from the editor to all our readers 쑗 She’s a great reader of science fiction. 2. a senior teacher at a university, a position between Professor and Senior Lecturer 쑗 He was a reader in English at readership 695 London University. 3. a school book to help children to learn to read 쑗 The teacher handed out the new readers to the class. 쑗 I remember one of my first readers – it was about pirates. 4. a piece of electronic equipment which understands data or symbols 쑗 a barcode reader readership / ri dəʃp/ noun 1. all the people who regularly read a particular magazine or newspaper, or read the books of a particular writer 쑗 The paper is targeting a younger readership. 2. the position of reader in a university 쑗 He has been appointed to a readership in Chinese. ③ readily / redli/ adv 1. easily and quickly 쑗 This product is readily available in most shops. 2. willingly 쑗 Is there anyone readily available to help me this weekend? 쑗 She came readily when I asked her to help me. readiness / redinəs/ noun being ready or willing 왍 to hold something in readiness to keep something ready for use ② reading / ri dŋ/ noun 1. the act of looking at and understanding written words 쑗 Reading and writing should be taught early. 2. material such as books which people read 쑗 This book is too difficult, it’s not suitable reading for a child her age. 3. speaking from the words of something which is written 쑗 They gave a poetry reading in the bookshop. 4. a way of understanding a text 쑗 a new reading of ‘Hamlet’ 5. one of the stages of the discussion of a Bill in Parliament 쑗 The bill had its second reading in Parliament last night. 6. a level shown on a measuring instrument 쑗 the reading on the pressure gauge reading glasses / ri dŋ DZlɑ sz/ plural noun glasses that help you to read things which are close reading lamp / ri dŋ lmp/ noun a small light on a desk or beside a bed, for use when reading or writing reading room / ri dŋ ru m/ noun a room in a library where people can read books or newspapers without taking them away from the library readjust /ri ə dȢst/ verb to adjust again read-out / ri d aυt/ noun the data produced by electronic equipment, e.g. a computer, and which you can read or hear ① ready / redi/ adj 1. prepared for something 쑗 Hold on – I’ll be ready in two minutes. 쑗 Are all the children ready to go to school? 쑗 Why isn’t the coach here? – The group are all ready and waiting to go. 왍 ready for anything prepared to do anything 쑗 Now that I’ve had some food, I’m ready for anything! 2. fit to be used or eaten 쑗 Don’t sit down yet – the meal isn’t ready. 쑗 Is my dry cleaning ready yet? 3. willing 쑗 She’s always ready to help in the garden. 4. 왍 ready cash, ready money cash which is immedi- realise ately available (informal ) 쑗 I won’t be able to come out tonight as I’m a bit short of ready cash. 쑗 I always keep some ready cash handy in case of emergencies. 쐽 noun (informal ) 왍 at the ready prepared 쑗 They stood with guns at the ready. 앳 get ready 1. to prepare yourself for something 쑗 How long will it take you to get ready for the wedding? 2. to get something prepared 쑗 We need to get the dinner ready – the guests will be arriving in 30 minutes. ready-made /redi med/ adj which is mass-produced and ready to use. Synonym . . off-the-peg ready-to-wear /redi tə weə/ adj (of clothes) which are mass-produced, ready to fit any person of a certain size. Also called off-the-peg reaffirm /ri ə f" m/ verb to state something formally again. Synonym repeat. Antonym contradict reagent /ri edȢənt/ noun a substance which is used to start a chemical reaction to show if another substance is present ① real /rəl/ adj 1. not a copy, not artificial 쑗 Is that watch real gold? 쑗 That plastic apple looks very real or looks just like the real thing. 쑗 He has a real leather case. 2. used to emphasise 쑗 That car is a real bargain at £300. 쑗 Their little girl is going to be a real beauty. 쑗 Wasps can be a real problem on picnics. 쑗 There’s a real danger that the shop will be closed. 3. which exists 쑗 Have you ever seen a real live tiger? real estate / rəl stet/ noun land or buildings which are bought or sold real estate agent / rəl stet edȢənt/ noun US a person who sells property for customers (NOTE: The British term is estate agent.) realignment /ri ə lanmənt/ noun 1. a change in relations between political parties or between states in an alliance 쑗 A realignment of the centre parties took place after the election. 쑗 a basic realignment of Caribbean states 2. changing a system so that different parts are in a different relationship to each other realisation /rəla zeʃ(ə)n/, realization noun 1. a gradual understanding 쑗 the chairman’s realisation that he was going to be outvoted 2. making real 왍 the realisation of a project the act of putting a project into action 쑗 How long will it take to bring the project to realisation? 쑗 The plan moved a stage nearer realisation when the contracts were signed. 쑗 By buying a house by the sea he achieved the realisation of his greatest ambition. ① realise / rəlaz/, realize verb 1. to get to a point where you understand clearly 쑗 He didn’t realise what he was letting himself in realism 696 for when he said he would paint the house. 쑗 We soon realised we were on the wrong road. 쑗 When she went into the manager’s office she did not realise she was going to be sacked. 2. to get money by selling something 쑗 The sale of his stamp collection realised £100,000. 3. to make something become real 쑗 After four years of hard work, the motor racing team realised their dream of winning the Grand Prix. 쑗 By buying a house by the sea he realised his greatest ambition. 왍 to realise a project or a plan to make a project or a plan happen 쑗 The plan took five years to realise. ③ realism / rəlz(ə)m/ noun 1. behaviour which faces facts, accepting things as they are and not trying to change them or fight against them 쑗 My job is to try to bring some realism to their proposals. 쑗 With the arrival of the new managing director an air of realism has finally entered the company. 2. the fact or practice of showing things in writing or painting as they really are 쑗 He brought piles of sand and a deckchair into the studio to lend realism to the photos for the holiday brochure. 쑗 Realism dominated French painting in the latter part of the 19th century. realist / rəlst/ noun 1. a person who accepts life as it really is, and does not try to change it or fight it 쑗 He told me that he didn’t believe in love at first sight as he was a realist. 2. an artist or writer who shows things as they really are 쑗 Realist painters were popular in the 19th century. ③ realistic /rə lstk/ adj 1. which looks as if it is real 쑗 These flowers look so realistic, I can’t believe they’re made of plastic. 2. accepting life as it really is 쑗 Let’s be realistic – you’ll never earn enough money to buy this house. 쑗 I’m just being realistic when I say that you should reconsider the offer. realistically /rə lstkli/ adv in a realistic way ② reality /ri lti/ noun what is real and not imaginary 쑗 the grim realities of life in an industrial town 쑗 He worked hard, and his dreams of wealth soon became a reality. 왍 in reality in fact 쑗 She always told people she was poor, but in reality she was worth millions. real life /rəl laf/ noun the way that real people live and work, as opposed to life in a film or novel ① really / rəli/ adv 1. in fact 쑗 The building really belongs to my father. 2. very 쑗 I’m really tired. 3. used to show surprise 쑗 She’s not really French, is she? 쑗 She doesn’t like apples – Really, how strange! 쑗 Did you really mean what you said? ③ realm /relm/ noun 1. a kingdom, especially the United Kingdom 쑗 defence of the reason realm 2. an area of experience 쑗 It is quite within the realms of possibility. real time / rəl tam/ noun an action of a computer which takes place at the same time as the problem it is solving realtor / rəltə/ noun US a person who sells property for customers (NOTE: The British term is estate agent.) realty / rəlti/ noun US real estate, land or buildings which are bought or sold real world /rəl w" ld/ noun the world as it exists, with all its faults, not an imaginary one. Synonym reality. Compare ivory tower ream /ri m/ noun 1. a certain number of sheets of paper 쑗 For office paper or printing paper a ream is 500 sheets. 2. 왍 reams of a very large amount of things 쑗 We had reams of faxes from the tour operator. reap /ri p/ verb 1. to cut a grain crop 쑗 In September everyone went to the farm to help reap the corn. 2. 왍 to reap the benefits to get benefit from something you have done or someone has done for you 쑗 His grandchildren will reap the benefits of all his work in setting up the family company. reappear /ri ə pə/ verb to appear again. Synonym come back rear /rə/ noun the part at the back 쑗 The rear of the car was damaged in the accident. 쑗 They sat towards the rear of the cinema. 왍 to bring up the rear to walk behind the others 쑗 The military band brought up the rear of the parade. 쐽 adj at the back 쑗 The children sat in the rear seats in the car. 쑗 He wound down the rear window. 쐽 verb 1. to breed animals or children 쑗 They rear horses on their farm. 쑗 They stopped rearing pigs because of the smell. 2. to rise up, to lift something up 쑗 A rhino suddenly reared up out of the long grass. 쑗 The walls of the castle reared up before them. 쑗 The spectre of inflation reared its ugly head. 3. (of a horse) to rise on its back legs 쑗 The terrified horse reared (up) and threw its rider. rearm /ri ɑ m/ verb to get arms such as guns again rearrange /ri ə rendȢ/ verb 1. to arrange something again 쑗 She rearranged the furniture so that the room looked quite different. 2. to change the time of a meeting 쑗 Can I rearrange my appointment for next week? rear-view mirror /rə vju mrə/ noun a mirror in the centre of the front of a car, so that the driver can see what is behind him without turning round ① reason / ri z(ə)n/ noun 1. a thing which explains why something has happened 쑗 The airline gave no reason for the plane’s late arrival. 쑗 The boss asked him for the reason why he was behind with his work. 왍 for some reason in a way which you cannot explain 쑗 For some reason (or other) the builders sent reasonable 697 us two invoices. 2. the power of thought 쑗 He used reason to solve the mathematical problem. 3. the ability to make sensible judgments 쑗 She wouldn’t listen to reason. 왍 it stands to reason it is reasonable 쑗 It stands to reason that he wants to join his father’s firm. 왍 to see reason to see that someone’s argument is right or reasonable 쑗 She was going to report her neighbours to the police, but in the end we got her to see reason. 왍 within reason to a sensible degree, in a sensible way 쑗 The children get £5 pocket money each week, and we let them spend it as they like, within reason. 쐽 verb 1. to think or to plan something carefully and sensibly 쑗 He reasoned that any work is better than no work, so he took the job. 쑗 If you take the time to reason it out, you’ll find a solution to the problem. 2. 왍 to reason with someone to try to calm someone, to try to make someone change his mind 쑗 The policewoman tried to reason with the man who was holding a knife. ① reasonable / ri z(ə)nəb(ə)l/ adj 1. sensible 쑗 The manager of the shop was very reasonable when she tried to explain that she had left her credit cards at home. 2. not expensive 쑗 The hotel’s charges are quite reasonable. 쑗 The restaurant offers good food at reasonable prices. ② reasonably / ri z(ə)nəbli/ adv 1. in a reasonable way 쑗 The meals are very reasonably priced. 쑗 Very reasonably, he asked for a check on the brakes of the car before buying it. 2. quite 쑗 It is reasonably easy. reasoned / ri z(ə)nd/ adj carefully thought out. Synonym rational. Antonym illogical reasoning / ri z(ə)nŋ/ noun using your mind. Synonym analysis 왍 I don’t follow your reasoning I can’t see how you get to this result reassert /ri ə s" t/ verb to state something again, to make something obvious again reassess /ri ə ses/ verb to consider something again. Synonym reconsider reassurance /ri ə ʃυərəns/ noun the act of reassuring someone. Synonym comfort reassure /ri ə ʃυə/ verb to make someone less afraid or less worried reassuring /ri ə ʃυərŋ/ adj which reassures, which makes you less worried. Synonym encouraging. Antonym discouraging rebate / ri bet/ noun 1. a reduction in the amount of money to be paid 쑗 We are offering a 10% rebate on selected goods. 2. money returned to someone because he has paid too much 쑗 He got a tax rebate at the end of the year. rebel noun / reb(ə)l/ a person who fights against a government or against those who are in authority 쑗 The rebels fled to the recall mountains after the army captured their headquarters. 쑗 He considers himself something of a rebel because he wears his hair in a ponytail. Synonym protester. Antonym loyalist 쐽 verb /r bel/ to fight against someone or something 쑗 The peasants are rebelling against the king’s men. 쑗 The class rebelled at the idea of doing extra homework. (NOTE: rebelling – rebelled) rebellion /r beljən/ noun a fight against the government, against the people in authority. Synonym revolt rebellious /r beljəs/ adj fighting against authority rebirth /ri b" θ/ noun being born again, starting again reboard /ri bɔ d/ verb to go back onto a ship or plane or train or bus again reboot /ri bu t/ verb to start a computer again reborn /ri bɔ n/ adj which starts again rebound noun / ri baυnd/ bouncing back 쑗 The rebound was so fast that he missed the ball altogether. 쑗 There was a rebound in Tokyo share prices yesterday. 쐽 verb /r baυnd/ 1. to move back after hitting something 쑗 The ball rebounded off the goalpost. 2. 왍 to rebound on to have a bad effect on 쑗 His attacks on local shopkeepers rebounded on him when they all voted against him in the elections. rebuff /r bf/ noun a sharp refusal of an offer 쑗 Her offer to baby-sit met with a rebuff. Synonym rejection 쐽 verb to refuse something sharply 쑗 They rebuffed all offers of help. rebuild /ri bld/ verb to build again (NOTE: rebuilding – rebuilt /ri blt/) rebuke /r bju k/ noun criticising someone for doing something 쑗 His attempts at forcing a vote earned him a quick rebuke from the chairman. Antonym compliment 쐽 verb to criticise someone sharply 쑗 She rebuked the MD for not doing enough for the shareholders. Synonym reprimand. Antonym praise rebut /r bt/ verb to state that something such as an argument is not true (NOTE: rebutting – rebutted) rebuttal /r bt(ə)l/ noun the act of rebutting something. Synonym refutation recalcitrant /r klstrənt/ adj deter- mined not to change your mind, behaving in a difficult way. Synonym unruly ② recall /r kɔ l/ noun the act of calling for something to come back or to be brought back 쑗 The recall of the faulty goods caused the manufacturers some serious problems. 쑗 The recall of the ambassador is expected any time now. 왍 recall of Parliament bringing MPs back to Parliament when they are on recant 698 holiday, to discuss an important matter 왍 beyond recall gone and will never come back 쑗 Those days beyond recall when we were young! 쐽 verb 1. to remember something 쑗 I don’t recall having met her before. 쑗 She couldn’t recall any details of the accident. 2. (of a manufacturer ) to ask for products to be returned because of possible faults 쑗 They recalled 10,000 washing machines because of a faulty electrical connection. 쑗 They have recalled all their 2001 models as there is a fault in the steering. 3. to tell a government official to come home from a foreign country 쑗 The United States recalled their ambassador after the military coup. 4. to ask Parliament to meet during a holiday period 쑗 In the light of the current crisis, the Prime Minister has asked for Parliament to be recalled or has recalled Parliament. recant /r knt/ verb to admit that your former beliefs were wrong recap /ri kp/ verb to state the main points of something again recapture /ri kptʃə/ noun the act of getting possession of something again 쑗 The government forces are making the recapture of the capital from the rebels their main priority. 쑗 The recapture of the former Prime Minister’s seat was an important win for the opposition party. 쐽 verb 1. to get someone or something again and to keep them in your possession 쑗 Our troops recaptured all the ground they had lost the previous day. 쑗 The police succeeded in recapturing all the escaped prisoners. 2. to take again a seat in an election 쑗 The opposition recaptured several seats which they had lost in the election four years earlier. 3. to have the same feelings again 쑗 If only one could recapture the innocence of youth! ③ recede /r si d/ verb to go away or to move back 왍 receding hairline the condition in which a man’s hair at the top of his forehead begins to fall out ② receipt /r si t/ noun 1. the act of receiving 쑗 Invoices are payable within 30 days of receipt. 쑗 We would like you to confirm receipt of the goods. 왍 to acknowledge receipt of a letter to write to say that you have received a letter 쑗 We acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 15th. 왍 on receipt of when you receive 쑗 On receipt of the notification, they decided to appeal. 2. a paper showing that you have paid, that you have received something 쑗 Goods cannot be exchanged unless a sales receipt is shown. 쑗 Would you like a receipt for that shirt? ① receive /r si v/ verb 1. to get something which has been sent 쑗 We received a parcel from the supplier this morning. 쑗 We only received our tickets the day before we were due to leave. 쑗 The staff have not received any . receptive wages for six months. 왍 ‘received with thanks’ words put on a bill to show that it has been paid 왍 to be on the receiving end of to have to suffer (informal ) 쑗 He was on the receiving end of a lot of criticism. 2. to meet or to welcome a visitor 쑗 The group was received by the mayor. 3. to be given something 쑗 He received a blood transfusion. ③ receiver /r si və/ noun 1. the part of a radio which receives broadcast programmes 쑗 Our radio receiver picked up your signal quite clearly. 2. an official put in charge of a bankrupt company 쑗 The court appointed a receiver for the company. 쑗 The company is in the hands of the receiver. 3. a part of a telephone which you hold to your ear and listen through 쑗 He shouted ‘get stuffed!’ and slammed down the receiver. 4. a person who accepts stolen goods 쑗 The receivers of the stolen jewellery were arrested and jailed. receivership /r si vəʃp/ noun being under the control of a receiver. Synonym bankruptcy 왍 the company went into receivership a receiver was given the job of looking after the business of the bankrupt company ① recent / ri s(ə)nt/ adj new, which took place not very long ago 쑗 We will mail you our most recent catalogue. 쑗 The building is very recent – it was finished only last year. ① recently / ri s(ə)ntli/ adv only a short time ago 쑗 I’ve seen him quite a lot recently. 쑗 They recently decided to move to Australia. Synonym lately receptacle /r septək(ə)l/ noun a container ③ reception /r sepʃən/ noun 1. a welcome 쑗 The committee gave the proposal a favourable reception. 쑗 The critics gave the play a warm reception. 쑗 The minister had a rowdy reception at the meeting. 2. (at a hotel ) the place where guests go when they arrive or leave, e.g. to obtain the key to their room 쑗 Let’s meet at reception at 9.00 am tomorrow. 3. (at an office) a place where visitors go when they arrive and say who they have come to see 쑗 There’s a parcel waiting for you in reception. 4. a big party held to welcome special guests 쑗 He hosted a reception for the prince. 5. the quality of the sound on a radio or the sound and picture of a TV broadcast 쑗 Perhaps you’d get better reception if you moved the aerial. reception desk /r sepʃən desk/ noun a desk where visitors check in, e.g. in a hotel ③ receptionist /r sepʃənst/ noun a person in a place such as a hotel or doctor’s office who meets visitors and answers the telephone receptive /r septv/ adj eager to listen 왍 to be receptive to to be eager to take in . . recess 699 something such as a new idea 쑗 The management was not at all receptive to the employee’s suggestions. recess /r ses/ noun 1. an alcove or part of the wall of a room which is set back 쑗 The large stone urn stands in the recess by the doorway. 2. an official holiday of the law courts or parliament 쑗 The decision was taken when parliament was in recess. 3. US a recreation period at school 쑗 They had a game during the recess. recesses /r sesz/ plural noun hidden inside parts which are difficult to reach ② recession /r seʃ(ə)n/ noun a situation when a country’s economy is doing badly. Synonym depression recessive gene /r sesv dȢi n/ noun the less important of a pair of genes, where the characteristic is only passed on to the offspring if both parents have the gene recharge /ri tʃɑ dȢ/ verb to put an electric charge into something again rechargeable /ri tʃɑ dȢəb(ə)l/ adj which can be recharged ③ recipe / resəpi/ noun 1. instructions for cooking food 쑗 I copied the recipe for leek soup from the newspaper. 쑗 You can buy postcards with recipes of local dishes. 2. an effective way to do something 쑗 There is no single recipe for success. 왍 it’s a recipe for disaster it’s certain to lead to disaster 쑗 The way the management is approaching the problem is a recipe for disaster. recipient /r spiənt/ noun a person who receives something. Antonym donor reciprocal /r sprək(ə)l/ adj which is done by two people, groups of people or by such things as countries or companies, to each other. Synonym mutual. Antonym one-sided 쐽 noun (in maths) the quantity produced when 1 is divided by a number 쑗 The reciprocal of 4 is ¼ (which equals 0.25). reciprocate /r sprəket/ verb to do the same thing to someone in return for something he or she has done to you reciprocity /res prɒsti/ noun the principle that if one person or country does something to help another, the second will reciprocate. Antonym isolation recital /r sat(ə)l/ noun a performance of music by a musician or a small group of musicians recitation /res teʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of reciting something, usually from memory. Synonym recital recite /r sat/ verb to speak a poem or other piece of writing aloud in public reckless / rekləs/ adj risky or done without thinking. Synonym irresponsible. Antonym cautious recognition recklessly / rekləsli/ adv in a reckless way. Synonym cautiously ② reckon / rekən/ verb 1. to calculate, or to estimate 쑗 We reckon the costs to be about £25,000. 쑗 We reckon we’ll be there before lunch. 2. to think 쑗 I reckon we should have stayed at home. 3. 왍 to reckon on to count on or to depend on 쑗 We can reckon on the support of the Prime Minister. 쑗 Don’t reckon on me to drive you to the airport. reckoning / rekənŋ/ noun a calculation reclaim /r klem/ verb 1. to claim something which you owned before 쑗 After he stopped paying the hire purchase instalments, the finance company tried to reclaim his car. 쑗 His car was towed away and he had to go to the pound to reclaim it. (NOTE: also claim back in this meaning) 2. to take land, such as a marsh or waste sites, and make it suitable for use 쑗 They reclaimed a whole stretch of land along the banks of the river. 쑗 The airport was built on reclaimed land in the bay. recline /r klan/ verb 1. to lie back 쑗 She reclined on the sofa and closed her eyes. 2. to make something lie further back 쑗 If you feel tired during the plane journey, recline your seat and try to sleep. recluse /r klu s/ noun a person who lives all alone and does not see anyone else. Synonym hermit recognisable / rekəDZnazəb(ə)l/ adj who can be recognised. Synonym familiar. Antonym unfamiliar ① recognise / rekəDZnaz/, recognize verb 1. to know someone or something because you have seen him or her or it before 쑗 He’d changed so much since I last saw him that I hardly recognised him. 쑗 He didn’t recognise his father’s voice over the phone. 쑗 Do you recognise the handwriting on the letter? 2. to admit something 쑗 I recognise that we should have acted earlier. 3. to approve of something or someone officially 쑗 The language school has been recognised by the Ministry of Education. 쑗 She is recognised as an expert in the field of genetics. 왍 to recognise a government to say that a new government which has taken power in a country is the legal government of that country 쑗 Germany was one of the first countries to recognise Croatia as a new independent country. 왍 to recognise a trade union to agree that a trade union can officially represent workers in a factory 4. to show praise for something which has been done 쑗 They recognised her years of service. ③ recognised / rekəDZnazd/, recognized adj which has been approved officially. Antonym unknown ② recognition /rekəDZ nʃ(ə)n/ noun recognising or acknowledging 쑗 In recognition recoil 700 of his services he was given a watch. 왍 he’s changed beyond all recognition he has changed so much that I didn’t recognise him recoil noun / ri kɔl/ the sudden movement backwards of a gun when it is fired 쑗 The recoil bruised my shoulder. 쑗 Watch out, this rifle has a powerful recoil. 쐽 verb /r kɔl/ 1. to move backwards suddenly 쑗 The gun recoils at least two metres after being fired. 2. to move away quickly from something unpleasant 쑗 When she saw the dead dog in the road she recoiled in disgust. 3. to feel strongly that something is unpleasant and want to avoid it 쑗 He recoiled from carrying out the captain’s orders. recollect /rekə lekt/ verb to remember something from the past recollection /rekə lekʃən/ noun remembering something from the past ② recommend /rekə mend/ verb 1. to suggest that someone should do something 쑗 I would recommend you to talk to the bank manager. 쑗 The doctor recommended seeing an eye specialist. 2. to praise something or someone 쑗 She was highly recommended by her boss. 쑗 I certainly would not recommend Miss Smith for the job. 쑗 Can you recommend a good hotel in Amsterdam? ③ recommendation /rekəmendeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. advice 쑗 My recommendation is that you shouldn’t sign the contract. 쑗 He’s staying in bed at the doctor’s recommendation. 2. giving praise 왍 on your recommendation because you recommended it 쑗 We went to the film on your recommendation. 쑗 We appointed her on the recommendation of her boss. recompense / rekəmpens/ verb to give compensation, payment or reward to someone or for something reconcile / rekənsal/ verb 1. 왍 to reconcile oneself to to accept 쑗 She seems reconciled to staying at home and looking after her mother. 2. to make two accounts agree 쑗 The accounts department is trying to reconcile the bank statements. reconciliation /rekənsli eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the bringing together of two people to become friends again 쑗 Do you think a reconciliation is at all possible between the two brothers? 2. making two accounts agree 쑗 The reconciliation of the accounts may take a long time. reconnaissance /r kɒns(ə)ns/ noun a survey of enemy territory to get military information. Synonym investigation reconnoitre /rekə nɔtə/ verb to make a survey of enemy territory to get military information, to make a reconnaissance (NOTE: The US spelling is reconnoiter.) reconsider /ri kən sdə/ verb to think something over again. Synonym reassess record reconstitute /ri kɒnsttju t/ verb to form something again as it was before reconstruct /ri kən strkt/ verb 1. to construct something again 쑗 The centre of the town was reconstructed using old photographs. 2. to work out how a crime must have been committed by taking all the known facts and using actors to play the parts of the people involved 쑗 The police are trying to reconstruct the crime, in the hope that it will produce new evidence. ③ reconstruction /ri kən strkʃən/ noun 1. the act of reconstructing, of building again 쑗 They’re planning the reconstruction of the old fortress as a tourist attraction. 쑗 the economic reconstruction of the area after the earthquake 2. a thing reconstructed 쑗 This is not the original building, it’s a modern reconstruction. 3. working out how a crime must have been committed by examining all known facts and using an actor to play the part of the victim, etc. 쑗 The police are hoping that the reconstruction of the crime will jog people’s memories. reconvene /ri kən vi n/ verb to meet again ① record noun / rekɔ d/ 1. a success in sport which is better than any other 쑗 She holds the world record for the 100 metres. 쑗 He broke the world record or he set up a new world record at the last Olympics. 쑗 The college team is trying to set a new record for eating tins of beans. 왍 at record speed, in record time very fast 쑗 He finished the book in record time. 2. a success which is better than anything before 쑗 Last year was a record year for our shop. 쑗 Sales last year equalled our previous record. 왍 we broke our record for June we sold more than we have ever sold before in June 3. written evidence of something which has happened 쑗 We have no record of the sale. 왍 for the record, to keep the record straight so as to note something which has been done 쑗 For the record, we will not deal with this company again. 왍 he is on record as saying he is accurately reported as saying 왍 off the record in private and not to be made public 쑗 She spoke off the record about her marriage. 4. a description of what someone has done in the past 쑗 He has a record of dishonest dealings. 5. a flat round piece of usually black plastic on which sound is stored 쑗 She bought me an old Elvis Presley record for Christmas. 쑗 Burglars broke into his flat and stole his record collection. 쐽 verb /r kɔ d/ 1. to report something or to make a note 쑗 First, I have to record the sales, then I’ll post the parcels. 2. to fix sounds or images on a film or tape 쑗 The police recorded the whole conversation on a hidden tape-recorder. 쑗 This song has been badly recorded. 3. to record-breaking 701 show a level on an instrument 쑗 Strong winds were recorded during the night. record-breaking / rekɔ d brekŋ/ adj which breaks records recorder /r kɔ də/ noun 1. an instrument which records sound 쑗 My tape recorder doesn’t work, so I can’t record the concert. 2. a small wooden musical instrument which you play by blowing 쑗 Like most children, I learnt to play the recorder at school. 3. a part-time judge record-holder / rekɔ d həυldə/ noun a person who holds a record ③ recording /r kɔ dŋ/ noun 1. the action of fixing sounds or images on tape or on disc 쑗 the recording of a video 쑗 Be on time – the recording session starts at 3pm. 2. music or speech which has been recorded 쑗 Did you know there was a new recording of the concerto? recount noun / ri kaυnt/ the act of counting again, especially counting votes again 쑗 The vote was very close, so the loser asked for a recount. 쑗 After three recounts Edward Jones was declared the winner by eleven votes. 쐽 verb 1. /r kaυnt/ to tell a story 쑗 He recounted his story to the police. 2. /ri kaυnt/ to count something again 쑗 All the votes had to be recounted. recoup /r ku p/ verb 왍 to recoup your losses to get back money which you thought you had lost 쑗 He’s still trying to recoup his losses on the Stock Exchange. 쑗 We expect to recoup our initial outlay within six months. recourse /r kɔ s/ noun 왍 to have recourse to something to use something in an emergency (formal ) 쑗 In the end we had to have recourse to the life rafts. 쑗 We hope to settle the dispute without recourse to the courts. ② recover /r kvə/ verb 1. 왍 to recover from an illness to get well again after an illness 쑗 She is still recovering from flu. 2. to get back something which has been lost or stolen 쑗 You must work much harder if you want to recover the money you invested in your business. 쑗 She’s trying to recover damages from the driver of the car. 3. /ri kvə/ to put a new cover on a piece of furniture 쑗 Instead of buying a new chair, I had the old one recovered. ③ recovery /r kv(ə)ri/ noun 1. getting well again 쑗 She made a quick recovery and is now back at work. 2. getting back something which has been lost or stolen 쑗 The TV programme led to the recovery of all the stolen goods. 쑗 We are aiming for the complete recovery of the money invested. 3. the upwards movement of the economy, of a company’s shares 쑗 The British economy staged a rapid recovery. . rectum recovery vehicle /r kv(ə)ri vi k(ə)l/ noun a truck that goes to find vehicles which have broken down and brings them back to the garage for repair recreate /ri kri et/ verb to create something again recreation noun 1. /rekri eʃ(ə)n/ a pleasant activity for your spare time 쑗 What is your favourite recreation? 쑗 Doesn’t she have any recreations other than going to bars in the evening? 2. /ri kri eʃ(ə)n/ creating again 쑗 We have been given a grant to help pay for the recreation of the 19th-century flower garden. recreational /rekri eʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj referring to recreation recreational vehicle /rekrieʃn(ə)l vi k(ə)l/ noun US a vehicle such as a camper van used for pleasure as opposed to business. Abbr RV recreation ground /rekri eʃ(ə)n DZraυnd/ noun a public area with playgrounds for children and sports fields for adults recrimination /rkrm neʃ(ə)n/ noun blaming someone else for something. Synonym accusation. Antonym appeasement recruit /r kru t/ noun a new soldier or a new member of staff or member of a club 쑗 Recruits are not allowed in the officers’ mess. 쑗 The club needs new recruits. 쐽 verb to encourage someone to join the army, a company or a club 쑗 They have sent teams to universities to recruit new graduates. 왍 to recruit new staff to get new staff to join a company 쑗 We are recruiting new staff for our new store. ③ recruitment /r kru tmənt/ noun the action of recruiting. Synonym staffing. Antonym dismissal 왍 the recruitment of new staff looking for new staff to join the company rectangle / rektŋDZəl/ noun a shape with four sides and right angles at the corners, with two sets of opposing long and short sides rectangular /rek tŋDZjυlə/ adj like a rectangle, with two pairs of equal sides, one pair being longer than the other rectification /rektf keʃ(ə)n/ noun a correction of something which was wrong rectify / rektfa/ verb to correct something rector / rektə/ noun 1. a priest in charge of a parish 쑗 He is rector of St Martinin-the-Fields. 2. an official representative of the students at a Scottish university 3. (in USA, Scotland ) the head of a school, college or university rectum / rektəm/ noun the end part of the large intestine leading from the colon to the anus . recuperate 702 recuperate /r ku pəret/ verb to get better after an illness recuperation /rku pə reʃ(ə)n/ noun getting better ③ recur /r k" / verb to happen again. Antonym cease (NOTE: recurring – recurred) recurrence /r krəns/ noun the action of happening again. Antonym cessation recurrent /r krənt/, recurring /r k" rŋ/ adj which happens again 쑗 She has recurrent blackouts. recycle /ri sak(ə)l/ verb to process waste material so that it can be used again. Synonym reprocess. Antonym throw away recycled paper /ri sak(ə)ld pepə/ noun paper made from waste paper ① red /red/ adj 1. coloured like the colour of blood 쑗 She turned bright red when we asked her what had happened to the money. 쑗 Don’t start yet – the traffic lights are still red. 2. 왍 red hair hair which is a reddish-orange colour 쑗 All their children have red hair and freckles. 쑗 Red-haired girls often wear green clothes. 쐽 noun 1. a colour like the colour of blood 쑗 I would like a darker red for the door. 쑗 Don’t start yet – the traffic lights are still on red. 2. 왍 in the red showing a loss 쑗 My bank account is in the red. 쑗 The company went into the red. 3. a red ball in billiards or snooker 쑗 He’s potted a red. 4. a red wine 쑗 A glass of house red, please. 5. a communist or socialist red card /red kɑ d/ noun a card displayed by the referee when dismissing a player for doing something against the rules ③ red carpet /red kɑ pt/ noun a carpet put down when an important visitor comes red channel / red tʃn(ə)l/ noun a way through customs for people with something to declare Red Crescent /red krez(ə)nt/ noun an organisation which provides medical help, the equivalent of the Red Cross in Muslim countries ② Red Cross /red krɒs/ noun an international organisation which provides emergency medical help, and also relief to victims of disasters such as earthquakes and floods redcurrant /red krənt/ noun 1. a garden fruit in the form of little red berries 쑗 a jar of redcurrant jelly 쑗 The redcurrants need more sugar – they’re very sour. 2. the small bush this fruit grows on 쑗 I planted six redcurrants in the garden. red deer /red di ə/ noun the largest deer found in Britain redden / red(ə)n/ verb 1. to become red 쑗 The trees stood out dark against the reddening evening sky. 쑗 His eyes were reddened from lack of sleep. 2. to go red in the face because you are ashamed or embarrassed 쑗 She redial reddened slightly as he gave her a kiss. Synonym blush reddish / redʃ/ adj rather red redecorate /ri dekəret/ verb to decorate something again. Synonym revamp redeem /r di m/ verb 1. to make something better than it seemed to be at first 쑗 The playing by the orchestra was redeemed by the singing of the soprano and tenor. 2. to get back something which you have pledged in order to borrow money 쑗 After we were paid I redeemed the ring from the pawnbroker. 3. to get in exchange 쑗 You can redeem this gift coupon for a free lunch. 4. to sell something for a cash payment 쑗 Bondholders with mature bonds must redeem them within three months. 5. 왍 to redeem a promise to do what you promised (formal ) 쑗 We are still hoping that the government will redeem all its election promises. 6. to save from sin 쑗 Christians believe that they will be redeemed by Jesus Christ. redeeming feature /rdi mŋ fi tʃə/ noun something which makes something appear better than it seemed at first redefine /ri d fan/ verb to define something again redemption /r dempʃən/ noun 1. the action of redeeming a debt 쑗 The bond is due for redemption. 2. being saved from sin 왍 to be beyond or past redemption to be so bad that it cannot be made better 쑗 I’m afraid those two boys are beyond redemption – they will have to be expelled from school. 쑗 My old jumper is beyond redemption, we’ll just have to throw it away. redeploy /ri d plɔ/ verb to use people or equipment in a different area or for a different activity redesign /ri d zan/ verb to design something again redevelop /ri d veləp/ verb to improve a run down area by renovating old buildings and building new ones redevelopment /ri d veləpmənt/ noun building new buildings in an area red-handed /red hndd/ adj in the act of committing a crime redhead / redhed/ noun a person with red hair red herring /red herŋ/ noun a piece of information which is not important, and is given to someone to distract attention from what is really important. Synonym decoy ③ red hot /red hɒt/ adj 1. (of metal ) so hot that it is red 쑗 The bar of steel is red hot when it comes out of the furnace. 2. very hot 쑗 Watch out – that pan is red hot! redial /ri daəl/ verb to dial a number on a telephone again . . redirect 703 redirect /ri da rekt/ verb 1. to send a letter on to another address or a phone call to another number 쑗 We have asked the post office to redirect all our mail when we are away. 쑗 Phone calls can be redirected to our office number. 쑗 He redirected the email to his boss. 2. to use something in another way 쑗 We are trying to get him to redirect his energy towards some more constructive work. rediscover /ri ds kvə/ verb to discover something again redistribute /ri d strbju t/ verb to share something out again in a different way red-letter day /red letə de/ noun an important day, which you will always remember red-light district /red lat dstrkt/ noun a part of a town where prostitutes work red meat /red mi t/ noun meat such as lamb or beef which is red in colour before it is cooked redo /ri du / verb to do something again (NOTE: redoing – redid – has redone) redouble /ri db(ə)l/ verb 왍 to redouble your efforts to try even harder than before red pepper /red pepə/ noun 1. a ripe red fruit of a capsicum or pimento plant 쑗 We made some red pepper and avocado salad. 2. a hot red spice made from powdered pimento peppers 쑗 Don’t put too much red pepper into the soup. redraw /ri drɔ / verb to draw something again (NOTE: redrawing – redrawn) redress /r dres/ noun compensation done to make up for something wrong 쑗 There is not much hope of getting any redress from his financial advisers. 쐽 verb to correct something or to compensate 쑗 They plan to redress the wrongs of society by taxing the rich. 왍 to redress the balance to make something fair again 쑗 Last year I gave my daughter some money, so this year I’ll give the same amount to my son to redress the balance. ③ red tape /red tep/ noun official paperwork which takes a long time to complete (informal ) ① reduce /r dju s/ verb 1. to make something smaller or less 쑗 The police are fighting to reduce traffic accidents. 쑗 Prices have been reduced by 15 per cent. 쑗 I’d like to reduce the size of the photograph so that we can use it as a Christmas card. 왍 to reduce staff to sack employees in order to have a smaller number of staff 쑗 Unfortunately, the best way to save money is to reduce staff. 왍 to reduce weight to get thinner 쑗 She started a new diet in order to reduce weight. 2. 왍 to be reduced to to be forced to do something humiliating 쑗 They ran out of food and were reduced to eating roots and . reel off berries. 왍 she was reduced to tears it made her cry ② reduction /r dkʃən/ noun the act of making something smaller in size or number 쑗 Price reductions start on 1st August. 쑗 The company was forced to make job reductions. ② redundancy /r dndənsi/ noun being no longer employed, because the job is no longer needed. Synonym unemployment. Antonym employment 왍 voluntary redundancy a situation when an employee asks to be made redundant, usually in return for a large payment 쑗 So many nurses have taken voluntary redundancy that now the hospitals are short of staff. ② redundant /r dndənt/ adj no longer needed, more than necessary 왍 to be made redundant to lose your job because you are not needed any more 쑗 Five employees were made redundant this week. 쑗 My son thinks he’ll be made redundant, so he’s already looking for another job. redwood / redwυd/ noun a very tall conifer which grows on the West Coast of the United States reed /ri d/ noun 1. a tall thick grass growing in wet places 쑗 Reeds grow by the edge of rivers or lakes. 2. a thin piece of wood or metal inside a musical instrument, which vibrates when you blow on it (NOTE: Do not confuse with read.) reef /ri f/ noun a long line of rocks just ③ above or beneath the surface of the sea 쑗 The yacht hit a reef and sank. 쑗 The Great Barrier Reef is a coral reef off the north-east coast of Australia. Synonym ridge 쐽 verb 왍 to reef a sail to tie up a sail or part of a sail, to make the surface caught by the wind smaller reek /ri k/ noun a strong smell 쑗 There was a reek of alcohol in the kitchen. Synonym stench 쐽 verb to smell strongly of something 쑗 He reeks of garlic. reel /ri l/ noun 1. a round object used for winding thread, wire or film round 쑗 She put a new reel of cotton on the sewing machine. 2. a Scottish dance 쑗 After the wedding breakfast, some of the guests started to dance Highland reels. 쐽 verb to stagger 쑗 Two men came out of the pub and went reeling down the street. 쑗 The punch on the face sent the boxer reeling. 쑗 The company is still reeling from its losses in the Far East. re-elect /ri  lekt/ verb to elect someone again re-election /ri  lekʃən/ noun being reelected reel in /ri l n/ verb to pull in a line round a reel ③ reel off /ri l ɒf/ verb to give a list of names or figures rapidly. Synonym recite re-enter 704 re-enter /ri entə/ verb to enter something again re-entry /ri entri/ noun 1. the act of entering a place or joining an activity again 2. the entry into the Earth’s atmosphere by a spacecraft or missile returning from space re-establish /ri  stblʃ/ verb to set something up again re-examine /ri DZ zmn/ verb to examine something again. Synonym reconsider ② ref /ref/ noun 1. same as referee 쑗 Come on ref – that was a foul! 2. same as reference 왍 your ref: a way of referring to the number on the letter which you have received, when replying to it 왍 our ref: giving a reference number to a letter you are writing refectory /r fekt(ə)ri/ noun an eating hall in an institution like a monastery or a school. Synonym cafeteria ③ refer /r f" / verb 1. to mention something or someone 쑗 Do you think he was referring to me when he talked about clever managers? 쑗 The footnote refers you to page 24. 2. to look into something for information 쑗 He referred to his diary to see if he had a free afternoon. 3. to pass a problem to someone to decide 쑗 We have referred your complaint to our head office. 쑗 He was referred to an ear specialist by his GP. 쑗 See your GP first, and he or she will refer you to a consultant. (NOTE: referring – referred) ② referee /refə ri / noun 1. (in sports) a person who supervises a game, making sure that it is played according to the rules 쑗 When fighting broke out between the players, the referee stopped the match. 쑗 The referee sent several players off. 2. a person who gives a report on your character and ability 쑗 She gave the name of her former boss as a referee. 쑗 When applying please give the names of three referees. 쐽 verb to act as a referee in a sports match 쑗 There’s no one to referee the match this afternoon. ① reference / ref(ə)rəns/ noun 1. an act of mentioning something or someone 쑗 She made a reference to her brother-in-law. 쑗 The report made no reference to the bank. Synonym mention 왍 with reference to concerning, about 쑗 With reference to your letter of May 25th. 2. a direction for further information 쑗 There are bibliographic references at the back of the book. 3. a report on someone’s character and ability 쑗 We ask all applicants to supply references. 왍 to take up references to get in touch with referees to see what they think of the person applying for a job 쑗 When she applied for the job we took up her references and found they were not as good as we had hoped. 4. a person who gives a report on your character and reflate ability 쑗 He gave my name as a reference. 쑗 Please use me as a reference if you wish. reference book / ref(ə)rəns bυk/ noun a book, such as a dictionary or an encyclopaedia, where you can look for information reference library / ref(ə)rəns labrəri/ noun a library with reference books, where readers can search for information but not take the books away from the library referendum /refə rendəm/ noun a vote where all the people of a country are asked to vote on a single question (NOTE: The plural is referenda or referendums.) referral /r f" rəl/ noun passing a problem on to someone else for a decision refill noun / ri fl/ 1. a container with a fresh quantity of liquid 쑗 I must get a refill for my cigarette lighter. 쑗 Liquid soap is sold in handy refill packs. 2. another drink 쑗 Your glass is empty – can I get you a refill? 쐽 verb /ri fl/ to fill something again 쑗 The waiter refilled our glasses. 쑗 We stopped twice to refill the car on the way to Scotland. Synonym replenish. Antonym empty refinance /ri fanns/ verb to extend a loan by replacing it with a new one refine /r fan/ verb 1. to make something more pure 쑗 Juice from sugar cane is refined by boiling. 2. to make something better 쑗 The process needs to be further refined before we can introduce it nationally. 쑗 The company needs to refine its sales techniques. 왍 to refine upon to make something even better 쑗 We hope to refine upon our existing production methods. refined /r fand/ adj 1. which has been made pure 쑗 white refined sugar 2. very elegant and polite 쑗 In refined society, you don’t slurp your soup. refinement /r fanmənt/ noun 1. elegance 쑗 The drawing room of the old house gives an idea of the refinement of life in the 18th century. 2. improvement 쑗 The latest model has various refinements which the earlier models lacked. 쑗 This is a refinement of our previous word-processing program. refinery /r fanəri/ noun a plant where a raw material, such as ore, oil or sugar is processed to remove impurities (NOTE: The plural is refineries.) refit noun / ri ft/ complete repairs 쑗 The liner has gone into dock for a refit. Synonym overhaul 쐽 verb /ri ft/ to fit out a shop, a factory, an office or a ship again 쑗 The shop is closed for refitting. 쑗 The MD has had his office refitted with dark blue furniture. (NOTE: refitting – refitted) reflate /ri flet/ verb 왍 to reflate the economy to stimulate the economy by increasing the money supply or by reducing taxes 쑗 The government’s attempts to reflate the economy have so far proved singularly unsuccessful. reflation 705 reflation /ri fleʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of stimulating the economy by increasing the money supply or by reducing taxes. Synonym expansion. Antonym deflation ① reflect /r flekt/ verb 1. to send back light, heat or an image of something 쑗 The light reflected on the top of the car. 쑗 White surfaces reflect light better than dark ones. 쑗 a picture of snow-capped mountains reflected in a clear blue lake 2. to show something 쑗 Her expression reflected her feeling of happiness. 3. 왍 to reflect on something to think carefully about something 쑗 He reflected that this was the sixth time he had been arrested for speeding. 쑗 When you reflect on the events of the past few days, you realise the truth of the saying that ‘pride goes before a fall’. 왍 to reflect badly on someone to show someone in a bad way 쑗 The news reflects badly on the way the manager runs his department. reflective /r flektv/ adj 1. thoughtful 쑗 The poem was written when the poet was in a reflective mood. 2. which reflects 쑗 Cyclists should wear reflective armbands when cycling in the dark. reflector /r flektə/ noun apparatus which reflects reflex / ri fleks/ noun an automatic reaction to something 쑗 The doctor tested his reflexes by tapping on his knee with a little hammer. 쑗 By stopping the car when the little girl ran into the road she showed how good her reflexes were. (NOTE: The plural is reflexes.) 쐽 adj 1. which is automatic 2. which returns as a reflection reflex action / ri fleks kʃən/ noun an automatic reaction to a stimulus, such as a sneeze after sniffing pepper reflex angle / ri fleks ŋDZəl/ noun an angle of more than 180° reflex camera / ri fleks km(ə)rə/ noun a camera where the picture is reflected from the lens to the viewfinder exactly as it will appear on the photograph reflexive /r fleksv/ adj (in grammar ) a verb or pronoun which refers back to the subject reflexive verb /r fleksv v" b/ noun (in grammar ) a transitive verb whose subject and object both refer to the same person or thing reflexology /ri flek sɒlədȢi/ noun a treatment to relieve tension by massaging the soles of the feet and toes to stimulate the nerves and increase the blood supply ② reform /r fɔ m/ noun the act of changing something to make it better 쑗 The government is planning a series of reforms to the benefit system. 쐽 verb 1. to change something; to make something better 쑗 They want to reform the educational system. 2. to stop . . refrigerator committing crimes or to change your habits to become good 쑗 After her time in prison she became a reformed character. 쑗 He used to drink a lot, but since he got married he has reformed. reformation /refə meʃ(ə)n/ noun a great change for the better 쑗 the reformation of the prison system Reformation /refə meʃ(ə)n/ noun a religious movement in 16th-century Europe which led to the setting up of the Protestant Church reformer /r fɔ mə/ noun a person who tries to make something better. Antonym conservative reformist /r fɔ mst/ adj in favour of making reforms 쑗 the reformist Prime Minister 쐽 noun a person who plans to make reforms 쑗 The reformists have done well in the elections. refraction /r frkʃən/ noun the bending of light as it goes from one substance into another, such as into water refrain /r fren/ noun lines which are repeated after each section of a song or poem 쑗 At the end of each verse, everyone joined in the refrain. Synonym chorus 쐽 verb 왍 to refrain from not to do something 쑗 Please refrain from smoking during dinner. 쑗 We must ask everyone to refrain from applauding until the signal is given. refresh /r freʃ/ verb 1. to make fresh again 쑗 A coat of paint will refresh the room. 왍 this should refresh your memory this will help you remember something which you seem to have forgotten 2. to make someone less tired 쑗 After a good night’s sleep she felt refreshed. 왍 to refresh yourself to do something to make yourself less tired 쑗 I need a drink to refresh myself before the second half. refresher course /r freʃə kɔ s/ noun a course of study to make you practise your skills again so as to improve them refreshing /r freʃŋ/ adj 1. which makes fresh again 쑗 I had a refreshing drink of cold water. 쑗 A refreshing shower of rain cooled the air. 2. exciting and new 쑗 Our new offices are a refreshing change from the old building. refreshments /r freʃmənts/ plural noun food and drink 쑗 Light refreshments will be served after the concert. 쑗 Refreshments are being offered in a tent on the lawn. refrigerate /r frdȢəret/ verb to keep food cold so that it will not go bad. Antonym heat ③ refrigerator /r frdȢəretə/ noun an electrical kitchen apparatus which is for keeping food and drink cold 쑗 There’s some cold orange juice in the refrigerator. 쑗 Milk will keep for several days in a refrigerator. 쑗 refuel 706 Each hotel bedroom has a small refrigerator with cold drinks. (NOTE: often called a fridge) refuel /ri fju əl/ verb to put more fuel into a ship, plane, car or other vehicle. Synonym refill (NOTE: refuelling – refuelled. The US spelling is refueling – refueled.) ③ refuge / refju dȢ/ noun 왍 place of ref- uge a place of safety or shelter 왍 to seek refuge to try to find shelter 쑗 During the fighting, they sought refuge in the British embassy. 왍 to take refuge to shelter 쑗 When the tornado approached, they took refuge in the cellar. 쑗 We took refuge from the rain under a covered bus shelter. ③ refugee /refjυ dȢi / noun a person who has left his country because of war or religious or political persecution ③ refund noun / ri fnd/ money paid back 쑗 She got a refund after she complained to the manager. Synonym repayment 왍 full refund, refund in full paying back all the money paid 쑗 He got a full refund when he complained about the service. 쐽 verb /r fnd/ to pay money back 쑗 We will refund the cost of postage. 쑗 The tour company only refunded £100 of the £400 I had paid. refurbish /ri f" bʃ/ verb to make something like new. Synonym renovate refurbishment /ri f" bʃmənt/ noun the act of making like new refusal /r fju z(ə)l/ noun 1. saying that you do not accept something 쑗 His refusal to help was unexpected. 쑗 Did you accept? – No! I sent a letter of refusal. 왍 to meet with a flat refusal to be refused completely 쑗 His request met with a flat refusal. 2. 왍 to give someone first refusal of something to let someone have first choice of buying something when it is being sold 쑗 I asked him if I could have first refusal of his flat if ever he decided to sell it. ① refuse verb /r fju z/ 1. to say that you will not do something 쑗 His father refused to lend him any more money. 왍 the car refused to start the car would not start 2. not to allow something to happen 쑗 He asked for permission to see his family, but it was refused. 쐽 noun / refju s/ rubbish and things which are not wanted 쑗 Please put all refuse in the bin. 쑗 Refuse collection on our road is on Thursdays. (NOTE: no plural) refutation /refju teʃ(ə)n/ noun a proof that something is wrong. Synonym repudiation refute /r fju t/ verb 1. to prove that something is wrong 쑗 He has tried to refute Einstein’s theory. 2. to show that something is untrue 쑗 He refuted her allegations completely. regiment regain /r DZen/ verb to get something back which was lost 왍 to regain consciousness to become conscious again 쑗 She went into a coma and never regained consciousness. regal / ri DZ(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to a king or queen 쑗 the regal splendour of the state opening of parliament 2. suitable for a king or queen 쑗 They offered us a truly regal banquet. ① regard /r DZɑ d/ noun 1. concern for someone or something 왍 with regard to relating to 쑗 With regard to your request for extra funds. 2. an opinion of someone 쑗 He is held in high regard by his staff. 3. 왍 regards best wishes 쑗 She sends her (kind) regards. 쑗 Please give my regards to your mother. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to regard someone or something as to consider someone or something to be 쑗 The police are regarding the case as attempted murder. 2. to have an opinion about someone 쑗 She is highly regarded by the manager. 3. 왍 as regards relating to, concerning 쑗 As regards the cost of the trip, I’ll let you know soon what the final figure is. ③ regarding /r DZɑ dŋ/ prep relating to, concerning 쑗 He left instructions regarding his possessions. 쑗 Regarding your offer, I think we will have to say no. ③ regardless /r DZɑ dləs/ adv without paying any attention to. Synonym anyway 왍 to carry on regardless to continue in spite of everything 쑗 Although the temperature was well over 40°, they carried on working regardless. 왍 regardless of in spite of 쑗 They drove through the war zone regardless of the danger. 왍 regardless of expense without thinking of how much it would cost regatta /r DZtə/ noun a sporting event where rowing boats or sailing boats race regency / ri dȢənsi/ noun a period of government by a regent 쑗 During the regency the power was in the hands of the regent and his family. Regency / ri dȢənsi/ noun (in British history) the period from 1810 to 1820 when the Prince of Wales was Prince Regent regenerate /r dȢenəret/ verb 1. to start something up again 쑗 The TV programme has regenerated interest in South America. 2. to make something grow strong again 쑗 We hope to regenerate the area by offering grants to new industries. 쑗 After a fire a forest will regenerate itself very quickly. Synonym revive regent / ri dȢənt/ noun a person who governs in place of a king or queen who is a child or is ill reggae / reDZe/ noun a type of West Indian music regiment / redȢmənt/ noun a group of soldiers, usually commanded by a colonel or lieutenant-colonel regimental 707 regimental /redȢ ment(ə)l/ adj belonging to a regiment regimented / redȢmentd/ adj strictly organised or kept under strict discipline ① region / ri dȢən/ noun 1. a large administrative area 쑗 The South-West region is well known for its apples. 왍 the London region the area around London 2. 왍 in the region of about or approximately 쑗 He is earning a salary in the region of £25,000. 쑗 The house was sold for a price in the region of £200,000. ① regional / ri dȢ(ə)nəl/ adj referring to a region 쑗 The recession has not affected the whole country – it is only regional. 쑗 After the national news, here is the regional news for the South West. Synonym local. Antonym national ③ register / redȢstə/ noun 1. a list of names 쑗 I can’t find your name in the register. 쑗 His name was struck off the register. 2. a book in which you sign your name 쑗 After the wedding, the bride and groom and witnesses all signed the register. 쑗 Please sign the hotel register when you check in. 3. (in printing) making sure that two images are printed correctly one on top of the other 왍 out of register when two images are not printed correctly 쑗 The red is out of register. 4. a level and style of language used by certain people or in certain situations 쑗 A dictionary will indicate if the register is ‘formal’ or ‘informal’ or ‘slang’. 쐽 verb 1. to write a name officially in a list 쑗 If you don’t register, we won’t be able to get in touch with you. 쑗 Babies have to be registered with the registrar as soon as they are born. 왍 to register at a hotel to write your name and address when you arrive at a hotel 쑗 They registered at the hotel under the name of Macdonald. 2. to put a letter into the special care of the post office 쑗 She registered the letter. 쑗 He took the letter to the post office to get it registered. 3. to record a figure or amount or to show a feeling 쑗 Temperatures of over 50° were registered in the desert. 쑗 The amount of radioactivity was so small it didn’t register on our monitor. 쑗 His face registered anger and pain. 4. to be noticed, to gain attention 쑗 I told him he was getting a big pay rise, but it didn’t seem to register. ③ registered / redȢstəd/ adj which has been noted on an official list 쑗 a registered trademark register office / redȢstə ɒfs/ noun same as registry office ③ registrar /redȢ strɑ / noun 1. a person who keeps official records 쑗 the registrar of births, marriages and deaths 쑗 They were married by the registrar. 2. a person who keeps the records of a university 쑗 Applications for grants have to be sent to the regis- regular trar’s office by July 1st. 3. a qualified doctor or surgeon in a hospital who supervises house doctors 쑗 She’s a registrar at our local hospital. ③ registration /redȢ streʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of registering registration number /redȢ streʃ(ə)n nmbə/ noun the official number of a car registration plate /redȢ streʃ(ə)n plet/ noun same as number plate (NOTE: The US term is license plate.) ③ registry / redȢstri/ noun a place where official records are kept registry office / redȢstri ɒfs/ noun an office where records of births, marriages and deaths are kept and where you can be married in a civil ceremony regress /r DZres/ verb to return to an earlier stage or condition regression /r DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun going back to an earlier stage regret /r DZret/ noun being sorry 쑗 I have absolutely no regrets about what we did. 쑗 She showed no regret for having made so much mess. 왍 much to someone’s regret making someone very sorry 쑗 Much to my regret I will not be able to go to Chicago. 쑗 Much to the children’s regret or much to the regret of the children, the ice cream van drove away. 쐽 verb to be sorry that something has happened 쑗 I regret to say that you were not successful. 쑗 I regret the trouble this has caused you. 쑗 We regret the delay in the arrival of our flight from Amsterdam. 쑗 We regret to inform you that the tour has been cancelled. (NOTE: regretting – regretted) regretful /r DZretf(ə)l/ adj sorry or sad regrettable /r DZretəb(ə)l/ adj which must be regretted. Antonym fortunate regroup /ri DZru p/ verb to form groups again ② regular / reDZjυlə/ adj 1. done at the same time each day 쑗 His regular train is the 12.45. 쑗 The regular flight to Athens leaves at 06.00. 왍 regular customer a customer who always buys from the same shop 쑗 He’s a regular customer, you don’t need to ask for proof of identity. 2. standard 쑗 The regular price is £1.25, but we are offering them at 99p. 왍 regular size the ordinary size of goods, smaller than sizes like economy size or family size 쑗 Just buy a regular size packet, it will be enough for the two of us. 3. 왍 regular army permanent professional army 왍 regular officer professional officer 왍 regular soldier professional soldier, as opposed to a conscript 쐽 noun 1. a customer who always goes to the same shop or who drinks in the same pub 쑗 The regulars were very sorry when the old landlord retired. 2. a regular income 708 professional soldier 쑗 The base is manned by regulars from the Paratroop Regiment. regular income /reDZjυlər nkm/ noun income which comes in every week or month regularise / reDZjυləraz/, regularize verb to make an existing situation official. Synonym standardise regularity /reDZjυ lrti/ noun being regular ③ regularly / reDZjυləli/ adv in a regular way 쑗 She is regularly the first person to arrive at the office each morning. regular noun / reDZjυlə naυn/ noun (in grammar ) a noun with a regular pattern of inflections regular verb / reDZjυlə v" b/ noun (in grammar ) a verb with a regular pattern of inflections regulate / reDZjυlet/ verb 1. to adjust a machine so that it works in a certain way 쑗 The heater needs to be regulated to keep the temperature steady. 쑗 Turn this knob to regulate the volume. 쑗 Her heartbeat is regulated by the pacemaker. 2. to maintain something by law 쑗 Speed on the motorway is strictly regulated. ② regulation /reDZjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of regulating 쑗 The greenhouse is fitted with an automatic heat regulation system. 쑗 the regulation of the body’s temperature by sweating regulation uniform /reDZjυleʃ(ə)n ju nfɔ m/ noun a uniform worn according to regulations regulator / reDZjυletə/ noun 1. a person whose job it is to see that regulations are followed in an industry 쑗 The industry regulator makes sure that the rules are followed to the letter. 2. an instrument which regulates a machine 쑗 This lorry is fitted with a speed regulator. rehab / ri hb/ noun the process of curing someone of an addiction to drugs or alcohol rehabilitate /ri ə bltet/ verb 1. to train a disabled person or an ex-prisoner to lead a normal life and fit into society 쑗 Prisoners need special training in order to be rehabilitated. 2. to cure someone of an addiction to drugs or alcohol rehabilitation /ri əbl teʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of rehabilitating rehash noun / ri hʃ/ a book, article, or other work which is more or less the same as something written or made earlier 쑗 His speech was just a rehash of some old arguments and had nothing new in it. 쐽 verb /ri hʃ/ to bring out an old story, book, idea, or other work in more or less the same form as before 쑗 Her recent article just rehashed the same themes as her book. Synonym . . rework reinforced concrete rehearsal /r h" s(ə)l/ noun a practice of a play or concert before the first public performance. 쏡 dress rehearsal rehearse /r h" s/ verb to practise a play or a concert before a public performance reheat /ri hi t/ verb to heat something again rehouse /ri haυz/ verb to move somebody to other, often better, housing reign /ren/ noun a period when a king, queen or emperor rules 쑗 during the reign of Elizabeth I 쐽 verb 1. to rule 쑗 Queen Victoria reigned between 1837 and 1901. 쑗 She reigned during a period of great prosperity. 2. to be in existence 쑗 Chaos reigned when the town’s electricity supply broke down. (NOTE: Do not confuse with rain, rein.) reigning / renŋ/ adj 1. who is on the throne 쑗 the reigning monarch 2. 왍 reigning champion a person who is champion until someone beats him 쑗 I don’t think he has any chance of winning, as his opponent is the reigning heavyweight champion. reign of terror /ren əv terə/ noun a period when law and order have broken down and people live in a continual state of fear reimburse /ri m b" s/ verb 왍 to reimburse someone for his or her expenses to pay someone back for money he or she has spent (formal ) 쑗 You will be reimbursed for your expenses or your expenses will be reimbursed. reimbursement /ri m b" smənt/ noun paying back money. Synonym repayment rein /ren/ noun 1. a strap which the rider holds to control a horse 쑗 She walked beside the horse holding the reins. 쑗 The rider pulled hard on the reins to try to make the horse stop. 2. 왍 to keep something on a tight rein to control something strictly 쑗 Unless you keep your expenses on a tight rein, you’ll have problems. 쐽 verb 왍 to rein back or in to keep under control 쑗 The leader of the opposition tried to rein in his supporters who wanted to attack the President’s palace. reincarnation /ri nkɑ neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a person’s soul born again in another body or animal after death 쑗 The ancient Egyptians believed that the owl was the reincarnation of the god Horus. 2. the reappearance of someone in another form 쑗 His latest reincarnation was as an insurance salesman. reindeer / rendə/ noun a type of deer which lives in the Arctic (NOTE: The plural is . reindeer.) reinforce /ri n fɔ s/ verb to make something stronger or more solid reinforced concrete /ri nfɔ st kɒŋkri t/ noun concrete strengthened with metal rods ③ reinforcement 709 reinforcement /ri n fɔ smənt/ noun the act of reinforcing reinforcement. 쑗 One of the walls needs reinforcements /ri n fɔ smənts/ plural noun new soldiers to support others already fighting reinstate /ri n stet/ verb to put someone back into a job from which he or she was dismissed reinstatement /ri n stetmənt/ noun putting someone back into a job from which he or she was dismissed reinvent /ri n vent/ verb to make something popular again after it has been out of fashion for a time reissue /ri ʃu / noun the issuing of something again 쑗 The reissue of the book in paperback is scheduled for next spring. 쐽 verb to issue something again 쑗 The company reissued its catalogue with a new price list. 쑗 The book was published as a hardback, then reissued as a paperback. reiterate /ri təret/ verb to say something again. Synonym repeat reiteration /ri tə reʃ(ə)n/ noun saying the same thing again ② reject noun / ri dȢekt/ a thing which has been thrown away as not satisfactory 쐽 verb /r dȢekt/ 1. to refuse to accept something 2. to throw something away as not satisfactory 3. (in medicine ) not to accept a transplanted organ 쑗 His body rejected the new heart. ③ rejection /r dȢekʃən/ noun a refusal to accept reject shop / ri dȢekt ʃɒp/ noun a shop which specialises in the sale of rejects rejig /ri dȢDZ/ verb to arrange something in a different way (informal ) rejoice /r dȢɔs/ verb 1. to be very happy 쑗 We all rejoiced to hear the news that the baby had been found. 2. 왍 to rejoice in to be happy at 쑗 She rejoiced in the warm welcome that her family gave her. 왍 to rejoice in a name to have a curious name 쑗 The café rejoices in the name of ‘The Snail and Banana’. rejoin /ri dȢɔn/ verb to join someone or something again (formal ) rejuvenate /r dȢu vnet/ verb 1. to make someone young again 쑗 She came back from the health farm completely rejuvenated. 2. to give something new vigour and strength 쑗 He hopes to rejuvenate the club by attracting younger members. rekindle /ri knd(ə)l/ verb to start again or to make something happen again. Antonym kill relapse noun / ri lps/ (of patient or disease) becoming worse after seeming to be getting better 쑗 He had a relapse and had to go back into hospital. Synonym deteriora. . . relative pronoun tion 쐽 verb /r lps/ 1. to become worse 쑗 He relapsed into a coma. 2. to get back into old bad habits 쑗 He promised he would cut down on his drinking but soon relapsed. ① relate /r let/ verb 1. to be concerned with something 쑗 the regulations which relate to mooring in the harbour 2. 왍 to relate to someone to understand someone and be able to communicate with them 쑗 Do you find it difficult to relate to him? 3. to tell a story 쑗 It took him half an hour to relate what had happened. ① related /r letd/ adj 1. belonging to the same family 쑗 Are you and Joan closely related? 2. linked 쑗 There are several related items on the agenda. ③ relating to /r letŋ tu / prep referring to or connected with ① relation /r leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a member of a family 쑗 All my relations live in Canada. 쑗 Laura’s no relation of mine, she’s just a friend. 2. a link between two things 쑗 Is there any relation between his appointment as MD and the fact that his uncle owns the business? 왍 in relation to referring to, connected with 쑗 documents in relation to the sale relations /r leʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun links with other people 쑗 We try to maintain good relations with our customers. 쑗 Relations between the two countries have become tense. ① relationship /r leʃ(ə)nʃp/ noun 1. a link or connection 쑗 There is a proven relationship between smoking and lung cancer. 쑗 I have a good working relationship with her. 2. a close friendship, especially one in which two people are involved in a romantic or sexual way with each other 쑗 She decided to end the relationship when she found he had been seeing other women. ② relative / relətv/ noun a person who is related to someone; a member of a family 쑗 We have several relatives living in Canada. 쑗 He has no living relatives. 쐽 adj compared to something else 쑗 Everything is relative – if you have ten cows you are rich in some African countries. 왍 relative poverty poverty compared with what really wealthy people have or with the wealth someone used to have 쑗 My old uncle lives in relative poverty. relative clause / relətv klɔ z/ noun a subordinate clause that provides additional information about a person or thing and which is joined to the previous clause by words like ‘which’, ‘who’ or ‘that ‘ ② relatively / relətvli/ adv more or less 쑗 The children have been relatively free from colds this winter. 쑗 We are dealing with a relatively new company. relative pronoun /relətv prəυnaυn/ noun a pronoun, such as ‘who’ or ‘which’, which connects two clauses relativity 710 relativity /relə tvti/ noun (in physics) the relationship between objects, time, distance and speed 왍 Einstein’s Theory of Relativity the theory that time, movement and space are relative and not absolute ③ relax /r lks/ verb 1. to rest from work or to be less tense 쑗 They spent the first week of their holiday relaxing on the beach. 쑗 Guests can relax in the bar before going to eat in the restaurant. 쑗 Just lie back and relax – the injection won’t hurt. 2. to make something less strict 쑗 The club has voted to relax the rules about the admission of women members. relaxation /ri lk seʃ(ə)n/ noun a rest from work ③ relaxed /r lkst/ adj not upset; calm 쑗 Even if he failed his test, he’s still very relaxed about the whole thing. ③ relaxing /r lksŋ/ adj which makes you less tense. Antonym harrowing relay noun / ri le/ a group of people working in turn with other groups 쑗 A shift is usually composed of groups of workers who work in relays. 쑗 All the work had been done by the time the next relay arrived. 쐽 verb / ri le, r le/ 1. to pass on a message 쑗 She relayed the news to the other members of her family. 쑗 All messages are relayed through this office. 2. to pass on a TV or radio broadcast through a secondary station 쑗 The programmes are received in the capital and then relayed to TV stations round the country. relay race / ri le res/ noun a running race by teams in which one runner passes a baton to another who then runs on ② release /r li s/ noun 1. setting free 쑗 the release of prisoners from jail 쑗 the release of hormones into the bloodstream 2. setting free from pain 쑗 His death was a merciful release. 3. 왍 press release sheet giving news about something which is sent to newspapers and TV and radio stations so that they can use the information in it 쑗 We issued a press release about the opening of the new shop. 쐽 verb 1. to set someone free or to unlock something 쑗 Six prisoners were released from prison. 쑗 The customs released the goods after we paid a fine. 쑗 We nursed the injured fox for a week and then released it in the woods. 쑗 The endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream. 쑗 Pull that lever to release the brakes. 2. to make public 쑗 The government has released figures about the number of people out of work. relegate / relDZet/ verb 1. (in sports) to move a team down from a higher division to a lower one 쑗 They were relegated from the premier division. 2. to put someone into a worse position 쑗 On the arrival of the new relief manager, I was relegated to the accounts department. relegation /rel DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. (in sports) moving down from one division to a lower one 쑗 They only scored two points in their last ten games, and now face relegation. 2. moving into a worse position 쑗 With the arrival of a new manager I’m facing relegation to a less important job. relent /r lent/ verb to be less strict; to decide to be less strict than before. Synonym give in relentless /r lentləs/ adj continuing without giving up relentlessly /r lentləsli/ adv continuing without stopping or with no pity ③ relevance / reləv(ə)ns/ noun being relevant. Antonym irrelevance ② relevant / reləv(ə)nt/ adj which has to do with something being mentioned 쑗 Which is the relevant government department? 쑗 Can you give me the relevant papers? 쑗 Is this information at all relevant? Synonym pertinent reliability /rlaə blti/ noun being reliable reliable /r laəb(ə)l/ adj which can be relied on or which can be trusted 쑗 It is a very reliable car. 쑗 The sales manager is completely reliable. Synonym dependable. Antonym unreliable reliably /r laəbli/ adv in a way which can be trusted reliance /r laəns/ noun being reliant. Synonym dependence reliant /r laənt/ adj which relies on something relic / relk/ noun 1. an object which has been left over from the past 쑗 That cap is a relic of my time as a naval cadet. 2. 왍 relics parts of the body or possessions of a holy person, such as the bones of a saint 쑗 The relics of the saint are kept in a gold casket in the cathedral. ② relief /r li f/ noun 1. reducing pain or stress 쑗 An aspirin should bring relief. 쑗 He breathed a sigh of relief when the police car went past without stopping. 쑗 What a relief to have finished my exams! 2. help 쑗 The Red Cross is organising relief for the flood victims. 왍 famine relief fund money collected to help victims of a famine 3. a person who takes over from another 쑗 A relief nurse will take over from you at one o’clock. 쑗 Your relief will be here in half an hour. 왍 relief shift a shift which comes to take the place of another shift 쑗 The relief shift is due in ten minutes. 4. a carving in which the details of design stand out 왍 in relief standing out or prominent 쑗 Braille consists of little dots in relief that can be read by touch. relief map 711 relief map /r li f mp/ noun a map where height is shown by colour, so mountains are brown and plains are green relief road /r li f rəυd/ noun a road built to help reduce traffic congestion ③ relieve /r li v/ verb 1. to make a pain or illness better 쑗 He took aspirins to relieve the pain. 쑗 Symptoms of hayfever can be relieved by taking antihistamines. 2. 왍 to relieve yourself to urinate or defecate (formal ) 쑗 He stopped by the roadside to relieve himself. 쑗 People complained about drunken football fans relieving themselves in the street. 3. to make a bad situation better 쑗 It’s an agency which tries to relieve famine. 4. to take over from someone 쑗 You can go and have something to eat – I’m here to relieve you. 5. to remove a difficult job from someone 쑗 Let me relieve you of some of these parcels. 쑗 This piece of equipment will relieve you of some of your work. ③ relieved /r li vd/ adj glad to be rid of a problem. Antonym worried ② religion /r ldȢən/ noun 1. a belief in gods or in God 쑗 Does their religion help them to lead a good life? 쑗 It is against my religion to eat meat on Fridays. 2. a particular faith 쑗 the Greek Orthodox religion ② religious /rə ldȢəs/ adj 1. referring to religion 쑗 There is a period of religious study every morning. 2. having a strong belief in God 쑗 She’s very religious – she goes to church every day. religiously /rə ldȢəsli/ adv regularly and carefully, like a religious ritual relinquish /rə lŋkwʃ/ verb to leave or to let go of something. Synonym give up. Antonym retain relish / relʃ/ noun 1. spicy pickles or spicy sauce 쑗 Eat your sausages with mustard or relish. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is relishes.) 2. enjoyment 쑗 She argued with him with great relish. 쐽 verb to enjoy something 쑗 I don’t relish having to take my exam again. Antonym dislike relive /ri lv/ verb to go through something again, especially in your mind relocate /ri ləυ ket/ verb to move an office, factory or staff to a different place relocation /ri ləυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun moving to a different place reluctant /r lktənt/ adj 왍 reluctant to not eager to, not willing to 쑗 He was reluctant to go into the water because it looked cold. reluctantly /r lktəntli/ adv not willingly ② rely on /r la ɒn/ verb to depend on something ① remain /r men/ verb 1. to stay 쑗 We expect it will remain fine for the rest of the week. 쑗 She remained behind at the office to . remark finish her work. 2. to be left 쑗 Half the food remained uneaten and had to be thrown away. 쑗 After the accident not much remained of the car. 3. 왍 it remains to be seen we will find out later 쑗 How many people have survived the crash remains to be seen. 쑗 It remains to be seen whether she’s ever going to be able to walk again. ③ remainder /r mendə/ noun what is left after everything or everyone else has gone 쑗 What shall we do for the remainder of the holidays? 쑗 After the bride and groom left, the remainder of the party stayed in the hotel to have supper. 쐽 verb to sell off new books cheaply 쑗 a shop full of piles of remaindered books remainders /r mendəz/ plural noun new books which are sold off cheaply because they are not selling well ① remaining /r menŋ/ adj which is left ③ remains /r menz/ plural noun 1. things left over or left behind 쑗 The remains of the evening meal were left on the table until the next morning. 쑗 We’re trying to save the Roman remains from total obliteration by the construction company. 2. the body of a dead person 쑗 The emperor’s remains were buried in the cathedral. remake verb /ri mek/ 왍 to have something remade to get someone to make something again 쑗 The kitchen units didn’t fit, so we had to have them remade. 쐽 noun / ri mek/ a new film with the same story as an old film 쑗 They’re planning yet another remake of ‘David Copperfield’. remand /r mɑ nd/ noun sending a prisoner away for a time when a case is adjourned to be heard at a later date 왍 prisoner on remand, remand prisoner prisoner who has been told to come back to the court at a later date 쑗 The court ordered the prisoner to be kept on remand. 쑗 A large proportion of the prisoners in this jail are remand prisoners. 쐽 verb 1. to send a prisoner away to reappear later to answer a case which has been adjourned 왍 he was remanded in custody or remanded on bail for two weeks he was sent to prison or allowed to go free on payment of bail while waiting to return to court two weeks later 2. US to send a case back to a lower court remand centre /r mɑ nd sentə/ noun a prison where prisoners on remand are held ③ remark /r mɑ k/ noun a comment 쑗 I heard his remark even if he spoke in a low voice. 왍 to make or pass remarks about to make sharp or rude comments about 쑗 She made some remarks about the dirty tablecloth. 쐽 verb to notice and comment on something 쑗 She remarked on the dirtiness of the café. remarkable 712 remote control ③ remarkable /r mɑ kəb(ə)l/ adj very unusual 쑗 She’s a remarkable woman. 쑗 It’s remarkable that the bank has not asked us to pay back the money. Synonym extraordinary. Antonym ordinary remarkably /r mɑ kəbli/ adv unusually remarry /ri mri/ verb to marry again remedial /r mi diəl/ adj which cures or which makes something better. Synonym had a reminder from the gas company that we hadn’t paid the bill. reminisce /rem ns/ verb to talk about memories of the past reminiscence /rem ns(ə)ns/ noun a memory of something from the past (formal ) reminiscent /rem ns(ə)nt/ adj which reminds you of the past. Synonym corrective remission /r mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a reduction of a prison sentence 쑗 He was sentenced to five years, but should only serve three with remission. 쑗 He earned remission for good behaviour. 2. a period when an illness is less severe 쑗 The cancer is in remission. 3. 왍 the remission of sins forgiving by God of sins which people have committed (formal ) remit verb /r mt/ 1. to reduce a prison sentence 쑗 His prison sentence was remitted. 2. to send money (NOTE: remitting – remitted) 쐽 noun / ri mt/ an area of responsibility given to someone 쑗 This department can do nothing with the case as it is not part of our remit or is beyond our remit. 쑗 He has been given the remit to deal with his father’s affairs. remittance /r mt(ə)ns/ noun money which is sent remnant / remnənt/ noun a quantity or piece left over. Synonym remainder remonstrate / remənstret/ verb (formal ) 왍 to remonstrate with someone to reason with someone about something they have done remorse /r mɔ s/ noun regret about something wrong which you have done remorseful /r mɔ sf(ə)l/ adj full of remorse. Synonym regretful. Antonym ③ remedy / remədi/ noun 1. a thing which may cure 쑗 It’s an old remedy for hayfever. 2. a solution to a problem 쑗 There’s no easy remedy for their financial problems. (NOTE: The plural is remedies.) 쐽 verb to correct something, to make something better 쑗 Tell me what’s wrong and I’ll try to remedy it right away. ① remember /r membə/ verb 1. to bring back into your mind something which you have seen or heard before 쑗 Do you remember when we got lost in the fog? 쑗 My grandmother can remember seeing the first television programmes. 쑗 She remembered seeing it on the dining-room table. 쑗 She can’t remember where she put her umbrella. 쑗 I don’t remember having been in this hotel before. 쑗 I remember my grandmother very well. 쑗 It’s strange that I can never remember my father’s birthday. 쑗 Did you remember to switch off the kitchen light? (NOTE: You remember doing something which you did in the past; you remember to do something in the future.) 2. to ask someone to pass your good wishes to someone 쑗 Please remember me to your father when you see him next. 3. 왍 he remembered me in his will he left me something in his will remembrance /r membrəns/ noun memory Remembrance Day /r membrəns de/ noun November 11th, or the nearest Sunday, celebrating the end of the First World War and remembering the dead of both World Wars. Also called Armistice Day, Poppy Day ① remind /r mand/ verb 1. to make someone remember something 쑗 Now that you’ve reminded me, I do remember seeing him last week. 쑗 Remind me to book the tickets for New York. 쑗 She reminded him that the meeting had to finish at 6.30. 2. 왍 to remind someone of to make someone think of something or someone 쑗 Do you know what this reminds me of? 쑗 She reminds me of her mother. reminder /r mandə/ noun 1. a thing which reminds you of something 쑗 He tied a knot in his handkerchief as a reminder of what he had to do. 쑗 Keep this picture as a reminder of happier days. 2. a letter to remind a customer to do something 쑗 We . suggestive . . unrepentant remorseless /r mɔ sləs/ adj 1. which cannot be stopped 쑗 The Green Belt is supposed to stop the remorseless advance of houses into the countryside. 쑗 There’s nothing you can do to hold back the remorseless advance of old age. 2. cruel, showing no pity 쑗 A remorseless artillery bombardment pounded the town. ③ remote /r məυt/ adj 1. far away 쑗 The hotel is situated in a remote mountain village. 2. slight, not very strong 쑗 There’s a remote chance of finding a cure for his illness. 쑗 The possibility of him arriving on time is remote. 쑗 There is not the remotest likelihood of the plane taking off this morning because of the fog. 3. (of a person) who does not communicate very much 쑗 Their daughter is difficult to get to know, she seems so remote. (NOTE: remoter – remotest) ③ remote control /rməυt kən trəυl/ noun a device which controls a model plane or a TV by radio signals remotely 713 remotely /r məυtli/ adv very slightly 왍 not remotely not at all 쑗 He wasn’t remotely interested in what I had to say. removable /r mu vəb(ə)l/ adj designed so as to be easily taken off and put back on again. Synonym detachable ③ removal /r mu v(ə)l/ noun 1. taking something or someone away 쑗 the removal of the ban on importing computers 쑗 Refuse collectors are responsible for the removal of household waste. 쑗 The opposition called for the removal of the Foreign Secretary. 2. moving to a new home, new office, etc. removal van /r mu v(ə)l vn/ noun a van which takes your furniture from one house to another ① remove /r mu v/ verb to take something away 쑗 You can remove his name from the mailing list. 쑗 The waitress removed the dirty plates and brought us some tea. removed /r mu vd/ adj 1. distant from or different from 2. not closely related remover /r mu və/ noun 1. a person who moves furniture from one house to another 쑗 We’re moving house tomorrow – the removers will be here at 7.30 am. 2. a thing which removes remunerate /r mju nəret/ verb to pay someone for their work remuneration /rmju nə reʃ(ə)n/ noun payment for services done ③ renaissance /r nes(ə)ns/ noun a rebirth or a starting again 쑗 British cinema has undergone a renaissance in recent years. Renaissance /r nes(ə)ns/ noun a period in late medieval Europe when a renewal of interest in the Greek and Roman civilisations led to a new artistic and intellectual movement renal / ri n(ə)l/ adj referring to the kidneys rename /ri nem/ verb to give something a new name rend /rend/ verb to tear something to pieces (literary) Antonym mend (NOTE: rending – rent) render / rendə/ verb 1. 왍 to render an account to send in an account or a statement of account 쑗 as per account rendered 2. to translate something 쑗 The text was badly rendered in Italian. 3. to provide help 쑗 services rendered to the country 4. 왍 to render down to melt solid meat fat by heating to produce pure fat 5. to cover a wall with a coating of plaster or cement 6. to make someone or something change into a particular state 쑗 She was rendered speechless by their letter. 쑗 The experts rendered the bomb safe. rendering / rend(ə)rŋ/ noun 1. a performance of a song, etc. 쑗 She was famous for her rendering of the popular wartime song. 쑗 The choir’s rendering of the Beethoven Mass ③ renowned was criticised. 2. a mixture of cement and fine sand used to cover the outside of a house 쑗 The rendering is beginning to flake off and needs redoing. rendezvous / rɒndevu / noun an appointment or meeting; a place where a meeting takes place 쑗 He arranged a rendezvous with her. 쐽 verb to arrange to meet, or to meet someone 쑗 You go north, and we’ll go west and we’ll all rendezvous at the camp at 16.00. (NOTE: rendezvoused / rɒndevu d/) rendition /ren dʃ(ə)n/ noun a performance of a song, etc. renegade / renDZed/ noun a person who leaves a religion, group or party and joins another. Antonym loyalist renege /r neDZ, r ni DZ/ verb 왍 to renege on not to do something which you had promised to do (formal ) 쑗 He reneged on his promise to pay half the costs. 쑗 I was furious when he reneged on the deal. renew /r nju / verb 1. to start something again 쑗 Renew your efforts and don’t lose hope. 2. to replace something old with something new 쑗 We need to renew the wiring in the kitchen. 3. to continue something for a further period of time 쑗 Don’t forget to renew your insurance policy. 왍 to renew a subscription to pay a subscription for another year 쑗 I don’t think I’ll renew my subscription to the magazine. renewable /r nju əb(ə)l/ adj 1. which can be renewed 쑗 The season ticket is renewable for a further year. 2. which can be replaced, which can renew itself 쑗 renewable sources of energy such as solar power, and power from wind or water renewal /r nju əl/ noun the act of renewing 왍 the subscription is up for renewal the subscription needs to be renewed renewed /r nju d/ adj continuing with new energy, strength or enthusiasm renounce /r naυns/ verb 1. to give up a right or a claim 쑗 She renounced her claim to the property. 2. to state publicly that you are going to stop believing in something or are not going to behave in a certain way 쑗 The government has renounced the use of force in dealing with international terrorists. 쑗 They called on the extremists to renounce violence. renovate / renəvet/ verb to make a building like new again. Antonym wear out renovation /renə veʃ(ə)n/ noun making a building like new again renown /r naυn/ noun being famous. Synonym fame. Antonym obscurity renowned /r naυnd/ adj 1. very famous 쑗 the renowned Italian conductor 쑗 Rome is renowned as the centre of Catholicism. 2. 왍 renowned for famous for something 쑗 She’s . rent 714 renowned for being late. 쑗 a shop renowned for the quality of its products ② rent /rent/ noun 1. money paid to live in a flat or house or to use an office or car 쑗 Rents are high in the centre of the town. 쑗 The landlord asked me to pay three months’ rent in advance. 2. a tear or hole in material 쐽 verb 1. to pay money to use a house, flat, office or car 쑗 He rents an office in the centre of town. 쑗 He rented a villa by the beach for three weeks. 2. 왍 to rent out to let someone use a house, office, flat, etc., for money 쑗 We rented (out) one floor of our building to an American company. rental / rent(ə)l/ noun rent, money paid to use a room, flat, office, car, etc. renunciation /rnnsi eʃ(ə)n/ noun the giving up, especially of a claim (formal ) reopen /ri əυpən/ verb 1. to open again 쑗 The shop will reopen next week after a refit. 2. (of the police) to start to investigate a case again 쑗 The case has been reopened because a new witness has come forward. reorganisation /ri ɔ DZəna zeʃ(ə)n/, reorganization noun the act of reorganising. Synonym reform reorganise /ri ɔ DZənaz/, reorganize verb to organise something in a new way. Synonym regroup ③ rep /rep/ noun 1. a salesman who visits clients, trying to sell them something 쑗 They have vacancies for reps in the north of the country. 쑗 We have a reps’ meeting every three months. Also called representative 2. a theatre with a permanent group of actors who play a series of plays, changing them at regular intervals 쑗 The local rep is doing ‘Henry V’ this week. Also called repertory . theatre repair /r peə/ noun 1. mending something which is broken or has been damaged 쑗 His car is in the garage for repair. 쑗 The hotel is closed while they are carrying out repairs to the air-conditioning system. 2. 왍 to be in a good state of repair or in good repair to be in good condition 쑗 This car is still in a very good state of repair, I won’t change it yet. 쐽 verb to mend something, to make something work which is broken or damaged 쑗 I dropped my watch on the pavement, and I don’t think it can be repaired. 쑗 She’s trying to repair the washing machine. 쑗 The photocopier is being repaired. Synonym mend. Antonym damage repairer /r peərə/ noun a person who mends things repair shop /r peə ʃɒp/ noun a small factory where machines are repaired reparation /repə reʃ(ə)n/ noun something which makes up for a wrong reparations /repə reʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun money paid by a defeated enemy after a war ③ repentance to make up for destruction caused and wrongs committed repast /r pɑ st/ noun a meal (literary) repatriate /ri ptriet/ verb to bring or to send someone back to their home country repatriation /ri ptri eʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of repatriating repay /r pe/ verb 1. to pay back 쑗 I’ll try to repay what I owe you next month. 쑗 Thank you for your help – I hope to be able to repay you one day. 왍 he repaid me in full he paid me back all the money he owed me 2. to be worth 왍 it will repay close scrutiny it would be worth looking at it carefully repayment /r pemənt/ noun paying back 왍 mortgage repayments the instalments paid back on a mortgage 쑗 He fell behind with his mortgage repayments. 쑗 My mortgage repayments have increased this month. repeal /r pi l/ noun officially ending a law, so that it is no longer valid 쑗 MPs are pressing for the repeal of the Immigration Act. 쐽 verb to end a law officially 쑗 The Bill seeks to repeal the existing legislation. Synonym cancel. Antonym enact ② repeat /r pi t/ verb to say something again 쑗 Could you repeat what you just said? 쑗 He repeated the address so that the policeman could write it down. 쑗 She kept on repeating that she wanted to go home. 왍 to repeat yourself to say the same thing over and over again 쑗 He’s getting old – he keeps repeating himself. 쐽 adj 왍 repeat performance a performance which is done a second time 쑗 The play is being performed on Friday, and there will be a repeat performance on Saturday. 쐽 noun a TV or radio show which is broadcast again repeated /r pi td/ adj happening again and again repeatedly /r pi tdli/ adv again and again repel /r pel/ verb 1. to drive back an attack 쑗 The army easily repelled the invaders. 2. to drive something away 쑗 The paint has an ingredient that repels water. 쑗 She sprayed the kitchen with a spray to repel flies. 3. to be so unpleasant that it drives people away 쑗 The taste repelled me so much that I could not finish my meal. (NOTE: repelling – repelled) repellent /r pelənt/ adj which drives people away, which repels (formal ) 쑗 The colour of the bathroom is really repellent. 쑗 the repellent smell coming from the drains. Synonym disgusting. Antonym delightful repent /r pent/ verb to be very sorry for what you have done, or for what you have not done. Synonym regret repentance /r pentəns/ noun a great regret for something you have done . repentant 715 repentant /r pentənt/ adj full of regret for what you have done. Synonym regretful. Antonym unrepentant repercussions /ri pə kʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun a result or effect, usually unpleasant 쑗 The government decision on pensions will have widespread repercussions. 쑗 The BBC is trying to deal with the repercussions of the critical programme on India. ③ repertoire / repətwɑ / noun 1. the plays, songs or pieces of music which someone has learned 쑗 She has an extensive repertoire, covering most of the important soprano roles. 2. the works, such as plays or operas, which a theatre company has ready for performance 쑗 We have added two plays by Noel Coward to our repertoire. 3. the total number of things which a person can do 쑗 Our little daughter has added lying on the floor and screaming to her repertoire of things to annoy her parents. repertory theatre / repət(ə)ri θətə/ noun a theatre with a permanent group of actors who play a series of plays, changing them at regular intervals ③ repetition /rep tʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of repeating, of saying the same thing again 쑗 The constant repetition of the song made sure we all knew it by heart. 2. a thing which is repeated 쑗 She simply gave a repetition of the arguments she had used at the previous meeting. 쑗 The police will try to prevent a repetition of the ugly scenes at the football ground. repetitive /r pettv/ adj which is repeated very frequently and is boring repetitive strain injury /rpettv stren ndȢəri/ noun a pain in the arm felt by someone who performs the same movement many times, such as when operating a computer terminal or playing a musical instrument. Abbr RSI rephrase /ri frez/ verb to say something again, but in a different way. Synonym restate ① replace /r ples/ verb 1. to put something back where it was before 쑗 Please replace the books correctly on the shelves. 2. 왍 to replace something with something else to put something in the place of something else 쑗 We are replacing all our permanent staff with freelancers. 쑗 The washing machine needs replacing. replaceable /r plesəb(ə)l/ adj which can be replaced (NOTE: not replaceable means the same as irreplaceable) ③ replacement /r plesmənt/ noun 1. re- placing something with something else 쑗 The mechanics recommended the replacement of the hand pump with an electric model. 쑗 The republican movement would like to see the replacement of the king by a president. 2. a report thing which is used to replace something 쑗 An electric motor was bought as a replacement for the old one. 왍 replacement parts spare parts of an engine used to replace parts which have worn out 3. a person who replaces someone 쑗 My assistant leaves us next week, so we are advertising for a replacement. replay noun / ri ple/ a match which is played again because the first match was a draw 쑗 They drew 2–2 so there will be a replay next week. 쐽 verb /ri ple/ to play something again 쑗 He replayed the message on the answerphone several times, but still couldn’t understand it. 쑗 The match will be replayed next week. replenish /r plenʃ/ verb to fill something up again. Synonym replace. Antonym deplete replete /r pli t/ adj completely full replica / replkə/ noun an exact copy. Antonym original replicate / replket/ verb to copy something exactly. Synonym duplicate reply /r pla/ noun 1. an answer 쑗 I asked him what he was doing but got no reply. 쑗 We wrote last week, but haven’t had a reply yet. 쑗 Send a stamped addressed envelope for a reply. 쑗 We had six replies to our advertisement. 2. 왍 in reply as an answer 쑗 In reply to my letter, I received a fax two days later. 쑗 She just shook her head in reply and turned away. 쐽 verb to answer something 쑗 He never replies to my letters. 쑗 We wrote last week, but he hasn’t replied yet. 쑗 He refused to reply to questions until his lawyer arrived. ① report /r pɔ t/ noun 1. a description of what has happened or what will happen 쑗 We read the reports of the accident in the newspaper. 쑗 Can you confirm the report that the council is planning to sell the old town hall? 2. a loud noise made by a gun, etc. 쐽 verb 1. to tell someone what happened; to write a description of what happened 쑗 You must report the burglary to the police. 쑗 She reported that her wallet had been stolen from her bedroom. 쑗 The British press reported a plane crash in Africa. 쑗 She reported seeing the missing man in her shop. 왍 to report back to send a report back to the office or to someone in charge on what has happened 쑗 You must report back as soon as you find out what happened. 쑗 Go and visit our suppliers and report back to me on the situation. 2. to present yourself officially 쑗 to report for work 쑗 Candidates should report to the office at 9.00. 3. 왍 to report to someone to be responsible to someone, to be under someone 쑗 She reports directly to the managing director himself. ② reportedly 716 reportedly /r pɔ tdli/ adv according to what has been reported. Synonym allegedly. Antonym actually reported speech /rpɔ td spi tʃ/ noun same as indirect speech ③ reporter /r pɔ tə/ noun a journalist who writes reports of events for a newspaper or for a TV news programme ③ reporting /r pɔ tŋ/ noun the action of making a report of something in the press repose /r pəυz/ noun a calm and relaxed state (formal ) 쑗 a state of repose 쐽 verb 1. to rest 2. to believe that you can depend on someone or something (formal ) 쑗 I don’t repose much confidence in his ability to solve the problem. repository /r pɒzt(ə)ri/ noun a person or book which is a store of information, etc. 쑗 The old man is an invaluable repository of information and stories about Alaska during the Gold Rush. (NOTE: The plural is reposi. . tories.) repossess /ri pə zes/ verb to take back an item which someone is buying under a hire-purchase agreement, or a house which someone is buying under a mortgage agreement, because the purchaser cannot continue the payments repossession /ri pə zeʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of repossessing reprehensible /repr hensb(ə)l/ adj which can be criticised. Synonym disgraceful. Antonym praiseworthy ① represent /repr zent/ verb 1. to speak or act on behalf of someone or of a group of people 쑗 He asked his solicitor to represent him at the meeting. 2. to work for a company, showing goods or services to possible buyers 쑗 He represents an American car firm in Europe. 3. to indicate or to be a symbol of 쑗 The dark green on the map represents woods. ② representation /reprzen teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of selling goods for a company 쑗 We can provide representation throughout Europe. 2. having someone to act on your behalf 쑗 The residents’ association wants representation on the committee. 3. a way of showing something 쑗 The design on the Lebanese flag is a representation of a cedar tree. representations /reprzen teʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun complaints or protests ② representative /repr zentətv/ adj typical 쑗 The sample isn’t representative of the whole batch. 쐽 noun 1. a person who represents someone, who speaks on behalf of someone else 쑗 He asked his solicitor to act as his representative. 쑗 Representatives of the workforce have asked to meet the management. 2. a travelling salesman 쑗 They have vacancies for representatives in the north of the country. (NOTE: often called reproach simply a rep) 3. 왍 the House of Representatives (in the United States) the lower house of Congress repress /r pres/ verb 1. to control a natural impulse 쑗 She had difficulty in repressing a smile. 2. to restrict people’s freedom, etc. 쑗 The ordinary people have been repressed for so long that they do not know what it is to be free. repressed /r prest/ adj suppressed repression /r preʃ(ə)n/ noun the use of force to keep people under control. Synonym suppression repressive /r presv/ adj severe, strict or using force to keep people under control reprieve /r pri v/ noun 1. temporarily stopping a sentence or order by a court 쑗 He was granted a last-minute reprieve. 2. saving something which was planned for demolition 쑗 This magnificent building was to be demolished, but the reprieve came just in time to save it. 쐽 verb 1. to stop a sentence or court order from being carried out 쑗 The ringleaders of the coup were sentenced to death and then reprieved. 2. to save something which was planned for demolition 쑗 The old church has been reprieved and will be converted into an arts centre. reprimand / reprmɑ nd/ noun a sharp criticism for doing something wrong 쑗 She received a severe reprimand and lost two weeks’ pay. Synonym rebuke 쐽 verb to criticise someone severely for doing something wrong 쑗 The report reprimanded the directors for their negligence. Synonym chastise. Antonym praise reprint noun / ri prnt/ 1. the printing of copies of a book again after a first printing 쑗 The mistake on the title page will be corrected in the reprint. 2. the reprinting of an out-of-print book, or of a very old book, now out of copyright 쑗 This is a facsimile reprint of a 17th-century copy of Shakespeare’s plays. 쐽 verb /ri prnt/ to print more copies of a document or book 쑗 The book is being reprinted. Synonym reissue reprisal /r praz(ə)l/ noun the punishment of someone in revenge for something. Synonym retaliation reprise /r pri z/ noun playing a section or a theme from a piece of music again reproach /r prəυtʃ/ noun 1. a thing which is a disgrace 쑗 The dirty state of the station is a constant reproach to the railway company. 2. blame, criticism 쑗 He took her comments as a reproach and was very upset. 왍 beyond reproach blameless 왍 term of reproach a term which criticises 쐽 verb 왍 to reproach someone for or with something to criticise someone for something or for having done something 쑗 He was reproached for his slowness in answering. 쑗 He reproached her reprocess 717 with spending too much time on the telephone. 왍 to reproach yourself with something to criticise yourself for having done something 쑗 You behaved perfectly, you have absolutely nothing to reproach yourself with. reprocess /ri prəυses/ verb to process something again reprocessing /ri prəυsesŋ/ noun the action of processing again reproduce /ri prə dju s/ verb 1. to copy something 쑗 His letters have been reproduced in the biography. 쑗 It is very difficult to reproduce the sound of an owl accurately. 2. to produce young 쑗 Some animals will not reproduce when in captivity. ③ reproduction /ri prə dkʃən/ noun 1. a copy of a painting or other work of art 2. the action of reproducing 왍 the reproduction is bad on this CD the quality of the sound is bad on this CD 3. the production of young 쑗 The rate of reproduction of mice is incredible. reproductive /ri prə dktv/ adj referring to reproduction reproof /r pru f/ noun blame or criticism. Antonym compliment reprove /r pru v/ verb to criticise someone for doing something wrong. Synonym criticise. Antonym praise reptile / reptal/ noun a cold-blooded animal with a skin covered with scales, which lays eggs reptilian /rep tliən/ adj like a reptile. Synonym cold-blooded ② republic /r pblk/ noun a system of government by elected representatives headed by an elected or nominated president 쑗 France is a republic while Spain is a monarchy. republican /r pblkən/ adj referring to a republic 쑗 The republican movement would like to see the abolition of the monarchy. 쐽 noun a person who believes that a republic is the best form of government 쑗 Some republicans made speeches against the emperor. ③ Republican /r pblkən/ US adj referring to the Republican Party, one of the two main political parties in the USA 쐽 noun a member of the Republican Party, one of the two main political parties in the USA repudiate /r pju diet/ verb to reject or to refuse to accept something repudiation /rpju di eʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of repudiating repugnant /r pDZnənt/ adj very unpleasant, offensive or unacceptable. Synonym repellent, revolting repulse /r pls/ verb to push back some- one who is attacking repulsion /r plʃən/ noun 1. a feeling of dislike 쑗 He looked at the plate of snails re-release with repulsion. 2. (in physics) the act of pushing something away 쑗 Magnetic repulsion can be demonstrated by trying to join the negative ends of two magnets. Antonym attraction repulsive /r plsv/ adj unpleasant, which makes you disgusted. Synonym disgusting reputable / repjυtəb(ə)l/ adj well thought of, with a good reputation. Antonym disreputable ③ reputation /repjυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun an opinion that people have of someone 쑗 He has a reputation for being difficult to deal with. 쑗 The cook has a reputation for often losing his temper. 쑗 His bad reputation won’t help him find a suitable job. repute /r pju t/ noun a reputation or general opinion (formal ) 왍 I only know her by repute I have never met her, but I have heard or read about her reputed /r pju td/ adj supposed, said to be. Antonym actual ② request /r kwest/ noun asking for something 쑗 Your request will be dealt with as soon as possible. 왍 on request if asked for 쑗 ‘Catalogue available on request’ 쐽 verb to ask for something politely 쑗 I am enclosing the leaflets you requested. 쑗 Guests are requested to leave their keys at reception. Antonym demand request stop /r kwest stɒp/ noun a bus stop where buses stop only if you signal to them requiem / rekwiəm/ verb music written for a requiem mass 쑗 They played Verdi’s Requiem at the concert. Requiem Mass /rekwiəm ms/ noun a mass for all dead people, or for someone who has died recently ① require /r kwaə/ verb 1. to demand that someone should do something 쑗 We were required to go to the local police station. 쑗 You are required to fill in the forms in triplicate. 2. to need something 쑗 The disease requires careful nursing. 쑗 Writing the program requires a computer specialist. ② requirement /r kwaəmənt/ noun what is necessary 쑗 It is a requirement of the job that you should be able to drive. requirements /r kwaəmənts/ plural noun things which are needed requisite / rekwzt/ adj necessary (formal ) 쑗 Does he have the requisite government permits? 쑗 We need someone with the requisite skills to run the bar. Antonym optional 쐽 noun a thing which is necessary 쑗 Patience is a requisite for a happy marriage. re-release /ri r li s/ verb to make a music recording or a film available again some time after it first came out . . re-route 718 re-route /ri ru t/ verb to send people or vehicles along a route which is different from the usual one rerun noun / ri rn/ 1. the second showing of a programme or film on TV 쑗 During the summer all the TV channels show reruns of old sitcoms. 2. a thing which happens again 쑗 We want to avoid a rerun of the trouble we had at the last meeting. 쐽 verb /ri rn/ to show a TV programme again 쑗 They seem to fill in their schedules by rerunning old Westerns. Synonym replay (NOTE: rerunning – reran – rerun) resale / ri sel/ noun the act of selling of something again reschedule /ri ʃedju l/ verb 1. to arrange an appointment again for a later time 쑗 My plane was delayed by fog, so I had to reschedule all my meetings. 2. 왍 to reschedule debts to arrange new repayment terms for debts 쑗 Some Third World countries have asked for their debts to be rescheduled. rescind /r snd/ verb 왍 to rescind a contract or an agreement to annul or to cancel a contract or agreement 쑗 The committee rescinded its earlier resolution on the use of council premises. 쑗 Both parties agreed that the contract should not be rescinded without the agreement of the tenants. rescue / reskju / noun the action of saving 쑗 Mountain rescue requires well-trained people. 쑗 No one could swim well enough to go to her rescue. Antonym capture 왍 rescue party, rescue team or squad a group of people who are going to save someone 쑗 Rescue parties were sent out immediately after the avalanche. 쐽 verb to save someone from a dangerous situation 쑗 The lifeboat rescued the crew of the sinking ship. 쑗 The company nearly collapsed, but was rescued by the bank. 쑗 When the river flooded, the party of tourists had to be rescued by helicopter. rescuer / reskju ə/ noun a person who rescues or tries to rescue someone. Antonym captor ① research /r s" tʃ/ noun scientific study, which tries to find out facts 쑗 The company is carrying out research to find a cure for colds. 쑗 The research laboratory has come up with encouraging results. 쑗 Our researches proved that the letter was a forgery. 쐽 verb to study something, to try to find out facts 쑗 Research your subject thoroughly before you start writing about it. Synonym investigate researcher /r s" tʃə/ noun a person who carries out research. Synonym investigator ③ resemblance /r zembləns/ noun the fact of looking like someone. Synonym similarity. Antonym difference reservoir ③ resemble /r zembəl/ verb to look like someone or something. Antonym differ resent /r zent/ verb to feel annoyed because of a real or imaginary hurt. Synonym begrudge resentful /r zentf(ə)l/ adj feeling anger or bitterness about something someone has done. Synonym angry resentment /r zentmənt/ noun anger or bitterness felt about something someone has done ③ reservation /rezə veʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of booking something, e.g. a seat or table 쑗 I want to make a reservation on the train to Plymouth tomorrow evening. 왍 (room) reservations the department in a hotel which deals with bookings for rooms 쑗 Can you put me through to reservations? 2. doubt 쑗 I have no reservations whatsoever that I have made the right decision. 쑗 If you have any reservations about the contract, please let me know as soon as possible. 3. an area kept separate from other areas ③ reserve /r z" v/ noun 1. an amount kept back in case it is needed in the future 쑗 Our reserves of coal were used up during the winter. 왍 in reserve waiting to be used 쑗 We’re keeping the can of petrol in reserve. 2. (in sport) an extra player who can play if someone drops out of the team 쑗 One of the players was hurt so a reserve was called up. 3. the fact of being shy or of not being open about your feelings 쑗 He had to break down her reserve before he could get her to talk about her illness. 쐽 verb 1. to book a seat or a table 쑗 I want to reserve a table for four people. 쑗 Have you reserved? – If not, we have only two tables free. 쑗 Can you reserve two seats for me for the evening performance? 2. to keep something back for a special use, or to use later 쑗 Don’t read this book now, reserve it for your holidays. 쑗 I’m reserving my right to change my mind. 3. 왍 to reserve judgment not to make up your mind about something until later 쑗 I’ll reserve judgment until I’ve heard all the facts. ③ reserved /r z" vd/ adj 1. booked 쑗 There are two reserved tables and one free one. 쑗 Is this seat reserved? 2. who does not reveal his or her thoughts and feelings 쑗 Clare is very reserved and doesn’t talk much. 쑗 He’s a very reserved man and does not mix with other members of staff. reserves /r z" vz/ plural noun 1. (in sport) a second football team made up of reserve players 쑗 He’s playing in the reserves today. 2. soldiers who can be called on to go to war if they are needed reservist /r z" vst/ noun a part-time soldier who is a member of the army reserves reservoir / rezəvwɑ / noun 1. a large, usually artificial, lake where drinking water is reset 719 kept for pumping to a city 쑗 There has been very little rain this year and the reservoirs are only half full. 2. a large collection of something kept ready 쑗 There is a huge reservoir of skilled labour waiting to be tapped. reset /ri set/ verb to set something again 쑗 The local time is 12.15: please reset your watches. 쑗 His broken leg was set badly, and the doctors had to reset it. resettle /ri set(ə)l/ verb to settle someone in another place. Synonym relocate resettlement /ri set(ə)lmənt/ noun an arrangement to settle someone in a new place. Synonym relocation reshape /ri ʃep/ verb to shape something again, to give something a different shape. Synonym redesign reshuffle /ri ʃf(ə)l/ noun the act of changing positions, especially those of cabinet ministers 쑗 In the reshuffle, he was appointed Secretary of State for Education. Synonym reorganisation 쐽 verb 1. to shuffle cards again 쑗 He shuffled and reshuffled and then finally started to deal. 2. to change the positions of cabinet ministers 쑗 The President is expected to reshuffle his Cabinet soon. reside /r zad/ verb to live somewhere (formal ) ③ residence / rezd(ə)ns/ noun 1. a large house 쑗 They have a country residence where they spend their weekends. 2. the act of living in a place 왍 in residence living in a place 쑗 When the Queen is in residence, the royal flag flies over Buckingham Palace. 왍 artist or writer in residence an artist or writer who lives and works in a place, such as a university, for a time 쑗 She spent six months as artist in residence at Newcastle University. residency / rezd(ə)nsi/ noun the fact of being legally entitled to live in a country ② resident / rezd(ə)nt/ adj who lives permanently in a place 쑗 There is a resident caretaker. 쐽 noun a person who lives in a place, e.g. a country or a hotel 쑗 You need an entry permit if you’re not a resident of the country. 쑗 Only residents are allowed to park their cars here. Synonym occupant residual /r zdjuəl/ adj remaining after everything else has gone residue / rezdju / noun 1. what is left of an estate after debts and bequests have been made 쑗 After paying various bequests the residue of his estate was split between his children. 2. what is left after a process has taken place 쑗 After the sugar has been refined the residue is used for cattle feed. ③ resign /r zan/ verb 1. to give up a job 쑗 He resigned with effect from July 1st. 쑗 She has resigned (her position) as finance director. 2. 왍 to resign yourself to something to . resit accept something 쑗 I have to resign myself to never being rich. 쑗 He was still 20 metres behind his rival and resigned himself to coming in second. ③ resignation /rezDZ neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of giving up a job 쑗 His resignation was accepted by the Prime Minister. 쑗 Have you written your letter of resignation? 왍 to tender or hand in your resignation to resign 2. accepting an unpleasant or unwanted situation 쑗 He looked at his exam results with resignation. ③ resigned /r zand/ adj accepting something unpleasant. Antonym resistant 왍 resigned to something accepting that something unpleasant will happen 쑗 I’m resigned to living by myself for the rest of my life. resignedly /r zandli/ adv accepting something unpleasant without complaining resilient /r zliənt/ adj 1. which easily returns to its original shape after being squashed 쑗 Cork is a surprisingly resilient material. 2. (of a person) who is strong or able to recover easily from a shock 쑗 She is a very resilient person, in spite of her age, and has gone back home from hospital to look after herself. resin / rezn/ noun 1. a sticky oil which comes from some types of pine tree 쑗 Amber is a yellow stone which is fossilised resin. 2. a solid or liquid organic compound, a polymer used in the making of plastic 쑗 He made some interesting table decorations with gold coins in blocks of transparent resin. resinous / reznəs/ adj referring to resin ③ resist /r zst/ verb to fight against something, not to give in to something 쑗 He resisted all attempts to make him sell the house. 쑗 Bands of guerrillas resisted doggedly in the mountains. 쑗 They resisted the enemy attacks for two weeks. ② resistance /r zst(ə)ns/ noun 1. opposition to or fighting against something 쑗 Bands of guerrillas put up a dogged resistance in the mountains. 쑗 The refugees had no resistance to disease. 쑗 Skiers crouch down low to minimise wind resistance. 쑗 There was a lot of resistance to the new plan from the local residents. 왍 to take the line of least resistance to do the easiest thing 2. (in physics) a measure of the fall in voltage across a component with a current flowing through it 쑗 An electronic component that provides a known resistance is called a resistor. resistant /r zst(ə)nt/ adj which resists something resistor /r zstə/ noun an electronic component that provides a known resistance resit /ri st/ verb to take an examination again after having failed resolute 720 resolute / rezəlu t/ adj determined, having made up your mind. Synonym firm. Antonym irresolute ③ resolution /rezə lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a decision to be taken at a meeting 왍 to put a resolution to a meeting to ask a meeting to vote on a proposal 쑗 The meeting passed or carried or adopted the resolution. 쑗 The meeting rejected the resolution or the resolution was defeated by ten votes to twenty. 2. the fact of being determined to do something 쑗 Her resolution to succeed is so strong that I am sure she will get through. 3. (of a TV or computer image) the clearness of a picture on a screen, calculated as the number of pixels per unit of area ③ resolve /r zɒlv/ noun determination, what you have firmly decided to do 쑗 The head teacher encouraged him in his resolve to go to university. Antonym indecision 쐽 verb to firmly decide to do something 쑗 We all resolved to work harder. resolved /r zɒlvd/ adj determined, having made up your mind. Antonym undecided resonance / rez(ə)nəns/ noun a deep loud ringing tone resonant / rez(ə)nənt/ adj 1. which sounds, rings or echoes loudly 쑗 He spoke in a deep resonant voice. 2. 왍 resonant with something full of something 쑗 The house is resonant with memories of our childhood. resonate / rezənet/ verb to sound or ring out loudly. Synonym reverberate ③ resort /r zɔ t/ noun 1. a place where people go on holiday 쑗 a famous Swiss ski resort 쑗 Crowds have been flocking to the resorts on the south coast. 2. 왍 as a or in the last resort when everything else fails 쑗 Having tried everything without success, he accepted her offer as a last resort. 쐽 verb 왍 to resort to to use something in a difficult situation, when everything else has failed 쑗 In the end the police had to resort to using tear gas. resounding /r zaυndŋ/ adj 1. great or complete 쑗 The exhibition was a resounding success. 2. loud 쑗 a resounding bang ① resource /r zɔ s/ noun 1. a source of supply for what is needed or used 쑗 financial resources 쑗 We have enough resources – financial or otherwise – to build a prototype rocket. 2. 왍 left to your own resources left to look after yourself 쑗 Their parents were away and the children were left to their own resources. resourceful /r zɔ sf(ə)l/ adj good at looking after yourself or at dealing with problems. Synonym ingenious ① respect /r spekt/ noun 1. admiration or regard for someone 쑗 He showed very little respect for his teacher. 쑗 No one deserves more respect than her mother. 왍 to command respect to be admired 쑗 Her TV docu- respondent mentaries command respect. 2. 왍 with respect to something concerning something 쑗 I have nothing to say with respect to the new treatment. 왍 in some respects in some ways 쑗 In some respects, she doesn’t act like a mature person. 쐽 verb 1. to admire or honour someone or something 쑗 Everyone respected her decision to emigrate. 2. to show you care about something 쑗 Logging companies have been accused of not respecting the environment. 3. to do what is required by something 쑗 The landlord has not respected the terms of the contract. respectability /rspektə blti/ noun the fact of being respectable. Synonym decency respectable /r spektəb(ə)l/ adj 1. considered by people to be good, proper and worthy of respect 쑗 She’s marrying a very respectable young engineer. 쑗 I don’t want to bring up my children here, it is not a respectable area. 2. fairly large 쑗 He made quite a respectable score. respectably /r spektəbli/ adv properly ③ respected /r spektd/ adj admired by many people respectful /r spektf(ə)l/ adj full of respect. Antonym disrespectful respective /r spektv/ adj referring separately to each of the people just mentioned. Synonym own ③ respectively /r spektvli/ adv in the order just mentioned respects /r spekts/ plural noun polite good wishes respirator / respəretə/ noun a machine which is used in hospital to help patients to breathe when they cannot breathe by themselves respiratory /r sprət(ə)ri/ adj referring to breathing respite / respat/ noun 1. a rest, a period when things are slightly better 쑗 The ceasefire provided a brief respite from the fighting. 쑗 There was no respite from the bitter cold. 2. 왍 without respite without stopping 쑗 Rescue teams worked without respite for three days in their search for survivors. resplendent /r splendənt/ adj very splendid ② respond /r spɒnd/ verb 1. to give a reply 쑗 She shouted at him, but he didn’t respond. 2. to show a reaction to something 쑗 I hope the public will respond to our new advertisement. 쑗 The government has responded to pressure from industry. 왍 to respond to treatment to begin to get better respondent /r spɒndənt/ noun 1. a person who answers a questionnaire 쑗 The majority of respondents ticked this box. 2. a person who answers a case in court, espe- response 721 cially someone who is being sued for divorce 쑗 She was the respondent in the divorce case. ① response /r spɒns/ noun 1. an answer 쑗 There was no response to our call for help. 왍 in response to something as an answer to something 쑗 In response to the United Nations’ request for aid, the government has sent blankets and tents. 2. an answer given by the congregation in church 쑗 The litany is a series of prayers with repeated responses. responsibilities /rspɒns bltiz/ plural noun duties ① responsibility /rspɒns blti/ noun 1. the fact of being in a position in which you look after or deal with something 쑗 The management accepts no responsibility for customers’ property. 쑗 There is no responsibility on his part for the poor results. 쑗 Who should take responsibility for the students’ welfare? 왍 to take on a lot of responsibility to agree to be responsible for many things 왍 to have a position of responsibility to have a job in which important decisions have to be taken 2. a thing which you are responsible for ① responsible /r spɒnsb(ə)l/ adj 1. 왍 responsible for something causing something 쑗 The fog was responsible for the accident. 2. looking after something, and so open to blame if it gets lost or damaged 쑗 He is not responsible for the restaurant next door to his hotel. 쑗 We hold customers responsible for all breakages. 3. 왍 responsible to someone being under the authority of someone 쑗 She’s directly responsible to the head nurse. 4. (of a person) trustworthy 쑗 You can rely on him, he’s very responsible. responsibly /r spɒnsbli/ adv in a responsible way responsive /r spɒnsv/ adj 1. showing sympathy or reacting favourably to something 쑗 The management was not very responsive to the demands of the staff. 2. reacting to something 쑗 The cat is very responsive to being stroked. 쑗 His flu seems to be responsive to antibiotics. respray verb /ri spre/ to spray something again 쑗 He has had his car resprayed with metallic paint. 쐽 noun / ri spre/ the action of respraying something 쑗 The car has had a respray. ① rest /rest/ noun 1. a period of being quiet and peaceful, being asleep or doing nothing 쑗 All you need is a good night’s rest and you’ll be fine again tomorrow. 쑗 We took a few minutes’ rest and started running again. 쑗 I’m having a well-earned rest after working hard all week. 왍 to set someone’s mind at rest to calm someone who is worried 2. not moving 쑗 The ball finally came to rest two inches from the hole. 3. what is left 쑗 Here are the twins, but where are the rest of the children? 쑗 I drank most of the milk and restoration the cat drank the rest. 쑗 Throw the rest of the food away – it will go bad. (NOTE: Rest takes a singular verb when it refers to a singular: Here’s the rest of the milk; Where’s the rest of the string?The rest of the money has been lost. It takes a plural verb when it refers to a plural: Here are the rest of the children; Where are the rest of the chairs?The rest of the books have been lost.) 4. a thing which supports something 쑗 She pulled up a stool as a rest for her foot. 쐽 verb 1. to be quiet and peaceful 쑗 Don’t disturb your father – he’s resting. 쑗 They ran for ten miles, rested for a few minutes, and then ran on again. 2. to lean something against something 쑗 She rested her bike against the wall. 3. 왍 to let something rest to stop discussing something (formal ) 쑗 After advice from our solicitor, we decided to let the matter rest. 4. to remain looking for a time 쑗 Her eyes or gaze rested briefly on the clock. 5. 왍 (you may) rest assured you can be sure . restart /r stɑ t/ verb to start something again restate /ri stet/ verb to state something again. Synonym repeat restaurant / rest(ə)rɒnt/ noun a place where you can buy and eat a meal 쑗 I don’t want to stay at home tonight – let’s go out to the Italian restaurant in the High Street. 쑗 She was waiting for me at the restaurant. restaurant car / rest(ə)rɒnt kɑ / noun the part of a train where you can eat full meals as opposed to snacks. Compare buffet ② car restaurateur /rest(ə)rə t" / noun a person who runs a restaurant rested / restd/ adj feeling calm and relaxed after a rest restful / restf(ə)l/ adj which makes you feel calm and relaxed. Synonym soothing restitution /rest tju ʃ(ə)n/ noun compensation, paying someone back restive / restv/ adj not quiet, disturbed and difficult to control restless / restləs/ adj agitated; always moving about. Antonym relaxed restlessly / restləsli/ adv in a restless way restlessness / restləsnəs/ noun the fact of being restless. Antonym calmness rest on / rest ɒn/ verb to be dependent on something ③ restoration /restə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of repairing something or making something look like new again 쑗 The old castle is in need of extensive restoration. 2. giving back 쑗 The restoration of stolen goods to their rightful owners is essential. restorative 722 restorative /r stɔ rətv/ noun, adj (medicine) which makes you feel healthy or more energetic ③ restore /r stɔ / verb 1. to repair something, to make something like new again 쑗 The old house has been restored and is now open to the public. 2. to give back 쑗 After the war the castle was not restored to its rightful owners. 3. to make something exist again 쑗 To everyone’s delight, the management decided to restore the bonus system. restorer /r stɔ rə/ noun a person who restores something such as old paintings restrain /r stren/ verb to prevent or try to stop someone doing something 왍 to restrain yourself to keep your temper under control 쑗 Next time, I won’t restrain myself: I’ll tell him exactly what I think of him. restrained /r strend/ adj controlled or calm. Antonym demonstrative restraint /r strent/ noun control 왍 with great restraint without losing your temper 쑗 He was furious, but managed to talk with great restraint. 왍 lack of restraint the fact of giving people too much freedom 쑗 The lack of restraint in the school doesn’t go down well with the parents. ③ restrict /r strkt/ verb to limit someone or something 쑗 You are restricted to two bottles per person. 쑗 The government is trying to restrict the flow of foreign workers coming into the country. Antonym loosen ③ restricted /r strktd/ adj limited 앳 a restricted area 1. an area where cars must obey a speed limit 2. a place where only certain people are allowed ② restriction /r strkʃən/ noun a limitation. Synonym limit restrictive /r strktv/ adj which limits 왍 restrictive (trade) practices arrangements between companies, e.g. to fix prices or to share the market, and so cut out other businesses restroom / restru m/ noun especially US a toilet or lavatory ③ restructure /ri strktʃə/ verb to reorganise something, especially the financial basis of a company rest with / rest wð/ verb to be the responsibility of someone 쑗 The onus of proof rests with the prosecution. ① result /r zlt/ noun 1. something which happens because of something else 쑗 What was the result of the police investigation? 왍 as a result of something because of something 쑗 As a result of a traffic jam, she missed her plane. 2. the final score in a game, the final marks in an exam, etc. 쑗 She isn’t pleased with her exam results. 쑗 I had great fun making the rug but I’m only partly happy with the result. 쑗 He listened to the football resuscitation results on the radio. 쐽 verb 왍 to result from something to happen because of something which has been done 쑗 The increase in the company’s debts resulted from the expansion programme. 왍 to result in something to produce something as an effect 쑗 The doubling of the sales force resulted in increased sales. resultant /r zltənt/ adj which happens as a result. Synonym subsequent resulting /r zltŋ/ adj which results. Synonym subsequent resume /r zju m/ verb 1. to start, or start something again after stopping 쑗 The meeting resumed after a short break. 쑗 Normal train services will resume after the track has been repaired. 쑗 After the fire, the staff resumed work as normal. 2. to go back to a place 쑗 Resume your places. ③ résumé / rezju me/ noun 1. a short summing-up of the main points of a discussion or of a book 쑗 I can’t attend the meeting, but I would like a résumé of the discussion. 쑗 A brief résumé of the contents of the book is all I need. 2. US a summary of a person’s life story with details of education and work experience 쑗 Attach a résumé to your application form. (NOTE: The British term is curriculum vitae or CV.) resumption /r zmpʃən/ noun the act of starting again 왍 we expect an early resumption of negotiations we expect negotiations will start again soon resurface /ri s" fs/ verb 1. to put a new surface on a road 쑗 No one can park on our street because they are resurfacing it today. 2. to come back to the surface again or appear again 쑗 The bird dived into the water and resurfaced several minutes later in a different part of the river. 쑗 He disappeared for a time, then resurfaced as managing director of a TV company. resurgence /r s" dȢəns/ noun a reappearance, the act of rising again. Synonym revival. Antonym disappearance resurrect /rezə rekt/ verb 1. to bring something back to use 쑗 He resurrected his old plan for rebuilding the town centre. 2. to start something up again resurrection /rezə rekʃən/ noun 1. the act of bringing a dead person back to life 쑗 Easter is an important Christian festival celebrating Christ’s death and resurrection. 2. the act of coming back into existence 쑗 Last month saw the resurrection of the civil war in the country. resuscitate /r sstet/ verb to make someone who appears to be dead start breathing again, and to restart the circulation of blood resuscitation /rss teʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of resuscitating someone retail 723 retail / ri tel/ noun the business of selling small quantities of goods direct to the public 쑗 We specialise in the retail of ordinary household goods. 쑗 The goods in stock have a retail value of £10,000. 왍 retail outlet or shop a shop which sells goods direct to the customer 쑗 He buys wholesale and then sells to various retail outlets. 쐽 verb 1. to sell goods direct to customers who do not sell them again 왍 to retail at or for a certain price to sell for a certain price 쑗 These glasses retail at £5.95 for two. 2. to pass on gossip 쑗 She immediately retailed the story to her friends. 쐽 adv 왍 to buy wholesale and sell retail to buy goods in bulk at a wholesale discount and sell them in small quantities to the public. Compare wholesale retailer / ri telə/ noun a shopkeeper who sells goods directly to the public. Compare wholesaler retailing / ri telŋ/ noun the business of selling goods at full price to the public retail park / ri tel pɑ k/ noun a specially built area of shops outside a town retail price / ri tel pras/ noun a price at which the retailer sells to the final customer Retail Price Index /ri tel pras ndeks/, Retail Prices Index /ri tel prasz ndeks/ noun an index which shows how prices of consumer goods have increased or decreased over a period of time. Abbr RPI ② retain /r ten/ verb 1. to keep something 쑗 Please retain this invoice for tax purposes. 쑗 One book especially retained my attention – so I bought it. 쑗 He managed to retain his composure in spite of being constantly heckled. 2. 왍 to retain a lawyer to act for you to agree with a lawyer that he will act for you, and to pay him or her a fee in advance retainer /r tenə/ noun 1. money paid in advance to someone so that he or she will work for you, and not for someone else 쑗 We pay him a retainer of £1,000. 2. an old servant 쑗 The old duke and duchess ate in their dining hall, surrounded by elderly retainers. retaining wall /r tenŋ wɔ l/ noun a wall which holds back earth or the water in a reservoir retake noun / ri tek/ the act of shooting a scene of a film again 쑗 After four retakes the director decided that it was good enough to be screened. 쐽 verb /ri tek/ 1. to capture something again 쑗 The fighting lasted all day, and in the evening we retook the positions we had lost that morning. 2. to shoot a scene of a film again 쑗 The director wasn’t pleased and we had to retake the whole scene. (NOTE: retaking – retook – has retaken) retire retaliate /r tliet/ verb to attack someone in revenge. Synonym hit back. Antonym forgive retaliation /rtli eʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of attacking someone for something he or she has done to you. Synonym reprisal. Antonym forgiveness 왍 in retaliation for something as a punishment in revenge for something 쑗 The pub was bombed in retaliation for attacks by the other side. 쑗 Prices were lowered in retaliation for their competitor’s new low prices. 쑗 He cancelled his subscription in retaliation for the newspaper’s racist attitude. retard /r tɑ d/ verb to make things slow or keep something back. Synonym delay retarded /r tɑ dd/ adj not having developed mentally as far as others of the same age (offensive dated ) retch /retʃ/ verb to try to vomit without bringing up anything from the stomach retention /r tenʃən/ noun 1. the act of keeping something 쑗 The committee voted for the retention of the existing system. 2. the act of holding something back 쑗 We are proposing the retention of 10% of salary to cover potential damage to the stock. retentive /r tentv/ adj 왍 to have a retentive memory to have a memory which retains things well rethink / ri θŋk/ noun 왍 to have a rethink to think again about a problem (informal ) 쑗 We had a rethink and have decided to accept their offer. 쐽 verb to think again about or reconsider something 쑗 We should rethink the whole plan now that the council has refused planning permission. (NOTE: rethinking – rethought /ri θɔ t/) reticence / rets(ə)ns/ noun the fact of being unwilling to talk about something reticent / rets(ə)nt/ adj not willing to talk about something. Antonym talkative retina / retnə/ noun an inside layer of the eye, which is sensitive to light retinue / retnju / noun a group of people following an important person. Synonym . . entourage ② retire /r taə/ verb 1. to stop work and take a pension 쑗 He will retire from his job as manager next April. 쑗 When he retired, the firm presented him with a watch. 쑗 She’s retiring this year. 2. to make an employee stop work and take a pension 쑗 They decided to retire all staff over 50. 3. to come to the end of an elected term of office 쑗 The treasurer retires from the committee after six years. 4. 왍 to retire for the night to go to bed (literary) 쑗 It was two o’clock in the morning and all the hotel guests had retired to their bedrooms for the night. retired 724 ② retired /r taəd/ adj who has stopped work and draws a pension. Antonym working ② retirement /r taəmənt/ noun 1. the act of retiring from work 쑗 He was given a watch as a retirement present. 쑗 He claims that the pension he’ll get on his retirement won’t be sufficient. 왍 to take early retirement to leave work before the usual age 쑗 I enjoy my work and I don’t want to take early retirement. 2. a period of life when you are retired 쑗 He spent his retirement in his house in France. 쑗 Most people look forward to their retirement. retirement age /r taəmənt edȢ/ noun the age at which people stop working retiring /r taərŋ/ adj shy, quiet and reserved. Synonym reticent retort /r tɔ t/ noun 1. a sharp reply 쑗 ‘I can look after myself perfectly well’ was her retort. 2. a glass bottle with a long thin neck which is bent, used for heating liquids and collecting condensed vapour 쐽 verb to reply sharply (literary) 쑗 She retorted that she had plenty of money and didn’t want any gifts from him. retrace /r tres/ verb to go back to the origins of something 왍 to retrace your steps to go back over the same path again 쑗 She thought she had lost her watch while shopping, so she retraced her steps from shop to shop. retract /r trkt/ verb 1. to pull back 쑗 The landing gear retracted after take-off. 2. to withdraw something which has been said 쑗 He refuses to retract a single word of his statement. retrain /ri tren/ verb 1. to train someone for a new job, or to do the same job in a more modern way 쑗 He has been sent to retrain on the new model 747s. 쑗 The staff are sent to be retrained in selling skills. 2. to learn new skills 쑗 He retrained as a house decorator. retraining /ri trenŋ/ noun the process of giving new training to someone retread / ri tred/ noun a tyre which has had its surface renewed retreat /r tri t/ noun 1. the act of pulling back an army from a battle 쑗 The army’s retreat was swift and unexpected. 왍 in retreat going back from a battle 왍 in full retreat going back fast 쑗 The army is in full retreat. 왍 to beat a retreat to go backwards (informal ) 쑗 He went into the ladies’ toilet by mistake and had to beat a hasty retreat. 2. a quiet place 쑗 They spent the weekend at their retreat in the Scottish hills. 3. a time spent in rest and religious thought in a monastery 쑗 He went on a retreat. 쐽 verb 1. to pull back from a battle 쑗 Napoleon retreated from Moscow in 1812. 2. to go to a quiet place 쑗 . return Monks retreat from the outside world. 쑗 Our dog retreats to his basket if we shout at him. retrial / ri traəl/ noun a second trial of a case when the first trial was not conducted properly or no verdict was reached retribution /retr bju ʃ(ə)n/ noun a well-deserved punishment 왍 to exact retribution for something to carry out punishment for something 쑗 They are planning to exact retribution for the attacks on their villages. retrievable /r tri vəb(ə)l/ adj which can be retrieved retrieval /r tri v(ə)l/ noun the act of getting something back retrieval system /r tri v(ə)l sstəm/ noun a system which allows information to be retrieved ③ retrieve /r tri v/ verb 1. to get back something which was lost 쑗 He retrieved his umbrella from the lost property office. 2. to bring back something which has been stored in a computer 쑗 She retrieved the address files which she thought had been deleted. retriever /r tri və/ noun a type of dog trained to fetch dead birds which have been shot retroactive /retrəυ ktv/ adj which takes effect from a time in the past 왍 retroactive to last April which takes effect from last April 쑗 She had a pay increase retroactive to January 1st. retrograde / retrəυDZred/ adj backward (formal ) 왍 a retrograde step an action which makes things worse than they were before retrospect / retrəυspekt/ noun 왍 in retrospect when you look back 쑗 In retrospect, our decision to make him finance director was quite wrong. retrospective /retrəυ spektv/ adj which goes back to a time in the past 쑗 She was awarded a retrospective pay increase. 쑗 The management offered an increase, retrospective to last January. 쐽 noun an exhibition of works of art covering the whole career of an artist 쑗 This has been the first Henry Moore retrospective for some years. retry /ri tra/ verb to have a retrial of a case which has already been tried once ① return /r t" n/ noun 1. the act of going or coming back to a place 쑗 It snowed on the day of her return from Canada. 쑗 I’ll come and see you on my return. 2. the action of going back to a former state 쑗 The government wants to encourage a return to old family traditions. 3. the act of giving or sending something back 쑗 He asked for the immediate return of the borrowed tools. 왍 to reply by return of post to reply by the next postal service back 왍 to sell something on sale or . return fare 725 return to sell something and give the purchaser the right to return it if he or she does not sell or use it 왍 in return for something in exchange for something 쑗 He gave me the letter of introduction and I gave him a lunch in return. 4. the key on a keyboard which you press when you have finished keying something, or when you want to start a new line 쑗 To change directory, type C: and press return. 5. 왍 many happy returns of the day greetings said to someone on his or her birthday 6. an income from money invested 쑗 This account should bring in a quick return on your investment. 7. 왍 to make an income tax return to send a statement of income to the tax office 쑗 Your income tax return should be sent no later than 1st July. 왍 to fill in a VAT return to complete the form showing VAT receipts and expenditure 쐽 verb 1. to come back, to go back 쑗 When she returned from lunch she found two messages waiting for her. 쑗 When do you plan to return to Paris? 2. to give, to send something back 쑗 The letter was returned to the sender. 3. to elect an MP for a constituency 쑗 He was returned with an increased majority. return fare /r t" n feə/ noun the fare for a journey from one place to another and back again returning officer /r t" nŋ ɒfsə/ noun an official who is responsible for an election in a constituency return match /r t" n mtʃ/ noun a match played between the same two teams again returns /r t" nz/ plural noun goods which a shop hasn’t sold and which are sent back to the supplier return ticket /rt" n tkt/, return /rt" n/ noun a ticket for a journey from one place to another and back again (NOTE: The US term is round-trip ticket.) reunification /ri ju nf keʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of joining again something which has been split. Compare unification. Synonym reunion reunion /ri ju njən/ noun a meeting of people who have not met for a long time reunite /ri ju nat/ verb to join people or things together again reuse /ri ju z/ verb to use again something which has already been used rev /rev/ noun an engine revolution (informal ) 쐽 verb 왍 to rev (up) to make a car engine go quickly while the car is standing still (informal ) 쑗 I could hear him revving (up) while he was waiting for me in the car. revalue /ri vlju / verb to value something again at a higher value than before revamp verb /ri vmp/ to improve the appearance of something which is slightly old-fashioned 쑗 The whole image of the com. . Reverend pany needs revamping. 쐽 noun / ri vmp/ a complete change of the appearance of something 쑗 Our headed notepaper has had a complete revamp. Synonym facelift ① reveal /r vi l/ verb to show or mention something which was hidden 쑗 He revealed his ignorance about cars. 쑗 An unexpected fault was revealed during the test. 쑗 The X-ray revealed a brain tumour. revealing /r vi lŋ/ adj which shows something which is usually hidden 왍 a revealing dress or top a dress or top which shows parts of the body which are normally kept hidden revel / rev(ə)l/ noun a celebration 쐽 verb to have a happy time (literary) 왍 to revel in something to take delight in something 쑗 They revelled in the clean air of the Scottish Highlands. 쑗 She’s revelling in her new-found fame. revelation /revə leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of showing or mentioning something which was secret 쑗 Her revelation that she had two children took everyone by surprise. 2. something which was a secret which now everyone knows 쑗 His singing was a revelation. reveller / rev(ə)lə/ noun a person who is having a good time (NOTE: The US spelling is reveler.) revels / rev(ə)lz/ plural noun happy celebrations (dated ) revenge /r vendȢ/ noun the act of punish. ing someone in return for harm he or she has caused you 쑗 They attacked the police station in revenge for the arrest of three members of the gang. 쑗 All the time he spent in prison, his only thought was of revenge. 쑗 He had his revenge in the end, when her car broke down and she had to phone for help. Synonym retaliation 왍 to get or take your revenge on someone to punish someone for something he or she has done to you 쐽 verb 왍 to revenge yourself on someone to punish someone for something he or she has done to you 쑗 She planned to revenge herself on the people who had treated her so badly. Compare avenge ② revenue / revənju / noun 1. money which is received 쑗 His only source of revenue is his shop. 2. money received by a government in tax reverberate /r v" bəret/ verb to echo or to ring out loudly and repeatedly revere /r və/ verb to worship someone or to respect someone very highly. Synonym admire. Antonym despise reverence / rev(ə)rəns/ noun great respect. Antonym contempt Reverend / rev(ə)rənd/ adj a title given to a member of the clergy 쑗 The Reverend John Spencer will be preaching tomorrow. (NOTE: reverent 726 usually shortened to Rev: the Rev John Spencer) reverent / rev(ə)rənt/ adj showing respect reverie / revəri/ noun a dream which you have during the day when you are not asleep. Synonym daydream reversal /r v" s(ə)l/ noun a change to the opposite 왍 to have a reversal of fortune to have a change of luck from good to bad or from bad to good ③ reverse /r v" s/ adj opposite 쑗 The reverse side of the carpet is made of foam rubber. 쑗 The conditions are printed on the reverse side of the invoice. Antonym same 왍 in reverse order backwards 쑗 They called out the names of the prizewinners in reverse order. 쐽 noun 1. the opposite 쑗 You’re mistaken, the reverse is true. 2. the opposite side 쑗 Didn’t you read what was on the reverse of the label? 3. a side of a coin which does not bear the head of a king, a queen, etc. 쑗 There is a thistle on the reverse of this coin. Also called tails 4. a car gear which makes you go backwards 쑗 Put the car into reverse and back very slowly into the garage. 쑗 The car’s stuck in reverse! 5. a defeat in battle or in an election 쑗 The army suffered a catastrophic reverse. 쑗 The Conservatives suffered a series of reverses. 쐽 verb 1. to make something do the opposite 쑗 The page order was reversed by mistake. 쑗 Don’t try to reverse the trend, go along with it. 2. to make a car go backwards 쑗 Reverse as far as you can, then go forwards. 쑗 Be careful not to reverse into that lamppost. 3. 왍 to reverse the charges (on the phone) to ask the person you are calling to pay for the call 쑗 My father told me to reverse the charges when I call him. 4. to change a legal decision to another, opposite, one 쑗 The judge’s decision was reversed by the appeal court. reversible /r v" sb(ə)l/ adj which can be worn with either side out reversing light /r v" sŋ lat/ noun a light on the back of a car which lights up when the car is put into reverse gear ③ revert /r v" t/ verb 1. to go back or come back to an earlier state 왍 to revert to type or form to go back to an original state 쑗 We thought he was becoming a quiet intellectual, then he reverted to form and went out drinking every night. 2. 왍 to revert to a subject to start talking about the subject again (formal ) 쑗 I would like to revert to the subject of overdue payments. 쑗 The conversation reverted to the question of planning permission. ② review /r vju / noun 1. written comments on something, e.g. a book, play or film, published in a newspaper or magazine 쑗 Did you read the review of her latest film in today’s paper? 쑗 His book got some very . revolt good reviews. 2. a monthly or weekly magazine which contains articles of general interest 쑗 His first short story appeared in a Scottish literary review. 3. an examination of several things together 쑗 the company’s annual review of each department’s performance 4. a general inspection of the army, navy, etc. 쑗 A naval review will be held on the king’s birthday. (NOTE: Do not confuse with revue.) 쐽 verb 1. to read a book, see a film, etc., and write comments about it in a newspaper or magazine 쑗 Her exhibition was reviewed in today’s paper. 쑗 Whoever reviewed her latest book, obviously didn’t like it. 2. to inspect someone or something, e.g. soldiers, sailors or ships 쑗 The general rode on horseback to review the troops. 3. to examine something in a general way 쑗 The bank will review our overdraft position at the end of the month. 쑗 Let’s review the situation in the light of the new developments. 4. US to study a lesson again 쑗 You must review your geography before the exam. (NOTE: The British term is to revise.) reviewer /r vju ə/ noun a person who writes comments on something, e.g. books, plays or films. Synonym critic revile /r val/ verb to criticise someone or something harshly ② revise /r vaz/ verb 1. to study a lesson again 쑗 There isn’t enough time to revise before the exam. 쑗 I’m revising for my history test. (NOTE: The US term is to review.) 2. to change something or make something correct 쑗 He is revising the speech he is due to give this evening. 쑗 These figures will have to be revised, there seems to be a mistake. ③ revision /r vȢ(ə)n/ noun the action of revising something revisit /ri vzt/ verb to visit a place again revitalise /ri vatəlaz/, revitalize verb to make something more lively. Antonym wear out ③ revival /r vav(ə)l/ noun the act of bringing something back into existence 왍 revival of interest in something a new interest in something 쑗 We’ve noticed a revival of interest in sports cars. 왍 revival of trade an increase in trade after a recession revive /r vav/ verb 1. to recover, to get well again 쑗 After drinking some water he had revived enough to go on with the marathon. 2. to bring someone back to life again 쑗 The paramedics managed to revive her on the way to the hospital. 3. to make something popular again 쑗 It won’t be easy to revive people’s interest in old country crafts. revoke /r vəυk/ verb to cancel something, e.g. a right, agreement or permission revolt /r vəυlt/ noun a mass protest against authority 쑗 The government faces a revolt from its main supporters. Synonym rebel- revolting 727 lion 쐽 verb 1. to rise up against authority 쑗 The prisoners revolted against the harsh treatment they were receiving. 2. to disgust someone 쑗 It revolted me to see all that food being thrown away. (NOTE: In this meaning the noun is revulsion.) revolting /r vəυltŋ/ adj disgusting, which makes you feel ill. Antonym appealing ② revolution /revə lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an armed rising against a government 쑗 The government soldiers shot the leaders of the revolution. 쑗 He led an unsuccessful revolution against the last president. 쑗 During the French Revolution many aristocrats were executed. 2. the act of turning around a central point 쑗 The engine turns at 5,000 revolutions a minute. 3. a change in the way things are done 쑗 a revolution in data processing revolutionary /revə lu ʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj 1. aiming to change things completely; very new 쑗 There is a revolutionary new treatment for cancer. 2. referring to a political revolution 쑗 His revolutionary ideas upset the voters. 쐽 noun a person who takes part in an uprising against a government 쑗 The captured revolutionaries were shot when the army took control. Synonym rebel revolutionise /revə lu ʃənaz/, revolutionize verb to change something completely. Synonym transform ③ revolve /r vɒlv/ verb to turn round a fixed point. Synonym rotate revolver /r vɒlvə/ noun a small hand gun in which the chamber for cartridges turns after each shot is fired, so that another shot can be fired quickly revolving /r vɒlvŋ/ adj which turns round revolving doors /rvɒlvŋ dɔ z/ plural noun doors which turn round a central pillar revue /r vju / noun a stage show with satirical sketches, songs, etc. (NOTE: Do not confuse with review.) revulsion /r vlʃən/ noun disgust ③ reward /r wɔ d/ noun money given to someone for work done or as a prize for finding something, or for information about something 쑗 When she took the purse she had found to the police station she got a £25 reward. 쑗 He is not interested in money – the Olympic gold medal will be reward enough. 쐽 verb to give someone something as a prize for finding something or for doing something 쑗 He was rewarded for finding the box of papers. 쑗 All her efforts were rewarded when she won first prize. Antonym penalise rewarding /r wɔ dŋ/ adj which gives satisfaction. Synonym satisfying. Antonym disappointing rewind noun / ri wand/ the action of winding something back 왍 (fast) rewind a rheumatics mechanism which makes something wind back very fast 쑗 My new camera has an automatic fast rewind. 쐽 verb /ri wand/ to wind something back 쑗 After playing the cassette he rewound it. 쑗 The flex will rewind automatically when you press the red button. (NOTE: rewinding – rewound /ri waυnd/) rewire /ri waə/ verb to put new electric cables in a building reword /ri w" d/ verb to say or write something again using different words. Synonym rephrase rework /ri w" k/ verb to work on something again. Synonym amend ③ rewrite noun / ri rat/ the act of rewriting something 쑗 The film script had been through several rewrites and the director still wasn’t happy with it. Synonym revision 쐽 verb /ri rat/ to write something again in different words 쑗 She rewrote the essay, adding more references. (NOTE: rewrote – rewritten) rhapsody / rpsədi/ noun poetry, music or a song showing great excitement or passion rheostat / ri əstt/ noun a device for making lights fade by cutting down the flow of electric current gradually rhesus factor / ri səs fktə/ noun an antigen in red blood cells, which is an element in blood grouping rhesus monkey / ri səs mŋki/ noun a small monkey, often used in laboratories for scientific experiments rhesus negative /ri səs neDZətv/ noun a person who does not have the rhesus factor in his or her blood rhesus positive /ri səs pɒztv/ noun a person who has the rhesus factor in his or her blood ③ rhetoric / retərk/ noun 1. the art of speaking in a way which is intended to make people change their minds 쑗 She came away from the meeting enthused by the Prime Minister’s rhetoric. 2. a way of speaking that is insincere, without any real meaning 쑗 His speech was full of empty rhetoric. 쑗 All this rhetoric is getting us nowhere. rhetorical /r tɒrk(ə)l/ adj referring to rhetoric rhetorical question /rtɒrk(ə)l kwestʃən/ noun a question which makes a statement, rather than expecting an answer rheumatic fever /ru mtk fi və/ noun a disease of young people and children, in which the joints hurt and the patient becomes feverish rheumatics /ru mtks/ plural noun rheumatism (informal ) . rheumatism 728 ③ rheumatism / ru mətz(ə)m/ noun a disease which gives painful or stiff joints or muscles rhinoceros /ra nɒs(ə)rəs/ noun a large Asiatic or African animal with a thick skin and one or two horns on its head. Also called rhino (NOTE: The plural is rhinoceroses.) rhizome / razəυm/ noun a thick plant stem which lies on the surface or under the ground like a root and produces shoots rhododendron /rəυdə dendrən/ noun a large evergreen shrub with clusters of huge pink, red or purple flowers rhomboid / rɒmbɔd/ adj shaped like a rhombus or diamond 쐽 noun a four-sided shape with opposite sides equal in length and no right angles rhombus / rɒmbəs/ noun a shape with four equal sides but with no right angles. Synonym diamond (NOTE: The plural is rhombuses.) rhubarb / ru bɑ b/ noun a plant of which the thick red leaf stalks are cooked and eaten as a dessert rhyme /ram/ noun 1. the way in which some words end in the same sound 쑗 Can you think of a rhyme for ‘taught’? 2. 왍 without rhyme or reason with no explanation 쑗 He changes his mind all the time without rhyme or reason. 3. a little piece of poetry 쑗 The children tried to learn the rhyme by heart. 쐽 verb 왍 to rhyme with something to end with the same sound as another word 쑗 ‘Mr’ rhymes with ‘sister’. rhyming slang /ramŋ slŋ/ noun London slang where words are replaced by words or phrases which rhyme with them COMMENT: In London rhyming slang, com- mon words are replaced by other common words which rhyme with them. So ‘apples and pears’ takes the place of ‘stairs’: ‘he fell down the apples and pears’. To make things more complicated, many of the rhymes are abbreviated, thus losing the part which actually rhymes. So ‘butcher’s hook’ meant ‘look’, but is now abbreviated to simply ‘butcher’s’: ‘let’s have a butcher’s at it’; ‘tit for tat’ meant ‘hat’, but now is reduced simply to ‘titfer’: ‘where’s my titfer?’ rhythm / rð(ə)m/ noun a strong regular beat in music or poetry 쑗 They stamped their feet to the rhythm of the music. rhythmic / rðmk/, rhythmical / rðmk(ə)l/ adj with a regular beat rhythmically / rðmkli/ adv in time to a rhythm rib /rb/ noun 1. one of 24 curved bones which protect your chest 쑗 He fell down while skiing and broke two ribs. 2. one of these same bones of an animal, cooked and eaten 3. a curved thick stone arch which rid helps to strengthen a vault 4. a thicker part in a leaf ribbed /rbd/ adj (of knitting) with a pattern of raised lines ribbon / rbən/ noun a long thin strip of material for tying things or used as decoration ribcage / rbkedȢ/ noun the ribs and the space enclosed by them ribonucleic acid /rabəυnju kli k sd/ noun full form of RNA rice /ras/ noun 1. a very common food, the seeds of a tropical plant 쑗 She only had a bowl of rice for her evening meal. 쑗 Cook the rice with some saffron to make it yellow. 2. a common food plant, grown mainly in Asian countries 쑗 Women were planting rice in the paddy fields. (NOTE: no plural: some rice, a bowl of rice, a spoonful of rice) ② rich /rtʃ/ adj 1. who has a lot of money 쑗 If only we were rich, then we could buy a bigger house. 쑗 He never spends anything, and so he gets richer and richer. 2. (of a colour ) pleasantly strong and dark 쑗 She painted the kitchen door a rich red. 3. with many treasures 쑗 Our local museum has an unusually rich collection of watercolours. 왍 rich in something containing a lot of something 쑗 The area is rich in old churches. 쑗 The south of the country is rich in coal. 쑗 Yeast tablets are rich in vitamin B. 4. made with a lot of cream, butter or eggs 쑗 This cream cake is too rich for me. 5. fertile 쑗 The flat area near Cambridge has rich black soil. (NOTE: richer – richest) 쐽 plural noun 왍 the rich rich people 쑗 At that price, this model of car is only for the really rich. riches / rtʃz/ plural noun wealth 쑗 In spite of all their riches they are not a happy family. richly / rtʃli/ adv splendidly 왍 to richly deserve something to deserve something very much 쑗 He richly deserved his prison sentence. 쑗 She richly deserved her award as best actress. Richter scale / rktə skel/ noun a scale of measurement of the force of an earthquake, with values rising from 0 to 10 rickety / rkti/ adj wobbly, likely to fall down rickshaw / rkʃɔ / noun a vehicle which people sit in and which is pulled by a person ricochet / rkəʃe/ verb to bounce off a surface at an angle (NOTE: ricocheted / rkəʃed/) ① rid /rd/ verb 왍 to get rid of something to dispose of something or throw something away 쑗 Do you want to get rid of that old bookcase? 쑗 We have been told to get rid of twenty staff. 쑗 She doesn’t seem able to get rid of her cold. . riddance 729 riddance / rd(ə)ns/ noun 왍 good riddance! I am glad to get rid of it! 쑗 Our neighbours finally moved with all their screaming children – good riddance, I say! ridden / rdən/ 쒁 ride riddle / rd(ə)l/ noun a puzzling question to which you have to find the answer 쑗 Here’s a riddle for you: what’s black and white and red all over? (NOTE: The answer is ‘a book’ if you say ‘read’ instead of ‘red’.) 쐽 verb to make a lot of holes in something 쑗 They riddled the car with bullets. riddled with / rd(ə)ld wð/ adj 1. full of something 쑗 The chair is riddled with woodworm. 쑗 Most of the animals on the farm are riddled with disease. 2. full of holes 쑗 The car was riddled with bullets. ① ride /rad/ noun 1. a pleasant trip, e.g. on a horse or a bike or in a car 쑗 Does anyone want to come for a bike ride? 쑗 Can I have a ride on your motorbike? 쑗 He took us all for a ride in his new car. 쑗 The station is only a short bus ride from the college. 2. 왍 to take someone for a ride to trick someone 쑗 Free beer? – There’s no free beer, someone’s been taking you for a ride! 쑗 The young recruit was really taken for a ride when the others told him that there was a party at the colonel’s house and he believed them. 3. the action of travelling 쑗 You will enjoy the smoothness of the ride in the new four-wheel-drive model. 쐽 verb to go on a horse, on a bike, etc. 쑗 He rode his bike across the road without looking. 쑗 She’s never ridden (on) an elephant. 쑗 My little sister is learning to ride, but she’s frightened of big horses. (NOTE: rides – riding – rode /rəυd/ – has ridden / rdən/) rider / radə/ noun 1. a person who rides 쑗 The rider of the black horse fell at the first fence. 쑗 Motorcycle riders must wear helmets. 2. an additional clause to a contract ridge /rdȢ/ noun a long narrow raised part ridicule / rdkju l/ noun mocking, laughing at someone 쑗 She was afraid of the ridicule of her colleagues. 왍 to hold someone up to ridicule to laugh at someone 쑗 The press held the minister up to ridicule after he had been found lying on the pavement outside a bar. 쐽 verb to laugh at someone or something 쑗 She ridiculed his attempts at speaking Italian. Synonym belittle ② ridiculous /r dkjυləs/ adj silly, which everyone should laugh at. Synonym ludicrous. Antonym sensible ridiculously /r dkjυləsli/ adv in a ridiculous way riding / radŋ/ noun 1. the sport of going on horseback 쑗 He loves riding. 쑗 Let’s go riding in the park. 2. (in Canada) a parliamentary constituency right rife /raf/ adj 1. common 쑗 Crime is rife in some parts of the town. 2. 왍 rife with something full of something 쑗 The office is rife with rumours about the managing director. riffraff / rfrf/ noun ordinary people with bad habits (insult) (NOTE: no plural) rifle / raf(ə)l/ noun a gun with a long barrel 쑗 The gunman was on a roof with a rifle. 쑗 He was shooting at a target with an air rifle. 쐽 verb to search for something, usually to steal it 쑗 The burglars rifled through the drawers of her desk. Synonym ransack rifle range / raf(ə)l rendȢ/ noun a place where you practise shooting with rifles rift /rft/ noun 1. a disagreement 쑗 a rift between father and son 2. a long, narrow split or crack rig /rDZ/ noun a large articulated truck 쑗 He drives a 16-wheel rig. 쐽 verb to arrange a dishonest result (informal ) 쑗 They were accused of rigging the election. 쏡 rig up. Synonym fix (NOTE: rigging – rigged) rigging / rDZŋ/ noun 1. the ropes on a ship 쑗 The rigging creaked in the storm. 쑗 Sailors ran up the rigging to wave to the crowds on the quayside. 2. the practice of arranging a vote to give a dishonest result 쑗 Vote rigging is very common here. ① right /rat/ adj 1. not wrong, correct 쑗 She didn’t put the bottles back in the right place. 쑗 You’re right – the Number 8 bus doesn’t go to Marble Arch. 쑗 She gave the right answer every time. 쑗 He says the answer is 285. – Quite right! 쑗 Is the station clock right? 쑗 Is this the right train for Manchester? 쏡 all right 2. not left, referring to the hand which most people use to write with 쑗 In England cars don’t drive on the right side of the road. 쑗 The keys are in the top right drawer of my desk. 쑗 He was holding the suitcase in his right hand. 3. (in politics) referring to the conservatives 쑗 He’s on the right wing of the party. 쑗 His politics are right of centre. 4. 왍 on the right side of forty less than forty years old (informal ) 쑗 He’s not that old – He’s still on the right side of fifty. 쐽 noun 1. what is correct, not wrong 왍 in the right correct, which should not be criticised 쑗 She was proved to be in the right. 2. the side opposite to the left 쑗 When driving in France remember to keep to the right. 쑗 When you get to the next crossroads, turn to the right. 쑗 Who was that girl sitting on the right of your father? 쑗 Go straight ahead, and take the second road on the right. 3. being legally entitled to do or to have something 쑗 The accused has the right to remain silent. 쑗 The manager has no right to read my letters. 쑗 The staff have a right to know why the shop is closing down. 쏡 rights 4. 왍 the right (in politics) the political group supporting traditional values and rights 쑗 We . . right angle 730 support the right by campaigning for our local Conservative candidate. 왍 a swing to the right a movement of votes towards the right-wing candidates 쐽 adv 1. straight 쑗 Instead of stopping at the crossroads, he drove right on across the main road. 쑗 To get to the police station, keep right on to the end of the road, and then turn left. 쑗 Go right along to the end of the corridor, you’ll see my office in front of you. 2. 왍 right (away) immediately 쑗 They called the ambulance right after the accident. 쑗 The ambulance came right away. 왍 right now at this particular point in time 쑗 Right now, it is not possible for me to answer reporters’ questions. 3. exactly 쑗 The pub is right at the end of the road. 쑗 The phone rang right in the middle of the TV programme. 쑗 She stood right in front of the TV and no one could see the screen. 4. correctly 쑗 She guessed the answer right. 쑗 Everything is going right for her. 왍 it serves you right you deserve what has happened to you (informal ) 5. towards the right-hand side 쑗 To get to the station, turn right at the traffic lights. 쑗 Children should be taught to look right and left before crossing the road. 쐽 verb 왍 to right a wrong to correct something which is wrong 쑗 She campaigned to right the wrongs done to single mothers. 쐽 interj agreed, OK 쑗 Right, so we all meet again at 7 o’clock? ③ right angle / rat ŋDZəl/ noun an angle of 90° right-angled / rat ŋDZəld/ adj with an angle of 90° righteous / ratʃəs/ adj seeing things from a moral point of view. Antonym sinful rightful / ratf(ə)l/ adj legally correct. Antonym unlawful 왍 the rightful owner of something the legal owner of something 쑗 She is the rightful owner of the property. right-hand / rat hnd/ adj on the right side 왍 a right-hand-drive car a car in which the driver sits on the right side of the car right-handed /rat hndd/ adj using the right hand more often than the left for things like writing and eating. Antonym left. handed right-hander /rat hndə/ noun 1. a blow with the right hand 쑗 He was knocked out with a powerful right-hander to the chin. 2. a person who is right-handed 쑗 Both bowlers are right-handers. right-hand man / rat hnd mn/ noun the main assistant Right Honourable /rat ɒn(ə)rəb(ə)l/ noun the title given to Privy Councillors (NOTE: written before the name; often abbreviated to Rt Hon: the Rt Hon William Gladstone, MP ) rightly / ratli/ adv correctly . ring right of abode /rat əv ə bəυd/ noun the right to live in a country right of way /rat əv we/ noun a legal right to go across someone else’s property ③ rights /rats/ plural noun 1. what you should be allowed to do or to have 쑗 They are working for women’s rights or for the rights of women. 쑗 The rights of ordinary working people are being ignored. 2. a legal right to have something 쑗 He has the British rights to the invention. 쑗 She sold the American rights to an American publisher. rights issue / rats ʃu / noun an issue of new shares in a company which are offered to existing shareholders at a cheap price right-wing /rat wŋ/ adj belonging to the conservative political parties. Antonym left-wing right-winger /rat wŋə/ noun a person who is on the right politically. Synonym conservative. Antonym liberal rigid / rdȢd/ adj stiff, inflexible, which doesn’t bend rigidity /r dȢdti/ noun the fact of being rigid rigidly / rdȢdli/ adv stiffly rigmarole / rDZmərəυl/ noun a process which is unnecessarily complicated rigorous / rDZərəs/ adj very thorough rigorously / rDZərəsli/ adv in a rigorous way rigour / rDZə/ noun the fact of being strict or severe 쑗 We will pursue the case with the full rigour of the law. (NOTE: The US spelling is rigor.) rigours / rDZəz/ plural noun harshness of the climate (NOTE: The US spelling is rigors.) ③ rig up /rDZ p/ verb to arrange some- thing or construct something quickly. Synonym improvise rile /ral/ verb to make someone angry or annoyed ③ rim /rm/ noun 1. the edge of something round, like a wheel or a cup 쑗 The rim of the glass is chipped. 2. a frame of spectacles 쑗 He wears glasses with steel rims. -rimmed /rmd/ suffix with a rim rind /rand/ noun a skin on fruit, bacon or cheese. Synonym peel ① ring /rŋ/ noun 1. a round shape, e.g. of metal 쑗 She has a gold ring in her nose. 쑗 He wears a ring on his little finger. 2. a circle of people or things 쑗 The teacher asked the children to sit in a ring round her. 3. the noise of an electric bell 쑗 There was a ring at the door. 4. a phone call 쑗 Give me a ring tomorrow. 5. a space where a circus show takes place or where a boxing match is held 쑗 The clowns ran into the ring. 쑗 The ringmaster came into the ring with his top hat and whip. ring back 731 왍 to run rings around someone to do things better than someone (informal ) 쑗 In the debate he ran rings round his opponent. 쐽 verb 1. to make a sound with a bell 쑗 The postman rang the doorbell. 쑗 At Easter, all the church bells were ringing. 쑗 If you ring your bicycle bell people will get out of the way. 쑗 Is that your phone ringing? 2. 왍 to ring a bell to remind someone of something 쑗 The name rings a bell. 쑗 Does the name Arbuthnot ring any bells? 3. to telephone someone 쑗 He rang me to say he would be late. 쑗 Don’t ring tomorrow afternoon – the office will be closed. 쑗 Don’t ring me, I’ll ring you. (NOTE: ringing – rang /rŋ/ – has rung /rŋ/) 4. to draw a ring round something 쑗 I have ringed the mistakes in red. 5. to surround a place 쑗 Rebel troops ringed the president’s palace. (NOTE: ringing – 6. . ringed) ring back /rŋ bk/ verb to telephone someone after they have already telephoned you (informal ) ring binder / rŋ bandə/ noun a cover with rings in it which fit into special holes made in sheets of paper ringfence / rŋfens/ verb to separate something from other things, so that it is not affected by them ringing / rŋŋ/ noun a sound like that of bells ringleader / rŋli də/ noun a person who organises a revolt or some crime ringmaster / rŋmɑ stə/ noun a person in charge of a circus performance ③ ring off /rŋ ɒf/ verb to put down the phone. Synonym hang up ③ ring road / rŋ rəυd/ noun a road which goes right round a town ③ ring up /rŋ p/ verb to speak to someone using a telephone. Synonym call ③ rink /rŋk/ noun a large enclosed area, e.g. for ice skating, playing ice hockey or roller skating rinse /rns/ noun 1. the act of washing something in clean water to get rid of soap 쑗 Give your shirt a good rinse. 2. a coloured liquid for rinsing hair 쑗 She used a black rinse in her hair. 쐽 verb to put things covered with soap or dirty things into clean water to remove the soap or the dirt 쑗 Rinse the dishes before putting them on the draining board to dry. ③ riot / raət/ noun 1. wild disorder by a crowd of people 쑗 The riot was started by some university students. 왍 to run riot to get out of control 쑗 After the match, the supporters ran riot and the police had to intervene. 쑗 In her stories for children she lets her imagination run riot. 왍 to read someone the riot act to warn someone to stop doing something 쑗 I read her the riot act when I found she had . rise been using the office telephone to call her mother in Australia. 2. a mixture of different colours 쑗 The place was decorated in a riot of colours. 쑗 The colour scheme is a riot of reds and greens. 3. something which is very amusing, e.g. a film or a play 쑗 The whole show was a riot, we never laughed so much. 쐽 verb to take part in a riot, or get out of control 쑗 Furious farmers rioted when they heard the decision of the Minister of Agriculture. Synonym mutiny rioter / raətə/ noun a person who takes part in a riot rioting / raətŋ/ noun riots, outbreaks of civil disorder riotous / raətəs/ adj disorderly, as in a riot riot police / raət pəli s/ noun police specially trained and equipped to deal with rioters rip /rp/ noun a tear in cloth 쑗 He lost the race because of a rip in his sail. 쐽 verb 1. to tear something 쑗 I ripped my sleeve on a nail. 쑗 She ripped open the parcel to see what he had given her. 쑗 The old bathroom is being ripped out and new units put in. 2. to go through something violently 쑗 The tornado ripped through the town. 3. 왍 to let rip to start to complain or protest without any restraint (informal ) 쑗 When he saw the bill for the meal he really let rip. 왍 to let something rip to let something go as fast as possible 쑗 As he came into the last lap he opened up the throttle and let it rip. 쏡 rip off RIP a Latin phrase meaning ‘Rest in Peace’, often written on tombstones 쑗 Thomas Hood RIP. Full form Requiescat in Pace ③ ripe /rap/ adj 1. ready to eat or to be harvested 쑗 Don’t eat that apple – it isn’t ripe yet. 2. 왍 the time is ripe to do something it is the right time to do something 쑗 The time is ripe to take steps to stop imports of the drug. ripen / rapən/ verb to become ripe rip off /rp ɒf/ verb 1. to tear something off something else 쑗 It’s the last day of the month so you can rip the page off the calendar. 쑗 Someone has ripped off the book’s cover. 2. 왍 to rip someone off to cheat someone or to make someone pay too much (slang) 쑗 They were ripped off in the market. rip-off / rp ɒf/ noun a bad deal (informal ) ripple / rp(ə)l/ noun a little wave 쑗 Even a little stone thrown into the water will make ripples. 쑗 In the desert, the wind creates ripples in the sand. 쐽 verb to make little waves 쑗 The lake is like a mirror, there is no wind to ripple the water. Synonym undulate ① rise /raz/ noun 1. a movement or slope upwards 쑗 There is a gentle rise until you get to the top of the hill. 쑗 Salaries are increasing to keep up with the rise in the cost of living. 쑗 The recent rise in interest rates has . . rising 732 made mortgages more expensive. 2. 왍 to give rise to something to make something happen (formal ) 쑗 The news gave rise to rumours about a coup. 쐽 verb 1. to go up 쑗 The sun always rises in the east. 쑗 The road rises steeply for a few miles. 쑗 Prices have been rising steadily all year. 쑗 If you open the oven door, the cake won’t rise properly. 왍 to rise to the occasion to perform well because of a special occasion 쑗 My mother really rose to the occasion and provided a splendid meal. 2. to get up, to get out of bed or out of a chair 쑗 He always rises early. 3. to stop being in session 쑗 The court rose at one o’clock. (NOTE: rising – rose /rəυz/ – has risen / rz(ə)n/) rising / razŋ/ adj which is moving upwards, which is increasing 쑗 The gliders took advantage of the rising currents of hot air. 쑗 The magazine is all about the new young rising film stars. 쑗 Rising interest rates will hurt young families. 왍 the rising generation the next generation which will follow the present one 쐽 prep 왍 to be rising fifty to be nearly fifty years old. 쏡 damp 쐽 noun a rebellion or revolt 쑗 The government sent troops to put down the rising in the north. Synonym uprising rising damp /razŋ dmp/ noun damp which enters the walls of houses and damages them (NOTE: no plural) ① risk /rsk/ noun 1. a possible bad result 쑗 There is not much risk of rain in August. 쑗 The risk of going blind is very remote. 쑗 There is a financial risk attached to this deal. 쑗 At the risk of looking foolish, I’m going to ask her to come out with me. 2. 왍 to run the risk of something to be in danger of something 쑗 They run the risk of being caught by the customs. 쑗 If you ask for a pay rise now, you run the risk of losing your job. 왍 to take a risk to do something which may make you lose money or suffer harm 쑗 He’s so careful, he never takes any risks. 쑗 Drive slowly, we’re in no hurry and there’s no need to take any risks on the icy road. 쐽 verb to do something which may possibly harm you 쑗 The fireman risked his life to save her. 쑗 He risked all his savings on buying the bookshop. risky / rski/ adj which is dangerous (NOTE: . riskier – riskiest) risotto /r zɒtəυ/ noun an Italian dish of cooked rice with meat, fish or vegetables in it risqué / rske/ adj slightly indecent rissole / rsəυl/ noun a fried ball of minced food, e.g. meat or fish rite /rat/ noun a religious ceremony ritual / rtʃuəl/ adj referring to a religious ceremony 쑗 The tribe performed a ritual rain dance. 쐽 noun 1. a religious ceremony 쑗 the ritual of the mass 2. something which you do road regularly in the same way 쑗 Every evening it’s the same ritual: he puts the cat out and locks the door. 쑗 We don’t follow any particular ritual on Christmas Day, we take the day as it comes. rival / rav(ə)l/ adj who competes 쑗 Two rival companies are trying to win the contract. 쑗 Is this the rival product you were talking about? 쑗 Simon and I are friends but we play for rival teams. Synonym competing 쐽 noun a person or a company that competes 쑗 Do you know if he has any rivals? 쑗 We keep our prices low to undercut our biggest rival. 쐽 verb to compete with someone or something 쑗 It will not be easy to rival such a good product. (NOTE: rivalling – rivalled. The US spelling is rivaling – rivaled.) rivalry / rav(ə)lri/ noun competition. Antonym cooperation ② river / rvə/ noun a large mass of fresh water which runs across the land and goes into the sea or into a large lake 쑗 London is on the River Thames. 쑗 The river is very deep here, so it’s dangerous to swim in it. (NOTE: With names of rivers, you usually say the River: the River Thames; the River Amazon; the River Nile.) riverside / rvəsad/ adj on the banks of a river 쑗 Some riverside houses were flooded. 쑗 We took our friends to a riverside pub on the Thames. rivet / rvt/ noun a large metal pin which fastens metal plates together 쑗 The workers were driving rivets into the metal sheets with huge hammers. 쐽 verb 1. to fasten metal plates together 쑗 Workmen riveted the sheets of metal together. 2. to attract the attention of someone 쑗 The audience was riveted by his stories. 쑗 He sat riveted to the TV set. 쑗 Her eyes were riveted on the door, as if she expected someone to come in. riveting / rvtŋ/ adj which holds everyone’s attention (informal ) Synonym fascinating. Antonym boring RNA /ɑ r en e/ noun one of the acids in the nucleus of all living cells, which takes information from DNA and translates it into proteins. Full form ribonucleic acid. 쏡 DNA ① road /rəυd/ noun 1. a hard pathway used by vehicles, e.g. cars and lorries, to travel along 쑗 The road to York goes directly north from London. 쑗 Drivers must be careful because roads are icy. 쑗 Children are taught to look both ways before crossing the road. 쑗 Our office address is: 26 London Road. (NOTE: often used in names: London Road, York Road, etc., and usually written Rd: London Rd, etc.) 2. 왍 on the road travelling 쑗 As a salesman, he’s on the road thirty weeks a year. 쑗 We were on the road for thirteen hours before we finally reached the hotel. . roadblock 733 roadblock / rəυdblɒk/ noun a barrier put across a road by the police. Synonym barricade road haulage /rəυd hɔ ldȢ/ noun the moving of goods by road road hog / rəυd hɒDZ/ noun a person who drives fast and dangerously (informal ) road map / rəυd mp/ noun a map which shows the roads in a certain area ③ road rage / rəυd redȢ/ noun a violent attack by a driver on another car or its driver, caused by anger at the way the other driver has been driving road safety /rəυd sefti/ noun care taken by drivers on the roads to make sure that accidents do not happen roadshow / rəυdʃəυ/ noun 1. a broadcast from a place away from the studio 쑗 the BBC holiday roadshow 2. an exhibition or performing group which goes from place to place 쑗 They took their roadshow round the Highlands of Scotland. roadside / rəυdsad/ noun the side of a road 쑗 We couldn’t find a picnic area, so in the end we picnicked on the roadside. 쑗 They had a puncture so they stopped by the roadside to change the wheel. 쐽 adj by the side of a road 쑗 We had some coffee at a roadside café. road sign / rəυd san/ noun a panel by the side of a road, giving instructions or warnings ③ road tax / rəυd tks/ noun a tax paid by owners of vehicles, e.g. cars and lorries, to the government for permission to drive their vehicles on the road road user / rəυd ju zə/ noun a person who uses a road roadway / rəυdwe/ noun a main surface of a road (NOTE: The US term is pavement.) roadworks / rəυdw" ks/ plural noun repairs to a road 쑗 It took longer than normal to get to Birmingham because of all the roadworks. roadworthy / rəυdw" ði/ adj in a fit state to be driven on a road roam /rəυm/ verb to wander about a place without any particular destination roar /rɔ / noun a loud noise, e.g. of shouting or of an engine 쑗 The roar of the jet engines made it impossible for me to hear what she said. 쑗 You could hear the roar of the crowd at the football match several miles away. 쐽 verb to make a loud noise 쑗 He roared with laughter at the film. 쑗 The lion roared and then attacked. ③ roaring / rɔ rŋ/ adj noisy and fierce 왍 a roaring fire a big fire, with flames going up the chimney 쑗 We sat in front of a roaring fire and ate roasted chestnuts. 왍 a roaring success something that is extremely success. robust ful 쑗 Thousands of people came to the show, it was a roaring success. 왍 to do a roaring trade in something to sell something rapidly 쑗 The stand was doing a roaring trade selling home-made cakes and jam. 쐽 noun the sound of loud deep calls 쑗 The roaring of lions near the camp kept us awake. ③ roast /rəυst/ verb to cook food over a fire or in an oven 쑗 If you want the meat thoroughly cooked, roast it for a longer period at a lower temperature. 쑗 You can either roast pigeons or cook them in a casserole. Synonym bake 왍 to roast chestnuts to cook chestnuts over red-hot charcoal 쐽 adj which has been roasted 쑗 What a lovely smell of roast meat! 쑗 We had roast chicken for dinner. 쐽 noun meat cooked in an oven 쑗 We always have a roast on Sundays. roasting / rəυstŋ/ adj 1. used for roasting meat 쑗 Put the chicken in the roasting tin. 2. very hot 쑗 Let’s go outside – it’s roasting in here. 쐽 noun a sharp criticism (informal ) 쑗 He’ll get a roasting when his father hears about it. roast potatoes /rəυst pə tetəυz/ plural noun potatoes baked in fat in an oven (NOTE: . Although the verb has the forms roasting – roasted, when referring to meat, the adjective roast is used: roast meat, roast turkey, but roasted peanuts, roasted chestnuts.) ③ rob /rɒb/ verb to attack and steal from someone (NOTE: robbing – robbed) ③ robber / rɒbə/ noun a person who attacks and steals from someone. Synonym thief robbery / rɒbəri/ noun the act of attacking and stealing from someone (NOTE: The plural is robberies.) robe /rəυb/ noun a long loose garment for men or women 쑗 The professors came onto the platform in their academic robes. 쑗 The Arab sheikh rode up on a camel in his flowing robes. 쐽 verb 왍 to be robed in something to be dressed in a robe (formal ) 쑗 The priests stood robed in white by the altar. robin / rɒbn/ noun a common small brown bird with a red breast Robin Hood /rɒbn hυd/ noun a legendary medieval bandit, who fought against the power of the nobility and gave what he stole from them to poor people ③ robot / rəυbɒt/ noun a machine which is programmed to work like a person automatically robust /rəυ bst/ adj 1. strong or vigorous 쑗 This young tree is very robust and should survive the winter. 쑗 My grandmother is not very robust but she still manages to look after herself. 2. vigorous and determined 쑗 He gave some robust answers to the journalists’ questions. 쑗 Our troops will give a robust response to any enemy attack. . robustly 734 robustly /rəυ bstli/ adv in a vigorous way ② rock /rɒk/ noun 1. a large stone or a large piece of stone 쑗 The ship was breaking up on the rocks. 2. a hard pink sweet shaped like a stick, often with the name of a town printed in it, bought mainly by tourists 쑗 a stick of Brighton rock 3. loud popular music with a strong rhythm 쑗 Rock (music) is the only music he listens to. 쐽 verb 1. to sway from side to side or make something sway from side to side 쑗 The little boat rocked in the wake of the ferry. 쑗 The explosion rocked the town. 왍 don’t rock the boat don’t do anything to disturb what has been arranged (informal ) 쑗 Everything has been organised, so please don’t rock the boat with any new suggestions. 2. to move from side to side, holding something 쑗 The baby is crying, I’ll try to rock her to sleep. ③ rock bottom /rɒk bɒtəm/ noun the lowest point 왍 to sell at rock bottom prices to sell at the lowest prices possible 쑗 We can’t give you a bigger discount – the prices quoted are rock bottom prices. rocker / rɒkə/ noun 1. a semicircular wooden piece which a rocking chair stands on 쑗 an old cradle with rockers 쑗 She tripped over the rocker and hurt her ankle. 2. 왍 to be off your rocker to be mad (slang) 쑗 He must be off his rocker to do something like that. 3. a type of electric switch which rocks 쑗 Use the rocker switch to switch off the motor. rockery / rɒkəri/ noun same as rock . garden rocket / rɒkt/ noun 1. a type of firework which flies up into the sky 쑗 We stood in the square and watched the rockets lighting up the sky. 2. a type of bomb which is shot through space at an enemy 쑗 They fired a homemade rocket into the police station. 3. 왍 to give someone a rocket to criticise someone sharply (slang) 쑗 The manager gave him a rocket when he was late back from lunch. 쑗 She’ll get a rocket from the boss if she comes in late again. 4. a type of green vegetable eaten in salads 쐽 verb to shoot upwards very fast 쑗 Prices have rocketed this summer. rock garden / rɒk DZɑ dən/ noun a small garden made of very large stones with plants growing between them or over them rocking chair / rɒkŋ tʃeə/ noun a chair which rocks backwards and forwards on rockers rocking horse / rɒkŋ hɔ s/ noun a child’s toy, a large wooden horse on rockers, which you sit on and rock backwards and forwards rock music / rɒk mju zk/ noun loud popular music with a strong rhythm roll rocky / rɒki/ adj 1. full of rocks and large stones 쑗 They followed a rocky path up the mountain. 2. difficult 쑗 The company has had a rocky year. 쑗 My brother and sister-in-law are going through a rocky patch at the moment. 3. not steady 쑗 My chair is a bit rocky. 4. 왍 the Rocky Mountains, the Rockies a range of high snow-capped mountains, running south from Canada into the western United States 쑗 The pictures of the Rocky Mountains covered in snow are a typical postcard scene. 쑗 We picked up two backpackers who were hitching a lift into the Rockies. rod /rɒd/ noun 1. a long stick 쑗 You need something rigid like a metal rod to hold the tent upright. 2. 왍 with an iron rod or rod of iron very strictly, without allowing any weakness (informal ) 쑗 The Secretary of State rules his department with an iron rod. 쑗 She’s a tiny little woman but she rules the office with a rod of iron. ③ rode /rəυd/ 쒁 ride rodent / rəυd(ə)nt/ noun an animal which chews and gnaws, such as a mouse or a rat rodeo / rəυdiəυ, rəυ deəυ/ noun a display of skill by cowboys (NOTE: The plural is ro. deos.) roe /rəυ/ noun the eggs of fish 쑗 They ate salmon roe on toast. (NOTE: Do not confuse with row.) roe deer / rəυ də/ noun a type of deer, much smaller than red deer or fallow deer, found in Europe and Asia rogue /rəυDZ/ noun a wicked or dishonest person 쑗 That car dealer is a bit of a rogue – you really shouldn’t trust him. rogue elephant /rəυDZ elfənt/ noun 1. an elephant driven out of the herd by the other elephants 2. a person who does not act in the same way as others 쑗 He’s something of a rogue elephant – wild and unpredictable. rogue state /rəυDZ stet/ noun a counry which is believed to be dangerous to others because it does not have a stable government and encourages terrorism ① role /rəυl/ noun 1. a part played by someone in a play or film 쑗 He plays the role of the king. 2. a part played by someone in real life 쑗 He played an important role in getting the project off the ground. (NOTE: Do not confuse with roll.) role model / rəυl mɒd(ə)l/ noun a per- ③ son who should be taken as an example which others can copy role play / rəυl ple/ noun an activity in which people each play the part of another person, as part of a training exercise ① roll /rəυl/ noun 1. a tube of something which has been turned over and over on itself rollcall 735 a roll of fax paper 쑗 a roll of toilet paper or a toilet roll 2. a list of names 왍 to call the roll to read out the list of names to see if everyone is there. 쏡 rollcall 3. a very small loaf of bread for one person, sometimes cut in half and used to make a sandwich 쑗 Will a tuna salad and a bread roll be enough for you? 쑗 The airline’s continental breakfast was just a roll and a cup of coffee. 4. the action of rolling 쑗 It takes time to get used to the roll of the ship. 쑗 With a roll of her eyes and a shake of her head, she left the room. (NOTE: Do not confuse with role.) 쐽 verb 1. to make something go forwards by turning it over and over 쑗 He rolled the ball to the other player. 2. to go forwards by turning over and over 쑗 The ball rolled down the hill. 쑗 My pound coin has rolled under the piano. 3. to make something move on wheels or rollers 쑗 The table is fitted with wheels, just roll it into the room. 쑗 The patient was rolled into the operating theatre ten minutes ago. 4. to turn something flat over and over on itself 쑗 He rolled the poster into a tube. 5. to move from side to side 쑗 The ship rolled in the heavy seas. 쑗 She rolled her eyes and pointed at the door. Compare pitch 6. to flatten something by using a roller 쑗 Roll the pastry until it is quite thin. 7. 왍 to roll your r’s when speaking the letter ‘r’, to make the tip of your tongue vibrate 쑗 Scots people often roll their r’s. rollcall / rəυlkɔ l/ noun the act of reading a list of names rolled-up / rəυld p/ adj which has been rolled tightly ③ roller / rəυlə/ noun 1. a heavy round object which rolls, e.g. one used for making lawns or cricket pitches flat 쑗 The ground is so bumpy, you’ll need a roller to flatten it. 쑗 They used the roller just before the match started. 쏡 steamroller 2. a plastic tube used for rolling hair into curls 쑗 She came to the door in her dressing gown and rollers. 3. a Rolls Royce car (slang) 쑗 Hey, come for a ride in my new Roller! 4. a long large wave 쑗 The Atlantic rollers in Cornwall are ideal for surfers. rollerblader / rəυləbledə/ noun a person who goes on rollerblades rollerblades / rəυləbledz/ trademark roller skates with a single set of wheels placed in line on the sole of each skate rollerblading / rəυləbledŋ/ noun the sport of going on rollerblades. Also called 쑗 in-line skating roller coaster /rəυlə kəυstə/ noun 1. a fairground railway which goes up and down steep slopes 쑗 We all went for a ride on the roller coaster. 2. a dangerous or risky series of events that cannot be controlled 쑗 The romance language government had a roller coaster ride during its first weeks in office. roller skate / rəυlə sket/ noun a shoe with pairs of wheels side by side, on which you can glide along fast 쑗 I have some roller skates but I’d love to have rollerblades. 쐽 verb to glide on roller skates 쑗 I used to roller skate but I prefer rollerblading because it is so much faster. roller skating / rəυlə sketŋ/ noun the sport of going on roller skates rolling / rəυlŋ/ adj 1. 왍 rolling countryside countryside which is a mass of small hills 2. continuing from one period to another 3. 왍 to be rolling in it to have a lot of money (informal ) 쑗 You’ve just got to see the inside of their house to see that they must be rolling in it. rolling pin / rəυlŋ pn/ noun a wooden roller with handles, for flattening pastry rolling stock / rəυlŋ stɒk/ noun carriages, wagons and engines used on a railway rolling stone /rəυlŋ stəυn/ noun a person who never lives long in one place roll of honour /rəυl əv ɒnə/ noun a list of people who have done something special, such as students who have won prizes or soldiers killed in battle ③ roll up /rəυl p/ verb 1. to turn something flat over and over on itself until it is a tube 쑗 He rolled up the carpet or rolled the carpet up. 쑗 A hedgehog will roll up into a ball if you touch it. 2. to arrive 쑗 They just rolled up and asked if we could put them up for the night. 쑗 The bridegroom finally rolled up an hour late and said he’d had a puncture. ROM /rɒm/ abbr read-only memory Roman / rəυmən/ adj referring to Rome, the capital of Italy and of the ancient Roman Empire 쑗 a book about Roman emperors 쐽 noun 1. a person who lives or lived in Rome 쑗 The Romans invaded Britain in AD 43. 2. a printing type with straight letters 쑗 The book is set in Times Roman. Compare italic Roman alphabet /rəυmən lfəbet/ noun the alphabet with the letters A, B, C, D, etc., used in many European languages Roman Catholic /rəυmən kθ(ə)lk/ adj referring to the Christian Church of which the Pope is the head 쐽 noun a person who belongs to the Christian Church of which the Pope is the head 쑗 When the Pope visited the country thousands of Roman Catholics attended mass. romance /rəυ mns/ noun 1. a love affair 쑗 She told us all about her holiday romance. 쑗 Their romance didn’t last. 2. a love story 쑗 You’ll enjoy this book if you like romances. romance language /rəυ mns lŋDZwdȢ/ noun a European language, e.g. . Romanesque 736 French or Italian, which has developed from ancient Latin Romanesque /rəυmə nesk/ adj, noun (of) an architectural style with round arches and vaults found in Europe in the early Middle Ages Roman numeral /rəυmən nju mərəl/ noun a number belonging to the set written with the symbols I,V, X, L, C, D and M. Compare Arabic numeral romantic /rəυ mntk/ adj 1. full of mystery and love 쑗 We had a romantic candlelit dinner, which I’ll never forget. 쑗 The atmosphere on the ship was very romantic. 2. (of a literary or artistic style) which is very imaginative or is based on personal emotions 쑗 His style is too romantic for my liking. 쑗 The romantic period is not my favourite literary period. romanticise /rəυ mntsaz/, romanticize verb to make something seem more exciting than it really is romanticism /rəυ mntsz(ə)m/ noun a romantic literary style. Synonym idealisation romantic novel /rəυmntk nɒv(ə)l/ noun a novel which is a love story Romantics /rəυ mntks/ plural noun writers writing at the beginning of the nineteenth century in a romantic style Romany / rɒməni/ noun a member of a people originally from India, who travels from place to place rather than living in a permanent home romp /rɒmp/ noun the act of playing by children energetically and noisily 쑗 It was only a childish romp but it ended tragically. 쐽 verb 1. to play about energetically 쑗 She was romping with her friends on the sofa when her mother came in. 2. 왍 to romp home to win easily 쑗 Our local team romped home 6–2. 쑗 The favourite romped home by several lengths. ② roof /ru f/ noun 1. a part of a building which covers it and protects it 쑗 The cat walked across the roof of the greenhouse. 쑗 She lives in a little cottage with a thatched roof. 2. the top of the inside of the mouth 쑗 I burnt the roof of my mouth drinking hot soup. 3. the top of a vehicle, e.g. a car, bus or lorry 쑗 We had to put the cases on the roof of the car. roofing / ru fŋ/ noun material which is used to make roofs roof rack / ru f rk/ noun a frame fixed to the roof of a car for carrying luggage roof terrace / ru f terəs/ noun a flat paved area on the roof of a building rooftop / ru ftɒp/ noun the top of a roof 쑗 The plane flew low over the rooftops of the root village. 쐽 adj on the top of a roof 쑗 The prisoners staged a rooftop protest. rook /rυk/ noun 1. a large black bird 쑗 What is the difference between a rook and a crow? – Crows usually live in pairs, while rooks live in colonies. 2. (in chess) one of two pieces used in chess, shaped like a little castle tower 쑗 She took my last rook. Also called castle rookie / rυki/ noun a new recruit in the armed forces or in the police (informal ) ① room /ru m/ noun 1. a part of a building, divided from other parts by walls 쑗 The flat has six rooms, plus kitchen and bathroom. 쑗 We want an office with at least four rooms. 2. a bedroom in a hotel 쑗 Your room is 316 – here’s your key. 쑗 His room is just opposite mine. 왍 a single or double room a room for one person or two people 쑗 I would like to book a single room for tomorrow night. 3. a space for something 쑗 The table is too big – it takes up a lot of room. 쑗 There isn’t enough room in the car for six people. 쑗 We can’t have a piano in our flat – there just isn’t enough room. 왍 to make room for someone or something to squeeze up to give space for someone or something 쑗 There is no way we can make room for another passenger. 왍 there’s room for improvement things could be improved 쑗 The system is better than it was, but there is still room for improvement. room-mate / ru m met/ noun a person who shares a room with you, especially at college room service / ru m s" vs/ noun an arrangement in a hotel where food or drink can be served in a guest’s bedroom roomy / ru mi/ adj with plenty of space inside. Synonym spacious. Antonym . cramped (NOTE: roomier – roomiest) roost /ru st/ noun a perch where a bird sleeps 왍 to rule the roost to be in charge or the boss 쑗 He’s the MD, but it’s his secretary who rules the roost in the firm. 쐽 verb 1. to perch asleep 쑗 Six chickens were roosting in the shed. 2. 왍 to come home to roost to reappear and have a bad effect 쑗 His mistakes in investing on the stock market have come home to roost. rooster / ru stə/ noun especially US a male domestic chicken (NOTE: The usual British term is cockerel or cock.) ② root /ru t/ noun 1. a part of a plant which goes down into the ground, and which takes nourishment from the soil 쑗 I’m not surprised the plant died, it has hardly any roots. 왍 to take root (of a cutting) to make roots 쑗 The cuttings died – none of them took root. 2. the part of a hair or a tooth which goes down into the skin 쑗 He pulled her hair out by the roots. 3. (in language) a word which is a root about 737 base for other words 쑗 Many words are formed from Latin roots. root about /ru t ə baυt/ verb to look for something under a lot of other things root crops / ru t krɒps/ plural noun vegetables which are grown for their roots which are eaten, e.g. carrots and turnips rooted / ru td/ adj 1. as if with roots 왍 rooted to the spot unable to move 쑗 She stood rooted to the spot as the lorry came towards her. 2. strongly felt 쑗 No one knows why she has a deeply rooted or deep-rooted fear of dogs. ③ root up / ru t p/, root out / ru t aυt/ verb 1. to pull up a plant with its roots 쑗 I spent the morning rooting up weeds in the garden. 2. to remove something completely 쑗 The police are trying to root out corruption. root vegetable /ru t vedȢtəb(ə)l/ noun a vegetable such as a carrot, of which you eat the root ② rope /rəυp/ noun 1. a very thick cord 쑗 You’ll need a rope to pull the car out of the ditch. 쑗 The burglar climbed down from the balcony on a rope. 2. 왍 to learn the ropes to learn how to do something 쑗 We send new salespeople out with an experienced rep to learn the ropes. 왍 it’s money for old rope it’s money which is easy to make (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to tie someone or something together with a rope 쑗 The climbers roped themselves together. 쑗 We roped the sofa onto the roof of the car. 2. 왍 to rope someone in to get someone to help or to join in 쑗 Rope in as many people as you can, we need all the help we can get. 쑗 She was roped in to deal with the children’s tea. ropy / rəυpi/ adj of bad quality; not healthy (informal ) (NOTE: ropier – ropiest) rosary / rəυzəri/ noun a string of beads which Catholics use to count out a set of prayers ③ rose /rəυz/ noun 1. a common garden flower with a strong scent 쑗 He gave her a bunch of red roses. 쑗 These roses have a beautiful scent. 2. a common shrub with these strongly scented flowers 쑗 Wild roses were growing along the path. 3. a piece of metal or plastic with little holes in it, which is attached to the spout of a watering can, so that the water comes out in a spray 쐽 adj pink 쑗 She wore a pale rose dress. 왍 to see through rose-coloured spectacles to see things as being very good when they are not (informal ) 쐽 verb 쒁 rise rosé / rəυze/ noun a pink wine which gets its colour from the black grape skins being left only for a short time in the fermenting mixture rosemary / rəυzməri/ noun a bush herb with spiky green leaves, used in cooking . . . rough rosette /rəυ zet/ noun a ribbon bunched to look like a flower, used as a decoration or as a badge roster / rɒstə/ noun a list of duties which have to be done and the people who have to do them. Synonym rota rostrum / rɒstrəm/ noun a raised stand for a speaker rosy / rəυzi/ adj 1. bright pink and healthy 쑗 The children had rosy cheeks when they came in from their walk. 2. very favourable 쑗 Our future is looking rosier than it has done for years. (NOTE: rosier – rosiest) rot /rɒt/ noun decay 쑗 Once rot infects the roots, it will kill the plant quickly. 왍 the rot has set in things have begun to go badly wrong (informal ) 쑗 We thought things were going well, but then the rot set in and the shop had to close. 쐽 verb to decay, to go bad 쑗 The wooden fence is not very old but it has already started to rot. 쏡 rotten. Synonym . decompose (NOTE: rotting – rotted) rota / rəυtə/ noun a roster, a list of duties which have to be done and the people who have to do them. Synonym roster rotary / rəυtəri/ adj which turns round rotate /rəυ tet/ verb to turn round or turn something round an axis like a wheel rotation /rəυ teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of turning something 쑗 the rotation of the Earth round the Sun 2. the act of taking turns 왍 rotation of crops, crop rotation a system of cultivation in which different crops are planted in consecutive growing seasons 쑗 Crop rotation reduces the effect of pests and diseases. rote /rəυt/ noun learning something by heart, often without understanding it rotor / rəυtə/ noun machinery which rotates, such as the motor that drives the blades of a helicopter ③ rotten / rɒt(ə)n/ adj 1. decayed 쑗 The apple looked nice on the outside, but inside it was rotten. 쑗 Don’t walk on that plank, I think it is rotten. 2. miserable 쑗 I had a rotten time at the party – no one would dance with me. 쑗 We had rotten weather on holiday. 앳 to feel rotten 1. to feel ill 쑗 Yesterday I felt slightly unwell, but today I feel really rotten. 2. to feel ashamed 쑗 I feel so rotten for having spoiled your party. rottweiler / rɒtwalə/ noun a large powerful dog with a black smooth coat rotund /rəυ tnd/ adj round and fat. Synonym overweight rouge /ru Ȣ/ noun a pink cream or powder which you put on your face to give yourself more colour (dated ) ② rough /rf/ adj 1. not smooth, uneven 쑗 Rub down any rough edges with sandpaper. 2. with a sharp unpleasant taste 쑗 This wine’s . roughage 738 a bit rough – but what can you expect for £2.99? 3. approximate, not very accurate 쑗 I made some rough calculations on the back of an envelope. 4. not finished 쑗 He made a rough draft of the new design. 5. not gentle 쑗 Don’t be rough when you’re playing with the puppy. (NOTE: rougher – roughest) 쐽 noun 1. a design which has not been finished 쑗 She showed me some roughs for the new gardening magazine. 2. 왍 to take the rough with the smooth to accept that there are bad times as well as good times (informal ) 3. a part of a golf course where the grass is not cut, along the sides of the long part that you hit the ball down 쑗 His ball went into the rough. 쐽 verb 왍 to rough it to live in uncomfortable conditions (informal ) 쑗 The four-star hotels are all full, so we’ll just have to rough it in a bed and breakfast. 쐽 adv 왍 to sleep rough to sleep in the open, on the pavement 쑗 Hundreds of young people were sleeping rough in doorways. roughage / rfdȢ/ noun dietary fibre, fibrous matter in food which cannot be digested and passes out of the body. Synonym . . bulk (NOTE: no plural) ③ rough and ready /rf ən redi/ adj 1. approximate 쑗 The plan is a bit rough and ready, but it will give you a general idea of what we want. 2. not beautifully finished 쑗 I’m not too pleased with the work he did – it is a bit too rough and ready. rough-and-tumble /rf ən tmbəl/ noun a way of living that involves a lot of conflict. Synonym hurly-burly roughen / rf(ə)n/ verb to make something rough or to become rough. Antonym soften ② roughly / rfli/ adv 1. in a rough way 쑗 Don’t play so roughly with the children. 쑗 The removal men threw the boxes of china roughly into the back of their van. 2. approximately, more or less 쑗 There were roughly one hundred people in the audience. 쑗 Ten euros make roughly six pounds. 쑗 The cost of building the new kitchen will be roughly £25,000. roughshod / rfʃɒd/ adv 왍 to ride roughshod over somebody or something to treat somebody with no justice or consideration, or disregard something completely roulette /ru let/ noun a game of chance where bets are made on the numbers in boxes on a flat rotating wheel where a small ball will lodge when the wheel stops turning ① round /raυnd/ adj 1. with a shape like a circle 쑗 In Chinese restaurants, you usually sit at round tables. 2. with a shape like a globe 쑗 Soccer is played with a round ball, while a rugby ball is oval. 쑗 People used to believe that the Earth was flat, not round. 3. 왍 in round figures not totally accurate, but round brackets correct to the nearest 10 or 100 쑗 Expect to pay £5,000 in round figures. 쐽 adv, prep 1. in a circular way or movement 쑗 The wheels of the lorry went round and round. 쑗 The Earth goes round the Sun. 쑗 He was the first person to sail round the world single-handed. 쑗 We all sat round the table chatting. 쑗 He ran down the street and disappeared round a corner. 2. towards the back 쑗 She turned round when he tapped her on the shoulder. 쑗 Don’t look round when you’re driving on the motorway. 3. from one person to another 쑗 They passed round some papers for everyone to sign. 쑗 Can you pass the plate of cakes round, please? 왍 enough to go round enough for everyone 쑗 There aren’t enough glasses to go round. 4. in various places, here and there 쑗 They spent the afternoon going round the town. 왍 he doesn’t live round here he doesn’t live anywhere near here 5. completely 왍 all year round during the whole year 쑗 The park is open all year round. 쐽 noun 1. a regular route for delivering 쑗 The postman starts his round at 5am. 2. drinks bought by one person for a group of people 쑗 It’s my turn to buy the next round. 3. a slice of bread or toast 왍 she made a round of sandwiches she made sandwiches from two slices of bread 4. a part of a competition 쑗 Those who answer all the questions correctly, go on to the next round. 쑗 He was knocked out in the first round. 5. a session of playing all the holes on a golf course 쑗 I think we have time for one more round before it gets dark. 6. a series of meetings 쑗 a round of pay negotiations 7. one bullet 쑗 The police fired several rounds into the crowd of students. 쐽 verb to go round something 쑗 He rounded the corner and saw a crowd in front of him. 쑗 The boat capsized as it was rounding the buoy. ③ roundabout / raυndəbaυt/ noun 1. a place where several roads meet, and traffic has to move in a circle 쑗 When you get to the next roundabout, turn right. (NOTE: The US term is traffic circle.) 2. (in a children’s playground ) a heavy wheel which turns, and which children ride on 쑗 The children all ran to get on the roundabout. 쑗 A small child fell from the roundabout and hurt his leg badly. 3. (in a fairground ) a large mechanical amusement machine, which turns round and plays music, usually with horses to sit on which move up and down. Also called . . merry-go-round (NOTE: The US term is carousel.) 쐽 adj not direct 쑗 The taxi took a very roundabout route to get to Trafalgar Square. Synonym indirect round brackets /raυnd brkts/ plural noun the printing symbols ( ) which enclose words or characters and separate them from the rest of the text. Also called parentheses round down 739 ③ round down /raυnd daυn/ verb to decrease something to the nearest full figure rounded / raυndd/ adj with a smooth or round shape. Synonym curved rounders / raυndəz/ noun a team game played with a bat and ball, where the batsman has to run round the pitch to score (NOTE: The game is similar to baseball.) Roundhead / raυndhed/ noun a nickname for a follower of the parliamentary side in the English Civil War (NOTE: The followers of the King (Charles I) were called Cavaliers.) roundly / raυndli/ adv strongly and clearly round on / raυnd ɒn/ verb to start to criti- cise someone suddenly ③ rounds /raυndz/ plural noun regular visits round table conference /raυnd teb(ə)l kɒnf(ə)rəns/ noun a discussion or conference where all the delegates are on equal terms round-the-clock /raυnd ðə klɒk/ adj throughout the day and night ③ round-the-world /raυnd ðə w" ld/ adj which goes round the world, returning to the original departure point ③ round trip / raυnd trp/ noun a journey from one place to another and back again 왍 how much is the round trip fare? how much is the fare for a journey from one place to another and back again? ③ round up /raυnd p/ verb 1. to gather people or animals together 쑗 The secret police rounded up about fifty suspects and took them off in vans. 쑗 She rounded up the children and took them into the museum. 쑗 The farmer is out in the fields rounding up his sheep. 2. to increase something to the nearest full figure 쑗 The figures have been rounded up to the nearest dollar. 쑗 I owed him £4.98 so I rounded it up to £5.00. roundup / raυndp/ noun a summary rouse /raυz/ verb 1. to wake someone who is sleeping 쑗 The shouts of the firemen roused the sleeping patients. 2. to get someone to act 쑗 The difficulty will be to rouse the chairman into action. Compare arouse rousing / raυzŋ/ adj loud and noisy. Synonym stirring. Antonym soothing rout /raυt/ noun the complete defeat of an army or a team 쑗 The final match of the series ended in a rout for the home side. 쐽 verb 1. to defeat someone completely 쑗 The enemy army was routed. 2. 왍 to rout someone or something out to pull someone or something out from where it was hidden 쑗 We are trying to rout out any enemy snipers left hiding in the ruins. ② route /ru t/ noun a way to be followed to get to a destination 쑗 We still have to decide which route we will take. 쐽 verb to send royal blue someone or something along a specific route 쑗 The demonstration was routed along Pall Mall to St James’ Park. Synonym direct route march / ru t mɑ tʃ/ noun a training march for soldiers ③ routine /ru ti n/ noun 1. the normal regular way of doing things 쑗 Children don’t like their routine to be changed. 쑗 A change of routine might do you good. 쑗 Having a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper is part of his morning routine. 2. instructions which carry out a task as part of a computer program 쑗 The routine copies the screen display onto a printer. 쑗 The RETURN instruction at the end of the routine sends control back to the main program. 3. a sequence of dance steps 쑗 The dancers were practising a very complicated routine. 쐽 adj normal or everyday 쑗 He went to the doctor for a routine checkup. 쑗 We’re making a routine check of the central heating boiler. routinely /ru ti nli/ adv in a routine way, done as a routine rove /rəυv/ verb to wander about in a place roving / rəυvŋ/ adj going from place to place ② row noun 1. /rəυ/ a line of things, side by side or one after the other 쑗 He has a row of cabbages in the garden. 쑗 They pulled down an old house to build a row of shops. 쑗 I want two seats in the front row. 2. /raυ/ a loud noise 쑗 Stop making that dreadful row! 3. /raυ/ a serious argument 쑗 They had a row about who was responsible for the accident. 쐽 verb 1. /rəυ/ to make a boat go forwards by using oars 쑗 She rowed across the lake. 2. /raυ/ to argue 쑗 They were rowing about who would pay the bill. ③ rowboat / rəυbəυt/ noun US same as rowing boat rowdy / raυdi/ adj making a great deal of noise 쑗 A rowdy party in the flat next door kept us all awake. 쑗 The minister had a rowdy reception at the meeting. Synonym disorderly. Antonym restrained (NOTE: rowdier – rowdiest) 쐽 noun a rough person who makes a lot of noise (dated ) 쑗 Right-wing rowdies broke up the meeting. . (NOTE: The plural is rowdies.) rower / rəυə/ noun an oarsman, a person who rows rowing / rəυŋ/ noun making a boat move by the use of oars rowing boat / rəυŋ bəυt/ noun a small boat for rowing (NOTE: The US term is row- ③ boat.) ① royal / rɔəl/ adj referring to a king or queen 왍 the royal we 쒁 we royal blue /rɔəl blu / noun a deep blue colour Royal Family 740 Royal Family /rɔəl fm(ə)li/ noun the family of a king or queen royalist / rɔəlst/ noun a person supporting rule by a king or queen. Antonym republican royalty / rɔəlti/ noun 1. members of a king’s or queen’s family 쑗 Please dress formally, there will be royalty present. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. money paid to the author of a book or an actor in a film as a percentage of sales 쑗 Do you receive royalties on the sales of your book? 쑗 All royalty cheques are paid direct to my account in Switzerland. (NOTE: The plural is royalties.) rpmabbr revolutions per minute RSI abbr repetitive strain injury ③ RSVP abbr letters printed on an invitation asking the person invited to reply. Full form répondez s’il vous plaît RTF /ɑ ti ef/ noun a format for a com- puter file that will make it look the same on any computer screen. Full form rich text format Rt Hon abbr Right Honourable (NOTE: written before a name: the Rt Hon William Gladstone, MP ) ③ rub /rb/ verb to move something across . the surface of something else 쑗 He rubbed his hands together to get them warm. 쑗 These new shoes have rubbed against my heel and given me a blister. 쑗 The cat rubbed herself against my legs. (NOTE: rubbing – rubbed) 쐽 noun the action of rubbing 쑗 She gave her shoes a quick rub to remove the dust. 쑗 He hit his head on the low ceiling, and gave it a rub. rubber / rbə/ noun 1. elastic material made from the sap of a tropical tree 쑗 Car tyres are made of rubber. 쑗 Many years ago, we visited a rubber plantation in Malaysia. 2. a piece of rubber used for removing pencil marks 쑗 He used a rubber to try to rub out what he had written. (NOTE: The US term is eraser.) 3. especially US a condom, a rubber contraceptive sheath 쑗 Did he wear a rubber? rubber band /rbə bnd/ noun 쒁 elastic band rubber stamp /rbə stmp/ noun a stamp made of rubber, with words or figures cut on it, which is used for stamping documents 쑗 We use this rubber stamp for marking letters as they are received. 쐽 verb to agree to something automatically without examining it 쑗 The committee simply rubber-stamped the proposal. (NOTE: written with a hyphen when used as a verb) rubbery / rbəri/ adj with the texture of rubber rudely rubbing / rbŋ/ noun a copy made by placing paper on something and rubbing the paper with a coloured pencil or wax crayon ③ rubbish / rbʃ/ noun 1. waste, things which are of no use and are thrown away 쑗 We had to step over heaps of rubbish to get to the restaurant. 2. worthless nonsense 쑗 Have you read his new book? – It’s rubbish! 쑗 He’s talking rubbish, don’t listen to him. (NOTE: no plural. The US term is garbage or trash.) rubbish bin / rbʃ bn/ noun a container for putting rubbish in. Synonym dustbin rubble / rb(ə)l/ noun small stones or bro- ken bricks from damaged buildings, also used in making such things as paths. Synonym debris (NOTE: no plural) rubella /ru belə/ noun a usually mild disease which gives a red rash but which can affect an unborn child if caught by a pregnant woman. Also called German measles ③ rub in /rb n/ verb 1. to make an ointment or cream enter the skin by rubbing 쑗 She rubbed the ointment into her skin. 2. 왍 don’t rub it in don’t go on talking about something I regret (informal ) 쑗 Yes, I know I made a mistake, but please, don’t rub it in. ③ rub out /rb aυt/ verb to remove a pencil mark with a rubber. Synonym erase ③ rub up /rb p/ verb 왍 to rub someone up the wrong way to annoy someone (informal ) 쑗 She’s in a bad mood, someone must have rubbed her up the wrong way. ruby / ru bi/ noun a red precious stone 쑗 a necklace of rubies and pearls (NOTE: The plural is rubies.) 쐽 adj dark red 쑗 a glass of ruby red wine ruck /rk/ noun 1. an ordinary crowd of people 쑗 He wants to get out of the ruck and become a manager. 2. (in rugby) a group of players who fight for the ball when it is on the ground 쑗 The big forward broke into the ruck. 3. a crease in a fabric rucksack / rksk/ noun a large bag carried on the back when walking. Synonym . . backpack rudder / rdə/ noun a flat vertical plate at the back of a boat or on the tail of an aircraft, used for steering ruddy / rdi/ adj 1. red, fire-coloured 쑗 the little boys with their ruddy cheeks 쑗 A ruddy glow hung over the burning city. (NOTE: ruddier – ruddiest) 2. awful (informal ) 쑗 That ruddy dog – he’s put dirty paw marks all over the kitchen floor. rude /ru d/ adj not polite, likely to offend, trying to offend 쑗 Don’t point at people – it’s rude. 쑗 The teacher asked who had written rude words on the board. 쑗 He was rude to the teacher. (NOTE: ruder – rudest) rudely / ru dli/ adv in a rude way . rudeness 741 rudeness / ru dnəs/ noun being rude. Antonym politeness rudimentary /ru d ment(ə)ri/ adj basic; not fully developed. Synonym basic rudiments / ru dmənts/ plural noun simple basic facts 쑗 He went on a short course so he’s learnt the rudiments of sailing. Synonym basics rue /ru / noun a bitter herb (archaic) 쐽 verb to regret something 쑗 I rue the day when I said I would help her. rueful / ru f(ə)l/ adj sorry or regretful. Antonym cheerful ruefully / ru f(ə)li/ adv in a rueful way ruffian / rfiən/ noun a violent man, usually a criminal (dated ) Synonym thug ruffle / rf(ə)l/ noun material or lace gathered into a bunch and used as decoration on clothes or curtains, etc. 쑗 The curtains are edged with ruffles. 쐽 verb to disturb feathers or water or someone’s hair 쑗 The breeze ruffled the surface of the lake. 쑗 She ruffled his hair. ruffled / rf(ə)ld/ adj flustered, bothered rug /rDZ/ noun 1. a small carpet 쑗 This beautiful rug comes from the Middle East. 2. a thick blanket, especially one used when travelling 쑗 Put a rug over your knees if you’re cold. 쑗 We spread rugs on the grass to have our picnic. ③ rugby / rDZbi/ noun 왍 rugby football a type of football played with an oval ball which is thrown as well as kicked 쑗 When and where is the next rugby match? rugby ball / rDZbi bɔ l/ noun a type of oval ball used in the game of rugby rugged / rDZd/ adj 1. rough, rocky, uneven 쑗 the rugged landscape of the Moon 2. tough and sturdy 쑗 At school, he rapidly developed a rugged independence. rugger / rDZə/ noun rugby football (informal ) Compare soccer ③ ruin / ru n/ noun 1. the complete loss of all your money 쑗 He faces complete ruin. 2. the remains of an old building with no roof and fallen walls 쑗 The house was a total ruin when I bought it. 쐽 verb 1. to spoil something completely 쑗 Our holiday was ruined by the weather. 2. to bring a person or organisation to financial collapse 쑗 The bank failure ruined a lot of businesses. ③ ruined / ru nd/ adj 1. in ruins 쑗 Smoke rose from the ruined houses. 2. bankrupt, not able to pay your debts 쑗 a ruined company director ruinous / ru nəs/ adj extremely expensive ruinously / ru nəsli/ adv 왍 ruinously expensive so expensive as to make you bankrupt 쑗 Hospital treatment in the USA can be ruinously expensive if you don’t have health . . rumble insurance. 쑗 We took my in-laws out for a ruinously expensive meal. ③ ruins / ru nz/ plural noun the remains of old buildings with no roofs and fallen walls 왍 in ruins destroyed 쑗 The town was in ruins after the war. 쑗 After being arrested at the nightclub, his career was in ruins. ② rule /ru l/ noun 1. a strict order of the way to behave 쑗 There are no rules that forbid parking here at night. 쑗 According to the rules, your ticket must be paid for two weeks in advance. 왍 against the rules not as the rules say 쑗 You can’t hold the football in your hands – it’s against the rules. 2. 왍 as a rule usually 쑗 As a rule, we go to bed early during the week. 3. a government 쑗 The country prospered under the rule of the generals. 쐽 verb 1. to govern or to control 쑗 The president rules the country according to very old-fashioned principles. 2. to give an official or legal decision 쑗 The judge ruled that the documents had to be brought to the court. 3. to draw a straight line using a ruler 왍 ruled paper paper with lines on it rule of law /ru l əv lɔ / noun the principle that everyone, including the government, has to obey the laws of the land, and that no one shall be punished without a fair trial ② rule out /ru l aυt/ verb to leave something out, not to consider something ③ ruler / ru lə/ noun 1. a person who governs 쑗 A ruler should be fair. 쑗 He’s the ruler of a small African state. 2. a long strip of wood or plastic with measurements marked on it, used for measuring and drawing straight lines 쑗 You need a ruler to draw straight lines. ③ ruling / ru lŋ/ adj 1. in power, governing 2. in operation at the moment 쑗 We will invoice at ruling prices. 쐽 noun a legal decision made by a judge or other arbitrator 쑗 The judge will give a ruling on the case next week. 쑗 According to the ruling of the court, the contract was illegal. ruling party /ru lŋ pɑ ti/ noun a party which forms the government rum /rm/ noun an alcoholic drink made from the juice of sugar cane 쑗 She had a glass of rum and pineapple juice. 쐽 adj odd or strange (dated informal ) 쑗 We found ourselves in a very rum situation. Antonym . usual rumble / rmbəl/ noun a low rolling noise We were woken by the rumble of trains passing over the bridge. 쑗 There was a rumble of thunder in the distance. 쐽 verb 1. to make a low rolling noise 쑗 Wooden carts full of stone rumbled past. 쑗 Thunder rumbled in the distance. 쑗 I’m so hungry my tummy’s rumbling. 2. to find out that someone is trying to trick you 쑗 He got away with it for a time but eventually we rumbled him. 쑗 rumbling 742 rumbling / rmblŋ/ noun a low rolling noise 쑗 the rumbling of the thunder in the distance rumblings / rmblŋz/ plural noun murmuring by people showing that they are not happy ruminate / ru mnet/ verb 1. (of a cow) to chew over food which has already been swallowed once 2. to think over a problem 쑗 He spent the weekend ruminating on what to do next. rummage / rmdȢ/ noun a session of searching about for something 쑗 We had a good rummage in the loft but couldn’t find the book. 쐽 verb to search about for something 쑗 She rummaged in her drawer until she found the pair of gloves. rumour / ru mə/ noun a story spread from one person to another but which may not be true 쑗 There’s a rumour going around that John’s getting married. 쐽 verb to spread a story 쑗 It was rumoured in the press that they were about to get divorced. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is rumor.) rumoured / ru məd/ adj spread by rumour (NOTE: The US spelling is rumored.) rump /rmp/ noun 1. the back part of an animal 2. a small number of members of a party left after an election defeat 쑗 The rump of the party met after the election to decide what to do. rumpled / rmpəld/ adj creased or untidy rumpus / rmpəs/ noun a noisy disorder. Synonym disturbance (NOTE: The plural is rumpuses.) ① run /rn/ noun 1. the act of going quickly on foot, usually as a sport 쑗 I always go for a run before breakfast. 쑗 You must be tired out after that long run. 쑗 She entered for the 10-mile run. 왍 on the run escaping from prison or hiding from the police 쑗 He was three weeks on the run before he was caught. 2. a short trip in a car 쑗 Let’s go for a run down to the coast. 3. the act of making a machine work 4. a rush to buy something 쑗 The Post Office reported a run on the new stamps. 5. a regular route of a plane or bus, etc. 쑗 On this run, the bus does not go as far as the Post Office. 쑗 She’s a stewardess on the London to New York run. 6. a score of 1 in cricket 쑗 He made 45 runs before he was out. 7. US a series of little holes in stockings or tights 쑗 I can’t wear these stockings because there’s a run in them. (NOTE: The British term is ladder.) 8. a period 왍 for three days on the run for three days one after another 쑗 She had a nosebleed for two days on the run. 왍 in the long run at a time in the future 쑗 In the long run, it will be cheaper to buy the tickets in bulk. 쐽 verb 1. to go quickly on foot 쑗 When she heard the telephone, she ran upstairs. 쑗 Children must be run down taught not to run across the road. 쑗 She’s running in the 200-metre race. 2. (of buses, trains, etc.) to be operating 쑗 All underground trains are running late because of the accident. 쑗 This bus doesn’t run on Sundays. 3. (of vehicles) to work 쑗 He left his car in the street with the engine running. 쑗 My car’s not running very well at the moment. 4. to go, to last 쑗 The main street of the town runs north and south. 쑗 The film runs for three hours. 5. to direct or organise an organisation 쑗 He runs a chain of shoe shops. 쑗 I want someone to run the sales department for me when I’m away on holiday. 쑗 He runs the local youth club. 쑗 The country is run by the army. 6. to use a car regularly 쑗 We can’t afford to run two cars. 7. to drive someone by car 쑗 Let me run you to the station. 8. to be in force 쑗 The lease has only six months more to run. 9. to amount to something 쑗 The costs ran into thousands of pounds. 10. 왍 to run a bath to fill a bath with water 쑗 Don’t run a bath now, there is no hot water. 11. (of liquid ) to flow, to move along smoothly 쑗 The river runs past our house. 왍 this colour won’t run the colour will not stain other clothes if they are all washed together 12. 왍 to run in a family to be an inherited trait 쑗 Red hair runs in their family. 13. to publish a story in several editions of a newspaper 쑗 The paper is running an explosive story about the minister’s wife. (NOTE: running – ran /rn/ – has run) run across /rn ə krɒs/ verb 1. to cross something quickly on foot 쑗 The little boy ran across the road after his ball. 2. to find or to meet someone by accident 쑗 I ran across it in a secondhand bookshop. run after / rn ɑ ftə/ verb to follow someone fast run away /rn ə we/ verb 1. to escape, to go away fast 쑗 They were running away from the police. 쑗 She ran away from school when she was 16. 쑗 The youngsters ran away to Paris. 2. 왍 to run away with someone to go away from your family to live with someone or to marry someone 쑗 She ran away with her German teacher. runaway / rnəwe/ noun a person who has run away from home 쑗 The police are looking for the runaways. 쐽 adj which is out of control (informal ) 쑗 The runaway train stopped at the bottom of the hill. 왍 it was a runaway success it was a great success 쑗 Her first exhibition was a runaway success. ① run down1 /rn daυn/ verb 1. to go down something quickly on foot 쑗 She ran down the stairs two at a time. 쑗 Can you run down to the village and buy me some bread? 2. (of clock, machine) to stop working or go slower because of lack of power 쑗 The clock has run down – it needs a new battery. 3. to . . run down 743 criticise someone 쑗 It’s not fair to run him down when he’s not there to defend himself. 4. to reduce the quantity of something 쑗 We’re running down our stocks of coal before the summer. 5. to knock down with a vehicle 쑗 She was run down by a car which did not stop. run down2 /rn daυn/ adj 1. unwell or tired 쑗 If you feel run down, ask the chemist for vitamins. 2. dilapidated, not looked after 쑗 He drives a run-down old car. rundown / rndaυn/ noun a summary 쑗 Give me a quick rundown on what happened at the meeting. run for / rn fɔ / verb 1. to go fast to try to catch someone or something 쑗 He ran for the bus but it left before he got to the stop. 2. to be a candidate for an office 쑗 He’s running for president. ③ rung /rŋ/ noun one of the bars on a ladder 쑗 If you stand on the top rung you can climb onto the roof. 쑗 Put your foot on the bottom rung to hold the ladder steady. 쐽 verb 쒁 ring run-in / rn n/ noun an argument (informal ) ③ run into /rn ntυ/ verb 1. to go into a place fast 쑗 She ran into the street, shouting ‘Fire!’. 2. to go fast and hit something, usually in a vehicle 쑗 He didn’t look where he was going and ran into an old lady. 쑗 The bus turned the corner too fast and ran into a parked van. 3. to amount to something 쑗 Costs have run into thousands of pounds. 쑗 Her income runs into five figures. 4. to find someone by chance 쑗 I ran into him again in a café on the South Bank. 5. to flow somewhere 쑗 The river runs into the sea. ③ runner / rnə/ noun 1. a person or horse running in a race 쑗 My horse came in last of seven runners. 쑗 There are 30,000 runners in the London Marathon. 2. a shoot of a plant which makes roots where it touches the soil 쑗 Strawberry plants are propagated by the runners they produce. 3. a sharp blade of a skate or of a sledge 쑗 One of the runners of the sledge is damaged, so you can’t use it. runner bean /rnə bi n/ noun a type of climbing bean ③ runner-up /rnər p/ noun a person who comes after the winner in a race or competition (NOTE: The plural is runners-up.) ③ running / rnŋ/ adj 1. used for running 쑗 running shorts 쑗 running shoes 2. 왍 for three days running one day after another for three days 쑗 The company have made a profit for the sixth year running. 쐽 noun 1. 왍 to be in the running for to be a candidate for 쑗 Three candidates are in the running for the post of chairman. 왍 out of the running with no chance of doing something 쑗 She’s out of the running for the job in the bookshop. 2. . run through the action of managing 쑗 I now leave the running of the firm to my daughter. running battle /rnŋ bt(ə)l/ noun 1. a fight which moves around from place to place 2. a disagreement that continues for a long time running commentary /rnŋ kɒmənt(ə)ri/ noun a commentary on an action that is carried out while the action is taking place running costs / rnŋ kɒsts/ plural noun the money spent regularly on operating a business running mate / rnŋ met/ noun a person such as a vice-president who stands for election with another more important candidate such as a president running total /rnŋ təυt(ə)l/ noun a total which is carried from one column of figures to the next running water /rnŋ wɔ tə/ noun water which is available in a house through water mains and taps runny / rni/ adj in liquid form 왍 he’s got a runny nose his nose is dripping, perhaps because he has a cold ③ run off /rn ɒf/ verb 1. to go away fast 쑗 He grabbed the watch and ran off down the street. 2. to print something using a machine 쑗 She ran off a few photocopies of the leaflet. ③ run off with /rn ɒf wð/ verb 1. to go away with someone 쑗 He ran off with the girl next door and phoned his parents to say they had gone to Paris. 2. to steal something and go away 쑗 She ran off with our petty cash. run-of-the-mill /rn əv ðə ml/ adj ordinary. Synonym mediocre ① run on / rn ɒn/ verb 1. to continue 쑗 The text runs on to the next page. 쑗 Does the play run on until very late? 2. to use something as a fuel 쑗 The machine runs on electricity. ① run out /rn aυt/ verb 왍 to run out of something to have nothing left of something 쑗 The car ran out of petrol on the motorway. 쑗 I must go to the supermarket – we’re running out of butter. ① run over /rn əυvə/ verb 1. to knock someone down by hitting them with a vehicle 쑗 She was run over by a taxi. 쑗 The car ran over a dog. 2. to continue 쑗 The description of the accident runs over two pages. runs /rnz/ noun a condition in which you past solid waste from your body too frequently, and in a liquid form. Synonym diarrhoea ③ run through / rn θru / verb 1. to read a list rapidly 쑗 Let’s run through the agenda before the meeting starts to see if there are any problem areas. 쑗 She ran through the paragraph again to make sure she under- run up 744 stood what it meant. 2. to use up something 쑗 We have run through our entire stock of wine in one weekend. 3. to repeat something 쑗 Just run through that scene again to see if you all know your lines. ① run up /
rn p/ verb 1. to go up something quickly on foot 쑗 She ran up the stairs carrying a thermometer. 쑗 The runners have to run up the mountain and back again. 2. 왍 to run up to someone to come closer to someone quickly on foot 쑗 He ran up to the policeman and asked him to call an ambulance. 3. to make debts go up quickly 쑗 The business was running up debts of thousands of pounds each week. 4. to sew something quickly 쑗 I can run up a cushion cover in less than an hour. run-up /rn p/ noun 1. a period leading up to some event 쑗 in the run-up to the election 2. (in sport ) the run of an athlete before jumping or throwing 쑗 A long jumper uses his run-up to gather speed before jumping. ③ run up against /
rn p ə
DZenst/ verb to find your way blocked by something ③ runway /rnwe/ noun a track on which planes land and take off at an airport rupture /rptʃə/ noun 1. a hernia, a condition where an organ bulges through a hole or weakness in the wall which surrounds it 쑗 You’ll give yourself a rupture, lifting that box! 2. a sudden disagreement which ends something such as a discussion 쑗 The rupture of the negotiations has ruined any chance of peace. 3. a break or burst 쑗 We are losing pressure – there must be a rupture in the pipeline. 쐽 verb to break or burst 쑗 A water main ruptured and the centre of town was flooded. 왍 to rupture yourself to give yourself a hernia 쑗 He ruptured himself lifting a heavy box. ② rural /rυərəl/ adj referring to the countryside 쑗 Rural roads are usually fairly narrow. 쑗 We live quite close to a town but the country round us still looks very rural. ruse /ru z/ noun a clever trick ② rush /rʃ/ noun 1. a fast movement 쑗 There was a rush of hot air when they opened the door. 쑗 There has been a rush to change pounds to euros. 쑗 When the film ended there was a rush for the toilets. 2. a type of wild grass growing in water 쑗 Rushes grow along the shores of lakes and rivers. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is rushes.) 쐽 verb 1. to hurry, to go forward fast 쑗 The ambulance rushed to the accident. 쑗 Crowds of shoppers rushed to the shops on the first day of the sales. 왍 don’t rush me don’t make me hurry 쑗 I need time to do this work, please don’t rush me. 2. to attack someone suddenly 쑗 The army decided to rush the guerrillas’ headquarters. . rut rushed /rʃt/ adj done very quickly. Synonym hurried. Antonym leisurely 왍 rushed off your feet very busy 쑗 The café was full and the waitresses were rushed off their feet. rushes /rʃz/ plural noun the first prints of a film which are shown before being edited ③ rush hour /rʃ aυə/ noun a time of day when traffic is bad and when trains are full rush into /
rʃ ntu / verb 1. to go into a place quickly 쑗 He rushed into the room waving a piece of paper. 2. to get into a situation too quickly, without really thinking 쑗 They rushed into an alliance with the socialists and regretted it immediately. 쑗 Don’t rush into marriage if you’re doubtful about your partner. rush job /rʃ dȢɒb/ noun a job which has to be done fast (NOTE: no plural) rusk /rsk/ noun a hard sweet biscuit given to babies to chew on Russian roulette /
rʃ(ə)n ru let/ noun a game played with a revolver containing a single bullet: when the gun is fired, players do not know if they will be killed rust /rst/ noun a reddish-brown substance formed on iron and steel when left in damp air 쑗 There is a bit of rust on the bonnet of the car. Synonym corrosion 쐽 verb to form rust 쑗 Don’t leave the hammer and screwdriver in the rain – they’ll rust. Synonym corrode rustic /rstk/ adj 1. of country style 쑗 They live in a little rustic cottage on the edge of a lake. 2. rough, not elegant 쑗 We bought a rustic bench and table for eating in the garden. 쐽 noun someone who lives in the countryside and is regarded as simple and not well educated (dated ) 쑗 Three rustics sat on a bench outside the village pub. rustle /rs(ə)l/ noun the noise of dry leaves or pieces of paper rubbing together 쑗 Listen to the rustle of the dry leaves in the hedge. 쐽 verb to make a soft dry crackling noise 쑗 Her long skirt rustled as she sat down. 쑗 Don’t rustle the newspaper when the radio is on, I can’t hear it properly. rustle up /
rs(ə)l p/ verb to get something ready quickly (informal ) rusty /rsti/ adj 1. covered with rust 쑗 She tried to cut the string with a pair of rusty old scissors. 쑗 He has a rusty old fridge in his front garden. 2. out of practice 쑗 My German used to be good, but it is very rusty now. . . (NOTE: rustier – rustiest) rut /rt/ noun 1. a deep track made in soft earth by the wheels of vehicles 쑗 The front wheel of the car was stuck in a deep rut. 2. 왍 to get into a rut to start to lead a dull life with no excitement (informal ) 쑗 Go out, see friends, travel – don’t allow yourself to get into a rut. . ruthless 745 ruthless / ru θləs/ adj cruel, with no pity for anyone. Antonym merciful ruthlessly / ru θləsli/ adv in a ruthless way ruthlessness / ru θləsnəs/ noun cruelty, acting without pity RV abbr recreational vehicle rye rye /ra/ noun 1. a type of dark brown cereal, used to make bread and American whiskey 쑗 They are harvesting the rye today. 2. rye whiskey or American whiskey; a glass of this whiskey 쑗 A large rye and soda, please. (NOTE: Do not confuse with wry.) S s /es/, S noun the nineteenth letter of the alphabet, between R and T S abbr south sabbatical /sə btk(ə)l/ noun leave granted to people such as teachers for study and travel after a period of work sabotage / sbətɑ Ȣ/ noun malicious or deliberate destruction 쑗 Acts of sabotage were committed against the company’s oil installations. Synonym disruption (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to destroy something, to render something useless deliberately 쑗 He sabotaged the whole plan by passing the details to the police. Synonym disrupt saboteur /sbə t" / noun a person who commits sabotage. Synonym vandal sabre / sebə/ noun a sword with a curved blade (NOTE: The US spelling is saber.) sabre-rattling /sebə rtlŋ/ noun an aggressive display or threat of force or military action (NOTE: The US spelling is saber-rattling.) sac /sk/ noun a part of an animal or plant shaped like a bag saccharin / skərn/ noun a substance used as a substitute for sugar sachet / sʃe/ noun a small plastic or paper bag containing something. Synonym envelope sack /sk/ noun 1. a large bag made of strong cloth or paper, used for carrying heavy things 쑗 He hurt his back lifting up the sack of potatoes. 2. 왍 to get or to be given the sack to be dismissed from a job (informal ) 쑗 You’ll get the sack if you talk to people like that. 3. the complete destruction of a town 쑗 the sack of Rome by the barbarians 4. a bed 왍 to hit the sack to go to bed 쑗 Come on – it’s time to hit the sack. 쐽 verb 1. to dismiss someone from a job 쑗 He was sacked because he was always late for work. 2. to destroy a town completely 쑗 The town was captured and sacked by the barbarians. sacking / skŋ/ noun 1. dismissal from a job 쑗 The union protested against the sackings. (NOTE: The plural is sackings.) 2. coarse material from which sacks are made 쑗 Hemp is used to make ropes and sacking. (NOTE: no plural) 3. old sacks 쑗 There’s a . heap of sacking over there in the corner of the warehouse. (NOTE: no plural) sacrament / skrəmənt/ noun 1. a Christian religious ceremony 쑗 the sacrament of marriage 2. the consecrated bread and wine taken at Communion sacramental /skrə ment(ə)l/ adj referring to the sacrament sacred / sekrd/ adj 1. associated with religion 쑗 The sacred texts were kept locked away. 왍 sacred to the memory of (on a gravestone) remembering someone who has died 2. holy 쑗 The hill is considered sacred by the local people. 쑗 Hindus believe that cattle are sacred. 3. respected 쑗 Nothing is sacred to a reporter chasing a good story. 쑗 She believed it was her sacred duty to look after his garden while he was away. sacred cow /sekrd kaυ/ noun a belief or idea which is not to be criticised sacrifice / skrfas/ noun 1. a thing which you give up to achieve something more important 쑗 He finally won the competition, but at great personal sacrifice. 쑗 She made many financial sacrifices to get her children through university. 2. making an offering to a god by killing an animal or person 쑗 He ordered the sacrifice of two lambs to please the gods. 3. an animal offered to a god 쑗 Cockerels, lambs and goats were all offered as sacrifices to their gods. 쐽 verb 1. to give something up 쑗 I have sacrificed my career to be able to stay at home and bring up my children. 쑗 She has sacrificed herself for the cause of animal welfare. 2. to offer something as a sacrifice 쑗 The priests sacrificed a goat to the goddess. sacrificial /skr fʃ(ə)l/ adj as a sacrifice sacrilege / skrldȢ/ noun 1. using something sacred in a way which lacks respect 2. doing something which is not considered to be correct 쑗 He committed the sacrilege of serving sweet white wine with steak. sacrilegious /skr ldȢəs/ adj referring to sacrilege. Antonym pious sacrosanct / skrəsŋkt/ adj not to be criticised or changed ② sad /sd/ adj 1. not happy, miserable 쑗 It’s sad that he can’t come to see us. 쑗 He’s sad because the holidays have come to an sadden 747 end. 쑗 What a sad film – everyone was crying. 쑗 Reading his poems makes me sad. 쑗 It was sad to leave the house for the last time. 쑗 He felt sad watching the boat sail away. 2. boring, unfashionable 쑗 Only sad people collect stamps. (NOTE: sadder – saddest) sadden / sd(ə)n/ verb to make someone unhappy. Synonym depress. Antonym cheer saddle / sd(ə)l/ noun 1. a rider’s seat on a bicycle or motorbike 쑗 She threw her leg across the saddle and settled herself behind him. 쑗 My old saddle was very comfortable but this new one is harder. 2. a rider’s seat on a horse 쑗 He leapt into the saddle and rode away. 왍 in the saddle in command 쑗 She’s in the saddle now – you have to do what she says. 3. a cut of meat from the back of an animal 쑗 saddle of lamb 쐽 verb 1. to put a saddle on a horse 쑗 She quickly saddled her pony and rode off. 2. 왍 to saddle someone with something to give someone a difficult job or heavy responsibility 쑗 He got saddled with the job of sorting out the rubbish in the loft. 쑗 Don’t saddle me with all your problems! sadhu / sɑ du / noun in Hinduism, a holy man sadism / sedz(ə)m/ noun getting pleasure from being cruel. Compare masochism sadist / sedst/ noun a person who gets pleasure from being cruel. Compare masochist sadistic /sə dstk/ adj referring to sadism. Compare masochistic. Synonym cruel. Antonym kind sadly / sdli/ adv unhappily sadness / sdnəs/ noun a feeling of being very unhappy. Synonym unhappiness. Antonym happiness s.a.e. abbr self-addressed envelope, stamped addressed envelope safari /sə fɑ ri/ noun an expedition to photograph or kill wild animals in Africa. Synonym trek safari park /sə fɑ ri pɑ k/ noun a park where large wild animals are free to run about, and visitors drive through in their cars to look at them ② safe /sef/ adj 1. not in danger, not likely to be hurt 쑗 In this cave, we should be safe from the thunderstorm. 쑗 All the children are safe, but the school was burnt down. 쑗 A building society account is a safe place for your money. 쑗 Is it safe to touch this snake? 쑗 It isn’t safe for women to go into the centre of town alone at night. 2. 왍 in safe hands in no danger 쑗 The guide is very experienced, so we are in safe hands. 왍 safe and sound without being hurt or damaged 쑗 We all arrived at our destination, safe and sound. 쑗 The present reached me safe and sound, safety curtain thanks to the efficiency of the post office. 3. certain, which you can rely on 쑗 You will be fairly safe if you allow half an hour to get to Oxford Circus. 왍 to be on the safe side just in case, to be certain 쑗 It should only take an hour to get to the airport, but let’s give ourselves an hour and a half, just to be on the safe side. 쐽 noun a strong box for keeping things such as documents, money or jewels in 쑗 Put your valuables in the hotel safe. 쑗 The burglars managed to open the safe. safe area /sef eəriə/ noun a place which is specially protected, e.g. by the armed forces safe deposit box /sef d pɒzt bɒks/ noun a small box which you can rent to hold jewellery or documents in a bank’s strongroom safeguard / sefDZɑ d/ noun protection 쑗 The metal fence is a safeguard against accidents. 쑗 There are no safeguards at the moment to prevent the same mistake being made. Antonym hazard 쐽 verb to protect something 쑗 Our aim is to safeguard the interests of the widow and children. safe haven /sef hev(ə)n/ noun a place which is safe from attack, where someone is protected from danger safe keeping /sef ki pŋ/ noun the care of something in a safe place ② safely / sefli/ adv 1. without being hurt 쑗 The rescue services succeeded in getting all the passengers safely off the burning train. 쑗 We were shown how to handle explosives safely. 쑗 ‘Drive safely!’ she said as she waved goodbye. 2. without being damaged 쑗 The cargo was unloaded safely from the sinking ship. 3. without making a mistake or having problems 쑗 Can we safely say that this is a genuine Picasso? 쑗 She got safely through the first part of her exams. safe sex /sef seks/ noun having sex in a way that avoids transmission of a sexual disease, e.g. by using a condom and only having one sexual partner ② safety / sefti/ noun 1. being safe 쑗 The police tried to ensure the safety of the public. 쑗 I am worried about the safety of air bags in cars. 왍 to take safety precautions or safety measures to act to make sure something is safe 쑗 Be sure to take proper safety precautions when handling explosives. 2. 왍 for safety to make something safe, to be safe 쑗 Put the money in the office safe for safety. 쑗 Keep a note of the numbers of your traveller’s cheques for safety. safety belt / sefti belt/ noun a belt which you wear in a plane to stop you being hurt if there is an accident. Synonym seat belt safety curtain / sefti k" t(ə)n/ noun a fireproof curtain in front of the stage in a theatre safety helmet 748 safety helmet / sefti helmt/ noun a solid hat worn by people such as construction workers safety net / sefti net/ noun 1. a net stretched under someone such as a tightrope walker to catch him or her if he or she falls 쑗 He was killed when he walked the tightrope without a safety net. 2. something which protects you if things go wrong 쑗 He has a second job, which is a useful safety net if he is made redundant. safety pin / sefti pn/ noun a pin whose point fits into a cover when it is fastened, and so can’t hurt you safety regulations / sefti reDZjυleʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun rules to make a place of work safe for the workers safety valve / sefti vlv/ noun 1. a valve which allows liquid, gas or steam to escape if the pressure becomes too high 쑗 There was a loud hiss from the safety valve as steam escaped from the boiler. 2. a flap in the heart or other organ which opens and closes to allow liquid to pass in one direction only 3. an activity which allows people to get angry or excited without causing any harm 쑗 These meetings act as a safety valve for employees to complain about the management. saffron / sfrən/ noun an orange-coloured powder made from crocus flowers, used in cooking to give colour and flavour to food 쑗 She made rice with saffron. 쐽 adj orange-coloured 쑗 the saffron robes of the Buddhist monks sag /sDZ/ verb to sink or bend in the middle under weight or pressure. Synonym droop (NOTE: sagged) saga / sɑ DZə/ noun 1. an old story of heroic achievement or adventure, especially in Norway and Iceland 쑗 the sagas of ancient kings of Iceland 2. a long story 쑗 I don’t want to hear her tell the saga of the accident all over again. sage /sedȢ/ noun 1. an aromatic herb with silvery-green leaves used in cookery 왍 sage and onions, sage and onion stuffing stuffing used especially with roast turkey or pork 2. an old wise man 쑗 The king invited sages to his castle to give him advice. 쐽 adj wise or discreet (literary) 쑗 She made some very sage remarks. Sagittarius /sdȢ teəriəs/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like an archer, covering the period from 22nd November to 21st December ③ said /sed/ 쒁 say ② sail /sel/ noun 1. a piece of cloth which catches the wind and drives a boat along 쑗 The wind dropped so they lowered the sail and started to row. 쑗 They hoisted the sail and set out across the Channel. 2. 왍 to set sail to leave by boat 쑗 They set sail for sake France. 3. a trip in a boat 쑗 They went for a sail down the Thames. (NOTE: Do not confuse with sale.) 쐽 verb 1. to travel on water 쑗 The ship was sailing towards the rocks. 쑗 We were sailing east. 쑗 He was the first person to sail across the Atlantic single-handed. 쑗 She’s planning to sail round the world. 2. to travel in a sailing boat 쑗 He was the first person to sail alone across the Atlantic. 쑗 She’s planning to sail round the world. 3. to leave harbour 쑗 The ferry sails at 12.00. 4. to travel smoothly 쑗 The car just sailed along the motorway. 쑗 It’s maddening to see a bus sail past just when you’re getting to the bus stop. 왍 to sail through something to pass an examination or test easily 쑗 He sailed through his driving test. sailboard / selbɔ d/ noun a board with a sail, used for travelling across water ③ sailboat / selbəυt/ noun US same as sailing boat ③ sailing / selŋ/ noun the departure of a ship 쑗 There are no sailings to France because of the strike. 쑗 There are three sailings every day to Dieppe. sailing boat / selŋ bəυt/ noun a boat which uses mainly sails to travel sailor / selə/ noun 1. a seaman, a person who works on a ship 쑗 The sailors were washing down the deck of the ship. 2. 왍 she is a good sailor or bad sailor she is not liable or liable to be seasick 쑗 He doesn’t worry about the water being rough – he’s a good sailor. saint /sent/ noun 1. a person who led a very holy life, and is recognised by the Christian Church 쑗 There are more than 50 statues of saints on the west front of the cathedral. 쑗 St Peter was a fisherman. 쑗 Will Mother Teresa be made a saint? 2. a very good or devoted person 쑗 She has the patience of a saint and never shouts at the children. 쑗 He may be no saint in his personal life but he has the support of the voters. (NOTE: abbreviated with names to St /sənt/) saintly / sentli/ adj very good, like a saint. Antonym evil (NOTE: saintlier – saintliest) ② sake noun 1. /sek/ 왍 for the sake of something, for something’s sake for certain reasons or purposes, because of something 쑗 The muggers killed the old lady, just for the sake of £20. 쑗 For the sake of decency, she wrapped a towel round herself. 쑗 He’s not really hungry, he’s just eating for eating’s sake. 쑗 They gave the children sweets, just for the sake of a little peace and quiet. 왍 for the sake of someone, for someone’s sake because you want to help someone or to please someone, because you think someone needs something 쑗 Will you come to the party for my sake? 쑗 The president decided to resign for the sake of the country. 왍 for salad 749 saliva are usually paid monthly but are quoted in annual terms. So you say ‘her salary is £20,000’, ‘the job carries a salary of $50,000’. Although bonuses are paid, a regular extra month’s salary at Christmas (the ‘thirteenth month’ in some European countries) is not common in Britain or the USA. fice building is for sale at £1m. 쑗 I noticed there was a ‘for sale’ sign outside her house. 왍 to offer something for sale, to put something up for sale to announce that something is ready to be sold 쑗 They put the factory up for sale. saleable / seləb(ə)l/ adj easy to sell or capable of being sold saleroom / selru m/ noun a room where an auction takes place ① sales /selz/ plural noun 1. money which a business receives from selling things 쑗 The business has annual sales of over £250,000. 쑗 Sales have risen over the first quarter. 2. a time when many shops sell goods at low prices 쑗 The sales start on Saturday. 쑗 I bought these shirts in the January sales. 쑗 She bought the cups in the sales or at the sales. ③ sales assistant / selz əsstənt/ noun a person who sells goods to customers in a shop. Synonym salesperson sales drive / selz drav/ noun a vigorous effort to increase sales sales force / selz fɔ s/ noun a group of salesmen ③ salesman / selzmən/ noun 1. a man who sells goods to customers in a shop 쑗 The salesman is going to show us the latest model. 2. a person who represents a company, selling its products or services to other companies (NOTE: The plural is salesmen.) salesperson / selzp" s(ə)n/ noun a person who sells goods in a shop sales pitch / selz ptʃ/ noun a way of talking aimed at selling something sales representative / selz reprzentətv/, sales rep / selz rep/ noun a person who works for a company, showing goods or services for sale 쑗 We have six sales reps calling on accounts in central London. sales slip / selz slp/ noun a piece of paper showing that an article was bought at a certain shop on a certain day sales tax / selz tks/ noun a tax to be paid on each item sold ③ saleswoman / selzwυmən/ noun a woman who sells goods to customers in a sale /sel/ noun 1. the act of selling, the act of giving an item or doing a service in exchange for money 쑗 The sale of the house produced £200,000. 쑗 The shop only opened this morning and we’ve just made our first sale. 2. an occasion when things are sold at cheaper prices 쑗 There’s a sale this week in the department store along the High Street. 쑗 I bought these plates for £1 in a sale. 쑗 The sale price is 50% of the normal price. 3. 왍 for sale ready to be sold 쑗 These items are not for sale to the general public. 쑗 The of- a fortification or of a line of battle 쑗 The battle for the salient lasted several days. 쐽 adj most important 쑗 I asked her to write down the salient points of the talk. Synonym noticeable. Antonym minor saline / selan/ adj containing salt. Synonym salty saliva /sə lavə/ noun a fluid in the mouth, secreted by the salivary glands, which starts old times’ sake in order to remember how good the old times were 쑗 Let’s have a meal together for old times’ sake. 왍 for heaven’s sake, for goodness’ sake used for showing you are annoyed, or that something is important 쑗 What are you screaming for? – It’s only a little mouse, for heaven’s sake. 쑗 For goodness’ sake try to be quiet, we don’t want the guards to hear us! 2. / sɑ ki/ a Japanese rice wine 쑗 We had a glass of sake with our meal. salad / sləd/ noun a cold food, such as vegetables, often served raw and with cold meat 쑗 a chicken salad sandwich 쑗 We found some ham, tomatoes and lettuce in the fridge, and made ourselves a salad. salad bar / sləd bɑ / noun a bar where customers help themselves to a wide variety of meat, fish or vegetable salads salad bowl / sləd bəυl/ noun a special bowl for salad salad cream / sləd kri m/ noun a ready-made creamy dressing for salads salad dressing / sləd dresŋ/ noun a sauce consisting of a mixture of oil, vinegar and herbs or spices, used on salad salad servers / sləd s" vəz/ plural noun a spoon and fork for serving salad salami /sə lɑ mi/ noun a large dry Italian-style sausage eaten cold in thin slices ③ salaried / slərid/ adj paid a salary ③ salary / sləri/ noun payment for work, made to an employee with a contract of employment, especially in a professional or office job 쑗 She started work at a low salary, but soon went up the salary scale. 쑗 The company froze all salaries for a six-month period. 쑗 I expect a salary increase as from next month. Synonym income 왍 her basic salary is £20,000 her normal salary without extra payments is £20,000 COMMENT: In Britain and the USA, salaries ① shop (NOTE: The plural is saleswomen / selzwmn/.) salient / seliənt/ noun a projecting part of salivate 750 the process of digesting food. Synonym spittle salivate / slvet/ verb to produce saliva. Synonym drool sallow / sləυ/ adj slightly yellow, unlooking (NOTE: sallower – sallowest) salmon / smən/ noun a large fish with healthy silver skin and pink flesh that lives in the sea, but swims up rivers to produce young in the winter 쐽 adj with a pink colour like salmon 쑗 We put a salmon wallpaper in the bathroom. Salmonella /slmə nelə/ noun a genus of bacteria in the intestines, which are usually acquired by eating contaminated food, and cause typhoid or paratyphoid fever, gastroenteritis or food poisoning 왍 he got salmonella poisoning he got an illness caused by eating food which was contaminated with Salmonella bacteria which develop in the intestines 쑗 Five people were taken to hospital with salmonella poisoning. salon / slɒn/ noun a shop where people can have their hair cut or styled, or have beauty treatments saloon /sə lu n/ noun US a place where alcoholic drinks are sold (dated ) 쑗 The conversation stopped when the stranger walked into the saloon. saloon bar /sə lu n bɑ / noun a comfortable bar in a pub (dated ) (NOTE: now usually . . called a lounge bar) saloon car /sə lu n kɑ / noun a car with two or four doors, which can carry four or five people salsa / slsə/ noun 1. a spicy sauce made with chopped vegetables, of Mexican origin 2. Latin American dance music combining jazz and rock ② salt /sɔ lt/ noun 1. white crystals of sodium chloride, used to make food taste better or to stop roads from freezing 왍 to take something with a pinch of salt not to believe something entirely 쑗 You have to take everything she says with a pinch of salt. 2. 왍 he’s the salt of the earth he’s an ordinary good honest person 쑗 He’s a wonderful man – the salt of the earth! 쐽 adj containing salt 쑗 The sea is made up only of salt water. 쐽 verb 1. to add salt to something 쑗 You forgot to salt the soup. 2. to spread salt on something 쑗 They were salting the streets during the night. salt cellar / sɒlt selə/ noun a small pot containing salt usually with a hole in the top so that it can be sprinkled on food (NOTE: The US term is salt shaker.) salt marsh / sɔ lt mɑ ʃ/ noun a wet land covered by the sea at high tide ③ salt water /sɔ lt wɔ tə/ noun water which contains salt, such as sea water, as op- same posed to fresh water in rivers and lakes 쑗 She dived into the waves and got a mouthful of salt water. 쑗 You can float more easily in salt water than in a lake. saltwater / sɔ ltwɔ tə/ adj referring to water which contains salt salty / sɔ lti/ adj tasting of salt (NOTE: saltier – saltiest) salubrious /sə lu briəs/ adj healthy and pleasant to live in (formal ) salutary / sljυt(ə)ri/ adj which teaches. Synonym beneficial salute /sə lu t/ noun 1. a movement to express respect or recognition, especially putting your right hand up to touch the side of your forehead 쑗 The officer returned the soldier’s salute. 왍 to take the salute to be the person whom soldiers on parade salute 쑗 The general took the salute at the march past. 2. firing guns to mark an important occasion 쑗 The birthday of the Queen was marked with a 21-gun salute. 쐽 verb 1. to give a salute to someone 쑗 Ordinary soldiers must salute their officers. 2. to praise someone 쑗 We salute the brave firemen who saved the children. salvage / slvdȢ/ noun 1. saving a ship or cargo from being destroyed 2. goods saved from something such as a wreck or a fire 쑗 a sale of flood salvage items 3. saving rubbish for use 쑗 a company specialising in the salvage of plastics from household waste 쐽 verb 1. to save something from a wreck or a fire 쑗 We are selling off a warehouse full of salvaged goods. 쑗 We managed to salvage the computer discs from the fire. 2. to save something from loss 쑗 The company is trying to salvage its reputation after the managing director was sent to prison for fraud. 쑗 The receiver managed to salvage something from the collapse of the company. ③ salvation /sl veʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of saving a person’s soul from sin salve /slv/ noun a healing ointment. Synonym lotion 쐽 verb 왍 to do something to salve your conscience to do something because your conscience tells you to do it salvo / slvəυ/ noun the simultaneous firing of several guns in a battle at sea or as a salute. Synonym barrage (NOTE: The plural . is salvos or salvoes.) same /sem/ adj, pron 1. being, looking, ① sounding, etc., exactly alike 쑗 These two beers taste the same. 쑗 You must get very bored doing the same work every day. 쑗 She was wearing the same dress as me. 쑗 This book is not the same size as that one. 왍 to stay the same not to change 쑗 The weather is expect to stay the same for the next few days. 왍 same again, please! please serve us the same drinks or food as before (informal ) 왍 same here! I agree with you 쑗 I can’t . sameness 751 stand warm beer – Same here! 2. showing that two or more things are in fact one 쑗 They all live in the same street. 쑗 Should we all leave at the same time? 쑗 Our children go to the same school as theirs. sameness / semnəs/ noun monotony, lack of variety, being always the same same-sex / sem seks/ adj attracted to people of the same sex ② sample / sɑ mpəl/ noun a specimen, a small part which is used to show what the whole is like 쑗 a sample of the cloth or a cloth sample 쑗 Try a sample of the local cheese. 쑗 He gave a blood sample. 쑗 We interviewed a sample of potential customers. Synonym example 쐽 verb 1. to test something, to try something by taking a small amount 쑗 Why don’t you sample the wine before placing your order? 2. to ask a group of people questions to find out a general reaction 쑗 They sampled 2,000 people at random to test the new soap. sampler / sɑ mplə/ noun a piece of embroidered cloth, usually with letters, numbers and simple pictures, made to show your skill at sewing sanatorium /snə tɔ riəm/ noun a hospital for the treatment of invalids, especially people suffering from tuberculosis. Synonym clinic (NOTE: The plural is sanatoriums or sanatoria /snə tɔ riə/.) sanctify / sŋktfa/ verb to make something holy. Synonym bless. Antonym desecrate sanctimonious /sŋkt məυniəs/ adj pretending to be holier than you are. Synonym self-righteous sanction / sŋkʃən/ noun 1. approval, permission 쑗 You will need the sanction of the local authorities before you can knock the house down. 2. 왍 they imposed economic sanctions they placed restrictions on trade with a country in order to try to influence its political development 쐽 verb to approve something 쑗 The committee sanctioned the expenditure of £1.2m on the development project. Synonym authorise. Antonym veto sanctity / sŋktti/ noun holiness sanctuary / sŋktʃuəri/ noun 1. a place of safety 쑗 The church became a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. 쑗 People escaping from the revolutionary troops sought sanctuary in the church. 2. a place for the protection of wild animals or birds 쑗 They established several bird sanctuaries near the sea. 3. a holy place 쑗 the ruins of the sanctuary of the goddess Athene 4. a part of a church where the high altar is placed 쑗 The priest turned towards the altar and stepped into the sanctuary. (NOTE: The plural is sanctuaries.) sane sand /snd/ noun a mass of tiny bits of rock found on beaches and in the desert 쑗 a beach of fine white sand 쑗 the black sand beaches of the Northern coast of New Zealand 쑗 He kicked sand in my face. 쐽 verb 1. sand, sand down to rub something smooth 쑗 They sanded the floor before polishing it. 2. to spread sand on something 쑗 Trucks have been out all night sanding the motorways. sandal / snd(ə)l/ noun a light shoe with an open top sandbag / sndbDZ/ noun a bag filled with sand and used as a protection sandbank / sndbŋk/ noun an area of sand in the sea or a river sand castle / snd kɑ s(ə)l/ noun a little castle of sand made by children on a beach sand dune / snd dju n/ noun an area of sand blown by the wind into small hills and ridges which have very little soil or vegetation sander / sndə/ noun a machine for sanding sandpaper / sndpepə/ noun thick paper covered with sand used for smoothing rough surfaces 쑗 Use fine sandpaper if you want to get a very smooth finish. 쐽 verb to rub something smooth with sandpaper 쑗 He sandpapered the door before painting it. sandpit / sndpt/ noun a place in a garden, with sand where children can play sands /sndz/ plural noun an area of sandy beach sandstone / sndstəυn/ noun a type of reddish-brown rock, formed of tiny pieces of sand sandstorm / sndstɔ m/ noun a high wind in the desert, which carries large amounts of sand with it ② sandwich / snwdȢ/ noun a snack made with two slices of bread with meat, cheese, etc. and sometimes salad between them 쑗 She ordered a cheese sandwich and a cup of coffee. 쑗 What sort of sandwiches do you want to take for your lunch? 쑗 I didn’t have a big meal – just a sandwich with some beer in the pub. 쐽 verb to put something between two others 쑗 I stood all the way home on the Underground, sandwiched between two fat men. sandwich bar / snwdȢ bɑ / noun a small shop which mainly sells sandwiches sandwich course / sndwdȢ kɔ s/ noun an education course where students spend time working in an office or factory between periods of study at a college ③ sandy / sndi/ adj covered with sand ② (NOTE: sandier – sandiest) sane /sen/ adj not mad (NOTE: saner – sanest) sang 752 ③ sang /sŋ/ 쒁 sing sanguine / sŋDZwn/ adj confident, opti- mistic. Antonym pessimistic sanitary / snt(ə)ri/ adj referring to hygiene or to health. Synonym hygienic. Antonym insanitary sanitary towel / snt(ə)ri taυəl/, sanitary napkin / snt(ə)ri npkn/ noun a pad of absorbent cotton used by a woman to absorb blood during her period sanitation /sn teʃ(ə)n/ noun being hygienic, especially referring to public hygiene and the removal of household waste and sewage sanitise / sntaz/, sanitize verb to make something less likely to offend people sanity / snti/ noun the state of being sane ③ sank /sŋk/ 쒁 sink Santa Claus /sntə klɔ z/ noun Father Christmas 쑗 The children whooped with delight when Santa Claus came in carrying a big sack full of toys. sap /sp/ noun the liquid which flows inside plants and trees 쑗 They cut a notch in the bark of the tree and the sap ran out. 쐽 verb to make something weaker 쑗 His strength was sapped by the cold. (NOTE: sapping – sapped) sapling / splŋ/ noun a young tree sapphire / sfaə/ noun a bright blue precious stone sarcasm / sɑ kz(ə)m/ noun sharp unpleasant remarks which mean the opposite of what they say sarcastic /sɑ kstk/ adj using sarcasm sarcastically /sɑ kstkli/ adv in a sarcastic way sardine /sɑ di n/ noun a small silvery fish which can be eaten fresh, or commonly bought in tins 왍 packed (together) like sardines standing or sitting very close together 쑗 In the rush hour we were packed like sardines on the Underground. sardonic /sɑ dɒnk/ adj scornful, showing you feel superior to someone. Synonym mocking sari / sɑ ri/ noun a long piece of cloth, espe- cially silk, which Indian women wear wrapped round their bodies sarong /sə rɒŋ/ noun a cloth worn wrapped round the waist or under the arms by South East Asian men and women sash /sʃ/ noun 1. an ornamental scarf or belt 쑗 In France, mayors wear a red, white and blue sash. 2. a wooden frame holding panes of glass ③ sat /st/ 쒁 sit SAT /st/ noun in the USA, a pre-college test (trademark of the College Entrance Ex- satisfy amination Board ) Full form Scholastic Aptitude Test. 쏡 SATs Satan / set(ə)n/ noun the Devil satanic /sə tnk/ adj referring to Satan satanism / set(ə)nz(ə)m/ noun the worship of Satan satchel / stʃəl/ noun a small leather or canvas bag carried on your shoulders, used mainly by schoolchildren satellite / stəlat/ noun 1. a device that orbits the Earth, receiving and transmitting signals, pictures and data 쑗 The signals are transmitted by satellite all round the world. 2. a body in space which goes round a planet 쑗 The Moon is the only satellite of the Earth. satellite dish / stəlat dʃ/ noun an aerial, shaped like a large saucer, used to capture satellite broadcasts satellite television /st(ə)lat telvȢ(ə)n/ noun television programmes broadcast using satellite technology satin / stn/ noun a silk material with a glossy surface 쑗 She bought some black satin to make a dress. 쐽 adj made of satin 쑗 She wore little red satin slippers. satire / staə/ noun 1. a way of attacking people in speaking or writing by making them seem ridiculous 쑗 his use of satire in his weekly political column 2. a piece of writing which criticises people by making them seem ridiculous 쑗 ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ is a satire on 18th-century England. satirical /sə trk(ə)l/ adj making use of satire. Synonym mocking satirise / stəraz/, satirize verb to attack someone or something in a way which makes them seem ridiculous. Synonym mock satirist / stərst/ noun a person who writes or performs satires ③ satisfaction /sts fkʃən/ noun 1. a good feeling; a sense of comfort or happiness 쑗 After finishing his meal he gave a deep sigh of satisfaction. 쑗 I get no satisfaction from telling you this – you’re fired. 2. payment of money or goods to someone, who then agrees to stop a claim against you 쑗 They demanded satisfaction from the driver of the other car. satisfactorily /sts fkt(ə)rli/ adv in a satisfactory way satisfactory /sts fkt(ə)ri/ adj quite good, which satisfies. Synonym acceptable. Antonym unsatisfactory ③ satisfied / stsfad/ adj contented. Antonym dissatisfied 왍 satisfied customer a customer who has got what he wanted ② satisfy / stsfa/ verb 1. to make someone pleased with what he or she has purchased, or with the service he or she has received 쑗 The council’s decision should satisfy most people. 쑗 Our aim is to satisfy our . satisfying 753 customers. 2. 왍 to satisfy a demand to fill a demand 쑗 We cannot produce enough to satisfy the demand for the product. 왍 to satisfy yourself to make sure of something 쑗 The buyer must satisfy himself that the car is in good condition. 3. to comply with conditions 쑗 The payments received so far do not satisfy the conditions attached to the contract. ③ satisfying / stsfaŋ/ adj which satisfies SATs /sts/ noun in the UK, national tests taken at various ages during secondary school. Full form Standard Assessment Tests satsuma /st su mə/ noun a type of small orange, with peel which is easily removed saturate / stʃəret/ verb to fill something with the maximum amount of a liquid or substance which can be absorbed saturated / stʃəretd/ adj 1. as full of a liquid or other substance as can be absorbed 쑗 The ground is saturated and we can’t start ploughing yet. 쑗 It is a marginal seat, and has been saturated with election posters. 2. containing an overwhelming amount of something 쑗 The media are saturated with scenes of violence. 왍 the market for home computers is saturated there are too many home computers available for the number of people who want to buy them saturated fat /stʃəretd ft/ noun butter and other types of animal fat, which contain the largest amount of hydrogen possible saturation /stʃə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of filling something to the maximum amount possible saturation point /stʃə reʃ(ə)n pɔnt/ noun a level at which no more of something can be absorbed ① Saturday / stəde/ noun the sixth day of the week, the day between Friday and Sunday 쑗 We arranged to meet up on Saturday. 쑗 He works in a shop, so Saturday is a normal working day for him. 쑗 We go shopping in London most Saturdays. 쑗 Saturday is the Jewish day of rest. 쑗 Today is Saturday, November 15th. 쑗 The 15th is a Saturday, so the 16th must be a Sunday. satyr / stə/ noun a classical god living in woods, with a human body, but with legs of a goat (NOTE: Do not confuse with satire.) sauce /sɔ s/ noun a liquid with a particular taste, poured over food (informal ) 쑗 spaghetti with meat and tomato sauce 쑗 ice cream with chocolate sauce 쑗 We had chicken with a barbecue sauce. 쑗 The waitress put a bottle of tomato sauce on the table. 쑗 We had roast duck and orange sauce for dinner. ③ saucepan / sɔ spən/ noun a deep metal cooking pan with a lid and a long handle . save ③ saucer / sɔ sə/ noun a shallow dish which a cup stands in 왍 a saucer of milk milk put in a saucer, usually for a cat to drink saucily / sɔ sli/ adv cheekily saucy / sɔ si/ adj cheeky. Synonym impu- dent (NOTE: saucier – sauciest) sauna / sɔ nə/ noun 1. a bath taken by sit- ting in a room filled with very hot steam 쑗 We all had a sauna and then went for a swim in the lake. 2. a room where you can have a very hot steam bath 쑗 There is a sauna in the basement of the hotel. saunter / sɔ ntə/ noun a stroll, slow walk 쑗 We went for a saunter along the sea front. 쐽 verb to walk slowly, to stroll 쑗 She sauntered into the bar and ordered a whisky. ③ sausage / sɒsdȢ/ noun a tube of edible skin full of minced and seasoned meat sausage roll /sɒsdȢ rəυl/ noun a small roll of pastry with a piece of sausage or some sausagemeat inside sauté / səυte/ adj fried quickly in a little fat 쑗 Do you want sauté potatoes or new potatoes with your fish? 쐽 verb to fry something in a little fat 쑗 She sautéed some potatoes to go with the meat. (NOTE: sautéing – sautéed) savage / svdȢ/ adj very fierce or violent The dog injured him in a savage attack. 쐽 noun a person from a culture that is not considered civilised (dated offensive) 쑗 How could he turn into such a savage and attack her like that? 쐽 verb to attack someone with teeth 쑗 He was savaged by an Alsatian. savagely / svdȢli/ adv in a savage way savagery / svdȢ(ə)ri/ noun being savage. Synonym cruelty savanna /sə vnə/, savannah noun a dry grass-covered plain with few trees, usually referring to the grasslands of South America and Africa ① save /sev/ noun (in football ) the act of stopping the ball from going into the net 쑗 The goalkeeper made a brilliant save, and the result was that the match was drawn. 쐽 verb 1. to stop someone from being hurt or killed 쑗 The firefighters saved six people from the burning house. 쑗 How many passengers were saved when the ferry sank? 왍 she saved my life she helped me and prevented me from being killed 2. to stop something from being damaged 쑗 We managed to save most of the paintings from the fire. 3. to keep things such as money, food or other articles so that you can use them later 쑗 If you save £10 a week, you’ll have £520 at the end of a year. 쑗 They save old pieces of bread to give to the ducks in the park. 쑗 He saves bits of string in case he may need them later. 4. not to waste something such as time or money 쑗 By walking to work, he saves £25 a week in bus fares. 쑗 She took the parcel her쑗 . save on 754 self so as to save the cost of postage. 쑗 If you have your car serviced regularly it will save you a lot of expense in the future. 쑗 Going by air saves a lot of time. 5. to store data on a computer disk 쑗 Don’t forget to save your files when you have finished working on them. 6. (in football ) to stop an opponent from scoring 쑗 The goalkeeper saved two goals. 쐽 prep, conj except for 쑗 Everyone was there, save Richard, who was ill. ① save on / sev ɒn/ verb not to waste something, to use less of something saver / sevə/ noun 1. a person who saves money 쑗 All savers will receive a bonus this year. 2. a special offer or ticket which allows you to buy something at a lower price 쑗 Among this week’s savers are baked beans at 50p. 쑗 Saver tickets are not valid on trains before 9.30. ① save up /sev p/ verb not to spend the money you get because you are keeping it for a special purpose ③ saving / sevŋ/ noun using less 쑗 We are aiming for a 10% saving in fuel. Synonym economy 쐽 suffix which uses less 왍 an energy-saving or labour-saving device a machine which saves energy or labour saving grace / sevŋ DZres/ noun a quality or feature which makes a situation less bad than it seemed ① savings / sevŋz/ plural noun 1. money which you have saved 쑗 He put all his savings into a building society account. 쑗 She spent all her savings on a round-the-world trip. 2. money which you do not need to spend because of a price reduction 쑗 There are incredible savings on flights to Florida. savings account / sevŋz əkaυnt/ noun a bank account where you can put money in regularly and which pays interest, often at a higher rate than a deposit account savings bank / sevŋz bŋk/ noun a bank where you can deposit money and receive interest on it saviour / sevjə/ noun 1. 왍 our Saviour Jesus Christ 2. a person who saves people 쑗 He was called the Saviour of the West. . (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is savior.) savour / sevə/ noun 1. a characteristic pleasant taste 쑗 Some Greek soups have a savour of lemon. 2. a feeling of excitement and interest 쑗 Office life seems to have lost some of its savour for her. 쐽 verb 1. to appreciate or enjoy something 쑗 He ate slowly, savouring his meal. 쑗 The general stood at the top of the hill, savouring his victory. 2. 왍 to savour of to have a suggestion of something bad 쑗 The whole project savours of tax evasion to me. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is savor.) saying savoury / sevəri/ adj 1. with a salty taste, or other taste which is not sweet 쑗 I don’t particularly like sweets, I prefer savoury things. 2. 왍 not savoury unattractive and unpleasant 쑗 The bar doesn’t have a very savoury reputation. 쑗 Seeing all those fat men in the sauna was not a very savoury sight. 쐽 noun a little salty snack 쑗 They served little savouries with the aperitifs. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is savory.) savvy / svi/ noun practical knowledge 쐽 adj well informed saw /sɔ / noun a tool with a long metal blade with teeth along its edge, used for cutting 쑗 He was cutting logs with a saw. 쑗 My saw doesn’t cut very well – it needs sharpening. 쐽 verb 1. to cut something with a saw 쑗 She was sawing wood. 쑗 They sawed the old tree into pieces. 쑗 You will need to saw that piece of wood in half. (NOTE: sawing – sawed – has sawn /sɔ n/) 2. 쏡 see sawdust / sɔ dst/ noun powder produced when you saw wood sawmill / sɔ ml/ noun a factory where wood is cut into planks by machines sawn-off shotgun /sɔ n ɒf ʃɒtDZn/ noun a gun with the barrel cut short (NOTE: The US term is sawed-off shotgun.) saw off /sɔ ɒf/ verb to cut something off with a saw sax /sks/ noun a saxophone (informal ) saxophone / sksəfəυn/ noun a large brass musical instrument with keys saxophonist /sk sɒfənst/ noun a saxophone player ① say /se/ noun a right to speak about something 쑗 The children have no say in the matter. 쑗 She always wants to have the final say in an argument. 쑗 They will all expect to have their say in choosing the new leader. 쐽 verb 1. to speak words 쑗 I was just saying that we never see James any more. 쑗 What’s she saying? – I don’t know, I don’t understand Dutch. 쑗 She says the fee is £3 per person. 쑗 Don’t forget to say ‘thank you’ after the party. 쑗 The weather forecast said it was going to rain and it did. 2. to give information in writing 쑗 The letter says that we owe the bank £200. 쑗 The notice says that you are not allowed to walk on the grass. 3. to suggest something 쑗 Choose any number – (let’s) say eighteen. 쑗 Let’s have another meeting next week – shall we say Thursday? (NOTE: says /sez/ – saying – said /sed/ – has said) 쐽 interj US to show surprise 쑗 Say! haven’t we met someplace before? ③ saying / seŋ/ noun a phrase which is often used to describe an aspect of everyday life. Synonym proverb 왍 as the saying goes as expressed by a traditional phrase 쑗 ‘More haste, less speed’ as the saying goes. . say-so 755 say-so / se səυ/ noun permission (informal ) Synonym authorisation. Antonym veto scab /skb/ noun 1. a crust of dry blood which forms over a wound and protects it 쑗 The scab fell off where he had grazed his knee. 2. a worker who goes on working when there is a strike 쑗 We don’t want scabs here. scabbard / skbəd/ noun a sheath, a cover for a dagger or sword. Synonym sheath scaffold / skfəυld/ noun a wooden platform on which an execution takes place scaffolding / skfəldŋ/ noun a construction of poles and planks which make a series of platforms for workmen to stand on while working (NOTE: no plural) scald /skɔ ld/ verb to burn a part of the body with hot liquid or steam scalding / skɔ ldŋ/ adj very hot ② scale /skel/ noun 1. a proportion used to show a large object in a smaller form 쑗 a map with a scale of 1 to 100,000 쑗 a scale model of the new town centre development 쑗 The architect’s design is drawn to scale. 2. a measuring system which is graded into various levels 쑗 The Richter scale is used to measure earthquakes. 3. 왍 large scale, small scale working with large or small amounts of things such as investment or staff 왍 to start in business on a small scale to start in business with a small staff, few products, little capital 4. a thin plate protecting the skin of fish and snakes 쑗 Don’t forget to scrape the scales off the sardines before you grill them. 5. a series of musical notes arranged in a rising or falling order 쑗 She practises her scales every morning. 쐽 verb 1. to climb up something 쑗 Six climbers tried to scale the north face of the mountain. 2. 왍 to scale up, to scale down to increase or to reduce in proportion 쑗 Not enough students have passed the exam, so the marks will have to be scaled up. 쑗 The company is scaling down its operations in Bangkok. ③ scales /skelz/ plural noun a weighing machine 왍 to tip the scales at to weigh a particular amount 쑗 He tipped the scales at 210lb. scallop / skɒləp/ noun a type of shellfish with a pair of semicircular flat shells 쑗 We had scallops fried in butter. scalp /sklp/ noun the skin which covers the skull 쑗 He was taken to hospital with a scalp wound. 쑗 Rubbing the scalp will encourage your hair to grow. 쐽 verb 1. to cut off the scalp of an enemy 쑗 They killed the settlers and scalped them. 2. US to sell tickets at a very high price scalpel / sklpəl/ noun a sharp pointed knife used in surgery scaly / skeli/ adj covered in scales . scanner scam /skm/ noun a case of fraud (slang) Synonym con scamper / skmpə/ verb to run fast with little steps. Synonym scurry. Antonym dawdle scampi / skmpi/ plural noun large prawns (NOTE: can be followed by a singular or plural verb) scan /skn/ verb 1. to look very carefully at something all over 쑗 We scanned the horizon but no ships were to be seen. 쑗 He scanned the map to try to find Cambridge Road. 2. to pass a radar beam over an area 쑗 First they scanned the right side of the brain. 3. to pass X-rays through part of the body 쑗 The hospital has decided to re-examine all patients who have been scanned over the last year. 4. to examine a drawing or text and produce computer data from it electronically 쑗 They scanned the text of the book using a hand-held scanner. 5. to analyse a line of poetry to identify the rhythm 쑗 Some modern poetry is impossible to scan. 6. (of poetry) to fit a regular rhythm 쑗 The second line of the poem doesn’t scan. (NOTE: scanning – scanned) 쐽 noun 1. the examination of part of the body by passing X-rays through the body and analysing the result in a computer 쑗 She went to have a scan after ten weeks of pregnancy. 2. a picture of part of the body shown on a screen, derived by computers from X-rays 3. the examination of an image or an object to obtain data 쑗 A heat scan will quickly show which component is overheating. scandal / sknd(ə)l/ noun 1. talking about wrong things someone is supposed to have done 쑗 Have you heard the latest scandal about him? 2. a wrong action that produces a general feeling of public anger 쑗 The government was brought down by the scandal of the emperor’s diamonds. 쑗 It’s a scandal that her parents never allowed her to go to university. scandalise / skndəlaz/, scandalize verb to make people angry by doing something which they think is wrong. Synonym horrify. Antonym impress scandalous / skndələs/ adj which is shameful and wrong. Synonym shocking. Antonym admirable Scandinavian /sknd neviən/ adj referring to Scandinavia 쑗 We often think of Scandinavian women as being tall with fair hair. 왍 he is studying Scandinavian languages at university he’s studying languages such as Swedish, Danish, Finnish and Norwegian at university 쐽 noun a person from Scandinavia ③ scanner / sknə/ noun 1. a machine which scans part of the body 쑗 The hospital has acquired the most up-to-date scanner. 2. scant 756 an electronic device that scans, especially a device that scans images or text and converts them to computer data 쑗 We used a small hand-held scanner to get the photos onto our computer system. scant /sknt/ adj not enough. Synonym slight. Antonym extensive scantily / skntli/ adv 왍 scantily dressed with very few clothes on scanty / sknti/ adj small, not big enough (NOTE: scantier – scantiest) scapegoat / skepDZəυt/ noun a person who carries the blame for someone else scapula / skpjυlə/ noun a shoulderblade, one of the two large flat bones covering the top part of your back scar /skɑ / noun a mark left on the skin after a wound has healed 쑗 He still has the scars of his operation. 쐽 verb 1. to leave a mark on the skin 쑗 He was scarred for life as a result of the accident. 2. to leave a mark on the mind of someone 쑗 The bullying she received at school has scarred her for ever. (NOTE: scarring – scarred) scarce /skeəs/ adj 1. not enough for the amount needed 쑗 This happened at a period when food was scarce. 쑗 Good designers are getting scarce. 2. 왍 to make oneself scarce to hide, to keep out of someone’s way (informal ) ③ scarcely / skeəsli/ adv almost not. Synonym barely. Antonym fully 왍 scarcely anyone almost no one 쑗 Scarcely anyone bought tickets for the show. scarcity / skeəsti/ noun a lack of something, the state of being scarce scare /skeə/ noun a fright 쑗 What a scare you gave me – jumping out at me in the dark like that! Antonym reassurance 쐽 verb to frighten someone 쑗 The thought of travelling alone across Africa scares me. 쑗 She was scared by the spider in the bathroom. Antonym reassure 왍 to scare the life out of someone to frighten someone completely (informal ) 왍 to scare away to frighten something so that it goes away 쑗 The cat has scared all the birds away from the garden. scarecrow / skeəkrəυ/ noun a figure made to look like a person, dressed in old clothes, and put up in a field to frighten the birds ③ scared /skeəd/ adj frightened 쑗 Don’t be scared – the snake is harmless. 쑗 She was too scared to answer the door. 쑗 I’m scared at the idea of driving in London’s rush-hour traffic. 쑗 She looked round with a scared expression. Antonym fearless 왍 scared stiff so frightened that you cannot move 쑗 I was scared stiff when I saw the children playing at the top of the cliff. . . scene scarf /skɑ f/ noun 1. a long piece of cloth which is worn round your neck to keep yourself warm 쑗 Take your scarf – it’s snowing. 2. a square piece of cloth which can be worn over the head, especially of a woman 쑗 Put a scarf over your head – it’s windy outside. (NOTE: The plural is scarves /skɑ vz/.) scarlet / skɑ lət/ adj brilliant red scarves /skɑ vz/ 쒁 scarf scary / skeəri/ adj frightening (informal ) Antonym reassuring (NOTE: scarier – . scariest) scathing / skeðŋ/ adj very critical. Synonym scornful. Antonym complimentary scatter / sktə/ verb 1. to throw something in various places 쑗 The crowd scattered flowers all over the path. 2. to run in different directions 쑗 When the police arrived, the children scattered. scatterbrain / sktəbren/ noun a person who often forgets things scatterbrained / sktəbrend/ adj often forgetting things. Synonym absent-minded ③ scattered / sktəd/ adj spread out over a wide area ③ scattering / sktərŋ/ noun a small quantity or number of things. Synonym handful scavenge / skvndȢ/ verb 1. to feed on dead and decaying matter 쑗 Vultures live by scavenging on the corpses of animals which have died in the desert. 2. to get food or other useful items from rubbish 쑗 Children were scavenging for food in the heaps of rubbish round the city. scavenger / skvndȢə/ noun an animal which feeds on dead animals, dead plants or refuse left by other animals scenario /s nɑ riəυ/ noun 1. a written draft of a film with details of things such as the plot, the characters and the scenes 쑗 He wrote the scenario for ‘Gone with the Wind’. 2. the general way in which you think something may happen 쑗 The worst scenario would be if she wanted to come on holiday with us. (NOTE: The plural is scenarios.) ② scene /si n/ noun 1. a short part of a play or film 쑗 Did you like the scene where he is trying to climb up the skyscraper? 쑗 It was one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen. 2. 왍 behind the scenes without being obvious, without many people knowing 쑗 She helped her mother a lot behind the scenes. 3. a place where something has happened 쑗 The fire brigade were on the scene very quickly. 쑗 It took the ambulance ten minutes to get to the scene of the accident. 쑗 A photographer was at the scene to record the ceremony. 4. a general area in which something happens 쑗 The British political scene has changed radically over the last twelve months. 쑗 He’s king of scenery 757 the pop music scene. 왍 it’s not my scene it’s not the sort of thing I usually do or like 5. a view 쑗 He took a photo of the scene from the hotel window. 6. a display of angry emotion 쑗 She made a terrible scene when she discovered the truth. 쑗 I can’t stand it when people make scenes. scenery / si nəri/ noun 1. the features of the countryside 쑗 the beautiful scenery of the Lake District 2. a painted cloth background used to imitate things such as real buildings, rooms and landscapes on the stage in a theatre 쑗 They lowered the scenery onto the stage. 쑗 In between the acts all the scenery has to be changed. (NOTE: no plural) scenic / si nk/ adj referring to beautiful scenery. Synonym picturesque. Antonym unsightly scent /sent/ noun 1. a pleasant smell of something which you can recognise 쑗 the scent of roses in the cottage garden 2. perfume 쑗 That new scent of yours makes me sneeze. 3. a smell 왍 on the scent of following a trail left by 쑗 The dogs followed, on the scent of the robbers. 왍 to put someone off the scent to give someone wrong information so as to mislead them 쑗 She tried to put the reporters off the scent by saying that her husband had gone into hospital. 쐽 verb 1. to give something a pleasant smell 쑗 The lavatory cleaner is scented with pine. 2. to discover something by smelling 쑗 Dogs can scent rabbits in holes in the ground. 3. to begin to feel that something exists 쑗 The team raced forward, scenting victory. (NOTE: Do not confuse with cent, sent.) scented / sentd/ adj with a pleasant scent. Synonym perfumed sceptic / skeptk/ noun 1. a person who doubts the truth of religion 쑗 In the area of religious belief, he is something of a sceptic. 2. a person who always doubts the truth of what he or she is told 쑗 I am a sceptic when it comes to astrology. (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is skeptic.) ③ sceptical / skeptk(ə)l/ adj doubtful, who doubts (NOTE: The US spelling is skeptical.) sceptically / skeptkli/ adv doubtfully (NOTE: The US spelling is skeptically.) scepticism / skeptsz(ə)m/ noun doubt or uncertainty (NOTE: The US spelling is skepticism.) sceptre / septə/ noun a gold stick covered with precious stones, carried by an emperor, king or queen (NOTE: The US spelling is scepter.) ③ schedule / ʃedȢu l/ noun 1. a timetable, a plan of times drawn up in advance 쑗 He has a busy schedule of appointments. 쑗 Her personal assistant tried to fit me into her schedule. 왍 to be ahead of schedule to be scholarship early 쑗 The building of the hotel was completed ahead of schedule. 왍 to be on schedule to be on time 쑗 The flight is on schedule. 왍 to be behind schedule to be late 쑗 I am sorry to say that we are three months behind schedule. 2. a list of times of departure and arrival of forms of transport such as trains, planes or coaches 쑗 The summer schedules have been published. 3. a programme or list of events 쑗 the schedule of events for the music festival 4. a list, especially of documents attached to a contract 쑗 the schedule of territories to which an insurance policy applies 쑗 Please find enclosed our schedule of charges. 쐽 verb 1. to put something on an official list 쑗 See the list of scheduled prices. 쑗 The house has been scheduled as an ancient monument. 2. to arrange the times for something 쑗 The building is scheduled for completion in May. 쑗 The flight is scheduled to arrive at six o’clock. 쑗 We have scheduled the meeting for Tuesday morning. scheduled flight / ʃedȢu ld flat/ noun a flight which is in the airline timetable scheduled service /ʃedȢu ld s" vs/ noun a regular bus or train service schematic /ski mtk/ adj laid out like a diagram ① scheme /ski m/ noun 1. a plan for making something work 쑗 She joined the company pension scheme. 쑗 He has thought up some scheme for making money very quickly. 2. an arrangement 쑗 the colour scheme in the living room 쐽 verb to plan something in secret 쑗 She spent most of her time in the office scheming against the finance department. 쑗 They have been scheming to buy the shop cheaply. schemer / ski mə/ noun a person who plots. Synonym plotter schizophrenia /sktsəυ fri niə/ noun a mental disorder where the patient withdraws from other people, has delusions and seems to lose contact with the real world schizophrenic /sktsəυ frenk/ noun, adj (a person) who is affected by schizophrenia scholar / skɒlə/ noun 1. a learned person 쑗 He is a well-known scholar of medieval French history. 2. a student at school or university who has a scholarship 쑗 Because I was a scholar my parents didn’t have to pay any fees. scholarly / skɒləli/ adj referring to serious study at a high level. Synonym learned. Antonym lowbrow scholarship / skɒləʃp/ noun 1. money given to someone to help pay for the cost of his or her study 쑗 The college offers scholarships to attract the best students. 쑗 She got or won a scholarship to carry out research into scholastic 758 causes of cancer. 2. a deep learning 쑗 The article shows sound scholarship. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) scholastic /skə
lstk/ adj referring to schools or teaching methods. Synonym educational Scholastic Aptitude Test /skɒlstk
pttjud test/ noun US full form of SAT ① school /skul/ noun 1. a place where stu- dents, usually children, are taught 쑗 Our little boy is four, so he’ll be going to school this year. 쑗 Some children start school younger than that. 쑗 What did the children do at school today? 쑗 When he was sixteen, he left school and joined the army. 쑗 Which school did you go to? 왍 grammar school a school which selects children by an entrance examination. 쏡 public school 2. a section of a college or university 쑗 The school of medicine is one of the largest in the country. 쑗 She’s studying at law school. 3. a group of similar artists 쑗 painters who do not belong to the naturalist school 4. a group of animals 쑗 a school of porpoises 쐽 verb to train someone 쑗 He was schooled in the art of tapping telephones. school board /skul
bɔd/ noun a committee which runs a local school system ③ schoolbook /
skulbυk/ noun a book used when learning a subject at school schoolboy /
skulbɔ/ noun a boy who goes to school ③ school bus /skul
bs/ noun a bus which collects children from home in the morning, takes them to school and brings them back home in the afternoon schoolchild /
skultʃald/ noun a child who goes to school schooldays /
skuldez/ plural noun the time when you are at school schoolgirl /
skulDZl/ noun a girl who goes to school schooling /
skulŋ/ noun education at school level ③ school kid /
skul kd/ noun a child who is at school (informal ) school leaver /
skul livə/ noun a young person who has just left secondary school ③ schoolteacher /
skultitʃə/ noun a person who teaches in a school school year /skul
jə/ noun (in Britain) a year starting in September and ending in July of the following year ① science /
saəns/ noun the study of natural physical things, based on observation and experiment 쑗 She took a science course or studied science. 쑗 We have a new science teacher this term. 쑗 He has a master’s degree in marine science. 쏡 social science . scoop science fiction /saəns
fkʃən/ noun stories of life in the future, based on imaginary scientific developments ③ science park /
saəns pɑk/ noun an area outside a town which is set aside for scientific companies ② scientific /saən
tfk/ adj referring to science 쑗 We employ hundreds of people in scientific research. 쑗 He’s the director of a scientific institute. 쑗 She loved art and music and was never very scientific. Synonym ③ technical scientifically /saən
tfkli/ adv by using scientific experiments ② scientist /
saəntst/ noun a person who specialises in a science, often doing research 쑗 Scientists have not yet found a cure for the common cold. 쑗 Space scientists are examining the photographs of Mars. sci-fi /
sa fa/ noun same as science fiction scintillating /
sntletŋ/ adj sparkling scissors /
szəz/ plural noun a tool for cutting paper, cloth, etc., made of two blades attached in the middle, with handles with holes for the thumb and fingers 쑗 These scissors aren’t very sharp. 쑗 Have you got a pair of scissors I can borrow? scoff /skɒf/ verb 1. 왍 to scoff at something to make fun of something in a nasty way 쑗 He scoffed at her attempts at windsurfing. 쑗 The committee chairman scoffed at my idea for redeveloping the town centre. 2. to eat something greedily 쑗 The two boys rushed into the dining room and scoffed half the cakes. scold /skəυld/ verb to speak to someone angrily. Synonym rebuke. Antonym praise scone /skɒn/ noun a type of small round soft bread, sometimes with dried fruit in it, eaten with butter or cream and jam scoop /skup/ noun 1. a deep round spoon with a short handle, for serving soft food such as ice cream 쑗 You must wash the scoop each time you use it. 2. a portion of soft food such as ice cream 쑗 I’ll have one scoop of strawberry and one scoop of vanilla, please. 3. an exciting news story which a reporter is the first to find or which no other newspaper has reported 쑗 He came back from the visit to the footballer’s girlfriend with a scoop. 쐽 verb 1. to cut something out with a scoop 쑗 He scooped out a helping of mashed potato. 왍 to scoop out the inside of something to remove the inside of something with something such as a spoon 쑗 Scoop out the inside of a melon. 2. to lift something or someone up, as with a scoop 쑗 She scooped up the babies into her arms and ran upstairs. 쑗 He scooped all the newspapers off the floor. 3. 왍 to scoop a newspaper to report a news item before another paper does 쑗 They scooped scooter 759 their rivals with the story of the minister’s girlfriend. scooter / sku tə/ noun 1. a child’s two-wheeled vehicle with a long steering handle, pushed along with one foot while the other foot is on the board 2. a small type of motorbike with a curving shield in front of the seat and a platform for the feet 쑗 She dodged through the traffic on her scooter. ③ scope /skəυp/ noun 1. the furthest area covered by observation or action 쑗 These matters are beyond the scope of our investigation. 2. an opportunity or possibility 쑗 We keep the children busy so there is no scope for them to get bored. 왍 there is scope for improvement it could be improved 쑗 There is considerable scope for expansion into the export market. scorch /skɔ tʃ/ verb 1. to burn something slightly or brown something 쑗 He accidentally scorched the tablecloth with the iron. 2. to make something very hot and dry 쑗 The sun has scorched the grass. scorched /skɔ tʃt/ adj slightly burnt or browned scorched-earth policy /skɔ tʃt " θ pɒlsi/ noun tactics in war where you destroy all resources before retreating and giving up land to the enemy scorching / skɔ tʃŋ/ adj very hot, which scorches (informal ) ② score /skɔ / noun 1. the number of goals or points made in a match 쑗 The final score in the rugby match was 22–10. 쑗 I didn’t see the beginning of the match – what’s the score? 왍 what’s the score? what is the news? (informal ) 왍 I know the score I know all the problems involved (informal ) 2. twenty 왍 three score years and ten seventy years (literary) 3. 왍 scores of many 쑗 Scores of people stayed at home during the train strike. 쑗 I must have seen that film scores of times. 4. written music 쑗 He composed the score for the musical. 5. 왍 to settle old scores to take revenge for things that happened a long time ago 쐽 verb 1. to make a goal or point in a match 쑗 They scored three goals in the first twenty minutes. 쑗 She scored sixty-five! 2. to arrange music for certain instruments 쑗 a piece scored for piano and three violins 3. to scratch a flat surface 쑗 Score the surface of the wood with a sharp knife so that the glue will hold better. scoreboard / skɔ bɔ d/ noun a large board on which the score in a game is shown as the game progresses. Synonym display scorer / skɔ rə/ noun 1. a person who scores a point, a goal, etc., in a game 쑗 With his hat trick he became the highest scorer in the league this season. 2. a person who writes down the scores in a game 쑗 We played Scrabble and I was the scorer. . . . scour scorn /skɔ n/ noun a feeling of thinking that someone or something is not good enough 쑗 He heaped scorn on the committee’s proposal. 쑗 The suggestion was greeted with scorn. Synonym contempt. Antonym admiration 쐽 verb to refuse to accept an idea or a suggestion 쑗 Most young people in the office scorn the idea that smoking can be bad for your health. 쑗 She scorned his proposal of a lift. scornful / skɔ nf(ə)l/ adj considering something not good enough. Synonym contemptuous. Antonym admiring scornfully / skɔ nf(ə)li/ adv in a scornful way Scorpio / skɔ piəυ/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like a scorpion, covering the period 23rd October to 21st November scorpion / skɔ piən/ noun a poisonous tropical animal which stings with its long curved tail Scot /skɒt/ noun a person from Scotland ③ Scotch /skɒtʃ/ adj referring to Scotland 쐽 noun 1. Scotch whisky 쑗 a bottle of Scotch 2. a glass of this drink 쑗 A large Scotch, please. (NOTE: The plural is Scotches.) 쐽 verb to prove something wrong or put a stop to something 쑗 By appearing in public, the president scotched rumours of his death. Scotch whisky /skɒtʃ wski/ noun whisky made in Scotland scot-free /skɒt fri / adj 왍 to get off scot-free to avoid being punished Scotland Yard /skɒtlənd jɑ d/ noun the headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police, or the officers who work there 쑗 The local police were baffled so they called in Scotland Yard. 쑗 A spokesman for Scotland Yard said that a man was helping police with their enquiries. (NOTE: also called simply the Yard) Scots /skɒts/ adj (of the people, laws, etc.) Scottish 쑗 ‘Not proven’ is a decision in Scots Law. 쐽 noun a dialect of English spoken in Scotland 쑗 ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is one of Burns’ poems in Scots. Scotsman / skɒtsmən/ noun a man from Scotland (NOTE: The plural is Scotsmen.) Scotswoman / skɒtswυmən/ noun a woman from Scotland (NOTE: The plural is Scotswomen / skɒtswmn/.) ① Scottish / skɒtʃ/ adj referring to Scotland scoundrel / skaυndrəl/ noun a bad person, with no principles. Synonym rogue scour / skaυə/ verb 1. to clean something by scrubbing with a hard material 쑗 Her first job was scouring dirty pans in the restaurant. 2. to search everywhere in a place 쑗 We scoured the market and couldn’t find any scourer 760 aubergines. 쑗 The police have been scouring the woods near the village where the little girl lived. scourer / skaυərə/ noun a pad of steel wool, plastic thread or other hard material, used to clean pans, etc. scourge /sk" dȢ/ noun a thing which causes suffering scouring pad / skaυərŋ pd/ noun same as scourer scout /skaυt/ noun a member of the Scout Association 쑗 Let Bill light the fire – he was a scout as a boy. 쐽 verb 왍 to scout (around) for something to look out for something 쑗 He goes to sales in the country, scouting for antiques. Scouts /skaυts/ plural noun the Scout Association, an international organisation for young people scowl /skaυl/ noun an angry look made by wrinkling the forehead 쑗 He gave a scowl and went on eating. 쐽 verb to make a scowl 쑗 When she asked him for a rise the boss scowled. 쑗 He scowled at the little boy and then told him to run away. 왘 Antonym (all senses) smile scrabble / skrb(ə)l/ verb 왍 to scrabble (about) to search wildly with your fingers 쑗 They were scrabbling about in the dustbin, looking for the missing letter. 쑗 She scrabbled in her shopping bag for the receipt. Scrabble / skrb(ə)l/ trademark a game where you are given a series of letters and have to make words with them scraggy / skrDZi/ adj thin and bony (NOTE: scraggier – scraggiest) scram /skrm/ interj go away! scramble / skrmbəl/ noun 1. a rush 쑗 There was a last-minute scramble for tickets. 2. a motorcycle race across rough country 쑗 We went to watch the scramble and got very cold and wet. 쐽 verb 1. to hurry, using your hands and knees if necessary 쑗 He scrambled over the wall. 2. to rush 쑗 Everyone was scrambling to get food. 3. to mix up a radio signal or telephone link so that it cannot be understood without a device for making it clear 쑗 Calls from the army chief of staff to the president are scrambled. scrambled eggs /skrmbəld eDZz/ plural noun eggs mixed together and stirred as they are cooked in butter scrap /skrp/ noun 1. a little piece 쑗 a scrap of paper 쑗 There isn’t a scrap of evidence against him. 쑗 She is collecting scraps of cloth to make a quilt. 2. waste materials 쑗 to sell a car for scrap 쑗 The scrap value of the car is £200. 3. a fight 쑗 The football fans got into a scrap with local youths. 쐽 verb 1. to throw something away as useless 쑗 They had to scrap 10,000 faulty spare parts. 2. to scream give up or stop working on a plan 쑗 We’ve scrapped our plans to go to Greece. 3. to fight 쑗 They were scrapping over who should get the best bit of the chicken. (NOTE: scrapping – scrapped) scrapbook / skrpbυk/ noun a book with blank pages on which you can stick pictures or stories cut from newspapers or magazines scrape /skrep/ noun an awkward situation which you get into by mistake 쑗 He’s always getting into scrapes. 쐽 verb to scratch something with a hard object which is pulled across a surface 쑗 She scraped the paint off the door. 쑗 He fell off his bike and scraped his knee on the pavement. ③ scrape through /skrep θru / verb to pass an examination with difficulty scrape together /skrep tə DZeðə/ verb to gather things together with difficulty scrap heap / skrp hi p/ noun a heap of rubbish (informal ) scrappy / skrpi/ adj made of bits and pieces; not joined up properly (informal ) . . (NOTE: scrappier – scrappiest) scraps /skrps/ plural noun bits of waste food scratch /skrtʃ/ noun 1. a long wound on the skin 쑗 Put some antiseptic on the scratches on your arms. 왍 without a scratch with no injuries 쑗 He came out of the car crash without a scratch. 2. a long mark made by a sharp point 쑗 I will never be able to cover up the scratches on the car door. 3. 왍 to start from scratch to start something new without any preparation 왍 up to scratch of the right quality 쑗 The recording was not up to scratch. 쐽 verb 1. to make a long wound on the skin 쑗 His legs were scratched by the bushes along the path. 왍 to scratch the surface to deal with a problem superficially and not to get down to the details 2. to make a mark on something with a sharp point 쑗 I must touch up the car where it has been scratched. 3. to rub a part of the body which itches with your fingernails 쑗 He scratched his head as he wondered what to do next. 쑗 Stop scratching – it will make your rash worse! 4. to remove your name from a list of competitors 쑗 One of the players scratched at the last minute. 쐽 adj collected at the last minute 쑗 Our opponents were a scratch side from the nearby village. scrawl /skrɔ l/ noun bad careless handwriting 쑗 I can’t read his scrawl. 쐽 verb to write something badly or carelessly 쑗 He scrawled a few notes on a bit of paper. scrawny / skrɔ ni/ adj extremely thin scream /skri m/ noun 1. a loud cry of pain 쑗 He let out a scream of pain. 쑗 the screams of the victims of the fire 2. 왍 screams of laughter loud laughter 3. a funny person (informal ) 쑗 She’s an absolute scream when she ③ . screech 761 starts talking about the office. 쐽 verb 1. to make loud cries 쑗 People on the third floor were screaming for help. 쑗 They screamed with pain. 쑗 She screamed at the class to stop singing. 2. 왍 to scream with laughter to laugh very loudly screech /skri tʃ/ noun a piercing sound 쑗 I was woken up by the screech of the owl in the tree. 쑗 The car sped away with a screech of tyres. (NOTE: The plural is screeches.) 쐽 verb to make a piercing sound 쑗 The motorbike raced up and screeched to a stop. 쑗 The police car screeched round the corner. Synonym shriek 왘 Antonym (all senses) whisper ② screen /skri n/ noun 1. a flat panel which acts as protection against something, e.g. draughts, fire or noise 쑗 a screen decorated with flowers and birds 쑗 The hedge acts as a screen against the noise from the motorway. 2. a flat glass surface on which a picture is shown 쑗 a computer screen 쑗 a TV screen 쑗 I’ll call the information up on the screen. 3. a flat white surface for projecting films or pictures 쑗 a cinema complex with four screens 쑗 We’ll put up the screen on the stage. 쐽 verb 1. to protect someone or something from something, e.g. draughts, fire or noise 쑗 They planted a row of trees to screen the farm buildings. 쑗 Part of the room was screened off. 쑗 Put the umbrella up to screen us from the sun. 2. to show a film in a cinema or on TV 쑗 Tonight’s film will be screened half an hour later than advertised. 3. to consider or investigate people, such as candidates for a job, before making a final choice 쑗 Applicants will be screened before being invited to an interview. 왍 to screen people for a disease to examine a lot of people to see if they have a disease 쑗 All women over 40 should be screened for cervical cancer. ③ screening / skri nŋ/ noun 1. the act of showing a film 쑗 This will be the first screening of the film outside Japan. 2. 왍 the screening of candidates the practice of examining candidates to see if they are suitable 쑗 Professor Mills will be in charge of the screening of applicants for the job. 왍 the screening of patients the practice of examining patients to see if they have an illness 쑗 Breast screening is important for women over 50. screenplay / skri nple/ noun a scenario, a written draft of a film with details, e.g., of plot, characters and scenes screen saver /skri n sevə/ noun a computer program which protects the screen by making it go black or show a picture when the computer is out of use for a while screenwriter / skri nratə/ noun a person who writes screenplays. Synonym script- writer scroll bar screw /skru / noun 1. a metal pin with a winding groove round it, which you twist to make it go into a hard surface 쑗 I need some longer screws to go through this thick plank. 쑗 The plate was fixed to the door with brass screws. 왍 to have a screw loose to be slightly mad (informal ) 2. a propeller of a ship 쑗 a twin-screw trawler 쐽 verb 1. to attach something with screws 쑗 The picture was screwed to the wall. 2. to attach something by twisting 쑗 He filled up the bottle and screwed on the top. 쑗 Screw the lid on tightly. 왍 he’s got his head screwed on the right way he’s very sensible (informal ) screwdriver / skru dravə/ noun a tool with a long handle and special end which is used for turning screws screwed-up /skru d p/ adj worried and unhappy screw-top jar /skru tɒp dȢɑ / noun a jar with a top which screws on and off screwy / skru i/ adj mad (slang insult) . . (NOTE: screwier – screwiest) scribble / skrb(ə)l/ noun 1. meaningless marks written by a child 쑗 The wallpaper was covered with scribbles. 2. bad writing 쑗 Please excuse my scribble – I’m rushing to get this in the post. 쐽 verb 1. to make marks which don’t have any meaning 쑗 The kids have scribbled all over their bedroom walls. 2. to write something hurriedly and badly 쑗 She scribbled a few notes in the train. script /skrpt/ noun 1. the written text of a film or play 쑗 The actors settled down with their scripts for the first reading. 2. a style or system of handwriting 쑗 The Germans used to write in Gothic script. 3. a written examination answer 쑗 At the end of the exam the invigilator gathered up all the scripts. scripture / skrptʃə/ noun 1. the Bible 쑗 According to Scripture or to the Scriptures, St Peter was a fisherman. 2. a holy writing 쑗 a passage translated from Buddhist scriptures 쑗 The story of Vishnu is set down in Hindu scripture. scriptwriter / skrptratə/ noun a person who writes scripts for films or for TV or radio plays scroll /skrəυl/ noun 1. a long piece of paper with writing on it, rolled up 쑗 Each graduate was presented with a scroll marking his or her achievement. 2. a curved shape, like a roll of paper 쑗 The wallpaper is decorated with little blue scrolls. 쐽 verb to move displayed text up or down the computer screen, one line at a time 쑗 She rapidly scrolled down until she came to the address she wanted. scroll bar / skrəυl bɑ / noun a bar on a computer screen which is used to scroll up and down scrooge 762 scrooge /skru dȢ/ noun a mean or miserly person (informal ) scrotum / skrəυtəm/ noun a bag of skin hanging from behind the penis, containing the testicles scrounge /skraυndȢ/ verb to try to get something without paying for it (informal ) scrounger / skraυndȢə/ noun a person who scrounges (informal ) scrub /skrb/ noun 1. an area of land with a few small bushes 쑗 They walked for miles through the scrub until they came to a river. 2. the action of scrubbing 쑗 After a game of rugby you will need a good scrub. 쐽 verb 1. to clean something by rubbing it with soap and a brush 쑗 a well-scrubbed kitchen table 쑗 Scrub your fingernails to get rid of the dirt. 2. to remove something that has been recorded on tape 쑗 Can you scrub the last five minutes of the recording? 왍 scrub that you can forget about that (informal ) scrubbing brush / skrbŋ brʃ/ noun a stiff brush with no handle, used especially for scrubbing floors scruff /skrf/ noun (informal ) 왍 by the scruff of the neck holding someone or an animal by the skin at the back of the neck 쑗 The cat picked up her kittens by the scruff of the neck and took them to her basket. 쑗 The police officer grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pushed him into the police van. scruffy / skrfi/ adj untidy or dirty (NOTE: . . . . . scruffier – scruffiest) scrum /skrm/ noun (in rugby) an arrange- ment in which the players of both teams crowd together with their heads down and try to get the ball scrumptious / skrmpʃəs/ adj delicious (informal ). Antonym revolting scrunch /skrntʃ/ verb to squash or crush something with your hand scruple / skru p(ə)l/ noun 왍 to have scruples about doing something to have doubts about whether something is right, which prevent you from doing it 쑗 I have considerable scruples about giving money to that particular charity. 쑗 He had no scruples about copying other people’s ideas. 쐽 verb 왍 not to scruple to do something not to hesitate to do something, even though it might have a bad effect (formal ) 쑗 He didn’t scruple to threaten the woman with a stick to get her to give him money. scrupulous / skru pjυləs/ adj very careful, very honest. Synonym conscientious scrutinise / skru tnaz/, scrutinize verb to examine something very carefully ③ scrutiny / skru tni/ noun a careful examination of facts or a very close look at something 왍 it will repay close scrutiny it would be worth looking at it carefully 왍 not . . scuttle to stand close scrutiny not to be as good as it seems 쑗 The charity’s work will not stand close scrutiny. scuba diver / sku bə davə/ noun a person who goes scuba diving scuba diving / sku bə davŋ/ noun the activity of swimming underwater, using breathing apparatus scuff /skf/ verb to scratch the surface of something. Synonym scrape scuffle / skf(ə)l/ noun a small fight 쑗 Scuffles broke out in the crowd. 쐽 verb to fight 쑗 After the game, fans scuffled with the police. 왘 Synonym (all senses) scrap scull /skl/ noun one of a pair of small oars which are used to row a small boat 쐽 verb to row using two oars (NOTE: Do not confuse with skull.) sculpt /sklpt/ verb to carve a figure out of wood or stone or make it out of metal sculptor / sklptə/ noun a person who makes figures or shapes out of wood, metal or stone sculptress / sklptrəs/ noun a woman who makes figures or shapes out of wood, metal or stone ③ sculpture / sklptʃə/ noun a figure carved out of stone or wood or made out of metal scum /skm/ noun 1. a layer of dirty foam on the surface of a liquid 쑗 As the liquid boils, a grey scum forms on the surface and should be removed. 2. people of the worst type (offensive) 쑗 Those muggers are just scum, I hope they get sent to prison. (NOTE: no plural) scupper / skpə/ verb 1. to bring something to an end or ruin something (informal ) The newspaper article has scuppered his chances of becoming a judge. 2. to sink a ship on purpose by opening holes in the bottom to allow water to come in. Synonym scuttle 쐽 noun a hole in the top of the side of a ship to let water run off the deck (NOTE: . 쑗 usually plural) scurry / skri/ verb 1. to run fast, taking short steps. Synonym scuttle 쑗 When the owl appeared overhead, the little animals scurried to their holes. 2. to hurry 쑗 She was scurrying to her office with her bag of shopping. Synonym dash. Antonym saunter 쐽 noun fast movement 쑗 the scurry as the passengers try to get onto the train just before it leaves (NOTE: no plural) scurvy / sk" vi/ noun a disease caused by lack of Vitamin C which is found in fresh fruit and vegetables scuttle / skt(ə)l/ verb 1. to run fast, taking short steps 쑗 She scuttled back to her office, afraid that she was late. Synonym scurry 왍 to scuttle off to run away fast 쑗 As soon as scythe 763 they saw the police officer in the distance, they all scuttled off down back streets. 2. to sink a ship on purpose by opening holes in the bottom to allow water to come in 쑗 The captain gave orders to scuttle the ship because he did not want her to be captured by the enemy. 쐽 noun a type of bucket for keeping coal in the house scythe /sað/ noun a farming implement with a long slightly curved blade attached to a handle with two short projecting hand grips, used for cutting long grass 쐽 verb to cut grass with a scythe SE abbr south-east ① sea /si / noun 1. an area of salt water between continents or islands, but not as large as an ocean 쑗 Swimming in the sea is more exciting than swimming in a river. 쑗 The sea’s too rough for the ferries to operate. 쑗 His friends own a house by the sea. 쑗 The North Sea separates Britain from Denmark and Germany. 왍 at sea travelling by ship 쑗 We were at sea for only five days. 왍 by sea using ships as a means of transport 쑗 When we moved to Australia we sent our furniture by sea. 왍 by sea mail sent by post abroad, using a ship, not by air 왍 to run away to sea to leave home to work as a sailor 쑗 When he was sixteen he ran away to sea. 2. a mass of things 쑗 I could see a sea of faces turned towards me. sea change /si tʃendȢ/ noun a very big change seafaring / si feərŋ/ adj working or travelling on the sea ③ seafood / si fu d/ noun fish or shellfish which can be eaten seafront / si frnt/ noun a road or wide path which runs beside the sea in a seaside town. Synonym waterfront seagoing / si DZəυŋ/ adj which is made to be used on the sea seagull / si DZl/ noun a white sea bird. Synonym gull sea horse / si hɔ s/ noun a small fish that has a head which looks like a horse’s head ③ seal /si l/ noun 1. a large animal with short fur, which eats fish, living mainly near to or in the sea 2. a piece of paper, metal or wax which is used to attach something to close it so that it cannot be opened 쑗 The customs officials attached their seal to the box. 3. a way in which something is closed 쑗 The screw top gives a tight seal. 쐽 verb 1. to close something tightly 쑗 a box carefully sealed with sticky tape 왍 a sealed envelope an envelope whose flap has been stuck down to close it 쑗 The information was sent in a sealed envelope. 2. to attach a seal to something or stamp something with a seal 쑗 The customs sealed the shipment. search sea legs / si leDZz/ plural noun 왍 he’s got his sea legs he is used to travelling by sea and doesn’t get seasick (informal ) sea level / si lev(ə)l/ noun the level of the sea, taken as a point for measuring altitude sea lion / si laən/ noun a large species of seal seal off /si l ɒf/ verb to close a place off so as to prevent anyone getting inside seam /si m/ noun 1. a line where two pieces of material are attached together 쑗 She sewed the seams on the sewing machine. 쑗 He’s got fatter, so can you let out a seam at the back of his coat? 2. 왍 to be bursting at the seams to be extremely full 쑗 The little town was bursting at the seams with thousands of football fans. 3. a layer of mineral beneath the earth’s surface 쑗 The coal seams are two metres thick. 쑗 The gold seam was worked out some years ago. 앳 to come apart at the seams 1. to fall to pieces 2. to go wrong 쑗 His plans for a long holiday seem to be coming apart at the seams. (NOTE: . Do not confuse with seem.) seaman / si mən/ noun a man who works on a ship. Synonym sailor (NOTE: The plural is seamen. Do not confuse with semen.) seamanship / si mənʃp/ noun the art of sailing a ship seamless / si mləs/ adj with no visible seams or joins seance / seɒns/ noun a meeting at which people try to communicate with dead people seaplane / si plen/ noun a plane with floats instead of wheels, which can land on water seaport / si pɔ t/ noun a town with a large harbour sear /sə/ verb to burn the surface of or scorch something ① search /s" tʃ/ noun 1. the action of trying to find something 쑗 Our search of the flat revealed nothing. 쑗 They carried out a search for the missing children. 쑗 I did a quick search on the Internet for references to Proust. 2. the examination of records to make sure that a property belongs to the person who is trying to sell it 쑗 The solicitor’s search revealed that part of the drive belonged to the neighbouring farm. (NOTE: The plural is searches.) 쐽 verb 1. to examine something or someone very carefully 쑗 The police searched the house from top to bottom but still couldn’t find any weapons. 쑗 She was stopped and searched by customs. 2. 왍 to search for someone or something to try to find 쑗 The police searched for the missing children. 쑗 I searched the Internet for references to Ireland. 왍 to search through something to try to find something by looking through something carefully 쑗 She searched search and replace 764 through her papers, trying to find the document. search and replace /s" tʃ ənd r ples/ noun the action of looking for words or phrases and replacing them automatically with other words or phrases ③ search engine / s" tʃ endȢn/ noun a program which allows you to search for particular words or phrases on the Internet searcher / s" tʃə/ noun a person who searches searching / s" tʃŋ/ adj very detailed 쑗 a searching question searchlight / s" tʃlat/ noun a powerful light used to try to see things, especially aircraft, at night search party / s" tʃ pɑ ti/ noun a group of people sent to look for someone search warrant / s" tʃ wɒrənt/ noun an official document signed by a magistrate which allows police to go into a building and look for criminals, weapons or stolen goods searing / sərŋ/ adj (of heat or pain) very strong seashell / si ʃel/ noun a shell of a shellfish which lives in the sea seashore / si ʃɔ / noun a sandy area along the edge of the sea. Synonym beach ③ seasick / si sk/ adj ill because of the movement of a ship seasickness / si sknəs/ noun sickness caused by the movement of a ship 왍 seasickness pills or tablets medicine taken to prevent seasickness ③ seaside / si dsad/ noun an area near the sea where people go to have a holiday. Synonym beach 쐽 adj near the sea 쑗 a seaside resort ① season / si z(ə)n/ noun 1. one of four parts of a year 쑗 The four seasons are spring, summer, autumn and winter. 쑗 Spring is the season when the garden is full of flowers. 2. a part of the year when something usually happens 쑗 The tourist season is very long here – from March to September. 쑗 The football season lasts from September to May. 쑗 London is very crowded during the school holiday season. 쏡 high season, low season 왍 in season (of food such as fruit ) fresh and plentiful and easy to buy 쑗 Strawberries are cheaper in season. 쑗 Pears are in season just now. 왍 out of season more expensive because the growing season is over 쑗 Oysters are out of season in June. 쐽 verb 1. to add flavouring or spices to a dish 쑗 The meat is seasoned with paprika. 2. to dry wood until it is ready to be used 쑗 They made the windows with wood which had not been seasoned properly. ③ seasonal / si z(ə)n(ə)l/ adj 1. which only lasts for a season, usually the holiday . secessionist season 쑗 Work on the island is only seasonal. 2. characteristic of a particular time of year 쑗 In December the supermarket shelves are stocked with Christmas decorations and other seasonal goods. 쑗 We can expect seasonal weather, with temperatures about average for the time of year. seasoned / si z(ə)nd/ adj 1. (of food ) which has had seasoning put on it to improve the flavour 2. who has had a lot of experience 쑗 a seasoned traveller seasoning / si z(ə)nŋ/ noun spices which are added to food ② season ticket / si z(ə)n tkt/ noun a railway, bus or theatre ticket, which you can use for a whole year or a month at a time ① seat /si t/ noun 1. a chair, something which you sit on 쑗 Bicycle seats are narrow. 쑗 He was sitting in the driver’s seat. 쑗 Can we have two seats in the front row? 쑗 Our kitchen chairs have wooden seats. 왍 to take a seat to sit down 쑗 Please take a seat, the dentist will see you in a few minutes. 왍 to take your seat to sit down in as seat reserved for you, especially at the theatre 쑗 Please take your seats, the play is about to begin. 2. a place on a committee or a town council, in parliament, etc. 쑗 He lost his seat at the general election. 3. the part of a chair on which you sit 쑗 The seat of the chair needs to be recovered. 4. the part of trousers which covers your behind 쐽 verb to have enough seats for a number of people 쑗 The restaurant seats 75. 쑗 The bus seats sixty. ③ seat belt / si t belt/ noun a belt which you wear in a car or plane to stop you being hurt if there is an accident ③ seated / si td/ adj sitting down seating / si tŋ/ noun seats for people seating capacity / si tŋ kəpsti/ noun the number of seats, e.g. in a bus or cinema ③ seaweed / si wi d/ noun a plant which grows in the sea (NOTE: no plural: some seaweed, a piece of seaweed ) seaworthy / si w" ði/ adj (of a boat) which is fit to go to sea sec noun a second (informal ) secateurs / sekətəz/ plural noun very strong scissors used in gardening 쑗 He pruned the roses with his secateurs. (NOTE: . . . plural; for one item, say ‘a pair of secateurs’) secede /s si d/ verb to break away from an organisation or a federation. Antonym affiliate secession /s seʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of seceding secessionist /s seʃ(ə)nst/ noun a person who is in favour of secession 쐽 adj secluded 765 which has seceded or is proposing to secede 쑗 a secessionist state secluded /s klu dd/ adj quiet or away from crowds 쑗 We found a secluded spot by the river for our picnic. seclusion /s klu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun solitude. Synonym privacy ① second noun / sekənd/ 1. one of sixty parts which make up a minute 쑗 I’ll give you ten seconds to get out of my room. 쑗 They say the bomb will go off in twenty seconds. 2. a very short time 쑗 Please wait a second. 쑗 Wait here, I’ll be back in a second. 3. something or someone that comes after the first thing or person 쑗 Today is the second of March or March the second (March 2nd). 쑗 The Great Fire of London took place when Charles the Second (Charles II) was king. (NOTE: In dates second is usually written 2nd or 2: August 2nd, 1932, 2 July, 1666 (American style is July 2, 1666), say ‘the second of July’ or ‘July the second’ (American style is ‘July second’). With names of kings and queens second is usually written II: Queen Elizabeth II (say ‘Queen Elizabeth the Second’).) 4. the person who helps a boxer during a fight 왍 seconds out an instruction to seconds to leave the boxing ring before a round begins 쐽 adj / sekənd/ 1. coming after the first and before the third 쑗 That’s the second time the telephone has rung while we’re eating. 쑗 February is the second month of the year. 쑗 He came second in the race. 쑗 It’s his second birthday next week. 쑗 B is the second letter in the alphabet. 쑗 Women’s clothes are on the second floor. 왍 the second century the period from 100 AD to 199 2. only one other is more (followed by a superlative) 쑗 This is the second longest bridge in the world. 쑗 He’s the second highest paid member of staff. 쐽 verb 1. / sekənd/ 왍 to second a motion to be the first person to formally support a proposal put forward by someone else in a meeting 쑗 The motion was seconded by Mrs Smith. 2. /s kɒnd/ to lend a member of staff, e.g. to another company or a government department, for a fixed period of time 쑗 He was seconded to the Department of Trade for two years. 쏡 secondment ② secondary / sekənd(ə)ri/ adj 1. which comes second, after primary 2. 왍 of secondary importance not so very important 쑗 The colour of the car is of secondary importance. secondary education /sekənd(ə)ri edjυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun education for children after the age of eleven or twelve secondary school / sekənd(ə)ri sku l/ noun a school for children after the age of eleven or twelve second opinion second best /seknd best/ noun something which is not as good as the best 왍 to come off second best to lose in a contest ③ second-class /sekənd klɑ s/ adj, adv 1. (of travel or hotels) less expensive and less comfortable than first-class 쑗 I find second-class hotels are perfectly adequate. 쑗 We always travel second-class because it is cheaper. 2. (of a postal service) less expensive and slower than first-class 쑗 A second-class letter is cheaper than a first-class. 쑗 Send it second-class if it is not urgent. second cousin /sekənd kz(ə)n/ noun a child of your mother’s or father’s cousin seconder / sekəndə/ noun a person who seconds a proposal second-generation /sekənd dȢenəreʃ(ə)n/ adj 1. referring to a person whose parents came from another country 2. referring to something, e.g. a computer system, which has developed from an earlier form second-guess / sekənd DZes/ verb to try to guess what someone will do second half /sekənd hɑ f/ noun 1. the second section of two parts, as of a football match 쑗 They scored three goals in the second half. 2. the second part of a financial year, from July to December 쑗 The figures for the second half are up on those for the first part of the year. second hand /sekənd hnd/ noun the long hand on a watch which turns round fast and shows the seconds 쑗 This watch does not have a second hand. ③ secondhand /sekənd hnd/ adj not new; which someone else has owned before 쑗 We’ve just bought a secondhand car. 쐽 adv 왍 to buy something secondhand to buy something which someone else has owned before 쑗 We bought this car secondhand. ③ second-in-command /sekənd n kəmɑ nd/ noun the chief officer who is under a commanding officer. Abbr 2iC second language /sekənd lŋDZwdȢ/ noun a language which you know but which is not the language you learned when you first started to speak ③ secondly / sekəndli/ adv as the second item on a list. Compare firstly, thirdly secondment /s kɒndmənt/ noun the fact of being seconded to another job second nature /sekənd netʃə/ noun something which has been learned, but which is done so often that it has become an instinctive reaction second opinion /sekənd ə pnjən/ noun 왍 to ask for a second opinion to ask another doctor or specialist to examine you and give his or her opinion on your medical condition, usually because you are not satisfied with the advice of the first doctor 쑗 I second-rate 766 wasn’t convinced I needed the operation, so I asked for a second opinion. second-rate /sekənd ret/ adj not of very good quality. Compare first-rate, third-rate ③ seconds / sekəndz/ plural noun 1. another helping of the same dish 쑗 Can I have seconds, please? 2. items which have been turned down as not being of top quality 쑗 The shop has a sale of seconds. 쑗 We bought our dinner plates as seconds. second sight /sekənd sat/ noun the ability to tell what will happen in the future second thoughts /sekənd θɔ ts/ plural noun 왍 to have second thoughts about something to change your mind about something 쑗 Is she having second thoughts about getting married? 왍 on second thoughts having thought about it again 쑗 I said I didn’t want any pudding, but on second thoughts, perhaps I will have some. Second World War /sekənd w" ld wɔ / noun a war fought from 1939 to 1945 in Europe, Africa and Asia secrecy / si krəsi/ noun the fact of being secret or keeping something secret ③ secret / si krət/ adj hidden, not known by other people 쑗 There is a secret door into the cellar. 왍 to keep something secret to make sure that no one knows about something 쑗 She kept his birth secret for twenty years. 쐽 noun 1. a thing which is not known or which is kept hidden 쑗 If I tell you a secret will you promise not to repeat it to anyone? 왍 are they in on the secret? do they know the secret? 왍 to keep a secret not to tell someone something which you know and no one else does 쑗 Can you keep a secret? 2. 왍 in secret without anyone knowing 쑗 They met in secret by the lake in the park. 왍 they make no secret of where the money came from everyone knows where the money came from 왍 what’s the secret of something? how do you do something successfully? 쑗 What’s the secret of making mayonnaise? secret agent /si krət edȢənt/ noun a spy secretarial /sekr teəriəl/ adj referring to the work of a secretary secretariat /sekr teəriət/ noun an office with the job of running an organisation or government department, and the officials who work in it ① secretary / sekrət(ə)ri/ noun 1. a person who does work such as writing letters, answering the phone and filing documents for someone 2. an official who keeps the minutes and official documents of a committee or club 쑗 He was elected secretary of the committee or committee secretary. 3. a Secretary of State, a member of the government in charge of a department 왍 the Secretary sectional for Education, the Education Secretary the head of the Department for Education and Skills Secretary General /sekrt(ə)ri dȢen(ə)rəl/ noun the chief administrative officer of an international organisation (NOTE: The plural is Secretaries General.) Secretary of State /sekrət(ə)ri əv stet/ noun 1. a member of the government in charge of a department 2. US a senior member of the government in charge of foreign affairs (NOTE: The British term is Foreign Secretary.) secret ballot /si krət blət/ noun an election where the voters vote in secret secrete /s kri t/ verb 1. to produce a liquid substance such as an oil or a hormone 쑗 The gland secretes hormones. 2. to hide something 쑗 They found packets of drugs secreted under the floor of the car. secretion /s kri ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the process by which something is produced by a gland 쑗 This gland stimulates the secretion of hormones. 2. a substance produced by a gland 쑗 Penguins use a secretion from glands near their tails to make their feathers waterproof. secretive / si krətv/ adj liking to keep things secret ③ secretly / si krətli/ adv without anyone knowing. Antonym openly secret police /si krət pə li s/ noun a part of a police force which spies on members of the public secret service /si krət s" vs/ noun a government department which spies on other countries sect /sekt/ noun a religious group sectarian /sek teəriən/ adj referring to conflicts between religious groups sectarianism /sek teəriənz(ə)m/ noun the existence of religious groups which are violently opposed to each other ① section / sekʃən/ noun 1. a part of something which, when joined to other parts, goes to make up a whole 쑗 the brass section of the orchestra 쑗 the financial section of the newspaper 쑗 He works in a completely different section of the organisation. 2. the act of cutting tissue in a surgical operation. 쏡 caesarean 3. a diagram showing the inside of something as if cut open 쑗 The drawing shows a section through the main part of the engine. 쏡 cross-section 4. a part of a legal document or Act of Parliament 쑗 We qualify for a grant under Section 23. sectional / sekʃən(ə)l/ adj 1. built in sections 쑗 They used sectional building techniques to put up the block of flats quickly. 2. referring to the interests of certain groups of sector 767 people 쑗 A pressure group inevitably puts forward a sectional point of view. ① sector / sektə/ noun 1. a part of the economy or of the business organisation of a country 쑗 All sectors of industry suffered from the rise in the exchange rate. 쑗 Computer technology is a booming sector of the economy. 2. a part of a circle between two lines drawn from the centre to the outside edge 쑗 The circle had been divided into five sectors. secular / sekjυlə/ adj not religious, not connected with religion. Antonym spiritual ② secure /s kjυə/ adj 1. safe against something such as attack or robbers 쑗 You need to keep your jewels secure against theft. 쑗 He made all the doors secure by fitting bolts to them. 2. firmly fixed 쑗 Don’t step on that plank, it’s not secure. 왍 to be in a secure job to have a job which you are sure to keep for a long time 쐽 verb 1. to make something safe or attach something or someone firmly 쑗 Secure all the doors before the storm comes. 쑗 She secured herself to the rock with a strong rope. 2. to be successful in getting something important 쑗 He secured the backing of a big bank. 3. to get money by promising to give property or goods if you cannot pay back the money 쑗 to secure a loan securely /s kjυəli/ adv in a secure way. Synonym firmly ③ securities /s kjυərtiz/ plural noun 1. investments in stocks and shares 2. certificates to show that someone owns stocks or shares ① security /s kjυərti/ noun 1. safety, protection against criminals 쑗 There were worries about security during the prince’s visit. 쑗 Security in this office is nil. 쑗 Security guards patrol the factory at night. 2. a thing given to someone who has lent you money and which is returned when the loan is repaid 쑗 He uses his house as security for a loan. 쑗 The bank lent him £20,000 without security. 왍 to stand security for someone to guarantee that if someone does not repay a loan, you will repay it for him or her security check /s kjυərti tʃek/ noun a check to see that no one is carrying something dangerous or illegal such as a bomb Security Council /s kjυərti kaυnsəl/ noun the 15-member ruling body of the United Nations, of which five permanent members have the power of veto security service /skjυərəti s" vs/ noun a government service which looks after the security of the country sedan /s dn/ noun US a two- or four-door car with seating for four or five people (NOTE: The British term is saloon.) see sedate /s det/ adj calm, solemn and dignified 쑗 They live in a sedate suburb. 쑗 The procession moved at a sedate pace through the town. 쐽 verb to give someone a drug to make them calm or go to sleep 쑗 The patient became violent and had to be sedated. sedately /s detli/ adv in a calm or serious way sedation /s deʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of calming a patient with a drug 왍 under sedation having been given a sedative 쑗 He was still under sedation and could not be seen by the police. sedative / sedətv/ noun a drug which acts on the nervous system to help a patient sleep or to relieve stress 쑗 I was prescribed sedatives by my doctor. Synonym tranquilliser 쐽 adj which makes you calm or which makes you go to sleep 쑗 This herbal tea has a sedative effect. sedentary / sed(ə)nt(ə)ri/ adj which involves sitting down 왍 a sedentary occupation a job where you have to sit down most of the time 쑗 Keyboarding is a very sedentary occupation. sediment / sedmənt/ noun solid particles which fall to the bottom of a liquid sedition /s dʃ(ə)n/ noun the crime of doing acts, or speaking or publishing words, which bring the royal family or the government into contempt and which encourage civil disorder seditious /s dʃəs/ adj which encourages sedition. Synonym rebellious. Antonym loyal seduce /s dju s/ verb 1. to persuade someone to have sex 쑗 She was seduced by her history teacher. 2. to persuade someone to do something which is perhaps wrong 쑗 He was seduced by the idea of earning a vast salary. seduction /s dkʃən/ noun 1. the act of seducing someone 쑗 his seduction of the young girl 2. an attractive possibility 쑗 He was attracted by the seductions of life in the South of France. (NOTE: usually plural) seductive /s dktv/ adj 1. sexually appealing 2. attractive ① see /si / verb 1. to use your eyes to notice something 쑗 Can you see that tree in the distance? 쑗 They say eating carrots helps you to see in the dark. 쑗 We ran because we could see the bus coming. 쑗 I have never seen a badger before. 2. to watch a something such as a film 쑗 I don’t want to go to the cinema this week, I’ve seen that film twice already. 쑗 We saw the football match on TV. 3. to go with someone to a place 쑗 I’ll see her home. 쑗 My assistant will see you out. 4. to understand something 쑗 I can’t see why they need to borrow so much money. 쑗 You must see that it’s very important for everything to be seed 768 ready on time. 쑗 Don’t you see that they’re trying to trick you? 쑗 I see – you want me to lend you some money. 5. to check to make sure that something happens 쑗 The baby-sitter will see that the children are in bed by nine o’clock. 쑗 Can you see if a cheque has arrived in the post? 6. to meet someone 쑗 We see her quite often. 쑗 She doesn’t see much of him. 쑗 See you next week! 쑗 See you again soon! 7. to visit someone, e.g. a lawyer or doctor 쑗 If you have toothache you should see a dentist. 쑗 He went to see his bank manager to arrange a mortgage. 8. used to show a possibility 쑗 Will you be able to take a holiday this year? – We’ll see! (NOTE: sees – seeing – saw /sɔ / – has seen /si n/) 쐽 noun an administrative area run by a bishop 왍 he was appointed to the see of Durham he was made Bishop of Durham 왍 the Holy See the Vatican, the office of the Pope ① seed /si d/ noun 1. a part of a plant which is formed after the flowers die and from which a new plant will grow 쑗 a packet of parsley seed 쑗 Sow the seeds in fine earth. 쑗 Can you eat pumpkin seeds? 2. 왍 to go to seed (of a plant ) to become tall and produce flowers and seeds 쑗 The lettuces have gone to seed. 왍 he’s gone to seed he doesn’t look after himself properly, he doesn’t look as well as he did before (informal ) 3. (in tennis) a player selected as one of the best players in a tournament 쑗 She’s the top women’s seed. 쑗 The number one seed was beaten by an unseeded player. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to seed itself (of a plant ) to produce seed which falls onto the ground and grows 쑗 Primroses have seeded themselves all along the side of the motorway. 2. to choose the seeds in a tennis competition 쑗 He was seeded No. 5 or fifth. . . . (NOTE: Do not confuse with cede.) seedless / si dləs/ adj (of fruit) with no seeds in it seedling / si dlŋ/ noun a very young plant growing from a seed seedy / si di/ adj 1. poor and dirty 쑗 The tour included three nights in a rather seedy hotel. 2. unwell (dated informal ) 쑗 She won’t be coming to work today as she’s feeling rather seedy. (NOTE: seedier – seediest) see in /si n/ verb 1. to have a midnight party to celebrate something 쑗 We stayed up late to see the New Year in. 2. 왍 to see something in someone to be attracted by someone 쑗 I can’t understand what she sees in him. ③ seeing / si ŋ/ noun the action of sensing with the eyes 쑗 Seeing is believing. 쐽 conj 왍 seeing that since 쑗 Seeing that everyone’s here, let’s begin? ① seek /si k/ verb 1. to look for someone or something 쑗 The police are seeking a group of teenagers who were in the area when the . see to attack took place. 왍 to seek refuge to try to find shelter 쑗 During the fighting, they sought refuge in the British embassy. 2. to ask for something 쑗 They are seeking damages from the driver of the car. 쑗 She sought an interview with the minister. (NOTE: seeking – sought /sɔ t/ – has sought) seeker / si kə/ noun a person who looks for, asks for or is trying to get a particular thing 쑗 an attention seeker ① seem /si m/ verb to give the appearance of being 쑗 She seems to like or It seems that she likes her new job. 쑗 Everyone seemed to be having a good time at the party. 쑗 The new boss seems very nice. 쑗 It seems to me that the parcel has gone to the wrong house. 쑗 It seemed strange to us that no one answered the phone. Synonym appear (NOTE: Do not confuse with seam.) seemingly / si mŋli/ adv apparently seemly / si mli/ adj decent or correct (formal ). Synonym appropriate. Antonym unseemly ③ seen /si n/ 쒁 see see off /si ɒf/ verb to go to the airport or . station with someone who is leaving on a journey seep /si p/ verb (of a liquid ) to flow slowly through a substance or out of a container seepage / si pdȢ/ noun 1. the act of seeping 2. an amount of liquid which has seeped. Synonym leakage seer /sə/ noun a person who can see into the future (archaic ) seesaw / si sɔ / noun a plank with seats at each end, balanced in the middle, so that when one end goes down the other goes up 쑗 The seesaw won’t work properly because you’re heavier than me. 쐽 verb to go first one way then the other 쑗 The opinion polls seesawed between the two parties. Synonym alternate. Antonym stabilise seethe /si ð/ verb 1. to be very angry 2. to move about like boiling water seething / si ðŋ/ adj 1. very angry 쑗 He was seething when he heard the news. 2. rapidly moving about like boiling water 쑗 He showed her the seething mass of worms in his bucket. ③ see through /si θru / verb 1. to see from one side of something to the other 쑗 I can’t see through the windscreen – it’s so dirty. 2. to understand everything, not to be tricked by something 쑗 We quickly saw through their plan. see-through / si θru / adj which you can see through 쑗 see-through material see to / si tu / verb to arrange something or make sure that something is done. Synonym deal with . . segment 769 segment / seDZmənt/ noun 1. a part of something, especially something which divides naturally into different parts 쑗 grapefruit segments 쑗 30– to 40-year-olds are the most affluent segment of the population. 2. a part of a circle or sphere when a line is drawn across it segregate / seDZrDZet/ verb to separate people into groups. Antonym integrate segregated / seDZrDZetd/ adj separated into groups 왍 segregated schools schools which only take children of a certain religion or skin colour segregation /seDZr DZeʃ(ə)n/ noun a separation into different groups. Antonym integration seismic / sazmk/ adj referring to earthquakes seismic shock / sazmk ʃɒk/, seismic wave / sazmk wev/ noun a shock wave which spreads out from the centre of an earthquake ③ seize /si z/ verb 1. to grab something and hold it tight 쑗 She seized the bag of sweets in both hands and would not let go. 왍 to seize the opportunity to take advantage of the situation to do something 쑗 When the President’s car slowed down, the man seized the opportunity and threw a grenade. 2. to take possession of something by force 쑗 The customs seized the shipment of books. seize on / si z ɒn/, seize upon / si z əpɒn/ verb to take and use something seize up /si z p/ verb to stop working properly seizure / si Ȣə/ noun 1. the act of taking possession of something 쑗 The court ordered the seizure of the shipment of books. 2. a sudden contraction of the muscles, especially in a heart attack or an epileptic fit 쑗 A member of the audience has had a seizure. 쑗 She has epileptic seizures. ③ seldom / seldəm/ adv not often. Antonym often (NOTE: The word order when seldom is at the beginning of a phrase is: you seldom hear or seldom do you hear.) ② select /s lekt/ verb to choose something or someone carefully 쑗 She looked carefully at the shelves before selecting a book. 쑗 He was selected for the England squad. 쑗 Selected items are reduced by 25%. 쐽 adj 1. carefully chosen 쑗 a select group of players who have scored more than 100 goals in international football 2. available to only a few rich people 쑗 She went to a very select school in Switzerland. 쑗 They live in a very select area. ② selection /s lekʃən/ noun 1. a range 쑗 There is a huge selection of hats to choose from. 2. a thing which has or things which have been chosen 쑗 a selection of our product line 쑗 a selection of French cheeses 3. self-destruct the process of choosing something 쑗 the selection procedure selection board /s lekʃən bɔ d/, selection committee /s lekʃən kəmti/ noun a committee which chooses a candidate for a job ③ selective /s lektv/ adj choosing carefully between different possibilities selector /s lektə/ noun a person who chooses people to play in a national team ② self /self/ noun your own person or character 쑗 She was ill for some time, but now she’s her old self again. 쑗 She’s not her usual happy self today – I think she’s got something on her mind. (NOTE: The plural is selves.) ② self- /self/ prefix referring to yourself self-addressed envelope / selfə drest envələυp/ noun an envelope with your own address on it. Abbr s.a.e. self-adhesive /self əd hi zv/ adj cov- ered with a special glue which allows it to be stuck to a surface without being moistened self-assessment /self ə sesmənt/ noun 1. the practice of assessing for yourself how well you have done something such as your work 2. calculating for yourself what you owe in tax self-assured /self ə ʃɔ d/ adj confident and sure of yourself self-awareness /self ə weənəs/ noun the fact of having a clear and accurate knowledge of your own character self-catering /self ket(ə)rŋ/ noun the practice of doing the cooking for yourself self-centred /self sentəd/ adj thinking only about yourself and your own concerns. Synonym selfish. Antonym selfless (NOTE: The US spelling is self-centered.) self-confessed /self kən fest/ adj who admits to being something self-confidence /self kɒnfdəns/ noun the fact of being self-confident self-confident /self kɒnfdənt/ adj sure that you are able to do something, sure that what you are doing is well done, etc. Antonym self-conscious self-conscious /self kɒnʃəs/ adj embarrassed because you feel you have certain faults. Antonym self-confident self-contained /self kən tend/ adj (of a flat or an office) which has its own entrance and kitchen, toilets, etc., and does not share any facilities with others self-control /self kən trəυl/ noun the fact of keeping your feelings under control self-defence /self d fens/ noun the act of defending yourself (NOTE: The US spelling is self-defense.) self-destruct /self d strkt/ verb to de- stroy itself self-destructive 770 self-destructive /self d strktv/ adj doing things which are likely to cause yourself harm self-determination /self dt" mneʃ(ə)n/ noun a free choice by the people of a country as to how they should be governed. Synonym autonomy self-discipline /self dsəpln/ noun the ability to control your behaviour and do what you should do self-effacing /self  fesŋ/ adj modest about your own achievements or good qualities self-employed /self m plɔd/ adj working for yourself, not employed by a company 쑗 a self-employed accountant 쑗 He worked for a bank for ten years but now is self-employed. Synonym freelance. Antonym employed 쐽 plural noun 왍 the selfemployed people who work for themselves ③ self-esteem /self  sti m/ noun a good opinion of yourself and your ability. Synonym self-respect self-evident /self evd(ə)nt/ adj obvious. Antonym unclear self-explanatory /self k splnət(ə)ri/ adj which explains itself easily self-governing /self DZvənŋ/ adj which governs itself. Synonym autonomous self-government /self DZv(ə)nmənt/ noun the control of a country by its own government, free from foreign influence. Synonym autonomy self-help /self help/ noun the fact of using your own efforts to help yourself, without relying on other people or the government self-important /self m pɔ t(ə)nt/ adj behaving as if you believe you are very important self-imposed /self m pəυzd/ adj chosen for yourself self-indulgent /self n dldȢ(ə)nt/ adj allowing yourself to do what you feel like without self-control self-inflicted /self n flktd/ adj caused by yourself self-interest /self ntrəst/ noun working for your own benefit. Synonym selfishness ③ selfish / selfʃ/ adj doing things only for yourself and not for other people. Synonym self-centred. Antonym selfless selfishly / selfʃli/ adv done only for yourself selfishness / selfʃnəs/ noun the fact of being selfish selfless / selfləs/ adj not thinking of yourself, only of others. Synonym unselfish. Antonym selfish self-made /self med/ adj rich and successful because of your own work, not because you inherited money or position seller self-pity /self pti/ noun pity for yourself self-portrait /self pɔ tret/ noun a painting of the artist done by himself or herself self-preservation /self prezə veʃ(ə)n/ noun the wish to protect yourself from harm self-reliance /self r laəns/ noun the fact of being self-reliant. Synonym independence. Antonym dependence self-reliant /self r laənt/ adj relying only on yourself to make decisions. Synonym independent. Antonym dependent self-respect /self r spekt/ noun pride in yourself. Synonym self-esteem self-respecting /self r spektŋ/ adj proud of yourself (humorous) 쑗 No self-respecting gardener would be pleased with such a brown lawn. self-righteous /self ratʃəs/ adj feeling sure that you are doing what is right. Synonym sanctimonious self-rule /self ru l/ noun the right of a country or a state to govern itself self-sacrifice /self skrfas/ noun the act of giving something up so that others can benefit self-satisfied /self stsfad/ adj feeling very pleased with yourself or with your actions self-service /self s" vs/ adj (of a shop or restaurant ) in which you take things yourself before paying for them, rather than being served by an assistant self-styled /self stald/ adj with a title which you have given yourself self-sufficiency /self sə fʃ(ə)nsi/ noun the fact of being self-sufficient. Synonym independence. Antonym dependence self-sufficient /self sə fʃ(ə)nt/ adj able to provide everything for yourself. Synonym independent. Antonym dependent self-taught /self tɔ t/ adj who has taught himself or herself a skill ① sell /sel/ verb 1. to give something to someone for money 쑗 He sold his house to my father. 쑗 We managed to sell the car for £500. 쑗 The shop sells vegetables but not meat. 2. to be sold 쑗 Those packs sell for £25 a dozen. 쑗 Her latest book is selling very well. (NOTE: selling – sold /səυld/) 쐽 noun the act of selling something 왍 to give a product the hard sell to make great efforts to persuade customers to buy a product 왍 to give a product the soft sell to persuade people to buy something, by encouraging and not forcing them to do so sell-by date / sel ba det/ noun the date on a packet of food, which is the last date on which the food can be sold while it is guaranteed to be good seller / selə/ noun 1. a person who sells something 쑗 There were a few postcard sell. seller’s market 771 ers by the cathedral. 2. an item which sells 쑗 This book is a steady seller. seller’s market / seləz mɑkt/ noun a situation where a person selling goods or a service can ask high prices because there is a large demand for the product. Compare buyer’s market selling /selŋ/ noun the action of selling something to someone 쑗 Selling secondhand cars is not an easy business these days. 쐽 suffix 왍 fast-selling items items which sell quickly. 쏡 bestselling selling price /selŋ pras/ noun a price at which someone is willing to sell something sell off / sel ɒf/ verb to sell goods quickly and cheaply to get rid of them 쑗 At the end of the day the market traders sell off their fruit and vegetables very cheaply. sell-off /sel ɒf/ noun the act of selling something to private buyers Sellotape /seləυtep/ trademark a type of sticky tape 쑗 She put the books in a box and sealed it with Sellotape. ① sell out / sel aυt/ verb 1. to sell your business 쑗 He sold out to his partner and retired to the seaside. 2. to sell all the stock of an item 쑗 This item has sold out. 쑗 Have you got it in a size 12? – No, I’m afraid we’re sold out. 3. to give in to a group of influential people 쑗 The environmental group has accused the government of selling out to the oil companies. 쏡 sell out of sellout /selaυt/ noun 1. a betrayal of all your principles 쑗 They said his change of policy was a sellout to the forces of the right. 쑗 It’s a sellout – the council should have stood up for our rights. 2. a performance of a play, film or concert for which all the tickets have been sold 쑗 The new musical is a sellout. sell out of / sel aυt ɒv/ verb 왍 to sell out of an item to sell all the stock of an item 쑗 The shop has sold out of bread. 쑗 Have you got it in a size 12? – No, I’m afraid we’ve sold out of all the small sizes. sell up / sel  p/ verb to sell a business and all the stock semantic /səmntk/ adj referring to the meanings of words and phrases semantics noun /smntks/ the study of the meanings of words and phrases 쐽 plural noun the practice of arguing about or raising objections to the meaning of something 쑗 His objections to the wording of the contract are pure semantics. semblance /sembləns/ noun an appearance semen /simən/ noun a thick pale fluid containing spermatozoa, produced by the testes and ejaculated from the penis (NOTE: Do not confuse with seaman.) send semester /smestə/ noun a term in a school or college year which only has two terms semi /semi/ noun same as semi-detached semi- /semi/ prefix partly semibreve /semibriv/ noun a musical note equivalent in length to two minims semicircle /semi sk(ə)l/ noun half a circle semicircular / semiskjυlə/ adj shaped like half a circle semicolon / semikəυlɒn/ noun a punctuation mark (;) used to separate two parts of a sentence and also used to show a pause semiconductor / semikənd ktə/ noun a material such as silicon which has conductive properties between those of a conductor such as a metal and those of an insulator semi-conscious /semikɒnʃəs/ adj not fully conscious semi-detached / semi dttʃt/ noun a semi-detached house ③ semi-final / semi fan(ə)l/ noun one of the last two matches in a competition, the winners of which go into the final game seminal /semnl/ adj 1. which acts as the starting point for something new 쑗 His book was a seminal work for future developments in the field of nuclear physics. 2. referring to semen 쑗 seminal fluid seminar /semnɑ/ noun the meeting of a small group of university students to discuss a subject with a teacher seminary /semnəri/ noun a college where people train to become priests semiquaver /semikwevə/ noun a musical note lasting half as long as a quaver semitone /semitəυn/ noun the smallest interval between notes in music, the interval between two keys on a piano senate /senət/ noun 1. the upper house of the legislative body in some countries 쑗 She was first elected to the Senate in 2001. 2. a body which rules a university 쑗 Does Senate concern itself solely with administrative matters? senator /senətə/ noun a member of a senate (NOTE: written with a capital letter when used as a title: Senator Jackson) ① send /send/ verb 1. to make someone or something go from one place to another 쑗 My mother sent me to the baker’s to buy some bread. 쑗 I was sent home from school because I had a headache. 쑗 He sent the ball into the net. 쑗 The firm is sending him out to Australia for six months. 2. to use the postal services 쑗 The office sends 200 Christmas cards every year. 쑗 Send me a postcard when you get to Russia. 쑗 Send the letter airmail if you want it to arrive next week. 쑗 Send your donations to the following address. 3. to send away for 772 make someone act or feel in a certain way 왍 to send someone crazy, round the bend or up the wall to make someone extremely annoyed 쑗 The noise of the pneumatic drills outside the office is sending me up the wall. send away for /send ə we fɔ / verb to write and ask someone to send you something, usually something which you have seen in an advertisement send back /send bk/ verb to return something by post sender / sendə/ noun a person who sends something, especially a letter 쑗 The letter was returned to the sender. 왍 ‘return to sender’ words on an envelope or parcel to show that it is to be sent back to the person who sent it send for / send fɔ / verb to ask someone to come send in /send n/ verb to send a letter to an organisation send off /send ɒf/ verb 1. (in games) to tell someone to go off the field 쑗 The referee sent both players off. 2. to post something 쑗 He sent the postcard off without a stamp. send-off / send ɒf/ noun a party where you say goodbye to someone who is leaving on a long journey (informal ) send off for /send ɒf fɔ / same as send . away for send up /send p/ verb 1. to make something go up 쑗 They sent up an emergency flare. 쑗 The cold weather has sent up the price of vegetables. 2. to make jokes about someone (informal ) 쑗 In one of his TV sketches, he sends up the Foreign Minister. senile / si nal/ adj referring to someone whose is forgetful and confused because of old age senility /sə nlti/ noun the medical condition of being senile ② senior / si niə/ adj 1. older 쑗 the senior members of the tribe 2. more important, e.g. in rank 쑗 A sergeant is senior to a corporal. 쑗 My senior colleagues do not agree with me. 쐽 noun 1. an older person 쑗 He must be at least ten years your senior. 2. US a student in his or her fourth year or last year at school or college 3. the father in a family where the son has the same name 쑗 Harry Markovitz Senior senior citizen /si niə stz(ə)n/ noun an old person who does not work. Synonym . pensioner seniority /si ni ɒrti/ noun 1. the fact of being older or more important 왍 the professors were listed in order of seniority the professor who had been in the department the longest was put at the top of the list 2. the fact of being a member of a group longer senses than someone else 쑗 He has several years’ seniority over me as a member of the club. seniors / si niəz/ plural noun the older children in a school senior school / si niə sku l/ noun same as secondary school (informal ) ③ sensation /sen seʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a general feeling 쑗 I felt a curious sensation as if I had been in the room before. 2. a physical feeling 쑗 She had a burning sensation in her arm. 3. a thing or person that causes great excitement 쑗 The new ballet was the sensation of the season. sensational /sen seʃ(ə)nl/ adj 1. which causes great excitement 쑗 His sensational discovery shocked the world of archaeology. 2. very good 쑗 A sensational new film – don’t miss it! 쑗 You look sensational in that outfit. sensationalism /sen seʃ(ə)nəlz(ə)m/ noun the practice of making things seem especially exciting or shocking, e.g. in newspaper reporting ① sense /sens/ noun 1. one of the five ways in which you notice something (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) 쑗 He may be 93, but he still has all his senses. 쑗 His senses had been dulled by the drugs he was taking. 쑗 Dogs have a good sense of smell. 2. a general feeling about something 쑗 She had a sense of being cut off from reality. 쑗 The police seemed to have no sense of urgency. 3. a meaning 쑗 He was using ‘bear’ in the sense of ‘to carry’. 4. the fact of being sensible 쑗 At least someone showed some sense and tried to calm the situation. 쑗 She didn’t have the sense to refuse. 쑗 I thought Patrick would have had more sense than that. 왍 to have more money than sense to have too much money and not know how to spend it wisely (informal ) 쑗 Did you see what she bought? – She’s got more money than sense! 5. 왍 in one sense, in a sense up to a point, partly 쑗 In a sense, he was right. 왍 in no sense in no way, not at all 쑗 She’s in no sense to blame for what happened. 쐽 verb to be aware of or feel something 쑗 I could sense the feeling of hostility in the room. senseless / sensləs/ adj 1. stupid 쑗 a senseless attack on a little old lady 쑗 It’s senseless to buy clothes you don’t need, just because they are in the sales. 2. unconscious 쑗 He lay senseless on the ground. ③ sense of humour /sens əv hju mə/ noun an ability to find things funny and not be too serious senses / sensz/ plural noun rational behaviour 왍 to take leave of your senses to go mad, to do something very strange 쑗 Has she taken leave of her senses? 왍 to come to your senses to become rational again 쑗 In the end . . sensibility 773 he came to his senses and wrote a letter of apology. sensibility /sens blti/ noun the ability to respond to experiences with emotion (formal ) ③ sensible / sensb(ə)l/ adj 1. showing good judgement and wisdom 쑗 Staying indoors was the sensible thing to do. 쑗 Try and be sensible for once! 2. (of shoes) strong and comfortable for walking, rather than fashionable sensibly / sensbli/ adv in a sensible way sensitise / senstaz/, sensitize verb to make something sensitive to something such as light ③ sensitive / senstv/ adj 1. with keen feelings, easily upset 쑗 She’s a very sensitive young woman. 쑗 Some actors are extremely sensitive to criticism. 2. controversial, which may provoke an argument 쑗 Human rights is a very sensitive issue at the moment. 3. which measures very accurately 쑗 a very sensitive light meter 쑗 We need a more sensitive thermometer. 4. which reacts to something 쑗 If you have very sensitive skin use plenty of suntan cream. 쑗 Flowers are sensitive to fluctuations in temperature and humidity. ③ sensitivity /sens tvti/ noun sensitive feelings. Antonym indifference sensor / sensə/ noun an electronic device that reacts to something such as heat, light or smoke sensory / sensəri/ adj referring to the senses sensual / sensjuəl/ adj referring to pleasures of the body, not of the mind sensuous / sensjuəs/ adj which gives pleasure to the senses. Antonym ascetic ③ sent /sent/ 쒁 send ① sentence / sentəns/ noun 1. words put together to make a complete statement, usually ending in a full stop 쑗 I don’t understand the second sentence in your letter. 쑗 Begin each sentence with a capital letter. 2. a judgement of a court 쑗 He was given a six-month prison sentence. 쑗 The judge passed sentence on the accused. Antonym acquittal 쐽 verb to give someone an official legal punishment 쑗 She was sentenced to three weeks in prison. 쑗 He was sentenced to death for murder. Antonym acquit sentiment / sentmənt/ noun a general feeling 쑗 The government had to take public sentiment into account. ③ sentimental /sent ment(ə)l/ adj showing emotions of love or pity, not reason 왍 to be of sentimental value to be valuable because of the memories attached to it, not because of its actual money value 쑗 The stolen watch was of great sentimental value. . separatist sentimentality /sentmen tlti/ noun 1. the fact of indulging in your emotions 2. playing on the emotions in literature or music sentimentally /sent ment(ə)li/ adv in a sentimental way; using your feelings not your reason sentiments / sentmənts/ plural noun opinions sentry / sentri/, sentinel / sentn(ə)l/ noun a soldier on duty, e.g. at a gate. Synonym guard (NOTE: The plural is sentries.) sepal / sep(ə)l/ noun a part of a plant like a green leaf under the petals of a flower separable / sep(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj able to be separated ② separate adj / sep(ə)rət/ not together or attached 쑗 They are in separate rooms. 쑗 The house has one bathroom with a separate toilet. 쑗 The dogs were kept separate from the other pets. 쑗 Can you give us two separate invoices? 왍 to send something under separate cover to send something in a different envelope or parcel 쐽 verb / sepəret/ 1. to divide people or things 쑗 The personnel are separated into part-timers and full-time staff. 쑗 The teacher separated the class into two groups. 2. to keep people or things apart 쑗 The police tried to separate the two gangs. 쑗 Is it possible to separate religion and politics? 3. to break away from a partner and become independent 쑗 They are arguing all the time – it wouldn’t surprise me if they were to separate. 쑗 The Baltic states separated from Russia. separated / sepəretd/ adj not living together any more ② separately / sep(ə)rətli/ adv in a separate way, individually separates / sep(ə)rəts/ plural noun pieces of women’s clothing, such as skirts, blouses or jumpers, which can be worn in different combinations separation /sepə reʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of dividing people or things 쑗 He favours the separation of the students into smaller groups. 쑗 The separation of the house into two flats will require planning permission. 2. the fact of living apart 쑗 A six-month separation of mother and child may have long-term effects. 쑗 After my parents’ separation I lived with my father. separatism / sep(ə)rətz(ə)m/ noun a belief that part of a country should become separate and independent from the rest separatist / sep(ə)rətst/ adj referring to separatism 쑗 The separatist movement is gaining in popularity. 쐽 noun a person who believes that part of the country should become separate and independent 쑗 Basque separatists met the Spanish Prime Minister today. Sept. 774 Sept. abbr September September /sep tembə/ noun the ninth ① month of the year, between August and October 쑗 September 3 쑗 The weather is usually good in September. 쑗 Her birthday is in September. 쑗 Today is September 3rd. 쑗 We always try to take a short holiday in September. (NOTE: September 3rd or September 3: say ‘September the third’ or ‘the third of September’ or in US English ‘September third’.) septic / septk/ adj (of a part of a body or a wound ) infected with bacteria sepulchre / seplkə/ noun a building containing a tomb or grave (NOTE: The US spelling is sepulcher.) sequel / si kwəl/ noun 1. the continuation . of something, such as a story or a play 쑗 The sequel will be screened tomorrow night. 2. a result, something which follows 쑗 The sequel to the discovery was that the driver of the truck was arrested. ② sequence / si kwəns/ noun 1. a series of things which happen or follow one after the other 쑗 The sequence of events which led to the accident. 2. 왍 in sequence in order of numbers 쑗 Make sure that the invoices are all in sequence according to their numbers. 3. a scene in a film 쑗 They showed some sequences from her latest film. sequin / si kwn/ noun a small round shiny metal ornament, sewn onto clothes serenade /serə ned/ noun a love song 쑗 He sang a serenade. 쐽 verb to sing a love song to someone 쑗 He serenaded her from the street below her window. serene /sə ri n/ adj calm, not worried serenely /sə ri nli/ adv calmly serenity /sə renti/ noun the fact of being calm ③ sergeant / sɑ dȢənt/ noun a non-commissioned officer in the army or the police, the rank above a corporal (NOTE: also used as a title before a surname: Sergeant Jones) sergeant major /sɑ dȢ(ə)nt medȢə/ noun a non-commissioned officer of middle rank in the army and some other armed forces serial / səriəl/ adj in a series 쑗 Place the cards in serial order. Antonym random 쐽 noun a radio or TV play which is presented in several parts 쑗 an Australian police serial (NOTE: Do not confuse with cereal.) serialise / səriəlaz/, serialize verb to make something such as a book into a serial serial killer / səriəl klə/, serial murderer / səriəl m" dərə/ noun a person who has committed several murders, one after the other serve serial number / səriəl nmbə/ noun a number that is given to something such as a piece of equipment or a bank note so that it can be identified ① series / səri z/ noun 1. a group of things which come one after the other in order 쑗 We had a series of phone calls from the bank. 2. TV or radio programmes which are broadcast at the same time each week 쑗 There’s a new wildlife series starting this week. (NOTE: The plural is series.) ① serious / səriəs/ adj 1. not funny; not joking 쑗 a very serious play 쑗 He’s such a serious little boy. 쑗 Stop laughing – it’s very serious. 쑗 He’s very serious about the proposal. 쑗 The doctor’s expression was very serious. 2. important and possibly dangerous 쑗 There was a serious accident on the motorway. 쑗 The storm caused serious damage. 쑗 There’s no need to worry – it’s nothing serious. 3. carefully planned 쑗 The management is making serious attempts to improve working conditions. ① seriously / səriəsli/ adv 1. in a serious way 쑗 She should laugh more – she mustn’t always take things so seriously. 2. badly 쑗 The cargo was seriously damaged by water. 쑗 Her mother is seriously ill. 3. with a lot of thought 쑗 They seriously considered emigrating. 쑗 We are taking the threat from our competitors very seriously. seriousness / si riəsnəs/ noun the fact of being serious sermon / s" mən/ noun 1. a talk given by a priest in church 쑗 He gave a sermon about the need to love your neighbours. 2. a serious talk giving someone advice (informal ) 쑗 We all have to listen to the head teacher’s annual sermon about drugs. serotonin /sərə təυnn/ noun a chemical in your body which affects your moods and the sending of messages through your nerves serpent / s" pənt/ noun a snake (literary or dated ) serrated /sə retd/ adj with V-shaped teeth along the edge. Synonym jagged ② servant / s" vənt/ noun a person who is paid to work for a family 쑗 They employ two servants in their London home. 쑗 Get it yourself – I’m not your servant! ① serve /s" v/ verb 1. to give food or drink to someone 쑗 She served the soup in small bowls. 쑗 It’s a buffet lunch – take a plate and serve yourself. 쑗 Has everyone been served? 2. to bring food or drink to someone at table 쑗 Which waitress is serving this table? 3. to go with a dish 쑗 Fish is served with a white sauce. 쑗 You usually serve red wine with meat. 4. to be enough food for a number of people 쑗 The packet contains enough to serve six. 5. to work as an official 쑗 He served in the army . . server 775 for ten years. 6. to help a customer, e.g. in a shop 쑗 Are you being served? 쑗 The manager served me himself. 쑗 Will you serve this lady next, please? 7. to provide a service for people or a place 쑗 The local bus serves the villages in the hills. 쑗 The aim of our organisation is to serve the local community. 쑗 This hospital serves the western side of the city. 8. (in games like tennis) to start the game by hitting the ball 쑗 She served two aces in a row. 쑗 He served first. 9. 왍 to serve as something to be useful as something 쑗 The tall hedge serves as a screen to cut out the noise from the motorway. 쐽 noun (in games like tennis) the action of hitting the ball first 쑗 She has a very powerful serve. ③ server / s" və/ noun 1. a dedicated computer or program which provides a function to a network 2. (in games like tennis) a person who is serving 쑗 The server stands behind the baseline. 3. a person who helps a priest at mass 쑗 The server held the book for the priest. ① service / s" vs/ noun 1. a time when you work for a company or organisation or in the armed forces 쑗 Did he enjoy his service in the army? 쑗 She did six years’ service in the police. 쑗 He was awarded a gold watch for his long service to the company. 쑗 He saw service in Northern Ireland. 왍 length of service the number of years someone has worked 2. the act of serving or helping someone in a shop or restaurant 쑗 The food is good here, but the service is very slow. 쑗 The bill includes an extra 10% for service. 쑗 Is the service included? 쑗 The bill does not include service. 3. a regular check of a machine 쑗 The car has had its 20,000-kilometre service. 4. a group of people working together 쑗 the ambulance service 왍 the (armed) services the army, the navy and the air force 쑗 Have you thought about a career in the services? 쑗 Service families often have to travel abroad. 5. the provision of a facility which the public needs 쑗 Our train service to London is very bad. 쑗 The postal service is efficient. 쑗 The bus service is very irregular. 쑗 The hotel provides a laundry service. 왍 the rent includes services the rent includes the cost of water, gas and electricity 6. a favour, something done for someone 쑗 You would do me a great service if you could carry my suitcases for me. 왍 to be of service to someone to help someone (formal ) 쑗 Can I be of service to anyone? 7. a religious ceremony 쑗 My mother never misses the nine o’clock service on Sundays. 8. (in games like tennis) the action of hitting the ball first 쑗 She has a very powerful service. 9. a set of china for a meal 쐽 verb to keep a machine in good working . session order 쑗 The car needs to be serviced every six months. serviceable / s" vsəb(ə)l/ adj practical, which will be useful service area / s" vs eəriə/ noun a place next to a motorway where you can stop and buy petrol or get food service centre / s" vs sentə/ noun an office or workshop which specialises in keeping machines in good working order service charge / s" vs tʃɑ dȢ/ noun a charge added to a bill in a restaurant to pay for service service industry / s" vs ndəstri/ noun an industry which does not make products, but offers a service, e.g. banking, insurance or transport serviceman / s" vsmən/ noun a male member of the army, navy or air force (NOTE: The plural is servicemen.) ③ services / s" vsz/ noun an area next to a motorway with a service station, restaurants and sometimes a hotel ③ service station / s" vs steʃ(ə)n/ noun a garage where you can buy petrol and have small repairs done to a car servicewoman / s" vswυmən/ noun a woman member of the army, navy or air force (NOTE: The plural is servicewomen.) servicing / s" vsŋ/ noun the action of repairing a machine serviette /s" vi et/ noun a square piece of cloth or paper used to protect clothes and wipe your mouth at meals (NOTE: Although serviette is perfectly correct English, some people prefer to use the word napkin.) servile / s" val/ adj too willing to obey someone else. Synonym submissive servility /s" vlti/ noun behaviour that shows too much obedience to what someone else wants ③ serving / s" vŋ/ noun an amount of food served to one person servitude / s" vtju d/ noun having to work hard for other people (formal ) sesame / sesəmi/ noun 1. a plant with small flat seeds that are used in cooking, sometimes scattered on top of bread or cakes, or to make oil 2. 왍 open sesame words, spoken by a magician, which are supposed to make something open magically 쑗 The boy said ‘Open, sesame’ and the rock rolled away to reveal a cave full of gold. ② session / seʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the time when an activity is taking place 쑗 All these long sessions in front of the computer screen are ruining my eyesight. 왍 a practice session a time when someone, e.g. an athlete or a tennis player, practises 2. a meeting, e.g. of a committee or of parliament 쑗 The first session of the all-party talks will be held on . set 776 Monday. 왍 opening or closing session the first or last part of a conference 왍 in session in the process of meeting 쑗 The committee has been in session for two hours. ① set /set/ noun 1. a group of things which go together, which are used together or which are sold together 쑗 He carries a set of tools in the back of his car. 쑗 The six chairs are sold as a set. 2. (in films) a place where a film is shot 쑗 She has to be on set at 7.00 a.m. 쑗 We went on a tour of the studios and watched a set being built. 3. (in games like tennis) one part of a match, consisting of several games 쑗 She won the set 7–5. 쑗 He lost the first two sets. 쐽 verb 1. to put something in a special place 쑗 She set the plate of biscuits down on the table next to her chair. 왍 to set the table to put the knives, forks, plates, glasses, cups, etc., in their right places on the table 2. to fix something 쑗 When we go to France we have to set our watches to French time. 쑗 The price of the new computer has been set at £500. 3. to fix a broken limb in position 쑗 The doctor set his broken arm. 4. (of broken bones) to heal 쑗 The broken wrist is setting very well. 5. to give work to someone or prepare a puzzle or competition for someone to do 쑗 The teacher has set us some homework for the weekend. 쑗 Who set this quiz? – It is very difficult. 쑗 He sets the crosswords in the local paper. 왍 this book has been set for the exam this book is on the list of books which have to be studied before the exam 왍 to set someone to work to give someone work to do 쑗 The children were set to work washing up. 6. to make something happen 쑗 He went to sleep smoking a cigarette and set the house on fire. 쑗 All the prisoners were set free. 쑗 I had been worried about her, but her letter set my mind at rest. 7. (of the sun, moon or a planet ) to go down 쑗 The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. 8. to write music to go with words 쑗 The poem about cats was set to music. 9. to put a text into printed characters 쑗 The idioms in this dictionary have been set in bold. . (NOTE: sets – setting – set – has set) 쐽 adj 1. fixed, which cannot be changed 쑗 Visits are only allowed at set times. 2. ready 쑗 We’re all set for a swim. 쑗 My bags are packed and I’m all set to leave. 쑗 The government is set to introduce new anti-smoking laws. 쑗 Her latest novel is set to become the best-selling book of the year. 왍 ‘on your marks, get set, go!’ orders given to runners at the beginning of a race set about /set ə baυt/ verb to start to do something. Synonym begin set aside /set ə sad/ verb 1. to dismiss or reject something 쑗 The proposal was set aside by the committee. 2. to save something and keep it for future use 쑗 We set money setting aside every month for the children’s holidays. set back /set bk/ verb 1. to delay something or make something late 쑗 The bad weather has set the harvest back by two weeks. 2. to place something further back 쑗 The house is set back from the road. 3. 왍 to set someone back to be a cost to someone (informal ) 쑗 The meal set me back £100. ③ setback / setbk/ noun a problem which makes something late or stops something going ahead. Synonym hindrance. Antonym boost set book /set bυk/ noun a book which is on the list of books which have to be studied for an exam set down /set daυn/ verb 1. to let passengers get off 쑗 The bus set down several passengers and two others got on. 2. to put something in writing 쑗 The rules are set down in this booklet. set in / set n/ verb to start and become permanent set menu /set menju / noun a menu which cannot be changed ① set off /set ɒf/ verb 1. to begin a trip 쑗 We’re setting off for Germany tomorrow. 쑗 They all set off on a long walk after lunch. 2. to start something happening 쑗 They set off a bomb in the shopping centre. 쑗 If you touch the wire it will set off the alarm. 쑗 Being in the same room as a cat will set off my asthma. set out /set aυt/ verb 1. to begin a journey 쑗 The hunters set out to cross the mountains. 쑗 We have to set out early tomorrow. 2. to explain something clearly 쑗 We asked her to set out the details in her report. 3. to aim to do something 쑗 He set out to ruin the party. set piece /set pi s/ noun 1. an action which is carefully planned and carried out 2. a part of a work of art, e.g. a film or a play, which is very dramatic and very special set square / set skweə/ noun an instrument to help you draw lines, shaped like a right-angled triangle settee /se ti / noun a sofa, a long seat with a soft back where several people can sit. Synonym sofa setter / setə/ noun 1. a hunting dog trained to find game for hunters 쑗 He came into the park with two red setters. 2. a person who sets a puzzle or competition ② setting / setŋ/ noun 1. the background for a story 쑗 The setting for the story is Hong Kong in 1935. 2. a silver or gold frame in which a precious stone is fixed 쑗 a diamond in a silver setting 3. a position at which a machine can be set 쑗 Set the microwave at its highest setting. . settle 777 ② settle / set(ə)l/ verb 1. to arrange or agree something 쑗 Well, I’m glad everything’s settled at last. 쑗 Have you settled the title for the new film yet? 쑗 It took six months of negotiation for the union and management to settle their differences. 2. to end a dispute 3. 왍 to settle a bill to pay a bill 쑗 Please settle this invoice without delay. 쑗 The insurance company refused to settle his claim for damages. 4. to go to live in a new country 쑗 They sold everything and settled in Canada. 쑗 The first pioneers settled in this valley in about 1860. 5. to place yourself in a comfortable position 쑗 She switched on the television and settled in her favourite armchair. 6. 왍 to settle money on someone to arrange for money to be passed to trustees to hold for someone in the future 쑗 They settled £2,000 a year on their new grandson. 7. to fall to the ground, or to the bottom of something, gently 쑗 Wait for the dust to settle. 쑗 A layer of mud settled at the bottom of the pond. 쐽 noun a long wooden bench with a back 쑗 They sat on a settle by the pub fire, smoking pipes. settled / set(ə)ld/ adj fixed or unchanging. Synonym established settle down /set(ə)l daυn/ verb 1. to place yourself in a comfortable position 쑗 After dinner, she likes to settle down in a comfortable chair with a good book. 2. to change to a calmer way of life without many changes of house or much travelling 쑗 He has worked all over the world, and doesn’t seem ready to settle down. 쑗 She had lots of boyfriends, and then got married and settled down in Surrey. settle for / set(ə)l fɔ / verb to choose or to decide on something which is not quite what you want settle in /set(ə)l n/ verb to become accustomed to something new such as a house or job ② settlement / set(ə)lmənt/ noun 1. the payment of a bill 쑗 This invoice has not been paid – can you arrange for immediate settlement? 2. an agreement in a dispute 쑗 In the end a settlement was reached between management and workers. 3. a place where a group of people come to live 쑗 a mining settlement in the hills settle on / set(ə)l ɒn/ verb 1. to decide on or choose something 쑗 After a lot of hesitation we finally settled on the red one. 2. (of an insect, etc.) to come to rest on something 쑗 If only the butterfly would settle on that flower I’d be able to take a picture of it. ③ settler / set(ə)lə/ noun a person who goes to live in a new country settle up /set(ə)l p/ verb to pay a bill, to pay the total of what is owed set to /set tu / verb to start to work hard (dated ) . severe set-to / set tu / noun an argument or fight (informal ). Synonym confrontation set-top box /set tɒp bɒks/ noun a de. vice shaped like a box, which is used to operate cable television set up /set p/ verb 1. to establish something 쑗 to set up a committee or a working party 쑗 A fund has been set up to receive donations from the public. 쑗 He set himself up as an estate agent. 왍 to set up a company to start a company legally 왍 to set up home or house to go somewhere to live in your own flat or house 쑗 They don’t intend to set up house yet. 2. to deceive someone deliberately (informal ) 쑗 We were set up by the police. setup / setp/ noun an organisation (informal ) ① seven / sev(ə)n/ noun number 7 쑗 There are only seven children in his class. 쑗 She’s seven (years old) next week. 쑗 The train is supposed to leave at seven (o’clock). 왍 the seven hundreds (700s) the years from 700 to 799 AD ① seventeen /sev(ə)n ti n/ noun number 17 쑗 He will be seventeen (years old) next month. 쑗 The train leaves at seventeen sixteen (17.16). 왍 the seventeen hundreds (1700s) the years from 1700 to 1799 ① seventeenth adj, noun referring to 17 쑗 Today is October the seventeenth or the seventeenth of October (October 17th). 쑗 Q is the seventeenth letter of the alphabet. 쑗 It’s his seventeenth birthday next week. 쑗 He came seventeenth out of thirty. 왍 the seventeenth century the years from 1600 to 1699 ① seventh / sevənθ/ adj, noun referring to 7 쑗 Henry the Seventh (Henry VII) 쑗 His office is on the seventh floor. 쑗 It’s her seventh birthday on Saturday. 쑗 What is the seventh letter of the alphabet? 쑗 The seventh of July or July the seventh (July 7th). 왍 the seventh century the period from 600 to 699 AD 쐽 noun one part of seven equal parts ① seventy / sev(ə)nti/ noun number 70 쑗 She will be seventy (years old) on Tuesday. 쑗 That shirt cost him more than seventy dollars. 왍 she’s in her seventies she is between 70 and 79 years old 왍 the (nineteen) seventies (1970s) the years from 1970 to 1979 sever / sevə/ verb to cut off ① several / sev(ə)rəl/ adj, pron more than a few, but not a lot 쑗 Several buildings were damaged in the storm. 쑗 We’ve met several times. 쑗 Several of the students are going to Italy. 쑗 Most of the guests left early but several stayed on till midnight. ② severe /s və/ adj 1. very strict 쑗 He was very severe with any child who did not behave. 쑗 Discipline in the school was severe. 2. having a very bad effect 쑗 The government imposed severe financial restrictions on importers. 쑗 The severe . . severely 778 weather has closed several main roads. (NOTE: severer – severest) ③ severely /s vəli/ adv 1. strictly 쑗 She was severely punished for being late. 2. badly 쑗 a severely injured survivor 쑗 Train services have been severely affected by snow. severity /s verti/ noun the quality of being severe ③ sew /səυ/ verb to attach, make or repair something by using a needle and thread (NOTE: Do not confuse with sow. Note also: sewing – sewed – sewn /səυn/.) sewage / su dȢ/ noun waste water and other waste from toilets, carried away in pipes under the ground sewer / su ə/ noun a large pipe which takes waste water and refuse away from buildings ③ sewing / səυŋ/ noun things such as clothes which someone is in the process of sewing sewing machine / səυŋ məʃi n/ noun a machine which you use for sewing sewn /səυn/ 쒁 sew ① sex /seks/ noun 1. one of two groups, male and female, into which animals and plants can be divided 쑗 They’ve had a baby, but I don’t know what sex it is. 쑗 There is no discrimination on the grounds of sex, race and religion. 왍 the opposite sex people of the other sex to yours 쑗 He’s very attractive to the opposite sex. 2. sexual activity 쑗 a film full of sex and violence 쑗 Sex was the last thing on her mind. 왍 to have sex with someone to perform a sexual act with someone sexagenarian /seksədȢə neəriən/ noun a person who is between sixty and sixty-nine years old sex appeal / seks əpi l/ noun the fact of being attractive to the opposite sex sex education / seks edjυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of teaching children about adult sexual relations sexism / seksz(ə)m/ noun unfair treatment because of a person’s sex sexist / seksst/ adj unfair towards one of the sexes, especially women sex life / seks laf/ noun the part of someone’s life that involves their sexual relationships sex offender /'seks əfendə/ noun a person who commits a crime involving sexual activity sextant / sekstənt/ noun an instrument formerly used to calculate the position of a ship by measuring angles between a star and the horizon ② sexual / sekʃuəl/ adj referring to sex 쑗 Their relationship was never sexual. 왍 sexual partner a person you have sex with sexual harrassment /sekʃuəl hərsmənt/ noun actions such as touching shade someone or talking to them about sexual matters in an unpleasant way which makes them feel extremely uncomfortable and worried sexual intercourse /sekʃuəl ntəkɔ s/ noun the act in which a man puts his penis inside a woman’s vagina ③ sexuality /sekʃu lti/ noun sexual feelings or activity sexually / sekʃυəli/ adv in a sexual way sexually transmitted disease /sekʃuəli trnsmtd d zi z/ noun a dis- ease passed from one person to another by having sex. Also called sexually transmitted infection sexual orientation /sekʃuəl ɔ riənteʃ(ə)n/ noun attraction to someone of the opposite sex, of the same sex or both sex worker /seks w" kə/ noun a person who gets paid to have sex with people or who appears in pornographic films or photographs ② sexy / seksi/ adj sexually attractive (NOTE: sexier – sexiest) SGML noun a computer language which uses a system of codes to create files sh /ʃ/, shh interj used to ask for silence shabby / ʃbi/ adj 1. (of clothes) of poor quality or looking worn out 쑗 He wore a shabby coat with two buttons missing. 2. not kind or honest 왍 shabby trick an unkind act 쑗 That was a shabby trick to play on a poor old lady. shack /ʃk/ noun a rough wooden shelter 쑗 He lived for years in a little shack in the woods. Synonym hut 쐽 verb 왍 to shack up with someone to go to live with someone (slang) 쑗 They’re shacked up together in a flat in Notting Hill Gate. shackle / ʃk(ə)l/ verb to fasten someone to something or to another person with a chain 쑗 The prisoners were shackled together. shackles / ʃk(ə)lz/ plural noun chains for fastening a prisoner 쑗 He wore shackles round his ankles. 쑗 She was desperate to escape from the shackles of her life in the vicarage. shade /ʃed/ noun 1. a variety of a particular colour 쑗 Her hat is a rather pretty shade of green. 2. a dark place which is not in the sun 쑗 Let’s try and find some shade – it’s too hot in the sun. 쑗 The sun’s so hot that we’ll have to sit in the shade. 3. 왍 to put someone in the shade to make someone seem less impressive 쑗 His acting puts the rest of the cast in the shade. 4. a cover put over the top part of a light 쑗 I don’t like the bright orange shade you bought. 쑗 a brass table lamp with a red silk shade 쐽 verb to protect something from light of the sun 쑗 She shaded her eyes against the sun. 쑗 The old birch tree shades that corner of the garden. shaded 779 shaded / ʃedd/ adj 1. covered in shade 쑗 These plants will do well in a shaded part of the garden. 2. in a darker colour than the surrounding areas 쑗 The shaded part of the plan shows where the new office block will be built. shades /ʃedz/ plural noun sunglasses (informal ) shading / ʃedŋ/ noun 1. making part of a picture darker 쑗 The shading on the face was particularly fine. 2. making a drawing darker by drawing thin lines close together 쑗 On this chart, we use different types of shading to indicate different crops. ② shadow / ʃdəυ/ noun 1. a dark place behind an object where light is cut off by the object 쑗 In the evening, the trees cast long shadows across the lawn. 쑗 She saw his shadow move down the hall. 쑗 They rested for a while, in the shadow of a large tree. 2. a small amount 쑗 a shadow of suspicion 쐽 verb 1. to follow someone closely, but without being seen 쑗 The drug dealer was shadowed by two undercover policemen. 2. to be an Opposition MP covering a government department 쑗 She is shadowing the Health Secretary. shadowy / ʃdəυi/ adj not easily seen or not well known (NOTE: shadowier – . shadowiest) shady / ʃedi/ adj 1. out of the light of the sun 쑗 At midday in Madrid, it’s better to walk on the shady side of the street. 2. which provides a cool dark area 쑗 They drank beer sitting under a shady tree. 3. not honest 쑗 He made several shady deals. 왍 shady character a person who may be a criminal ③ shaft /ʃɑ ft/ noun 1. the thin stick which is the main part of a weapon such as an arrow or a spear 쑗 He pulled on the shaft to get the javelin out of the ground. 2. the long handle of a tool such as a spade 쑗 The shaft of the spade was so old it snapped in two. 3. a thin beam of light 쑗 Tiny particles of dust were dancing in a shaft of sunlight. 4. a thin bar which connects parts of an engine 쑗 The shaft transmits power from the engine to the propeller. 5. a deep hole connecting one place to another 쑗 The ventilation shaft had become blocked. shaggy / ʃDZi/ adj long and untidy. Synonym hairy shaggy dog story /ʃDZi dɒDZ stɔ ri/ noun a very long story with an unexpectedly silly ending (NOTE: shaggier – shaggiest) ② shake /ʃek/ verb 1. to move something from side to side or up and down 쑗 Shake the bottle before pouring. 쑗 The house shakes every time a train goes past. 쑗 His hand shook as he opened the envelope. 왍 to shake your head to move your head from side to side to mean ‘no’ 쑗 When I asked my dad if I shallow could borrow the car he just shook his head. 2. to shock someone 쑗 His family was shaken by the news that he had been arrested. 쑗 The sight of it really shook me. (NOTE: shaking – shook /ʃυk/ – has shaken) 쐽 noun 1. the action of moving rapidly up and down 쑗 If the tomato sauce won’t come out, give the bottle a shake. 2. moving from side to side 쑗 He indicated ‘no’ with a shake of his head. ② shake hands /ʃek hndz/ verb 왍 to shake hands, to shake someone’s hand to greet someone by holding their right hand 쑗 He shook hands with me. 쑗 She refused to shake my hand. 쑗 The negotiators shook hands and sat down at the conference table. 왍 to shake hands on a deal to shake hands to show that a deal has been agreed. 쏡 handshake COMMENT: In Britain and the USA you shake hands with someone mainly in fairly formal circumstances, for example when you meet them for the first time or when you are saying goodbye to someone and do not expect to see them again soon. You do not usually shake hands with people you see every day. shaken / ʃekən/ adj very upset or frightened shake off /ʃek ɒf/ verb to get rid of something, usually something unpleasant shakeout / ʃekaυt/ noun a situation in which there is a reduction in the number of people or companies working in a particular business or organisation shakeup / ʃekp/ noun a total reorganisation shaky / ʃeki/ adj 1. not very safe, not very reliable 쑗 Be careful, that ladder is a bit shaky. 쑗 The champion driver got off to a shaky start. 쑗 Your argument sounds a bit shaky to me. 2. feeling weak 쑗 He’s still shaky after his operation. (NOTE: shakier – ③ shakiest) shale /ʃel/ noun a soft rock formed from clay, which splits easily into thin sheets ① shall /ʃəl, ʃl/ modal verb 1. used to make the future tense 쑗 We shall be out on Saturday evening. 쑗 I shan’t say anything – I shall keep my mouth shut! 쑗 Tomorrow we shan’t be home until after 10 o’clock. 2. used to show a suggestion 쑗 Shall we open the windows? 쑗 Shall I give them a ring? (NOTE: shall is mainly used with I and we. The negative is shan’t /ʃɑ nt/. The past tense is should, should not usually shouldn’t.) shallot /ʃə lɒt/ noun a type of small onion ③ shallow / ʃləυ/ adj 1. not far from top to bottom 쑗 Children were playing in the shallow end of the pool. 쑗 The river is so shallow in summer that you can walk across it. Antonym deep 2. without any serious shallows 780 meaning 쑗 It’s a very shallow treatment of a serious subject. (NOTE: shallower – shallowest) shallows / ʃləυz/ plural noun parts of a river or the sea where the water is shallow sham /ʃm/ adj giving the appearance of being real 쑗 They set up a sham company to conceal their activities. Synonym fake 쐽 noun a person or thing which is false 쑗 Her claim to be a great pianist is just a sham. 쑗 The government’s promises were just a sham. 쐽 verb to pretend 쑗 He lay still, shamming death, and the lion went away. Synonym fake (NOTE: shamming – shammed) shamble / ʃmbəl/ verb to walk slowly and heavily 쑗 He shambled into the bar and ordered a beer. 왍 to shamble along to walk slowly or lazily along 쑗 They shambled along, enjoying the sunshine. shambles / ʃmbəlz/ noun 1. a complete lack of organisation 쑗 The whole trip to Paris was a shambles – lost tickets, no hotel booking, everything that could go wrong did go wrong. 2. a mess 쑗 She stood at the door looking at the shambles after the office party. 쑗 Tidy up your bedroom – it is an absolute shambles. shambolic /ʃm bɒlk/ adj completely without order (informal ) Synonym dis. organised shame /ʃem/ noun 1. feeling caused by having done something which you should not have done 쑗 To my shame, I did nothing to help. 쑗 She went bright red with shame. 왍 to die of shame to feel very ashamed 쑗 I could have died of shame! 2. 왍 what a shame, it's a shame how sad 쑗 What a shame you couldn’t come to the party! 쑗 It’s a shame your father isn’t well – I’m sure he would have enjoyed the play. 쑗 It’s a shame to have to go to the office on such a glorious day. 왍 shame on you! you should be ashamed of yourself 쐽 verb 왍 to shame someone into doing something to make someone do something because they feel ashamed 쑗 We hope to shame her into contributing to the party. shamefaced /ʃem fest/ adj embarrassed and showing that you are ashamed shameful / ʃemf(ə)l/ adj extremely immoral or dishonest, causing shame. Synonym ② disgraceful shameless / ʃemləs/ adj without shame ③ shampoo /ʃm pu / noun 1. liquid soap for washing your hair or for washing things such as carpets or cars 쑗 There are sachets of shampoo in the bathroom. 2. the action of washing the hair 쑗 She went to the hairdresser’s for a shampoo. 쐽 verb to wash something with shampoo 쑗 The hairdresser shampooed her hair, and then cut it. 쑗 They have a machine for shampooing carpets. (NOTE: shampooing – shampooed) share shamrock / ʃmrɒk/ noun a small plant with leaves which are have three parts shandy / ʃndi/ noun a cold drink made by mixing beer and lemonade (NOTE: The plural is shandies.) shank /ʃŋk/ noun 1. the straight central part of a tool 2. meat from the leg of an ani- mal 쑗 I bought a piece of shank to make a stew. ③ shan’t /ʃɑ nt/ short form shall not shanty / ʃnti/ noun a rough wooden shelter 쑗 The immigrants live in shanties round the outskirts of the city. shanty town / ʃnti taυn/ noun a large group of huts belonging to poor people ② shape /ʃep/ noun 1. the form of how something looks 쑗 A design in the shape of a letter S. 쑗 The old table was a funny shape. 왍 this pullover’s beginning to lose its shape it is beginning to stretch 2. 왍 in good shape in good physical form 쑗 He’s in good shape for the race. 쑗 She’s in a very bad shape. 왍 to take shape to begin to look as it will do when finished 쑗 After all his hard work, the new garden in beginning to take shape. 왍 in any shape or form of any type 쑗 The boss does not tolerate criticism in any shape or form. 쐽 verb to make into a particular form 쑗 He shaped the pastry into the form of a little boat. ② shaped /ʃept/ adj with a particular shape shapeless / ʃepləs/ adj with no definite shape shapely / ʃepli/ adj with an attractive shape shape up /ʃep p/ verb to result, to end up 쑗 Things are shaping up as we expected. 쑗 It’s shaping up to be a fine day. ① share /ʃeə/ noun 1. a part of something that is divided between two or more people 쑗 Did he get his share of the prize? 쑗 Take your share of the cake and leave me the rest. 쑗 She should have paid her share of the food bill. 쑗 There’s a lot of work to do, so everyone must do their share. 왍 to have a share in to take part in, to have a part of 쑗 All the staff should have a share in decisions about the company’s future. 쑗 She has her share of the responsibility for the accident. 2. one of the many equal parts into which a company’s capital is divided 쑗 He bought 2000 shares in Marks and Spencer. 쑗 Shares fell on the London Stock Exchange. (NOTE: The usual US term is stock.) 쐽 verb 1. share, share out to divide up something among several people 쑗 Let’s share the bill. 쑗 In her will, her money was shared out among her sons. 쑗 They shared the pencils out amongst them. 2. to use something which someone else also uses 쑗 We share an office. 쑗 We shared a taxi to the airport. shareholder 781 shareholder / ʃeəhəυldə/ noun a person who owns shares in a company shareholding / ʃeəhəυldŋ/ noun a group of shares in a company owned by one owner 왍 a majority shareholding, a minority shareholding a group of shares which are more or less than half the total 쑗 He acquired a minority shareholding in the company. share-out / ʃeər aυt/ noun the process of dividing something among many people shareware / ʃeəweə/ noun computer software which you try for short period before deciding if you want to buy the right to use it sharia /ʃə ri ə/ noun Islamic religious law, based on the teaching of the Koran sharing / ʃeərŋ/ noun dividing up something among several people ③ shark /ʃɑ k/ noun a large dangerous fish which lives in the sea and can kill people 쑗 The lifeguards shouted when a shark was spotted in the water. ② sharp /ʃɑ p/ adj 1. with an edge or point which can easily cut or pass through something 쑗 For injections, a needle has to have a very sharp point. 쑗 The beach is covered with sharp stones. 쑗 This knife is useless – it isn’t sharp enough. 2. sudden and great 쑗 There was a sharp drop in interest rates. 쑗 The road makes a sharp right-hand bend. 쑗 He received a sharp blow on the back of his head. 쑗 We had a sharp frost last night. 쑗 It’s cold, there’s a sharp north wind. 3. bitter 쑗 Lemons have a very sharp taste. 4. quick to notice things 쑗 He has a sharp sense of justice. 쑗 She has a sharp eye for a bargain. 쑗 He’s pretty sharp at spotting mistakes. 5. showing criticism or anger 쑗 He got a very sharp reply to his fax. 6. (in music) playing at a higher pitch than it should be 쑗 That violin sounds sharp. (NOTE: sharper – sharpest) 쐽 adv 1. exactly 쑗 The coach will leave the hotel at 7.30 sharp. 2. suddenly, at an angle 쑗 The road turned sharp right. 쐽 noun (in music) a pitch which is one semitone higher 쑗 They played Bach’s Sonata in F sharp major. 쑗 He played D sharp instead of D flat. sharpen / ʃɑ pən/ verb to make something sharp ③ sharply / ʃɑ pli/ adv 1. to a great degree 쑗 He felt his mother’s death very sharply. 2. clearly 쑗 The two groups are sharply divided on this issue. 3. in a way that criticises 쑗 She spoke quite sharply to the poor old lady. 4. suddenly and to a large extent 쑗 The temperature fell sharply during the night. 쑗 The road turns sharply to the right. sharp practice /ʃɑ p prkts/ noun a way of doing business which is not honest, but not illegal (dated ) sharp tongue /ʃɑ p tŋ/ noun a tendency to criticise people . sheaf shatter / ʃtə/ verb 1. to break into little pieces 쑗 He knocked the vase with his elbow and it shattered onto the floor. 쑗 The bomb shattered the windows of several houses. 2. to destroy, to upset violently 쑗 His hopes of going to university were shattered when he failed the exam. 쑗 A loud sneeze shattered the silence in the library. shattered / ʃtəd/ adj 1. very upset 쑗 She was shattered when the result of the court case was announced. 2. very tired (informal ) 쑗 He looked shattered after the marathon. shattering / ʃt(ə)rŋ/ adj which is very worrying, or which makes you very upset. Synonym devastating ③ shave /ʃev/ noun the act of cutting off the hair on your face with a razor 쑗 He went to have a shave at the barber’s next to the hotel. 왍 a close shave a situation in which you only just manage to avoid having an accident or other unpleasant experience 쐽 verb 1. to cut off the hair on your face with a razor 쑗 He cut himself shaving. 2. to cut the hair on your head or or on a part of your body, very short 쑗 I didn’t recognise him with his head shaved. 3. to cut a thin piece off something 쑗 You need to shave a bit more off to make the door fit the frame. shaven / ʃev(ə)n/ adj shaved (formal ) shaver / ʃevə/ noun an electrical tool used for cutting hair off your body shaving / ʃevŋ/ noun the act of cutting hair off your body, especially your face 쑗 Shaving only takes me a couple of minutes. shaving cream / ʃevŋ kri m/ noun a cream which you put on your face before shaving shavings / ʃevŋz/ plural noun small thin slices of something such as wood or cheese, cut off with a knife 쑗 They packed the china in a box of wood shavings. shawl /ʃɔ l/ noun a large square of warm material for wearing around the shoulders or head. Synonym wrap ① she /ʃi / pron referring to a female person, a female animal and sometimes to cars, ships and countries 쑗 She’s my sister. 쑗 She and I are going on holiday to France together. 쑗 I’m angry with her – she’s taken my motorbike. 쑗 She’s a sweet little cat, but she’s no good at catching mice. 쑗 The customs officers boarded the ship when she docked. (NOTE: When it is the object, she becomes her: She hit the ball or The ball hit her. When it follows the verb to be, she usually becomes her: Who’s that? – It’s her, the girl we met yesterday.) sheaf /ʃi f/ noun 1. a large pile of papers 쑗 He threw a sheaf of papers onto my desk and told me to sort them out. 쑗 The jury had to examine sheaves of evidence collected by the fraud squad. 2. a collection of the stems of ③ . . shear 782 plants such as wheat tied together after cutting 쑗 They spent all day picking up sheaves and loading them on carts. (NOTE: The plural is sheaves /ʃi vz/.) shear /ʃə/ verb 1. to cut the wool off sheep 쑗 The sheep have to be brought into the farmyard to be sheared. 쑗 The poor sheep look cold now they’ve been shorn. 2. to cut through something 쑗 The ferry sheared through the nets of the fishing boat. (NOTE: sheared or shorn /ʃɔ n/. Do not confuse with sheer.) shears /ʃəz/ plural noun very large scis- sors, used for cutting plants or for cutting the wool off sheep 쑗 He’s cutting the hedge with the shears. sheath /ʃi θ/ noun 1. a cover for a weapon such as a knife 쑗 Put your knife back in its sheath. 2. a thin rubber covering put over the penis before having sex, as a protection against infection and to prevent a woman from becoming pregnant (dated ). Also called . contraceptive sheath (NOTE: The plural is sheaths /ʃi ðz/.) sheathe /ʃi ð/ verb to put something into its sheath 왍 to be sheathed in to be covered in something as a protection 쑗 The cables are sheathed in plastic. sheath-knife / ʃi θ naf/ noun a knife which is kept in a sheath (NOTE: The plural is sheath-knives.) sheaves /ʃi vz/ 쒁 sheaf ③ shed /ʃed/ noun a small wooden building 쑗 They kept the mower in a shed at the bottom of the garden. 쑗 She’s in the garden shed putting geraniums into pots. 쐽 verb 1. to lose something which you are carrying or wearing 쑗 In autumn, the trees shed their leaves as soon as the weather turns cold. 쑗 A lorry has shed its load of wood at the roundabout. 쑗 We shed our clothes and dived into the cool water. 2. to lose weight, to become lighter 쑗 He goes on a run every morning to try to shed some weight. 쑗 By stopping eating potatoes, she managed to shed three pounds. 3. to let something such as blood or tears flow 쑗 She shed tears of anger as she listened to the speech. 쑗 She shed tears when her hamster died. 쑗 Not one drop of blood was shed. 4. 왍 to shed light on something to make something clearer 쑗 Can anyone shed any light on what actually happened? 쑗 The finds in the cave shed a fascinating light on the prehistory of this region. ① she’d /ʃi d/ short form she had, she would sheen /ʃi n/ noun an extremely shiny surface ① sheep /ʃi p/ noun a common farm animal, which gives wool and meat 쑗 a flock of sheep 쑗 The sheep are in the field. shell sheepdog / ʃi pdɒDZ/ noun a dog trained and used to control sheep sheepish / ʃi pʃ/ adj embarrassed and showing that you are ashamed sheepskin / ʃi pskn/ noun the skin of a sheep, with the wool still on it, used to make something such as a coat or a floor covering sheep station / ʃi p steʃ(ə)n/ noun (in Australia) a very large farm for raising sheep sheer /ʃə/ adj 1. complete 쑗 It was sheer heaven to get into a hot bath after skiing. 쑗 She was crying out of sheer frustration. 쑗 It’s sheer madness to go out without a coat in this weather. 2. very steep 쑗 It was a sheer ten-metre drop to the beach below. 쐽 adv straight up or down 쑗 The cliff drops sheer to the beach below. sheer off /ʃər ɒf/ verb to move to the side, in a direction which is not straight 쑗 The car was speeding towards the tunnel but sheered off into the crowd instead. ① sheet /ʃi t/ noun 1. a large piece of thin cloth which is put on a bed, either to lie on or to cover you 쑗 She changed the sheets on the bed. 2. a large flat piece of something such as paper, metal, ice or plastic 쑗 Can you give me another sheet of paper? 쏡 balance sheet sheeting / ʃi tŋ/ noun thin material used for covering things sheet lightning / ʃi t latnŋ/ noun lightning where you cannot see the flash, but the clouds are lit up by it sheila / ʃi lə/ noun (in Australia) a girl (informal ) ② shelf /ʃelf/ noun a flat piece of wood attached to a wall or in a cupboard on which things can be put 쑗 He put up or built some shelves in the kitchen. 쑗 The shelves were packed with books. 쑗 Put that book back on the shelf. 쑗 Can you reach me down the box from the top shelf? 쑗 The plates are on the top shelf in the kitchen cupboard. 왍 on the shelf still not married (informal ) 쑗 She thought she was on the shelf at thirty-five, and then Mr Right came along. shelf life / ʃelf laf/ noun the number of days or weeks that a product can be kept in a shop and still be good to use ③ shell /ʃel/ noun 1. the hard outside part covering some animals such as snails or tortoises 쑗 Snails are usually served in their shells. 쑗 The children spent hours collecting shells on the beach. 2. the hard outside part of an egg or a nut 쑗 I found a big piece of shell in my omelette. 3. the outside walls of a building 쑗 Only the shell of the building remained after the fire. 4. a metal tube which is fired from a gun and explodes when it hits something 쑗 A shell landed on the hospital. 쐽 verb to attack with shells 쑗 Anti-government forces shelled the capital. . . she’ll 783 ③ she’ll /ʃi l/ short form she will ③ shellfish / ʃelfʃ/ noun sea animals such as crabs and oysters which have a hard outer covering and which you can eat. (NOTE: no singular: a plate of shellfish, a shellfish restaurant ) shellsuit / ʃelsu t/ noun a one-piece suit or pair of matching trousers and top, in brightcoloured material ③ shelter / ʃeltə/ noun 1. protection 쑗 We stood in the shelter of a tree waiting for the rain to stop. 쑗 On the mountain there was no shelter from the pouring rain. 왍 to take shelter to go somewhere for protection 쑗 When the gunmen started to shoot we all took shelter behind a wall. 2. a structure or building where you can go for protection 쑗 People ran to the air-raid shelters as soon as they heard the planes. 쐽 verb 1. to give someone protection 쑗 The school sheltered several families of refugees. 2. to go somewhere for protection 쑗 Sheep were sheltering from the snow beside the hedge. sheltered / ʃeltəd/ adj protected from things such as wind, cold or danger sheltered housing /ʃeltəd haυzŋ/ noun small flats provided for old or ill people, often with someone employed to give them help if they need it shelve /ʃelv/ verb 1. to put back to a later date 쑗 The project was shelved for lack of money. 쑗 Discussion of the problem has been shelved. 2. to slope down 쑗 The beach shelves gently so it is safe for little children. ③ shelves /ʃelvz/ noun 쒁 shelf shelving / ʃelvŋ/ noun 1. rows of shelves 쑗 I’ve installed metal shelving in the garden shed. 2. the act of delaying something such as a plan to do something 쑗 The shelving of the project has resulted in chaos. shenanigans /sh nnDZənz/ plural noun behaviour that is dishonest or immoral, but often in a way that can interesting or funny shepherd / ʃepəd/ noun a man who looks after sheep 쐽 verb to take people somewhere moving them as a group 쑗 The children were shepherded into the building. 쑗 The police were shepherding the crowds away from the scene of the accident. Synonym usher shepherd’s pie /ʃepədz pa/ noun same as cottage pie sheriff / ʃerf/ noun 1. US an official in charge of justice in a particular part of a state 쑗 the sheriff of Orange County 2. (in Scotland ) the main judge in a district sherry / ʃeri/ noun 1. a type of strong wine, made in Spain 쑗 She brought two bottles of sherry back from Spain. 2. a glass of this wine 쑗 I’ll have a dry sherry, please. 쑗 Two sherries and a port please. (NOTE: The plural . . shine sherries is used to mean types of sherry or glasses of sherry.) she’s /ʃi z/ short form she has, she is shh /ʃ/ interj another spelling of sh ② shield /ʃi ld/ noun 1. a large plate held in one hand, carried by people such as police as a protection 쑗 The policemen cowered behind their plastic shields. 2. a thing which protects from danger 쑗 You need a shield over your face when welding. 쐽 verb 1. to protect from danger 쑗 He tried to shield her from the wind. 2. to protect someone who has done something wrong 쑗 She’s just shielding her father. ② shift /ʃft/ noun 1. a change of something such as position or direction 쑗 The company is taking advantage of a shift in the market towards higher priced goods. 쑗 There has been a shift of emphasis from confrontation to partnership. 쑗 I don’t understand this shift in attitude. 2. a period of time during which one group of workers works before being replaced by another group 쑗 Which shift are you working today? 쑗 We work an eight-hour shift. 3. a loose dress 쑗 As it was so hot she wore only a light cotton shift. 쐽 verb 1. to change position or direction 쑗 We’ve shifted the television from the kitchen into the dining room. 쑗 The centre of attention shifted to Downing Street. 왍 to shift gears US to change from one gear to the next when driving a car 왍 to shift up to move to a higher gear when driving a car 쑗 Shift up to top gear when you get onto the expressway. 왍 to shift down to move to a lower gear when driving a car 쑗 Shift down when you come to the hill. 2. to sell (informal ) 쑗 We shifted 20,000 Christmas trees in one week. shifting / ʃftŋ/ adj moving shift key / ʃft ki / noun the key which changes characters on a keyboard to capital letters shifty / ʃfti/ adj not looking honest. Synonym suspicious Shiite / ʃi at/ noun a follower of the Shia branch of Islam shilling / ʃlŋ/ noun 1. the currency used in Kenya and some other countries 2. an old British coin worth 5 new pence shimmer / ʃmə/ noun a soft light which is not steady but seems to appear and disappear 쑗 I could see the shimmer of satin in the candlelight. 쐽 verb to shine softly with light in a way which is not steady 쑗 The lake shimmered in the moonlight. shin /ʃn/ noun 1. the front part of your leg below the knee 쑗 He scraped his shin climbing over the wall. 쑗 They kicked him in the shins. 왍 shin of beef meat from the bottom part of the front legs of a cow ③ shine /ʃan/ noun 1. the brightness of something or the way that something reflects . shingle 784 light 쑗 the shine of polished tables 2. the action of rubbing something with a cloth to make it clean and bright 쑗 Give the brass doorknob a shine. 쐽 verb 1. to be bright with light 쑗 The sun is shining and they say it’ll be hot today. 쑗 She polished the table until it shone. 쑗 The wine glasses shone in the light of the candles. 쑗 Why do cats’ eyes shine in the dark? 쑗 The moon shone down on the waiting crowd. (NOTE: shining – shone /ʃɒn/) 2. to make light fall on something 쑗 He shone his torch into the cellar. (NOTE: shining – shone /ʃɒn/) 3. to rub something with a cloth to make it bright 쑗 She was shining the silver. 쑗 Don’t forget to shine your shoes. (NOTE: shining – shined) shingle / ʃŋDZəl/ noun 1. a mass of small stones on a beach 쑗 A shingle beach is quite hard to walk on in your bare feet. 2. a small flat piece of something such as wood which is fixed on a wall or roof as a covering 쑗 I must get up on the roof, some of the shingles need replacing. shingles / ʃŋDZəlz/ noun a painful medical condition which causes a line of marks to form on the skin, usually mainly on the back or middle of the body, or on the face shining / ʃanŋ/ adj extremely bright 왍 a shining example of a very good example of 쑗 She’s a shining example of how to get on in business. Shinto / ʃntəυ/ noun a Japanese religion with many gods and spirits of the natural world Shinto / ʃntəυ/ noun a Japanese religion with many gods and spirits of the natural world shin up / ʃn p/ verb to climb up something quickly 쑗 The sailors shinned up the mast. ① ship /ʃp/ noun a large boat for carrying passengers and goods on the sea 쑗 She’s a fine ship. 쑗 How many ships does the Royal Navy have? 쑗 The first time we went to the United States, we went by ship. (NOTE: A ship is often referred to as she or her.) 쐽 verb 1. to send goods or people somewhere, sometimes but not always on a ship 쑗 We ship goods all over the country. 쑗 The consignment of cars was shipped abroad last week. 쑗 We’ve shipped the children off to my sister’s for two weeks. 2. to take water on board a ship accidentally 쑗 We shipped a lot of water during the storm. (NOTE: shipping – shipped) 앳 to jump ship 1. to leave the ship on which you are working and not come back 2. to leave a project or team to go to work for a competitor shipbuilder / ʃpbldə/ noun a person or business that makes ships ③ shipment / ʃpmənt/ noun 1. the sending of goods 쑗 We make two shipments a shiver week to France. 2. goods which are sent somewhere by ship or other means of transport 쑗 Two shipments were lost in the fire. 쑗 A shipment of computers was damaged. shipper / ʃpə/ noun a person or company that sends goods ③ shipping / ʃpŋ/ noun 1. the sending of goods 쑗 Shipping by rail can often work out cheaper. 2. the cost of goods sent 쑗 Shipping is not included in the invoice. 3. ships 쑗 They attacked enemy shipping in the Channel. shipping lane / ʃpŋ len/ noun a way across the sea which is regularly used by ships shipshape / ʃpʃep/ adj tidy and with everything in the right place. Antonym untidy shipwreck / ʃprek/ noun an accident which sinks a ship shipwrecked / ʃprekt/ adj having been on a ship which has sunk shipyard / ʃpjɑ d/ noun a factory where ships are built shire / ʃaə/ noun a county in the UK (NOTE: now used mainly in the names of counties e.g.: Berkshire, Hampshire) shires / ʃaəz/ plural noun farming country in the central part of England shirk /ʃ" k/ verb to try not to do something, especially work. Synonym evade 왍 to shirk responsibility not to do something which you should do 쑗 She’s very conscientious and never shirks her responsibilities. ① shirt /ʃ" t/ noun a light piece of clothing which you wear on the top part of the body 쑗 The teacher wore a blue suit and a white shirt. 쑗 When he came back from the trip he had a suitcase full of dirty shirts. 쑗 It’s so hot that the workers in the fields have taken their shirts off. 왍 keep your shirt on! don’t get angry (informal ) shirtsleeves / ʃ" tsli vz/ plural noun 왍 in your shirtsleeves not wearing a jacket 쑗 He was sitting at his desk in his shirtsleeves. shirty / ʃ" ti/ adj angry (informal ) shish kebab /ʃʃ k bb/ noun small pieces of meat and vegetables cooked on a skewer shit /ʃt/ (offensive ) noun 1. solid waste matter from the body 쑗 I’ve stepped in some dog shit. Synonym faeces 왍 to scare the shit out of someone to frighten someone 쑗 He scares the shit out of me! 2. nonsense 쑗 I’ve never heard such shit in my life! 쑗 What a load of shit! 3. a very unpleasant person (offensive slang) 쐽 verb to pass solid waste matter from the body 쑗 All babies do is eat, shit and sleep. Synonym defecate (NOTE: shitting – shit or shat or shitted) shiver / ʃvə/ noun the action of shaking because of feeling cold or frightened 왍 to . . . shoal 785 send shivers down someone’s spine to make someone very afraid 쑗 The mere thought of grandfather driving along the motorway at his age sends shivers down my spine. 쐽 verb to shake with cold or fear 쑗 She shivered in the cold night air. 쑗 He was coughing and shivering, so the doctor told him to stay in bed. shoal /ʃəυl/ noun 1. a bank of sand under the water 쑗 The ship ran aground on a shoal. 쑗 The shoals are clearly marked on the chart of the harbour. 2. a group of fish swimming about 쑗 a shoal of herring 3. a large group of people or things, taken together 쑗 Shoals of tourists visited the ruins. 쑗 We had a shoal of complaints after our TV ad. ② shock /ʃɒk/ noun 1. a sudden unpleasant surprise 쑗 It gave me quite a shock when you walked in. 쑗 He’s in for a nasty shock. 왍 in a state of shock reacting badly to a sudden unpleasant surprise 쑗 She was in a state of shock after hearing that her son had drowned. 2. a medical condition caused by low blood pressure after an illness or injury 쑗 Several of the passengers were treated for shock. 쐽 verb to give someone a sudden unpleasant surprise 쑗 The conditions in the hospital shocked the inspectors. ③ shocked /ʃɒkt/ adj having an unpleasant surprise shocker / ʃɒkə/ noun 1. a story, book or film involving a lot of violence 쑗 His latest shocker is available in paperback. 2. a shocking event 쑗 Finding that the value of our investments had halved was a real shocker. ③ shocking / ʃɒkŋ/ adj very unpleasant, which gives a sudden surprise shockingly / ʃɒkŋli/ adv in a shocking way shocking pink /ʃɒkŋ pŋk/ adj very bright pink, which seems to shine shock-proof / ʃɒk pru f/ adj 1. not breaking easily 2. not easily shocked shock wave / ʃɒk wev/ noun 1. a wave of high pressure which comes from something such as an explosion or earthquake 쑗 Three seconds after the explosion, the shock wave smashed the windows on our house. 2. feeling of shock after something has happened 쑗 The shock waves from the collapse of the government will be felt for some time. shod /ʃɒd/ 쒁 shoe shoddily / ʃɒdli/ adv in a shoddy way shoddy / ʃɒdi/ adj badly done, badly made 쑗 The shoddy workmanship of these shoes. 쑗 They’re selling off shoddy goods at cheap prices. shoddy trick / ʃɒdi trk/ noun an unkind act (NOTE: shoddier – shoddiest) shooting star shoe /ʃu / noun 1. a piece of clothing which is worn on your foot 쑗 She’s bought a new pair of shoes. 쑗 He put his shoes on and went out. 쑗 Take your shoes off if your feet hurt. 왍 in someone’s shoes in the situation someone is in 쑗 What would you do if you were in his shoes? 쑗 I wouldn’t like to be in her shoes. 2. a piece of metal fixed under a horse’s foot 쑗 The horse lost a shoe and couldn’t continue the race. 쐽 verb to put a horseshoe on a horse 쑗 The blacksmith was shoeing my horse. 쑗 The horse needs to be shoed. (NOTE: shoes – shoeing – shoed or shod /ʃɒd/) shoelace / ʃu les/ noun a string for tying up shoes. Synonym lace shoestring / ʃu strŋ/ noun 왍 on a shoestring done with only a little money 쑗 We’re trying to run this business on a shoestring. 쑗 They’re living on a shoestring. ③ shone /ʃɒn/ 쒁 shine shoo /ʃu / interj go away! (used to small children, animals or birds) 쑗 Shoo! Go back to the pen! 쐽 verb to make an animal or a person go somewhere by waving your hands at them 쑗 She shooed her group of fouryear-olds into the bus. ③ shook /ʃυk/ 쒁 shake ① shoot /ʃu t/ verb 1. to fire a gun 쑗 Soldiers were shooting into the woods. 2. to hit or kill by firing a gun 쑗 One of the robbers was shot by a policeman when he tried to run away. 쑗 We went out hunting and shot two rabbits. 3. to go very fast 쑗 When the bell rang she shot down the stairs. 쑗 He started the engine and the car shot out of the garage. 왍 to shoot the rapids to travel in a light boat through water which is flowing very fast 4. to make a film 쑗 They’re shooting a gangster film in our street. 5. to aim a ball at the goal 쑗 He shot, and the ball bounced off the post. (NOTE: shoots – shooting – shot /ʃɒt/) 쐽 noun a small new growth of a plant, growing from a seed or from a branch 쑗 One or two green shoots are already showing where I sowed my lettuces. 쑗 After pruning, the roses will send out a lot of strong new shoots. shoot down /ʃu t daυn/ verb to make an aircraft crash by hitting it with bullets from a gun ③ shooting / ʃu tŋ/ noun the action of shooting or killing with a gun shooting gallery / ʃu tŋ DZləri/ noun a small building at a fair, where you shoot at targets to win prizes shooting season / ʃu tŋ si z(ə)n/ noun a period of the year when you can shoot birds such as pheasants for sport shooting star /ʃu tŋ stɑ / noun a small rock which travels very fast through space and shines brightly. Synonym meteor ① shooting stick 786 shooting stick / ʃu tŋ stk/ noun a stick with a sharp point and a handle which opens out at the top to make a seat shoot-out / ʃu t aυt/ noun a fight with guns shoot up /ʃu t p/ verb 1. to go up fast 쑗 Prices shot up during the strike. 2. to grow fast 쑗 These tomatoes have shot up since I planted them. 쑗 She used to be such a small child but she’s really shot up in the last couple of years. ① shop /ʃɒp/ noun 1. a place where you can buy things 쑗 Quite a few shops are open on Sundays. 쑗 I never go to that shop – it’s much too expensive. 쑗 The sweet shop is opposite the fire station. 2. a place where goods are made or repaired. Synonym workshop 3. 왍 to talk shop to talk about your business 쑗 The dinner party was dull – the men all sat in a corner talking shop. 쐽 verb to look for and buy things in shops 쑗 She’s out shopping for his birthday present. 쑗 Mum’s gone shopping in town. 쑗 They went shopping in Oxford Street. 쑗 Do you ever shop locally? (NOTE: shopping – shopped) shop around /ʃɒp ə raυnd/ verb to go to various shops to find which one has the cheapest goods before you buy anything shop assistant / ʃɒp əsstənt/ noun a person who serves the customers in a shop shopfloor / ʃɒpflɔ / noun the working area in a factory shopfront / ʃɒpfrnt/ noun a part of a shop which faces the street, including the entrance and the windows shopkeeper / ʃɒpki pə/ noun a person who owns a shop shoplifter / ʃɒplftə/ noun a person who steals things from shops shoplifting / ʃɒplftŋ/ noun stealing from shops ③ shopper / ʃɒpə/ noun a person who buys things from shops ② shopping / ʃɒpŋ/ noun 1. the activity of buying things in a shop 쑗 We do all our shopping at the weekend. 쑗 He’s gone out to do the weekly shopping. 2. things which you have bought in a shop 쑗 Put all your shopping on the table. 쑗 She was carrying two baskets of shopping. (NOTE: no plural: some shopping, a lot of shopping) shopping arcade / ʃɒpŋ ɑ ked/ noun a covered shopping street with a glass roof shopping bag / ʃɒpŋ bDZ/ noun a bag for carrying your shopping in shopping basket / ʃɒpŋ bɑ skt/ noun a basket used for carrying shopping shopping cart / ʃɒpŋ kɑ t/ noun US a metal basket on wheels, used by shoppers to put their goods in as they go round a supermarket short ③ shopping centre / ʃɒpŋ sentə/ noun 1. a building with several different shops and restaurants, together with a car park 쑗 We must stop them from building any more out-of-town shopping centres. Synonym shopping mall 2. a part of town where the streets are closed to traffic so that people can walk about and shop. Synonym shopping precinct shopping list / ʃɒpŋ lst/ noun a list of things which you need to buy shopping mall / ʃɒpŋ mɒl/ noun an enclosed covered shopping area with shops, restaurants, banks and other facilities shopping precinct / ʃɒpŋ pri sŋkt/ noun a part of town where the streets are closed to traffic so that people can walk about and shop shopping spree / ʃɒpŋ spri / noun a happy time when you spend a lot of money buying things in shops shopping trolley / ʃɒpŋ trɒli/ noun metal basket on wheels, used by shoppers to put their goods in as they go round a supermarket (NOTE: The US term is shopping cart.) shop-soiled / ʃɒp sɔld/ adj dirty because of having been on show in a shop shop steward /ʃɒp stju əd/ noun an elected trade union representative shop window /ʃɒp wndəυ/ noun a large window in a shop where goods are shown so that customers can see them shore /ʃɔ / noun land at the edge of the sea or a lake 쑗 She stood on the shore waving as the boat sailed away. 왍 to go on shore to go onto land from a ship 쑗 When we were on shore in Greece our cruise ship sailed without us. 쏡 ashore shoreline / ʃɔ lan/ noun the area along the edge of the sea or a lake, where water meets land shore up /ʃɔ r p/ verb to hold up something which might fall down or fail 쑗 They had to put in metal beams to shore up the ceiling. 쑗 The army is trying to shore up the president’s regime. ① short /ʃɔ t/ adj 1. (of size or length) not long 쑗 Have you got a short piece of wire? 2. (of distance) not far 쑗 She only lives a short distance away. 쑗 The taxi driver wanted to take me through the high street, but I told him there was a shorter route. 쑗 The shortest way to the railway station is to go through the park. 3. (of time) not long, small 쑗 He phoned a short time ago. 쑗 We had a short holiday in June. 쑗 She managed to have a short sleep on the plane. 4. (of height ) not tall 쑗 He is only 1m 40 – much shorter than his brother. 5. not as much as there should be 쑗 The delivery was three items short. 왍 when we counted the cash we were £10 short we . shortage 787 had £10 less than we should have had 왍 short of with not enough 쑗 I can’t offer you any tea as we’re short of milk. 쑗 Can I pay later as I’m rather short of cash at the moment? 왍 to run short of to have less and less of 쑗 In the hot weather the pubs ran short of beer. 쐽 adv suddenly 쑗 I stopped short when I saw her walking towards me. 왍 short of without doing something 쑗 Short of sacking her, I don’t know what we can do. 쐽 verb to short-circuit something 쑗 He switched on TV and shorted the whole house. shortage / ʃɔ tdȢ/ noun a lack of something 쑗 a shortage of skilled staff. 쑗 During the war, there were food shortages. Synonym lack. Antonym excess shortbread / ʃɔ tbred/ noun a thick sweet biscuit shortchange /ʃɔ t tʃendȢ/ verb to cheat someone, especially by giving too little change ③ short-circuit /ʃɔ t s" kt/ noun a bad connection in an electric circuit, making the electric current follow the wrong path 쑗 It was the worn cable which caused the shortcircuit. 쐽 verb 1. to make a short-circuit 쑗 A faulty contact caused the system to short-circuit. 2. to get through something complicated by using a simple short cut 쑗 Is there any way of short-circuiting some of the administrative procedures? shortcomings / ʃɔ tkmŋz/ plural noun faults short cut /ʃɔ t kt/ noun 1. a way which is shorter than usual 쑗 We can take a short cut through the park. 2. a quicker way of doing something 쑗 There are no short cuts to learning Russian. shorten / ʃɔ t(ə)n/ verb to make shorter. Synonym cut shortfall / ʃɔ tfɔ l/ noun an amount which is missing from a total. Synonym deficit. Antonym excess shorthand / ʃɔ thnd/ noun a quick way of writing using a system of signs 왍 to take shorthand to write using shorthand 쑗 He took the minutes of the meeting in shorthand. Compare longhand short-handed /ʃɔ t hndd/ adj without enough staff. Synonym short-staffed shortlist / ʃɔ tlst/ noun a list of some of the people who have applied for a job, and who have been chosen to come for an interview 쑗 He’s on the shortlist for the job. 쐽 verb to include someone or someone’s name on a list chosen from a larger one 쑗 Four candidates have been shortlisted. 쑗 If you are shortlisted you will be asked for an interview. shortlived /ʃɔ t lvd/ adj which does not last for a long time. Antonym longlived shot ③ shortly / ʃɔ tli/ adv soon short measure /ʃɔ t meȢə/ noun less than the correct amount short-range / ʃɔ t rendȢ/ adj which covers a short distance or a short time. Antonym long-range ③ shorts /ʃɔ ts/ plural noun short trousers for men or women, that stop above the knees 쑗 He was wearing a pair of green running shorts. 쑗 They won’t let you into the church in shorts. shortsighted /ʃɔ t satd/ adj 1. able to see close objects clearly, but not objects which are further away 쑗 I’m shortsighted and have to wear glasses. Antonym longsighted. Also called nearsighted 2. not thinking about what may happen in the future 쑗 It is very shortsighted of him to spend all the money on a new car. 쑗 The government has adopted a very shortsighted policy. shortsightedness /ʃɔ t satdnəs/ noun the fact of being shortsighted short-sleeved /ʃɔ t sli vd/ adj with short sleeves. 쏡 long-sleeved short-staffed /ʃɔ t stɑ ft/ adj without enough staff. Synonym short-handed short-stay / ʃɔ t ste/ adj referring to a stay lasting a short time 왍 short stay hostel a place where people can stay for a few weeks or months, rather than years 왍 short-stay car park a car park where you can leave your car for a short time, usually not more than one day. Antonym long-stay ③ short story /ʃɔ t stɒri/ noun a piece of fiction which is much shorter than a novel short-tempered /ʃɔ t tempəd/ adj who easily gets angry short-term /ʃɔ t t" m/ adj for a short period only. Synonym temporary. Antonym long-term short wave / ʃɔ t wev/ noun a radio communications frequency below 60 metres. 쏡 long wave, medium wave ① shot noun /ʃɒt/ 1. the action of shooting; the sound of shooting 쑗 The police fired two shots at the car. 쑗 Some shots were fired during the bank robbery. 쑗 A neighbour said she’d heard a shot. 왍 like a shot very rapidly 쑗 He heard a noise and was off like a shot. 2. an attempt 쑗 He passed the test at the first shot. 왍 to have a shot at something to try to do something (informal ) 쑗 I’d like to have a shot at water-skiing. 3. an amount of a medicine put into your body with a needle 쑗 The doctor gave him a tetanus shot. Synonym injection 4. a small drink of alcohol 쑗 He poured himself a shot of whisky and sat down to wait. 5. a photograph 쑗 I took several shots of the inside of the house. 6. a large heavy ball thrown in a sports competition 쑗 . shotgun 788 How much does the shot weigh? 왍 to put the shot to throw a heavy ball in a competition. 쏡 shot putter 7. a person who shoots well or badly 쑗 She’s a first-class shot. 쑗 He’s a hopeless shot. 8. a kick or hit to try to score a goal 쑗 He kicked but his shot was stopped by the goalkeeper. 9. 쏡 shoot shotgun / ʃɒtDZn/ noun a gun which fires small pellets shot putter / ʃɒt pυtə/ noun a person who puts the shot ① should /ʃυd/ modal verb 1. used in giving advice or warnings, used to say what is the best thing to do 쑗 You should go to the doctor if your cough gets worse. 쑗 I should have been more careful. 쑗 She shouldn’t eat so much if she’s trying to lose weight. 쑗 Should I ask for more coffee? 쑗 Why should I clean up your mess? (NOTE: Ought to can be used instead of should.) 2. used to say what you expect to happen 쑗 If you leave now you should be there by 4 o’clock. 쑗 Their train should have arrived by now. 쑗 There shouldn’t be any more problems now. (NOTE: Ought to can be used instead of should.) 3. used to show a possibility 쑗 If the President should die in office, the Vice-President automatically takes over. 쑗 I’ll be in the next room should you need me. 4. same as would (dated ) 쑗 We should like to offer you our congratulations. 쑗 If I had enough money I should like to buy a new car. 5. past tense of shall (NOTE: The negative is should not, usually shouldn’t: Shall we go to an Indian restaurant? – I suggested we should go to an Indian restaurant.) ① shoulder / ʃəυldə/ noun 1. the part of the body at the top of the arm 쑗 The policeman hurt me on the shoulder. 쑗 He fell and dislocated his shoulder. 쑗 Look over your shoulder, he’s just behind you. 2. a piece of clothing which covers the part between the top of the arm and the neck 쑗 There’s an ink mark on the shoulder of your shirt. 쑗 A captain has three pips on his shoulders. 3. a piece of meat from the top part of the front leg of an animal 쑗 We had a shoulder of lamb and new potatoes. 쐽 verb to accept something such as responsibility or blame 쑗 He had to shoulder all the responsibility for the company’s collapse. 쑗 She was left to shoulder the blame for the accident. Synonym bear shoulder bag / ʃəυldə bDZ/ noun a bag which can be carried over the shoulder shoulder blade / ʃəυldə bled/ noun one of two large flat bones covering the top part of your back. Also called scapula shoulder-length / ʃəυldə leŋθ/ adj (of hair ) reaching down to your shoulders from your head . . show shoulder pads / ʃəυldə pdz/ plural noun a pair of thick pieces of cloth put inside each shoulder of a coat, to make it look bigger shoulder to shoulder / ʃəυldə tə, tυ/ adv side by side shouldn’t / ʃυd(ə)nt/ short form should not should’ve / ʃυdəv/ short form should have ② shout /ʃaυt/ noun a loud cry 쑗 She gave a shout and dived into the water. 쑗 People came running when they heard the shouts of the children. Synonym yell 쐽 verb to make a loud cry, to speak very loudly 쑗 They stamped on the floor and shouted. 쑗 I had to shout to the waitress to get served. 쑗 They were shouting greetings to one another across the street. Synonym yell 왘 Antonym (all senses) whisper ③ shove /ʃv/ noun a sudden push 쑗 She gave the car a shove and it rolled down the hill. 쐽 verb to push roughly 쑗 He shoved the papers into his pocket. 쑗 Stop shoving – there’s no more room on the bus. shovel / ʃv(ə)l/ noun a tool with a long handle and a wide flat part for picking up things such as earth or stones 쑗 The workmen picked up shovels and started to clear the pile of sand. 쐽 verb 1. to lift up with a shovel 쑗 They were shovelling sand into the truck. 쑗 He collapsed after shovelling snow from the path. 2. to put a large amount of food into your mouth 쑗 It wasn’t very elegant, the way he was shovelling pasta into his mouth. (NOTE: shovelling – shovelled. The US spelling is shoveling – shoveled.) shove off /ʃv ɒf/ verb (informal ) 1. to leave 쑗 It’s time we shoved off. 2. to go away 쑗 Shove off and let me finish my meal. ① show /ʃəυ/ noun 1. an exhibition, things which are arranged for people to look at 쑗 The Hampton Court Flower Show opens tomorrow. 쑗 She has entered her two cats for the local cat show. 왍 on show arranged for everyone to see 쑗 Is there anything new on show in this year’s exhibition? 2. something which is on at a theatre 쑗 ‘Cats’ is a wonderful show. 쑗 We’re going to a show tonight. 쑗 The show starts at 7.30, so let’s have dinner early. 3. something you do to make your intentions clear 왍 a show of hands a vote where people show how they vote by raising their hands 쑗 The motion was carried on a show of hands. 4. a planned activity or organisation 쑗 She’s running the whole show by herself. 쐽 verb 1. to let someone see something 쑗 He wanted to show me his holiday photos. 쑗 She proudly showed me her new car. 쑗 You don’t have to show your passport when you’re travelling to Ireland. 2. to point something out to someone 쑗 Show me where the accident happened. 쑗 He asked . showbiz 789 me to show him the way to the railway station. 쑗 The salesman showed her how to work the photocopier. 쑗 My watch shows the date as well as the time. 3. to prove 쑗 The results show how right we were to invest in the USA. 4. to be seen, to be obvious 쑗 The repairs were badly done and it shows. 쑗 Her rash has almost disappeared and hardly shows at all. 5. 왍 to show signs of to have a feature or quality which can be seen 쑗 The wound doesn’t show any signs of infection. 왍 to show someone the door to make someone leave (informal ) 쑗 When we complained we were shown the door. showbiz / ʃəυbz/ noun same as show business (informal ) show business / ʃəυ bznəs/ noun the business of providing entertainment for people showcase / ʃəυkes/ noun 1. a cupboard with a glass front or top to arrange objects for sale 쑗 The thieves smashed the showcase and went off with a tray of rings. 2. an event which brings things such as new machines or vehicles to public attention 쑗 The computer show is a showcase for the latest developments in information technology. showdown / ʃəυdaυn/ noun a final argument which will solve a serious disagreement. Synonym confrontation ② shower / ʃaυə/ noun 1. a slight fall of rain or snow 쑗 In April there’s usually a mixture of sunshine and showers. 쑗 There were snow showers this morning, but it is sunny again now. 2. a piece of equipment in a bathroom, usually fixed high up on the wall and which sends out water to wash your whole body 3. an occasion when you wash your body with a shower 쑗 She went up to her room and had a shower. 쑗 He has a cold shower every morning. 쑗 You can’t take a shower now, there’s no hot water. 4. US a party where presents are given to a woman who is about to get married or who has had a baby 쑗 We are holding a shower for Liliane next Saturday. 5. a group of people you consider unpleasant or inferior (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to wash yourself under a shower 쑗 He showered and went down to greet his guests. 2. to give large amounts of something to someone 쑗 She was showered with presents. shower cap / ʃaυə kp/ noun a close-fitting hat, usually made of plastic and worn to prevent your hair getting wet when taking a shower shower curtain / ʃaυə k" t(ə)n/ noun a piece of material hanging around a shower shower room / ʃaυə ru m/ noun a small bathroom with a shower in it showery / ʃaυəri/ adj when there is often light rain. Synonym rainy . . . shred show flat / ʃəυ flt/, show house / ʃəυ haυs/ noun a new flat or house among a number of similar ones which a company is building with furniture and carpets, so that people can see how the other flats or houses will look when all the building is finished. show in /ʃəυ n/ verb to bring someone into a room or building showing / ʃəυŋ/ noun a result which shows how well or badly you are doing show-jumper / ʃəυ dȢmpə/ noun a horse or rider trained for show-jumping show-jumping / ʃəυ dȢmpŋ/ noun a sport in which horses with riders have to jump over different fences in a short time showman / ʃəυmən/ noun an entertainer, especially one who performs in very skilled and exciting way shown /ʃəυn/ 쒁 show show off /ʃəυ ɒf/ verb 1. to show how much better than others you think you are 쑗 Don’t watch her dancing about like that – she’s just showing off. 2. to let a lot of people see something which you are proud of 쑗 He drove past with the radio on very loud, showing off his new car. show-off / ʃəυ ɒf/ noun a person who shows off (informal ) ③ show out /ʃəυ aυt/ verb to take someone to the door when they are leaving ③ show over / ʃəυ əυvə/ verb to lead a visitor round a place showpiece / ʃəυpi s/ noun the most important object in a collection or an exhibition or of its type showroom / ʃəυru m/ noun a room or shop where goods are arranged for sale show round /ʃəυ raυnd/ same as show . over show up /ʃəυ p/ verb 1. to come (informal ) 쑗 We invited all our friends to the picnic but it rained and only five of them showed up. 2. to do something which shows other people to be worse than you 쑗 She dances so well that she shows us all up. 3. to be seen clearly 쑗 When I ride my bike at night I wear an orange jacket because it shows up clearly in the dark. showy / ʃəυi/ adj which attracts attention because of its bright colours or shiny surface shrank /ʃrŋk/ 쒁 shrink shrapnel / ʃrpn(ə)l/ noun pieces of metal from a shell or bomb which has exploded (NOTE: no plural) shred /ʃred/ noun 1. a long narrow piece torn off something 쑗 She tore his newspaper to shreds. 쑗 The curtains were on the floor in shreds. 2. a small amount 쑗 There’s not a shred of evidence against him. 3. a long thin piece of a fruit or vegetables 쑗 Marmalade with shreds of orange peel in it. 쐽 verb 1. to . shredder 790 tear or cut paper into long thin pieces, which can then be thrown away or used as packing material 쑗 They sent a pile of old invoices to be shredded. 쑗 She told the police that the manager had told her to shred all the documents in the file. 2. to cut into very thin pieces 쑗 Here’s an attachment for shredding vegetables. 쑗 Add a cup of shredded carrot. (NOTE: shredding – shredded) shredder / ʃredə/ noun a machine for shredding paper shrew /ʃru / noun 1. a little animal like a mouse with a long nose 쑗 Shrews form part of the diet of owls. 2. an unpleasant and angry woman who is always criticizing (old ) 쑗 Shakespeare’s play ‘The Taming of the Shrew’. shrewd /ʃru d/ adj clever or wise. Synonym astute. Antonym naive (NOTE: . shrewder – shrewdest) shriek /ʃri k/ noun a loud shout in a high voice 쑗 We were worried when we heard shrieks from next door. 쑗 Shrieks of laughter came from the girls’ changing room. Synonym screech 쐽 verb to make the sound of a shriek 쑗 She ran shrieking into the street. 쑗 The children were shrieking with laughter. shrill /ʃrl/ adj 1. which has a harsh high sound 쑗 The engine has started to make a shrill whistle when I change gear. 2. loud and complaining 쑗 The art gallery is making increasingly shrill complaints about lack of government funding. (NOTE: shriller – shrillest) shrimp /ʃrmp/ noun an almost transparent little shellfish with a tail shrine /ʃran/ noun 1. a place which is connected with a holy person 쑗 Someone had put flowers at the roadside shrine. 2. a place where a holy person is buried 쑗 Pilgrims come to worship at the shrine. 3. a place which attracts a lot of visitors because it is famous for a particular reason 쑗 Twickenham is a shrine for all Rugby fans. ③ shrink /ʃrŋk/ verb 1. to make smaller 쑗 The water must have been too hot – it’s shrunk my shirt. 2. to get smaller 쑗 My shirt has shrunk in the wash. 쑗 The market for typewriters has shrunk almost to nothing. 3. to move back or away from someone or something 쑗 She shrank away as he touched her. 쐽 noun a doctor who treats people who have a mental illness (informal ) 쑗 She’s spent thousands on a shrink and she’s no better at all. Synonym psychiatrist shrinkage / ʃrŋkdȢ/ noun 1. the action of shrinking 쑗 I have noticed some shrinkage in the pullover after washing. 2. an amount by which something shrinks 쑗 a noticeable shrinkage in export orders 3. the fact of losing goods from a place such as a shop through having them stolen, especially by the . shuffle people who work there 쑗 Shrinkage accounts for 1% of our revenue. shrink from / ʃrŋk frəm/ verb not to be willing to do something 쑗 She shrank from speaking to the boss about her suspicions. shrink-wrapped / ʃrŋk rpt/ adj covered in a tight plastic cover for protection shrink-wrapping / ʃrŋk rpŋ/ noun the action of covering something such as food or a book in a tight plastic cover shrivel / ʃrv(ə)l/ verb to make the surface of something become dry and creased, or to become like this (NOTE: shrivelling – shrivelled. The US spelling is shriveling – shriveled.) shroud /ʃraυd/ noun a long cloth covering a dead body 쑗 The corpse was wrapped in a white shroud. 쐽 verb to cover 쑗 Thick fog shrouded the town. 쑗 Clouds of smoke shrouded the factory. shrouded / ʃraυdd/ adj 왍 shrouded in hidden by 쑗 The whole business of the loan is shrouded in mystery. 쑗 The valley was shrouded in mist. shrub /ʃrb/ noun a small plant with stiff stems. Synonym bush shrubbery / ʃrbəri/ noun a part of a garden where shrubs grow ③ shrug /ʃrDZ/ noun the action of moving your shoulders up and down as a way of showing that you are not sure about something or not interested in something 쑗 He just gave a shrug and walked on. 쐽 verb to make the movement of a shrug with your shoulders 쑗 When I asked him what he thought about it all, he just shrugged or shrugged his shoulders and walked off. shrug off /ʃrDZ ɒf/ verb to treat something as if it is not something to worry about. Synonym dismiss shrunk /ʃrŋk/ 쒁 shrink shrunken / ʃrŋkən/ adj wrinkled and dried up ③ shudder / ʃdə/ noun a shaking movement 쑗 The car gave a shudder and stopped. 쑗 She looked at the dead cat and gave a shudder. 왍 to send shudders down someone's spine to make someone very afraid 쑗 The thought of going to the dentist sent a shudder down my spine. 쐽 verb to shake violently with fear 쑗 The thought of eating worms makes me shudder. 쑗 She shuddered at the thought of spending Christmas with his parents. 쑗 I shudder to think how much money she spends on clothes each month. shuffle / ʃf(ə)l/ verb 1. to walk dragging your feet along the ground 쑗 He shuffled into the room in his slippers. 2. to mix the playing cards before starting a game 쑗 I think he must have done something to the cards when he was shuffling them. shun 791 shun /ʃn/ verb to avoid someone or something (NOTE: shunning – shunned) shunt /ʃnt/ verb 1. to put someone or something into a less important place 쑗 The carriages will be shunted into a siding. 쑗 He was shunted off to our office in Bordeaux. 2. to move a vehicle backwards and forwards 쑗 She shunted backwards and forwards until she was parked close to the pavement. 3. to move a person from place to place 쑗 They moved several times, and the children were shunted from school to school. 쐽 noun an accident where one car crashes into the back of the car in front of it 쑗 I had a little shunt on the motorway and the front bumper is bent. shush /ʃυʃ/ interj be quiet! ① shut /ʃt/ adj closed, not open 쑗 Some shops are shut on Sundays, but most big stores are open. 쑗 We tried to get into the museum but it was shut. 쑗 She lay with her eyes shut. 쑗 Come in – the door isn’t shut! 쐽 verb 1. to close something which is open 쑗 Can you please shut the window – it’s getting cold in here. 쑗 Here’s your present – shut your eyes and guess what it is. 2. to close for business 쑗 In Germany, shops shut on Saturday afternoons. 쑗 The restaurant shuts at midnight. (NOTE: shutting – shut) ③ shut down /ʃt daυn/ verb 1. to close completely 쑗 The factory shut down for the holiday weekend. 2. to switch off an electrical system 쑗 They had to shut down the nuclear power station because radiation levels were too high. shutdown / ʃtdaυn/ noun the action of shutting down shut in /ʃt n/ verb to lock inside. Synonym confine shut off /ʃt ɒf/ verb 1. to switch something off 쑗 Can you shut off the water while I mend the tap? 2. to stop access to 쑗 We can shut off the dining room with folding doors. 쑗 The palace is shut off from the road by a high wall. shut out /ʃt aυt/ verb 1. to lock outside 쑗 If the dog keeps on barking you’ll have to shut him out. 쑗 I was shut out of the house because I’d left my keys inside. 2. to stop light getting inside; to stop people seeing a view 쑗 Those thick curtains should shut out the light from the children’s room. 쑗 A high wall shuts out the view of the factory. 3. to stop thinking about something 쑗 Try to shut out the memory of the accident. ③ shutter / ʃtə/ noun 1. a folding wooden or metal cover for a window 쑗 Close the shutters if the sunlight is too bright. 2. the part of a camera which opens and closes very quickly to allow the light to go on to the film 쑗 He released the shutter and took the picture. sick shuttle / ʃt(ə)l/ noun 1. a means of transport which goes frequently from one place to another and back again 쑗 There’s a shuttle from the hotel to the exhibition grounds. 2. a small object for holding thread, which takes the thread backwards and forwards when weaving or sewing with a machine 쐽 verb to go between two places frequently 쑗 Waiters were shuttling backwards and forwards from the kitchen to the dining room. shuttlecock / ʃt(ə)lkɒk/ noun a light little object with feathers stuck in it, which players hit over a net in badminton shuttle service / ʃt(ə)l s" vs/ noun a bus or plane service which goes frequently between two places ① shut up /ʃt p/ verb 1. to close something inside 쑗 I hate being shut up indoors on a sunny day. 2. an impolite way of telling someone to stop making a noise 쑗 Tell those children to shut up – I’m trying to work. 쑗 Shut up! – we’re tired of listening to your complaints. 쑗 Once he starts talking it’s impossible to shut him up. shy /ʃa/ adj nervous and afraid to do something 쑗 He’s so shy he sat in the back row and didn’t speak to anyone. 왍 once bitten twice shy once you have had a bad experience you will not want to do it again 쑗 I’m not getting involved with him again – once bitten twice shy! 왍 to fight shy of doing something to avoid getting involved in something 쐽 verb (of a horse) to jump suddenly because it has been frightened 쑗 His horse shied at the noise of the gun. Siamese /saə mi z/ adj referring to Siam, a former name for Thailand (dated ) Siamese cat /saəmi z kt/ noun a type of cat with pale fawn fur, dark brown face and blue eyes ③ sibling / sblŋ/ noun a brother or sister sibling rivalry /sblŋ rav(ə)lri/ noun a situation in which there is a lot of argument or competition between brothers or sisters sic /sk/ adv as it is written; used to show exactly what someone has written, even if they have made a mistake (NOTE: Do not . confuse with sick.) ① sick /sk/ adj 1. ill, not well 쑗 He’s been sick for months. 쑗 We have five staff off sick. 왍 to be sick to bring up food from the stomach into the mouth 쑗 The last time I ate oysters I was sick all night. 왍 to feel sick to feel ill because you want to bring up food from the stomach 쑗 When I got up this morning I felt sick and went back to bed. 쑗 The greasy food made her feel sick. 쏡 seasick 3. referring to something extremely unpleasant 쑗 sick humour 쐽 noun the contents of the stomach when they come out through the mouth (informal ) Synonym vomit 왍 the sick 2. . sicken 792 people who are ill 쑗 Nurses were looking after the sick and the dying. sicken / skən/ verb to make someone feel extremely upset 쑗 It sickens me to think of foxes being killed. sickening / sk(ə)nŋ/ adj which makes you upset or nervous 왍 to be sickening for something to have the first signs of an illness (informal ) 쑗 She’s looking pale – she must be sickening for something. sick leave / sk li v/ noun a period when an employee is away from work because of illness sickly / skli/ adj 1. not healthy 쑗 Your plants are looking rather sickly, do they need more fertiliser? 쑗 He turned a sickly yellow colour, and we rushed him to the doctor. 2. always slightly ill, never very well 쑗 As a child he was sickly, but is now strong and healthy. (NOTE: sicklier – sickliest) ② sickness / sknəs/ noun 1. the feeling of wanting to bring up food from the stomach into the mouth 2. not being well 쑗 There is a lot of sickness about during the winter months. 쏡 travel sickness sick up /sk p/ verb to bring up food from your stomach into your mouth (informal ). Synonym vomit ① side /sad/ noun 1. one of the four parts which with the top and bottom make a solid object such as a box 쑗 Stand the box upright – don’t turn it onto its side. 2. one of the two parts which with the front and back make a building 쑗 The garage is attached to the side of the house. 3. one of the surfaces of a flat object 쑗 Please write on both sides of the paper. 4. one of two or more parts or edges of something 쑗 Our office is on the opposite side of the street to the bank. 쑗 London Airport is on the west side of the city. 쑗 The hitch-hikers were standing by the side of the road. 쑗 She sat to one side of the fireplace. 5. one of two parts separated by something 쑗 She jumped over the fence to get to the other side. 쑗 In England cars drive on the left-hand side of the road. 6. a sports team 쑗 The local side was beaten 2 – 0. 7. the part of the body between the top of the legs and the shoulder 쑗 I can’t sleep when I’m lying on my right side. 쑗 The policemen stood by the prisoner’s side. 쑗 They all stood side by side. 8. one of the sides of an animal, used as a piece of meat 쑗 a side of bacon 9. two people or groups of people who oppose each other 왍 to be on or take someone’s side to support someone in a battle or argument 쑗 Mum always takes your side! 쑗 Don’t attack me – I’m on your side. 쑗 Whose side is he on? 10. one part of a family, either all the people related to your mother or all the people related to your father 쑗 On my mother’s side everyone has blue eyes. 쐽 adj which is at the side . . side plate 쑗 There is a side entrance to the shop. 쑗 Can you take that bucket round to the side door? 쐽 verb 왍 to side against someone to disagree with someone in an argument 쑗 I can’t understand why they all are siding against me. 왍 to side with someone to agree with someone in an argument 쑗 Why do you always side with the boss? 앳 to look on the bright side to be hopeful about the future 쑗 You should look on the bright side – you’ll have plenty of free time now you’ve lost your job. 앳 on the side separate from your normal work, and sometimes hidden from your employer (informal ) 쑗 Her salary is very low, so the family lives on what she can make on the side. 앳 on the ~ side slightly 쑗 The car runs well but it’s on the small side. 앳 the book is on the heavy side 1. the book is fairly heavy 2. the book is fairly difficult to read 앳 to take sides to say who you agree with 쑗 He refused to take sides in the argument. sideboard / sadbɔ d/ noun a large piece of furniture made like a table with a cupboard underneath and used for storing objects such as plates, cups and glasses sideboards / sadbɔ dz/, sideburns / sadb" nz/ plural noun hair down the side of a man’s face, in front of the ears side dish / sad dʃ/ noun a small amount of a particular food served on a side plate ② side effect / sad fekt/ noun an effect produced by a medical treatment such as a drug, which is not the main effect intended sidekick / sadkk/ noun someone who works as a helper for another person (informal ). Synonym assistant sidelight / sadlat/ noun 1. one of the small lights on each side of the front of a car 쑗 Switch your sidelights on – it’s beginning to get dark. 2. a piece of information which you find out when you are not expecting to 쑗 The letters give some interesting sidelights on life in a Victorian household. sideline / sadlan/ noun 1. a business which you carry out in addition to your usual job 쑗 He runs a profitable sideline selling postcards to tourists. 쐽 verb to make sure that someone does not take part in something 쑗 He complained that he was being sidelined by the others on the committee. sidelines / sadlanz/ plural noun white lines along the edge of the playing area in sports such as tennis or football 왍 to sit on the sidelines not to take part in something sidelong / sadlɒŋ/ adj from one side. Synonym sideways 왍 sidelong glance a quick look at someone or something in a sideways direction 쑗 He gave a sidelong glance at the table full of food. side plate / sad plet/ noun a small plate placed next to your dinner plate . . side road 793 side road / sad rəυd/ noun a small road which leads off a larger road sideshow / sadʃəυ/ noun 1. a small stall with a game of skill at an event such as a fair 쑗 Among the sideshows were stalls selling candy floss and a shooting gallery. 2. an activity that is less important than another activity connected with it 쑗 The European Parliament is just a sideshow – the real decisions are taken by the Council of Ministers. sidestep / sadstep/ verb to avoid something unpleasant (informal ) (NOTE: side. stepping – sidestepped) side street / sad stri t/ noun a small street which leads off a main street. Synonym alley sidetrack / sadtrk/ verb to attract someone’s attention away from a more important problem. Synonym distract ③ sidewalk / sadwɔ k/ noun US a hard path for people walking at the side of a road 쑗 A girl was roller-skating along the sidewalk. 쑗 We sat at a sidewalk café. (NOTE: The British term is pavement.) sideways / sadwez/ adv to the side or from the side 쑗 Crabs walk sideways. 쑗 Take a step sideways and you will be able to see the castle. 쑗 If you look at the post sideways you’ll see how bent it is. siding / sadŋ/ noun a short piece of railway line where trains are kept when they are not being used sidle / sad(ə)l/ verb to walk slowly in a way which shows you are slightly afraid or do not want to be noticed siege /si dȢ/ noun an act of surrounding an enemy town or castle with an army to prevent supplies getting in, and so force the people inside to come out and stop fighting. Synonym blockade 왍 under siege surrounded by an enemy 쑗 The town is under siege. siege mentality / si dȢ mentlti/ noun a feeling of being surrounded by enemies sienna /si enə/ noun 왍 raw sienna yellowish-brown colour siesta /si estə/ noun a rest period in the middle of the day, especially common in Mediterranean countries sieve /sv/ noun an object used in the kitchen, made of a frame with a metal or plastic net, used to pour through liquids or substances such as flour, in order to remove lumps or separate some of the parts 쑗 Put the flour through a sieve. 쑗 Boil the peas for a few minutes and put in a sieve to strain. 왍 he has a memory like a sieve he keeps forgetting things (informal ) 쐽 verb to pass a liquid or a substance such as flour through a sieve to remove lumps 쑗 She sieved the flour into a bowl. 쑗 Boil the peas for a few minutes and sieve them. . sign sift /sft/ verb to sieve something 쑗 We sifted the sand to see if there was gold in it. 왍 to sift through to examine carefully 쑗 The police sifted through the rubble to see if they could find traces of the bomb. sigh /sa/ noun a long deep breath, showing an emotion or that you feel tired 쑗 She gave a deep sigh and put the phone down. 쑗 You could hear the sighs of relief from the audience when the heroine was saved. 쐽 verb to breathe with a sigh 쑗 He sighed and wrote out another cheque. ② sight /sat/ noun 1. one of the five senses, being able to see 쑗 My grandfather’s sight isn’t very good any more. 왍 to lose your sight to become blind 쑗 He lost his sight in the accident. 2. the fact of being able to see something 쑗 He can’t stand the sight of blood. 쑗 We caught sight of an eagle up in the mountains. 쑗 She kept waving until the car disappeared from sight. 쑗 The fog cleared and the mountains came into sight. 쑗 They waved until the boat was out of sight. 왍 at first sight when you see something for the first time 쑗 At first sight I thought he was wearing a wig. 쏡 second sight 3. something, especially something famous, which you ought to see 쑗 They went off on foot to see the sights of the town. 쑗 The guidebook lists the main tourist sights in Beijing. 왍 to do the sights to visit all the interesting parts of a place, which tourists usually go to see 쑗 We did the sights in Barcelona. 4. a person or place that is unusual or unpleasant 왍 to look a sight to look extremely untidy 쑗 She looks a sight in that old raincoat. 쐽 verb to see something a long way away 쑗 We often sight rare birds on the lake. 쑗 They sighted some wreckage from the boat. Synonym notice (NOTE: Do not confuse with cite, site.) sighted / satd/ adj able to see 쐽 plural noun 왍 the sighted people who have the ability to see sighting / satŋ/ noun an occasion when you see someone or something sightless / satləs/ adj not able to see sights /sats/ plural noun the part of a gun which you look through to aim sightseeing / satsi ŋ/ noun visiting the sights of a town as a tourist sightseer / satsi ə/ noun a tourist who visits the sights of a town ① sign /san/ noun 1. a movement of the hand which means something 쑗 He made a sign to us to sit down. 2. something such as a drawing or a notice which advertises something 쑗 The shop has a big sign outside it saying ‘for sale’. 쑗 A ‘no smoking’ sign hung on the wall. 3. something which shows that something is happening or has happened 쑗 There is no sign of the rain stopping. 쑗 The economy is showing signs of improvement. 쑗 signal 794 The police can find no sign of how the burglars got into the office. 쑗 He should have arrived by now, but there’s no sign of him. 4. a printed character 쑗 the pound sign (£) 쑗 the dollar sign ($) 쑗 the hash sign (#) 쒁 Signs of the Zodiac 쐽 verb to write your name in a special way on a document to show that you have written it or that you have approved it 쑗 Sign on the dotted line, please. 쑗 The letter is signed by the managing director. 쑗 A cheque is not valid if it has not been signed. ① signal / sDZn(ə)l/ noun 1. a sign or movement which tells someone to do something 쑗 I’ll give you a signal to start playing ‘Happy Birthday’. 2. a device used to tell someone to do something 쑗 The signal was at red so the train had to stop. 3. an electronic sound heard on a radio receiver 쑗 We heard a faint signal coming from the mountains. 쐽 verb to make signs to tell someone to do something 쑗 The driver signalled to show that he was turning right. 쑗 She signalled to me that we were running out of time. (NOTE: signalling – signalled. The US spelling is signaling – signaled.) 쐽 adj extremely good or great (formal ) 쑗 The conference was a signal . success. signatory / sDZnət(ə)ri/ noun a person who signs a contract (NOTE: The plural is signatories.) signature / sDZntʃə/ noun 1. a name writ- ten in a special way by someone to show that a document has been authorised or accepted 쑗 He found a pile of cheques on his desk waiting for his signature. 쑗 Her signature doesn’t look like her name at all. 쑗 The shopkeeper looked very closely at her signature and compared it with the one on the credit card. 2. a section of a printed book, usually 16, 32 or 64 pages 쑗 Something has gone wrong with this copy of the book, the first signature is missing. signature tune / sDZnətʃə tju n/ noun a tune which is used to identify a radio or TV broadcast sign for / san fɔ / verb 1. to sign a document to show that you have received something 쑗 He signed for the parcel. 2. (of a footballer ) to move to a new club 쑗 He signed for Chelsea yesterday. ② significance /sDZ nfkəns/ noun 1. meaning 쑗 What is the significance of your logo of a ship? 2. importance 쑗 There was no significance in the fact that her temperature was higher than usual. 왍 of great significance very important 쑗 The contents of the letter were of great significance. 왍 of little significance not very important 쑗 His remarks were of little significance. ① significant /sDZ nfkənt/ adj important, full of meaning 쑗 It is highly significant that everyone else was asked to the meeting, but . silent not the finance director. 쑗 There has been a significant improvement in his condition. ② significantly /sDZ nfkəntli/ adv in a significant way ③ signify / sDZnfa/ verb 1. to indicate something 쑗 The letter seems to signify that they have accepted our terms. 2. to be important 쑗 It doesn’t signify in the least. 왍 that signifies that seems reasonable (informal ) ③ signing / sanŋ/ noun 1. the action of putting your signature on a document 쑗 The signing of the peace treaty took place in the Palace of Versailles. 2. a footballer who has just moved to a new club 쑗 The only goal was by their new signing. sign language / san lŋDZwdȢ/ noun signs made with the hands and fingers, used for communicating by people who are not able to hear or speak very well sign on /san ɒn/ verb 1. to start work 쑗 He signed on and started work immediately. 2. to start drawing unemployment benefit 쑗 She signed on after losing her job. signpost / sanpəυst/ noun a post with signs showing directions to places 쑗 You should have turned right at that last signpost. 쑗 The signpost said it was 20 miles to Bristol. 쐽 verb to put signposts along a road to show directions 쑗 The way to the harbour is clearly signposted. Signs of the Zodiac /sanz əv ðə zəυdik/ plural noun the twelve signs used in astrology, each connected to a group of stars and a period of the year Sikh /si k/ adj, noun (referring to) members of a religious group founded in India 쑗 Do all Sikh men wear turbans? 쑗 Over 20% of the students in the college are Sikhs. ② silence / saləns/ noun a situation which is quiet, without any noise 쑗 I love the silence of the countryside at night. 쑗 The crowd of tourists waited in silence. 쑗 The mayor held up his hand and asked for silence. 쑗 There was a sudden silence as she came in. 쑗 There will be a minute’s silence at 11 o’clock. 왍 a conspiracy of silence a secret plan to say nothing about something which has happened 쐽 verb to stop someone saying or writing something 쑗 He tried to silence his critics by taking out an injunction. 쑗 She refused to be silenced and continued to write her articles about government corruption. silencer / salənsə/ noun 1. an object attached to the exhaust of a car to reduce noise 쑗 The car is very noisy and needs a new silencer. (NOTE: The US term is muffler.) 2. an object attached to a gun to reduce the noise when it is fired 쑗 He was killed with a gun fitted with a silencer. ③ silent / salənt/ adj not talking, not making any noise 쑗 He kept silent for the whole . silently 795 meeting. 쑗 She seems rather silent today. 쑗 a very silent and reserved young man 쑗 The house was cold and silent. 쑗 This new washing machine is almost silent. 쑗 They showed some old silent films. silently / saləntli/ adv without any noise, without talking silent majority /salənt mə dȢɒrti/ noun the majority of people in society when considered as a group who do not express their opinions or political views publicly silhouette /slu et/ noun 1. a black shape of a person or thing against a light background 쑗 We could see two silhouettes in the background, but couldn’t make out who they were. 2. a picture made of the black outline of someone’s head in profile 쑗 I bought an 18th century silhouette. 쐽 verb to stand out against a bright background 쑗 She stood silhouetted against the burning house. silhouetted /slu etd/ adj standing out against a bright background silicon / slkən/ noun a chemical element which is used in the electronics industry because of its semiconductor properties silicon chip / slkən tʃp/ noun a small piece of silicon able to store data, used in a computer silicone / slkəυn/ noun a chemical compound of silicon used in making various oils or rubber silicone implant /slkəυn mplɑ nt/ noun a piece of silicone used in medical operations silk /slk/ noun 1. cloth made from fibres produced by insects 쑗 She was wearing a beautiful silk scarf. 쑗 I bought some blue silk to make a dress. 2. a Queen’s Counsel (informal ) 왍 to take silk to become a Queen’s Counsel silken / slkən/ adj soft and shiny like silk silky / slki/ adj soft and smooth like silk sill /sl/ noun a flat shelf below a window, either inside or outside. Synonym ledge silliness / slinəs/ noun being silly ③ silly / sli/ adj stupid, not thinking 쑗 Don’t be silly – you can’t go to the party dressed like that! 쑗 She asked a lot of silly questions. 쑗 Of all the silly newspaper articles that must be the silliest. (NOTE: sillier – . silliest) silo / saləυ/ noun 1. a large container for storing crops such as grain 쑗 They are building huge grain silos near the port. 쑗 The hay is stored in silos until it is needed. 2. a deep hole in the ground in which missiles are kept 쑗 The missiles were taken out of their silos and destroyed. (NOTE: The plural is silos.) silt /slt/ noun soft mud which settles at the bottom of water 쑗 The silt was several inches deep in places. simple silt up /slt p/ verb (of a harbour or river ) to become full of silt, so that boats can no longer use it 쑗 The mouth of the river is gradually silting up. ③ silver / slvə/ noun 1. a precious white metal 쑗 Gold is worth more than silver. 쑗 How much is an ounce of silver worth? 2. coins made of white metal 쑗 He held out a handful of silver. 3. knives, forks and spoons or ornaments made of silver 쑗 She’s in the kitchen polishing the silver. 쑗 Don’t worry, all the silver is securely locked away. 4. a shiny white colour, like silver 쑗 The car has been resprayed in silver. 쐽 adj of a shiny white colour, like silver 쑗 The car has been resprayed with silver paint. 쑗 She wore silver sandals to match her handbag. silver-haired /slvə heəd/ adj with light grey hair silver medal /slvə med(ə)l/ noun the prize given to someone who finishes in second place in a race or competition silverware / slvəweə/ noun silver objects, especially things such as knives and forks silver wedding /slvə wedŋ/ noun an anniversary of 25 years of marriage silvery / slvəri/ adj 1. shiny like silver 쑗 Her hair was silvery in the moonlight. 2. with a light ringing sound 쑗 The silvery sound of the temple bells. SIM card / sm kɑ d/ noun a special type of plastic card put into a mobile phone, which contains the personal information relating to the person who owns the phone, including things such as their PIN number or stored phone numbers ① similar / smlə/ adj very much like someone or something but not exactly the same 쑗 Here is the old lampshade – do you have anything similar to replace it? 쑗 The two cars are very similar in appearance. 쑗 Our situation is rather similar to yours. Synonym alike. Antonym dissimilar ② similarity /sm lrti/ noun being similar. Synonym resemblance. Antonym difference (NOTE: The plural is similarities.) ③ similarly / smləli/ adv in a similar way 쑗 All these infections must be treated similarly. 쑗 He always writes a nice thank you letter, and similarly so does his sister. simile / smli/ noun a comparison of one thing to another, using ‘like’ or ‘as’, e.g. ‘as flat as a pancake.’ Compare metaphor simmer / smə/ verb 1. to cook by boiling gently 쑗 We left the soup to simmer gently. 2. 왍 to simmer down to become calmer after being very annoyed 쑗 Will you try to simmer down and listen to me, please? ① simple / smpəl/ adj 1. easy 쑗 The machine is very simple to use. 쑗 She described . simple interest 796 the accident in a few simple words. 쑗 It turned out to be a simple job to unscrew the door. 쑗 They say the new tax forms are simpler than the old ones. 2. ordinary, not very special, not complicated 쑗 They had a simple meal of bread and soup. 쑗 It’s a very simple pattern of lines and squares. (NOTE: simpler – simplest) simple interest /smpəl ntrəst/ noun interest calculated on the original amount of money only, and not on interest added to it. Compare compound interest ③ simplicity /sm plsti/ noun the quality of being simple simplification /smplf keʃ(ə)n/ noun an act or process of making something simple. 쏡 oversimplification ③ simplify / smplfa/ verb to make something simple. Antonym complicate simplistic /sm plstk/ adj too simple, so simple as to seem foolish ① simply / smpli/ adv 1. in a simple way 쑗 He described very simply how the accident had happened. 쑗 She always dresses very simply. 2. only 쑗 He did it simply to annoy everyone. 쑗 She gave a new look to the room simply by painting one wall red. 3. used for emphasis 쑗 Your garden is simply beautiful. 쑗 It’s simply terrible – what shall we do? simulate / smjυlet/ verb to copy the way something behaves, or the way something happens ③ simulation /smjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun an operation in which a computer is made to copy a real life situation or a machine, showing how something works or will work in the future simulator / smjυletə/ noun a piece of equipment that simulates something else simultaneous /sm(ə)l teniəs/ adj happening at the same time as something else. Synonym concurrent 왍 simultaneous translation translation of a speech into another language done at the same time as a person is speaking simultaneously /sm(ə)l teniəsli/ adv at the same time. Synonym concurrently ② sin /sn/ noun 1. an evil action which goes against the rules of a religion 쑗 Greed is one of the seven deadly sins. 왍 to live in sin to live together without being married (dated ) 2. something bad 쑗 It would be a sin to waste all that meat. 쐽 verb to commit a sin, to do something evil 쑗 The priest told him he had sinned. Synonym transgress . (NOTE: sinning – sinned) ① since /sns/ prep during the period after She’s been here since Monday. 쑗 We’ve been working non-stop since four o’clock – can’t we have a rest? 쐽 conj 1. during the period after 쑗 He has had trouble borrowing 쑗 single money ever since he was rude to the bank manager. 쑗 Since we got to the hotel, it has rained every day. 2. because 쑗 Since he’s ill, you can’t ask him to help you. 쑗 Since it’s such a fine day, let’s go for a walk. 쐽 adv during the period until now 쑗 She phoned on Sunday and we haven’t heard from her since. 쑗 He left England in 1990 and has lived abroad ever since. ③ sincere /sn sə/ adj very honest and real ③ sincerely /sn səli/ adv really or definitely 왍 Yours sincerely, Sincerely yours words used as an ending to a letter addressed to a named person sincerity /sn serti/ noun honesty. Antonym insincerity sine qua non /sni kwɑ nɒn/ noun something which is necessary, without which something else cannot succeed. Synonym prerequisite sinew / snju / noun one of the strong fibres in your body which hold together the bones at joints or attach muscles to bones 왍 to strain every sinew to work as hard as possible 쑗 Straining every sinew they pulled the boat up onto the shore. sinewy / snju i/ adj full of strength sinful / snf(ə)l/ adj immoral, evil ① sing /sŋ/ verb to make music with your voice 쑗 Please sing another song. 쑗 She was singing as she worked. 쑗 He always sings in the bath. 쑗 She sang a funny song about elephants. 쑗 The birds were singing in the garden. (NOTE: singing – sang /sŋ/ – has sung /sŋ/) singe /sndȢ/ verb to burn the outside of something (NOTE: singeing) ③ singer / sŋə/ noun a person who sings. 쏡 vocalist singing / sŋŋ/ noun the action of making music with your voice. 쏡 vocals ① single / sŋDZ(ə)l/ adj 1. one alone 쑗 He handed her a single sheet of paper. 쑗 There wasn’t a single person I knew at the party. 쑗 The single most important fact about him is that he has no money. 왍 every single each one 쑗 You will need every single penny you have to pay for the house. 쑗 Every single time I asked her out, she refused. 2. for one person only 쑗 Have you got a single room for two nights, please? 쑗 We prefer two single beds to a double bed. 3. not married 쑗 She’s twenty-nine and still single. 쑗 Are there any single men on the course? 4. 왍 in single figures less than ten 쑗 Inflation was over 20% but now it is down to single figures. 쐽 noun 1. a ticket for one journey 쑗 Two singles to Oxford Circus, please. 2. a record with one piece of music on it 쑗 The group’s first single went into the top ten. 3. (in cricket ) one run 쑗 He scored a single and won the match. . single cream 797 single cream /sŋDZ(ə)l kri m/ noun liquid cream which contains a small amount of fat single currency /sŋDZ(ə)l krənsi/ noun one system of money which is shared by several countries singledecker /sŋDZ(ə)l dekə/ noun a bus with only one floor single-handed /sŋDZ(ə)l hndd/ adj, adv all by yourself 쑗 a single-handed yacht race 쑗 He sailed single-handed round the world. 쑗 I can’t do all this work single-handed. single market /sŋDZ(ə)l mɑ kt/ noun the EU countries considered as one large market, with no tariff barriers between member states single-minded /sŋDZ(ə)l mandd/ adj thinking only of one thing single-mindedly /sŋDZ(ə)l manddli/ adv with only one aim in mind single out /sŋDZ(ə)l aυt/ verb to notice or choose one person or thing among several. Synonym pick out single parent /sŋDZ(ə)l peərənt/ noun one parent who is bringing up a child or children alone ① singles / sŋDZ(ə)lz/ noun 1. a tennis game played between two people 쑗 the men’s singles champion 2. people who are not married 쑗 They went to a singles bar. single-sex school /sŋDZ(ə)l seks sku l/ noun a school which takes either girls or boys, not both single spacing /sŋDZ(ə)l spesŋ/ noun typing where there is no space showing between lines of text singlet / sŋDZlət/ noun a sleeveless vest worn under a shirt, or when taking part in sports single ticket /sŋDZ(ə)l tkt/ noun a ticket for a journey in one direction only. Also called one-way ticket, single single-track railway /sŋDZ(ə)l trk relwe/ noun a railway where trains go up and down the same rails, but with places where two trains can pass singly / sŋDZli/ adv one by one. Synonym individually singular / sŋDZjυlə/ adj 1. odd, strange 쑗 We found ourselves in a really singular position. 2. showing that there is only one thing or person 쑗 ‘She’ is a singular pronoun. 쐽 noun the form of a word showing that there is only one 쑗 ‘Child’ is the singular, and ‘children’ is the plural. 쑗 The singular of ‘they have’ is ‘he or she has’. 쑗 The singular of ‘bacteria’ is ‘bacterium’. singularly / sŋDZjυləli/ adv 1. strangely 2. particularly sir sinister / snstə/ adj which looks evil, which suggests that something bad will happen. Synonym menacing ② sink /sŋk/ noun a fixed basin for washing things such as dishes in a kitchen 쑗 The sink was piled high with dirty dishes. 쑗 He was washing his hands at the kitchen sink. 쐽 verb 1. to go down to the bottom of something such as water or mud 쑗 The ferry sank in 30 m of water. 쑗 The paper boat floated for a few minutes, then sank. 쑗 You should tie a piece of lead to your fishing line to make it sink. 2. to make a boat go to the bottom of the water 쑗 An enemy shell sank the ship. 3. to fall suddenly 쑗 She was so upset that she just sank into an armchair and closed her eyes. 쑗 My heart sank when I heard the news. 쑗 House prices have sunk to an all-time low. 4. to invest money in something 쑗 He sank all his savings into a car-hire business. (NOTE: sinking – sank /sŋk/ – sunk /sŋk/) sink in /sŋk n/ verb to become fixed in the mind. Synonym go in sinking feeling / sŋkŋ fi lŋ/ noun a sudden feeling of disappointment you get when you realise that something has gone wrong sink unit / sŋk ju nt/ noun an arrangement of a cupboard, a sink, taps and waste pipes, forming a single piece of furniture sinner / snə/ noun someone who does something that is morally wrong sinuous / snjuəs/ adj winding sinus / sanəs/ noun an empty space inside the body, especially the spaces inside your head behind the cheekbone and nose (NOTE: The plural is sinuses.) sip /sp/ noun the act of drinking a small amount 쑗 She took a sip of water, and went on with her speech. 쐽 verb to drink taking only a small amount of liquid at a time 쑗 The girl was sipping her drink quietly. Antonym gulp (NOTE: sipping – sipped) siphon / saf(ə)n/ noun 1. a device for making fizzy water 쑗 The waiter gave him a glass of scotch and put the siphon on the bar next to him. Also called soda siphon 2. a bent tube to allow you to take liquid from one container to another placed at a lower level 쑗 Using a siphon he removed petrol from the car’s tank. 쐽 verb to remove liquid by using a siphon 쑗 Petrol had been siphoned from the tanks of cars parked in the car park. 왍 to siphon money off to remove money from a source illegally (informal ) 쑗 The firm’s accountant managed to siphon off the profits into his private bank account. ③ sir /s" / noun 1. a polite way of referring to a man (usually used by someone serving in a shop or restaurant) 쑗 Would you like a drink with your lunch, sir? 쑗 Please come this way, sir. 2. a way of addressing a male . siren 798 teacher, in Britain 쑗 Please sir, I forgot to bring my homework. 3. 왍 Dear Sir (in letters) a polite way of addressing a man you do not know 4. the title given to a baronet or knight COMMENT: The title is always used with the man’s Christian name, and, in formal address, with the surname as well: you can say ‘good morning Sir George’, but ‘may I introduce Sir George Smith?’. siren / sarən/ noun a device which makes a loud warning signal ① sister / sstə/ noun 1. a girl or woman who has the same father and mother as someone else 쑗 His three sisters all look alike. 쑗 My younger sister Louise works in a bank. 쑗 Do you have any sisters? 2. a senior female nurse in charge of a ward 쑗 The sister told me my son was getting better. (NOTE: The male equivalent is charge nurse.) 3. the title given to a nun (NOTE: can be used with names as a title: Sister Jones, Sister Josephine) 쐽 adj with close links to another similar group or organisation 쑗 cooperating with our sister society sister-in-law / sstər n lɔ / noun 1. the wife of your brother (NOTE: The plural is sisters-in-law.) 2. the sister of your husband or wife 쑗 My sister-in-law is always telling us funny stories about things my husband did when he was a little boy. sisterly / sstəli/ adj, adv relating to or characteristic of a sister, especially in a kind or caring way ① sit /st/ verb 1. to be resting with your bottom on something 쑗 Mother was sitting in bed eating her breakfast. 2. to move into this position 쑗 Could you please sit here? 왍 to sit for a picture to pose, to stand or sit still while someone paints or photographs you 쑗 He sat for his portrait. 쑗 He sat for her in his uniform. 3. to take a test 쑗 She failed her English exam and had to sit it again. 4. (of Parliament, a council, etc.) to be meeting 쑗 A light shines at the top of Big Ben when the House of Commons is sitting. 5. (of a bird ) to rest 쑗 The robin always comes and sits on the fence when I’m digging. 6. to look after children. Synonym baby-sit 쑗 I’m looking for someone to sit for me tomorrow evening. (NOTE: sits – sitting – sat /st/ – has sat) sit back /st bk/ verb 1. to rest your back against the back of a chair when sitting 쑗 Just sit back and enjoy the film. 2. to do nothing 쑗 He just sat back and watched everyone else do the work. sit by /st ba/ verb to do nothing to help sitcom / stkɒm/ noun a TV comedy series which always takes place in the same place, with the same characters, each week (informal ). Full form situation comedy ③ . . situation sit down /st daυn/ verb to sit on a seat sit-down / stdaυn/ noun 1. a strike where the workers stay in their place of work and refuse to work or leave 쑗 The factory has been occupied by workers staging a sit-down. 2. a short rest sitting on a chair (informal ) 쑗 I’ve been on my feet all day – I think I deserve a sit-down. sit-down meal /st daυn/ noun a meal where you sit at a table sit-down strike / st daυn strak/, sitdown protest / st daυn prəυtest/ noun a strike where the workers stay in their place of work and refuse to work or leave ② site /sat/ noun 1. a place where something is or will be 쑗 This is the site for the new factory. 2. a place where something happened, where something once existed 쑗 This was the site of the Battle of Hastings in 1066. 쑗 They’re trying to locate the site of the old Roman fort. 쐽 verb to be placed on a particular piece of land 쑗 The hotel will be sited between the airport and the new exhibition centre. sit-in / st n/ noun a protest where a place of work is occupied by people who refuse to leave until their questions or requests have been dealt with (NOTE: The plural is sit-ins.) sit on / st ɒn/ verb 1. to be a member of a committee 쑗 She sat on the local choral society committee for fifteen years. 2. to do nothing about something that should have been dealt with 쑗 They sat on the report for three months. sitter / stə/ noun 1. a person who looks after children in a house, while their parents are out 쑗 We won’t be able to go to the cinema because I can’t find a sitter. Synonym baby-sitter 2. an easy chance to score a goal 쑗 He missed a sitter in the final minutes of the game. 3. a person who poses, while someone paints or photographs him or her 쑗 The sitter was his mother. ③ sitting / stŋ/ noun a time when a group of people eat together 쑗 Take your seats for the second sitting. ③ sitting room / stŋ ru m/ noun a comfortable room for sitting in. Synonym . lounge sitting tenant /stŋ tenənt/ noun a person who is living in a property and paying rent for it when the property is sold situated / stʃuetd/ adj placed in a particular situation (formal ) ① situation /stʃu eʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a position, the way in which something is placed 쑗 What’s your opinion of the company’s present situation? 쑗 I wonder how she got herself into this situation? 2. a place where something is 쑗 The hotel is in a very pleasant situation by the sea. 3. a job (formal ) 쑗 I’m looking for a more permanent situation. . . situation comedy 799 situation comedy /stʃueʃ(ə)n kɒmədi/ noun full form of sitcom situations vacant /stʃueʃ(ə)nz vekənt/ noun a list of job vacancies in a newspaper sit up /st p/ verb 1. to sit with your back straight 쑗 Sit up straight! 2. to move from a lying to a sitting position 쑗 He’s too weak to sit up. 쑗 He sat up in bed to eat his breakfast. 3. to delay going to bed or to go to bed later than usual 쑗 We sat up playing cards until 2 a.m. sit-up / st p/ noun an exercise where you lie on your back on the floor and then sit up keeping your legs on the floor (NOTE: The plural is sit-ups.) ① six /sks/ noun 1. the number 6 쑗 He’s six (years old). 쑗 We’re having some people round for drinks at six (o’clock). 쑗 There are only six chocolates left in the box – who’s eaten the rest? 왍 the six hundreds (600s) the years from 600 to 699 AD 2. (in cricket ) a score of six runs for sending the ball over the boundary without it touching the ground 쑗 He scored a century, including four fours and two sixes. six-pack / sks pk/ noun a pack containing six bottle or cans ① sixteen /sks ti n/ noun the number 16 쑗 He’ll be sixteen next month. 쑗 The train leaves at seventeen sixteen (17.16). 왍 the sixteen hundreds (1600s) the years from 1600 to 1699 ① sixteenth /sks ti nθ/ adj, noun referring to 16 쑗 She came sixteenth in the race. 쑗 The sixteenth of July or July the sixteenth (July 16th). 쑗 Her sixteenth birthday is on Tuesday. 왍 the sixteenth century the years from 1500 to 1599 ① sixth /sksθ/ adj referring to 6 쑗 His office is on the sixth floor. 쑗 What is the sixth letter of the alphabet? 쑗 The sixth of August or August the sixth (August 6th). 쑗 Tomorrow is her sixth birthday. 왍 the sixth century the period from 500 to 599 AD 쐽 noun one part of six equal parts 쑗 Ten minutes is a sixth of an hour. sixth form / sksθ fɔ m/ noun the final two years in a secondary school, with students between 16 and 18 years old sixth form college /sksθ fɔ m kɒldȢ/ noun a college for students aged 16 and over, preparing them for exams that allow them to go to university sixth sense /sksθ sens/ noun the ability to feel that something has taken place or will take place, without using any of the five senses. Synonym intuition ① sixty / sksti/ noun the number 60 쑗 She’s sixty (years old). 쑗 The table cost more than sixty pounds (£60). 왍 she’s in her sixties she’s between 60 and 69 years old 왍 the . sketch (nineteen) sixties (1960s) the years from 1960 to 1969 ① size /saz/ noun the measurements of something, how big something is, or how many there are of something 쑗 Their garage is about the same size as our house. 쑗 The school has an Olympic size swimming pool. 쑗 He takes size ten in shoes. 쑗 What size collars do you take? 쑗 The size of the staff has doubled in the last two years. sizeable / sazəb(ə)l/ adj quite big size up /saz p/ verb to judge someone’s qualities 쑗 She quickly sized him up. sizzle / sz(ə)l/ verb to make a sound like food cooking in oil or fat sizzling / szlŋ/ adj very hot (informal ) ③ skate /sket/ noun 1. a boot with sharp blades attached for sliding on ice or small wheels 쑗 a pair of skates 왍 to get or put your skates on to hurry (informal ) 쑗 You’ll have to get your skates on if you want to catch that train. 쏡 ice skates, roller skates 2. a large flat fish with white flesh 쑗 I love sole but I’ve never eaten skate. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is skate.) 쐽 verb to move wearing skates 쑗 She skated across the frozen lake. 2. 왍 to skate around something to try to avoid mentioning something 쑗 They skated around the subject of salaries. skateboard / sketbɔ d/ noun a board with two pairs of wheels underneath, which you stand on to move about ③ skater / sketə/ noun a person who goes on skates ③ skating / sketŋ/ noun the sport of moving over a smooth surface on skates 쑗 We’re going skating tomorrow. skating rink / sketŋ rŋk/ noun a special area for skating, or for playing games such as hockey on skates skeletal / skelt(ə)l/ adj very thin, like a skeleton. Antonym obese ③ skeleton / skelt(ə)n/ noun all the bones which make up a body 쑗 They found the skeleton of a rabbit in the garden shed. 쑗 He demonstrated joints using the skeleton in the biology lab. 왍 the skeleton in the cupboard an embarrassing secret that a family is trying to keep hidden skeleton key /skelt(ə)n ki / noun a key which will fit several different doors in a building skeleton staff / skeltn stɑ f/ noun a few staff left to carry on with essential work while most of the workforce is away ③ sketch /sketʃ/ noun 1. a rough quick drawing 쑗 He made a sketch of the church. 2. a short comic situation on TV or radio or a short comic play 쑗 The show takes the form of a series of short sketches. (NOTE: The plural is sketches.) 쐽 verb to draw something . . sketchbook 800 quickly and roughly 쑗 She was sketching the old church. 쑗 He sketched out his plan on the back of an envelope. sketchbook / sketʃbυk/ noun a book of drawing paper for sketching sketchmap / sketʃmp/ noun a rough map drawn by hand sketchpad / sketʃpd/ noun a pad of sheets of paper for sketching sketchy / sketʃi/ adj not complete, not full. Synonym vague. Antonym detailed (NOTE: sketchier – sketchiest) skew /skju / noun 왍 on the skew not straight 쐽 verb to make information inaccu- rate or unbalanced 쑗 Not using a proper sample has skewed the results of the test. 쑗 Tax advantages were always skewed towards the highest earners. skewed /skju d/ adj unbalanced skewer / skju ə/ noun a long thin metal or wooden rod for putting through pieces of meat, fish or vegetables when cooking or grilling 쑗 She put some pieces of chicken and onion on the skewer. 쐽 verb to stick a long metal or wooden rod through something 쑗 He skewered bits of meat and green peppers and grilled them. 쑗 The fish was skewered on a stick. Synonym impale ski /ski / noun one of two long flat objects which are attached to your boots for sliding over snow 쑗 We always hire skis when we get to the ski resort. 쑗 Someone stole my new pair of skis. 쐽 verb to travel on skis 쑗 The mountain rescue team had to ski to the site of the avalanche. 쑗 We skied down to the bottom of the slope without falling. 쑗 She broke her arm skiing. skid /skd/ noun a sideways slide in a vehicle 쑗 The car went into a skid and hit a lamppost. 쑗 There were skid marks on the road. 쐽 verb to slide sideways in a vehicle suddenly because the wheels do not grip the surface 쑗 He skidded to a halt. 쑗 If you brake too hard on ice you’re likely to skid. (NOTE: skidding – skidded) skier / ski ə/ noun a person who goes skiing skiff /skf/ noun a light rowing boat ③ skiing / ski ŋ/ noun the sport of sliding on skis 왍 to go skiing to slide over snow on skis as a sport 쑗 We go skiing in Switzerland every winter. skilful / sklf(ə)l/ adj showing a lot of skill (NOTE: The US spelling is skillful.) skill /skl/ noun the ability to do some- ① thing well 쑗 Portrait painting needs a lot of skill. 쑗 He acquired management skills through running his own business. 쑗 He’s a craftsman of great skill. ① skilled /skld/ adj 1. being able to do something well, using a particular skill 쑗 skip She’s a skilled therapist. 쑗 We need skilled programmers. 2. needing a particular skill 쑗 nursing and other skilled professions skillet / sklt/ noun US a frying pan skim /skm/ verb 1. to remove things floating on a liquid 쑗 Skim the soup to remove the fat on the surface. 2. to move quickly over the surface of something 쑗 Flies skimmed across the surface of the lake. 2. to read something quickly 쑗 Could you just skim it for mistakes? 쑗 I only had time to skim through the book on the train. skimmed milk /skmd mlk/ noun milk from which most of the fat has been removed (NOTE: The US term is skim milk.) skimp /skmp/ verb not to give enough of something. Synonym stint. Antonym lavish skimp on / skmp ɒn/ verb not to spend much money on something 쑗 They skimp on food. skimpy / skmpi/ adj small, not big enough (NOTE: skimpier – skimpiest) skin /skn/ noun 1. the outer surface of ① the body 쑗 The baby’s skin is very smooth. 왍 to be just skin and bones to be extremely thin 2. an outer surface of a fruit or vegetable 쑗 This orange has a very thick skin. 쑗 You can cook these new potatoes with their skins on. 3. a thin layer on top of a liquid that has cooled down after being hot 쑗 I don’t like the skin on the top of chocolate pudding. 4. 왍 to have a thick skin to be able to stand a lot of criticism (informal ) 쑗 Luckily he has a thick skin or he would get very annoyed at what the tabloids say about him. 왍 by the skin of your teeth only just 쑗 He escaped from the enemy by the skin of his teeth. 왍 to jump out of your skin to be very frightened or surprised 쑗 The bang made her jump out of her skin. 쐽 verb to remove the skin from an animal or fish 쑗 Ask the fishmonger to skin the sole for you. (NOTE: skinning – skinned) skin-deep /skn di p/ adj on the surface, superficial skin-diver / skn davə/ noun a person who goes skin-diving skin-diving / skn davŋ/ noun the sport of swimming underwater using breathing apparatus skinhead / sknhed/ noun a young man with very short hair or a shaved head, often considered as behaving in an aggressive manner ③ skinny / skni/ adj very thin (NOTE: . skinnier – skinniest) skint /sknt/ adj with no money (informal ) skin-tight /skn tat/ adj fitting very . closely to the body ① skip /skp/ verb 1. to run along partly hopping and partly jumping 쑗 The children skipped happily down the lane. 2. to jump skipper 801 over a rope which you turn over your head 쑗 The boys played football and the girls were skipping. 3. to miss part of something 쑗 She skipped the middle chapters and went on to read the end of the story. 쑗 I’m not hungry, I’ll skip the pudding. (NOTE: skipping – skipped) 쐽 noun a large metal container for rubbish 쑗 The builders filled the skip with old bricks and stones. ③ skipper / skpə/ noun 1. the captain of a ship 쑗 We reported to the skipper that there was water in the ship’s engine room. 2. the captain of a team 쑗 He’s the youngest skipper ever of the national rugby team. 쐽 verb to be the captain of a team (informal ) 쑗 the youngest man ever to skipper the English rugby team skipping rope / skpŋ rəυp/ noun a rope which you jump over as you swing it over your head and under your feet (NOTE: An. other US term is jump rope.) skirmish / sk" mʃ/ noun a minor fight be- tween opposite sides 쑗 There were several skirmishes between rival fans, but no serious fighting. (NOTE: The plural is skirmishes.) 쐽 verb to fight small battles with someone 쑗 The opposition was skirmishing with the government. ② skirt /sk" t/ noun 1. a piece of clothing worn by women covering the lower part of the body from the waist down 쑗 She started wearing jeans to work, but was told to wear a skirt. 2. the lower part of a dress starting at the waist 쐽 verb 1. to go round 쑗 The main road skirts (round) the town. 2. not to treat thoroughly 쑗 He only skirted (round) the subject, and didn’t deal with it in depth at all. ski slope / ski sləυp/ noun a specially prepared and marked slope for skiing down a mountain skive /skav/ verb to avoid working (informal ) skulk /sklk/ verb to creep about mysteriously because you are planning something wrong. Synonym lurk skull /skl/ noun the bones which are joined together to form the head (informal ) skunk /skŋk/ noun a North American mammal with black and white fur, which sends out a liquid with a bad smell when it is attacked ① sky /ska/ noun a space above the earth which is blue during the day and where the moon and stars appear at night 쑗 What makes the sky blue? 쑗 It’s going to be a beautiful day – there’s not a cloud in the sky. 쑗 The wind carried the glider high up into the sky. sky-blue /ska blu / adj, noun (of) a bright light blue like the sky skydiving / skadavŋ/ noun the sport of jumping out of a plane with a parachute . . slander sky-high /ska ha/ adv very high 왍 to blow something sky-high to blow something up with explosives skylight / skalat/ noun a window in a roof or ceiling skyline / skalan/ noun the shape of buildings seen against the sky skyscraper / skaskrepə/ noun a very tall building slab /slb/ noun a flat square or rectangular block of stone or concrete slack /slk/ adj 1. not tight 쑗 The wind had dropped and the sails were slack. 쑗 The ropes are slack – pull on them to make them tight. Antonym taut 2. not busy 쑗 Business is slack at the end of the week. 쑗 January is always a slack period for us. 3. not working well 쑗 Slack workers will be penalised. (NOTE: slacker – slackest) 쐽 noun 1. a loose part of something such as a rope 왍 to take up the slack to tighten something up 쑗 If you pull on the rope it will take up the slack. 쑗 By reducing the numbers of staff, we will be able to take up some of the slack. 2. little pieces of coal 쑗 He threw some slack on the fire. 쐽 verb to be lazy, to do less work 쑗 Stop slacking, and get some work done! slacken / slkən/ verb 1. to loosen 쑗 As the rain started, she slackened the ropes round the tent. 2. to work less, to be less busy, to go slower 쑗 Trade slackened during January. 쑗 He slackened his pace as he turned the corner. slacken off /slkən ɒf/ verb to become less slack off /slk ɒf/ verb 1. to stop working (informal ) 쑗 You can slack off now, as it’s past six o’clock. 2. to become less 쑗 At last the rain started to slack off. slacks /slks/ noun trousers (dated ) slag /slDZ/ noun the waste material left after metal has been extracted from ore, or after coal has been mined slain /slen/ 쒁 slay slake /slek/ verb 왍 to slake your thirst to drink to remove your thirst slalom / slɑ ləm/ noun a type of race where you have to zigzag fast between a series of posts slam /slm/ verb 1. to bang a door shut 쑗 When he saw me, he slammed the door in my face. 2. to shut with a bang 쑗 The door slammed and I was locked out. 3. 왍 to slam on the brakes to apply the brakes fast when driving 쑗 He slammed on the brakes and just stopped in time to avoid an accident. ③ slander / slɑ ndə/ noun an untrue spoken statement which damages a person’s reputation 쑗 to sue somebody for slander 쑗 What she said about me is slander. 쐽 verb to damage someone’s reputation by saying un. . slanderous 802 true things about him or her 쑗 They slandered him at yesterday’s meeting. Compare libel slanderous / slɑ nd(ə)rəs/ adj which could be slander ③ slang /slŋ/ noun popular words or phrases used by some groups of people, but which are not used in formal situations slanging match / slŋŋ mtʃ/ noun a bitter argument where two people call each other rude names slangy / slŋi/ adj using popular language (informal ) slant /slɑ nt/ noun 1. a slope 쑗 The garden is on a slant, which makes cutting the lawn difficult. 왍 on the slant sloping 쑗 The shelves were put up on the slant and had to be taken down. 2. a point of view 쑗 a TV programme with a teenage slant 쑗 We want to get a new slant on the problem. 쐽 verb 1. to slope 쑗 The path slants down the side of the hill. 쑗 The picture seems to be slanting to the right. 2. to show news or information in a biased way 쑗 The news was slanted to suit the government. slanted / slɑ ntd/ adj 1. sloping 2. biased slanting / slɑ ntŋ/ adj which slopes slap /slp/ noun 1. a blow given with your hand flat 쑗 She gave him a slap in the face. 왍 a slap on the wrist a small punishment, a slight criticism 쑗 The department had a slap on the wrist from the inspectors, but nothing serious. 2. a friendly gesture 쑗 He congratulated her with a slap on the back. 쐽 verb 1. to hit someone or something with your hand flat 쑗 She slapped his face. 2. to tap someone or something as a friendly gesture 쑗 They all slapped him on the back to congratulate him. 3. to put something down flat on a surface 쑗 She slapped the notes down on the table. 쑗 They just slapped some paint on the wall to cover up the marks. (NOTE: slapping – slapped) 쐽 adv 왍 slap (bang) exactly in or into a particular position (informal ) 쑗 He rode his bike slap into middle of the procession. slapdash / slpdʃ/ adj careless. Antonym meticulous slapstick / slpstk/ noun a rough comedy which involves such things as knocking people over and throwing water over them . . (NOTE: no plural) slap-up / slp p/ adj (of a meal ) good and expensive (informal ) slash /slʃ/ noun 1. a long cut with a knife . . 쑗 He had a nasty slash on his forearm. 쑗 She took a knife and made a slash across the painting. 2. a printing sign (/) used to show an alternative (NOTE: The plural is slashes.) 쐽 verb 1. to make a long cut with a knife 쑗 He slashed the painting with a kitchen knife. 2. to reduce a price or the number of some- sledgehammer thing drastically 쑗 Prices have been slashed in all departments. 쑗 The management has slashed the number of staff. slat /slt/ noun a thin flat piece of wood slate /slet/ noun 1. a dark blue or grey stone which splits easily into thin sheets 쑗 Slate is used for making roofs. 2. a thin piece of this stone used to cover a roof 쑗 The slates were already piled up on the roof ready for fixing. 3. a list of candidates for a position 쑗 the Democratic slate in the state elections 쐽 verb to criticise someone or something sharply (informal ) 쑗 The whole plan was slated by the chairman of the committee. slaughter / slɔ tə/ noun 1. the killing of animals 쑗 These lambs will be ready for slaughter in a week or so. 2. the killing of many people 쑗 the wholesale slaughter of innocent civilians (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to kill animals for their meat 2. to kill many people or animals at the same time 쑗 Thousands of civilians were slaughtered by the advancing army. slaughterhouse / slɔ təhaυs/ noun a place where animals are killed for meat (dated ). Synonym abattoir slave /slev/ noun a person who belongs to someone legally and works for him or her without pay 쐽 verb 왍 to slave (away) to work hard 쑗 Here am I slaving away over a hot stove, and you just sit and watch TV. slavery / slevəri/ noun 1. the state of being a slave 쑗 Girls were kidnapped and sold into slavery. 2. the buying and selling of slaves 쑗 In Britain, slavery was abolished in the 19th century. slavish / slevʃ/ adj without thinking or using any imagination slavishly / slevʃli/ adv without thinking slay /sle/ verb to kill someone or something (formal or literary) (NOTE: slaying – slew /slu / – slain. Do not confuse with . . sleigh.) sleaze /sli z/ noun behaviour which is disreputable sleazy / sli zi/ adj dirty or disreputable (NOTE: sleazier – sleaziest) sled /sled/ noun US same as sledge sledge /sledȢ/ noun a small vehicle with long pieces of wood or metal underneath, for sliding fast over snow 쑗 Children dragged their sledges to the top of the snow-covered hill. 쐽 verb to go on a sledge; to play at sliding on the snow on a sledge 쑗 The children were sledging down the hill. 왍 to go sledging to slide fast over snow on sledges as a game 쑗 We went sledging every day till the snow melted. (NOTE: [all senses] The US term is sled.) sledgehammer / sledȢhmə/ noun a very large heavy hammer 왍 to use a sledge- sleek 803 hammer to crack a nut to use far too much effort in doing something sleek /sli k/ adj 1. smooth, shiny and well-kept 쑗 An enormous sleek limousine drew up outside the hotel. 쑗 After dinner we walked across the sleek lawns to the river. 2. very confident, but not to be trusted 쑗 She gave us some sleek sales talk to try to get us interested in buying a mobile phone. 쑗 Sleek sales staff stood round the stand, handing out leaflets. (NOTE: sleeker – sleekest) 쐽 verb to make smooth 쑗 He sleeked back his hair. ① sleep /sli p/ noun a rest usually at night with your eyes closed, when you are not conscious of what is happening 쑗 I need eight hours’ sleep a night. 쑗 Try to get a good night’s sleep – there’s a lot of work to be done tomorrow. 쑗 He always has a short sleep after lunch. 왍 to go to sleep, to get to sleep to start sleeping 쑗 Don’t make all that noise – Daddy’s trying to get to sleep. 쑗 She put the light out and went to sleep. 왍 to send someone to sleep to make someone go to sleep 쑗 Her boring speeches would send anyone to sleep. 왍 to put someone to sleep to give someone an anaesthetic, before a medical operation 왍 to put an animal to sleep to kill an animal that is old or ill 왍 my foot has gone to sleep my foot has lost all feeling 왍 not to lose any sleep over something not to worry about something 쑗 It’s such a tiny sum that I won’t lose any sleep over it. 쐽 verb 1. to rest with your eyes closed not knowing what is happening around you 쑗 She never sleeps for more than six hours each night. 쑗 He slept through the whole of the TV news. 쑗 Don’t make any noise – Daddy’s trying to sleep. 왍 to sleep like a log to sleep very soundly (informal ) 쑗 After his 12-mile walk he slept like a log. 2. 왍 a cottage that sleeps four a cottage with enough beds for four people sleep around /sli p ə raυnd/ verb to have sexual intercourse with various people (informal ) sleep deprivation / sli p deprveʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of not allowing someone to have enough sleep sleeper / sli pə/ noun 1. a person who sleeps 쑗 Electrodes are attached to sleepers to record brain waves. 왍 he’s a heavy sleeper he always sleeps deeply 2. a carriage on a train where passengers sleep on long journeys 쑗 The last two carriages of the train were sleepers. 3. an overnight train with sleeping cars 쑗 The Edinburgh sleeper leaves at 11.30 p.m. Synonym sleeping car 4. a heavy piece of wood on which rails are fixed 쑗 The track is closed because workmen are laying new sleepers. sleep in /sli p n/ verb to sleep later than usual in the morning . . sleeve ③ sleeping / sli pŋ/ adj 1. who is asleep 쑗 The firemen picked up the sleeping children and carried them to safety. 2. referring to sleeping in bed 왍 we have to decide on the sleeping arrangements we have to decide how the bedrooms are going to be divided between guests 쐽 noun the state of being asleep or going to sleep 쑗 I’m always exhausted, so sleeping is never a problem for me. sleeping bag / sli pŋ bDZ/ noun a comfortable warm bag for sleeping in, often used by campers sleeping car / sli pŋ kɑ / noun a carriage on a train with beds where passengers can sleep sleeping partner /sli pŋ pɑ tnə/ noun a partner who has a share in a business but does not work in it sleeping pill / sli pŋ pl/, sleeping tablet / sli pŋ tblət/ noun medicine which makes you go to sleep sleeping policeman /sli pŋ pəli smən/ noun a hump in the road to stop cars going too fast (informal ) sleepless / sli pləs/ adj with no sleep sleeplessness / sli pləsnəs/ noun a lack of sleep, not being able to get to sleep. Synonym insomnia sleep off /sli p ɒf/ verb to get rid of an illness by sleeping sleep on / sli p ɒn/ verb 왍 to sleep on it to sleep, and make an important decision in the morning 쑗 Let me sleep on it, and I’ll give you my answer tomorrow morning. sleepover / sli pəυvə/ noun a child’s party involving an overnight stay at somebody else’s house sleepwalking / sli pwɔ kŋ/ noun getting up and walking about even though you are still asleep ② sleepy / sli pi/ adj 1. feeling ready to go to sleep 쑗 The children had a busy day – they were very sleepy by 8 o’clock. 쑗 The injection will make you feel sleepy. 쑗 If you feel sleepy, don’t try to drive the car. 쑗 Sitting in front of the TV made him sleepier and sleepier. 2. quiet and where nothing exciting happens 쑗 a sleepy little country town (NOTE: . sleepier – sleepiest) sleet /sli t/ noun snow mixed with rain 쑗 The temperature fell and the rain turned to sleet. 쐽 verb 왍 it is sleeting it is snowing and raining at the same time 쑗 As she went out it began sleeting. ② sleeve /sli v/ noun 1. the part of a piece of clothing which covers your arm 쑗 The sleeves on this shirt are too long. 쑗 He was wearing a blue shirt with short sleeves. 왍 to keep something up your sleeve to have a plan which you are keeping secret (informal ) . -sleeved 804 왍 to laugh up your sleeve to laugh in secret at something 2. a cardboard cover for a record 쑗 He designed some of the sleeves for the Rolling Stones. -sleeved /sli vd/ suffix making adjs having sleeves of a particular style sleeveless / sli vləs/ adj with no sleeves sleigh /sle/ noun a large sledge pulled by horses or reindeer (NOTE: Do not confuse with slay.) sleight of hand /slat əv hnd/ noun the quick movements of a conjurer when performing a card trick. Synonym dexterity slender / slendə/ adj 1. long and thin 쑗 a slender stalk 2. tall and slim 쑗 a girl with a slender waist 쑗 She’s wants to be slender, without being too skinny. 3. not large 쑗 The police held out only a slender hope that the killer would be caught. 쑗 The government won the vote by only the slenderest of margins. (NOTE: slenderer – slenderest) slept /slept/ 쒁 sleep slew /slu / 쒁 slay ② slice /slas/ noun 1. a thin piece cut off something to eat 쑗 Can you cut some more slices of bread? 쑗 Have a slice of chocolate cake. 쑗 Would you like another slice of chicken? 2. (in sports) a way of hitting a ball, which makes it go in the wrong direction 쐽 verb 1. to cut into slices 쑗 She stood at the table slicing the joint for lunch. 왍 the best thing since sliced bread the most wonderful new invention in the world (informal ) 2. to hit a ball so that it spins off to one side 쑗 He sliced the ball into the net. sliced bread /slast bred/ noun a loaf of bread which has already been cut into slices before you buy it slick /slk/ adj done in a clever way which tricks people 쑗 The politician was a very slick talker. 쑗 We didn’t like his slick manner. (NOTE: slicker – slickest) slid /sld/ 쒁 slide ③ slide /slad/ noun 1. a slippery metal or plastic structure for children to slide down 쑗 There are swings and a slide in the local playground. 2. a small piece of film which can be projected onto a screen 쑗 She put the screen up and showed us the slides of her last trip. 쑗 There will be a slide show in the village hall. 3. a steady fall 쑗 The government must act to stop the slide in the pound. 4. a clip which goes into the hair to hold it in place 쑗 She had two red slides in her hair. 쐽 verb 1. to move smoothly over a slippery surface 쑗 The drawer slides in and out easily. 쑗 The car slid to a stop. 쑗 The children were sliding on the ice when it broke. 2. to move something smoothly 쑗 He slid the money over the table. 3. to move down steadily 쑗 The pound slid after interest rates were lowered. (NOTE: sliding – slid /sld/) . sling sliding scale /sladŋ skel/ noun a system of marks or points which vary according to a scale ② slight /slat/ adj 1. (of people) small and thin 쑗 Their daughter’s a slight young girl. 2. not very big 쑗 All you could see was a slight movement of the cat’s tail. 쑗 There was a slight improvement in his condition during the night. 쑗 She wasn’t the slightest bit nervous. (NOTE: slighter – slightest) 쐽 noun an insult 쑗 I treat that remark as a slight on our reputation. Synonym snub ① slightly / slatli/ adv to only a small extent 쑗 He was only slightly hurt in the car crash. 쑗 The American bank is offering a slightly better interest rate. 쑗 I only know him slightly. Synonym somewhat. Antonym considerably ② slim /slm/ adj 1. thin, not fat 쑗 a slim, fair-haired boy 쑗 How do you manage to stay so slim? 쑗 She looks slimmer in that dress. 2. narrow 쑗 a slim skirt 쑗 a slim gold bracelet 3. small 쑗 Their chances of survival in the snowstorm are slim. (NOTE: slimmer – slimmest) 쐽 verb to diet in order to become thin 쑗 She started slimming before her summer holidays. (NOTE: slimming – slimmed) slime /slam/ noun a slippery substance, which covers surfaces slimmer / slmə/ noun a person who is trying to lose weight slimming / slmŋ/ noun the process of trying to lose weight, especially by eating less 쐽 adj 1. intended to help with losing weight 쑗 a slimming guide 2. making someone look slimmer 쑗 That dress is very slimming. slimy / slami/ adj 1. unpleasantly slippery 쑗 Watch out, the rocks are slimy. 쑗 What’s this slimy mess at the bottom of the fridge? 2. unpleasant, not to be trusted 쑗 I wouldn’t trust him an inch, he’s a particularly slimy individual. (NOTE: slimier – slimiest) sling /slŋ/ noun 1. a triangular bandage attached round your neck, used to support an injured arm and prevent it from moving 쑗 He’s going around with his arm in a sling. 2. an apparatus made of ropes and pulleys for lifting and carrying goods 쑗 They arranged a sling to lift the piano into the upstairs flat. 3. a type of leather loop, used for throwing stones 쑗 David threw a stone with his sling, and killed Goliath. 쐽 verb 1. to throw 쑗 Little boys were slinging snowballs at passing cars. 쑗 He slung his briefcase into the back of the car. 2. to hang something up or to throw something into a place where it hangs 쑗 They slung the electric cable between the posts. 쑗 She slung her bag over her shoulder. 쑗 He slung his jacket over the back of his chair. (NOTE: slinging – slung /slŋ/) slink 805 slink /slŋk/ verb to creep about in order to avoid being noticed (NOTE: slinking – slunk /slŋk/) ② slip /slp/ noun 1. a mistake 쑗 He made a couple of slips in adding up the bill. 왍 a slip of the tongue a mistake in speaking 2. a small piece of paper 쑗 As she opened the book a small slip of paper fell out. 쑗 He handed her the green slip with the reference number on it. 3. a small person 쑗 She was just a slip of a girl. 4. women’s underwear like a thin dress or skirt, worn under other clothes 쑗 She bought a black slip. 5. 왍 to give someone the slip to escape from someone 쑗 Somehow the escaped prisoners managed to give the police the slip. 쐽 verb 1. to slide and fall by mistake 쑗 He slipped and dropped all his shopping. 쑗 He was using the electric saw when it hit something hard and slipped. 2. to slide out of something which is holding you tight 쑗 The dog slipped its lead and ran away. 3. to push something without being seen 쑗 The postman slipped the letters through the letter box. 쑗 He slipped the keys into his pocket. 4. to go down to a lower level 쑗 Profits slipped badly last year. 쑗 The pound slipped on the foreign exchanges. 5. to go quickly 쑗 I’ll just slip down to the post office with this letter. (NOTE: slipping – slipped) slip into /slp ntυ/ verb to put on clothes quickly slip on / slp ɒn/ verb 1. to slip because you step on something 쑗 He slipped on the wet leaves and broke his ankle. 2. to put clothes on quickly 쑗 She slipped on her dressing gown and ran into the street. slip-on / slp ɒn/ adj, noun a shoe which can be put on easily, and has no laces slipped disc /slpt dsk/ noun a painful state where one of the discs in the spine has moved out of place slipper / slpə/ noun a soft indoor shoe slippery / slp(ə)ri/ adj so smooth that one can easily slip and fall slippery slope / slpəri sləυp/ noun a dangerous situation that can get very bad if it is not stopped slip road / slp rəυd/ noun a small road which leads to or from a motorway slipshod / slpʃɒd/ adj badly done, careless slip up /slp p/ verb to make a silly mistake (informal ) slip-up / slp p/ noun a silly mistake (informal ) Synonym blunder (NOTE: The plural . . is slip-ups.) slipway / slpwe/ noun a smooth slope on which ships are built or repaired slit /slt/ noun a long cut or narrow opening 쑗 She peeped through a slit in the curtains. 쐽 sloth verb to cut a slit 쑗 He slit open the envelope with a kitchen knife. 쑗 They robbed him of all his money and then slit his throat. (NOTE: slitting – slit) slither / slðə/ verb 1. to slide about in vari- ous directions 쑗 Cars were slithering all over the place on the icy streets. 2. to move over a surface like a snake 쑗 He slithered under a bush to hide. sliver / slvə/ noun a long thin piece slob /slɒb/ noun a lazy, dirty person (insult) slobber / slɒbə/ verb to let saliva come out of your moouth slog /slɒDZ/ noun a difficult job 쑗 Building the wall was quite a slog. 쑗 It’s a hard slog from here to the top of the mountain. 쐽 verb to walk with difficulty 쑗 They had to slog through miles of jungle to get to the temple slogan / sləυDZən/ noun a phrase which is easy to remember and is used in publicity, e.g. for a product or for a political party slog at / sləυDZ t/, slog away at /sləυDZ ə we t/ verb to work hard at something difficult 쑗 He slogged away at his Latin and passed the exam. slop /slɒp/ verb (of liquid ) to spill (NOTE: . slopping – slopped) ③ slope /sləυp/ noun 1. a slanting surface or slanting piece of ground 쑗 The land rises in a gentle slope to the church. 쑗 They stopped halfway down the slope. 2. the angle at which something slopes 쑗 The hill has a slope of 1 in 10, so put the car in low gear. 쐽 verb to slant upwards or downwards 쑗 The path slopes upwards. Synonym incline sloping / sləυpŋ/ adj which slopes sloppy / slɒpi/ adj 1. untidy 쑗 He’s such a sloppy eater, he’s made a mess all over his pullover. 2. loose and untidy 쑗 She was wearing a sloppy jumper. 3. badly done 쑗 They said her work was sloppy and had to be done again. 4. stupidly sentimental 쑗 She’s a sloppy old dog, she’s no good at guarding. 쑗 What a sloppy film! (NOTE: sloppier – sloppiest) slosh /slɒʃ/ verb 1. to splash 쑗 We sloshed through the mud to get to the cottage. 2. to hit someone or something (informal ) 쑗 She . suddenly sloshed him with her umbrella. slot /slɒt/ noun 1. a long thin hole 쑗 A coin has got stuck in the slot of the parking meter. 쑗 Put the system disk into the slot on the front of your computer. 2. a set time available for doing something 쑗 The airline has asked for more takeoff and landing slots at the airport. 쐽 verb 왍 to slot into to fit into a slot 쑗 The car radio slots easily into the dashboard. sloth /sləυθ/ noun 1. laziness 2. a South American mammal, similar to a bear, which moves very slowly slot machine 806 slot machine / slɒt məʃi n/ noun 1. a machine for gambling 2. a machine which provides something such as drinks, food or cigarettes when you put a coin into a slot slouch /slaυtʃ/ verb to stand or to sit in a bad position, with bent shoulders 왍 to slouch along to walk bending forwards slough /slaυ/ noun a marshy place (literary) 쑗 The guns were bogged down in the slough of the battlefield. 쐽 verb (of a snake) to lose its skin 쑗 A snake sloughs its skin each year. slovenly / slv(ə)nli/ adj untidy and dirty (offensive) Synonym careless ① slow /sləυ/ adj 1. needing a long time to do something 쑗 Luckily, the car was only going at a slow speed. 쑗 She is the slowest walker of the group. 쑗 The company is very slow at answering my letters. 쑗 Sales got off to a slow start but picked up later. 2. showing a time which is earlier than the right time 쑗 The office clock is four minutes slow. 3. not quick to learn 쑗 He’s the slowest in the class, so he gets extra tuition. 왍 to be slow on the uptake not to understand something quickly (informal ) 쐽 verb to go slowly 쑗 The procession slowed as it reached the cathedral. 쐽 adv not fast 왍 to go slow (of workers) to protest by working slowly or driving slowly 쑗 They are threatening to go slow if their demands are not met. slowcoach / sləυkəυtʃ/ noun a person who is slower than the others (informal ) . . (NOTE: The US term is slowpoke.) ③ slow down /sləυ daυn/ verb 1. to go more slowly 쑗 The van had to slow down as it came to the traffic lights. 쑗 Please slow down, I can’t keep up with you. 2. to make something go more slowly 쑗 The snow slowed the traffic down on the motorway. 3. to work less hard 쑗 You should slow down a bit – you’re doing too much. slowdown / sləυdaυn/ noun a slowing down of business activity ② slowly / sləυli/ adv at a slow speed 쑗 Luckily, the car was going very slowly when it hit the fence. 쑗 The group walked slowly round the exhibition. 쑗 Speak more slowly so that everyone can understand. Antonym quickly 앳 slowly but surely gradually slow motion /sləυ məυʃ(ə)n/ noun showing a film at a slower speed than it was filmed at, so that the action seems to have slowed down sludge /sldȢ/ noun 1. soft muddy material in a liquid 쑗 There’s some black sludge at the bottom of the petrol tank. 2. the thick soft part of sewage slug /slDZ/ noun 1. a common garden animal like a snail with no shell 쑗 Slugs have eaten all my lettuces. 2. a small bullet (informal ) 쑗 A slug from the rifle hit the wall . sly above my head. 쐽 verb to hit someone a heavy blow with your fist (informal ) 쑗 He slugged her and she fell to the ground. . (NOTE: slugging – slugged) sluggish / slDZʃ/ adj 1. reacting slowly 2. slow-moving 쑗 a sluggish stream. Antonym fast-flowing sluice /slu s/ noun a gate which closes a channel for water, especially through a dam 쑗 They opened the sluices to release the water behind the dam. 쐽 verb to wash something with lots of water 쑗 You’ll have to sluice out the pig sty. 쑗 She sluiced the dirty bucket under the tap. slum /slm/ noun a crowded, dirty district inside a large town. 쏡 shanty town slumber / slmbə/ (literary) noun sleep 쑗 His peaceful slumbers were rudely disturbed by the telephone. 쐽 verb to sleep 쑗 The three little children were slumbering peacefully in their beds. slump /slmp/ noun 1. a rapid fall 쑗 There has been a slump in sales. 2. a period of economic collapse with high unemployment and loss of trade 쑗 Economists argued about the reasons for the slump. 왍 the Slump the world economic crisis of 1929–33 쐽 verb 1. to lose value fast or reduce suddenly 쑗 The pound slumped on the foreign exchange markets. 2. to sit or lie down clumsily or heavily 쑗 He sat slumped on a chair doing his homework. 쑗 At the end of the day, she just slumped down onto the sofa. slung /slŋ/ 쒁 sling slur /sl" / noun 1. an insult 쑗 The report cast a slur on his integrity. 2. (in music) the action of running several musical notes together 3. a mark on a musical score to show that notes should run into each other 쐽 verb 1. to speak words indistinctly 쑗 You could tell he had been taking drugs by the way he slurred his words. 2. (in music) to play several notes without a break between them 쑗 The series of notes should be slurred here. (NOTE: slurring – slurred) slurp /sl" p/ verb to drink and make a noise slush /slʃ/ noun 1. melting snow 쑗 The snow has started to melt and the roads are covered with slush. 2. sentimental writing (informal ) 쑗 Her latest novel is just slush. . (NOTE: no plural) slush fund / slʃ fnd/ noun money kept secretly to give to people as bribes, to persuade them to do what you want slushy / slʃi/ adj 1. covered with melting snow 쑗 The path is slushy and slippery. 2. very sentimental (informal ) 쑗 She sits on the sofa all day reading slushy novels. sly /sla/ adj cunning and slightly dishonest 왍 on the sly without anyone knowing 쑗 She transferred all the money to her Swiss account on the sly. . slyly 807 slyly / slali/ adv in a sly way smack /smk/ noun 1. an act of hitting someone, especially a child, with your hand flat 쑗 If you pull the cat’s tail you’ll get a smack. 2. a loud kiss (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to hit someone with your hand flat 쑗 She smacked the little girl for being rude. 2. to put something down noisily 쑗 She smacked the report down on the table and walked out of the room. 왍 to smack your lips to make a loud noise with your lips to show you are hungry or would like to have something 쑗 She smacked her lips as he mentioned dessert. 3. to show signs of something 쑗 The whole affair smacks of fraud. 쐽 adv straight, directly 쑗 The bus ran smack into a tree. ① small /smɔ l/ adj 1. little 쑗 Small cars are more economical than large ones. 쑗 The house is too big for us, so we’re selling it and buying a smaller one. 쑗 She only paid a small amount for that clock. 쑗 The guidebook isn’t small enough to carry in your pocket. 쑗 These trousers are already too small for him. 2. young 쑗 Fireworks can frighten small children. 3. 왍 a small fortune a lot of money 쑗 Those shoes cost me a small fortune. 쑗 She earns a small fortune selling postcards. (NOTE: smaller – smallest) 쐽 noun 왍 the small of the back the middle part of the back below and between the shoulder blades 쑗 Something is tickling me in the small of my back. small business /smɔ l bzns/ noun a little company with a low turnover and few employees small businessman /smɔ l bznsmn/ noun a man who runs a small business small change /smɔ l tʃendȢ/ noun coins, especially ones with a low value small fry / smɔ l fra/ noun unimportant people (informal ) smallholder / smɔ lhəυldə/ noun a person who owns a smallholding smallholding / smɔ lhəυldŋ/ noun a small farm, under 20 hectares in area, usually run as a family business small hours /smɔ l aυəz/ plural noun early in the morning small intestine /smɔ l n testn/ noun the top section of the intestines, leading down from the stomach smallpox / smɔ lpɒks/ noun formerly a very serious, usually fatal, contagious disease, with a severe rash which leaves many small scars on the skin small print / smɔ l prnt/ noun words printed in very small size, such as the conditions on the back of a contract small-scale / smɔ l skel/ adj working in a small way, with few staff and not much . . smash up money 왍 a small-scale enterprise a small business. Compare large-scale small screen /smɔ l skri n/ noun television, as opposed to cinema (informal ) small talk / smɔ l tɔ k/ noun informal conversation small-time / smɔ l tam/ adj not very important and not very successful smarmy / smɑ mi/ adj polite but not sincere (informal ) ② smart /smɑ t/ adj 1. well-dressed or elegant 쑗 A smart young man asked me if he could use my mobile phone. 쑗 He looked very smart in his uniform. 2. clever 쑗 It was smart of her to note the car’s number plate. 쑗 He’s the smartest of the three brothers. 3. (of a blow) sharp 쑗 She gave a smart knock on the door. 4. rapid 쑗 The horse set off at a smart pace. 왍 look smart! hurry up! (informal ) 쐽 verb to hurt with a burning feeling 쑗 The place where I burnt my hand is still smarting. 쐽 noun a sharp pain from a blow 쑗 He remembered the smart of the slap on his cheek. smart card / smɑ t kɑ d/ noun a credit card with a microchip, used for withdrawing money from cash machines or buying things smarten up /smɑ t(ə)n p/ verb to make someone or something look tidier or more attractive왍 to smarten yourself up to make yourself look smarter 쑗 You’d better smarten yourself up for the interview. smartly / smɑ tli/ adv 1. in a smart way 쑗 a smartly dressed young man 쑗 He dresses very smartly. 2. with a sharp blow 쑗 She knocked smartly on the door and went in. smash /smʃ/ verb 1. to break into pieces 쑗 He dropped the plate and it smashed to pieces. 2. to break something to pieces 쑗 Demonstrators smashed the windows of police cars. 3. to break a record, to do better than a record 쑗 She smashed the world record. 쑗 Six records were smashed at the Olympics. 4. to go violently 쑗 The train smashed into the car. 쑗 The crowd smashed through the railings. 5. (in games like tennis) to play a fast stroke, sending the ball down to the ground (NOTE: smashing – smashed) 쐽 noun 1. the sound of something breaking into pieces 쑗 We could hear the smash of crockery from the restaurant. 2. a bad accident 쑗 Six people are feared killed in the train smash. 3. (in games like tennis) a fast stroke, sending the ball down to the ground smash hit /smʃ ht/ noun a play, film or song which is very popular smashing / smʃŋ/ adj very good, fantastic (dated informal ) Synonym wonderful. Antonym dreadful smash up /smʃ p/ verb to break everything in a place. Synonym wreck . . . . smattering 808 smattering / smt(ə)rŋ/ noun a small amount smear /smə/ noun 1. a dirty mark 쑗 Waiter, there’s a lipstick smear on this cup! 2. a small amount of something put on glass for examining under a microscope 3. words about someone which are not true but which are meant to harm his or her reputation 쑗 The report about my wife was just a dirty smear. 쐽 verb 1. to spread something roughly over a surface 쑗 She smeared glue all over the piece of wood or she smeared the piece of wood with glue. 쑗 How did your shirt get smeared with paint? 2. to make dirty marks 쑗 He smeared the kitchen table with his dirty fingers. 3. to hurt someone’s reputation by saying things which are not true 쑗 The report was just an attempt to smear her. smear campaign / smə kmpen/ noun a campaign to discredit someone by spreading gossip about his or her private life smear test / smə test/ noun a test for cancer of the passage leading to a woman's womb ② smell /smel/ noun 1. one of the five senses, which you can feel through your nose 쑗 Animals have a better sense of smell than humans. 쑗 These dogs have a very keen sense of smell and can sniff out even a minute quantity of drugs. 2. something which you can sense with your nose 쑗 I love the smell of coffee coming from the restaurant. 쑗 He can’t stand the smell of fried onions. 쑗 There’s a smell of burning or there’s a burning smell coming from the kitchen. 쑗 She noticed a smell of gas downstairs. 3. an unpleasant thing which you can sense with your nose 쑗 There’s a smell or a funny smell or a nasty smell in the shed. 쐽 verb 1. to notice the smell of something 쑗 Can you smell gas? 쑗 Wild animals can smell humans. 쑗 My nose is blocked – I can’t smell anything. 왍 to smell a rat to suspect that something wrong is happening (informal ) 쑗 Why is he so generous all of a sudden? – I smell a rat! 2. to make a smell 쑗 I don’t like cheese which smells too strong. 쑗 What’s for dinner? – it smells very good! 쑗 There’s something which smells funny in the bathroom. 쑗 It smelt of gas in the kitchen. 3. to bring your nose close to something to smell it 쑗 She bent down to smell the snowdrops. (NOTE: smelling – smelled or smelt /smelt/) smelly / smeli/ adj which has a nasty smell. Antonym fragrant (NOTE: smellier – . smelliest) smelt /smelt/ 쒁 smell ① smile /smal/ noun a way of showing that you are pleased, by turning your mouth up at the corners 쑗 The dentist gave me a friendly smile. 쑗 She had a big smile as she told them the good news. Antonym frown 쐽 verb to smoking show that you are pleased by turning your mouth up at the corners 쑗 That girl has just smiled at me. 쑗 Everyone smile please – I’m taking a picture! smiley face / smali (fes)/ noun a round face with a smile produced as a computer icon or as a sequence of characters, e.g. :-) means happy smirk /sm" k/ noun an unpleasant smile, showing that you think you are better than someone else 쑗 He brought his winning lottery ticket to the office and showed it to her with a smirk. 쐽 verb to give a smirk 쑗 She smirked as the other girls all heard they’d lost their jobs. smock /smɒk/ noun a long loose overall worn over clothes to protect them smog /smɒDZ/ noun pollution of the atmosphere in towns, caused by warm damp air combined with waste gases from cars ② smoke /sməυk/ noun 1. a white, grey or black product formed of small particles, given off by something that is burning 쑗 The restaurant was full of cigarette smoke. 쑗 Clouds of smoke were pouring out of the upstairs windows. 쑗 Two people died from inhaling toxic smoke. 쑗 Smoke detectors are fitted in all the rooms. 2. the time when you are smoking a cigarette 쑗 Cigarettes aren’t allowed in the office, so everyone goes outside for a quick smoke. 쑗 I’m dying for a smoke! 쐽 verb 1. to give off smoke 쑗 Two days after the fire, the ruins of the factory were still smoking. 왍 the chimney smokes the fire sends smoke into the room instead of taking it up the chimney 2. to breathe in smoke from your cigarette, cigar or pipe 쑗 Everyone was smoking even though the signs said ‘no smoking’. 쑗 She doesn’t smoke much. 쑗 You shouldn’t smoke if you want to play football. 쑗 I’ve never seen her smoking a cigar before. 왍 he smokes like a chimney he smokes a lot of cigarettes 3. to preserve food such as meat, fish, bacon or cheese by hanging it in the smoke from a fire 쑗 a factory where they smoke fish 앳 to go up in smoke 1. to be burnt 쑗 His entire art collection went up in smoke in the fire. 2. to fail, not to work 쑗 All her plans for buying a bigger house have gone up in smoke. smoker / sməυkə/ noun a person who smokes 왍 he’s a heavy smoker he smokes a lot of cigarettes 쑗 He was a heavy smoker all his life. smokescreen / sməυkskri n/ noun something said or done to mislead somebody ② smoking / sməυkŋ/ noun the action of smoking cigarettes, cigars or a pipe 왍 ‘no smoking’ do not smoke here 쑗 I always sit in the ‘no smoking’ part of the restaurant. smoky 809 smoky / sməυki/ adj 1. full of smoke 쑗 a smoky bar 2. of the colour of smoke 쑗 The car windows are smoky grey. ② smooth /smu ð/ adj 1. with no bumps, with no uneven surface 쑗 The smooth surface of a polished table. 쑗 The baby’s skin is very smooth. 쑗 Velvet has a smooth side and a rough side. Antonym rough 2. with no jolts or sudden movements 쑗 Dirt in the fuel tank can disrupt the smooth running of the engine. 쑗 We had a very smooth ride. 3. too polite and attentive, in a way that makes you distrust someone (NOTE: smoother – smoothest) 쐽 verb 1. to make something smooth with a tool or with your hand 쑗 The edge of the table needs smoothing, it’s still quite rough. 쑗 She smoothed the sheets and adjusted the pillows. 왍 to smooth the way for someone or something to make things easy for someone or something 쑗 The retiring president cut taxes to smooth the way for his successor. 왍 to smooth things over to settle an argument 쑗 After the quarrel, I called round at her house to try and smooth things over. 2. to spread something gently over a surface 쑗 Smooth the lotion over your face and let it dry. smoothie / smu ði/ noun 1. a charming man who is good at persuading people to do what he wants 2. a drink made with milk, fruit, yoghurt or ice cream smoothly / smu ðli/ adv in a smooth way. Synonym easily smother / smðə/ verb 1. to kill someone by stopping them from breathing 쑗 They took the kittens and smothered them. 쑗 Never put a pillow over someone’s face – you may smother them! 2. to cover something completely 쑗 a chocolate cake simply smothered in cream 쑗 The firemen put out the fire by smothering it with foam. 왍 to smother someone with affection or love to show too much love towards someone, especially your children 쑗 As a child he was brought up by his aunts, who smothered him with affection. 3. 왍 to smother a yawn to hide the fact that you are yawning, so that people will not think you are bored smoulder / sməυldə/ verb 1. to burn slowly 쑗 The incense sticks smouldered in the entrance to the temple. 2. (of emotion) to be strong but hidden 왍 to be smouldering with rage to be extremely angry but try not to show it (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is smolder.) SMS noun a system for sending text mes- sages between mobile phones smudge /smdȢ/ noun a dirty mark 쑗 There is a smudge on the top corner of the photograph. 쑗 He had a smudge of lipstick on his cheek. 쐽 verb to make a dirty mark, such as by rubbing ink which is not dry 쑗 snail mail Don’t touch the artwork until it’s dry, otherwise you’ll smudge it. smug /smDZ/ adj satisfied with yourself (NOTE: smugger – smuggest) smuggle / smDZ(ə)l/ verb 1. to take goods into a country without declaring them to customs 쑗 They tried to smuggle cigarettes into the country. 쑗 We had to smuggle the spare parts over the border. 2. to take something into or out of a place illegally 쑗 The knives were smuggled into the prison by a someone visiting a prisoner. 쑗 We’ll never know how they smuggled the letter out. smuggler / smDZlə/ noun a person who smuggles smuggling / smDZlŋ/ noun taking goods illegally into a country smugly / smDZli/ adv in a smug way smut /smt/ noun 1. a small piece of black dirt 쑗 She hung the sheets out to dry and they got covered with smuts. 쑗 I got a smut in my eye from standing close to the bonfire. 2. stories about sex, considered as unpleasant 쑗 The newspaper seems to be full of smut these days. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 3. a disease of plants, which covers the plants with black spots 쑗 You need to spray the wheat against smut. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) smutty / smti/ adj referring unpleasantly to sex (NOTE: smuttier – smuttiest) ③ snack /snk/ noun a light meal, a small amount of food 쑗 We didn’t have time to stop for a proper lunch, so we just had a snack on the motorway. 쐽 verb to eat a snack 쑗 She never eats proper meals, she just snacks all the time. ③ snack bar / snk bɑ / noun a small simple restaurant where you can have a light meal snag /snDZ/ noun 1. a little problem, a thing which prevents you from doing something 쑗 We’ve run into a snag: there are no flights to the island on Sundays. 쑗 The only snag is that he’s not a very good driver. 2. a place where a piece of clothing has been caught on a sharp point 쑗 There’s a snag in your jumper. 3. a sharp point sticking out of something 쑗 She tore her coat on a snag in the fence. 쐽 verb to catch and tear your clothes on a sharp point 쑗 She snagged her coat getting through the hedge. (NOTE: snagging – snagged) snail /snel/ noun a common small animal that has a spiral-shaped shell on its back and moves very slowly 왍 at a snail’s pace extremely slowly 쑗 Negotiations over the sale of the flat have been progressing at a snail’s pace. snail mail / snel mel/ noun mail sent using the postal system, rather than being sent electronically as email snake 810 snake /snek/ noun a long thin animal which has no legs and moves along the ground by wriggling 쑗 Is this snake safe to handle? 쐽 verb to bend and twist 쑗 The Great Wall of China snakes over the mountains. snakes and ladders /sneks ən ldəz/ noun a children’s board game, played with dice, in which landing on a ladder moves you forward and landing on a snake moves you back ③ snap /snp/ noun 1. a photograph taken quickly without special equipment (informal ) 쑗 She showed me an old black-and-white snap of the house. 쑗 He took a lot of snaps of his children. 2. a card game where you shout ‘snap’ if two similar cards are played at the same time 쑗 Do you want a game of snap? 쑗 They played snap all afternoon. 쐽 adj sudden 쑗 They carried out a snap check or a snap inspection of the passengers’ luggage. 쑗 The government called a snap election. 쐽 verb 1. to break sharply with a dry noise 쑗 The branches snapped as he walked through the wood. 2. to move or be moved with a sudden sharp noise 왍 to snap your fingers to make a clicking noise with your middle finger and thumb 쑗 They sat snapping their fingers in time to the music. 왍 to snap into place to make a click when fitting together 쑗 Push gently on the surface until it snaps into place. 왍 to snap out of it to stop being depressed (informal ) 쑗 He told her to snap out of it. 3. to say something in a sharp angry tone 쑗 He was tired and irritable, and snapped at the children. 쑗 The manager snapped at the shop assistant, but it wasn’t her fault. snap decision /snp d sȢ(ə)n/ noun a decision taken hurriedly snap fastener / snp fɑ s(ə)nə/ noun a little metal fastener for clothes, in two parts which you press to attach together. Also called popper, press stud snappy / snpi/ adj 1. sharp and fashionable (dated informal ) 쑗 She’s wearing a very snappy outfit. 2. 왍 make it snappy!, look snappy! do it quickly! (informal ) 쑗 Make it snappy, there’s a policeman coming! 3. irritable, short-tempered 쑗 He tends to be snappy towards the end of the day. (NOTE: ③ . . . . snappier – snappiest) snapshot / snpʃɒt/ noun a photograph taken quickly without special equipment snap up /snp p/ verb to buy quickly snare /sneə/ noun 1. a trap for catching animals made with a loop of wire which is pulled tight 쑗 He caught a rabbit in the snare. 2. a trap 쑗 His offer of a well-paid job in Luxembourg was just a snare. 쐽 verb to catch with a snare 쑗 We snared three rabbits. snarl /snɑ l/ noun 1. an angry growl 쑗 As she opened the door of the cage she heard a snicker snarl. 2. a tangle or knot 쑗 Her hair is so full of snarls that it is difficult to comb. 쐽 verb 1. to growl angrily 쑗 The leopard snarled as he approached its cage. 쑗 ‘Take your money, and get out’ he snarled. 2. snarl, snarl up to make something tangled 쑗 He managed to snarl up all the computer cables. 3. snarl, snarl up to block something, especially traffic쑗 The traffic was snarled up from Hyde Park Corner to Marble Arch. snarl-up / snɑ l p/ noun a complicated traffic jam snatch /sntʃ/ verb to grab something rapidly 쑗 He came beside her on his bike and snatched her handbag. 쑗 I didn’t have time for a proper meal, but I snatched a sandwich. 쑗 She snatched a few hours’ sleep in the transit lounge. 쐽 noun a little piece of something heard 쑗 In the evening, I heard snatches of song from across the lake. (NOTE: The plural is snatches.) sneak /sni k/ verb 1. to go quietly without being seen 쑗 She sneaked into the room. 쑗 The burglar sneaked up to the house, hidden by the trees. 왍 to sneak up on someone to creep up behind someone without being noticed 2. to tell an adult that another child has done something wrong (informal ) 쑗 He promised not to sneak on me to my mum. 쐽 noun a person who tells an adult what another child has done (informal ) 쑗 You promised not to say anything, you little sneak! Synonym informer sneakers / sni kəz/ plural noun US soft sports shoes with rubber soles 쑗 She came to work in sneakers. sneaking / sni kŋ/ adj secret and not very certain sneaky / sni ki/ adj deceitful and secret. Synonym sly sneer /snə/ noun a sarcastic, unpleasant smile 쑗 He held the whip in his hand and looked at her with a sneer. 쐽 verb to give someone a sarcastic smile or to speak in a contemptuous way 쑗 He sneered at her attempts to speak French. 쑗 You shouldn’t sneer at her clothes – they’re by the best designers and are very expensive. sneeze /sni z/ noun a reflex action to blow air suddenly out through your mouth and nose because of an irritation inside your nose 쑗 Coughs and sneezes spread diseases. 쐽 verb to make a sneeze 쑗 The smell of roses makes me sneeze. 쑗 He has hayfever and can’t stop sneezing. 왍 it’s not to be sneezed at you should not refuse it (informal ) 쑗 It’s a good offer and not to be sneezed at. snicker / snkə/ noun a quiet unpleasant laugh 쑗 I heard a little snicker behind my back. 쐽 verb to laugh quietly in an unpleasant way 쑗 They snickered as the teacher came into the room. . . . snide 811 snide /snad/ adj unkind, often in a clever or indirect way sniff /snf/ noun the act of breathing in air through your nose 쑗 The dog gave a sniff at the plate before licking it. 쑗 He gave a little sniff and walked out of the shop. 쐽 verb 1. to breathe in air through your nose 쑗 He sniffed and said ‘I can smell fish and chips’. 쑗 The customs inspection is very strict, a dog is taken round to sniff (at) each bag and suitcase. 왍 it’s not to be sniffed at you should not refuse it (informal ) 쑗 A free ticket with Air Canada is not to be sniffed at. 왍 to sniff something out to discover something by smelling 쑗 The dogs sniffed out drugs hidden in her bag. 2. to breathe in air through your nose when you have a cold 쑗 He’s coughing and sniffing and should be in bed. 3. to breathe in vapour from solvent or glue 쑗 The police caught them sniffing glue. sniffer dog / snfə dɒDZ/ noun a dog which has been trained to smell things such as drugs sniffle / snf(ə)l/ noun a noise made when you keep on sniffing, especially when you have a cold or have been crying 쑗 You could hear the sniffles from the girls at the back of the room. Synonym snuffle 왍 to have the sniffles to have a slight cold 쐽 verb to keep on sniffing because of a cold, or because you want to cry 쑗 He was sniffling and sneezing, and in the end I told him to go home early. 쑗 Stop sniffling! Blow your nose! Synonym . snuffle snigger / snDZə/ noun a quiet unpleasant laugh 쑗 I heard a little snigger behind my back. 쐽 verb to laugh quietly in an unpleasant way 쑗 They sniggered as the teacher came into the room. 왍 to snigger at something to laugh unpleasantly at something 쑗 What are you sniggering at? snip /snp/ noun a bargain, something much cheaper than usual (informal ) 쑗 They are a snip at £50. 쐽 verb to cut something quickly with scissors 쑗 She snipped two inches off the hem of the dress. (NOTE: snipping – . snipped) snipe /snap/ verb 1. to shoot at someone from a hiding place 쑗 Gunmen sniped at the soldiers from the rooftops. 2. to criticise someone continuously 쑗 The MPs kept sniping at the minister. 쐽 noun a large marsh bird with a long beak 쑗 We saw several snipe on the marshes. (NOTE: no plural) sniper / snapə/ noun a hidden soldier who shoots at the enemy sniper fire / snapə faə/ noun gunfire from snipers snippet / snpt/ noun a little bit of information snivel / snv(ə)l/ verb to cry or complain in an annoying way snotty snob /snɒb/ noun 1. a person who likes people who are of a higher social class than himself or herself 쑗 Don’t ask him to your party, he’s such a snob. 2. a person who thinks he or she knows much more about a particular thing or is better-educated than other people 쑗 an art snob 쑗 an intellectual snob snobbery / snɒbəri/ noun the behaviour of being a snob snobbish / snɒbʃ/ adj referring to a snob snog /snɒDZ/ verb to kiss and hug someone (slang) snooker / snu kə/ noun a game for two players, similar to billiards, played on a table with twenty-two balls of different colours snooker table / snu kə teb(ə)l/ noun a table on which snooker is played snoop /snu p/ verb to investigate something or someone secretly (informal ) snooze /snu z/ (informal ) noun a short sleep 쑗 I had a little snooze after lunch. Synonym doze 쐽 verb to sleep lightly for a short time 쑗 The dog was snoozing on the rug in front of the fire. Synonym doze snore /snɔ / noun a loud noise produced in the nose and throat when asleep 쑗 His snores kept her awake. 쐽 verb to make a snore 쑗 I can’t get to sleep because my husband snores. snoring / snɔ rŋ/ noun the action of snoring snorkel / snɔ k(ə)l/ noun a tube which allows an underwater swimmer to breathe in air 쑗 She could still see Brian’s snorkel on the surface of the water. 쐽 verb to swim with a snorkel 쑗 The water isn’t clear so we can’t snorkel here. snorkelling / snɔ klŋ/ noun swimming with a snorkel 왍 to go snorkelling to go swimming with a snorkel for pleasure (NOTE: . . The US spelling is snorkeling.) snort /snɔ t/ noun 1. a noise made when you blow air through your nose 쑗 The horse gave a snort and reared up on its hind legs. 쑗 Judging by the snorts coming from the behind the newspaper, I think he has found something he doesn’t agree with. 2. an amount of a powdered drug such as cocaine which you breathe through the nose 쑗 They had a snort or two during the evening. 쐽 verb 1. to make a loud noise blowing air out through the nose 쑗 The horses snorted and pawed the ground. 2. to take a powdered drug such as cocaine by breathing it in through the nose 쑗 She has been snorting cocaine for some years. snot /snɒt/ noun mucus in the nose (offensive informal ) snotty / snɒti/ adj 1. covered with mucus (offensive informal ) 2. looking down on oth. . snout 812 ers who you think are inferior (informal ) 쑗 Don’t be so snotty! I know how to do it, just as much as you do! snout /snaυt/ noun the nose and mouth of some animals such as pigs 왍 to have your snout in the trough to get rich on government money (informal ) 쑗 All these officials have their snouts in the trough. ① snow /snəυ/ noun water which falls as light white flakes of ice crystals in cold weather 쑗 Two metres of snow fell during the night. 쑗 The highest mountains are always covered with snow. 쑗 Children were out playing in the snow. 쑗 We went for a skiing holiday and there was hardly any snow. 쐽 verb to fall as snow 쑗 Look – it’s started to snow! 쑗 It snowed all day, and the streets were blocked. 쑗 It hardly ever snows here in March. (NOTE: The verb snow is always . . used with the subject it.) snowball / snəυbɔ l/ noun a ball made with snow 쑗 They were throwing snowballs at passing cars. 쑗 I tried to make a snowball but the snow was too dry. 쐽 verb to get steadily bigger 쑗 The protests started slowly and then snowballed into mass demonstrations. snowboarding / snəυbɔ dŋ/ noun the sport of sliding down a snow-covered slope while standing on a board with both feet snowbound / snəυbaυnd/ adj unable to go out or to travel because of snow. Synonym snowed in, snowed up snowcapped / snəυkpt/ adj with the top covered with snow snowdrift / snəυdrft/ noun snow which has been blown into a heap by the wind snowdrop / snəυdrɒp/ noun a bulb with little white bell-shaped flowers in the early spring snowed in /snəυd n/ adj blocked by snow and unable to travel snowed under /snəυd ndə/ adj overwhelmed snowed up /snəυd p/ adj blocked by snow, so that you cannot travel snowfall / snəυfɔ l/ noun the amount of snow which has fallen snowflake / snəυflek/ noun a small piece of snow formed of a number of ice crystals snowman / snəυmn/ noun a model of a man made of snow (NOTE: The plural is snowmen.) snowmobile / snəυməbi l/ noun a vehicle specially designed for driving on snow snowplough / snəυplaυ/ noun a heavy vehicle with a plough on the front used to clear snow off roads and railway tracks (NOTE: The US spelling is snowplow.) snowshoes / snəυʃu z/ plural noun two frames shaped like tennis rackets with a light so web, which are tied under your boots for walking on snow snowstorm / snəυstɔ m/ noun a storm when the wind blows and snow falls. Synonym blizzard snow tyres / snəυ taəz/ plural noun special tyres with thick treads, used when driving on snow snow-white /snəυ wat/ adj pure white snowy / snəυi/ adj 1. with a lot of snow, covered with snow 쑗 I remember walking through the snowy streets to school. 2. when there is snow 쑗 This is the snowiest winter I can remember. (NOTE: snowier – snowiest) snowy white /snəυi wat/ noun a pure white colour snub /snb/ noun behaviour which shows you want to insult someone 쑗 Not shaking his hand was a deliberate snub. Synonym rebuff 쐽 verb to insult someone by refusing to speak to them or by not paying any attention to them 쑗 He snubbed all her attempts to be friendly. Synonym rebuff (NOTE: snubbing – snubbed) snub nose /snb nəυz/ noun a small nose which is turned up at the end snuck /snk/ US 쒁 sneak snuff /snf/ noun powdered tobacco which is sniffed into the nose 쐽 verb 1. to put out a candle 쑗 Before going to bed, remember to snuff the candles. 2. 왍 to snuff it to die (slang) 쑗 Just when he thought his father was going to make a fortune, the old man snuffed it. snuffle / snf(ə)l/ noun a loud sniff, especially when you have a cold 쑗 I could hear coughs and snuffles from the audience. Synonym sniffle 쐽 verb to sniff noisily 쑗 The pigs were snuffling about in the mud. Synonym sniffle snug /snDZ/ adj warm and comfortable (NOTE: snugger – snuggest) snuggle / snDZ(ə)l/ verb 1. to curl yourself up to be warm 쑗 They snuggled under their blankets. 2. 왍 to snuggle up to someone to curl up close to someone else to be warm 쑗 She snuggled up next to her mother. ① so /səυ/ adv 1. showing how much 쑗 It’s so cold that the lake is covered with ice. 쑗 We liked Greece so much that we’re going there again on holiday next year. 쑗 The soup was so salty that I couldn’t eat it. 2. very 쑗 She was so kind to us when we were children. 쑗 The film was not so boring after all. 3. also 쑗 She was late and so was I. 쑗 The children all caught flu, and so did their teacher. 쑗 I like apples – So do I. 쑗 He’s a good cook and so is his wife. 쑗 The teacher will be late and so will everyone else. 4. showing that the answer is ‘yes’ 쑗 Does this train go to London? – I think so. 쑗 Was your car completely soak 813 smashed? – I’m afraid so. 쑗 Will you be coming to the party? – I hope so! 쑗 Are they going to be at the meeting? – I suppose so. 쐽 conj 1. and this is the reason why 쑗 It was snowing hard so we couldn’t go for a walk. 쑗 She’s got flu so she can’t come to the office. 2. so, so that in order that 쑗 People riding bikes should wear bright clothes so that drivers can see them easily. 3. used to avoid repeating an adjective 쑗 He’s very bossy, and his wife is even more so. 앳 so as (not) to in order (not) to 쑗 They had to run to the station so as not to miss the train. 앳 so far until now 앳 so there that’s my opinion, and it’s none of your business 앳 so what what does it matter. 쏡 so-so ③ soak /səυk/ noun the action of lying in a bath for a long time 쑗 After a game of rugby it is good to have a soak in a hot bath. 쐽 verb 1. to put something in a liquid for a time 쑗 Dry beans should be soaked in cold water for 24 hours. 2. to get or to make very wet 쑗 I forgot my umbrella and got soaked. 쑗 The rain soaked the soil. soaked /səυkt/ adj very wet soaking / səυkŋ/ adj, adv wet through 쑗 Don’t let the dog into the kitchen – he’s soaking or he’s soaking wet. soak up /səυk p/ verb to take in liquid so-and-so / səυ ən səυ/ noun 1. an unpleasant person 2. a person whose name is not mentioned 쑗 It’s the usual story – Mrs So-and-so buys a green hat, and the next thing you know, everyone in the village wants green hats. ② soap /səυp/ noun a substance which you wash with, made from oils and usually with a pleasant smell 쑗 There’s no soap left in the bathroom. 쑗 I’ve put a new bar of soap in the kitchen. 쑗 There is a liquid soap dispenser in the gents’ toilets. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning: some soap, a bar or a cake or a piece of soap) 쐽 verb to cover with soap 쑗 There’s no need to soap yourself all over, just your legs and feet. soapbox / səυpbɒks/ noun a box used by a politician to stand on when making an informal speech outdoors to passers-by soap opera / səυp ɒp(ə)rə/ noun a serial story on television about the daily lives of a set of characters soap powder / səυp paυdə/ noun soap in the form of powder, used in washing machines or dishwashers. Synonym detergent soapy / səυpi/ adj full of soap ③ soar /sɔ / verb 1. to go up very quickly 쑗 Food prices soared during the cold weather. 2. to fly high up into the sky 쑗 The rocket went soaring into the night sky. 3. (of a bird ) to glide high in the sky without beating its wings 쑗 We watched the gulls soaring on air . social democracy currents beside the cliffs. (NOTE: Do not confuse with sore.) soaring / sɔ rŋ/ adj rising rapidly ③ sob /sɒb/ noun a short breath like a hiccup, made by someone who is crying 쑗 You could hear the sobs as she lay on her bed. 쑗 He gave a sob, and put the phone down. 쐽 verb to cry, taking short breaths like hiccups 쑗 She lay sobbing on the bed. 쑗 The little girl sobbed herself to sleep. (NOTE: sobbing – sobbed) ③ sober / səυbə/ adj 1. not drunk 쑗 I wasn’t drunk after the party – I was stone cold sober. 2. serious, not frivolous 쑗 The sober truth is that we can’t afford it. 쑗 It was a very sober gathering, nobody laughed or made a joke. 3. dark with no bright colours 쑗 She was wearing a sober dark grey suit. sobering / səυbərŋ/ adj which makes you think seriously sober up /səυbər p/ verb 1. to recover from being drunk 쑗 I’ll talk to you again when you’ve sobered up a little. 2. to make someone sober again who has been drunk 쑗 We gave him several cups of black coffee to sober him up. sobriety /səυ braəti/ noun 1. the state of not being drunk 쑗 Sobriety is unusual among his friends. 2. serious behaviour 쑗 We weren’t suitably dressed for the sobriety of the occasion. ③ so-called / səυ kɔ ld/ adj called by a wrong name soccer / sɒkə/ noun a game played between two teams of eleven players with a round ball which can be kicked or hit with the head, but not carried. Compare rugger (NOTE: The game is called football in most countries, but is generally called soccer in the USA to distinguish it from American football.) sociable / səυʃəb(ə)l/ adj friendly, liking the company of other people ① social / səυʃ(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to people as a group, to human society 쑗 Inequality leads to social conflict. 쑗 an area with very serious social problems 2. referring to friendly contact with other people 쑗 We are organising some social events for the visiting students. 쑗 Not being able to make conversation is a terrible social handicap. 쐽 noun a party for the members of an organisation 쑗 The sports club is holding a social next Saturday. social democracy /səυʃ(ə)l dmɒkrəsi/ noun a belief that changes should be made to the structure of society to make it more egalitarian, with some state involvement in industry and welfare, without removing private capitalism social democrat 814 sodden social democrat /səυʃ(ə)l deməkrt/ social work / səυʃ(ə)l w" k/ noun work noun a person who believes in social democracy Social Democrat /səυʃ(ə)l deməkrt/ noun a person who supports or belongs to a party that believes in social democracy social exclusion /səυʃ(ə)l k sklu Ȣ(ə)n/ noun a situation in which some people feel left out of the rest of society because they are poor, lack useful skills or have disabilities socialise / səυʃəlaz/, socialize verb to meet people for friendly talk and activities socialism / səυʃəlz(ə)m/ noun 1. the ideas and beliefs of socialists, that the means of production and distribution should belong to the people, that people should be cared for by the state and that all wealth should be shared equally 쑗 His book explains the principles of socialism. 2. a political system where the state is run on socialist principles 쑗 Under socialism, this factory was owned by the state. socialist / səυʃəlst/ adj believing in socialism, being in favour of social change, wider sharing of wealth and of state-run industry and welfare 쐽 noun a person who believes in socialism 쑗 He’s been a socialist all his life. social life / səυʃ(ə)l laf/ noun activities involving being friendly with other people outside working hours, and doing such things as going to parties socially / səυʃ(ə)li/ adv 1. in a friendly way, outside work 쑗 I know her from work but I’ve never met her socially. 쑗 They get on very well socially. 2. with respect to other people or society 쑗 the socially unacceptable behaviour of football hooligans 쑗 These policies are socially divisive. social order /səυʃ(ə)l ɔ də/ noun the arrangement of society, and the classes within it social science /səυʃ(ə)l saəns/ noun the study of people and the society they live in, including such subjects as sociology, history and economics social sciences /səυʃ(ə)l saənsz/ plural noun academic studies referring to society and people such as anthropology, sociology and politics ③ social security /səυʃ(ə)l s kjυərti/ noun money or help provided by the government to people who need it social services /səυʃ(ə)l s" vsz/ plural noun government services to help people with family problems 쑗 The children are being looked after by social services. social strata /səυʃ(ə)l strɑ tə/ noun different levels of society social system / səυʃ(ə)l sstəm/ noun the way in which a society is organised done to help people with family or financial problems social worker / səυʃ(ə)l w" kə/ noun a person who works to help people with family or financial problems ① society /sə saəti/ noun 1. a large group of people, usually all the people living in a country, considered as an organised community 쑗 a free and democratic society 쑗 a member of society 쑗 Society needs to be protected against these criminals. (NOTE: no plural) 2. a club or association of people who have the same interests 쑗 He belongs to the local drama society. 쏡 building society (NOTE: The plural is societies.) socio-economic /səυʃiəυ i kə nɒmk/ adj referring to social and economic conditions socio-economic group /səυʃiəυ i kənɒmk DZru p/ noun one of the groups in society divided according to income and position 쑗 They don’t belong to any of the socio-economic groups as defined in this textbook. sociological /səυsiə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to people and society, and the way in which society changes sociologist /səυsi ɒlədȢst/ noun a person who studies people and society and the way society changes sociology /səυsi ɒlədȢi/ noun the study of social systems and how people live in society ③ sock /sɒk/ noun 1. a piece of clothing worn on your foot inside a shoe 쑗 He’s almost ready – he only has to put on his socks and shoes. 쑗 I’ve just bought a pair of socks. 왍 you’ll need to wear football socks you’ll need to wear special socks for playing football 왍 to pull your socks up to try to do better (informal ) 쑗 He’ll have to pull his socks up or he’ll lose his job. 2. a punch 쑗 She gave him a sock in the jaw. 쐽 verb to hit someone hard (informal ) 쑗 She socked the mugger on the jaw. socket / sɒkt/ noun 1. a set of holes into which an electric plug can be fitted 쑗 There is a socket on the wall that you can plug the vacuum cleaner into. 쑗 This plug doesn’t fit that socket. 2. a hollow part in a bone, into which another bone fits sod /sɒd/ noun 1. an unpleasant or nasty man (insult ) 쑗 Get away from me, you dirty sod! 2. a person who needs sympathy (slang) 쑗 The poor old sod has nowhere to live. 3. a piece of soil with grass growing on it 쑗 The mayor cut the first sod for the new town hall. soda water / səυdə wɔ tə/ noun water made fizzy by putting carbon dioxide into it sodden / sɒd(ə)n/ adj wet through . . . sodium 815 sodium / səυdiəm/ noun a soft white metal, which can catch fire, and is only found combined with other substances sodium bicarbonate /səυdiəm bakɑ bənət/ noun baking soda sodium chloride /səυdiəm klɔ rad/ noun salt ③ sofa / səυfə/ noun a long comfortable seat with a soft back. Synonym settee sofabed / səυfəbed/ noun a type of sofa which can be folded out to form a bed ① soft /sɒft/ adj 1. not hard, which moves easily when pressed 쑗 There are big soft armchairs in the lobby of the hotel. 쑗 I don’t like soft seats in a car. 쑗 Do you like soft ice cream? 2. not loud 쑗 When she spoke, her voice was so soft that we could hardly hear her. 쑗 Soft music was playing in the background. 3. not bright 쑗 Soft lighting makes a room look warm. 4. 왍 soft on lenient towards 쑗 Judges were accused of being soft on crime. 왍 to have a soft spot for to like very much 쑗 She has a soft spot for the PE instructor. (NOTE: softer – softest) soft-boiled /sɒft bɔld/ adj (of an egg) which has been cooked in boiling water for a short time so that the yolk is hot but still liquid soft copy /sɒft kɒpi/ noun data stored on a computer, rather than being printed on paper softcover / sɒftkvə/ noun a book bound in paper, as opposed to a hardcover edition. Synonym paperback soft currency /sɒft krənsi/ noun the currency of a country with a weak economy, which is cheap to buy and difficult to exchange for other currencies. Compare hard currency ③ soft drink / sɒft drŋk/ noun a drink which is not alcoholic soften / sɒf(ə)n/ verb to make something soft, to become soft 왍 to soften someone up to make someone weaker before asking for something, or before launching an attack 쑗 Can you try and soften him up a bit before I ask to borrow the car? 쑗 Bombing raids were made to soften up the enemy defences. soft fruit /sɒft fru t/ noun a small fruit such as currants, raspberries or strawberries which do not have hard skins soft furnishings /sɒft f" nʃŋz/ plural noun things such as curtains and cushions as opposed to tables and other pieces of furniture soft-hearted /sɒft hɑ td/ adj not strict, too kind. Synonym sympathetic softie / sɒfti/, softy / sɒfti/ noun a person who is too kind and generous, and who can easily be persuaded to do what you want solar eclipse soft landing /sɒft lndŋ/ noun 1. a process by which something such as a plane or spacecraft lands in a gentle and controlled way 2. a way of fighting inflation, which does not cause unemployment or a fall in the standard of living 쑗 The government is still hoping for a soft landing in a year’s time. softly / sɒftli/ adv 1. in a gentle way 쑗 I touched her arm softly. 2. quietly, not loudly 쑗 She spoke so softly that we couldn’t hear what she said. 쑗 The burglars crept softly up the stairs. 3. not brightly 쑗 The lights were shining softly across the lawn. soft palate /sɒft plət/ noun the back part of the palate which leads to the uvula. Compare hard palate soft-spoken /sɒft spəυkən/ adj having a quiet gentle voice soft touch /sɒft ttʃ/ noun a person who can be easily persuaded to do something for you ③ software / sɒftweə/ noun computer programs which are put into a computer to make it work, as opposed to the machine itself 쑗 What word-processing software do you use? Compare hardware (NOTE: no plural) soft water /sɒft wɔ tə/ noun water with little calcium in it softwood / sɒftwυd/ noun 1. wood from pine trees and other conifers which can be cut easily 쑗 We used softwood panels for the walls of the study. 2. a fast-growing tree such as a pine or other conifer which produces softwood 쑗 the softwood forests of Finland Compare hardwood soggy / sɒDZi/ adj wet and soft (NOTE: soggier – soggiest) ① soil /sɔl/ noun the earth in which plants grow 쑗 Put some soil in the plant pot and then sow your flower seeds. 쑗 This soil’s too poor for growing fruit trees. 쑗 The farm has 150 hectares of rich black soil. 쐽 verb to make something dirty 쑗 His overalls were soiled by black oil and rust. 쑗 Use more washing powder if the clothes are heavily soiled. 쏡 shop-soiled sojourn / sɒdȢən/ (literary) noun a short stay 쐽 verb to stay somewhere for a short time solace / sɒləs/ noun comfort 왍 to be a solace to someone to comfort someone 쑗 His daughter has been a considerable solace to him. solar / səυlə/ adj referring to the sun (NOTE: The similar word referring to the moon is lunar and to the stars is stellar.) solar eclipse / səυlə klps/ noun a situ- ation when part or all of the sun disappears, because the moon passes between the earth and the sun solar energy 816 solar energy / səυlə enədȢi/, solar power / səυlə paυə/ noun electricity produced from the radiation of the sun solar panel /səυlə pn(ə)l/ noun a group of special electric cells used to turn the sun’s energy into electricity ③ solar system / səυlə sstəm/ noun the sun and the planets which orbit round it sold /səυld/ 쒁 sell ① soldier / səυldȢə/ noun a person serving in the army 쑗 Here’s a photograph of my father as a soldier. 쑗 We were just in time to see the soldiers march past. 쑗 Enemy soldiers blew up the bridge. 쑗 The children are playing with their toy soldiers. soldier on /səυldȢər ɒn/ verb to continue doing something, in spite of difficulties 쑗 Even though sales are down, we must soldier on. 쑗 She’s soldiering on with her preparations for the exam. sold out /səυld aυt/ adj no longer in stock, because all the stock has been sold ③ sole /səυl/ adj only; belonging to one person 쑗 Their sole aim is to make money. 쑗 She was the sole survivor from the crash. 쑗 I have sole responsibility for what goes on in this office. 왍 he has the sole right to it he is the only person allowed to use it 쐽 noun 1. the underneath side of your foot 쑗 He tickled the soles of her feet. 2. the main underneath part of a shoe, but not the heel 쑗 These shoes need mending – I’ve got holes in both soles. 3. a flat white sea fish 쑗 He ordered grilled sole. (NOTE: The two varieties of the fish found in Britain are Dover sole and lemon sole. The plural in this meaning is sole.) 쐽 verb to put a new sole on a shoe 쑗 I want these shoes soled and heeled, please. (NOTE: Do not confuse with soul.) solely / səυlli/ adv 1. only 쑗 The machine was designed solely for that purpose. 2. with- out other people being involved 쑗 He was solely to blame for what happened. ③ solemn / sɒləm/ adj 1. serious and formal 쑗 The doctor looked very solemn and shook his head. 쑗 At the most solemn moment of the ceremony someone’s mobile phone rang. 2. that should be treated as very serious and not to be broken 쑗 He made a solemn promise never to smoke again. 왍 solemn and binding agreement agreement that is not legally binding, but which all parties are supposed to obey solemnise / sɒləmnaz/, solemnize verb to perform a marriage or other religious ceremony solemnity /sə lemnti/ noun being serious solemnly / sɒləmli/ adv in a solemn way sole trader /səυl tredə/ noun a person who runs a business by himself but has not registered it as a company soluble solicit /sə lst/ verb 1. to ask someone for something such as business or financial support (formal ) 왍 to solicit orders to ask for orders, to try to get people to order goods 2. to offer sex to people 쑗 Prostitutes were openly soliciting outside the station. ② solicitor /sə lstə/ noun a qualified lawyer who gives advice to members of the public and acts for them in legal matters ① solid / sɒld/ adj 1. hard and not liquid 쑗 a solid lump of fat 쑗 She is allowed some solid food. 2. firm and strong 쑗 Is the table solid enough to stand on? 쑗 His wealth is built on a solid base of property and shares. 3. not hollow 쑗 Cricket is played with a solid ball. 4. made only of one material 쑗 The box is made of solid silver. 5. without stopping 쑗 Negotiations went on for nine hours solid or nine solid hours. 쐽 noun 1. a hard substance which is not liquid 쑗 Many solids melt when heated and become liquids. 2. a food, as opposed to a drink 쑗 The baby is beginning to eat solids. 3. a three-dimensional shape 쑗 Cones and cubes are solids. solidarity /sɒl drti/ noun a general common interest with other people. Synonym . unity solidify /sə ldfa/ verb to become solid. Synonym harden solidity /sə ldti/ noun being solid solidly / sɒldli/ adv in a firm way solitary / sɒlt(ə)ri/ adj 1. one only 쑗 It was late November, and a solitary tourist was sitting in the waterfront café. 쑗 I don’t remember one solitary occasion when he helped with the washing up. Synonym single 2. being alone 쑗 My sister lives a solitary life in the country. solitary confinement /sɒlt(ə)ri kənfanmənt/ noun being kept alone in a cell, without being able to see or speak to other prisoners. Synonym isolation solitude / sɒltju d/ noun the state of being alone solo / səυləυ/ noun a piece of music played or sung by one person alone 쑗 She played a violin solo. (NOTE: The plural is solos.) 쐽 adj done by one person alone 쑗 a piece for solo trumpet 쑗 She gave a solo performance in the Albert Hall. 쑗 He crashed on his first solo flight. 쐽 adv by one person alone 쑗 He flew solo across the Atlantic. Synonym alone soloist / səυləυst/ noun a musician who plays a solo solstice / sɒlsts/ noun one of the two times of the year when the sun is at its furthest point north or south of the equator soluble / sɒljυb(ə)l/ adj 1. which can be dissolved 쑗 a tablet of soluble aspirin 쑗 The pill is soluble in water. 2. which can be solution 817 solved 쑗 The problem is simply not soluble. 쑗 The difficulties are soluble, given a little money. ① solution /sə lu ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the action of solving a problem 쑗 The solution of the problem is taking longer than expected. 2. an answer to a problem 쑗 The programmer came up with a solution to the computer problem. 쑗 We think we have found a solution to the problem of where to stay on holiday. 쑗 The solutions to the quiz are at the back of the book. 3. a mixture of a solid substance dissolved in a liquid 쑗 Bathe your eye in a weak salt solution. ① solve /sɒlv/ verb to find an answer to 쑗 The loan will solve some of his financial problems. 쑗 He tried to solve the riddle. Synonym resolve 왍 to solve a crime to find out who committed a crime solvency / sɒlv(ə)nsi/ noun being able to pay all your debts. Antonym insolvency solvent / sɒlv(ə)nt/ adj having enough money to pay debts 쑗 When he bought the company it was barely solvent. Antonym insolvent 쐽 noun 1. a liquid in which a solid substance can be dissolved 2. a strong glue used for sticking plastics solvent abuse / sɒlvənt əbju s/ noun the dangerous practice of breathing in the gas from a type of glue. Also called glue sniffing sombre / sɒmbə/ adj dark and gloomy (NOTE: The US spelling is somber.) ① some /səm, sm/ adj, pron 1. a certain number of 쑗 We’ve just picked some strawberries. 쑗 Some young drivers drive much too fast. 쑗 Some books were damaged in the fire. 쑗 Some days it was so hot that we just stayed by the swimming pool all day. 쑗 Can you cut some more slices of bread? 쑗 She bought some oranges and bananas. 왍 some of a few 쑗 Some of the students are ill. 쑗 Some of these apples are too green. 2. a certain amount 쑗 Can you buy some bread when you go to town? 쑗 Can I have some more coffee? 쑗 Her illness is of some concern to her family. 3. referring to a person or thing you cannot identify (followed by a singular noun) 쑗 Some man just knocked on the door and tried to sell me a magazine. 쑗 I read it in some book I borrowed from the library. 쑗 We saw it in some shop or other in Regent Street. 4. referring to a period of time or a distance 쑗 Don’t wait for me, I may be some time. 쑗 Their house is some way away from the railway station. 5. wonderful 쑗 That was some party last night! (NOTE: some is used with plural nouns and with nouns which have no plural: some people, some apples, some bread.) 쐽 adv approximately 쑗 Some fifty people came to the meeting. some sixty years old. 쑗 The house is ① somewhere somebody / smbədi/ pron same as someone one else 왍 somebody else same as some- some day / sm de/ adv at some time in the future somehow / smhaυ/ adv by some means, although you don’t know how 쑗 Somehow we must get back home by 6 o’clock. 쑗 The work has to be done somehow. ① someone / smwn/ pron a person who cannot be or is not specified 쑗 Can someone answer the phone? 왍 somebody else some other person ③ someplace / smples/ adv US somewhere (informal ) somersault / sməsɔ lt/ noun rolling over and over, head first 쑗 He did a couple of somersaults on the mat. 쐽 verb to roll over and over with your head first 쑗 The children somersaulted over the pole. ① something / smθŋ/ pron 1. a thing that cannot be or is not specified 쑗 There’s something soft at the bottom of the bag. 쑗 Something’s gone wrong with the TV. 쑗 Can I have something to drink, please? 쑗 There’s something about her that I don’t like. 2. an important thing 쑗 Come in and sit down, I’ve got something to tell you. 3. an approximate amount 쑗 It cost us something around fifty pounds. 쑗 Something like 20 per cent of the students can’t spell. 4. a similar name or thing 쑗 He’s called Nick or Dick, or something like that. 쑗 It’s a fish or mollusc or something, anyway it lives in salt water. sometime / smtam/ adv at a particular time which is not specified 쑗 The accident happened sometime after midnight. 쑗 Let’s meet sometime next week. ① sometimes / smtamz/ adv on some occasions but not on others 쑗 Sometimes the car starts easily, and sometimes it won’t start at all. 쑗 She sometimes comes to see us when she’s in town on business. Synonym ① . occasionally somewhat / smwɒt/ adv more than a little. Synonym rather ① somewhere / smweə/ adv 1. in or at a place which is not specified 쑗 I left my umbrella somewhere when I was in London. 쑗 Let’s go somewhere else, this pub is full. 쑗 His parents live somewhere in Germany. ② (NOTE: An alternative US term is someplace: We can go someplace else.) 2. 왍 somewhere around, somewhere between, somewhere in the region of approximately 쑗 Somewhere between 50 and 60 people turned up for the meeting. 쑗 He has collected somewhere in the region of 25,000 books. 왍 somewhere else in some other place, in a different place somnolent 818 somnolent / sɒmnələnt/ adj (literary) 1. almost asleep 쑗 The museum was guarded by two somnolent caretakers. 2. which makes you feel sleepy 쑗 His speech had a somnolent effect on the audience. ① son /sn/ noun a male child of a father or mother 쑗 They have a large family – two sons and four daughters. 쑗 Her son has got married at last. 쑗 Their youngest son is in hospital. sonar / səυnɑ / noun a device that uses sound waves to measure the depth of water or to find objects under water sonata /sə nɑ tə/ noun a piece of music in three or four movements for one or more instruments, accompanied by an orchestra, piano, harpsichord, etc. son et lumière /sɒn e lu mieə/ noun entertainment consisting of sound and lighting effects, shown in the open air at night. The setting is usually a castle, cathedral or similar historic building, and the lighting is complemented by voices of actors speaking as if they were the former inhabitants of the place. ① song /sɒŋ/ noun 1. words which are sung 쑗 She was singing a song in the bath. 쑗 The group’s latest song has just come out on CD. 쑗 The soldiers marched along, singing a song. 2. 왍 for a song for very little money (informal ) 쑗 She bought it for a song in a flea market. 왍 to make a great song and dance about something to make a great fuss about something 쑗 They made a terrible song and dance about having to wait for a taxi. 3. the musical sound made by some birds 쑗 I’m sure that’s the song of a robin – look, he’s over there! songwriter / sɒŋratə/ noun a person who writes popular songs sonic / sɒnk/ adj referring to sound that can be heard by the human ear sonic boom /sɒnk bu m/ noun a loud noise made by an aircraft travelling through the air at or faster than the speed of sound son-in-law / sn n lɔ / noun the husband of a daughter (NOTE: The plural is . sons-in-law.) sonnet / sɒnt/ noun a poem with fourteen lines and one of several rhyming patterns sonny / sni/ noun a way of addressing a boy (informal ) ① soon /su n/ adv 1. in a short time from now 쑗 Don’t worry, we’ll soon be in Oxford. 쑗 It will soon be time to go to bed. 쑗 The fire started soon after 11 o’clock. 2. quickly 쑗 How soon can you let me know? 앳 as soon as immediately 쑗 Please phone the office as soon as you get to the hotel. 쑗 As soon as I put the phone down it rang again. 쑗 The boss wants to see you as soon as possible. . sorceress sooner / su nə/ adv earlier 쑗 Can’t we meet any sooner than that? 앳 sooner or later at some time in the future 쑗 Sooner or later, they will realise that they need to save as much money as possible. 쑗 She drives so fast that sooner or later she’ll have an accident. 앳 sooner rather than later quickly rather than taking a long time 쑗 It would be wise to reduce the staff sooner rather than later. soot /sυt/ noun a black deposit of carbon which rises in the smoke produced by burning coal, wood and oil and which collects on the inside surfaces of chimneys soothe /su ð/ verb to make something less painful or to calm soothing / su ðŋ/ adj which relieves pain or which calms. Antonym irritating sop /sɒp/ noun 1. something given as a bribe to make someone keep quiet 쑗 The budget was just a sop to the left wing of the party. 2. a piece of bread dipped in liquid (old ) 쐽 verb to soak in liquid or to soak up a liquid (NOTE: sopping – sopped) ③ sophisticated /sə fstketd/ adj 1. knowing a lot about the way people behave, and what is stylish or fashionable 쑗 They think smoking makes them look sophisticated. 2. cleverly designed and complicated 쑗 His office is full of the latest and most sophisticated computer equipment. sophistication /səfst keʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a cultured way of life 쑗 The sophistication of life in the later Roman Empire disappeared under the attacks of the barbarians. 2. advanced ideas behind the construction of a machine 쑗 The sophistication of some of these early surgical instruments seems astonishing nowadays. sophomore / sɒfəmɔ / noun 1. US a student in his or her second year at college 2. a tenth-grade high school student sopping / sɒpŋ/ adj very wet soppy / sɒpi/ adj silly and sentimental (informal ) soprano /sə prɑ nəυ/ noun 1. a woman with a high-pitched singing voice 쑗 The sopranos are too feeble – I can hardly hear them. (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is sopranos.) 2. a high-pitched woman’s singing voice 쑗 She sings soprano in the local choir. sorbet / sɔ be/ noun a soft refreshing dessert made by freezing fruit juice to which the white of an egg is added (NOTE: The US term ② . . is sherbet.) sorcerer / sɔ sərə/ noun (in fairy tales) a man who uses sorcery sorceress / sɔ səres/ noun (in fairy tales) a woman who uses sorcery sorcery 819 sorcery / sɔ səri/ noun (in fairy tales) wicked magic. Synonym witchcraft sordid / sɔ dd/ adj unpleasant or dirty ① sore /sɔ / adj 1. rough and inflamed or painful 쑗 He can’t play tennis because he has a sore elbow. 왍 sore throat an infected throat, which hurts when you swallow or speak 쑗 She’s got a sore throat and has lost her voice. 왍 to stick out like a sore thumb to be easily seen because of being different (informal ) 2. US angry (informal ) 쑗 He’s sore at her for telling the boss about him. (NOTE: sorer – sorest) 쐽 noun a small damaged area on the skin, often producing pus 쑗 He had sores on his back from lying in bed for a long time. sorely / sɔ li/ adv very much (formal ) Synonym deeply sorority /sə rɒrti/ noun US a student association for women. Compare fraternity . . . (NOTE: The plural is sororities.) sorrow / sɒrəυ/ noun sadness 쑗 To his great sorrow, his collection of books was lost in the fire. 쑗 He expressed his deep sorrow at her death. Synonym grief. Antonym joy 쐽 verb to be very sad because of something (literary or formal ) 쑗 We sorrow at or over the suffering of the refugees. sorrowful / sɒrəυf(ə)l/ adj very sad ① sorry / sɒri/ adj feeling unhappy, ashamed or disappointed about something 쑗 I’m sorry I can’t stay for dinner. 쑗 Everyone was sorry to hear you had been ill. 왍 not to be sorry to be quite happy 왍 we weren’t sorry to see him go we were glad when he left 왍 to feel sorry for someone to be sympathetic about someone’s problems 쑗 We all feel sorry for her – her family is always criticising her. 왍 to feel sorry for yourself to be miserable 쑗 He’s feeling very sorry for himself – he’s just been made redundant. 왍 to say sorry to tell someone you are ashamed of something you have or have not done 쐽 interj used to excuse yourself 쑗 He trod on my foot and didn’t say sorry. Synonym . apologise ① sort /sɔ t/ noun 1. a type or kind 쑗 There were all sorts of people at the meeting. 쑗 I had an unpleasant sort of day at the office. 쑗 What sorts of ice cream have you got? 쑗 Do you like this sort of TV show? 왍 sort of rather, more or less (informal ) 쑗 She was sort of expecting your phone call. 쑗 We’re all feeling sort of upset. 쐽 verb 1. to arrange in order or groups 쑗 The apples are sorted according to size before being packed. 쑗 The votes are sorted then counted. 2. to put things in order 쑗 She is sorting index cards into alphabetical order. sortie / sɔ ti/ noun 1. a sudden attack or bombing raid by aircraft 쑗 They made several sorties into enemy territory. 2. a sudden . sound excursion 쑗 We decided to make a sortie into the old part of the town. sorting office / sɔ tŋ ɒfs/ noun a department in a post office where letters are put in order according to their addresses sort out /sɔ t aυt/ verb 1. to settle a problem 쑗 Did you sort out the hotel bill? 2. to put things in order or in groups 쑗 I must sort out the papers in this drawer. 쑗 Until they’re sorted out, we shan’t know which are our files and which are theirs. 3. to collect or select things of a particular kind from a mixed group of things 쑗 Sort out all the blue folders and bring them to me, please. SOS /es əυ es/ noun 1. an international radio signal for showing that you need help in a boat or plane 쑗 They sent an SOS. 2. an urgent request for help from someone so-so /səυ səυ/ adj, adv not very good or not very well 쑗 How are you today? – only so-so. 쑗 The results of the test were only so-so. soufflé / su fle/ noun 1. a light cooked dish, made from eggs beaten up with a savoury flavouring, eaten hot 쑗 a cheese soufflé 2. a cold dessert made from beaten eggs, whipped cream and gelatine 쑗 a lemon soufflé sought /sɔ t/ 쒁 seek sought-after / sɔ t ɑ ftə/ adj wanted by many people. Synonym desirable. Antonym unpopular ③ soul /səυl/ noun 1. the spirit in a person, the part which is believed by some people to go on existing after a person dies 쑗 Do you believe your soul lives on when your body dies? 쑗 From the depths of his soul he longed to be free. 2. 왍 to be the life and soul of a party to make a party go well 3. a person 쑗 She didn’t tell a soul what she was planning. (NOTE: Do not confuse with sole.) soul-destroying / səυl dstrɔŋ/ adj which is very dull, or does not allow you to use your mind properly. Antonym uplifting soulful / səυlf(ə)l/ adj with a lot of sad feeling soulfully / səυlf(ə)li/ adv in a soulful way soulless / səυlləs/ adj very dull or inhuman soul mate / səυl met/ noun a person with whom you have a similar feelings soul music / səυl mju zk/ noun popular music which conveys deep feelings and which developed from blues and gospel soul-searching / səυl s" tʃŋ/ noun an examination of your own motives or conscience ① sound /saυnd/ noun a noise, something which you can hear 쑗 Sounds of music came from the street. 쑗 I thought I heard the sound of guns. 쑗 Please can you turn down the soundbite 820 sound on the TV when I’m on the phone? 쑗 She crept out of her bedroom and we didn’t hear a sound. 왍 the speed of sound the rate at which sound travels 쑗 Concorde flies faster than the speed of sound. 왍 I don’t like the sound of that I do not think that is a very good idea 쐽 verb 1. to make a noise 쑗 Sound your horn when you come to a corner. 쑗 They sounded the alarm after two prisoners escaped. 2. to seem 쑗 It sounds as if he’s made an unfortunate choice. 쑗 The book sounds interesting according to what I’ve heard. 왍 that sounds strange it seems strange to me 쐽 adj 1. in good condition and not damaged 쑗 Most of the walls of the house are sound. 왍 of sound mind able to be responsible for decisions 2. sensible and trustworthy 쑗 He gave us some very sound advice. 3. (of sleep) deep 쑗 I was awoken from a sound sleep by the ringing of the doorbell. (NOTE: sounder – soundest) 쐽 adv deeply 쑗 The children were sound asleep when the police came. 앳 to sound like 1. to be similar to the way someone talks 쑗 On the phone, he sounds just like John. 2. to think you can hear someone or something 쑗 That sounds like the taxi now. 3. to be typical of the way someone usually behaves 쑗 That sounds like my father! 4. to seem to be 쑗 That sounds like a good idea. soundbite / saυndbat/ noun a short phrase, usually spoken by a politician, especially made so as to be good to broadcast on radio or TV sound card /saυnd kɑ d/ noun a circuit board that allows a computer to produce sound sound effects / saυnd fekts/ plural noun the artificial sounds used to give an impression of the real thing 쑗 All the sound effects for the film were produced electronically. soundless / saυndləs/ adj which does not make any noise. Synonym silent. Antonym noisy soundly / saυndli/ adv deeply or thoroughly sound off /saυnd ɒf/ verb to start talking loudly about something (informal ) sound out /saυnd aυt/ verb to ask someone’s opinion about something 쑗 I’ll sound out the other members of the committee to see what they think. 쑗 Sound her out about joining. soundproof / saυndpru f/ adj which does not allow sound to pass through 쑗 The radio commentators sit in a soundproof cabin. 쐽 verb to make a building soundproof 쑗 All the bedrooms in the hotel are soundproofed. soundtrack / saυndtrk/ noun the track of a film on which the sound is recorded . south-east ③ soup /su p/ noun a liquid food which you eat hot from a bowl at the beginning of a meal, usually made from meat, fish or vegetables 쑗 We have onion soup or mushroom soup today. 쑗 We started the meal with chicken soup. 쑗 Does anyone want soup? 쑗 A bowl of hot soup is always welcome on a cold day. 쑗 If you’re hungry, open a tin of soup. 왍 soup bowl or soup plate a special bowl or plate for serving soup souped-up /su pt p/ adj (of a motor vehicle) with an engine which has been adapted to make it go faster (informal ) soup kitchen /su p ktʃən/ noun a place that serves free hot meals to people who have no money to buy food ③ sour / saυə/ adj with a sharp bitter taste 쑗 Nobody likes sour milk. 쑗 If the grapefruit is too sour, add some sugar. (NOTE: sourer – sourest) 쐽 verb to make unpleasant 쑗 Relations between the two countries have been soured by the incident. 앳 to go sour 1. to take on a sharp taste 쑗 The cream has gone sour. 2. to become unpleasant 쑗 After a few weeks, the whole deal began to go sour. ① source /sɔ s/ noun 1. a place where something comes from 쑗 I think the source of the infection is in one of your teeth. 쑗 The source of the river is in the mountains. 쑗 You must declare income from all sources to the tax office. 왍 at source (of tax on income) removed before the income is paid 2. a person or thing which is the cause of something 쑗 The children are a constant source of worry. 쑗 Polluted water is a possible source of cholera. sourcing / sɔ sŋ/ noun the process of getting supplies from a specific place or supplier sour grapes /saυə DZreps/ noun a feeling of bitterness about something which you want but cannot have ① south /saυθ/ noun 1. a direction facing towards the sun at midday 쑗 Look south from the mountain, and you will see the city in the distance. 쑗 The city is to the south of the river. 쑗 The wind is blowing from the south. 2. the part of a country to the south of the rest 쑗 The south of the country is warmer than the north. 쑗 She went to live in the south of England. 쐽 adj referring to the south 쑗 The south coast is popular for holidaymakers. 쑗 Cross to the south side of the river. 왍 south wind a wind which blows from the south 쐽 adv towards the south 쑗 Many birds fly south for the winter. 쑗 Go due south for two kilometres, and you will see the village on your left. 쑗 The river flows south into the Mediterranean. southbound / saυθbaυnd/ adj travelling towards the south ③ south-east /saυθ i st/ adj, adv, noun a direction between south and east 쑗 . south-easterly 821 South-East Asia is an important trading area. 쑗 The river runs south-east from here. 쑗 House prices are higher in the south-east than anywhere else in England. south-easterly adj /saυθ i stəli/ referring to a wind which blows from the south-east, or something which is in or towards the south-east 쐽 noun a wind blowing from the south east south-eastern /saυθ i stən/ adj referring to the south-east or situated in the south-east southerly / sðəli/ adj 1. referring to a wind from the south, or something which is in or towards the south 쑗 I drove in a southerly direction with the sun shining full in my face. 쐽 noun a wind blowing from the south ② southern / sð(ə)n/ adj of the south 쑗 The southern part of the country is warmer than the north. southerner / sð(ə)nə/ noun a person who comes from or lives in the south southernmost / sð(ə)nməυst/ adj furthest south South Pole / saυθ pəυl/ noun the furthest point at the south of the earth southward / saυθwəd/ adj towards the south southwards / saυθwədz/ adv towards the south ③ south-west /saυθ west/ adj, adv, noun a direction between south and west 쑗 We need to head south-west for two miles. 쑗 Arizona is in the south-west of the United States. south-westerly /saυθ westəli/ adj referring to a wind which blows from the south-west or something which is in or towards the south-west south-western /saυθ westən/ adj referring to the south-west or situated in the south-west souvenir /su və nə/ noun a thing bought to remind you of the place where you bought it. Synonym memento sovereign / sɒvrn/ noun 1. a king or queen 쑗 The sovereign is not supposed to become involved in party politics. Synonym monarch 2. a former British gold coin worth one pound sovereign state /sɒvrn stet/ noun a self-governing country ③ sovereignty / sɒvrnti/ noun the total power of a government Soviet / səυviət/ adj of the former Soviet Union its people, culture, or political system ③ sow verb /səυ/ to put seeds into soil so that they germinate and become plants 쑗 Peas and beans should be sown in April. 쑗 Sow the seed thinly in fine soil. (NOTE: sowing – sowed – has sown /səυn/. Do not spades confuse with sew.) 쐽 noun /saυ/ a mature female pig 쑗 Our sow has had eight piglets. soya bean / sɔə bi n/ noun a bean from a plant used for food and oil (NOTE: The US term is soybean.) spa /spɑ / noun 1. a place where mineral water comes out of the ground naturally and where people go to drink or bathe in it because of its medicinal properties 쑗 He spends two weeks every summer at a French spa. 2. an exercise and health centre in a hotel ① space /spes/ noun 1. an empty place between other things 쑗 There’s a space to park your car over there. 쑗 Write your name and reference number in the space at the top of the paper. 2. an area which is available for something 쑗 His desk takes up too much space. 3. space, outer space the area beyond the earth’s atmosphere 쑗 The first man in space was the Russian Yuri Gagarin. 쑗 This is a photograph of the earth taken from space. 쑗 Could someone be sending messages from outer space? 쐽 verb space, space out to arrange things at intervals, with gaps between them 쑗 Repayments can be spaced over a period of ten years. 쑗 Make sure the text is evenly spaced out on the page. space bar / spes bɑ / noun the long bar at the bottom of a keyboard which puts a single space into text space probe / spes prəυb/ noun a spacecraft sent into space for scientific purposes space shuttle / spes ʃt(ə)l/ noun a type of plane which is launched by a rocket, flies in space and then returns eventually to earth so that it can be used for another trip space station / spes steʃ(ə)n/ noun a satellite which orbits the earth in which people can live and carry out scientific experiments spacing / spesŋ/ noun the amount of space between things, e.g. between characters or lines in printing spacious / speʃəs/ adj very large, with plenty of space. Synonym roomy. Antonym cramped spade /sped/ noun 1. a tool with a wide square blade at the end of a long handle, used for digging or moving something such as soil or sand 왍 to do the spade work to do the uninteresting work before the main work is done 쑗 I get my assistant to do most of the spade work. 왍 to call a spade a spade to say exactly what you think without trying to hide your opinions by being polite 쑗 If she’s not satisfied, she’s not afraid to call a spade a spade. 2. a small spade, used by children 쑗 The children took their buckets and spades to the beach. spades /spedz/ plural noun one of the black sets in a pack of cards (NOTE: The ③ spaghetti 822 other black set is clubs; hearts and diamonds are red sets.) spaghetti /spə DZeti/ noun long thin strips of pasta, cooked and eaten with a sauce spam /spm/ noun unwanted commercial e-mails span /spn/ noun 1. the width of wings or of an arch 쑗 Each section of the bridge has a span of fifty feet. 2. a length of time 쑗 over a span of five years or over a five-year span 쐽 verb to stretch across space or time 쑗 Her career spanned thirty years. 쑗 A stone bridge spans the river. (NOTE: spanning – spanned) Spaniard / spnjəd/ noun a person from Spain spaniel / spnjəl/ noun a type of dog with large ears that droop down ① Spanish / spnʃ/ adj referring to Spain 쑗 I want to change my pounds into Spanish money. 쐽 noun the language spoken in Spain and many countries of Latin America 쑗 He’s studying French and Spanish as part of his business course. spank /spŋk/ verb to hit a child’s bottom as a punishment spanking / spŋkŋ/ adj very (dated ) 왍 spanking new very new 쑗 a spanking new sports car 쐽 noun the action of being spanked 쑗 If I catch you again you’ll get a spanking. spanner / spnə/ noun a metal tool with an opening which fits round a nut and which can be twisted to undo the nut or tighten it 왍 to throw a spanner in the works to stop things happening or to make things difficult by causing problems 쑗 His illness threw a spanner in the works. spar /spɑ / noun 1. the main beam running along the wing of an aircraft 2. a ship’s mast or a wooden beam for holding the sails 쑗 Two spars were broken in the gale. 쐽 verb to practise boxing with someone 쑗 He sparred every morning before the fight. (NOTE: spar. ring – sparred) ② spare /speə/ adj extra, not being used 쑗 I always take a spare pair of shoes when I travel. 쐽 verb 1. asking someone if they can do without something 쑗 Can you spare your assistant to help me for a day? 쑗 Can you spare about five minutes to talk about the problem? 쑗 If you have a moment to spare, can you clean the car? 쑗 Can you spare 50p for a cup of tea? 2. not to show or give 쑗 The driving test was awful, but I’ll spare you the details. 왍 to be spared the embarrassment to avoid being embarrassed 쑗 Luckily the restaurant took credit cards, so I was spared the embarrassment of asking my colleague to pay. 3. 왍 to spare someone or someone’s life not to kill someone 쑗 He pleaded with the soldiers to spare his life. 쑗 No one was sparring partner spared, all the inhabitants of the village were killed. spare parts /speə pɑ ts/ plural noun pieces used to put in place of broken parts of a car, etc. spare ribs /speə rbz/ plural noun pork ribs cooked in a savoury sauce spare room /speə ru m/ noun 1. an unused space 쑗 The car is full, we have absolutely no spare room. 2. a bedroom which a family does not use 쑗 We can put you up in the spare room. spares /speəz/ plural noun spare parts or pieces used to mend broken parts of a car or other machine spare time /speə tam/ noun the time when you are not at work spare tyre /speə taə/ noun 1. an extra wheel and tyre carried in a car in case you have a puncture 2. a roll of fat round the waist 쑗 He needs to cut down on his lunches, he’s developed quite a spare tyre. spare wheel /speə wi l/ noun a fifth wheel carried in a car to replace one that has a puncture sparing / speərŋ/ adj limited 왍 to be sparing with something not to use very much of something 쑗 Be sparing with the wine, we’ve only got three bottles. sparingly / speərŋli/ adv using little spark /spɑ k/ noun a little flash of fire or of light 쑗 Sparks flew as the train went over the junction. 쐽 verb 1. to send out sparks or to make electric sparks 2. spark, spark off to make something start 쑗 The proposed closure of the station sparked anger amongst travellers. 쑗 The shooting of the teenager sparked off a riot. sparkle / spɑ k(ə)l/ noun a bright light 쐽 verb 1. to shine brightly 쑗 Her jewels sparkled in the light of the candles. 쑗 His eyes sparkled when he heard the salary offered. 2. (of a person) to be lively 쑗 She was sparkling with enthusiasm. sparkler / spɑ klə/ noun a type of little firework which you can hold in your hand and which sends out bright sparks sparkling / spɑ klŋ/ adj 1. shining with little lights 쑗 a necklace of sparkling diamonds 2. which has bubbles in it, which is fizzy 쑗 a bottle of sparkling water 왍 sparkling wine wine which has little bubbles in it 쑗 Champagne is a sparkling wine from France. spark plug / spɑ k plDZ/ noun a part of an engine which produces sparks that ignite the fuel sparky / spɑ ki/ adj bright and energetic. Synonym lively sparring partner / spɑ rŋ pɑ tnə/ noun 1. a person who a professional boxer prac- sparrow 823 tises with 쑗 He has a session with his sparring partner every morning. 2. a person with whom you often have discussions or arguments 쑗 They were old sparring partners from the time when they were MPs together. sparrow / sprəυ/ noun a very common small brown and grey bird sparse /spɑ s/ adj not thick or not in large quantities (NOTE: sparser – sparsest) sparsely / spɑ sli/ adv with very few; thinly spartan / spɑ t(ə)n/ adj 1. harsh or hard 2. uncomfortable 쑗 We were put up in a spartan hotel by the railway station. spasm / spz(ə)m/ noun a sudden, usually painful, involuntary contraction of a muscle, such as when you have cramp spasmodic /spz mɒdk/ adj happening from time to time. Antonym continuous spat /spt/ 쒁 spit spate /spet/ noun 1. a sudden rush of something 쑗 We had a spate of inquiries after our ad in ‘the Times’. 2. 왍 river in spate a river in that is flooding spatial / speʃ(ə)l/ adj referring to space spatter / sptə/ verb to splash with little spots of liquid spawn /spɔ n/ noun a mass of eggs of a fish or a frog 쑗 The children could see the frog spawn floating on the surface of the pond. 쐽 verb 1. (of fish) to produce a mass of eggs 쑗 Salmon swim up the river to spawn. 2. to produce a mass of things 쑗 The meetings of the committee spawned a huge amount of documents. ① speak /spi k/ verb 1. to say words 쑗 She spoke to me when the meeting was over. 쑗 He walked past me without speaking. 쑗 He was speaking to the postman when I saw him. 쑗 The manager wants to speak to you about sales in Africa. 왍 to speak your mind to say exactly what you think 왍 speak for yourself that’s what you think, I don’t agree 쑗 We both think the decision is crazy. – Speak for yourself! 2. to be able to say things in a particular language 쑗 We need someone who can speak Russian. 쑗 He speaks English with an American accent. 쑗 You will have to brush up your Japanese as my mother speaks hardly any English. 3. to make a speech 쑗 Do you know who is speaking at the conference? 4. 왍 so to speak as you might say 쑗 He’s a very close friend, we’re like brothers, so to speak. ② speaker / spi kə/ noun 1. a person who speaks 쑗 We need an Arabic speaker to help with the tour. 왍 he is a popular speaker many people come to hear him give speeches at meetings 2. a loudspeaker 쑗 One of the speakers doesn’t work. 쏡 loudspeaker 3. (in Parliament) a person who presides over a specialisation meeting of Parliament 쑗 The Speaker called on the Prime Minister to speak. speaking / spi kŋ/ noun the action of talking 왍 she and I are not on speaking terms we have quarrelled and don’t speak to each other any more speak out /spi k aυt/ verb to make your opinions or feelings known strongly speak up /spi k p/ verb 1. to speak louder; to say what you have to say in a louder voice 쑗 Can you speak up please – we can’t hear you at the back! 2. to make your opinions known strongly 쑗 He’s not afraid to speak up when he thinks someone’s been unfairly treated. 왍 to speak up for to show your support for 쑗 He was the only person who spoke up for me at the inquiry. spear /spə/ noun a long pointed throwing stick, which formerly was used as a weapon 쑗 They kill fish with spears. 쐽 verb to push something sharp into something to catch it 쑗 Spearing fish is not easy. 쑗 She managed to spear a sausage on the barbecue with her fork. 쑗 They served little pieces of cheese speared on toothpicks. Synonym impale spearhead / spəhed/ noun the front part of a force of attackers 쑗 The spearhead of the attack was directed at the castle. 쐽 verb to be in the front of an attacking force 쑗 The minister has spearheaded the attack on the newspapers. spec /spek/ noun (informal ) 왍 to buy on spec without being sure of the value or condition 쑗 I just bought the old painting on spec – no one knew it was by Constable. ① special / speʃ(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to something or someone who is not ordinary but has a particular importance or use 쑗 This is a very special day for us – it’s our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. 쑗 a report from our special correspondent in Hong Kong 쑗 He has a special pair of scissors for cutting metal. 2. 왍 nothing special very ordinary 쑗 There is nothing special about his new car. 쑗 Did anything happen at the meeting? – No, nothing special. 쐽 noun special, special of the day a dish prepared for the day and not listed in the printed menu 쑗 I’ll have the special, please. Special Branch / speʃ(ə)l brɑ nʃ/ noun a section of the British police dealing with terrorism, spies and crimes against the government special effects /speʃ(ə)l  fekts/ plural noun the impression of something like a fire, a snowstorm or an earthquake, made artificially in a film or play 쑗 The special effects in the film were created by computers. specialisation /speʃəla zeʃ(ə)n/, specialization noun 1. the study of a particular subject 2. a subject which you specialise in . specialise 824 ③ specialise / speʃəlaz/, specialize verb 1. to study one particular subject 쑗 At university, she specialised in marine biology. 2. to produce one thing in particular 쑗 The company specialises in electronic components. ③ specialised / speʃəlazd/, specialized adj which deals with one subject in particular. Antonym generalised 왍 specialised field an area of study which is very restricted 왍 specialised dictionary a dictionary referring to one subject only ③ specialist / speʃəlst/ noun 1. a person who knows a lot about something 쑗 You should go to a tax specialist for advice. 2. a doctor who specialises in a certain branch of medicine 쑗 He was referred to a heart specialist. 쐽 adj specialised 쑗 Does he have any specialist knowledge of international currency transactions? speciality /speʃi ləti/ noun 1. a thing you are very good at doing 쑗 The speciality of the restaurant is its fish soup. 쑗 Finding the right partners for people is my speciality. 2. a particular interest, knowledge or study 쑗 The company’s speciality is computer programmes for schools. 쑗 His speciality is the history of Wales in the 15th century. (NOTE: [all senses] The US term is specialty.) ② specially / speʃ(ə)li/ adv in particular or more than usual. Synonym especially, particularly. Antonym generally special needs /speʃ(ə)l ni dz/ plural noun the needs of a person with mental or physical disabilities, which are different from the needs of most people 쑗 Children with special needs, such as blind or autistic children, require special schooling. special offer /speʃ(ə)l ɒfə/ noun goods put on sale at a specially low price specialty / speʃ(ə)lti/ noun US same as speciality species / spi ʃi z/ noun a group of living things such as animals or plants which can breed with each other 쑗 Several species of butterfly are likely to become extinct. ① specific /spə sfk/ adj referring precisely to something 쑗 Can you be more specific about what you’re trying to achieve? 쑗 I gave specific instructions that I was not to be disturbed. 쑗 Is the money intended for a specific purpose? ① specifically /spə sfkli/ adv particularly 쑗 I specifically said I didn’t want a blue door. 쑗 The advertisement is specifically aimed at people over 50. specification /spesf keʃ(ə)n/ noun detailed information about what is needed. Synonym requirement 왍 the work is not up to specification or does not meet our specifications the product is not made in the way which was detailed ③ speculate specifics /spə sfks/ plural noun the particular details of something 쑗 The minister outlined the plan but refused to go into specifics. ③ specify / spesfa/ verb to give clear details of what is needed specimen / spesmn/ noun 1. a sample of something taken as standard 쑗 The bank asked for a specimen signature for their records. 2. an example of a particular kind of creature or thing 쑗 He has some very rare specimens in his butterfly collection. 쑗 This is a fine specimen of this kind of fossil. speck /spek/ noun a tiny spot speckle / spek(ə)l/ noun a small spot of colour. Synonym fleck speckled / spek(ə)ld/ adj covered with speckles. Synonym flecked 왍 a speckled hen a hen with black and white feathers ③ specs /speks/ plural noun same as spectacles (informal ) 쑗 I can’t see anything without my specs! ③ spectacle / spektək(ə)l/ noun something very impressive to look at 쑗 The firework display is a spectacle not to be missed. 쑗 For sheer spectacle you can’t beat a military parade. spectacles / spektək(ə)lz/ plural noun glass lenses worn in front of your eyes to correct vision 쑗 I can’t remember where I put my spectacles. 쑗 He’s worn spectacles since he was a child. ② spectacular /spek tkjυlə/ adj very impressive to see or watch 쑗 The display was even more spectacular than last year. 쑗 She was very ill, but has made a spectacular recovery. 쐽 noun an impressive show 쑗 a firework spectacular on November 5th 쑗 a musical spectacular featuring over a hundred singers and dancers spectacularly /spek tkjυləli/ adv in a spectacular way. Synonym extremely spectator /spek tetə/ noun a person who watches an event like a football match or a horse show. Antonym participant spectator sport /spek tetə spɔ t/ noun a sport such as football where there are thousands of spectators but only a few players spectre / spektə/ noun 1. a ghost (literary) 2. an image of something which may cause problems in the future 쑗 The spectre of mass unemployment loomed over the country. . (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is specter.) ③ spectrum / spektrəm/ noun 1. a range of colours from red to violet as seen in a rainbow 2. a range of something 쑗 The bank tries to offer a wide spectrum of services. ③ speculate / spekjυlet/ verb 1. to make guesses about something 쑗 We are all speculating about what’s going to happen. 2. to speculation 825 take a risk in business which you hope will bring profit 쑗 He made a lot of money by speculating on the Stock Exchange. ③ speculation /spekjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. trying to guess what will happen 쑗 There’s been a lot of speculation in the press about who might get the job. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a risky deal which may produce a short-term profit 쑗 She lost all her money in Stock Exchange speculations. speculative / spekjυlətv/ adj 1. made by guessing 2. bought because you think they will make a profit speculator / spekjυletə/ noun a person who buys shares, goods or houses in the hope that they will rise in price sped /sped/ 쒁 speed ② speech /spi tʃ/ noun 1. a formal talk given to an audience 쑗 She made some notes before giving her speech. 쑗 He wound up his speech with a story about his father. 쑗 Who will be making the speech at the prize giving? 2. making intelligible sounds with the voice 3. spoken language 쑗 This word is more often used in speech than in writing. speech-impaired /spi tʃ m peəd/ adj not able to speak speechless / spi tʃləs/ adj very angry or surprised ① speed /spi d/ noun the rate at which something moves or is done 쑗 The coach was travelling at a high speed when it crashed. 쑗 Your car will use less petrol if you go at an even speed of 56 miles per hour. 쑗 The speed with which they repaired the gas leak was incredible. 쑗 The train travels at speeds of over 200 km per hour. 쐽 verb 1. to move quickly 쑗 The ball sped across the ice. 2. to drive a vehicle faster than the speed limit (NOTE: speeding – sped /sped/ or speeded – has sped) speedboat / spi dbəυt/ noun a small fast motorboat speeding / spi dŋ/ noun the offence of driving a vehicle faster than the speed limit speed limit / spi d lmt/ noun the fastest speed at which vehicles are allowed to go legally speedometer /sp dɒmtə/ noun an instrument which shows how fast a vehicle is travelling speed trap / spi d trp/ noun a device by the side of a road which senses and notes details of vehicles which are travelling too fast. Synonym radar trap speed up /spi d p/ verb 1. to go faster 쑗 She speeded up because she was late. 2. to make something happen faster 쑗 Can’t we speed up production? 쑗 We are aiming to speed up our delivery times. sperm speedway / spi dwe/ noun a track where motor cycle races are held speedy / spi di/ adj very fast (NOTE: speedier – speediest) ② spell /spel/ verb to write or say correctly the letters that make a word 쑗 W-O-R-R-Y spells ‘worry’ 쑗 How do you spell your surname? 쑗 We spelt his name wrong on the envelope. 쐽 noun 1. a short period 쑗 There was a spell of cold weather at the spring bank holiday. 쑗 The warm spell will last until Thursday. 2. words which the person speaking hopes will have a magic effect 쑗 The wicked witch cast a spell on the princess. spellbinding / spelbandŋ/ adj referring to something which is so interesting it holds your attention completely. Synonym captivating spellbound / spelbaυnd/ adj so interested in something that it holds your attention completely spellcheck / speltʃek/ verb to check the spelling of text, using a computer program spellchecker / speltʃekə/ noun a computer program which checks the spelling of text and suggests corrections speller / spelə/ noun a person who spells words 쑗 a poor speller ② spelling / spelŋ/ noun the correct way in which words are spelt spell out /spel aυt/ verb to explain very clearly 쑗 Let me spell out the consequences of this course of action. spelt /spelt/ 쒁 spell ① spend /spend/ verb 1. to pay money 쑗 I went shopping and spent a fortune. 쑗 Why do we spend so much money on food? 2. to use time doing something 쑗 He wants to spend more time with his family. 쑗 She spent months arguing with the income tax people. 쑗 Don’t spend too long on your homework. 쑗 Why don’t you come and spend the weekend with us? (NOTE: spending – spent /spent/) spender / spendə/ noun a person who spends money spending / spendŋ/ noun money spent. Synonym expenditure. Antonym earnings spending money / spendŋ mni/ noun money for ordinary personal expenses spendthrift / spendθrft/ noun a person who spends money fast. Antonym miser 쐽 adj spending money fast 쑗 He must change his spendthrift habits. spent /spent/ adj used 왍 spent fuel fuel which has been used in a nuclear reactor, which can be reprocessed 쑗 Spent nuclear fuel is sent for reprocessing. sperm /sp" m/ noun a male sex cell which fertilises female eggs 쑗 Out of millions of sperm only one will fertilise an egg. (NOTE: The plural is sperm.) spew 826 spew /spju / verb to pour out 쑗 Gallons of toxic waste spewed into the river. 쑗 He spewed out a stream of racial abuse. SPF /es pi ef/ noun the amount of protection from the sun a sun cream or other sunscreen will give to your skin. Full form sun protection factor sphere /sfə/ noun 1. an object which is perfectly round like a ball 쑗 The earth is not quite a perfect sphere. 2. a general area 쑗 It’s not a sphere of activity that we know very well. 왍 sphere of influence an area of the world where a strong country can influence smaller or weaker countries 쑗 Some Latin American countries fall within the USA’s sphere of influence. spherical / sferk(ə)l/ adj shaped like a sphere, perfectly round sphinx /sfŋks/ noun in ancient Egyptian and Greek mythology, a creature with a lion’s body and the head of a man spice /spas/ noun 1. a substance made from the roots, flowers, seeds or leaves of plants, which is used to flavour food 쑗 Cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg are the main spices I use. 쑗 You need lots of spices for Indian cookery. 2. a thing which excites interest 쑗 I included a murder scene to add a bit of spice to the story. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) spiced /spast/ adj which has had spices added to it spice up /spas p/ verb 1. to add spices to something 쑗 A pinch of mustard will spice up the sauce. 2. to make something more exciting or interesting 쑗 We need something to spice up the scene where the hero and heroine meet in the rain. spick-and-span /spk ən spn/ adj very neat and clean spicy / spasi/ adj 1. with a lot of spices 쑗 He loves spicy Indian food. 쑗 Mexican cooking is hot and spicy. 2. including something which excites sexual interest (informal ) 쑗 The paper published a spicy story about the MP and two girls. (NOTE: spicier – . spiciest) spider / spadə/ noun a small animal with eight legs, which makes a web and eats insects spiderweb / spadəweb/ noun US a web made by a spider (NOTE: The British term is cobweb.) spidery / spadəri/ adj referring to writing which is thin, untidy and irregular spike /spak/ noun a sharply pointed piece of metal or wood 쑗 The wall was topped with a row of metal spikes. 쐽 verb to add drugs or alcohol to someone’s food or drink 쑗 They spiked his drink but won’t admit it. spindle spiked /spakt/ adj with sharp points. Synonym spiky spikes /spaks/ plural noun running shoes with sharp points on the soles spiky / spaki/ adj standing up in sharp points or ending in sharp points (NOTE: spikier – spikiest) ③ spill /spl/ verb 1. to pour a liquid or a powder out of a container by mistake 쑗 That glass is too full – you’ll spill it. 쑗 He spilt soup down the front of his shirt. 쑗 She dropped the bag and some of the flour spilled out onto the floor. 2. 왍 to spill the beans to reveal a secret (informal ) 쐽 noun the pouring of a liquid by accident 쑗 The authorities are trying to cope with the oil spill from the tanker. ③ spin /spn/ verb 1. to move round and round very fast 쑗 The earth is spinning in space. 쑗 The plane was spinning out of control. 2. to make something turn round and round 쑗 The washing machine spins the clothes to get the water out of them. 쑗 He spun the wheel to make sure it turned freely. 왍 to spin a coin to make a coin turn round and round, so as to decide which team plays first in a competition by guessing which side of the coin will end up on top 3. to twist raw wool or cotton to form a thread 4. (of a spider ) to make a web 쑗 The spider has spun a web between the two posts. (NOTE: spinning – spun /spn/) 쐽 noun 1. the turning movement of a ball as it moves 쑗 He put so much spin on the ball that it bounced sideways. 2. the turning movement of a car out of control 쑗 He jammed on the brakes and the car went into a spin. 왍 in a flat spin in a complete state of confusion (informal ) 3. 왍 to put a spin on something to give something a special meaning (informal ) 쑗 The PR people have tried to put a positive spin on the sales figures. 쏡 spin doctor 4. a short ride in a car 쑗 Let’s go for a spin in my new car. spinach / spndȢ/ noun an annual plant grown for its green leaves eaten raw as salad or cooked as a vegetable (NOTE: no plural: . . . . some spinach; a spoonful of spinach) spinal / span(ə)l/ noun referring to the spine 쑗 He suffered spinal injuries in the crash. spinal column / span(ə)l kɒləm/ noun same as spine spinal cord / span(ə)l kɔ d/ noun a part of the central nervous system which runs down the centre of the spine spinal nerves / span(ə)l n" vz/ plural noun nerves leading from the spinal cord spindle / spnd(ə)l/ noun 1. a central pin round which something turns 쑗 The spindle in the wheel broke. 2. a pin used for twisting thread in a spinning machine 쑗 She was spinning wool, and winding it round a spindle. 3. spindly 827 a device which holds a disk in its central hole and spins it spindly / spndli/ adj long, thin and weak. Antonym sturdy (NOTE: spindlier – spindliest) spin doctor / spn dɒktə/ noun a person who explains news in a way that makes it flattering to the person or organisation employing him spine /span/ noun 1. a series of bones linked together to form a flexible support from the base of the skull to the pelvis 쑗 He injured his spine playing rugby. Also called spinal column, backbone (NOTE: The bones in the spine are the vertebrae.) 2. a sharp part like a pin, on a plant, animal or fish 쑗 The porcupine has dangerous spines. 쑗 Did you know that lemon trees had spines? 3. the back edge of a bound book, usually with the title printed on it 쑗 The title and the author’s name are printed on the front of the book and also on the spine. spine-chiller / span tʃlə/ noun a film or story which makes you excited and very afraid. Synonym thriller spine-chilling / span tʃlŋ/ adj which makes you excited and very afraid. Synonym bloodcurdling spineless / spanləs/ adj 1. who is weak and cowardly 쑗 He’s so spineless – he should say what he thinks to the manager himself. 2. with no spine 쑗 Insects and molluscs are spineless. spinner / spnə/ noun 1. a person who spins thread 2. (in cricket) a bowler who spins the ball 쑗 The captain has taken off the fast bowlers and put on the spinners. spinoff / spnɒf/ noun a useful thing which comes from a process, but is not the main aim of the process spin out /spn aυt/ verb to make something last as long as possible spiny / spani/ adj covered with spines spiral / sparəl/ noun 1. a shape which is twisted round and round like a spring 쑗 He drew a spiral on the sheet of paper. 2. a thing which turns, getting higher or lower all the time 쑗 Smoke was rising in spirals from the top of the chimney. 쐽 adj which twists round and round 쑗 A spiral staircase leads to the top of the tower. 쐽 verb 1. to move up or down in a spiral 쑗 The firework spiralled up into the air. 쑗 The leaves dropped off the tree and spiralled down to the ground. 2. to move rapidly upwards 쑗 Prices of imported goods are spiralling. spiralling / spaərəlŋ/ adj rapidly increasing 쑗 spiralling inflation spire / spaə/ noun a pointed top of a church tower spit ② spirit / sprt/ noun 1. the mental attitude which controls how someone acts or responds to other people 쑗 She has a great spirit of fun. 쑗 He had an independent spirit. 2. energy and determination 쑗 I like her because she has got such spirit. 쑗 She fought her case with great spirit. 쑗 A good salesman needs to have the spirit of competition. 3. the real intention of something 쑗 That’s not really in keeping with the spirit of the agreement. 왍 to enter into the spirit of to take part in something with enthusiasm 쑗 The managing director entered into the spirit of the party. 4. the part of a person that is said to still exist after death 5. a ghost of someone dead 쑗 the spirits of the dead 왍 evil spirit an imaginary being which is believed to harm people 6. alcohol (NOTE: usually plural) 쐽 verb to remove someone or something without it being noticed 쑗 They spirited her away before the photographers could get to her. spirited / sprtd/ adj very lively spirit level / sprt lev(ə)l/ noun a device for testing if something is level using a glass tube filled with liquid containing an air bubble spirits / sprts/ plural noun 1. strong alcoholic drink like whisky or gin 쑗 The club is licensed to sell beers, wines and spirits. 2. mood 쑗 The news had an excellent effect on our spirits. 쑗 Their spirits sank when they realised they had no chance of winning. 왍 in high spirits in a very excited mood 쑗 She’s been in high spirits since she passed her test. spiritual / sprtʃuəl/ adj referring to the spirit or the soul 쑗 to minister to someone’s spiritual needs 쑗 The church’s main task is to give spiritual advice and comfort to its members. Antonym physical spiritualism / sprtʃuəlz(ə)m/ noun the belief in the possibility of communication with people who have died spirituality /sprtʃu lti/ noun being concerned with thought and beliefs, rather than with the body and the physical world spit /spt/ noun 1. a metal rod pushed through meat over a fire, which is turned so that the meat is evenly cooked 쑗 a spit-roasted lamb 쑗 They roasted pieces of lamb on spits. 2. a thin piece of land which goes out into the sea 쑗 The nature reserve is sited at the end of a spit of land. 3. the liquid which forms in your mouth (informal ). Synonym saliva 왍 spit and polish strenuous cleaning (informal ) 왍 the (dead) spit of an exact copy of 쐽 verb 1. to push liquid or food out of your mouth 쑗 He took a mouthful and immediately spat it out. 2. to send liquid out of the mouth to show contempt 쑗 He spat on or at the car as it drove away. 3. to rain a little 쑗 It isn’t really raining – it’s just spitting. (NOTE: spitting – spat /spt/) . . spite 828 ③ spite /spat/ noun 1. bad feeling 쑗 They sprayed his car with white paint out of spite. 2. 왍 in spite of although something happened or was done 쑗 In spite of all his meetings, he still found time to ring his wife. 쑗 We all enjoyed ourselves, in spite of the awful weather. 쐽 verb to annoy someone on purpose 쑗 He did it purely to spite his sister. spiteful / spatf(ə)l/ adj full of nasty feelings against someone spitefully / spatf(ə)li/ adv in a spiteful way spitting image /sptŋ mdȢ/ noun someone who looks exactly like someone else (informal ) 쑗 He’s the spitting image of his father. spittle / spt(ə)l/ noun liquid which forms in your mouth (old ). Synonym saliva splash /splʃ/ noun 1. a sound when something falls into a liquid or when a liquid hits something hard 쑗 She fell into the pool with a loud splash. 쑗 Listen to the splash of the waves against the rocks. 2. a sudden show 쑗 The red flowers make a bright splash of colour in the front garden. 3. 왍 to make a splash to do something which attracts a lot of publicity (informal ) 쑗 His new show made a splash on Broadway. 쐽 verb 1. (of liquid ) to make a noise when something is dropped into it or when it hits something 쑗 I missed the ball and it splashed into the pool. 쑗 The rain splashed against the windows. 2. to make someone wet by sending liquid on to him 쑗 The car drove past through a puddle and splashed my trousers. 3. to move through water, making a noise 쑗 He splashed his way through the shallow water to the rocks. 쑗 The little children were splashing about in the paddling pool. splash out /splʃ aυt/ verb to spend a lot of money at one time splatter / spltə/ verb to splash drops of liquid splay /sple/ verb to spread fingers or legs apart spleen /spli n/ noun 1. an organ in the top part of the abdominal cavity behind the stomach 쑗 The spleen cleans the blood and helps fight infection. 2. 왍 to vent your spleen on someone to get very angry with someone (formal ) 쑗 He vented his spleen on his poor assistant. splendid / splendd/ adj which impresses. Synonym magnificent splendidly / splenddli/ adv in a splendid way. Synonym magnificently splendour / splendə/ noun magnificence . . . . . (NOTE: The US spelling is splendor.) splice /splas/ verb to join two pieces of rope or film together splutter splint /splnt/ noun a stiff bar tied to a broken part of the body to prevent the bone from moving splinter / splntə/ noun a tiny thin piece of wood or metal which gets under the skin and irritates, causing infection 쑗 I got a splinter in my finger from cutting wood. 쑗 Can you try and get this splinter out of my thumb for me? 쐽 verb to split into thin pointed pieces 쑗 The wooden door splintered as the firemen hit it with hammers and axes. splinter group / splntə DZru p/ noun a group of people who have separated from a main group 쑗 The protesters are from a splinter group which broke away from the party some years ago. ② split /splt/ verb 1. to divide something into parts 쑗 He split the log into small pieces with an axe. 왍 to split the difference to agree on a figure which is half way between two figures suggested 쑗 You are offering £20 and he wants £40, so why don’t you split the difference and settle on £30? 2. to divide or to come apart 쑗 My trousers were too tight – they split when I bent down. 쑗 After they lost the election, the party split into various factions. 쐽 noun 1. a division 쑗 They are trying to hide the split between the two factions of the party. 2. 왍 to do the splits to put yourself on the floor, with your legs spread in opposite directions 쐽 adj which has been broken in half 왍 to have a split personality a mental condition where you react from time to time in two totally different and opposing ways split ends /splt endz/ plural noun a hair problem, when the end of each hair splits into different strands split infinitive /splt n fntv/ noun a supposed mistake in English, where it is considered wrong to put another word between the ‘to’ and the rest of the verb split-level /splt lev(ə)l/ adj with some rooms on different floors to others split peas /splt pi z/ plural noun dried peas split in half split second /splt sekənd/ noun a very short space of time. Synonym instant 왍 for a split second for a very short moment 쑗 For a split second he didn’t move. 왍 in a split second very rapidly 쑗 Everything happened in a split second. splitting / spltŋ/ adj 왍 a splitting headache a very bad headache split up /splt p/ verb 1. to divide 쑗 We must try to split up the class into groups of three or four. 2. to start to live apart 쑗 They had a row and split up. splutter / spltə/ verb 1. to speak rapidly, using very short phrases, especially when angry 쑗 ‘what, what, what … do you mean by that?’ he spluttered in fury. 2. to make a hiss- spoil 829 ing sound 쑗 The wet logs were spluttering on the fire. ② spoil /spɔl/ verb 1. to ruin something which was good 쑗 We had such bad weather that our camping holiday was spoilt. 쑗 Half the contents of the warehouse were spoiled by floodwater. 왍 to spoil your appetite to make you not want to eat 쑗 Don’t eat so many crisps – they’ll spoil your appetite for lunch. 2. to be too kind to someone, especially a child, so that he or she sometimes becomes badly behaved 쑗 You’ll spoil that child if you always give in to him. 쑗 Grandparents are allowed to spoil their grandchildren a little. 3. 왍 to be spoiling for a fight to be eager to get into a fight 쑗 The socialists were spoiling for a fight with the liberals. 4. to go bad 쑗 If we don’t eat this meat today it will spoil. (NOTE: spoiling – spoilt /spɔlt/ or spoiled) spoils /spɔlz/ plural noun 1. goods taken by soldiers from a defeated enemy 쑗 Their spoils filled several train wagons. Synonym booty 2. things bought 쑗 She came back from the jumble sale, laden with spoils. spoilsport / spɔlspɔ t/ noun a person who spoils other people’s enjoyment. Synonym killjoy spoilt /spɔlt/ adj (of a child ) who has been treated in a way which is too kind, and so is badly behaved spoke /spəυk/ noun a rod which connects the axle of a wheel to the rim 쑗 The wheel wobbles because one of the spokes is bent. 쐽 verb 쏡 speak spoken / spəυkən/ 쒁 speak sponge /spndȢ/ noun 1. a sea animal with a skeleton which is full of holes 쑗 Diving down into the Red Sea you could see sponges on the sea floor. 2. the dried soft skeleton of this sea animal, or a block of soft material full of small holes, which soaks up water and is used for washing 쑗 Real sponges are very expensive. 쑗 I use a large sponge to wash the car. 왍 to throw in the sponge to admit you have been beaten (informal ) 쑗 Don’t throw in the sponge so soon, you’ve got several other chances. 3. a soft material full of small holes used to make things like cushions 쑗 The sofa has sponge cushions. 쐽 verb to wipe clean with a sponge 쑗 He sponged the kitchen table. sponge bag /spndȢ bDZ/ noun a bag used to hold toiletries sponge cake / spndȢ kek/ noun a light soft cake sponge on / spndȢ ɒn/, sponge off / spndȢ ɒf/ verb to live by begging for money from someone (informal ) 쑗 He has no proper job and lives by sponging off his wife’s parents. . . . spoon sponge pudding /spndȢ pυdŋ/ noun a light soft pudding sponger / spndȢə/ noun a person who does not work but asks for money from friends (informal ) spongy / spndȢi/ adj soft and full of holes sponsor / spɒnsə/ noun 1. a person or company that pays to financially help a sport, an exhibition or a music festival, in return for the right to advertise at sporting events, on sports clothes or programmes 쑗 The company is the sponsor for premier division football. 2. company which pays part of the cost of making a TV or radio programme by advertising on the programme 3. a person who pays money to a charity when someone else walks, swims, or runs a certain distance 쑗 He’s taking part in the school cross-country and wants sponsors. 4. a person who takes responsibility for someone 쑗 She acted as his sponsor when he applied for membership of the club. 쐽 verb 1. to be a sponsor 쑗 The company has sponsored the football match. 쑗 Will you sponsor me if I apply to join the club? 쑗 I sponsored her to take part in a marathon for charity. 2. to be the god-parent of a child and promise to help the child to lead a Christian life sponsored / spɒnsəd/ adj which has been sponsored by people or an organisation ③ sponsorship / spɒnsəʃp/ noun the action of sponsoring spontaneity /spɒntə neti/ noun behaving in a natural way. Antonym constraint spontaneous /spɒn teniəs/ adj which happens of its own accord, which is not forced or prepared in advance. Synonym . impulsive spontaneously /spɒn teniəsli/ adv in a spontaneous way spoof /spu f/ noun an amusing imitation to trick someone spook /spu k/ noun (informal ) 1. a ghost 쑗 a TV cartoon about spooks who haunted an office block 2. a spy 쑗 The spooks planted bugs in the ambassador’s car. spooky / spu ki/ adj frightening and which makes you think there may be ghosts around (informal ) (NOTE: spookier – spookiest) spool /spu l/ noun a cylinder round which you wind something ② spoon /spu n/ noun 1. a utensil with a handle at one end and a small bowl at the other, used for eating liquids and soft food, or for stirring food which is being cooked 쑗 Use a spoon to eat your pudding. 쑗 We need a big spoon to serve the soup. 2. an amount held in a spoon 쑗 Add two spoons of sugar. 쐽 verb to move something with a spoon 쑗 She spooned jam onto her plate. 쑗 They were spooning soup out into each bowl. . . spoon-feed 830 spoon-feed / spu n fi d/ verb 1. to give someone food with a spoon 2. to teach students by giving them answers to questions and not allowing them to work by themselves 3. to provide everything for people so that they need do nothing to help themselves spoonful / spu nfυl/ noun an amount which a spoon can hold sporadic /spə rdk/ adj which happens at irregular intervals spore /spɔ / noun a reproductive body of some plants and bacteria ① sport /spɔ t/ noun a game or games involving physical activity and competition 쑗 Do you like watching sport on TV? 쑗 The world of sport is mourning the death of the racing driver. 쑗 The only sport I play is tennis. 쑗 She doesn’t play any sport at all. 왍 good sport a person who doesn’t mind being teased 쑗 He’s a good sport. 쐽 verb to wear something proudly (informal ) 쑗 He was sporting a red and orange tie. sporting / spɔ tŋ/ adj 1. referring to sport 쑗 a big sporting weekend on TV, with tennis matches, the World Cup and a golf tournament 2. pleasant and willing to help, especially when playing a sport 쑗 He’s a very sporting chap. sporting chance /spɔ tŋ tʃɑ ns/ noun a quite good chance that something will happen sportingly / spɔ tŋli/ adv in a pleasant and helpful way sportive / spɔ tv/ adj liking to play. Synonym playful sports car / spɔ ts kɑ / noun a fast open car sports centre / spɔ ts sentə/ noun a place where several different sports can be played sportsman / spɔ tsmən/ noun a man who plays a sport (NOTE: The plural is sports. men.) sportsmanlike / spɔ tsmənlak/ adj fair and polite sportsmanship / spɔ tsmənʃp/ noun fair and polite behaviour when playing sport sportswear / spɔ tsweə/ noun clothes worn to play sport (NOTE: no plural) sportswoman / spɔ tswυmən/ noun a woman who plays a sport (NOTE: The plural is sportswomen.) sporty / spɔ ti/ adj interested in sport and enjoying sport ① spot /spɒt/ noun 1. a particular place 쑗 This is the exact spot where Anne Boleyn was executed. 왍 on the spot at a particular place where something happens 쑗 I happened to be on the spot when the incident took place. 쑗 We had twenty policemen on the spot to make sure there was no trouble. 2. a coloured sprawl mark, usually round 쑗 Her dress has a pattern of white and red spots. 쑗 He wore a blue tie with white spots. 왍 to knock spots off someone to be easily better than someone (informal ) 쑗 She sang a little song which knocked spots off all the others. 3. a small round mark or pimple on the skin 쑗 She suddenly came out in spots after eating fish. 4. a small amount (informal ) 쑗 Would you like a spot of lunch? 쑗 We had a spot of luck. 쑗 He’s had a spot of bother with the tax authorities. 5. a short period in a TV or radio programme 쑗 She had a spot on the breakfast news programme. 6. same as spotlight 쐽 verb to notice 쑗 The teacher didn’t spot the mistake. 쑗 We spotted him in the crowd. . . (NOTE: spotting – spotted) spot check / spɒt tʃek/ noun a check made suddenly and at random. Synonym inspection spotless / spɒtləs/ adj very clean spotlight / spɒtlat/ noun 1. a bright light which shines on one small area 쑗 She stood in the spotlights on the stage. 2. 왍 to turn the spotlight on something to draw attention to something 쑗 The TV programme turns the spotlight on the plight of refugees. 쐽 verb to draw attention to something clearly 쑗 We want to spotlight the dangers of riding bicycles without lights. Synonym highlight spot-on /spɒt ɒn/ adj absolutely correct (informal ) 쑗 His analysis of the situation was spot-on. spotted / spɒtd/ adj covered with spots spotty / spɒti/ adj covered with pimples . (NOTE: spottier – spottiest) spouse /spaυs/ noun a husband or wife spout /spaυt/ noun 1. a tube which projects out of a container, shaped specially for pouring liquid 쑗 You fill the kettle through the spout. 쑗 Cut here and pull out to form a spout. 2. a tube for sending rainwater away from the wall of a building 쑗 Water was gushing out of the spout. 3. 왍 up the spout lost or ruined (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to come out like a jet of water 쑗 Blood spouted out of his neck. 2. spout, spout on to go on speaking about something too much (informal ) 쑗 She was spouting on about women’s rights. sprain /spren/ noun a condition where the ligaments in a joint are torn because of a sudden movement 쑗 He is walking with a stick because of an ankle sprain. 쐽 verb to tear the ligaments in a joint such as an ankle 쑗 He sprained his ankle jumping over the fence. sprang /sprŋ/ 쒁 spring sprawl /sprɔ l/ verb 1. to lie with your arms and legs spread out 쑗 He sprawled in his armchair and turned on the TV. 쑗 The boy on the bike hit her and sent her sprawling. 2. to spread out in an irregular way 쑗 The housing . . spray 831 estates sprawl across the farmland to the east of the town. ③ spray /spre/ noun 1. a mass of tiny drops of liquid 쑗 The waves crashed against the sea wall sending spray over the road. 쑗 An aerosol sends out a liquid in a fine spray. 쑗 She uses a nasal spray to clear her catarrh. 2. a little branch of a plant with flowers on it 쑗 The room was decorated with sprays of lilac. 쐽 verb to send out liquid in fine drops 쑗 He sprayed water all over the patio with the hose. 쑗 They sprayed the room with disinfectant. ② spread /spred/ verb 1. to arrange over a wide area 쑗 Spread the paper flat on the table. 2. to move over a wide area 쑗 The fire started in the top floor and soon spread to the roof. 쑗 The cholera epidemic has spread to the main towns. 3. to cover with a layer of something 쑗 She spread a white cloth over the table. 쑗 He was spreading butter on a piece of bread. 4. 왍 to spread payments over several months to make payments over several months, not all at once 쐽 noun 1. the action of moving over a wide area 쑗 Doctors are trying to check the spread of the disease. 2. a range 쑗 There is a wide spread of abilities in the class. 쑗 She has a wide spread of interests. 3. an attractive mass of food 쑗 You should have seen the spread at her wedding reception! 4. a soft paste of meat, fish or cheese 쑗 As snacks, they offered us water biscuits with cheese spread. spreadeagled / spredi DZ(ə)ld/ adj lying flat with arms and legs stretched out spread out /spred aυt/ verb 1. to arrange things over a wide area 쑗 She spread out the clothes on her bed. 쑗 He spread out the plans on the MD’s desk. 2. to move away from others over a wide area 쑗 The rioters spread out across the square. 쑗 The policemen spread out to search the woods. spreadsheet / spredʃi t/ noun 1. a computer program which allows calculations to be done in columns of figures 쑗 You can use a spreadsheet to do your household accounts. 2. a printout of columns of figures on wide computer stationery spree /spri / noun a short time of doing something enjoyable. Synonym jaunt 왍 to go on a spending or shopping spree to have a happy time spending money sprig /sprDZ/ noun a little branch sprightly / spratli/ adj lively and energetic. Antonym lethargic (NOTE: sprightlier – sprightliest) ① spring /sprŋ/ noun 1. the season of the year between winter and summer 쑗 In spring all the trees start to grow new leaves. 쑗 We always go to Greece in the spring. 쑗 They started work last spring or in the spring of last year and they still haven’t finished. 2. a sprinter wire which is twisted round and round and which goes back to its original shape after you have pulled it or pushed it 쑗 The mattress is so old the springs have burst through the cover. 쑗 There’s a spring to keep the door shut. 3. a strong coil or disc of special metal which absorbs energy and allows a vehicle to travel smoothly over uneven surfaces 쑗 The springs in the car are starting to squeak. 4. a place where a stream of water rushes out of the ground 쑗 The town of Bath was built in Roman times around hot springs. 5. a quick jump into the air 쑗 A little spring and he had reached the window sill. 쐽 verb to move suddenly 쑗 Everyone sprang to life when the officer shouted. 쑗 The door sprang open without anyone touching it. 왍 to spring from to come suddenly from 쑗 Where on earth did you spring from? springboard / sprŋbɔ d/ noun 1. a long flexible board used to dive or jump off 2. a thing used to help you start something 쑗 He bought a small company and used it as a springboard to enter the US market. springbok / sprŋbɒk/ noun a type of small deer found in Africa Springboks / sprŋbɒks/ plural noun the South African international rugby team spring-clean /sprŋ kli n/ verb to clean a house thoroughly 쑗 It took me a week to spring-clean the house. 쐽 noun the action of cleaning a house thoroughly 쑗 The house needs a complete spring-clean. spring onion /sprŋ njən/ noun a very small onion with long green leaves, used in salads and in cooking (NOTE: The US term is scallions.) spring roll /sprŋ rəυl/ noun a Chinese snack, made of vegetables or fish rolled in a light pancake and fried springtime / sprŋtam/ noun the time of year when it is spring. Synonym spring springy / sprŋi/ adj 1. 왍 springy step quick, light and flexible step 쑗 She walked with a springy step into the room. 2. which is very soft to walk on 쑗 We walked across the springy lawn. (NOTE: springier – springiest) sprinkle / sprŋkəl/ verb to scatter around sprinkler / sprŋklə/ noun a device for sprinkling water sprinkling / sprŋklŋ/ noun a small or thin scattering sprint /sprnt/ noun a fast run, especially at the end of a race 쑗 He must save some energy for the final sprint. 쐽 verb to run very fast over a short distance 쑗 I had to sprint to catch the bus. 쑗 She sprinted down the track. sprinter / sprntə/ noun a runner who runs in sprint races sprout 832 sprout /spraυt/ noun a new shoot of a plant The vine is covered with new sprouts. 쐽 verb to produce new shoots 쑗 Throw those old potatoes away, they’re starting to sprout. 쑗 The bush had begun to sprout fresh green leaves. spruce /spru s/ noun a softwood tree growing in cold forests 쑗 a forest of spruce 쑗 (NOTE: The plural is spruce or sometimes spruces.) 쐽 adj smart and clean 쑗 She looks spruce and elegant in her new uniform. Antonym scruffy 쐽 verb 왍 to spruce yourself up to make yourself neat and tidy 쑗 The soldiers spruced themselves up before the general arrived. sprung /sprŋ/ 쒁 spring spry /spra/ adj agile and lively spud /spd/ noun a potato (informal ) spun /spn/ 쒁 spin spur /sp" / noun 1. a sharp metal point attached to the heel of a rider’s boot which jabs the horse to make it go faster 쑗 The cowboy put on his spurs and went to saddle up his horse. 2. 왍 to win your spurs to show your qualities for the first time 쑗 It’s a chance for this young player to win his spurs at international level. 3. a thing which stimulates 쑗 The letter from the university was the spur that encouraged him to work harder. 4. 왍 on the spur of the moment without being planned in advance 쑗 We decided on the spur of the moment to go to France. 5. a hill which leads from a higher mountain 쑗 The hill we climbed was a spur of the Rockies. 6. a minor road or railway line leading off a main one 쑗 A spur runs off from the road to the power station. 쐽 verb to urge someone on 쑗 The runners were spurred on by the shouts of the crowd. (NOTE: spurring – spurred) spurious / spjυəriəs/ adj not based on facts. Synonym false spurn /sp" n/ verb to reject an offer scornfully spurt /sp" t/ noun 1. a strong jet of liquid 쑗 They tried to block the spurts of water coming out of the pipe. 2. a sudden sudden effort 쑗 He put on a spurt and won the race. 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to spurt out to come out in a strong jet 쑗 Oil spurted out of the burst pipe. 2. to run fast suddenly 쑗 He spurted past two runners and came in first. sputter / sptə/ verb to send out sparks or small drops spy /spa/ noun a person who is paid to try to find out secret information about the enemy or a rival group 쑗 He was executed as a Russian spy. Synonym secret agent (NOTE: The plural is spies.) 쐽 verb to work as a spy 왍 to spy on someone to watch someone in secret, to find out what they are planning to do 쑗 We discovered that our neighbours had been spying on us. 왍 to spy for someone to . square find out secret information and pass it back to someone 쑗 He was accused of spying for the Americans. spyhole / spahəυl/ noun a small hole in a door for looking through to see who is there spying / spaŋ/ noun the activity of trying to find out information secretly sq. abbr square squabble / skwɒb(ə)l/ noun an argument, especially about something unimportant 쑗 He got involved in a squabble between the taxi drivers over whose taxi he would take. 쐽 verb to argue 쑗 They spent the whole evening squabbling over money. ③ squad /skwɒd/ noun 1. a small group of soldiers who perform duties together 쑗 Corporal, take your squad and guard the prisoners. 2. a department in the police service 쑗 He’s the head of the drugs squad. 쑗 She’s investigating on behalf of the fraud squad. 3. a group of players from whom a sports team will be chosen 쑗 The England squad for the World Cup has been selected. squad car / skwɒd kɑ / noun a police car on patrol duty ③ squadron / skwɒdrən/ noun a group of aircraft or of naval ships squalid / skwɒld/ adj unpleasant or dirty squall /skwɔ l/ noun a sudden gust of wind 쑗 A sudden squall capsized the boat. 쐽 verb to cry loudly 쑗 She came with her three squalling children. squalor / skwɒlə/ noun dirty conditions or surroundings squander / skwɒndə/ verb to waste money, energy or opportunity ① square /skweə/ noun 1. a shape with four equal sides and four right-angled corners 쑗 A chessboard is made up of black and white squares. 쑗 Graph paper is drawn with a series of small squares. 왍 back to square one to start again from the point you originally started from (informal ) 쑗 The test plane crashed, so it’s back to square one again. 2. an open space in a town, with big buildings all round 쑗 The hotel is in the main square of the town, opposite the town hall. 쑗 Red Square is in the middle of Moscow. 3. (in mathematics) the result when a number is multiplied by itself 쑗 9 is the square of 3. 쐽 adj 1. shaped like a square, with four equal sides and four right-angled corners 쑗 You can’t fit six people round a small square table. 쑗 An A4 piece of paper isn’t square. 왍 a square peg in a round hole someone whose character does not allow them to fit easily into a particular situation 2. making a 90° angle 쑗 There’s not one corner in the room that is square. 3. honest and fair 쑗 Are you being square with me? 왍 square deal honest treatment in business 쑗 They didn’t get a square deal from the tax office. 왍 we’re all square . square brackets 833 we do not owe each other anything (informal ) 4. multiplied by itself 왍 square metre (in mathematics) the area of one metre multiplied by one metre 쐽 verb 1. to make something square 2. to pay someone what is owed . or to pay someone a bribe 쑗 They had to square a couple of local officials before the deal went through. 3. 왍 to square it with someone to see that someone gives approval (informal ) 쑗 Let me deal with it – I’ll square it with the inspector. 4. (in mathematics) to multiply a number by itself 쑗 3 squared is 9. square brackets /skweə brkts/ plural noun printing symbols [ ] used to enclose certain types of text square dance / skweə dɑ ns/ noun a form of North American country dance, where sets of four couples dance forming a square square dancing / skweə dɑ nsŋ/ noun the activity of doing a square dance squarely / skweəli/ adv in a direct and straightforward way 쑗 He looked her squarely in the face. 왍 fairly and squarely directly, without any mistakes 쑗 They put the blame fairly and squarely on the bank. square meal /skweə mi l/ noun a large meal. Antonym snack square root /skweə ru t/ noun a number which, multiplied by itself, will produce a particular number 쑗 3 is the square root of 9. square yard /skweə jɑ d/ noun a measurement of area that is one yard long on each side squash /skwɒʃ/ verb to crush, to squeeze 쑗 Hundreds of commuters were squashed into the train. 쑗 He sat on my hat and squashed it flat. 쐽 noun 1. a situation where a lot of people are crowded in a small space 쑗 It’s rather a squash with twenty people in the room. 2. a drink made of concentrated fruit juice to which water is added 쑗 a glass of orange squash 3. a large vegetable similar to a marrow or pumpkin 4. a fast game for two players played in an enclosed court, with a small, squashy rubber ball and light, long-handled rackets 쑗 He plays squash to unwind after a day at the office. 쑗 Let’s play a game of squash. (NOTE: no plural) squash court / skwɒʃ kɔ t/ noun a court for playing squash squash racket /skwɒʃ rkt/ noun a racket for playing squash squashy / skwɒʃi/ adj soft and easily flattened ③ squat /skwɒt/ verb 1. to crouch down, sitting on your heels 쑗 She squatted on the floor, trying to get the stains out of the carpet. 2. to occupy an empty unused house belonging to another person, without permission and without paying rent 쑗 She squatted for a time with other students from . squeeze the college. (NOTE: squatting – squatted) adj short and thick 쑗 A squat lady in her sixties sat next to me on the bus. 쑗 The table looks too squat and doesn’t fit in here. Antonym slender (NOTE: squatter – squattest) 쐽 noun an empty house which people occupy illegally 쑗 The police raided the student squat. squatter / skwɒtə/ noun a person who squats in someone else’s property or illegally on waste ground squawk /skwɔ k/ noun a short harsh cry of a bird 쑗 There was a sudden squawk from the bushes, and a very angry pheasant ran out. 쐽 verb to make short harsh cries 쑗 The eagle brought back some food for her squawking chicks. squeak /skwi k/ noun a little high-pitched noise like that of a mouse or a rusty hinge 쑗 You can tell when someone comes into the garden by the squeak of the gate. 왍 narrow squeak a near miss, a narrow escape (informal ) 쑗 We had a narrow squeak when a lorry just missed crashing into our car. 쐽 verb to make a squeak 쑗 That door squeaks – the hinges need oiling. squeaky / skwi ki/ adj which squeaks 쑗 He spoke in a little squeaky voice. 쑗 These squeaky hinges need oiling. squeaky clean /skwi ki kli n/ noun 1. extremely clean 쑗 All the work surfaces have to be squeaky clean. 2. morally pure 쑗 The minister’s squeaky clean image has been tarnished by the scandal. squeal /skwi l/ noun a loud high-pitched noise 쑗 Angry squeals came from the pigsty. 쑗 The children let out squeals of delight when they saw the presents under the Christmas tree. 쑗 The car turned the corner with a squeal of tyres. 쐽 verb 1. to make a loud high-pitched noise 쑗 She squealed when she heard she had won first prize. 쑗 As the car turned the corner its tyres squealed. 2. to give the police information about someone (informal ) 쑗 He squealed on his partners. squeamish / skwi mʃ/ adj likely to be upset by nasty things ③ squeeze /skwi z/ noun 1. the act of pressing or crushing 쑗 I gave her hand a squeeze. 2. a situation where there is very little space to get into or through 쑗 You can get through the hole, but it’s a tight squeeze. 3. an amount pushed out 쑗 He put a squeeze of toothpaste on his brush. 왍 a squeeze of lemon a few drops of lemon juice 쐽 verb 1. to press on something or to press or crush something like a fruit or a tube to get something out of it 쑗 She squeezed my arm gently. 쑗 He squeezed an orange to get the juice. 쑗 She squeezed some toothpaste out onto her brush. 2. to force into a small space 쑗 You can’t squeeze six people into that little car. 쑗 쐽 . . squelch 834 More people tried to squeeze on the train even though it was full already. 쑗 The cat managed to squeeze through the window. squelch /skweltʃ/ noun a noise similar to that made when walking in a wet sticky substance 쐽 verb to make a wet sucking noise 쑗 He squelched through the mud. squid /skwd/ noun a sea animal with eight long arms or tentacles, smaller than an octopus (NOTE: The plural is squid.) squiggle / skwDZ(ə)l/ noun a curvy, irregular line or mark squint /skwnt/ noun 1. a state where your two eyes look in different directions 쑗 He has a noticeable squint. 2. a look or glance 쑗 Let’s have a squint at that letter. 쐽 verb 1. to have eyes which look in different directions 쑗 He squints badly, which makes it difficult to know who he is looking at. 2. to half-close your eyes to look at a something 쑗 He squinted through the keyhole but couldn’t see anything. squirm /skw" m/ verb 1. to wriggle about 2. to feel very embarrassed 왍 it makes me squirm it makes me very embarrassed squirrel / skwrəl/ noun a small red or grey wild animal with a large bushy tail which lives in trees and eats nuts 쑗 The squirrel sat up on a branch nibbling a nut. 쑗 Squirrels hoard nuts for the winter. 쐽 verb squirrel, squirrel away to keep something safely so that you can use it later squirt /skw" t/ noun 1. a thin jet of liquid 쑗 Just put a squirt of washing-up liquid in the bowl. 2. an annoying or small unpleasant person (insult ) 쑗 That little squirt – you can beat him at tennis any day! 쐽 verb to send out a thin jet of liquid 쑗 Don’t squirt so much washing-up liquid into the bowl. 쑗 She squeezed the tube hard and masses of toothpaste squirted out. Synonym spurt squish /skwʃ/ verb to press, squeeze or crush something soft (informal ) squishy / skwʃi/ adj soft, squashy and wet (informal ) ssh /ʃ/ interj another spelling of sh ③ stab /stb/ noun a deep wound made by the point of a knife 쑗 He died of stab wounds. 왍 stab in the back an attack by someone who is thought to be loyal 쑗 His speech was a stab in the back for the party leader. 쐽 verb to wound by jabbing with a sharp knife 쑗 He was stabbed in the chest. 왍 to stab someone in the back to do something nasty to someone who thinks you are his friend 쑗 She was stabbed in the back by people who owed their success to her. stabbing / stbŋ/ adj referring to pain which comes in a series of short sharp feelings 쑗 He had stabbing pains in his chest. 쐽 noun an attack where someone is stabbed . . . staff The stabbing of the young nurse shocked everyone. stabilise / stebəlaz/, stabilize verb 1. to make firm 쑗 We need more weight on this side of the boat to stabilise it. 쑗 The United Nations is sending in troops to try to stabilise the situation. 2. to become steady 쑗 prices have stabilised ③ stability /stə blti/ noun being stable or steady. Antonym instability stabiliser / steblazə/, stabilizer noun 1. small wheels attached to a child’s bike to stop it falling over 쑗 She says she can ride without stabilisers now. 2. a piece put on the hull of a ship to prevent it from rolling 쑗 The crossing is much smoother in a ship fitted with stabilisers. 3. an artificial substance added to processed food to stop a mixture from changing ③ stable / steb(ə)l/ adj 1. steady and which does not shake 쑗 The ladder is not very stable, will you hold it for me? 쑗 Put a book under one leg of the desk to keep it stable. Antonym unstable 2. which does not change 쑗 The hospital said his condition was stable. Antonym unstable 3. (in chemistry) referring to a compound which does not change or decompose easily 쐽 noun a building for keeping a horse 쑗 My horse is not in his stable, who’s riding him? stables / steb(ə)lz/ plural noun a place where horses are kept for breeding or racing stack /stk/ noun a pile or heap of things one on top of the other 쑗 a stack of books and papers 왍 a stack of, stacks of lots of (informal ) 쑗 I’ve got a stack of things to do today. 쑗 You can charge the tourists what you like – they’ve got stacks of money. 쐽 verb 1. to pile things on top of each other 쑗 The skis are stacked outside the chalet. 쑗 She stacked up the dirty plates. 쑗 The warehouse is stacked with boxes. 2. (of aircraft) to circle round waiting in turn for permission to land at a busy airport 쑗 We have had aircraft stacking for over fifteen minutes on busy days. ③ stadium / stediəm/ noun a large building for sport, with seating arranged around a sports field (NOTE: The plural is stadiums or stadia.) ① staff /stɑ f/ noun 1. all the people who work in a company, school, college, or other organisation 쑗 She’s on the school staff. 쑗 Only staff can use this lift. 쑗 A quarter of our staff are ill. 쑗 That firm pays its staff very badly. 쑗 He joined the staff last Monday. 쑗 Three members of staff are away sick. (NOTE: 쑗 . staff refers to a group of people and so is often followed by a verb in the plural.) 왍 clerical staff, office staff people who work in offices 왍 staff appraisal a report on how well a member of staff is working 왍 staff turnover the changes in staff in an organisa- staffer 835 tion, with some leaving and new people coming 2. a long stick 쑗 They attacked the beggars and beat them with staffs. 3. a set of five lines on which music is written. Also called stave 쐽 verb to provide workers for an organisation 쑗 They are planning to staff the bar with part-timers. 쑗 The shop is staffed by idiots. staffer / stɑ fə/ noun US a member of the permanent staff (informal ) staffing / stɑ fŋ/ noun the process of providing workers for an organisation 왍 staffing levels the number of members of staff required in a department for it to work efficiently staff room / stɑ f ru m/ noun a room for teachers in a school stag /stDZ/ noun 1. an adult male deer 쑗 Don’t approach the stags in the autumn – they can be very dangerous. (NOTE: Female deer are does.) 2. a person who buys a new issue of shares and sells them immediately to make a profit 쐽 verb 왍 to stag an issue to buy a new issue of shares not as an investment, but to sell immediately at a profit ① stage /stedȢ/ noun 1. a raised floor, especially where the actors perform in a theatre 쑗 The pop group came onto the stage and started to sing. 2. 왍 the stage the profession of actor 쑗 She is planning to go on the stage. 쑗 He has chosen the stage as a career. 3. one of several points of development 쑗 The first stage in the process is to grind the ore to powder. 쑗 the different stages of a production process 왍 the contract is still in the drafting stage the contract is still being drafted 왍 in stages in different steps 쑗 The company has agreed to repay the loan in stages. 4. a section of a long journey 쑗 Stage one of the tour takes us from Paris to Bordeaux. 왍 in easy stages not doing anything very difficult 쑗 We did the walk in easy stages. 쑗 The tour will cross India by easy stages. 5. each of the parts of a rocket 쐽 verb 1. to put on or arrange a play, a show, a musical or other performance or event 쑗 The exhibition is being staged in the college library. 2. to do or make something 왍 to stage a recovery to recover 쑗 She has staged a remarkable recovery after her accident. stagecoach / stedȢkəυtʃ/ noun (in the 18th and 19th centuries) a horse-drawn passenger coach which used to run regularly along certain routes stage direction / stedȢ darekʃən/ noun a note in the script of a play showing what the actors have to do stage fright / stedȢ frat/ noun nervousness which actors feel before going onto the stage stage-manage /stedȢ mndȢ/ verb 1. to arrange something carefully so that it ap. stained glass pears natural or easy 2. (in the theatre) to organise a performance stage manager /stedȢ mndȢə/ noun a person who organises a performance of a play, opera or other performance stage whisper /stedȢ wspə/ noun a loud whisper which everyone can hear stagger / stDZə/ verb 1. to walk unsteadily, almost falling down 쑗 She managed to stagger across the road and into the police station. 쑗 Three men staggered out of the pub. 2. to surprise someone enormously 쑗 I was staggered at the amount they charge for service. 3. to arrange something such as holidays or working hours, so that they do not all begin and end at the same time 쑗 We have to stagger the lunch hour so that there is always someone on the switchboard. 쐽 noun an unsteady movement when someone walks 쑗 He walked with a noticeable stagger. staggered / stDZəd/ adj 1. shocked or very surprised at something 2. not in a consecutive sequence or in a straight line staggering / stDZərŋ/ adj very surprising. Synonym astounding stagnant / stDZnənt/ adj 1. (of water ) which does not flow, which is not pure enough to drink 쑗 The marsh was full of stagnant pools of brown water. 쑗 Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. 2. (of business) not active, not increasing 쑗 Turnover was stagnant for the first half of the year. 쑗 There is a danger of the economy becoming stagnant. stagnate /stDZ net/ verb not to increase, not to make progress staid /sted/ adj serious and solemn. Synonym sedate. Antonym exciting ③ stain /sten/ noun 1. a mark which is difficult to remove, such as ink or blood 쑗 It is difficult to remove coffee stains from the tablecloth. 쑗 There was a round stain on the table where he had put his wine glass. 2. a liquid paint used to give a different colour to wood 쑗 We bought some dark green stain for the furniture in the conservatory. 쐽 verb 1. to make a mark of a different colour on something 쑗 If you eat those blueberries they will stain your teeth. 쑗 The tablecloth was stained with strawberry jam. 쑗 His shirt was stained with blood. 2. to colour something with a stain; to put a stain on a surface 쑗 The door will be stained light brown. stained /stend/ adj coloured with a liquid 쑗 He went to change his stained shirt. 쐽 suffix which has been coloured with a liquid 쑗 his ink-stained fingers 쑗 her blood-stained clothes stained glass /stend DZlɑ s/ noun glass which has been coloured, used for making church windows . stainless steel 836 stainless steel /stenləs sti l/ noun a type of steel with a high percentage of chromium in it, which makes it less likely to rust ② stair /steə/ noun one step in a series of steps, going up or down inside a building 쑗 He was sitting on the bottom stair. 쒁 stairs staircase / steəkes/ noun a set of stairs which go from one floor in a building to another ② stairs /steəz/ plural noun steps which go up or down inside a building. Synonym staircase stairway / steəwe/ noun a set of stairs which go from one floor inside or outside a building to another. Synonym staircase ③ stake /stek/ noun 1. a strong pointed piece of wood or metal, pushed into the ground to mark something, or to hold something up 쑗 They hammered stakes into the ground to put up a wire fence. 쑗 The apple trees are attached to stakes. 2. money which has been bet or invested 쑗 With a £5 stake he won £100. 왍 the stakes are high a lot of money could be won or lost 왍 he has a stake in the company he has invested money in the company 왍 at stake which may be lost if what you do fails 쑗 You must reply to the allegations in the paper, the reputation of the family is at stake! 쐽 verb 1. to put sticks in the ground to mark an area 쑗 We staked out the area where the riding events were to take place. 왍 to stake your claim to something to say in public that you have the right to own something 쑗 As soon as we arrived at the hotel she staked her claim to the only room with a view of the sea. 2. to risk something 쑗 He staked his reputation on the libel action. 쑗 I’d stake my life on it, he’s not guilty. 쑗 They had staked everything on the success of this product. 왍 to stake money on something to risk or bet money on something 쑗 She staked £10,000 on a throw of the dice. stakeholder / stekhəυldə/ noun a person who has a stake in a business, such as a shareholder, an employee or a supplier, etc. stalactite / stləktat/ noun a long pointed growth of mineral from the ceiling of a cave, formed by the continuous dripping of water which is rich in minerals stalagmite / stləDZmat/ noun a long pointed growth of mineral growing from the floor of a cave, formed by the continuous dripping of water from the end of a stalactite stale /stel/ adj old and unusable, no longer fresh (NOTE: staler – stalest) stalemate / stelmet/ noun 1. (in chess) a situation where neither player can make any move permitted by the rules, and so no one wins 2. a situation where neither side will compromise 쑗 The discussions have reached a stalemate. 쑗 Negotiations are con- stamp tinuing to try to break the stalemate or to find a way out of the stalemate. stalk /stɔ k/ noun the stem of a plant which holds a leaf, a flower or a fruit 쑗 Roses with very long stalks are more expensive. 쑗 Cherries are often sold attached to stalks in pairs. 쐽 verb 1. to walk stiffly, proudly or angrily 쑗 She stalked into the committee room. 2. to stay near and watch someone all the time, especially in a way that they find threatening 쑗 The hunters stalked the deer. 쑗 The photographers stalked the film star. 쑗 The TV presenter was being stalked by a local fan. stalker / stɔ kə/ noun a person who follows people or animals stall /stɔ l/ noun 1. a small moveable stand in a market, where a trader displays and sells his goods 쑗 He has a flower stall at Waterloo Station. 쑗 We wandered round the market looking at the stalls. 2. a compartment for one animal in a building such as a stable 쑗 Each horse had its own stall with its name on it. 쐽 verb 1. to put off answering a question or making a decision 쑗 Have they got genuine doubts about the plan or are they simply stalling? 2. (of a car engine) to stop unintentionally, often when trying to drive off without accelerating 쑗 If he takes his foot off the accelerator, the engine stalls. 쑗 The car stalled at the traffic lights and he couldn’t restart it. 3. (of an aircraft ) to go so slowly that the engine cuts out and the plane drops stallion / stljən/ noun an adult male horse, especially one kept for breeding stalls /stɔ lz/ plural noun 1. seats on the ground floor in a theatre or cinema 2. 왍 choir stalls rows of seats for the choir in a church stalwart / stɔ lwət/ adj strong, vigorous or brave 쑗 a stalwart defence of basic human rights 쐽 noun a person who works hard and is loyal 쑗 There was no one at the meeting except the stalwarts of the parish council. stamen / stemən/ noun the male part of a flower consisting of a stalk carrying pollen stamina / stmnə/ noun the strength to do something over a long period stammer / stmə/ verb to hesitate and repeat sounds when speaking 쑗 He stammers badly when making speeches. 쑗 She rushed into the police station and stammered out ‘he’s – he’s – he’s after me, he’s got – got – a knife’. 쐽 noun a speech problem that involves hesitating and repeating sounds when speaking 쑗 Because of his stammer he was shy and reserved at school. 왘 Synonym (all senses) stutter ① stamp /stmp/ noun 1. a little piece of paper with a price printed on it which you stick on a letter to show that you have paid for it to be sent by post 쑗 You need a 27p stamp for that letter. 쑗 She forgot to put a . stampede 837 stamp on the letter before she posted it. 쑗 He wants to show me his stamp collection. 2. a machine for making a mark on something 쑗 We have a stamp for marking letters when they come into the office. 3. a mark made on something 쑗 The invoice has the stamp ‘received with thanks’ on it. 쑗 The customs officer looked at the stamps in his passport. 쐽 verb 1. to stick a stamp on a letter or parcel 쑗 All the envelopes need to be sealed and stamped. 2. to mark something with a stamp 쑗 They stamped my passport when I entered the country. 3. to walk heavily, banging your feet on the ground 쑗 They stamped on the ants to kill them. 쑗 He was so angry that he stamped out of the room. 4. to make a noise by banging your feet on the ground 쑗 The audience stamped on the floor in time to the music. stampede /stm pi d/ noun an uncontrolled movement of many animals or people 쑗 After the film finished there was a stampede for the doors. 쐽 verb 1. to move in an uncontrolled way 쑗 The herd of buffalo stampeded down the valley. 2. 왍 to stampede someone into (doing) something to try to force someone into doing something 쑗 They tried to stampede us into voting for their proposal. stamp out /stmp aυt/ verb to stop something. Synonym eradicate stance /stns/ noun 1. the position of someone when standing 쑗 His stance is so awkward I’m surprised he can even hit the ball. 2. a point of view or opinion 쑗 Her stance on environmental issues is surprising. 쑗 The party has adopted a new progressive stance on education. ① stand /stnd/ verb 1. to be upright on your feet, the opposite of sitting or lying down 쑗 She stood on a chair to reach the top shelf. 쑗 They were so tired they could hardly keep standing. 쑗 If there are no seats left, we’ll have to stand. 쑗 Don’t just stand there doing nothing – come and help us. 2. to be upright 쑗 Only a few houses were still standing after the earthquake. 쑗 The jar was standing in the middle of the table. 3. to get up from a seat 쑗 She stood and rushed to the door. 4. to put upright 쑗 Stand the bookcase over in the corner. 쑗 He stood the pot on the table. 5. to put up with 쑗 The office is filthy – I don’t know how you can stand working here. 쑗 She can’t stand all this noise. 쑗 He stopped going to French lessons because he couldn’t stand the teacher. 6. to offer yourself as a candidate in an election 쑗 He has stood for parliament several times but has never been elected. 왍 to stand against someone to put yourself against someone in an election 쑗 She is standing against the leader in the election. 7. to pay for 쑗 He stood us all stand aside a round of drinks. (NOTE: standing – stood /stυd/) 쐽 noun 1. the seats where you sit to watch sports in a stadium 쑗 The stands were full for the international. 쑗 We have tickets for the North Stand. 2. something which holds something up 쑗 The pot of flowers fell off its stand. 3. an attitude, especially in opposition to something 쑗 His stand against the party leader earned him a term in prison. 쑗 She was criticised for her stand on immigration. 왍 to take a stand on or against to express strong opinions about 쑗 They are taking a strong stand against corruption in the party. ③ standard / stndəd/ noun 1. the level of quality something has 쑗 The standard of service in this restaurant is very high. 쑗 This piece of work is not up to your usual standard. 2. an excellent quality which is set as a target 쑗 This product does not meet our standards. 쑗 She has set a standard which it will be difficult to match. 3. a large official flag 쑗 The royal standard flies over Buckingham Palace. 4. a tree or bush grown with a tall trunk 쑗 Do you prefer an ordinary rosebush or a standard? 쐽 adj 1. usual 쑗 She joined on a standard contract. 쑗 You will need to follow the standard procedure to join the association. 2. generally accepted according to an agreed level of quality 쑗 a standard unit 쑗 a standard text book 쑗 standard English Standard Assessment Tasks /stndəd ə sesmənt tɑ sks/ plural noun national tests taken at various ages in school in the UK. Abbr SATs standardisation /stndəda zeʃ(ə)n/, standardization noun the process of making sure that everything fits a standard or is produced in the same way 왍 standardisation of products the practice of reducing a large number of different products to a few which have the same measurements, design and packaging standardise / stndədaz/, standardize verb to make everything follow the same standard standard lamp / stndəd lmp/ noun a light on a tall pole standing on the floor of a room (NOTE: The US term is floor lamp.) standard of living /stndəd əv lvŋ/ noun the quality of a person’s personal home life measured by such things as the amount of food or clothes bought or the size of the family car standard time / stndəd tam/ noun a time which applies within a specific area of the world stand around /stnd ə raυnd/ verb to stand and not do anything stand aside /stnd ə sad/ verb to step sideways stand back 838 stand back /stnd bk/ verb to take a step or two backwards stand by /stnd ba/ verb 1. to refuse to change something you have said 쑗 I stand by what I said in my statement to the police. 2. to stand and watch, without getting involved 쑗 Several people just stood by and made no attempt to help. 3. to be ready 쑗 We have several fire engines standing by. 4. to give help 쑗 She stood by him while he was in prison. standby / stndba/ noun a thing which is ready to be used if necessary 쑗 I always have bread in the freezer as a standby. 왍 good standby something which is good to have ready in case you need it 쑗 An oil lamp is a good standby in case there’s a power failure. 왍 on standby waiting and ready to act if needed 쑗 We have a doctor on standby. 쑗 Army reservists have been put on standby. standby ticket / stndba tkt/ noun a cheap ticket which you buy at an airport just before a plane takes off, allowing you to have a seat if there are any empty seats left at the last minute stand down /stnd daυn/ verb to agree not to stay in a position or not to stand for election. Synonym resign stand for / stnd fɔ / verb 1. to have a meaning 쑗 What do the letters BBC stand for? 2. to be a candidate in an election 쑗 She’s standing for parliament. 3. to accept 쑗 They will never stand for that. 쑗 I won’t stand for any nonsense from the children. stand-in / stnd n/ noun a person who takes the place of someone else stand in for /stnd n fɔ / verb to take the place of someone standing / stndŋ/ noun 1. the position of being upright on your feet 쑗 Standing all day at the exhibition is very tiring. 2. reputation 쑗 a hotel of good standing 쑗 His standing in the community has never been higher. 3. 왍 long-standing customers, customers of long standing people who have been our customers for many years 쐽 adj 1. upright, not lying or sitting 쑗 After the earthquake, the few buildings left standing needed to be repaired. 2. permanent 쑗 We have a standing agreement with our supplier to send back items we don’t want. standing army /stndŋ ɑ mi/ noun a professional military force which exists in times of peace as well as war standing joke / stndŋ dȢəυk/ something that people often make jokes about 쑗 His style of dancing is a bit of a standing joke with us. standing order /stndŋ ɔ də/ noun an order written by a customer asking a bank to pay money regularly to an account, or to a company to send something regularly staple standing ovation /stndŋ əυveʃ(ə)n/ noun applause at the end of a performance where all the audience stand up and clap and cheer standing room / stndŋ ru m/ noun enough space for people to stand but not to sit stand-off / stnd ɒf/ noun a situation where two sides cannot agree and neither can win standoffish /stnd ɒfʃ/ adj who does not make friends easily. Synonym distant. Antonym affable stand out /stnd aυt/ verb 1. to be easily seen 쑗 Their house stands out because it is painted pink. 쑗 Her red hair makes her stand out in a crowd. 2. to be very clear against a background 쑗 That picture would stand out better against a white wall. 3. to be much better than others 쑗 Two of the young musicians stood out for their interpretations of Bach. stand over /stnd əυvə/ verb to be just behind someone and supervise what he or she is doing standpoint / stndpɔnt/ noun a position from which you look at a problem. Synonym point of view standstill / stndstl/ noun a situation where nothing moves. Synonym halt stand up /stnd p/ verb 1. to get up from sitting 쑗 When the teacher comes into the room all the children should stand up. 쑗 He stood up to offer his seat to the old lady. 2. to stand upright, to hold yourself upright 쑗 Stand up straight and face forward. 3. to put something in an upright position 쑗 Stand the books up on the shelf. 쑗 She stood her umbrella up by the door. 4. 왍 to stand someone up not to meet someone even though you had arranged to (informal ) 쑗 We were going to have dinner together and he stood me up. stand-up / stnd p/ adj 1. referring to a meal where you serve yourself and eat standing up 쑗 a stand-up buffet 2. referring to an argument that is noisy and fierce 쑗 a stand-up fight stand up for /stnd p fɔ / verb to try to defend someone or something in a difficult situation stand up to /stnd p tu / verb to oppose someone bravely 쑗 No one would stand up to the gang of bullies. stank /stŋk/ 쒁 stink stanza / stnzə/ noun a section of a poem made up of a series of lines staple / step(ə)l/ noun 1. a piece of wire which is pushed through papers and bent over to hold them together 쑗 He used some scissors to take the staples out of the papers. 2. the main food in a diet 쑗 Rice is the staple . staple diet 839 of the Chinese diet. 쐽 adj main 쐽 verb to fasten papers together with a staple or with staples 쑗 Don’t staple the cheque to the order form. 왍 to staple papers together to attach various papers with a staple or with staples 쑗 All these papers need to be stapled together and filed. staple diet /step(ə)l daət/ noun the main part of what you eat staple product /step(ə)l prɒdkt/ noun the main product of a country or town stapler / steplə/ noun a device used to attach papers together with staples ③ star /stɑ / noun 1. a bright object which can be seen in the sky at night like a very distant bright light 쑗 On a clear night you can see thousands of stars. 쑗 The pole star shows the direction of the North Pole. 2. 왍 thank your lucky stars consider yourself very lucky (informal ) 쑗 Thank your lucky stars that you were not on that train. 3. a shape that has several points like a star 쑗 Draw a big star and colour it red. 4. a printing symbol shaped like a star 쑗 A star next to a word refers you to the footnotes. Also called asterisk 5. a classification sign for hotels and restaurants 쑗 We stayed in a two-star hotel and found it perfectly comfortable. 6. a famous person who is very well known to the public 쑗 the Chelsea football star 쑗 Who is your favourite film star? 쐽 verb 1. to appear as a main character in a film or play 쑗 She starred in ‘Gone with the Wind’. 쑗 He has a starring role in the new production of ‘Guys and Dolls’. 2. to include a famous actor or actress 쑗 The film stars Bette Grable and John Wayne. 3. to mark a text with a star 쑗 Read the starred instructions carefully. (NOTE: . starring – starred) starboard / stɑ bəd/ noun the right-hand side of a ship or aircraft when facing the front. Antonym port starch /stɑ tʃ/ noun 1. the usual form in which carbohydrates exist in food, especially in bread, rice and potatoes 쑗 To get a balanced diet you need to eat both protein and starch. 2. a white powder mixed with water to make cloth stiff 쐽 verb to make cloth stiff with starch 쑗 She starched his shirt collars. starchy / stɑ tʃi/ adj 1. (of food ) which contains a lot of starch 쑗 Children eat too much starchy food. 2. very formal 쑗 His starchy manner put everyone off. stardom / stɑ dəm/ noun the state of being a film star, a football star etc. Synonym fame. Antonym anonymity ② stare /steə/ verb 1. to look at someone or something for a long time 쑗 She stared sadly out of the window at the rain. 2. 왍 to stare someone in the face to be very obvious (informal ) 쑗 He couldn’t find the answer even if it was staring him in the face. 쐽 noun a long . . start fixed look 쑗 He gave her a stare and walked on. starfish / stɑ fʃ/ noun a flat sea animal, with five arms branching like a star from a central body (NOTE: The plural is starfish.) staring / steərŋ/ adj which looks steadily for a long time. 쒁 stark stark /stɑ k/ adj 1. complete 쑗 He stared at the figures in stark disbelief. 2. bare and simple 쑗 a stark lunar landscape 쑗 the stark outline of the rocks (NOTE: starker – starkest) 쐽 adv completely 쑗 I don’t usually walk round the house stark naked. 왍 stark staring mad, stark raving mad completely mad 쑗 You must be stark staring mad even to think of swimming in the North Sea on Christmas Day. starlet / stɑ lət/ noun a young film actress who hopes to become famous one day starlight / stɑ lat/ noun the light from the stars starling / stɑ lŋ/ noun a common dark European bird with a green gloss to its feathers starlit / stɑ lt/ adj lit by the light of the stars starry / stɑ ri/ adj covered with stars starry-eyed / stɑ ri ad/ adj unrealistically optimistic about your future life or career Stars and Stripes /stɑ z ən straps/ noun the flag of the United States (NOTE: takes a singular or plural verb) star sign / stɑ san/ noun the sign of the zodiac which marks your birth star-studded /stɑ stdd/ adj including many film or stage stars ① start /stɑ t/ noun 1. the beginning of something 쑗 Building the house took only six months from start to finish. 쑗 Things went wrong from the start. 쑗 Let’s forget all you’ve done up to now, and make a fresh start. 왍 for a start as the first point 쑗 For a start, tell me the exact time when you made the phone call. 2. leaving for a journey 쑗 We’re planning on a 6 o’clock start. 왍 let’s make an early start tomorrow let’s leave early 3. a place where a race begins 쑗 The cars were lined up at the start. 4. being in advance of other competitors 쑗 We’ll never catch them, they have three hours’ start on us. 쑗 I’ll give you four yards’ start. 5. a sudden jump of surprise 쑗 She gave a start when he put his hand on her shoulder. 쐽 verb 1. to begin to do something 쑗 When you learn Russian, you have to start by learning the alphabet. 쑗 The babies all started to cry or all started crying at the same time. 쑗 He started to eat or he started eating his dinner before the rest of the family. 쑗 Take an umbrella – it’s starting to rain. 왍 to start with first of all 쑗 We have lots to do but to start with we’ll do the washing up. 2. to leave on a starter 840 journey 쑗 We plan to start at 6 o’clock. 3. (of a machine) to begin to work 쑗 The car won’t start – the battery must be flat. 쑗 The engine started beautifully. 4. to make a machine begin to work 쑗 I can’t start the computer. 쑗 It is difficult to start a car in cold weather. 5. to make something begin to happen 쑗 He fired a gun to start the race. 쑗 The police think that the fire was started deliberately. 6. to jump with surprise 쑗 She started when she heard the bang. starter / stɑ tə/ noun 1. a person who starts doing something 쑗 There were sixty starters in the race, but only twenty finished. 2. a person who organises the start of something 쑗 The starter fired his pistol and the race started. 왍 under starter’s orders (of racers) ready to run just before the start 3. the first part of a meal 쑗 What do you all want as starters? 쑗 I don’t want a starter – just the main course. 왍 for starters as the first thing to be done 쑗 We need to get the room cleaned for starters. starting / stɑ tŋ/ adj at the beginning starting date / stɑ tŋ det/ noun a date on which something begins starting grid / stɑ tŋ DZrd/ noun lines marked on the track at the start of a car race starting gun / stɑ tŋ DZn/ noun a gun fired to start a race starting pistol / stɑ tŋ pstəl/ noun a small handgun which you fire to start a race starting point / stɑ tŋ pɔnt/ noun a place where something begins starting salary / stɑ tŋ sləri/ noun an amount of pay an employee gets when starting work with a company startle / stɑ t(ə)l/ verb to make someone suddenly surprised startling / stɑ t(ə)lŋ/ adj suddenly surprising start off /stɑ t ɒf/ verb 1. to begin 쑗 We’ll start off with soup and then have a meat dish. 2. to leave on a journey 쑗 You can start off now, and I’ll follow when I’m ready. start out /stɑ t aυt/ verb 1. to leave on a journey 쑗 She started out for home two hours ago, so I am surprised she hasn’t arrived. 2. to begin 쑗 I’d like to start out by saying how pleased I am to be here. start up /stɑ t p/ verb 1. to make a business begin to work 쑗 She started up a restaurant, but it failed. 2. to make a machine start to work 쑗 He started up the tractor. starvation /stɑ veʃ(ə)n/ noun illness through lack of food ③ starve /stɑ v/ verb 1. not to have enough food 쑗 Many people starved to death in the desert. 2. 왍 to starve someone of something not to give enough supplies to someone 쑗 The service is being starved of funds. statement starving / stɑ vŋ/ adj who do not have enough to eat 쑗 Relief workers tried to bring supplies to the starving people. 왍 I’m starving I am very hungry (informal ) 쑗 Isn’t dinner ready yet, I’m absolutely starving! stash /stʃ/ verb 1. stash, stash away to store in a safe place 쑗 He has thousands of dollars stashed away in overseas bank accounts. 2. to put 쑗 Make sure you stash all items of hand luggage in the rack above your seat. 쐽 noun a hidden store of things 쑗 We found a stash of old love letters in a secret drawer. ① state /stet/ noun 1. the way something or someone is at a specific time 쑗 The children are in a state of excitement. 쑗 The students left the flat in a terrible state. 쑗 She’s not in a fit state to receive visitors. 2. the government of a country 쑗 We all pay taxes to the state. 쑗 The state should pay for the upkeep of museums. 3. an independent country 쑗 The member states of the European Union. 4. one of the parts of a federal country 쑗 the State of Arizona 쑗 New South Wales has the largest population of all the Australian states. 쐽 adj referring to the state 쐽 verb to give information clearly 쑗 Please state your name and address. 쑗 It states in the instructions that you must not open the can near a flame. 쑗 The document states that all revenue has to be declared to the tax office. 앳 in a state 1. in a depressed, worried or upset condition 쑗 She’s in such a state that I don’t want to leave her alone. 쑗 He was in a terrible state after the phone call. 2. in a dirty or bad condition 쑗 Look at the state of your trousers. 쑗 They left our flat in a terrible state. stated / stetd/ adj made clear State Department / stet dpɑ tmənt/ noun a section of the US government dealing with foreign affairs (NOTE: In the UK, the . equivalent is the Foreign Office; in most other countries it is the Foreign Ministry.) state education /stet edjυ keʃ(ə)n/ noun the teaching of children in schools which belong to the state and in which the education is free statehood / stethυd/ noun the situation of being an independent state stateless / stetləs/ adj who is not a citizen of any country stately / stetli/ adj noble or dignified stately home /stetəli həυm/ noun a palace or large house, usually belonging to an aristocratic family ① statement / stetmənt/ noun 1. something that is spoken or written publicly 쑗 She refused to issue a statement to the press. 쑗 a statement about or on the new procedures 2. a clearly written or spoken description of something that happened 쑗 She made a state- state of affairs 841 ment to the police. 3. a list of invoices and credits and debits sent by a supplier to a customer at the end of each month 쑗 I want to query something in last month’s statement. 왍 monthly or quarterly statement a statement which is sent every month or every quarter state of affairs /stet əv ə feəz/ noun a general situation state of emergency /stet əv m" dȢənsi/ noun a time when the police or armed forces are in control of a country state of mind /stet əv mand/ noun a person’s feelings at a particular time state-of-the-art /stet əv ði ɑ t/ adj technically as advanced as possible. Antonym antiquated state-owned / stet əυnd/ adj owned by the country or government and not by private individuals States /stets/ noun the United States of America (informal ) state school / stet sku l/ noun a school which is funded by the state (NOTE: The US . term is public school.) stateside / stetsad/ adj, adv US in or to the United States of America statesman / stetsmən/ noun an experienced political leader or representative of a country (NOTE: The plural is statesmen.) statesmanlike / stetsmənlak/ adj wise and skilful, because of experience statesmanship / stetsmənʃp/ noun 1. skill in the government of a country 2. the ability to be a wise and skilful state trooper /stet tru pə/ noun US a policeman from a state police force statewide / stetwad/ adj US referring to the United States as whole static / sttk/ adj not changing, moving or growing 쑗 Sales have remained static for the last two months. 쐽 noun 1. electrical interference in the air which disturbs a radio signal 2. same as static electricity 쑗 When I touched the car door the static gave me a shock. static electricity /sttk lek trsti/ noun an electric charge that does not flow, as opposed to electricity which is flowing in a current ① station / steʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a place where trains stop and passengers get on or off 쑗 The train leaves the Central Station at 14.15. 쑗 This is a fast train – it doesn’t stop at every station. 쑗 We’ll try to get a sandwich at the station buffet. Also called railway station, train station 2. a large main building for a service 쑗 The fire station is just down the road from us. 쑗 He was arrested and taken to the local police station. 쐽 verb to place someone officially in a place 쑗 Soldiers were stationed in the frontier towns. 쑗 staunch Police were stationed all along the route of the procession. stationary / steʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adj not moving, standing still. Synonym motionless (NOTE: Do not confuse with stationery.) stationer / steʃ(ə)nə/ noun a person who has a shop which sells stationery 왍 the stationer’s a shop which sells stationery 쑗 Go to the stationer’s and get me some envelopes. stationery / steʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ noun materials used when writing, such as paper, envelopes, pens and ink (NOTE: no plural. Do not confuse with stationary.) statistic /stə tstk/ noun a fact given in the form of numbers statistical /stə tstk(ə)l/ adj referring to statistics statistician /stt stʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who studies or analyses statistics ② statistics /stə tstks/ plural noun facts given in the form of numbers 쐽 noun the study of facts in the form of numbers statue / sttʃu / noun a figure of a person or animal made from a substance such as stone or metal statuette /sttʃu et/ noun a very small statue stature / sttʃə/ noun 1. height 쑗 her imposing stature 2. importance 쑗 His stature in the party has never been greater. ② status / stetəs/ noun 1. social importance when compared to other people 쑗 He has a low-status job on the Underground. 쑗 His status in the company has been rising steadily. 왍 loss of status becoming less important in a group 2. a general position status quo /stetəs kwəυ/ noun the state of things as they are now status symbol / stetəs smbəl/ noun a thing which you use which shows that you are more important than someone else 왍 the chairman’s car is a just status symbol the size of his car shows how important he or his company is ③ statute / sttʃu t/ noun a written law, established in an Act of Parliament statute book / sttʃu t bυk/ noun a list of all the laws passed by Parliament which are still in force statutory / sttʃυt(ə)ri/ adj imposed by law staunch /stɔ ntʃ/ adj firm 쑗 She’s my staunchest friend. 쑗 They are staunch supporters of the Conservative party. Synonym loyal (NOTE: stauncher – staunchest) 쐽 verb to stop blood flowing 쑗 They tried to staunch the blood by putting ice on the wound. 쑗 They tied a bandage tightly round his arm in an attempt to staunch the flow of blood. stave 842 steamroller stave /stev/ noun 1. one of several curved steak /stek/ noun 1. a thick slice of beef 쑗 pieces of wood which form the sides of a barrel 2. a set of five lines on which music is written. Also called staff stave in /stev n/ verb to make a hole from the outside to the inside of something 쑗 The little boat hit the rocks and one of its sides was staved in. ① stay /ste/ verb 1. not to change 쑗 The temperature stayed below zero all day. 쑗 In spite of the fire, he stayed calm. 쑗 I won’t be able to stay awake until midnight. 2. to stop in a place 쑗 They came for lunch and stayed until after midnight. 쑗 I’m rather tired so I’ll stay at home tomorrow. 쑗 He’s ill and has to stay in bed. 3. to stop in a place as a visitor 쑗 They stayed two nights in Edinburgh on their tour of Scotland. 쑗 Where will you be staying when you’re in New York? 쑗 My parents are staying at the Hotel London. 쐽 noun the time during which you live in a place 쑗 My sister’s here for a short stay. 쑗 Did you enjoy your stay in London? stay away /ste ə we/ verb not to come or go to something stay in /ste n/ verb to stop at home instead of going out staying power / steŋ paυə/ noun the energy to keep on doing something until the job is finished. Synonym stamina stay of execution /ste əv ekskju ʃ(ə)n/ noun a delay in putting a legal order into effect stay out /ste aυt/ verb to remain away from home stay put /ste pυt/ verb to stay where you are and not move stay up /ste p/ verb not to go to bed STD abbr sexually transmitted disease stead /sted/ noun 왍 it stood him in good stead it was very useful to him 쑗 Being able to speak Japanese stood him in good stead. steadfast / stedfɑ st/ adj firm, constant steadily / stedli/ adv regularly or continuously. Synonym progressively. Antonym He ordered steak and chips. 쑗 I’m going to grill these steaks. 2. a thick slice cut across the body of a big fish 쑗 A grilled salmon steak for me, please! (NOTE: Do not confuse suddenly ③ steady / stedi/ adj 1. firm, not moving or wobbling 쑗 You need a steady hand to draw a straight line without a ruler. 쑗 He put a piece of paper under the table leg to keep it steady. 2. continuing in a regular way 쑗 There is a steady demand for computers. 쑗 The car was doing a steady seventy miles an hour. 쑗 She hasn’t got a steady boyfriend. (NOTE: steadier – steadiest) 쐽 interj 1. starting a race 쑗 Ready! Steady! Go! 2. 왍 steady on! be careful 쑗 Steady on! – You almost hit that car. 쐽 verb 1. to calm someone 쑗 She took a pill to steady her nerves. 2. to keep something firm 쑗 He put out his hand to steady the ladder. with stake.) steal /sti l/ verb 1. to take and keep ② something which belongs to another person without permission 쑗 Someone tried to steal my handbag. 쑗 She owned up to having stolen the jewels. 쑗 Did the burglar steal all your CDs? – I’m afraid so. 쑗 He was arrested for stealing, but the judge let him off with a fine. 2. 왍 to steal a glance or look at to look at quickly and secretly at someone or something 쑗 While the boss wasn’t looking she stole a glance at the papers on his desk. 왍 to steal the show or limelight to do better than a star actor 쑗 It was the little dog that stole the show. 쒁 thunder 3. to move quietly 쑗 He stole into the cellar and tried to find the safe. 왍 to steal away to go away very quietly 쑗 He stole away under cover of darkness. 왍 to steal a march on someone to do something in a stealthy way before someone else can do it stealth /stelθ/ noun 왍 by stealth in a secret way, without anyone knowing 쑗 They tried to get into the government laboratory by stealth. stealthily / stelθli/ adv without anyone knowing or seeing. Synonym furtively stealthy / stelθi/ adj without anyone knowing or seeing. Synonym furtive (NOTE: stealthier – stealthiest) ③ steam /sti m/ noun 1. the vapour which comes off hot or boiling water 쑗 Clouds of steam were coming out of the kitchen. 2. 왍 to let off steam to get rid of energy or annoyance by doing something strenuous (informal ) 쑗 We sent the children out to play football in the garden to let off steam. 쐽 verb 1. to send off steam 쑗 The kettle is steaming – the water must be boiling. 2. to cook over a pan of boiling water by allowing the steam to pass through holes in a container with food in it 쑗 How are you going to cook the fish? – I’ll steam it. 3. to move by steam power 쑗 The ship steamed out of the harbour. 4. to go fast in a particular direction 쑗 We were steaming along at 70 miles an hour when we had a flat tyre. steamer / sti mə/ noun 1. a pan with holes in the bottom which is placed over boiling water to cook food by steaming 쑗 The best way to cook vegetables is in a steamer. 2. a large ship powered by steam 쑗 We took the steamer from Cape Town to Mombasa. steamroller / sti mrəυlə/ noun a very heavy vehicle with a large cylinder as a front wheel, used to flatten new road surfaces 쐽 verb to force everyone to do what you want . steamship 843 쑗 They steamrollered the bill through Congress. steamship / sti mʃp/ noun a large ship powered by steam steam up /sti m p/ verb 1. to become covered with steam 쑗 My glasses got all steamed up when I went into the Palm House at Kew Gardens. 2. 왍 to get all steamed up about something to get angry about something (informal ) 쑗 Don’t get all steamed up – it’s not a major crisis. steamy / sti mi/ adj 1. hot and humid, as if full of steam 쑗 She chose a steamy summer day to visit London. 2. full of descriptions of sex 쑗 This is her steamiest novel yet. (NOTE: . steamier – steamiest) ② steel /sti l/ noun a strong metal made from iron and carbon 쑗 Steel knives are best for the kitchen. 쑗 The door is made of solid steel. 쐽 verb 왍 to steel yourself for something to get ready to do something which is going to be unpleasant 쑗 He steeled himself for a very awkward interview with the police. steel band /sti l bnd/ noun a band which plays West Indian music on steel drums of different sizes which make different notes steel wool /sti l wυl/ noun a mass of very fine steel wire used to clean metal surfaces steelworks / sti lw" ks/ noun a factory where steel is made steely / sti li/ adj 1. strongly determined 2. grey-blue ③ steep /sti p/ adj 1. which rises or falls sharply 쑗 The car climbed the steep hill with some difficulty. 쑗 The steps up the church tower are steeper than our stairs at home. 2. very sharply increasing or falling 쑗 a steep increase in interest charges 쑗 a steep fall in share prices 3. excessively high 쑗 Their prices are a bit steep. (NOTE: steeper – steepest) 쐽 verb 1. to soak in a liquid 쑗 Leave the clothes to steep in soapy water to get the stains out. 2. to soak in a liquid to absorb its flavour 쑗 The venison must steep in the marinade for 24 hours. 쑗 We had pears steeped in red wine. 3. 왍 to be steeped in something to have a lot of something 쑗 Windsor Castle is steeped in history. steeple / sti p(ə)l/ noun a church tower with a spire on top steeplechase / sti p(ə)ltʃes/ noun 1. a race run across open country, over fences and hedges, etc. 쑗 Eighty runners have entered for the steeplechase. 2. a horse race on a grass track over fences and ditches 쑗 His horse won the Easter Steeplechase. Compare flat racing steeply / sti pli/ adv rising or falling very quickly step steer /stə/ noun a castrated bull over one year old (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to make a vehicle go in a particular direction 쑗 She steered the car into a ditch. 쑗 The pilot steered the ship into harbour. 2. 왍 to steer clear of to avoid something 쑗 I steer clear of greasy food. steering / stərŋ/ noun the parts of a vehicle which control the direction in which it travels steering committee / stərŋ kəmti/ noun a small committee which manages the early stages of a project and checks on its progress, or which does the preparatory work for another body steering wheel / stərŋ wi l/ noun a wheel which is turned by the driver to make a vehicle go in a particular direction stellar / stelə/ adj referring to stars stem /stem/ noun 1. the tall thin part of a plant which holds a leaf, a flower or a fruit 쑗 Trim the stems before you put the flowers in the vase. Synonym stalk 2. the main stalk of a plant or tree 쑗 A shrub with ivy growing up the stem. 3. a part of a wine glass like a column 쑗 Wine glasses with coloured stems. 4. the basic part of a word to which endings or prefixes are added 5. 왍 from stem to stern from the front of a boat to the back 쑗 The boat was packed from stem to stern with tourists. 쐽 verb to try to prevent something flowing or spreading 쑗 First, try to stem the flow of blood. 쑗 The police are trying to stem the rising tide of crime. (NOTE: stemming – . stemmed) stem from / stem frəm/ verb to be caused by 쑗 His health problems stem from an untreated viral infection. stench /stentʃ/ noun an unpleasant strong smell. Synonym stink. Antonym fragrance stencil / stensəl/ noun 1. a sheet of cardboard or metal with a pattern cut out of it, so that if it is placed on a surface and colour is passed over it, the pattern will appear on the surface 쑗 He used a stencil with electrical components on it to illustrate his project. 2. a design which is painted in this way 쑗 The bathroom is decorated with stencils of fish and shellfish. 쐽 verb to mark with a stencil 쑗 His name was stencilled on each piece of luggage. (NOTE: stencilling – stencilled. The US spelling is stenciling – stenciled.) stenographer /stə nɒDZrəfə/ noun a person who can write spoken words fast in a special writing system ③ step /step/ noun 1. a movement of your foot when walking 쑗 I wonder when the baby will take his first steps. 쑗 Take a step sideways and you will be able to see the castle. 왍 to retrace your steps to go back the same way as you have just come 쑗 To find the Post Office, he had to retrace his steps to the traf- stepbrother 844 fic lights and then turn right. 2. 왍 to take one step forward and two steps back not to advance very quickly 3. a regular movement of feet at the same time as other people 왍 in step moving your feet at the same rate as everybody else 쑗 I tried to keep in step with him as we walked along. 쑗 The recruits can’t even march in step. 왍 out of step moving your feet at a different rate from everyone else 쑗 One of the squad always gets out of step. 왍 in step with something at the same rate or speed as something 쑗 House prices have risen in step with salaries. 왍 out of step with something moving at a different rate or speed from something 쑗 Wages have got out of step with the rise in the cost of living. 4. a footstep, the sound made by a foot touching the ground 쑗 We heard soft steps outside our bedroom door. 쑗 I can always recognise your father’s step. 5. one stair, which goes up or down 쑗 There are two steps down into the kitchen. 쑗 I counted 75 steps to the top of the tower. 쑗 Be careful, there’s a step up into the bathroom. 왍 a pair of steps a stepladder 6. an action which is done or has to be done out of several 쑗 The first and most important step is to find out how much money we can spend. 왍 step by step gradually, a little at a time 쑗 It’s better to introduce the changes step by step. 쑗 The book takes you step by step through French grammar. 왍 to take steps to to act to encourage or prevent something happening 쑗 We should take steps to encourage female applicants. 쑗 The museum must take steps to make sure that nothing else is stolen. 쐽 verb to move forwards, backwards or sideways on foot 쑗 He stepped out in front of a bicycle and was knocked down. 쑗 She stepped off the bus into a puddle. 쑗 Don’t step back, there’s a child behind you. 왍 to step on the brakes to push the brake pedal hard (informal ) 왍 to step on the gas US to drive faster 쑗 Step on the gas – we’ll miss the train! 왍 step on it! hurry up! (informal ) stepbrother / stepbrðə/ noun the son of a stepfather or stepmother step-by-step /step ba step/ adj gradual 쑗 a step-by-step process stepchild / steptʃald/ noun a stepdaughter or stepson stepdaughter / stepdɔ tə/ noun the daughter of a wife or husband from another marriage stepfather / stepfɑ ðə/ noun the husband of a mother, who is not a person’s father step in /step n/ verb 1. to enter 쑗 Please step in and see what we have to offer. 2. to do something in an area where you were not involved before 쑗 Everything was working fine until the manager stepped in. 쑗 Fortunately a teacher stepped in to break up the fight. . . sterilise stepladder / stepldə/ noun a small ladder in two parts, hinged together, which is steady when opened up and does not need to lean on anything stepmother / stepmðə/ noun the wife of a father, who is not a person’s mother steppe /step/ noun the huge plains covering central Asia and Russia stepping-stone / stepŋ stəυn/ noun 1. one of a series of large stones placed to allow you to cross a stream 쑗 I lost my balance going over the stepping-stones. 2. a useful stage in your career 쑗 Working in head office is a useful stepping-stone to becoming a manager. stepsister / stepsstə/ noun the daughter of a stepfather or stepmother stepson / stepsn/ noun the son of a wife or husband from another marriage step up /step p/ verb 1. to walk onto something higher 쑗 He stepped up onto the platform. 2. to increase the quantity of something 쑗 The company wants to step up production to 2,000 units a day. ③ stereo abbr stereophonic 쑗 a stereo disk 쐽 noun / steriəυ/ a machine which reproduces sound through two different loudspeakers 쑗 I bought a new pair of speakers for my stereo. 왍 in stereo using two speakers to give an impression of depth of sound stereophonic /steriə fɒnk/ adj referring to sound which comes through from two different channels and loudspeakers. Synonym stereo stereotype / steriətap/ noun a pattern for a certain type of person stereotyped / steriətapt/ adj which fits certain patterns stereotyping / steriətapŋ/ noun the idea that people fit certain patterns sterile / steral/ adj 1. free from infectious organisms 쑗 She put a sterile dressing on the wound. 2. infertile, not able to produce offspring 쑗 The flowers on some plants are sterile. Antonym fertile 3. not producing any useful results 쑗 They engaged in a sterile debate about human rights. sterilisation /sterla zeʃ(ə)n/, sterilization noun 1. the action of making something free from infectious organisms 쑗 Sterilisation of all surgical equipment is essential. 2. the action of making a person unable to produce children 쑗 Sterilisation was used to help reduce the expanding population. sterilise / sterlaz/, sterilize verb 1. to make something sterile by killing infectious organisms 쑗 Surgical instruments must be sterilised before used. 쑗 The soil needs to be sterilised before being used for greenhouse cultivation. 2. to make a person unable to sterility 845 have children 쑗 A vasectomy is a surgical operation to sterilise men. sterility /ste rlti/ noun 1. being free from infectious organisms 쑗 It is essential to ensure the sterility of all equipment in the operating theatre. 2. being unable to produce offspring 쑗 Increased sterility has been found in men living near the nuclear site. Antonym fertility sterling / st" lŋ/ noun British currency 쑗 The prices are quoted in sterling. 쐽 adj of a high standard (formal ) 쑗 She has many sterling qualities. 쑗 This old coat has done sterling service over the years. sterling silver /st" lŋ slvə/ noun silver of a standard high purity stern /st" n/ adj serious and strict 쑗 The judge addressed some stern words to the boys. (NOTE: sterner – sternest) 쐽 noun the back part of a ship 쑗 The stern of the ship was damaged. 쒁 stem (NOTE: The front part . is the bow.) sternum / st" nəm/ noun a bone in the centre of the front of the chest to which most of the ribs are attached (technical ) Also called breastbone steroid / stərɔd/ noun 1. one of several natural chemical compounds which affect the body and its functions 2. a synthetic chemical used to treat some disorders and also used by some athletes to improve their strength 쑗 The random sample of urine obtained from the athlete proved that he had been taking steroids. 쑗 She was banned from competing after tests showed that she had taken steroids. stethoscope / steθəskəυp/ noun an instrument with two earpieces connected to a tube and a metal disc, used by doctors to listen to sounds made inside the body by organs such as the heart or lungs stetson / stetsən/ trademark a tall cowboy hat with a wide brim stevedore / sti vədɔ / noun a man who works in a harbour, loading and unloading ships. Also called docker (NOTE: The US . term is longshoreman.) stew /stju / noun 1. a dish of meat and veg- etables cooked together for a long time 쑗 This lamb stew is a French recipe. 2. 왍 in a stew feeling anxious because of being in an awkward situation (informal ) 쑗 Having lost my wallet, I’m in a bit of a stew. 쐽 verb 1. to cook for a long time in liquid 쑗 Stew the apples until they are completely soft. 2. 왍 to stew in your own juice to suffer the bad effects of something you have done (informal ) 쑗 Don’t lend him any more money, leave him to stew in his own juice for a while. steward / stju əd/ noun 1. a man who looks after passengers, and serves meals or drinks on a ship, aircraft, train or in a club 쑗 The steward served us tea on deck. 2. a per. . stick out son who organises public events such as races etc. 쑗 The stewards will inspect the course to see if the race can go ahead. stewardess /stju ə des/ noun a woman who looks after passengers and serves food and drinks on a ship or aircraft (dated ) . (NOTE: The plural is stewardesses.) ① stick /stk/ noun 1. a thin piece of wood He jabbed a pointed stick into the hole. 쑗 I need a strong stick to tie this plant to. 2. a thin branch of a tree 3. anything long and thin 쑗 a stick of celery 쑗 a stick of chewing gum 쐽 verb 1. to attach with glue 쑗 Can you stick the pieces of the cup together again? 쑗 She stuck the stamp on the letter. 쑗 They stuck a poster on the door. 2. to be fixed or not to be able to move 쑗 The car was stuck in the mud. 쑗 The door sticks – you need to push it hard to open it. 쑗 The cake will stick if you don’t grease the tin. 쑗 He was stuck in Italy without any money. 3. to push something into something 쑗 He stuck his hand into the hole. 쑗 She stuck her finger in the jam to taste it. 쑗 She stuck the ticket into her bag. 쑗 She stuck a needle into her finger. 4. to stay in a place 쑗 Stick close to your mother and you won’t get lost. 왍 to stick together to stay together 쑗 If we stick together they should let us into the club. 왍 to stick to your guns to keep to your point of view even if everyone says you are wrong 5. to put up with 쑗 I don’t know how she can stick working in that office. 쑗 I’m going, I can’t stick it here any longer. (NOTE: sticking – stuck /stk/) ③ sticker / stkə/ noun a small piece of paper or plastic which you can stick on something to show a price, as a decoration or to advertise something sticking plaster / stkŋ plɑ stə/ noun a small strip of cloth with gauze in the middle, which can be stuck to the skin to cover a wound (NOTE: The US term is a tradename: 쑗 Band-Aid.) sticking point / stkŋ pɔnt/ noun a point where something stops and which prevents the discussion going forward. Synonym stumbling block stick-in-the-mud / stk n ðə md/ noun an old-fashioned person who refuses to change his habits (informal ) Synonym . reactionary stickler / stklə/ noun someone who insists on the correctness of details stick out /stk aυt/ verb 1. to push something out 왍 to stick your tongue out at someone to make a rude gesture by putting your tongue out of your mouth as far as it will go 쑗 That little girl stuck out her tongue at me! 2. to be further forward or extended away from something 쑗 Your wallet is sticking out of your pocket. 쑗 The balcony sticks out over the road. 3. 왍 to stick out a mile or sticks 846 like a sore thumb to be easily seen (informal ) 쑗 Their house sticks out a mile because it is painted pink. sticks /stks/ noun 왍 in the sticks in the depths of the country 쑗 Living in the sticks, they know nothing about what is happening in London. stick up /stk p/ verb 1. to be further up above a surface or to extend beyond a surface 쑗 The aerial sticks up above the roof of the car. 2. to attach something to something such as a wall or noticeboard for people to see 쑗 She stuck up a notice about the village fête. 3. 왍 stick ’em up! put your hands up! (informal ) ③ sticky / stki/ adj 1. covered with something which sticks like glue 쑗 My fingers are all sticky. 쑗 This stuff is terribly sticky – I can’t get it off my fingers. 2. with glue on one side so that it sticks easily 3. difficult or embarrassing 쑗 I’m in a rather sticky situation here. 왍 he came to a sticky end something bad finally happened to him 왍 on a sticky wicket in a difficult situation 쑗 The poor man’s on a very sticky wicket. sticky label /stki leb(ə)l/ noun a label with glue on one side which you can stick without wetting (NOTE: Labels with dry glue . . on them and which you have to wet, are called gummed labels.) sticky tape / stki tep/ noun a strip of plastic with glue on one side, used to stick things together ② stiff /stf/ adj 1. which does not move easily 쑗 The lock is very stiff – I can’t turn the key. 쑗 I’ve got a stiff neck. 쑗 She was feeling stiff all over after running in the race. 2. with hard bristles 쑗 You need a stiff brush to get the mud off your shoes. 3. difficult 쑗 He had to take a stiff test before he qualified. 4. formal, not friendly 쑗 His attitude was very stiff towards her. 5. strong, not weak 쑗 They face stiff competition. 쑗 A stiff breeze was blowing across the bay. 쑗 He got a stiff reprimand from the boss. (NOTE: stiffer – stiffest) stiff drink /stf drŋk/ noun an alcoholic drink with very little water added stiffen / stf(ə)n/ verb 1. to become or make stiff 쑗 As you get older, your joints stiffen. 2. to become cautious or unfriendly 쑗 She stiffened when she heard his voice. 3. (of wind ) to become stronger 쑗 The boats raced across the bay as the breeze stiffened. 4. to make stronger 쑗 The TV broadcasts helped to stiffen resistance to the government’s new measures. stiffly / stfli/ adv in a stiff way stiffness / stfnəs/ noun 1. having muscle pains after doing exercise, or being unable to move easily because of damaged joints 쑗 Arthritis accompanied by a certain amount of . still life stiffness in the joints. 2. the quality of being stiff 쑗 The stiffness of the material makes it unsuitable for a dress. stifle / staf(ə)l/ verb 1. to make someone not able to breathe, not to be able to breathe because of heat or smoke 쑗 The firemen were almost stifled by the toxic gas. 2. to prevent something 쑗 The plan of the authorities is to stifle any protests before they start. 왍 to stifle a yawn to try to prevent yourself from yawning 쑗 He had difficulty in stifling a yawn. stifling / staf(ə)lŋ/ adj 1. which makes it difficult to breathe 쑗 Stifling black smoke made them cough. 2. extremely hot 쑗 He stepped off the plane into the stifling heat of the Louisiana sunshine. stigma / stDZmə/ noun 1. a feeling of shame 쑗 The stigma attached to alcoholism makes people try to hide their drinking habits. Synonym disgrace 2. a part of the female organ of a flower that forms seeds after receiving pollen stigmatise / stDZmətaz/, stigmatize verb to give someone or something a bad name. Synonym brand stile /stal/ noun steps which allow people, but not animals, to get over a wall or fence (NOTE: Do not confuse with style.) stiletto /st letəυ/ noun a long thin dagger (NOTE: The plural is stilettos.) stiletto heels /st letəυ hi lz/ plural noun high thin heels on women’s shoes ① still /stl/ adj 1. not moving 쑗 Stand still while I take the photo. 쑗 There was no wind, and the surface of the lake was completely still. 2. (of drinks) not fizzy 쑗 Can I have a glass of still mineral water, please? 쐽 adv 1. continuing until now; which continued until then 쑗 I thought he had left, but I see he’s still there. 쑗 They came for lunch and were still sitting at the table at eight o’clock in the evening. 쑗 Weeks afterwards, they’re still talking about the accident. 2. used with comparatives to emphasise 쑗 We’ve had a cold autumn, but they expect the winter will be colder still. 왍 still more even more 쑗 There were at least ten thousand people in the football stadium and still more queuing to get in. 3. in spite of everything 쑗 It wasn’t sunny for the picnic – still, it didn’t rain. 쑗 He still insisted on going on holiday even though he had broken his leg. 쐽 noun one picture from a moving film 쑗 The biography is illustrated with stills from some of her most famous films. stillborn / stlbɔ n/ adj 1. (of a baby) which is born dead 2. (of an idea) which is never put into practice still life /stl laf/ noun a painting of objects such as fruit, bottles, flowers or food (NOTE: The plural is still lifes.) stilted 847 stilted / stltd/ adj forced and unnatural. Synonym affected stilton / stltən/ noun a soft rich white or white and blue cheese, with a strong flavour, named after the village of Stilton in Cambridgeshire stimulant / stmjυlənt/ noun 1. a substance which makes the body function faster 쑗 Caffeine is a stimulant. 2. something which encourages more activity 쑗 Tax cuts should act as a stimulant to the economy. stimulate / stmjυlet/ verb to encourage someone or an organ to be more active stimulating / stmjυletŋ/ adj causing interest, excitement or enthusiasm stimulation /stmjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of being stimulated stimulus / stmjυləs/ noun an encouragement or incentive that leads to greater activity (NOTE: The plural is stimuli / stmjυla/.) sting /stŋ/ noun 1. a wound made by an insect or plant 쑗 Bee stings can be very painful. 쑗 Have you anything for wasp stings? 2. a tiny needle that is part of an insect or plant which injects poison into your skin 쑗 He pulled out the sting which had lodged in her arm. 쐽 verb 1. to wound with an insect’s or plant’s sting 쑗 I’ve been stung by a wasp. 쑗 She walked bare-legged through the wood and got stung by nettles. 2. to give a burning feeling 쑗 The antiseptic may sting a little at first. sting for / stŋ fɔ / verb to make someone pay a lot of money for something (informal ) 쑗 He was stung for parking on a yellow line. 쑗 They stung me for £100. stinging / stŋŋ/ adj painfully sharp and piercing stinging nettle / stŋŋ net(ə)l/ noun a common weed which stings when you touch it stingy / stndȢi/ adj (informal ) 1. not very generous 2. not large ③ stink /stŋk/ noun 1. a very nasty smell 쑗 There’s a terrible stink in the kitchen. 2. 왍 to create or make or kick up or raise a stink about something to complain vigorously about something (informal ) 쑗 The neighbours will kick up a stink if you damage their fence. 쐽 verb 1. to make a nasty smell 쑗 The office stinks of gas. 2. to seem to be dishonest (informal ) 쑗 The whole affair stinks. (NOTE: stank /stŋk/ – stunk /stŋk/) stinking / stŋkŋ/ adj, adv very, or very bad (informal ) 쑗 They’re stinking rich. 쑗 I’ve got a stinking cold. stint /stnt/ noun 1. a period of working 쑗 It’s your turn to help now, I’ve done my stint. 쑗 She had a long stint as a sister in a London hospital. 2. 왍 without stint in large quanti. . . . . stitch ties, with no restriction (formal ) 쑗 They gave their time to the project without stint. 쐽 verb 왍 not to stint to give a large amount (usually negative) 쑗 They didn’t stint their help. 쑗 He didn’t stint on expense when he had his office redecorated. 왍 not to stint yourself to allow yourself a large amount 쑗 Don’t stint yourself – there’s plenty of food for everyone. stipend / stapend/ noun the salary of a priest or a magistrate stipulate / stpjυlet/ verb to insist, to make it a condition that. Synonym specify stipulation /stpjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun a condition in a contract ③ stir /st" / verb 1. to move a liquid or powder or something which is cooking, to mix it up 쑗 He was stirring the sugar into his coffee. 쑗 Keep stirring the porridge, or it will stick to the bottom of the pan. 2. to move about 쑗 The baby slept peacefully without stirring. 쑗 I didn’t stir from my desk all day. 3. 왍 to stir someone to do something to make someone feel that they ought to do something 쑗 We must try to stir the committee into action. 쐽 noun 1. the action of mixing the ingredients of something, or something which is cooking 쑗 Add the sugar and give the mixture a stir. 쑗 You should give the porridge an occasional stir. 2. excitement 쑗 The exhibition caused a stir in the art world. stir-fry / st" fra/ verb to cook vegetables or meat quickly in hot oil, while continuously stirring 쑗 Stir-fry the vegetables separately, not all together. 쐽 noun vegetables or meat cooked quickly in a little hot oil 쑗 We had a beef stir-fry. 쑗 She made a stir-fry of vegetables and bamboo shoots. stirring / st" rŋ/ adj exciting, encouraging. Synonym rousing stirrup / strəp/ noun a metal loop hanging from the saddle into which a rider puts his or her foot stir up /st" r p/ verb to encourage strong emotions or reactions 쑗 The fans came with the deliberate intention of stirring up trouble. ② stitch /sttʃ/ noun 1. a little loop of thread made with a needle in sewing or with knitting needles when knitting 쑗 She used very small stitches in her embroidery. 쑗 Very fine wool will give you more stitches than in the pattern. 2. clothes 왍 not a stitch to wear nothing suitable to wear 쑗 How can I go to the party – I haven’t a stitch to wear. 왍 with not a stitch on completely naked 쑗 I can’t come now, I haven’t a stitch on. 3. a small loop of thread used by a surgeon to attach the sides of a wound together to help it to heal 쑗 She had three stitches in her arm. 쑗 Come back in ten days’ time to have the stitches removed. 4. a sharp pain caused by cramp in the side of the body after you have been run. stock 848 ning 쑗 I can’t go any further – I’ve got a stitch. 5. 왍 in stitches laughing out loud 쑗 His story about the school play had us all in stitches. 쐽 verb 1. to attach something with a needle and thread 쑗 She stitched the badge to his jacket. 2. to sew the sides of a wound together 쑗 After the operation, the surgeon stitched the wound. 쑗 His finger was cut off in an accident and the surgeon tried to stitch it back on. ② stock /stɒk/ noun 1. a supply of something kept to use when needed 쑗 I keep a good stock of printer paper at home. 쑗 Our stocks of food are running low. 쑗 The factory has large stocks of coal. 2. quantities of goods for sale (NOTE: The US term is inventory.) 3. 왍 in stock available in the shop or warehouse 쑗 We hold 2,000 items in stock. 왍 out of stock not available in the shop or warehouse 쑗 We are out of stock of this item or this item is out of stock. 왍 to take stock to count the items in a warehouse 쑗 They take stock every evening after the store closes. 왍 to take stock of a situation to assess how bad a situation is 쑗 We need to take stock of the situation and decide what to do next. 4. investments in a company, represented by shares 5. family and ancestors 쑗 He comes of old farming stock. 6. pedigree farm animals 쑗 Stock prices fell at the market last week. 왍 fat stock animals reared for meat. 쏡 livestock 7. the plant on which a graft is made 쑗 He grafted the apple cutting onto the stock. 8. a liquid made from boiling bones in water, used as a base for soups and sauces 쑗 Fry the onions and pour in some chicken stock. 9. 왍 on the stocks being worked on 쑗 She’s finished writing one book and now has another on the stocks. 10. the handle of a rifle 쐽 verb to keep goods for sale in a warehouse or shop 쑗 They don’t stock this book. 쑗 We try to stock the most popular colours. 쐽 adj 1. standard 왍 stock argument an argument which is frequently used 2. usually kept in a store 쑗 stock items stockade /stɒ ked/ noun a strong fence made of thick upright poles stockbroker / stɒkbrəυkə/ noun a person who buys or sells shares for clients stock control / stɒk kəntrəυl/ noun making sure that enough stock is kept and that quantities and movements of stock are noted (NOTE: The US term is inventory control.) Stock Exchange / stɒk kstʃendȢ/ noun a place where stocks and shares are bought and sold stockholder / stɒkhəυldə/ noun a person who holds shares in a company. Synonym investor stocking / stɒkŋ/ noun a long light piece of women’s clothing which covers all of a stomach leg and foot 왍 in your stocking or stockinged feet without your shoes on 쑗 She is five foot three in her stocking feet. stocking filler / stɒkŋ flə/ noun a little gift which can be put into a Christmas stocking stockist / stɒkst/ noun a person or shop which stocks a certain product stock market / stɒk mɑ kt/ noun a place where shares are bought and sold. Also called stock exchange stockpile / stɒkpal/ noun large supplies of something kept by a country or company for future use 쑗 the country’s stockpile of weapons 쐽 verb to collect large supplies of something together in case you need them in the future 쑗 We started to stockpile raw materials in case there was a rail strike. stocks and shares /stɒks ən ʃeəz/ plural noun shares in ordinary companies stocktaking / stɒktekŋ/ noun counting and listing the existing stock in a shop or business stock up /stɒk p/ verb to buy supplies for use in the future stocky / stɒki/ adj with large shoulders, a strong body and short, strong legs. Antonym slight (NOTE: stockier – stockiest) stodge /stɒdȢ/ noun a heavy filling food, such as a pudding stodgy / stɒdȢi/ adj (of food ) heavy and filling (NOTE: stodgier – stodgiest) stoic / stəυk/ noun a person who accepts problems or pain without complaining stoical / stəυk(ə)l/ adj accepting what happens without complaining stoically / stəυkli/ adv in a way which accepts problems or pain without complaining stoke /stəυk/ verb to put wood or coal into a fire stole /stəυl/ noun a wide light scarf worn around the shoulders 쑗 She wore a pale blue stole with her evening dress. Synonym shawl 쐽 verb 쒁 steal stolen / stəυlən/ 쒁 steal stolid / stɒld/ adj serious, not easily excited. Synonym impassive. Antonym . emotional stomach / stmək/ noun 1. a part of the body shaped like a bag, into which food passes after being swallowed and where it continues to be digested 쑗 I don’t want anything to eat – my stomach’s upset or I have a stomach upset. 쑗 He has had stomach trouble for some time. 왍 his eyes were bigger than his stomach he took too much food and couldn’t finish it 2. the area round the abdomen 쑗 He had been kicked in the stomach. 쐽 verb to put up with 쑗 They left the meeting because they couldn’t stomach any more arguments. Synonym tolerate ② stomach ache 849 stomach ache / stmək ek/ noun a pain in the abdomen stomach upset / stmək pset/ noun a slight infection of the stomach stomp /stɒmp/ verb to walk with heavy steps ① stone /stəυn/ noun 1. a very hard material, found in the earth, used for building 쑗 All the houses in the town are built in the local grey stone. 쑗 The stone carvings in the old church date from the 15th century. 쑗 Stone floors can be very cold. (NOTE: no plural: some stone, a piece of stone, a block of stone) 2. a small piece of stone 쑗 The children were playing at throwing stones into the pond. 쑗 The beach isn’t good for bathing as it’s covered with very sharp stones. 3. a British measure of weight equal to 14 pounds or 6.35 kilograms 쑗 She’s trying to lose weight and so far has lost a stone and a half. 쑗 He weighs twelve stone ten (i.e. 12 stone 10 pounds). (NOTE: no plural in this meaning: He weighs ten stone. In the USA, human body weight is always given only in pounds.) 4. a single hard seed inside a fruit 쑗 Count the cherry stones on the side of your plate. 5. a hard piece of mineral which forms inside your body, particularly in the kidneys, and causes pain 쐽 adv completely 왍 stone cold very cold 왍 stone deaf completely deaf 쐽 verb 왍 to stone someone to death (as a punishment ) to throw stones at someone and kill him or her stoned /stəυnd/ adj 1. (of fruit ) with the stone removed 쑗 We only buy stoned olives. 2. high on drugs (informal ) 쑗 He was completely stoned when I met him. stony / stəυni/ adj 1. made of lots of stones 쑗 They walked carefully across the stony beach. 2. showing no emotion 쑗 They sat with stony faces, listening to the accusation. stood /stυd/ 쒁 stand ③ stool /stu l/ noun a small seat with no back 쑗 When the little girl sat on the piano stool her feet didn’t touch the floor. 쒁 footstool 왍 to fall between two stools to have two possible ways of doing something and not to do either successfully 쑗 He tried to please both his wife and his friends and fell between two stools. stoop /stu p/ verb 1. to bend forward 쑗 She stooped and picked something up off the carpet. 쑗 I found him standing at the table, stooped over a spreadsheet. 2. to have a permanently bent back 쑗 He’s only in his sixties and he already stoops. 쐽 noun a position where you are bent forwards 쑗 She has a stoop. 쑗 He walks with a stoop. ① stop /stɒp/ verb 1. not to move any more 쑗 The motorcycle didn’t stop at the red lights. 쑗 This train stops at all stations to London Waterloo. 2. to make something not . . . stopgap move any more 쑗 The policeman stopped the traffic to let the lorry back out of the garage. 쑗 Stop that boy! – he’s stolen my purse. 3. not to do something any more 쑗 The office clock has stopped at 4.15. 쑗 At last it stopped raining and we could go out. 쑗 She spoke for two hours without stopping. 쑗 We all stopped work and went home. 쑗 The restaurant stops serving meals at midnight. 4. 왍 to stop someone or something (from) doing something to make someone or something not do something any more 쑗 The rain stopped us from having a picnic. 쑗 How can the police stop people stealing cars? 쑗 Can’t you stop the children from making such a noise? 쑗 The plumber couldn’t stop the tap dripping. 5. to stay at a place for a short time 쑗 Can you stop at the newsagent’s on your way home and buy the evening paper? 6. 왍 to stop at nothing to do everything, whether good or bad, to succeed 쑗 He’ll stop at nothing to get that job. 왍 to stop short of doing something to stop just in time to avoid doing something 쑗 He stopped short of admitting he was guilty. 7. to stay as a visitor in a place 쑗 They stopped for a few days in Paris. 쑗 I expect to stop in Rome for the weekend. 8. to prevent a business or bank activity taking place 왍 to stop an account to stop supplying a customer until he has paid what he owes 왍 to stop a cheque, to stop payment on a check to ask a bank not to pay a cheque that you have written 왍 to stop someone’s wages to take money out of someone’s wages as a punishment 쑗 We stopped £25 from his pay because he was late. 쐽 noun 1. the end of something, especially of movement 쑗 The police want to put a stop to car crimes. 왍 to come to a stop or a full stop to stop moving or continuing 쑗 The car rolled on without the driver, and finally came to a stop at the bottom of the hill. 쑗 All the building work came to a stop when the money ran out. 2. a place where you break a journey 쑗 We’ll make a stop at the next service station. 3. a place where a bus or train lets passengers get on or off 쑗 We have been waiting at the bus stop for twenty minutes. 쑗 There are six stops between here and Marble Arch. 4. a knob which is pulled on an organ to use different pipes, so making different types of sound 왍 to pull out all the stops to make every effort (informal ) 쑗 They pulled out all the stops to make sure the work was finished on time. stop by /stɒp ba/ verb to visit someone for a short time stopcock / stɒpkɒk/ noun a tap which turns off the main supply of water stopgap / stɒpDZp/ noun something used for a short time, while waiting for something better to be found . stoplight 850 stoplight / stɒplat/ noun US a traffic light stop off /stɒp ɒf/ verb to stop for a time in a place before going on with your journey. Synonym call stop over /stɒp əυvə/ verb to spend a night in a place on a long journey 쑗 We’ll stop over in Rome on the flight to Hong Kong. stopover / stɒpəυvə/ noun a short overnight stop on a long journey by air stoppage / stɒpdȢ/ noun 1. the action of stopping something from moving 쑗 Deliveries will be late because of stoppages on the production line. 2. money taken from an employee’s wages to pay for insurance and tax stopper / stɒpə/ noun a piece of glass etc., put into the mouth of a bottle or jar to close it stop press /stɒp pres/ noun, adj a last piece of news added to a newspaper before it is printed stop up /stɒp p/ verb 1. not to go to bed 쑗 We stopped up late to see the New Year in. 쑗 I’m going to stop up to watch the golf on TV. 2. to block something 쑗 He tried to stop up the hole in the pipe with some kind of cement. stopwatch / stɒpwɒtʃ/ noun a watch which can be started and stopped by pressing a button, used for timing races ③ storage / stɔ rdȢ/ noun 1. the act of keeping something in a store or warehouse 쑗 We put our furniture into storage. 쑗 We don’t have enough storage space in this house. 왍 to put a plan into cold storage to postpone work on a plan, usually for a very long time 2. the cost of keeping things in store 쑗 Storage costs us 10% of the value of the items stored. 3. a facility for storing data in a computer 쑗 a hard disk with a storage capacity of 200Mb storage capacity / stɔ rdȢ kəpsti/ noun the space available for storage storage facilities / stɔ rdȢ fəsltiz/ noun equipment and buildings suitable for storage ① store /stɔ / noun 1. a shop, usually a big shop 쑗 You can buy shoes in any of the big stores in town. 쑗 Does the store have a hairdressing salon? 2. supplies kept to use later 쑗 We keep a big store of coal for the winter. 쑗 They bought stores for their journey. 3. a place where goods are kept 쑗 The goods will be kept in store until they are needed. 왍 to be in store for someone, to have something in store for someone to be going to happen to someone 쑗 She’s got a big surprise in store. 쑗 We didn’t know what would be in store for us when we surrendered to the enemy. 쐽 verb 1. to keep food etc. to use later 쑗 We store (away) all our vegetables in the garden shed. 2. to put something in a warehouse for safe storybook keeping 쑗 We stored our furniture while we were looking for a house to buy. 3. to keep something in a computer file 쑗 We store all our personnel records on computer. store card / stɔ kɑ d/ noun a credit card issued by a department store which can only be used for purchases within that store storefront / stɔ frnt/ noun US a part of a store which faces the street, including the entrance and the windows (NOTE: The British term is shopfront.) storehouse / stɔ haυs/ noun 1. a place where information is kept 쑗 The museum is a storehouse of expertise on ancient art. 2. a place where things are stored (old ) 쑗 The Roman grain storehouses were burnt in the fire. storeroom / stɔ ru m/ noun a room where goods can be stored ③ storey / stɔ ri/ noun a whole floor in a building (NOTE: The US spelling is story.) stork /stɔ k/ noun a large white bird with long legs and a long thin red beak ② storm /stɔ m/ noun a high wind and very bad weather 쑗 Several ships got into difficulties in the storm. 쑗 How many trees were blown down in last night’s storm? 쑗 March and October are the worst months for storms. 왍 received a storm of applause was cheered very loudly 쐽 verb 1. to rush about angrily 쑗 He stormed into the shop and demanded to see the manager. 왍 to storm off or out to go away or out in anger 쑗 She stormed out of the meeting and called her lawyer. 2. to attack suddenly and capture 쑗 Our troops stormed the enemy camp. 앳 by storm 1. in a sudden rush or attack 쑗 The soldiers took the enemy castle by storm. 2. in a whirl of excitement 쑗 The pop group has taken the town by storm. 앳 a storm in a teacup a lot of fuss about something which is not important (informal ) stormy / stɔ mi/ adj 1. when there are storms 쑗 They are forecasting stormy weather for the weekend. 2. involving a lot of argument and anger ① story / stɔ ri/ noun 1. a description that tells what really happened 쑗 She told her story to the journalist. 왍 it’s a long story it is difficult to describe what happened 2. a description that tells things that did not really happen but are invented by someone 쑗 The book is the story of two children during the war. 쑗 She writes children’s stories about animals. 3. something which is not true 쑗 Nobody will believe such stories. Synonym lie 4. US same as storey (NOTE: The plural . . is stories.) storybook / stɔ ribυk/ noun a book of children’s stories 쑗 The library’s choice of storybooks for the under fives is excellent. 쐽 adj as good and perfect as in a children’s story 쑗 To her he seemed like a storybook prince. storyline 851 storyline / stɔ rilan/ noun the plot of a novel or film etc. storyteller / stɔ ritelə/ noun a person who tells a story stout /staυt/ adj 1. (of a person) quite fat 쑗 He has become much stouter and has difficulty going up stairs. 2. (of material ) strong or thick 쑗 Take a few sheets of stout paper. 쑗 Find a stout branch to stand on. 3. brave 쑗 A few stout men held off the enemy attack. (NOTE: stouter – stoutest) 쐽 noun a strong dark-coloured beer 쑗 He was sitting quietly in the bar, drinking a glass of stout. ③ stove /stəυv/ noun a piece of equipment for heating or cooking. Also called cooker stow /stəυ/ verb to put away 쑗 He had stowed all the luggage in the boot of the car. stow away /stəυ ə we/ verb 1. to put away 쑗 It’s June – time you stowed away your skis. 2. to travel secretly on a ship or aircraft without paying the fare 쑗 They found two students stowing away in a lifeboat. stowaway / stəυəwe/ noun a person who travels secretly on a ship or aircraft without paying straddle / strd(ə)l/ verb 1. to stand with legs apart, on either side of something 쑗 He straddled the ditch. 2. be on both sides of something 쑗 The town straddles the main highway to the north. straggle / strDZ(ə)l/ verb 1. to move in various directions, not in an orderly fashion 쑗 After the flood went down a few people straggled back to their villages each day. 2. to grow or lie in various directions 쑗 Her hair was straggling over her face. straggler / strDZlə/ noun a person or animal who comes after everyone else straggly / strDZli/ adj untidy ① straight /stret/ adj 1. not curved 쑗 Edgware Road is a long straight street. 쑗 The line under the picture isn’t straight. 쑗 She has straight black hair. 쑗 Stand up straight! 2. not sloping 쑗 Your tie isn’t straight. 쑗 Is the picture straight? 3. clear and simple 쑗 I want you to give me a straight answer. 4. tidy 쑗 Can you get the room straight before the visitors arrive? 5. 왍 to get something straight to understand clearly the meaning of something 쑗 Before you start, let’s get this straight – you are not going to be paid for the work. 6. heterosexual, not homosexual 쑗 He met up with two straight guys in Sydney. 7. 왍 to keep a straight face to stop yourself smiling 쑗 She had difficulty keeping a straight face as she watched the children’s Christmas show. 쐽 adv 1. in a straight line, not curving 쑗 The road goes straight across the plain for two hundred kilometres. 쑗 She was sitting straight in front of you. 왍 to go straight on, to keep straight on to continue along this road without turn. strain ing off it 쑗 Go straight on past the crossroads and then turn left. 쑗 Keep straight on and you’ll find the hospital just after the supermarket. 2. immediately, at once 쑗 Wait for me here – I’ll come straight back. 쑗 If there is a problem, you should go straight to the manager. 3. without stopping or changing 쑗 She drank the milk straight out of the bottle. 쑗 The cat ran straight across the road in front of the car. 쑗 He looked me straight in the face. 쑗 The plane flies straight to Washington. 4. (of a drink) with no water or any other liquid added 쑗 He drinks his whisky straight. Also called neat 5. 왍 to go straight to stop committing crimes (informal ) 쑗 After he left prison he went straight for six or seven months. 쐽 noun (on a racetrack) a part which is straight 쑗 The runners are coming into the final straight. 쒁 home straight . (NOTE: Do not confuse with straits.) straightaway /stretə we/ adv at once. Synonym immediately. Antonym later straighten / stret(ə)n/ verb to make straight straighten up /stret(ə)n p/ verb 1. to stand straight after bending 쑗 He straightened up and looked at me. 2. to make something tidy 쑗 I must straighten up my bedroom before I leave. straight fight /stret fat/ noun an election contest between two candidates only ③ straightforward /stret fɔ wəd/ adj 1. honest and frank 쑗 She gave a straightforward answer. 2. easy, not complicated 쑗 If you follow the instructions carefully, it’s quite a straightforward job. straight off /stret ɒf/ adv immediately (informal ) Antonym later straight out /stret aυt/ adv directly, without hesitating strain /stren/ noun 1. the force of pulling something tight 쑗 Can that small rope take the strain of the boat? 2. 왍 to put a strain on to make something more difficult 쑗 The strong pound will put a strain on our exports. 쑗 His drinking put a strain on their marriage. 3. a condition where a muscle has been stretched or torn by a sudden movement 쑗 She dropped out of the race with muscle strain. 4. nervous tension and stress 쑗 Can she stand the strain of working in that office? 5. music, part of a tune 쑗 They all sang to the strains of the accordion. 6. a variety, breed 쑗 They are trying to find a cure for a new strain of the flu virus. 쑗 He crossed two strains of rice to produce a variety which is resistant to disease. 쐽 verb 1. to injure part of your body by pulling too hard 쑗 He strained a muscle in his back or he strained his back. 쑗 The effort strained his heart. 2. to make great efforts to do something 쑗 They strained to lift the piano into the van. 3. to put pressure on some. strained 852 thing, to make something more difficult 쑗 The mortgage repayments will strain our budget. 쑗 The argument strained our relations. 4. to pour liquid through a sieve to separate solids from it 쑗 Boil the peas for ten minutes and then strain. strained /strend/ adj 1. which has been pulled or worked too hard 쑗 She had to leave the game with a strained calf muscle. 2. tense or unfriendly 쑗 Relations between them became strained. 3. forced, not natural 쑗 He gave a strained laugh, and said he felt fine. strainer / strenə/ noun a kitchen utensil with metal or nylon mesh, used to separate solids from a liquid straitened / stret(ə)nd/ adj 왍 straitened circumstances a difficult situation because of not having enough money 쑗 They were living in straitened circumstances. straitjacket / stretdȢkt/ noun 1. a strong coat whose sleeves are tied behind the back to prevent a violent person from attacking people 2. something which prevents you from acting freely straits /strets/ plural noun 1. a passage of water between two larger areas of sea 쑗 The Straits of Gibraltar can be very rough. 2. money difficulties 쑗 After my father died the family was in dire straits. strand /strnd/ noun one piece of hair or thread 쑗 Strands of hair kept blowing across her forehead. 쐽 verb to leave someone or something alone and helpless 쑗 Her handbag was stolen and she was stranded without any money. 쑗 The captain stranded the ship on a sandbank. stranded / strndd/ adj alone and unable to move ① strange /strendȢ/ adj 1. not usual 쑗 It’s strange that no one spotted the mistake. 쑗 Something is the matter with the engine – it’s making a strange noise. 쑗 She told some very strange stories about the firm she used to work for. 쑗 It felt strange to be sitting in the office on a Saturday afternoon. 2. which you have never seen before or where you have never been before 쑗 I find it difficult getting to sleep in a strange room. 쑗 We went to Korea and had lots of strange food to eat. (NOTE: stranger – strangest) strangely / strendȢli/ adv in a strange ② way stranger / strendȢə/ noun 1. a person whom you have never met 쑗 I’ve never met him – he’s a complete stranger to me. 쑗 Children are told not to accept lifts from strangers. 왍 you’re quite a stranger I haven’t seen you for a long time 2. a person in a place where he has never been before 쑗 I can’t tell you how to get to the post office – I’m a stranger here myself. ③ straw strangle / strŋDZəl/ verb 1. to kill by squeezing the throat so that someone cannot breathe or swallow 쑗 The marks on his neck showed that he had been strangled. 2. to slow the development of something 쑗 The company’s expansion is being strangled by lack of funds. stranglehold / strŋDZəlhəυld/ noun control which prevents you doing what you want to do strangler / strŋDZlə/ noun a person who kills someone by strangling them strangulation /strŋDZjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of squeezing someone’s throat so that they cannot breathe or swallow strap /strp/ noun a long flat piece of material used to attach something 쑗 Can you do up the strap of my rucksack for me? 쑗 I put a strap round my suitcase to make it more secure. 쐽 verb 1. to fasten something with a strap 쑗 He strapped on his rucksack. 쑗 The patient was strapped to a stretcher. 쑗 Make sure the baby is strapped into her seat. 2. to wrap a bandage tightly round a limb 쑗 She strapped up his ankle and told him to lie down. (NOTE: strapping – strapped) strapped /strpt/ adj (informal ) 왍 strapped for cash not having any money 쑗 Can you lend me a few pounds as I’m a bit strapped for cash at the moment? strapping / strpŋ/ adj big and strong (informal ) strata / strɑ tə/ 쒁 stratum stratagem / strtədȢəm/ noun a clever plan, often to trick someone strategic /strə ti dȢk/ adj 1. done with the intention of achieving a specific aim 2. attacking an enemy from a long distance 쑗 strategic weapons strategist / strtədȢst/ noun someone who makes business, military or other plans ② strategy / strtədȢi/ noun the planning of actions in advance 쑗 Their strategy is to note which of their rival’s models sells best and then copy it. 쑗 The government has no long-term strategy for dealing with crime. stratosphere / strtəsfə/ noun a higher layer of the earth’s atmosphere stratum / strɑ təm/ noun a layer, especially of rock 쑗 As they dug down, they exposed several strata of rock. (NOTE: The plural is strata / strɑ tə/.) straw /strɔ / noun 1. dry stalks and leaves of crops left after the grain has been harvested 쑗 You’ve been lying on the ground – you’ve got bits of straw in your hair. 쑗 The tractor picked up bundles of straw and loaded them onto a truck. 2. a thin plastic tube for sucking up liquids 쑗 She was drinking orange juice through a straw. 3. 왍 that’s the last straw I can’t stand any more of this . . strawberry 853 strawberry / strɔ b(ə)ri/ noun a common soft red summer fruit growing on low plants (NOTE: The plural is strawberries.) straw poll /strɔ pəυl/ noun an informal test of opinion taken near an election day, to see how people intend to vote stray /stre/ noun an animal which is lost and far away from home 쑗 We have two female cats at home and they attract all the strays in the district. 쐽 adj 1. not where it should be 쑗 He was killed by a stray bullet from a sniper. 2. which is lost or without a home 쑗 We found a stray cat and brought it home. 쐽 verb to move away from the place where it should be 쑗 The sheep strayed onto the golf course. 쑗 The children had strayed too far and couldn’t get back. streak /stri k/ noun 1. a line of colour 쑗 She’s had blonde streaks put in her hair. 2. a particularly characteristic type of behaviour 쑗 She has a ruthless streak in her. 쑗 It’s his mean streak which makes him not buy any Christmas cards. 3. a period when a series of things happens 쑗 I was on a winning streak, I won three times in a row. 쑗 I hope our unlucky streak is coming to an end. 왍 streak of lightning a flash of lightning 왍 a streak of luck a period when you are lucky 쐽 verb 1. to go very fast 쑗 The rocket streaked across the sky. 2. to run about naked at a public event (informal ) streaker / stri kə/ noun a person who runs naked at a public event (informal ) ③ stream /stri m/ noun 1. a small river 쑗 Can you jump across that stream? 2. things which pass continuously 쑗 Crossing the road is difficult because of the stream of traffic. 쑗 We had a stream of customers on the first day of the sale. 쑗 Streams of refugees tried to cross the border. 3. 왍 to come on stream to start production 쑗 Output will be doubled when the new factory comes on stream. 쐽 verb to flow continuously 쑗 Blood was streaming down his face. 쑗 Cars streamed out of the park. 쑗 Children streamed across the square. 왍 he has a streaming cold he has a cold where his nose is running all the time streamer / stri mə/ noun a long paper strip used for decoration streaming / stri mŋ/ noun the practice of placing pupils in groups according to their ability streamline / stri mlan/ verb 1. to design a car, plane or boat so that it can move easily through water or air 쑗 The body of the car was streamlined to make it faster. 2. to make something more efficient or more simple 쑗 We are trying to streamline the accounting system. streamlined / stri mland/ adj 1. designed so as to be able to move faster 쑗 The car has been redesigned with a more stream. . strengthen lined body. 2. efficient and rapid 쑗 They have a very streamlined production system. 쑗 The company introduced a more streamlined system of distribution. ① street /stri t/ noun 1. a road in a town, usually with houses on each side 쑗 It is difficult to park in our street on Saturday mornings. 쑗 Her flat is on a noisy street. 쑗 The school is in the next street. 2. used with names 쑗 What’s your office address? – 16 Cambridge Street. 쑗 Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street are the main shopping areas in London. (NOTE: When used in names, street is usually written St: Oxford St.) 3. 왍 the man or woman in the street an ordinary person, who represents what most people think 쑗 The government’s message is not getting through to the man in the street. streetcar / stri tkɑ / noun US a form of public transport, with carriages running on rails laid in the street (NOTE: The British term is tram.) streetlamp / stri tlmp/, streetlight / stri tlat/ noun an electric light on a tall pole, to light a street street map / stri t mp/, street plan / stri t pln/ noun a diagram showing streets with their names street vendor / stri t vendə/ noun a person who sells food or small items in the street streetwise / stri twaz/ adj able to deal with difficult and dangerous situations in a modern city ② strength /streŋθ/ noun 1. being physically strong 쑗 She hasn’t got the strength to lift it. 쑗 You should test the strength of the rope before you start climbing. 2. being strong, being at a high level 쑗 The strength of the demand for the new car is surprising. 쑗 The strength of the pound increases the possibility of higher inflation. 3. 왍 in strength in large numbers 쑗 The police were there in strength. 왍 at full strength with everyone present 쑗 The department had several posts vacant, but is back to full strength again. 왍 in a show of strength to show how strong an army is 쑗 In a show of strength, the government sent an aircraft carrier to the area. 왍 to go from strength to strength to get stronger and stronger 쑗 Under his leadership the party went from strength to strength. 왍 on the strength of because of 쑗 They employed him on the strength of the references from his previous employer. ③ strengthen / streŋθ(ə)n/ verb 1. to make something stronger 쑗 The sea wall is being strengthened to prevent another flood. 쑗 This will only strengthen their determination to oppose the government. 쑗 We are planning to strengthen airport security. 2. to become stronger 쑗 The wind is strengthening from the south-west. Antonym weaken strenuous 854 strenuous / strenjuəs/ adj requiring effort ③ stress /stres/ noun 1. the force or pressure on something 쑗 Stresses inside the earth create earthquakes. 2. nervous strain caused by an outside influence 쑗 She has difficulty coping with the stress of the office. 쑗 People in positions of responsibility often have stress-related illnesses. 3. the loudness of your voice when you pronounce a word or syllable 쑗 In the word ‘emphasis’ the stress is on the first syllable. (NOTE: The plural is stresses.) 쐽 verb to put emphasis on something 쑗 I must stress the importance of keeping the plan secret. Synonym emphasise stressed /strest/ adj worried and tense. Synonym harassed. Antonym relaxed stressed out /strest aυt/ adj very worried and tense stressful / stresf(ə)l/ adj (of a situation) which causes stress. Synonym demanding. Antonym relaxing stress mark /stres mɑ k/ noun a mark showing which syllable of a word should be stressed ③ stretch /stretʃ/ verb 1. to spread out for a great distance 쑗 The line of cars stretched for three miles from the accident. 쑗 The queue stretched from the door of the cinema right round the corner. 쑗 White sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see. 2. to push out your arms or legs as far as they can 쑗 The cat woke up and stretched. 쑗 The monkey stretched out through the bars and grabbed the little boy’s cap. 왍 to stretch your legs to go for a short walk after sitting for a long time (informal ) 쑗 In the coffee break I went out into the garden to stretch my legs. 3. to pull out so that it becomes loose 쑗 Don’t hang your jumper up like that – you will just stretch it. 쑗 These trousers are not supposed to stretch. 왍 he is not fully stretched his work is too easy and does not make him work as hard as he could 쐽 noun 1. a long piece of land, water or road 쑗 For long stretches of the Transsiberian Railway, all you see are trees. 쑗 Stretches of the river have been so polluted that bathing is dangerous. 왍 the final stretch, the home stretch the last stage of a race or journey 쑗 He was far ahead of the other runners when they came to the final stretch. 2. a long period of time 쑗 For long stretches we had nothing to do. 왍 at a stretch without a break 쑗 He played the piano for two hours at a stretch. 3. a time in prison 쑗 He did a stretch in Wormwood Scrubs. 4. the action of putting out your arms and legs as far as they will go 쑗 I love to lie in bed and have a good stretch before I get up. 5. the action of pulling something out 쑗 Give the sweater a stretch before you hang it up to dry. 6. 왍 by no stretch of . strike the imagination no one can possibly believe that 쑗 By no stretch of the imagination can you expect him to win. stretch back /stretʃ bk/ verb to go back over a long period stretcher / stretʃə/ noun a folding bed with handles, on which an injured person can be carried by two people stretch to / stretʃ tu / verb to be enough for 왍 dinner won’t stretch to seven there won’t be enough food for seven people 왍 to stretch something or someone to the limit to be almost too much for 쑗 The new car is going to stretch my finances or stretch me to the limit. stretchy / stretʃi/ adj which stretches. Synonym elastic. Antonym rigid strew /stru / verb to scatter over a wide area (NOTE: strewing – strewed or strewn /stru n/) stricken / strkən/ adj, suffix affected by disease, emotion or a disaster 쑗 Half the class was stricken with flu. 쑗 They rushed rescuers to the stricken villages. 쑗 Panic-stricken children ran out of the school. 쑗 Relief workers are bringing food to drought-stricken areas. ③ strict /strkt/ adj 1. exact 쑗 The files are in strict alphabetical order. 2. which must be obeyed 쑗 I gave strict instructions that no one was to be allowed in. 쑗 The rules are very strict and any bad behaviour will be severely punished. 3. insisting that rules are obeyed 쑗 Our parents are very strict with us about staying up late. (NOTE: stricter – strictest) strictly / strktli/ adv in a strict way 쑗 All staff must follow strictly the procedures in the training manual. 왍 strictly confidential completely secret 쑗 What I am going to tell you is strictly confidential. stride /strad/ noun a long step 쑗 In three strides he was across the room and out of the door. 왍 to make great strides to advance quickly 쑗 Researchers have made great strides in the treatment of asthma. 왍 to take something in your stride to deal with something easily 쑗 Other people always seem to have problems, but she just takes everything in her stride. 쐽 verb to walk with long steps 쑗 He strode into the room. 쑗 We could see him striding across the field to take shelter from the rain. (NOTE: striding – strode /strəυd/) strident / strad(ə)nt/ adj unpleasantly loud and harsh strife /straf/ noun trouble between people ② strike /strak/ noun 1. the stopping of work by workers because of lack of agreement with management or because of orders from a trade union 쑗 They all voted in favour of a strike. 쑗 The danger of a strike was ③ strike off 855 averted at the last minute. 왍 to take strike action to go on strike 쑗 The workers voted to take strike action. 왍 to come out on strike, to go on strike to stop work 쑗 The workers went on strike for more money. 쑗 The baggage handlers are on strike for higher pay. 왍 to call the workforce out on strike to tell the workers to stop work 쑗 The union called its members out on strike. 2. a military attack 쑗 They launched an air strike against the enemy positions. 쐽 verb 1. to stop working because of disagreement with management 쑗 The workers are striking in protest against bad working conditions. 2. to hit something hard 쑗 He struck her with a bottle. 쑗 She struck her head on the low door. 쑗 He struck a match and lit the fire. 3. (of a clock) to ring to mark an hour 쑗 The clock had just struck one when she heard a noise in the corridor. 4. to come to someone’s mind 쑗 A thought just struck me. 쑗 It suddenly struck me that I had seen him somewhere before. 왍 it strikes me that I think that 쑗 It strikes me that we may be charging too much. 5. to surprise someone 쑗 He was struck by the poverty he saw everywhere. 6. to attack 쑗 The police are afraid the killer may strike again. 쑗 The illness struck without warning. 왍 to be struck down with flu to have a sudden attack of flu 7. to come to an agreement 쑗 We expect to strike a deal next week. 쑗 They struck a bargain and decided to share the costs. (NOTE: striking – struck /strk/) strike off /strak ɒf/ verb to remove a name from a list because of bad behaviour. Synonym delete. Antonym include striker / strakə/ noun 1. a worker who is on strike 쑗 Strikers picketed the factory. 2. a football player whose main task is to score goals 쑗 His pass back to the goalkeeper was intercepted by the opposition striker who promptly scored. strike up /strak p/ verb 1. to start playing a piece of music 쑗 The band struck up, and everyone settled in their seats. 2. 왍 to strike up an acquaintance with someone to start getting to know someone ③ striking / strakŋ/ adj noticeable, unusual 쑗 She bears a striking resemblance to the Queen. 쑗 It is a very striking portrait of Winston Churchill. 앳 within striking distance quite close 쑗 The capital is within striking distance of the enemy guns. strikingly / strakŋli/ adv very noticeably ② string /strŋ/ noun 1. a strong thin fibre used for tying up things such as parcels 쑗 This string isn’t strong enough to tie up that big parcel. 쑗 She bought a ball of string. 쑗 We’ve run out of string. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning: some string, a piece of string) 2. one of the long pieces of fibre or wire on a musical instrument which makes a note when strip cartoon you hit it 쑗 a guitar has six strings 쑗 He was playing the violin when one of the strings broke. 3. one of the strong pieces of fibre which form the flat part of a tennis racket 쑗 One of the strings has snapped. 4. a long series of things or events 쑗 She’s been plagued with a string of illnesses. 쑗 I had a string of phone calls this morning. string along /strŋ ə lɒŋ/ verb 1. to walk along in a line behind someone 쑗 The teachers walked in front and the children strung along behind. 2. to promise someone something to get him or her to to agree to do what you want 쑗 He was just stringing her along – he never intended to marry her, but just wanted to get at her money. stringed instrument / strŋd nstrυmənt/ noun a musical instrument where the notes are played on strings stringent / strndȢənt/ adj strict or severe. Antonym lax stringer / strŋə/ noun a journalist who sends stories regularly to a newspaper, covering events in a particular town or country ③ strings / strŋz/ plural noun 1. hidden conditions 왍 are there any strings attached? are there any hidden conditions? 쑗 The bank loaned us the money with no strings attached. 왍 to pull strings to use your influence to make something happen (informal ) 쑗 Her father pulled strings to get her the job. 2. 왍 the strings the section of an orchestra consisting of instruments such as the violin or cello 쑗 The work provides a lot of scope for the strings. 쏡 brass, percussion, wind 3. 왍 the strings the members of an orchestra who play instruments such as the violin or cello 쑗 The strings sit at the front of the orchestra, near the conductor. string vest /strŋ vest/ noun a piece of underwear worn on the top of the body, made of material woven like a net stringy / strŋi/ adj full of strong fibres ③ strip /strp/ noun 1. a long narrow piece of something 쑗 He tore the paper into strips. 쑗 Houses are to be built along the strip of land near the church. 2. the coloured clothes worn by a particular team of football players and their supporters 쑗 He was wearing the Arsenal strip. 쐽 verb 1. to take off your clothes 쑗 Strip to the waist for your chest X-ray. 쑗 He stripped down to his underpants. 2. to remove completely 쑗 The wind stripped the leaves off the trees. 쑗 First we have to strip the old paint off the cupboards. 쑗 He was stripped of his title following the scandal. (NOTE: stripping – stripped) strip cartoon /strp kɑ tu n/ noun a cartoon story made of a series of small drawings inside little boxes side by side. Also called . comic strip stripe 856 stripe /strap/ noun 1. a long line of colour He has an umbrella with red, white and blue stripes. 2. a piece of coloured cloth sewn to a soldier’s jacket to show his rank 쑗 He has just got his sergeant’s stripes. striped /strapt/ adj with lines of different colour strip lighting /strp latŋ/ noun a type of lighting in the form of long round tubes stripper / strpə/ noun a person who performs a striptease striptease / strpti z/ noun an entertainment where someone takes their clothes off piece by piece stripy / strapi/ adj with lines of different colour strive /strav/ verb to try very hard to (NOTE: striving – strove /strəυv/ – has striven / strv(ə)n/) strode /strəυd/ 쒁 stride ③ stroke /strəυk/ noun 1. a gentle touch with your hand 쑗 She gave the dog a stroke. 2. a serious medical condition in which someone suddenly becomes unconscious, caused by a blood clot in the brain 쑗 He was paralysed after his stroke. 쑗 She had a stroke and died. 3. a movement made with something such as a pen or brush which makes a line 쑗 She can draw a cartoon with just a few strokes of the pen. 4. the act of hitting something such as a ball 쑗 It took him three strokes to get the ball onto the green. 왍 to put someone off his stroke to take someone’s attention away from what they are doing, so that they make a mistake 쑗 People kept on shouting while the minister was speaking and that put him off his stroke. 5. a sound made when hitting something such as a bell 왍 on the stroke of midnight when the clocks are striking twelve 6. 왍 stroke of luck piece of luck 쑗 I had a stroke of luck yesterday – I found my wallet which I thought I had lost. 쑗 It was a stroke of luck that you happened to come along at that moment. 왍 stroke of work action of working 쑗 He hasn’t done a stroke of work all day. 7. a style of swimming 쑗 She won the 200m breast stroke. 8. (in a rowing boat ) the person who sits at the back of the boat and controls how fast the others row. 쐽 verb to run your hands gently over 쑗 She was stroking the cat as it sat in her lap. Synonym caress stroll /strəυl/ noun a short relaxing walk 쑗 We went for a stroll by the river after dinner. 쐽 verb to walk slowly as a way of relaxing 쑗 People were strolling in the park. 쑗 On Sunday evenings, everyone strolls along the boulevard. 왘 Synonym (all senses) saunter stroller / strəυlə/ noun 1. US a light chair with wheels for pushing babies in (NOTE: The British term is pushchair.) 2. a person 쑗 . structure who strolls along 쑗 Crowds of strollers were in the streets, looking at the shop windows. ① strong /strɒŋ/ adj 1. who has a lot of strength 쑗 I’m not strong enough to carry that box. 2. which has a lot of force or strength 쑗 The string broke – we need something stronger. 쑗 The wind was so strong that it blew some tiles off the roof. 3. having a powerful smell, taste or effect 쑗 I don’t like strong cheese. 쑗 You need a cup of strong black coffee to wake you up. 쑗 There was a strong smell of gas in the kitchen. 쏡 strength (NOTE: stronger – strongest) 쐽 suffix used to show a number of people 쑗 A 50-strong party of marines landed on the beach. 쑗 a 20-strong group of shift workers 쐽 adv 왍 going strong still very active, still working 쑗 She had a heart bypass ten years ago and is still going strong. strong box / strɒŋ bɒks/ noun a small heavy safe for keeping valuable objects such as documents or jewels strong currency /strɒŋ krənsi/ noun a currency which has a high value against other currencies strong drink /strɒŋ drŋk/ noun alcohol stronghold / strɒŋhəυld/ noun 1. a place such as a castle which is difficult for an enemy to defeat 쑗 The enemy stronghold finally surrendered. 2. a place which is famous for something 쑗 Rome is renowned as the stronghold of Catholicism. 쑗 The club is a stronghold of male chauvinism. strongly / strɒŋli/ adv in a strong way strong-minded /strɒŋ mandd/ adj with clear ideas which are not easily changed strong point / strɒŋ pɔnt/ noun a particular good skill or quality that someone has. Antonym weakness strongroom / strɒŋru m/ noun a special room in a bank where valuable objects such as documents, money or gold can be kept stroppy / strɒpi/ adj behaving in a rude and angry way (informal ) strove /strəυv/ 쒁 strive struck /strk/ 쒁 strike ③ structural / strktʃ(ə)rəl/ adj referring to a structure structurally / strktʃərəli/ adv referring to the basic structure of something ② structure / strktʃə/ noun 1. the way in which things are organised 쑗 a career structure within a corporation 쑗 The company is reorganising its discount structure. 2. the way in which something is built 쑗 The structure of the bridge had been weakened by constant traffic. 3. a building 쐽 verb to arrange according to a specific system 쑗 We’ve tried to structure the meeting so that there is plenty of time for discussion. . struggle 857 ③ struggle / strDZ(ə)l/ noun 1. a fight 쑗 After a short struggle the burglar was arrested. 2. a hard effort to do something because of difficulties 쑗 her constant struggle to bring up her children 쑗 their struggle against ill-health 쑗 Setting up a new company during a recession was always going to be a struggle. 쐽 verb 1. to fight with someone who attacks you 쑗 Two men were struggling on the floor. 2. to try hard to do something difficult 쑗 She’s struggling with her maths homework. 쑗 She struggled to carry all the shopping to the car. 왍 to struggle to your feet to stand up with great difficulty 쑗 After the blast from the bomb she struggled to her feet and started running. strum /strm/ verb to play a stringed instrument by running your fingers across the strings in an informal way (NOTE: strum- ming – strummed) strut /strt/ noun a bar of something such as wood or metal which supports something 쑗 They pulled away the struts and the wall collapsed. 쐽 verb to walk in a proud and important way 쑗 She strutted across the stage to collect her prize. 쑗 He refused to accept their offer and strutted out of the room. Synonym swagger (NOTE: strutting – strutted) stub /stb/ noun 1. a small piece left after something has been used 쑗 He walked along the gutter looking for cigarette stubs. 2. a piece of paper left after a cheque or a ticket has been torn out of a book 쑗 Look at your cheque stubs to see when you wrote the cheque. 쐽 verb 왍 to stub your toe on something to hurt your toe by hitting it against something 쑗 I stubbed my toe on a rock on the beach. stubble / stb(ə)l/ noun 1. short stems left in the ground after a crop such as wheat has been cut 2. short hairs which grow on a man’s chin if he does not shave for several days 쑗 She told him to shave, as she didn’t like his stubble. stubbly / stbli/ adj 왍 stubbly beard a mass of short rough hairs growing on a man’s chin 왍 stubbly chin a man’s chin covered with short rough hairs stubborn / stbən/ adj 1. determined not to change your mind 쑗 He’s so stubborn – he only does what he wants to do. 2. difficult to remove 쑗 To get rid of really stubborn stains you will need to use bleach. 왘 Synonym (all senses) obstinate stubbornly / stbənli/ adv in an obstinate way stubby / stbi/ adj short and thick or thick-set stuck /stk/ 쒁 stick stuck-up /stk p/ adj proud and thinking you are better than other people (infor- study mal ). Synonym snobbish. Antonym unassuming ③ stud /std/ noun 1. a nail with a head that stands out above a surface 쑗 He had a pattern of studs on his belt. 2. a hard metal object such as a nail fixed to the bottom part of a boot 쑗 His boots have specially large studs. 3. a type of button with two heads for passing through two holes to fasten a shirt 쑗 I can’t wear my dinner shirt – I’ve lost my dress studs. 4. a small piece of gold jewellery worn in the ear 쑗 She wears a stud in her nose. 5. a horse which is kept for breeding 왍 to put a horse out to stud to use a male horse for breeding 6. a young man who is extremely sexually attractive (informal ) studded / stdd/ adj 1. which has a surface decorated with many nails or similar objects 쑗 a massive studded door 2. full of, covered with 쑗 The film has a star-studded cast. 쑗 The valley was studded with little cottages. ① student / stju d(ə)nt/ noun a person who is studying at a college, university or school 쑗 All the science students came to my lecture. 쑗 She’s a brilliant student. 쑗 Two students had to sit the exam again. student loan /stju d(ə)nt ləυn/ noun an amount of money borrowed by a student to pay for things such as food or rent while they are studying at university students’ union /stju d(ə)nts ju njən/ noun 1. a building where university students meet to drink, eat and take part in social events 2. a group representing the students at a university studies / stdiz/ plural noun the activity of going to college or university ③ studio / stju diəυ/ noun 1. a room where an artist paints 쑗 She uses this room as a studio because of the good light. 2. a place where photographers take photographs 쑗 A studio photograph of the bride and groom. 3. a place where things such as films or broadcasts are made 쑗 The TV series was made at Teddington Studios. 쑗 And now, back to the studio for the latest news and weather report. 쑗 They spent the whole day recording the piece in the studio. 4. a very small flat for one person, usually one room with a small kitchen and bathroom 쑗 You can rent a studio overlooking the sea for £300 a week in high season. (NOTE: The plural is studios.) studio apartment / stju diəυ əpɑ tmənt/ noun an apartment with one main room, and a kitchen and bathroom studious / stju diəs/ adj enjoying study, spending a lot of time studying ② study / stdi/ noun 1. the work of examining something carefully to learn more about it 쑗 The company asked the consultant to prepare a study into new production tech. . stuff 858 niques. 쑗 The review has published studies on the new drug. 왍 to carry out a feasibility study on a project to examine the costs and possible profits to see if the project should be started 2. a room used for quiet work such as reading or writing 쑗 When he says he is going to his study to read, we suspect it means he’s going to have a nap. 쐽 verb 1. to learn about a subject at college or university 쑗 He is studying medicine because he wants to be a doctor. 쑗 She’s studying French and Spanish in the modern languages department. 2. to examine something carefully to learn more about it 쑗 We are studying the possibility of setting up an office in New York. 쑗 The government studied the committee’s proposals for two months. 쑗 Doctors are studying the results of the screening programme. 3. to look at something carefully 쑗 She was studying the guidebook. ① stuff /stf/ noun 1. a substance, especially something unpleasant 쑗 You’ve got some black stuff stuck to your shoe. 2. equipment or possessions 쑗 Dump all your stuff in the living room. 쑗 Take all that stuff and put it in the dustbin. 쑗 All your photographic stuff is still in the back of my car. 3. information or ideas about something 쑗 She talked about the dangers of smoking and all that stuff about lung cancer. 4. 왍 to do your stuff to do what people want you to do or what you are good at (informal ) 쑗 Come on, England, do your stuff! 쑗 Everyone must do their stuff quickly if we want the work to be finished tonight. 왍 to know your stuff to know your subject well, to be good at what you are doing 쑗 It was fascinating to listen to him, he really knows his stuff. 쐽 verb 1. to push something into something to fill it 쑗 He stuffed his pockets full of peppermints. 쑗 The banknotes were stuffed into a small plastic wallet. 2. to put small pieces of food such as bread, meat or herbs inside meat or vegetables before cooking them 쑗 We had roast veal stuffed with mushrooms. 3. 왍 to stuff yourself to eat a lot (informal ) 쑗 They were stuffing themselves on chocolate pudding. 4. to fill the skin of a dead animal so that it looks alive 쑗 There was a stuffed tiger at the top of the staircase in the old castle. 5. 왍 get stuffed go away, stop annoying me (informal, rude) 쑗 You can tell the manager to go and get stuffed. stuffed /stft/ adj 1. filled with stuffing or some other filling 쑗 They served stuffed vine leaves as a starter. 2. feeling completely full, especially after eating too much (informal ) stuffiness / stfinəs/ noun the fact of being stuffy stuffing / stfŋ/ noun 1. a mixture of small pieces of food such as bread, fat, onions and herbs put inside a chicken, fish or . . . stun vegetables before cooking them 쑗 I prepared the stuffing for the fish according to my mother’s recipe. 2. a soft material used to fill things such as children’s toys or chair seats 쑗 The stuffing’s coming out of this cushion. 3. 왍 to knock the stuffing out of someone to make someone lose their confidence (informal ) 쑗 When his wife ran away with his best friend it seemed to knock all the stuffing out of him. stuffy / stfi/ adj 1. without any fresh air 쑗 Can’t you open a window, it’s so stuffy in here? 쑗 I dislike commuting into town every day on stuffy underground trains. 2. dull and out of date 쑗 We want to change the stuffy image of the firm. 3. (of a nose) which is blocked with mucus 쑗 His stuffy nose is caused by an allergy. (NOTE: stuffier – . stuffiest) stumble / stmbəl/ verb 1. to almost fall by hitting your foot against something 쑗 He stumbled as he tried to get down the stairs in the dark. 2. to walk in way that is not steady 쑗 He was stumbling around in the cellar, looking for the light switch. 3. 왍 to stumble across something to find something by accident 쑗 I stumbled across this letter which someone had hidden. 4. to make mistakes when reading 쑗 He managed to stumble through the reading test. 쑗 She read the TV news without stumbling over any of the foreign words. stumbling block / stmblŋ blɒk/ noun something which prevents you doing what you want to do. Synonym obstacle stump /stmp/ noun 1. a short piece of something left sticking up, such as the main stem of a tree that has been cut down 쑗 After cutting down the trees, we need to get rid of the stumps. 2. one of the three sticks placed in the ground as a target in cricket 쑗 The ball hit the stumps and the last man was out. 왍 stumps were drawn the game of cricket came to an end 쐽 verb 1. to walk along with heavy steps 쑗 He stumped angrily out of the shop. 2. to ask someone a difficult question which they cannot answer 쑗 The MD was stumped when the committee asked him how many hours the average packer worked. 쑗 Today’s crossword has stumped me completely or has got me stumped. stump up /stmp p/ verb to pay money (informal ) stumpy / stmpi/ adj short and fat. Antonym lanky stun /stn/ verb 1. to make someone become unconscious with a blow to the head 쑗 The blow on the head stunned him. Synonym knock out 2. to shock someone completely 쑗 She was stunned when he told her that he was already married. (NOTE: stunning – . stunned) stung 859 stung /stŋ/ 쒁 sting stunk /stŋk/ 쒁 stink stunning / stnŋ/ adj impressive, extremely beautiful. Synonym spectacular stunt /stnt/ noun a trick or dangerous act done to attract attention 쑗 Climbing up the outside of the building was just a publicity stunt. 쑗 He’s so fit that he insists on doing all the stunts in his films himself. 쐽 verb to prevent something from growing 쑗 The trees on the top of the cliff are stunted by strong winds. 쑗 The children’s development was stunted by malnutrition and disease. Synonym inhibit stunt man / stnt mn/ noun a man who carries out dangerous acts in films in place of a film star stupendous /stju pendəs/ adj extremely unusual, very large or impressive ① stupid / stju pd/ adj 1. not very intelligent 쑗 What a stupid man! 2. behaving in a way that is not sensible 쑗 It was stupid of her not to wear a helmet when riding on her scooter. 쑗 He made several stupid mistakes. stupidity /stju pdti/ noun being stupid stupidly / stju pdli/ adv in a stupid way stupor / stju pə/ noun the state of being almost unconscious sturdy / st" di/ adj strong or full of energy (NOTE: sturdier – sturdiest) stutter / sttə/ noun a speech problem where you repeat the sound at the beginning of a word several times 쑗 He is taking therapy to try to cure his stutter. 쐽 verb to repeat the same sounds when speaking 쑗 He stuttered badly when making his speech 왘 Synonym (all senses) stammer sty /sta/ noun a little building where a pig is kept. 쏡 pigsty ① style /stal/ noun 1. a way of doing something, especially a way of designing, drawing or writing 쑗 The room is decorated in Chinese style. 쑗 The painting is in his usual style. 쑗 That style was fashionable in the 1940s. 2. a fashionable way of doing things 쑗 She always dresses with style. 쑗 They live in grand style. 쏡 hairstyle 3. a way someone behaves, thinks or lives 쑗 It’s not her style to forget an appointment. 쑗 Their style of life wouldn’t suit me. 쐽 verb to design something 왍 to have your hair styled to go to the hairdresser’s to have your hair cut and set in a particular way styling / stalŋ/ noun the way in which something is designed stylised / stalazd/, stylized adj drawn or designed in a fixed way that does not look natural. Synonym conventional stylish / stalʃ/ adj attractive and fashionable subject stylist / stalst/ noun a person who gives a style to something stylistic /sta lstk/ adj referring to style in art stylus / staləs/ noun the needle of a record player suave /swɑ v/ adj extremely polite with very good manners, though often with an unpleasant character (NOTE: suaver – suavest) sub /sb/ abbr 1. submarine 2. subscription 3. substitute sub- /sb/ prefix below, under subcommittee / sbkəmti/ noun a small committee which is set up by a main committee and deals with a specific matter subconscious /sb kɒnʃəs/ adj referring to mental processes such as memory which people do not realise they have, but which can affect their actions 쑗 Aggression serves a subconscious desire to do better than others. 쐽 noun a part of your mind which has ideas or feelings which you do not realise are there 쑗 Somewhere, deep in his subconscious, was a feeling of hatred for his family. subconsciously /sb kɒnʃəsli/ adv in a subconscious way subcontinent /sb kɒntnənt/ noun a large mass of land which is a separate part of a continent subcontract noun /sb kɒntrkt/ a contract between the main company managing a whole project and another firm who will do part of the work 쐽 verb /sbkən trkt/ to agree with a company that they will do part of the work for a project 쑗 The electrical work has been subcontracted to Smith Ltd. subcontractor / sbkəntrktə/ noun a company which has a contract to do work for the main company managing a project subculture / sbkltʃə/ noun a separate social group within a larger culture subdivide /sbd vad/ verb to divide up something which has already been divided subdivision / sbdvȢ(ə)n/ noun the division of something into smaller parts subdue /səb dju / verb to defeat, to bring under control subdued /səb dju d/ adj 1. very quiet, not excited 쑗 The audience was very subdued. 2. not bright 쑗 The room has been painted in subdued colours. 3. not loud 쑗 A subdued discussion was going on in a far corner of the restaurant. subgroup / sbDZru p/ noun a small separate group within a larger group subheading / sbhedŋ/ noun a heading used to divide something such as a long document into smaller sections ① subject noun / sbdȢkt/ 1. the thing which you are talking about or writing about subjection 860 He suddenly changed the subject of the conversation. 쑗 The newspaper has devoted a special issue to the subject of pollution. 2. the main person or thing which is shown in a piece of art such as a painting 쑗 The same subject is treated quite differently in the three paintings. 3. an area of knowledge which you are studying 쑗 Maths is his weakest subject. 쑗 You can take up to five subjects at ‘A’ Level. 4. 왍 to be the subject of to be the person or thing talked about or studied 쑗 The painter Chagall will be the subject of our lecture today. 쑗 Advertising costs are the subject of close examination by the auditors. 5. a noun or pronoun which comes before a verb and shows the person or thing that does the action expressed by the verb (grammar ) 쑗 In the sentence ‘the cat sat on the mat’ the word ‘cat’ is the subject of the verb ‘sat’. 6. a person who is from a country that has a king or queen 쑗 a British subject 쐽 verb /sb dȢekt/ 왍 to subject someone to to make someone suffer something unpleasant 쑗 The guards subjected the prisoners to physical violence. 쑗 We were subjected to a barrage of questions by reporters. 쐽 adj / sbdȢkt/ under the control of an authority 앳 subject to 1. depending on something 쑗 We want you to go on a study tour to France, subject to getting your parents’ permission. 왍 the contract is subject to government approval the contract will be legal only if it is approved by the government 왍 sale subject to contract a sale which is not legal until a proper contract has been signed 왍 offer subject to availability the offer depends on the goods which are available 2. affected by 쑗 The timetable is subject to change without notice. 쑗 These articles are subject to import tax. 쑗 After returning from the tropics he was subject to bouts of malaria. subjection /səb dȢekʃən/ noun the action or process of bringing a person or people under the control of someone else subjective /səb dȢektv/ adj seen from your own point of view, and therefore possibly influenced by your feelings or beliefs. Synonym biased. Antonym objective subjectivity /sbdȢek tvti/ noun the fact of being subjective, of seeing things from your own point of view. Synonym bias. Antonym objectivity subject line / sbdȢkt lan/ noun the part at the top of an e-mail where the subject of the message is written subject matter / sbdȢkt mtə/ noun the subject dealt with in something such as a book or TV programme sub judice /sb dȢu dsi/ adv being considered in a court of law, and therefore not to be mentioned in the press 쑗 . subordinate subjunctive /səb dȢŋktv/ noun the form of a verb used to express something such as a doubt, suggestion or wish sublet /sb let/ verb to let another person pay rent to live in part of a property you are paying rent for (NOTE: subletting – sublet) sublime /sə blam/ adj 1. impressive, beautiful 쑗 the sublime music of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony 쑗 the sublime sight of snow-capped mountains towering above the lake 2. complete 쑗 He showed sublime indifference to the demands of the staff. 쐽 noun 왍 from the sublime to the ridiculous from a very good thing to a very silly thing in comparison 쑗 To leave your Rolls Royce in the garage and go everywhere on a pushbike is really going from the sublime to the ridiculous. submarine / sbməri n/ adj which is under the water 쑗 a submarine pipeline 쐽 noun a special type of ship which can travel under water 쑗 The submarine dived before she was spotted by enemy aircraft. submerge /səb m" dȢ/ verb 1. to cover with something, especially with water 쑗 At high tide the rocks are completely submerged. 2. to go under water 쑗 The submarine submerged and disappeared from view. 3. 왍 to submerge yourself in something to become completely involved in a type of work to forget about other problems 쑗 After the death of her mother she submerged herself in her medical work. submersion /səb m" ʃ(ə)n/ noun the fact of being submerged submission /səb mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the state of giving in or having to obey someone 쑗 Their plan was to starve the enemy into submission. (NOTE: no plural in this meaning) 2. a piece of evidence, a document or an argument used in court 쑗 In his submission, he stated that the council had always acted within the law. submissive /səb msv/ adj (of a person) who obeys all orders, or who gives in easily. Antonym assertive ③ submit /səb mt/ verb 1. 왍 to submit to to give in to 쑗 He definitely won’t submit to blackmail. 2. to put something forward for someone to examine 쑗 You are requested to submit your proposal to the planning committee. 쑗 He submitted a claim to the insurers. 쑗 Reps are asked to submit their expenses claims once a month. 3. to state your case in court 쑗 The defence submitted that there was no case to answer. (NOTE: submitting – submitted) subordinate adj /sə bɔ dnət/ under the control of someone else; less important 왍 subordinate to which is under the control of 쑗 The new arrangement will make our department subordinate to yours. 쐽 noun /sə- subordinate clause 861 bɔ dnət/ a person who is under the direction of someone else 쑗 His subordinates find him difficult to work with. Synonym assistant. Antonym boss 쐽 verb /səbɔ dnet/ (formal ) 왍 to subordinate something to something else to put something in a less important position than something else 쑗 We were taught to subordinate our personal feelings to the needs of the state. subordinate clause /səbɔ dnət klɔ z/ noun a clause in a sentence which depends on the main clause subordination /səbɔ d neʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of subordinating subpoena /sə pi nə/ noun a court order telling someone to appear in court 쑗 She has been served a subpoena to appear in court next month. 쐽 verb to order someone to appear in court 쑗 The finance director was subpoenaed by the prosecution. Synonym . summon (NOTE: subpoenaed) subscribe /səb skrab/ verb 1. 왍 to subscribe to a magazine to pay in advance for a series of issues of a magazine 2. to give money to 쑗 He subscribes to several charities. 3. 왍 to subscribe to a view to agree with a view (formal ) 쑗 I subscribe to the view that government expenditure should be reduced. subscriber /səb skrabə/ noun 1. a person who subscribes to a magazine 쑗 The extra issue is sent free to subscribers. 쑗 a subscriber to a magazine 쑗 a magazine subscriber 2. a person who pays regularly to use a service 쑗 Telephone subscribers who don’t pay their bills have their phones cut off. 3. a person who has applied for shares in a new company 쑗 There were very few subscribers to the recent share issue. subscription /səb skrpʃən/ noun 1. the amount of money which someone pays to a magazine for a series of issues 쑗 Did you remember to pay the subscription to the computer magazine? 왍 to take out a subscription to a magazine to start paying for a series of issues of a magazine 왍 to cancel a subscription to a magazine to stop paying for a magazine 2. money paid to a club for a year’s membership 쑗 He forgot to renew his club subscription. 3. 왍 subscription to a new share issue the offering of new shares in a company for sale subsection / sbsekʃ(ə)n/ noun a division of a section such as in a document subsequent / sbskwənt/ adj which comes later (formal ). Synonym following. Antonym preceding subsequently / sbskwəntli/ adv happening later or following something which has already happened subservient /səb s" viənt/ adj 1. always giving in to others 쑗 Stand up for your rights . . substandard – you shouldn’t be so subservient. 2. not as important as 쑗 Each state is subservient to the federation. subset / sbset/ noun a mathematical set whose elements are contained in another set subside /səb sad/ verb 1. to go down, to become less loud or strong 쑗 After the rainstorms passed, the flood waters gradually subsided. 쑗 His anger subsided and he began to try to find out what had happened. 쑗 He waited for the noise to subside before going on with his speech. 2. (of a piece of ground or a building) to fall to a lower level 쑗 The office block is subsiding because it is built on clay. Synonym sink subsidence / sbsd(ə)ns/ noun (of a piece of ground or a building) an act of sinking or falling to a lower level subsidiarity /səbsdi rti/ noun (in the European Union) the principle that decisions should be taken at the level of each individual government and not at the level of the European Commission subsidiary /səb sdiəri/ adj which is less important 쑗 They queried one or two subsidiary items in the estimate. 쐽 noun a company which is owned by a parent company 쑗 Most of the profit comes from subsidiaries in the Far East. subsidise / sbsdaz/, subsidize verb to help by giving money subsidy / sbsdi/ noun money given to help pay for something which does not make a profit (NOTE: The plural is subsidies.) subsist /səb sst/ verb 1. to stay alive, to manage 쑗 Some people can subsist on very little food. 2. to continue to exist (formal ) 쑗 Doubts subsist in my mind as to his true identity. 쑗 Some traces of the old dialect still subsist in the islands. subsistence /səb sstəns/ noun the smallest amount of things such as food and money which a person needs to live on 왍 to live at subsistence level to have only just enough money to live on 쑗 People living below subsistence level are eligible for government grants. ① substance / sbstəns/ noun 1. a solid or liquid material, especially one used in chemistry 쑗 A secret substance is added to the product to give it its yellow colour. 쑗 Toxic substances got into the drinking water. 2. the truth behind an argument 쑗 There is no substance to the rumour that he was controlled by the mafia. 쑗 She brought documents to add substance to her claim. 3. 왍 a man of substance a rich man (formal ) 4. a drug 쑗 He was found to have certain illegal substances in his suitcase. substandard /sb stndəd/ adj not up to the usual standard. Synonym inferior . . substantial 862 ② substantial /səb stnʃəl/ adj 1. large, important 쑗 She was awarded substantial damages. 쑗 He received a substantial sum when he left the company. 쑗 A substantial amount of work remains to be done. 2. large, which satisfies 쑗 We had a substantial meal at the local pub. 3. solid, strong 쑗 This wall is too flimsy, we need something much more substantial. substantially /səb stnʃəli/ adv 1. mainly, mostly 쑗 Their forecast was substantially correct. 2. by a large amount 쑗 The cost of raw materials has risen substantially over the last year. substantiate /səb stnʃiet/ verb to prove that something which has been stated is true. Antonym disprove substantive /səb stntv/ adj 1. real, which is serious 2. referring to a permanent military rank 쑗 He holds the substantive rank of colonel. 쐽 noun (in grammar ) a noun 쑗 Some substantives such as ‘child’ and ‘man’ have irregular plural forms. substitute / sbsttju t/ noun a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else 쑗 This type of plastic can be used as a substitute for leather. 쑗 The substitute teacher was better than the teacher himself. 쑗 When the goalkeeper was injured they sent on a substitute. 쐽 verb 왍 to substitute something or someone for something or someone else to put something or someone in the place of something or someone else 쑗 He secretly substituted the fake diamond for the real one. 왍 to substitute for someone to replace someone 쑗 Who will be substituting for the sales manager when she’s away on holiday? substitution /sbst tju ʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of substituting someone or something for someone or something else subsume /səb sju m/ verb to include something in a larger group or set (formal ) subterfuge / sbtəfju dȢ/ noun a trick or clever way of doing something subterranean /sbtə reniən/ adj under the ground subtitle / sbtat(ə)l/ noun a translation of the words spoken in a film which are shown at the bottom of the screen subtitled / sbtat(ə)ld/ adj with subtitles subtle / st(ə)l/ adj 1. not obvious or easily seen 쑗 There’s a subtle difference between the two political parties. 2. complicated or delicate 쑗 a sauce with a subtle taste of lemon 쑗 A subtler shade would be better than that bright colour. (NOTE: subtler – . . subtlest) subtlety / st(ə)lti/ noun careful thought processes which are difficult to explain succeed subtotal / sbtəυt(ə)l/ noun the total of one section of a set of numbers subtract /səb trkt/ verb to take one number away from another (NOTE: subtracting is usually shown by the minus sign – : 10 – 4 = 6: say ‘ten subtract four equals six’) subtraction /səb trkʃən/ noun the act of subtracting one number from another subtropical /sb trɒpk(ə)l/ adj referring to the subtropics subtropics /sb trɒpks/ plural noun areas of the world between the tropics and the temperate zones suburb / sb" b/ noun an area on the edge of a town where there are houses and shops but not usually factories or other large industries suburban /sə b" bən/ adj referring to the suburbs. Antonym central suburbia /sə b" biə/ noun the middleclass suburban districts around a city. Synonym suburbs suburbs / sb" bz/ plural noun the areas all round the edge of a town where a lot of people live subversion /səb v" ʃ(ə)n/ noun secret acts against a government subversive /səb v" sv/ adj acting secretly against the government or people in authority 쑗 The police are investigating subversive elements in the student organisations. Synonym dissident. Antonym law-abiding 쐽 noun a person who acts secretly against the government 쑗 The police have arrested several known subversives. Synonym dissident subvert /səb v" t/ verb to make something such as a system fail, or to damage or destroy the existing political system. Synonym undermine subway / sbwe/ noun 1. an underground passage along which people can walk, e.g. so that they do not have to cross a busy road 쑗 There’s a subway from the bus station to the shopping centre. 2. US an underground railway system 쑗 the New York subway 쑗 It will be quicker to take the subway to Grand Central Station. (NOTE: The London equivalent is the tube or Underground.) sub-zero /sb zərəυ/ adj below zero degrees in temperature ① succeed /sək si d/ verb 1. to do well or to make a lot of profit 쑗 His business has succeeded more than he had expected. 2. 왍 to succeed in doing something to do what you have been trying to do 쑗 She succeeded in passing her driving test. 쑗 I succeeded in getting them to agree to my plan. 3. to manage to do something which is rather stupid (informal, humorous) 쑗 They succeeded in getting lost in the centre of London. 4. to follow after someone in a particular job or posi- succeeding 863 tion because they have left the job 쑗 Mr Smith was succeeded as chairman by Mr Jones. 왍 to succeed to the throne to become king or queen 쑗 He succeeded to the throne when his grandfather died. succeeding /sək si dŋ/ adj 1. following after someone in their job or position in society 2. obtaining something such as a title or some property when the person who previously held it dies ① success /sək ses/ noun 1. achieving what you have been trying to do 쑗 She’s been looking for a job in a library, but without any success so far. 2. doing something well 쑗 Her photo was in the newspapers after her Olympic success. 쑗 The new car has not had much success in the Japanese market. 3. somebody or something that succeeds 쑗 The launch of the new model was a great success. 쑗 He wasn’t much of a success as a manager. 쑗 The cataract operation was a complete success. (NOTE: The plural is successes.) ① successful /sək sesf(ə)l/ adj who or which does well 쑗 He’s a successful business man. 쑗 She’s very successful at hiding her real age. 쑗 Their selling trip to German proved successful. ① successfully /sək sesf(ə)li/ adv achieving what was intended succession /sək seʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a series of the same type of thing 쑗 I had a succession of phone calls from my relatives. 왍 in succession one after the other 쑗 Three people in succession have asked me the same question. 쑗 He won the title five times in succession. 2. taking a property or a title from someone who has died 쑗 The question of the succession to the throne is often mentioned in the newspapers. successive /sək sesv/ adj which come one after the other. Synonym consecutive successively /sək sesvli/ adv one coming after the other successor /sək sesə/ noun a person who takes over from someone. Antonym predecessor success story /sk ses stɔ ri/ noun a person or something such as an invention that has been a great success succinct /sək sŋkt/ adj exact, not using many words. Synonym concise succulent / skjυlənt/ adj with a very pleasant taste, e.g. because of being full of juice 쑗 The succulent dinner was much appreciated. 쑗 They served each of us a succulent slice of roast chicken. Synonym juicy 쐽 noun a type of plant with thick fleshy leaves and stems 쑗 She has a collection of succulents in her conservatory. succumb /sə km/ verb 1. to accept defeat 2. to die from an illness or injury sudden succumb to /sə km tu / verb 1. to give in to, to be defeated 쑗 Whenever I pass a sweet shop I succumb to temptation and buy some chocolates. 쑗 The stronghold finally succumbed after it was bombed. 쑗 He succumbed to pressure from his family and took a holiday. 2. to die from 쑗 Cholera struck the refugee camps and thousands succumbed. 쑗 They rapidly succumbed to the rigours of the Siberian winter. ① such /stʃ/ adj 1. of this sort 쑗 The police are looking for such things as drugs or stolen goods. 왍 no such not existing 쑗 There is no such day as April 31st. 쑗 Someone was asking for a Mr Simpson but there is no such person working here. 2. very; so much 쑗 There was such a crowd at the party that there weren’t enough chairs to go round. 쑗 It’s such a shame that she’s ill and has to miss her sister’s wedding. 쐽 pron this type of person or thing 쑗 She’s very competent, and is thought of as such by the management. 쑗 The noise was such that it stopped me sleeping. suchlike / stʃlak/ adj, pron similar (people or things) ③ suck /sk/ verb 1. to hold something with your mouth and pull at it with your tongue 쑗 The baby didn’t stop sucking his thumb until he was six. 2. to have something in your mouth which makes your mouth produce water 쑗 He bought a bag of sweets to suck in the car. 3. to pull liquid into your mouth by using the muscles in your mouth 쑗 She sucked the orange juice through a straw. 쐽 noun the action of sucking 쑗 He’s had a lick of my ice cream and now he wants a suck of my ice lolly. sucker / skə/ noun 1. a part of an animal which sticks to a surface by sucking 쑗 An octopus has rows of suckers on its arms. 2. a little plastic cup which sticks to a surface by suction 쑗 Some hooks can be glued to the wall, others stick with suckers. 3. a person who is easily tricked into doing something 4. a person who cannot resist something 쑗 He’s a sucker for chocolate desserts. 쑗 He’s a sucker for any pretty girl. 5. (of a plant ) a shoot which comes from the bottom of the stem or from a root 쑗 You need to cut all those suckers off the roses. suck up /sk p/ verb 1. to take in 쑗 The new vacuum cleaner sucks up dust very efficiently. 2. 왍 to suck up to someone to flatter someone so as to get good treatment (informal ) 쑗 You should see the way he sucks up to the boss. suction / skʃən/ noun the action of sucking out air, so that two surfaces stick together ② sudden / sd(ə)n/ adj which happens very quickly or unexpectedly 쑗 The sudden change in the weather caught us unprepared. . . sudden death playoff 864 The bus came to a sudden stop. 쑗 His decision to go to Canada was very sudden. 왍 all of a sudden suddenly, quickly, giving you a shock 쑗 All of a sudden the room went dark. sudden death playoff /sd(ə)n deθ pleɒf/ noun the ending of a game in which the scores are level, when each player or side tries to score and the one who scores first wins ① suddenly / sd(ə)nli/ adv quickly and giving you a shock 쑗 The car in front stopped suddenly and I ran into the back of it. 쑗 Suddenly the room went dark. 쑗 She suddenly realised it was already five o’clock. Synonym unexpectedly. Antonym 쑗 gradually suddenness / sd(ə)nnəs/ noun the fact of being extremely fast or unexpected suds /sdz/ plural noun a mass of soap bubbles on the surface of water sue /sju / verb to take someone to court, to start a legal case against someone to get payment for the harm or damage they have caused suede /swed/ noun leather with a soft surface that looks like velvet suet / su t/ noun the hard fat from around an animal’s kidneys, used in cooking ① suffer / sfə/ verb 1. to be in a bad situation, to do badly 쑗 The harvest has suffered during the rainy weather. 쑗 Exports have suffered during the last six months. 2. to receive an injury 쑗 He suffered multiple injuries in the accident. 3. to feel pain 쑗 He didn’t suffer at all, and was conscious until he died. 4. 왍 to suffer from something to have an illness or a fault 쑗 She suffers from arthritis. 쑗 The company’s products suffer from bad design. 쑗 Our car suffers from a tendency to overheat. sufferer / sfərə/ noun a person who has a particular disease suffering / sf(ə)rŋ/ noun pain felt over a long period of time 왍 to put an animal out of its suffering to kill an animal which is very ill. 쏡 long-suffering suffice /sə fas/ verb to be enough (formal ) 왍 suffice it to say it is enough to say 쑗 Suffice it to say that we are not at all happy with the results. sufficiency /sə fʃ(ə)nsi/ noun enough of something. 쏡 self-sufficiency ② sufficient /sə fʃ(ə)nt/ adj as much as is needed 쑗 Does she have sufficient funds to pay for her trip? 쑗 There isn’t sufficient room to put the big sofa in here. 쑗 Allow yourself sufficient time to get to the airport. 쏡 self-sufficient. Synonym adequate. Antonym insufficient sufficiently /sə fʃ(ə)ntli/ adv well enough . suicidal suffix / sfks/ noun a set of letters added to the end of a word to make another word. Compare prefix (NOTE: The plural is suffixes.) suffocate / sfəket/ verb 1. to make someone stop breathing by cutting off the supply of air, or to die from lack of air to breathe 쑗 She was accused of suffocating the baby. 쑗 The family suffocated in the smoke-filled room. 2. to be uncomfortable because of heat and lack of air (informal ) 쑗 We’re suffocating in this little room. suffocating / sfəketŋ/ adj 1. which makes breathing difficult 쑗 He stepped out of the plane into Delhi’s suffocating heat. 2. extremely uncomfortable because of being too hot, crowded or too closely controlled 쑗 She found it difficult to work in the suffocating atmosphere of the head office. suffocation /sfə keʃ(ə)n/ noun making someone become unconscious by cutting off their supply of air. Also called asphyxia suffrage / sfrdȢ/ noun a right to vote in elections ② sugar / ʃυDZə/ noun 1. a substance that you use to make food sweet 쑗 How much sugar do you take in your tea? 쑗 A spoonful of sugar will be enough. 쑗 Can you pass me the sugar, please? 2. a spoonful of sugar 쑗 How do you take your coffee? – milk and one sugar, please. sugar beet / ʃυDZə bi t/ noun a root vegetable which is used for making sugar sugarcane / ʃυDZəken/ noun a tall plant whose thick stems contain a sweet liquid substance from which sugar is made, grown in many tropical areas sugary / ʃυDZəri/ adj 1. very sweet, containing a lot of sugar 쑗 Don’t serve sugary drinks to children. 2. very sentimental 쑗 The film is a sugary story of adolescent love. ① suggest /sə dȢest/ verb to mention an idea to see what other people think of it 쑗 The chairman suggested that the next meeting should be held in October. 쑗 Might I suggest a visit to the museum this afternoon? 쑗 What does he suggest we do in this case? ① suggestion /sə dȢestʃən/ noun an idea that you mention for people to think about 쑗 We have asked for suggestions from passengers. 쑗 The company acted upon your suggestion. 쑗 Whose suggestion was it that we should go out in a boat? 쑗 I bought those shares at the stockbroker’s suggestion. suggestive /sə dȢestv/ adj 1. 왍 suggestive of which suggests 쑗 The music is suggestive of a calm evening in the country. 2. which suggests sex 쑗 He sang some very suggestive songs. suicidal /su  sad(ə)l/ adj 1. wanting to kill yourself 쑗 He has suicidal tendencies. 쑗 After her son’s death she became suicidal. 2. . suicide 865 very dangerous 쑗 He had a suicidal habit of driving at high speed along little country roads. suicide / su sad/ noun 1. the act of killing yourself 쑗 Whether her death was murder or suicide is not yet known. 왍 to commit suicide to kill yourself 쑗 He killed his two children and then committed suicide. 왍 attempted suicide, suicide attempt an act of trying to kill yourself, but not succeeding 쑗 She is still in hospital after her suicide attempt. 2. a person who has killed himself suicide note / su sad nəυt/ noun a letter left by someone who has committed suicide ② suit /su t/ noun 1. a set of pieces of clothing made of the same cloth and worn together, such as a jacket and trousers or skirt 쑗 A dark grey suit will be just right for the interview. 쑗 The pale blue suit she was wearing was very chic. 2. one of the four sets of cards with the same symbol in a pack of cards 쑗 Clubs and spades are the two black suits and hearts and diamonds are the two red suits. 3. 왍 to follow suit to do what everyone else does 쑗 She jumped into the pool and everyone else followed suit. 4. a lawsuit, legal action or claim 쐽 verb 1. to look good when worn by someone 쑗 Green usually suits people with red hair. 쑗 That hat doesn’t suit her. 2. to be convenient 쑗 He’ll only do it when it suits him to do it. 쑗 Thursday at 11 o’clock will suit me fine. 왍 suit yourself do what you want suitability /su tə blti/ noun the degree to which someone or something is suitable ② suitable / su təb(ə)l/ adj which fits or which is convenient 쑗 I’m looking for a suitable present. 쑗 We advertised the job again because there were no suitable candidates. 쑗 A blue dress would be more suitable for an interview. Synonym appropriate. Antonym unsuitable suitably / su təbli/ adv in a convenient or fitting way suitcase / su tkes/ noun a box with a handle which you carry your clothes in when you are travelling 왍 to live out of a suitcase to travel so frequently that you do not spend much time at home (informal ) suite /swi t/ noun 1. a set of rooms, especially expensive rooms 쑗 Their offices are in a suite of rooms on the eleventh floor. 쑗 They booked a suite at the Savoy Hotel. 왍 VIP suite a suite at an airport or in a hotel which is intended for very rich or famous people 2. a set of pieces of furniture 3. several short pieces of music played together as one item 쑗 the ‘Planets Suite’ by Gustav Holst (NOTE: ③ . Do not confuse with sweet.) suited / su td/ adj suitable summary suitor / su tə/ noun a person who wants to marry a girl (old ) sulk /slk/ noun 왍 a sulk, the sulks a period when you behave in a way which shows you are annoyed, often by refusing to speak to anyone 쑗 She had a fit of the sulks and refused to talk to anyone. 쑗 I don’t mind if she goes into a sulk, but she has to learn to do as she’s told. 쐽 verb to show you are annoyed by not saying anything 쑗 They’re sulking because we didn’t invite them. sulky / slki/ adj showing that you are annoyed (NOTE: sulkier – sulkiest) sullen / slən/ adj silent and sulky sulphur / slfə/ noun a non-metallic element, which is usually found in the form of yellow powder, and smells of rotten eggs . (NOTE: The US or technical spelling is sulfur.) sulphur dioxide /slfə da ɒksad/ noun a colourless gas which has a strong un- pleasant smell and causes serious air pollution (NOTE: The US or technical spelling is sulfur dioxide.) sulphurous / slfərəs/ adj full of or containing sulphur (NOTE: The US or technical spelling is sulfurous.) sultan / sltən/ noun a Muslim prince sultana /sl tɑ nə/ noun a type of pale seedless raisin sultry / sltri/ adj 1. (of weather ) hot and making you feel uncomfortably sticky 쑗 A massive thunderstorm brought the sultry weather to an end. 2. attractive in a dark and passionate way 쑗 Her sultry good looks attracted the eye of her boss. (NOTE: sultrier – . sultriest) ② sum /sm/ noun 1. a quantity of money 쑗 He only paid a small sum for the car. 쑗 A large sum of money was stolen from his safe. 쑗 We are owed the sum of £500. 2. a simple problem in arithmetic 쑗 She tried to do the sum in her head. 3. the total of two or more numbers added together 쑗 The sum of all four sides will give you the perimeter of the field. summarily / smərli/ adv immediately and without discussion or attention to the usual way of doing things ③ summarise / sməraz/, summarize verb to make a short account of what has happened or what has been said. Synonym précis summary / sməri/ noun a short description of what has been said or written, or of what happened, without giving all the details 쑗 She gave a summary of what happened at the meeting. 쑗 Here’s a summary of the book in case you don’t have time to read it. 쑗 It is 7.30 and here is a summary of the news. Synonym précis (NOTE: The plural is ② summer 866 suncream summaries.) 쐽 adj which happens immedi- summons / smənz/ noun 1. an official He was given a summary trial. order to go to see someone 쑗 He received a summons to see the president. 2. an official order or document telling someone to appear in court to be tried for a criminal offence or to defend a civil action 쑗 He threw away the summons and went on holiday to Spain. 왍 to serve a summons on someone to give someone a summons officially 쐽 verb to order someone to appear in court 쑗 He was summonsed as a witness at the magistrates’ court. sumo / su məυ/ noun a Japanese style of wrestling, where two very large wrestlers try to throw each other out of a ring sumptuous / smptʃuəs/ adj very expensive or impressive. Synonym costly sum total /sm təυt(ə)l/ noun the total amount of something which may not be as much as you want. Synonym whole sum up /sm p/ verb 1. to make a summary of what has been said 쑗 I’d just like to sum up what has been said so far. 쑗 Can you sum up the most important points in the speech for me? 2. (of a judge) to speak at the end of a trial and go over all the evidence and arguments for the benefit of the jury 쑗 I was surprised the judge did not mention that when he summed up. (NOTE: summing – ately 쑗 (NOTE: Do not confuse with summery.) ① summer / smə/ noun the hottest time of the year, the season between spring and autumn 쑗 Next summer we are going to Greece. 쑗 The summer in Australia coincides with our winter here in England. 쑗 I haven’t any summer clothes – it’s never hot enough here. summer camp / smə kmp/ noun a place where children go for a holiday without their parents in the summer, usually in the country summer holiday /smə hɒlde/ noun a holiday which you have in the summer (NOTE: The US term is summer vacation.) summerhouse / sməhaυs/ noun a small building in a garden, where people can sit when it is warm summer school / smə sku l/ noun classes held at a school, college or university during the summer holiday summer solstice /smə sɒlsts/ noun 21st June, the longest day in the northern hemisphere, when the sun is at its furthest point south of the equator summertime / smətam/ noun the time of year when it is summer Summer Time / smə tam/ noun a system where the clocks are set forward one hour in March to take advantage of the longer period of daylight summery / sməri/ adj like the summer, which is suitable for the summer (NOTE: Do not confuse with summary.) summing-up /smŋ p/ noun a speech by the judge at the end of a trial, where he goes over all the evidence and arguments, and points out important points of law to the jury ③ summit / smt/ noun 1. the top of a mountain 쑗 It took us three hour’s hard climbing to reach the summit. 2. same as summit meeting summit meeting /smt mi tŋ/, summit conference /smt kɒnf(ə)rəns/ noun a meeting where heads of state discuss international issues summon / smən/ verb 1. to tell people to come to a meeting (formal ) 쑗 The president summoned a meeting of the supreme council. 쑗 She was summoned to appear before the committee. 2. 왍 to summon up courage to force yourself to be brave enough to do something 쑗 He summoned up enough courage to do his first solo flight. 왍 to summon up strength to manage to have enough strength to do something 쑗 He summoned up all his strength and climbed the last few metres to the top. . summed) ① sun /sn/ noun 1. a very bright star round which the earth travels and which gives light and heat 쑗 The sun was just rising when I got up. 쑗 I’ll try taking a photograph now that the sun’s come out. 쑗 Don’t stare at the eclipse of the sun, even with sunglasses. 2. the light from the sun 쑗 I’d prefer a table out of the sun. 쑗 We’re sitting in the shade because the sun’s too hot. 쑗 She spent her whole holiday just sitting in the sun. 왍 everything under the sun everything possible 쑗 We talked about everything under the sun. 쐽 verb 왍 to sun yourself to sit in the sun and get warm 쑗 The cat was sunning herself on the window sill. sunbathe / snbeð/ verb to lie in the sun to get your skin brown sunbather / snbeðə/ noun a person who lies in the sun sunbathing / snbeðŋ/ noun the practice of lying in the sun to get your skin brown sunbed / snbed/ noun 1. a piece of equipment which you use to make your skin look brown by means of ultraviolet light 2. same as sunlounger sunburn / snb" n/ noun damage to the skin caused by being in the sun for too long sunburnt / snb" nt/ adj (of the skin) damaged or made red by the sun suncream / snkri m/ noun a cream which you put on your skin to prevent it being sunburnt sundae 867 sundae / snde/ noun a sweet dish of ice cream, cream, fruit and nuts and a sweet sauce ① Sunday / snde/ noun the seventh day of the week, the day between Saturday and Monday 쑗 Last Sunday we went on a picnic. 쑗 Most shops are now open on Sundays. 쑗 Can we fix a lunch for next Sunday? 쑗 The 15th is a Saturday, so the 16th must be a Sunday. 쑗 Today is Sunday, November 19th. 왍 in your Sunday best wearing your best clothes 쑗 All the children came in their Sunday best. Sunday school / snde sku l/ noun classes held on a Sunday, where children are taught about the Christian religion sundial / sndaəl/ noun a type of outdoor clock with a central piece whose shadow points to the time when the sun shines on it sundown / sndaυn/ noun the time when the sun goes down in the evening. Synonym sunset. Antonym sunrise sun-dried / sndrad/ adj which has been dried in the sun to preserve it sundries / sndriz/ plural noun small articles or small objects not listed in detail sundry / sndri/ adj various 쑗 The tourists made sundry purchases in the market. 왍 sundry items a lot of different small objects. Synonym various 쐽 noun 왍 all and sundry everyone 쑗 He told all and sundry about his operation. sunflower / snflaυə/ noun a very large yellow flower on a very tall stem sung /sŋ/ 쒁 sing ③ sunglasses / snDZlɑ sz/ plural noun dark glasses worn to protect your eyes from the sun 쑗 I always wear sunglasses when I’m driving. sunhat / snht/ noun a hat worn to protect your head from the sun sunk /sŋk/ 쒁 sink sunken / sŋkən/ adj 1. which is under the surface of water 쑗 The boat must have hit a sunken log. 쑗 The channel is blocked by sunken wrecks. 2. lower than the area around 쑗 a sunken garden sunlamp / snlmp/ noun a type of light which gives off ultraviolet rays like those of the sun, used to make your skin brown sunlight / snlat/ noun the light which comes from the sun (NOTE: no plural) sunlit / snlt/ adj bright with the light of the sun Sunni / sυni/ noun 1. one of the main branches of Islam 2. a member of the Sunni branch of Islam sunny / sni/ adj 1. with the sun shining 쑗 Another sunny day! 쑗 They forecast that it will be sunny this afternoon. 2. where the sun often shines 쑗 We live on the sunny side of superfluous the street. 쑗 Their sitting room is bright and sunny, but the dining room is dark. 3. 왍 sunny side up US (of an egg) cooked in hot fat on one side only without being turned over, so you can see the yolk (informal ) sunrise / snraz/ noun the time when the sun comes up in the morning. Synonym dawn. Antonym sunset sunroof / snru f/ noun a part of the roof of a car which opens to let in light and air sunscreen / snskri n/ noun a cream which you put on your skin to prevent sunburn sunset / snset/ noun the time when the sun goes down in the evening. Synonym sundown. Antonym sunrise sunshade / snʃed/ noun a light umbrella to protect you from the sun. Synonym . parasol sunshine / snʃan/ noun a pleasant light from the sun (NOTE: no plural) sunstroke / snstrəυk/ noun a serious medical condition caused by spending too much time in hot sun suntan / sntn/ noun the brown colour of skin caused by sunlight suntanned / sntnd/ adj brown from having been exposed to the sun sun visor / sn vazə/ noun a little screen which folds down in front of a car driver, to keep the sun out of his eyes sun worshipper / sn w" ʃpə/ noun a person who loves sunbathing super / su pə/ adj very good (dated ) superb /sυ p" b/ adj extremely good. Synonym excellent. Antonym abysmal superbly /sυ p" bli/ adv in a superb way supercharger / su pətʃɑ dȢə/ noun an apparatus on a car engine for increasing the power supercilious /su pə sliəs/ adj looking down on other people, considering other people as not good enough. Synonym arrogant supercomputer /su pəkəm pju tə/ noun a high-speed computer ③ superficial /su pə fʃ(ə)l/ adj 1. which affects only the top surface 쑗 The damage was only superficial. 쑗 She suffered a few superficial grazes but nothing serious. 2. dealing only with the most obvious and simple matters 쑗 I can’t answer your question because I only have a very superficial knowledge of the subject. 3. not serious 쑗 He’s very superficial, you can’t have a serious conversation with him. superficially /su pə fʃ(ə)li/ adv in a superficial way superfluous /su p" fluəs/ adj which is more than is needed; not necessary, not needed. Synonym extra. Antonym basic 왍 superfluous hair hair which is growing in . superhuman 868 places where it is not thought to be beautiful 쑗 You can get a cream for removing superfluous hair. superhuman /su pə hju mən/ adj beyond what humans are usually able to do, or having unusually great abilities superimpose /su pərm pəυz/ verb 1. to place on top of something else 쑗 They tried to superimpose a new level of management on top of the old one. 2. to lay one picture over another so that they are both visible; to print one thing on top of another 쑗 If you superimpose one picture on the other you get the impression of a ghost in the room. superintend /su pərn tend/ verb to be in charge of work, to watch carefully, to see that work is well done. Synonym supervise superintendent /su pərn tendənt/ noun a person who is responsible for work, or for a place 쑗 Go and see the building superintendent if a pipe is leaking. superior /sυ pəriə/ adj 1. of very high quality 쑗 He gave her a very superior box of chocolates. Antonym inferior 왍 superior to better than 쑗 Our products are vastly superior to theirs. 쑗 Their distribution service is much superior to ours. 2. in a higher rank 쑗 Soldiers should always salute superior officers. 왍 superior to someone of a higher rank than someone 쑗 She is superior to him in the office hierarchy. 3. thinking you are better than other people 쑗 He gives himself such superior airs. 쐽 noun a person in a higher rank 쑗 Each manager is responsible to his superior. superiority /sυpəri ɒrti/ noun being more important, more intelligent, better than someone else 쑗 The superiority of the Brazilians in the World Cup was obvious. 쑗 He gives the impression of effortless superiority. superlative /sυ p" lətv/ adj extremely good 쑗 He’s a superlative goalkeeper. Synonym excellent 쐽 noun the form of an adjective or adverb showing the highest level when compared with another 쑗 ‘Biggest’ is the superlative of ‘big.’ 쑗 Put a few superlatives in the ad to emphasise the superiority of the product. COMMENT: Superlatives are usually formed by adding the suffix -est to the adjective: ‘quickest’ from ‘quick’, for example. In the case of long adjectives, they are formed by putting ‘most’ in front of the adjective: ‘most comfortable’, ‘most expensive’, and so on. Some superlatives are irregular, such as ‘worst’ and ‘best’. You can also form superlatives by adding phrases like ‘as possible’ (as big as possible). superman / su pəmn/ noun a man who has superhuman strength, power or ability (NOTE: The plural is supermen.) supplement supermarket / su pəmɑ kt/ noun a large store selling mainly food and household goods, where customers serve themselves and pay at a checkout 쑗 We’ve got no tea left, can you buy some from the supermarket? 쑗 We do all our shopping in the local supermarket. supermodel / su pəmɒd(ə)l/ noun a famous fashion model who earns a lot of money supernatural /su pə ntʃ(ə)rəl/ adj which cannot be explained by the laws of nature 쑗 He believes in supernatural occurrences like ghosts. 쐽 noun 왍 the supernatural things which happen which cannot be explained by the laws of nature 쑗 You can’t dismiss the supernatural completely. superpower / su pəpaυə/ noun an extremely powerful country with great economic strength and large armed forces supersede /su pə si d/ verb to take the place of something which has become old and no longer useful. Antonym precede supersonic /su pə sɒnk/ adj going faster than the speed of sound superstar / su pəstɑ / noun an extremely famous film actor or other performer superstition /su pə stʃ(ə)n/ noun a belief in magic and that some things are lucky and others unlucky superstitious /su pə stʃəs/ adj believing in magic and the supernatural. Antonym rational superstore / su pəstɔ / noun a very large self-service store selling a wide range of goods or selling a variety of things of the same type ③ supervise / su pəvaz/ verb to watch carefully, to see that work is well done. Synonym oversee ② supervision /su pə vȢ(ə)n/ noun the act of supervising ③ supervisor / su pəvazə/ noun a person who supervises someone’s work or a university teacher who supervises a student’s thesis supervisory / su pəvazəri/ adj in charge of other people’s work or activities 왍 in a supervisory capacity or role as a supervisor supper / spə/ noun the meal which you eat in the evening 왍 to have supper to eat an evening meal 쑗 We’ll have supper on the terrace. 쑗 We usually have supper at about 7 o’clock. 쑗 Come and have some supper with us tomorrow evening. 쏡 See note at dinner supplant /sə plɑ nt/ verb to take the place of someone or something. Synonym oust supple / sp(ə)l/ adj who or which bends easily supplement noun / splmənt/ 1. a thing which is in addition, especially an additional supplementary 869 amount 쑗 The company gives him £200 per month as a supplement to his pension. 쑗 You need to take a vitamin supplement every morning. 쑗 Look in the supplement at the back of the book. 2. a magazine which is part of a newspaper 쑗 I read his article in the Sunday supplement. 3. an additional section at the back of a book 쑗 Look in the supplement at the back of the book. 쐽 verb / splment/ to add to 쑗 We will supplement the ordinary staff with six part-timers during the Christmas rush. Antonym deduct supplementary /spl ment(ə)ri/ adj in addition to what is already there. Synonym extra supplier /sə plaə/ noun a person, company or country that supplies something. Antonym consumer supplies /sə plaz/ plural noun things such as food and equipment which are needed for a particular activity 쑗 medical supplies ① supply /sə pla/ noun 1. a store of something which is needed 쑗 We have two weeks’ supply of coal. 왍 in short supply not available in large enough quantities to meet people’s needs 쑗 Fresh vegetables are in short supply during the winter. 왍 the law of supply and demand general rule that the amount of something which is available is connected to the amount wanted by people who are likely to buy it 2. something which is needed, such as goods, products or services 쑗 The electricity supply has failed again. 쑗 They signed a contract for the supply of computer equipment. 쑗 Rebel forces have cut off the town’s water supply. 쐽 verb to provide something which is needed 쑗 Details of addresses and phone numbers can be supplied by the store staff. 쑗 He was asked to supply a blood sample. 쑗 She was asked to supply the names of two referees. 쑗 They have signed a contract to supply online information. 왍 to supply someone with something or supply something to someone to provide someone with what they need 쑗 The local farm supplies the college with milk and cheese. 쑗 He supplies cheese to the hotel. ① support /sə pɔ t/ noun 1. an object or structure which stops something from falling 쑗 They had to build wooden supports to hold up the wall. 2. something which helps keep something else in place 쑗 The bandage provides some support for the knee. 3. an act of encouraging and helping someone, or of agreeing with their plans 쑗 The chairman has the support of the committee. 쑗 She spoke in support of our plan. 4. help in the form of money 쑗 We have had no financial support from the bank. 쐽 verb 1. to hold something up to stop it falling down 쑗 The roof is supported on ten huge pillars. 2. to provide money to help someone or something 쑗 We suppress hope the banks will support us during the expansion period. 3. to encourage someone or something 쑗 Which football team do you support? 쑗 She hopes the other members of the committee will support her. 4. to accept something 쑗 The public will not support another price increase. 5. to keep a computer system or program working 쑗 The main computer system supports six workstations. ② supporter /sə pɔ tə/ noun a person who encourages someone or something 쑗 It sounds a good idea to me – I’m surprised it hasn’t attracted more supporters. Synonym follower. Antonym detractor support group /sə pɔ t DZru p/ noun a group of people who meet to discuss their problems and help one another supporting /sə pɔ tŋ/ adj having a small part in a film, play, or programme as opposed to being the main star supportive /sə pɔ tv/ adj who supports, helps or encourages. Synonym helpful. Antonym unhelpful ① suppose /sə pəυz/ verb 1. to think something is likely to be true or to happen 쑗 Where is the secretary? – I suppose she’s going to be late as usual. 쑗 I suppose you’ve heard the news? 쑗 What do you suppose they’re talking about? 쑗 Will you be coming to the meeting this evening? – I suppose I’ll have to. 쑗 I don’t suppose many people will come. 2. (showing doubt ) what happens if ? 쑗 Suppose it rains tomorrow, do you still want to go for a walk? 쑗 He’s very late – suppose he’s had an accident? 쑗 Suppose I win the lottery! 왍 I suppose so used to give a doubtful ‘yes’ 쑗 Please can I go to the party? – Oh, I suppose so. 앳 supposed to be 1. should, ought to 쑗 The children were supposed to be in bed. 쑗 How I am supposed to know where he is? 2. believed to be 쑗 He’s supposed to be a good dentist. 쑗 The film is supposed to be awful. supposed /sə pəυzt/ adj accepted as true but not definitely true supposedly /sə pəυzdli/ adv as we suppose. Synonym allegedly. Antonym . . actually supposing /sə pəυzŋ/ conj what happens if ? . supposition /spə zʃ(ə)n/ noun something which is thought to be true or correct, but cannot be proved suppress /sə pres/ verb 1. to limit something such as a person’s freedom 쑗 The rebellion was ruthlessly suppressed and its leaders executed. 2. to stop something being made public 쑗 All opposition newspapers have been suppressed. 쑗 They tried to suppress the evidence but it had already got into the newspapers. 3. to stop yourself showing what you really feel 쑗 She suppressed her suppression 870 feeling of annoyance and tried to look happy. 쑗 He couldn’t suppress a smile. suppression /sə preʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of suppressing supremacy /sυ preməsi/ noun the position of being the strongest power supreme /sυ pri m/ adj greatest, in the highest position 쑗 Her dog was supreme champion. 쑗 It meant one last supreme effort, but they did it. Supreme Court /sυpri m kɔ t/ noun the highest court in a country supremely /sυ pri mli/ adv to the greatest degree. Synonym extremely supremo /sυ pri məυ/ noun a person in charge of a very large organisation (informal ) surcharge / s" tʃɑ dȢ/ noun an extra charge on goods 쑗 There is a 10% surcharge on goods that are delivered. 쐽 verb to charge an extra amount 쑗 We have been surcharged because of a fall in the exchange rate. ① sure /ʃυə/ adj 1. certain, without any doubt 쑗 Is he sure he can borrow his mother’s car? 쑗 I’m sure I left my wallet in my coat pocket. 쑗 It’s sure to be cold in Russia in December. 쑗 Make sure or be sure that your computer is switched off before you leave. 2. which is definitely true or will definitely happen 쑗 It’s a sure remedy for hayfever. 3. 왍 sure of yourself confident that what you do is right 쑗 He’s only just starting in business, so he’s still not very sure of himself. 쐽 adv 1. mainly US meaning yes 쑗 Can I borrow your car? – sure, go ahead! 쑗 I need someone to help with this computer program – sure, I can do it. 2. US as emphasis 쑗 He sure was mad when he saw what they’d done to his car. 3. 왍 for sure certainly 쑗 They said the book would arrive on Thursday for sure. 쑗 I don’t know which day it came for sure. 왍 (and) that’s for sure used for emphasising a statement 쑗 She’ll never agree to come, and that’s for sure. sure-footed /ʃɔ fυtd/ adj 1. unlikely to trip or fall 2. confident and not likely to make mistakes ① surely / ʃυəli/ adv 1. of course, certainly (used mostly in questions where a certain answer is expected ) 쑗 Surely they can’t expect us to work on Sundays? 쑗 But surely their office is in London, not Oxford? 쑗 They’ll surely complain about the amount of work they have to do. 2. carefully surety / ʃυərəti/ noun 1. a person who takes the responsibility that someone will do something 2. money paid as a guarantee that someone will appear in court surf /s" f/ noun a mass of white foam coming onto a beach on large waves 쑗 The surf is too rough for children to bathe. (NOTE: Do not confuse with serf.) 쐽 verb 1. to ride on large waves coming onto a beach on a surf. . surgery board 쑗 I’d like to be able to surf. 쑗 It’s too dangerous to go surfing today. 2. 왍 to surf the Internet, to surf the Net to spend time looking at a lot of websites, looking at the pages in no particular order ① surface / s" fs/ noun 1. the top part of something 쑗 When it rains, water collects on the surface of the road. 쑗 The surface of the water was completely still. 쑗 He stayed a long time under water before coming back to the surface. 쑗 Dinosaurs disappeared from the surface of the earth millions of years ago. Antonym inside 2. the way someone or something appears to be 쑗 He seemed calm but under the surface he was furious. 쐽 verb 1. to come up to the surface 쑗 The captain gave orders for the submarine to surface. 2. to cover the surface of something such as a road or floor with hard material 쑗 We’ve had the drive surfaced with asphalt. 쑗 The kitchen floor is supposed to be surfaced with non-slip material. 3. to appear openly 쑗 His fear of failure has surfaced again. 4. to wake up (informal ) 쑗 If you haven’t surfaced by 8.30, I’ll come and wake you up. surface mail / s" fs mel/ noun post which is sent by road, rail or sea and not by air. Compare airmail surfboard / s" fbɔ d/ noun a long board made especially for standing on to ride on top of large waves coming onto a beach surfeit / s" ft/ noun too much. Synonym excess. Antonym deficit surfer / s" fə/ noun a person who surfs surfing / s" fŋ/ noun 1. to ride waves on a surfboard as a sport or for fun 2. to keep switching from channel to channel on a television or from site to site on the Internet in no particular order surge /s" dȢ/ noun 1. a sudden increase in the quantity of something 쑗 The fine weather has brought a surge of interest in camping. 쑗 The TV commercials generated a surge of orders. 2. a sudden rising up of water 쑗 The surge of the sea between the rocks. 3. a sudden increase in electrical power 쑗 Power surges can burn out computer systems. 4. a sudden strong feeling of an emotion 쑗 He felt a sudden surge of anger at the thought of having been cheated. 쐽 verb 1. to rise suddenly 쑗 The waves surged up onto the rocks. 2. to move in a mass 쑗 The crowd surged (forward) onto the football pitch. 쑗 The fans surged around the pop star’s car. surgeon / s" dȢən/ noun a doctor who is an expert in performing medical operations surgery / s" dȢəri/ noun 1. a treatment of disease which requires an operation to cut into or remove part of the body 쑗 She had surgery to straighten her nose. 쑗 The patient will need surgery to remove the scars left by the accident. (NOTE: no plural in this mean. surgical 871 ing) 2. a room where a doctor or dentist sees and examines patients 쑗 I phoned the doctor’s surgery to make an appointment. (NOTE: The US term is doctor’s office.) 3. a time when an MP receives visitors who ask him or her to solve their problems 쑗 Instead of writing to your MP why don’t you go to one of her surgeries? (NOTE: The plural is surgeries.) surgical / s" dȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to surgery surly / s" li/ adj extremely unfriendly. Synonym gruff. Antonym friendly (NOTE: surlier – surliest) surmise /sə maz/ verb to make a guess about something surmount /sə maυnt/ verb 1. to overcome an obstacle 쑗 It took us some time to surmount the obstacles in our path. 2. to be on top of 쑗 The summit is surmounted by an observatory. ③ surname / s" nem/ noun the name of someone’s family, shared by all people in the family. Compare first name surpass /sə pɑ s/ verb to do better than. Synonym exceed surplus / s" pləs/ adj more than enough 쑗 Surplus butter is on sale in the shops. 쑗 We are holding a sale of surplus stock. Synonym extra. Antonym essential 왍 surplus to requirements more than is needed 쑗 These copper pipes are surplus to our requirements. 쐽 noun more goods than are needed 쑗 a surplus of graduates. Synonym excess. Antonym shortfall (NOTE: The plural is surpluses.) ② surprise /sə praz/ noun 1. the feeling when something happens which you did not expect to happen 쑗 To his great surprise, a lot of people bought his book. 쑗 He expressed surprise when I told him I’d lost my job. 쑗 What a surprise to find that we were at school together! 왍 to take someone by surprise to shock someone by saying or doing something which they did not expect 쑗 Her question took him by surprise and he didn’t know how to answer. 2. an unexpected event 쑗 They baked a cake for her birthday as a surprise. 쑗 What a surprise to see you again after so long! 쐽 adj which is unexpected 쑗 a surprise fall in the value of the dollar 쑗 They gave a surprise party for the retiring college principal. 쐽 verb 1. to make someone surprised 쑗 It wouldn’t surprise me if it rained. 쑗 What surprises me is that she left without saying goodbye. 2. to find someone unexpectedly 쑗 She surprised the two boys smoking in the yard. ② surprised /sə prazd/ adj feeling or showing surprise 쑗 She was surprised to see her former boyfriend at the party. 쑗 We were surroundings surprised to hear that he’s got a good job. Synonym astonished ③ surprising /sə prazŋ/ adj which you do not expect 쑗 There was a surprising end to the story. 쑗 Wasn’t it surprising to see the two sisters together again? 쑗 It’s hardly surprising she doesn’t want to meet you again after what you said. Synonym astonishing. Antonym expected surprisingly /sə prazŋli/ adv in a way which surprises surreal /sə rəl/ adj extremely unusual, as if in a dream surrealism /sə rəlz(ə)m/ noun a movement in art in the 1920s where artists tried to show real things in an unusual way, as if existing in dreams surrealist /sə rəlst/ adj following the principles of surrealism 쑗 The surrealist movement was important in the 1920s. 쐽 noun an artist following the principles of surrealism 쑗 Dali and other surrealists surrender /sə rendə/ noun 1. giving in to an enemy because you have lost 쑗 the surrender of the enemy generals 2. the giving up of an official document such as a ticket or insurance policy before the period it covers has come to an end or because someone in authority asks for it 쐽 verb 1. to give in to an enemy because you have lost 쑗 Our troops were surrounded by the enemy and were forced to surrender. 2. to give up an official document such as a ticket or insurance policy to someone in authority before the period it covers has come to an end or because someone in authority asks for it 쑗 He was asked to surrender his passport to the police. surreptitious /srəp tʃəs/ adj secret. Synonym furtive surreptitiously /srəp tʃəsli/ adv secretly. Synonym furtively surrogate / srəDZət/ noun a person who acts in place of someone or a thing that takes the place of something else. Synonym substitute surrogate mother /srəDZət mðə/ noun a woman who becomes pregnant and has a baby for a woman who is not able to do this herself, ② surround /sə raυnd/ verb to be all round someone or something 쑗 The Minister has surrounded himself with a group of yes-men. 쑗 Floodwater has surrounded the village. surrounded /sə raυndd/ adj with something all around surrounding /sə raυndŋ/ adj which is all round a place ③ surroundings /sə raυndŋz/ plural noun the area around a person or place 쑗 The surroundings of the hotel are very peaceful. surveillance 872 쑗 She found herself in very unpleasant surroundings. Synonym environs surveillance /sə veləns/ noun a careful watch over someone or something surveillance camera /sə veləns km(ə)rə/ noun a camera, often fixed to the side of a building, which automatically takes photographs of what happens in the area, especially used to see if a crime has been committed ③ survey noun 1. a general report on a subject; a way of finding out about something by asking people questions 2. the careful examination of a building to see if it is in good enough condition 3. the accurate measurement of land, so as to produce a plan or map 쐽 verb 1. to ask people questions to get information about something 쑗 Roughly half the people we surveyed were in favour of the scheme. 쑗 They’re surveying the site. 2. to look at something so that you see all of it 쑗 He surveyed the crowd in the square. 3. to measure land in order to produce a plan or map 쑗 They’re surveying the area where the new runway will be built. 4. to look at something so that you see all of it 쑗 He stood on the balcony surveying the crowd in the square. surveying /sə veŋ/ noun the job or practice of taking accurate measurements of things such as land heights, distances, roads or buildings in order to produce accurate plans or maps surveyor /sə veə/ noun 1. a person who examines buildings to see if they are in good condition 2. a person who surveys land ③ survival /sə vav(ə)l/ noun the state of continuing to exist 쑗 The survival of the crew depended on the supplies carried in the lifeboat. 쑗 The survival rate of newborn babies has started to fall. Antonym death 왍 the survival of the fittest the principle that only the strongest or most suitable animals or plants are likely to survive long enough to be able to produce new young animals or plants ② survive /sə vav/ verb 1. to continue to be alive after an experience such as accident, attack or serious illness 쑗 It was such a terrible crash, it was miracle that anyone survived. 쑗 The President has survived two assassination attempts this year. 쑗 He survived a massive heart attack. 쑗 Not all the litter of piglets survived more than a few days. 2. to continue to exist 쑗 It is one of the three surviving examples of his work. 3. to live longer than someone else 쑗 He survived his wife by ten years. 쑗 He is survived by his only son. surviving /sə vavŋ/ adj remaining alive or continuing to exist after others have died or no longer exist 쑗 She had no surviving relatives. suspenders survivor /sə vavə/ noun a person who is still alive after an experience such as an accident, attack or serious illness susceptibilities /səsept bltiz/ plural noun feelings which may be hurt susceptibility /səsept blti/ noun the fact of being susceptible to something 쑗 Her susceptibility to infection means that she cannot go to any place where there are crowds. susceptible /sə septb(ə)l/ adj 1. likely to catch a disease 쑗 She is susceptible to colds and throat infections. 2. easily influenced 쑗 He’s very susceptible to pretty women. 3. able to be dealt with in a particular way 왍 susceptible of proof which can be proved (formal ) sushi / su ʃi/ noun small cakes of rice mixed with fish or vegetables and wrapped in seaweed ② suspect adj / sspekt/ 1. which is not reliable 쑗 The figures for exports look a bit suspect to me. Synonym suspicious. Antonym trustworthy 2. which might be dangerous. Synonym suspicious 왍 suspect package a parcel which might contain a bomb 쐽 noun / sspekt/ a person who is thought to have committed a crime 쑗 The police arrested several suspects for questioning. 쐽 verb /sə spekt/ 1. 왍 to suspect someone of doing something to think that someone may have done something wrong 쑗 I suspect him of being involved in the robbery. 쑗 They were wrongly suspected of taking bribes. 2. to think that something is likely 쑗 I suspect it’s going to be more difficult than we thought at first. 쑗 We suspected all along that something was wrong. suspected /sə spektd/ adj which is thought to be suspend /sə spend/ verb 1. to hang something 쑗 The ham is suspended over a smoky fire for some time, which gives it a particular taste. 2. to stop something for a time 쑗 Work on the construction project has been suspended. 쑗 Sailings have been suspended until the weather gets better. 3. to stop someone from doing something such as working 쑗 He has been suspended on full pay while investigations are continuing. suspender /sə spendə/ noun a narrow band of material that can stretch, which you use for holding up stockings suspender belt /sə spendə belt/ noun a piece of underwear in the form of a belt with long narrow bands attached to it, used for holding holding up a woman’s stockings suspenders /sə spendəz/ plural noun US long narrow bands of material which go over your shoulders to hold up your trousers 쑗 He wore bright red suspenders with his jeans. . (NOTE: The British term is braces.) suspense 873 suspense /sə spens/ noun nervous excitement experienced while waiting for something to happen or for someone to do something suspension /sə spenʃən/ noun 1. a system of springs which supports a car and helps it to move smoothly 쑗 Hydraulic suspension gives you a very smooth ride. 2. the action of hanging from something 3. the action of stopping something for a time 쑗 suspension of payments by the bank 쑗 There has been a temporary suspension of deliveries. suspension bridge /sə spenʃən brdȢ/ noun a bridge which hangs from strong ropes, chains or wires attached to tall towers ③ suspicion /sə spʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a feeling that something is wrong, or that someone has committed a crime 쑗 His actions immediately aroused suspicion on the part of the police. 쑗 The bank regards his business deals with considerable suspicion. 쑗 They were arrested on suspicion of exporting stolen goods. 왍 under suspicion being suspected of a crime 쑗 Several government ministers are under suspicion after the publication of the diaries. 2. a general feeling that something is going to happen 쑗 I have a suspicion that he’s coming to see me because he wants to borrow some money. 쑗 Her suspicions proved to be correct when she saw the wedding announced in the paper. ③ suspicious /sə spʃəs/ adj 1. which seems to be wrong, dangerous or connected with a crime 쑗 The police found a suspicious package on the station platform. 쑗 We became suspicious when we realised we hadn’t seen him for three days. 2. 왍 suspicious of not trusting 쑗 I’m suspicious of people who tell me they know a way of getting rich quickly. suspiciously /sə spʃəsli/ adv 1. in a suspicious way 쑗 He was behaving very suspiciously and the bank staff called the police. 2. as if you suspect something is wrong 쑗 She glanced suspiciously at the waiter. suss /ss/ verb to discover or understand something such as somebody’s reason for doing something, a situation or the correct way to use something (informal ) suss out /ss aυt/ verb to discover something (informal ) ③ sustain /sə sten/ verb 1. to make something continue 쑗 How long can this level of activity be sustained? 2. to receive an injury (formal ) 쑗 He sustained severe head injuries. 3. to give you strength 쑗 You need a good breakfast to sustain you through the day. 4. to support something 쑗 Will the roof sustain the weight of the snow? sustainable /sə stenəb(ə)l/ adj which does not damage natural resources and which leaves the environment in good condition . . . swan sustained /sə stend/ adj which continues for a long time. Antonym temporary sustaining /sə stenŋ/ adj 1. which will support something 쑗 a sustaining wall 2. which will feed you well and prevent you from feeling hungry 쑗 a bowl of sustaining soup sustenance / sstənəns/ noun food 왍 means of sustenance a way of keeping someone alive or of keeping strong 쑗 By the time they were found, their only means of sustenance was berries they found on bushes. SW abbr south-west swab /swɒb/ noun 1. a thick piece of soft cloth, often attached to a small stick, used for cleaning a cut in your body or for taking samples of infection for analysis 2. a sample of infection taken for analysis 쑗 The swabs from his mouth were sent away to the laboratory. 3. a cloth for wiping floors clear of water 쐽 verb 1. to take a sample with a swab 2. to clean or apply something to a part of the body with a swab 3. to clean the floor with a swab 쑗 Sailors swabbed down the decks. (NOTE: swabbing – swabbed) swagger / swDZə/ noun a proud way of walking, where you swing your shoulders as you walk 쑗 The crowd of youths walked past with a swagger. 쐽 verb to walk in a proud way, swinging your shoulders 쑗 He swaggered into the office, showing off his new suntan. Synonym strut Swahili /swɑ hi li/ noun the Bantu language of the Swahili people ③ swallow / swɒləυ/ verb 1. to make food or liquid pass down your throat from your mouth to the stomach 쑗 He swallowed his beer and ran back to the office. 쑗 She swallowed hard and knocked on the door to the interview room. Synonym gulp 2. to accept something (informal ) 왍 hard to swallow hard to accept 쑗 He finds being made redundant hard to swallow. 쐽 noun a common bird with pointed wings and tail, which flies fast 쑗 There are several swallows’ nests under the eaves of the roof. swallow up /swɒləυ p/ verb to make something disappear inside swam /swm/ 쒁 swim swamp /swɒmp/ noun an area of permanently wet land and the plants that grow in it 쑗 You can’t build on that land – it’s a swamp. Synonym wetland 쐽 verb 1. to cover something with water 쑗 The waves nearly swamped our little boat. 2. 왍 swamped with having so much, that it is impossible to deal with it all 쑗 The office is swamped with work. 쑗 The switchboard has been swamped with calls. swan /swɒn/ noun a large white water bird with a long curved neck 쑗 There are swans on the Thames near Windsor. . swank 874 swank /swŋk/ (informal ) noun 1. show. ing that you think a lot of yourself 2. a person who shows off 쐽 verb to show that you think a lot of yourself swanky / swŋki/ adj having an expensive and impressive appearance (informal ) swan off /swɒn ɒf/, swan around /swɒn ə raυnd/ verb to travel about in a lazy way, not doing any work (informal ) 쑗 Instead of going to university he spent a year swanning around the Pacific islands. swansong / swɒnsɒŋ/ noun a last performance or appearance ③ swap /swɒp/, swop /swɒp/ noun an exchange of one thing for another 쑗 I’ll do a swap with you – one of my CDs for your T-shirt. 쐽 verb to exchange something for something else 쑗 Can I swap my tickets for next Friday’s show? 쑗 Let’s swap places, so that I can talk to Susan. 쑗 After every game the players swapped jerseys with the other team. 왍 they swapped jobs each of them took the other’s job swarm /swɔ m/ noun a large group of insects flying around together 쑗 A swarm of flies buzzed around the meat. 쐽 verb 1. to move about in various directions 쑗 Police were swarming all over the presidential palace. 쑗 Oxford Street was swarming with shoppers. 2. (of bees) to move as a large group, looking for a place to nest 쑗 It’s the time of year when bees swarm. swarthy / swɔ ði/ adj with a dark skin . . (NOTE: swarthier – swarthiest) swat /swɒt/ noun an object with a long han- dle and a flat part at the end for killing insects such as flies 쐽 verb to hit and kill a fly (NOTE: swatting – swatted) swathe /sweð/ noun 1. a long wide band of land, grass or trees 쑗 Great swathes of forest were destroyed in the fire. 2. 왍 to cut a swathe through something to destroy a lot of something 쑗 By working hard, they managed to cut a swathe through the outstanding work. 쑗 Cholera has cut a swathe through the refugee population. 쐽 verb to wrap someone up 쑗 The baby was swathed in blankets. 쑗 She went to the rugby match swathed in jumpers and scarves. sway /swe/ verb 1. to move gracefully from side to side 쑗 The crowd swayed in time to the music. 쑗 The palm trees swayed in the breeze. 2. to have an influence on 쑗 The committee was swayed by a letter from the president. 쐽 noun 왍 to hold sway over someone to hold power over someone 쑗 He held sway in Russia for several years. swear /sweə/ verb 1. to make a serious public promise 쑗 He swore he wouldn’t touch alcohol again. 쑗 The witnesses swore to tell the truth. 왍 to swear someone to secrecy to make someone swear not to tell a se- sweep cret 쑗 He was sworn to secrecy. 2. to take an oath 왍 to swear someone in to make an official take an oath 쑗 He was sworn in as governor. 3. 왍 I could have sworn I was completely sure (informal ) 쑗 I could have sworn I put my keys in my coat pocket. 4. to shout offensive or rude words 쑗 They were shouting and swearing at the police. 쑗 Don’t let me catch you swearing again! 왍 he swears like a trooper he swears all the time, using extremely bad language swear by / sweər ba/ verb to believe completely in something (informal ) 쑗 He swears by Chinese herbal medicine. swearing / sweərŋ/ noun the action of shouting offensive or rude words swear word / sweə w" d/ noun an offensive or rude word, which most people think should not be spoken sweat /swet/ noun drops of salt liquid which come through your skin when you are hot or when you are afraid 쑗 After working in the vineyard he was drenched with sweat. 쑗 He broke out into a cold sweat when they called his name. 쐽 verb to produce sweat 쑗 He ran up the hill, sweating and red in the face. sweatband / swetbnd/ noun a narrow band of soft material worn round your head or wrist to stop sweat running down, e.g. when you are playing tennis sweater / swetə/ noun a knitted pullover with long sleeves sweatshirt / swetʃ" t/ noun a thick cotton shirt with long sleeves sweatshop / swetʃɒp/ noun a small factory where people work for long hours and get paid very little money sweaty / sweti/ adj feeling slightly wet with sweat swede /swi d/ noun a common vegetable with a round root and yellow flesh, used mainly in soups and stews (NOTE: The US . . term is rutabaga.) Swede /swi d/ noun a person from Sweden ③ sweep /swi p/ verb 1. to clear up dust and dirt from the floor with a brush 쑗 Have you swept the kitchen floor yet? 2. 왍 to sweep the board to win completely 쑗 The British team swept the board in the Grand Prix. 3. to clean a chimney with a brush 쑗 We must get the chimney swept before we start having fires again. 4. to move rapidly 쑗 She swept into the room with a glass of champagne in her hand. 쑗 The party swept to power in the general election. 쑗 A feeling of anger swept through the crowd. 왍 to sweep past to go past quickly 쑗 The motorcade swept past. 쑗 She swept past without saying a word. 5. to follow a curve 쑗 The motorway sweeps round the mountain. 쑗 The road sweeps down to the harbour. 앳 to make a sweep away 875 clean sweep of something 1. to clear something away completely 쑗 He made a clean sweep of all the old files. 2. to win everything 쑗 They made a clean sweep at the local government elections. 쐽 noun 1. the act of clearing up dirt and dust with a brush 쑗 I’ll just give the hall floor a sweep. 2. a person who cleans chimneys 쑗 Sweeps are always busy in the autumn, cleaning chimneys ready for the winter. 3. a wide area 쑗 The green sweep of the lawn running down to the lake. 4. a wide movement of your arm 쑗 With a sweep of his arm he knocked all the glasses off the table. sweep away /swi p ə we/ verb to carry something away very quickly 쑗 The river flooded and swept away part of the village. sweeper / swi pə/ noun a person or machine that sweeps a place sweeping / swi pŋ/ adj which affects many things or people sweeping generalisation /swi pŋ stetmənt/, sweeping statement noun a statement which may be partly true but has no facts to support it sweepstake / swi pstek/ noun a form of gambling on a horse race where each person bets on a certain horse, and the holder of the winning ticket takes all the money which has been bet ② sweet /swi t/ adj 1. tasting like sugar, and neither sour nor bitter 쑗 These apples are sweeter than those green ones. 왍 to have a sweet tooth to like sweet food 쑗 He’s very fond of puddings – he’s got a real sweet tooth! 2. charming, pleasant 쑗 He sent me such a sweet birthday card. 쑗 It was sweet of her to send me flowers. 쑗 What a sweet little girl! 쑗 How sweet of you to help me with my luggage! (NOTE: sweeter – sweetest) 쐽 noun 1. a small piece of sweet food, made with sugar 쑗 She bought some sweets to eat in the cinema. 쑗 He likes to suck sweets when he is driving. 2. the last course in a meal, sweet food eaten at the end of a meal 쑗 What’s on the menu for sweet? 쑗 I’m afraid I haven’t made a sweet. 쑗 I won’t have any sweet, thank you, just some coffee. 3. used to someone you love (old ) 쑗 Yes, my sweet, I’ll be with you in a minute. (NOTE: Do not con. fuse with suite.) sweet and sour /swi t ən saυə/ adj made with a sauce containing sugar and vinegar sweet chestnut /swi t tʃesnt/ noun a chestnut from a sweet chestnut tree, which produces edible fruit sweetcorn / swi t kɔ n/ noun the large yellow seeds of a type of maize, eaten cooked swerve sweeten / swi t(ə)n/ verb to make something sweet 쑗 Use honey to sweeten your cereal instead of sugar. sweetener / swi t(ə)nə/ noun 1. an artificial substance such as saccharin added to food to make it sweet 2. a bribe 쑗 She was accused of taking sweeteners from building contractors. sweeten up /swi t(ə)n p/ verb to give someone money or a present to make sure they help you (informal ) 쑗 They decided to sweeten up the inspector by taking him out for a meal. sweetheart / swi thɑ t/ noun 1. a way of addressing someone you love 쑗 Look, sweetheart, I can’t lend you any more money. 2. a boyfriend or girlfriend (old ) 쑗 They were sweethearts when they were at school or They were childhood sweethearts. sweetie / swi ti/ noun 1. a sweet (informal ) 쑗 The children were all given bags of sweeties. 2. a lovely thing or person 쑗 I must send her carer a birthday card, she’s such a sweetie. sweetly / swi tli/ adv in a sweet way sweet pea /swi t pi / noun a climbing plant of the pea family, with scented pink, white or red flowers sweet pepper /swi t pepə/ noun a red, yellow or green vegetable, eaten raw in salads, fried, or baked in the oven sweet potato /swi t pə tetəυ/ noun a vegetable like a long red potato with sweet yellow flesh sweet-smelling /swi t smelŋ/ adj with a pleasant smell. Synonym aromatic. Antonym smelly sweet trolley / swi t trɒli/ noun a trolley with different sweet dishes, brought to your table in a restaurant for you to choose from swell /swel/ verb to get bigger, to make bigger 쑗 More and more people arrived to swell the crowd outside the palace gates. 왍 to swell (up) to become larger or to increase in size 쑗 She was bitten by an insect and her hand swelled (up). 쐽 noun the movement of large waves in the open sea 쑗 The boat rose and fell with the swell. 쑗 There’s a heavy swell running. swelling / swelŋ/ noun a condition where fluid forms in part of the body, making that part swell up swelter / sweltə/ verb to be very hot sweltering / swelt(ə)rŋ/ adj very hot swept /swept/ 쒁 sweep swerve /sw" v/ noun a sudden movement to one side 쑗 He made a swerve to the right to get past the defender. 쐽 verb to move suddenly to one side 쑗 They think the car swerved to the left and hit a wall. 쑗 She had to swerve to avoid the bicycle. . . . swift 876 swift /swft/ adj rapid 쑗 Their phone call brought a swift response from the police. Synonym quick (NOTE: swifter – swiftest) 쐽 noun a little bird like a swallow but with shorter wings and tail swiftly / swftli/ adv rapidly swig /swDZ/ (informal ) noun a mouthful of liquid 쑗 He took a swig from the bottle of water. 쐽 verb to drink something in large mouthfuls 쑗 They stopped and swigged water from a bottle. (NOTE: swigging – . swigged) swill /swl/ noun the action of washing a floor with a lot of water 쐽 verb 1. to wash a floor with a lot of water 2. to drink a lot of al- cohol 쑗 swilling pints of beer ② swim /swm/ noun the action of moving in the water, using your arms and legs to push you along 쑗 What about a swim before breakfast? 쑗 It’s too cold for a swim. 쐽 verb 1. to move in the water using your arms and legs to push you along 쑗 She can’t swim, but she’s taking swimming lessons. 쑗 She swam across the English Channel. 쑗 Salmon swim upstream to get to their spawning grounds. 2. 왍 my head is swimming I feel dizzy 쑗 My head was swimming after working at the computer all day. swimmer / swmə/ noun a person who is swimming ② swimming / swmŋ/ noun the action of swimming swimming costume / swmŋ kɒstju m/ noun a piece of clothing worn by women or girls when swimming swimming pool / swmŋ pu l/ noun a large pool for swimming swimming trunks / swmŋ trŋks/ plural noun short trousers worn by men and boys when swimming swimsuit / swmsu t/ noun a one-piece swimming costume for women and girls swindle / swnd(ə)l/ noun an illegal deal in which someone is cheated out of money 쑗 She was caught up in some swindle involving imported cars. Synonym fraud 쐽 verb to get money from someone by a trick 쑗 She said she had been swindled by the bank. 쑗 He swindled the old lady out of £10,000. Synonym cheat swindler / swndlə/ noun a person who swindles someone. Synonym cheat swine /swan/ noun 1. pigs (old ) (NOTE: no plural) 2. an unpleasant man (insult ) 쑗 He’s a swine – he keeps us working all day long and pays us peanuts. 쑗 You rotten swine! ② swing /swŋ/ noun 1. a movement of your arm forwards and backwards 왍 to take a swing at someone to try to hit someone 쑗 Someone took a swing at him with a stick. 2. a change in opinion which can be measured . . Swiss There was a swing of 10% to the socialists in the elections. 3. 왍 to go with a swing to go very well, to be very enjoyable 쑗 The party went with a swing. 왍 to get into the swing of things to enjoy being involved 쑗 He’d never been to a night club before but soon got into the swing of things. 왍 in full swing going very well 쑗 When we arrived the party was in full swing. 4. a seat held by two ropes or chains, to sit on and move backwards and forwards, usually outdoors 쑗 She sat on the swing and ate an apple. 쐽 verb 1. to move from side to side or forwards and backwards, while hanging from a central point 쑗 She picked up the baby and swung him round and round. 쑗 He swung up and down on the garden swing. 쑗 A window swung open and a man looked out. 2. to change direction or opinion 쑗 The car swung off the road into the hotel car park. 쑗 The voters swung to the right in Sunday’s elections. 쑗 He swung round to face the crowd. 3. to move with a swing 쑗 They were swinging the bags one after the other into the rubbish van. 쑗 He swung his suitcase up onto the rack. (NOTE: swinging – swung /swŋ/) swing door /swŋ dɔ / noun a door which opens in either direction when you push it swingeing / swndȢŋ/ adj harsh, heavy swinging / swŋŋ/ adj exciting, fashionably modern (dated ) swipe /swap/ verb 1. to steal (informal ) 쑗 Someone’s swiped my umbrella. 2. to pass a credit card or charge card through a machine that reads its details 쑗 The cashier swiped my card through the machine. 3. to hit someone or or something or try to hit someone or something 쑗 He took a newspaper and tried to swipe the wasp. 쐽 noun a punch 쑗 He took a swipe at the man who tried to steal his wallet. swipe card / swap kɑ d/ noun a credit card or charge card which can be read by an electronic machine swirl /sw" l/ noun a twisting movement 쑗 Swirls of smoke came out of the chimney. 쐽 verb to move with a twisting motion 쑗 Clouds of smoke were swirling round the factory. Synonym whirl swish /swʃ/ adj smart and expensive (informal ) 쑗 He took me to dinner in a very swish restaurant. 쐽 noun 1. the soft rustling sound of a dress or of dead leaves. Synonym rustle 2. a quick movement with a quiet sound 쑗 With a swish of his brush, he swept the broken glass into a heap. 쐽 verb to move making a regular quiet sound 쑗 We sat by the motorway, listening to the cars swishing past. Swiss /sws/ adj referring to Switzerland 쑗 We eat a lot of Swiss cheese. 쑗 The Swiss banking system protects the identity of its 쑗 . . . switch 877 customers. 쐽 noun a person from Switzerland 왍 the Swiss people from Switzerland 쑗 The Swiss celebrate their national day on August 1st. ② switch /swtʃ/ noun 1. a small device that you push up or down to stop or start an electrical device 쑗 The switch to turn off the electricity is in the cupboard. 쑗 There is a light switch by the bed. 2. a sudden change in opinion 쑗 a switch in government policy (NOTE: The plural is switches.) 쐽 verb 1. to do something different suddenly 쑗 We decided to switch from gas to electricity. 2. to change or exchange something 쑗 Let’s switch places. 쑗 He switched flights in Montreal and went on to Calgary. 쑗 The job was switched from our British factory to the States. switchboard / swtʃbɔ d/ noun a central point in a telephone system, where all internal and external lines meet switchboard operator / swtʃbɔ d ɒpəretə/ noun a person who works the central telephone switchboard by connecting incoming and outgoing calls to various lines switched-on /swtʃt ɒn/ adj knowing all that is happening (informal ) switch off /swtʃ ɒf/ verb 1. to make an electrical device stop 쑗 Don’t forget to switch off the TV before you go to bed. 쑗 She forgot to switch her car lights off or switch off her car lights. 쑗 The kettle switches itself off automatically when it boils. 2. to stop listening to what someone is saying (informal ) 쑗 If you talk too slowly, everyone starts to switch off. 쑗 I just switched off once the discussion started getting too technical. switch on /swtʃ ɒn/ verb to make an electrical device start 쑗 Can you switch the radio on – it’s time for the evening news. 쑗 When you put the light on in the bathroom, the fan switches itself on automatically. switch over to /swtʃ əυvə tu / verb to change to something different swivel / swv(ə)l/ noun a joint between two parts which allows each to turn separately 쑗 The monitor is mounted on a swivel, so that you can turn it in any direction. 쐽 verb to turn around a point 쑗 Swivel your chair to face the monitor. 쑗 He swivelled round in his chair and looked out of the window. (NOTE: . . swivelling – swivelled. The US spelling is swiveling – swiveled.) swivel chair / swv(ə)l tʃeə/ noun a chair which is designed so that the seat can turn while the legs remain stationary ③ swollen / swəυlən/ adj much bigger than usual. 쏡 swell. Synonym distended swollen-headed /swəυlən hedd/ adj thinking you are much better than all the others. Synonym conceited sympathise swoop /swu p/ noun 1. a sudden downwards movement 2. a sudden military or police attack 쑗 Several gang leaders were arrested in police swoops on bars in the city centre. 왍 at or in one fell swoop in a sudden move, all at once 쑗 By pressing these keys I could make your data disappear in one fell swoop. 쐽 verb 1. to come down rapidly 쑗 The planes swooped (down) low over the enemy camp. 2. to make a sudden attack sword /sɔ d/ noun a weapon with a handle and a long sharp blade swordfish / sɔ dfʃ/ noun a fish with a long pointed upper jaw like a sword swore /swɔ / 쒁 swear sworn /swɔ n/ adj under oath 왍 they are sworn enemies they will always be enemies. 쏡 swear swot /swɒt/ verb to study hard 쐽 noun a person who you dislike because they study very hard swum /swm/ 쒁 swim swung /swŋ/ 쒁 swing sycamore / skəmɔ / noun a large tree of the maple family -syllabic /slbk/ suffix referring to syllables ③ syllable / sləb(ə)l/ noun a whole word or part of a word which has one single sound. 쏡 monosyllable syllabus / sləbəs/ noun a list of subjects to be studied (NOTE: The plural is syllabuses.) ③ symbol / smbəl/ noun a sign, letter, picture or shape which means something or shows something 쑗 They use a bear as their advertising symbol. 쑗 The crown was the symbol of the empire. 쑗 The olive branch is a symbol of peace. 쑗 Pb is the chemical symbol for lead. (NOTE: Do not confuse with cym- bal.) symbolise / smbəlaz/, symbolize verb to be a symbol of something symbolism / smbəlz(ə)m/ noun 1. using symbols to express things such as feelings 쑗 The symbolism of chopping down the orchard as the old man watched was obvious. 2. a movement in literature and art in the 19th century in which feelings were not expressed in a straightforward way symmetrical /s metrk(ə)l/ adj with two sides exactly the same ③ symmetry / smətri/ noun a state where two sides of something are exactly the same ③ sympathetic /smpə θetk/ adj showing that you understand someone’s problems sympathetically /smpə θetkli/ adv in a sympathetic way sympathise / smpəθaz/, sympathize verb 1. to show that you understand someone’s problems 쑗 I sympathise with you, my sympathiser 878 husband snores too. 쑗 I get back pains, and I sympathise with all fellow sufferers. 2. to agree with or support someone or something sympathiser / smpəθazə/ noun a person who agrees in general with the policies of a group, without being a member of it sympathy / smpəθi/ noun 1. a feeling of understanding for someone else’s problems, or after someone’s death 쑗 We received many messages of sympathy when my wife died. 쑗 He had no sympathy for his secretary who complained of being overworked. 2. agreement with or support for someone or something 쑗 I have a good deal of sympathy with the idea. 왍 to come out on strike in sympathy to stop work to show that you agree with another group of workers who are on strike 쑗 The postal workers went on strike and the telephone engineers came out in sympathy. symphony / smfəni/ noun a long piece of music in several parts, called ‘movements’, played by a full orchestra (NOTE: The plural is symphonies.) symphony orchestra / smfəni ɔ kstrə/ noun a large orchestra which has enough musicians to be able to play symphonies (NOTE: usually used in titles: the London Symphony Orchestra) symposium /sm pəυziəm/ noun a meeting organised to discuss a specialised subject. Synonym conference (NOTE: The plural is symposia.) ③ symptom / smptəm/ noun 1. a change in the body, showing that a disease is present 쑗 He has all the symptoms of measles. 2. a visible sign which shows that something is happening 쑗 Rubbish everywhere on the pavements is a symptom of the economic crisis facing the borough. symptomatic /smptə mtk/ adj showing that something exists (formal ) 왍 symptomatic of which is evidence of 쑗 The rash is symptomatic of measles. 쑗 Her rudeness is symptomatic of unease among the staff. synagogue / snəDZɒDZ/ noun a building where people of the Jewish faith pray and study their religion sync /sŋk/ noun (informal ) 왍 in sync synchronised 왍 out of sync not synchronised synchronise / sŋkrənaz/, synchronize verb 1. to adjust watches to the same time 쑗 Synchronise your watches to the town hall clock. 2. to arrange things so that they happen at the same time syncopated / sŋkəpetd/ adj (in music) with a beat which is not usually stressed and so changes the rhythm syndicate noun / sndkət/ a group of people or companies working together to make money 쑗 a German finance syndicate 쐽 verb / sndket/ to produce something . . syrupy such as an article or a cartoon, which is then published in several newspapers or magazines 쑗 His cartoon strip is syndicated across the US. 쑗 She writes a syndicated column on personal finance. syndrome / sndrəυm/ noun 1. a group of symptoms which, taken together, show that a particular disease is present 쑗 Their daughter has Down’s syndrome. 2. a general feeling or way of approaching a situation 쑗 It’s an example of the ‘let’s go home early on Friday afternoon’ syndrome. ③ synonym / snənm/ noun a word which means nearly the same as another word. Antonym antonym synonymous /s nɒnməs/ adj meaning the same synopsis /s nɒpss/ noun a short text, giving the basic details of something (NOTE: The plural is synopses.) syntactically /sn tktkli/ adv in rela- tion to syntax ③ syntax / sntks/ noun the grammatical rules for putting words together into phrases. Synonym grammar (NOTE: no plural) ③ synthesis / snθəss/ noun producing something by combining a number of smaller elements (NOTE: The plural is syntheses.) synthesise / snθəsaz/, synthesize verb 1. to produce something by combining a number of smaller elements 2. to make a chemical compound artificially from its separate components 쑗 The body cannot synthesise some amino acids and has to absorb them from food. synthesiser / snθəsazə/ noun an electronic device which can make musical sounds similar to different musical instruments 쑗 The group use a guitar, drums and a synthesiser. synthetic /sn θetk/ adj made from artificial materials 쑗 The coat she was wearing was made of synthetic fur. 쐽 noun an artificial or man-made material 쑗 He used synthetics to create clinging elegant dresses. syphilis / sfəls/ noun a serious sexually transmitted disease syphon / saf(ə)n/ noun another spelling of siphon syringe /s rndȢ/ noun a surgical instrument made of a tube with a plunger which slides down inside it, forcing the contents out through a needle to give an injection 쑗 I close my eyes when I see the dentist’s syringe ready. 쐽 verb to wash something out using a syringe 쑗 She had her ears syringed. syrup / srəp/ noun a sweet liquid 쑗 To make syrup, dissolve sugar in a cup of boiling water. syrupy / srəpi/ adj 1. very sweet, containing a lot of sugar 쑗 Syrupy drinks are bad for system 879 your teeth. 2. very sentimental 쑗 The film is a syrupy story of adolescent love. ① system / sstəm/ noun 1. a group of things which work together 쑗 the system of motorways or the motorway system 쑗 the London underground railway system 2. the body as a whole 쑗 Amputation of a limb gives a serious shock to the system. 3. a way in which things are organised 쑗 I’ve got my own system for dealing with invoices. systems analyst systematic /sstə mtk/ adj well-organised. Antonym disorganised systematically /sstə mtkli/ adv in a systematic way systematise / sstəmətaz/, systematize verb to arrange into a systematic order systemic /s sti mk/ adj which affects a whole body or system systems analyst / sstəmz nəlst/ noun a person who examines computer systems T t /ti /, T noun the twentieth letter of the al- phabet, between S and U 왍 to dot the i’s and cross the t’s to settle the final details of an agreement ta /tɑ / interj thank you (informal ) tab /tb/ noun 1. a small piece of paper or cloth which sticks out from a surface, used, e.g., for pulling open a box 쑗 Pull the tab up to lift the cover off the box. 2. a piece of metal which you pull to open a drinks can 쑗 The tab of the beer can came off when I tried to open it. 3. a little coloured marker attached to index cards so that they can be found easily 쑗 Write the first three letters of the addressee on the tab. 4. 왍 to pick up the tab to pay the bill (informal ) 쑗 I’ll take you all out to lunch – the company will pick up the tab. 왍 to keep tabs on someone to keep watch on someone 쑗 I’m not too happy about the performance of our new representative in the Far East – you had better keep tabs on him for a while. 5. the tab key on a keyboard tabby / tbi/ noun a cat with brown or orange stripes tab key / tb ki / noun a key on a keyboard which you press to jump forward to a set place on the line ① table / teb(ə)l/ noun 1. a piece of furniture with a flat top and legs, used to eat or work at 쑗 We had breakfast sitting round the kitchen table. 쑗 He asked for a table by the window. 쑗 She says she booked a table for six people for 12.30. 왍 to lay the table, to set the table to put knives, forks, spoons, plates, etc., on a table ready for a meal 쑗 Can someone set the table please, the food’s almost ready. 쑗 The table was laid for six. 왍 to clear the table to take away the dirty knives, forks, spoons, plates, etc., after a meal 쑗 The waitress cleared a table for us and we sat down. 2. a list of figures, facts, or information set out in columns 쐽 verb to suggest at a meeting something you would like to discuss 쑗 The report of the finance committee was tabled. Synonym propose 왍 to table a motion to put forward a proposal for discussion tableau / tbləυ/ noun a scene where actors represent a historic occasion without moving. Synonym display (NOTE: The plural is tableaux / tbləυ, tbləυz/.) . . tablecloth / teb(ə)lklɒθ/ noun a cloth which covers a table during a meal table lamp / teb(ə)l lmp/ noun a lamp on a table table-mat / teb(ə)lmt/ noun a mat put on the surface of a table, so that hot plates will not damage it tablespoon / teb(ə)lspu n/ noun 1. a large spoon for serving food at table 2. an amount held in a tablespoon 쑗 Add two tablespoons of sugar. tablespoonful / teb(ə)lspu nfυl/ noun an amount held in a tablespoon tablet / tblət/ noun a small round pill taken as medicine 쑗 Take two tablets before meals. table tennis / teb(ə)l tens/ noun a game similar to tennis, but played on a large table with a net across the centre, with small round bats and a very light white ball. Also called ping-pong tabloid / tblɔd/ noun a newspaper with a small page size, usually containing a lot of information about famous people, and not much serious news (NOTE: Large format newspapers are called broadsheets.) taboo /tə bu / adj not talked about because of being rude or embarrassing 쑗 Talking about pay rises is taboo in this office. 쑗 Money used to be a taboo subject at home. 쐽 noun a custom which forbids something 쑗 There is a taboo against eating pork in the Muslim religion. Synonym ban tabular / tbjυlə/ adj arranged in a table. Synonym flat tabulate / tbjυlet/ verb to arrange numbers in a table tabulation /tbjυ leʃ(ə)n/ noun the arrangement of numbers in a table tabulator / tbjυletə/ noun the key on a keyboard which you press to jump forward to a set place on the line (NOTE: usually referred to as the tab key) tacit / tst/ adj (of e.g. an agreement) which is understood but not actually said. Synonym unspoken taciturn / tst" n/ adj not saying much and seeming to be unfriendly. Antonym talkative tack 881 tack /tk/ noun 1. a small nail with a wide head 왍 to get down to brass tacks to start discussing the real problem (informal ) 2. (in sewing) a loose stitch used to hold cloth in place when making clothes, which can be removed later 쑗 She put in a row of tacks to show where the pockets were to go. 3. a movement of a sailing boat in a certain direction as it sails against the wind 왍 to change tack to start doing something different 쑗 Originally he offered to pay all the costs of the party and then changed tack and asked everyone to pay for themselves. 쐽 verb 1. to nail something down using tacks 쑗 He tacked down the edge of the carpet. 2. to make a loose stitch which will be taken out later 쑗 She tacked up the hem of her skirt. 3. (in a sailing ship) to change direction so that wind blows the sails from the other side 쑗 The yacht had to keep tacking because the wind was blowing away from the harbour. 왍 they were tacking up the river they sailed up the river changing direction all the time because the wind was against them ③ tackle / tk(ə)lverb 1. to try to deal with a problem or job 쑗 You can’t tackle a job like changing the central heating system on your own. 쑗 You start cleaning the dining room and I’ll tackle the washing up. 2. to grab someone in order to stop them from doing something 쑗 He tried to tackle the burglar himself. 3. (in football, etc.) to try to get the ball from an opposing player 쑗 He was tackled before he could score. 쐽 noun 1. equipment 쑗 He brought his fishing tackle with him. 2. (in football, etc.) trying to take the ball from an opposing player tack on /tk ɒn/ verb to add something at the end tacky / tki/ adj 1. sticky 쑗 Don’t touch that paint, it’s still tacky. 2. looking cheap and of bad quality 쑗 The decorations were expensive, but they just look tacky. (NOTE: . tackier – tackiest) taco / tkəυ/ noun a Mexican savoury pastry that is filled with meat and vegetables, and cooked until it is hard tact /tkt/ noun being careful not to offend people, being careful to say the right thing. Synonym diplomacy tactful / tktf(ə)l/ adj showing tact. Synonym diplomatic. Antonym tactless tactfully / tktf(ə)li/ adv in a tactful way tactic / tktk/ noun 1. a way of doing something so as to get an advantage (often plural ) 쑗 His tactic is to wait until near closing time, when the supermarket reduces the price of bread. 2. a way of fighting a war 쑗 Guerrilla tactics were successful against the advancing army. tactical / tktk(ə)l/ adj referring to tactics 쑗 Cutting all our prices was a clever tactical . tail away move. 쑗 The decision was taken for tactical reasons. tactical error /tktk(ə)l erə/ noun a mistake which will affect your future plans tactical weapon /tktk(ə)l wepən/ noun a weapon which is used at a relatively short range tactician /tk tʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who is an expert at tactics. Synonym strategist tactile / tktal/ adj involving the sense of touch tactless / tktləs/ adj offensive, not always intentionally. Synonym insensitive. Antonym tactful tactlessly / tktləsli/ adv in a tactless way tadpole / tdpəυl/ noun a frog in its first stage after hatching, when it has a body and tail taffeta / tftə/ noun a stiff shiny material often used to make women’s clothes tag /tDZ/ noun 1. a label or a piece of paper or plastic attached to something to show e.g. a price, contents, or someone’s name and address 2. a children’s game where the first child has to try to touch another one who then chases the others in turn 쑗 They were playing tag in the school playground. 쐽 verb 1. to attach a label to something 쑗 These coats need to be tagged before you put them on the racks. 쑗 We tag birds so that we can study their migration routes. 2. 왍 to tag along behind someone to follow close behind someone (informal ) 쑗 Whenever we go out for a walk my sister insists on tagging along. t’ai chi /ta tʃi / noun a Chinese form of very slow physical exercise aimed at assisting relaxation and improving balance ② tail /tel/ noun 1. a long thin part at the end of the body of an animal or bird, which can move 쑗 All you could see was a slight movement of the cat’s tail. 쑗 The dog rushed up to him, wagging its tail. 왍 to turn tail to turn round and run away 쑗 As soon as they heard the dog barking, the burglars turned tail and ran off. 2. an end or back part of something 쑗 The tail of the queue stretched round the corner and into the next street. 쑗 I prefer to sit near the tail of the aircraft. 3. 왍 tails the side of a coin without the head of a king, etc., on it 왍 heads or tails throwing a coin in the air to see which side comes down on top 쑗 Let’s toss heads or tails for the bill! 4. a long back part of a coat or shirt 쑗 He tucked the tail of his shirt back into his trousers. 5. 왍 tails men’s evening dress, a black coat with a long tail, black trousers and a white bow tie 쑗 All the men wore tails to the ball. 쐽 verb to follow close behind someone (informal ) 쑗 The police tailed the lorry from the harbour to the warehouse. tail away /tel ə we/ same as tail off . . tailback 882 tailback / telbk/ noun a long line of cars that is moving very slowly, or not moving at all. Synonym traffic jam tailboard / telbɔ d/ noun a hinged board at the back of a lorry which can be let down to load or unload the contents tail end /tel end/ noun the last part or the back part of something tail fin / tel fn/ noun a vertical fin on the tail of a plane which helps the steering tailgate / telDZet/ noun US a door at the back of a car, that opens to give access to the storage space 쑗 He had difficulty shutting the tailgate over the box. tailgating / telDZetŋ/ noun US the act of following closely behind another car tail light / tel lat/ noun a back light of a vehicle tail off /tel ɒf/ verb to become fainter or less. Synonym fade. Antonym build up tailor / telə/ noun a person who makes clothes for men 쑗 He gets all his clothes made by a tailor in Oxford Street. 쐽 verb 1. to make clothes which fit closely 2. to adapt something to fit a particular need 쑗 The payments can be tailored to suit your requirements. 쑗 This course is tailored to the needs of women going back to work. tailored / teləd/ adj 1. made to fit closely 쑗 a tailored jacket 2. adapted for a particular purpose 쑗 tailored training courses tailor-made /telə med/ adj made to fit certain needs tailpipe / telpap/ noun US the tube at the back of a motor vehicle from which gases produced by the engine are sent out into the air (NOTE: The British term is exhaust pipe.) tailplane / telplen/ noun a horizontal wing forming part of the tail of an aircraft tailspin / telspn/ noun a dive by an aircraft which turns round and round tail wind / tel wnd/ noun a wind blowing from behind which makes an aircraft, vehicle or runner go faster. Compare headwind taint /tent/ noun a trace of something bad 쑗 We need a new finance director who is totally free of the taint of corruption. 쐽 verb 1. to damage something 쑗 His political reputation has been permanently tainted by the scandal. 2. to make something rotten 왍 tainted food food which has become rotten by touching other rotten food ① take /tek/ verb 1. to lift and move something 쑗 She took the pot of jam down from the shelf. 쑗 The waiter took the tablecloth off the table. 2. to carry something to another place 쑗 Can you take this cheque to the bank for me, please? 3. to go with someone or something to another place 쑗 He’s taking the children to school. 쑗 They took the car to the take away garage. 쑗 We took a taxi to the hotel. 4. to steal something 쑗 Someone’s taken my watch. 5. to go away with something which someone else was using 쑗 Someone has taken the newspaper I was reading. 쑗 Who’s taken my cup of coffee? 6. to use or occupy something 쑗 Sorry, all these seats are taken. 왍 to take your seats to sit down 쑗 Please take your seats, the play is about to start. 7. to do a test 쑗 You must go to bed early because you’ll be taking your exams tomorrow morning. 쑗 She had to take her driving test three times before she finally passed. 8. to eat or to drink something on a regular basis 쑗 Do you take sugar in your tea? 쑗 How do you take your coffee – black or white? 쑗 Take the medicine three times a day after meals. 9. to accept something 쑗 If they offer you the job, take it immediately. 10. to do certain actions 쑗 We took our holiday in September this year. 쑗 She’s taking a shower after going to the beach. 쑗 She took a photograph or took a picture of the Tower of London. 쑗 She needs to take a rest. 왍 to take action to do something 쑗 You must take immediate action if you want to stop shoplifting. 왍 to take a call to answer the telephone 쑗 I was out of the office so my colleague took the call. 왍 to take the chair to be chairman of a meeting 쑗 In the absence of the chairperson, her deputy took the chair. 왍 to take dictation to write down everything that someone is saying in special writing 왍 to take place to happen 쑗 The reception will take place on Saturday. 왍 to take stock to count the items in a warehouse 왍 to take stock of a situation to examine the state of things before deciding what to do 쑗 When we had taken stock of the situation, we decided the best thing to do was to sell the house. 11. to need a certain amount of time or number of people 쑗 It took three strong men to move the piano. 쑗 They took two days or it took them two days to get to London. 쑗 When he wants to watch a TV programme it never seems to take him long to finish his homework. 12. to accept or to hold something 쑗 The ticket machine takes 10p and 20p coins. 쑗 The lift can take up to six passengers. 13. to be successful, to have effect 왍 the kidney transplant has taken the transplant has been successful 왍 the cuttings have taken the cuttings have sprouted roots (NOTE: taking – took /tυk/ – has taken) 쐽 noun 1. money received in a shop 쑗 Today’s take was less than yesterday’s. 2. a scene which has been filmed 쑗 The actors had a break between takes. take after / tek ɑ ftə/ verb to look like a parent or relative. Synonym resemble take away /tek ə we/ verb 1. to remove something or someone 쑗 Take those scissors away from little Nicky – he could cut himself. takeaway 883 쑗 The ambulance came and took her away. 쑗 The police took away piles of documents from the office. 2. to subtract one number from another (NOTE: Take away is usually shown by the sign – : 10 – 4 = 6: say ‘ten take away four equals six’.) takeaway / tekəwe/ noun, adj 1. a shop where you can buy cooked food to eat somewhere else 쑗 There’s an Indian takeaway round the corner. 쑗 We had a Chinese takeaway. 2. a hot meal which you buy in a shop and eat somewhere else 쑗 We had a takeaway Chinese meal. (NOTE: The US term is takeout.) take back /tek bk/ verb 1. to go back with something 쑗 If the trousers are too short you can take them back to the shop. 2. to accept something which someone has brought back 쑗 I took my trousers to the shop where I had bought them, but they wouldn’t take them back because I didn’t have a receipt. 3. to withdraw something which has been said, and apologise for it 쑗 I take it all back – they’re a marvellous team. take down /tek daυn/ verb 1. to reach up and bring something down 쑗 I took the jar down from the shelf. 2. to bring something down which had been put up 쑗 On January 6th we take down the Christmas decorations. 쑗 They have finished the roof and are taking down the scaffolding. 3. to write down 쑗 The policeman took down his name and address. take-home pay / tek həυm pe/ noun an amount of money you actually receive in wages after things such as tax and national insurance have been deducted take in /tek n/ verb 1. to bring inside something which was outside 쑗 In October they took in the lemon trees from the gardens. 2. to understand something 쑗 I don’t think she took in anything of what you said. 3. to deceive someone 쑗 Thousands of people were taken in by the advertisement. 4. to make a piece of clothing smaller 쑗 Can you take these trousers in? – They’re much too loose round the waist. Antonym let out take into / tek ntυ/ verb to take inside taken / tekən/ the past participle of take taken with / tekən wð/ adj attracted by take off /tek ɒf/ verb 1. to remove something, especially your clothes 쑗 He took off all his clothes or he took all his clothes off. 쑗 Take your dirty boots off before you come into the kitchen. 쏡 hat 2. to remove or to deduct an amount 쑗 He took £25 off the price. 3. (of a plane) to leave the ground 쑗 The plane took off at 4.30. 4. to start to rise fast 쑗 Sales took off after the TV commercials. 5. 왍 she took the day off she decided not to work for the day 6. to imitate someone in a funny way 쑗 He likes to make everyone laugh by taking off the head teacher. taker takeoff / tekɒf/ noun 1. (of an aircraft) the act of leaving the ground 쑗 The takeoff was without any problems. 쑗 I always ask for a seat by the window, so that I can watch the takeoff. 2. an amusing imitation of someone 쑗 He did a wonderful takeoff of the head teacher. take on /tek ɒn/ verb 1. to agree to do a job 쑗 She’s taken on a part-time job in addition to the one she’s already got. 2. to agree to have someone as a worker 쑗 The shop has taken on four trainees. 쑗 We need to take on more staff to cope with the work. 3. to fight someone 쑗 It seems he is taking on the whole government. take out /tek aυt/ verb 1. to pull something out 쑗 He took out a gun and waved it around. 쑗 The dentist had to take my tooth out. 2. to invite someone to go out 쑗 I’m taking all the office staff out for a drink. 3. 왍 to take out a patent for an invention to apply for and receive a patent 왍 to take out insurance against theft to pay a premium to an insurance company, so that if a theft takes place the company will pay compensation 왍 to take out £50 to remove £50 in cash from a bank account takeout / tekaυt/ noun US a hot meal which you buy to eat back home (NOTE: The British term is takeaway.) take over /tek əυvə/ verb 1. to start to do something in place of someone else 쑗 The Socialists took over from the Conservatives. 쑗 Miss Black took over from Mr Jones on May 1st. 쑗 Thanks for looking after the switchboard for me – I’ll take over from you now. 쑗 When our history teacher was ill, the English teacher had to take over his classes. 2. to buy a business by offering to buy most of its shares 쑗 The company was taken over by a big group last month. takeover / tekəυvə/ noun 1. the buying of a controlling interest in a business by buying more than 50% of the shares 쑗 The takeover may mean that a lot of people will lose their jobs. 왍 to make a takeover bid for a company to offer to buy most of the shares in a company 2. occupying a country and removing the government 쑗 Many people were killed during the military takeover. takeover bid / tekəυvə bd/ noun an attempt to take over a company by offering to buy most of its shares taker / tekə/ noun 1. a person who wants to buy or take something 쑗 At that price, I’m not surprised there were no takers for the painting. 쑗 Any takers for this last piece of chocolate cake? 2. a person who takes someone or something 쑗 The hostage-takers asked for a huge ransom. 쑗 Drug-takers are being targeted by the government publicity campaign. take to 884 take to / tek tu / verb 1. to start to do something as a habit 쑗 He’s taken to looking under his bed every night to make sure no one is hiding there. 쑗 She’s recently taken to wearing trousers to work. 왍 he took to drink he started to drink alcohol regularly 2. to start to like someone 쑗 She took to her boss right away. take up /tek p/ verb 1. to occupy or to fill a space 쑗 This settee takes up too much room. 쑗 Being in charge of the staff sports club takes up too much of my time. 2. to remove something which was down 쑗 You will need to take up the rugs if you want to polish the floor. 3. to start to do a certain activity 쑗 She was over fifty when she took up long-distance running. 4. 왍 to take someone up on something to accept an offer made by someone 쑗 He asked me if I wanted two tickets to Wimbledon and I took him up on his offer. 5. to make something such as a skirt or dress shorter 쑗 Can you take up the hem of this coat? takings / tekŋz/ plural noun cash received in a shop or business 쑗 The day’s takings were stolen from the cash desk. 쑗 This week’s takings were less than last week’s. Synonym earnings. Antonym expenditure talcum powder / tlkəm paυdə/ noun soft scented powder, used to soften the skin or reduce rubbing ③ tale /tel/ noun 1. a story (literary) 쑗 A tale of princesses and wicked fairies. 2. 왍 to tell tales to tell someone such as a parent or teacher that someone has done something wrong ③ talent / tlənt/ noun 1. a natural ability or skill 쑗 She has a talent for getting customers to spend money. 2. people with natural ability 쑗 The club is always on the lookout for fresh talent. talent contest /tlənt kən test/ noun a competition to find new performers talented / tləntd/ adj with a lot of talent. Synonym gifted talisman / tlzmən/ noun an object believed to give protection to somebody carrying or wearing it ① talk /tɔ k/ noun 1. a conversation, a discussion 쑗 We had a little talk, and she agreed with what the committee had decided. 쑗 I had a long talk with my father about what I should study at university. 2. a lecture about a subject 쑗 He gave a short talk about the history of the town. 3. a general rumour 쑗 There has been talk of a change of government. 쐽 verb 1. to say things, to speak 쑗 I didn’t understand what he was talking about. 쑗 We must talk to the neighbours about their noisy dog – it kept me awake again last night. tame 2. to give information about something 쑗 The suspect refuses to talk. talkative / tɔ kətv/ adj who likes to talk a lot or to gossip. Synonym chatty. Antonym reticent talker / tɔ kə/ noun a person who talks a lot talking shop / tɔ kŋ ʃɒp/ noun a place where things are talked about, but where no action is ever taken (informal ) talking-to / tɔ kŋ tu / noun an occasion when you angrily criticise someone’s behaviour (informal ) Synonym dressing-down talk into / tɔ k ntu / verb 왍 to talk someone into doing something to persuade someone to do something 쑗 The salesman talked us into buying a new car. talk of / tɔ k ɒv/ verb to mention something that you may be planning to do talk over /tɔ k əυvə/ verb to discuss talk round /tɔ k raυnd/ verb to persuade someone to change their mind talks /tɔ ks/ plural noun negotiations talk show / tɔ k ʃəυ/ noun a chat show, a TV show where famous people talk to the host ② tall /tɔ l/ adj high, usually higher than normal 쑗 The bank building is the tallest building in London. 쑗 Can you see those tall trees over there? 쑗 He’s the tallest boy in his class. 쑗 How tall are you? – I’m 1 metre 68 centimetres. 쑗 His brother is over six feet tall. (NOTE: taller – tallest. Tall is used with . . people and thin things like trees or skyscrapers; for things which are a long way above the ground use high: high clouds, a high mountain.) tall order /tɔ l ɔ də/ noun a difficult thing to ask someone to do (informal ) tall story /tɔ l stɔ ri/ noun an unbelievable story (informal ) tally / tli/ noun a note, account or score 쑗 . . What’s the tally in the race so far? – We’ve had two crashes and four retirements through mechanical failure. 쑗 The scorer keeps a tally of the runs scored. 쑗 Did you keep a tally of all your expenses? 쐽 verb to agree 쑗 The totals in the two columns don’t tally. 쑗 The figures in my notebook tally with the computer figures. Talmud / tlmυd/ noun a book containing a collection of Jewish writings talon / tlən/ noun the big claw of a bird of prey tambourine /tmbə ri n/ noun a small drum with metal discs attached to the rim, so that they jangle when it is hit tame /tem/ adj 1. which is not wild, which is used to people 쑗 Don’t be afraid of that fox – he’s perfectly tame. 2. not very exciting 쑗 The film is a lot tamer than the book. 쐽 verb to make a wild animal tame 쑗 They tame wild tamper 885 elephants so that they can use them for work in the forests. tamper / tmpə/ verb 왍 to tamper with to meddle with something 쑗 Someone has been tampering with the weighing machine. 쑗 I hope no one tampered with the test sample. tampon / tmpɒn/ noun 1. a tube of absorbent material placed inside the vagina to soak up menstrual blood 쑗 I need to buy a packet of tampons from the chemist. 2. a pad of absorbent material used in operations to soak up blood 쑗 The surgeon put a tampon into the wound to absorb some of the blood. tan /tn/ adj brownish-yellow 쑗 He was wearing tan shoes. 쐽 noun 1. a brownish-yellow colour 쑗 Have you got the same shoes, but in tan? 2. a brownish-yellow colour of the skin after being in the sun 쑗 She got a tan from spending each day on the beach. 쏡 suntan 쐽 verb 1. to get brown from being in the sun 쑗 She tans easily – just half an hour in the sun and she’s quite brown. 2. to treat animal skin to make leather (NOTE: tanning – tanned) tandem / tndəm/ noun 1. a bicycle for two people 쑗 I’m sure that’s the second time today we’ve passed that couple on their tandem. 2. 왍 in tandem together, in pairs 쑗 They worked in tandem for many years. tandoori /tn dυəri/ noun 1. a method of Indian cooking where the food is usually marinated in yoghurt and spices, then cooked in a traditional clay oven 2. food cooked in this way tang /tŋ/ noun a sharp taste or smell tangent / tndȢənt/ noun 1. a line which touches a curve without cutting through it 쑗 The line AB forms a tangent to the circle at the point P. 2. 왍 to fly or go off at a tangent, to go off on a tangent US to start talking about something quite different 쑗 He suddenly flew off at a tangent and started talking about his car. 쑗 She went off at a tangent almost from the beginning of the discussion. tangerine /tndȢə ri n/ noun a kind of small orange with soft skin which peels easily tangible / tndȢəb(ə)l/ adj which is real or noticeable tangible assets /tndȢb(ə)l sets/ plural noun assets which are visible, such as property, jewels or machines tangle / tŋDZəl/ noun a mass of something such as threads, string or hair, all mixed together 쑗 The tangle of shrubs in the back garden needs clearing. 왍 in a tangle all mixed up 쑗 All my wool is in a tangle. 쐽 verb 1. to get things mixed together in knots 쑗 Her hair is so tangled that it’s impossible to comb. 2. 왍 to tangle with someone to get into an argument with someone 쑗 Tourists tap are advised not to tangle with the local football supporters. tangled / tŋDZəld/ adj twisted in an untidy way tango / tŋDZəυ/ noun a South American dance for two people, where you glide sideways (NOTE: The plural is tangos.) tangy / tŋi/ adj with a sharp taste or smell ② tank /tŋk/ noun 1. a large container for liquids 쑗 How much oil is left in the tank? 2. an armoured vehicle with caterpillar tracks and powerful guns 쑗 Tanks rolled along the main streets of the town. tankard / tŋkəd/ noun a large mug for drinking beer tanker / tŋkə/ noun a ship or lorry for carrying liquids, especially oil tanned /tnd/ adj brown from having been exposed to the sun Tannoy / tnɔ/ trademark a trademark for a public loudspeaker system 쑗 The tannoy gave details of special offers in the fruit department. 쑗 They warned over the tannoy that train services would be delayed. tantalise / tntəlaz/, tantalize verb to tease someone by offering them something which they can’t have tantalising / tntəlazŋ/, tantalizing adj which makes you want something tantamount / tntəmaυnt/ adj 왍 to be tantamount to to be the equivalent of in a negative way 쑗 It was tantamount to a declaration of war. tantrum / tntrəm/ noun a sudden attack of uncontrollable bad temper. Synonym outburst Taoiseach / ti ʃək/ noun (in the Republic of Ireland ) the Prime Minister ③ tap /tp/ noun 1. a device with a knob which, when you twist it, lets liquid or gas come out 쑗 He washed his hands under the tap in the kitchen.왍 on tap available when you need it 쑗 We should have all this information on tap. 왍 to turn a tap on to allow water to run 왍 she turned on the hot tap she turned on the tap which produces hot water 왍 to turn a tap off to stop water running 쑗 She forgot to turn the gas tap off. 2. a little knock 쑗 As a signal, he gave three taps on the door. 쐽 verb 1. to hit something gently 쑗 She tapped him on the knee with her finger. 쑗 A policeman tapped him on the shoulder and arrested him. 2. to attach a secret listening device to a telephone line 쑗 The police tapped his phone because they thought he was a spy. 3. to take liquid out of something 쑗 They tap the rubber trees in the plantations. 쑗 He’s going down to the cellar to tap a new barrel of beer. 4. to take energy or resources and use them 쑗 The resources of Northern Siberia have not yet been tapped. . tap-dancer 886 tartan Compare untapped (NOTE: tapping – tarantula /tə rntjυlə/ noun a large tapped) mildly poisonous tropical spider tardy / tɑ di/ adj late. Antonym punctual tap-dancer / tp dɑ nsə/ noun a person who does tap-dancing tap-dancing / tp dɑ nsŋ/ noun a style of dancing in which the dancer wears special shoes with metal heels and toes which make a loud tapping sound ② tape /tep/ noun 1. a long narrow strip e.g. of cloth or plastic 쑗 She stitched tape along the bottom of the hem to stop it fraying. 2. same as magnetic tape왍 on tape recorded on magnetic tape 쑗 We have the whole conversation on tape. 쐽 verb 1. to record something on tape or on video 쑗 The whole conversation was taped by the police. 쑗 I didn’t see the programme because I was at work, but I’ve taped it. 2. to attach something with sticky tape 쑗 She taped up the box before taking it to the post office. 쏡 videotape tape deck / tep dek/ noun a part of a stereo system, which plays tapes tape measure / tep meȢə/ noun a measuring tape, a long strip marked in centimetres or inches, used for measuring taper / tepə/ noun a long thin candle, made of a wick covered with a thin layer of wax 쑗 If you have a lot of candles to light, use a taper rather than wasting matches. 쐽 verb 1. to make something thinner at the end 쑗 You will need to taper the piece of wood to make it fit into the hole. 2. to become thinner at the end 쑗 Her new shoes taper to a point. 왍 to taper off to become less thick, strong, large, etc. 쑗 The fuss about the minister’s wife seems to have tapered off. tape-recorder / tep rkɔ də/ noun a machine which is used to record sounds on magnetic tape and which can play back what has been recorded tapestry / tpstri/ noun 1. a thick woven cloth with a picture or design, usually hung on walls or used to cover chairs 쑗 The walls were hung with tapestries. 2. 왍 the rich tapestry of life life in all its varied forms (humorous) 쑗 Being made manager one week and being switched back to your old job the next is all part of the rich tapestry of life in this office. tap water / tp wɔ tə/ noun water which comes through pipes into a building tar /tɑ / noun 1. a thick hard black substance which comes from coal and is melted to make road surfaces 쑗 They were spreading tar and sand on the road. 쑗 They spread a coating of tar on the roof to waterproof it. 2. a similar black oily substance which comes from burning tobacco 쑗 cigarettes with low tar content or low tar cigarettes 쐽 verb to cover with melted tar 쑗 a special machine for tarring roads (NOTE: tarring – tarred) (NOTE: tardier – tardiest) target / tɑ DZt/ noun 1. an object which ② you aim at e.g. with a gun 쑗 His last shot missed the target altogether. 쑗 She hit the target three times in all. 2. a goal which you try to reach 왍 to set targets to fix quantities of work which employees have to produce 왍 to meet a target to produce the quantity of goods or sales which is expected 쑗 We need to set targets for our sales staff to meet. 왍 to miss a target not to produce the amount of goods or sales which is expected 쑗 The factory missed its production targets again this year. 쐽 verb to aim at customers or possible markets 쑗 The advertising campaign is targeting the student market. tariff / trf/ noun 1. a tax to be paid for importing or exporting goods 왍 to impose a tariff on something to make a tax payable when you buy something 왍 to lift tariff barriers to reduce import taxes 2. a list of prices for things such as electricity, gas or water 쑗 The new winter tariff will be introduced next week. Tarmac trademark a trademark for a hard road surface made of tar mixed with small stones 쑗 The sun was so hot, the Tarmac was starting to melt. 쐽 noun / tɑ mk/ the areas of an airport covered with Tarmac, especially a runway 쑗 The snow ploughs were working flat out to clear the snow from the Tarmac. tarnish / tɑ nʃ/ verb 1. (of metal ) to become discoloured 쑗 Silver tarnishes easily on contact with the air. 2. to ruin a reputation 쑗 The sex scandal has irreparably tarnished his reputation as a politician. tarot / trəυ/ noun a special set of cards with pictures on them, such as the Emperor, the Pope, the Hanged Man and the Fool, used in telling fortunes tarpaulin /tɑ pɔ ln/ noun a piece of thick waterproof canvas, used to cover things left outside tart /tɑ t/ noun 1. a small pie with a sweet filling 쑗 an apple tart 2. a prostitute (offensive) 쐽 adj 1. bitter, sour 쑗 These apples are very tart. 2. sharp and sarcastic 쑗 He gave her a tart reply. (NOTE: tarter – tartest) 쐽 verb 왍 to tart something up to make something look smarter, but in a tasteless way (informal ) 쑗 The new management has tarted up the restaurant and increased all the prices. tartan / tɑ t(ə)n/ noun 1. a cloth woven into a special pattern for one of the Scottish clans 쑗 She wore a tartan kilt. 쑗 a tartan rug 2. a distinctive pattern in such a cloth, worn by members of a Scottish clan 쑗 My Scottish . . task 887 grandmother gave me a rug with the Mackay tartan on it or a Mackay tartan rug. ① task /tɑ sk/ noun 1. a job of work which has to be done 쑗 There are many tasks which need to be done in the garden. 쑗 He had the unpleasant task of telling his mother about it. 2. 왍 to take someone to task for to criticise someone for something 쑗 She took him to task for not cleaning the bathroom. taskbar / tɑ skbɑ / noun a display on a computer screen with symbols showing which programs are open and operating task force / tɑ sk fɔ s/ noun a special group of people chosen to carry out a difficult task tassel / ts(ə)l/ noun a group of threads tied together to form a ball, with the ends hanging free ② taste /test/ noun 1. one of the five senses, by which you can tell differences of flavour between things you eat, using your tongue 쑗 I’ve got a cold, so I’ve lost all sense of taste. 2. a flavour of something that you eat or drink 쑗 The pudding has a funny or strange taste. 쑗 Do you like the taste of garlic? 쑗 This milk shake has no taste at all. 3. being able to appreciate things that are beautiful 쑗 My taste in music is quite different from hers. 쑗 I don’t share his taste for bright green shirts. 쑗 She showed great taste in furnishing her dining room. 왍 to someone’s taste what someone likes 쑗 Modern jazz is not to everyone’s taste. 왍 she has very expensive tastes she likes buying expensive things 4. an experience of something that you are not used to 쑗 This is a taste of what the country will be like under the new ruler. 왍 he’s had a taste of prison he has been in prison once 쐽 verb 1. to notice the taste of something with your tongue 쑗 Can you taste the onions in this soup? 쑗 She’s got a cold so she can’t taste anything. 2. to have a certain taste 쑗 This cake tastes of soap. 쑗 What is this green stuff? – It tastes like cabbage. 쑗 The pudding tastes very good. 3. to try food or drink to see if you like it 쑗 Would you like to taste the wine? 쑗 She asked if she could taste the cheese before buying it. taste buds / test bdz/ plural noun areas on your tongue which enable you to tell differences in flavour tasteful / testf(ə)l/ adj showing good taste. Synonym discerning tasteless / testləs/ adj 1. with no special flavour 쑗 Chicken can be quite tasteless unless you add herbs to it. 2. showing bad taste 쑗 a restaurant with tasteless decorations 쑗 She made a tasteless remark about her mother’s dress. taster / testə/ noun 1. a person whose job is to taste food to test its quality 쑗 He likes his job as a food taster with a big supermar- tax ket. 2. a short experience of something so you can decide if you like it 쑗 a weekend taster course learning yoga tasty / testi/ adj with a specially pleasant taste. Synonym delicious (NOTE: tastier – tastiest) ta-ta /t tɑ / interj goodbye (informal ) tattered / ttəd/ adj torn and old tatters 앳 in tatters 1. torn 쑗 His shirt was . in tatters. 2. wearing old torn clothes 쑗 The children were in tatters. tattoo /t tu / noun 1. a decoration on skin made by pricking with a needle and putting colour into the wound 쑗 She has a little tattoo of a rose on her left shoulder. 2. a military parade 쑗 Crowds went to see the tattoo last night. 쐽 verb to make decorations on someone’s skin by pricking it and putting colour into the wound 쑗 She has had a little rose tattooed on her left shoulder. tatty / tti/ adj worn out, in bad condition ③ taught /tɔ t/ 쒁 teach taunt /tɔ nt/ noun a sarcastic jeering 쑗 She disregarded the taunts of the crowd. Synonym insult 쐽 verb to jeer at someone sarcastically 쑗 He taunted the minister with or about his financial problems. Synonym mock 왘 Antonym (all senses) compliment Taurus / tɔ rəs/ noun one of the signs of the Zodiac, shaped like a bull, covering the period 20th April to 20th May taut /tɔ t/ adj stretched tight tauten / tɔ t(ə)n/ verb 1. to stretch tight 쑗 You must tauten the canvas on the frame before you start to paint. 2. to become tight 쑗 The ropes tautened as they became wet. tautology /tɔ tɒlədȢi/ noun using different words which mean the same thing in the same sentence tavern / tv(ə)n/ noun a public house, a place where people can go to drink alcohol (archaic) Synonym inn tawdry / tɔ dri/ adj cheap and in bad taste. Antonym tasteful (NOTE: tawdrier – tawdriest) tawny / tɔ ni/ adj orange brown (NOTE: tawnier – tawniest) ① tax /tks/ noun 1. money taken by the government from things such as people’s incomes and sales, to pay for government services 쑗 The government is planning to introduce a tax on food. 쑗 You must pay your tax on the correct date. 쑗 The newspaper headline says ‘TAXES TO GO UP’. 2. 왍 exclusive of tax not including tax 왍 inclusive of tax including tax 쑗 All prices are shown inclusive of value added tax. 쐽 verb 1. to put a tax on something or someone 쑗 Income is taxed at 25%. 2. to pay tax on something 쑗 He had forgotten to tax his car. 쑗 The car is for sale, taxed till next April. 3. to demand a taxable 888 great deal 쑗 Moving all this furniture taxed her strength. 4. 왍 to tax someone with something to accuse someone of doing something (formal ) 쑗 She taxed him with neglecting her. taxable / tksəb(ə)l/ adj which you have to pay tax on ③ taxation /tk seʃ(ə)n/ noun the action of imposing taxes tax evasion / tks veȢ(ə)n/ noun illegally trying not to pay tax ③ taxi / tksi/ noun a car which you can hire with a driver 쑗 Can you call a taxi to take me to the airport? 쑗 Why aren’t there any taxis at the station today? 쑗 There are no buses on Sunday afternoons, so we had to take a taxi to the party. (NOTE: also often . called a cab and sometimes taxicab) 쐽 verb (of an aircraft) to go slowly along the ground before taking off or after landing 쑗 The aircraft taxied out onto the runway. taxicab / tksikb/ 쒁 taxi taxi driver / tksi dravə/ noun a person who drives a taxi taxing / tksŋ/ adj making you use a lot of energy taxi rank / tksi rŋk/ noun a place in the street where taxis can wait taxpayer / tkspeə/ noun a person who pays tax, especially income tax tax return / tks rt" n/ noun a form to be filled in to inform the tax office of your earnings and allowances TB abbr tuberculosis 쑗 Outbreaks of TB have started to reappear in Europe. ① tea /ti / noun 1. a drink made from hot water which has been poured onto the dried leaves of a tropical plant 쑗 Can I have another cup of tea or some more tea? 쑗 I don’t like tea – can I have coffee instead? 2. a cup of tea 쑗 Can we have two teas and two cakes, please? 3. the dried leaves of a tropical plant used to make a warm drink 쑗 We’ve run out of tea, can you put it on your shopping list? 쑗 Put a spoonful of tea into the pot and add boiling water. 4. dried leaves or flowers of other plants, used to make a drink 쑗 I’ll have a cup of peppermint tea. 5. a meal eaten in the late afternoon or early evening 쑗 The children have had their tea. teabag / ti bDZ/, tea bag noun a small paper bag with tea leaves in it which you put into the pot with hot water tea break / ti brek/ noun a rest period at work, when you can have a drink ① teach /ti tʃ/ verb 1. to give lessons, to show someone how to do something 쑗 She taught me how to dance. 쑗 He teaches maths in the local school. 쑗 She taught herself to type. 쑗 Who taught her to swim? 2. 왍 to teach someone a lesson to punish someone tear for doing something wrong (informal ) 쑗 I locked up her bike – it will teach her a lesson for going out when she should be doing her homework. 왍 that’ll teach you that will be a punishment for you 쑗 That’ll teach you not to forget to do the washing up. ① teacher / ti tʃə/ noun a person who teaches, especially in a school 쑗 Mr Jones is our maths teacher. 쑗 The French teacher is ill today. 쑗 He trained as a primary school teacher. 쏡 pet. Synonym instructor ① teaching / ti tʃŋ/ noun the work of being a teacher or of giving lessons 쑗 The report praised the high standard of teaching at the college. 쑗 He was working in a bank, but has decided to go into teaching instead. 왍 the teaching profession all teachers, taken as a group 쑗 The teaching profession is often blamed by parents if their children do badly at school. teachings / ti tʃŋz/ plural noun political or moral ideas which are taught teacloth / ti klɒθ/ noun a cloth which you use for drying things that have been washed, such as plates and dishes teacup / ti kp/ noun a cup for drinking tea out of 왍 a storm in a teacup a lot of fuss about something which is not important (informal ) teak /ti k/ noun 1. the hard wood of a tropical tree, which is resistant to water, and is used for making things such as outdoor furniture 쑗 We bought some teak furniture for the patio. 쑗 The table is solid teak. 2. the large tropical tree which produces this wood 쑗 the teak forests of Indonesia ① team /ti m/ noun 1. a group of people who play a game together 쑗 There are eleven people in a football team and fifteen in a rugby team. 쑗 He’s a fan of the local football team. 쑗 Our college team played badly last Saturday. 2. a group of people who work together 쑗 They make a very effective team. 쑗 In this job you have to be able to work as a member of a team. 쐽 verb 왍 to team up with someone to join someone in order to work together 쑗 I teamed up with George to tackle the German project. team-mate / ti mmet/ noun someone in the same team as you team spirit /ti m sprt/ noun a feeling of loyalty to the team on the part of those who play or work together teamwork / ti mw" k/ noun working together as a group. Synonym cooperation teapot / ti pɒt/ noun a pot which is used for making tea in ② tear noun 1. /tə/ a drop of salt water which forms in your eye when you cry 쑗 Tears were running down her cheeks. 왍 in tears crying 쑗 All the family were in tears. 왍 she burst into tears she suddenly started . . tear apart 889 crying 2. /teə/ a place where something has a hole in it from being torn 쑗 Can you mend the tear in my jeans? 쏡 wear and tear 쐽 verb/teə/ 1. to make a hole in something by pulling 쑗 He tore his trousers climbing over the fence. 쑗 My anorak is torn – can it be mended? 2. to pull something into pieces 쑗 He tore the letter in half. 쑗 She tore up old newspapers to pack the cups and saucers. 왍 that’s torn it that has ruined what we were planning, that has spoilt everything (informal ) 쑗 That’s torn it – there’s a policeman coming! 3. to go very fast 쑗 He tore across the platform, but just missed his train. 쑗 She grabbed the dress and tore out of the shop. (NOTE: tearing – tore /tɔ / - torn /tɔ n/) tear apart /teər ə pɑ t/ verb to pull something to pieces tear down /teə daυn/ verb 1. to knock something down 쑗 They tore down the old town hall and replaced it with a supermarket. 2. to remove a piece of paper or cloth which is hanging up 쑗 The crowd tore down the pictures of the president. 쑗 The police tore down the opposition party’s election posters. tearful / təf(ə)l/ adj sad, crying tear gas / tə DZs/ noun gas which makes your eyes burn, used by police to control crowds tease /ti z/ verb to say or do something to annoy someone on purpose 쑗 He teased her about her thick glasses. 쑗 Stop teasing that poor cat. 쐽 noun a person who teases people 쑗 He’s such a tease. Synonym joker teaspoon / ti spu n/ noun 1. a small spoon for stirring tea or other liquid 쑗 Can you bring me a teaspoon, please? 2. the amount contained in a teaspoon 쑗 I take one teaspoon of sugar in my coffee. teat /ti t/ noun 1. a rubber cap on a baby’s feeding bottle through which the baby sucks milk 쑗 The baby’s bottle and teat should be sterilised before each feed. (NOTE: Another US term is nipple.) 2. a nipple on a cow’s udder through which the calf drinks milk 쑗 A cow is milked by squeezing and pulling on the teats. tea towel / ti taυəl/ noun a cloth which you use for drying plates and dishes tech /tek/ noun a technical college, a further education college for older students and adults (informal ) techie / teki/ noun a person who understands the more technical aspects of things such as computers (informal ) ② technical / teknk(ə)l/ adj referring to industrial processes or practical work 쑗 Don’t bother with the technical details of how the machine works, just tell me what it does. 쑗 The instructions are too technical for the ordinary person to understand. . . . teenage technicality /tekn klti/ noun a little, usually unimportant, detail which relates to something ③ technically / teknkli/ adv 1. in a technical way 쑗 It’s technically possible to make a light bulb that would never wear out. 2. 왍 technically (speaking) according to the exact meaning or rules 쑗 Technically, he isn’t a member of the club because he hasn’t paid this year’s subscription. technician /tek nʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who is a specialist in a particular area of industry or science ① technique /tek ni k/ noun a way of doing something 쑗 He developed a new technique for processing steel. 쑗 She has a specially effective technique for dealing with complaints from customers. Synonym method techno / teknəυ/ noun a type of fast dance music using electronic instruments ③ technological /teknə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to technology. Synonym technical ① technology /tek nɒlədȢi/ noun the use or study of industrial or scientific skills 쑗 We already have the technology to produce such a machine. 쑗 The government has promised increased investment in science and technology. 왍 the introduction of new technology putting new electronic equipment into a business or industry. 쏡 high technology, information technology teddy bear / tedi beə/ noun 1. a child’s toy bear 쑗 The little boy was clutching his old teddy bear. (NOTE: The plural is teddies.) tedious / ti diəs/ adj boring. Antonym interesting tediously / ti diəsli/ adv in a tedious way tedium / ti diəm/ noun boredom, being boring tee /ti / noun 1. a raised grass area on a golf course where the ball is placed when you begin to play each hole 쑗 He is walking towards the sixteenth tee. 2. a little peg which is pushed into ground, on which the golf ball is placed to start playing a hole 쑗 The ground is so hard I can hardly stick my tee in. 쐽 verb 왍 to tee off to hit the ball from a tee 쑗 At what time do we tee off? teem /ti m/ verb 1. to be full of something 쑗 In spring the rivers are teeming with salmon. 쑗 Oxford Street was teeming with shoppers. 2. 왍 it’s teeming (down) it’s pouring with rain (informal ) teen /ti n/ noun an informal word for a teenager teenage / ti nedȢ/ adj referring to young people aged between 13 and 19 쑗 the teenage years 쑗 The teenage market for their records is enormous. . teenaged 890 teenaged adj aged between 13 and 19 쑗 He has two teenaged daughters. (NOTE: only used before a noun) ③ teenager / ti nedȢə/ noun a young per- son aged between 13 and 19 쑗 Most of the people who come to the club are teenagers. Synonym adolescent teens /ti nz/ plural noun the age between 13 and 19. Synonym adolescence teeny / ti ni/ adj very small (informal ) Synonym tiny. Antonym enormous teeny-bopper / ti ni bɒpə/ noun a teenaged girl pop fan (informal ) teeny-weeny /ti ni wi ni/ adj extremely small (informal ) ③ teeshirt / ti ʃ" t/, T-shirt noun a light shirt with no buttons or collar, usually with short sleeves teeter / ti tə/ verb to wobble, to be very unstable. Synonym totter ② teeth /ti θ/ 쒁 tooth teethe /ti ð/ verb (of a baby) to have the first teeth starting to grow 쑗 The baby wakes up at night because he is teething. teething problems / ti θŋ prɒbləmz/, teething troubles / ti θŋ trb(ə)lz/ plural noun problems which happen when a new process or system is being introduced 쑗 We are experiencing some teething problems with the new software system. teetotal /ti təυtl/ adj who never drinks alcohol teetotaller /ti təυtlə/ noun a person who never drinks alcohol (NOTE: The US spelling . . . is teetotaler.) TEFL abbr teaching of English as a foreign language Teflon / teflɒn/ trademark a trademark for a non-stick surface used on cooking pans tel abbr telephone tele- /teli/ prefix over a distance telecommunications /telikəmju nkeʃ(ə)nz/ plural noun a communication system using e.g. telephone, radio, TV, satellites 쑗 Thanks to modern telecommunications, the information can be sent to our office in Japan in seconds. (NOTE: also shortened to telecoms / telkɒmz/) telecommuter / telikəmju tə/ noun a person who works from home, using email and telephone as their main means of communicating with the company they work for teleconference / telikɒnf(ə)rəns/ noun a meeting held by people in different places using telephone and television telegram / telDZrm/ noun a message sent by telegraph telegraph / telDZrɑ f/ noun a system of sending messages along wires 쑗 The order telling him to return home was sent by telegraph. 쐽 verb to send someone a message by telescope telegraph 쑗 They telegraphed him to tell him to return immediately. 쑗 Can you telegraph the money to our office in Australia? telegraph pole / telDZrɑ f pəυl/ noun a pole which holds up a telephone line telemarketing / telmɑ ktŋ/ noun the activity of selling goods and services by telephone telepathic /tel pθk/ adj 1. referring to telepathy 쑗 She said she could receive telepathic messages from members of the audience. 2. appearing to know what other people are thinking 쑗 How did you know I like yellow roses – You must be telepathic! telepathy /tə lepəθi/ noun sending thoughts or mental images from one person to another without using the senses ① telephone / telfəυn/ noun a machine which you use to speak to someone who is some distance away 쑗 I was in the garden when you called, but by the time I got to the house the telephone had stopped ringing. 쑗 She lifted the telephone and called the ambulance. 왍 to answer the telephone to lift the receiver when the phone rings and listen to what the caller is saying 쑗 Can’t someone answer the telephone – it’s been ringing and ringing. 왍 by telephone using the telephone 쑗 He booked his plane ticket by telephone. 쑗 She reserved a table by telephone. 쐽 verb to call someone using a telephone 쑗 Your wife telephoned when you were out. 쑗 Can you telephone me at ten o’clock tomorrow evening? 쑗 I need to telephone our office in New York. (NOTE: Telephone is often shortened to phone: phone call, phone book, but not in the expressions telephone switchboard, telephone operator, telephone exchange.) telephone box / telfəυn bɒks/ noun a shelter with windows round it containing a public telephone (NOTE: often shortened to phone box) telephone directory / telfəυn darekt(ə)ri/ noun a book which lists names of people and businesses in alphabetical order with their phone numbers and addresses telephone exchange / telfəυn kstʃendȢ/ noun a central telephone switchboard telephone number / telfəυn nmbə/ noun the number of a particular telephone (NOTE: often shortened to phone number) telesales / teliselz/ noun same as telemarketing telescope / telskəυp/ noun a tube with a series of lenses for looking at objects which are very far away 쑗 With a telescope you can see the ships very clearly. 쑗 He discovered a comet using the telescope in his back garden. 쐽 verb to push the ends of something together, so that one piece slides into another 쑗 telescopic 891 In the crash, several of the carriages of the express train were telescoped. telescopic /tel skɒpk/ adj 1. referring to a telescope 쑗 A sniper’s rifle has telescopic sights. 2. with parts which slide together like a telescope 쑗 The radio has a telescopic aerial. 쑗 A telescopic umbrella should be small enough to fit into your bag. televise / telvaz/ verb to broadcast something by television 왍 the show is being televised live the show is being broadcast as it takes place, and not recorded and broadcast later ① television /tel vȢ(ə)n/ noun 1. sound and pictures which are sent through the air or along cables and appear on a special machine 쑗 We don’t watch television every night – some nights we go to the pub. 쑗 Is there any football on television tonight? 쑗 Saturday evening television programmes are never very interesting. 쑗 He stayed in his room all evening, watching television. 2. a piece of electrical equipment which shows television pictures 쑗 We can’t watch anything – our television has broken down. 쑗 Switch off the television – that programme’s stupid. 쑗 When my husband comes home in the evening he just pours himself a beer, turns on the television and goes to sleep. (NOTE: Television is often written or spoken as TV /ti vi /.) teleworker / teliw" kə/ noun a person who works from home, using telephone and email as their principal way of communicating with the company they work for ① tell /tel/ verb 1. to communicate something to someone, e.g. a story or a joke 쑗 She told me a long story about how she got lost in London. 쑗 I don’t think they are telling the truth. 2. to give information to someone 쑗 The policeman told them how to get to the post office. 쑗 He told the police that he had seen the accident take place. 쑗 Don’t tell my mother you saw me at the pub. 쑗 Nobody told us about the picnic. 3. 왍 to tell someone what to do to give someone instructions 쑗 The teacher told the children to stand in a line. 쑗 Give a shout to tell us when to start. 4. to notice something 쑗 He can’t tell the difference between butter and margarine. 쑗 You can tell he is embarrassed when his face goes red. 5. 왍 to tell the time to be able to read the time from a clock 쑗 He’s only three, but he can already tell the time. (NOTE: telling – told) teller / telə/ noun 1. a clerk in a bank who takes in money or pays it out to customers 쑗 The teller told me that I couldn’t cash the cheque. 2. a member of parliament who counts votes in the House of Commons telling / telŋ/ adj which has a certain effect tellingly / telŋli/ adv in a telling way tempestuous ③ tell off /tel ɒf/ verb to speak to someone angrily about something wrong he or she has done (informal ) Synonym reprimand telltale / teltel/ adj which shows something. Synonym revealing telly / teli/ noun a television (informal ) temerity /tə merti/ noun audacity; daring to do something. Antonym reticence temp /temp/ noun 쑗 We have two temps working in the office this week. 쐽 verb to work as a temp 쑗 She has done some temping jobs. 쑗 I’m temping for the moment until I can find something permanent. temper / tempə/ noun 1. the state of becoming angry 쑗 You have to learn to control your temper. 쑗 He has a violent temper. 쑗 She got into a temper. 2. a particular mood or state of mind 쑗 What sort of temper is the boss in this morning? 왍 he lost his temper he became very angry 왍 she tried to keep her temper she tried to stay calm and not get angry 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to temper something (with something) to make something have a less harsh effect (formal ) 쑗 We try to temper the strict prison regime with sports and other recreational activities. 2. to make a metal hard by heating and cooling 쑗 a tempered steel blade temperament / temprəmənt/ noun the nature of a person temperamental /temprə ment(ə)l/ adj 1. likely to have bad moods, likely to be in a bad temper for no particular reason 쑗 The chef has a reputation for being temperamental. 2. likely to break down (humorous) 쑗 Our washing machine’s a bit temperamental. temperate / temp(ə)rət/ adj 1. which is neither very hot nor very cold 쑗 The temperate forests of northern Europe have been badly affected by acid rain. 2. sober, not given to drinking much alcohol 쑗 He’s a man of temperate habits and would be ideally suited to the post of church caretaker. ② temperature / temprtʃə/ noun 1. heat measured in degrees 쑗 The temperature of water in the swimming pool is 25°. 쑗 Temperatures in the Arctic can be very low. 쑗 I can’t start the car when the temperature is below zero. 쑗 Put the thermometer in the patient’s mouth – I want to take her temperature. 2. an illness where your body is hotter than normal 쑗 She’s off work with a temperature. 쑗 The doctor says he’s got a temperature and has to stay in bed. -tempered / tempəd/ suffix having a certain temper tempest / tempst/ noun a big storm (literary) Antonym calm 왍 a tempest in a teacup US a lot of fuss about something which is not important (informal ) tempestuous /tem pestjυəs/ adj with strong emotions being displayed . . . . template 892 tennis template / templet/ noun something that tenacity /t nsti/ noun being determined is used as a pattern to make other similar things temple / tempəl/ noun 1. a building for worship, usually Hindu or Buddhist, or ancient Greek or Roman 쑗 We visited the Greek temples on the islands. 2. the flat part of the side of the head between the top of the ear and the eye 쑗 He had a bruise on his right temple. tempo / tempəυ/ noun 1. a rhythm or the beat of music 쑗 The tempo of the band speeded up as midnight approached. 2. the speed at which something happens 쑗 He found it difficult to keep up with the tempo of life in the City. (NOTE: The plural is tempos, or tempi / tempi / for music.) temporarily /temp(ə)'rerəli/ adv for a short time only ② temporary / temp(ə)rəri/ adj which is not permanent, only lasting a short time 쑗 She has a temporary job with a construction company. 쑗 This arrangement is only temporary. Antonym permanent 왍 I’m looking for temporary employment I’m looking for work which does not last for more than a few months ③ tempt /tempt/ verb 1. to try to persuade someone to do something, especially something pleasant or wrong 쑗 Can I tempt you to have another cream cake? 쑗 They tried to tempt him to leave his job and work for them. 2. 왍 to be tempted to do something to feel like doing something 쑗 He was tempted to send the food back to the kitchen. 쑗 I am tempted to accept their offer. temptation /temp teʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the state of being tempted 2. something which attracts people 쑗 Putting chocolates near the cash desk is just a temptation for little children. tempting / temptŋ/ adj which attracts. Synonym alluring ① ten /ten/ noun the number 10 쑗 In the market they’re selling ten oranges for two dollars. 쑗 She’s ten (years old) next week. 쑗 The next plane for Paris leaves at 10 (o’clock) in the evening. 쐽 왍 ten to one very likely (informal ) 쑗 Ten to one he finds out about the payment. 쐽 noun a £10 note 쑗 He gave me two twenties and a ten. tenable / tenəb(ə)l/ adj which can be held or supported. Antonym untenable tenacious /t neʃəs/ adj 1. holding on tightly to something, determined to have your own way 쑗 We have to deal with several very tenacious tenants. 2. holding on to an idea tightly 쑗 her tenacious belief in socialist principles tenaciously /t neʃəsli/ adv in a tenacious way to do something tenancy / tenənsi/ noun a period during which a tenant has an agreement to rent a property. Synonym occupancy tenant / tenənt/ noun a person or company that rents e.g. a room, a flat, a house, an office or land, in which to live or work ① tend /tend/ verb 1. to look after something 쑗 His job is to tend the flower beds in front of the town hall. 2. 왍 to tend to do something to be likely to do something 쑗 She tends to lose her temper very easily. ③ tendency / tendənsi/ noun the way in which someone or something is likely to act 쑗 The photocopier has a tendency to break down if you try to do too many copies at the same time. 쑗 He has an unfortunate tendency to sit in a corner and go to sleep at parties. tender / tendə/ adj 1. (of food ) easy to cut or chew 쑗 a plate of tender young beans 쑗 The meat was so tender, you hardly needed a knife to cut it. 2. delicate, easily damaged 쑗 The baby has very tender skin. 3. showing love 쑗 The plants need a lot of tender loving care. 4. which cannot stand frost 쑗 Keep tender seedlings in the greenhouse until June. 5. painful when touched 왍 you’ve touched him on a tender spot you have mentioned something which he gets very upset about (informal ) 쐽 noun 1. an offer to do something at a certain price 왍 to put in or submit a tender for a job to offer to do work at a certain price 2. a boat which brings supplies to a large ship 3. a coal wagon attached to a steam engine 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to tender for a job to offer to do work at a certain price 쑗 The company is tendering for a construction job in Saudi Arabia. 왍 to tender one’s resignation to inform one’s employer of one’s wish to leave one’s job, formally, in writing 쑗 The employee has tendered his resignation. 2. to offer money 쑗 Please tender the correct fare. tenderhearted /tendə hɑ td/ adj kind to others tenderly / tendəli/ adv gently; with kindness tendon / tendən/ noun a piece of strong tissue which attaches a muscle to a bone tenement / tenəmənt/ noun a large old building which is divided into flats tenet / tent/ noun a basic principle or belief tenner / tenə/ noun a ten pound note (informal ) tennis / tens/ noun a game for two or four players who use rackets to hit a ball over a net 쑗 He’s joined the local tennis club. 쑗 Would you like a game of tennis? 쑗 I won the last two tennis matches I played. 쑗 Tennis players have to be fit. . . . . tenor 893 tenor / tenə/ noun 1. a man who sings with the highest male voice 쑗 The tenors start the song, followed by the sopranos. 2. a general mood or attitude 쑗 We were upset by the threatening tenor of his speech. 3. the general way of doing something 쑗 the dangerous tenor of life in the refugee camps 쐽 adj with a high pitch, similar to that of a tenor 쑗 He plays the tenor saxophone. 쑗 He has a pleasant tenor voice. ten-pin bowling /ten pn bəυlŋ/ noun a game where you roll a large ball and try to knock down ten targets, shaped like bottles ② tense /tens/ adj nervous and worried 쑗 I always get tense before going to an interview. 쑗 The atmosphere in the hall was tense as everyone waited for the result of the vote. (NOTE: tenser – tensest) 쐽 noun the form of a verb which shows the time when the action takes place 쐽 verb to become nervous and worried 쑗 He tensed suddenly, as he heard a footstep outside. ② tension / tenʃən/ noun 1. a state of nervous anxiety 쑗 Tension built up as we waited for the result. 2. a state of hostility between countries or races 쑗 There is tension in the area caused by fighting between tribes. 3. the state of being tight 쑗 You need to adjust the tension in your tennis racket. 4. voltage 쑗 high-tension cables tent /tent/ noun a shelter made of cloth, held up by poles and attached to the ground with ropes 왍 to pitch a tent to put up a tent 쑗 We pitched our tent in a field by a little mountain stream. tentacle / tentək(ə)l/ noun a long arm with suckers, such as that of an octopus tentative / tentətv/ adj 1. which has been suggested but not accepted 2. done in an uncertain way because you are not sure what will happen 왍 I made a tentative proposal I made a proposal in order to find out what the response would be 쑗 We put forward a tentative proposal for the committee to consider. tentatively / tentətvli/ adv in a tentative way tenterhooks / tentəhυks/ plural noun 왍 on tenterhooks impatiently waiting, anxious and uncertain ① tenth /tenθ/ adj, noun referring to 10 쑗 The tenth of April or April the tenth (April 10th). 쑗 That’s the tenth phone call I’ve had this morning. 쑗 We spend a tenth of our income on food. 왍 the tenth century the period from 900 to 999 tenuous / tenjuəs/ adj not strong, very slight. Antonym convincing tenure / tenjə/ noun 1. a right to hold property or a position 쑗 Freehold farmers have tenure of their land. 2. a period when you hold an office 쑗 during his tenure as honorary secretary 3. (in a college or university) a term of abuse right to hold a job permanently 쑗 He’s on a contract but hopes to get tenure next year. tepid / tepd/ adj 1. slightly warm 쑗 There was no hot water left so my bath was only tepid. 쑗 There’s only a bit of coffee left in your mug and it’s probably tepid. 2. not very enthusiastic 쑗 His tepid reaction to my great plan disappointed me. Synonym lukewarm tequila /t ki lə/ noun a strong Mexican alcoholic drink ① term /t" m/ noun 1. an official length of time 쑗 His term as President was marked by a lot of disagreement. 쑗 She was sent to prison for a term of three years. 왍 in the long term for a long period from now 왍 in the short term for a short period from now 쑗 In the long term, this investment should be very profitable. 2. one of the parts of a school or university year 쑗 A school year has three terms: autumn, spring and summer. 쑗 Cricket is played during the summer term only, and football in both the autumn and spring terms. 쑗 The autumn term ends on December 15th. 쑗 Next term I’ll be starting to learn the piano. 3. a word or phrase which has a particular meaning 쑗 He used several technical terms which I didn’t understand. 쑗 Some people use ‘darling’ as a term of affection. 4. 쏡 terms 쐽 verb to refer to something by a specific word 쑗 You say it is acceptable behaviour – I would term it a disgrace. terminal / t" mn(ə)l/ adj 1. in the last period of a fatal illness 쑗 He has terminal cancer. 2. at the end 쑗 a terminal leaf 쐽 noun 1. a building at an airport where planes arrive or depart 쑗 The flight leaves from Terminal 4. 2. a building where you end a journey terminally / t" mn(ə)li/ adv at the end of something 왍 terminally ill in the last stages of an illness before death. Synonym fatally terminate / t" mnet/ verb to finish something, to end something. Synonym end termination /t" m neʃ(ə)n/ noun bringing something to an end (formal ) Synonym . end terminological /t" mnə lɒdȢk(ə)l/ adj referring to specialist terms ③ terminology /t" m nɒlədȢi/ noun special words or phrases used in a particular field. Synonym terms terminus / t" mnəs/ noun 1. a station at the end of a railway line 쑗 Waterloo Station is the terminus for Eurostar trains from Paris and Brussels. 2. the place at the end of a journey by bus or coach 쑗 We got off two stops before the terminus. (NOTE: The plural is termini / t" mna/.) termite / t" mat/ noun a tropical white insect, like a large ant, which eats wood term of abuse /t" m əv ə bju s/ noun a rude word terms 894 ① terms /t" mz/ plural noun 1. conditions which are agreed before something else is done 쑗 We bought the shop on very favourable terms. 쑗 What are the terms of the agreement? 왍 to come to terms to reach an agreement 쑗 When it became obvious that neither side would win, they came to terms. 왍 to come to terms with something to accept that something has happened and cannot be changed 쑗 It took him some time to come to terms with the fact that he would never walk again. 2. a way of getting on with someone 쑗 They’re on bad terms with the people next door. 쑗 The company is on good terms with all its suppliers. 왍 they’re not on speaking terms they refuse to talk to each other 앳 in terms of 1. expressed as 쑗 How much is 5% per month in terms of an annual percentage rate? 왍 we are talking in terms of a salary plus bonuses the job is offered with a salary plus bonuses 2. as regards terms of reference /t" mz əv ref(ə)rəns/ plural noun areas which a committee has to examine or discuss ③ terrace / terəs/ noun 1. a flat area with a stone or tiled floor, which is raised above another area 쑗 The guests had drinks on the terrace before going in to dinner. 2. a row of similar houses connected together 쑗 They live in an early 19th-century terrace in Islington. 3. a flat field cut out of the side of a hill 쑗 Farmers make terraces for their rice paddies. terraced / terəst/ adj made into a flat raised area 쑗 The sides of the valley are terraced to form small rice fields. terraces / terəsz/ plural noun rows of wide steps in a sports stadium on which the spectators stand terracing / terəsŋ/ noun the act of building earth terraces on the side of a mountain, to create small flat fields terracotta /terə kɒtə/ noun 1. a red clay used to make little statues, pots and tiles 쑗 Terracotta flowerpots can crack in very cold weather. 2. a dull red brown colour 쑗 She brightened up her fence by painting it in blue and terracotta. 3. a statue made of red clay 쑗 a display of Greek terracottas terrain /tə ren/ noun a particular type of land surface terrestrial /tə restriəl/ adj 1. referring to the planet Earth 왍 terrestrial TV (channels) TV channels which use cable or radio links, but not satellites. Compare lunar, solar, stellar 2. (of an animal or plant) which lives on land, not in water 쑗 Mice and rats are terrestrial animals. (NOTE: Animals and plants that live in water are aquatic.) ① terrible / terb(ə)l/ adj 1. very bad 쑗 We shouldn’t have come to this party – the music’s terrible. 쑗 There was a terrible storm terrorist last night. 2. frightening 쑗 It must have been terrible to be in the car which plunged into the river. ② terribly / terbli/ adv 1. very 쑗 I’m terribly sorry to have kept you waiting. 쑗 The situation is terribly serious. Synonym extremely. Antonym slightly 2. in a very bad way 쑗 The peasant farmers suffered terribly from drought. terrier / teriə/ noun a small dog, originally one used in hunting ③ terrific /tə rfk/ adj 1. wonderful 쑗 We had a terrific time at the party. 2. very big or loud 쑗 There was a terrific bang and the whole building collapsed. terrifically /tə rfkli/ adv extremely. Synonym very. Antonym slightly terrified / terfad/ adj very frightened terrify / terfa/ verb to make someone very frightened. Antonym comfort terrifying / terfaŋ/ adj very frightening. Antonym reassuring territorial /ter tɔ riəl/ adj referring to territory territorial waters /tertɔ riəl wɔ təz/ plural noun sea waters near the coast of a country, which are part of that country and which are governed by the laws of that country ② territory / tert(ə)ri/ noun 1. a large stretch of land 쑗 They occupied all the territory on the east bank of the river. 2. land which belongs to a country 쑗 A group of soldiers had wandered into enemy territory. 3. an area visited by a salesperson 쑗 His territory covers all the north of the country. 4. an area which an animal or bird thinks belongs only to it 쑗 Animals often fight to defend their territories. (NOTE: The plural is territories.) ③ terror / terə/ noun 1. great fear 쑗 They live in constant terror of racist attacks. 왍 a reign of terror a period when law and order have broken down and people live in a continuous state of fear 2. a naughty child 쑗 Their daughter’s a little terror. 3. 왍 a terror for something very insistent on something (informal ) 쑗 The new manager is a terror for hygiene in the shop. terrorism / terərz(ə)m/ noun a policy of using violence in a political cause 쑗 Acts of terrorism continued during the whole summer. 쑗 The government has said that it will not give in to terrorism. Synonym . intimidation terrorist / terərst/ noun a person who practises terrorism 쑗 Terrorists hijacked a plane and told the pilot to fly to Rome. 쐽 adj referring to terrorism 쑗 Terrorist attacks have increased over the last few weeks. terse 895 terse /t" s/ adj concise, short, using few words tertiary / t" ʃər/ adj 1. referring to a third stage, especially to the level of education after the secondary 쑗 She’s studying at the local tertiary college. 2. 왍 tertiary sector or industry the section of the economy which provides services such as banking or insurance Terylene / terəli n/ trademark a type of man-made thread TESOL abbr Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages ① test /test/ noun 1. an examination to see if you know something 쑗 We had an English test yesterday. 쑗 She passed her driving test. 2. an examination to see if something is working well 쑗 The doctor will have to do a blood test. 쑗 It is a good test of the car’s ability to brake fast. 3. 쑗 England lost the third test against Pakistan. 쐽 verb 1. to find out how well someone can do something, etc. 쑗 The teacher tested my spoken German. 2. to examine someone or something to see if everything is working well 쑗 We need to test your reactions to noise and bright lights. 쑗 He has to have his eyes tested. 쑗 She tested her new car in the snow. testament / testəmənt/ noun 왍 last will and testament a document written by someone which says what they want to happen to their property after they die 쑗 This is the last will and testament of the late James Smith. test case / test kes/ noun a court case in which the decision will establish a principle which other cases can follow test-drive / test drav/ verb to drive a car before buying it to see if it works well. Synonym try out tester / testə/ noun 1. a person who tests something 2. a small sample of something such as makeup testes / testi z/ 쒁 testis testicle / testk(ə)l/ noun one of the two male sex glands which produce sperm. Also called testis testicular /te stkjυlə/ adj referring to the testicles testify / testfa/ verb to give evidence in court testimonial /test məυniəl/ noun 1. a written report about someone’s character or ability 쑗 She asked her boss if he would give her a testimonial. 2. a written document praising someone’s good qualities, often one which is presented at a ceremony 쑗 At a function in the Town Hall, the mayor presented testimonials to six members of the staff. 왍 to attend a testimonial dinner to go to a dinner organised to give a present to someone 쑗 The mayor was guest of honour text message at the testimonial dinner for six retiring council workers. testimony / testməni/ noun a statement given in court about what happened testing / testŋ/ adj which is difficult to deal with 쑗 This has been a testing time for the whole family. 쑗 In the second interview they will ask you more testing questions. Synonym challenging. Antonym easy 쐽 noun the act of examining something to see if it works well 쑗 During the testing of the engine several defects were corrected. testis / tests/ noun a testicle (NOTE: The plural is testes / testi z/.) testosterone /te stɒstərəυn/ noun a male sex hormone. Compare progesterone test run / test rn/ noun a trial made on a machine test tube / test tju b/ noun a small glass tube, open at the top and with a rounded bottom, used in laboratories to hold liquids during experiments 쑗 Position the base of the test tube over the flame. test tube baby / test tju b bebi/ noun a baby which develops after the mother’s eggs have been removed, fertilised with the father’s sperm in a laboratory, and replaced in the mother’s womb to continue developing normally (informal ) tetanus / tet(ə)nəs/ noun a serious disease caused by infection of a wound by bacteria in the soil, which affects the spinal cord and causes the jaw muscles to stiffen. Also called . lockjaw tête-à-tête /tet  tet/ noun a private conversation between two people tether / teðə/ noun 1. a rope which attaches an animal to a post 쑗 The horse had slipped its tether and was galloping away down the street. 2. 왍 to be at the end of your tether to be unable to stand any more, to have lost all patience 쑗 He was at the end of his tether and resigned after just one month in the job. 쐽 verb to attach an animal to a post with a rope 쑗 He tethered his horse to a post. ① text /tekst/ noun 1. the main written section of a book, not the notes, index or pictures 쑗 It’s a book for little children, with lots of pictures and very little text. 2. the original words of a speech 쑗 the text of the Gettysburg Address 쐽 verb to send a text message to someone textbook / tekstbυk/ noun a book which students use to learn about the subject they are studying textile / tekstal/ noun cloth. Synonym fabric text message / tekst mesdȢ/ noun a message sent by telephone, using short forms of words, which appear on the screen of a mobile phone text messaging 896 text messaging / tekst mesdȢŋ/ noun the action of sending text messages text processing / tekst prəυsesŋ/ noun the process of using a computer to produce, check and change things, e.g. documents, reports and letters textual / tekstʃuəl/ adj referring to a text. Synonym written texture / tekstʃə/ noun 1. the way in which the surface of a material can be felt 쑗 the soft texture of velvet 2. the way a substance is formed 쑗 This bread has a light texture. 쑗 the heavy texture of clay soil textured / tekstʃəd/ adj with a certain texture Thai /ta/ adj referring to Thailand 쑗 If you’re fond of Thai food let’s go to a Thai restaurant. 쐽 noun 1. an inhabitant of Thailand 쑗 Thais are famous for their hot, spicy cooking. 쑗 The two economics students are Thais. 2. the language spoken in Thailand 쑗 If you’re posted to Bangkok, you’ll have to learn Thai. ① than /ðən, ðn/ conj used to indicate a comparison 쑗 It’s hotter this week than it was last week. 쐽 prep used to link two parts of a comparison 쑗 His car is bigger than mine. 쑗 She was born in London, so she knows it better than any other town. 쑗 You can’t get more than four people into this lift. 쑗 It’s less than five kilometres to the nearest station. ① thank /θŋk/ verb 1. to say or do something that shows you are grateful to someone for doing something for you 쑗 She thanked the policeman for helping her to cross the street. 쑗 Don’t forget to thank Aunt Ann for her present. 2. 왍 thank goodness! or God! or heavens! expressions used to show relief 쑗 Thank goodness it didn’t rain for the school sports day! 쑗 Thank God the ambulance turned up quickly! thankful / θŋkf(ə)l/ adj glad because a worry has gone away. 쏡 mercy. Synonym grateful thankfully / θŋkf(ə)li/ adv showing that you are glad that a worry has gone away thankless / θŋkləs/ adj for which no one will thank you. Antonym rewarding ① thanks /θŋks/ noun a word showing that you are grateful 쑗 We sent our thanks for the gift. 쑗 We did our best to help but got no thanks for it. 쑗 The committee passed a vote of thanks to the school for having organised the meeting. 쑗 Many thanks for your letter of the 15th. Synonym gratitude. Antonym ingratitude 쐽 interj showing you are grateful 쑗 Do you want some more tea? – No thanks. I’ve had two cups already. 쑗 Anyone want a lift to the station? – Thanks, it’s a long walk from here. that thanksgiving / θŋksDZvŋ/ noun a religious occasion where thanks are given to God, often for someone who has recently died Thanksgiving / θŋksDZvŋ/ noun an American festival, celebrating the first harvest of the Pilgrims who settled in the United States, on the fourth Thursday in November ① thanks to / θŋks tu / prep because of, as a result of ① thank you / θŋk ju / interj showing that you are grateful 쑗 Thank you very much for your letter of the 15th. 쑗 Did you remember to say thank you to your grandmother for the present? 쑗 Would you like another piece of cake? – No thank you, I’ve had enough. 쐽 noun words or an action such as applause, to show you are grateful 쑗 Let’s say a big thank you to the people who organised the show. 왍 a thank-you letter or note letter or note written to thank someone for something ① that /ðt/ adj used to show something or someone that is further away or in the past 쑗 Can you see that white house on the corner over there? 쑗 Do you remember the name of that awful hotel in Brighton? Compare this (NOTE: The plural is those.) 쐽 pron something or someone that is further away 쑗 That’s the book I was talking about. 쑗 Do you know who that is sitting at the next table? 쑗 Is that the one? – Yes, that’s it. Compare this (NOTE: The plural is those.) 쐽 relative pron used to give more information about someone or something just mentioned 쑗 Where is the parcel that she sent you yesterday? 쑗 Can you see the man that sold you the ticket? 쑗 There’s the suitcase that you left on the train! (NOTE: When it is the object of a relative clause that can sometimes be left out: Where’s the letter he sent you? Here’s the box you left in the bedroom. When it is the subject, that can be replaced by which or who: a house that has red windows or a house which has red windows; the man that stole the car or the man who stole the car.) 쐽 conj used after verbs like ‘say’ or ‘think’ and adjectives like ‘glad’ or ‘disappointed’, and after ‘so’ or ‘such’ 쑗 The restaurant was so expensive that we could only afford one dish. 쑗 It rained so hard that the street was like a river. 쑗 We had such a lot of work that we didn’t have any lunch. 쑗 There was such a long queue that we didn’t bother waiting. 쑗 They told me that the manager was out. 쑗 I don’t think they knew that we were coming. 쑗 I’m glad that the weather turned out fine. (NOTE: That is often left out: He didn’t know we were coming; It’s so hot in here we all want a drink of water.) 쐽 adv so, to such an extent 쑗 You must remember him, it’s not all that long ago that we had a drink with him. 쑗 His new car is not really that big. thatched 897 thatched /θtʃt/ adj covered with a straw roof thaw /θɔ / noun a time of warm weather which makes snow and ice melt 쑗 The thaw came early this year. 쐽 verb 1. to melt 쑗 The ice is thawing on the village pond. 2. to unfreeze something which is frozen 쑗 Thaw the turkey for 12 hours. 쑗 Can you thaw those raspberries? 3. to become less formal 쑗 After a period of tension, relations between the two countries have begun to thaw. ① the /ðə/; before a vowel /ð/ article 1. meaning something in particular, as opposed to ‘a’ 쑗 Where’s the book you brought back from the library? 쑗 That’s the cat from next door. 쑗 The town centre has been made into a pedestrian zone. 2. used with something of which only one exists, in particular in geographical names 쑗 an expedition to the Antarctic 쑗 A spacecraft landed on the moon. 쑗 The sun came up over the hills. 3. meaning a group of people or a thing in general, such as dates 쑗 There’s nothing interesting on the television tonight. 쑗 She refuses to use the telephone. 쑗 The streets are crowded at lunchtime. 쑗 Many people were out of work during the 1990s. 쑗 Both sisters play the flute. 쑗 born on the 31st of January 4. /ði / meaning something special such as a date 쑗 It’s the shop for men’s clothes. 쑗 She’s the doctor for children’s diseases. 쑗 That’s not the Charlie Chaplin, is it? 5. used to compare 쑗 The more he eats the thinner he seems to get. 쑗 The sooner you do it the better. 쑗 This is by far the shortest way to London. 쑗 She’s the tallest person in the office. 6. showing quantity or speed 쑗 We sell tomatoes by the kilo. ② theatre / θətə/ noun a building in which plays are shown 쑗 I’m trying to get tickets for the theatre tonight. 쑗 What is the play at the local theatre this week? 쑗 We’ll have dinner early and then go to the theatre. (NOTE: The US spelling is theater.) 앳 the theatre 1. the art of presenting plays on the stage 쑗 I like the theatre better than the cinema. 2. the business of presenting plays on the stage 쑗 She wants to work in the theatre as a designer. theatrical /θi trk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to the theatre 쑗 She had a distinguished theatrical career before going into films. 2. exaggerated, dramatic and not natural 쑗 Throwing the letter on the floor and stamping on it was a bit theatrical. theft /θeft/ noun 1. the practice of stealing 쑗 We have brought in security cameras to protect the hotel against theft. 쑗 The shops are trying to stop theft by members of the public. 2. an act of stealing 쑗 Thefts in supermarkets have increased enormously. thence their /ðeə/ adj 1. belonging to them 쑗 After the film, we went to their house for supper. 2. referring to them 쑗 The family were eating their dinner when the fire broke out. ① (NOTE: Do not confuse with there, they’re.) ① theirs /ðeəz/ pron the one that belongs to them 쑗 Which car is theirs – the Ford? 쑗 She’s a friend of theirs. 쑗 The girls wanted to borrow my car – theirs wouldn’t start. ① them /ðəm, ðem/ pron 1. referring to people or things that have been mentioned before 쑗 Do you like cream cakes? – No, I don’t like them very much. 쑗 There’s a group of people waiting outside. – Tell them to come in. 쑗 She saw her friends and asked them to help her. 2. referring to a singular, used instead of ‘him or her’ 쑗 If someone phones, ask them to call back later. thematic /θ mtk/ adj referring to themes ② theme /θi m/ noun 1. the main subject of a book or article 쑗 The theme of the book is how to deal with illness in the family. 2. the main idea 쑗 The theme of the exhibition is ‘Europe in the twenty-first century’. 3. the main tune in a piece of music 쑗 The theme comes again at the end of the symphony. theme park / θi m pɑ k/ noun an amusement park based on a single theme such as a medieval castle theme tune /θi m tju n/, theme song /θi m sɒŋ/ noun a tune or song played several times in a film or TV serial by which you can recognise it ① themselves /ðəm selvz/ pron 1. referring to the same people or things that are the subject of the verb 쑗 Cats always spend a lot of time cleaning themselves. 쑗 It’s no use going to the surgery – the doctors are all ill themselves. 2. 왍 by themselves all alone 쑗 The girls were all by themselves in the tent. 쑗 They did it all by themselves. 3. used to emphasise 쑗 The children themselves said the film was rubbish. ① then /ðen/ adv 1. at that time in the past or future 쑗 He had been very busy up till then. 쑗 Ever since then I’ve refused to eat oysters. 쑗 We’re having a party next week. – What a pity! I’ll be in Scotland then. 2. after that, next 쑗 We all sat down, and then after a few minutes the waiter brought us the menu. 쑗 It was a busy trip – he went to Greece, then to Italy and finally to Spain. 3. and so, therefore 쑗 If there isn’t any fish on the menu, then we’ll have to have omelettes. 쑗 Then he was already at home when you phoned? 쐽 adj who or which existed at a certain time in the past 쑗 The then head teacher was a man called Jones. thence /ðens/ adv 1. from that place, from there 2. so, therefore theology 898 theology /θi ɒlədȢi/ noun the study of religion and the belief in God. Synonym divinity theorem / θərəm/ noun a statement which can be proved in mathematics. Synonym proposition theoretical /θə retk(ə)l/ adj 1. referring to theories 쑗 a theoretical study of the universe 2. not proved in practice 쑗 She has the theoretical power to dismiss any of the staff. theoretically /θə retkli/ adv in theory, but not in practice theorise / θəraz/, theorize verb to make up a theory about something theorist / θərst/ noun a person who develops theories ① theory / θəri/ noun 1. an explanation of something which has not been proved but which you believe is true 쑗 I have a theory which explains why the police never found the murder weapon. 2. a careful scientific explanation of why something happens 쑗 Galileo put forward the theory that the earth turns round the sun. 왍 the theory of evolution a theory, developed by Charles Darwin, that species evolve by a process of natural selection 3. a statement of general principles which may not apply in practice 쑗 In theory the treatment should work, but no one has ever tried it. (NOTE: The plural is theories.) therapeutic /θerə pju tk/ adj which is given in order to cure a disease or disorder therapist / θerəpst/ noun a person who is specially trained to give therapy. Synonym psychoanalyst therapy / θerəpi/ noun the treatment of a patient to help cure a disease or condition ① there /ðeə/ adv 1. in that place 쑗 Is that black van still there parked outside the house? 쑗 Where have you put the tea? – There, on the kitchen counter. 2. to that place 쑗 We haven’t been to the British Museum yet. – Let’s go there tomorrow. 쑗 Have you ever been to China? – Yes, I went there last month. 3. used when giving something to someone 쑗 There you are: two fish and chips and a pot of tea. (NOTE: Do not confuse with their, they’re.) 쐽 interj 1. showing pity 쑗 There, there, don’t get upset. 쑗 There, sit down for a little while and you’ll soon feel better. 2. showing a feeling 쑗 There, what did I say? The plane’s late. 쑗 There, you’ve broken it! 3. making a decision 쑗 If you don’t want to come with me, I’ll go all by myself, so there! 쐽 pron used usually before the verb ‘to be’ when the real subject follows the verb 쑗 There’s a little door leading onto the patio. 쑗 There’s someone at the door asking for you. 쑗 There are some pages missing in my newspaper. 쑗 Were there a lot of people at the cinema? 쑗 There seems to have been a lot of rain during the night. thick thereabouts /ðeərə baυts/ adv 1. near that place 쑗 They live in Glasgow or thereabouts. 2. about that number 쑗 They owe us £250 or thereabouts. thereafter /ðeər ɑ ftə/ adv after that. Antonym previously thereby /ðeə ba/ adv by doing that ① therefore / ðeəfɔ / adv for this reason 쑗 I therefore have decided not to grant his request. 쑗 They have reduced their prices, therefore we should reduce ours if we want to stay competitive. Synonym consequently therein /ðeər n/ adv in that thermal / θ" m(ə)l/ adj referring to heat 쐽 noun a rising current of warm air 쑗 Hang-gliders rose into the air on thermals. thermometer /θə mɒmtə/ noun an instrument for measuring temperature thermostat / θ" məυstt/ noun an instrument which controls heating according to a set temperature thesaurus /θ sɔ rəs/ noun a book with words collected into groups of similar meaning (NOTE: The plural is thesauruses or sometimes thesauri /θə sɔ ra/.) ① these /ði z/ 쒁 this thesis / θi ss/ noun 1. a long piece of written research prepared by a candidate for a higher university degree 쑗 She is writing her thesis on the place of women in Spanish literature. 2. a particular point of view 쑗 His thesis is that, the lower the income tax rate, the more people will spend. (NOTE: The plural is theses / θi si z/.) ① they /ðe/ pron 1. referring to people or things 쑗 Where do you keep the spoons? – They’re in the right-hand drawer. 쑗 Who are those people in uniform? – They’re traffic wardens. 쑗 The children played in the sun and they all got sunburnt. 2. referring to people in general 쑗 They say it’s going to be fine this weekend. 3. referring to a singular, used instead of ‘he or she’ after a word such as ‘someone’ 쑗 If someone else joins the queue, they’ll just have to wait. (NOTE: When it is the object, them is used instead of they: We gave it to them; The police beat them with sticks; also when it follows the verb to be: Who’s that? – It’s them!) they’d /ðed/ short form they had, they would they’ll /ðel/ short form they will they’re /ðeə/ short form they are (NOTE: Do not confuse with their, there.) they’ve /ðev/ short form they have ② thick /θk/ adj 1. bigger than usual when measured from side to side, not thin 쑗 He cut a slice of bread which was so thick it wouldn’t go into the toaster. 쑗 The walls of the castle are three metres thick. 쑗 Some oranges have very thick skins. 쑗 He took a thicken 899 piece of thick rope. 2. close together 쑗 They tried to make their way through thick jungle. 쑗 The field was covered with thick grass. 왍 through thick and thin together, even when things are going badly (informal ) 쑗 She stuck with him through thick and thin. 왍 they’re as thick as thieves (of two people) they are great friends, they share each other’s secrets 3. (of a liquid ) which cannot flow easily 쑗 If the paint is too thick add some water. 쑗 A bowl of thick soup is just what we need on a cold day like this. 4. which you cannot see through easily 쑗 Thick fog had closed the airport. 5. stupid, not very intelligent (informal ) 쑗 He’s a bit thick or as thick as two (short) planks. 왍 it’s a bit thick it’s not very fair 쑗 It’s a bit thick, having to work on Saturdays when everyone else has the day off. 쐽 adv thickly, in a thick way 쑗 Put the plaster on thick so that it covers up the cracks. 왍 to lay it on thick to praise someone excessively (informal ) 쑗 It was laying it on a bit thick to say that she plays the violin like Menuhin. 왍 thick and fast rapidly and often 쑗 The faxes came in thick and fast. 쐽 noun 왍 in the thick of something in the most active part of something 쑗 in the thick of negotiations thicken / θkən/ verb 1. to make something thick 쑗 Thicken the sauce with cornflour. 2. to become thick 쑗 The custard will thicken when you heat it. thicket / θkt/ noun a small wood of trees and bushes growing close together. Synonym . . . . copse thickly / θkli/ adv in a thick layer 왍 thickly wooded with a lot of trees close together 쑗 thickly wooded valleys thickness / θknəs/ noun 1. the state of being thick or the extent to which something is thick 2. a layer of something thickset /θk set/ adj 1. short and stocky 쑗 Her father is a solid thickset man. 2. (of a hedge) planted with bushes close together 쑗 The garden is surrounded by a thickset hedge of holly and yew. thick-skinned /θk sknd/ adj 1. with a thick skin 쑗 A rhinoceros is very thick-skinned. 2. able to stand a lot of criticism 쑗 Luckily he’s a thick-skinned individual or he would be very upset at what the tabloids say about him. thief /θi f/ noun a person who steals. 쏡 thick. Synonym robber (NOTE: The plural is thieves /θi vz/.) thigh /θa/ noun the part at the top of the leg between your knee and your hip thimble / θmb(ə)l/ noun a small cup worn to protect the end of your finger when sewing ② thin /θn/ adj 1. not fat 쑗 The table has very thin legs. 쑗 He’s too thin – he should eat more. 왍 as thin as a rake very thin 쑗 She’s a supermodel and is as thin as a rake. 2. not think thick 쑗 a plate of thin sandwiches 쑗 The book is printed on very thin paper. 쑗 The parcel was sent in a thin cardboard box. 3. not placed or growing close together 쑗 The hill was covered with thin grass. 쑗 The audience is a bit thin tonight. 4. (of a liquid ) which flows easily, which has too much water 쑗 All we had for lunch was a bowl of thin soup. 쑗 Add water to make the paint thinner. 5. which you can see through 쑗 They hung thin curtains in the windows. 쑗 A thin mist covered the valley. 6. (of an argument or excuse) weak or poor 쑗 His argument is a bit thin. (NOTE: thinner – thinnest) 쐽 adv thinly 쑗 Don’t spread the butter too thin. 쐽 verb 1. to make something more liquid 쑗 If you want to thin the soup just add some water. 2. to become fewer 쑗 The crowds began to thin by evening. 3. 왍 to thin out to make plants grow less close together 쑗 These lettuces need to be thinned out. ① thing /θŋ/ noun 1. something which is not living, which is not a plant or animal 쑗 Can you see that black thing in the pan of soup? 쑗 What do you use that big blue thing for? 2. a usually kind way of talking to or about a person or animal 쑗 You silly thing! 쑗 The lady in the sweet shop is a dear old thing. 3. something in general 쑗 They all just sat there and didn’t say a thing. 쑗 The first thing to do is to call an ambulance. 쑗 That was a stupid thing to do! 왍 a good thing something lucky 쑗 It’s a good thing there was no policeofficer on duty at the door. 왍 first thing in the morning as soon as you get up 쑗 First thing in the morning, he does his exercises. 왍 last thing at night just before you go to bed 4. a problem or worry 쑗 It never stops, it’s just one thing after another. 5. 왍 to have a thing about something to have strong feelings about something (informal ) 쑗 He has a thing about spiders. 쑗 She’s got a thing about men with beards. ① things /θŋz/ plural noun 1. clothes or equipment 쑗 Did you bring your tennis things? 쑗 She left her painting things in the car. 2. a general situation 쑗 Things aren’t going well at the office. 쑗 He always takes things too seriously. thingy / θŋi/ noun something whose name you don’t know or can’t remember ① think /θŋk/ verb 1. to use your mind 쑗 We never think about what people might say, we always do what we think is right. 왍 to think twice to consider very carefully 쑗 Think twice before you sign that contract. 쑗 I’d think twice about spending all the money you’ve saved. 2. to have an opinion 쑗 I think London is a nicer town to live in than Frankfurt. 쑗 Everyone thinks we’re mad to go on holiday in December. 쑗 The weather forecasters think it’s going to rain. 쑗 The gang is . . think about 900 thought to be based in Spain. 3. to make a plan to do something 쑗 We’re thinking we might open an office in New York. (NOTE: thinking – thought /θɔ t/) 쐽 noun (informal ) a period when you think, the act of thinking 쑗 Let me have a little think and I’ll tell you what we should do. 쑗 Have a think about what I’ve just said. 쑗 We really need to have another think about the plan. 왍 to have another think coming to have to change your plans 쑗 If he thinks he’s going to tell me how to do my job, he’s got another think coming. think about / θŋk əbaυt/ verb 1. to have someone or something in your mind 쑗 I was just thinking about you when you phoned. 쑗 All she thinks about is food. 2. to consider a plan in your mind 쑗 Have you ever thought about writing children’s books? 3. to have an opinion about something 쑗 What do you think about the government’s plans to increase taxes? think back /θŋk bk/ verb to remember something in the past thinker / θŋkə/ noun a person who thinks. Synonym philosopher thinking / θŋkŋ/ noun the process of reasoning about something 왍 to my way of thinking my opinion is 쑗 To my way of thinking, it shouldn’t be allowed. think of / θŋk ɒv/ verb 1. to consider a plan in your mind 쑗 We are thinking of going to Greece on holiday. 2. to remember something 쑗 Now I think of it, he was at the party last week. 3. to have an opinion about something 쑗 What do you think of the government’s plans to increase taxes? 쑗 I didn’t think much of the play. 쑗 She asked him what he thought of her idea. 왍 to tell someone what you think of something to criticise something 쑗 He went up to her and told her exactly what he thought of her stupid idea. 왍 to think highly of someone to have a high opinion of someone 왍 to think nothing of doing something to consider something normal or easy 쑗 She thinks nothing of working ten hours a day. 왍 think nothing of it! (as a response to an apology) please don’t bother to thank me for it 왍 to think better of something to change your mind about something 쑗 He was going to pay the whole cost himself, and then thought better of it. think out /θŋk aυt/ verb to consider something carefully in all its details think over /θŋk əυvə/ verb to consider a plan or proposal very carefully think tank / θŋk tŋk/ noun a group of advisers who are appointed to discuss important problems and suggest how they should be solved think through /θŋk θru / verb to consider something carefully in all its details . thirty think up /θŋk p/ verb to invent a plan or new idea thinly / θnli/ adv not thickly thinning / θnŋ/ adj which is getting thinner ① third /θ" d/ adj referring to three 쑗 She came third in the race. 쑗 The cake shop is the third shop on the right. 쑗 It will be her third birthday next Friday. 쑗 Her birthday is on the third of March or March the third (March 3rd). 왍 the third century the period from 200 to 299 A.D. 쐽 noun one part out of three equal parts 쑗 A third of the airline’s planes are jumbos. 쑗 Two-thirds of the staff are part-timers. thirdly / θ" dli/ adv as the third item on a list. Compare firstly, secondly third party /θ" d pɑ ti/ noun any person other than the two main parties involved in a contract or a civil case third person /θ" d p" s(ə)n/ noun 왍 in the third person from the point of view of someone other than the speaker or the person being spoken to, using the pronouns ’he’, ’she’, ’it’ or ’they’ 쑗 This novel is written in the third person. third-rate /θ" d ret/ adj quite bad. Compare first-rate, second-rate Third World /θ" d w" ld/ noun the countries of Africa, Asia and South America which do not have highly developed industries and where people are generally poor thirst /θ" st/ noun 1. a feeling of wanting to drink 쑗 Digging the garden has given me such a thirst! 쑗 They ran to the mountain stream to quench their thirst. 2. a feeling of wanting something 쑗 He studied at night to satisfy his thirst for knowledge. 쐽 verb 왍 to thirst after or for something to want something strongly (formal ) 쑗 He thirsts after excitement. ① thirsty / θ" sti/ adj feeling that you want to drink 쑗 It’s so hot here that it makes me thirsty. 왍 are you thirsty? would you like a drink? 왍 to be thirsty work to require hard work which makes you thirsty 쑗 Moving all this furniture is thirsty work. ① thirteen /θ" ti n/ noun the number 13 쑗 He’s only thirteen (years old), but he can drive a car. 쑗 She’ll be thirteen next Monday. 왍 the thirteen hundreds (1300s) the period from 1300 to 1399 thirteenth /θ" ti nθ/ adj, noun referring to 13 쑗 The thirteenth of September or September the thirteenth (September 13th). 쑗 It’s her thirteenth birthday on Monday. 왍 Friday the thirteenth (Friday 13th) day which many people think is unlucky 왍 the thirteenth century the period from 1200 to 1299 ① thirty / θ" ti/ noun the number 30 쑗 He’s thirty (years old). 쑗 She must have more than . this 901 thirty pairs of shoes. 왍 they are both in their thirties they are both aged between 30 and 39 years old 왍 the (nineteen-) thirties (1930s) the period from 1930 to 1939 ① this /ðs/ adj, pron used to show something which is nearer or in the present, in contrast to something else 쑗 This is the shop I was telling you about. 쑗 I prefer these earrings to those ones. 쑗 I saw him on the train this morning. 쑗 My mother is coming for tea this afternoon. 쑗 I expect to hear from him this week. (NOTE: The plural is these.) 쐽 adv so much 쑗 I knew you were going to be late, but I didn’t expect you to be this late. thistle / θs(ə)l/ noun a large wild plant with prickly leaves and purple flowers THNQ abbr thank you thong /θɒŋ/ noun a rubber sandal held on by a strap between the toes. Also called flip flop thorn /θɔ n/ noun 1. a sharp spine on a prickly plant 쑗 Most roses have thorns. 2. 왍 a thorn in someone’s flesh a constant annoyance to someone 쑗 She’s been a thorn in the management’s flesh ever since she joined the company. thorny / θɔ ni/ adj 1. covered with thorns 쑗 We planted thorny bushes round the garden to deter burglars. 2. (of a problem) difficult to solve 쑗 Trying to solve the thorny racial problems in some East European countries is very difficult. (NOTE: thornier – thorniest) ③ thorough / θrə/ adj 1. careful and detailed 쑗 The police have carried out a thorough search of the woods. 2. total 쑗 They made a thorough mess of it. 쑗 It was a thorough waste of time. 3. careful and accurate 쑗 He is very thorough in his work. thoroughbred / θrəbred/ noun a horse of high quality whose parents and other relatives are all known thoroughfare / θrəfeə/ noun a main road through a town, usually where there is a lot of traffic 왍 ’no thoroughfare’ a sign showing that the public cannot use a certain road 쑗 I hadn’t seen the ‘no thoroughfare’ sign and found myself in the garden of the town hall. thoroughgoing /θrə DZəυŋ/ adj complete and careful thoroughly / θrəli/ adv 1. in a complete and careful way 쑗 We searched the garden thoroughly but couldn’t find his red ball. 2. totally 쑗 I’m thoroughly fed up with the whole business. ① those /ðəυz/ 쒁 that ① though /ðəυ/ adv, conj 1. in spite of the fact (that) 쑗 Though tired, she still kept on running. 쑗 We don’t employ a computer programmer, though many companies do. 왍 odd though it may seem although it may seem ③ thread odd 왍 even though in spite of the fact that 쑗 He didn’t wear a coat, even though it was snowing. 2. 왍 as though as if 쑗 His voice sounded strange over the telephone, as though he was standing in a cave. 쑗 That shirt doesn’t look as though it has been ironed. 쑗 It looks as though there is no one in. 3. but 쑗 It is unlikely though possible. ① thought /θɔ t/ noun 1. an idea which you have when thinking 쑗 He had an awful thought – suppose they had left the bathroom taps running? 2. the process of thinking 쑗 He sat deep in thought by the window. 왍 after much thought after thinking a lot about something 3. an opinion 쑗 He expressed his thoughts on the subject in a letter to the newspaper. 4. 왍 to have second thoughts about something to change your mind about something 쑗 I think she’s beginning to have second thoughts about accepting the job. 왍 on second thoughts having thought about it again 쑗 I asked for coffee, but on second thoughts I think I’ll have tea. 쐽 verb 쒁 think thoughtful / θɔ tf(ə)l/ adj 1. thinking deeply 쑗 He looked thoughtful, and I wondered if there was something wrong. 2. being sensitive to what other people want 쑗 It was very thoughtful of you to come to see me in hospital. thoughtfully / θɔ tf(ə)li/ adv in a considerate way thoughtless / θɔ tləs/ adj without thinking about other people thoughtlessly / θɔ tləsli/ adv in a thoughtless way ① thousand / θaυz(ə)nd/ noun the number 1,000 쑗 We paid two hundred thousand pounds for the house (£200,000). 쑗 Thousands of people had their holidays spoilt by the storm. 왍 thousands of a large number of (informal ) 쑗 Thousands of people lost money in the scheme. thousandth / θaυz(ə)ndθ/ adj referring to 1,000 쐽 noun one part out of a thousand thrash /θrʃ/ verb 1. to beat someone severely 쑗 His father caught him stealing and thrashed him. 2. to beat another team decisively 쑗 Our team thrashed the visitors 7–0. thrashing / θrʃŋ/ noun 1. a severe beating 2. an easy defeat in a game thrash out /θrʃ aυt/ verb 1. to try to hit wildly in all directions 쑗 He thrashed out at the youths with his stick. 2. to discuss something until a solution is found 쑗 We sat down with the management and thrashed out a compromise. 쑗 They spent all day thrashing out a solution to the problem. thread /θred/ noun 1. a long strand of cotton, silk, or other fibre 쑗 A spider spins a thread to make its web. 쑗 Wait a moment, there’s a white thread showing on your coat. 2. 왍 to lose the thread of the conversation . threadbare 902 to miss what the conversation is about 3. a ridge going round and round a screw or the inside of a nut 쑗 It’s difficult to tighten the nut because the thread is very worn. 쐽 verb 1. to put a piece of cotton through the eye of a needle 쑗 My eyesight is getting so bad, I can’t even thread a needle. 2. to make something go through a hole 쑗 Put the reel on the projector and then thread the end of the film through this aperture. 3. to put beads on a thread 쑗 to thread a necklace 4. 왍 to thread your way somewhere to go carefully between things 쑗 She threaded her way through the piles of boxes. 쑗 We threaded our way through the crowds of Christmas shoppers. threadbare / θredbeə/ adj very worn ② threat /θret/ noun 1. a warning to someone that you are going to do something unpleasant, especially if he or she does not do what you want 쑗 Her former husband had been making threats against her and the children. 쑗 The police took the threat to the Prime Minister very seriously. 쑗 Do you think they will carry out their threat to bomb the capital if we don’t surrender? 2. a person or thing which may cause harm 쑗 Defective cars are a threat to other road users. ② threaten / θret(ə)n/ verb 1. to warn that you are going to do something unpleasant, especially if someone doesn’t do what you want 쑗 She threatened to go to the police. 쑗 The teacher threatened her with punishment. 2. to be likely to have a bad effect on something 쑗 The collapse of the stock market threatened the stability of the currency. threatening / θretnŋ/ adj suggesting that something unpleasant will happen ① three /θri / noun the number 3 쑗 She’s only three (years old), so she can’t read yet. 쑗 Come and see me at three (o’clock). 쑗 Three men walked into the bank and pulled out guns. (NOTE: three (3) but third (3rd)) 3-D /θri di / noun vision in three dimensions 쐽 adj same as three-dimensional three-dimensional /θri da menʃ(ə)nəl/, three-D / θri di / adj (of a picture) which has depth as well as length and breadth three-piece / θri pi s/ adj with three parts three-quarter /θri kwɔ tə/ adj covering three quarters of a whole 왍 a three-quarter length coat a coat which comes to above the knee ③ three-quarters /θri kwɔ təz/ plural noun three fourths, 75% 왍 three-quarters of an hour forty-five minutes 쑗 We had to wait an hour and three-quarters. 쐽 adv 75%, three fourths 쑗 The bottle was three-quarters full. threshold / θreʃhəυld/ noun 1. a bar across the floor of a doorway 쑗 She stopped at the threshold and looked back into the throne room. 2. a point where something begins 쑗 She’s on the threshold of a great career in teaching. 3. a point at which you start to react 왍 to have a very low boredom threshold to get bored easily ① threw /θru / 쒁 throw (NOTE: Do not confuse with through.) thrifty / θrfti/ adj careful with money. Synonym frugal (NOTE: thriftier – thriftiest) thrill /θrl/ noun a feeling of great excite- ment 쑗 It gave me a thrill to see you all again after so many years. 쑗 I experienced the thrill of sailing near to a waterfall. Synonym adventure 쐽 verb to make someone very excited 쑗 We were thrilled to get your letter. thriller / θrlə/ noun an exciting work of art, e.g. a crime novel or a film. Synonym whodunit thrilling / θrlŋ/ adj which makes you very excited. Synonym exciting. Antonym boring ③ thrive /θrav/ verb to grow well and be strong 쑗 a thriving community ② throat /θrəυt/ noun 1. the tube which goes from the back of your mouth down the inside of your neck 쑗 I’ve got a sore throat. 쑗 She got a fish bone stuck in her throat. 왍 to clear your throat to give a little cough 쑗 He cleared his throat and started to speak. 왍 to have a lump in your throat to feel unable to speak because you are so upset or so happy 쑗 She had a lump in her throat as she saw her little girl dance across the stage. 2. your neck, especially the front part 쑗 He put his hands round her throat and pressed hard. throb /θrɒb/ noun the beating of something, e.g. the heart, a drum or a machine 쑗 The steady throb of the engine could be heard somewhere deep down in the ship. 쐽 verb 1. to beat fast 쑗 She stopped running, and stood still with her heart throbbing. 쑗 The engine started to throb more regularly and the great ship started to move. 2. to have a pain which comes regularly like a heartbeat 쑗 When I woke up I had a sore throat and my head was throbbing. (NOTE: throbbing – throbbed) throbbing / θrɒbŋ/ adj which comes again and again like a heartbeat 쑗 The next morning he had a throbbing headache. 쑗 She has a throbbing pain behind her left eye. 쐽 noun a pain which comes again and again like a heartbeat 쑗 There is a continual throbbing in my right ear. throes /θrəυz/ plural noun 왍 in the throes of something in the middle of something 쑗 He can’t do anything – he’s in the throes of getting a divorce. 쑗 The country is in the throes of a general election. thrombosis /θrɒm bəυss/ noun blood clotting which blocks an artery or vein throne /θrəυn/ noun a chair on which a king or queen sits during ceremonies 왍 to throng 903 succeed to the throne to become king or queen 쑗 He succeeded to the throne when his grandfather died. 왍 to give up the throne to resign from being king or queen 쑗 He gave up the throne and retired to live in the country. throng /θrɒŋ/ noun a great crowd of people (literary) 쑗 The stars had difficulty making their way through the throng of fans outside the cinema. Antonym few 쐽 verb to crowd together 쑗 The children thronged round the TV star. 쑗 The shopping precinct was thronged with shoppers in the days before Christmas. throttle / θrɒtl/ noun a valve on a pipe in an engine, which allows variable quantities of fuel to pass into an engine 쑗 He had to retire from the race when his throttle jammed. 왍 to open up the throttle to make the engine go faster 쑗 Open the throttle right up and let’s see how fast the boat can go. 왍 at full throttle as fast as possible 쑗 He had the engine going at full throttle. 쐽 verb to strangle someone by squeezing the neck, and preventing him or her breathing 쑗 I could throttle him sometimes when he gives me that sort of answer. ① through /θru / prep 1. across the inside of something; going in at one side and coming out of the other 쑗 The bullet went straight through the door. 쑗 She looked through the open door. 쑗 Cold air is coming in through the hole in the wall. 쑗 The street goes straight through the centre of the town. 쑗 She pushed the needle through the ball of wool. 2. during a period of time 쑗 They insisted on talking all through the film. 쑗 Snow accumulated through the winter. 3. by 쑗 We sent the parcel through the ordinary mail. 쑗 We heard of his wedding through the newspaper. 4. caused by 쑗 We marked him as absent through illness. 쑗 We missed the deadline through her forgetting to mark it in her diary. 5. US up to and including 왍 Monday through Friday from Monday to Friday inclusive 쐽 adv 1. going in at one side and coming out of the other side 쑗 Someone left the gate open and all the sheep got through. 2. speaking by telephone 쑗 I can’t get through to New York. 쑗 Can you put me through to Simon? 3. 왍 to see something through to make sure that something is finished 쐽 adj 1. not stopping 왍 through traffic traffic which is going through a town and doesn’t stop 쑗 Through traffic is being diverted to the bypass. 2. 왍 through with something finished using something, not wanting something any more 쑗 Are you through with the newspaper? 쑗 She’s through with her boyfriend. ① throughout /θru aυt/ prep, adv everywhere, all through 쑗 Throughout the country throw up floods are causing problems on the roads. 쑗 Heavy snow fell throughout the night. throughput / θru pυt/ noun an amount of work done or goods produced during a certain period throughway / θru we/ noun US 쒁 thruway ① throw /θrəυ/ verb 1. to send something through the air 쑗 How far can he throw a cricket ball? 쑗 They were throwing stones through car windows. 쑗 She threw the letter into the wastepaper basket. 쑗 He was thrown into the air by the blast from the bomb. 2. 왍 to throw a party to organise a party 쑗 They threw a reception for the prize winners. 3. to shock someone 쑗 At first, what the boss said threw me. 4. to make a clay pot on a wheel (NOTE: throwing – threw /θru / – has thrown /θrəυn/) 쐽 noun 1. the act of throwing 쑗 Her javelin throw beat the world record. 쑗 He hurt his back after a throw from his horse. 2. 왍 only a stone’s throw from a place very near a place 쑗 The hotel is only a stone’s throw from the beach. 3. a piece of material which you put over a chair or use as a carpet 쑗 She gave me a piece of old Chinese silk as a throw to cover the sofa. throw away /θrəυ ə we/ verb to get rid of something which you don’t need any more throwback / θrəυbk/ noun a person or thing that seems to belong to a time in the past throw in /θrəυ n/ verb to add something extra as a bargain 쑗 When we bought our new oven, they threw in a set of saucepans as a free gift. throw-in / θrəυ n/ noun (in football ) the act of throwing the ball back into play from the touchline ① thrown /θrəυn/ 쒁 throw (NOTE: Do not . confuse with throne.) throw off /θrəυ ɒf/ verb 1. to remove something quickly 쑗 She threw off the bedclothes and ran out of the room. 2. to recover from an illness 쑗 She’s had a cough for several days, and can’t throw it off. throw out /θrəυ aυt/ verb 1. to push someone outside 쑗 When they started to fight, they were thrown out of the restaurant. 2. to get rid of something which you don’t need 쑗 I’m throwing out this old office desk. 3. to refuse to accept something 쑗 The proposal was thrown out by the planning committee. throw up /θrəυ p/ verb 1. to be sick, to bring up partly digested food from the stomach into the mouth (informal ) 쑗 The cat threw up all over the sofa. 2. to give up something 쑗 She’s thrown up her job and gone to live in Australia. 3. 왍 to throw up your arms to lift your arms rapidly 쑗 She threw her arms up in horror. . thru 904 thru /θru / prep, adv, adj US same as through thrush /θrʃ/ noun a common brown bird with brown spots on its light-coloured breast (NOTE: The plural is thrushes.) thrust /θrst/ noun 1. a force which pushes someone or something 쑗 The thrust of the engines pushed him back in his seat. 2. the act of pushing something 쑗 He was killed with a thrust of his opponent’s sword. 쐽 verb 1. to push something somewhere suddenly and hard 쑗 He thrust the newspaper into his pocket. 쑗 She thrust the documents into her briefcase. 2. 왍 to thrust yourself on someone to force someone to accept you as a guest or companion (formal ) thruway / θru we/ noun US a fast main road (NOTE: also spelt throughway) thud /θd/ noun a dull, heavy noise 쑗 His head hit the ground with a sickening thud. 쑗 They could hear the thud of gunfire in the distance. 쐽 verb to make a dull noise 쑗 A stone thudded into the wall behind him. . (NOTE: thudding – thudded) thug /θDZ/ noun a violent person ③ thumb /θm/ noun 1. a short thick digit which is slightly apart from the other four fingers on each hand 쑗 The baby was sucking its thumb. 쑗 How she cried when she hit her thumb with the hammer! 2. 왍 my fingers are all thumbs I am awkward when trying to do something with my hands 쑗 Can you help me untie this knot, my fingers are all thumbs! 쐽 verb 왍 to thumb a lift to ask a car driver or lorry driver to take you as a passenger, usually by signalling with the thumb while holding a sign with your destination written on it 쑗 Her car broke down and she thumbed a lift from a passing motorist. thumbnail / θmnel/ noun the nail on your thumb thumbnail sketch /θmnel sketʃ/ noun a little drawing or description of something or someone, giving just a few details thumbs down /θms daυn/ noun a gesture to show you disapprove thumbs up /θms p/ noun a gesture to show that you approve or that things are all right thumbtack / θmtk/ noun US a pin with a large flat head, used for pinning papers to a wall or a surface (NOTE: The British term is drawing pin.) ③ thump /θmp/ noun 1. a dull noise 쑗 There was a thump from upstairs as if someone had fallen out of bed. 2. a punch, a heavy blow with the fist 쑗 She was so annoyed she gave him a good thump on the arm. 쐽 verb 1. to hit someone hard with your fist 쑗 He rushed up to the policeman and started thumping him on the chest. 쑗 She thumped him on the back when he choked. 2. to make thwart a dull noise 쑗 How can we possibly get to sleep with the music thumping away next door? 쑗 I was very frightened and I could feel my heart thumping furiously. thumping / θmpŋ/ adj very large (informal ) thunder / θndə/ noun 1. a loud noise in the air following a flash of lightning 쑗 a tropical storm accompanied by thunder and lightning 쑗 He was woken by the sound of thunder. 2. a loud noise 쑗 the thunder of horses’ hooves on the paving stones 쑗 He took his bow to a thunder of applause. 왍 to steal someone’s thunder to spoil what someone is planning to do by doing it first, and so getting applauded for it (informal ) 쐽 verb 1. to make a loud noise in the air following lightning 쑗 It thundered during the night. 2. to make a loud rumbling noise 쑗 Lorries thundered past on the motorway all night. 3. to speak in a very loud voice 쑗 ‘Shut up,’ he thundered to the little boy in the back row. thunderbolt / θndəbəυlt/ noun 1. a flash of lightning and thunder 2. a sudden unpleasant surprise thunderclap / θndəklp/ noun a sudden loud noise made by thunder thundercloud / θndəklaυd/ noun a large black cloud which brings rain and a thunderstorm thunderous / θnd(ə)rəs/ adj making a very loud noise, often of applause. Synonym . . deafening thunderstorm / θndəstɔ m/ noun a storm with rain, thunder and lightning thunderstruck / θndəstrk/ adj very surprised. Synonym incredulous thundery / θndəri/ adj (of weather ) when thunder is likely Thurs. abbr Thursday ① Thursday / θ" zde/ noun the day between Wednesday and Friday, the fourth day of the week 쑗 Last Thursday was Christmas Day. 쑗 Shall we arrange to meet next Thursday? 쑗 Today is Thursday, April 14th. 쑗 The club meets on Thursdays or every Thursday. 쑗 The 15th is a Wednesday, so the 16th must be a Thursday. ① thus /ðs/ adv 1. in this way 쑗 The two pieces fit together thus. 쑗 She is only fifteen, and thus cannot vote. 2. as a result 쑗 She is only fifteen, and thus is not eligible for the over-sixteens competition. thwart /θwɔ t/ verb to prevent someone doing something 쑗 He was thwarted by the police in his attempt to get into the building. 쑗 His career move was thwarted by the new manager. Synonym frustrate. Antonym aid 쐽 noun a seat across a rowing boat, for a rower to sit on 쑗 They sat side-by-side on the thwart and each took an oar. . thyme 905 thyme /tam/ noun a common herb used as flavouring tiara /ti ɑ rə/ noun a small jewelled crown tibia / tbiə/ noun one of the two large bones between your knee and ankle tic /tk/ noun a twitch of the muscles, usually in the face, which cannot be controlled. Synonym twitch tick /tk/ noun 1. a sound made every second by a clock 쑗 The only sound we could hear in the room was the tick of the grandfather clock. 2. a mark written to show that something is correct 쑗 Put a tick in the box marked ‘R’. (NOTE: The US term is check.) 3. a short moment (informal ) 쑗 Wait a tick, my shoelace has come undone. 쑗 Wait there, I’ll be with you in a tick. 4. credit (informal ) 쑗 All the furniture in the house was bought on tick. 5. a small insect which lives on the skin and sucks blood 쑗 Sheep can be affected by ticks. 쐽 verb 1. to mark something with a tick to show that you approve 쑗 Tick the box marked ‘R’ if you require a receipt. (NOTE: The US term is check.) 2. to make a regular little noise like a clock 쑗 All you could hear was the clock ticking in the corner of the library. 쑗 Watch out! That parcel’s ticking! 왍 what makes someone tick the thing that is the reason for what someone does (informal ) 쑗 I’ve been trying to find out what makes her tick. ① ticket / tkt/ noun 1. a piece of paper or card which allows you to travel 쑗 They won’t let you get onto Eurostar without a ticket. 쑗 We’ve lost our plane tickets – how can we get to Chicago? 2. a piece of paper which allows you to go into a place, e.g. a cinema or an exhibition 쑗 Can I have three tickets for the 8.30 show please? 쑗 We tried several theatres but there were no tickets left anywhere. 3. a label, a piece of paper which shows something 쑗 Keep the ticket in case you want to change the trousers later. 4. US a party’s list of candidates for election to political office 쑗 He ran for governor on the Republican ticket. ticket collector / tkt kəlektə/ noun an official who takes tickets from passengers on a train ticket tout / tkt taυt/ noun a person who sells tickets at high prices to people in the street tickle / tk(ə)l/ noun an irritated spot which makes you cough 쑗 I’ve got a nasty tickle in my throat. 쐽 verb to touch someone in a sensitive part of the body in order to make him or her laugh 쑗 She tickled his toes and made him laugh. ticklish / tklʃ/ adj 1. easily tickled 쑗 She’s very ticklish, you’ve just got to wave your finger at her and she starts to giggle. 2. . . . tie tricky, not easy to deal with 쑗 We’re in rather a ticklish situation. tick off /tk ɒf/ verb 1. to mark something with a tick 쑗 She ticked off the names on the list. 2. 왍 to tick someone off to say that you are annoyed with someone (informal ) 쑗 The policeman ticked them off for running across the road in front of a bus. tick over /tk əυvə/ verb 왍 to be ticking over to go on working in the usual way 쑗 Make sure the office keeps ticking over while the boss is on holiday. tick-tack-toe /tk tk təυ/, tic-tac-toe noun US a game where each player puts either a zero or a cross on a grid, the first to get three in a row being the winner (NOTE: The . British term is noughts and crosses.) tidal / tad(ə)l/ adj referring to the tide 쑗 The river below the lock is tidal. 왍 a tidal stretch of a river a part of a river near its mouth where the movement of the tides is noticeable 쑗 The tidal stretch of the Thames reaches over 40 miles from the sea to Teddington Lock. tidal wave / tad(ə)l wev/ noun a huge wave in the sea, caused by an underwater earthquake and not by the tide. Also called tsunami tidbit / tdbt/ noun US same as titbit tiddly-winks / tdli wŋks/ noun a game where small discs have to be flicked into a little cup tide /tad/ noun 1. the regular rising and falling movement of the sea 쑗 The tide came in and cut off the children on the rocks. 쑗 The tide is out – we can walk across the sand. 왍 the tide has turned the tide has started to go up or down 2. 왍 the tide of public opinion the general trend of feeling among the public 쐽 verb 왍 to tide someone over to help someone get through a difficult period by lending money 쑗 Can you lend me £50 to tide me over until pay day? tidily / tadli/ adv in a tidy way tidiness / tadinəs/ noun the fact of being tidy. Synonym neatness ③ tidy / tadi/ adj 1. neat, in order 쑗 I want your room to be completely tidy before you go out. 쑗 She put her clothes in a tidy pile. Antonym untidy 2. quite a large amount or sum 쑗 When he dies his children will inherit a tidy sum. (NOTE: tidier – tidiest) 쐽 verb 왍 to tidy up to make everything completely tidy 쑗 Mother asked us to help her tidy up after the party. ② tie /ta/ noun 1. a long piece of coloured cloth which men wear round their necks under the collar of their shirts 쑗 He’s wearing a blue tie with red stripes. 쑗 They won’t let you into the restaurant if you haven’t got a tie on. 2. a result in a competition or election where both sides have the same score 쑗 The result tiebreaker 906 was a tie and the vote had to be taken again. 왍 there was a tie for second place two people were equal second 3. a thing which prevents you from doing what you want to do 쑗 The big house has become something of a tie to my parents. 쐽 verb 1. to attach something with string, rope or twine 쑗 The parcel was tied with a little piece of string. 쑗 He tied his horse to the post. 쑗 The burglars tied his hands behind his back. 2. to have the same score as another team in a competition 쑗 They tied for second place. 3. to make a knot 쑗 He tied a knot in his handkerchief to remind him.(NOTE: tying – tied) tiebreaker / tabrekə/ noun a way of deciding the winner of a game or a competition, e.g. by asking an extra question tie down /ta daυn/ verb 1. to attach something to the floor, to the ground, etc. 2. to make someone accept certain conditions tie-in / ta n/ noun something such as a book which is brought out in connection with a successful film or television programme tier /tə/ noun 1. one of a series of steps, usually a row of seats in a theatre 쑗 They sat on the topmost tier of seats. 2. 왍 a wedding cake with two tiers a cake made of two separate cakes balanced one on top of the other 쑗 They ordered a four-tiered wedding cake. tie up /ta p/ verb 1. to put string or rope round something 쑗 The parcel was tied up with thick string. 쑗 You should tie that dog up or it will bite someone. 2. 왍 to be tied up to be busy 쑗 I’m rather tied up at the moment – can we try to meet next week some time? 3. to buy something, so that the money is not available for other purposes 쑗 All his fortune is tied up in property. tiff /tf/ noun a small argument or quarrel (informal ). Synonym quarrel tiger / taDZə/ noun a large wild animal of the cat family living mainly in India and China; it is yellow in colour, with black stripes (NOTE: The female is a tigress.) ② tight /tat/ adj 1. fitting too closely 쑗 These shoes hurt – they’re too tight. 2. packed close together 왍 a tight fit a situation where there is not enough space to fit 쑗 We can get one more person into the taxi but it will be a tight fit. 왍 a tight schedule a schedule where many meetings are very close together 쑗 The doctor has a very tight schedule today and cannot fit in any more appointments. 3. 왍 money is tight there is not very much money available 4. holding firmly 쑗 Keep a tight hold of the bag, we don’t want it stolen. 5. drunk (informal, dated ) 쑗 He got rather tight at the Christmas party. (NOTE: tighter – tightest) 쐽 adv 1. firmly and securely 쑗 Make sure the windows are shut tight. 쑗 The chair was pushed tight against the wall. 2. 왍 to hold tight to hold something . . till firmly 쑗 Hold tight – we’re about to take off. 왍 to sit tight to stay where you are (informal ) 쑗 Sit tight, and someone will come to help you. tighten / tat(ə)n/ verb to make tight or become tight. Antonym loosen 왍 to tighten your belt to be ready to spend less 쑗 The government warned that we must tighten our belts. tighten up on /tat(ə)n p ɒn/ verb to control something more carefully tight-fisted /tat fstd/ adj miserly, not wanting to spend money tightfitting /tat ftŋ/ adj which fits the body tightly tight-knit /tat nt/ adj (of a group of people) who are good friends together tight-lipped /tat lpt/ adj not prepared to comment on a subject ② tightly / tatli/ adv in a tight way tightrope / tatrəυp/ noun a rope stretched between two poles on which someone can walk or perform tricks 앳 to walk a tightrope 1. to walk on a tightrope 2. to go carefully in a difficult situation 쑗 The government has to walk a tightrope between pleasing the unions and pleasing the employer. tights /tats/ plural noun a piece of clothing made of thin material, covering your hips, and your legs and feet separately, worn especially by girls, women and dancers 쑗 Look – you’ve got a hole in your tights! (NOTE: no . singular: for one item say ‘a pair of tights’. The US term is panty hose.) tigress / taDZrəs/ noun a female tiger (NOTE: The plural is tigresses.) tikka / ti kə/ noun a type of Indian cooking done in a hot clay oven with red curry sauce tile /tal/ noun 1. a flat piece of baked clay used as a covering for floors, walls or roofs 쑗 The floor is covered with red tiles. 쑗 We are putting white tiles on the bathroom walls. 2. a similar piece of another kind of material used to cover floors or walls 쑗 They put cork tiles on the walls. 쐽 verb to cover the surface of a roof, a floor or a wall with tiles 쑗 a white-tiled bathroom 쑗 They have tiled the kitchen with red floor tiles. ① till /tl/ prep, conj until, up to the time when 쑗 I don’t expect him to be home till after nine o’clock. 쑗 They worked from morning till night to finish the job. 쑗 We worked till the sun went down. 쐽 noun a drawer for keeping cash in a shop 쑗 There was not much money in the till at the end of the day. Synonym cash register 쐽 verb to plough and cultivate soil, to make it ready for growing crops 쑗 In some parts of the world farmers are still using oxen to till the land. tiller 907 tiller / tlə/ noun a handle which is attached to a rudder and so steers a boat tilt /tlt/ noun 1. a sloping or slanting position 쑗 The table has a noticeable tilt. 2. 왍 (at) full tilt at full speed 쑗 He was going full tilt when he tripped over. 쑗 The car ran full tilt into a lamppost. 쐽 verb 1. to slope 쑗 The shelf is tilting to the right. 쑗 You’ll have to change places – the boat is tilting. 2. to put something in a sloping position 쑗 He tilted the barrel over to get the last drops of beer out. ③ timber / tmbə/ noun wood cut ready for building 쑗 These trees are being grown to provide timber for houses. (NOTE: no plural: for one item say a piece of timber. The US term is lumber.) timbre / tmbə/ noun the quality of the sound of something, e.g. a voice or a musical instrument ① time /tam/ noun 1. a particular point in the day shown in hours and minutes 쑗 What time is it or what’s the time? 쑗 Can you tell me the time please? 쑗 The time is exactly four thirty. 쑗 Departure times are delayed by up to fifteen minutes because of the volume of traffic. 왍 to tell the time to read the time on a clock or watch 쑗 She’s only three so she can’t tell the time yet. 2. the hour at which something usually happens 쑗 The closing time for the office is 5.30. 쑗 It’s must be nearly time for dinner – I’m hungry. 쑗 Is it time for the children to go to bed? 3. an amount of hours, days, weeks, months or years 쑗 There’s no need to hurry – we’ve got plenty of time. 쑗 Do you have time for a cup of coffee? 쑗 He spent all that time watching the TV. 쑗 If the fire alarm rings, don’t waste time putting clothes on – run out of the hotel fast. 4. a certain period 쑗 We haven’t been to France for a long time. 쑗 We had a letter from my mother a short time ago. 왍 in … time after a particular period from now 쑗 We’re going on holiday in four weeks’ time. 왍 to take time to need a certain amount of time 쑗 It didn’t take you much time to get dressed. 쑗 Don’t hurry me, I like to take my time. 왍 there’s no time to be lost we must hurry 왍 to make up for lost time to do things rapidly because time has been wasted 왍 your time’s up the amount of time allocated to you is over 쑗 Bring back your boat, your time’s up. 왍 to do time to serve a prison sentence (informal ) 쑗 He’s doing time for theft. 5. the system of hours on the clock 6. a particular moment when something happens 쑗 They didn’t hear anything as they were asleep at the time. 쑗 By the time the ambulance arrived the man had died. 쑗 You can’t do two things at the same time. 왍 for the time being temporarily 쑗 For the time being I’m staying at my mother’s while I’m waiting . time out for my flat to be redecorated. 왍 at times on some occasions 쑗 At times I think he’s quite mad. 왍 at all times always 쑗 Passengers should keep hold of their baggage at all times. 왍 next time the following moment when something happens 쑗 Next time, try to be nice to your mother. 쏡 sometimes 7. a period when things are pleasant or bad 쑗 Everyone had a good time at the party. 쑗 We had an awful time on holiday – the hotel was dreadful, and it rained solidly for ten days. 8. one of several moments or periods when something happens 쑗 I’ve seen that James Bond film on TV four times already. 쑗 That’s the last time I’ll ask them to play cards. 쑗 Next time you come, bring your swimming things. 왍 time after time, time and again repeatedly, again and again 쑗 I’ve told her time after time not to do it. 9. 왍 times multiplied by 쑗 Six times twenty is one hundred and twenty. 쑗 This book is three times as expensive as that one. 쑗 She’s a hundred times more efficient than the old secretary. 10. the rhythm of a piece of music 쑗 It’s difficult keeping time in a modern piece like this. 쑗 He tapped his foot in time to the music. 쐽 verb 1. to count something in hours, minutes and seconds 쑗 I timed him as he ran round the track. 쑗 Don’t forget to time the eggs – they have to cook for only three minutes. 2. to choose the right moment 쑗 She timed her holiday right – it was the hottest week of the year. time bomb / tam bɒm/ noun 1. a bomb with a clock attached, which can be set to explode at a certain time 쑗 They said that they had left a time bomb in the railway station. 2. a difficult situation which will happen in the future 쑗 The rapid increase in the world’s population is a time bomb for future governments. time-consuming / tam kənsju mŋ/ adj which takes a lot of time to do time difference / tam df(ə)rəns/ noun the difference in time between one time zone and another time frame / tam frem/ noun the period of time during which something should take place timeless / tamləs/ adj which is not affected by time. Synonym eternal. Antonym ephemeral time limit / tam lmt/ noun a point in time by which something should be done timely / tamli/ adj which happens at the right moment. Synonym opportune time off /tam ɒf/ noun time away from work or school time out /tam aυt/ noun 왍 to take time out from something to take a rest from some activity 쑗 She took time out from her work to come and say hello to the visitors. timepiece 908 timepiece / tampi s/ noun a watch or clock (old ) timer / tamə/ noun 1. a device which times things 쑗 The timer buzzed to show that the five minutes were up. 2. a time-switch 쑗 I set the timer so that the oven came on at six o’clock. 쑗 Don’t forget to change the central heating timer when the clocks are put back. 쑗 The police found explosives and timers in the garage. timescale / tamskel/ noun the period of time during which something should be completed timeshare / tamʃeə/ noun a property which you own together with other people, each having the right to use it for a period each year time-sharing / tam ʃeərŋ/ noun 1. owning a property together with other people, with the right to use it for a period each year 2. sharing a computer system with different users using different terminals 쏡 . timeshare time-switch / tam swtʃ/ noun a switch which can be set to do something, e.g. switch electricity on or off, start a machine or switch off a light, at a particular time timetable / tamteb(ə)l/ noun a printed list which shows the times of something, e.g. classes in school or trains leaving 쑗 We have two English lessons on the timetable today. 쑗 According to the timetable, there should be a train to London at 10.22. 쐽 verb to schedule, to arrange the times for something 쑗 You are timetabled to speak at 4.30. time trial / tam traəl/ noun the act of testing competitors by timing each one over a track, especially in car and bicycle races time zone / tam zəυn/ noun one of 24 areas in the world in which the same standard time is used timid / tmd/ adj afraid to do something. Antonym bold timidity /t mdti/ noun the fact of being timid. Antonym boldness timidly / tmd(ə)li/ adv in a timid way timing / tamŋ/ noun the act of arranging the time at which something happens timpani / tmpəni/ noun a set of kettledrums in an orchestra ③ tin /tn/ noun 1. a silver-coloured soft metal 쑗 Bronze is a mixture of copper and tin. 쑗 There have been tin mines in Cornwall since Roman times. 2. a metal container in which food or another substance is sold and can be kept for a long time 쑗 I’m lazy – I’ll just open a tin of soup. 쑗 She bought three tins of cat food. 쑗 We’ll need three tins of white paint for the ceiling. (NOTE: in British English also called can, especially for drinks. The US term is can.) 3. any metal tint box 쑗 Keep the biscuits in a tin or they’ll go soft. 쑗 She puts her spare coins into a tin by the telephone. tin can /tn kn/ noun a round metal box in which food or drink is sold and can be kept for a long time tinfoil / tnfɔl/ noun a thin sheet of aluminium, used to cover food tinge /tndȢ/ noun a slight colour or feeling of something 쑗 She has blonde hair with tinges of red. 쑗 The fabric is red with a blue tinge. 쑗 There was a slight tinge of sadness in the air as they left the house for the last time. Synonym hint 쐽 verb to give a slight colour or taste to something 쑗 The setting sun tinged everything orange. 쑗 Her mother’s ill health tinged her last trip home with sadness. Synonym tint tinged /tndȢd/ adj 왍 tinged with with a little of 쑗 She said goodbye in a voice tinged with sadness. 쑗 A yellow-peach tinged with pink. tingle / tŋDZəl/ noun a sharp prickling feeling 쑗 It didn’t hurt, I just felt a tingle in my leg. 쑗 We felt a tingle of excitement as we queued for the roller coaster. 쐽 verb 1. to have a sharp prickling feeling 쑗 ‘Are your fingers tingling?’ asked the doctor. 쑗 It will tingle when I put the antiseptic on your cut. 2. 왍 to tingle with excitement to be very excited 쑗 The children are tingling with excitement as Christmas approaches. tinker / tŋkə/ verb 왍 to tinker with something to try to make something work better, but not very successfully 쑗 He spent Saturday morning tinkering with his car. 쑗 The government are just tinkering with the economy when they should be taking strong action. 쐽 noun a mender of saucepans who travels from place to place (old ) tinkle / tŋkəl/ noun 1. a noise like the ringing of a little bell 쑗 the gentle tinkle of cow bells on alpine pastures 2. a telephone call (informal ) 쑗 I’ll give you a tinkle when we’ve sorted out the details. 쐽 verb to make a little ringing noise 쑗 The little bell tinkled as she went into the shop. tinned /tnd/ adj preserved and sold in a tin tin opener / tn əυp(ə)nə/ noun a device for opening tins of food (NOTE: The US term . . is can opener.) tinsel / tnsəl/ noun thin strips of glittering metal used as Christmas decorations (NOTE: no plural) tint /tnt/ noun 1. a slight shade of colour 쑗 A rosy tint in the eastern sky was the first sign of dawn. 쑗 Do you prefer this blue with a tint of grey in it? 2. a dye used to colour your hair 쑗 Her hair is such a dull colour – she should put a tint in it. 쐽 verb to give something a slight shade of colour 쑗 tinted glass 쑗 Windows of aircraft are tinted to re- tiny 909 duce the glare from the sun. 쑗 He was wearing tinted spectacles. 쑗 How much would it cost to have my hair tinted? Synonym dye ② tiny / tani/ adj very small 쑗 Can I have just a tiny bit more pudding? 쑗 The spot is so tiny you can hardly see it. 쑗 She lives in a tiny village in the Welsh mountains. Synonym minute. Antonym enormous (NOTE: tinier – tiniest) ② tip /tp/ noun 1. the end of something long 쑗 She reads Braille by touching the page with the tips of her fingers. 쑗 He poked the pig with the tip of his walking stick. 왍 it’s on the tip of my tongue I’ll remember it in a moment, I’m trying hard to remember it (informal ) 왍 it’s the tip of the iceberg it’s only a small obvious part of something bigger and usually unpleasant 쑗 Those errors in the accounts were just the tip of the iceberg – the staff had been stealing money and stock for years. 2. money given to someone who has provided a service 쑗 The taxi driver was annoyed because I only gave him a 20p tip. 쑗 The service hasn’t been very good – should we leave a tip for the waiter? 쑗 The staff are not allowed to accept tips. 3. advice on something which could be profitable 쑗 He gave me a tip about a horse which was likely to win. 쑗 She gave me a tip about a cheap restaurant just round the corner from the hotel. 4. a place where household rubbish is taken to be thrown away 쑗 I must take these bags of rubbish to the tip. 5. a dirty or untidy place (informal ) 쑗 Just look at your bedroom – it’s a tip! 쐽 verb 1. to pour something out 쑗 He picked up the box and tipped the contents out onto the floor. 쑗 She tipped all the food out of the bag. 2. to give money to someone who has helped you 쑗 I tipped the waiter £1. 쑗 Should we tip the driver? 3. to predict that something may happen, especially who will win 쑗 He’s tipped to win the election. 쑗 Which horse are you tipping in the next race? . . (NOTE: tipping – tipped) tip off /tp ɒf/ verb to warn someone about something (informal ) 쑗 We think he tipped the burglars off that the police were outside. tip-off / tp ɒf/ noun a piece of useful information, given secretly (informal ) tip over /tp əυvə/ verb 1. to lean and fall over 쑗 The lorry tipped over in the wind. 쑗 My cup tipped over and all the coffee spilled on to the tablecloth. 2. to make something lean so that it falls over 쑗 The wind was so strong that it tipped over the caravan. Tipp-Ex / tp eks/ trademark a white substance used to blot out mistakes in typing or writing tipple / tp(ə)l/ noun an alcoholic drink (informal ) 쐽 verb to drink alcohol regularly tipsy / tpsi/ adj rather drunk . . . titan tiptoe / tptəυ/ noun 왍 on tiptoe on your toes, with your heels in the air 쑗 By standing on tiptoe he could just see into the window. 쑗 He crept past the sleeping dog on tiptoe. 쐽 verb to walk quietly on tiptoe 쑗 She tiptoed into the room and looked at the baby. tip up /tp p/ verb 1. to lean and fall over 쑗 The cup tipped up and all the tea went into the saucer. 2. to turn something over so that the contents fall out 쑗 He tipped up the bottle to see if there was any tomato sauce left inside. tirade /ta red/ noun a long speech attacking something. Synonym outburst tire / taə/ noun US spelling of tyre 쐽 verb 1. to become tired 쑗 He is getting old and tires easily. 2. to make someone become tired 쑗 We went for a long cycle ride to tire the children out. 왍 to tire of to lose interest in something 쑗 The children soon tired of playing with their toy soldiers. ① tired / taəd/ adj 1. feeling sleepy 쑗 I’m tired – I think I’ll go to bed. 쑗 If you feel tired, lie down on my bed. 2. feeling that you need rest 쑗 We’re all tired after a long day at the office. 3. 왍 to be (sick and) tired of something to be bored and annoyed with something, to have had enough of something 쑗 I’m sick and tired of waiting for the doctor. 왍 to get tired of something to become bored with something 쑗 They’re getting tired of always having to do all the washing up. 쑗 Can’t we do something else – I’m getting tired of visiting museums. tired out /taəd aυt/ adj feeling very sleepy or needing a rest. Synonym exhausted. Antonym energetic tireless / taələs/ adj full of energy, never needing to rest. Antonym weary tiresome / taəs(ə)m/ adj annoying tiring / taərŋ/ adj which makes you tired. Synonym exhausting ③ tissue / tʃu / noun 1. a soft paper handkerchief 쑗 There is a box of tissues beside the bed. 2. groups of cells which form an animal or plant 쑗 animal tissue grown in a laboratory 쑗 They took a sample of tissue from the lung. tissue paper / tʃu pepə/ noun thin soft paper used for wrapping glass and other delicate objects tit /tt/ noun 1. a type of common small bird, usually with blue and yellow or black plumage 쑗 Several varieties of tit come to our bird table to feed. 쑗 We haven’t had blue tits in the garden for a long time. 2. a woman’s breast (vulgar ) titan / tat(ə)n/ noun a very large or very important person. Synonym giant. Antonym . nobody titanic 910 titanic /ta tnk/ adj very large or important. Synonym colossal. Antonym insignificant titanium /ta teniəm/ noun a light grey metal which does not rust, used in making aircraft and satellites titbit / ttbt/ noun a special little piece of food or of gossip (NOTE: The US spelling is tidbit.) titchy / ttʃi/ adj very small (informal ) Synonym tiny. Antonym massive tit for tat /tt fə tt/ noun the practice of paying back a blow with another blow. Synonym retaliation titillate / ttlet/ verb to excite someone ① title / tat(ə)l/ noun 1. the name of something, e.g. a book, play, painting or film 쑗 He’s almost finished the play but hasn’t found a title for it yet. 2. a word such as Dr, Mr, Professor, Lord, Sir or Lady put in front of a name to show an honour or a qualification 3. (in sport) the official position of champion 쑗 What are his chances of retaining the Formula One title for a second year running? 4. a right to own a property 쑗 He holds the title to the property. titled / tat(ə)ld/ adj with a title, e.g. Lady or Sir, put in front of your name title deeds / tat(ə)l di dz/ plural noun a document showing who is the owner of a property title page / tat(ə)l pedȢ/ noun a page at the beginning of a book, which gives the title, the name of the author and the name of the publisher title role / tat(ə)l rəυl/ noun the part in a play or film which gives the name to the play or film titter / ttə/ noun a little laugh 쐽 verb to give a little laugh T-junction / ti dȢŋkʃən/ noun a junction where one road joins another at right angles TNT abbr trinitrotoluene ① to prep /tə, tυ, tu / 1. showing direction or place 쑗 They went to the police station. 쑗 Do you know the way to the beach? 쑗 The river is to the north of the town. 쑗 Everyone take one step to the right, please. 2. showing a period of time 쑗 The office is open from 9.30 to 5.30, Monday to Friday. 쑗 She slept from 11.30 to 8.30 the following morning. 3. showing time in minutes before an hour 쑗 Get up – it’s five to seven (6.55). 쑗 The train leaves at a quarter to eight (7.45). (NOTE: To . is used for times between the half hour and o’clock: 3.35 = twenty-five to four; 3.45 = a quarter to four; 3.55 = five minutes to four. For times after the hour see past.) 4. show- ing a person or animal that receives something 쑗 Take the book to the librarian. 쑗 today Pass the salt to your grandfather. 쑗 You must be kind to cats. 5. showing connection 쑗 They lost by twelve to nine. 쑗 There are four keys to the office. 쑗 In this class there are 28 children to one teacher. 6. showing that you are comparing 쑗 Do you prefer butter to margarine? 쑗 You can’t compare tinned pineapple to fresh fruit. 쐽 used before a verb to show purpose 쑗 Did you remember to switch off the light? 쑗 The burglar tried to run away. 쑗 She agreed to go to work in Australia. 쑗 They all decided to go home early. 쐽 adv /tə, tυ, tu / 왍 to come to to become conscious again 쑗 When he came to, he was lying on the floor of the church. toad /təυd/ noun an animal like a large frog, which lives mainly on land 쑗 Toads have to cross the road to get to their pond. toadstool / təυdstu l/ noun a small fungus shaped like an umbrella, but usually not edible, and sometimes poisonous (NOTE: White edible fungi are called mushrooms.) to and fro /tu ən frəυ/ adv backwards and forwards toast /təυst/ noun 1. slices of bread which have been heated at a high temperature until they are brown 쑗 Can you make some more toast? 쑗 She asked for scrambled eggs on toast. 왍 brown or white toast toast made from brown bread or white bread 쑗 I always have a piece of brown toast and marmalade for breakfast. 쏡 warm 2. 왍 to drink a toast to someone to take a drink and wish someone success 쑗 Let’s drink a toast to the bride and groom! 쑗 We all drank a toast to the future success of the company. 쐽 verb 1. to heat baked food such as bread in a toaster or under a grill, until it is brown 쑗 We had toasted teacakes. 2. to wish someone success and drink at the same time 쑗 They all toasted the happy couple in champagne. toaster / təυstə/ noun an electric device for toasting bread tobacco /tə bkəυ/ noun the dried leaves of a plant used to make cigarettes and cigars, and for smoking in pipes (NOTE: no plural) tobacconist /tə bkənst/ noun a person who sells tobacco, cigars and cigarettes toboggan /tə bɒDZən/ noun a sledge made of a long flat piece of wood curved upwards at the front, designed for sliding downhill on snow or ice 쑗 The children pulled their toboggans to the hill. Synonym sleigh 쐽 verb to slide on a toboggan 쑗 They tobogganed down the hill. tobogganing /tə bɒDZənŋ/ noun the sport of sliding on toboggans ① today /tə de/ noun 1. this day 쑗 Today’s her sixth birthday. 쑗 What’s the date today? 쑗 There’s a story in today’s newspaper about a burglary in our road. 2. this present time 쑗 The young people of today have far more toddle 911 money than I had when I was their age. 쐽 adv on this day 쑗 He said he wanted to see me today, but he hasn’t come yet. 왍 today week, a week today in exactly seven days’ time 쑗 A week today, we’ll be sitting on the beach. toddle / tɒd(ə)l/ verb 1. (of a little child ) to walk unsteadily 쑗 The little girl toddled across the pavement and into the road. 2. to walk 쑗 I’ll just toddle down to the post office. ③ toddler / tɒdlə/ noun a child who has just learnt to walk to-do /tə du / noun excitement, confusion, bother (informal ) Synonym fuss to-do list /tə dəυ lst/ noun a list of the things you must do, usually in a specific period of time ③ toe /təυ/ noun 1. one of the five parts like fingers at the end of the foot 쑗 She trod on my toe and didn’t say she was sorry. 왍 the big toe the largest of the five toes 왍 the little toe the smallest of the five toes 왍 to keep someone on their toes to keep someone ready or alert 쑗 My job is to make sure the staff are always on their toes. 2. the end part of a shoe or a sock 쑗 There’s a hole in the toe of my sock. 쐽 verb 왍 to toe the line to do what you are told to do 쑗 He was sacked because he refused to toe the line. TOEFL / təυf(ə)l/ trademark Test of English as a Foreign Language toehold / təυhəυld/ noun 1. a place where you can put the toe of your boot when climbing 쑗 He hung in the air at the end of a rope, trying to get a toehold. 2. a small position on which you can build 쑗 They gained a toehold in the Spanish market. TOEIC / təυk/ trademark Test of English for International Communication toenail / təυnel/ noun a nail covering the end of a toe toff /tɒf/ noun a rich, aristocratic person (dated informal ). Synonym aristocrat toffee / tɒfi/ noun a sticky sweet made by cooking sugar and butter tofu / təυfu / noun bean curd, a soft white paste made from soya beans ① together /tə DZeðə/ adv 1. doing something with someone else or in a group 쑗 Tell the children to stay together or they’ll get lost. 쑗 If you’re going to the cinema, and we’re planning to go too, why don’t we all go together? 2. joined with something else or with each other 쑗 Tie the sticks together with string. 쑗 Do you think you can stick the pieces of the cup together again? 쑗 If you add all the figures together, you’ll get the total sales. 쑗 We’ve had three sandwiches and three beers – how much does that come to all together? 3. 왍 together with as well as 쑗 The ice together with the wind made climbing . . . token dangerous. 4. at the same time 쑗 Don’t wash those two shirts together. Compare altogether togetherness /tə DZeðənəs/ noun a feeling of friendliness and closeness with a person or people you know well toggle / tɒDZ(ə)l/ noun a short piece of wood attached to a coat with string, used in place of a button 쑗 A duffel coat has toggles not buttons. 쐽 verb (in computers) to change between two states 쑗 The symbol can be toggled on and off the display. toil /tɔl/ noun hard work (old or literary) 쑗 a life of endless toil Antonym relaxation 쐽 verb to work hard 쑗 They toiled for months to try to improve the conditions of the workers. 쑗 She was toiling away at a hot stove. ② toilet / tɔlət/ noun 1. a bowl with a seat on which you sit to get rid of waste matter from your body 쑗 There is a shower and toilet in the bathroom. 왍 to flush a toilet to press a handle to make water flow through the toilet bowl to clear it 쑗 Don’t forget to flush the toilet. 2. a room with a toilet bowl in it 쑗 The ladies’ toilet is at the end of the corridor. 쑗 The gents’ toilets are downstairs and to the right. 쑗 There’s a public toilet at the railway station. 앳 to go to the toilet 1. to use a toilet to remove waste matter from the body 쑗 The children all want to go to the toilet at the same time. 2. to remove waste matter from the body 쑗 Mum! The cat’s been to the toilet on the sitting room carpet. toilet bag / tɔlət bDZ/ noun same as sponge bag toilet paper / tɔlət pepə/ noun soft paper for wiping your bottom after going to the toilet toiletries / tɔlətriz/ plural noun things, e.g. soap, cream and perfume,which are used in washing the body or making yourself smell nice toilet roll / tɔlət rəυl/ noun a roll of toilet paper toilet water / tɔlət wɔ tə/ noun a type of light perfume. Synonym cologne token / təυkən/ noun 1. a thing which is a sign or symbol of something 쑗 Please accept this small gift as a token of our gratitude. 왍 by the same token in the same way 쑗 You have every right to complain about him, but, by the same token, you mustn’t get upset if he complains about you. 왍 to make a token charge to make a small charge which does not cover the real costs 왍 to make a token gesture to make a small and insignificant action done to show that you are intending to deal with a problem 쑗 The motion criticising the government was simply a token gesture by the opposition parties. 왍 to make a token payment to make a small payment to show that a payment is being made 왍 to hold a to- told 912 ken strike to hold a short strike to show that the workers want to make a complaint about something 왍 a token woman or black a woman or black person appointed to a position, e.g. on a committee, in an attempt to show that there is no sexual or racial discrimination 2. a piece of paper or card, which is used in the place of money 쑗 You can use these tokens to pay for meals. 왍 book token or flower token a card which is bought in a shop and given as a present: it can only be exchanged for books or flowers 3. a plastic or metal disc, which is used instead of money 쑗 She put a token into the slot machine. ① told /təυld/ 쒁 tell tolerable / tɒl(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adj 1. bearable 쑗 The noise in the ironworks was barely tolerable. Antonym intolerable 2. fairly good 쑗 We had a tolerable meal in the hotel restaurant. tolerably / tɒl(ə)rəbli/ adv in a fairly good way 왍 a tolerably good film quite a good film tolerance / tɒlərəns/ noun 1. the practice of tolerating something, such as unpleasant behaviour 쑗 The police showed great tolerance faced with a crowd of youths throwing bottles and stones. 2. the practice of allowing something to exist which you do not agree with 쑗 tolerance of other people’s views. Antonym intolerance 3. the ability of the body to stand the effect of a drug or a poison 쑗 He has been taking the drug for so long that he has developed a tolerance to it. 4. an amount by which something can vary from a particular size 쑗 The specifications allow for a tolerance of 0.005mm. tolerant / tɒlərənt/ adj who shows tolerance. Antonym intolerant tolerate / tɒləret/ verb 1. to allow something which you do not like to happen without complaining about it 쑗 She does not tolerate singing in the classroom. 2. to allow something which you do not agree with to exist 쑗 Opposition parties are not tolerated in that country. 쑗 He is not known for tolerating people with opposing views to his. 3. to accept the effect of a drug or a poison 쑗 The body can tolerate small amounts of poison. toleration /tɒlə reʃ(ə)n/ noun the practice of allowing something which you do not agree with to exist. Antonym prejudice toll /təυl/ noun 1. a payment for using a service, usually a road, bridge or ferry 쑗 You have to pay a toll to cross the bridge. 쑗 There’s an office at the bridge where the man collects the tolls. 2. the number of people hurt, of buildings damaged, etc. 왍 to take a toll of something to destroy or damage something 쑗 The storm took a heavy toll of ships in the harbour. 쑗 The wind took its toll of trees in the park. 3. the solemn ringing of a tone bell 쑗 The toll of the great bell could be heard across the marshes. 쐽 verb to ring a bell slowly, as for a funeral 쑗 The bell was tolling as the coffin arrived at the church. toll bridge / təυl brdȢ/ noun a bridge where you have to pay a toll to cross toll free /təυl fri / adj, adv US without having to pay the charge for a long-distance telephone call tom /tɒm/ noun a male cat ③ tomato /tə mɑ təυ/ noun 1. a small round red fruit used in salads and cooking 쑗 Tomatoes cost 30p per kilo. 쑗 We had a salad of raw cabbage and tomatoes. 쑗 Someone in the crowd threw a tomato at the speaker on the platform. 왍 tomato sauce or ketchup sauce made with tomatoes and flavourings 쑗 Do you want tomato sauce with your fish and chips? 2. a tomato plant, a plant which produces tomatoes 쑗 He planted six tomatoes in his back garden. (NOTE: The plural is tomatoes.) ③ tomb /tu m/ noun a grave, sometimes one with an underground vault tomboy / tɒmbɔ/ noun a girl who enjoys playing boys’ games tombstone / tu mstəυn/ noun a large stone placed on a grave with the name of the dead person written on it. Synonym headstone tomcat / tɒmkt/ noun a male cat tome /təυm/ noun a large book ① tomorrow /tə mɒrəυ/ adv referring to the day after today 쑗 Are you free for lunch tomorrow? 쑗 I mustn’t forget I have a dentist’s appointment tomorrow morning. 쑗 We are going to an Italian restaurant tomorrow evening. 쐽 noun the day after today 쑗 Today’s Monday, so tomorrow must be Tuesday. 쑗 Tomorrow is our tenth wedding anniversary. 왍 the day after tomorrow two days after today 쑗 We’re going to Paris the day after tomorrow. ③ ton /tn/ noun 1. a measure of weight equal to 2240 pounds 쑗 a ship carrying 1000 tons of coal 2. 왍 it weighs a ton it is very heavy (informal ) 쑗 Your suitcase weighs a ton, what have you got in it? 왍 tons of something lots of something (informal ) 쑗 I’ve tons of work to do. 쑗 She had tons of cards on her 21st birthday. ② tone /təυn/ noun 1. a way of saying something, or of writing something, which shows a particular feeling 쑗 His tone of voice showed he was angry. 쑗 She said hello in a friendly tone of voice. 쑗 You could tell from the tone of his letter that he was annoyed. 2. (on the phone) a special noise which indicates something 쑗 Please speak after the tone. 3. a slight difference in colour 쑗 She prefers pastel tones like pale pink or pale blue. 4. the general spirit of a place 쑗 Having . . tone deaf 913 all those rusty old fridges and cookers in their front garden lowers the tone of the neighbourhood. 5. (in music) the difference in pitch between five pairs of notes, which together with the semitones go to make an octave 쐽 verb 왍 to tone in with something to fit in well or to harmonise with something 쑗 The colour of the carpet tones in well with the curtains. tone deaf /təυn def/ adj (in music) not able to recognise the differences between musical notes tone down /təυn daυn/ verb to make something less offensive. Synonym dilute toner / təυnə/ noun 1. a black powder, like dry ink, used in photocopiers and laser printers 쑗 The printer has run out of toner. 2. a substance used on your skin to make it look nicer or smoother (NOTE: no plural) tone up /təυn p/ verb to make your body firmer or fitter tongs /tɒŋz/ plural noun 왍 (a pair of) tongs a device for picking things up, with small claws on the end of two arms which you can move together 쑗 She picked up the burning log with the tongs and put it back on the fire. ② tongue /tŋ/ noun 1. the long muscular organ in your mouth, which can move and is used for tasting, swallowing and speaking 쑗 The soup was so hot it burnt my tongue. 왍 to say something with your tongue in your cheek, to say something tongue in cheek to say something which you do not mean seriously 2. a similar part in an animal, used for food 쑗 We had tongue and salad. 3. a way of speaking 쑗 She can have a sharp tongue when she wants to. 4. a language 5. a long loose piece of leather under the laces in a shoe tongue-and-groove /tŋ ən DZru v/ noun a type of board with a projecting tongue along one edge which fits into a corresponding groove along the edge of the next board, often used to create panelling tongue-in-cheek /tŋ n tʃi k/ adj not meant seriously tongue-tied / tŋ tad/ adj so shy as to be unable to say anything. Synonym speechless. Antonym talkative tongue-twister / tŋ twstə/ noun a phrase like ‘red lorry, yellow lorry,’ which is difficult to say quickly tonic / tɒnk/ noun something which makes you stronger 쑗 He’s taking a course of iron tonic tablets. 쑗 Going on holiday will be a tonic for you. tonic water / tɒnk wɔ tə/ noun fizzy water made with quinine, used as a cooling drink toothpaste tonight /tə nat/ adv, noun the night or the evening of today 쑗 I can’t stop – we’re getting ready for tonight’s party. 쑗 I’ll be at home from eight o’clock tonight. 쑗 I don’t suppose there’s anything interesting on TV tonight. tonnage / tndȢ/ noun a space for cargo in a ship, measured in tons ③ tonne /tn/ noun a metric ton, a weight of 1,000 kilograms tonsil / tɒns(ə)l/ noun one of two soft lumps of tissue at the back of the throat tonsillitis /tɒns lats/ noun an inflammation of the tonsils ① too /tu / adv 1. more than necessary 쑗 There are too many people to fit into the lift. 쑗 I think we bought too much bread. 쑗 It’s too hot for us to sit in the sun. 2. (often at the end of a clause) also 쑗 She had some coffee and I had some too. 쑗 She comes from Scotland too. ① took /tυk/ 쒁 take ② tool /tu l/ noun an instrument which you hold in your hand to do specific work, such as a hammer or a spade 쑗 a set of tools for mending the car toolbar / tu lbɑ / noun a line of icons on a computer screen which you click on to get the computer to do certain things tool shed /tu l ʃed/ noun a small wooden shed in a garden where tools are kept toot /tu t/ noun a short sound made by a horn 쑗 As he went past us he gave a toot on his horn. 쐽 verb to blow a horn sharply 쑗 She tooted as she turned the corner. ② tooth /tu θ/ noun 1. one of a set of hard white objects in the mouth which you use to bite or chew food 쑗 Children must learn to clean their teeth twice a day. 쑗 I’ll have to see the dentist – one of my back teeth hurts. 쑗 The dentist took one of her teeth out. 2. 왍 to have a sweet tooth to like sweet food 쑗 He’s very fond of puddings – he’s got a real sweet tooth! 쑗 Don’t put the chocolates next to her – she’s got a very sweet tooth. 왍 long in the tooth old 쑗 She’s getting a bit long in the tooth for scuba diving. 3. one of the row of pointed pieces on a saw, comb or a zip 쑗 Throw that comb away, half its teeth are broken. (NOTE: The plural is teeth /ti θ/.) toothache / tu θek/ noun a pain in a tooth (NOTE: no plural) toothbrush / tu θbrʃ/ noun a small brush which you use to clean your teeth ① (NOTE: The plural is toothbrushes.) toothpaste / tu θpest/ noun a soft substance which you spread on a toothbrush and then use to clean your teeth (NOTE: no plural: some toothpaste, a tube of toothpaste) toothpick 914 toothpick / tu θpk/ noun a little pointed piece of wood, used for cleaning between the teeth ① top /tɒp/ noun 1. the highest place or highest point of something 쑗 Manchester United are still at the top of the league table. 쑗 He climbed to the top of the stairs and sat down. 쑗 The blackbird is sitting on the top of the apple tree. 쑗 There is a roof garden on top of the hotel. 쑗 Look at the photograph at the top of page four. 왍 at the top of her voice in a very loud voice 왍 from top to bottom completely 2. the flat upper surface of something 쑗 Do not put coffee cups on top of the computer. 쑗 The desk has a black top. 쑗 a birthday cake with sugar and fruit on top 3. a cover for a jar or a bottle 쑗 Take the top off the jar, and see what’s inside. 쑗 She forgot to screw the top back on the bottle. 4. being best position in a contest or a profession 쑗 She came top in the competition. 5. a child’s toy which turns very rapidly on a point 쑗 When a spinning top loses momentum, it wobbles and finally falls over. 6. a piece of clothing covering the upper part of the body 쑗 She wore jeans and a yellow top. 쐽 adj 1. in the highest place 쑗 The restaurant is on the top floor of the building. 쑗 Jams and marmalades are on the top shelf. 2. best 쑗 She’s one of the world’s top tennis players. 쐽 verb 1. to put something on top 쑗 cheesecake topped with whipped cream 2. to do better than 쑗 I don’t think anyone else will top his score. 왍 to top it all on top of everything else (informal ) 쑗 To top it all, a pipe burst in the bathroom and the whole house was flooded. (NOTE: top. ping – topped) topaz / təυpz/ noun a usually yellow pre- cious stone top brass /tɒp brɑ s/ noun directors or high-ranking officers top-class /tɒp klɑ s/ adj of the highest class. Synonym best top-down /tɒp daυn/ adj working from general things to more specific ones top hat /tɒp ht/ noun a tall cylindrical hat with a narrow brim which is worn by a man on formal occasions top-heavy /tɒp hevi/ adj with the top part heavier than the bottom, and so likely to fall over ② topic / tɒpk/ noun the subject of a discussion or conversation 쑗 Can we move on to another topic? 왍 to bring up a topic to start to discuss something 쑗 She brought up the topic of where to go on holiday. ③ topical / tɒpk(ə)l/ adj interesting at the present time topless / tɒpləs/ adj not wearing any clothes on the top part of your body top-level / tɒp lev(ə)l/ adj involving the most important people torpedo topmost / tɒpməυst/ adj highest or nearest the top topography /tə pɒDZrəfi/ noun the study or description of the physical features of a place and its rivers, mountains, and valleys topping / tɒpŋ/ noun things such as cream or melted cheese, put on the top of food such as cakes, pizzas, or ice cream topple / tɒp(ə)l/ verb 1. to fall down 쑗 He lost his balance and toppled forwards. 2. to make a government or dictator lose power 쑗 The government was toppled after three days of street fighting. topple over /tɒp(ə)l əυvə/ verb to fall down top secret /tɒp si krət/ adj absolutely secret topsy-turvy /tɒpsi t" vi/ adj in disorder or all upside down. Synonym confused top up /tɒp p/ verb to add liquid to fill completely something which is half empty top-up / tɒp p/ noun the liquid which you add to a half-empty cup or glass to make it full again Torah / tɔ rə/ noun the first five books of the Jewish bible ③ torch /tɔ tʃ/ noun 1. a small portable electric lamp 쑗 Take a torch if you’re going into the cave. 쑗 I always carry a small torch in the car. (NOTE: The US term is flashlight.) 2. a flaming light, carried in the hand 쑗 The demonstrators marched through the streets carrying torches. (NOTE: The plural is torches.) 쐽 verb to set fire to something on purpose 쑗 The rioters torched the police station. Synonym burn down torchlight / tɔ tʃlat/ noun the light from a torch. Synonym beam ③ tore /tɔ / 쒁 tear torment noun / tɔ ment/ extreme pain 쑗 the torment of parents who are separated from their children 왍 in torment in great pain 쑗 After days in torment with his back pain, he finally went to see the doctor. 쐽 verb /tɔ ment/ to make someone suffer 쑗 The old couple were tormented by their neighbours’ children and in the end moved to a different street. 쑗 He was constantly tormented by doubt. Synonym annoy. Antonym comfort tormentor /tɔ mentə/ noun a person who torments a person or an animal. Synonym oppressor ③ torn /tɔ n/ 쒁 tear tornado /tɔ nedəυ/ noun a violent storm with a whirlwind (NOTE: The plural is tornadoes.) torpedo /tɔ pi dəυ/ noun a missile like a shell which travels under the water 쑗 The submarine fired a torpedo. 쑗 The ship was hit by three torpedoes and sank immediately. (NOTE: The plural is torpedoes.) 쐽 verb 1. torpor 915 to sink a ship using a torpedo 쑗 The ship was torpedoed by an enemy submarine. 2. to ruin someone’s plans 쑗 His grandiose scheme for a leisure complex was torpedoed by the council planning department. torpor / tɔ pə/ noun being half-asleep and slow to react. Synonym inactivity. Antonym excitement torrent / tɒrənt/ noun 1. a fast rushing stream 쑗 To get to the farm we had to cross a mountain torrent. 2. a fast flow 쑗 The rain came down in torrents. 3. 왍 a torrent of abuse a large number of insults which are spoken rapidly 쑗 She let out a torrent of abuse. torrential /tə renʃəl/ adj like a torrent torrid / tɒrd/ adj 1. very hot 쑗 the torrid tropical afternoon 2. intensely sexual 쑗 A tale of torrid romance and intrigue. torso / tɔ səυ/ noun the main part of the body, not including the head, arms and legs (NOTE: The plural is torsos.) tortilla /tɔ ti ə/ noun 1. a type of Spanish omelette, often made with potato and onion 2. a round, flat bread made of corn or wheat flour 쑗 Tortillas are part of Mexican food. tortoise / tɔ təs/ noun a reptile covered with a hard shell, which moves very slowly on land and can live to be very old (NOTE: British English uses the word turtle for similar animals which live in water; American English uses turtle for both.) tortoiseshell / tɔ təsʃel/ adj, noun speck- led brown material from the shell of a turtle used for making objects like combs and frames for glasses tortoiseshell cat /tɔ təsʃel kt/ noun a brown, yellow, white and black cat tortuous / tɔ tʃuəs/ adj 1. which twists and turns 쑗 Because of the roadworks we have to take a long and tortuous route back home. 2. very complicated 쑗 I won’t start explaining the tortuous procedure we had to go through to recover our money. torture / tɔ tʃə/ noun 1. making someone suffer pain as a punishment or to make them reveal a secret 쑗 They accused the police of using torture to get information about the plot. 2. extreme mental or physical pain. Synonym agony 쐽 verb to inflict mental or physical pain on someone 쑗 The soldiers tortured their prisoners. 쑗 was tortured with doubts. Synonym torment Tory / tɔ ri/ adj referring to the Conservative party 쑗 a Tory government 쑗 the last Tory Prime Minister 쐽 noun a member of the Conservative party 쑗 The Tories have recently elected a new leader. (NOTE: The plural is Tories.) ③ toss /tɒs/ noun 1. the act of throwing something into the air 왍 to win the toss (in totter sport) to guess correctly which side of the coin comes down on top and so have first choice or play first 2. a sharp movement up and down of the head 쑗 With a toss of its head, the horse galloped off. 쐽 verb 1. to throw something up into the air 쑗 He tried to toss the pancake and it fell on the kitchen floor. 쑗 She tossed me her car keys. 왍 to toss a coin to throw a coin to decide something according to which side is on top when it comes down 쑗 We tossed a coin and I had to do the washing up. 왍 let’s toss for it let’s throw a coin in the air and the person who guesses right starts to play first or has first choice 2. to move something about 쑗 The waves tossed the little boat up and down. 왍 the horse tossed its head the horse made a sharp movement of the head 왍 to toss a salad to mix a salad 왍 to toss and turn to move about in bed, not able to sleep toss up /tɒs p/ verb to throw a coin to see which side is on top when it comes down toss-up / tɒs p/ noun 1. a situation where either of two things is possible 왍 it’s a toss-up who’s going to win either of them can win 쑗 Chelsea and Arsenal are both on top form, so it’s a toss-up which side will win. 2. throwing a coin in the air to guess which side comes down on top and so deciding which team starts first 쑗 The two captains stood with the referee in the centre circle for the toss-up. tot /tɒt/ noun 1. a little child 쑗 She took the tot by the hand and led him back into the house. 쑗 There are special classes where they teach tiny tots to swim. 2. a small glass of alcohol 쑗 A tot of whisky before dinner won’t do you any harm. ① total / təυt(ə)l/ adj complete or whole 쑗 The expedition was a total failure. 쑗 Their total losses come to over £400,000. 쐽 noun the whole amount 쑗 The total comes to more than £1,000. 쐽 verb to add up to 쑗 The bill totalled £600. 쑗 He was declared bankrupt, with debts totalling more than £1m. (NOTE: totalling – totalled. The US spelling is totaling – totaled.) totalitarian /təυtl teəriən/ adj having total power and not allowing any opposition or personal freedom. Synonym authoritarian. Antonym democratic totalitarianism /təυtl teəriənz(ə)m/ noun a political system where the state has total power over the citizens ① totally / təυt(ə)li/ adv completely 쑗 The house was totally destroyed in the fire. 쑗 I had totally forgotten that I had promised to be there. 쑗 He disagrees totally with what the first speaker said. Antonym partly totter / tɒtə/ noun 1. to walk unsteadily or to wobble 쑗 I cannot bear to look at her tottering along in those platform shoes. 쑗 The tot up 916 old lady manages to totter over to the bakery to get some fresh bread every day. 2. to be in a weak condition and likely to collapse 쑗 The company is tottering and we wonder how long it will survive. 쑗 The IMF has proposed ways of improving the country’s tottering economy. tot up /tɒt p/ verb to add up (NOTE: totting – totted) ① touch /ttʃ/ noun 1. one of the five senses, the sense of feeling with the fingers 쑗 The sense of touch is very acute in blind people. 2. contact, the passing of news and information 왍 to get in touch with someone to contact someone 쑗 I’ll try to get in touch with you next week. 왍 to lose touch with someone to lose contact with someone 쑗 They used to live next door, but we’ve lost touch with them now that they’ve moved to London. 왍 to put someone in touch with someone to arrange for someone to have contact with someone 쑗 The bank put us in touch with a local lawyer. 왍 to stay in touch with someone to keep contact with someone 쑗 We met in Hong Kong thirty years ago but we have still kept in touch. 3. a gentle physical contact 쑗 I felt a light touch on my hand. 4. a very small amount 쑗 He added a few touches of paint to the picture. 쑗 There’s a touch of frost in the air this morning. 왍 a touch of indigestion a slight attack of indigestion 왍 finishing touches final work to make something perfect 쑗 We’re just putting the finishing touches to the exhibition before we open tomorrow morning. 5. a special style 쑗 She added an artistic touch to the meal. (NOTE: plural in meanings 3 and 4 is touches) 쐽 verb 1. to feel with your fingers 쑗 The policeman touched him on the shoulder. 쑗 Don’t touch that cake – it’s for your mother. 2. to be so close to something that you press against it 쑗 His feet don’t touch the floor when he sits on a big chair. 쑗 There is a mark on the wall where the sofa touches it. 3. to eat or drink 쑗 I never touch coffee. 쑗 We never touch food which has not been washed. 4. to make someone feel sad or sympathetic 쑗 His sad song touched all the people in the church. 5. 왍 to touch someone for to try and get someone to give you money (informal ) 쑗 How much did he touch you for? touch-and-go /ttʃ ən DZəυ/ adj possible that anything can happen touch down /ttʃ daυn/ verb 1. to land 쑗 The plane touched down at 13.20. 2. to score a try in rugby, by touching the ground behind the opponents’ line with the ball 쑗 He touched down behind the posts. touchdown / ttʃdaυn/ noun 1. the landing of a plane or spacecraft 쑗 The plane veered across the runway as one of its tyres burst on touchdown. 2. (in rugby) scoring a . tour try by touching the ground behind the opponents’ line with the ball 쑗 He burst through for a touchdown between the posts. 3. US scoring a goal in American football by taking the ball over the opponents’ line 쑗 He completed a pass for the winning touchdown. touched /ttʃt/ adj grateful, pleased with touching / ttʃŋ/ adj which affects the emotions touchline / ttʃlan/ noun a white line along the side of a football field touch on / kt ɒn/, touch upon / ttʃ pɒn/ verb to mention briefly touch screen / ttʃ skri n/ noun a computer screen which you operate by touching displayed options with your finger touchstone / ttʃstəυn/ noun something which is an excellent example and is a standard by which to judge other things touch up /ttʃ p/ verb to add a small amount of paint to a surface touchy / ttʃi/ adj 1. easily offended 쑗 Don’t mention his red hair – he’s very touchy about it. 2. which is likely to cause offence 쑗 Don’t mention his divorce- it’s a very touchy subject at the moment. ② tough /tf/ adj 1. difficult to chew or to cut 쑗 My steak’s a bit tough – how’s yours? 왍 this meat is as tough as old boots it is extremely tough (informal ) 2. difficult 쑗 The exam is extremely tough. Antonym easy 3. strict 쑗 The police are getting tough on drunk drivers. 4. able to deal with difficult or violent situations 5. unfortunate 쑗 It’s tough that you can’t come to the party. 쑗 Having three little children to look after is tough on the parents. 왍 tough luck! hard luck! tough cookie /tf kυki/ noun a tough person (informal ) toughen / tf(ə)n/ verb 1. to make tough or harder 쑗 Cooking the meat too much will simply toughen it. 왍 toughened glass specially strengthened glass 쑗 Toughened glass is used for shop windows. 2. to make more strict or severe 쑗 The aim is to toughen university entrance requirements. toughen up /tf(ə)n p/ verb to make someone tougher, stronger or harder toupee / tu pe/ noun artificial hair worn to cover a bald area on a man’s head ② tour /tυə/ noun 1. a holiday journey to various places coming back eventually to the place you started from 쑗 There are so many tours to choose from – I can’t decide which one to go on. 쑗 She gave us a tour round the old castle. 2. a journey on business to various places coming back eventually to the place you started from 쑗 He is leading a group of businessmen on a tour of Italian factories. 3. a journey round various places where you perform or speak 쑗 The pop group is on an . . tourism 917 American tour. 쑗 The Prime Minister went on a tour of the North East. 쐽 verb 1. to go on holiday, visiting various places 쑗 They toured the south of France. 2. to visit various places to perform or speak 쑗 The opera company toured Eastern Europe last year. tourism / tυərz(ə)m/ noun the business of providing travel, accommodation, food and entertainment for tourists ③ tourist / tυərst/ noun a person who goes on holiday to visit places away from their home 쑗 The tourists were talking German. 쑗 There were parties of tourists visiting all the churches. 쑗 Trafalgar Square is always full of tourists. tourist class / tυərst klɑ s/ noun a type of seating in an aircraft which is cheaper than first class tourist trap / tυərst trp/ noun a place which charges tourists too much tourist visa / tυərst vi zə/ noun a visa which allows a person to visit a country for a short time on holiday tournament / tυənəmənt/ noun a sporting competition with many games where competitors who lose drop out until only one is left. Synonym contest tourniquet / tɔ nke/ noun a tight bandage put round an arm or leg to stop bleeding tour operator / tu ər ɒpəretə/ noun a travel agency which organises and sells package holidays or tours tousled / taυz(ə)ld/ adj referring to hair or fur which is messy or tangled tout /taυt/ verb 1. to praise something in the hope that people will believe you 쑗 The book was touted as a masterpiece. 2. 왍 to tout for business or custom to try to find new customers 쑗 As soon as we left the airport building we were surrounded by taxi drivers touting for business. tow /təυ/ noun the action of pulling something 쑗 We got a tractor to give us a tow to the nearest garage. (NOTE: Do not confuse with toe.) 쐽 verb to pull a car or a ship which cannot move by itself 쑗 The motorways were crowded with cars towing caravans. 쑗 They towed the ship into port. ① towards /tə wɔ dz/ prep 1. in the direction of 쑗 The crowd ran towards the police station. 쑗 The bus was travelling south, towards London. 쑗 The ship sailed straight towards the rocks. 2. near in time 쑗 Do you have any free time towards the end of the month? 쑗 The exhibition will be held towards the middle of October. 3. as part of the money to pay for something 쑗 He gave me £100 towards the cost of the hotel. 4. in relation to 쑗 She always behaved very kindly towards her father. (NOTE: [all senses] The US term is toward.) townspeople towel / taυəl/ noun a large piece of soft cloth for drying 쑗 There’s only one towel in the bathroom. 쑗 After washing her hair, she wound the towel round her head. 쑗 I’ll get some fresh towels. 왍 to throw in the towel to give up, not to continue a contest towelling / taυəlŋ/ noun an absorbent type of soft cloth used mainly for making towels (NOTE: The US spelling is toweling.) towel rail / taυəl rel/ noun a bar of metal or wood in a bathroom on which you can hang a towel ③ tower / taυə/ noun a tall construction 쑗 The castle has thick walls and four square towers. 쐽 verb 왍 to tower over to rise very high above 쑗 He towers over his wife who is very small. tower block / taυə blɒk/ noun a very tall block of flats towering / taυərŋ/ adj 1. very tall 쑗 towering cliffs 2. 왍 towering rage very great rage 쑗 When he read the letter he went into a towering rage. Tower of London /taυə əv lndən/ noun a castle in London, built by William the Conqueror ① town /taυn/ noun 1. a place, larger than a village, where people live and work, with houses, shops, offices, factories and other buildings 쑗 There’s no shop in our village, so we do our shopping in the nearest town. 쑗 They moved their office to the centre of town. 왍 to go to town on something to spend a lot of money or time on something (informal ) 쑗 She really went to town on buying furniture for the new house. 왍 to paint the town red to go out drinking and going to parties in town (informal ) 2. the people living in a town 쑗 The whole town refused to pay the tax. ③ town centre /taυn sentə/ noun the central part of a town, where main shops, banks and places of interest are situated . . (NOTE: The US term is downtown.) town hall /taυn hɔ l/ noun the main building in a town, where the town council meets, and where many of the council departments are town house / taυn haυs/ noun 1. a house in a town belonging to someone who also has a house in the country 쑗 He has a castle in Northumberland, and a town house in London. 2. an expensive modern terraced house 쑗 They’re building a row of town houses behind the police station. township / taυnʃp/ noun 1. (in the USA and Canada) a local administrative area formed of a small town and the area round it 2. (formerly, in South Africa) an urban area where black people live townspeople / taυnzpi p(ə)l/ plural noun people who live in a town toxaemia 918 toxaemia /tɒk si miə/ noun blood poisoning, a condition caused by bacteria in the blood (NOTE: The US spelling is toxemia.) toxic / tɒksk/ adj harmful. Synonym poisonous. Antonym harmless toxic waste /tɒksk west/ noun waste which is poisonous or harmful to the environment toxin / tɒksn/ noun a poisonous substance produced inside the body by germs. Synonym poison ② toy /tɔ/ noun a thing for children to play with 쑗 We gave him a box of toy soldiers for Christmas. 쑗 The children’s toys are all over the sitting room floor. 쑗 She won’t let me play with any of her toys. 쐽 verb 앳 to toy with something 1. to deal with or consider something or someone casually 쑗 I’m toying with the idea of selling my house. 쑗 After several broken promises, she realised he was just toying with her. 2. to push food about as though you were eating but without eating much of it 쑗 She had no appetite and only toyed with her meat. toy boy / tɔ bɔ/ noun a younger man who is the companion of an older woman (offensive) toyshop / tɔʃɒp/ noun a shop which sells toys ③ trace /tres/ noun 1. something which shows that something existed 쑗 The police found traces of blood in the kitchen. 왍 without trace leaving nothing behind 쑗 The car seems to have vanished without trace. 2. a very small amount 쑗 There was a trace of powder on his coat. 쑗 She showed no trace of anger. 쐽 verb 1. to follow an animal’s tracks 쑗 We traced the badger back to its hole. 2. to find where someone or something is 쑗 They couldn’t trace the letter. 쑗 The police traced him to Dover. 3. to copy a drawing or other image by placing a sheet of transparent paper over it and drawing on it 쑗 She traced the map and put it into her project on the history of the village. trace element / tres elmənt/ noun a chemical element which a plant or animal needs to grow properly, but only in very small amounts trachea /trə ki ə/ noun the main air passage which runs from the larynx to the lungs, where it divides (technical ) Also called . windpipe ② track /trk/ noun 1. a rough path 쑗 We followed a track through the forest. 왍 off the beaten track in a place which is not normally visited by many people 왍 you’re on the right track you’re working the right way in order to succeed, you’re doing the right thing 쑗 We haven’t solved the problem yet, but we’re certainly on the right track. 왍 you’re on the wrong track you’re working trade in the wrong way 2. a path for races 3. a line of parallel rails for trains 쑗 The trains will be late because of repairs to the track. 왍 to have a one-track mind to think about only one thing or to have only one thing which interests you (informal ) 4. one of the sections on a disk 쑗 One of the tracks from their disk has been released as a single. 쐽 verb to follow someone or an animal 쑗 The hunters tracked the bear through the forest. 쑗 The police tracked the gang to a flat in south London. 쏡 tracks trackball / trkbɔ l/ noun a ball used instead of a computer mouse to control the cursor on a computer screen track down /trk daυn/ verb 왍 to track someone down to follow and catch someone, e.g. a criminal 쑗 Did you track down your old boss? 왍 to track something down to manage to find something or someone 쑗 I finally tracked down that file which you were looking for. track record / trk rekɔ d/ noun the success or failure of someone or a business in the past tracks /trks/ plural noun a series of footprints left by an animal or marks left by things like wheels왍 to make tracks for to go towards 쑗 They made tracks for the nearest hotel. ③ tracksuit / trksu t/ noun a pair of matching trousers and top, in warm material, worn when practising sports tract /trkt/ noun 1. a large area of land 쑗 Whole tracts of forest have been contaminated by acid rain. 2. a short pamphlet, usually on a religious subject 쑗 Someone pushed a tract on the dangers of alcohol through our letterbox. 3. a system of organs and tubes in the body which are linked together 쑗 The respiratory tract takes air into the lungs. traction / trkʃən/ noun 1. pulling a broken leg or other part of tbe body with weights and pulleys so as to straighten it 쑗 After we have set the bone, the leg will require traction. 왍 in traction having a broken limb attached and pulled so that it becomes straight 쑗 She was in traction for several weeks. 2. (of a tyre) the gripping power between a tyre and the road surface 쑗 These tyres are so old they have no traction at all on ice. 3. the force of pulling tractor / trktə/ noun a heavy vehicle with large back wheels, used for work on farms ① trade /tred/ noun 1. the business of buying and selling 쑗 Britain’s trade with the rest of Europe is up by 10%. 왍 to do a good trade in a range of products to sell a large number of a range of products 왍 to do a roaring trade to sell a lot very fast 쑗 The ice cream sellers have been doing a roaring trade during the hot weather. 2. people or . trade deficit 919 companies that deal in the same type of product or service 쑗 He is in the secondhand car trade. 쐽 verb 1. to buy and sell, to carry on a business 쑗 The company has stopped trading. 쑗 They trade in furs. 2. to exchange something for something 쑗 I’ll trade the car for your motorbike. trade deficit / tred defst/ noun the difference between the value of a country’s exports and the value of its imports trade fair / tred feə/ noun an occasion when manufacturers and producers exhibit their products and services to try to sell them trade in /tred n/ verb to give in an old item, such as a car or washing-machine, as part of the payment for a new one. Synonym exchange trade off /tred ɒf/ verb to balance one thing against another to get a final result 쑗 We needed to trade off the disadvantages of staying where we are against the cost of moving to new premises. trade-off / tred ɒf/ noun exchanging one thing for another as part of a deal. Synonym compromise trade on / tred ɒn/ verb to exploit or to use something to your advantage trade price / tred pras/ noun a special wholesale price paid by a retailer to a wholesaler or manufacturer trader / tredə/ noun a person who does business. Synonym dealer tradesman / tredzmən/ noun a person who runs a shop (dated ) (NOTE: The plural is . tradesmen.) trade unionist /tred ju njənst/ noun a member of a trade union trading / tredŋ/ noun the business of buying and selling trading estate / tredŋ stet/ noun a group of warehouses and factories built together ② tradition /trə dʃ(ə)n/ noun beliefs, customs and stories which are passed from one generation to the next 쑗 It’s a family tradition for the eldest son to take over the business. 쑗 According to local tradition, two murderers were hanged at the crossroads. Antonym innovation ① traditional /trə dʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adj according to tradition 쑗 On Easter Day it is traditional to give chocolate eggs to the children. 쑗 Villagers still wear their traditional costumes on Sundays. Synonym usual traditionalist /trə dʃ(ə)nəlst/ noun a person who does things in a traditional way. Synonym conservative. Antonym progressive traditionally /trə dʃ(ə)nəli/ adv according to tradition. Synonym usually. Antonym occasionally tragically traffic / trfk/ noun 1. cars, lorries, buses and other vehicles which are travelling on a street or road 쑗 I leave the office early on Fridays because there is so much traffic leaving London. 쑗 The lights turned green and the traffic moved forward. 쑗 Rush-hour traffic is worse on Fridays. 2. an illegal trade 쑗 the South American drugs traffic (NOTE: ① no plural: some traffic; a lot of traffic) 쐽 verb to deal in drugs, weapons, etc., illegally 쑗 He made a fortune trafficking (NOTE: trafficking – trafficked) in cocaine. traffic-calming /trfk kɑ mŋ/ noun 왍 traffic-calming measures ways used to make traffic less or slower, such as imposing speed limits, building humps in roads, etc. traffic circle / trfk s" k(ə)l/ noun US a place where several roads meet, and traffic has to move in a circle round a central area (NOTE: The British term is roundabout.) traffic island / trfk alənd/ noun a small piece of pavement in the centre of the road where pedestrians can safely stand traffic jam / trfk dȢm/ noun a situation where cars, lorries, buses and other vehicles cannot move forward on a road because there is too much traffic, because there has been an accident or because of roadworks. Synonym tailback trafficker / trfkə/ noun 왍 drugs trafficker a person who deals illegally in drugs 쑗 The customs stopped him because they suspected he was a drugs trafficker. ③ traffic lights / trfk lats/ plural noun red, green and amber lights for making the traffic stop and start 쑗 To get to the police station, you have to turn left at the next traffic lights. 쑗 He drove across the junction when the traffic lights were red. (NOTE: often shortened to lights) traffic offence / trfk əfens/ noun an offence committed by drivers of vehicles traffic police / trfk pəli s/ noun a branch of the police force dealing with traffic on roads traffic warden / trfk wɔ dən/ noun a person whose job it is to see that cars are legally parked, and to give parking tickets to those which are parked illegally ③ tragedy / trdȢədi/ noun 1. a serious play, film or novel which ends sadly 쑗 Shakespeare’s tragedy ‘King Lear’ is playing at the National Theatre. 2. a very unhappy event 쑗 Tragedy struck the family when their mother was killed in a car crash. (NOTE: The plural is tragedies.) ③ tragic / trdȢk/ adj 1. very sad 쑗 a tragic accident on the motorway 2. referring to a tragedy actors 쑗 one of the greatest tragic tragically / trdȢkli/ adv very sadly trail 920 trail /trel/ noun 1. tracks left by an animal or by a criminal 쑗 We followed the trail of the bear through the forest. 쑗 The burglars left in a red sports car, and a police car was soon on their trail. 2. a path or track 쑗 Keep to the trail otherwise you will get lost. 왍 mountain trail a path through mountains 3. something that follows behind 쑗 The car left a trail of blue smoke. 쑗 The dogs followed the trail of drops of blood to a warehouse. 쑗 The storm left a trail of destruction across the south of the country. 쐽 verb 1. to follow the tracks left by an animal or a person 쑗 The police trailed the group across Europe. 2. 왍 to trail behind to follow slowly after someone 쑗 She came third, trailing a long way behind the first two runners. 쑗 The little children trailed behind the older ones. 3. to let something drag behind 쑗 She stormed out, trailing her coat on the floor behind her. trailer / trelə/ noun 1. a small goods vehicle pulled behind a car 쑗 We carried all our camping gear in the trailer. 2. parts of a full-length film shown as an advertisement for it 쑗 We saw the trailer last week, and it put me off the film. trailer park / trelə pɑ k/ noun a place where trailers are kept, usually permanently. Also called mobile home (NOTE: The Brit③ ish term is caravan.) ① train /tren/ noun 1. an engine pulling a group of coaches on the railway 쑗 To get to Glasgow, you have to change trains at Crewe. 쑗 The train to Paris leaves from platform 1. 쑗 Hundreds of people go to work every day by train. 쑗 The next train to London will be in two minutes. 왍 suburban train a train which goes from the centre of a town to the suburbs 2. a series of things, one after the other 쑗 The police are trying to piece together the train of events which led to the accident. 왍 train of thought a series of thoughts, one after the other 쑗 My wife asked me to help with the baby, thus breaking my train of thought. 3. a part of a dress which hangs down on to the ground at the back 쑗 The bride’s train was held by four little pages. 쐽 verb 1. to teach someone or an animal how to do something 쑗 She’s being trained to be a bus driver. 쑗 Guide dogs are trained to lead blind people. 2. to make a plant grow in a certain way 쑗 We’ve trained the clematis up the wall. 3. to become fit by practising for a sport 쑗 He’s training for the 100 metres. 쑗 She’s training for the Olympics. 4. to point a rifle or a telescope at something 쑗 The ship sailed south, with her guns trained onto the shore. trained /trend/ adj who has been through a course of training trainee /tre ni / noun a person who is being trained. Synonym apprentice trample trainer / trenə/ noun 1. a person who trains an athlete 쑗 His trainer says he’s in peak condition for the fight. 2. a small aircraft in which pilots learn to fly trainers / trenəz/ plural noun light sports shoes 쑗 She needs a new pair of trainers for school. 쑗 He comes to work every morning in trainers. ① training / trenŋ/ noun 1. being taught a skill or being trained 쑗 The shop is closed on Tuesday mornings for staff training. 쑗 There is a ten-week training period for new staff. 2. practising for a sport 왍 to be in training to practise for a sport 쑗 She’s in training for the Olympics. traipse /treps/ verb to walk about in a heavy, tired way (informal ) Synonym trudge ③ trait /tret/ noun a particular characteristic of someone traitor / tretə/ noun a person who betrays his or her country, especially by giving secret information to the enemy. Antonym loyalist traitorous / tret(ə)rəs/ adj like a traitor (literary). Synonym disloyal. Antonym loyal trajectory /trə dȢekt(ə)ri/ noun the curving movement of something which has been thrown or shot through the air. Synonym ③ . route tram /trm/ noun an electric public transport vehicle, which runs on rails laid in the street (NOTE: The US term is streetcar.) tramcar / trmkɑ / noun a single carriage in a tram tramlines / trmlanz/ plural noun 1. the rails in a street along which a tram runs 쑗 Don’t stand on the tramlines – a tram may come round the corner. 2. the two side lines on a tennis court 쑗 He sent a passing shot down the tramlines. tramp /trmp/ noun 1. a noise of heavy feet hitting the ground 쑗 The streets were filled with the tramp of marching soldiers. 2. a long walk 쑗 We went for a tramp along the cliffs last Sunday. 3. a person who has nowhere to live and walks from place to place looking for work or begging for food or money 쑗 The farmer was surprised to find a tramp asleep in one of his barns. (NOTE: The US term is hobo.) 쐽 verb 1. to walk with heavy feet 쑗 They tramped through the snow to get to the camp. 쑗 You could hear soldiers tramping through the streets at night. 쑗 All day long, we had the workmen tramping through the house with their dirty boots. 2. to walk for a long distance 쑗 They tramped for miles before they came to a little inn. trample / trmp(ə)l/ verb 앳 to trample on something 1. to crush something by walking on it 쑗 They trampled on the enemy flag and then burnt it. 2. to crush something violently 쑗 Several children were trampled trampoline 921 to death in the riot. 쑗 The government has trampled on the rights of the ordinary citizen. trampoline / trmpəli n/ noun a large sheet of elastic material stretched across a frame, which you can bounce or jump on tramway / trmwe/ noun the rails on which a tram runs trance /trɑ ns/ noun a state when you are not alert but not asleep, and do not notice what is going on around you tranquil / trŋkwl/ adj calm or peaceful tranquillise / trŋkwlaz/, tranquillize verb to make someone calm by giving them drugs. Synonym sedate (NOTE: The US spelling is tranquilize.) tranquilliser / trŋkwlazə/ noun a drug which makes a person calm down (NOTE: The US spelling is tranquilizer.) tranquillity /trŋ kwlti/ noun being calm or peaceful (NOTE: The US spelling is tranquility.) transact /trn zkt/ verb 왍 to transact business to carry out a piece of business 쑗 He has been banned from transacting business on the Stock Exchange. 쑗 The council will meet next week to transact the following business. transaction /trn zkʃən/ noun a piece of business. Synonym deal transatlantic /trnzət lntk/ adj 1. across the Atlantic 쑗 Transatlantic flights take about six hours depending on the wind. 쑗 Prices for transatlantic phone calls have been reduced. 2. on the other side of the Atlantic 쑗 our transatlantic trading partners transcend /trn send/ verb to go better or further than something or to be much more important than something transcendent /trn sendənt/ adj very great (formal ) transcendental /trnsen dent(ə)l/ adj which rises above the level of ordinary thought or reasoning transcontinental /trnzkɒnt nent(ə)l/ adj across a continent transcribe /trn skrab/ verb 1. to write out the text of something which is heard 쑗 His speech was transcribed from the radio tape. 쑗 The sound of each word has been transcribed into phonetic characters. 2. to rewrite a piece of music for a different instrument than the one for which it was originally written 쑗 The piece was originally written for the violin and then transcribed for piano. transcript / trnskrpt/ noun a written record of something which has been noted in shorthand, or text of what was said on a radio programme, at a meeting, etc. transcription /trn skrpʃən/ noun words which have been transcribed . transit ② transfer noun 1. the action of moving something or someone to a new place 쑗 I’ve applied for a transfer to our London branch. 왍 on the transfer list on the list of footballers who can go to work for other teams 2. changing to another form of transport 3. a decoration which is taken off a piece of paper and is stuck on to a surface 쑗 She has little transfers of flowers and animals on her arms. 쐽 verb 1. to move something or someone to another place 쑗 The money will be transferred directly to your bank account. 쑗 She transferred her passport from her handbag to her jacket pocket. 쑗 He’s been transferred to our New York office. 2. to change from one type of travel to another 쑗 When you get to London airport, you have to transfer onto an internal flight. (NOTE: transferring – transferred) transferable /trns f" rəb(ə)l/ adj which can be transferred 왍 transferable skills skills which you can use in several different types of job 왍 this ticket is not transferable this ticket cannot be given or lent to anyone else to use transfix /trns fks/ verb to prevent someone from moving because of a shock transfixed /trns fkst/ adj prevented from moving because of a shock ③ transform /trns fɔ m/ verb to change the appearance of someone or something completely. Synonym alter ③ transformation /trnsfə meʃ(ə)n/ noun a complete change of appearance. Synonym alteration transformer /trns fɔ mə/ noun a device for changing the voltage of an alternating current transgenic /trnz dȢenk/ adj referring to an animal or plant with genes from a different species transgress /trnz DZres/ verb to go against a rule. Synonym misbehave. Antonym behave transgression /trnz DZreʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of transgressing. Synonym wrongdoing transient / trnziənt/ adj which will not last 쑗 Fame for most pop groups is very transient. Synonym fleeting. Antonym permanent transistor /trn zstə/ noun a device made of semi-conductors which can control the flow of electric current in a circuit transit / trnst/ noun the movement of passengers or goods on the way to a destination. Synonym transportation 왍 in transit in the process of being moved from one place to another 쑗 The police seized the goods when they were in transit between London and Manchester. transition 922 transition /trn zʃ(ə)n/ noun the process of moving from one situation to another transitional /trn zʃ(ə)nəl/ adj referring to transition 왍 transitional government temporary government between two different regimes 쑗 The commander-in-chief of the army has been appointed head of the transitional government. transit lounge / trnst laυndȢ/ noun a waiting room in an airport where passengers wait for connecting flights transitory / trnst(ə)ri/ adj which does not last for long. Synonym fleeting. Antonym permanent transit passengers / trnst psndȢəz/ plural noun travellers who are changing from one aircraft to another transit visa / trnst vi zə/ noun a visa which allows someone to spend a short time in one country while travelling to another country translate /trns let/ verb to put written or spoken words into another language 쑗 Can you translate what he said? 쑗 He asked his secretary to translate the letter from the German agent. 쑗 She translates mainly from Spanish into English, not from English into Spanish. translation /trns leʃ(ə)n/ noun text which has been translated 쑗 I read Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’ in translation. 쑗 She passed the translation of the letter to the accounts department. translator /trns letə/ noun a person who translates translucent /trns lu s(ə)nt/ adj which light can pass through, but which you cannot see through clearly transmission /trnz mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. passing of disease from one person to another 쑗 Patients must be isolated to prevent transmission of the disease to the general public. 2. a radio or TV broadcast 쑗 We interrupt this transmission to bring you a news flash. 3. (in a car ) a series of moving parts which pass the power from the engine through the gearbox and clutch to the axles 쑗 There’s a strange noise coming from the transmission. transmit /trnz mt/ verb 1. to pass a disease from one person to another 쑗 The disease was transmitted to all the people he came into contact with. 쑗 The disease is transmitted by fleas. 2. to send out a programme or a message by radio or TV 쑗 The message was transmitted to the ship by radio. (NOTE: transmitting – transmitted) transmitter /trnz mtə/ noun apparatus for sending out radio or TV signals transparency /trns prənsi/ noun 1. the quality of being transparent 쑗 The transparency of the water allows you to see the . trap coral reefs. 2. being clear when making decisions, and being open to the public about official actions 쑗 The government insists on the importance of transparency in all its actions. 3. a photograph which is printed on transparent film so that it can be projected on to a screen 쑗 Transparency is another name for ‘slide’. 쑗 Do you want to have prints or transparencies? (NOTE: The plural in this meaning is transparencies) transparent /trns prənt/ adj 1. which you can see through 쑗 The meat is wrapped in transparent plastic film. 2. which is completely obvious 쑗 His explanation was a transparent lie. 3. clear and open about official actions 쑗 The government insists on the importance all its actions being transparent. transpire /trn spaə/ verb 1. to become obvious 쑗 It transpired that she had never seen the letter. 2. (of a plant) to lose water through the surface of a leaf 쑗 In tropical rainforests, up to 75% of rainfall will transpire into the atmosphere. transplant noun / trnsplɑ nt/ 1. the act of taking an organ such as the heart, or tissue such as a piece of skin, and grafting it onto a patient to replace an organ or tissue which is diseased or damaged 쑗 He had a heart transplant. 쑗 The kidney transplant was rejected. 2. an organ or piece of tissue which is transplanted 쐽 verb /trns plɑ nt/ 1. to move a plant from one place to another 쑗 You should not transplant trees in the summer. 2. to graft an organ or piece of tissue onto a patient to replace an organ or tissue which diseased or damaged 쑗 They transplanted a kidney from his brother. ② transport noun / trnspɔ t/ the movement of goods or people in vehicles 쑗 Air transport is the quickest way to travel from one country to another. 쑗 Rail transport costs are getting lower. 쑗 What means of transport will you use to get to the hotel? 쐽 verb /trns pɔ t/ to move goods or people from one place to another in a vehicle 쑗 The company transports millions of tons of goods by rail each year. 쑗 The visitors will be transported to the factory by helicopter. Synonym convey ③ transportation /trnspɔ teʃ(ə)n/ noun the action or means of moving goods or people 쑗 The company will provide transportation to the airport. Synonym transport transpose /trns pəυz/ verb to make two things change places transverse /trnz v" s/ adj lying across something transvestite /trnz vestat/ noun a person who wears the clothes of the opposite sex. 쏡 drag ③ trap /trp/ noun 1. a device to catch an animal 쑗 We have a mouse in the kitchen so trap door 923 we will put down a trap. 2. a way of catching a person by surprise or tricking them 3. an impolite word for a mouth 왍 keep your trap shut! don’t say anything 4. a bend in a waste pipe which is filled with water, and so stops unpleasant smells coming back up the pipe from the sewer 쐽 verb to catch or hold 쑗 Several people were trapped in the wreckage of the plane. 쑗 He was trapped on video as he tried to burgle the bank. (NOTE: trapping – trapped) trap door / trp dɔ / noun a door in a floor or in a ceiling. Synonym hatch trapeze /trə pi z/ noun a bar which hangs like a swing from ropes high up in a circus tent, used by acrobats trapezium /trə pi ziəm/ noun 1. GB a flat four-sided geometric shape, where two of the sides are parallel and the other two sides are not (NOTE: The US term is trapezoid.) 2. US a flat four-sided geometric shape, where none of the sides are parallel (NOTE: The British term is trapezoid.) trapezoid / trpzɔd/ 쒁 trapezium trapped /trpt/ adj in an awkward situa- tion and unable to move trappings / trpŋz/ plural noun ornaments, clothes and ceremonies which are associated with a particular position 쑗 At the end of his time as mayor, he had to give up the chain, the chauffeur-driven car and all the other trappings of office. 쑗 Enjoy all the trappings of power while you can – they won’t last for ever. trash /trʃ/ noun 1. US useless things 쑗 Throw out all that trash from her bedroom. (NOTE: The British term is rubbish.) 2. something of bad quality, e.g. a newspaper 쐽 verb 1. to smash up 쑗 someone trashed the telephones 2. to ruin someone’s reputation 쑗 She wrote an article trashing the pop singer. trashcan / trʃkn/ noun US a large plastic or metal container for household rubbish (informal ) Also called garbage can . (NOTE: The British term is dustbin.) trashy / trʃi/ adj of bad quality trauma / trɔ mə/ noun a mental shock caused by a sudden unpleasant experience, which was not expected to take place traumatic /trɔ mtk/ adj which gives a sharp and unpleasant shock. Synonym shocking traumatise / trɔ mətaz/, traumatize verb to shock someone ② travel / trv(ə)l/ noun the action of moving from one country or place to another 쑗 Air travel is the only really fast method of going from one country to another. 쐽 verb to move from one country or place to another 쑗 He travels fifty miles by car to go to work every day. 쑗 He has travelled across the United trawler States several times on his motorbike. 쑗 The bullet must have travelled several metres before it hit the wall. Synonym journey (NOTE: travelling – travelled. The US spelling is traveling – traveled.) travel agency / trv(ə)l edȢənsi/ noun an office which arranges tickets and accommodation for travellers travel agent / trv(ə)l edȢənt/ noun a person or company that arranges tickets and accommodation for its customers travel insurance / trv(ə)l nʃυərəns/ noun insurance taken out by a traveller against accident, loss of luggage, and illness traveller / trv(ə)lə/ noun 1. a person who travels 쑗 travellers on the 9 o’clock train to London 쑗 Travellers to France are experiencing delays because of the dock strike. 2. a person who has no fixed home and who travels around the country 쑗 The fields were full of hippies and travellers. 3. a salesman, especially one who travels long distances (dated ) . (NOTE: [all senses] The US spelling is traveler.) traveller’s cheque / trv(ə)ləz tʃek/ noun a cheque which you buy at a bank be- fore you travel and which you can then use in a foreign country (NOTE: The US spelling is traveler’s check.) travelling / trv(ə)lŋ/ adj who travels (NOTE: The US spelling is traveling.) tr